Breakneck Bay is adaptly named. It's an amusement park that is a little run-down and the place to be for teenagers in the summer. Warning signs are poBreakneck Bay is adaptly named. It's an amusement park that is a little run-down and the place to be for teenagers in the summer. Warning signs are posted everywhere in the park.
"Ride at your own risk - thrills aren't for wimps!"
It's 1982 and the summer is hot. Kit is newly married to Mitch, the Manager of the park. One day an ugly crime scene is found in Mitch's office. There's blood splattered everywhere and some missing teeth found at the scene. Also one of the teen girls that works there has not shown up for her shift. This one will keep you guessing! There are some chapters that go back in time.
There's plenty of 1980's nostalgia and it's quick paced. I was entertained! I did want more from the theme park aspect though. The best part was buddy reading this with Darlin' Darla. Be sure to check out her review and thoughts.
If you sign-up for the author's newsletter you will get access to an epilogue from a certain character's point of view. I'm excited to read that.
Published July 24, 2025
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Mirror House Press for granting me access to this Advance Reader's Copy....more
This was fantastic on Audio! There are several narrators. Each narrator brings a good pace and unique tone to their character.
This was a buddy read wThis was fantastic on Audio! There are several narrators. Each narrator brings a good pace and unique tone to their character.
This was a buddy read with my friend, "Darlin' Darla" and I can say it was equally good in print as she very much enjoyed it in that format.
I do enjoy a lot of WW II Historical Fiction but I can understand how hard it is to write something new and refreshing for the genre. Safe to say the renowned David Baldacci has succeeded! He writes a sad but resilient story about three people drawn together at the worst possible time - War. Charlie lives in the East End of London with his Gran. They are struggling to survive through the war. Molly, lives in the west end of London in fashionable Chelsea. She has just arrived back from the countryside and finds herself pretty much alone. They both meet Ignatius Oliver, who is a widower and owns a bookshop in London. He could be hiding something but the two teenagers begin to get close to him at a time when they really need the strength of a grown-up.
There's many twists and turns in this story and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys wartime fiction. Please do check out my friend Darla's perspective of this wonderful story!
Publishes April 15, 2025
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Hachette Audio for granting me access to this Advanced Listening Copy....more
I really enjoyed my first Martha Hall Kelly novel. This is a fictional story that is steeped in actual historical events during WW II on Martha's VineI really enjoyed my first Martha Hall Kelly novel. This is a fictional story that is steeped in actual historical events during WW II on Martha's Vineyard. First off I loved my cover. So eye-catching and mysterious! Historical Fiction WW II novels are among my favourites and this setting was quite refreshing.
The majority of this story is told in the 1942 timeline. There are only a few chapters set in the present day. Mari Starwood comes to Martha's Vineyard in the present day as she wants to meet the famous and elusive painter Elizabeth Devereaux. She has found her name among her deceased Mother's belongings. Mrs. Devereaux lives on a farm. She begins to tell Mari a story about the Smith sisters who used to live there. How this connects to Mari will slowly be revealed.
This is a family story that involves intrigue and mystery with a touch of light romance. This was a buddy read with Darlin' Darla and I very much enjoyed trying to put the pieces together with her. I can always count on Darla for an interesting discussion. Please check out her review as I know she loved this story!
The Author's note at the end is an extra treat. Ms. Kelly explains how some of the characters are based on her own family. Particularly her Mother who lived on Martha's Vineyard during the war years.
Published on May 27, 2025
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Doubleday Canada) for granting me access to this Advanced Reader's Copy....more
When I heard that this story had bits of inspiration from my favourite holiday movie, "Miracle on 34th Street" I was all in When I heard that this story had bits of inspiration from my favourite holiday movie, "Miracle on 34th Street" I was all in ...more
A heartfelt faith based Christmas tale. It's a short story that is set in Victorian times. About a candlemaker in a small village in England who receiA heartfelt faith based Christmas tale. It's a short story that is set in Victorian times. About a candlemaker in a small village in England who receives a visit from an angel who blesses his candle. He then gives it to a neighbour and the man's troubles are lessened. So this begins a tradition in the little village where an angel appears to a candlemaker every 25 years and blesses a special candle. When a new preacher arrives he is skeptical of this tradition. This is the year the angel is due back. Will the tradition continue and will he believe?
While I don't always read Faith based stories I do enjoy some at Christmas time. This was a meaningful message and it was a buddy read with Darla and that made it even more special. Please be sure to check out her beautiful review as I know this was a memorable story for her.
This is one I really wanted to love but only ended up liking. First off - just look at that amazing cover! It reels you in right away! The story gatheThis is one I really wanted to love but only ended up liking. First off - just look at that amazing cover! It reels you in right away! The story gathers its inspiration from, "The Nutcracker." I'm not as familiar with that story and probably should have brushed up on it.
Joy didn't come from what the world made sense. Joy came by embracing love."
Lady Mariah lives at Sugar Plum Manor. She has two suitors. Her childhood friend, Cyril who comes back to the manor as he is next in line to inherit, and Gyldenkrone, a cousin of The Prince of Denmark who is in need of a wife. It's a triangle of sorts set in the Edwardian era. A short novella that is filled with all the holiday trimmings. While it's a sweet story of love and redemption, I just did not fully warm to the characters. It's still a meaningful Christmas story and I would still recommend it - especially for fans of, "The Nutcracker."
The best part of reading this was that I read this with my Darlin' Darla reading buddy! I urge you to take a look at her review as she may have an alternative point of view that just might entice you to pick this one up this holiday season ...more
The story of Rosie Benson. She's 25 years old and struggling to find herself. Her great-aunt Dotty is the only person she can really confide in. When The story of Rosie Benson. She's 25 years old and struggling to find herself. Her great-aunt Dotty is the only person she can really confide in. When she loses her it really puts her life into a spin. Dotty was a colourful individual to say the least but she did care for her family. Rosie wants to inform her aunt's friends about her passing. She sends out a message from her aunt's e-mail account and hopes to find out more about her life through her friends.
This is a debut novel and the writing was very good. I always wanted to keep reading. The story has heart but I didn't quite connect with Rosie. She was a little immature and I didn't understand all her choices - but she is young. She does continue to grow in the book and it was nice to see that. While Dotty made me smile a few times I didn't get the warm and fuzzy feels I was expecting from her. I think it could just simply be put down to not being the right, "demographic" for this one. I know plenty of others enjoyed it more than I did.
The plus side was buddy reading this one with, "Darlin' Darla." It's always a pleasure to reflect with her. Please be sure to check-out her review too ...more
I really enjoyed this one! It comes across as fun and light but delves into some serious issues. It's really entertaining on audio. The narration is tI really enjoyed this one! It comes across as fun and light but delves into some serious issues. It's really entertaining on audio. The narration is top-notch!
The book opens as Nora is awakening from a surfing accident. It's a Near Death Experience (NDR) and it really makes Nora evaluate her life now. She decides upon a "reverse bucket list." She's a lawyer and works at her family's Personal Injury Law Firm but she's not happy there. She vows to get a new job and learn new things and wants to tend to her late Grandfather's garden in his old apartment complex. She also wants to be more supportive of her sister and cousin. Before her NDR she was caught up in a Cornerstore Robbery and met a guy that she connected with. She vows to find him too.
Nora has a lot going on but she's found new strength and really wants things to change. You'll be rooting for Nora (and her mystery man) from the start. I really enjoyed this buddy read with my Darlin' Darla ...more
Madeline Martin has written a very compelling story! I like how she incorporated some true historical events and happenings throughout the novel. BravMadeline Martin has written a very compelling story! I like how she incorporated some true historical events and happenings throughout the novel. Bravo to the great research!
The story literally begins with a bang! A young Emma is caught in a bookstore fire that ends in tragedy for her family. Some years later she is living in Nottingham and is now a widow with a 7 year old daughter and Britain is on the brink of war. This essentially is a story about a single mother trying to keep her child safe during WW II.
I enjoyed reading about the Boots Chemist Lending Library that Emma begins to work at. I did not know anything about this Lending Library that was a sort of up-scale place usually on the top floor of a Boots Chemist/Pharmacy. It differed from a normal library as it was a paid subscription service for more up-to-date books. Britain had what was called a, "Marriage Bar" that barred married or widowed women to work in most places. So, Emma had to say she was single to get the job (although her supervisor knew the truth.)
The story touches on many events during this era. Dunkirk, children's evacuation to the countryside to keep them safe, the Mass Observation by the public of recording their thoughts and actions down, and the SS Benares ship carrying children to safety in Canada being struck by a German u-boat and killing almost all of them.
I like how this book promoted the love of reading especially with Emma and her daughter Olivia. Books brought them closer together. It's always wonderful to read about how comforting books were to people during wartime. This one was a bit predictable but very enjoyable. Don't miss the author's note at the end of the book.
This was a buddy read with Darlin' Darla. Once again I loved discussing the book with her! Please check out her review for her perspective.
Published September 10, 2024
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for granting me access to this Advance Readers Copy....more