I was recently blown away by Mary Burton's The House Beyond the Dunes, so I knew I had to check out more of her books. Another Girl Lost is a mystery I was recently blown away by Mary Burton's The House Beyond the Dunes, so I knew I had to check out more of her books. Another Girl Lost is a mystery wrapped up in what I would call romantic suspense with 2 relationships being the main focus. Scarlett with a lawyer named Luke as she overcomes the trauma of her time with Tanner, and Detective Dawson with Officer Larsen who he should absolutely not be sleeping with. I had been hoping this would not include romance since the synopsis called it psychological suspense, and I kind of wish it hadn't been included.
I listened to the audiobook which has Jesse Vilinsky voicing Scarlett and David de Vries voicing Dawson. I really enjoyed listening to Vilinsky though I don't think this was her best performance that I have listened to. Listening to the male narrator felt like I was listening to an episode of Unsolved Mysteries or Dateline which was a little odd, but I still liked him overall. I thought the twists in the book were shocking and I loved the fast pace! I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending... Read this if you enjoy blends of crime fiction with romance, lots of tension, and multiple viewpoints mixed with multiple timelines....more
Liars by Sarah Manguso is told in an odd format, but it is so raw and emotional that I couldn't help but enjoy it. I will say that I definitely preferLiars by Sarah Manguso is told in an odd format, but it is so raw and emotional that I couldn't help but enjoy it. I will say that I definitely preferred the audiobook for this format since there weren't any quotation marks and the narrator did such a fantastic job. Rebecca Lowman had just the right tone and she really encapsulated every element in the story from the emotional moments to the dramatic ones.
Manguso captures a toxic marriage with incredible insight, and the short, searing sentences makes it feel extra punchy. I hated John from the start, and I wasn't all that fond of Jane either, but I was completely engrossed in their story. I would definitely pick up this author again! Read this if you enjoy (used loosely) books that center on disintegrating marriages, the lies we tell ourselves, and trauma.
I received an advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I swear it doesn't feel like Christmas until I read a book by Sarah Morgan, and even though The Holiday Cottage isn't super heavy on the holiday pieceI swear it doesn't feel like Christmas until I read a book by Sarah Morgan, and even though The Holiday Cottage isn't super heavy on the holiday piece of things, it still contains all the warmth and fuzzy feelings you want around this time of the year. I loved that this book was told from three different viewpoints and Imogen, Dorothy, and Sara each added something new to the story which is always appreciated. Words can't even begin to describe all of the various emotions I felt while reading this, and if you are a sucker for a light romance wrapped up in a family storyline, this should hit the spot.
I also happened to love the audiobook, and I thought Henrietta Meire did a superb job with all 3 POVs. Though I do prefer multiple narrators for multiple viewpoints, she was a dream to listen to and managed to perfectly embody each character. I felt so bad for Imogen who had the type of mom no person should have, and I loved that the way all three women ended up being connected brought a deeper emotional element to the book. It's not all sad though! There is a nice HEA, 2 adorable little girls, and plenty of humor along the way. Read this if you like provocative family drama, wintery settings, and picturesque villages where everyone knows everyone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I have been meaning to read Ally Condie's The Only Girl in Town ever since it came out, but I hadn't realized the author connection prior to finishingI have been meaning to read Ally Condie's The Only Girl in Town ever since it came out, but I hadn't realized the author connection prior to finishing The Unwedding. This appears to be her first attempt at adult fiction, and in my opinion, it was a huge success! I loved Ellery and I loved that she teamed up with Ravi and Nina to figure out who killed Ben as well as other various mysteries they encounter along the way. They made such a great team, and Ravi and Nina made me laugh constantly. Each day begins with a “Today at The Resort at Broken Point” section that mentions weather and various art installations around the resort. I loved this touch, and I thought it was a nice addition to the storyline.
The Unwedding was a very quick read with a fast pace and I could have easily finished it in one day. The audiobook was the ideal accompaniment to the book, and I LOVED Christine Lakin as the narrator. I always enjoy listening to her anyway, but she was the perfect person to give voice to Ellery along with the other characters. Everyone’s secrets are revealed as the book goes on, including the tragedy in Ellery’s past that we get glimpses of through flashbacks. I really enjoyed the way Condie structured the book, and her writing flowed really well and was very absorbing. Read this if you enjoy whodunnits set in beautiful locations, surprising conclusions, and well-developed characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
No Good Deed might be the darkest book yet that I've read from Britney King, and I found myself cringing at quite a few things that happened throughouNo Good Deed might be the darkest book yet that I've read from Britney King, and I found myself cringing at quite a few things that happened throughout. There is one scene that was especially tough to read, and while it is vague in details, you know exactly what is happening and it is VERY disturbing. As usual for King, the pacing moves very quickly, and I couldn't wait to find out where the story was going and how it would wrap up.
There are multiple viewpoints, and while I wouldn't say I found any of the characters all that likeable, a lot of them were the kind you love to hate. No Good Deed takes 1980s suburbs and turns them into a terrifying place to be, especially with a murderer on the loose. The end felt open for another book making me wonder if the author has any plans for a sequel or series. I loved it, but it also felt very ominous, and I would definitely love to know how the story continues. ...more
I love Sarah Adams and I freaking loved The Off Limits Rule! For some reason I only just now saw this book out in the wild with its revised and expandI love Sarah Adams and I freaking loved The Off Limits Rule! For some reason I only just now saw this book out in the wild with its revised and expanded edition, and I loved the bonus epilogue at the end, so I'm not too mad about it. This is a clean romance for the most part, with just a little bit of swearing and only implied intimacy, so if you are a Hallmark movie lover like me it should be right up your alley. I loved the heck out of every single character and the single mom trope was absolutely adorable. Also, Cooper can be my book boyfriend anytime! He was both swoon worthy and sweet as pie with just a dash of spice thrown in.
The audiobook was super fun to listen to, and I would highly recommend it! Rusty Mewha & Sarah Naughton were the perfect narrators for Cooper and Lucy, and they really made the book and characters shine bright. I was also happy that the audiobook was redone (?) along with the book, and the one I listened to includes the additional epilogue, so I didn’t have to take to the book to read it. I got a little misty eyed during The Off Limits Rule but I also found it hilarious and there were lots of laugh-out-loud moments throughout. Read this if you are in the mood for instalove, light hearted romance, and no third act breakup! ...more
The only book I had read by Rufi Thorpe prior to Margo's Got Money Troubles was The Knockout Queen, and while I enjoyed that book and all its uniqueneThe only book I had read by Rufi Thorpe prior to Margo's Got Money Troubles was The Knockout Queen, and while I enjoyed that book and all its uniqueness, it didn't reach a five-star read for me. But when I saw this one was coming out, I knew I had to read it, and this time I was completely blown away. Once again Thorpe hits us with a super unique storyline and sometimes slightly ridiculous things that only her brain can think of, and it all worked so well together. This has some very serious themes while also being a coming-of-age story and it is at times absolutely hilarious.
I need to take a moment to discuss the audiobook and how damn excited I was to see Elle Fanning as the narrator. Though I’m more familiar with her sister, I was so surprised and pleased to see her name pop up. She rocked the narration, and even managed to surpass my expectations. She was the perfect Margo and was spot on in every way. I loved Margo as well as her dad, but I was ready to throw her mom under a bus. Sorry not sorry. Margo's Got Money Troubles felt very raw and real and managed to hit me with some surprises and left me with a smile on my face. Read this if you have ever been curious about OnlyFans, love flawed but tenacious younger female leads, and originality that packs a punch.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own....more
When I saw the Goodreads average for Divorce Towers by Ellen Meister, I wasn't sure what to expect and it didn't help that I wasn't familiar with thisWhen I saw the Goodreads average for Divorce Towers by Ellen Meister, I wasn't sure what to expect and it didn't help that I wasn't familiar with this author. That being said, it was a huge win for me, and I can't quite believe how much I loved it! There are three viewpoints in the book: Addison, her father Arnie, and a condo resident named Carly. Honestly, it took me way too long to realize there was an additional female viewpoint and I kept thinking Carly was Addison. The chapters are labeled but I was listening to the audiobook and apparently missed that for an obscenely long time. I didn’t really see the point of Arnie’s viewpoint, and I have to say Addison’s was my favorite of them all.
I really wish the audiobook had been narrated by a full cast instead of just Sarah Mollo-Christensen. I think that would have helped considerably with keeping the POVs separate instead of kind of running together, especially the women’s viewpoints. Be that as it may, I did enjoy her narration, and I would gladly listen to her again. There is romance and mystery as well as a dash of suspense in Divorce Towers and loved the character growth by the end of the book. I also loved the setting of Beverly Hills and Beekman Towers where the rich reign and douchey guys are everywhere. Read this if you like love triangles, quirky storylines, and reality show worthy drama....more
When I spotted The Darkest Night: 22 Winter Horror Stories on #bookstagram I knew I had to read it, and it turned out to be one of my favorite antholoWhen I spotted The Darkest Night: 22 Winter Horror Stories on #bookstagram I knew I had to read it, and it turned out to be one of my favorite anthologies I have ever read! Short stories are always hit or miss for me, and while I didn’t love every single one in this collection, the amount I loved or just really got a thrill out of was immense. Many of the authors I hadn’t read before, but I especially enjoyed The Mouthless Body in the Lake by Gwendolyn Kiste, Children Aren’t the Only Ones Who Know Where the Presents are Hidden by Josh Malerman, The Body of Leonora James by Stephanie M. Wytovich (very disturbing but awesome revenge elements), Eggnog by Kristi DeMeester (omg can we just talk about the way I fist pumped during that one? ...more
I grabbed Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle on a whim from the library and man do I love when that works out. This was pure fun, and I loved the comboI grabbed Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle on a whim from the library and man do I love when that works out. This was pure fun, and I loved the combo of suspense, romance, humor, adventure, and mystery. The cute cover drew me in, and then the witty banter between Dahlia and Winston as they traverse the Colorado Rockies to find her sister kept me firmly in place. The climax was a little out there not gonna lie, but it was very unique, and I have to give props to Ruggle for her creativity.
The entire story is told through the eyes of Dahlia, so it only seems fitting that there was one narrator for the audiobook. I really enjoyed listening to Cassandra Myles and the way she embodied the persona of Dahlia was superb. Forced proximity and grumpy/sunshine tropes are on full display here and while some readers thought the chemistry felt forced, I thought it was there and really liked Dahlia and Winston for each other. Read this if you able to suspend reality, wish to have an adventure in the Rockies, and are looking for a mystery with your romance. ...more
I thought I had read a book by Falon Ballard before, but it turns out All I Want Is You is my first! I immediately went to her books on Goodreads and I thought I had read a book by Falon Ballard before, but it turns out All I Want Is You is my first! I immediately went to her books on Goodreads and added them to my want to read list, and I have a feeling she could easily become one of my favorite authors. I loved that the setting is around Christmas, though I do wish she had leaned on that a bit more because I didn’t get the amount of Christmas cheer I was really hoping for from a holiday romcom. That being said, the tension and forced proximity trope were on point, and I also loved the addition of only-one-bed. Nick and Jessica (thank you Ballard for the New Girl reference!) had lots of chemistry, and it was so palpable that it jumped right off the page.
The audiobook is quite lovely as well, and something I would highly recommend. Sarah Naughton voices Jessica while Marwan Salama voices Nick and they were both excellent for their characters. We also get Ballard reading her own dedication and acknowledgements which was a real treat for me. All I Want Is You would make a wonderful Hallmark movie minus all of the spicy scenes which I swear take up a huge section of the book if we went by percentage. Since I was listening to audio, I felt like I was constantly listening to sex scenes, and it was honestly a little weird. ...more
It is like The Real Housewives up in The Mother Next Door by Tara Laskowski and I loved it! There are two main viewpoints in the book along with a mysIt is like The Real Housewives up in The Mother Next Door by Tara Laskowski and I loved it! There are two main viewpoints in the book along with a mysterious and unnamed POV that is reveled later on. I loved all of the drama, secrets, and let’s just say it, straight up lies, that permeate the story. I enjoyed that this was set around Halloween and the spookiness of that time of year gave a little something extra to the storyline in my opinion.
I would say this is best served up on audio, and the narrators Andi Arndt, Teri Schnaubelt & Emily Lawrence killed it with their narration. They helped me stay even more engrossed in the story, and I loved listening to each one of them. The Mother Next Door is extremely entertaining while giving us a nice dose of suspense at the same time, and I was surprised by all of the twists! Read this if you enjoy devious mom groups, Halloween settings in suburbia, and unreliable narrators.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
Don't let the beauty of the cover of The Resort by Sue Watson fool you, this was a very dark read and brings up a trigger I wasn’t expecting at all. IDon't let the beauty of the cover of The Resort by Sue Watson fool you, this was a very dark read and brings up a trigger I wasn’t expecting at all. I think for this thriller, it is a very good idea to check triggers prior to reading so it doesn’t blindside you like it did to me. That being said, I love me an isolated setting, and this one was lovely! I loved the beautiful backdrop of the island, even if it was a place where heinous crimes end up being committed.
I do wish the audiobook would have had a full cast since there are quite a few different viewpoints. Thankfully, they are all labeled with the chapters, but I did find them a bit hard to keep track of as well as who was married to who. Be that as it may, Tamsin Kennard still did a lovely job with her narration and I enjoyed listening to her. The twists at the end were excellent and unexpected, and I found the conclusion satisfying. The book is available on Kindle Unlimited for anyone interested! Read this if you like vivid secluded locations, plenty of suspense, and descriptive writing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I keep meaning to read more by Amber Garza and fail miserably, but not anymore! As with her other book I read (Where I Left Her), I was riveted by A MI keep meaning to read more by Amber Garza and fail miserably, but not anymore! As with her other book I read (Where I Left Her), I was riveted by A Mother Would Know and I was so into the story that I couldn't put it down. We see things almost entirely through the mom's viewpoint, but there is also a very ambiguous POV, and I was never sure who it was. Obviously, this gets revealed later on, and I was definitely surprised by who it was! There were lots of moments that I didn't know who to trust and I was suspicious of almost everyone.
The audiobook is the way to go in my opinion, with Vivienne Leheny as the narrator. I especially loved her narration as Valerie, but she did a great job with the unknown viewpoint as well. I found the end of the book to be pretty melancholic, and I was a little sad things turned out the way they did. I had a who figured out but not the why, and the climax surprised me overall. Things did feel a little all over the place as I was reading, but I mostly put that down to Valerie’s lapses in memory. Read this if you are looking for a fast read, unlikable characters, and a feeling of general chaos.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
You May Now Kill the Bride by Kate Weston was HILARIOUS and I don't care what anyone else says because I loved the craziness and drama of this book! TYou May Now Kill the Bride by Kate Weston was HILARIOUS and I don't care what anyone else says because I loved the craziness and drama of this book! This appears to be Weston’s adult debut after writing 2 YA novels, and I really hope she decides to write more fun books like this one. No one is all that likeable as the synopsis suggests, but I feel like I have a soft spot for Lauren, and I couldn’t get enough of the drama and hilarity the murders start ensuing. I laughed from the very beginning, and I liked that Weston gave us a bit of the past along with present day.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a full cast for the audiobook, but I loved listening to Helen Reuben and thought she did a bang-up job with all of the different viewpoints. Lauren, Saskia, Dominica, Farah and Tansy are all a hot mess, and everyone’s various secrets are put on full display by the time we reach the end of the story. I did not guess the killer, but honestly, I have to say I was basically involved for the humor and drama. Read this if you like absurdity with your murder, obnoxious drama queens, and the dirty side of friendship.
I received an advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram is a treasure, and just what I happened to be in the mood for right now! I felt so many emotions while I was listeningThe Group Trip by Audrey Ingram is a treasure, and just what I happened to be in the mood for right now! I felt so many emotions while I was listening to this, and I feel like I both laughed and cried in equal measure. I loved that this focused on a group of 6 friends and the dual timeline really helps you get a picture of how they ended up where they are now as well as their relationships with each other. I didn't want to put it down, and I could have easily turned this into a one day read.
The audiobook is equally as fantastic as the book itself with Megan Tusing as the narrator, though I will say it helped that the entire story is told from Chloe's viewpoint. I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job than Tusing with these characters, and her voice and style were the perfect fit. There is also plenty of drama in The Group Trip as well as some romance and lots of secrets. I would make sure to check triggers prior to reading but would definitely recommend if you enjoy storylines about friend groups with jaw dropping moments and a beachy vibe! ...more
I was in the mood for something with an element of magical realism, and I knew it had to be The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman. II was in the mood for something with an element of magical realism, and I knew it had to be The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman. I read and loved her book The Magic All Around but I loved this one even more and it was such a delight to read. I love time travel and when you throw in parallel timelines where the characters have big decisions to make, it just creates an even more intense and interesting read. I loved the present timeline and Josephine’s relationship with her mom and sister, and the 1920s timeline was excellent with its Prohibition era speakeasy and dash of romance and drama.
I was so close to ugly crying at the end of The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds, and I definitely found myself tearing up often. Despite the serious subject matters Moorman touches on, this book made me laugh as well and I can’t imagine a better way she could have wrapped the story up. There is a lot of tension throughout along with moments that will touch your heart in the best possible way. Read this if you enjoy time travel, family themes, romance, and hopeful endings!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
It's taken me much too long to read a book by Evie Gaughan (AKA Evie Woods) and that feels evident now that I know how much I love her writing. The StIt's taken me much too long to read a book by Evie Gaughan (AKA Evie Woods) and that feels evident now that I know how much I love her writing. The Story Collector was such a charming read, and I loved the setting in Ireland as well as the combination of present-day Sarah reading Anna's diary. I got just as caught up in her story as Sarah did and the two timelines were equally fascinating. The Irish folklore surrounding faeries added a lovely touch of magical realism and this would be the perfect book to read in the dead of winter in front of a fireplace.
Heather O’Sullivan narrates the audiobook for The Story Collector, and I thought she did an outstanding job switching between the Irish and American accents for the characters. I really enjoyed my listening experience and also appreciated the fact that the accent wasn’t so heavy that I couldn’t understand what O’Sullivan was saying. There is a little romance in the story but that isn’t what takes center stage, and I loved that the focus was on the setting and the historical elements. Read this if you enjoy bittersweet endings, the setting as a character, and wonderfully complex characters. ...more
If Anything Happens To Me by Luanne Rice is something I basically decided to read on a whim and I’m quite happy with the way that turned out! I don’t If Anything Happens To Me by Luanne Rice is something I basically decided to read on a whim and I’m quite happy with the way that turned out! I don’t read too much YA anymore, but this was a great mystery/thriller as well as being quite emotional. I also learned something new that may or may not be a real thing, and I loved watching Oli and Iris try to solve the mystery of Eloise’s death. Some moments are quite tense and there is lots of action as well which created a very fast paced ride.
I really enjoyed the audiobook and was a fan of Marli Watson as the narrator. Her voice fit with what I would imagine for someone Oli’s age, and her narration was very smooth and emotive. I couldn’t believe the climax, and I do think you have to suspend a bit of disbelief since I’m not sure everything that happened in here would be possible for the age they are at. Read this if you are in the mood for YA you can consume in one sitting and unreliable narrators! It would also be perfect for a younger audience since it isn't very intense and the sisterhood theme is a touching one....more
The Hitchcock Hotel is officially my favorite Stephanie Wrobel book to date and I'm not even a Hitchcock fan! I loved the quotes and other things thatThe Hitchcock Hotel is officially my favorite Stephanie Wrobel book to date and I'm not even a Hitchcock fan! I loved the quotes and other things that were all about Hitchcock including what I'm sure is a lot of nods to his movies throughout the book. I initially liked some of the characters, but as the book went on, I realized this “friend” group was not very nice. To each other and their general behavior. The more secrets that were revealed the viler you will think these people are, but man were they entertaining.
The audiobook really makes this story shine, and I loved Michael Crouch, Gail Shalan & Helen Lloyd as the narrators. While there aren’t any fun sound effects or things like that, the way the voices were blended into the experience were fantastic and I can’t imagine reading it would have hit quite the same way. Wrobel really nailed her twists in the book, and I was impressed by so many. Just when you think you know what is coming the tables get turned and it created that ...more