I nearly stopped reading this book a couple of chapters in because of the annoyance I felt with the main character, Kasey. However, I'm delighted I stI nearly stopped reading this book a couple of chapters in because of the annoyance I felt with the main character, Kasey. However, I'm delighted I stuck with it becuase this turned out to be a fun read with fantastic supporting characters.
This book combines several tropes. The older ladies are portrayed as wise and nosey but deadly. The romantic interest was shown as being a stick up the butt lawyer, with an impossible father. Kasey's bosses, well, I can't even describe them, but you will love seeing how things work out with them.
This will be a great summer beach read, one that will take you out of your problems and entertain you.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Avon/HarperCollins, the author, and NetGalley....more
Although this is a great series, and you should read all of the books that come before this one, there is really no need to. You won't find yourself gAlthough this is a great series, and you should read all of the books that come before this one, there is really no need to. You won't find yourself getting lost since the author does a great job of brushing us up on some of the past adventures.
This book does end with a bit of a cliffhanger.
This book is a tad steamy but not really descriptive with the love scenes.
One of the things that prevented me from giving this a five-star review is that I find that Finaly is a total pushover. She allows people to take advantage of her without even a whimper on her part.
Otherwise, this is a great, cozy, fast read, and it is well worth digging up the earlier books. Many of them are free to borrow with KU.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Minotaur Books, the author, and NetGalley.
Lies, secrets, and more lies. This is what this book is all about.
Set in the late '60s, this is a book about a poor girl falling in love with a rich bLies, secrets, and more lies. This is what this book is all about.
Set in the late '60s, this is a book about a poor girl falling in love with a rich boy. They are both out of their element, but it works...for a while.
I don't particularly like books that promote cheating on one's spouse, but there was a tiny bit of something that told me I should read this until the end. With that said, there are huge twists and turns in the final few chapters that sort of make the cheating make sense.
This was quite the emotional novel that deals with cheating, the death of a child, and another unexpected death.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Simon & Schuster, the author, and NetGalley....more
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of futuristic, horror, and women's fiction.
This is a look at what can happen whWow, what a powerful book.
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of futuristic, horror, and women's fiction.
This is a look at what can happen when we let our lives become too entangled with Smart products, allow cookies into our lives, and allow any company that mines for data to get ahold of us. It's too late for most of us, but had I read this novel decades ago, I would never have let a computer or smart phone into my life.
Of course, this is just fiction, right? Or is it? The ideas in this novel may very well become a true thing of the not-so-distant future. We have no privacy anymore, so why not take away the one last thing that is private...our dreams that we have while sleeping.
sband are having a terrible problem with sleep issues. They have just had twins and can't seem to get any rest, and it's affecting their lives. Sometimes to dangerous levels. So they get this dream implant that will help them sleep better and become refreshed in less than 8 hours. Nobody let them know of what else this handy sleep help could do to them. Naturally, Sara and her husband had failed to read all of the fine print - all 15 or so pages. Now, we can be monitored for committing crimes in the future, crimes that we would never consider or carry out outside of our daydreaming and night dreams.
As the synopsis/recap states, Sara is detained on her way home from a trip; she must now be detained for her own good. Due to this implant/machine, we have a score, and each infraction ups our score. Believe me, that is not a good thing.
I can't discuss much more of this book without giving a lot of it away. This is the perfect horror novel (well, to me, it was a horror novel) because it uses a lot of truth while creating its fiction.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Pantheon Press/ Penguin Random House, the author, and NetGalley....more
1.5 This is a reprint from 2024 Germany. Publisher : Piper ebooks; 1st edition (May 31, 2024)
Darkly funny" this book was not. Dark, yes; funny, no1.5 This is a reprint from 2024 Germany. Publisher : Piper ebooks; 1st edition (May 31, 2024)
Darkly funny" this book was not. Dark, yes; funny, no. Too many generations of self-centered, selfish elitists who come to this country to escape persecution (and of course never file for a green card) and try to be the same things - well, most of them try. I was trepaditious when in the first chapter we see nearly the whole lot of them doing coke, drinking, and stealing. And pretty much trashing a hotel room in Aspen, Colorado, while there for a family reunion for Christmas.
For me, the book went downhill from there. I get bored when most of any book is centered on introspection - pages and pages of woe is me.
I gave it my best shot and made it to 50% of this book. This was enough for me to give my honest opinion.
*ARC supplied by Blackstone Publishing, Inc/Scribner, the author, and NetGalley....more
This book gave me a fascinating insight into what it was like to get a divorce in the early 1930s. It also gave me a look into the different types of This book gave me a fascinating insight into what it was like to get a divorce in the early 1930s. It also gave me a look into the different types of people who came to Reno for their divorces. Mostly, they were all monied women since this was at the height of the depression. I doubt that a less monied woman would be able to afford to become a "six-weeker."
Many things surprised me about this book, and some things that I could see from a mile off. I could see Evelyn's husband for what he was, even though she didn't speak of it until the very last chapter. We saw the best and the worst of people, and we even had a bit of a romance going. It would have been interesting to have a couple more chapters that dealt with the consequences of Evelyns divorce once she got home. Did her kids forgive her? Did she resume modeling? How did she get along with her sister?
All in all, it is an excellent read and perfect for book clubs since it gives us a lot to chew over.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Lake Union Publishing, the author, and NetGalley. ...more
This was a fantastic book that showed a side of WWII that most of us have never seen. This book chronicles the lives of four very different women withThis was a fantastic book that showed a side of WWII that most of us have never seen. This book chronicles the lives of four very different women with a few things in common. However, one thing they did have in common was an aptitude for languages.
The of the women you most likely have never heard of unless you were in the OSS (now the CIA) and the very famous Marlene Dietrich (who gave up her German citizenship and became an Amercan because of the war).
As explained in the synopsis of the book, these four women (Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene) became famous for working with the OSS in a covert and successful military campaign that created propaganda of the dark kind.
This book is written with chapters based on each woman. We glimpse through their eyes the atrocities of this war, and we see them do their part to fight it. We also get a good look at the gender inequality of the times.
This was a difficult book for me to put down - so I didn't! I loved every minute of it and came out of this thinking that I could have been friends with any or all of them. The author made them into flesh and blood instead of just characters on a page.
I highly recommend this book and think it would be a perfect read for book clubs that are looking for a history book that isn't dry and is a bit unusual.
*ARC supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press/ Macmillan, the author, and NetGalley....more
I would never have picked this book had I realized that this is the same author that wrote Such Good Friends: A Novel of Truman Capote & Lee RadziwillI would never have picked this book had I realized that this is the same author that wrote Such Good Friends: A Novel of Truman Capote & Lee Radziwill. This is a perfect book club choice. You will love this book if you love lush, never-ending descriptions of clothing, decor, architecture, art, dated gossip, and a supposed friendship between the two wealthiest women in America (at the time).
Frankly, I just don't have what it takes to enjoy books of this caliber. I need something that takes me away from this world. I need something that will make me think, laugh, cry, and use my imagination, something that will pique my curiosity. This book did none of those things for me. It felt as if the longer I read it, the longer the book became until I felt that it would never end.
I wanted to read more about Emma and Ollie and the film she was making. That would have been interesting. Instead, we got a book about the two most selfish women in the world. I understand that the rich are different from the likes of me, but this was just a mishmash of spoiled, entitled behavior---yes, yes, I know it was a different era. I think what really did it for me was the apparent padding of this book with all of the never-ending descriptions---of EVERYTHING.
The era that is the basis for this book will make it a little awkward for those of us who were born in the late 50's and only know of some of these people when they were already past their prime. But, on the other hand, if you are much younger than me, then you might find this an exciting slice of mid to late-20th-century history. But, of course, it is history about the wealthy jet-setters, and it only touches briefly on anything significant that was going on in America at the time.
Although this wasn't my cup of tea, I think that many out in Bookland will enjoy this look into the rich and famous.
*ARC supplied by the publisher A John Scognamiglio Book, the author, and NetGalley. ...more
This novel did have its ups and downs, but all in all, it was a gripping read. Add to that the very last page, which I never would have expected, and This novel did have its ups and downs, but all in all, it was a gripping read. Add to that the very last page, which I never would have expected, and I'd have to say WOW. I would actually love another book that builds on Elinor and her sons lives.
What starts as a romantic novel quickly turns in a direction I never expected. Then, of course, we have the sinking of the Titanic and how Elinor and Teddy's life changes from that moment on.
It was fascinating to read about the time period, especially about New York in the 1910s; you get a good lesson in PTSD, excellent writing, and a lovely little backstab, or shall I say, Elinor gets to 'thumb her nose' at one of the objects of her early misery!
Great historical fiction!
*ARC supplied by the publisher Penguin Random House/ Ballantine Books, the author, and NetGalley....more
I enjoyed this book so much that I've already pre-ordered the next in this series (at least, I hope it will be a series!) A Tangle of ObsidianA TangleI enjoyed this book so much that I've already pre-ordered the next in this series (at least, I hope it will be a series!) A Tangle of ObsidianA Tangle of Obsidian (The Obsidian Sisterhood #2) by Lydia M. Hawke, which will be published June 3, 2025. Thank goodness I don't have too long to wait!
What can you say about a book that has Mages, monsters, secret consortiums, magic, and a 69-year-old ex-nun protagonist?
This book kept me reading far past my bedtime. It was horrifying, mystifying, action-packed, and at the same time sad—so many losses.
The answers to Monica's problem/magic might have been in a journal but the journal was stolen by Eldon Rusk, a billionaire. Yes, I typed that correctly, though we can all imagine just who the author was talking about!
I really can't describe the plot without giving things away and I'm sorry for that. However, for people of a certain age, this is a reminder that you are only as old as you allow yourself to be. At 69, Monica was a kick-ass heroine who cared about everyone but herself.
I loved this book, and it will be going on my comfort bookshelf. (These are books that I re-read at least yearly, sometimes more often!)
*ARC supplied by the publisher Michem Publishing/AbeBooks, the author, and NetGalley....more
Watching (reading about) the growth of these fraternal twin sisters during the aftermath of WWII, seeing them work so hard at ballet to be t4.5 Stars
Watching (reading about) the growth of these fraternal twin sisters during the aftermath of WWII, seeing them work so hard at ballet to be the best, and hoping to find a little relief from the taboos of the times was fascinating.
I love reading about different times and cultures, so this book was perfect for me. I also love reading about ballet and have done so since I first read the book
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. While the book Maya and Natash does not in any way resemble the highlighted book, it does bring the era into great focus.
The betrayal of one sister pretty much changes things for both of them, and the final betrayal was clever of the author.
An excellent look at Russia during that time period, the 1960s, and family.
*ARC supplied by the publisher HarperCollins, the author, and NetGalley....more
This was a sweet and fast read, perfect for the beach. It follows the trope of fake dating perfectly and gives us a lovely HEA. This book may be a litThis was a sweet and fast read, perfect for the beach. It follows the trope of fake dating perfectly and gives us a lovely HEA. This book may be a little different than the usual 'fake' dating because it was set in India, and India follows a different set of standards than most Americans do. Yes, there was a bit of pre-marital sex involved, but nothing too descriptive.
Veer is really a wonderful character, a rare mixture of caring, responsibility, heavy emotions, and, eventually, a deep love.
Harsha is a little more challenging to describe; she was born rich but is determined to make it on her own. At first, she displays a bit of snobbishness, but we soon discover the truth. She didn't have a wonderful upbringing (at least in her eyes), her beloved cousin has turned into someone Harsha doesn't recognize, which puts Harsha in a jamb when her cousin's wedding is approaching.
All in all, it is a fun read with a message. A great second book since her debut with Match Me If You Can. As I said, it is a fun book for beach or vacation.
ARC supplied by the publisher Penguin Random House, the author, and NetGalley...more
I've differing opinions about this book, so I'm arguing with myself on how I rate this book. Was it a three because a lot of it was repetitive? Was itI've differing opinions about this book, so I'm arguing with myself on how I rate this book. Was it a three because a lot of it was repetitive? Was it a five because of the history that I learned? Was it a two because I couldn't handle the torture scenes? Was it a three because a lot of the book didn't really follow the lives of the two women? Was it a five because of all the research that went into this book? I probably shouldn't give it a star rating because I'm so torn. I also must have missed how one friend betrayed the other. I couldn't see it as a problem with Etta but a problem with her ghostwriters/publishers.
This is the perfect book for those who want to take a look at the war, not from the English side but from the French side. An excellent book for those who want to see the actual repercussions of the war and its aftermath on women who did their bit to fight the Nazis.
This is an excellent read for book clubs and scholars.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Ballantine Books/Random House Publishing Group, the author, and NetGalley....more
This book is part of a series; while you don't NEED to read the past books, I would highly encourage you to do so as they (Characters and such) play pThis book is part of a series; while you don't NEED to read the past books, I would highly encourage you to do so as they (Characters and such) play parts in this book.
If you have been following this series, you will remember from the last book that Casey found out she was pregnant. This book jumps about 8 months, and she is now in her final stages of pregnancy. It doesn't really help her at all to find out that a serial killer may be in their midst.
What starts out as something horrible yet innocuous soon turns deadly, and Casey and Eric are on the hunt. Mix in some complications with the pregnancy, and things soon turn even more lethal.
This is an exciting and excellent addition to this series, and remember that this is a spin-off of the Rockton books---which I am going to turn around and re-read until the next highly anticipated book in this series comes out!
*ARC supplied by the publisher Minotaur Books/Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley....more
If you have Kindle Unlimited right now, this book is free to borrow.
Wow! If you like twisty plots and red herrings with unbelievably intricate endingsIf you have Kindle Unlimited right now, this book is free to borrow.
Wow! If you like twisty plots and red herrings with unbelievably intricate endings, this book is for you!
As they say, Karma can be a *itch. For the book's first half, you become enmeshed in Jasmine's and Stephanies lives. One is leaving her abusive boyfriend, and the other is getting ready to go to a news broadcasters conference. They meet on a plane, and this is the beginning of things going in a much different direction.
I have to admit I really did not like Jasmines' idea that the whole world owes her. She was a character that was pathetic one minute and hateful the next.
I never once thought the book would end the way it did, and I am so glad; otherwise, I don't think I would have been so enthusiastic, nor would I have enjoyed it so much.
Geez, this author can really write---both plot and believable characters.
I highly recommend this book; if you are in a book club, this will be perfect.
I am going to be buying my own copy, and it will be going on my comfort-read bookshelf!
*ARC supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press/ Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.
I needed time to think about this book before writing my review. This book is a curious mix of a horror novel and family fiction. I was going to DNF tI needed time to think about this book before writing my review. This book is a curious mix of a horror novel and family fiction. I was going to DNF this book, but curiosity, more than anything, had me reading until the end.
Fox and Haze seem to be the perfect couple, and they are as long as they are killing evil men. Once they had their child, life changed. No more killing, and from there, life goes totally downhill for them. Also, note that Fox is ultra-rich with what appears to be a good job. Haze is a famous artist renowned for her mixed-media canvases. You can imagine what she mixed into her paintings! They had met in Paris when Haze was caught by Fox taking care of business - shall we say.
The whole plot is a bit unbelievable, but that is fiction, right? Well, the ending is even more unbelievable but somewhat clever.
What I did have were significant issues with the whining and moaning from Haze -and she whined and moaned about everything. We get that she had a bad childhood. For goodness sake, you can't pick up a book today where someone isn't blaming everything in their lives about their childhoods. Fox wasn't much better, and all this inner dialoguing eventually got on my nerves to the point that I just didn't care what happened to them.
Fantasy fairy tale ending *sigh*, what are you going to do?
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Bantam/Random House, the author, and NetGalley....more
I'm of two minds about this book. There are some parts that I enjoyed, but the character of Mia was annoying and overly naive at times. I realize thatI'm of two minds about this book. There are some parts that I enjoyed, but the character of Mia was annoying and overly naive at times. I realize that she was only 19, but even a 19-year-old should have been more skeptical of the offer made to her. Okay, rant over!
This book was set in the early 1960s during the middle of the Cold War. Espionage is at its height, and things are so much different in the spying game than I imagine they are today.
Mia, our main character, gets mixed up unknowingly into this game and is a good little sheep, always doing what the "bad" guys want her to do. But playing the role of double agent was quite interesting, and she did it well.
This is a predictable book, but it still has its moments.
ARC* supplied by the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark, the author, and NetGalley....more
The synopsis gives you a very, very good idea of what this book will be about. Of course, there is a HEA also, which you could see from a mile away! The synopsis gives you a very, very good idea of what this book will be about. Of course, there is a HEA also, which you could see from a mile away! That is a comforting aspect of this novel.
I would have given this book more stars except for the fact that there was just a little too much 'plot' that really wasn't needed and that this author tried just a little too hard to write about the South, like author Mary Kay Andrews does. It didn't work for me. There were just too many things going on that weren't needed to get to the finish line. Everyone had some problem that needed Mack's attention, and Mack's mother was a bit of a caricature, which could sometimes be annoying.
It's a bit predictable.
ARC supplied by the publisher Harper Muse/HarperCollins, the author, and NetGalley. ...more
If you have been following this series since its start, you may have wondered, like I did, just what happened during the Urban Wars and who exactly foIf you have been following this series since its start, you may have wondered, like I did, just what happened during the Urban Wars and who exactly fought in them. Well, this book might answer most of your questions. Maybe not all, but most.
This was a powerful book, especially considering the world as it is today. I can somehow imagine things like this happening now. It has very strong characters, some of whom don't like each other much but worked very well together. It is a great side story learning about The Twelve, who are Summersets' friends and colleagues from back in the day. And they still work well together.
Action-packed both mentally and physically, with Rourke using all of his skills, The twelve kicking in with some of their own, and the ending was just spectacular. To see the four prominent women in these books (Eve, Peabody, Reo, and Mira) completely mess with The Shark was the icing on the cake for me.
I HIGHLY recommend this book, and I feel that you can read this as a stand-alone...but if you do, be aware that it may hook you in to read all of the other 59 books.
I can't wait for the next in this series.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher The St. Martin's Publishing Group / Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley....more
This book was riveting ... see what I did there? No, seriously, it was riveting. I couldn't put this book down. We all have an idea of what the DepresThis book was riveting ... see what I did there? No, seriously, it was riveting. I couldn't put this book down. We all have an idea of what the Depression was like for the common folk, but no book that I've read so far has captured it so clearly. The research that went into this book was outstanding.
The story is about twins, one a man and one a woman, their mother, a younger and ill sister, and several other families. Grace, our main character, was born to be a dancer, but circumstances intervene, and she finds herself the first Rosie the Riveter on the Empire State Building. Can you imagine working on a building like that without the safety mechanisms we have in place now? There is no net, no anything as far as safety goes. But Grace did it and even saved a life while doing so.
Life is not easy for Grace's family, nor was it easy for many other people, but horrors just keep piling up on Grace's shoulders. And just when you, the reader, think things can't get any worse, they do. But never fear, life eventually becomes better and there is even romance in the air!
I highly recommend this book for those who like strong, capable women and like learning a bit about the era's history. This would be perfect for book clubs.
Bravo for this debut novel.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Gallery Books/Simon Schuster, the author, and NetGalley....more