The Couple Before Us
Gripping, thrilling, twist filled, and shocking, Daniel Hurst has delivered yet again with The Couple Before Us! Seriously, when does he not? This is the 19th book that I have read by Daniel Hurst, and he never fails to deliver a gripping, twist filled, entertaining, and well thought out book! Just when I thought I had this book figured out, Daniel Hurst delivers a zinger of a twist, and I left dazed and amazed! Moving is never easy especially when pregnant, but Dionne, her husband Christian and their five-year-old son Kai have moved into their new home. It’s not the dream home that Dionne imagined raising her children in, but Christian is excited, and she is pregnant, so she goes along with it. But then she finds a note informing her that something bad happened to the couple who lived in the home before her family. Her husband tells her not to worry and that they are the first people to live in this home, but she can’t help but wonder if he is hiding something. Then another person mentions the couple who lived there before them before he is quickly pulled away…. Who is telling the truth? If someone lived there before them, why lie about it? The Couple Before Us is full of mystery and a sense of dread. Dionne knows something isn’t right, but can’t quite put her finger on what? She knows that she is not being told the truth and is not willing to let sleeping dogs lie. The foreboding in this book was like a pot bubbling over the top as the tension boils out of control! I thought I had a handle on what was going on but them BAM Daniel Hurst threw in another twist and reveal. There are quite a few of them in this book which kept me guessing and turning the pages! Things get a little OTT in the best possible ways. I enjoyed the mounting suspense and sense of danger as the book progressed. Wonderfully written, well thought out, shocking, and hard to put down! Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
For the Record
For the Record is a romance set in the world of music! Mackenzie Waters is a pop star, and Sam Blaze is a pop rocker who were ‘rivals’ on stage, yet they always had chemistry off stage. They both made sweet music separately, but will they make sweet music together when they meet years later? I enjoy Emma Lord’s romance novels and was thrilled to dive into For the Record! Would this book be music to my ears or would it hit a flat note? Two years have gone by, and Sam is helping raise a son he never knew he had while Mackenzie has dealt with a surgery which changed her voice. As a result, she has been singing under a pseudonym. Both are looking to make a comeback and are presented with an opportunity to make a new album together. As with all romance books, it is all about the journey for me. Both characters have gone through their individual journeys and are continuing to do so. When they met up again, that same attraction and chemistry is still there. I enjoyed getting both of their POV’s which was a nice touch as readers get to know each a little better! While I found this book to be enjoyable and the characters well drawn, I didn’t quite love it as much as I thought I would. What I did enjoy was how both characters were working on their own issues and how their issues affected their relationships. I also like how this book took on second chances in many forms – a second change in their musical career, and a second chance to see where their chemistry took them. This was just missing that little bit of something that I can’t put my finger on that would have pushed my rating higher. Don’t get me wrong, this is an enjoyable book with likeable couples dealing with real life issues. I enjoyed it, just didn’t love it. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Art of a Lie
Clever, clever, clever! Let the games begin! It’s 18th-century England and a game of wits ensues when Hannah Cole’s husband is murdered, and her confectionary shop is struggling. The magistrate, Henry Fielding, is threatening to confiscate her husband’s bank account and William Devereux, a mysterious friend of her husband offers to help! Being a woman and having a business is hard work, especially during a time when female owned businesses are frowned upon. There are many, including her suppliers, who do not want Hannah to succeed. When Henry Fielding begins his investigation, he suspects her husband was not on the up and up and threatens to take his bank account as the money in it may have been made by illegal means. Hannah needs all the money she can get to pay her suppliers and keep her shop open! It is not an easy time to be a woman, a widow, or a female business owner! William Devereux offers to help and even introduces Hannah to an Italian delicacy called Iced Cream! It is a hit, and her business may just yet survive! Iced Cream, can you even imagine? Such a tasty treat! People are curious, and she is getting customers! But not so fast Hannah, the gossip mills are spinning overtime! Hannah’s relationship with the charming and devilishly handsome, Devereux has caught everyone’s eye and as the gossip reaches Henry Fielding, he takes a closer look at Hannah! This book is told through the POV of both Hannah and William. This was a very nice touch, and readers learn quite a bit about each character with each chapter! Oh, how I loved reading their thoughts and motivations. Each character was fascinating and as the book progressed, I found myself becoming more and move invested in the plot. Both characters are very clever, very resourceful, and quick thinkers. I enjoyed the descriptions of 18th-century England and how investigations were conducted. I also enjoyed the many twists and turns that occurred along the way. I found this to be a very clever and captivating game of wits and wondered who would come out on top! Wonderfully written, with descriptions that will have readers feeling as if they are right there in the confectionary shop on Piccadilly trying Iced cream for the first time! Secrets, lies, manipulation, power plays, tasty treats, and quick wits are the name of the game in The Art of a Lie! Thank you to Atria Books, Edelweiss, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wayward Girls
Gripping, evoking emotion thought provoking and brilliantly written; Susan Wiggs has outdone herself with Wayward Girls! I love books that are based on true stories and Wayward Girls is historical fiction based on a true story. It is not always an easy read. I found myself getting angry about the abuse, the brutality, and the unfairness of it all. I was angry at those who did not believe or listen to the young woman and at those who perpetuated the horrific treatment. I was also angry at the nuns who forced the young girls to work hard, who doled out harsh punishments, and failed to provide any form of education. I also found myself being proud of the girls for the bonds they formed, how they formed friendships, and how some never stopped fighting no matter the consequences. I marveled at their quiet strength and determination. This book tells the tale of six teenage girls: Mairin, Angela, Helen, Odessa, Denise, Janice and that of Sister Bernadette who worked at Good Shepherd. This book showcases the brutality, abuse, hardships, and horrific treatment of young girls who were placed in Good Shepherd, a Catholic reform school in 1960s Buffalo, NY. Their families had various reasons for turning over their daughters such as teenage pregnancy, being too provocative, too unruly, being gay or for catching the eye of a male family member. The girls were forced to work in a type of magdalene laundry. Many of their parents thought they were doing the right thing for their daughters not fully knowing the abuses the girls in this book would suffer. I found this book to be beautifully written, well thought out, moving and gripping. I was glued to the pages rooted for the young women depicted in this book. It is evident that Susan Wiggs did a tremendous amount of research prior to writing this book. As I mentioned this book details brutality, abuse of power, and horrific acts. It also showcases bravery, friendship, hope, survival, and love. If you have not read a book by Susan Wiggs before, do yourself a favor and read this one. This is the 23rd book which I have read by Wiggs, and I look forward to reading many more. Captivating, evoking emotion, hard to put down and powerful. Wayward Girls is Susan Wiggs best book yet! Highly Recommend! Thank you to Susan, Wiggs, William Morrow and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own
Breakneck Bay
A waterpark, a dark secret, a wife, and a missing girl set the stage for Breakneck Bay! It’s 1982 and Breakneck Bay is an exciting waterpark with thrilling rides, young staff, and accidents waiting to happen. Faith Garder set her latest thriller in a thrilling and dangerous location where people go for fun in the sun, take dangerous water rides, experience a bump or two and laughter is all around. It’s all fun and games until a teenage employee goes missing and a bloody scene is left behind! Kit oversees first aid and her husband; Mark manages the water park. When a bloody scene is found, Mitch becomes the main suspect. Could the blood be from the missing teen employee????? Add in the eerie phone calls that Kit begins receiving and the foreboding and chilling vibes begin to settle. The hot hazy days of summer paired with a possible murder mystery made for a thrilling reading experience! Then there are sections of the book about “Hawk”, who gives his killer POV throughout the book. How is everything related? What are the connections??? This movie did play out like an 80’s horror movie (without being too horrific) in my mind. The 80’s were the time for slasher flicks, serial killers terrorizing communities, and stranger danger! Gardner capitalizes on this brilliantly. The title of this book is very apt. This book is fast paced and never lets up. I love that there was no downtime in this book. This keeps the action moving and Kit (and readers) on edge! I enjoyed the mounting tension and unease in this book. What a great book to read during the summer! I loved the 80’s vibe and the nostalgic feel of this book. Overall, another great book by Faith Gardner with a great location and mystery. I loved the vibe, the pacing, the foreboding, and the setting. Thank you to Mirror House Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Our Last Resort
Our Last Resort is a book that slowly simmers and oozes as the story of Frida and Gabriel, two individuals raised in a cult, deal with trauma and murder in their lives. This book, which is told in two timelines, has a mesmerizing feel as we learn about the siblings and their time spent growing up in a cult and their lives after the cult. There is something intriguing to me about cults. The how’s and whys about why people join, why they stay, and what it must be like to live under the control of another. Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult and eventually escape and have a very rough couple of years trying to survive and make their way in a world they were raised to mistrust. They eventually drift apart but come back together when Gabriel is questioned for murder – for a second time!!! This book was a bit slow in spots and usually I struggle with slow burns but this one grabbed and held my attention. I wanted to know about the murders and their past growing up in the cult. This book is told through Frida’s POV, and readers are privy to her thoughts, concerns, emotions, doubts, and belief in her brother. I enjoyed the quiet tension in this book. The deaths that seem to happen around Gabriel. The wondering what is going on, why is this occurring, and why? This book asks the question of how well do we know those in our lives? What secrets do those we love keep? I thought I knew where this book was going and found that I was way off base. I loved The Quiet Tenant, and although this book did not grab my attention or shock me in the way that book did, this book is more lowkey yet manages to tip toe up behind the reader, give a gentle tap on the shoulder, before the books ending. I enjoyed the atmosphere and foreboding scenes which occurred in the past timeline. The time spent in the cult has a very ominous feel promoted unease and dread. The time in the present feels very different as that time is behind them, but they are still in a risky high stake’s situation. Overall, an enjoyable, gripping, well thought out, and thought-provoking book. Thank you to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Couple Before Us
Gripping, thrilling, twist filled, and shocking, Daniel Hurst has delivered yet again with The Couple Before Us! Seriously, when does he not? This is the 19th book that I have read by Daniel Hurst, and he never fails to deliver a gripping, twist filled, entertaining, and well thought out book! Just when I thought I had this book figured out, Daniel Hurst delivers a zinger of a twist, and I left dazed and amazed! Moving is never easy especially when pregnant, but Dionne, her husband Christian and their five-year-old son Kai have moved into their new home. It’s not the dream home that Dionne imagined raising her children in, but Christian is excited, and she is pregnant, so she goes along with it. But then she finds a note informing her that something bad happened to the couple who lived in the home before her family. Her husband tells her not to worry and that they are the first people to live in this home, but she can’t help but wonder if he is hiding something. Then another person mentions the couple who lived there before them before he is quickly pulled away…. Who is telling the truth? If someone lived there before them, why lie about it? The Couple Before Us is full of mystery and a sense of dread. Dionne knows something isn’t right, but can’t quite put her finger on what? She knows that she is not being told the truth and is not willing to let sleeping dogs lie. The foreboding in this book was like a pot bubbling over the top as the tension boils out of control! I thought I had a handle on what was going on but them BAM Daniel Hurst threw in another twist and reveal. There are quite a few of them in this book which kept me guessing and turning the pages! Things get a little OTT in the best possible ways. I enjoyed the mounting suspense and sense of danger as the book progressed. Wonderfully written, well thought out, shocking, and hard to put down! Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
For the Record
For the Record is a romance set in the world of music! Mackenzie Waters is a pop star, and Sam Blaze is a pop rocker who were ‘rivals’ on stage, yet they always had chemistry off stage. They both made sweet music separately, but will they make sweet music together when they meet years later? I enjoy Emma Lord’s romance novels and was thrilled to dive into For the Record! Would this book be music to my ears or would it hit a flat note? Two years have gone by, and Sam is helping raise a son he never knew he had while Mackenzie has dealt with a surgery which changed her voice. As a result, she has been singing under a pseudonym. Both are looking to make a comeback and are presented with an opportunity to make a new album together. As with all romance books, it is all about the journey for me. Both characters have gone through their individual journeys and are continuing to do so. When they met up again, that same attraction and chemistry is still there. I enjoyed getting both of their POV’s which was a nice touch as readers get to know each a little better! While I found this book to be enjoyable and the characters well drawn, I didn’t quite love it as much as I thought I would. What I did enjoy was how both characters were working on their own issues and how their issues affected their relationships. I also like how this book took on second chances in many forms – a second change in their musical career, and a second chance to see where their chemistry took them. This was just missing that little bit of something that I can’t put my finger on that would have pushed my rating higher. Don’t get me wrong, this is an enjoyable book with likeable couples dealing with real life issues. I enjoyed it, just didn’t love it. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Art of a Lie
Clever, clever, clever! Let the games begin! It’s 18th-century England and a game of wits ensues when Hannah Cole’s husband is murdered, and her confectionary shop is struggling. The magistrate, Henry Fielding, is threatening to confiscate her husband’s bank account and William Devereux, a mysterious friend of her husband offers to help! Being a woman and having a business is hard work, especially during a time when female owned businesses are frowned upon. There are many, including her suppliers, who do not want Hannah to succeed. When Henry Fielding begins his investigation, he suspects her husband was not on the up and up and threatens to take his bank account as the money in it may have been made by illegal means. Hannah needs all the money she can get to pay her suppliers and keep her shop open! It is not an easy time to be a woman, a widow, or a female business owner! William Devereux offers to help and even introduces Hannah to an Italian delicacy called Iced Cream! It is a hit, and her business may just yet survive! Iced Cream, can you even imagine? Such a tasty treat! People are curious, and she is getting customers! But not so fast Hannah, the gossip mills are spinning overtime! Hannah’s relationship with the charming and devilishly handsome, Devereux has caught everyone’s eye and as the gossip reaches Henry Fielding, he takes a closer look at Hannah! This book is told through the POV of both Hannah and William. This was a very nice touch, and readers learn quite a bit about each character with each chapter! Oh, how I loved reading their thoughts and motivations. Each character was fascinating and as the book progressed, I found myself becoming more and move invested in the plot. Both characters are very clever, very resourceful, and quick thinkers. I enjoyed the descriptions of 18th-century England and how investigations were conducted. I also enjoyed the many twists and turns that occurred along the way. I found this to be a very clever and captivating game of wits and wondered who would come out on top! Wonderfully written, with descriptions that will have readers feeling as if they are right there in the confectionary shop on Piccadilly trying Iced cream for the first time! Secrets, lies, manipulation, power plays, tasty treats, and quick wits are the name of the game in The Art of a Lie! Thank you to Atria Books, Edelweiss, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wayward Girls
Gripping, evoking emotion thought provoking and brilliantly written; Susan Wiggs has outdone herself with Wayward Girls! I love books that are based on true stories and Wayward Girls is historical fiction based on a true story. It is not always an easy read. I found myself getting angry about the abuse, the brutality, and the unfairness of it all. I was angry at those who did not believe or listen to the young woman and at those who perpetuated the horrific treatment. I was also angry at the nuns who forced the young girls to work hard, who doled out harsh punishments, and failed to provide any form of education. I also found myself being proud of the girls for the bonds they formed, how they formed friendships, and how some never stopped fighting no matter the consequences. I marveled at their quiet strength and determination. This book tells the tale of six teenage girls: Mairin, Angela, Helen, Odessa, Denise, Janice and that of Sister Bernadette who worked at Good Shepherd. This book showcases the brutality, abuse, hardships, and horrific treatment of young girls who were placed in Good Shepherd, a Catholic reform school in 1960s Buffalo, NY. Their families had various reasons for turning over their daughters such as teenage pregnancy, being too provocative, too unruly, being gay or for catching the eye of a male family member. The girls were forced to work in a type of magdalene laundry. Many of their parents thought they were doing the right thing for their daughters not fully knowing the abuses the girls in this book would suffer. I found this book to be beautifully written, well thought out, moving and gripping. I was glued to the pages rooted for the young women depicted in this book. It is evident that Susan Wiggs did a tremendous amount of research prior to writing this book. As I mentioned this book details brutality, abuse of power, and horrific acts. It also showcases bravery, friendship, hope, survival, and love. If you have not read a book by Susan Wiggs before, do yourself a favor and read this one. This is the 23rd book which I have read by Wiggs, and I look forward to reading many more. Captivating, evoking emotion, hard to put down and powerful. Wayward Girls is Susan Wiggs best book yet! Highly Recommend! Thank you to Susan, Wiggs, William Morrow and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own
Breakneck Bay
A waterpark, a dark secret, a wife, and a missing girl set the stage for Breakneck Bay! It’s 1982 and Breakneck Bay is an exciting waterpark with thrilling rides, young staff, and accidents waiting to happen. Faith Garder set her latest thriller in a thrilling and dangerous location where people go for fun in the sun, take dangerous water rides, experience a bump or two and laughter is all around. It’s all fun and games until a teenage employee goes missing and a bloody scene is left behind! Kit oversees first aid and her husband; Mark manages the water park. When a bloody scene is found, Mitch becomes the main suspect. Could the blood be from the missing teen employee????? Add in the eerie phone calls that Kit begins receiving and the foreboding and chilling vibes begin to settle. The hot hazy days of summer paired with a possible murder mystery made for a thrilling reading experience! Then there are sections of the book about “Hawk”, who gives his killer POV throughout the book. How is everything related? What are the connections??? This movie did play out like an 80’s horror movie (without being too horrific) in my mind. The 80’s were the time for slasher flicks, serial killers terrorizing communities, and stranger danger! Gardner capitalizes on this brilliantly. The title of this book is very apt. This book is fast paced and never lets up. I love that there was no downtime in this book. This keeps the action moving and Kit (and readers) on edge! I enjoyed the mounting tension and unease in this book. What a great book to read during the summer! I loved the 80’s vibe and the nostalgic feel of this book. Overall, another great book by Faith Gardner with a great location and mystery. I loved the vibe, the pacing, the foreboding, and the setting. Thank you to Mirror House Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Our Last Resort
Our Last Resort is a book that slowly simmers and oozes as the story of Frida and Gabriel, two individuals raised in a cult, deal with trauma and murder in their lives. This book, which is told in two timelines, has a mesmerizing feel as we learn about the siblings and their time spent growing up in a cult and their lives after the cult. There is something intriguing to me about cults. The how’s and whys about why people join, why they stay, and what it must be like to live under the control of another. Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult and eventually escape and have a very rough couple of years trying to survive and make their way in a world they were raised to mistrust. They eventually drift apart but come back together when Gabriel is questioned for murder – for a second time!!! This book was a bit slow in spots and usually I struggle with slow burns but this one grabbed and held my attention. I wanted to know about the murders and their past growing up in the cult. This book is told through Frida’s POV, and readers are privy to her thoughts, concerns, emotions, doubts, and belief in her brother. I enjoyed the quiet tension in this book. The deaths that seem to happen around Gabriel. The wondering what is going on, why is this occurring, and why? This book asks the question of how well do we know those in our lives? What secrets do those we love keep? I thought I knew where this book was going and found that I was way off base. I loved The Quiet Tenant, and although this book did not grab my attention or shock me in the way that book did, this book is more lowkey yet manages to tip toe up behind the reader, give a gentle tap on the shoulder, before the books ending. I enjoyed the atmosphere and foreboding scenes which occurred in the past timeline. The time spent in the cult has a very ominous feel promoted unease and dread. The time in the present feels very different as that time is behind them, but they are still in a risky high stake’s situation. Overall, an enjoyable, gripping, well thought out, and thought-provoking book. Thank you to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
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