Killing Me Softly
Sandie Jones killed it with Killing Me Softly! This is the eighth book which I have read by this author, and I am always excited when I see she has a new book coming out. I love the twists, the tension, and the dread which mounted as the book progressed. Charlie and Freya were the picture-perfect couple! They were always up for a good time and enjoyed having a good time. They live in a beautiful town in the Cotswolds. Their life was the envy of others as they were the talk of the town. But one morning they woke up and realized that a horrific tragedy had occurred. The finger pointing begins, and the picture-perfect couple begin to point their perfect fingers at each other. I enjoyed how the author provided the POV of both Charlie and Freya. Getting inside their heads and knowing what makes them tick, what worries they have, and what they think of the other was a very nice touch. I also enjoyed the who-can-be-trusted aspect of this book. Killing Me Softly kept me on my toes, turning the pages and fully engaged. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books 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 Survivor
Gripping, tense, twisted, dark, and deadly! The Survivor was a fast-paced high intensity page turner which mainly takes place on the subway. This book had my heart beating, my fingers crossed and my mind reeling. Ben Cross is having a bad day. He was fired on the first day of his job. He takes the NYC subway on his way home when he starts receiving text messages with text and pictures showing that one person has already been killed and more were to come. Ben is shocked when another subway rider is killed getting off at the next stop. Meanwhile, NYPD detective, Kelly Hendricks is working with the transit police, and she is the first one to arrive at the murder scene. She quickly hops on the train, and things get even more interesting. Ben is no ordinary person. He has a very dark past and someone out there has knowledge about it. He is being targeted by why???? I enjoyed the tension and twists in this book. Being on a subway train provided that “trapped” feeling that I love in books. The suspense mounted at the same pace as the danger. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Ben’s past. It’s a dark and horrific one. I enjoyed this debut book and look forward to reading more books by this author. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books 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.
Served Him Right
Welp! I really wanted to love this one. I enjoy Lisa Unger’s books. I had high hopes going into this book. I loved the idea of female rage/revenge. Plus, the thought of a woman seeking justice. The beginning of the book grabbed my attention right away, but then it took a turn and I was left thinking, “what just happened?” I liked the take on a woman wronged and this book mainly focuses on sister’s Ana and Vera. The sisters couldn’t be more opposite. The book veers off into some witchcraft, and potions. The book gives readers multiple POV’s but never quite won the reader over. There were too many characters, and I couldn’t get past the part that a police officer would be allowed to investigate someone he had a one-night stand with. That just seemed wrong. Many are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their books as well. I typically love all things witchy but this one just never cast its spell on me. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row 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.
Marion
A twist on Psycho! Yes, please. How could I resist when the leading lady doesn’t die in the shower but turns the tables on her attacker! Marion is no wilting flower; she was raised by her mother to fight back, and in Marion she takes the bulls by the horn and likes it! Marion has made some bold and bad choices. She steals from her employer so that she can help her sister out of a bad situation. When her bus breaks down on the way to her sister’s home, she gets a room at a remote place on the outskirts of town. Norm, the young innkeeper caring for his mother, is more than happy to help her out. He also tries to off her in the shower, but, as I mentioned, Marion turns the tables on him. Now she is in an even bigger pickle than before. I enjoyed how the author turned the tables and the proverbial blonde victim becomes the hero. This book had dread, tension, danger, twists and characters in two different storylines which finally come together in the end. The beginning of the book piqued my attention, then the middle slowed up a bit, then the author kicked it into overdrive. I enjoyed the two storylines which provided some background on one of the characters while keeping readers engaged. This reader wanted to know when the two storylines would come together and when they did, it was very satisfying. I also enjoyed how the author had two characters having a strong ‘bond’ with their “Mother.” This was a very clever and nice touch. Wonderfully written, well thought out, and thrilling! Thank you to St. Martin’s 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.
Over Her Dead Body
I can’t get over how Over Her Dead Body was gripping, fun, entertaining, humorous, deadly, and dark! I didn’t know whether to cover my eyes or cover my mouth as body parts were discussed in a very snarky, quirky, and funny way! This was not your typical mystery thriller about a hunt for a serial killer. This book had me turning the pages and rooting for Ruth, the main character, the entire way! Speaking of Ruth, she was a hoot! I enjoyed reading her thoughts and motivations. She doesn’t always think before she thinks or acts, but man is she likeable. Ruth had me feeling for her, shaking my head at her, and I kept my fingers crossed for her the entire book! Ruth used to be a journalist who not only wrote about but was on the hunt for serial killer until her co-worker and friend, Greta’, was killed by the notorious killer! Ruth not only lost her friend, but she also lost her job and found herself living in the shed of her ex-husband and his live-in boyfriend. While working for her uncle, she still tries to solve the case, not willing to let her friend’s killer get away with murder! But Ruth has a strange way of trying to catch a killer! She takes hearts from the deceased while working at her uncle’s funeral home. She leaves the hearts around town staging murder scenes! I found myself saying “oh, Ruth” several times while reading this book. I loved the humor, the many unconventional ways that Ruth attempted to draw out the killer while trying to get the police to take another look at the serial killer’s crimes. This book had it all – tension, humor, dread, danger, wit, and heart. It also shows the effects of grief, loss, trauma, guilt, revenge, and friendship. Wonderfully written, well thought out, original, moving, dark, fun, and twisted! Thank you to Storm Publishing 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.
In Time with You
Second Chances – if you could go back and change one thing, would you do it? Nieve Monroe is heartbroken when her boyfriend Carter dies while saving her life. She feels survivor’s guilt, loss, grief, and heartbroken. She can’t help but feel that his death is her fault. Carter’s best friend, Max, was there the day Carter saved Nieve from drowning, and he blamed her as well. Lost in grief, Nieve goes to stay with her eccentric grandmother who talks about magic and unusual happenings. The next morning, Nieve wakes up on her first day of her first year of college. A year before Carter dies, saving her. Can she change the future? What and how will this affect those in her life? This was an enjoyable book that goes back and forth in time as Nieve meets Carter and Max once again. She has the knowledge of the future and strives to make different choices. This was an interesting concept and I enjoyed the characters. This is a YA book and most of the characters are college aged. This book also has magical realism and time travel. One must be open to both concepts to enjoy this book. While I did enjoy this book, I’m not sure if I will remember this book in months to come. Other than that, if you are looking for a cute, contemporary romance book which involves time travel/loops/lapses and magical realism, this might be the book for you. I enjoyed the author’s writing, the well thought out plot, and the focus on grief, second chances, first love, perception, loss, hope, and a bit of magic! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books 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.
Killing Me Softly
Sandie Jones killed it with Killing Me Softly! This is the eighth book which I have read by this author, and I am always excited when I see she has a new book coming out. I love the twists, the tension, and the dread which mounted as the book progressed. Charlie and Freya were the picture-perfect couple! They were always up for a good time and enjoyed having a good time. They live in a beautiful town in the Cotswolds. Their life was the envy of others as they were the talk of the town. But one morning they woke up and realized that a horrific tragedy had occurred. The finger pointing begins, and the picture-perfect couple begin to point their perfect fingers at each other. I enjoyed how the author provided the POV of both Charlie and Freya. Getting inside their heads and knowing what makes them tick, what worries they have, and what they think of the other was a very nice touch. I also enjoyed the who-can-be-trusted aspect of this book. Killing Me Softly kept me on my toes, turning the pages and fully engaged. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books 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 Survivor
Gripping, tense, twisted, dark, and deadly! The Survivor was a fast-paced high intensity page turner which mainly takes place on the subway. This book had my heart beating, my fingers crossed and my mind reeling. Ben Cross is having a bad day. He was fired on the first day of his job. He takes the NYC subway on his way home when he starts receiving text messages with text and pictures showing that one person has already been killed and more were to come. Ben is shocked when another subway rider is killed getting off at the next stop. Meanwhile, NYPD detective, Kelly Hendricks is working with the transit police, and she is the first one to arrive at the murder scene. She quickly hops on the train, and things get even more interesting. Ben is no ordinary person. He has a very dark past and someone out there has knowledge about it. He is being targeted by why???? I enjoyed the tension and twists in this book. Being on a subway train provided that “trapped” feeling that I love in books. The suspense mounted at the same pace as the danger. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Ben’s past. It’s a dark and horrific one. I enjoyed this debut book and look forward to reading more books by this author. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books 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.
Served Him Right
Welp! I really wanted to love this one. I enjoy Lisa Unger’s books. I had high hopes going into this book. I loved the idea of female rage/revenge. Plus, the thought of a woman seeking justice. The beginning of the book grabbed my attention right away, but then it took a turn and I was left thinking, “what just happened?” I liked the take on a woman wronged and this book mainly focuses on sister’s Ana and Vera. The sisters couldn’t be more opposite. The book veers off into some witchcraft, and potions. The book gives readers multiple POV’s but never quite won the reader over. There were too many characters, and I couldn’t get past the part that a police officer would be allowed to investigate someone he had a one-night stand with. That just seemed wrong. Many are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their books as well. I typically love all things witchy but this one just never cast its spell on me. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row 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.
Marion
A twist on Psycho! Yes, please. How could I resist when the leading lady doesn’t die in the shower but turns the tables on her attacker! Marion is no wilting flower; she was raised by her mother to fight back, and in Marion she takes the bulls by the horn and likes it! Marion has made some bold and bad choices. She steals from her employer so that she can help her sister out of a bad situation. When her bus breaks down on the way to her sister’s home, she gets a room at a remote place on the outskirts of town. Norm, the young innkeeper caring for his mother, is more than happy to help her out. He also tries to off her in the shower, but, as I mentioned, Marion turns the tables on him. Now she is in an even bigger pickle than before. I enjoyed how the author turned the tables and the proverbial blonde victim becomes the hero. This book had dread, tension, danger, twists and characters in two different storylines which finally come together in the end. The beginning of the book piqued my attention, then the middle slowed up a bit, then the author kicked it into overdrive. I enjoyed the two storylines which provided some background on one of the characters while keeping readers engaged. This reader wanted to know when the two storylines would come together and when they did, it was very satisfying. I also enjoyed how the author had two characters having a strong ‘bond’ with their “Mother.” This was a very clever and nice touch. Wonderfully written, well thought out, and thrilling! Thank you to St. Martin’s 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.
Over Her Dead Body
I can’t get over how Over Her Dead Body was gripping, fun, entertaining, humorous, deadly, and dark! I didn’t know whether to cover my eyes or cover my mouth as body parts were discussed in a very snarky, quirky, and funny way! This was not your typical mystery thriller about a hunt for a serial killer. This book had me turning the pages and rooting for Ruth, the main character, the entire way! Speaking of Ruth, she was a hoot! I enjoyed reading her thoughts and motivations. She doesn’t always think before she thinks or acts, but man is she likeable. Ruth had me feeling for her, shaking my head at her, and I kept my fingers crossed for her the entire book! Ruth used to be a journalist who not only wrote about but was on the hunt for serial killer until her co-worker and friend, Greta’, was killed by the notorious killer! Ruth not only lost her friend, but she also lost her job and found herself living in the shed of her ex-husband and his live-in boyfriend. While working for her uncle, she still tries to solve the case, not willing to let her friend’s killer get away with murder! But Ruth has a strange way of trying to catch a killer! She takes hearts from the deceased while working at her uncle’s funeral home. She leaves the hearts around town staging murder scenes! I found myself saying “oh, Ruth” several times while reading this book. I loved the humor, the many unconventional ways that Ruth attempted to draw out the killer while trying to get the police to take another look at the serial killer’s crimes. This book had it all – tension, humor, dread, danger, wit, and heart. It also shows the effects of grief, loss, trauma, guilt, revenge, and friendship. Wonderfully written, well thought out, original, moving, dark, fun, and twisted! Thank you to Storm Publishing 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.
In Time with You
Second Chances – if you could go back and change one thing, would you do it? Nieve Monroe is heartbroken when her boyfriend Carter dies while saving her life. She feels survivor’s guilt, loss, grief, and heartbroken. She can’t help but feel that his death is her fault. Carter’s best friend, Max, was there the day Carter saved Nieve from drowning, and he blamed her as well. Lost in grief, Nieve goes to stay with her eccentric grandmother who talks about magic and unusual happenings. The next morning, Nieve wakes up on her first day of her first year of college. A year before Carter dies, saving her. Can she change the future? What and how will this affect those in her life? This was an enjoyable book that goes back and forth in time as Nieve meets Carter and Max once again. She has the knowledge of the future and strives to make different choices. This was an interesting concept and I enjoyed the characters. This is a YA book and most of the characters are college aged. This book also has magical realism and time travel. One must be open to both concepts to enjoy this book. While I did enjoy this book, I’m not sure if I will remember this book in months to come. Other than that, if you are looking for a cute, contemporary romance book which involves time travel/loops/lapses and magical realism, this might be the book for you. I enjoyed the author’s writing, the well thought out plot, and the focus on grief, second chances, first love, perception, loss, hope, and a bit of magic! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books 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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