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The Family Secret
Author: Mikayla Davids
Publisher: Mikayla Davids
Date Published: September 1, 2023I seem to be drawn to books that take place in chalets on ski mountains. Without a doubt, you know that something bad is going to happen.
This book was a perfect recipe for disaster: the grandmom, the 3 sisters who all have secrets, and the grandkids are sharing a luxury cabin in a ski resort in France. It should be peaceful and relaxing, a time for the family to recover and heal after one of the sisters’ husbands (Craig) murders her sister’s husband. But then Craig is released from prison and you all know that can’t be good!
The characters are well developed, so much so that you see the differences between each of the sisters and the kids. I’m pretty sure I was holding my breath during a really harrowing scene on the ski slopes that I’m still thinking about as I write this review!
This is book two in the series, but I didn’t read book one so this reads fine as a standalone.
Thanks to Love Books Tours for an eBook version.Background photo courtesy of David Klein on Unsplash.
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12 Months to Live
Authors: James Patterson and Mike Lupica
Publisher: Little, Brown
Date Published: September 25, 2023Jane Smith is a gritty defense attorney with only 12 months and nothing left to lose. Except for her best friend and partner Jimm Cunniff, her rescue dog RIP (Rest in Peace), and a new relationship with veterinarian doctor Ben.
When I first started reading I thought “this book is not for me” but I gave it a chance and I’m glad I did! I was hooked on this courtroom procedural and Patterson/Lupica had me falling in love with Jane and rooting for her to win even though we all know her client is the slimiest creature on earth! Jimmy, her sidekick who helps with investigations is likable and loyal.
The chapters are short which contributes to the “readableness” of this book, and the ending leaves us hoping that we have a new character to follow!
Thanks to the #JamesPattersonStreetTeam and Little, Brown for an advance reader’s copy.
Background photo courtesy of Inspo @unsplash
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Pretend You Don’t See Her
Author: Mary Higgins Clark
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: September 12, 2023This is a September 2023 reissue of the 1997 classic. When I first picked it up, I was afraid that it would be dated – no cell phones, no GPS, and definitely no dual timelines that I’ve become accustomed to reading. But this book proves why Mary Higgins Clark is known as “The Queen of Suspense”!
While the Witness Protection Program Lacey is placed in after she witnesses a crime is probably a lot less locked down than one would be today, you still get a feel for what it must feel like being confined to a made-up background, far from home, and unable to confide anything about your current whereabouts. And it’s human error that places Lacey in danger.
The quick, short chapters made this a breeze to read and left me wondering why I haven’t added more Clark novels to my TBR. Read it. You’ll like it!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for this advance reader’s copy of the reissue. -
How to Schedule a Death
Author: Tabatha Shipley
Publisher: Tabatha Shipley Books
Date Published: September 9, 2023Oh my gosh, I loved this book! I came for the title and stayed for the story.
This is a whimsical look at a serious topic: a killer for hire. Regina is a hit woman with a very organized and controlled approach to her job. Until someone undoes that by asking for a very specific hit.
I saw where this was headed and I enjoyed every single minute of it. To say any more would be to give it away so just read this book. You won’t regret it! And Ms. Shipley…I’m coming for your other books!
Thanks so much to BookSirens for introducing me to this fun-to-read author!
Thanks to Towfiqu barbhuiya @unsplash
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Coming Soon – A New Thriller by James Patterson
A new courtroom drama from James Patterson and Mike Lupica.
She has 12 months to live. How will she spend it?
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The Night Out
Author: Wendy Clarke
Publisher: Bookouture
Date Published: June 8, 2023Wow! This one threw me for a loop and as I finished the book there were tears streaming down my face. That rarely happens, and when writing can pull that emotion from a reader you know they’ve done their job!
Elise is in an untenable situation. She’s in a relationship and pregnant with their child when she realizes her husband isn’t the man she thought he was. Add to that the fact that he’s a police officer, and she has no recourse. So she does the unthinkable.
It takes a while for the author to reveal the secret Elise has fought to hold onto so desperately, but when she does, WHAM! It smacks up against the reader, and before you’ve gotten your feet under you, POW! Another surprise blindsides you until like me, your emotions are all over the place.
Thank you Wendy Clarke for making me “feel” this one.
Thanks also to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance reader’s copy of The Night Out.
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What Never Happened
Author: Rachel Howzell Hall
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Date Published: August 1, 2023I enjoy reading Rachel Howzell Hall and this title was no exception! I loved the quirkiness of Collette and all of the characters. Each of them had just a little something “off” about them.
Collette moves back to Catalina Island to take care of her feisty aunt and to reclaim the house her murdered family left behind 20 years ago. But as soon after she arrives, she notices a pattern of mysterious deaths. In her job as the obituary writer for the local newspaper, she has an opportunity to find out more about the deceased which spurs her on a hunt to find out more. I liked the introduction of a love interest, but it seemed like a weird relationship (e.g., happened too quickly, he’s always at her leaky basement, they never go to his place) and we are not sure can be trusted. Throw in some COVID era complications and you have the perfect petri dish for a thriller.
Some of the things that fell flat for me were that sometimes the character of Collette used words not in character (ain’t) and that she didn’t tell her “husband” the one thing that could stop his quest for a divorce. Overall, though, the book was entertaining with some great word choices, and interesting characters.
Upgraded to 4 stars because I’m still thinking about it – to me, that’s a sign of a great book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance reader’s copy.
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The Trade Off
Author: Sandie Jones
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Date Published: August 15, 2023If you have any dreams of becoming a journalist, this book will definitely squash them!
The story pits two reporters, Stella, a high-powered assistant editor, against the new and idealistic Jess. Jess thinks she’s been recruited because of her high morals, but is that really the case? Once Jess finds out what is involved in tabloid reporting, she’s ready to go full-blown whistleblower! The problem is, she needs to go to some pretty sketchy places to get proof.
In the background are the two men who control it all, Pete, the owner of the conglomerate, and Max, the editor of the Globe. As the story strayed into “Me Too” territory I was worried it was going to stay strongly rooted in women’s fiction, but there are some action-packed dramatic scenes. The writing was vivid enough that I can absolutely see this becoming a made-for-tv movie.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for an advance reader’s copy.
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The Jealous Wife
Author: James Caine
Publisher: Indie
Date Published: July 31, 2023Nora’s husband buys a house without consulting her. But it’s in the town where she grew up in a section known for its large houses. When she sees it, Nora agrees – it’s a beautiful house!
But then on moving day…she sees her new neighbor. Kelly, the girl who stole her friend and almost boyfriend back in high school. Could she have changed? She’s still stunning and Nora is pregnant. Can she trust her husband around Kelly?
The book flips between narrators and between their friendships in high school and now. The high school portions read like a YA novel but the current motivations were anything but. They each have something to prove and something to hide. And the story escalates to its twisty ending.
Thank you to the author James Caine for a “street team” preview of this fast-paced book!Background photo courtesy of Artem Militonian on Unsplash
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The Silent Friend
BLOG TOUR
Author: Alison Stockham
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Date Published: July 24, 2023When Louise looks out the window of her newly leased apartment and sees the police at her neighbor’s house, I was as curious as she was. Uh oh – what happened?
Louise bides her time until Isabelle, her pregnant neighbor, knocks on her door. Soon the two of them are fast friends. It turns out that Isabelle’s husband is not the person Isabelle thinks he is. And Louise knows a lot more about that then she’s saying.
I wouldn’t call this a mystery, I would categorize it as women’s fiction. To me, it had a bit of a Henrik Ibsen feel to it, as Louise comes to realize her situation and faces the choice of telling what she knows, and possibly saving Isabelle from a horrible future, or not telling and preserving her friendship while constantly looking over her shoulder.
The story was somewhat predictable and a bit repetitive. Isabelle’s character evolved throughout the book as she learned to face her situation (with Louise’s) help and while Louise was a hard character to like, you couldn’t help siding with the prison pastor who felt she had a chance to redeem herself and live a satisfying life. The ending was exactly what I had hoped for.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood and Rachel’s Random Resources for allowing me to review an advance reader’s copy and participate in the #blogtour
Photos courtesy of the publisher.
Author Bio –
Alison Stockham’s debut novel The Cuckoo Sister, will be published by Boldwood in February 2023, and has already been longlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. Having worked in TV documentary production for the BBC and Channel 4, Alison is now the Events Coordinator for the Cambridge Literary Festival
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