Blue Moon Mystery Saloon

Under the Southern Sky

A Novel by Kristy Woodson Harvey, Gallery Books, April 2021

* An e-ARC was provided by Gallery Books and Edelweiss for an honest review.

Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY by Kristy Woodson Harvey tells the story of Amelia Paxton, Parker Thaysten, and Greer McCann and their intertwining lives. Next door neighbors growing up in Cape Carolina, Amelia is three years older than Parker. He'd always had a crush on her, but she'd always seen him as an annoying little brother. It wasn't until she was 21 and he was 18, that she realized how nicely he'd matured. When they left home, each of them ended up in Palm Beach FL. Amelia married Thad and did investigative journalism and profile pieces for a Southern social magazine, while Parker married Greer and worked for her family's publishing empire, McCann Publishing.

When the story begins, Amelia rushes home earlier than normal to show Thad the article she wrote about their perfect marriage, published in that day's edition of the NEW YORK TIMES. The moment she walks through the door, she discovers that their wonderful life together has been a lie. Thad is having an affair—with the man that does her hair. Parker can't move beyond Greer's death from ovarian cancer three years before. Their house and his life remain a living memorial to Greer, as he hasn't purged a thing. Her clothes hang in the closet, rooms smell like her, and Parker still works at McCann Publishing. While Amelia waits to interview a doctor about what people do with their frozen embryos, she snoops around and finds a list of some “abandoned” by their owners. When she sees Parker and Greer's names are on the list, she decides to tell Parker, so he can choose what to do with the embryos. It's at this point that their story really begins.

Themes: Failed relationships, wanting someone to love you for yourself, family support, fear of commitment, grieving the death of a loved one, job loss, new relationships, small town living

UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY is a lovely story with excellent main characters and believable situations. The author weaves together the lives of three people, one of whom is now dead, with a skillful plot and meaningful words. Various scenes evoke a slower, refined life in Amelia and Parker's hometown than in hectic New York City and a glamorous Palm Beach. It's a definite page-turner and combines Amelia's inability to have children with Parker's desire to hire a surrogate for his and Greer's embryos. Character development is strong, and there is a beautiful story arc. Side characters are well-written and add much to the book's context and background.

This is one of the author's best books with it's moving, hopeful story. Harvey's way with words and poignant storyline should delight fans of Harvey's other books and those by Mary Alice Monroe, Jan Moran, and Elin Hilderbrand. It deserves every one of the five stars I've given the book.

If You Like This, You May Like: THE PEACHTREE BLUFF SERIES and other books by Kristy Woodson Harvey, THE BEACH HOUSE SERIES by Mary Alice Monroe, THE SUMMER BEACH SERIES by Jan Moran, HELLO, SUMMER and SUNSET BEACH by Mary Kay Andrews, SUMMER OF '69 and TROUBLES IN PARADISE by Elin Hilderbrand, LOWCOUNTRY TALES by Dorothea Benton Frank



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Always the Last to Know

A Novel by Kristan Higgins, Berkley Books, June 2020.

* An ARC was provided by Berkley Books and Edelweiss for an honest review.

Always the Last to Know by Kristan Higgins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kristin Higgins' books are always thought provoking, and ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW is no exception. It's the story of a family falling apart from miscommunication, unrealized expectations, and various levels of guilt and how they begin to heal after the patriarch has a stroke. Told from several points of view, the story includes free-spirited Sadie, perfect Juliet, poised Barb, and muddled John.

Higgins is very good at creating complex characters, interweaving their stories to a satisfactory end, and she has done so here. Barb has tried to be the envied wife, mother and homemaker for John, who's slowly drifted away from their marriage, both emotionally and physically. Barb and Juliet created a bond that left little room for John, and he developed a close connection with Sadie when she was born. All the main characters are richly complicated and feel as if they have been friends of yours for years.

John's stroke brings the women in the family back together, raising old issues of how they feel about each other. Barb is seen as the cold mother saving all her love for her older child. Juliet is the perfect wife and Barb's favorite. Sadie is seen as selfish and irresponsible. But little by little they start making small concessions with each other and finally realize how they missed important times together because of long-held beliefs. They start taking small steps to understand and help each other, and they reconnect with the special people who they've cherished along the way, with an HEA for each of them.

THEMES: How long-held beliefs may be wrong, self doubt, letting go, betrayal, second chances, being true to yourself, accepting friends and family for who they really are.

SUMMARY: ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW is another well-written book by Higgins. It has all the gamut of emotions, making you laugh, cry, smile and sigh. I thoroughly recommend this story for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories and other books by this author.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MAY LIKE: Recent books like LIFE AND OTHER INCONVENIENCES and GOOD LUCK WITH THAT and other stories from Kristan Higgins, THE FRIENDSHIP LIST and SISTERS BY CHOICE by Susan Mallery, RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER and THE COUNTRY GUESTHOUSE by Robyn Carr, DUNE DRIVE and THE GOODBYE CAFE by Mariah Stewart, FEELS LIKE FALLING and THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF PARADISE by Kristy Woodson Harvey


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Feels Like Falling

by Kristy Woodson Harvey, Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books, April 2020

* An ARC was provided by Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books through Edelweiss for an honest review.

 

Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

FEELS LIKE FALLING by Kristy Woodson Harvey takes all the common beach read themes of woman going through a divorce when husband leaves her for a younger woman - and - woman who loses her job, boyfriend, and home in the same day, and refreshes them with humor and well-developed characters. Gray Howard, loving mother and the 34-year-old founder of ClickMarket, a successful business matching big companies to blogger influencers, is going through a strenuous divorce. She stays at her spacious beach house in North Carolina in the summer, and this year she's facing being there alone while her son goes on a three-week vacation with his dad and his dad's much younger girlfriend. Diana Harrington, 40 years old, is down on her luck, having just been fired from her photo lab job at the local pharmacy, leaving her boyfriend and home on the same day. Diana visits Gray, hoping she'll intervene with the owner of the place where she worked to get her job back. Instead, Diana starts working as cook and housekeeper for Gray. Both of them trying to overcome major upheavals in their lives, they become close friends and emotional supporters.

THEMES: Breakups, facing your past, friendship, falling for younger men, second chances with love, loneliness, following your dreams, believing in yourself

PROS: Refreshing twists of common beach read tropes, fun secondary characters, great pacing, character growth throughout the story, engaging dialogues, serious issues handled carefully and lightheartedly

CONS: None

I've enjoyed every book I've read by this author, and FEELS LIKE FALLING is another winner. The story flows easily from one scene to another, and even though it's told from two points of view, it reads seamlessly. If you like character-driven books with a lighthearted touch of serious issues, then you'll definitely want to spend some time with FEELS LIKE FALLING.

If You Like This, You May Like: THE PEACHTREE BLUFF SERIES by Kristy Woodson Harvey, SPRING FEVER, HELLO SUMMER, and SUNSET BEACH by Mary Kay Andrews, PARADISE SERIES and NANTUCKET SERIES by Elin Hilderbrand, LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER SERIES and THE BEACH HOUSE SERIES by Mary Alice Monroe


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When the Beat Drops

A Novel by Anna Hecker, Sky Pony Press, May 2018.

When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

* An e-galley was provided by Sky Pony Press and Edelweiss for an honest review.

 You know those stories written in present tense that feel stilted and unnatural? WHEN THE BEAT DROPS, by Anna Hecker, is sooo definitely not one of them. In fact, I was on page 21 before I realized it was in present tense. That’s because this book draws you in and won’t let you go until the end.

Mira’s not looking forward to a boring summer alone. Especially when she drives her two friends to music camp even though she’s unable to go. Her summer will consist of nothing but working and practicing her trumpet to prepare for her audition to a prestigious jazz conservatory. Quite unexpectedly, her older sister Britt and a friend of hers from college encourage Mira to join them at a rave. Mira’s initially concerned that the party’s in a rundown, abandoned warehouse district. The loud music and packed dance floor doesn’t help. But everyone is so nice and the music is amazing. It’s here that Mira meets Shaye, the girl who shows her how to spin music, and Derek, the hunky party promoter who will become her love interest. The story follows Mira through the summer as she develops her DJ skills, maneuvers through life at the party scene, deals with how drugs impact her family, and decides who she wants to be while still being true to herself and her dreams.

Themes:
1. Not fitting in - Mira is a misfit in her high school. She likes jazz, is in a band with two other misfits, and she’s poor.
2. Abandonment - Her only two friends are spending much of the summer at her favorite music camp, while she stays at home (due to her parents’ bad money and life management abilities). She feels alone and dreads the boring summer stretching out before her.
3. Unrealized expectations - Mira’s older sister Britt was a soccer star and all around favorite girl at her high school. At Pepperdine University, she feels alienated by the other girls on the soccer team because she’s on a scholarship.
4. Drug dependency - Britt’s turned to “Molly,” a drug supposed to make you happy with everyone and everything. Her new friend from college has encouraged Britt to try it and now Britt relies on it.
5. Being true to yourself - Mira has to decide who she wants to be while keeping her values and realizing her dreams.

Summary:
WHEN THE BEAT DROPS is an enjoyable book worthy of your reading time. The author is adept at writing dialogue, developing in-depth characters, and creating tension. And though I’m not normally a fan of books written in present tense, I’ve made an exception for this story. The writing is solid and so true to life, that it took 21 pages for me to realize it was in the present tense. Readers who like music will like the behind-the-scenes look into DJing and passages about jazz history. It’s a good book that I highly recommend. Once again Sky Pony Press has published a timely, thought-provoking YA book!

Note: Because of a few sex scenes, I recommend this book for mature teenagers and/or readers aged 16 or older.

If You Like This, You May Like:
TONE DEAF by Olivia Rivers, LIFE BEFORE by Michele Bacon, THE ART OF FRENCH KISSING by Brianna R. Shrum, THE TAMING OF THE DREW by Stephanie Kate Strohm, DIRTY LITTLE SECRET and GOING TOO FAR by Jennifer Echols


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The Dirty Book Club

A Novel by Lisi Harrison, Gallery Books, October 2017.

* An e-copy was provided by Gallery Books and Edelweiss for an honest review.

 

The Dirty Book Club by Lisi Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THE DIRTY BOOK CLUB, by Lisi Harrison, is an awesome story, and one I had to keep reading till the very last page. It’s funny, witty, poignant and inspiring.

The point of view varies among several characters but is mostly through M.J., short for May-June, who faces a career crisis while navigating a young relationship with adventurer Dan. She’s floundering, trying to decide what to do in her life. All she’s done since her family died three years before is work. She has no friends and a non-existent social life, so she flees New York City to try out a new life with Dan in Pearl Beach, California.

Jules plays the perfect wife while working as an event planner at a cushy resort in Pearl Beach. She enjoys her job and the nice villa provided as part of her employment, but it’s an hour away from her husband. She doesn’t like being put into the position of single mom to their difficult 15-year-old daughter Destiny.

Britt is frustrated with her slacker husband Paul, who lays around all day smoking weed and watching TV. She’s tired of putting in long hours as a realtor to support him and their twins. Wanting a more exciting life, she considers having an affair.

Sexpot Addie wants to travel anywhere away from Pearl Beach. She’s tired of the day to day monotony of her existence, using sex as a temporary reprieve from her unfulfilled wanderlust.

They are all invited to join the Dirty Book Club, started in the 1960’s by four women who were desperate to spice up their lives. The original book club ladies read books considered salacious in their time (think milder versions of Fifty Shades of Grey), met once a month to discuss how the stories could improve their lives, and shared their problems and joys. Now widows, they’ve all moved to France. They hope the younger four women continue the club and form the close bonds of friendships they still rely on.

Pros: This is a well-written story with themes of love, abandonment, commitment, unfulfilled dreams, and friendship. Though there are some stereotypical situations, they are presented in a fresh way. The characters are interesting with unique quirks, and there’s a good balance of dialogue and description.

Cons: The book starts a little slow but definitely picks up by the third chapter. And though some readers may not mind, I’m not too keen on more than two points of view to tell a story.

Summary:
THE DIRTY BOOK CLUB is an entertaining and engrossing story primarily about love and friendship. If you like character driven stories, then this one’s for you. It’s perfect for the beach, on a weekend getaway, or anytime at all. I recommend it for ages 17 and up.

If You Like This, You Might Like: THE CLIQUE SERIES and PRETENDERS by Lisi Harrison, SUGAR by Kimberly Stuart, LOST ALONG THE WAY by Erin Duffy, THE DIRTY GIRLS SOCIAL CLUB by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez


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Soulmates

A Novel by Jessica Grose, William Morrow, September 2016.

* An e-galley was provided by William Morrow and Edelweiss for an honest review.

 

Soulmates by Jessica Grose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SOULMATES, by Jessica Grose, is an unusual book presented through narration, newspaper articles, and different points of view. The book opens as associate lawyer, Dana Morrison, sees a newspaper with her estranged husband's name on the front page. The article tells about the bizarre death of her husband and his girlfriend in a New Mexico cave. Though she's still upset from when Ethan ran off with Amaya to practice yoga and live the lifestyle promoted by a self-proclaimed guru, Lama Yoni, Ethan's mysterious death concerns her. So begins her quest to find out what truly happened to him.

Dana contacts the sheriff's department having jurisdiction over Zuni Retreat, where Ethan and Amaya taught couples yoga. The staff can't give her much information, as Lama Yoni's high-powered lawyers have prevented the sheriff's office from ever visiting the Zuni complex. So Dana decides to sign up for a three-day stay at the retreat to discover whatever she can about the owner and what might have happened to her husband. In the Zuni library, she finds a book written by Ethan describing why he separated from her. Dana acknowledges the problems he saw in her, while also realizing Ethan was a free-loading narcissist. She also believes something's shady about the Zuni Retreat. Once back at work, Dana no longer has any motivation to work the long hours needed to become partner in her firm and takes a six-month sabbatical to delve into a lengthly investigation into Ethan's life at Zuni and his unexplained death in New Mexico.

Pros:
For the most part, the story is funny and not boring at all.
The story is told through several different writing techniques.
The characters are well-developed with unique quirks and relatable flaws.

Cons:
The ending. It didn't mesh with what I thought I knew about Dana's character.

Overall:
SOULMATES is a unique mystery full of quirky characters. I would recommend it to readers who prefer character-driven stories and/or those who enjoy mysteries. It's also a perfect book to take on vacation or for a relaxing weekend at home.

If You Like This, You Might Like: SAD DESK SALAD by Jessica Grose, ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN and EMMA IN THE NIGHT by Wendy Walker, THE PERFECT STRANGER by Megan Miranda, THE LIGHT WE LOST by Jill Santopolo

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Slightly South of Simple

Book 1, Peachtree Bluff Series, by Kristy Woodson Harvey, Gallery Books, April 2017.

* An e-galley was provided by Gallery Books and Edelweiss for an honest review.

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE, by Kristy Woodson Harvey, is a warm enjoyable beach read that captures the sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes awesome interactions of a family full of women. The story is full of regrets, long-held secrets, questions of trust, and feelings of abandonment. Told in alternating points of view between 58-year-old mom, Ansley, and the oldest of her three girls, 34-year-old Caroline, the book begins as Caroline and her sisters, Sloane and Emerson, descend upon their mother's Southern beach home in Peachtree Bluff.

Mother Ansley is the widow of Carter, who died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center collapse. She's lived in Peachtree Bluff full time since 2001 and has come into her own as an interior designer. Her life suddenly changes when, all at once, her children and grandchildren fill her once quiet house. At the same time her first love, Jack, returns to town and tries to rekindle their romance. Ansley tries to keep her relationship with Jack from her girls, as she's not really sure how or whether to combine the two.

Caroline lives in New York City, is six months pregnant with her second child, and enjoys her life as a high-society wife. When her husband confesses he's fallen in love with a 20-year-old supermodel, she's devastated. Heartbroken over his infidelity and needing to escape from her gossiping so-called friends, she packs bags for herself and her nine-year-old daughter and heads to the last place she's ever wanted to go back to, hick town extraordinaire, Peachtree Bluff.

Sloane is the 32-year-old middle sister and married to her high-school love, Adam, who once again is deployed overseas. She misses Adam and yearns for the support of her family. So she loads up her two-year-old and 18-month-old sons and drives home to stay with her mom and reconnect with her sisters.

Emerson, the 28-year-old baby of the three girls, is a struggling actress who's gradually getting better jobs. Her current gig is a starring role that could really boost her career, and it's being shot in nearby Atlanta. So she figures she'll just stay at her mom's while filming and soak up some quality time with her family.

Pros:
The story's very well written and is not repetitive, thanks to a varied vocabulary.
Each of the sisters have different quirks and personalities.
The book contains a good amount of humor with a scattering of poignant events.
All the main characters are interesting, making it easy to become invested in what happens to them.

Cons:
Too much of the story occurs in Ansley's and Caroline's heads. I prefer more dialogue and action to tell a story.
The voices of Ansley and Caroline were almost identical. I like stories where you can tell, just by reading a portion of dialogue, who is speaking.

SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE is an excellent start to the new Peachtree Bluff series. It's a delightful beach read full of interesting characters and addresses familiar family issues. I would recommend it for everyone who likes Elin Hilderbrand and Mary Alice Monroe, but particularly for anyone who grew up in the South and/or with sisters.

If You Like This, You Might Like: LIES AND OTHER ACTS OF LOVE by Kristy Woodson Harvey, HERE'S TO US by Elin Hilderbrand, A LOW COUNTRY WEDDING by Mary Alice Monroe, SECRETS IN SUMMER by Nancy Thayer, SALTY KEY INN SERIES by Judith Keim, TEN BEACH ROAD NOVELS by Wendy Wax

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Boss

A Trinity Novel (Book One) by J.L. Lora, Adams Media, March 2017.

*An e-galley was provided by Adams Media and Edelweiss for an honest review.

Boss by J.L. Lora
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was prepared for a kick-ass book when I read the first few chapters of BOSS, by J.L. Lora. Who couldn't pull for innocent women getting caught in the crosshairs of competing factions? I rallied behind Carissa and her friends Mel and Gia, hoping they were safe and far away from the warring families. The scenes were action packed, and I couldn't read fast enough. Then it's two years later, and turns out, the women aren't quite so innocent after all.

You see, Carissa (the lead female in this first book of a trilogy) is a "boss" who has thugs working for her. She's been "hiding out" and opening an exclusive nightclub in New York City with her two friends. But wait. The men she's been trying to hide from have taken two years to find her? They're principals in mob families who know and hate each other, and she and her friends are under the protection of principals in another known mob family and by a NYC gang. Unless I missed something, I don't understand how they wouldn't know where she was from almost the first moment she tried to go into hiding, and especially once she became so well known to the glitterati of NYC society.

Despite my confusion with who knew what and when, I thought this debut book was a good start for the author.

PROS: 1. The story rarely bogs down and is well written. I may not relate to the situations in the book, but I can't fault the author's writing style. It's fresh and non-repetitive. 2. The motivations of the characters are pretty apparent and their backgrounds strong. 3. The life-threatening scenes are full of tension and kept me riveted to those parts of the book. 4. The cover is awesome!!

CONS: 1. As the story began, I rooted for the three women who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But when I found out just who they cozied up to, my support for them was short lived. 2. The romance between Carissa and Alec seemed a little far-fetched, especially towards the end of the book. 3. Frequently when I'm reading romances, I imagine what it would be like to be the heroine in the story. I wonder how I would react to other characters and the various situations that occur around them. In this book, I couldn't relate to any of the characters or what happened to them, though I wanted to find out who the ultimate villain was.

OVERALL: I believe the author has a good writing style, and I'll definitely read her future books. The story is fast-paced and full of engrossing action. And though I didn't care for the characters and what they got themselves into, they were fairly well drawn with strong motivations and good background stories. So if you like good mob romances, you should enjoy BOSS.

If You Like This, You Might Like: EAGLE ELITE SERIES by Rachel Van Dyken, CARTER REED SERIES and COLE by Tijan, MADE MEN SERIES by Sarah Brianne, DANGEROUS ROYALS SERIES by Annika Martin

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Sugar

A Novel by Kimberly Stuart, Skyhorse Publishing, February 2017.

* An e-galley was provided by Skyhorse Publishing and Edelweiss for an honest review.

 

Sugar by Kimberly Stuart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love books that make me laugh out loud. I also adore books filled with witty banter and cute but flawed characters. SUGAR, by Kimberly Stuart, has all those ingredients and more.

OCD-like Charlie Garrett is a masterful pastry chef in a swanky NYC restaurant. She's been promised the top pastry job there for years. So she's kept her mouth shut and put up with the jerk in charge of pastries waiting for her dream job to open.

Avery Malachowski, Charlie's ex from their culinary school days nine plus years ago, tricks her into accepting the head pastry chef position at his new restaurant in Seattle. At first she's reluctant to leave NYC, but he wears her down. She's excited to finally be in the same town as her best friend, Manda, who is married with three young kids.

Manda Hendrick shines as the best friend. She's funny, cute and open as a mom and friend. She's the ying to Charlie's yang, preferring relaxed, lighthearted interaction with her family and friends to a frantic tunnel vision on her main focus (like Charlie). I particularly enjoyed her silly conversations with her husband and children.

In Seattle Charlie meets Kai Malloy, a progressive diner owner who is as laid back as his name suggests. He is good for Charlie and keeps her from taking herself too seriously. He cares a lot for Charlie, even when she's being rude and too focused on her work. He's all about trust and enjoying life, while she's all about work, work and more work.

Pros: The story contains lots of great zingers and laugh-out-loud banter. There are well-developed and enjoyable, flawed characters who grow throughout story. The author used humorous ways to address serious issues, such as trust, disappointment, and job satisfaction.

Cons: I would've liked to know more about how Charlie felt about moving to Seattle and back again to NYC. And I didn't always like Charlie. She seems a little too critical of people and events swirling around her. Thankfully she grows more likable as the story continues, and she learns to relax a bit. And though there is a satisfying ending, the story wraps up too quickly.

Overall Message: Relax and take time to enjoy life, don't be afraid to trust your friends, and don't discount your instincts.

If You Like This, You Might Like: OPERATION BONNET and ACT TWO by Kimberly Stuart, THE TOTAL PACKAGE by Stephanie Evanovich, MY (NOT SO) PERFECT LIFE by Sophie Kinsella, THE BOY IS BACK by Meg Cabot, ON SECOND THOUGHT by Kristan Higgins


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Her Every Fear

A Novel by Peter Swanson, William Morrow, January 2017

* An e-galley was provided by William Morrow and Edelweiss for an honest review.

 

Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

HER EVERY FEAR by Peter Swanson is a riveting and suspenseful mystery which may make you suspicious of everyone you meet. Set in both Boston and London, it weaves the lives of the main characters into a web of anxiety, fear and distrust. The story takes place over a few days and starts out in Kate Priddy's point of view (POV), adding other characters' POVs as it goes along.

Kate has just arrived in Boston to spend six months experiencing life in a new place and taking design classes. She's agreed to a house switch with her second cousin, Corbin Dell, who she's never met, as he's been transferred to London for the six months. Kate has been anxiety ridden since she was a little girl but now has PTSD from a horrific attack by her ex-boyfriend five years ago. As she walks down the hallway toward her cousin's condo door, she encounters a girl who pounds on a neighbor's door. That girl believes something bad has happened to her friend. Later on, Kate finds out that the neighbor, Audrey Marshall, was killed. Then strange things start happening to Kate in her cousin's condo--slight changes to things around her, cat left inside when she knows she let it out into the hallway--enough to where she questions her sanity. This makes the reader wonder if Kate is an unreliable narrator or if something odd is really going on.

Corbin Dell first visited London as a student. Though he was a bit of a loner, he began dating a bartender at a local pub. He didn't really gel with the other American students but partied with them on occasion. He left town when his studies ended, with a big secret and a regret that follows him daily. Corbin arrives in London to work his six months at about the same time that Kate arrives in Boston. He emails her to thank her for the switch in homes and the detailed info she left him about the neighborhood. He also sends an email to Audrey, even though he knows she won't answer him.

Alan Cherney has lived in the condo building for about a year. He moved in with his heiress girlfriend, but since she's left him, he has to move out again within the month. He has been obsessed with Audrey for a long while, almost to the point of being a stalker.

Henry Wood was the life of the party in London. Every person he met was a friend, and the other American students tended to gravitate toward him. Corbin saw him around school, but didn't really interact with Henry until near the end of their studies in London. Though they parted under unusual circumstances, they renewed their acquaintance back in the USA and became bosom buddies. Eventually they parted ways and Corbin moved on with his life. But he still remembers Henry, and apparently, Henry has never forgotten Corbin.

All the characters have strengths and weaknesses, and no two are alike. By using the various POVs, the author reveals a bit of each character's personality and the reason behind their current actions. I'm giving the book 4.5 stars because with every new POV, I had to figure out where it began in the timeline of Kate's experiences. The pace of the novel would've benefitted from giving the time, day and city at the beginning of each change in POV.

Even though I felt that the killer was inferred before the final traumatic scene, the interplay between the characters and the intensity of the plot kept me captivated throughout the story. The author is a master in writing suspense and creating tense scenes, and readers will be engrossed in this novel to the very end.

If You Liked This, You May Also Like: THE KIND WORTH KILLING and THE GIRL WITH A CLOCK FOR A HEART by Peter Swanson, EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE by Windy Mejia, I SEE YOU by Clare Mackintosh, THE DRY by Jane Harper, THE SLEEPWALKER by Chris Bohjalian View all my reviews

Just Fine with Caroline

A Cold River Novel (Book One) by Annie England Noblin, William Morrow, October 2016.

* An e-galley was provided by William Morrow and Edelweiss for an honest review.

Just Fine with Caroline by Annie England Noblin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In JUST FINE WITH CAROLINE, by Annie England Noblin, Caroline O'Connor returns to Cold River, MO to help care for her mom, Maureen, who has Alzheimers. She shares caretaking responsibilities with her retired physician dad, Max, and helps run her family's bait and tackle shop. Now that she's home, she views her town and it's residents through more mature eyes, making her question what she once believed about her past. Ex-veteran Noah Cranwell comes to Cold River to reclaim his family's rundown Cranwell Station. While he rehabilitates the building, he struggles with problems of his own. As Caroline and Noah's romance blooms, they uncover secrets about the town and their families that will bring them closer together.

This story is a good contemporary women's romance filled with laughter, sadness and tears. It contains strongly developed main characters supported by interesting, fun secondary characters. The plot and subplots interweave well, and the characters' actions are believable.

I took away one star, because it could've been edited a little better. First, there were too many names that began with the letter "c"--Caroline O'Connor, Court, Cranwell, Crow, Cranwell Corner, Cranwell Station, Cold River--to the point where it almost became a parody. I realize a town with a prominent family will have several businesses named after that family, but all the "c" names became a little too much. The book also could have benefitted from more dialogue. There was too much "tell" and not enough "show". And finally, the story's flow suffered from repeating some of what was said in previous chapters. Luckily the strength of the story and the characters' interactions overrode these concerns, and I gave JUST FINE WITH CAROLINE four stars.

This book is perfect for fans of contemporary women's stories and those who like character-driven romances. So enjoy it at the beach or during a relaxing weekend at home. It's a pleasant way to pass the time.

If You Like This, You May Like : SIT, STAY, SPEAK by Annie England Noblin, THE LIFE SHE WANTS and SWEPT AWAY by Robyn Carr, THE SECRETS OF ROSCARBURY HALL by Ann O'Loughlin, THE LAKESHORE CHRONICLES SERIES by Susan Wiggs, FOOL'S GOLD SERIES and MISCHIEF BAY SERIES by Susan Mallery, HERE'S TO US by Elin Hilderbrand, THE LAKE SEASON and MYSTIC SUMMER by Hannah McKinnon

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The Kept Woman

Will Trent Series, Book 8, by Karin Slaughter, William Morrow, September 2016.

*An e-galley was provided by William Morrow/HarperCollins and Edelweiss for an honest review. 

The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THE KEPT WOMAN , by Karin Slaughter, is the eighth book in her police procedural, Will Trent series and is filled with all kinds of twists and turns pivotal to good thrillers. In this intriguing story, Will and his Georgia Bureau of Investigation colleagues work with the Atlanta Police Department to solve the murder of a crooked ex-cop. The owner of the scene's abandoned building is a well-known sports figure who Will was unable to prove guilty in a recently closed case. The murder investigation turns personal when Will's estranged wife, Angie Polaski's, blood is found at the scene and their intertwined past and current troubles bubble to the surface, endangering his professional life and his relationship with medical examiner, Sara Linton.

I have to admit I've never read this author's work before, but I won't miss her future books. I was immediately pulled into the story and had no trouble understanding the pertinent backstory between all the main characters. I also found the characters realistic, each with flaws and interesting backgrounds.

Will is a physically and emotionally wounded man who has overcome his horrible upbringing with gentleness, routine and hard work to succeed in life. Angie is a crazy ex-cop, PI, and overall survivor from a childhood filled with all kinds of abuse. She flits in and out of Will's life creating havoc wherever she lands. She enjoys messing with Sara by breaking into her home and moving things about, sometimes leaving disturbing messages. Angie wants them to know that she'll always be around clinging to Will and directing anger towards Sara. Sara has weathered some difficult events of her own (though not as horrendous as Will and Angie) and suffers from self-doubts and confusion, both about herself and her relationship with Will. Even the less major characters are fleshed out with unique and complex lives.

Though the story is told in several points of view, the majority is through the eyes of Will, Angie and Sara. Keeping up with the POV changes was relatively easy, particularly since the different POVs were easily distinguished with spacing or chapters breaking them up.

I really enjoyed the author's use of humor to get the reader throughout the book. A scene in the dead ex-cop's house caused me to laugh out loud, and some of the characters' thoughts were very witty. But make no mistake, this is definitely a gritty police procedural and thriller, with all the gore and dirty primal survival techniques found in the lives of shady, abusive people.

The only thing keeping me from giving the novel five stars is the ending. I hate loose ends and though one major storyline is fleshed out, another important one is left hanging. Probably to kick off the next work in the series?

I would recommend THE KEPT WOMAN to anyone who likes police procedurals with a smattering of humor, stories of comeuppance, and mysteries with great twists and turns.

NOTE : The rather frank discussions of physical and sexual abuse within the story may not be suitable for anyone younger than 9th or 10th grades.


If You Like This Book, You May Like: Other books in the WILL TRENT SERIES by Karin Slaughter, TRACERS SERIES by Laura Griffin, MORGANS OF NASHVILLE and TEXAS RANGERS series by Mary Burton, FBI THRILLER BOOKS by Catherine Coulter, LUCY KINCAID NOVELS by Allison Brennan, DARKNESS by Karen Robards

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How to Make Out

By Brianna R. Shrum, Sky Pony Press, August 2016.

 * An e-ARC was provided by Sky Pony Press and Edelweiss for an honest review.

 

How to Make Out by Brianna Shrum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

HOW TO MAKE OUT, by Brianna R. Shrum, is an enjoyable book about 16-year-old Renley Eisner and her quest to fund her math club trip to New York City. Along the way, she discovers she can be whomever she wants, but she may not like what she becomes.

Fairly invisible in school and home, Renley spends much of her time with April, her fellow math geek, and Drew, her next door neighbor. She doesn't have a boyfriend, and Drew goes through girls fairly quickly. He really cares a lot for Renley, but she only sees him as a really good friend.

Renley wants to go on the trip with April but doesn't have the $3000 needed to get there. She hates to ask her father for the money, so she decides to create an anonymous How-To blog and charge for answering readers' questions. She's unskilled in a lot of areas, so when she has a question to answer, she researches the best processes online and tries them out on herself before posting the best one on her blog. As Renley improves herself and her blog brings in cash, she becomes noticed at school and attracts the attention of a really cute boy she's crushed on in her Home Ec class.

As she and her blog become popular, she practically abandons her two best friends. Questions arise about who created the blog at the same time as Renley's life starts failing apart. Ultimately she has to decide what is really important in her life.

The story's main characters are well written and experience evolving maturity throughout the book. Each chapter is headed with a How-To (the first being "How to Do Long Division"), and follows Renley's progress with her blog and herself. Though the topics of friendship, personal growth, and truthfulness are addressed, trust is the overall issue, both in how a person can become trustworthy and how a person's actions can affect the trust of friends and family.

HOW TO MAKE OUT is a lighthearted, fun book that tackles important life issues, especially for teenagers. It may be a better fit with more mature teens, as some of the How-To topics are a tad bit scandalous, but Renley's discovery of herself and what's important in her life will resonate with most readers. It's a quick, enjoyable read that even adults can appreciate.

If You Like This, You May Like: SAINT ANYTHING by Sarah Dessen, DIRTY LITTLE SECRET and GOING TOO FAR by Jennifer Echols, PAPER TOWNS by John Green, THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER by Jennifer L. Armentrout, GAME ON by Michelle Smith, GOING GEEK by Charlotte Huang



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Family Tree

A Novel by Susan Wiggs, William Morrow, August 2016

* An e-galley was provided by William Morrow and Edelweiss for an honest review.

 

Family Tree by Susan Wiggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

FAMILY TREE by Susan Wiggs is the intriguing story of Annie Rush's new beginning, both physically and emotionally. One DAY Annie's living in L.A., the happy producer of her husband's (Martin) successful cooking show, "A Key Ingredient", and the next YEAR, she's waking up from a coma where her whole life is different. Not only is she having to relearn everyday activities, like walking and talking, she's also trying to remember the bits and pieces of her past and how she ended up back in her hometown of Switchback, VT. Luckily she has her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, and her four nieces and nephews to help in her recovery. Another person invested in her healing is single father, Fletcher Wyndham, the high school sweetheart she left behind to pursue her dreams.

I really liked this book. The author does a great job creating complex and sympathetic characters and allows the reader to get glimpses of Annie's life as she remembers bits and pieces of her past. All her family is important to her, but it's the memories of her interactions with her grandmother that show how huge an influence she was on Annie's dreams and ultimate decisions. And as she heals, Annie realizes how important her hometown has been in her life.

The only con to this story is the frequent jumps back and forth from NOW and THEN, the reason why I gave it 4 stars. But I understand that to follow Annie's recovery through her eyes, the reader needs to understand how her memories are necessary to her improving health and to frame her future choices.

I recommend FAMILY TREE to fans of character-driven stories and anyone who likes a feel-good book. The unusual storyline is refreshing, and the plots and subplots nicely flow to a satisfying conclusion. And you can't go wrong with a Susan Wiggs book!

If You Like This, You Might Also Like: ROSE HARBOR SERIES by Debbie Macomber, BLUE HERON series by Kristan Higgins, ON THE ROCKS and BOND GIRL by Erin Duffy, HERE'S TO US by Elin Hilderbrand, SO CLOSE by Emma McLaughlin, THE ISLAND HOUSE and THE GUEST COTTAGE by Nancy Thayer, THE LAKE SEASON and MYSTIC SUMMER by Hannah McKinnon, SUMMER WITH MY SISTERS by Holly Chamberlain 

The American Girl

A Novel by Kate Horsley, William Morrow/HarpersCollin, August 2016.

* An e-galley was provided by William Morrow/HarpersCollin and Edelweiss for an honest review.

The American Girl by Kate Horsley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

THE AMERICAN GIRL by Kate Horsley is a psychological thriller set in France in the present day. American exchange student Quinn Perkins is spending a summer in St. Roch hoping to become fluent in French. At the beginning of the story, she is in the local hospital trying to remember what happened to her. Reports state she was running out of the woods, barefoot and in a torn white dress, trying to flag down a motorist. Instead, she was run down and left her for dead. She has no memory of her life before the accident, and the psychologist gives her a videocam to record whatever thoughts come to her in hopes she will remember what happened.

Molly Swift is a Boston reporter who is just one of many descending into St. Roch to discover what has happened to Quinn and her missing host family, the Blavettes: Emilie, the weird ex-schoolteacher mother; Emilie's daughter, sullen teenager Noemie; and, Emilie's son, Raphael, a handsome, irresistable Sorbonne student. Molly gets close to Quinn by saying she's Quinn's aunt. And since Quinn's family hasn't bothered to visit her in the hospital, Molly hopes she can find the truth about what happened to the American student and the Blavettes before her ruse is discovered.

I've had some difficulty in how to rate this story. I started with 4.5 stars because, on the one hand, the narrative is well-written and definitely amps up the tension. However, the constant back and forth between time frames is confusing. At the beginning of almost every chapter, I had to flick back through the book to remember where I was in the timeline. I felt like I needed a complicated series of arrows, loops and stars on a whiteboard calendar to figure out where I should be in the story. And then there was the too-long length of some chapters. After a while I felt compelled to forget about 75 pages and read the last 50 pages. Once I was assured that the ending was worth pursuing, I went back and read the 75 pages I skipped.

My final deciding factor was the heavy use of cigarette smoking by every character in the book. Not that cigarette smoking, itself, should be a reason for decrease in rating. But I feel that the overuse of this habit in the book was basically filler for the actual story. Lots of space was used up in the narrative by people lighting, inhaling, and fiddling with cigarettes (and some weed). Plus, I couldn't help feeling disgusted by the idea that the characters constantly stunk of cigarettes--their breath, their bodies and their surroundings. The overuse of cigarette smoking did nothing for the story. Instead, I think it hindered the psychological buildup to the twist at the end of the book.

Overall, I think the author has a good writing style with strong characters. She is worth watching, and I will definitely read her future books. But with the timeline all over the place and the filler-ish use of smoking, I can give THE AMERICAN GIRL only 3 stars.

If You Like This, You Might Like: GONE GIRL and SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn, MORGANS OF NASHVILLE and TEXAS RANGERS series by Mary Burton, FBI THRILLER BOOKS by Catherine Coulter, LUCY KINCAID NOVELS by Allison Brennan, DARKNESS by Karen Robards




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Home Field

A Novel by Hannah Gersen, William Morrow, July 2016.

* An e-galley was provided by William Morrow and Edelweiss for an honest review.

 

Home Field: A Novel by Hannah Gersen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

HOME FIELD by Hannah Gersen is a book about the suicide of a loved one and how the survivors come to terms with the death. Dean is the celebrated high school football coach in a tiny rural community in western Maryland. He's the husband to an extremely depressed Nicole, stepfather to 19-year-old Stephanie, and father to 11-year-old Robbie and 8-year-old Bryan. After Nicole commits suicide, Dean is left searching for his place within his family and with his football team. Football is his life, and the reason he moved to such a small town.

As Dean becomes immersed in the start of Fall football, his family takes a back seat while they struggle to make sense of their mother's death. Ronnie becomes belligerent, talking back and acting out at school. Bry tries to placate everyone and becomes mesmerized by his aunt's fanatical religion. Stephanie battles with wanting to stay at home, to ensure her brothers aren't overshadowed by their dad's focus on his team, and with her need to leave town and enjoy her independence as a college freshman. Though Dean encourages Stephanie to follow her dream of going away to school, he doesn't know how to help himself or his kids work through their pain. He's guilty that he had no clue that Nicole was ready to kill herself and sad that they had grown so far apart.

If you're looking for a lighthearted story, this isn't the book for you, as it teems with unhappiness. However, if you are a character-driven reader, you'll enjoy the fully-developed characters and many subplots woven throughout the book. Situations and character reactions are realistic and somewhat poignant and reveal how each person hopes to break through their despair. The ending is a little weak, but overall the story is a good one.

I would recommend HOME FIELD to book clubs that enjoy discussing themed or emotional topics and to readers who prefer the same.

If You Like This, You May Also Like: THE OTHER WIDOW by Susan Crawford, TRULY MADLY GUILTY by Liane Moriarty, ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN by Wendy Walker, LISTEN TO ME by Hannah Pittard, THE LAKE SEASON by Hannah McKinnon

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Lost Along the Way

A Novel by Erin Duffy, William Morrow, July 2016

* An e-galley was provided by William Morrow and Edelweiss for an honest review.

Lost Along the Way by Erin Duffy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

LOST ALONG THE WAY is a story about three best friends growing apart and still being able to depend on one another when their lives begin to crumble. Jane, Cara and Meg have been best friends since the third grade and have remained close throughout their teens and twenties. The story begins the day after Jane elopes with Doug, a wealth manager on Wall Street. She can't wait to share the news with her married friends, thinking they'll be just as excited as she is. But when Cara and Meg hear about Jane's wedding, they're anything but. They think she's jumped into marriage with Doug too quickly and worried it's the wrong decision.

Seven years later, Jane's living her dream life flitting through NYC high society. She and Doug live in an elegant apartment one block from Central Park West filled with lovely antiques, and she's feeling stressed about planning for the upcoming Christmas holiday. When Doug is arrested for scamming his clients, Jane is left with nothing but her memories and her beautiful apartment. Reporters and paparazzi constantly crowd around the entrance to her building, and the co-op residents are ready to have her evicted. Her society friends have dropped her like a fake Jimmy Choo shoe. No one else will help her. So she finally decides to reconnect with her former best friends to try and salvage something from her former life.

Cara's mom just died, but her husband Reed continues to belittle her, only caring about himself and impressing his friends and coworkers. She's drowning in regret about her awful marriage and is less than thrilled when Jane reappears in her life. However when Jane leaves to try and find Meg, Cara decides it's time for her to escape her self-imposed emotional prison and get away from Reed.

Meg is a successful writer who thinks her husband Steve would be better off without her. She's lived in their second home in Montauk for a year without any contact with him. Though he's worried sick about her, he also loves her enough to let her go. Jane and Cara track her down and refuse to leave her. They need each other now more than ever to overcome their problems and discover a better future for themselves and each other.

The story is in third person and the point of view varies depending on whose story is being told. The narrative occasionally reverts to memories of how a situation came about, but the break in the story is fairly flawless and delineated by italics to prevent confusion.

Each character is well-developed and is easily identifiable from the others. Though I didn't feel an affinity for any of the best friends at first, once Jane starts her journey to reconnect with Cara and Meg, I began to root for all of them.

LOST ALONG THE WAY is light enough for a beach read and compelling enough for a book club discussion. It speaks to the choices we make and the friendships we need to see us through those choices. I'm giving this book 4 stars because it's entertaining, well-written and a satisfying book overall.

If You Like This, You May Like: ON THE ROCKS and BOND GIRL by Erin Duffy, HERE'S TO US by Elin Hilderbrand, SO CLOSE by Emma McLaughlin, THE ISLAND HOUSE and THE GUEST COTTAGE by Nancy Thayer, THE LAKE SEASON and MYSTIC SUMMER by Hannah McKinnon, SUMMER WITH MY SISTERS by Holly Chamberlain


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A Dangerous Age

A Novel by Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Gallery Books, June 2016.

A Dangerous Age by Kelly Killoren Bensimon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

* An e-ARC was provided by Gallery Books and Edelweiss for an honest review.


A DANGEROUS AGE by Kelly Killoren Bensimon is a boring book about four, once uber fashion-forward, New York City women (who became friends in their 20s) and what happens to them over a few months. Told in first person, past tense, the book is pretentious and silly, and it skips around between current day and memories of the past. The story has very little substance and even fewer interesting scenes.

The four main characters are now in their 40s and no longer the upper society leaders they once were. Each of the four have some crisis going on in their lives. Lucy's marriage is disintegrating, Sarah is on the verge of a social collapse, Billy has no focus other than thinking she's a creative culinary genius, and Lotta, a beautiful art dealer, is a total lush. Their very real, life-crushing issues seem secondary to the reality-show-like circus of their days.

A DANGEROUS AGE may appeal to people who like the Real Housewives and Kardashian reality shows, but readers who prefer a story with substance and likable characters should skip this book.

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Life Before

A Young Adult Suspense by Michele Bacon, Sky Pony Press, June 2016.

Life Before by Michele Bacon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

* An e-ARC was provided by Sky Pony Press and Edelweiss for an honest review.

LIFE BEFORE is a young adult suspense by Michele Bacon. The serious issues of physical and emotional abuse, homelessness, murder, and being forced to run for your life are just some of the topics touched upon in this book.

Xander Fife has been living with his mom, Helen, since her divorce from his abusive dad, Gary. Xander tries to live his life as a normal kid with a normal family. But he has secrets that he can't reveal, even to his best friend Jill.

One day Xander and Jill are planning their Infinite Summer. The next, he's hiding from his murderous father. Xander ends up in Burlington VT, intending to stay off the grid (essentially disappear) until Gary is captured and thrown in jail. While in VT he meets some friendly and intriguing people who help him survive day to day, teach him to approach life with curiosity and wonder, and encourage him to live in the present instead of waiting until some future accomplishment to begin his life.

The characters in LIFE BEFORE are fully-developed with clear identities and motivations. The descriptions of places and things are so vibrant, one feels as if you're standing beside Xander as he stumbles through his days, constantly on the outlook for danger.

Xander's poignant story is both sad and beautiful. Sad for what he's had to suffer throughout his young life. Beautiful for his strength and growing confidence. Though the issues raised are serious, the story isn't depressing. It is, at times, funny and always full of friendship and hope. Xander comes to realize he has the ability to take care of himself and that he is far from alone, as he has wonderful friends who support him and who accept him for who he is.

LIFE BEFORE is perfect for readers of John Green, Jennifer Echols and Sarah Dessen and a quick read for vacation. There are a few kissing scenes and descriptions of feelings, but more involved sexual interactions are either off-scene or just implied.

If You Like This, You May Like: SAINT ANYTHING by Sarah Dessen, DIRTY LITTLE SECRET and GOING TOO FAR by Jennifer Echols, PAPER TOWNS by John Green, THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER by Jennifer L. Armentrout, HOW TO DISAPPEAR by Ann Redisch Stampler, A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE by Brittany Cavallaro, TELL ME THREE THINGS by Julie Buxbaum

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The Lake Season

A Novel by Hannah McKinnon, Atria Books/Simon & Schuster, June 2015.

* An e-galley was provided by Atria Books/Simon & Schuster for an honest review.

  

The Lake Season by Hannah McKinnon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THE LAKE SEASON by Hannah McKinnon is like a fine wine. Give it time and it becomes rich and tasty and forms a aromatic bouquet of words and wisdom. The first time I read this story, I'll admit I wasn't too keen on the writing style. I balked at what I thought was too much telling and not enough showing. And I failed to appreciate the message of being brave enough to risk second chances. On giving this book another chance, I discovered a charming tale of family flaws, life changes and risking the dull familiar for a chance at a happier future.

Iris is at a crossroads in her life. She barely survives the day-to-day routine of getting her three kids ready for school, and with little sleep and even less finesse, she muddles through her responsibilities of mother, wife and fledgling business owner. On top of all this, her husband, Paul, wants a divorce. Iris thinks some time at her mom and dad's farm in New Hampshire will help her determine what to do next. So she leaves the kids with Paul and returns to her childhood home for some alone time. However, the turmoil surrounding her sister's upcoming wedding overshadows her need to heal. Though the farm has seen tremendous changes in the past few years, her family dynamics haven't changed at all, and Iris still feels like an outsider and second best to her younger sister. Little by little, she starts picking up the pieces of her old self, and by the end of summer, she's survived her family's secrets and lies to forge a new, happier future for herself and her family.

THE LAKE SEASON deals with serious issues of infidelity, trustworthiness, dysfunctional families and mental illness. It involves questions of how to be happy when it may hurt those you love, how to handle divorce when children are involved, and how to overcome feelings of inadequacy. Overall, the book is about believing in yourself, new beginnings and taking chances for a happier life.

This story is perfect for book clubs and would make a great vacation read. Take a chance on THE LAKE SEASON . It's a decision you won't regret.

If You Like This, You May Like: MYSTIC SUMMER by Hannah McKinnon, SUMMER WITH MY SISTERS by Holly Chamberlain, SECOND CHANCE FRIENDS by Jennifer Scott, THE ISLAND HOUSE by Nancy Thayer, FLIGHT PATTERNS by Karen White

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One Step Too Far

A Novel by Tina Seskis, HarperCollins, January 2015.

* An e-copy was provided by HarperCollins via Edelweiss for an honest review.

ONE STEP TOO FAR, by Tina Seskis, is a psychological mystery that certainly has a lot of twists and turns. Part of the story is set in the 1980s and starts with a woman expecting one child that she's not sure she wants, then during the birth, she is distressed to find she's having twins. As the children grow, the family falls apart. The mother favors the first twin, Emily, and practically ignores the second, Caroline. Of course, Caroline picks up on this disparity and becomes manipulative and mean. She is jealous of Emily and causes trouble whenever she can.

In the present, the main story surrounds Emily's life. One day she leaves her husband and home, changes her name to Cat, moves in a group house and begins work at a hip advertising agency in London. One of her housemates is Angel, and the two of them quickly bond and become inseparable. As Cat, she tries to erase all traces of her old life so no one can find her. But no matter what she does or where she goes, she can't get rid of her memories and the truth of what happened in her past.

The psychological aspect of the story seemed plausible, and the ending was somewhat satisfying.  However, I found the story structure confusing and disjointed. The book has several points of view and skips from present, to past, to future, back to present and so on. Plus, Emily/Cat's narrative is in first person, present tense, while all the other point of views are in third person, past tense. A few times I began a new chapter and had to read several paragraphs before I could tell in whose point of view I was reading.

Also, the cover of the book was too washed out and seemed boring to me. If I'd seen it on a store's bookshelf, I would have ignored it. I know the author rarely has a say in the cover design, and frequently the cover artist only gets to read a blurb for the story before preparing a cover. But this particular cover just didn't work for me.

All in all, the book's premise was interesting and the characters were far from flat. But the story lacked a good overall structure and was, at times, confusing. Because of this, I gave it 3.5 stars.

And fair warning—the story is very depressing.

If You Like This, You May Also Like: THE PERFECT MOTHER by Nina Darnton, THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins, THE MAGICIAN'S LIE by Greer Macallister, VANESSA AND HER SISTER by Priya Parmar

CIty of Mirrors

A Diana Poole Thriller by Melodie Johnson Howe, Pegasus Crime, August 2013.

* A copy was provided by the author for an honest review.

CITY OF MIRRORS, by Melodie Johnson Howe, is a fast-moving, entertaining mystery set in the semi-glamorous world of Hollywood, where who you know and what you know are sometimes more important than talent. The star of this story is 40-year-old Diana Poole, daughter of the recently deceased mega-star Nora Poole and widow of the Oscar-winning screenwriter Colin Hudson. Diana gave up a promising movie career when she married, and eight years later, after the death of her husband, she's back on a movie set in what she hopes will be a boost to her reemergence on the big screen. In the film she plays the mother to starlet Jenny Parson's character. Unfortunately production is frequently delayed because Jenny can't seem to remember her lines. But Diana's big movie break is all but forgotten when the starlet is found dead.

Diana is a strong, resilient and independent protagonist, who discovers that everyone plays a part, even behind the scenes. As more friends' and family secrets come to light in the story, Diana grows as a person. She comes to realize that not everything is as it seems, and that people she considered close friends, she never really knew at all.

Howe infuses realism in all her characters. The love interest is a security consultant who seems to be working for several competing players. The alcoholic next-door neighbor who passes out in the bushes along the side of his house may or may not have been involved with the murdered starlet. The producer of the interrupted movie has a wife and mistress who are longtime friends of the protagonist. And then there's the unscrupulous father of the dead girl.

CITY OF MIRRORS suggests that the glamour and glitz we see surrounding Hollywood movie makers sometimes hides lives full of shame, disappointment and deceit. This is what moves the story and may interest the reader. And Howe, as a former actor in film and TV, knows the world of which she writes.

So if you're looking for a glimpse of how things are done behind the scenes in Tinseltown, this book may be a good selection. If you're looking for a fast-moving, well-planned mystery, you'll definitely want to get this story. It's the perfect book for your vacation, rainy day or a day at the beach.

If You Like This, You May Also Like: PIPER DONOVAN MYSTERIES by Mary Jane Clark, BILLY BLESSING MYSTERIES by Al Roker, MURDER AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS by Joan Rivers (with Jerrilyn Farmer), HOLLYWOOD HEADLINES MYSTERIES by Gemma Halliday

White Trash Beautiful

White Trash Trilogy (Book One), by Teresa Mummert, Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books, July 2013

* An ARC was provided by Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books and Edelweiss for an honest review.

WHITE TRASH BEAUTIFUL is an amazing story of one young woman's struggle to break out of the constant drudgery and abuse hounding her so she can make a better life for herself. Day after day, 23-year-old Cass Daniels leaves her whacked out mom and her abusive and drug-addicted boyfriend in their decrepit trailer and walks next door to Aggie's Diner. It's not only where she works; it's her sanctuary. She aches to get out of the never-ending cycle of broken promises and heartbreak. Sometimes waitressing two shifts a day, Cass scrimps and saves as much as possible so she can get away from the pit her life has become.

Her boyfriend, Jackson (Jax), was once her savior, protector and best friend. Now he's a jealous heroin addict, who constantly asks Cass for money to score his next hit. While Cass tries to make enough money to keep a roof over their head and some food in the fridge, Jax and her mom, Anne, drink, smoke and shoot up whenever they can. Cass has to hide the pittance of saved cash so the other two don't spend it on drugs.

One day a bright light sneaks into the darkness of her existence. Tucker White, a bad-boy rocker in an up-and-coming band, walks into the diner and into Cass's life. He's only known her for a few minutes, but he protects her from her angry boyfriend when he comes asking for money. Tucker sees something in Cass that touches him and, for as long as he's in the Eddington SC area, he does everything he can to make sure she's safe.

Cass gets a brief respite from work and home when Tucker takes her on his motorcycle to Savannah one night. She gets a glimpse of what life could be for her if she were strong enough to break free from Jax and her mom. It's been a long time since she's felt loved and safe, the way Tucker makes her feel. But he's leaving with his band. And leaving her behind.

This is a powerful story full of anger, lies, abuse and survival. Cass endures Jax's fits of physical and verbal abuse and her mom's negligence because she hopes that one day she'll get out of the hellhole that's her life. With Tucker as her lifeline, she knows it's only a matter of time.

If I could give WHITE TRASH BEAUTIFUL ten stars I would. It's gritty, gory, and sad, but it's also full of hope and love. Cass and Tucker are strong, good people who've had bad things happen to them. You can feel their need to be together and hold on to each other. Jackson and Anne are pitiful and broken, and it's hard not to feel compassion for them. Even when they're being mean to Cass.

I can't quit thinking about this story. It sucked me in and kept me there until the very last page.  For me, that's a sign of a great book. I'll be revisiting this story often.

*The second book in the trilogy, WHITE TRASH DAMAGED, will be released in 2014.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MIGHT LIKE:  FALLEN TOO FAR SERIES by Abbi Glines, REAL SERIES by Katy Evans, FALLING (WILDER) SERIES by Jasinda Wilder, DIRTY LITTLE SECRET by Jennifer Echols