Okay it's official... if Jason Rekulak writes it, I will read it!
The Last One at the Wedding went in a direction I never would have expected and I absOkay it's official... if Jason Rekulak writes it, I will read it!
The Last One at the Wedding went in a direction I never would have expected and I absolutely loved the ride. Rekulak gives his readers twists they didn't know to look for and my jaw hit the floor on more than a couple occasions!
I really loved the characters in this novel. They were all surprising, and complex, and so human. I loved trying to navigate Maggie's motivations and learn about her past. Tammy was a conundrum to me and it was impossible not to love her though during the wedding there were moments where she definitely baffled me. She was smarter than she let on but I didn't always agree with her choices or how she chose to react to things. Abigail was a unique addition to the storyline and added so much. There were moments during the wedding weekend that I was laughing out loud and I could literally smell the mayonnaise being spread throughout her hair on the porch!
Frank was a wonderful character. He felt so authentic and genuine. His love and care for Maggie came through the pages and I respected him so much. He was strong, brave, and always trying to do the right thing. There were times I felt he bumbled a bit, but his intentions felt so pure that I couldn't fault him. It also felt completely relatable that he could never truly see any faults in Maggie and that he loved her so unconditionally.
The setting of this book was also great. I could envision the penthouse apartment in Boston and the sprawling "camp" estate at the lake. Rekulak didn't bog us down with details but he painted a perfect picture that transported me to New Hampshire and had me celebrating Maggie and Aidan's nuptials right alongside them.
I listened to this book on audio and really enjoyed it. I had heard the narrator before and thought he played a perfect Frank. His voice and inflection were on point and never felt overacted.
All in all, this book was a homerun. I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to see what else Rekulak comes up with!
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the copy....more
Nova Glass is an auto read author for me so I was so excited when Nothing Ever Happens Here became available! It was definitely a DROP EVERYTHING momeNova Glass is an auto read author for me so I was so excited when Nothing Ever Happens Here became available! It was definitely a DROP EVERYTHING moment!
When I say Nothing Ever Happens Here opens with a bang, wow, am I not kidding. My jaw hit the floor. As a mother, I could honestly feel Shelby's distress as she realized her babies were trapped the car while she was completely helpless. It made a catastrophic situation all the more traumatic and emotional!
From there, Nova Glass weaves a tale of mystery and suspense. Shelby may have narrowly escaped with her life, but someone is not done with her. Meanwhile, her best friend's husband went missing on the same night of the attack, making it hard to believe the two incidents weren't related -- and maybe in the worst way. I appreciated that Mack and Shelby were able to maintain their friendship and trust in one another as they grappled with the unimaginable. It was a nice depiction of female friendship and resiliency.
I loved the crew at the Oleander and how invested in their community they were. The podcast bit added a nice touch and I liked how they each played detective in their own ways. There were quite a few characters but once we got to know them better, it was easier to keep track and everyone added something to the story.
This one kept me guessing and I bet it will fool a lot of readers! There were some good red herrings and I liked that the killer didn't feel obvious.
If you like a well-rounded cast of characters, mysteries with a true crime podcast spin, and a book that keeps you on your toes, I definitely recommend!
Thank you to THE PULSE for the advanced copy. Nothing Ever Happens Here releases February 11, 2025 and you don't want to miss it!...more
If you're a fan of action-packed novels Zero Days definitely needs to move to the top of your list. This book had my heart pounding and had everythingIf you're a fan of action-packed novels Zero Days definitely needs to move to the top of your list. This book had my heart pounding and had everything from gaping wounds, hits for hire, people jumping off moving trains, police manhunts, valuable source code, and a few things in between. It was intense, emotive, and fast-paced.
This would translate super well to the big screen and I would love to watch an adaptation. As for books, it wasn't my usual style but I did find it entertaining. Admittedly, at times, it was verbose and could feel a little repetitive. There was also a major suspension of belief as with many man hunt storylines but maybe that's just because I know that I for one would never make it!
I listened to this novel on audio and it was highly entertaining. The narrator was good and definitely added to the theatrics. She was emotive and the acting felt authentic.
Overall, this was fun but just not totally for me. For readers more into action, I think this will exceed expectations.
I absolutely loved this book and it is one of the best depictions of mental illness I have read.... maybe ever!
Maddy was a wonderful protagonist. I loI absolutely loved this book and it is one of the best depictions of mental illness I have read.... maybe ever!
Maddy was a wonderful protagonist. I loved reading her story and learning of her struggles. Her experience with bipolar disorder felt so authentic and genuine and I appreciated the unfiltered honesty Genova pushed forward. I felt for Maddy as she grappled with questioning what was real, what was the bipolar disorder, and how she would navigate this new normal.
More or Less Maddy also raised really strong points about how we treat people with mental illness. I particularly liked Maddy's insight into having bipolar disorder, not being bipolar. Just because you have a disorder, it does not make you that disorder. The analogy to eating a mushroom pizza not making you a mushroom pizza hit home and will stick with me.
I also really loved the comedy aspect of this novel. Recently I've read some books about female comics that didn't quite make the mark for me. I loved learning of Maddy's process, hearing her jokes (the good and bad ones!), and seeing her gain her footing and grow her confidence in a male dominated industry.
This was a quick read and one that was very powerful. It felt well-researched and gave so much insight into the bipolar disorder. There is so much to digest and discuss - it would definitely make a great book club read.
Thank you to THE BUZZ for putting this one on my radar. Highly, highly recommend!...more
The Perfect Sister was a fun mystery that kept me guessing. I wasn't sure who I could trust or what anyone was hiding but everyone felt shady! I reallThe Perfect Sister was a fun mystery that kept me guessing. I wasn't sure who I could trust or what anyone was hiding but everyone felt shady! I really liked that there were so many different viewpoints and that we got to hear from most of the main characters. It was a great way to convey the story and give off red herrings.
The setting was great and I appreciated the details about the Hamptons. I liked being pulled into the world of wealth and power and I thought DeCarolis did a good job of intersecting that extreme with the people who serve and support them.
I listened to this book on audio and appreciated the use of various narrators. The energy and tone were great and kept the story exciting and entertaining.
There were certainly some moments where suspension of belief were necessary, but I liked how everything played out. It was fun and really well done.
Thank you to Ballantine/Bantam for the copy....more
Every Fall came in with a (graphic and shocking) bang and didn't let up! It was unputdownable and gave me so many emotions!
Douglas did a great job setEvery Fall came in with a (graphic and shocking) bang and didn't let up! It was unputdownable and gave me so many emotions!
Douglas did a great job setting the plot and deepening the emotions. Bree and Jake felt like real people to me and I felt so connected to them. I related to Bree on a mom-to-mom level and it broke my heart reading her struggles and isolation. Her fear of Jake's job and the horrors he brought home with him were hard to read about and I was angry on her behalf for being kept in the dark by her husband.
I kept having mixed reactions to Jake and wanted so badly to root for him but he kept disappointing me over and over! I don't know many police officers but his unit and neighborhood seemed particularly frightening and challenging and I couldn't imagine what they were both going through.
The pacing of this novel is really great and kept me flipping me pages. It's a fairly quick read though some parts were a little graphic and tough to read.
All in all, this was a great book and I'm excited to read more by Douglas.
Thank you to THE PULSE for putting this one on my radar!
The Sequel is the perfect novel for people who love to write or have aspirations to write their own novel. The Sequel is the second book to The Plot aThe Sequel is the perfect novel for people who love to write or have aspirations to write their own novel. The Sequel is the second book to The Plot and while I remember enjoying The Plot and the very basic premise, I recalled almost zero details. Hanff Korelitz was good about providing enough context and detail when necessary to make this moot point. That being said, I do think this works best in tandem and not as a standalone.
The writing in this novel is great. It's a unique premise, building off The Plot and focusing on Anna and life after Jake. I thought much of the book would be focused on her trying to write her own novel and while the plot certainly focuses on her book, the actual writing of it seemed to come easily. I love the dichotomy of Anna's character and how well she played into each role she adopted. It was hard to know her true colors or motivations so I loved when the inner monologues became more prevalent.
For a short book, there were parts that felt verbose. I think this was done intentionally to give the literary effect and it worked. It also took me a bit to get into it. I really started to get invested once The Afterward was written and Anna started her tour.
I listened to this novel on audio and always love Julia Whelan's delivery. She was great in this role and it was an excellent casting choice.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was a superb sequel and because I still don't recall a whole lot of details from The Plot, dare I say better than the first book!
Thank you to Celadon and MacMillan Audio for the copy....more
I hadn't read any books by Elliot but have heard great things so I was excited when Bookouture contacted me about a book tour for her latest Not TheirI hadn't read any books by Elliot but have heard great things so I was excited when Bookouture contacted me about a book tour for her latest Not Their Daughter!
Twenty-nine years ago, a newborn baby named Isabelle was taken from her cot by her mother's side. Is Gaby the missing girl?
This was a fun blend of domestic suspense and political drama. I liked the dual settings of Ireland and New York City and Gaby was a great protagonist. Her career as a shock jock was unique and really interesting. I also liked the undercurrents of romance in this otherwise suspenseful and dramatic novel! This book really had it all.
This is a quick read that you won't put down. If you're into family dramas, politics, and using genetic DNA testing to learn about your own history, this one is definitely for you.
The early days of new parenthood are exceptionally hard and Dearest brought me right back to that place of insecurity, sleep deprivation, and feeling The early days of new parenthood are exceptionally hard and Dearest brought me right back to that place of insecurity, sleep deprivation, and feeling utterly overwhelmed. If Walters isn't a mom - and a relatively new one at that - then this book is all the more impressive for how accurately she portrayed the emotions, fear, and burdens of new motherhood and the shift of a new parent's identity.
As a new-ish mom myself, I've focused quite a bit on books discussing the trials and tribulations of motherhood. Dearest felt on point for any mama's suffering from PPD or PPA, sleep deprivation, or going at it without a lot of support. However, it felt maybe TOO on point sometimes and I was ready for the shift once Flora's fraught relationship with her mother became more the focus and the horror elements cropped up.
The writing was really well done and it doesn't surprise me at all that Walters has written several adaptations. The scenes were vivid and without knowing that Walters has written many pilots and tv series, I felt that this book would translate perfectly to the screen.
This novel was in many ways genre bending. It's likely classified as horror but really didn't feel or read as a horror until well into the plot. Much of the book read as a family drama or as a suspense and I appreciated the mix of flavors and genres.
I listened to this novel on audio and enjoyed the narrator. It was well acted but not over-acted, she had a good voice, and the theatrics were well executed.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read and one I definitely recommend. Thank you to Mulholland Books and Hachette Audio for the copy....more
I love Anna Downes and I'm always quick to pick up her books. Red River Road had a unique premise with Katy on a mission to find her missing sister PhI love Anna Downes and I'm always quick to pick up her books. Red River Road had a unique premise with Katy on a mission to find her missing sister Phoebe who disappeared a year prior while trying to make it as a van life travel influencer. The novel bounced around a bit with posts from Phoebe, the present day story with Katy and a grifter Beth, Beth's past, and a mystery narrator. There were subplots, mixed timelines, and overall just a lot going on.
Between all the subplots, various narrators, and fake names, it was easy for me to get lost. There were times I wasn't quite sure who was who or how they fit in though everything did come together without any loose ends. The plot was definitely unique and fairly exciting, but I wanted more of the van travel life and less of the jumping around to other stories.
I listened to this novel on audio and enjoyed the narrator. It kept me interested and the accents were really well executed.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but I don't think it'll be super memorable for me. I'm still eager to pick up more by Downes and excited to see what she comes up with next!
Liane Moriarty is such a versatile author and Here One Moment really took that to the next level for me. The plot and style had vague John Marrs' vibeLiane Moriarty is such a versatile author and Here One Moment really took that to the next level for me. The plot and style had vague John Marrs' vibes for me which I loved - a unique plot that was unreal without being unbelievable, lots of characters, and several viewpoints. It could be challenging keeping them all straight but I did think each one added a nice element to the story. I also appreciated that they weren't really in order, so you never knew where the story was going next.
Cherry was such a complex and interesting character. I liked that her chapters varied in length and detail, often flashed back, and gave us such a well-round picture of her.
I also really liked how the death predictions spiraled. It felt realistic that only a handful of people would take them seriously and also that those handful might let it impact their lives so significantly. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop with so many of the characters and I felt my anxiety rising toward the end of each chapter as I feared their death got nearer.
We've all read stories where someone learns of their fate but this one still felt very unique. The execution was totally different and I really couldn't decide what to believe which made it fun. If you need a pretty bow tied at the end of a novel, this might not be the best book for you. But if you want your reading experience to open your mind and make you think, I can't recommend enough.
This novel is long - over 500 pages in fact - however, it didn't really feel that way for me. Particularly around 65% I was absolutely hooked and binged the rest in a single sitting.
Liane Moriarty is an auto-read author for me and Here One Moment didn't disappoint though it felt completely different from all her other books I've read thus far. So excited to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to Crown and NetGalley for the advanced copy....more
How can you not love (to hate!) Paul Strom?! I love that the narcissist himself has returned and is richer and more smug than ever! But has he met hisHow can you not love (to hate!) Paul Strom?! I love that the narcissist himself has returned and is richer and more smug than ever! But has he met his match with his new young bride?
Told in a similar fashion to the best day ever, we walk through one what should be enchanting day through the streets of Paris with the beautiful Mr. and Mrs. Strom. It's a full year into their marriage and several years after the first Mrs. Strom exited the picture. Mr. Strom has "upgraded" and after conning a ridiculous wealthy socialite to leaving her estate to him, he's ready to re-flame the fires with his stunning new wife.
The flashbacks and diary entries kept me guessing and were really well done. There were some twists I wasn't expecting and I loved how everything unfolded and came together. No one and nothing is what it seemed! Except Paul of course!!
I listened to The Second Mrs. Strom on audio and it was well executed. I didn't particularly love the female narrator but she did work pretty well for Mrs. Strom. I listened to The Best Day Ever on audio as well and I think it was a different narrator for Paul but it didn't take anything away and I enjoyed them both.
I'm glad I read the first book in this series but I still would have thoroughly enjoyed it had I not. The plot was enough it's own here that the prior story wasn't entirely relevant and the necessary details were provided without rehashing the whole plot.
This was a fun one and I'm excited to read more by Rouda....more
This was a unique read that had my anxiety flaring and my interest piqued. Clove was such a dynamic character - a devoted mother, a strong feminist, sThis was a unique read that had my anxiety flaring and my interest piqued. Clove was such a dynamic character - a devoted mother, a strong feminist, self-aware, and yet totally consumed by the hauntings of her past.
Flashing back between past and present, we learn of Clove's history and how some of her anxieties have come to be. An abusive father, a mother in jail for killing said father, and a past that doesn't exist to her current family, Clove is deep and mysterious and wildly flawed.
Seeking answers outside of herself for stability and safety, Clove prefers the safe choices - with her husband, her abstinence from alcohol, and her insulated world. She protects her children the best way she knows how which is to pretend her past never existed and do everything exactly opposite the way her mother did. But when her mother contacts her from jail and risks exposing her in order to give herself a fighting chance at freedom, it seems as though Clove will be forced to confront her demons and come clean to her devoted husband. Instead, she further retreats and finds solace in a random woman she rear-ends and then befriends at the local supermarket.
What transpires is a dark look at motherhood and the ramifications of our choices on those we love. Deep and complex, this novel is thought-provoking and at times challenging to read.
Admittedly, it was fairly slow moving and I didn't become fully invested or involved until Jane became a more prominent character and the plot livened up a bit. This was about halfway through. The second person narrative is also a bit jarring and definitely isn’t my favorite. However, the ending was incredibly strong and there were some total surprises so I'm glad I stuck with it and I definitely recommend!
Thank you to Little Brown for the advanced copy. Madwoman is a powerful debut and I'm excited to see what Bieker comes up with next!
I always love Pekkanen's books and House of Glass was definitely intriguing and held my interest. There were a few different storylines going on in thI always love Pekkanen's books and House of Glass was definitely intriguing and held my interest. There were a few different storylines going on in this novel and mostly I enjoyed that. At times, I wanted less about Stella's past and more about her current case, but it did all work together nicely.
I had inklings about what really happened to Tina, but Pekkanen was fantastic at constantly throwing me off and making me question everything. I loved the strange and aloof characters, the interesting dynamics between Stella and the family, Stella's career, and the descriptions of the eerie home. At times, it almost felt like there might be horror elements woven through and I thought that added a nice element to the story as well.
I listened to this novel on audio and felt it was well done. I liked the narrator and appreciated the sense of drama she brought to the story. She helped me visualize the setting and I think it would translate really well to the big screen.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but think it may ultimately be a bit forgettable for me.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for the copy....more
It's not often that a mystery totally dupes me but Broken Bayou succeeded and I enjoyed it all the more for it!
This was a great mystery involving WillIt's not often that a mystery totally dupes me but Broken Bayou succeeded and I enjoyed it all the more for it!
This was a great mystery involving Willa, a child psychologist, who returns to the small town where she spent her childhood summers. Returning sparks up old memories - good, but mostly bad - and when barrels start emerging from the bayou with human remains, secrets from her childhood come crashing back. Thrills, chills, and mystery abound in this page turner and I didn't want to put it down.
I liked all the different storylines, unique characters, and the setting. Broken Bayou was almost a character in and of itself and I could picture the town collapsing in on itself between the drought and the devastation of the barrels.
I'm impressed that this is a debut. It was well written, well paced, and had a complex but tidy plot. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Amazon First Reads and Thomas & Mercer for the copy....more
A stunning setting, terrible people, school drama, mama drama, and so much more - this one had it all for me!
I'm a sucker for a good ol' mama drama aA stunning setting, terrible people, school drama, mama drama, and so much more - this one had it all for me!
I'm a sucker for a good ol' mama drama and Pink Glass Houses absolutely delivered. Set in Miami, this book takes place at the most prestigious public school in the state. I loved the school elements with the PTA drama, fundraisers, and helicopter moms. The fact that it took place at a public school rather than private made this all the more juicy because of how righteous all the privileged families felt sending their offspring to a public school with the masses.
I listened to this novel on audio and it was fantastic. It's told from the viewpoint of many characters and each one had their own narrator which is something I always love. I thought every narrator was well chosen and added a great level of theater and drama to the story.
This was a super quick read that I couldn't put down. I wanted to devour it in one sitting and probably could have!! It was wildly entertaining and was one of those books where even the good guys were pretty terrible and I loved to hate the whole cast!
Thank you to William Morrow, Libro.fm, and NetGalley for the copy. HIGHLY recommend!!...more
There are too many stories (fact or fiction) out there depicting women as victims and men as abusers. Rarely do we hear about the inverse - women abusThere are too many stories (fact or fiction) out there depicting women as victims and men as abusers. Rarely do we hear about the inverse - women abusing men - but it happens, and the more we bring it to the forefront, the less this abuse will be tolerated or not believed.
The Married Couple is a perfect depiction of the cycle of violence and a hard look at what a man living with an abusive spouse might be like. It was at times hard to read but also really well done and hard to put down. Frankland did a tremendous job developing the backstory, bringing the reader into the whiplash of the violence and remorse, and showing us how it can feel impossible for someone to leave an abusive situation. Michelle's story was a sad one - a bully for a brother and an abuser and abandoner for a father. It was believable that this past trauma could so severely and negatively impact her, but it was certainly no excuse. I appreciated that there were a few chapters scattered throughout from Michelle's point of view - hearing her remorse, feeling her pain, and even reading that she knew she was crossing the line was challenging and frustrating but felt all too real.
I really loved that we got to experience the full trial. Frankland was informative and thorough but also to the point. It kept the plot moving at a great pace and was totally addictive - I truly didn't want to put this book down!
All in all, this was a really great read. It was hard to trust anyone and I had guesses about things but nothing played out quite like I had expected. I very highly recommend!
This book was so well done! It wasn't your typical romance novel and there were fantasy-esque elements that totally surprised in me in the best way. IThis book was so well done! It wasn't your typical romance novel and there were fantasy-esque elements that totally surprised in me in the best way. I loved the formatting of the book... hopping between 'What Was' and "What Is" and even giving us some "What If?' It was really unique and kept the pacing of the novel on point.
A romance novel about a young man dying shortly after he marries the love of his life sounds devastatingly tragic and while it was certainly sad and there plenty of moments of emotion, overall, this book didn't feel soul crushingly sad which I really appreciated. Sometimes you need a good cry but this was the perfect blend of uplifting and interesting while also being emotional and heart wrenching.
The 'what if' portion of the book really surprised me. It was totally unexpected but I did think it was a good twist that added a lot to the story.
All in all, this book was totally unique, well written, and very moving. I loved how everything played out and I can't wait to read more by Frey.
If you're a locked-room mystery/thriller lover, run run run to grab Jamie Day's latest - One Big Happy Family.
Charlie works as a maid at a Maine hotelIf you're a locked-room mystery/thriller lover, run run run to grab Jamie Day's latest - One Big Happy Family.
Charlie works as a maid at a Maine hotel. The owners of the hotel are converging on the area for one weekend to discuss the will and testament of their father - George Bishop. George Bishop was a horrific human being and his three daughters - the Bishop sisters - aren't all that much better. To make the weekend just that much more entertaining, Hurricane Larry is rolling through and he's predicted to be a doozy.
Cue all your best elements of a locked-room thriller: trapped in a creepy hotel with a murderer, eerie clues about who might be next, countless secrets and terrible people, tons and tons of red herrings and layers of drama.
I listened to this novel on audio and enjoyed the narrator though I didn't think she was the best choice for Charlie. Her voice was more mature than I typically associate for a 19 year old so I often forgot how young Charlie was. She did add great elements of theater and drama to the tale though so I appreciated the entertainment value.
Overall, this was an entertaining read. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for the copy....more
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