A book roundup? You betcha!

I haven't done a book roundup in awhile, and I feel like it is more than overdue, right? Of course I'm right, so hang onto your butts! 

The Take-Over Friend - Carol Dines

A solid YA about a friendship we have all had at some point in our lives, and then the awkwardness of learning how to navigate it. While this book does have quite a few triggers in it, including mental health, suicidal ideation, self harm, and even animal cruelty, and you should definitely know that going in. I liked this one, it's short, I liked that it didn't have a lot of fluff (you know how I feel about book fluff), and I liked having one likeable character (Frances) and one not so much (Sonja). It hightlights the complexities of their upbringing, how that shapes them as people, and how that affects relationships going forward. I think your teen would like this one. 

When She Disappeared - Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry

If you are a fan of true crime, you're going to like this one. We have a little girl who goes missing while on a bike ride, and nobody finds her, or any clues, and the town is forever changed. Fast forward years later, Margo comes back but she soon discovers that her friend's body was found in the swimming hole they used as kids. A documentary crew arrives to look into the bungled investigation and suddenly Margo finds herself helping out. Being a small town, it's likely they know the killer and have been friendly all of this time, but who? 

Again, I really liked this one and I was intrigued to the end! 

Next in Line - Jeffrey Archer

I grabbed this one because I am on a suspense/thriller kick and this screamed "could be a movie" to me. Unfortunately, I think maybe I'm not the right reader. I had a hard time getting into it, and the ending fell flat for me. You know who would love this? My dad. He is really into the Jason Bourne type action books/movies and those are the vibes I got with this one. I will say, it's definitely not short on action, nearly every page had you running to the next and I never really felt like I could put it down, so in that regard, bravo!

A Beginner's Guide to Murder - Rosalind Stopps

Listen, if I'm not learning how to become a good murderer in an effort to save people I don't really know when I'm in my 70s, I don't want it. What am I even doing with my life? That's exactly the kind of friends I want, ones who wouldn't blink an eye if I was like, "come on, girls, let's just commit a felony murder, I've got time on Tuesday", you know? Are we even friends if you balk at that? I really enjoyed this, I laughed and I'm not even sure if I'm supposed to laugh but maybe I watch too much true crime shows to take this seriously. I'm reading this murmuring my own suggestions like I know what I'm doing or something. Overall? Loved this one. Honestly, I feel like this is one I should just leave out on the table for people to see when they come over, let them wonder about my hobbies. 

I have so many books coming up, I am truly out of room on my desk! I'm overflowing, so I need to get crackin'. What are you reading lately? Any of these calling your name? 

 

Book Review: The Perfect Couple

You guys- you probably thought maybe I had died, right? Well, not quite. I have been rather sick lately so I've just let some things go to the wayside and my little blog was one of them. Honestly, I wonder if I should even keep it up sometimes, but then after a few days I kind of miss having something to do, you know? 

Instead of that, let's talk about a new thriller I'm sure you've seen everywhere, now you can see it here. 

The Perfect Couple - Jackie Kabler

The perfect couple…or the perfect lie?

A year and a half ago, Gemma met the love of her life, Danny. Since then, their relationship has been like something out of a dream. But one Friday evening, Gemma returns home to find Danny is nowhere to be seen.

After two days with no word from her husband, Gemma turns to the police. She is horrified with what she discovers – a serial killer is on the loose in Bristol. When she sees the photos of the victims she is even more stunned…the victims all look just like Danny.

But, the detectives aren’t convinced by Gemma’s story. Why has no one apart from Gemma seen or heard from Danny in weeks? Why is there barely a trace of him in their flat? Is she telling them the truth, or are there more secrets and lies in this marriage than meets the eye?

I know the first thing most people say with a thriller is "predictable" and yeah... this one kind of fits that too. BUT. I am a big fan of all things true crime and this one immediately felt like it could be an episode of Crime Junkie or my personal favorite, Morbid. Easily and I can predict the host's voice telling this story as it unfolds because it's so strange but also predictable, while at the same time being so strange you almost can't believe it. Does that make sense? 

Any true crime junkie is going to find a series of inconsistencies with how the police go about their investigation, and that was kind of annoying. I'm over here shouting at the book with what they should be doing and wondering why they asking all of the questions. In the end though, I think that's what made this book for me because it just shows how well some of the characters outsmarted police and how things were able to play out the way they do/did. The other piece that drove me nuts but also kind of made the book was how absolutely awful these characters were. Not that they were written terribly but because if this were real life, they would be the absolute worst where you almost want to throw your hands up and declare you don't give a damn what happens to them. At times, that's exactly where I was at, but then something would happen and I'd almost feel a little sorry for one. It was always quickly squashed though, and by the time I got to the ending I wasn't sure what the hell I was hoping for. 

I suppose that's what puts it into the psychological thriller, right? 

Overall I would give this one 4 stars, it was twisty and frustrating, but also good and awful at the same time. It's like I don't want to like it but I have to admit where I'm often wrong and say this really was pretty good. 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Harper360 for sending me an ARC of The Perfect Couple for review. If you're interested in purchasing this, head over to the HarperCollins store, where they are offering a little free shipping deal so take advantage of that!  

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Book Review: The Choice

I am loving a lot of the books I've gotten for review this year, this is just another home run for me and as soon as you read the synopsis, you'll want to read it too!

The Choice - Alex Lake

A kidnap…

Matt Westbrook only turned his back for a moment. But when he looks around, his car – with his three young children inside – has vanished.

A ransom…

Panicked, Matt assumes a car thief has got more than he bargained for, but then he starts to receive text messages: This is a ransom. If you want to see your children again, you will exchange them for your wife.

A choice…

Matt and his wife Annabelle are horrified. They can’t involve the police, or their children will be killed. Which means they have to choose: Annabelle, or their children. Either option is unthinkable. But one is inevitable. And they have only hours to make their decision…

Woooosh... so let's just think about that. Can you imagine having to choose between your spouse or your children? I mean, really think about that. I feel like it is a Sophie's Choice kind of thing, both options are terrible and no matter what you choose, could you ever really go on to be happy? I mean, you have to assume worst case scenario, the person(s) you don't choose would likely be tortured and probably killed, who could make that kind of choice? 

I was worried that this would be a slow read but that was not the case at all. The chapters are very short and there are alternating POV's but it isn't confusing or hard to keep track of. We follow Matt and Annabelle from shortly before they meet each other in college, how their relationship started, continuing on until present day. You find yourself trying to figure out who this nut job is, it is abundantly clear it is someone who knows them but who? 

I absolutely loved this one and was sucked in immediately. I had a hard time putting it down for bed and what a ride it was. By the time we find out who it is, the danger isn't over because this person is still running the show. I have so much I want to say, and more I want to ask other people who've read this because I was on edge throughout the whole thing. It isn't just the thriller part that was a hit, I loved the relationship Matt and Annabelle has. Outsiders don't really get it but to them, it's perfect. I feel like a lot of us know at least one couple where we wonder what the heck they see in the other, but it really is perfect from their perspective. I just really loved the whole aspect in conjunction with the thriller piece. I also love that the author gave us SO MANY potential suspects in the years leading up to the abduction, all of them are good ones but in different ways. I kind of suspected the person it was but I was kind of torn between two so it wasn't a slam dunk. 

I highly enjoyed this one and I think you will too. A huge thank you to Harper360 for having me on this tour- what a book to sink into. 

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Book Review: No Regrets

Are you looking for a summer read? I am not even going to fudge it, I love covers of books and 100% judge books by their cover. I can't help it, and it really hasn't served me wrong, and it definitely worked on this one. 

No Regrets - Tabitha Webb

Best friends Stella, Ana and Dixie have always lived life to the full. But now they’re approaching their forties, reality is starting to kill the mood…

Stella loves her children, but misses her glittering career. Plus she can’t even remember the last time she had sex.

Ana is trying for a baby with her partner Rex. So why can’t she stop thinking about the one that got away?

Dixie is the wildest of them all. A Tinder addict who’ll never settle down. But has she accidentally found Mr Right…?

It’s time for the friends to shake things up and start having some fun. Because you only regret the things you don’t do, right?

Here's where I confess to my absolute loserness, I have never watched Sex and the City OR any of the Bridget Jones' Diary. Never once, ever ever. This book is compared to both of those and I really can't tell you if that is true at all, but I suppose if you loved either of those you'd likely enjoy this one. Or if you're a cool kid like me (or someone who never had cable and just isn't interested unless there is dead bodies in it), you haven't seen those but you'll enjoy this one anyways. 

The book follows the lives of three friends: Stella, Ana, and Dixie. Stella once had a really exciting job in the fashion industry but once she had children she's been home and isn't adjusting well. She's missing her previous life, she's struggling with momlife, and she is starting to suspect something isn't quite right with her husband, who is still a high profile lawyer. We also have Ana, who is in a steady relationship with a reliable, and safe, guy. She's not a spring chicken so they are trying for a baby but Ana has this nagging feeling in the back of her head that maybe she's made a mistake along the way and that the grass is maybe greener. Dixie is different than both, she's single and ready to mingle... or just Tinder. She's got a great job, she commutes between London and New York frequently, and on one of those flights she meets a guy who is seemingly really great. It definitely confuses her because she felt happy and content with her steady Tinder activity, but once meeting this guy she's thrown for a loop and she starts to question if settling down is something she needs to consider. 

Initially, I had a hard time sticking with this one and I was worried that I would end up DNF'ing this. Just know that going in, the whole set up of each character (the chapters switch from different POV's) is a bit slow, but once the ball starts rolling it really picks up. The book is hilarious in parts, it is definitely raunchy in others, and it becomes a really perfect beach/vacation read. It's going to top the summer reading lists this summer, you can count on it. 

I thought I was going to really identify with Stella the most, and I guess in mom perspective I kind of did, but she has a lot of other things the roll on in the book that I just didn't love and she felt kind of like the weakest character. Dixie was my favorite, but all three of them are so wildly different but together they all kind of fit together. 

Thank you to Harper360 for sending me an ARC of this, what a way to start my spring/summer reading!  

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Book Review: Darling

It is time for our third review of the day! This is the last one for today unless I finish another book and decide to come back and post it but don't hold your breath. I haven't been feeling super great and I have my physical later this afternoon so I need to try to stay awake for that. I've been napping a lot lately and I just feel blah. 

Darling - Rachel Edwards

A white teenage girl clashes with her new black stepmother in this debut reading group thriller.

Lola doesn’t particularly want a new stepmother. Especially not one who has come out of nowhere and only been with her dad for three months. And – she’s not racist or anything – but since when did her dad fancy black women anyway?

Darling didn’t particularly want a new stepdaughter. Especially not one as spiteful and spoilt as Lola. She does want Lola’s dad though. And he wants her, so that’s that: Darling and Lola will just have to get used to each other.

Unless Lola can find a way to get rid of Darling. 

As soon as I read the synopsis for this one, I knew that I HAD to read it. I love the white daughter vs. black stepmother storyline but also, I love a good debut and that is exactly what this one was. I really enjoyed it and I am definitely looking for the next book by Rachel Edwards because this was twisty and interesting throughout. I will tell you that I did not see that ending coming at all. Frankly, the ending was straight bananas and I found myself going back to re-read a few key sections just so I knew I read it correctly the first time. 

I have to be real, though, you know how I roll. The writing isn't amazing, there is definitely room for growth here. The story is interesting and weird and enough to keep you wondering what the heck could possibly happen next, but the writing itself isn't great. Secondly, the book alternates between Darling and Lola, which is fine, but Lola's chapters are just.. probably written the worst. I am raising a teenager and I can tell you right now that no teenager speaks this way. Never, ever. 

You do need to know that the book does have racism, abuse, and mental health issues throughout so if those are triggers for you, maybe avoid this one. You know right from the get go either Darling or Lola would be killed because the tension between the two is at an all-time high, but the race to that is what keeps you turning these pages. If it is a bizarre and outrageous plot twist, it is probably in here. I'm not kidding. The story is bananas and that kept me reading this. 

Thank you to Harper 360 for having me on this tour and sending me a copy for review! I am all about these thrillers lately and I think I have a few more lined up in the next month or two, so stay tuned for that. Head over to my Instagram because I have a giveaway happening today, make sure you enter. 

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Book Review: My Darling

We are onto book number two for today, and I hope you're having a great day. Most of us are staying home and so are we. My plan is to read and get a jump on my 2021 reading. My goal for 2021 is to stick with 125 books, which is what I did last year and this year, but I don't think I can commit to raising that quite yet... maybe for 2022? 

My Darling - Amanda Robson

A new couple moves in next door.

And nothing will ever be the same again…

I watched you move in and thought we might be friends.

I saw you watching from the window – and knew I’d have to keep you away from my husband.

I started to trust you. Confide in you.

I started to mistrust you. Suspect you.

I was confused when I blacked out after an evening at your place. Was I really that drunk?

I came up with a plan. A plan to make you both pay . . .

I have been on a thriller streak this year but one of my favorite tropes are a crazy woman causing hell. I can't help it, I don't know what it is but I really like a crazy woman. I have to also tell you that I FLEW through this book! I started it right before bed and it was a bad idea because I had to put it down to go to sleep but I picked it up right away in the morning and finished it by lunch time. It was so twisty and I just really loved it. 

Honestly, it is almost best to not read the blurb, read no reviews, just jump into it because it was so bizarre, super dark, murder, all over the place, and I had no idea what the hell was going on and by the time I got to the end my pulse was faster and I wanted to talk to someone about it immediately. Of course I had nobody so I'm trying to tell Matt and he doesn't care, but this was SO GOOD. 

Honestly, all of the characters are hot messes, all of them are kind of despicable in their own ways but it doesn't bring the book down, it actually elevates it. We have Tomas, a seemingly nice guy who loves his wife, Jade even though she is legit bat shit crazy and paranoid. She is convinced he is cheating on her and she's angry about it even though he isn't. Soon though they have new neighbors, Alastair and Emma, who are just as nuts, but Jade is SURE that Emma will start sleeping with Tomas so it is this weird... war but only Jade is really playing? Kind of? Anyways, soon we have a murder and all hell breaks loose. Honestly by the time you get to the end it feels like they are all going to end up dead because it is WILD. The book is wild. You have to read this because it is bananas. It is BANANAS. 

I have to thank Avon Books and Harper 360 for sending me an ARC because this is one of those books that I have to add to a top of 2020 list because it was just so crazy, so many twists, I couldn't stop. It almost reminded me of that show Revenge because you remember how every episode was so insane you couldn't believe any of it? That is exactly what this book was for me. 

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Book Review: All About Us

Happy New Year's Eve! Tomorrow I'll talk about some plans/goals for 2021 but today? Today I am going to bombard you with books! I have book reviews all day for you and I hope you love them all as much as I did! So keep checking back here and I'll have goodies for you. 

Oh, and keep an eye on my Instagram tomorrow because I will have another giveaway happening! 

All About Us - Tom Ellen

If you could turn back the clock, would you choose a different life?

Ben’s always loved the month of December, but this year, with his relationship with Daphne on the rocks, it’s missing its usual magic. And then his old friend Alice gets back in touch. Ben’s always thought of Alice as the one that got away, and he can’t help but wonder: what if he’d done things differently all those years ago?

He never imagines he might get to find out… but when a stranger sells Ben a mysterious watch one freezing winter’s night, he’s astonished to wake up the next morning on 5th December 2005: the day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice behind.

Now Ben must make the biggest decision of his life, all over again. But this time around, will he finally find the courage to follow his heart?

Now here me out, I know this is a Christmasy novel, but please don't write it off! This is honestly my favorite Christmas novel I read this year and it was just so, so good. 

Also interesting? I have read very few books involving a love story with our main character is a man. Not going to lie, I love it. It makes the book feel less predictable for me and that is exactly what I needed this month while I sat in my reading slump. I am also a huge fan of self patronizing comedy because I do that with myself without even thinking about it. The best thing about this book for me is that it wrecked me. I'm not saying it is gut wrenching and sad, I'm saying that the character really reflects on his life and his choices in such a way that we can all relate. It was a beautifully sad reflection and it makes you really think, if you could go back and make different choices, what would you do? I know a lot of us would say the cliché, "Nothing because then I wouldn't be where I am now" which is kind of the point, the point IS to think of how your life would be different. Sure, maybe you wouldn't have your kids, job, house, life, but what if it could have been better? Did you make the wrong choice? What if you could do it all over again? But also, have you made choices about your life because you weren't brave enough to do what your heart wanted? 

I loved this book so much and I admittedly squealed when I finished it. I loved it so much and it is easily one of my absolute favorites of 2020. Hands down. I have to give this one 5 stars because I couldn't put this one down and it was the feel good hug of a book that I absolutely needed. 

Thank you to Harper360 for sending me an ARC for review! If you had been following me on Instagram you would have been able to enter my giveaway for this but you missed it. Don't let that happen again, follow me and watch for a different giveaway tomorrow. Stay tuned the rest of today for MORE books!

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Book Review: Dark Hollows

Just hang in there with me because I am going to have a few posts this week and I am going to hit my 125 goal for my Goodreads Challenge but it only counts if I get my reviews up (my stupid rule, just go with it) so I am going to bomb you with books this week and it's going to be OK. You'll make it. You might be broke by the end of the week but it's 2020 still and we have no rules. 

Dark Hollows - Steve Frech

Jacob Reese enjoys the quiet life, running a coffee shop and renting out his cottage in The Hollows, Vermont.

But the calm is shattered when a woman who looks eerily similar to his ex-girlfriend Laura turns up to stay in the cottage, and leaves a mysterious note in the guest book.

Now Jacob’s seeing Laura everywhere—a glimpse of her face across the street, her music box left outside his house, a gift he gave her years before hanging from the trees.

But it can’t be Laura. Because Laura’s dead.

Someone knows Jacob’s secret—what really happened the night Laura died—and they’re out for revenge…

I was so excited to read this book and it turned out to be for good reason because this was exciting with some interesting twists. I know I have some animal lovers in her and I just want you to know this book features a great dog named Murphy and I can't tell you what happens per say, but I will tell you it is OK and to not quit the book. Murphy ends up being a huge piece of this book and I'm here for it. If you are a dog lover, this is a book where the dog is a star without it being a giant soap opera. 

Seriously, don't ask me otherwise I'm going to spill my guts about this book because it was just so damn good and once I started figuring things out it was like a rollercoaster making that last turn before a big drop, that's the exact feeling I had during the last third-ish of the book! With that though, I will say the ending wasn't amazing. I felt like it could have been stronger but I can't say I hated it. 

The book is written kind of strangely, and once you figure out what voice we're reading, it makes the book a little more bizarre, but I liked it. Normally I have a hard time with alternating voices, especially when we're flip flopping between past and present but I didn't struggle with this one. 

We have Jacob, he is running a local coffee shop in a little Hallmark town, and a cottage as an AirBnB. Super normal, chill life. Enter a guest who looks astonishing similar to his ex, Laura. He knows it can't be Laura because she's very dead and he knows it, but she is everywhere. Literally everywhere. The more that he sees her the more paranoid and crazy he seems to be getting. This becomes a really creepy thriller and keep in mind, I'm reading this in between listening to paranormal podcast episodes so between all of that, I was freaked out. 

Overall? I liked this one, definitely a 4 star for me. It really was as good as I thought it was going to be and that's perfect for me. I can see how some readers might not be fulfilled but I kind of felt like it was spot on. If you are a fan of Gilmore Girls you will like this because it really had all of the vibes of that... just spooky? Like Gilmore Girls meets Scooby Doo. How's that for a description? 

I am super grateful to Harper 360 for sending me a copy of this for review. I wish I had read this around Halloween because this book gives me October vibes. 

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Book Review: The House of Secrets

How was your Christmas?! We had a lovely one but, no lie, it is kind of nice to be all done. I am looking forward to finishing out 2020 at home, reading, and watching the kids play together with some new things. I am really not hating life being low key right now. I can tell my depression is ramping up, I'm going to start increasing my vitamin D, as I do normally in the winter, I'm getting outside and standing in the sunshine a few times a day, trying to eat well, and hoping for the best. 

But mostly this week I'm going to be posting book reviews because guess what? I am DRAGGING to the finish line of my 2020 Goodreads Challenge! My goal was to read 125 and this one is book 121. 

The House of Secrets - Sophie Draper

Claire lives with her family in a beautiful house overlooking the water. But she feels as if she’s married to a stranger – one who is leading a double life. As soon as she can get their son Joe away from him, she’s determined to leave Duncan.

But finding out the truth about Duncan’s secret life leads to consequences Claire never planned for. Now Joe is missing, and she’s struggling to piece together the events of the night that tore them all apart.

Alone in an isolated cottage, hiding from Duncan, Claire tries to unravel the lies they’ve told each other, and themselves. Something happened to her family … But can she face the truth?

Alright, if you like a psychological thriller that will have you all over the place, this is FOR YOU. I hadn't read any of the reviews before I got into this one and that was maybe for the best because I think it would have been more confusing for me, which is saying something because I was so thoroughly confused throughout this book. I found myself wishing I took notes because I was forgetting what was going on, and when, and there are parts where characters seemed to not be with it? I can't explain it to you without giving information away, but I was having to re-read several sections because I was so confused. 

All of the characters were pretty deplorable so I had a really hard time giving a damn for any of them and I had no idea what to even hope for as I got to the end of the book. The great thing is that while I wanted to give up at several points in the book, it was a fast read for me because I was so frustrated and wanted to know what the heck was going on. Even better is the ending of the book because there are a few twists at the end that make you reconsider what you just read and I did find myself reading things way earlier in the book to see if I missed something and sure enough, I did. The last few chapters are the best one, easily. 

If I had to commit to a rating, I would have to give it a 3, and that's pushing it. If Goodreads would let me, I'd go with a 2.5 because it was OK and I kind of liked it. I think if the whole book was as strong as the last few chapters, this would have been a 4 or higher. The author IS a great writer and you can tell that throughout this book, it just doesn't get there all the way for me. If you are a fan of strange books that is more suspense than thriller, and one that messes with your head a lot throughout, this is one you'll enjoy. 

Thank you to Harper360 for sending me a copy for review, they have been cranking out great books this year and I'm so excited to see what is to come in 2021! 

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Book Review: The Silent House

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty good but went by far too fast. I feel like we are at the point of year that I really just need to sleep. Maybe I was supposed to be a bear because the idea of eating voraciously all summer and sleeping through the entire winter sounds like a dream, to be honest. 

The Silent House - Nell Pattison

But the Hunter family are deaf, and don’t hear a thing when a shocking crime takes place in the middle of the night. Instead, they wake up to their worst nightmare: the murder of their daughter.

The police call Paige Northwood to the scene to interpret for the witnesses. They’re in shock, but Paige senses the Hunters are hiding something.

One by one, people from Paige’s community start to fall under suspicion. But who would kill a little girl?

Was it an intruder?

Or was the murderer closer to home?

I don't have to tell you the entire premise of this book made me jump at it. If you don't know me in real life, you don't know how much of a wuss I am. I can't do scary movies, scary costumes, you will never see me in a haunted anything, and I don't like scary books. I've passed this trait down to my children, but Olivia is the worst because she obsessively is locking windows and doors because the idea of someone being in our house at night puts her and I on edge. I think of the plan I would have should that happen, like what if they've killed Matt and I have to somehow get as many kids as I can and get out? What if I have to hide in the house to call 911, where would I do this? 

I'm in therapy, you guys, so I'm working through this. 

But. 

I really felt like this book was calling to me. Like fate was calling my name and waving this in front of me, so I had to do it. You know I had to. 

What. A. Ride. Seriously. If you are a fan of the Crime Junkie podcast or just solving murders and stuff, this is the book for you. We have a family who are all deaf. They wake up, a little girl is dead- bludgeoned to death and it is awful, with it all taking place in the middle of the night. 

Now imagine someone being in your home, while you sleep, murdering someone, and YOU HEAR NOTHING. 

That thought alone freaked me out. Anyways, the police need help communicating with the family so they call in an interpreter, Paige, to assist. The deaf community is rather small so she knows the family but doesn't know them, until she realizes the little girl murdered has a connection to her sister. The entire book is Paige trying to unwind this mystery herself because all of the family look good for it, there is circumstantial evidence, and the police have to really solve this because people in the community want answers. The only problem is Paige just knows something doesn't add up. 

I will tell you I thought I had this figured out around the middle/last quarterish of the book but NOPE. Not even stinking close and good gravy. It is bananas and people are deranged, lets put it that way. I absolutely loved this one, and it has made me do more checks on windows and doors, no joke. If I had to give a critique I would say it reads a little slow. I would have liked the pace to go a little faster, because once I thought I figured it out I was going to set it aside. I'm glad I didn't because I was totally and completely wrong, obviously, but I'm telling you to keep with it. 

Thank you to HarperCollins360 for sending me a copy to review, I'm a lucky duck and they rock my socks for sure. 

Book Review: In Case You Missed It

I am so confused on what day of the week it is anymore. Ugh. Today has been kind of crappy, we had to put one of our cats down and I'm so sad about it. We are down to one cat and one dog, and the remaining cat is older and honestly, I'm not sure how long he'll be around either. 

Let's cheer up or at least not be a sad sack! I have a book that will make you laugh throughout!

In Case You Missed It - Lindsey Kelk

When Ros steps off a plane after four years away she’s in need of a job, a flat and a phone that actually works. And, possibly, her old life back. Because everyone at home has moved on, her parents have reignited their sex life, she’s sleeping in a converted shed and she’s got a bad case of nostalgia for the way things were.

Then her new phone begins to ping with messages from people she thought were deleted for good. Including one number she knows off by heart: her ex’s.

Sometimes we’d all like the chance to see what we’ve been missing…

Listen, if you are desperately in need of something light and fun, Lindsey Kelk is where its at and this book is what will get you there. I loved this book and found myself laughing throughout. If you are a 30something wondering if you on the wrong path, or maybe you just miss your 20s, this book is going to get you in the feels. 

We start with Ros, she's at a bit of an impasse with her life. Her job in Washington D.C. didn't pan out as planned, so when she returns back to the UK, her friends are ecstatic to have her home. She can't keep thinking her ex was the one that got away, she's feeling a little left behind because her friends all have grown up lives happening, and her parents have her living in an actual shed (with a composting toilet, no less) while they are reviving their sex life. You guys, her awkwardness about this is all of us when we think of our parents having sex. She's going through this weird quarter life crisis kind of phase and its almost painful to watch her wade through it because we all know her ex is a loser, and her friends know he's a loser, but sometimes we hang onto the vision something could be. 

The interesting theme about this book is that nobody really has life figured out. Matt and I were just talking about this, how as kids we assumed our parents knew everything (but also nothing, of course) because they were adults. They were always supposed to know what to do. As adults with children ourselves, it has quickly become obvious that they were as clueless as we are now. We have no idea what we're doing at all. So watching Ros kind of come to these realizations throughout the book is something we can all really relate to. 

Also, the descriptions of her mother's rather provocative clothing and boobs breaking free is just everything. Also!! The way she meets John is kind of hilarious and I picture it every time I think of this book. 

I will say, I felt like it was a little slow in spots and Ros was almost getting on my nerves by the end. At some point a person has to just smarten up, right? If everyone thinks someone is a terrible fit for you, wouldn't you take the time to really figure out why? Also, the second mini story about her new job with a teen gaming sensation starting a podcast was just a little off and I couldn't get into it. 

Even with that, I'm giving this one a solid 4 stars because I really thought it was fun, it was great to fall into as I worried incessantly about the start of the school year. A huge thank you to Harper360 for sending this gem to me for review! I have a giveaway for this on my Instagram page, so head over there to win your very own copy... because free books are amazing, right? This post contains affiliate links.

Book Review: Are You Afraid of the Dark?

I've waited to post this one until fall (it's fall, don't come for me) because I seem to read my thrillers in the fall. I don't know if its because Halloween is in the fall and that's just the natural time to scare yourself or what, but it is what it is. I specifically picked this one because I am absolutely scared of the dark. I'm not even ashamed to say it. HA!

Are You Afraid of the Dark? - Seth C. Adams

Dealing with the tragic death of his father, 14-year-old Reggie finds the isolation of the woods near his house comforting. Until one day, a man – stumbling, bleeding, clearly distressed – emerges from the shadows.

 

Reggie hides the man in his treehouse, and helps the stranger recover. Each with stories to share, soon the pair form a strange friendship.

 

But then Reggie learns that his new friend is a ruthless contract killer. And when the killer decides to make a break over the Mexican border, with law enforcement in hot pursuit, Reggie must decide whether to honor the bond with his newfound father figure, or betray it and bring a brutal murderer to justice…

I remember a show called Are You Afraid of the Dark on Nickleodeon as a kid because I was, and always will be, afraid of the dark. I watch it now and it seems ridiculous that it scared me, of course. I remember as a kid though being terrified of the show. I had forgotten all about it but when I was offered this book for review, the title took me off guard and I took that as a dare. Admittedly, it took me a little while to get the courage to read it because even though I'm 38 years old, I'm basically a child and still scared of everything. I had to read this book in pieces because I normally don't read anything that would fit into a horror category and I was seriously worried. 

Thankfully, I don't know that I would call this horror. I'm not sure its really a thriller either, but it certainly fits the category of creepy really well. I have previously read another book from this author called If You Go Down to the Woods and I gave that one a four star review because it was also kind of creepy, so I went into this one knowing it might be a little weird and that served me well. I saw that this book/author is compared to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Ray Bradbury and while maybe not a twin of any of them, I'd say this author and his books are more like Jennifer McMahon, who I'm a big fan of  because her books are definitely strange but always good in a way you can't singularly pinpoint. 

We need to talk about this book though. It starts off with Reggie, only 14, heading into the woods for some solitude, presumably to contemplate his father's recent passing, and he comes across a man who is bleeding and clearly not well. A normal person, I suppose, would run for the hills and call for help. Not Reggie though. He sees this stranger and decides to basically drag this person to his tree house that his father helped him build. Reggie finds himself as an impromptu nurse, helping with the grizzly details of serious gunshot wounds and handling it with more maturity than most adults. Over time though they each start opening up to each other (kind of) and telling stories of their lives. Reggie opens up about his father and the way he died, and Ivan (presumably the bad guy) talks about his life as basically a killer. It feels like a light vs dark conversation, with each realizing they need the other in life to survive and that maybe everyone is a little of both. 

In the middle of all of this though, there is a manhunt for Ivan because of course, you don't just get shot for no reason. He's apparently wanted by a particularly creepy Sheriff and so Reggie finds himself interacting with this guy throughout the book. I feel like overall, this was pretty good. It didn't really scare me, even though I was waiting for it, and I could already figure out who the bad guy was, what happened (mostly), and I thought I knew how it would likely end. I was definitely wrong with the ending, and I felt like that last third of the book really tumbled to the end for me, so much so that I actually re-read it to make sure I got it right. 

If you are looking for a definitely different kind of book club read that might bring forth possibly spirited debate on the ending for sure, but also about Ivan, this is a GREAT pick. Ivan is definitely a bizarre character but he's talking about his very flawed moral code and Reggie is listening and trying to wrap that around what he's gotten from his father (who was a pastor) and coming up with his own. It's all really strange, but it is maybe one of the top books that left me thinking long after I turned the last page. I keep thinking I might re-read it again because I feel like perhaps I missed something that you'd only really pick up on a second read, if that makes sense. 

I have to say thank you to Harper 360 for sending me a copy of this for review. Not going to lie, I am kind of glad this didn't scare me because I'm already tired as it is, I don't need nightmares on top of it. I will say this is an author I'm going to keep my out for because this is the second book of his I'm giving 4 stars to, I'm anxious to see what he brings us next. 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Book Review: That Time I Got Kidnapped

I feel like now that summer is basically winding down, everything is catching up to me all at once and now I realize what a dang slacker I've been all summer. 

I mean, I haven't really been slacking but it isn't like I've been productive and getting loads done, either. What I have done was read books, and this was one of them. It's a great Middle Grade (MG) book that I think pretty much any kid will like. 

That Time I Got Kidnapped - Tom Mitchell

Fourteen-year-old Jacob is thrilled when he wins the chance to feature in the next Marvel movie, shooting in Hollywood. But after missing his connecting flight in Chicago, he tries to complete the journey by Greyhound bus – and there he meets Jennifer.

Jennifer is an American teenager on the run with a mysterious package she’s guarding with her life – and an enigmatic figure known only as ‘the Cowboy’ is hot on her heels . . .

Jacob soon finds himself on the road-trip of a lifetime as Jennifer’s unwitting partner in crime. Will he make it to LA in time – and in one piece? A funny, filmic, page-turning adventure, ideal for readers aged 11+.

If you know me at all you know that I attract strange people from all walks of life at all times. It doesn't matter if I'm at work, in my yard, at Target, in the middle of the woods, I will be approached by a strange person. Its an absolute given. Naturally, when I saw this title I knew I absolutely HAD to read this because the running joke is I'm going to end up in the trunk of someone's car someday. I shouldn't joke but its a legit concern. 

Thankfully, that's not what happens to our main character, Jacob. He is obsessed with super heroes and when he gets the chance of a lifetime to be in a movie, even the tiniest part, his parents eagerly put his 11 year old self onto a plane from Europe all of the way to Chicago (to catch his connection in LA, its absolutely crucial he must not meet his flight). Well we know from the back of the book he clearly misses his flight (and would you believe it was Nicholas Cage's fault?) and the entire book is him trying to get to LA to be in this movie. 

What happens is literally a series of unfortunate events and as a mom I felt myself screaming at him what he SHOULD be doing, but to his 11 year old mind this is all completely logical. I have a 12 year old son and he kind of reminds me a little of Jacob and I'm trying to picture him on this journey and yikes. It's also a little like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles in a way. He gets on a bus, he ends up meeting a girl who is being hunted down by some guy but she kind of is like Jacob and a bit.... unprepared for the real world? While all of this is kind of fun for him, he also knows his parents are probably out of their mind with worry so it puts a bit of damper on his little adventure. 

The book is funny and I can see kids absolutely loving this. If you are stuck in quarantine and want to beef up their oral reading skills at home before school starts, this would be a fun read-aloud, even in a classroom setting. I think every child can find something great in this book and I really appreciated that versatility. It can be tricky to meet that mark but the author definitely does this. The author definitely knows his target audience and really plays to that. 

A huge thank you to Harper 360 for a review copy of That Time I Got Kidnapped, I really think if you have a child even in the 9 year old range they could appreciate this one but even as an adult I thought this was really good. 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Catching You Up on Books: Julyish edition

I'm going to refer to everything as "Julyish" because I have no concept of time and I don't know what is going on anymore. That's where I am at. I also have stacks of books to talk to you about so it is time we do another round up! 

The Princess Rules - Philippa Gregory

These three stories were originally published under the titles Princess Florizella, Princess Florizella and the Wolves and Princess Florizella and the Giant.

They were originally dedicated to her daughter but have been reimagined in this edition which she has dedicated to her grandchildren.

“Princess Florizella was friends with some of the princesses who had studied the Princess Rules, and behaved just as the Rules said they should. Florizella thought their hair was lovely: so golden and so very long. And their clothes were nice: so richly embroidered. And their shoes were delightful: so tiny and handmade in silk. But their days bored her to death…”

Instead, Princess Florizella rides her horse, Jellybean, all over the kingdom, having adventures of her own…

A few things about this book I really liked, and if you are looking for a good book for your upper elementary school child to read, this would be a good one to get into. It says ages 8-12 but honestly, Olivia would have gotten into this ages 7-11, so just a slight adjustment. Also great is that this is three stories in one big book (I say "big" like its huge, it's just over 250 pages or so) and is written easily so kids can read this on their own with little help from you but it can also be a great book you read together. I love the versatility of it. I loved that Princess Florizella isn't going to follow the "princess norms" just because she's supposed to, she's brave and adventurous. The modern message is something girls should be getting. I'm not saying princesses don't have their value, I'm just saying that not every girl will identify with that and this is a great option for them, too. The best part is when Florizella says a princess is just a prince with more "s's" and they can be for sass, scientific, spirit, and a few more I can't remember. But I loved that, so much so that I feel like having this put on a print for my younger daughter's wall. 

I absolutely loved this one and it has such a great message through all three stories. My younger daughters loved this book and we had a few talks on what they think girls can and can't do and it just had a lot of talking points which were so great. It would even be an interesting classroom read. I gave this one 5 stars because its one I'd recommend for a school but also gift to someone as well. 

Harper360 sent me a copy of this for review and I'm so glad because this was out of the ballpark for me. 

Seven Sons - Lili St. Germain

My father was most certainly NOT an innocent man. As the leader of the Gypsy Brothers MC, he was guilty of many things. But he died for a crime that he didn’t commit, framed by an enemy within who then stole his club and everything he had ever worked to protect.

Including my innocence.

When Dornan Ross framed my father, he set into motion a series of events that could never be undone. My father was murdered by Dornan Ross and his sons when I was fifteen years old.

Before my father died, Dornan Ross and his seven sons stole my innocence, branded my skin and in doing so, ensured that their lives would be prematurely cut short. That they would suffer.

I’ve just turned twenty-one, and I’m out for blood. I'm out for revenge.

But I didn't expect to fall for Jase, the youngest brother in the club.

I didn't expect that he would turn my world upside down, yank my heart out of my chest and ride away into the sunset with it.

Now, I'm faced with an impossible choice - Jase, or avenging my fathers death?

I have no memory of how I got this one but I put it on my July TBR because it was small and I'm trying to get through back list books in between review books and new releases. It's a delicate balance. Anyways, this is very short, only 112 pages, but it is spread out over seven novellas. I have no idea if you can get all of them in one book or not and I'm not even going to try because this was terrible. 

I didn't like Juliette/Sammi at all right from the gate. I felt terrible for her and her back story is horrific (trigger warning as well because she is violently raped so if that's an issue for you- run fast). Her "plan" is shaky at best and it seems like she is every victim in Law & Order SVU that wants revenge and we find them dead at the end of the episode, we've all seen that. The character development seems a little confusing (the cop turned tattooist, is it a big-brother relationship/maybe something more, for example), it felt like the author was trying to be more crude/tough than it was needed and it felt corny, and I don't know. It's hard to get into a romance when she's having sex with her rapist, which I guess explores the topic of having an orgasm during a rape which increases a victim's shame, but the way this is done just felt off. I can definitely say I'm not invested in the story or any of the characters enough to read anymore. One star. 

The Ghost Factory - Jenny McCartney

A powerful debut set in Belfast and London in the latter years of the twentieth century.

The Troubles turned Northern Ireland into a ghost factory: as the manufacturing industry withered, the death business boomed. In trying to come to terms with his father’s sudden death, and the attack on his harmless best friend Titch, Jacky is forced to face the bullies who still menace a city scarred by conflict. After he himself is attacked, he flees to London to build a new life. But even in the midst of a burgeoning love affair he hears the ghosts of his past echoing, pulling him back to Belfast, crying out for retribution and justice.

Written with verve and flair, and spiked with humour, The Ghost Factory marks the arrival of an auspicious new talent.

I have to tell you that when I started this one I wasn't really sure what to expect. I can definitely say it isn't really like anything else I've read but I also had a hard time putting it down. It feels like it is starting rather slow but it quickly becomes obvious that the author was really building up Jacky's character, which was pretty integral to the story. Oddly though, my biggest complaint is that the rest of the characters aren't really built up like Jacky, which was confusing in a way. Is it because the point of the entire book was Jacky and him alone? Are we not meant to really understand anyone else, just focus on Jacky? Also, the story does a good job describing the area at the time, describing The Troubles (but not too much, I could have taken a little more on that) and just understanding how that entire region changed, and what life was like at that time. It was an interesting historical fiction that did have humor in it and kept me hooked until the end, and what an ending it was. Truly. 

I really liked this one because it wasn't really like anything else I've read and if you've bad attention lately, I'm struggling with reading the same story in different books- The Ghost Factory is its own thing. If you want something different to challenge you- this is where it is going to be. Another winner from Harper360 who sent me this in the mail, I have to give this one a solid 4 star. 

You know I'm a fan of shopping so I'm going to include some links here, which are affiliate links, so if you click on them and then purchase I'll make a few cents at no cost to you. I also have to remind you that just because I loved or didn't like a book doesn't mean you'll feel the same, so if you read any of these, let me know what you thought of them!