The Perfect Sister by Stephanie DeCarolis

 Title: The Perfect Sister by Stephanie DeCarolis

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Bantam

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Alex Walker leaves her small hometown in Pennsylvania for the affluent shores of the Hamptons in search of her missing sister, Maddie. The last time she saw Maddie was at their mother's funeral, where harsh words were exchanged. Alex knew that no matter how much distance was between them, Maddie would never forget to call her on her birthday. When Alex's birthday comes and goes with no call, she just knows that something is wrong. She spots a clue to Maddie's location in the last selfie that her sister sent her so she takes leave from work and heads to the Hamptons.

After speaking to Maddie's employer she learns that Maddie hasn't been seen in days. She's able to get Maddie's last known address and is surprised to learn that it's not a hotel. She's even more surprised to find it's a rather large mansion. 

The inhabitants of the mansion are Lily, Katherine, Theo and James - the Maxwell family. They welcome Alex to their home and express concern about Maddie's disappearance but something seems off to Alex. They seem like the perfect family with the perfect home but she wonders if maybe they are a little too perfect.

Alex also goes to the police and they don't take her worries seriously. She decides to investigate herself and in doing so she soon realizes that the sister she was close to her whole life may well be a stranger.

This book is filled with secrets and intrigue and twists. The author does her best to keep you guessing. Her scene descriptions are vivid and compelling. She also explores some of the feelings between the "haves and have nots" but does so in a way that's not pushy or overshadowing to the plot.

Her characters are well written and you either love them, hate them or pity them. I despised Katherine. No spoilers though, you'll have to read the book and see how you feel about her. All the characters, even the secondary characters, were fleshed out extremely well.

A good thriller usually has a twist and this one had a few to keep you turning the page. I enjoyed this book immensely and I strongly advise everyone to get a copy. It would be perfect for either a beach read or something for a rainy day under a blanket. You won't want to put it down, I know I sure didn't!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Bantam for giving me an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

 Title: Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

Publisher: William Morrow

Release Date: June 11, 2024

As an avid horror fan, this book sounded like it would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, that proved not to be the case.

The book was written from the point of view of someone I'll call the "Narrator" as we never learn his name. He is writing a companion to an audiobook about a 1993 movie that was partially released online and became a cult hit. There are multiple times lines which include present, recent past, 1993, and sections of the movie's script. The Narrator is the only surviving member of the cast of the original movie. Hollywood and The Narrator are trying to make a reboot of the film.

The multiple timelines can be confusing and convoluted at times which makes the book somewhat hard to read. There are also long sections without dialogue that ramble on for what feels like forever. The "horror" aspect of the book was more disturbing than scary. Most of the book was about bullying.

The ending felt rushed and added on for dramatic effect rather than neatly ending the story. It left me staring at my Kindle wondering what the heck I just read. I love a good horror story whether it be film or novel and this book didn't feel like horror at all to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.  

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown

 Title: Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Bantam

Release Date: August 13, 2024

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This book is told via the dual point of view and dual timelines of sisters Maya and Naomi. This can get confusing at times so you'll really want to read this book when you can give it your full attention. 

Maya returns to Princeton for her reunion and her younger sister Naomi's graduation. When Naomi doesn't show up to one of the scheduled events, Maya begins to worry. She's soon devastated to learn that police have discovered Naomi's body and are ruling her death an accident. After a conversation with the police, Maya is convinced that her sister was murdered. She starts to investigate on her own.

Maya discovers that she may not have known her sister as well as she thought. Despite Maya's warning, Naomi had joined Sterling Club, an exclusive social club. Even worse, she had be tapped to join the secret society that operates through Sterling Club. Maya knows all about it because she too was once a member. 

Upon more digging around, Maya finds out that Naomi was digging into the secrets and past of the secret society. Maya is worried that the society was involved with Naomi's death, but how can she convince the police without revealing her own secret past?

I really wanted to like this book. The premise was intriguing. Who doesn't like to read about a secret society?

Unfortunately, the parts about the society felt lackluster. It wasn't very exciting at all. I kept hoping the drama would amp up and it just didn't. Parts of the book required a complete suspension of disbelief and the ending felt rushed. It wasn't  my favorite book this year, but I'd be willing to give the author another chance in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Bantam for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for me honest review.

Man's Best Friend by Alana B. Lytle

Title: Man's Best Friend by Alana B Lytle

Publisher: Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release Date: May 14, 2024 

I requested this book based upon the blurb. Sadly, it did not live up to expectations.

El is a failed actress turned bakery employee. She's almost 30 but is wandering aimlessly through life. The one thing that she dwells on is her 8th grade year. She was on scholarship to an exclusive school and was befriended by Anna and Julia. They were everything that El wished she could be, wealthy and popular. She was determined to one day be just like them.

At one of Julia's parties, El bumps into a man named Bryce. He's not super attractive and he's kind of a loner but he and El start dating. She starts calling out from her job and alienating her friends. After moving in with Bryce, she begins noticing red flags about him, but they are co-dependent on each other in a toxic way. She soon finds out the truth about him. What will she do with the truth?

There are zero likable characters in this book. El is narcissistic, lazy, desperate, and worst of all whiny. Bryce is bland and unassuming and clingy. The side characters are just as bad, a typical portrayal of rich people who all are self-absorbed with major drug and alcohol problems. 

The bits of suspense that seemed interesting were rushed through or glossed over. The dream sequences and parts about the dogs were jarring and pulled you out of the story. The writing itself was good but the story fell flat. It was a struggle to finish the book and the ending was unbelievable. Based on the author's writing style, I would like to see what they come up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advance reader copy to review.

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander

Title: Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Charlie Colbert is the editor-in-chief of a major magazine who seemingly has the perfect life. She's successful at her job and engaged to a wealthy heir to a publishing empire. One thing she's hell-bent on forgetting is an event from her past. A survivor of "Scarlet Christmas", Charlie suffers from memory loss and survivor's guilt. She wants nothing more than to move on but a relative of one of the victims wants to dig everything up. They want to release a movie about the events of that night.

Charlie doesn't want that to happen. She's afraid that the truth will come out about that night and the lies she has built her life on will unravel. She's desperate to stop the films release and is worried about the lengths she will go to.

Told from Charlie's point of view, the book alternates between the present and through the past. The past is told as Charlie has sessions with her therapist in an effort to recover the pieces of the past that she's forgotten. As the movie's release is announced it's a race to figure out what happened, and figure out why she's carrying so much guilt. Will the answers crumble her carefully constructed life?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were a few twists and turns that kept me guessing. The ending was okay, with everything tied up neatly, but it worked for this book. It's a solid debut novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for an advance reader copy of this book.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

Title: House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney that represents children involved in custody cases. She takes on 9 year old Rose Barclay as a client as a favor to her mentor, Charlie. Rose witnessed her nanny's fall from a window and possible murder and immediately stopped speaking. Charlie believes that since Stella went through a traumatic childhood herself that she is the only one who can reach Rose. Stella is reluctant but still vows to do all she can to help Rose.

As Stella starts her investigation at the Barclays home, she learns that everyone is a suspect, even little Rose. The father had affair and impregnated the nanny. The mother is uptight and has a sudden fear of anything glass so there is nothing glass in the house. The paternal grandmother seems to carry a hatred for her son. Rose has a collection of sharp objects. Stella has a feeling of dread every time she visits the home but she can't quite put her finger on the cause of it.

The more Stella investigates, the more memories of her own past trauma start to resurface. She decides to start looking into the circumstances surrounding her mother's death. Will she finally learn the truth? Will she be able to save Rose? Or is Rose the murderer?

This book was a real page turner and I finished it in a day. Stella's flaws make her a very believable and likeable character. The contrasts and conflicts between the mother and father were relatable as well. The ending was good.

The only complaint I have is regarding Stella's association with a police detective. I wish it had been fleshed out more. It felt a bit rushed and almost like an afterthought.

All in all this book was a great read. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy. 

Behind A Closed Door by J.D. Barker

 Title: Behind A Closed Door by J.D. Barker

Publisher: Hampton Creek Press

Release Date: May 13, 2024

Abby and Brendan Hollander have trouble in their marriage so they seek help from a marriage counselor. Their sex life has stalled due to a slight indiscretion on Brendan's part. The therapist suggests a popular app for their phones called Sugar and Spice. They download it, accept the terms and conditions, and that is when the fun begins.

Sugar and Spice is basically an adult version of truth or dare. The Hollanders find themselves communicating more and being more sexually adventurous. Abby begins using the app as an inspirational tool for writing her next book. The app starts pushing the envelope too far when it asks the question "Would you kill a total stranger to save someone you love?".

Abby and Brendan quickly learn that the app has fully infiltrated their lives and there is no way to get rid of it. Drawn into a dark web of intrigue they find themselves in a fight to get their lives back...but is it too late?

This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and held it until the very end. The tension builds and builds and I enjoyed every minute of it. It also made me think about all the apps on my phone and what may be buried in the terms and conditions.

This was the first book I've read by J.D. Barker and I was thoroughly impressed. There is talk that the book is going to be made into a movie and I can't wait to see it. If you are looking for a fast paced, action packed thriller, this book is for you.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the advanced copy of this amazing book.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate

 Title: Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Release Date: January 30, 2024

Twenty-Seven minutes is the well-written debut novel by Ashley Tate. Grippng your attention from the first page, you'll be treated to a story told over multiple POVs and multiple time periods. The chapters are short but efficient. There are bread crumbs of clues scattered throughout, sometimes containing confirmation of what you think is the truth and sometimes conflicting with it. This makes for a slow build but also keeps you turning the page.

The novel tells the tale of the death of young Phoebe Dean and the ripple effects it has through the small town in which she lived. It's a town full of secrets, but the biggest one is why did it take twenty-seven minutes for help to be called after the accident? Phoebe may still have lived had she gotten help sooner.

Told from the POV of several unreliable narrators, you soon learn that everyone has secrets and everyone is carrying around guilt or heartache over something. Guilt and it's side effects are a constant theme in this book.

There are no likable characters in this book which was something I did not care for. I also wish the conclusion had been fleshed out a bit more, but it was still a good ending. Overall the book was a very solid debut novel and I'm looking forward to see what the other comes up with next. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

Title: Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Release Date: July 11, 2023

Dead of Winter grips you in icy cold hands from the first sentence and doesn't let you go until the last. Christa, her boyfriend Kiernan, and a group of travelers are on their way to stay at a lodge in the Rocky Mountains. A storm comes along and knocks down trees as well as separates Christa and her boyfriend from each other. Her purpose becomes clear. She must fight the snow and wind to find and reunite with her boyfriend.

The weary travelers take refuge in an empty, isolated cabin. When the tour guide is murdered overnight and they find his head hanging in a tree, her purpose becomes that of survival. One of them is a killer, but who? The killer starts to pick them off one by one. Fingers get pointed at people at the slightest provocation. As their numbers dwindle, so does the list of suspects. Who will be the last person standing?

The characters are well written. Each individual has a unique personality and story. The setting of the landscape and cabin almost become characters on their own. The constant snowfall and wind become another entity that Christa must fight to survive.

The pacing of this book is fast. Once started, you definitely won't want to put it down. The tension builds in the cabin as its inhabitants start to turn on each other as the tension builds in the reader as they continue to read. There are twists to keep the reader guessing as well. It was hard to figure out "whodunit".

Dead of Winter is the first book that I've read by Darcy Coates and I'm looking forward to checking out her earlier works. She definitely has a hit with this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my review.

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

 Title: The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Sarah Slade is a social media influencer, author, and therapist. From the outside looking in, her life is almost enviable. She has a loving husband, a successful self-help book, and a growing fanbase on social media. While attempting to write her second book, Sarah and her husband Joe buy a house. They are able to get it dirt cheap because it's a "murder house" that has been sitting empty for 40 years. A man killed his wife in the home but that doesn't faze Sarah. Sarah's plan is to renovate the spooky house and document it for her fans to see. She also hopes to sell the home for a tidy profit.

It's soon revealed that things aren't as perfect as they seem. There are cracks in Sarah's marriage and they are both hiding secrets from their past. When renovations start adding up and strange things start happening in the house, their already strained marriage takes a hit.

Sarah starts becoming more and more scared and paranoid. She starts losing followers on her social media accounts. She almost believes the house is a living entity and it's definitely a character of it's own in the book. Every noise and creak has you wondering if Sarah is going crazy or is there really someone out to get her. Could it be one of the unfriendly neighbors or could it be the ghosts of the previous dead tenants? You'll have to read it to find out.

Sarah is a very flawed and unstable character but that only ramps up the tension. Her husband Joe is spineless and unlikable from the start. He adds to Sarah's stress level and paranoia. Will their secrets be revealed? Will they survive the renovations on the house?

I give kudos to the author for her descriptions of a small town in Australia. The cold eeriness of the forest bordering the property adds to the spook factor. There were a few words/slang that I was unfamiliar with but Google and an Aussie friend set me straight.

The Stranger Upstairs comes out September 26 which makes it a perfect start to the Halloween season. Cuddle under a blanket with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa and enjoy the goosebumps that this novel provides. This is a solid debut novel from Lisa M. Matlin and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy to review.

Between Two Strangers by Kate White

Title: Between Two Strangers by Kate White

Publisher: Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Paperbacks

Release Date: May 16, 2023

Skyler is an up and coming artist who takes graphic design jobs to make ends meet. One day, she gets a phone call from a lawyer with some shocking news. A man named Chris Whaley has left her a rather sizable inheritance. The problem? She can't for the life of her remember who the man was.

After meeting with the lawyer, flashes of Chris start coming back to her. As this is going on, Chris's widow is contesting the inheritance and several strange and threatening things happen to Skyler. Is the widow behind the threats or is someone else mad about the money? Skyler is determined to find out who and why she was left the money in the first place.

It's an intriguing story and a very fast read from page one. The characters are fleshed out and relatable. Even the cat, Tuna, had her own distinct personality. There are plenty of twists to keep you and Skyler guessing. The story offers a look into Skyler's past and a tragedy that has been having long term effects on her, her family, and even her art work. The ending ties things up neatly.

A good weekend or beach read and a solid thriller. Thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and NetGalley for this entertaining ARC.

 

Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott

Title: Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott
Publisher: Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release Date: May 30, 2023

Jacy and Jed travel to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to visit Jed's father, the warm and welcoming Dr. Ash. He treats her like a member of the family from the start and Jacy enjoys the attention at first. When she has a pregnancy scare, however, he becomes very controlling and secretive. He definitely has an old school way of thinking about women. What secrets is he hiding? Is Jacy just being paranoid? And what does the mysterious caretaker of the house, Mrs. Brandt, have to do with everything?

The story is very slow building and the formatting can be a bit jarring until you get used to it. You spend a great deal of time in Jacy's head and you start to question what is real and what may not be. Jed starts to act weirdly and she wonders if she ever really knew the man she married. He's a main character but he fades into the background a lot.

Let's talk about the ending, shall we? While several loose endings are tied up, many are not and that made for a very abrupt end. I swiped left on my phone and was pretty angry not to have an additional chapter.  I've since gotten over the anger and can appreciate what the author did.

Overall it was a good book and I'd recommend it to fans of thrillers and psychological suspense. It's a book that you can definitely finish in a weekend.

Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the early ARC in exchange for my opinion.

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon

 Title: Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon

Publisher: Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release Date: May 16, 2023

This book grabs you from the very first sentence. The narrator is Amber Jamison, and she's just been kidnapped by a serial killer. Her first thought is that she feels stupid for getting into that predicament. I'd probably be thinking the same thing! Her feelings quickly turn to terror as her escape attempts don't pan out.

Things turn her way, however, when a mysterious woman rescues her from her fate. Amber is intrigued by the mystery woman but for her own reasons must flee from her life. She makes her way to Las Vegas. Once there, she returns to some of her old ways but ends up making her first real friends in the process.These characters are well-written and flawed, but lovable.

The mystery woman reappears in Amber's life and she soon discovers that there is another serial killer in her midst. Is he targeting Amber or is it just a coincidence? Can her luck really be that bad?

This book starts a little slow but builds momentum as it goes on. The backstory about the mystery woman is a bit cut and dried as opposed to Amber's colorful past but it's not boring. This book is perfect to read on a weekend or a beach vacation. You wouldn't think a thriller about a serial killer could be humorous but this one manages to be, and it works.

Highly recommended read. I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and the well-written characters.

Oh, and I read the acknowledgements. The author hints at a sequel!

Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC they provided in exchange for my review.

The Intern by Michele Campbell

Title: The Intern by Michele Campbell

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Madison Rivera is a law student with a problem. Her idol and mentor, Judge Conroy, has offered her an internship. It will look outstanding on her resume and bring her even closer to her dreams of becoming a lawyer. The problem? Her younger brother Danny has been arrested and the judge in his case is Judge Conroy. Does she divulge the truth to the judge and risk losing the internship? 

Madison lies. She has numerous opportunities to come clean but she doesn't. She tells herself she's doing it to help her brother but in reality she's being a bit selfish and looking out for her future career. While I appreciate the sentiment of doing anything for a sibling, Madison was also looking out for herself.

We soon learn that the judge and Madison had similar upbringings, and they form a strange bond over it. It's also revealed that the judge has her own secrets and Madison finds herself drawn into the intrigue whether she likes it or not.

The story is told from both Madison and Judge Conroy's point of view, in both past and present day. Both women appear to be fairly intelligent but are plagued by impulsivity and resulting bad choices. There were a few times I paused in reading to shake my head at them. Both characters are flawed and it's hard for Madison to accept that the judge isn't as perfect as she had thought.

This book is a fast-paced, easy read. Hints of lies, corruption and even a mob-like feel will keep you reading. It wasn't my favorite book this year but it's definitely a solid read.

Many thanks go to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

 

The Body Double by Emily Beyda

Title: The Body Double by Emily Beyda

Publisher: Doubleday Books

Release Date: 3/3/2020

The blurb for this book was intriguing. The actual book fell short.

We have a young woman working a dead end job at a movie theater. She's approached by a wealthy but mysterious stranger. His proposition? With his guidance and training (and she finds out later, plastic surgery and starvation) she will impersonate Rosanna Feld, a starlet who needs a break from the limelight. Her period of employment will last three years and then she is to disappear into obscurity so Rosanna can resume her life. For some odd reason, the young woman jumps at the chance.

The wealthy man, named Max, whisks her to L.A. and puts her up in a shoddy, run down apartment. I don't know about anyone else but this would be a major red flag for me. Max is soon dressing her, instructing her, and even has a doctor come and do surgery on her. This all happens in the apartment. The major setting of this book is the apartment. 

Other than a hairdresser and doctor, for a long period of time Max is the only person the nameless narrator sees. I'm no doctor but you can tell that she has the beginnings of Stockholm syndrome. She's like an infant that depends on Max for everything. Her daily life in the apartment is so boring that it's almost maddening to the reader.

Max decides that she's ready to be seen out in public to put her transformation to the test. This goes well and I started to think, okay, this book is about to start building up to something. Now it will finally get juicy.

It doesn't. Max controls who she sees, what she says, where she goes, what she eats. Then after her outings she goes back to the same crappy apartment. Her transformation is a success. People think she's Rosanna. Mentally, she thinks she is Rosanna.

Have I mentioned that we still haven't seen the actual Rosanna? Any guesses as to where she might be?

The characters are one dimensional. The nameless narrator may be a good idea, but this narrator only has tiny snippets of backstory. If you blink or skim, you will miss them. You don't care about her as a person at all. Ever. Not to mention you never have it explained to you why she would ever make such a drastic, life-altering decision in the first place.

The book trudges on and on and just when you think It will build to something exciting, it falls flat. The ending came and was not only confusing but it was as flat and monotone as the rest of the book.

Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Pretty Things by Janelle Brown

Title: Pretty Things by Janelle Brown

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Release Date: 04/21/2020

I'm sure you've read a book where you read a certain scene and you mouth just drops open and you look around and say, "Oh my God, what??" This book had not one, not two, but several moments like that for me. Just when you think you've got the plot figured out, Ms. Brown yanks the carpet out from under your feet. The amazing part is that she does it so very well.

 Pretty Things is told from the perspective of Nina and Vanessa. These two women are as different as night and day. Nina is a con artist raised by a con artist mother while Vanessa is born into a family of wealth and privilege. They meet briefly while Nina is a teen and Vanessa is a college student due to Nina's friendship with Benny, Vanessa's brother. Now, years later they meet again as Nina is desperate for one last con to help her mother and then go legit. She thinks Vanessa will be the perfect mark.

The book intertwines flashbacks as well as the perspectives of the two women. There are a few scenes that are told from each woman's point of view. Strangely enough it works. I am not going to say that I loved either character because they are both deeply flawed. At different points you feel sad for them, you root for them, you care for them, and you even hates them.

Setting details are amazing. I could picture the landscape, picture the mansions, and picture the lake. The descriptions almost make me want to take a trip to Lake Tahoe and take a look around. If a writer has you seeing the story as a movie inside of your head then she's doing an excellent job. This was excellent.

The story shows you that whether you are rich or broke, you all have problems. No one is what they seem in this book and they tell lies upon lies upon lies to each other and themselves. In the end, could the two women bond and put their past aside?

The only thing that I wished for more in this book was that I wanted to see more of Benny. He's very troubled but also funny and he means so much to both women that it was a shame that he wasn't more present in the book.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller. The pacing is good and the story is compelling. I suggest you pre-order a copy so you don't miss out!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this book. I sincerely hope that Ms. Brown continues writing and that I'll be able to review her next piece of work. 

When I Was You by Minka Kent

Title: When I Was You by Minka Kent
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Release Date: February 1, 2020

Brienne Dougray has suffered through trauma in her life. She was raised by her grandparents after she was taken away from her neglectful mother. Six months ago she was brutally stabbed and beaten and left for dead in an alley. Her wallet, purse, and watch were stolen as well. She's left with OCD, nightmares, migraines, PTSD, and a traumatic brain injury. She's also left with fear.

Brienne's fear is strong enough that she rarely leaves the house and her friends encourage her to take on a tenant. She does, Niall Emberlin, and quickly becomes co-dependent on him. Her friends start disappearing from her life and all she is left with is Niall.

A mysterious key arrives at her house and when Brienne starts to investigate she discovers someone is living their lives as her. A whole other Brienne Dougray is living the life she used to live before the attack, down to their social media presence. She contacts a private investigator who treats her like she's crazy so she decides to investigate on her own. Niall eventually gets involved and Brienne starts to doubt her own sanity.

There are twists and turns aplenty in this book. Just when you think you have it all figured out you are thrown a curve ball that sends you in another direction. I finished this book in a couple hours because I just could not find a good place to stop. I wanted to know every detail and didn't put it down until I was finished!

I know some readers, like me, will wonder why Brienne didn't go to the police at several times during the course of the book. Please, keep in mind that she was a victim and felt that the police had failed her by not finding her attacker. This mentality, along with the gaslighting and other aspects in the plot, can lead people to irrational decisions. That being said, I'll ask again...Brienne, why the hell didn't you go to the police?!

This book is slow for the first little bit but I appreciate it because Ms. Kent really gets into the details of what happens when someone isolates themselves from the world. Once the action gets going, however, it just doesn't stop. Fast paced page turner for sure!

Pick up this book ASAP. You will not be disappointed. This is the first book I've read by Ms. Kent but I am a fan now and am looking forward to reading more by her.

A million thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review. It was an absolute pleasure.

The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian

Title: The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Release Date: March 17, 2020

The blurb for this book made me request it from NetGalley. It sounded good. A strong, successful woman is on a vacation in Vietnam with her boyfriend. He ends up going missing and then dying under mysterious circumstances. Smart woman starts to investigate and uncovers that her boyfriend is a liar. I mean, haven't we all been there?

Alexis meets Austin when he comes into the ER where she works for a bullet wound. 6 1/2 months later they are taking a biking tour through Vietnam together. After Austin dies, Alexis becomes fixated on the fact that Austin lied to her about why he's in Vietnam. She obsesses to the point that you want to reach into the book to slap her and tell her to let it go.

The book continues as Alexis hires a private investigator to look into Austin and his death. The author drops dribs and drabs of information as the story progresses. As much as I wanted this book to be a page turner for me, it sadly wasn't. Scientific and medical explanations interspersed with the talk of rats made this book a bit boring and very slow at times. The most action packed parts of the book were the last 3-4 chapters.

It's a good book and well written but there was absolutely no connection to any of the characters for me. Characters were put in danger and I just shrugged and continued the book.

This book might probably appeal more to people into medical or scientific mysteries. It's not a bad book overall, I just simply didn't like it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the chance to read this book.

The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell

Title: The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell
Publisher: Amazon Publishing UK
Release Date: January 14, 2020

Rosalind "Roz" Foley is a 24 year old housekeeper in Ireland. After a drunken night with a partner that was definitely a mistake, she turns up pregnant. The father of the baby is affiliated with her best friend Dympna, and to keep the baby would cause chaos in both their lives. Roz turns to the internet for help.

She registers on a website where she can be matched with prospective families for her child. Her father abandoned her as a child and her mother was an alcoholic so Roz becomes obsessed with finding the perfect mother. She's soon inundated with responses but the one that really catches her eye is a "diamond" couple. This means that the couple is very wealthy. Surely this means that they can provide her baby a perfect life?

After she initiates contact with "Julie", Roz is whisked away to New York City to meet the prospective parents. She soon learns that the people that want her baby are Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson, an "It celebrity couple" looking to expand their family. Sheridan doesn't let any grass grow under her feet and manipulates the desperate and star struck Roz into signing away the rights to her baby immediately.

The glitter soon starts to wear off as Roz is given glimpses into Sheridan's true nature. Sheridan's whole household and staff fears her and now Roz fears her as well. She starts to regret her decisions and also starts bonding with her baby. As her baby grows, Roz starts to grow into her inner strength, which is good because in the beginning I was wondering how she could be so stupid and naive.

The story is complex with very well written characters. The police presence is enough to keep the story moving but at the same time you aren't bogged down with procedural details. The underlying theme is that what you may view from the outside as being perfect may very well not be when you are face to face with it.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the strength of the friendship between Roz and Dympna. Despite the suspicion that her boyfriend is the baby's father and the fact that people think she's silly for worrying about Roz, she swears something is wrong and doesn't stop trying to find her. She never wavers in the love for her friend and it was beautiful to read.

I'm definitely going to seek out more of Ms. Mitchell's work, because if this book is an example I will surely enjoy the others as well.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It was a genuine pleasure.

Book Review: 39 Bayshore by Donna J. Grisanti

Book Review: 39 Bayshore by Donna J. Grisanti

Publisher:  Phoenix Publishing Group

            Independent Book Publishers Association

This book had an interesting plot idea. Unfortunately it didn’t live up to expectations. Carolyn is suffering from ill health, the sale of her business and the death of her mother. Her three aunts, none of which are blood related, buy her a falling down and decrepit home as a present to shock her back to life. She soon has more problems then you can shake a stick at.

First off, the formatting in this book was horrid. Bold and italicized words appeared in totally random spots. Double words (portport or thatthat) appear sometimes three times on a page. The author’s name sometimes popped up in the middle of a page of paragraph. This made the book hard to read and I almost put it down but I pushed through.

The book started with a murder that is never again mentioned in the book. Never. What was the point of even including it?

There are a ton of characters. Just when you think you have the whole cast figured out the author adds a new face. The supporting cast gets a bit muddled at times. The author tries to explain people and why they are there but it starts to ramble.  Some characters aren’t even introduced until nearly the end. The ending feels rushed and slapped on. The “mystery” seems like an afterthought.

This is supposed to be the first book in a series. I am hoping that the next book will be better and at the very least not be so slow. I’d be reluctant to give it a try.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.