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.

Book Review: Girl Number One by Jane Holland

Book Review: Girl Number One by Jane Holland

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Eleanor Blackwood was six when her mother was murdered in the woods. She was there as a witness but for some reason cannot describe the killer to the police. Eighteen years later, and on the anniversary of her mother’s death, she finds a body of a woman in almost the exact same spot where her mother was killed. After going for help the police arrive and the body is gone.

You would think that this would be setting up a nice mystery but you would be wrong. Eleanor is a cold, detached character. Most people would break down when they see a dead body but Eleanor treats it like any other day. People accuse her of being nuts and instead of being crazy I believe she had some other kind of mental problem.

Her father is an alcoholic and even hits her at one point in the story. She sleeps with men that are no good for her. She even sleeps with a guy that she thinks might be the murderer. She has an “oh well, no big deal” attitude about the whole thing. Eleanor takes absolutely no effort to keep herself safe or out of trouble. Even when she gets proof that the killer wants her to be his “number one” she still runs head on into danger and puts herself and her friends at risk.

I couldn’t connect with her in the slightest. The men all treat Eleanor as a pretty object to be protected and ogled. She never quite gets to stand on her own two feet even though she is a gym teacher and skilled in martial arts.

This book was just “okay” for me. It was nothing spectacular and while it was a quick read and somewhat enjoyable there were none of the twists and turns that I would have liked to see. I guessed who the killer was about halfway through but I wasn’t that excited to find out that I was right. The ending was tied up a little too quickly without enough explanation.

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

Book Review: The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

Book Review: The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

You wake up in a glorious garden. It’s green and lush and there is even a waterfall. It sounds like paradise, right?

Not if you have been kidnapped by The Gardener. He’s a handsome man that on an ordinary day you might find yourself attracted to. Now he’s your captor. He’s tattooed you, changed your name, and turned you in to his plaything. If you are good to him he is good to you. Good behavior gets rewards. Bad behavior gets punishments.

Really bad behavior gets you killed and put on display like a prized butterfly.

After the garden is discovered by the FBI they begin questioning the survivors. The book is told from the perspective of a young girl named Maya. She learns quickly that keeping The Gardener happy is the only way she can survive. Even while she is giving the agents all the answers she is able more secrets and more horrors are revealed.

This book stayed with me when it was over. Yes, it’s a tale of survival. It’s also a story of the depths of friendship between women. The characters were fleshed out pretty well. I shed a few tears during a few sad moments in this book. I almost cheered at the end.

This is definitely a highly recommended read. I only put it down for dinner and restroom breaks. It reads quickly but it also very detailed. The author is excellent at pacing and keeping the reader turning the page to find out what happens next. You almost NEED to find out what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you Netgalley, this one was a treat!

Book Review: Blood Defense

Blood Defense by Marcia Clark

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

A decorated LAPD detective is accused of murdering an actress who is considered to be “America’s Sweetheart”. Samantha Brinkman, an ambitious defense attorney, recognizes the media attention and potential clients that will come her way if she takes the case. She soon launches her own investigation in a quest for the truth and discovers that her client harbors a few secrets. His uncontrollable anger issues make her doubt his claim of innocence. She also learns things about herself and her personal life that rock her normally steady foundation.

This book is fast-paced without skimping on suspense or details. Each chapter is a satisfying read that makes you want to turn the page to see what happens next. The mystery is wrapped up in a satisfying way but there is also a few items that help set up for a sequel. I do so hope there is a sequel. The characters are well-developed and I would love to see where they go.

I received a free uncorrected proof copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review. Even being an uncorrected proof I was only able to spot two errors and they were minor.

This is definitely worth a read. As always, if you have read it or will read it in the future, let me know in the comments.