I had really high hopes for this book. Like really high. I was a bit disappointed in the end. I wThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life
I had really high hopes for this book. Like really high. I was a bit disappointed in the end. I wasn't a bad story but it didn't even come close to living up to my expectations. When I first saw this book, I knew that I would have to read it. Demonic possession with heavy dose of 80's references were enough to really grab the attention of this old lady. Unfortunately, despite the wonderful premise I found the book rather underwhelming.
Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since grade school. Things go wrong at a high school party when the girls were doing a few drugs. Gretchen gets lost in the woods and is gone for a night and her personality starts to changes. She becomes very mean especially to her friend, Abby. Abby knows that something is wrong but she can't seem to get anyone to listen to her in order to get her friend the help that she needs.
I love the 80's. I was a teen in the late 80's and I really was looking forward to a story set in this time period. Unfortunately, the 80's references in this book became a little too much for me. It felt a little forced in some ways and I think it actually ended up being a bit distracting.
The characters felt a little flat to me. I never felt any kind of connection to Abby or Gretchen. I also thought that the story dragged at points. There were some really exciting moments but nothing truly scary as I had hoped to find. In the end, this story just never really grabbed me and was just okay. I do think that a lot of readers will enjoy this one a lot. This is the first book by Grady Hendrix that I have read and I would be willing to read his work again in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Quirk Books via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts This book wasn't quite what I thought it would be. I really enjoyed all the 80's references as the book got started but eventually it became a little too much...even for someone who loves to walk down memory lane like myself. The story was okay and it did have its exciting moments but there was nothing here that blew me away. I need to think about this one for bit before I decide on a rating but right now it is sitting at about 3 stars.
I had really high hopes for this book. Like really high. I was a bit disappointed in the end. I wasn't a bad story but it didn't even come close to living up to my expectations. When I first saw this book, I knew that I would have to read it. Demonic possession with heavy dose of 80's references were enough to really grab the attention of this old lady. Unfortunately, despite the wonderful premise I found the book rather underwhelming.
Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since grade school. Things go wrong at a high school party when the girls were doing a few drugs. Gretchen gets lost in the woods and is gone for a night and her personality starts to changes. She becomes very mean especially to her friend, Abby. Abby knows that something is wrong but she can't seem to get anyone to listen to her in order to get her friend the help that she needs.
I love the 80's. I was a teen in the late 80's and I really was looking forward to a story set in this time period. Unfortunately, the 80's references in this book became a little too much for me. It felt a little forced in some ways and I think it actually ended up being a bit distracting.
The characters felt a little flat to me. I never felt any kind of connection to Abby or Gretchen. I also thought that the story dragged at points. There were some really exciting moments but nothing truly scary as I had hoped to find. In the end, this story just never really grabbed me and was just okay. I do think that a lot of readers will enjoy this one a lot. This is the first book by Grady Hendrix that I have read and I would be willing to read his work again in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Quirk Books via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts This book wasn't quite what I thought it would be. I really enjoyed all the 80's references as the book got started but eventually it became a little too much...even for someone who loves to walk down memory lane like myself. The story was okay and it did have its exciting moments but there was nothing here that blew me away. I need to think about this one for bit before I decide on a rating but right now it is sitting at about 3 stars....more
This book was so much fun to read! I look forward to every new Ilona Andrews book that I can getThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
This book was so much fun to read! I look forward to every new Ilona Andrews book that I can get my hands on. I think it is amazing that this book was written as a serial novel and available to read on their website for free. They don't have to do that but they do just because they really are that nice. I didn't read the book as a serial because I know that I am the kind of reader that wants to sit down and read the whole book at once but I think it is awesome that they do this for their readers. This was the kind of book that was really hard to put down and ended up being just as good as I had hoped it would be.
Dina is an Innkeeper and has a special kind of magic. Her inn, Gertrude Hunt, is almost a living character as well with its own brand of magic and abilities. Dina's inn serves beings from around the universe which she must remain hidden from residents of Earth. When Dina's sister, Maud, sends a message to be picked up, there is no question about whether she will go. Not only does Dina have her family's welfare to consider in this book, she is also asked to protect a Hiru which may cause her inn to be attacked. There is no shortage of excitement in this story!
I actually liked this book a bit more than the previous one in the series and I think that is largely because there was a lot more Sean in this book. I really missed Sean and the last book so I was thrilled to see him featured though out this story. Dina and Sean's relationship really takes off and the chemistry that has always been between them is finally put to good use. I also really enjoyed the new characters in this book. Maud and Helen were both awesome in their own way. Maud has been through a lot but is competent to handle anything that comes her way and proves to be a big help to Dina. Helen was a really interesting character and it was nice to see a child worked into the story so well.
I would highly recommend this series to others. This book is highly imaginative with a lot of excitement. There is a wonderful balance of action, humor, and romance to keep readers happy. I would recommend that this series be read in order so that you have the background of the relationships and abilities. I can't wait to read more from this fantastic writing duo!
Initial Thoughts This was a lot of fun! I enjoyed this one more than the second installment probably because there was more Sean in the story....more
I liked this book even more the second time around. I first read this book several years ago andThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I liked this book even more the second time around. I first read this book several years ago and liked it then so when I saw the audio on sale earlier this month, I decided to revisit the story in audiobook. I really enjoyed the book the first time that I experienced it but I absolutely loved it during this re-read. I am not sure if it is where I am in my life that made the difference but the story just seemed to speak to me this time.
Conor is a 13 year old boy living with his mom. His mom is sick with cancer and Conor has had to adapt. People treat him differently because of his mother including the teachers and kids at school. Some of the kids bully him while teachers seem hesitant to reprimand him. Conor really just wants his life to be the way it used to be and for his mom to get better.
A monster pays a visit to Conor. The monster tells Conor that he will share with him 3 stories and at the end of the third story, Conor will share his story. Each of the stories were incredibly entertaining and I found myself unable to stop listening. Conor seemed to let more of himself out when he was with the monster. I found the monster to be more wise than scary and loved the parts of the book that featured him.
The narration of this audiobook was outstanding. Jason Isaacs handled a wide variety of voice expertly. I loved the way he brought the monster to life. This is an emotional story and I really felt every one of the emotions that Conor was dealing with. I think that the narration really elevated this story to another level. I hope to listen to other books narrated by Jason Isaacs in the future.
I would recommend this book to others. It is a rather short book that tells a really big story. This book is one of those rare gems that just captures everything perfectly.
Initial Thoughts I liked this book when I read it several years ago but I loved the audio format. The narrator really took this story to the next level. Excellent all the way around....more
This really seemed like it was more for fans of the series. I didn't dislike it but I didn't really gain anything from it. There were a lot of charactThis really seemed like it was more for fans of the series. I didn't dislike it but I didn't really gain anything from it. There were a lot of characters and not a whole lot of plot. I am sure that I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I knew anything about these characters....more
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. This is one of those books that I think really is more enThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. This is one of those books that I think really is more enjoyable in audio format largely because of the wonderful pair of narrators. This is the second book in the Beneath series but it can easily be read as a stand alone since it focuses on one pair of characters. This was a really quick and entertaining story that had a lot going for it.
This book focused on Vanessa and Con. Vanessa is a rich girl working at a not for profit who needs something from Con. Con is a tattooed bad boy who is all alpha male. They have known each other since they were in school and even spent one night together a couple of years ago that Con can't remember and Vanessa can't forget. They strike a deal to spend a bit of time together before Con's land changes hands.
I liked Con and Vanessa together. It was evident early on that there was more to each of these characters than the obvious and they seemed to see that in each other. There was a lot of chemistry between the pair from the start that only intensified over the course of the story. There were some pretty hot scenes and some that were more tender.
There were a few things that I found problematic in the story. Vanessa's issue with eating in front of other people vanished really quickly with just a word from Con. If she had as big of an issue as it was made to be, I don't think that she would overcome it as fast as she did. I also wanted to see Vanessa speak up for herself more because she seemed to let everyone push her around. I was able to just go along with these things and enjoy the story despite these minor issues.
I absolutely loved the narration of this audiobook. I have listed to two other books in this series with the same pair of narrators and that is what made me decide to purchase this audiobook. Sebastian York does such a good job at narrating a bad boy with a softer side and Andi Arndt captured Vanessa's personality perfectly. I think that the alternating points of view paired with different narrators really made the book come alive. I plan to listen to both of these narrators again soon.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I would definitely recommend picking up the audio in this book if at all possible because I think it adds to the overall experience. I hope to read more from this author soon.
Initial Thoughts I love this pair of narrators. I know that I liked this book a lot more because I chose to listen to it rather than read the book myself. The story wasn't perfect but I enjoyed it anyway. ...more
I enjoyed reading this book. This was one of those books that pulled me into the story pretty quThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I enjoyed reading this book. This was one of those books that pulled me into the story pretty quickly. I knew that things would go horribly wrong but I just couldn't look away. I had to know exactly what happened and I wanted Hattie to tell me. The way that the story unfolded really added to the story. This is a book that I am very glad that I decided to pick up.
One of the first things that struck me about this book was the fact that it is told in a nonlinear manner. I am not usually a fan of this method of story telling and I have to say that I was rather disappointed to see that this book was told in such a manner. It worked wonderfully in this story. It wasn't hard to keep track of where the story was in time and having the characters tell their story as it was taking place was really powerful.
This book is told from three points of view. Del is the sheriff of a small town who is working to solve a murder. Hattie is a senior in high school who dreams of leaving the small town she has lived her life in to move to New York. Peter is the school's new English teacher who has just moved to town. All three of these characters play an important part of unraveling what really happened to Hattie.
I liked the characters even though I am not sure why I do with the exception of Del. Del is a likeable guy who is in a bad place. He needs to solve Hattie's murder but is getting a lot of pressure from everyone in town not to mention that Hattie's father is one of his best friends. Hattie is kind of hard to like at first. She is manipulative and seems to think she is better than others in her town. I liked her anyway especially as the book progressed. Peter seemed lost throughout a lot of the book. He is never sure what he wants to do and feels guilty with a lot of his choices. I thought Peter felt really authentic and I liked him even when I wanted to throw things at him.
I would recommend this book to others. It tells a story that kept me guessing up until the very end. This is the first book by Mindy Mejia that I have had a chance to read but I plan to look for her work in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Atria Books via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts Excellent story! Great story that kept me guessing until the very end. I probably shouldn't have liked the main characters but I did anyway. I will be recommending this one....more
Yay...Lincoln's story! This is the third book in the Oxford series and my favorite so far. This This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
Yay...Lincoln's story! This is the third book in the Oxford series and my favorite so far. This book cold easily be read as a stand alone although you will not know the history of some of the characters. Lincoln's character shines from the moment he first shows up on the page. As soon as he had a role in this series, I knew that I needed to read his story. It turns out that his story was worth the wait.
I had a feeling that Lincoln was a lot more than what we have seen in the previous books and I was right. He is a gorgeous playboy who can have any woman that he wants. Women literally throw themselves at this man but I had to know what made him tick. Let me just say that I was shocked by what is learned about Lincoln's past in this book. I liked his character before I started this book but I like him even more now that I have finished.
Daisy has her own story and everyone seems to be walking on eggshells around her. She has been through a divorce but it seemed that there was more to the story. Daisy's story wasn't as shocking as Lincoln's but it did explain a lot. I liked Daisy a lot. She worked hard to put her life back together and had an inner strength that was impressive. I liked how easily she was able to really see Lincoln for who he is.
I loved Lincoln and Daisy as a couple. These two were just so perfect together. From the very beginning of the book, they were just a lot of fun. They connected almost immediately and really were a perfect match for each other. They had wonderful chemistry and I liked how they seemed to feel comfortable with each other immediately. The build up of the romance was intense and I was completely invested by the time they actually acted on it.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. Lincoln is such a great character and I loved his story. I also really enjoyed the fact that the obstacle that this couple had to overcome is a little different than I usually see and was completely unexpected. I am looking forward to reading more for this talented author very soon.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts Awww. ...Lincoln's story. I have got to tell you that I absolutely loved this story. I was shocked at one point and my heart melted a little in the end. The build up was fantastic. I didn't want to put this one down. Probably my favorite Lauren Layne book that I have read....more
This book was amazing. When I decided to read this book, I hadn't seen anything about it. The deThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
This book was amazing. When I decided to read this book, I hadn't seen anything about it. The description looked compelling so I took a chance on it. I made a very good decision because this book ended up not only being one that I couldn't put down but one that I couldn't stop thinking about long after reading the final page. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful with characters you want to spend as much time with as possible. This was an incredibly well told story.
Adam is the kind of kid that seems to have everything going for him. He has a great relationship with his mother and a very good home life. He has a tight group of friends that he cares about. He is a senior in high school and he is doing great in school. Adam seems to know just the right thing to say and sometimes can even make things better by offering up a quick smile at just the right time. Adam does have to deal with his ADHD but he has things generally under control.
Julian has had to deal with a lot in his life. His parents both died in a car crash when he was very young. He actually spent some time in the foster system and lived with Adam and his mother for a period of time. Julian moved in with his uncle years ago and as far as everyone knows everything is fine at home. But everything is not fine at home. Not by a lot. To make matters worse, Julian has no friends and is often teased and bullied at school. When Adam sees Julian at school and they reconnect, Julian is eager to be around someone that actually wants him around.
This wasn't really an easy story to read. My heart broke so many times while I read this book. I felt like I was there with Julian every time somebody said something mean to him and I was there with him at his house with his uncle. I also felt Adam's uncertainty regarding what was the right thing to do. Adam's determination to be there for his friend no matter what was equally powerful. The truly sad part of this book is that these kind of stories aren't too different than what really happens to some teens.
This book was wonderfully written. I honestly put the book down once to sleep and then picked it back up again and couldn't put it down until I was done. I loved the characters. Adam and Julian were wonderful but there was a whole cast of people in this book that each added something worthwhile to the story. Some scenes were intense and the way that they were written made them seem so incredibly real and vivid.
I would highly recommend this book to others. I think that this is a book that needs to find its way into everyone's hands. I cannot remember the last time that I was as emotionally involved in a book as I was with this one. It was really that good.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Disney Book Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts All I can think to say right now is...wow. I couldn't stop reading this book. It broke my heart and gave me hope all at the same time....more
This series. I just can't even say how much I am in love with this series. I first read this booThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
This series. I just can't even say how much I am in love with this series. I first read this book years ago and my family nicknamed it "the brick" because it is quite a large book. I have been working on re-reading the first four books in the series before moving forward with books that I have yet to read. I am so glad that I decided to listen to this book because the narrator brings the story to life. I actually believe that I liked this book even more during this second read.
This story is epic. There is really so much going on in this book and all of it is completely entertaining. Jamie and Claire are in America working to find their place. The story also has a focus on Brianna, their daughter, and Roger. There are so many exciting things that happen in this book. There are pirates, bears, Indians, and even a dinner party surgery.
I am in love with the characters. Maybe a bit obsessed as well. I just love Jamie and Claire. Over the span of 4 books, I have grown to know them and really almost feel like they are real. I love how much they care about each other and how easy it is to feel their emotions throughout the book. I liked Brianna and Roger but not nearly as much. This is really the first book in the series that their role is so pivotal to the overall story. They are still working to figure out their relationship and they really go through a lot in this story. Some of it was very painful to watch.
The narration of the audiobook was phenomenal. Davina Porter is the voice of Claire and Jamie. She is able to differentiate between all of the characters wonderfully. I think one of her strengths is her ability to bring the characters' emotions into the story. This is an emotional book and I really felt everything along with the characters as I listened to the book. I was able to listen to this book for hours at a time largely because of the quality of the narration.
I would highly recommend this series to others. This is the fourth book in the series and this series really should be read in order. I can't wait to continue with this series. I am ready to move on to the fifth book, The Fiery Cross, which will be a new read for me and I can't wait.
Initial Thoughts I am so in love with this series. Everything about it is just wonderful. The characters are so vivid that I sometimes have to remind myself that they are not real. I listened to this audiobook for hours at a time and liked it as much if not more than I did the first time I read it.
Anyone who has followed my reviews knows that I am in love with this series. Seriously....it is This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
Anyone who has followed my reviews knows that I am in love with this series. Seriously....it is just the best. I loved this book when I read it over 4 years ago and I loved it during this re-read. I probably liked it even more the second time around because I know how some things are going to work out and it is really interesting to see some of the ground work being laid. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent listening to this book.
This book starts with a lot of excitement. Kate gets a call that there is a loose vampire heading her way. She acts quickly and is able to capture the vampire but then everything falls apart fast. With Andrea's help, Kate works her way through the situation. Andrea accepts Kate's offer to join her business and they get their first client. The case turns out to be a very serious one that could put everyone with magic in danger.
All of the characters that I have grown to love over the course of the series make an appearance in this book. Kate and Curran are now officially a couple and I have to say that I like them both a bit more together. They still speak their mind with each other but there are plenty of more tender moments that melted my heart. I was glad to see Andrea play an important role in this story. Julie has some serious life changing events happen in this installment. Derek was awesome as always and Ascanio proved how awesome he can really be.
I enjoyed the narration. After a rough start with the audio for this series, I have come to really appreciate Rene Raudman's performance of these books. She handles a wide variety of character voices with ease. The emotions that she is able to convey during the story really take the book to a whole new level. The pacing was perfectly done. This was an audiobook that I didn't want to put down and was able to listen to for hours at a time.
I would highly recommend this series to others. This is the fifth book in the series and I really do feel that this is a series that needs to be read in order. I loved this book even though it wasn't quite my favorite in the series it was really close. I can't wait to continue with my re-read!
Initial Thoughts So good! Everything I love in a book. ...more
I really enjoyed this book a lot. I don't read too many holiday themed books but I do try to reaThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. I don't read too many holiday themed books but I do try to read at least one or two every year in a quest to get myself in the holiday spirit. I really liked the last book from this series, I'll Be Home for Christmas, so I was eager to pick up the newest one in the series. This book is actually the seventh in the Twilight, Texas series but it reads perfectly fine as a stand alone. This was the kind of book that left me with a smile on my face by the time I reached the conclusion.
The book starts one year in the past when both Katie and Ryder were in L.A. and run into each other. They have known each other for years but they now both adults and sparks immediately fly. Fast forward one year and they both find themselves back in Twilight for Katie's brother's wedding. The sparks are still there but neither of them are sure how to act on them or if they should.
I loved the characters. Ryder and Katie both had a few issues to deal with from their past. Ryder is best friends with Katie's brother and actually lived with the family during some of his teen years. After a 15 year old Katie kisses Ryder, he joins the military and leaves the town. They have both reached a point in their lives where they might be ready for something more. I really enjoyed watching them learn to trust each other and start to open up. They made a really great pair and the chemistry between them was off the charts.
This book really had a lot going for it. I liked that there were a few things that happened that I didn't expect. The secondary characters in the book were a lot of fun and everyone from Ryder's elderly neighbor to Katie's parents added soemthing to the story. There were a few moments that I thought were quite humorous as well. In the end, I thought this was a well rounded book with wonderful pacing.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I haven't read too many books written by Lori Wilde but the ones that I have read have been consistently good. I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author soon.
I received a review copy of this book from Harper Collins Publishers - Avon via Edelweiss.
Initial Thoughts I really enjoyed this one. The relationship between Katie and Ryder just seemed so real. ...more
I was shocked to see this available through my library for check out. This was a nice short story that I was able to read while getting ready for workI was shocked to see this available through my library for check out. This was a nice short story that I was able to read while getting ready for work. It seems Ilona Andrews can do no wrong....more
This was a fun book! I love it when a story can balance humor with romance and this one did it rThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
This was a fun book! I love it when a story can balance humor with romance and this one did it really well. There were plenty of touching moments as well to really tell a satisfying story. I didn't want to put this book down and ended up reading it in a single day. I am so glad that I decided to pick this one up.
Sam and Leah are the focus of this book. Sam is in construction and has sworn off any relationships for the time being after his most recent disaster. Leah owns a local bakery and isn't sure she will ever meet the right guy. Leah also has some body image issues that pop up pretty early in the book. On a whim, Sam tells Leah's ex fiance that they are engaged and soon everyone knows about it. They must now spend some time with family before they can "break up" and make everyone happy.
As soon as I read this book's summary and noted that there would be a fake engagement, I quickly guessed that they would end up falling for each other. I was right but the way it happened was a treat to watch. This pair fit so nicely together and Sam really seemed to become a part of Leah's family almost immediately. The chemistry between the pair was well done and I was really wanting to see them make it work. Everything about their relationship felt genuine to me.
The humor in this book was well done. I didn't find myself laughing out loud but I was rather amused quite a few times. Leah and Sam both had a great sense of humor. I really liked some of the things Sam said to try to make Leah's family dislike him. The only thing that I didn't care for was how much focus was put on Leah's weight both by Leah and her mother. I understand why it was a part of the story but wish it had been scaled back just a bit.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This is the first book by Alison Bliss that I have had a chance to read but I do plan to read more of her work in the future. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts This was a fun quick read. There were a few funny moments along with a few more touching. I liked both of the characters quite a bit and enjoyed their chemistry....more
I enjoyed reading this book. I was pulled into the story right away by the wonderful characters,This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I enjoyed reading this book. I was pulled into the story right away by the wonderful characters, an interesting premise, and just the right amount of humor. This was a super quick read for me largely because I had a hard time putting the book down. The descriptions were vivid and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be in Will's position. I am very glad that I decided to pick up this book.
Will is starting a new school. He previously attended a school for the blind but is transferring to a mainstream high school. He starts out having to deal with a well meaning but unhelpful assistant pricinpal and before the day is over he has not only made a girl run from the room crying but has also sat on another student's lap at lunch. Before long, Will seems to find his place at his new school with a group of friends that keep him busy.
Will has the opportunity to have an experimental surgery that can make it possible for him to see for the first time in his life. Once he has the surgery the sudden ability to see isn't as smooth of a transistion as you might expect. Since he has never had the sense of sight, he has no reference point. His brain developed without visual input and it takes a lot of work to understand what he can now see. The descriptions regarding his sudden ability to see were incredibly strong in this book. I felt Will's frustration along with him and his family.
Will's relationship with Cecily was a major focus of the story. They develop a strong friendship through their work together on a school project. Their personalities just seemed to click and they both seemed to gain a lot by being together. When Will can finally see her, things don't go exactly as planned and I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed by Will's actions. I do understand that he was upset by the fact that things were kept from him but I hated that he was willing to make as big of a deal about it as he did.
I would recommend this book to others. I found it to be a quick read that was rather eye opening. Will's quest to be independant and fit into the world was such an interesting story. The humor was nicely woven into the story and really added a lot to the story and character developement. I plan to look for future novels by Josh Sundquist.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers TheNovl.com.
Initial Thoughts This was a nice quick read. I liked the characters and the premise was interesting. ...more
I picked this up for free over at Audible. It was a decent story based on an interesting concept. It kept my interest and I thought the narration was I picked this up for free over at Audible. It was a decent story based on an interesting concept. It kept my interest and I thought the narration was great....more
This was really a pretty good short story. A lot more involved than I would have expected for such a short piece. 10/13/16: Currently free at Audible.
This was really a pretty good short story. A lot more involved than I would have expected for such a short piece. Really, a great way to spend an hour. The narration was wonderful. I would definitely look for more works by this author and narrator. ...more
I really enjoyed this novella. The Heartbreaker Bay series has been just wonderful so far and thThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I really enjoyed this novella. The Heartbreaker Bay series has been just wonderful so far and this story features a couple of characters that we have met in previous books. The story is short but there really is a whole lot going on between these characters. It was really nice to watch Max and Rory open up with each other and begin there new relationship.
It is Christmas Eve and Rory wants to go home to visit family for the first time in a number of years. Max grew up in the same town as Rory so he volunteers to give her a ride. They have a lot of chemistry but they also have some history standing in their way. As Max, Rory, and Max's dog, Carl make their way home for the holiday, they run into some bad weather that changes their plans.
I liked Max and Rory together. They both have some issues from their interconnected past that have affected their lives. I liked how open they were with each other and really let the truth come out. It turns out that things were not exactly what they seemed. They have strong attraction to each other that really was hard to ignore. Now that everything is out on the table, there is nothing stopping them from getting the happily ever after they both deserve.
I would recommend this novella to fans of contemporary romance. This novella is part of the Heartbreaker Bay series and while it could be read as a stand alone, I think that fans of the series will get the most enjoyment from this story. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Avon Books via Edelweiss....more
I decided to read this book up because the synopsis sounded interesting. I really had no expectaThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I decided to read this book up because the synopsis sounded interesting. I really had no expectations since I have never read any of this author's work before and really hadn't heard anything about this book. I am glad that I decided to pick it up because it turned out to such a nice story. I was pulled into the story right away and really was eager to see everything work out for the characters. I was able to predict some parts of the story but I still really enjoyed the journey.
This was a book that was told in two timelines that focus on two women, Alice and Dovie. Dovie is trying to move on after her fiance committed suicide. She spends a lot of time at the cemetery trying to come to terms with her loss. She happens to see an older woman leave a letter at another grave and feels compelled to take the letter to read. Her life soon becomes intertwined with the older woman and learning the events of the past.
Alice's story is told through her letters. Alice wrote a series of letters prior to her death that were left at her grave in the cemetery where Alice's fiance is buried. These letters eventually come to be in Dovie's possession and she shared them with Alice's mother slowly over a period of time. As Alice's story unfolds, my heart broke for her and everything that she went through.
I think that the dual timelines worked well in this book. I really liked that letters were used to tell the story of the past and thought that it made the book flow nicely. Dovie and Alice both were wonderful characters. Dovie learns not only about Alice's past but some truths about her own as the story moves forward. By the end of the book, Dovie was almost like a new person. She had really come to terms with a lot and had helped her new friends do the same.
I would recommend this book to others. The story was one that has stayed with me. It was a book full of pain and grief but also of friendship, love, and learning to move forward. This is the first book by Barbara Davis but I look forward to checking out some of her other work in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via First to Read.
Initial Thoughts Nice story even though it was somewhat predictable. ...more
I liked this one. The premise of the story really grabbed me because the idea of someone watchinThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I liked this one. The premise of the story really grabbed me because the idea of someone watching when you don't know it is just plain scary. I wouldn't say the book scared me but the idea behind the story is frightening only because of how realistic it really is. I was pulled into this book rather quickly and read the entire book in about a day so it definitely held my attention. This was a very entertaining read that kept me guessing right up until the end.
Zoe is like a lot of other people in that she is a creature of routine. She takes the same route to work and back everyday and follows the same routine. Could this behavior have set her up as a target of a new website? When Zoe notices a picture in the classified section of the paper, she thinks it looks like her but can't believe it. Her loved ones convince her that it couldn't be but she can't quite let it go and shares what she has seen with a local detective.
Kelly gets involved in the case after talking to Zoe. She wants in on the case and pulls a few strings to be assigned to the unit handling it for a period of time. She connects with Zoe and is willing to bend a few rules if that is what it takes to keep her safe. Some women have been victims of crime after their photo ended up in the paper and there has even been a murder. The police are determined to figure out what is going on and stop the crimes from occurring.
This book took a lot of twists and turns and I wasn't ever quite sure who might be responsible. I think that Zoe's feeling of fear and helplessness were accurately displayed while she still had the strength and resolve to continue on with her life. Kelly's perspective added a lot to the book and really illustrated how difficult of a case this really was. I didn't fall in love with any of the characters but I found myself really wanting to see everyone come out of this unharmed with the culprit caught.
I would recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. This was a fast paced and exciting novel that had a realistic feel. This is the first book by Clare Mackintosh that I have had a chance to read and I would definitely pick up her work again in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via First to Read.
Initial Thoughts I liked this one. The story felt kept me guess and felt largely realistic. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming. I liked the characters well enough to want to see them come out okay in the end. This is the first book by Clare Mackintosh that I have had a chance to read and I did enjoy her writing style....more
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