REVIEW: The Woman Next Door by Natasha Boydell

Title: The Woman Next Door
Author: Natasha Boydell
Narrator: Mhairi Morrison
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: February 2022
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Two neighbors struggle with envy of each other’s lives—and as their friendship grows, their questions do too . . .

Sophie is a happily married mum of two who considers herself lucky—until her beautiful and highly successful new neighbor Angie moves in along with her charming husband and four talented children. The two women couldn’t be more different, but after a storm brings them together, an unlikely friendship develops. As their children grow closer, so does their bond.

But the alliance between the families is a wake-up call for both women. Angie’s success makes Sophie consider whether she really is as satisfied as she makes out. And Sophie’s uncomplicated marriage forces Angie to look at her own and accept that it’s not as perfect as it seems. Both women vow to change.

But their decisions may not lead where they expect, in this absorbing novel about risks and relationships by the author of The Missing Husband that explores whether the grass is always greener on the other side of the garden fence . . .

My Thoughts: So…the old saying about never judging a book by its cover rings loudly and true for me with this book. I assumed I was going to be listening to a domestic thriller / mystery / suspense type novel with The Woman Next Door by new to me author Natasha Boydell. Maybe my subconscious craves this genre and I just can’t get enough of them. Instead, I got a women’s fiction story about the various relationships we embark on in our lives and what betrayal, lies, secrets and forgiveness does to those relationships.

Once I got over my initial shock and yes, disappointment, that there would not be anyone lurking in the darkened shadows wielding a butcher knife and the only spilled blood would likely be from a skinned knee or two, I got busy getting to know the numerous characters in this story.

First up is Sophie Brennan, her husband Allan (not sure how the author spelled it as I listened to the audiobook) and their two children Tom and Katie. Sophie is a stay-at-home mother and though she gave up a career in journalism to raise her children, she longs to have a career or something to call her own.

Angie Taylor is Sophie’s new neighbor who has moved in next door with her husband Jack and their four children Benji, Indie, Freddie and Ellie. Angie is a lawyer and very career oriented and has major trust issues with her husband, who she suspects of having a wandering eye.

Angie’s youngest two children are around the same age as Sophie’s children, so it’s really the children who bring the families together as they want to hang out and play. As you would expect, the families spend loads of time together, barbecues, picnics, school events and even go on vacation together. Sophie and Angie develop a deep friendship that I thought was typical of women who have things in common, but I sensed early on that they envied each other. Sophie envied Angie’s independence and successful career. Angie envied Sophie’s perfect marriage and the tight-knit bond she has with her husband and children.

Everything seems to be going well until it isn’t. Life throws these families a major curveball that sets them all on a course that drives them apart. Nobody gets murdered or goes missing, but the loss of the friendship felt like a death to me.

Where this story got really interesting for me is that the author didn’t let it end there. She fast forwards the story ten years later with the children all grown and the youngest of Sophie and Angie’s children find themselves crossing paths at Oxford. Will old resentments, bitterness and pain reappear or will there be healing and forgiveness?

Despite my initial remorse over the lack of suspense, I found this story to be very engaging and it held my attention quite well. I found the characters to be well written and engaging and easy to relate to. I thought a few of the characters were overly shallow and selfish, but my opinion changed as I got more into the story. The audio narration by Mhairi Morrison was performed very well and kept me plugged into the story.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I am quite glad I stuck with this story and was pleased with how it all played out. I don’t recommend it to readers who like the thrill of suspense, but readers who enjoy family drama and relationship driven stories should give this one a look.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Woman Next Door from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Girls' Night Out by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

Title: Girls’ Night Out
Author: Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: July 2018
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: For estranged friends Ashley, Natalie, and Lauren, it’s time to heal the old wounds between them. Where better to repair those severed ties than on a girls’ getaway to the beautiful paradise of Tulum, Mexico? But even after they’re reunited, no one is being completely honest about the past or the secrets they’re hiding. When Ashley disappears on their girls’ night out, Natalie and Lauren have to try to piece together their hazy memories to figure out what could have happened to her, while also reconciling their feelings of guilt over their last moments together.

Was Ashley with the man she’d met only days before? Did she pack up and leave? Was she kidnapped? Or worse—could Natalie or Lauren have snapped under the weight of her own lies?

As the clock ticks, hour by hour, Natalie and Lauren’s search rushes headlong into growing suspicion and dread. Maybe their secrets run deeper and more dangerous than one of them is willing—or too afraid—to admit.

My Thoughts: Hold on to your knickers, folks, you’re in for one wild ride with Girls’ Night Out by new to me author team Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke. Who is better to write a story about friendships, the good, bad and the ugly, than two friends? This book drew me in right from the start and I was almost frantic to find out what happened. The book begins after Ashley has disappeared while on holiday in Tulum, Mexico with Natalie and Lauren, her alienated best friends. Ashley asked them to come to Mexico to repair and rebuild their friendship and the story is told in both the present and the past with the chapters broken up by different perspectives and time periods.

Natalie wakes up on the beach with no memory of what happened, but knows she is one of the last people to see Ashley before she disappears. She and Ashley own a beauty product business together that is being approached by Revlon to buy. Natalie wants to sell, Ashley does not.

Lauren has barely spoken to Ashley over the last year since her husband, Geoff, died and she and Ashley had a blowup at the funeral, with Lauren blaming Ashley for his death.

Adding to the above conflicts and resentments is Ashley spending a large quantity of time with a local man, Marco. Natalie and Lauren resent his presence and perceived interference. If Ashley asked them to come to Mexico to repair their friendship, why is she forcing Marco’s presence on them? I had a huge problem with that, myself. I thought Ashley was very selfish in that regard.

Another curious feature of this trio is the underlying competition between Natalie and Lauren to be Ashley’s favorite. I found it interesting that they both allow Ashley to manipulate and control their lives, but instead of drawing them closer to one another, it pulls them closer to Ashley.

Ashley’s disappearance is also an interesting dynamic. Did she run away with Marco, to escape her life, her unhappy marriage? Did Marco kidnap her? Is she being held against her will or likely murdered?

I felt a lot of empathy for all three women and the pressure they are all under with the friendship that is unraveling faster than they can tie off the loose ends. I kept thinking that Ashley would eventually show up, days later, tanned and glorious, claiming she needed some Ashley time and didn’t think it would be a problem. Marco was a complex character that also added to the mix. Is he a threat or is he really a simple man who is just at one with the universe?

This story is much darker than that as more secrets are revealed, more lies are covered up and when the truth finally comes out, I was left in shock. Major kudos go to Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke for their expert ability to weave a tale so twisted and convoluted that draws the reader in, not realizing the danger that awaits these characters. The setting they create in and around the resort, the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and the El Castillo pyramid is amazing in its detail, I felt I was there too. For anyone considering a trip to Mexico, this is definitely something to add to your bucket list.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this story to fans of thrillers, mysteries and suspense who enjoy a twisted and bumpy ride to the end. Fans of women’s fiction will enjoy this story too as this story is also very relationship driven and shows how fragile these relationships can be if they are not nurtured. I will be on the lookout for more of this writing team’s work and if they have written anything as good as this one, I am definitely in for a treat.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Girls’ Night Out from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Wrong Woman by Leanne Kale Sparks

Title: The Wrong Woman (Kendall Beck #1)
Author: Leanne Kale Sparks
Narrator: Erin DeWard
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: February 2022
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: The past is never far behind, as a string of murders threatens to unleash long-buried secrets in this pulse-pounding thriller for fans of Melinda Leigh and T. R. Ragan.

The only survivor of Denver's notorious "Reaper" serial murders, FBI Special Agent Kendall Beck grapples with the ghosts of her past by seeking justice for victims of abuse. She's neck-deep in a particularly ugly case involving the disappearance of five-year-old Emily Williams--but her investigation is derailed when her best friend and roommate, Gwen Tavich, turns up dead floating in a nearby lake.

Devastated by the news of Gwen's death, Kendall teams up with Denver detective Adam Taylor to find the killer. Gwen's fiancé, Ty Butler, is being evasive about the last time he saw Gwen, and as the evidence mounts against him, he's arrested for the murder. With every new clue, Kendall questions how well she really knew her friend. And when Gwen's dark secrets begin spilling out one by one, she begins to understand the devastating magnitude of her murder. The Reaper has returned to Denver--and he's not stopping at just one victim.

As the trauma of Kendall's past comes roaring back, she and Adam have no time to spare before more bodies start piling up. And then Kendall makes a shocking discovery that reveals the horrifying truth behind Emily Williams's disappearance. Now, Kendall must confront her darkest fears as she and the Reaper face off one more time.

My Thoughts: With The Wrong Woman, new to me author Leanne Kale Sparks introduces us to FBI agent Kendall Beck in a new series. Years ago, Kendall was the only surviving victim of the Reaper who terrorized Denver by murdering young girls. While trying to help one of the victims, Kendall was shot and left for dead. While working on a missing child case, Kendall’s attention is blind sighted when her best friend, Gwen disappears and her body is found days later in a lake. Initially, I struggled to keep the numerous cases straight and how, if at all, they are connected.

Kendall partners up with Denver Detective Adam Taylor to assist with the investigation into Gwen’s death and the subsequent arrest of Gwen’s fiancé, Ty. I liked Adam and found him to be an interesting character and happy to see that he will continue in the next book. Adam and Kendall have great chemistry, but there was no hint of a blossoming romance here, which I actually liked. Let’s keep our eye on the ball, people, and not muddy up the waters even more with the romance nonsense.

Where Kendall has a temper that gets her in the hot seat, Adam is more methodical and purposeful in his process. I enjoyed how he works the clues that come up with focused intent, assuming everyone, including Kendall, is a potential suspect in Gwen’s murder.

Secondary characters made this story more interesting as I tried to figure out who the killer is. Of course, my vote was completely off the mark and when the killer’s identity was revealed, I initially felt it was too convenient. The final showdown, however, was nail-biting intense. Kudos to Ms. Sparks for drawing me to the edge of my seat, unable to press pause on my iPod. Major thumbs up also go to the narrator, Erin DeWard, for her stellar performance. Her ability to convey to the reader the feelings of the characters gave me more opportunity to empathize and care about what happens to them. Additionally, her performance also gave me a nervous anxiety in regard to the killer and his methodical stalking of Kendall and his victims. Please, people, don’t leave your vehicle unlocked while you are pumping gas!

My Final Verdict: You may or may not be surprised with the outcome of this story, but the journey getting there will leave you breathless. I highly recommend this book to fans of mysteries and thrillers as well as readers who like strong protagonists and creepy antagonists. Fans who enjoy seeing the villain get their comeuppance will root for Kendall and Adam all the way.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Wrong Woman from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Ellen at Sea by Diane Michaels

Title: Ellen at Sea (Ellen the Harpist #2)
Author: Diane Michaels
Publisher: MiddleRun Press
Publication Date: January 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN
Description: Who a harpist brings with her on a four-month long gig aboard a cruise ship: Her best friend. A lock-picking pianist. And a blow-up doll.

Who she leaves behind…

When Ellen’s boyfriend Josh goes on the road with a Broadway touring production, Ellen takes to the high seas. Can tropical destinations, a busy performance schedule, and cheap booze in the crew bar distract her from the heartache of her separation from Josh? Or will her mother’s devastating news and her best friend’s antics send her overboard?

My Thoughts: Ellen is back and she’s taking her harp and hitting the high seas! I really enjoyed this one more than the first one. Why, you ask? Because there was no Monica! Amber was there, but she actually turned out to be a decent character, so I warmed up to her more than I did in the first book.

This book takes place approximately one year after the first one ends where we find Ellen and Josh together and he is leaving on a four-month Broadway tour. Chloe steps in and announces she has acquired a gig as a musician on a cruise ship and got Ellen a spot too. What’s not to love about this scenario? Josh will be gone anyway. Who wants to spend the winter months in New Jersey when you can be on a cruise ship heading to the warmer tropical climates? Besides, the ship will return to New York once a week, so Chloe and Ellen can touch base with Gwen. Win, win if you ask me.

Ellen’s frustration at having a relationship with Josh on her phone only when she can get a signal builds and though I understood why she felt the way she did, I felt like she wasted too much time agonizing over it. Her time could have been better spent enjoying herself on the cruise. Food, drink, fun…

Though some new characters were introduced that added an interesting dimension to the story, I still enjoyed tagging along with Ellen and Chloe and didn’t really feel connected to the others.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I found this sequel to be very enjoyable. The author creates an amazing setting with the cruise ship that I feel was very well researched. The characters were easy to connect with and the story flows smoothly. Fans of stories with interesting locales should give this one a look as well as fans who enjoy a happily ever after.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Ellen at Sea from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Man I Married by Elena Wilkes

Title: The Man I Married
Author: Elena Wilkes
Narrator: Colleen Prendergast
Publisher: Saga Egmont Audio
Publication Date: April 2021
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: You love him. You’ll do anything for him. But do you really know him?

This is the story of Lucy and Paul.

They met. They fell deeply in love. They got married.

Lucy thought that she had everything she wanted.

Until she found the photograph from Paul's past life, read the text messages he's so desperately trying to hide. Until she uncovered Paul’s darkest secrets.

Now Lucy realizes she doesn’t really know her husband. She doesn’t know if she can trust her own mind. She doesn’t know the lengths Paul would go to keep his perfect life.

And worst of all, she doesn’t know that she’s in danger...

A gripping, dark psychological thriller with an absolutely nail-biting ending that will keep you hooked - the perfect read for fans of Behind Closed Doors, Mark Edwards, and Lisa Jewell.

My Thoughts: First of all, the publisher’s description doesn’t really convey the actual gist of this twisty novel. There were so many red flags I noticed before they got married about Paul’s Jekyll and Hyde personality switching with the flick of an invisible switch, I lost count. It definitely wasn’t all daisies and sunshine until the moment Lucy found the photographs. Even after she finds photos and starts to unravel all the lies, she is still with him! She even goes so far to sneak out in the middle of the night to leave him, wrecks the car, ends up in the hospital and then returns home with him! Sorry, I just can’t abide a protagonist that is intelligent, but behaves so stupidly and cluelessly.

Secondly, this story moved too slowly in the buildup. Nearly two-thirds of the novel is this mundane back and forth between Paul and Lucy. His cruel, hurtful verbal attacks, her walking on eggshells, over and over. Get on with it already! By the time things started to get interesting and it appeared that Lucy had finally grown a backbone, the story is over and I’m sitting here wondering what happened. Did she get away? Did she dream the whole thing? Is she really in the psych ward or did she escape? I was so let down by the end. I was honestly expecting Lucy to open up a can of whoop-ass on Paul, but I can’t be sure who the real villain is here.

So, what did I like? I liked that the author creates a world where not everything is as it seems. Smart people can and are misled all the time. This story demonstrates so vividly what it is like to be gaslighted by someone you love and trust. This story is a good reminder that we all carry baggage from previous relationships and when the red flags start flying, it’s time to cut and run. I enjoyed the audio performance of Colleen Prendergast. The fear in Lucy’s voice and the cold and hurtful remarks from Paul were superbly played.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I am left scratching my head in bewilderment about this book. Fans of thrillers and suspense will enjoy the edge of your seat anticipation, but readers who need closure and connection to the characters may want to give this one a pass.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Man I Married from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.