REVIEW: Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger

Title: Christmas Presents
Author: Lisa Unger
Publisher: Penzler Publishers
Publication Date: October 2023
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Instead of presents this Christmas, one true crime podcaster is opening up a cold case…

When true crime podcaster Harley Granger drifts into Madeline Martin's bookshop days before Christmas, he seems intent on digging up a past that Madeline would much rather forget.

Granger's work has earned him fame and wealth - and some serious criticism for his various unethical practices. Granger also has a lot of questions about the night Madeline was left for dead, the only surviving victim of killer Evan Handy.

Handy, who also murdered Madeline's best friend and is suspected in the disappearance of two local sisters, has been in jail for a decade. Since then, though, three other young women have gone missing in similar circumstances. Is the true predator still out there somewhere?

As Christmas approaches and a blizzard bears down, Madeline must confront the past to answer questions that have haunted her since that day. Is the truth more terrible than she ever imagined?

Coupling a picturesque, cozy setting with a deeply unsettling and suspenseful plot, Christmas Presents is a chilling seasonal tale that can be enjoyed all year long.

My Thoughts: I was super excited to see Lisa Unger had published a Christmas thriller and though it’s not what most people would call a full-size story, it packs quite the punch and is a fairly quick read. Readers who enjoy some bloodshed underneath the Christmas tree will enjoy this story quite a bit. The Christmas ambience was there as well as the sinister chill in the air.

I really liked Madeline and loved that she owns her own bookstore. After the events that occurred when she was seventeen, she has come a long way trying heal from the trauma of seeing her friend murdered and nearly losing her life as well. She still bears the scars, physical, emotional and psychological from that night but she has worked hard to build a life beyond that and doesn’t want to be defined by that alone.

When Harley Granger shows up out of the blue, Madeline is less than happy. He walks a very fine line ethically and his work as a true crime podcaster has earned him a lot of notoriety, fame and wealth. He is investigating Madeline’s case and wants to interview her.

I liked Madeline right away. I admired her spirit and determination. I had a hard time warming up to Harley. True crime podcasts are rapidly gaining in popularity lately but it just seemed like he was more intent on the ratings this story would give him instead of the lives that were lost and the ones that were damaged.

Adding to the suspense are the women who have gone missing over the last several years. The man who tried to murder Madeline has been sentenced to life without parole for his crimes, so the big question stands out whether he is really innocent or is there a copycat?

The author does an amazing job of building on the tension for the reader and I loved how the story visits both the past and present from Madeline’s point of view as well as the perception of the most recent missing woman. I felt so much anxiety over whether she would be rescued in time and who was behind this. The author doesn’t disappoint with the twists in the story and some big surprises I didn’t see coming.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to fans of this author as well as readers who enjoy thrillers and suspense stories. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.

Thank you to the publisher, Penzler Publishers, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Christmas at Silver Falls by Jenny Hale

Title: Christmas at Silver Falls
Author: Jenny Hale
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Curl up with this completely enchanting winter romance! A stunning festive read about the joy of Christmas with family, second chances, and finding love under the falling snow. Get cozy and keep some tissues on hand. You’re in for a truly magical story…

White Oaks Inn has always been at the heart of Christmas celebrations for Scarlett Bailey and her family. Her adored gran has owned the rambling, old-fashioned hotel, filled with the scent of cinnamon and chocolate, since Scarlett was a little girl. But now her gran’s home is under threat. And it looks like it could be the Baileys’ last Christmas together there…

Over the holiday season, amidst much-loved festive traditions of baking cookies and decorating the tree, Scarlett throws herself into saving the hotel. When she hears that Charlie Bryant, a handsome, successful property developer, is spending December in Silver Falls, Scarlett is hopeful he might be the answer to their problems.

When they meet, sparks fly between impulsive Scarlett and business-like Charlie – as they both have very different ideas for the future of White Oaks. Scarlett is determined to show him how much White Oaks Inn means to her family and the guests who return there every year and, as they spend more time together, she begins to realize there is more to Charlie than his serious appearance…

But Charlie is struggling with a secret from his own past. Will he be able to face it, or will it stop him from truly opening up and getting close to anyone? And can Scarlett share the true meaning of Christmas with him and save her gran’s beloved hotel along the way?

My Thoughts: A Christmas themed story by Jenny Hale never fails to get me in the festive holiday spirit. Lots of snow, yummy treats, hot chocolate and eggnog are a must and this book delivers all of the Yuletide celebrations.

Scarlett and her family are gathering for what will likely be their last Christmas at White Oaks Inn, where her family has celebrated the holiday all of her life. Started by her grandparents, her grandmother now struggles to run the Inn on her own and is drastically losing money. Scarlett and her family have decided that it’s time to convince her grandmother that the Inn needs to be sold, but finding a buyer who will preserve the original spirit of the Inn looks to be an impossibility. When Scarlett learns that Charlie Bryant is in town, she resolves to meet him and convince him to buy the Inn. Unfortunately, Charlie is wrestling with his own troubles and isn’t very receptive to anyone. I really enjoyed Scarlett’s persistence in getting through to Charlie and getting to know Charlie as the many layers of his personality and life are peeled back.

This was a very heartwarming story and I loved meeting all of the characters in Silver Falls as well as all of Scarlett’s family. This story isn’t just about a family coming together to solve a problem, but it also illustrates the sense of community and togetherness that is found in this little town. It felt like it would be a wonderful place to not just visit but also live.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this story to readers who enjoy stories at Christmas time full of the cheer and celebratory spirit that permeates every nook and cranny.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: A Dog Called Jack by Ivy Pembroke

Title: A Dog Called Jack (Christmas Street #1)
Author: Ivy Pembroke
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication Date: January 2019
Genre: General Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: It’s a winter of joy on Christmas Street . . .

Jack is one lucky dog, adopted by the families of every house on Christmas Street. Or is it the other way around? For Sam, a widower recently returned to London, Jack is Christmas Street’s unofficial welcoming committee. For Sam’s young son, Teddy, the small, scruffy mutt is a much-needed friend.

But Christmas Street isn’t what it used to be. Just ask Bill, the street’s oldest, grumpiest resident. He remembers when everyone knew and looked out for each other. Now, people live side by side, scarcely interacting.

As Sam and Teddy settle in, Jack’s four-legged charm brings the neighbors of Christmas Street closer together. And with the season’s first snow comes a sense of new beginnings. But it will take a small act of kindness to transform Christmas Street into a wonderland of lasting memories . . .

My Thoughts: This was such a heartwarming story and I loved meeting Jack and getting to know all the residents of Christmas Street. The story primarily centers on recently widowed Sam and his young son, Teddy, who move back to London from America. After losing his wife, Sam wants Teddy to grow up around family. Sam notices several things about his new neighborhood. The residents don’t seem to know or interact with one another and Jack, a suspected stray dog, appears to belong to the whole street. Every home provides him with food, snacks and a place to rest his head.

As Sam and Teddy begin to acclimate to their new surroundings, Sam makes several efforts to get to know his neighbors by hosting a barbecue or introducing them to the American Thanksgiving holiday traditional festivities. Sam also has a crush on Teddy’s teacher, Ms. Quinn.

In addition to getting to know Sam and Teddy, the author does a wonderful job of introducing the rest of the people living on this quaint street and giving the reader a good opportunity to get to know them. This is the first book in a series and it would be better to read this series in order.

My Final Verdict: I loved this book and it was an excellent choice to begin my holiday season of reading. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy stories that focus on relationships and the four-legged fur friends who bring people together.

Thank you to the publisher, Kensington Books, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: The Year of Starting Over by Karen King

Title: The Year of Starting Over
Author: Karen King
Narrator: Rachel Louise Miller
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: February 2019
Genre: Chick-Lit / Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: What if – to find yourself – you had to run away?

Last year was meant to be when Holly got her happy-ever-after. But stuck in a job that’s going nowhere, and a relationship that feels more like it’s going backwards… this year Holly has decided it’s time to change her life. She just has to:

– End the relationship with the commitment-phobic boyfriend
– Go on a proper adventure
– Learn to be herself again
– Definitely, categorically not fall in love.

Cramming her belongings into her little yellow Mini, Holly drives on to a ferry bound to Spain, to stay at a remote farmhouse near a beautiful village in the Andalusian hills.

But the day she arrives she nearly crashes her car into a gorgeous guy on a motorbike. He’s called Matias and their paths keep crossing, much to Holly’s irritation. Because as she learns to speak Spanish from the locals, finally starts laying out plans for her own design business, and sips sangria in the sunlit village square, Holly is beginning to remember who she is and what she wants.

So she won’t allow herself be distracted by Matias. Because this year – for Holly – there are more important things in life than love. And she won’t let yet another bad relationship ruin everything… will she?

A moving and uplifting romantic comedy about living each moment and learning to trust yourself again, for fans of Jenny Hale, Debbie Macomber, and Sophie Kinsella.

My Thoughts: Sometimes I honestly don’t know why the publishers provide a description of a book, especially when the story really doesn’t align with said description. This story did not convey that Holly was supposed to get her big happy ending the year prior or that her job is going nowhere. It glosses over exactly why her relationship with commitment phobic boyfriend is a dead end street and especially doesn’t touch on why she chooses Spain for her identity rediscovery. She’s definitely not sitting around sipping sangria. I’m beginning to think that I should go in blind when starting a book so I don’t build up any expectations.

I enjoyed the story and paired the reading with an audio format. By the end of the book, the narrator’s voice for Holly started to grate on me and pull me out of the story. Though the narrator did well with the Spanish accents of Matias and the locals of the village, I do not recommend the audio format for this book.

I liked Holly and thought she was very brave to go on this journey of self-discovery and figuring out what she wants in life even though she comes across as very wishy washy about whether or not she likes Matias or if he likes her. Initially, Matias seems very hostile but once I got to know him and the reasons behind his demeanor, it made sense. I also liked that the author gives the reader some backstory about Matias and his family. In addition, I loved the adorable Shih Tzu, Luna, who turns out to be a wonderful character throughout the story.

My Final Verdict: Though this story did not knock my socks off, I enjoyed it. Readers who enjoy stories set in interesting locales will enjoy the attention to detail the author gives of Spain. I recommend this story to fans of contemporary romances, chick-lit and cute and feisty dogs.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Young Rich Widows by Kimberly Belle, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan and Vanessa Lillie

Title: Young Rich Widows (The Widows #1)
Author: Kimberly Belle; Layne Fargo; Cate Holahan; Vanessa Lillie
Narrator: Dina Pearlman; Karissa Vacker; Helen Laser; Ariel Blake
Publisher: Audible Originals
Publication Date: April 2022
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: When the four partners of a prominent law firm are killed in a mysterious plane crash, their widows must come together to uncover the truth in this explosive, edge-of-your-seat novel.

It’s 1985 in Providence, Rhode Island, and the four partners of a prominent, mafia-affiliated law firm have been killed in a private jet that went down outside New York City. Four very different women have just lost the loves of their lives: Justine, a former fashion model adjusting to suburban life; Camille, a beautiful, young second wife some suspect is a gold digger; Krystle, committed to leaving the firm to her sons after her husband worked his whole life to support them all; and Meredith, a stripper at the local club who was in a secret relationship with the firm’s sole female partner. While the crash is initially ruled a tragic accident, something’s not adding up: The team wasn’t supposed to be in New York that day, and it’s soon revealed that there was a very large sum of cash that burned up with the plane. The women find themselves thrown together in search of the truth, with new danger and threats unfolding at every turn.

Could a dissatisfied client be seeking revenge? Or were the partners involved in something bigger—something dangerous and deadly? What other secrets were the partners keeping, and how far might people go to ensure they stay hidden? The widows must find the answers in order to protect their inheritance, their families, and their lives.

Please note: This audio contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.

My Thoughts: I honestly did not expect to love this book as much as I did! Instead of another run of the mill mystery, thriller, suspense type genre, the writing team of Kimberly Belle, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan and Vanessa Lillie deliver plenty of thriller suspense but also lots of snark, wit and humor as the reader gets a front row seat into the train wreck that is the lives of our four widows, Krystle, Justine, Camille and Meredith. I also did not expect to love these characters as much as I did either. These women are very different, come from different backgrounds, live different lives and if they weren’t all connected to the founding partners of this law firm, they would likely never know one another. They demonstrate a strength of spirit, the likes of which I have never seen before. As tragic as the death of all of their spouses is, these women don’t waste any time taking the next step forward. They aren’t really given a choice, but rather than run or cower in fear with faced with threats and danger, they push up their shoulder pads, fluff up their Aqua Net sprayed hair and join forces to find out why their spouses died and who is behind it.

In between the many secrets being revealed and the copious tears being shed, these women face the threats head on and refuse to stop until all of their questions are answered. I felt so much empathy for these women and though I liked some more than others, I enjoyed seeing them set aside their differences to work together.

This book was my first reading experience by these authors, both as a team and individually. The story was well crafted and tightly woven. Each author wrote a character, which was really interesting as each widow’s unique and different personalities were so integral to the story. Additionally, the audio performances were also exceptional, with multiple narrators, which also highlighted the different personality nuances.

This story packs many twists and surprising, jaw dropping moments. Additionally, the secondary characters also added depth and dimension to this story. This story sets up the reader for the next installment so I recommend they be read in order. I am excited to see what the widows get into next.

My Final Verdict: If you remember the decade of decadence, the 1980’s, I highly recommend this book. Fans of thrillers, suspense and women’s fiction will also enjoy this story.

REVIEW: What Holly's Husband Did by Debbie Viggiano

Title: What Holly’s Husband Did
Author: Debbie Viggiano
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: May 2018
Genre: Chick-Lit / Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: A hilariously funny romp with a twist that will make you gasp! Perfect for fans of Tracy Bloom, Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes.

Holly Hart has been married for fifteen blissful years to hubby Alex. Well… if you don't count last Christmas, when she accidentally found a load of flirty texts on Alex's phone. But every marriage has its ups and downs and Alex had a perfectly reasonable explanation… so why can't Holly forget what she saw?

With the help of best friends Jeanie and Caro, as well as their handsome neighbour Jack, Holly resolves to settle her mind once and for all with a bit of sneaky detective work. So what if her husband isn't exactly Brad Pitt? He's hers, and if someone else is trying to steal him she wants to know who…. But the truth is way more shocking than Holly ever anticipated. Can Holly, let alone her marriage, ever recover from what she discovers?

A laugh-until-you-cry, feel-good novel from the bestselling author of Stockings and Cellulite and The Corner Shop of Whispers.

My Thoughts: My least favorite plot device is adultery and I usually steer clear of books where this is the main character’s primary focus. I felt equal levels of empathy and frustration for Holly. Suspecting your spouse of infidelity, with or without proof, is one of the worst feelings someone could have and after fifteen years of marriage, I empathized with her fear that her marriage has been one big lie.

I got frustrated because rather than stealthily building her case and checking facts, she goes off the deep end with childish stunts like stalking her husband’s Facebook account. Her over the top behavior often worked in Alex’s corner as any logical excuse or explanation he provides makes Holly begin thinking she’s overreacting.

I was also frustrated for Holly because even though she suspects Alex of cheating, she doesn’t know who the other woman is. I didn’t either, but had many suspects, as did Holly.

The author does an excellent job of blending much needed humor in with the more serious aspects. I will never think about dishwashing gloves the same way again. The characters were well drawn and easy to get to know and relate to.

The story flowed well and I was on pins and needles at what Holly would discover and I was quite surprised how it all played out. This is my first time reading this author’s work. I really enjoyed her humor while not downplaying a serious relationship issue. I will be looking for more of her work.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I loved this story and as painful as the journey was for Holly, a happy ending can be born from the ashes of an agonizing experience. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy romantic comedies, chick-lit and contemporary romance.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth

Title: The Younger Wife
Author: Sally Hepworth
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik; Caroline Lee; Jessica Douglas-Henry; Zoe Carides
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: April 2022
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: THE HUSBAND
A heart surgeon at the top of his field, Stephen Aston is getting married again. But first he must divorce his current wife, even though she can no longer speak for herself.

THE DAUGHTERS
Tully and Rachel Aston look upon their father’s fiancée, Heather, as nothing but an interloper. Heather is younger than both of them. Clearly, she’s after their father’s money.

THE FORMER WIFE
With their mother in a precarious position, Tully and Rachel are determined to get to the truth about their family’s secrets, the new wife closing in, and who their father really is.

THE YOUNGER WIFE
Heather has secrets of her own. Will getting to the truth unleash the most dangerous impulses in all of them?

My Thoughts: When I was so much younger, I was all about the romance and happily ever after in my reading. I never realized how much I was missing out by not expanding my reading experiences to include thrillers and suspense stories. I am so glad it didn’t take until now to rectify that as I would have never had the wonderful experience reading this book provided. This is one of those books where I was riveted to the page in high anticipation of what was going to happen next. The drama, anxiety and fear continuously ramped up and, like several characters, wondered if I was imagining what was going on.

Though I have a few of this author’s titles in my library, The Younger Wife was my first time reading this author’s work. I will be adding more of her backlist to my library because she is that good. Her ability to create characters that are easy to empathize with as well as characters that are surprising, both good and bad are part of why I enjoyed this story so much. I thought this story was going to be about Rachel and Tully going to war with their future stepmother and conflict with their father over divorcing their mother who has dementia. This story went completely over that rail and into territory much darker, more sinister and completely unexpected. There are several trigger inducing moments in this book but the author was very concise in relating them to the story that made sense and was integral.

Additionally, the audio narration performed by Barrie Kreinik, Caroline Lee, Jessica Douglas-Henry and Zoe Carides was excellent. I love audiobooks and I am loving multiple narrators more and more. I feel it gives the story more depth and gives the reader a better insight to the characters.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this book completely knocked me off my feet. So many twists and turns that left my jaw hanging open. I’ve come to accept that not all stories get a swoon worthy happily ever after. Some stories deliver a swift punch to the throat that leaves the reader feeling as ambushed as the characters and that is a wonderful thing. I highly recommend this book and if I could give this book all the stars, I would.

Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman

Title: Night of the Living Deed (Haunted Guesthouse Mystery #1)
Author: E.J. Copperman
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Publisher: Audible Studios
Publication Date: October 2013
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Home repair meets haunted happenings in the first charming, hilarious Haunted Guest House Mystery!

Newly divorced Alison Kerby wants a second chance for herself and her nine-year-old daughter, so she's returned to her home town on the Jersey Shore to transform a fixer-upper into a charming--and hopefully profitable--guest house. But when a bump on the head leaves her seeing not only stars but spirits, Alison realizes the real challenge she's facing is out of this world.

The two residing ghosts are Maxie Malone, the foul-tempered former owner of the house (who has definite opinions about Alison's design plans), and Paul Harrison, a private eye who'd been working for Maxie--both died in the house on the same night. The official cause of death was suicide, but the ghosts insist they were murdered, and they need Alison to find out who killed them--or the next ghost in the guest house will be Alison herself...

My Thoughts: I discovered this series when the first seven books were made available to me through my Audible membership. Since I gravitate towards paranormal themes, this cozy mystery series sounded like something that would appeal to me and I was quickly engaged in the lives of the characters and the events occurring in this fixer upper historical home.

This story sets the reader up not only to be entertained but also to want get to know these characters more, so I will be continuing the series. The author gives a very cohesive blend of mystery, charm and humor as Alison and her friends, both the breathing and non-breathing variety, try to piece together clues to learn who killed Maxie and Paul and is now threatening Alison. The final reveal also came as a surprise as the author does an excellent job of providing many potential suspects to sift through.

The audio narration was performed by Amanda Ronconi and she did a very good job of bringing these characters to life. Both the author and the audio narrator are new to me and I will be looking for more of their work.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a great start to what I think will be a very enjoyable series. Fans of cozy mysteries, paranormal elements and things that go bump in the night will find this series appealing.

REVIEW: The Dispatcher by John Scalzi

Title: The Dispatcher (The Dispatcher #1)
Author: John Scalzi
Narrator: Zachary Quinto
Publisher: Audible Originals
Publication Date: October 2016
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: One day, not long from now, it becomes almost impossible to murder anyone - 999 times out of a thousand, anyone who is intentionally killed comes back. How? We don't know. But it changes everything: war, crime, daily life.

Tony Valdez is a Dispatcher - a licensed, bonded professional whose job is to humanely dispatch those whose circumstances put them in death's crosshairs, so they can have a second chance to avoid the reaper. But when a fellow Dispatcher and former friend is apparently kidnapped, Tony learns that there are some things that are worse than death and that some people are ready to do almost anything to avenge a supposed wrong.

It's a race against time for Valdez to find his friend before it's too late...before not even a Dispatcher can save him.

My Thoughts: Interesting story premise that executed well with a fantastic audio narration by Zachary Quinto. Imagine a society where murder is virtually impossible to commit. 99.99% of the time, murder victims return no worse off. Nobody knows how or why and in cases of accidents, disease or natural causes, the dead stay dead. Tony Valdez is a dispatcher. His job is to kill people who are close to death to give them another chance. When Tony learns one of his colleagues has been kidnapped, he finds himself working with the Chicago Police Department to find him.

At first, I thought, so what if he doesn’t find him? If he dies, he’ll show up back at home, no harm, no foul. However, with most things in life, there are loopholes, which I will not disclose here as it would ruin the story for you.

I enjoyed the story and meeting Tony and Detective Langdon. Their initial mutual mistrust and eventual grudging respect played very well. Tony’s initial reluctance to get involved made sense as his line of work hovers over a very thin line bordering on the illegal. It’s not really in his best interests to work with the police, but he knows that he is his friend’s only hope.

This is the first book in a series and just based on the events portrayed in this one, I recommend the series be read in order.

My Final Verdict: I recommend this story be read in audio format as Zachary Quinto delivers a stellar performance, employing the right amount of emotion and tension in his narrative. Readers who enjoy thrillers and police procedural stories should pick this one up.

REVIEW: Abandoned In Death by J.D. Robb

Title: Abandoned in Death (In Death, #54)
Author: J.D. Robb
Narrator: Susan Ericksen
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: February 2022
Genre: Mystery / Thriller & Suspense
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Homicide detective Eve Dallas must untangle a twisted family history while a hostage’s life hangs in the balance—in the new In Death novel by #1 New York Times bestselling J. D. Robb.

The woman’s body was found on a bench in a New York City playground. She was clean, her hair neatly arranged, her makeup carefully applied. But other things were very wrong—like the tattoo and piercings, clearly new. The clothes, decades out of date. The fatal wound hidden beneath a ribbon around her neck. And the note: Bad Mommy, written in crayon as if by a child.

It seems clear the killer’s childhood was traumatic—a situation Eve is all too familiar with herself. Yet the clues point to a perpetrator who’d be around sixty, and there are no records of old crimes with a similar MO. What was the trigger that apparently reopened such an old wound and sent someone over the edge? When Eve learns that other young women have recently vanished, the case grows even more urgent—and to solve it she’ll need to find her way into a hidden place of dim light and concrete, into the distant past, and into the depths of a shattered mind.

My Thoughts: Fifty-four books in and this series shows zero signs of slowing down or stopping. Great news for me as this is hands down one of my favorite series. I have loved every single book in this series, some more than others, but have yet to be disappointed. Reading an In Death book feels like spending time with my favorite people. It is critical, however, that this series be read in order.

Abandoned delivers everything I have come to expect with this series. An interesting case investigation, creepy villain, snark from Eve, time with Peabody, moments with Roarke. Dr. Mira’s husband, Dennis, also makes a brief appearance, as do Mavis, Leonardo, Louise and Charles.

The villain was a tiny surprise, and I am still scratching my head trying to figure out how Eve focused on this person to begin with. The intensity ramped up very quickly when the bodies of two of the missing women are discovered and my anxiety was in high gear over a third being found alive.

In addition to J.D. Robb’s brilliant storytelling skills, I have to give major kudos to Susan Ericksen’s audio narration. I prefer this series in audio because of Susan. She brings the characters’ thoughts and feelings to my ear so poignantly I feel I am in the room with them, which makes the reading and listening experience much more thrilling.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this series to fans of mysteries, suspense and thrillers. I am trying not to rush through reading the next seven as I want to savor each one, but they are very hard to put down.

REVIEW: The Undercover Mother by Emma Robinson

Title: The Undercover Mother
Author: Emma Robinson
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 2018
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: Have you ever wondered what secrets other mothers are keeping?

Jenny has too much on her plate: literally – she’s only pregnant with one child but she’s already eating for three. Not to mention trying to juggle her future life with a baby, a nightmare boss, a know-it-all sister, and a bizarrely laid back husband.

She used to be famous for her ‘Single Girl About Town’ journalism. But not only is she bored of parties, she also hasn’t been single for years and is now 8½ months pregnant.

So when her boss hands her column to a younger colleague, Jenny panics and proposes instead writing about being a clueless new mum. Surely people will find her new friendship group fascinating? Even if the only thing they have in common is that they all had sex around the same time 9 months ago...

Like – what’s the deal with scary Gail’s mystery husband? How is posh mum Antonia already out drinking when Jenny can barely make a cup of tea? Why isn’t sweet-natured Ruth answering any phone calls?

And if her readers aren’t quite hooked yet, maybe Jenny will just have to be more liberal with the truth. After all, none of the other mums will read it… will they?

My Thoughts: The Undercover Mother by new to me author Emma Robinson was a huge surprise. I was expecting a memoir detailing the author’s experiences as a first time mother. Instead, I received a laugh out loud fictional story about first time mother Jenny who is trying to navigate being a mother and wanting to retain her sense of self as a columnist at the magazine she works for. She begins writing a blog about her personal experiences as well as entertaining moments with four other new mothers she meets at childbearing class who she nicknames The Spice Mums.

This story was a lot of fun. In addition to the challenges Jenny faces as a new mother, the reader is given a lot of insight into the lives of the other four women, Antonia, Gail, Naomi and Ruth. Over several months, secrets are revealed and lives are changed, some good and some not so good.

I loved this story and meeting Jenny and the Spice Mums. Each character brings depth to the story and had my curiosity piquing sky high about the secrets being kept and what would happen when all is revealed and whether Jenny’s new friendships can survive it. The author does a fantastic job of giving lots of detail that kept me engaged without confusion as well as snippets of Jenny’s blog which were hilarious. I will look for more of this author’s work.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this story will appeal to readers of women’s fiction as well as readers who enjoy stories that are realistic and cut right to the heart of the matter while finding joy and humor along the way.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

Title: The Love of My Afterlife
Author: Kirsty Greenwood
Narrator: Sofia Oxenham
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publication Date: July 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Paranormal Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before ten days are up…

If she wasn’t dead already, Delphie would be dying of embarrassment. Not only did she just die by choking on a microwaveable burger, but now she’s standing in her ‘shine like a star’ nightie in front of the hottest man she’s ever seen. And he’s smiling at her.

As they start to chat, everything else becomes background noise. That is until someone comes running out of a door, yelling something about a huge mistake, and sends the dreamy stranger back down to earth. And here Delphie was thinking her luck might be different in the afterlife.

When Delphie is offered a deal in which she can return to earth and reconnect with the mysterious man, she jumps at the opportunity to find her possible soulmate and a fresh start. But in a city of millions, Delphie is going to have to listen to her heart, learn to ask for help, and perhaps even see the magic in the life she’s leaving behind…

My Thoughts: A thoroughly cute and entertaining story that also made me laugh and cry. When we first meet Delphie, she’s dying. Literally dying. Choking on a burger, which brought back memories of that episode of Six Feet Under where the single woman, living alone, chokes and dies. Fortunately for Delphie, her death isn’t as dark and dire as upon waking up in the afterlife waiting room, she immediately meets Merritt, her afterlife therapist. While trying to grasp her bearings and make sense of what has happened to her, Delphie meets another new arrival named Jonah and the chemistry is white hot and instantaneous. Doesn’t it just figure that our girl, Delphie, finally meets the one after she has died? Life can be so unfair and then you die.

Unfortunately, Delphie doesn’t get her happy ever after in the afterlife because it isn’t Jonah’s time. He’s there by accident so he needs to go back to Earth. Delphie’s afterlife therapist believes that Jonah is Delphie’s soul mate and offers her a chance to go back to Earth and find Jonah in London. If he kisses her of his own free will within ten days, Delphie can stay and continue her life. If not, Delphie will return to Evermore (I know, it’s a pretty cheesy name for the afterlife, but I found it cute) and help Merritt set up an afterlife dating site. As Delphie does not know Jonah’s last name, finding him in London is going to be quite tricky.

The author does a brilliant job of filling this story with some of the most quirkiest of characters besides Merritt who add so much flavor and entertainment to the story. Delphie isn’t your typical main character. She’s very introverted and a loner. Her only significant relationship to date is with her elderly neighbor, Mr. Yoon, who is non-verbal. I enjoyed seeing this side of Delphie as it showed me that underneath her locked up exterior is a woman who has been disappointed time and time again by the people she has opened her heart to but still longs for a connection.

I paired the reading of this book with the audio format narrated by Sofia Oxenham. Her narration was flawless and engaging, bringing all of these characters to life and giving me a sense of knowing these characters personally. I had loads of empathy for Delphie and was feeling some anxiety about whether she would find Jonah and get him to kiss her before the deadline.

My Final Verdict: This book is full of references to other romance novels and the many romance tropes out there so fans of romance novels and stories that deliver a happily ever after will find this story appealing. Readers who like quirky characters and fun storylines should pick this one up.

REVIEW: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Title: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Narrator: Marin Ireland, Michael Urie
Publisher: Harper Audio
Publication Date: May 2022
Genre: General Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively listenable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

My Thoughts: How do I begin to convey the magic and beauty of this story? To review it in such a way that my thoughts clearly illustrate how I felt about this book without giving away the entire plot? Initially, like many people, I suspect, I had some reservations about reading a story where the main character is a giant Pacific octopus living in an aquarium. What could this story really tell me and not ever being a fan of these animals, I was not overly motivated to find out. At least that was my initial reaction when a fellow bookworm recommended this book to me.

Call it divine intervention but when I came across the book at my church’s book sale, I was moved to pick it up, buy it and bring it home. I still wasn’t eager to read it. Looking back, my only excuse was with so many books waiting to be reviewed, adding another book to my to be read mountain seemed unnecessary, but that has never stopped me from continually adding titles. Without even realizing how or why, I decided I needed to read this book and putting it off was not an option.

This story is about so much more than an octopus named Marcellus who spends his days in abject boredom in a tank in an aquarium. He refers to these days as his days of captivity. This is also a story about so much more than an elderly woman named Tova who works at the aquarium. She’s a widow and her only child disappeared over thirty years ago. She has friends and stays busy but her loneliness was very apparent to me. Lastly, this is a story about so much more than Cameron, a young man who comes to Sowell Bay looking for the father who abandoned him and his mother. His life has been going nowhere. He can’t hold down a job and his girlfriend kicked him out. Living on his best friend’s couch indefinitely is not an option either.

Friendships develop between Marcellus and Tova. When Cameron gets a temporary job at the aquarium to fill in for Tova after she strains her ankle, an unlikely friendship forms between Cameron and Tova, who takes it upon herself to show Cameron the ropes.

But it isn’t even about the friendships. You see, Marcellus is not just your run of the mill octopus living in his tank looking back at the multitude of faces looking at him day in and day out. Marcellus is smart. He escapes his tank on a regular basis to help himself to the sea cucumbers and other marine morsels as his diet at the aquarium is less than satisfying. He also finds items in the aquarium and collects them, hiding them for safekeeping. Marcellus knows things. He’s very perceptive. He also knows he’s nearing the end of his life and wants his new friend Tova to know what he knows.

This story completely blew me away. I laughed and I cried. Then, I laughed and I cried some more. For a debut novel, Shelby Van Pelt authors a story that flows so well and completely touches the heart of the reader. I paired the reading of this book with the audio format and I adored the narration performed by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie. They gave a voice to characters who were already so deftly drawn but hearing Marcellus’s point of view was truly wonderful.

My Final Verdict: Don’t make the mistake I did of putting off reading this book. My perception about the octopus has changed drastically. These are amazing animals, highly intelligent and should be revered and protected.

REVIEW: The Three Mrs. Wrights by Linda Keir

Title: The Three Mrs. Wrights
Author: Linda Keir
Narrator: Teri Schnaubelt
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: September 2020
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Mr. Wright has everything. All that’s left to give him is what he deserves.

Lark has good things coming: a career as a board-game designer and a whirlwind romance with a handsome investor. Trip is so compassionate and supportive, he’s almost too good to be true.

Jessica has always been cautious, but she can’t resist Jonathan. The brilliant TED-talking visionary has big plans for his inspiring medical start-up. Now Jessica is invited to be part of the team—and to partner with the founder outside the office.

Holly has settled into a comfortable life with Jack, her husband of nearly twenty years. They’ve raised three children, they own a beautiful home, and they’ve founded a worthy charity. She’s proud of building a marriage that has endured—she just doesn’t want to look too closely at the cracks.

Lark, Jessica, and Holly are three strangers with so much in common it hurts. Their one and only is one and the same.

The charming Mr. Wright’s serial lies are about to catch up with him…

My Thoughts: My first time reading this author and I loved this story. Let me begin by saying my least favorite plot device is adultery and this book is full of it as well as bigamy, fraud, lying, gaslighting and Mr. Wright is guilty of it all. I really wanted to see him suffer for his crimes and I felt so much empathy for each of these women. Usually society wants to blame the other woman for getting involved with a married man, but this story clearly shows how the heart can be deceived, especially when the man is presenting himself to be someone other than who he really is. This guy is a real piece of work, even going so far as using a different name, lying about already being divorced and slandering his first wife Holly by depicting her as mentally unstable.

This story flowed so well with the chapters rotating points of view between Lark, Jessica and Holly. I paired the reading of this book with the audiobook narrated by Teri Schnaubelt, which was also exceptional. Her performance brought the characters to life and drew me more fully into the story. I had no idea what to expect or what the outcome would be after my initial thought before starting was that these women discover the truth at Mr. Wright’s funeral, but death would have been too easy and he needed to suffer so much more for his actions. I honestly can’t understand how he managed to juggle three different women at the same time while keeping all of his lies and stories straight. I am looking forward to reading more of Linda Keir’s work.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this story kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of how these women would be vindicated and I wasn’t disappointed, though I really wanted to take a baseball bat to his kneecaps myself! I highly recommend this story to fans of women fiction as well as stories where the karma bus delivers justice in the most well played out way.

Thank you to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: In Sickness and in Death by Alana Ling

Title: In Sickness and in Death (Murder, She Tasted #1)
Author: Alana Ling
Publisher: Alana Ling
Publication Date: May 2018
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon

Description: I didn't know I had a taste for murder until I was thrown into the middle of one.

Joanna Christie is trying to make it as a party planner in her hometown of Haven-on-Sea, on the south coast of England. She's procured a big gig planning Poppy Guildford's wedding, one of the town's many elite.

When she thinks she has everything under control, Joanna finds Poppy murdered at her wedding rehearsal.

With her business at risk, an eager and secretive assistant, and her ex-brother-in-law, Detective Anderson, on her case, Joanna has no choice but to find out who killed her client, before the murderer sets their eyes on her and her prying tongue.

My Thoughts: This book is the first title in a (so far) three title series featuring a party planner who finds herself neck deep in a murder investigation when her client is found dead at her wedding rehearsal. I didn’t shed any tears for the victim because she was the epitome of a bridezilla. Unfortunately for Joanna, the murder has cast a shadow on her business with clients cancelling left, right and center, leaving her no option but to figure out who the killer is so her business doesn’t go under.

One of the interesting aspects of this story is that Joanna has a condition called visual-gustatory synesthesia which means she can taste people, or rather, people give off a taste just as they give off a scent and Joanna can taste it as if the item is in her mouth even if the taste isn’t real.

Joanna also has a creep of an ex-husband that keeps showing up who is unable to grasp the fact they are divorced. The story leaves a lot of loose threads regarding this so I expect more will be revealed in future stories, especially since her ex-husband’s brother is the lead detective on the case.

My Final Verdict: Though the story flows well and kept me engaged, it doesn’t pack any walloping surprises. I enjoyed it and recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries as well as readers who like their murder and mayhem drenched in flowers and icing.

Thank you to the author, Alana Ling, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: To Hatch a Thief by Zara Keane

Title: To Hatch a Thief (Movie Club Mysteries #1.5)
Author: Zara Keane
Publisher: Beaverstone Press
Publication Date: July 2017
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN

Description: An Irish cozy mystery featuring mystery, mayhem, and…chickens?

When a valuable diamond necklace is stolen, former American cop and classic movie buff, Maggie Doyle's, peaceful vacation on a remote Irish island comes to an abrupt end.

An island lawyer hires Maggie to find the necklace before its owner realizes it's missing. With a ticking clock and ten fractious hens to look after, Maggie and her UFO-enthusiast friend go in search of the thief before they strike again.

My Thoughts: A very short and fast installment that takes place approximately two weeks after the events of the first book. I recommend reading this series in order to understand how Maggie went from being a police officer in San Francisco to moving to Whisper Island, Ireland, where her father is from.

The interesting thing about this story is that there are no dead bodies, no murderous shadows stalking the innocent, no blood or bludgeoning, just good old fashioned larceny.

It was nice to catch up with Maggie, Liam and the rest of the residents on the very delightful Whisper Island. This story provided some fun moments involving dancing chickens as well. I am looking forward to spending more time with Maggie and I am hoping that the camaraderie she shares with Liam evolves into something meaningful.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a good installment to this series, but I would rather there be more murder and mayhem, which I am sure this series will provide. Zara Keane is a fantastic author who also writes romance novels for those seeking less murder and more warm fuzzies. I recommend this story to fans of cozy mysteries and charming Irish locales.

Thank you to the author, Zara Keane, for the invitation to read and review this book.

REVIEW: At the Wedding by Matt Dunn

Title: At the Wedding
Author: Matt Dunn
Publisher: Amazon Publishing UK / Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: September 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible

Description: Livia’s been planning her wedding to Jed for ages. Now, at the venue in beautiful Barcelona, with her dress pressed and the guests all on their way, she’s only left one tiny detail until the last letting the groom know he’s about to get hitched.

But as far as Jed’s concerned, they’ve been bumping along just fine for ten years and even have a baby on the way, so why spoil things with an ‘I do’? Especially when he’d really rather not.

Meanwhile the guests are arriving with plenty of baggage of their own. Fading reality star Liam’s still on the lookout for a plus-one; Rachel’s has refused to come—and dumped her into the bargain; and divorcee Patrick’s date is more of the ‘mid-life crisis’ variety.

But as the ceremony approaches, and with no sign of Jed, there’s only one thing on all of their will there be a bride and groom at the wedding?

My Thoughts: In At the Wedding by Matt Dunn, the reader is introduced to Jed and Livia who are in Barcelona on their tenth anniversary and a few months away from the birth of their first child. They are there for a wedding, their wedding. Sounds lovely, except Jed isn’t aware that a wedding is on the horizon until Livia proposes to him on the morning of the planned nuptials. Unbeknownst to Jed, Livia has made all of the arrangements and have even roped all their best friends and Jed’s wayward brother into the scheme. To be honest, I really expected Jed to do a runner and the whole thing blow up in Livia’s face and I honestly wouldn’t have blamed him.

Yes, they’ve been together for ten years and have a baby on the way, which they planned, so why now, is there a rush to get married? Jed has never proposed before now and when he finds out that the marriage won’t be legal once they return to England, I found myself asking why the big deal? Saying the vows and cutting the cake does not guarantee a lifetime commitment so I struggled to wrap my head around Livia’s reasons more than Jed’s reaction. Additionally, he doesn’t like wearing jewelry so the whole wedding ring exchange is going to be a bit tricky.

In addition to Jed and Livia’s relationship, the reader gets to meet Patrick and his girlfriend, Izzy. Patrick is coming off of a twenty year marriage himself that ended when his wife was unfaithful. He isn’t sure he will ever feel that way about someone again and certainly not enough to get married again. He’s also old enough to be Izzy’s father and I thought she was a complete bubble head only using him for his money.

Then there’s Livia’s best friend, Rachel, who finds herself attending the wedding suddenly single because her boyfriend, Rich, would rather watch football and get drunk.

Lastly, Jed’s playboy brother, Liam who has been riding his star status for too long after appearing on a season of Big Brother a while back. He has no interest in settling down and he’s finding it more difficult to charm the ladies as easily as he used to.

I really enjoyed this story and the perspective of a male author made it highly entertaining. I was so curious as to whether Jed would show up for his own wedding and the extra drama from the gathered friends made the entire situation very interesting. I was also quite surprised at the Izzy and Liam characters. Throughout the book, I was not impressed by either of them but by the end of the book, I realized I had misjudged them as they turned out not as bad as I originally assumed.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a very good story that I highly recommend to readers who enjoy stories where a wedding is the main focus. I think it better that both the bride and groom are aware what is happening and are in full agreement, but it was wonderful to see this play out.

Thank you to the publisher, Amazon Publishing UK / Lake Union Publishing, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

REVIEW: This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

Title: This Time Next Year
Author: Sophie Cousens
Narrator: Hannah Arterton
Publisher: Random House UK, Cornerstone
Publication Date: August 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Their lives began together, but their worlds couldn't be more different. After thirty years of missed connections, they're about to meet again...

Minnie Cooper knows two things with certainty: that her New Year's birthday is unlucky, and that it's all because of Quinn Hamilton, a man she's never met. Their mothers gave birth to them at the same hospital just after midnight on New Year's Day, but Quinn was given the cash prize for being the first baby born in London in 1990--and the name Minnie was meant to have, as well. With luck like that, it's no wonder each of her birthdays has been more of a disaster than the one before.

When Minnie unexpectedly runs into Quinn at a New Year's party on their mutual thirtieth birthday, she sees only more evidence that fortune has continued to favor him. The gorgeous, charming business owner truly seems to have it all--while Minnie's on the brink of losing her pie-making company and her home. But if Quinn and Minnie are from different worlds, why do they keep bumping into each other? And why is it that each fraught encounter leaves them both wanting more?

A moving, joyful love story, This Time Next Year explores the way fate leads us to the people we least expect--no matter what the odds.

My Thoughts: All her life, Minnie Cooper’s mother (yes, her parents really named their daughter after a car) has told her that her birthday brings her bad luck because she was supposed to be named Quinn but the woman she was helping get through her labor anxiety took the name and the cash prize for having her baby born first on New Year’s Day. I have to admit that Quinn Cooper does sound a lot better but I was never quite convinced that Minnie’s birthday bad luck was all down to that.

So on this New Year’s Eve, Minnie is attending a party with her boyfriend, Greg, and gets locked in the woman’s bathroom when the door handle comes off. Her phone has died so she can’t call anyone to help her. The next morning, Minnie is finally rescued by none other than the Quinn she has heard about her entire life but has never met in person. In addition to Minnie’s abject surprise and utter horror, she begins to see that Quinn is a nice person and someone she could see herself being friends with.

I really enjoyed this story and was rooting for Minnie and Quinn to find each other. I thought Minnie was a little biased about Quinn, for obvious reasons, and even after getting to know him she seemed to be looking for reasons to resent him. Thankfully, this doesn’t last too long as Minnie realizes she enjoys spending time with him.

Quinn hasn’t had the cushy, easy life Minnie assumes he has had. His father took off when he was little and he has been more of a caretaker for his mother who suffers from a crippling anxiety and agoraphobia. Unfortunately for Quinn, this has affected most of his relationships and he doesn’t feel he has what it takes to be in a committed relationship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Minnie’s journey of self-discovery and Quinn’s journey of learning to trust and lower his walls was fantastic to watch. I paired the reading of this book with the audio format narrated by Hannah Arterton and loved her performance of bringing these characters to life.

My Final Verdict: If you are new to the writing of Sophie Cousens, I highly recommend this story. If you have never read anything by this author, you are missing out on several hours of entertainment.

Thank you to the publisher, Random House, UK, Cornerstone, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.