Book Reviews & Thoughts |
Goodreads Synopsis: The twisted groupie. The secret message on a drumstick. The conversation overheard a day late…and the shot from behind the altar. The first time I saw him in a rock magazine I thought I would die. Those eyes, the hair, the way he pounds the drums so artfully, and his face on the camera, is unforgettable. He was my first crush. Meeting him has always been a distant pipe dream, until the day I’m told I’m the winning caller on a radio station. When our eyes meet something clicks and I know it’s not my imagination. But his girlfriend’s psychotic gaze sets me off, and then I overhear a conversation not meant for my ears...that puts someone’s life at stake. We’re backstage for meet and greets before a show, when this girl, Liv, comes to meet us. She’s got arms that rival mine, and I'm a drummer. But she wears them well. The girl is tough and smart, and there’s something about her that is different. Her eyes and ears, and her heart, pick up on things that I'm blind to. Then she gives me a strange gift that changes my life forever. Her presence shifts certain things on the tour, and I’m not sure who I can trust anymore. Odd things are happening that can’t be explained, and then, at a moment when we’re all vulnerable...it all makes sense...but then again, does it? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62994353-runaround Thank you to Sandra Alex for providing me with an advanced ebook copy of Runaround for me to read and review. This is the fifth book in the Big Bands, Big Hearts series and another great story. The balance between romance, suspense, and mystery was excellent and drew me in right from the first chapter. As usual, Alex writes excellent personal character development for the main characters in the story and I love that numerous characters and plots from previous books in the series were brought back and continued on in Runaround. I wasn't a huge fan of the how insta love the relationship seemed to be and I feel like it could have been fleshed out more to make how fast it was seem more plausible. Another dislike for me, which may be my own personal preference, was the continued use of the word man when other characters are speaking to or referring to the female characters of the story. This writing choice appears in a number of Alex's books; it rubs me the wrong way and throws off my reading flow when it happens. These couple things made this one not my favorite of the series, but it is still an excellent story and I'm excited to see where the series will go next. 3 Stars!
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Goodreads Synopsis: In this thriller from Alex Finlay, What Have We Done is a tale about the lives we leave behind and the secrets we carry with us forever. A stay-at-home mom with a past. A has-been rock star with a habit. A reality TV producer with a debt. Three disparate lives. One deadly secret. Twenty five years ago, Jenna, Donnie, and Nico were the best of friends, having forged a bond through the abuse and neglect they endured as residents of Savior House, a group home for parentless teens. When the home was shut down―after the disappearance of several kids―the three were split up. Though the trauma of their childhood has never left them, each went on to live accomplished―if troubled―lives. They haven’t seen one another since they were teens but now are reunited for a single haunting reason: someone is trying to kill them. To survive, the group will have to revisit the nightmares of their childhoods and confront their shared past―a past that holds the secret to why someone wants them dead. It’s a reunion none of them asked for . . . or wanted. But it may be the only way to save all their lives. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784578-what-have-we-done Thank you to Alex Finlay, Minotaur Books-St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance ebook copy of What Have We Done for me to read and review. Whew, what a wild ride of a mystery-thriller! This story was crafted so beautifully using multiple points of view and multiple timelines that it kept me twisting and turning all the way to the end. There was constant switching between perspectives which I found sometimes slowed the story down. The number of very diverse characters kept each point of view so unique and interesting with each person playing a role much different than you might first expect. This is the first book by Finlay that I have read and I will definitely be reading more. His writing style is relatable and truly enjoyable. 4 Stars! Goodreads Synopsis: In this novel of escalating fear and suspense by Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Minka Kent, a secret from a woman’s past unearths a lifetime of lies. How long can she run from the past? On her fortieth birthday, Celia Guest has reason to celebrate. She has a loving marriage, a beautiful Connecticut home, and treasured friends. Celia has everything she’s ever wanted. But among the cards and well-wishes, she discovers a disturbing note: You don’t deserve any of this. Who could be so cruel, so resentful, so…knowing? Then, in the early morning hours, Celia vanishes without a trace. As suspicions and concerns rise among Celia’s friends, her sister Genevieve, with whom she shares a fractured and troubling bond, starts to piece together a shattered life that Celia fled from once before. As a foundation of lies begins to crumble, a terrifying childhood secret Celia thought was dead and buried comes to light. And this time, there’s no getting away from the truth. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60126972-gone-again Thank you to Minka Kent, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader ebook copy of Gone Again for me to read and review. What a wild ride! I love when I have no idea what is coming next or where a story will turn and Gone Again did not disappoint! There were a number of engaging red herrings and a number of unexpected twists. The slow reveal of each character's personality and role in the plot lent itself excellently to building the suspense within this unique story. Definitely one that I will recommend! 5 Stars! Synopsis: An emotional and steamy fake dating rock star romance. Skylar has always lived life her way. Skylar Reece often leaps before she looks. That was true when she ran away as a teenager to tour with her first band. The same instinct causes her to plant one on fellow singer Damon Lynch during a live interview. She’d been trying to cover his media misstep, but he seems much more deliciously flustered after the kiss. Damon is the last person meant to be a rock star. Damon hates that the media took his crazed-fan situation and twisted it into insecurity on his part. Caught floundering, rescue comes from an unexpected source. A source that includes hot lips and tongue and a knowing smirk. If he’d thought his dweebie past made him an imposter before, fake dating the epitome of the rock lifestyle was only going to make it worse. But it turns out there are a lot more layers to Skylar than he ever imagined. Dark and painful ones. When her past rears its head, Damon wants to help her like she did him, and real emotion flares. His fans are ecstatic. All but one. That fan wants to take away everything. Especially the person that has become his world. Amber Warden’s stories often include characters overcoming tragic pasts or current hardships and may include situations that not everyone would like to read. Please check the trigger warnings to help decide if this story is for you. Thank you to Amber Warden and BookSirens for providing me with an ebook copy of Finding Emotion for me to read and review. What an excellent 5th book in Warden's Last Shot Tavern Series! This book continues the series in a unique and beautiful way, with excellent character development of the 2 main characters and wonderful reappearances of the other characters from the past books. There was a unique blend of past trauma and current harassment to keep the story interesting and draw readers in all the way through. If this is the final book in the series it is wrapped up beautifully, but I would not say no to seeing more of any of these characters again! 4 Stars! Goodreads Synopsis: Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger. What could be more restful, more restorative, than a weekend getaway with family and friends? An isolated luxury cabin in the woods, complete with spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. Hannah’s loving and generous tech-mogul brother found the listing online. The reviews are stellar. It’s his birthday gift to Hannah and includes their spouses and another couple. The six friends need this trip with good food, good company and lots of R & R, far from the chatter and pressures of modern life. But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare. A deadly storm is brewing. The rental host seems just a little too present. The personal chef reveals that their beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the friends have their own complicated past, with secrets that run blood deep. How well does Hannah know her brother, her own husband? Can she trust her best friend? And who is the new boyfriend, crashing their party? Meanwhile, someone is determined to ruin the weekend, looking to exact a payback for deeds long buried. Who is the stranger among them? Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger | Goodreads Thank you to Lisa Unger, Legend Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ebook copy of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six for me to read and review. I enjoyed that this was written from multiple points of view, so that readers can see different sides of the larger picture. The characters were unique and interesting and kept me curious through the book. I found the plot to be quite slow moving and I really wasn't feeling the pull to keep reading until more than 3/4 of the way through. There were mysterious details and connections that weren't made clear until near the end of the book and I would have been much more hooked if there had been some hints and details earlier in the story. I love not knowing the 'answer' until the very end, but the slow moving first 3/4 has outweighed the surprises and conclusion of the ending in my personal opinion. 2 Stars! |
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