Dearest by Jacquie Walters

 

Flora's husband is deployed and she just gave birth to their first child. Flora is sleep deprived, exhausted and struggling to navigate this new world. Peculiar things start to happen and Flora isn't sure if she is losing her mind or if something more sinister is happening. 

Flora is desperate and lonely which leads to her reaching out to her estranged mother. Her mother surprises her by showing up at her door. Flora is conflicted but finds that the help her mother is providing is a much needed relief but things are getting stranger. Flora's childhood imaginary friend Zephie has made a reappearance. Things are getting spookier and Flora is having intrusive thoughts.

Expect a high creep factory in this psychological thriller. Set aside time because one you start reading it you won't want to stop until the book concludes. 

Open Minded by Chloe Seager

 

Expected Publication Date: November 12, 2024

Holly's boyfriend wants an open relationship. Fliss's boyfriend wants to close theirs and become monogamous. Holly and Fliss's lives intersect in the ladies room of a restaurant. They form a fast friendship and help one another navigate these new changes in their lives. 

Both women find themselves struggling with these changes which results in you becoming very invested in the characters. You want them both to be happy. The character development is well done and so is the friendship.  I feel as though these women could easily be found in my friend group. 

Open minded is a light read that covers a subject some might find controversial. It just might give new perspective and open your mind to the lives of those who are different than yours. 

I enjoyed this read and think you will too!

** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

I had to revisit this book again because I enjoyed it so much in the past. I decided to listen to it via audiobook and it was done in a very engaging and entertaining manner. I recommend either reading or listening to this book. I

If you are not familiar with this book it is about a reporter named Monique who is chosen by Evelyn Hugo a Hollywood icon to tell and write her life story. At first Monique is hesitant but the more she learns about Evelyn the deeper her connection becomes. Evelyn Hugo has had an interesting life and seven husbands! Evelyn's life is filled with tragedy, love, friendship and secrets but one of these secrets could be the undoing of her legacy. 

I want to see this book on the big screen and you will too!

Frontera by Julio Anta

Frontera is a beautiful graphic novel that follows teenage Mateo as he makes his way back to the United States from Mexico. It's a dangerous journey especially when one is ill prepared a situation Mateo finds himself in as he attempts to survive the trek cross the Sonoran Desert to Phoenix, Arizona to be with his grandmother.

Mateo is up against Border Patrol, lack of water and food, unbearable heat and wild animals. Mateo is lost which is most likely a death sentence but a ghost named Guillermo appears to him and acts as his guide. On his journey Mateo learns about Guillermos past but will Mateo find his way out of the desert of will he find himself as a future guide to other migrants,

Crave (Crave #1 ) by Tracy Wolff

When Grace's parents die in a tragic car accident she had to leave her beloved San Diego, Ca and move to Alaska to be with her Uncle and cousin Macy. Her Uncle Finn heads a prestigious academy called Katmere. She will not only be attending Katmere but also rooming with Macy. 

What Grace doesn't know yet is that Katmere isn't like other schools. It's a school full of supernatural beings such as dragons, vampires, witches and more! One Grace's first day of school she has a run in Flint and Jaxon. The most popular boys at school.  Flint is kind. Jackson is not. Grace finds herself drawn to bad boy Jaxon. 

Wolff has a writing style that will keep you engaged and entertained. Crave is full of well developed characters. It  takes a bit of energy to tell them all apart but once you figure it all out it's worth it. This book is over 600 pages but time flys when reading it. 

When We Were Friends by Jane Green

First published October 1, 2024

When We Were Friends is a short story by Jane Green. It can easily be read in under thirty minutes as it is only 44 pages in length. 

Lucy is divorced and  is enjoying the simple things in life. Elle is young and hip and when Lucy and Elle has a chance meeting they become quick friends. The type of friendship that is forged fast and hard. Lucy introduces Elle to some of her friends and she sees a new side of Elle. Can their friendship survive this?

This is a well developed story with interesting characters. I would have liked more story simply because I enjoy Jane Green as an author. 

* I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest  review. 

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

 

First Published August 6, 2024 

Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney. She has been assigned to work as counsel for Rose Barclay in a custody case. Rose is only nine years old. She usually avoids working with children this young due to her traumatic childhood. She has agreed to work this case because Rose is suffering from traumatic mutism something that Stella understands as she too had it as a child. Stella needs to work closely with the family and determine which parent should have custody of little Rose.

Rose witnessed the death of her nanny. It may or may not have been an accident. Upon entering the home Stella feels uneasy and the more time she spends with the Barclay's the more twisted everything and everyone becomes. The Barclay's have secrets and everyone is a suspect. Things intensify when Stella starts to experience some of the same episodes that Tina (the nanny) did. Stella needs to find out just exactly what's going on in order to ensure which parent is best one to get full custody of Rose but will she lose her own life in the process?  

House of Glass if a FAST paced read. It had my full attention. The read is intense and kept me guessing. My ONLY issue with the book was that I simply could not figure out the imagery of the window and the house. 

*I have been provided a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

                                                

10/8

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

 What Does It Feel Like is heart breaking and poignant. It's a short autobiographical based novel. Eve has a tumor growing on her brain. She wakes up one morning in the hospital and has no idea how she got there. Her husband remains by her side and she struggles. battles and comes to terms with her diagnosis. 

Sophie Kinsella is amongst the few authors who's books I  purchase and read without knowing what it's about because I know that I will get a good read. This read is an emotional and heartfelt. I would have liked the book to have been a bit longer but can certainly understand why it wasn't. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I was able to read an ARC of Gone Girl in 2012. I read it again in 2016 and I found myself revisiting it again this year. 

This book gets better with each read. It becomes darker, more deranged and the characters are people we don't want to know but enjoy reading about. 

If you haven't read Gone Girl or seen the movie where the heck have you been?  This is about a couple who are meant for one another but should have never crossed paths because together they are a total disaster. They bring out the worst in each other and are the villian's in each others story. 

Amy and Nick Dunne are both writers, who lost their jobs and left Amy's beloved New York. They moved to Nick's hometown to care of his ailing mother. They live in a house Amy hates and on the morning of their 5th wedding anniversary Amy goes missing.

Nick is the immediate suspect. He swears he hasn't harmed Amy or know where she is but evidence points otherwise. As evidence piles up and secrets come out the stakes get higher and you're left to wonder if Nick will end up behind bars. 

This book is deliciously wicked. 

33 Unplayed Voicemails by Melissa de la Cruz

I have always been a fan of Melissa de la Cruz and when I found 33 Unplayed Voicemails available on audible I immediately downloaded it. It is only 2.5 hours and if you have a membership with audible it's currently available for "free". 

Evelyn and Marco are about to walk down the aisle but .... Marco might just be left at the alter. The story unfolds over voicemails Evelyn and Marco leave one another. Voicemails neither of them listen too! As you can imagine this causes some issues and miscommunication.

I really enjoyed listening to this. It's enjoyable and makes time past quickly!