Alive Day: A Memoir | By Karie Fugett

 

Karie Fugett is homeless and living out of her car when her boyfriend Cleve proposes marriage. Shortly after they exchange vows Cleve's Marine unit is deployed to Iraq. Then Karie received a call that Cleve is severely injured. His Humvee was hit an IED. 

Karie heads out to Walter Reed and discovers that Cleve's survival is a miracle and that the date of his survival will be known as Happy Alive Day since it's the day he was given a second chance at life. 

Karie is forced into a role as a caregiver for Cleve. She has to learn to navigate the complex military bureaucracy on top of dealing with Cleve's increasing dependency of opiates that the doctors hand out like candy. 

Karie's story isn't unique to the thousands of military spouses in particular young woman who are put into a caregiver role for their spouses. Many who are poor and uneducated. Her story and that of other spouses is a hidden story that many outside the military are unaware of. Fugett bares her soul and you easily become invested in her story. Be prepared to be angry as you read what is done do our military members and their families. How they receive such little care for mental health and addiction. 

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games #0.5) (Audio Book) | By Suzanne Collins

Sunrise of the Reaping is such a good book and I am such a fan of the series I had to listen to the audiobook. It did not disappoint. I found myself more involved in the story and catching a few things I missed in the reading likely because I was so excited to read it and find out what was going on. 

Sunrise on the Reaping is Haymitch Abernathy's Hunger Games. The games have double the amount of tributes and is full of one tragedy after another. The book gives readers a deeper understanding of  Haymitch's character development and how the Hunger Games haunts it's victors in more ways that one. Many characters some beloved play important roles in this book and some minor roles but it shows the connection between other books and storylines.

This book is an emotional read and I am anxiously awaiting the movie. Hope Collins writes more books in this series because I can't get enough. I must add that I hope future books deal with games before the 75th as we know Katniss's story. 

Passion Project | By London Sperry

 

Publication date April 8, 2025

Bennet Taylor 's life isn't what she thought it would be.  She is living in New York and working as a temp. She has no true direction in life and no social life. Bennet is deeply grieving the unexpected death of her love.  She decided to take a chance on go on a date with Henry Adams but at the last minute she ghosts him. 

Henry and Bennet reconnect and form a friendship of sorts. In an effort to help Bennett find her passion in life he comes up with the passion project. This results in them finding something new every weekend. Their friendship builds and sparks start to fly.

I am amazed that this is a debut novel. It feel as though a seasoned writer wrote it.  The story line and characters feels leap of the pages. I felt the character emotions and wished I had a Bennet and Henry as friends in my life.

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

You Love Me (You, #3) by Caroline Kepnes

 

Joe has moved to the Pacific Northwest. He is volunteering at a library. Mary Kay DiMarco is the head  librarian. She is married and has a teenage daughter. Joe is going to do whatever it takes to make Mary Kay his. He is obsessed but has more patience that in the past. 

Joe is his typical fashion makes a bit of a mess of things. He is a creature of habit and repeats past errors and techniques. Expect a fast pace read that is filled with pop culture , movie and literary references. The ending was a bit unexpected making for a thrilling read.

Say You'll Remember Me (Say You'll Remember Me #1) )Series by Abby Jimenez

 

Xavier and Samantha's paths cross but their first interaction isn't exactly positive however Samantha agrees to a date. The date ends up being successful in that they have a mutual attraction however Samantha had bad news. She's moving back home to help take care of her mother who has dementia. 

They are 2,000 miles apart and take a chance at a long distance relationship but luck isn't exactly on their side. Will love be enough to survive this relationship. 

Abby Jimenez is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her books are a delight to read. This one may just be my favorite book of hers.  Expect an emotional punch to the gut.

Hidden Bodies (You, #2) By Caroline Kepnes

Hidden Bodies is the second installment in the You series. Joe has a new obsession and her name is Amy. Amy has her own agenda and one day she goes missing. Joe heads out to Hollywood hoping to find Amy but Joe meets Love and Amy quickly becomes old news.

Love and Joe quickly find themselves loving life together but Joe's past demons keeping calling him back and Love's ex boyfriend and brother monopolize her time and energy.  Joe is not pleased and acts out in  typical Joe fashion. Joe might have to met his match with Love's family!

Hidden bodies does not have the same zest that You has but Joe's psychopathic tendencies keep you turning the pages. Kepne's writing keeps you entertained and his dark mind and personality will give you some chuckles but the magic of You has fizzled a bit.

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits Book | By Jennifer Weiner

  

Cassie and Zoe Grossberg are only one year apart and as different as night and day. Not just physically but also in personality. Zoe is more outgoing and charismatic while Cassie is likes to lay low and keep to herself. Both women love music however Cassie is a music prodigy. 

A chance opportunity results in these sisters becoming a pop sensation. Zoe lives for it and Cassie is simply uncomfortable with being in the spotlight. Zoe years for fame but Cassie ends up with a bit more of a following as she is more relatable to girls like her. The sisters are at the top of their fame when a suddenly event results in Cassie disappearing and going off the grid.

It's been 20 years and the Griffin Sister music still lives in popularity and fans new and old want new music. Cassie has gone off the grid in a remote area of Alaska and then video surfaces of her singing ...

Weiner is one of my favorite authors and I read her books without knowing what they are about as sometimes the synopsis give too much away. This book isn't my favorite of hers but I did enjoy it and found myself drawn to the characters and storyline.