The Wife Before Me by Laura Elliot

A captivating read full of dark twists. This is one thriller you don't want to miss.

Elena is grieving the death of her mother, when she meets Nicholas. Nicholas is also grieving the death of his wife. Together the find solace in one another and their whirlwind romance moves at lightning speed. Elena quickly moves into Nicholas's home and things start to turn.

The story is told from the perspective of Elena and Amelia (Nicholas deceased wife) and as more and more is revealed the darker and more sinister the story and lives of both of these women becomes.

Then twist is slightly obvious but the unraveling is exciting and beyond entertaining. This is a psychological page turner that you won't want to miss out on.



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

Marriage Vacation by Pauline Brooks

I am a fan of the television series, "Younger" but not a major fan of this novel. It was very average and while I found it entertaining - I couldn't get past the self loathing, self absorbed,  incredibly selfish main character.  Her character does grow as a person and while that is redeeming it isn't enough to change the book from average to fantastic.

Kate Carmichael life seems perfect but after meeting up with old friends at a wedding and agreeing to meet a friend in Thailand she discover something is lacking. Her friend is a no show and Kate goes into a self discovery mode. She puts her life back home in the States on pause, leaving her husband she claims to love and children to carry on without her so that she can "find" herself.

Kate is privileged, spoiled and not a likable character. The writing isn't bad and got a strong reaction from me but sometimes it's hard to like a book when you loathe the character. I also didn't care much for the ending but just because I don't like it doesn't mean you will.

The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh

Sarah Mackey has been ghosted. She just spent 6 glorious days with a handsome man, a man who she thought was perfect. The connection was real and deep or did she just imagine it?

They had fallen hopelessly in love and then the promised phone call never comes. Sarah begins to worry that something tragic has happened to, Eddie. After several failed attempted phone calls she reaches out to him via social media. Messages go unanswered and then -- one is marked read. Sarah is beside herself and driving those around her mad with her constant chatter about Eddie.

Sarah is obsessed and I had second hand embarrassment for her. She is self involved and it can be rather annoying. You want to shake her and say, "Get over it!" I was most definitely annoyed with her but super intrigued with her story line and discovering what exactly was going on.

Eddie's backstory is finally revealed and it is interesting! This caused some unexpected twists and turns, which pulled me back into the story and turned it into an engaging tale I couldn't put down until the final reveal.

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

I first read, "Lone Wolf" back in March of 2012. My review of it can be found HERE.

Living among wolves and caring for his wolves has always been important to Luke Warren. His passion has cut him off from others as he feels most comfortable and at home among his wolves.

Luke is passionate, active and when him and his daughter Cara are in a devastating car accident that leaves him on life support life and her injured, his estranged son Edward and ex-wife Georgie are forced back into his life. Edward returns home to help his sister Cara decide on what actions they need to take regarding their father.

Evidence points to no hope for Luke but Cara is strong willed and wants to keep her father on life support. Edward disagrees and like the majority of Picoult's books a law suit comes into play. The old age question of when does life start and end comes into play.

The story is told through different characters and Luke's living among wolves and becoming part of the pack is by far the most interesting and educational part of the novel. I was left wanting to know more as I felt it was a far superior story than the family dynamic portion.

This book has an emotional punch to it and a twist that you don't exactly see coming.

The Lies We Told by Camilla Way

The Lies We Told is an explosive thriller that keeps your head spinning and your fingers turning the pages. There are more twist and turns than one can simply imagine. This deliciously dark novel will entertain you for hours and keep you guessing.

The book  jumps from past to present with a variety of story lines weaved in. The story consists of two families who each have very unique story lines.

In the first story we have Clara and Luke. The have just moved in together and everything seems perfect. Clara wakes up one morning to discover that Luke never came home and all his belongings including his cell phone are in their dwelling. Is, Luke cheating, did he change his mind or are sinister things afloat?

In the second story we have Beth and Hannah. Beth is a wife and mother to, Hannah. Hannah is a troubled child and makes life challenging. Hannah's antics and increasingly bad behavior leave Beth fearful and the tension is causing havoc on her marriage.

You just know somehow these stories are going to intersect and if you're a decent detective you'll figure out some of the clues but not all.

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

As Wide as the Sky Jessica Pack

Amanda Mallorie's son is dead. He has been executed. He was the perpetrator of a heinous mass shooting. It's been four long years since the shooting and in a matter of minutes his life has been extinguished. Amanda needs to start rebuilding her life and the first thing on the agenda is repairing the broken down relationship she has with her daughter.

The movers have arrived and her home and she is going through the last few items, while shifting through Robbie's belongings she comes across class ring that doesn't belong to her son. She makes it a quest to get it back to the original owner in hopes that they can learn more about her son.

The story is told in alternating chapters with a "countdown" clock. The character's have their own voice. This novel is very unique as we usually hear the story from the other side and forget that the family of the perpetrator is also a victim. This novel "shows" us the other side of the story.

This is a touching and thought provoking novel. Be prepared to be captivated.

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

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

Baby Teeth is deliciously disturbing. 

If you are familiar with and enjoyed "The Bad Seed" (book and movie) and/or Lionel Shriver's, "We need to talk about Kevin" this book is for you. 

Hanna is a selective mute, deeply disturbed and has been kicked out of numerous schools. Suzette is forced to home school her. Hanna's tricks are becoming more dangerous and Suzette is her target. 
Suzette's sanity and health are at risk and she has nowhere to turn. 

Alex is blinded by the love he has for his daughter and Hanna only shows him her sweet side, playing the perfect, sweet daughter whenever he is around. 

Hanna hates her mom and wants her gone and she will do anything to make it possible but will her father, Alex open his eyes before it's too late?

Baby Teeth is a good read. I struggled initially but once I found the flow of the novel, I was mesmerized and turning pages in anticipation of what would happen next. The book is told from alternating points of views and it's absolutely intriguing to see the side of " evil" when Hanna "speaks". This creepy story about this malevolent child will keep you entertained. 




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

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky

It takes just seconds to change your life especially when your driving. A missed stop sign results in a car crash and tragedy strikes. Mackenzie Cooper's young daughter is dead but the punishment of her death doesn't stop there. The media is reltensless, legalities ensue and her marriage falls apart.

Mackenzie, reinvents herself and moves to a new city and changes her name to Maggie. Devon, Vermont seems like the perfect small place for her to live out her life . She had a job she loves, has her own home and a handful of friends.

Her bestfriend's son is accused of hacking, making the media descend on the town , she fears that her probation might be at risk and soon her life becomes more complicated than ever. 

I felt very indifferent about this book. I didn't love it or hate it.  There was way too much going on, it was as though Delinksy took a handful of story ideas and threw them all into one. They were all good ideas but put together it all became a bit too much and soap operas like. 

The ending is predictable and cheesy but if you like books similar to this style you will be enterained by this one. 

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

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

Release date: August 21, 2018 

Stop what you are doing. Order this book and settle down for a fast paced thriller with an ending you won't see coming. This is a deliciously wicked story, that will entertain you and keep you turning the pages until all is revealed. This is Jones debut novel and she doesn't disappoint. 

Emily has met and is in love with the perfect man. Adam is everything she wished for and then more. He is loving, caring and attentive. Emily is head over heels in love with him. Her friends think she is moving too fast but Emily is smitten and feel safe.  

Emily becomes a bit suspicious when Adam is hesitant to introduce her to his mother but when that day finally arrives, she find out maybe it's best had she never met her. His mother, Pammie is manipulative, callus and makes it clear to Emily, that she isn't good enough for her son. Pammie will go to any length to make sure, Emily isn't a part of their lives and as the relationship between Adam and Emily grows, Pammie becomes more calculated and Emily's foe. 

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

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman

I Have Lost My Way,  follows three characters whose lives intersect. It takes place over one day and is told from the point of view of each character. Freya is a singer who has suddenly without any known reason lost her ability to sing. Harun is gay and afraid to come out to his family as they are deeply religious and Nathaniel's live is falling apart, he is very lonely and depressed.

An incident causes their lives to come together and these three lost souls, who are struggling alone find solace in one another.

The characters are each very distinct in a variety of ways from culture to personality yet in a short amount of time they connect and are able to offer each other comfort, something they can't find from others in their lives.

This is a lovely story about friendship, youth, feeling lost and then connecting with someone and feeling more a part of life.

I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it. My main complaint was that the ending was to abrupt. I felt it had a few more chapters in it.

Lies by TM Logan

Joe Lynch's seemingly perfect life is about to change. He adores his wife and their young son but when he decides to follow his wife's car inside an underground car garage he witnesses his wife arguing with Ben (a friend of the family) and life as he knows it starts to unravel in a fast paced, entertaining fashion. 

Joe confronts Ben in the parking lot. They get into a physical argument and Joe knocks, Ben unconscious. Immediately, his young son has an asthma attack and with no inhaler in sight, Joe leaves to take care of his son.

Joe returns to check on Ben and Ben and his car are missing. Shortly after, Joe starts to receive threatening messages from Ben. Joe reports, Ben missing and becomes a suspect. Joe now has to prove his innocence. 

TM Logan, tells this debut novel from a first person perspective and a twist that will make your head spin. This is a perfect psychological thriller that uses fast paced technology to enhance the story line.  This is a cat and mouse thriller that will entertain you for hours.

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