Spilled Milk by K.L. Randis

 I have been listening to a lot of True Crime Podcasts since Covid hit and this novel was mentioned on one of them.  It's a mix of fiction and truth, so I would categorize it as fictional realism. 

The events that take place in the book are true but things have been alte
red. It delves deeply into sexual and domestic abuse. If these are triggers for you read with caution or skip this book all together. There are some editing issues that some readers might find distracting. 

Brooke Nolan is the child of abuse and it's increasing in brutality. She protects her siblings but the price she pays for doing so is high but a glass of spilled milk causes her to spill her family secrets. Expect to cry and be angry. This is an eye opening and captivating novel on abuse.

If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse please use/share the links below.

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
VICTIM CONNECT
CHILDHELP
CRISIS HOTLINES

Later by Stephen King

Stephen King is one of those authors I have always read. I was reading his books before I should of and scaring myself half to death when I was in single digits but that didn't stop me from cracking open book after book. I am addicted to his mind thrilling novels and would love to live just a day in his mind to see how he thinks!

Later follows, Jamie Conklin. Jamie sees dead people but not like that kid in The Sixth Sense! He can also talk to them. His mom knows his secret but asked him to keep it under wraps. His "gift" can be traumatizing or harmless and sometimes he can use the information to help others but it could cost him. 

Later takes place in NYC and is only 248 pages! It's a one day read, two tops! It moves at a fast pace and a wee bit frightening! The twist ending his a plus! This is one King book you will want to read, it's a bit thriller, a bit horror with  a mix of  detective work! 

Can we also talk about the cover? I love it! Reminds me of older book covers by King. 

The Comeback by Ella Berman

Up and coming Hollywood Star, Grace Turner was at the height of her career but then she disappeared. She has spent the last year  hiding away from the public eye. She's returned to her parents home and is dealing with the demons from her past. She is learning to survive and dig herself out the spiral of self-destruction she was on but then she is asked to present a lifetime achievement award to Able York, the man who helped her rise to fame and she is faced with confronting her past.

The story is told in short chapters with flashbacks. The flashbacks help the story unfold and add depths of emotion to an already emotionally charged read. 

Able York, made Grace Turner into a star but his intentions were not pure. He groomed her and she had no one to protect her and prevent her childhood from being stolen from Able but she's ready to take the power back he stole from her and rebuild her career. 

Expect a lot of intense relationships, abuse (kudos to Berman but not being explicit in the details) and to be invested in this read. While I enjoyed the read it had moments that were slow and connecting to the character of Grace was at some times difficult. 

Girl A by Abigail Dean

 Girl A, is NOT an easy read. It has a large cast of characters and every relationship is more complex than the other. This is a look into the long term effects of child abuse and could be triggering for some readers.

Lex and her six siblings were tortured both physically and psychologically for years until she escaped. It's been 15 years and she still struggles with what happened in the House of Horrors. Her mother has died in prison and let Lex as executor of her will resulting in Lex having to reconnect with some of her siblings and reopening old wounds.

The story is told in present day, mixed in with childhood memories of what happened in her abusive childhood. 

The book jumps around quite a bit and Lex is not a likable character. The story is tragic but I had to push through it to finish it.

The Push by Ashley Audrain

 If you are a fan of Baby Teeth , We need to talk about Kevin or The Bad Seed this book is right up your alley. 

Ashley Audrain, psychological thriller is rather sinister.  Her debut novel is multilayered, complex and will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

Blythe and her husband are expecting a child. He is over the moon but she is going into it with trepidation and fear. Women in her family have a history of not adapting well to motherhood (which is explored further in the novel). Blythe was abused as a child but she tries to put it all behind her when her daughter Violet is born. She goes into thinking she will be a good mother but it's hard to mother a child like Violet. 

Violet is difficult to love and there is something fundamentally wrong with her. Blythe is trying to push through it bu than an incident occurs that breaks the foundations of her marriage and her relationship with Violet to the core. 

Expect an emotional, raw read with flawed characters. 

The Dating Plan by Sara Desai

I am not usually a fan of Rom-Com but this book was cute and had adorable characters which made for a easy, fast yet predictable read.

Daisy runs into her High School crush, Liam at a work conference. They enter into a beneficial agreement, in which the fool both families into thinking they are dating but things do not go as planned. 

Chaos ensues, plans fail and secrets are revealed, making you like one character a lot more and another less. 

Daisy while adorable can be unlikable but eventually redeems himself. Liam oozes confidence and sex. These two characters combined have chemistry which makes the read worth it, if you are a fast reader. 

Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Frankly in Love is about Frank Li. He is a high school student who is a first generation Korean American,  who is caught between two worlds. The world of his parents and their culture and the world of being a "typical" American teen. 

Frank Li's parents only have one rule about dating and that is to date Korean and when he falls for Brit Means, his life becomes complicated. Frank and Joy (a girl who is the daughter of his parents friends) make a pact to fake date so that they can date their prospective partners in secret. Thi
s results in an unexpected (or in my case expected) turn of events.

This is an okay read and the only moment I was truly intrigued was when Frank Li's father becomes a central part to the story, which lead to me wanting to know more about the Li's and less about Frank. This is a great book to read after having read something heavy. 

Ohio by Stephen Markley

 Holy Shit! This book is incredible, memorable and full of well developed characters who's stories are interconnected. This book will have a permanent spot in my collection, one I will reread and recommend to others. 

Four former high school friends via a variety of reasons all find themselves back home in New Canaan, Ohio. What transpires all takes place in one night with flashbacks  to the past.  Markley, tells the story of small town Ohio in four different parts in which each character's life unfolds.  

The story is at times bleak, depressing and gritty but it's what makes it good because life is messy and chaotic. Markley's debut novel of this fictional small town deals with the themes of war, drugs, poverty, suicide, unemployment and rape. 

Ohio is a through provoking novel that shows the plight of current day America with an ending you won't see coming. 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

 A girl with seven freckles. a boy, and a deal with the devil.  

Addie LaRue has lived for over 300 years. She has lived on several continents, experienced many adventures but is lonely. She has no companion, no friends, everyone she meets forgets who she is but she continues to live and leave her mark in art and history. 

Addie is a strong, interesting character and her life on repeat keeps the reader interested and yearning for more.  Addie meets a boy named, Henry who changes her life. 

While this book is intriguing and has well constructed characters it takes a while for the story to build up. It is a bit a slow but once you get into it it's worth the struggle. 

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 Daisy Jones & The Six isn't my cup of tea.  It's essentially a transcript of a band in which band members, friends and managers are interviewed.  There is only so much you can get out of dialogue, people need descriptions or at least I do.  This was all tell and no show and I need to experience the story and not be told about it.  I couldn't even really tell you what this book is about. 

I suggest skipping this book and reading Taylor Jenkins Reid novel, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. My review on it can be found HERE.

People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd

 

                                                        PEOPLE LIKE HER                              

                            EXPECTED PUBLICATION DATE: JANUARY 12 2021

 Emmeline Jackson is an Instagram social influencer with over a million followers. She is known as 'mamabare'. She is part of a group of mama influncers, who tag, follow one another and get together for Instagram worthy events.

Emmy's life is out there for anyone to see. Her children are her brand. Her husband, Dan is not a fan of their children's (Coco and Bear) photos being online but he has no choice. Emmy's social media pays the bills, while Dan struggles to finish another book. 

Being a social media influencer comes with a cost and while Emmy tries to protect her family by not revealing locations one minor slip, one she isn't even aware of gives an obsessive follower all they need to find out details she's worked so hard to hide. 

This follower is out to get 'mamabare" and her narrative is weaved into Emmy's. It's chilling and builds up the tension making this read addictive.