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

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! 

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Hannah Martin is a bit of a nomad. She can't seem to settle in once place. Since graduating college she has jumped from one job to another. She is 29 years old and still have no idea what she wants to do with her life. She returns to her hometown of Los Angeles and moves in with her best friend Gabby. They go out to a bar and run into Hannah's ex-boyfriend Ethan at the end of the night she needs make a decision. Will she leave with Ethan or go home with Gabby? The decision she makes will result into completely different circumstances. 

The story unfolds into two different realities that run concurrently. One in which she leaves with Ethan and the other where she goes home with Gabby. The parallel universes each have their disadvantages and advantages. Each chapter flips back and forth from one version of Hannah's life to the other. The storyline is done in a seamless manner which keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more, more and more!

I have come to really enjoy alternate timeline stories and Taylor Jenkins Reid doesn't disappoint. This book is clever and entertaining. 

I Think We've Been Here Before: A Novel by Suzy Krause

Expected Publication Date: December 2, 2024

Marlen Jorgensen has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Him and his wife are trying to navigate this tragic news when more news hits them.  A cosmic blast is set to take place resulting in the end of the world. Their daughter, Nora is on another continent and not answering her phone. Their nephew goes missing and everything seems oddly familiar as though they've been there before. 

The characters navigate their last months on earth together and Nora works on finding a way back home. The story is told in multiple points of view and slowly unravels. I did have to push myself to continue reading this taking much longer than expected (took me over two weeks). I sometimes mixed up characters but the ending wrapped everything up nicely. 

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

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by M.J. Wassmer

Dan and Mara are on vacation at a newly constructed island resort. The resort is broken down into three different buildings. Building A is for the ultra wealthy, Building B is for middle class (and where Dan & Mara are staying) and Building C is for those with a tighter budget and thus has fewer amenities. 

The vacation is to take place for two weeks and it should be fun in the sun with booze, food and quality time. Dan & Mara are enjoying themselves and so are other guests and then the sun explodes!

The island is plunged into darkness and shortly after chaos ensues. Classism quickly takes place as Building A commands all the supplies and attempts to take over. Shots are fired and Building B & C are at the mercy of Building A or are they?

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is told in 3rd person. It took me a bit to get into the read. The twist is easy to see and changes the direction of the book.  The book is good enough. 

You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto

 

First Published August 20, 2024

Meredith taught Aspen how to be an social media influencer without her she's be nobody. When Aspen becomes BIG she dumbs Meredith. Meredith is pissed, hurt, jealous  and misses her friendship with Aspen. Meredith was the IT girl and when she gets access to an iPad that belongs to one of Aspens kids her revenge game starts.

Meredith takes advantage of the family calendar on the iPad and uses it to mix up and cancel appointments creating confusion and havoc in Aspens life. Aspen's life is usually well cultivated and organized but the schedule mixups are causing her to lose sponsors and followers. To make matters worse fellow influencers are ghosting her and her husband is distancing himself from her.

Then Meredith goes missing .... and Aspen's live is completely turned upside down.

You Will Never Be Me is twisty, drama filled and a book that will keep you up way past bedtime! The story is told via POV  which gives a lot of insight and background information regarding the build up and break down of their close friendship.

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

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris

I read Dead Until Dark back in December of 2008. While browsing Libby I came across an audio version of the book and figured I'd revisit it. I am glad I did! I forgot how clever and fun Sookie is and how Harris has a knack for developing her characters rather quickly. 

The plot is well developed and I love how supernatural elements were revealed. In this first book we learn about Sookie Stackhouse and how Vampire are not only real but have rights as legal citizens. Sookie can read minds but when she meets Bill the Vampire she learns that she can't hear him! This not only intrigues here but makes it possible for her to relax around him and form a close relationship.

You never quite know whats going to happen. I had forgotten myself! I'll likely read more books in the series and maybe I'll like the more than previously did. 

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin

 

Lainey, Tyson, Hannah and Summer become quick and close friends shortly after arriving at college. They met in a study lounge and despite being from different worlds they form an unbreakable bond. Their senior year in college a tragedy results in the group of friends making a pact. Ten years later the group of friends come together to fulfill the pact. They travel, open up to one another and have self discovery. 

The story is told from individual point of views giving insight and perspective. This book is about love, friendship and loss. Giffin tackled a sensitive subject with realism and grace. 

Part of Your World (Part of Your World, #1) by Abby Jimenez

 

Part of Your World explores the opposites attract trope. Alexis is an ER doctor in a bit city.  Daniel is 10 years younger than her. He is a carpenter, runs a B&B, a mayor of his very small town and an overall asset to his small town. Alexis comes from a family of doctors, is wealthy and comes from a family full of high expectations. 

Daniel assists Alexis in getting her car out a ditch followed by grilled cheese and baby goat in pajamas (and a adorable dog as a bonus!). They have a night of passion that is supposed to be a one off for Alexis but that one night turns into so much more!

Daniel is the ultimate dream but Alexis's family has expectations of her that would make a relationship with impossible. 

Can we get a movie out of this? The characters are well developed and Jimenez writes them in such a way that you can understand where each character is coming. This is a super fast read. My only regret is that it sat in my TBR pile way too long!