Young Rich Widows (The Widows #1) by Kimberly Belle

Young Rich Widows starts off strong! Four partners of a prominent law firm are on a private jet that crashes outside of New York. Four women are left behind to mourn them and they couldn't be more different if they tried. The partners have left behind a massive amount of debt owned to a mobster an secrets and ... that's it!

For the first time ever, I had to take notes on who was who and who was with who! The characters while having different personalities didn't have unique voices. I didn't particularly like any of the characters but their snarky and snappy comebacks make me snicker. 

The story is told via each of the characters point of view but the story falls flat. I found myself skimming sections in order to get to the point of the book. The predictability is quite high which added to making this an "ok" read. 

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

The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye

Do you ever regret keeping a book in you to be read pile for way too long? I do. If you have this book in your pile shove the rest aside and pick it up!

Helene Janssen has left behind a bad marriage and run away to Alaska to write a book. On her very first night she see's a man named Sebastien. Sebastien is the embodiment of a character in her book. She feels drawn to him and while he seems to recognize her he pretends not to and rushes off. This leaves her baffled and a further run in with him leaves her angry, frustrated and curious.

Sebastien is more than surprised to see Helene. He thought he had broken the curse that has resulted in her untimely death over and over again. You see, Sebastien is an immortal better known as Romeo Montague and Helene is a reincarnation of Juliet Capulet. They reconnect over and over again with the newest reincarnation of Juliet having no memory of her  previous lives but will Sebastien risk his heart and his beloved's life?

I have always been a fan of Shakespeares's Romeo and Juliet and this new recreation of their love story makes for an excellent read. It spans centuries, continents and various love stories that will make you heart ache. 

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

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg

 Maggie Vine is a song writer and singer. On her 35th birthday her long time crush and friend Garrett Scholl kisses her. It's like magic and fireworks all bundled into one. Many years ago Maggie made a vow to Garrett (and Asher Reyes) that on her 35th birthday if she is still single they will get married. Maggie wrongly assume this is Garrett's way of binding the vow but Garrett is engaged! 

Asher Reyes was Maggie's first boyfriend and first love. They met as teens but haven't talked in decades but that's all about to change when Maggie finds out that Asher has obtained the rights to her favorite novel. When it comes to Asher and Maggie sparks are blazing but Maggie can't stop thinking about Garrett.

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is told in alternating timelines It shows the good and bad choices characters make and how complicated relationships can be. It had me thinking what if .... but the constant songs pulled me out of the book as I found them distracting and unnecessary. This doesn't meant that I didn't enjoy the book because I did but the song lyrics weren't for me. 

Listen for the Lie | By Amy Tintera

Lucy and Savvy might not have been bestfriends in High School but they formed a strong bond as adults. They were the "it" girls of their small town of Plumpton, TX but on the night Savvy is murdered it all changes. Lucy is found covered in Savvy's blood and has no memory of that night. She is quickly judged by her community as the perpetrator and flees. 

Lucy's, Grandmother convinces her to come back home to celebrate her birthday despite not wanting to ever return. Ben Owens the host of a true crime podcast is also in Plumpton and hopes that this time Lucy will let him interview her for his podcast. Ben Owens mission is to find out if Lucy is responsible for Savvy's brutal murder. 

Listen for the Lie alternates between Lucy's voice and Ben Owens podcast. The chapters are short and engaging. The town is full of gossiping characters and the gossip is thrilling! This books is twisty and there is never a dull moment. 

One Moment by Becky Hunter

Scarlett & Evie aren't just best friends. They are roommates and each others rock. Their friendship started in childhood and has spanned many decades. Evie's tragic MS diagnosis has left her angry but the untimely death of Scarlett leaves her devastated.

A good deed results in Scarlett's early demise. Scarlett and Evie had an argument the morning of the fatal accident which results in Evie feeling all that more sad. What Evie doesn't know is that Scarlett's body is dead but not her spirit. 

Scarlett is able to "see" the aftermath of her death and how it is affecting others and to cheer on as Evie finds her place in a world without her. The story is told in dual narratives and has flashback scenes. One Moment in an incredibly emotional and unique reading experience.

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

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering

Billie West & Cassie Barnwell are child hood friends. They are bound by childhood secrets.  They were once inseparable but adulthood has caused them to drift apart. They have different life styles and groups of friends. Billie desperately wants to rekindle the bonds of their friendship however Cassie wants to put the past behind them. 

Cassie throws a party to celebrate her birthday and at this party her infant daughter goes missing. Cassie finds herself needing Billie despite her daughter being returned. They pick up where they left off but something is amiss. 

Bye, Baby explores toxic friendships and the emotions associated when friendships grow apart and new friends enter the picture. The story is told from both Billie and Cassie's point of view and via different timelines giving you insight into their friendship and who they are as individuals. 

Bye, Baby is an intense read and character driven. 

Five Bad Deeds by Caz Frear

Five Bad Deeds is told in multiple points of view. It is about Ellen. Ellen holds many titles, mom, wife, sister, friend and teacher. Ellen is busy! She's raising a teen daughter and two toddlers. She's navigating her relationship with others and renovating her home. Her life is chaotic but it's about to get a whole lot more complex because she gets an anonymous note that has her in a total state of confusing and fear.

The letter is threatening and Ellen fears that her secret is about to be exposed. A secret that could destroy her life.  This book has quite a cast of characters but they each have their own unique voice so you won't find yourself mixing them up. There are many twists and turns which makes this read worth your time. 

In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros

 

Izzy and Nate have a long complicated history. They both though the chapter in their relationship was closed but a new chapter opens up when Izzy finds self under the Nate's protection. 

Izzy and Nate meet on a plane but when that plane crashed (and they survived) they become entwined in one another lives. Nate makes the military his life and Izzy finds herself working in politics. Their story is told over ten years. 

Yarros knows emotions and her writing makes you feel them. I went into this book thinking I might like it but I ended up loving it. 

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

 

Eve Hatch's life is turned upside down by an unplanned pregnancy. Her best friend Will is distancing herself but her older brother Shep steps in and helps Eve navigate her new course in life. This doesn't mean that Willa isn't a good friend because she is - she's just having a difficult time dealing with Eve's pregnancy because she wants a baby and is struggling to get pregnant. 

Eve's one night stand seems like an good guy but will Ethan's on again off again girlfriend make their co-parenting impossible. 

The friendships and relationships are genuine. The characters are likable and you find yourself cheering for everyone. This is a fast enjoyable read. 

Six Truths and a Life | By Ream Shukairy

Expected Publication Date: March 12, 2024

A Fourth of July bonfire party ends with an explosion and 6 muslin teens behind bars. A person is dead, a few others injured and the six stand accused of terrorism. The six teens are essentially strangers yet each of them carry their own secrets. 

Each teen claims innocence however the police continue to question them over and over again. Will they turn against one another? In response to the six being accused of this heinous crime protests erupt making this political case all that much more true to real life. 

Six Truths and a Life starts off with a bang and then slowly starts to go flat. I found myself skimming page and only slowing down to read passages that caught my attention. I almost DNF'd this book several times put pushed through as the story and message behind it was important and something that continues to happen. 

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

If Only I Had Told Her | By Laura Nowlin

 If Only I Had Told Her is the companion novel to If He Had Been with Me. You MUST read If He Had Been with me first! 

This story is told  from the perspective of Finn and other characters including Jack (Finns best friend and Autumn). While I enjoyed the other characters insights I wish that Finn's story has been expanded further. 

Be prepared to be wrecked by this book and fall in love with Finn. You will find more compassion for Autumn but still be left wanting more. You will also be left to question your past and your own If Only I Had Told ...