Just Haven't Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens

 

Lauren Le Quesne is the host of Love Life and a journalist. Her parent's love story is epic and she is given the opportunity to take a business trip to the Channel Island where her parents feel in love. She plans to tell their story of love and maybe discover a bit about who they are.

Lauren's accidentally picks up a stranger's suitcase and finds herself having a crush on a stranger based on the contents of his suitcase. She develops a friendship with Ted, who becomes her personal Taxi drivers and takes her to places that her parents feel in love with. Ted quickly turns into my favorite character and a memorable one at that. 

Lauren is determined to find her crush and return his suitcase but it's not an easy task. She reconnects with a family member and discovers there is a lot more to her parent's love story than she ever knew. Her friendship with Ted grows as she discovers who he is and learns about his father. 

Just Haven't Met You is such a fun book. I found myself smiling and feeling happy as I turned the pages. A few sad moments creep in but it adds to the story making this a romcom you won't want to miss. 

The Headmaster's List by Melissa De La Cruz

Spencer Sandoval (18) is a student at Argyle Prep. She is on the headmasters list - a list that opens doors to prestigious universities and an almost guaranteed acceptance to an Ivy League School. The school is found in a ritzy side of Los Angeles and the majority of students come from wealth families. A car accident in which Spencer, her ex-boyfriend, Ethan and two other students are involved in result in the death of  Chris Moore and leaves Spencer with major injuries including a concussion resulting in loss of memories. 

Ethan Ambrose is being investigated for driving under the influence but he has been sober for some time now, reckless driving and child endangerment. Ethan's life is falling apart and it looks like he might find himself in jail. Spencer has PTSD but she feels Ethan isn't totally responsible for the accident. She makes if her mission to find out the truth and starts her own investigation. 

 Melissa De La Cruz does not disappoint. This is a fast paced read that will be devoured in one or two sittings. 

Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes

 Sam is exhausted.  Her husband's father passed away, he lost his job and is depressed. This leaves, Sam as the sole breadwinner. Here new supervisor it a complete a total tool and is making her life utter hell at work. Nish has been accustomed to a privileged life and that means the finer things in life including her red Christian Louboutin shoes. 

Sam and Nisha attend the same gym and Sam accidentally picks up Nisha's bag. She doesn't discover this until she's on a way to a business meeting. She doesn't have time to turn back and puts the Louboutin's for. the meeting. The shoes give her a bit of trouble but also new found confidence. 

Nish discovers her bag is missing and she doesn't have much to wear but this isn't the worst part of her day. She quickly discovers that her husband has locked her out of her home, bank and cards. Leaving her with which she has on her.

Both woman have to navigate their lives and the complexities that comes with it. Nish has to get her hands dirty and work. Sam has to continue with her struggles and they are only about to get worst. 

Someone Else's Shoes is a decent read with a level of predictability. The friendship developments are lovely and makes you wish you had friends like the ones in this book. 

The Dazzling Heights (Thousandth Floor, 2) By Katharine McGee

 The Dazzling Heights is the sequel the Thousandth Floor and it has the same energy as its predecessor.  It's full of drama and the character's we love to hate and love to love.  Leda, Watt, Rylin, Avery and Calliope are dealing with actions from their past while trying to move forward. 

Expect many twists and turns and be prepared to be addicted. The story is told in several point of views. This is an easy read that will keep you entertained. 

Woman of the Year by Darcey Bell

 

                                               Expected publication March 21, 2023

In a traditional college way over twenty years ago Lorelei and Holly met in a psychology seminar. They became fast friends with one another and their college professor but then an event transpired that resulted in the end of the friendship.

Holly's life is picturesque and Lorelei's life isn't what she imagined it to be. She has been following Holly's life and when she finds out that Holly is about to honored as Woman of the Year she sets a plan in action to humiliate,  Holly. A plan based on revenge and obsession. 

Lorelei is an unreliable character. Everyone is on the batshit crazy rader. The story moves quickly and leaves you with many WTF moments. This is a dark, twisted, trail of suspense and a book you should pick up! 

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

Going Dark by Melissa de la Cruz

 Josh and Amelia are a young college age couple who are on a European vacation. On the day they are set  to return to San Diego, CA, Amelia starts a fight with Josh and walks away. Josh returns to the US without Amelia as she never gets onto the flight. Upon arriving he discovers that no one else has heard from Amelia and that her socials have gone dark despite being an active media influencer.

Tori a friend of Amelia is suspicious of Josh and reaches out to Harper Delgado a well known hacker. Harper is not initially interested but as time passes she becomes emotionally invested and starts looking into both Josh & Amelia. The more she uncovers the more interesting the book becomes. 

The story is told via flashbacks,  multiple points of view and social media posts. Be prepared for a fast ride that will keep you turning the pages untilt he week hours of the night. 

We're All Lying Book by Marie Still

                                                            Expected publication March 14, 2023

Liars. Liars. Liars. Everywhere you turn. 

Ethan and Cass have been married for 19 years. They have children and successful careers. Life seems perfect until Cass receives an email from Ethan's mistress. The email is explicit and unleashes a torrent of anger in Cass. Ethan admits his affair with Emma but Emma is ruthless and wants Ethan for herself. Cass's phone is filled with one ugly text after another then Emma does something that turns Cass's professional life upside down. Emma goes missing and Ethan and Cass are suspects.  

We're All Lying is told from different points of view. The characters are unreliable and the storyline is full twists and turns. Each secret revealed makes the book juicer. If you love or even like thrillers this book is for you. 

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

The Reunion: A Novel Novel by Kayla Olson

 I loved, love, loved this book. It's such a fun read! I could not put it down. Liv and Ransom were once stars of  a popular teenage drama. It's been fourteen years since they filmed their final show. Liv, Ransom and the previous cast members have signed on for a  Reunion show. Fans are ecstatic and it's all a buzz on social media (which did not exist when the cast was younger). 

The Reunion has brought back old feelings and with that comes a variety of issues and drama. I am not normally a huge fan of rom-coms but this one had me laughing and smiling. This is such a delightful read. It would make an excellent TV series and Olson had me wanting to watch her made up TV show. This second chance a love will make you full of nostalgia and cheer Liv and Ransom on. 

The Deluge | Book by Stephen Markley

This is not a book you can read in one, two or even three sittings. It took me weeks. The story spans decades and there is A LOT of information. I almost gave up but pushed through because I loved Markleys book, Ohio. Expect a lot of politics and I do mean a lot. I am not averse to politics but some of the passages are like trudging through wet clay. This is especially true when you first start reading the book. It takes a bit to get to the disaster part but when it does it's rather frightening especially if you've lived in a areas where you've seen mother nature in action.   Markley's writing brought back visuals, smells and feelings associated with the disaster. 

The imagery can be rather graphic and I was left upset when it came to unnecessary details pertaining to animals death. Expect rape, drug and alcohol abuse and a lot of violence. The book gets really bleak and scary around halfway through especially since the disasters and violence isn't far fetched and one can easily see it happening. 

The story is told by many different characters . At first you're a bit lost but it all comes together. Markley has an expansive vocabulary be prepared to look up words. I have never looked up so many words before but they really did add to the story. You probably won't like most of the characters (I didn't) but that's what made the book more interesting because you see them faults and all. There is a lot to get through with this book but the topics broached are incredibly important and if you can get through the excessive politics it's worth the long read.  

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

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall

 

Naomi,  Cassidy and Olivia are the best of friends. At the young age of 11 the spent countless hours playing in the woods. They believed in Magic and played ,The Goddess Game.  The game consisted of secrets, magic
, offerings and rules they had to follow.  They felt safe and were enjoying their youth until Naomi was viciously attacked and left for dead.  She was stabbed 17 times. Naomi's, Olivia's and Cassidy's testimony put Alan Stahl in prison for life. The problem is they girls lied and Stahl was innocent of this particular crime. 

It's been 22 years and Stahl has died in prison and Naomi, Cassidy and Olivia reunite.  The reunion is anything but happy. It's a mix of feelings and Naomi is seeking the truth. Her memories are fuzzy and she wants to know the truth but the truth is buried under a stack of secrets that when revealed the truth might just be too much to handle.

This is a fast paced read and you'll be on edge wanting to know what happens next. Naomi is an unreliable narrator. There are twist and turns and a level of predictability. 

This Is the Way the World Ends by Jen Wilde

Expected publication May 9, 2023

Waverly is a scholarship student at Weber Academy in New York City. Weber Academy is a prestigious school that is made up mainly of students who are children to the top 1%. Waverly tutors other students and relies on the generosity of the Dean. Waverly's family struggles financially and her mother is incredibly ill.  Waverly is autistic. Her group of friends are treated as outcasts but amongst themselves they are fully accepted for their differences. 

Waverly has always wanted to attend the yearly Masquerade but the steep ticket price of $10, 000 makes its impossible for her until popular, rich, student Caroline proposes that Waverly go in her place. Waverly accepts but the Masquerade turns out to be anything but great. Waverly witnesses a murder and then learns that it's the end of the world. 

Waverly is a well written character  which makes for a fun and fast paced read. I actually forgot that I was reading a book about the end of the world (which happens halfway through) until it starts. I was a bit surprised by it which made the book all that more interesting. 

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