Ever since I read Greer Hendrick’s and Sarah Pekkanen’s debut novel, The Wife Between Us, I have been a fan of the writing duo. This is the 4th book IEver since I read Greer Hendrick’s and Sarah Pekkanen’s debut novel, The Wife Between Us, I have been a fan of the writing duo. This is the 4th book I've read by them and it definitely will not be my last. I’m going to be vague with this synopsis because it’s better to know less going into this one:
Avery Chambers is a therapist who promises to fix whatever issues her clients have in only ten sessions. After reading an article in the Washington Post about Avery’s success, Marissa is hopeful that Avery can help her and her husband Mathew. During the couple's initial meeting with Avery, Marissa reveals to her husband a huge secret.
The story alternates between Marissa and Avery’s points of view. The chapters are shorter and with a lot of action, which makes for a very fast read.
The Golden Couple had me hooked from the first page to the end. There are several major twists in this book so I stopped trying to predict what would happen next. Every time I thought I had everything figured out, something explosive would happen and I would be blindsided.
I adored both Marissa and Avery as well as the other characters in this book. From the charming to the detestable, this book has such a vast array of personalities. I also loved how this book wrapped every single thing up at the end and didn't leave any questions unanswered.
I have to say out of all 4 books I've read by the duo, The Golden Couple has by far been my favorite. Like all of their prior works, this book was very well written with complex characters and several plot twists. I look forward to reading whatever they write next.
I highly recommend The Golden Couple along with their prior works, The Wife Between Us, and An Anonymous Girl. If you are a fan of Liv Constantine, or Sally Hepworth then you will like Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.
The Golden Couple will be available on March 8, 2022, from St. Martin’s Press. Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review! ...more
The main character Rachel, whom most of the story is told from her perspective, is in love with her best friend Noah, even though Rachel is married toThe main character Rachel, whom most of the story is told from her perspective, is in love with her best friend Noah, even though Rachel is married to Jack. Noah is married to Paige(Rachel’s other best friend). The two couples are in Portugal at a seaside resort for the wedding of Jack’s brother Will.
Confused yet? So am I.
This is the first book I have finished by the author Sandie Jones. I attempted to read The Other Woman by her a few years back and I couldn't finish it. I have nothing against the author at all, I know she has a lot of fans, I just don't think her writing is for me.
I expected this to be more of a thriller since this book was tagged as a domestic thriller but it wasn't. It is more like a romantic suspense story. It was a bit too confusing and too much like a soap opera. Overall It was all way too overdramatic and unrealistic for my taste.
I listened to the audiobook version and I did enjoy Clare Corbett’s reading, she did a fantastic job narrating this book.
Just because I didn't particularly like this book doesn't mean I'm suggesting that you shouldn't read it. Life would be extra boring if we all liked the same things. If you like romance stories with love triangles and a flair for the dramatic, then The Guilt Trip would be perfect for you.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Oliver and Ciara, both in their late twenties and new residents of Dublin, Ireland meet and start dating a couple of weeks before 2.5 stars rounded up
Oliver and Ciara, both in their late twenties and new residents of Dublin, Ireland meet and start dating a couple of weeks before the 2020 pandemic hits. Soon after, the whole country goes on lockdown. To make things easier for the new couple and their budding relationship, Claire temporarily moves in with Oliver. 56 days later, one of them is dead.
The book alternates from the present time with Detective Lee’s point of view to the past 56 days ago with Ciara and Oliver’s point of view. The chapters are very short which makes this a faster read.
Personally, I felt like it is too soon for a fiction novel set during the pandemic. Although the setting was unique, it just reminded me of all the lives lost due to covid, overcrowded hospitals, and the constant hum of ambulance sirens. Also, some of the story was too repetitive, the alternating points of view were just two different people telling the same story.
This book would be perfect for fans of slower-paced domestic thrillers. If you like books by BA Paris or Peter Swanson, then this book would be perfect for you! ...more
“Ike started to scream. It didn't build in his chest first then erupt. It came out fully formed in one long savage howl....Tears for who they were and“Ike started to scream. It didn't build in his chest first then erupt. It came out fully formed in one long savage howl....Tears for who they were and what they all lost. Each drop felt like it was slicing his face open like a razor blade.”
Razorblade tears is a story of two grieving fathers. Derek and Isaiah, a married interracial gay couple, were both brutally murdered. Derek's father is Buddy Lee, a white man and ex-con, and Isaiah’s father Ike, a black man who is also an ex-con. With no leads from the police that point to a suspect, Buddy lee and Isaiah start investigating on their own to bring their son's killer to justice.
Could you imagine being in such a state of grief that your tears feel like razor blades?
Razorblade Tears navigates and explores the complexities of the father and son relationship. Razorblade Tears was such a cathartic experience for me. As a mother of two sons, I couldn't help but think what I would do if I were in Ike and Buddy Lee’s situation.
To say this story is action-packed would be an understatement. Razorblade Tears had me sitting on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, and staying up until 3 am just to see how it ended.
The writing in this book is flawless. I couldn't find anything at all in this story that was anything short of perfect. SA Cosby is one of the best and most influential writers of our time.
It's hard to classify this book as strictly a thriller. It has all of the elements of a thriller but it's so much more. This book would be perfect for fans of faster-paced thrillers and crime dramas. I highly recommend readers to also pick up a copy of Cosby’s prior novel Blacktop Wasteland. ...more
Kristen North believes that her husband Henry is on a business trip to New York City...that is until she receives an anonymous phone call telling her Kristen North believes that her husband Henry is on a business trip to New York City...that is until she receives an anonymous phone call telling her that her husband has been murdered in Austin, Texas. After searching online for information about the murder, she discovers a news article about two men who were fatally shot in a warehouse in Austin. Only one of the two men in the article was identified, Adam Zhang. Kristen goes to Austin to identify her husband's body, there she meets Adam’s widow Flora. Kristen joins forces with Flora to uncover the truth about their husband's murderers.
Initially, I wasn't sure if this book was for me, the book has a slower start but once the action hit, I was hooked! I loved the relationship between Kristen and Flora, both characters are likable and very well developed. There were several suspects in the book as well as several red herrings. I kinda predicted one of the twists but I was blindsided by the big twist!
Full of suspense, and surprising twists An Ambush of Widows is a very entertaining read, perfect for summer and beach reading!
This is my first book by the author Jeff Abbott and it dedinetly will not be my last! Many thanks to Novel Suspects and Grand Central Publishing for my arc in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Falling tells the story of Bill, an airplane pilot. On one of his routine flights, he discovers that his wife and two children have been abducted by aFalling tells the story of Bill, an airplane pilot. On one of his routine flights, he discovers that his wife and two children have been abducted by a terrorist. The terrorist gives bill a choice, either his family dies or Bill is to crash the plane he is currently flying and kill the 140 people on board.
From the beginning this book had me on the edge of my seat. I live for nonstop, action-packed books. I'm not sure that I've ever read a book that gave me more anxiety than this one.
But... I was extremely disappointed with the fact that the terrorists were from Kurdistan. Especially since all persons of middle eastern descent are often stereotyped and falsely labeled as terrorists anyway. I really enjoyed this book but it was hard for me to get past this fact.
I did enjoy the dimensional characters, especially the flight attendants. It's hard to believe that this is TJ Newman's debut novel, she truly writes like a seasoned author. She is a terrific and talented writer I just hope that her next novel doesn't include harmful stereotypes. ...more
Oliver is a recovering addict from rural Indiana when he meets Nathan, a prominent surgeon from wealthy family in DC. Nathan gives Oliver a life with Oliver is a recovering addict from rural Indiana when he meets Nathan, a prominent surgeon from wealthy family in DC. Nathan gives Oliver a life with everything he's ever dreamed of. With his new dream life on the line, Oliver secretly visits a gay bathhouse where he is life is forever changed.
Omg, what have I just read? This book is one dark and twisty ride that I did not want to get off of. I absolutely love the fact that this is a domestic thriller with the central characters being a gay couple. The scenario has been done before, but never with a gay couple. Overall, I couldn't find any issues with this book whatsoever. PJ Vernon did a superb job with this book and I will definitely read anything he comes out with next! Bath Haus will stay with me for a long time and it has made it's way to my list of favorite books of 2021!
Bath Haus is unapologetically raw, dark, and gritty. Full of sex, drugs, and violence so needless to say it's not for the faint of heart. Included in this book are some very visceral themes, PTSD, addiction, abuse,
I would definitely recommend this book to all fans of darker thrillers! ...more
Addison Hope found herself with no memory whatsoever. For the past two years, she has had no idea who she is or any details whatsoever about her life.Addison Hope found herself with no memory whatsoever. For the past two years, she has had no idea who she is or any details whatsoever about her life. The only clue she has is the terrible scars on her body. Addison meets Gabriel and falls in love, soon after they are engaged. Two years ago Julian’s wife Cassandra disappeared without a trace. Julian has worked tirelessly to find the love of his life and the mother of his daughter. Could Addison be Cassandra? What happened to Addison that caused being her amnesia?
The Stranger In The Mirror is told from multiple points of view with alternating timelines. There are several cleverly planted red herrings throughout the story and even though I did figure out the big twist early on, I thoroughly enjoyed reading how it played out.
The chapters in this book are all very short and intense, which makes for a very fast read. Right from the start, I was hooked to Addison's story and I could not put this book down until I finished it. Even though amnesia has been used in several thrillers before, The Stranger In The Mirror is a very unique and original story.
The Stranger In The Mirror has all of the qualities I look for in a thriller. Edge of your seat suspense, unreliable narrator, fast-paced, character depth, and brilliant writing. This is the 4th book I've read by the Constantine sisters and I look forward to reading whatever they come out with next!
I would recommend this book to fans of domestic thrillers. If you liked any of Liv Constantine’s prior works, Before I Sleep by SJ Watson or The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins, then you will love The Stranger In The Mirror. ...more
The main characters in The Wife Stalker are Piper, Joanna, and Leo. The story rotates from Piper’s point of view to Joanna’s. I'm not sure that I've eThe main characters in The Wife Stalker are Piper, Joanna, and Leo. The story rotates from Piper’s point of view to Joanna’s. I'm not sure that I've ever hated a fictional character more than I hated Piper! She is an utterly despicable person. Piper is a textbook narcissist who destroys so many lives on her quest to getting what she wants. Joanna is a loving mother and wife who devotes her entire life to her family. Leo who is married to Joanna, is a powerful attorney that suffers from depression. Leo meets Piper at a meditation class and everything changes.
The book managed to keep my attention throughout. I obsessively kept reading and could not put this book down until I found out what was going to happen next. I was completely shocked by the twist! I was absolutely certain that everything was one way but the twist changed the entire book into something completely different.
This is my second book by Liv Constantine. I've also read The Last Mrs. Parrish by them and I absolutely loved it too! If you are looking for a fast-paced, edge of your seat, psychological thriller, then I would recommend The Wife Stalker! ...more
After reading The Lost Village by Camilla Sten and falling in love with it, Camilla automatically made her way onto my exclusive list of auto-read autAfter reading The Lost Village by Camilla Sten and falling in love with it, Camilla automatically made her way onto my exclusive list of auto-read authors. So when I found out one of Sten’s most popular books, Artavagaren(the Resting Place) was going to be translated to English, I couldn't wait to read it!
Our main character Eleanor suffers from prosopagnosia(face blindness) which prevents her from recognizing any familiar face. When Eleanor went on her weekly visit to see her shrewd grandmother Vivianne, unbeknownst to her she walked into a vicious murder scene and came face to face with her grandmother's killer. Soon after Eleanor is notified that she inherited Solhöga, a sprawling estate from her grandmother. Eleanor feels a strong pull to Solhöga to find some answers about her grandmother.
The chapters alternate between past and present. The present is told through Eleanor’s point of view and the past(1965) is told through Annushka’s point of view. The chapters are all very short which makes for a fast read.
Camilla has turned psychological suspense into a form of art. The Resting Place is atmospheric, suspenseful, creepy, pulse-pounding, claustrophobic, and spine-tingling all at once. Not only is this a thriller, but it also has the elements of a locked room mystery. When the big twist was revealed, I was so surprised that I almost fell out of my chair!
I absolutely loved The Resting Place. I loved all of the characters and I especially loved the creepy Swedish woodland setting that this story takes place.
I highly recommend The Resting Place to all fans of noir thrillers as well as Camilla Sten’s prior novel, The Lost Village. The Resting Place will be available on March 29, 2022. Many thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review! ...more
“We were nearer to spring than we were in September, I heard a bird sing in the Dark of December.” - Oliver Herford
Nick Hall is a vivacious, gay, 20-“We were nearer to spring than we were in September, I heard a bird sing in the Dark of December.” - Oliver Herford
Nick Hall is a vivacious, gay, 20-year-old, college student. He has an older brother named Tony and a sister-in-law named Julie who are more like Nick’s parents than his siblings. On a night out with his roommates Nick meets a good-looking older man named Josh. The two leave a bar to go to a motel together where Nick is violently attacked by Josh. What follows is a story of how the attack damaged not only Nick but his brother, sister-in-law, and the detective working on the case as well.
I absolutely loved all of the characters in this story. I felt so much compassion for Tony, Julie, and Nick. All of the characters were written with such depth that I felt like I personally knew them. I rarely ever get emotional or tear up while reading a book but I did halfway through. I also really enjoyed the intricate detailing that went into explaining the court process for sexual assault.
The Damage is a slower paced book than I am used to reading. I didn't mind the pacing at all because it was so well written with an immense attention to detail. Sometimes slower paced means lots of repetitious or “filler” words but that was not the case for The Damage. Caitlin Waher is clearly a phenomenal author. She writes like a seasoned author so I was shocked to learn that The Damage was her debut novel! I will definitely read the next book written by the author.
Trigger Warning: Even though sexual assault is a big part of the novel, Wahrer addressed it in such a delicate fashion that it did not come off in a disturbing manor. But still, I would not recommend this book to anyone who is triggered by sexual assault. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a deep, emotional, and slower paced family drama about strength, perseverance, and the unconditional love of family. ...more
I've been on a roll with some phenomenal thrillers in the past 2 weeks! This is the 5th thriller in a row that I've read that I rated 4+ stars! This hI've been on a roll with some phenomenal thrillers in the past 2 weeks! This is the 5th thriller in a row that I've read that I rated 4+ stars! This has never happened to me before. 2021 has been the year of the thrillers!
Meredith is a doula with a loving husband Josh, and two children, Delilah and Leo. Kate and Bea live next door to Meredith and her family and are very good friends to Meredith and her family. Shelby and Jason also live in the same neighborhood that Merideth, Kate, and Bea live in. Shelby is expecting a baby so she hires Meredith to assist in her delivery. One day Shelby goes missing. A week later, Meredith and her daughter Delilah go missing. Are the two connected? What is happening to the women in this tight-knit community?
I've seen this book everywhere in the book world lately so when I saw it was available at my library I thought I would give it a shot. This is my first book by the author, Mary Kubrica.
From the start of this book to the end, I was glued to the story. After reading the shocking first two chapters there was no way I could put this book down! I absolutely loved this book! I loved the faster pace, all of the characters, and this book had more than 1 twist that I was completely blindsided by! The only issue I had was one thing was left unanswered at the end.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book to all of my thriller-loving friends! Mary Kubrica is a very talented writer and I am going to read anything she comes out with next, as well as reading her previous books. ...more
This is the 10th book I've read by Lisa Jewell. I first fell in love with her work 7 years ago after reading The House We Grew Up In and every year siThis is the 10th book I've read by Lisa Jewell. I first fell in love with her work 7 years ago after reading The House We Grew Up In and every year since she has released one amazing book after another.
I'm going to be brief and vague with my summary because it's better to know less going into this one:
In 2017, Tallulah is a 19-year-old college student and a new mom to her baby boy Noah. Tallulah and her boyfriend Zach decide to go on a date leaving Noah with Tallulah’s mom Kim to watch. The next morning comes and Tallulah has not made it home yet. Kim becomes frantic and starts making phone calls to Tallulah’s friends to see if they know where she is. Ultimately Kim ends up at a large manor called Dark Place.
In 2019, Sophie and her boyfriend Shaun just moved to Maypol House(a school very close to Dark Place)where Shaun is the new headteacher. Sophie is exploring the area when she finds a sign that says ‘dig here’ with an arrow pointing to the ground. There, Sophie uncovers a box with an engagement ring inside. Finding the ring takes Sophie on a search to find out who the ring belongs to.
Lisa Jewell seamlessly and brilliantly switches between dual timelines and connects the two stories. I loved the vivid imagery that she created when describing Dark Place.
The character development and storyline were nothing short of spectacular. I adored all of the characters in this book but Kim was my absolute favorite. I kept thinking that I knew how the story would play out but when a twist was revealed, I found myself completely blindsided.
As usual, when it comes to Lisa Jewell’s books, I couldn't find any issue at all. From start to finish I enjoyed every moment of The Night She Disappeared. Since she is one of my favorite writers I had high expectations for this book and it definitely did not disappoint!
If you enjoyed any of Lisa Jewell’s prior books then you will definitely like The Night She Disappeared. I highly recommend this one as well as The Family Upstairs, Invisible Girl, and The Girls in the Garden all by Lisa Jewell. ...more
Julie Weathers is ready for a new beginning. She sees a job posting for a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse onMeet my new obsessive compulsive read...
Julie Weathers is ready for a new beginning. She sees a job posting for a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse on a remote island in Maine called Mercy Island. Soon after Julie's move, unexplained things start happening.
I loved the New England coastal setting, which made a perfectly creepy and atmospheric backdrop for the story. The author crafted the book so that Mercy Island had a personality of its own. I really liked the protagonist Julie, as well as the residents of Mercy Island. All of the characters were multi dimensional and well developed. The whole story, plot, and characters were all very original and different from anything I have ever read before. But The Second Mother is not just a thriller, it is also story about grief, reconciling with the past, and hope. If you are looking for a slow paced, atmospheric, thriller with a mystery element, I would definitely recommend The Second Mother. ...more
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