This book was chosen by my book club. So this was my June, 2024 book club read. Would I have chosen this book on my own? No. Was I happy to give it a This book was chosen by my book club. So this was my June, 2024 book club read. Would I have chosen this book on my own? No. Was I happy to give it a chance? Yes I was, as I am open to “expanding my horizons”. However… this book did not work out for me or any of the other members of my book club unfortunately.
All I have to say is this book is bizarre. An unnamed narrator tells the story of how a smog has taken over. The smog destroyed America and Southeast Asia first, and then a year and a half later it reached Europe. The smog has destroyed all the crops, sheep, and cattle. Food is made with a processed flour/meal that is highly addictive. Our unnamed narrator is a chef who gets a job in Italy - she was able to land this job by lying on her resume.
In Italy, our unnamed chef/narrator meets her rich boss and his daughter Aida. Here she also gets acquainted with foods, such as strawberries, that she hasn’t seen in years. She becomes friends with Aida and is taken to a lab where animals are reproduced. She is also taken to a place where grass is planted, called “the land of milk and honey”.
None of us were really sure what the point of this boring, depressing book was. We have several thoughts and theories (way too many to get into in this review). I mean, our food sources could certainly be destroyed one day. We already have Bill Gates manufacturing genetically engineered foods, and they’re already selling Impossible Meat at the stores- so maybe this book was a glimpse into our future. And it seemed that only the rich will be able to eat the real foods that are left, and live in proper housing to protect them from the smog…
Regardless, this was a weird book. This wasn’t my cup of tea, and I honestly couldn’t even bring myself to finish this book. Since I only read about half of this book, I have decided not to rate this book as it wouldn’t be a fair rating. ...more
I’ve been flipping back and forth between four and five stars with this book, but ultimately I’m going with four stars and that’s only because this boI’ve been flipping back and forth between four and five stars with this book, but ultimately I’m going with four stars and that’s only because this book seemed a bit lengthy- and while this is a fiction book I still found a couple of the scenes very implausible (I know, why can’t I just go along for the entertainment?! ...more
For starters, I personally enjoyed this book better than “The Woman in the Window” by this author. While this book was extraordinarily long (or so it For starters, I personally enjoyed this book better than “The Woman in the Window” by this author. While this book was extraordinarily long (or so it seemed), it didn’t read as slow as his previous book. This newest book also had some surprise twists at the end that I definitely did not see coming, which totally redeemed this story for me. I should also mention that although this was a long book, the chapters were short and very easy to read- which made this book go by much quicker.
In this story we have Nicky Hunter, who has been corresponding by mail for the past five years with the infamous author Sebastian Trapp. Sebastian, after learning that his health is failing, invites Nicky to come stay at his mansion and interview him for an autobiography of sorts. Twenty years prior on New Years Eve 1999, Sebastian lost both his first wife and son. They both disappeared from different areas, only to never to be seen again. All these years, Sebastian has had to live with the grief and listen to people accuse him of murdering his own family members.
When Nicky arrives at the mansion in San Francisco to meet and interview Sebastian, she also meets his new beautiful wife Diana. Sebastian married Diana fifteen years after his wife and son went missing. We also have his adult daughter Madeleine, who still lives at home with them. Nicky also meets other family members along the way, such as the handsome nephew Freddy- who now comes by to help Sebastian with his treatments now that he is sick.
As Nicky interviews Sebastian and his other family members and houseguests, she starts to wonder if she is even safe staying in the mansion herself? Is Sebastian keeping secrets? And will Nicky ever uncover the whole story of the disappearance of Sebastian’s previous wife and son?
At the end of this story- I will say that I enjoyed it. There were some issues that I had such as length, and I felt the setting wasn’t quite right. While this book took place in San Francisco, I kept picturing London, England somewhere. So for some reason that kept throwing me off. All in all, this was a good read and I will be looking forward to his next book! ...more
Loved it!! This book was fresh, fun, and kept me turning the pages!! I needed this book! This is also Amy Tintera’s adult debut novel after writing YALoved it!! This book was fresh, fun, and kept me turning the pages!! I needed this book! This is also Amy Tintera’s adult debut novel after writing YA, and she nailed it!! I loved the short chapters, and the main character of Lucy Chase was the best I’ve read in a while- that is definitely how young adults act today (or maybe it’s just me ...more
This book was chosen for my November Book Club. I had never heard of this author prior to reading this book, and I was generally pleased with this mysThis book was chosen for my November Book Club. I had never heard of this author prior to reading this book, and I was generally pleased with this mystery. In fact, the general consensus from book club was that we all liked this book (it wasn’t the greatest), but moving forward we would all definitely read another book from this author in the future. So I do believe that that is a good sign.
This story starts off with Sarah, who is a struggling author. Sarah is having a hard time making ends meet. Then Sarah gets a call that her Aunt Evelyn (Evie) has passed away, and she is set to inherit a large fortune if she can solve a 36 year old cold case. This cold case involves the disappearance of Aunt Evelyn’s best friend, Lucy Woodfell. Lucy disappeared 36 years ago, and no one has heard from her since, and no body was ever found. Aunt Evelyn does believe that she is dead, and she left a list of six possible suspects who could be involved in Lucy’s death. Four of the six suspects are members of Lucy’s own family. Sarah doesn’t know it, but she will definitely have her hands full when she learns about all the dysfunctional members of Lucy Woodfell’s family…
Sarah has six months to solve the case of Lucy Woodfell and gain Aunt Evelyn’s inheritance, and the pressure is on. In doing so, Sarah is able to move into Aunt Evelyn’s mansion which used to belong to the Woodfell family. At night there are strange noises, photos are moved, and strange things are left on the dining room table. Are there ghosts in this mansion? Or is someone messing with Sarah?
All in all, this was a decent read. There were some discrepancies along the way (many things that I know I wouldn’t be doing if I was in Sarah’s shoes), but we had a great discussion and many laughs with this book at book club- so for that I’m probably giving this a bit of a higher rating. 3.5 stars (rounded up) ...more
Before I get into the review of this book, I want to state that I think Denfeld is an underrated author. This is the third book that I’ve read of hersBefore I get into the review of this book, I want to state that I think Denfeld is an underrated author. This is the third book that I’ve read of hers, and once again I was captivated from the first page all the way through until the last page. The author writes about subjects that aren’t easy to read about, yet they are topics and subjects that take place around the country today and in the past. They are topics that need to be somehow treated and solved, yet they are somehow always overlooked. Slips through the system… I was both angered and sad after having read this book.
In this story, we have Amanda Dufresne who shows up in a town off the Oregon coast in search of her brother that she never knew she had. As both Amanda and her brother were adopted, she has just found out about having a brother named Dennis Owens.
Amanda teams up with, and becomes friends with Larry who is a retired police officer. Larry is a lonely widower, and having Amanda around to help has suddenly given him some new purpose in his life as well. We learn of Amanda’s current job at the zoo in working with Molly, the lone polar bear and her mission to help this lonely bear. We also learn of both Larry’s and Amanda’s backstories, and how maybe they just happened to find each other at the right time.
In searching for Amanda’s brother, Dennis- we find out that he died in the ocean running away from the horrible boy’s home he was living in. The Brightwood Center for boys was run by a woman who did treatments on the boys that were supposed to “break” them of whatever behavior issue that she thought they had. As Amanda and Larry start to uncover some of the horrific truths and secrets that happened at the now closed down Brightwood Center, someone out there is not happy that the past is being uncovered…
There were some shocks and twists that did make this a bit of a mystery, but for the most part it was a read that broke my heart a bit. I learned some things that the media NEVER talks about. I also loved the author’s Acknowledgment at the end. It was such a pleasure to read. And with that I will leave this review with a quote from the author in her acknowledgments- “In books I found understanding, hope, and belonging. I hope you find understanding in this book, dear reader. I hope you find love.” ❤️
This is one book that I highly recommend, as well as Rene Denfeld’s other fantastic books! ...more
Where to start with this book? After reading this, I am angry!! I am angry at her pathetic, non-supportive, and controlling family for what they have Where to start with this book? After reading this, I am angry!! I am angry at her pathetic, non-supportive, and controlling family for what they have put Britney through. I am angry at all the loser men that have preyed upon her kindness and naivety. I am angry at the media and paparazzi for exposing her as a mad woman. I am angry that it took years for anyone to finally help her. I am angry that someone this rich and famous can be taken advantage of.
This was a fast story to read, but believe me it told enough. I’m so glad that Britney was able to finally tell her side of the story. This story starts off with Britney as a young girl and her upbringing. Right away, I knew her parents weren’t right because she told stories of how her father (Mr. Conservator), was an alcoholic and could never keep a job or pay the bills when she was growing up. Britney’s “wonderful” mother would also take her out drinking when she was only 13 years old. Her mom also had her driving the car around at 13. Oh, and don’t worry- because they were so poor, they got Britney into show business so she could pay the bills. Yay Mom and Dad ...more
Phew! I’m glad that’s over! This book was absolutely painful to read. I kept waiting for it to get better, but it kept getting progressively worse. AnPhew! I’m glad that’s over! This book was absolutely painful to read. I kept waiting for it to get better, but it kept getting progressively worse. And for this being a short book at only 272 pages, it felt like 572 pages. I did not enjoy this book at all.
In this story we have a wife who is totally obsessed and consumed with her husband. The wife records their conversations, checks his emails, his phone messages, the mailbox, etc… She is obsessed with what he says and how he says it. She even obsesses over what fruit he calls her. How dare he call her a clementine! The wife cannot even love her own children, because she loves and obsesses over her own husband too much. And this is all happening after 15 years of marriage.
This book is called My Husband, but let me tell you, the wife is nuttier than a fruitcake! After reading so many pages of the wife’s obsessiveness, and her only hobby of stalking her husband, I grew very tired of the repetitiveness and redundancy. I could not wait for this book to be over! Many have stated that the Epilogue made this book worth reading, well for me it didn’t. It was just as lame as the rest of the book.
This book was translated from French to English, so maybe their way of writing (and their humor) is different from mine- but I just didn’t get this book. Many others have loved this book, so please read their reviews before deciding on whether to read this book or not. Because obviously, this was not my cup of tea....more
So, this is only my fifth read by Lisa Unger (with one being a short story), and I’m thinking I need to hurry up and read more from her! I really enjoSo, this is only my fifth read by Lisa Unger (with one being a short story), and I’m thinking I need to hurry up and read more from her! I really enjoyed this book and the author’s writing. I loved the main character of Rosie, and felt like I could easily connect with her. This book was very atmospheric and did keep me on my toes.
This story starts off with Rosie and her husband Chad, inheriting his late uncle Ivan’s upscale apartment. Rosie is a writer, with only one book under her belt, she needs to publish another one soon before their money runs out. Chad, is a struggling actor always looking for the next big break. However, once they learn that they have inherited this luxury apartment 5B at 55 Park Avenue, they feel their luck is finally about to change. Or is it?
Once they’ve moved into the apartment, Rosie receives phone calls from Chad’s cousin Dana who is very irate about not inheriting the apartment. Rosie hopes that she can mend things with Dana, while Chad assures her everything is as it should be. Rosie and Chad also become very friendly with their new neighbors, Charles and Ella Aldridge, who have lived at the Windermere apartments forever.
While at the apartment, tragic events start to occur and Rosie starts to have visions and see things. Because of these visions, Rosie starts to dig up the Windermere’s past history and is very bewildered by what she finds. During this time we also have flashback chapters from Willa that take place in 1963, which I loved reading! We also have the ever-present doorman Abi, who is always listening in on the intercoms located in every room. Why is he so concerned with everyone’s business?
All in all, this was a very entertaining read. My only gripe was that the chapters were a bit long (that’s a me thing). Otherwise, I highly recommend reading this story and the acknowledgments at the end as to how this story came about. Very interesting!
“Some buildings just have bad personalities. And I think maybe it attracts darkness. If you’re vulnerable to dark energies, if they speak to something going on inside you, maybe there’s a strange attraction, a lure to that dark past inside you.”
I was hoping this book was going to finish off Amazing for me, and it almost did- but as much as I loved Grace Adams, this book just went into too manI was hoping this book was going to finish off Amazing for me, and it almost did- but as much as I loved Grace Adams, this book just went into too many directions for me. Now that I’ve finished reading this book (and even thought about it for a day), I’m still not sure what the main focus was. Was it perimenopause, grief, or relationship issues? Perhaps it was all three, but I think if we would have stuck to one main focus, this book would have probably blown me away.
This story starts off with Grace abandoning her car in the middle of a traffic jam. Grace does this so she can get a birthday cake to her estranged daughter, Lotte in time. It is Lotte’s 16th birthday, and Grace has picked out the perfect cake. ...more
I just want to say that when I read “The Book of Cold Cases” by this author, I deemed her my favorite author because I loved that book so much! HoweveI just want to say that when I read “The Book of Cold Cases” by this author, I deemed her my favorite author because I loved that book so much! However, the next few books I read after “Cold Cases” have been mediocre for me, including this latest release. Now, I’m not sure if it’s because my expectations are so high or because my tastes have swayed a bit. Whatever has happened, I’m just not quite feeling it. This book started off super strong for me, and then about halfway through I started to lose interest. I even felt as if this book could have been written for a YA audience (or maybe I’m just getting too old).
In this story we have newlyweds, Eddie Carter and April Delray (she hasn’t even had time to change her name yet). Eddie and April are headed to their honeymoon at the Five Pines Resort, when they realize they are lost and heading in the wrong direction. They are on the road of Atticus Line when they see a lone woman walking down the side of the road in the middle of the night. They stop, pick up the lone woman and it isn’t until they are driving that they realize this unknown woman is bleeding to death in their backseat.
Eddie and April take the bleeding woman, who had multiple stab wounds to her stomach to the hospital. It is there the woman dies, and Eddie and April are suddenly treated as suspects in the woman’s murder. Little do Eddie and April know that there have been several murders in the town of Coldlake Falls, which they are now in. All of the murders go back over 19 years, and all of them on Atticus Line. Who did this? Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or is there something much more dangerous at hand?
I did enjoy Eddie and April’s backstories in this. However, the paranormal element was lacking for me. I think I was expecting more creepiness, maybe more of a twist (I figured it out early on), so something was missing for me. Maybe I read too many suspense novels, or paranormal just isn’t my thing anymore- but this just didn’t knock my socks off like I thought it would. Murder Road was definitely a middle of the road rating for me…
I knew going into this book that I was going to enjoy it. I’ve read a few of Garza’s books prior to this one, and there’s just something about her wriI knew going into this book that I was going to enjoy it. I’ve read a few of Garza’s books prior to this one, and there’s just something about her writing that just “clicks” with me. They may not be the best thriller/suspense books ever written, but for me they are pure entertainment and enjoyable. In fact, as with this book, I can often relate and resonate with the characters as well.
This book starts off with Tatum, who has just started to visit her daughter Adrienne after not seeing her for a long while. Adrienne was kicked out of her house by her father who is the town pastor (Pastor Shane). Her mother Tatum, feels bad for not ever having a backbone and sticking up for her daughter, Adrienne. So Tatum finally begins to start visiting Adrienne on Wednesday nights at the bar that she works at. It becomes a weekly routine for the mother and daughter until one Wednesday, Adrienne is a no-call, no-show for her shift at work.
Tatum does not believe that her daughter would just disappear without calling her or anyone else. However, people from the small town that they live in consider Adrienne a bit of a “wild child” and no one is taking her absence seriously. But Tatum knows her child better than all the “holier than thou” townsfolk, and she will stop at nothing to find her!
Along the way, Tatum meets Adrienne’s fiancé. Now that’s strange- considering Adrienne never mentioned being engaged. This fiancé seems very helpful to Tatum at first, but could he be hiding something?
This story is told in the three different POV’s of The Daughter, The Mother, and The Fiancé, with each being more and more interesting.
This book had a great storyline with characters that were easy to connect and relate to. I was kept turning the pages, and was surprised at the twists and turns along the way. A recommendable read for sure!! ...more
Isadora Bentley had been hurt so much in the past- by her parents, her peers growing up, her coworkers, and ex-lovers. How could she ever possibly truIsadora Bentley had been hurt so much in the past- by her parents, her peers growing up, her coworkers, and ex-lovers. How could she ever possibly trust anyone ever again? Wouldn’t life be easier to just be by yourself? Sound familiar? Well it sure did to me, and that’s why I resonated so much with Isadora Bentley. I loved her, and her story. In fact, I loved this book! I laughed (Chapter 3 had me laughing so hard, I was in tears), I cried, I got angry, and I even found happiness…
This story starts off with Isadora celebrating her 30th birthday alone. She is at the supermarket checkout lane, when she purchases a magazine that has an article in it on 31 ways to be happy. Isadora decides that she is going to try each of the 31 ways listed to see if the woman who wrote the article is right. Isadora even runs her own scientific data on this. (I need to mention Chapter 3 again, which was Rule #1- Smiling. I honestly never laughed so hard in my life ...more
For those that don’t know, this book is the sequel to Chizmar’s “Chasing the Boogeyman”, which in my opinion is one of the best books that I’ve read. For those that don’t know, this book is the sequel to Chizmar’s “Chasing the Boogeyman”, which in my opinion is one of the best books that I’ve read. So good in fact, that I could not wait to read “Becoming the Boogeyman”. Did this book live up to the hype and impress me like the first book? Unfortunately, no. I felt this book was way longer than it should have been, and all the references to “Chasing the Boogeyman” became too repetitive (yeah we get it, that book was a great best seller- and rightfully so). This book still had all the nostalgic flashbacks which I enjoyed in the first book, but I unfortunately never had that scared, creepy feeling like I did with the first book either.
In this book, Richard Chizmar is living through the success of his Chasing the Boogeyman novel and film. Chizmar is also in touch with Joshua Gallagher, the infamous killer who is in prison. Suddenly, what seems like pranks are being pulled on Chizmar and his family. Then there are the deaths of three teenage girls and an adult woman. Is Joshua Gallagher orchestrating these murders? Or is there a copycat killer on the loose?
I did enjoy the format of this book. There were interviews set up, and once again we had photographs of the victims and crime scenes. While I did not love this book as much as Chasing the Boogeyman, I will still be looking forward to reading the next book in this series- (the way this book ended, I have a good feeling one is coming). 3.5 stars ⭐️ ...more
This was a book that I had been looking forward to reading as I loved the author’s debut novel, “Greenwich Park”. Now, I rated the debut novel five stThis was a book that I had been looking forward to reading as I loved the author’s debut novel, “Greenwich Park”. Now, I rated the debut novel five stars, so I have to say that I didn’t like this one as much. Yes, I still really enjoyed this newest release and the twists blew my mind! However, I started to feel like this story was longer than necessary and started to drag on a bit. Otherwise, this was a solid story that kept me guessing!
In this story we have Tash (Natasha James, now Carpenter after getting married), who receives a visit from a woman named Jane, who wants her to investigate the death of her daughter Sophie Blake. Jane does not think that her daughter’s death was an accident, and she believes that her daughter was murdered. Tash is working as a freelance journalist, and she thinks that looking into the death of this young girl could finally be the big break she’s been looking for.
While Tash is working on her freelance writing ✍️, and now the Sophie Blake case, she starts to take her two year old son to playgroup. At playgroup, Tash meets “the other mothers”. Tash becomes friends with Claire, Nicole, and Laura so that their children can play together. Tash also likes having a sense of belonging- even if it means ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ because Tash and her husband certainly do not have the kind of money that her new friends have.
Another reason Tash likes her new friend group is because they knew the young girl, Sophie Blake who was found dead. Tash feels she can question these women and get her news report in. Although who is playing who in this story? Are these women really Tash’s friends? And is there anyone we can trust in this town?
I will say that I didn’t like any of “the other mothers”, as they were all unlikable women. Although, the alternating chapters between Tash and Sophie were done very nicely. The ending of this story was a nice surprise, and I will be looking forward to the author’s next book! ...more
Well I do love that cover… Here’s the thing- this book started off very strong for me. Then it was just okay throughout the middle, and then the endinWell I do love that cover… Here’s the thing- this book started off very strong for me. Then it was just okay throughout the middle, and then the ending made me angry (or perhaps even baffled)! Although, I will say that the ending did have quite the clever twist.
We have several different viewpoints throughout this story. One viewpoint is that of Lucy, who is searching for her sister Nicki who disappeared over 440 days ago. We get to follow Lucy on her frantic search for Nicki, and in doing so find out that there are other missing women involved. After 17 year old Jennifer Gold turns up missing, Operation Tide is formed to help locate these missing women who are all believed to be abducted.
Throughout this story we also hear the viewpoint from the abductor/murderer. That was rather interesting, because going into the mind of a murderer is never dull.
The ending of this story made me very angry due to one of our characters lack of communication and sense of entitlement (cannot say who or what it was because that would be a major spoiler). It also makes you think of how horrible and tragic a situation may be, and that it can end up very differently for some people. Not all is what it appears to be.
As I mentioned above, this story started off strong for me but fizzled somewhere along the way. I did resonate with Lucy early on and even felt as she did- “The world, she’d discovered, just wasn’t designed for people with open wounds. Instead, it seemed packed with the privileged and their petty problems, their shitty attitudes, their blatant ungratefulness.” Yes, even with all I felt for Lucy, she still couldn’t save this book for me unfortunately…
Now I did like this book, I just didn’t love it like I thought I would. I’m seeing some high reviews for this book, so I do recommend reading this as it has something for everyone....more
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