Category: Mystery/Thriller

Yesterday was release day for The Night Swim by Megan Goldin! It’s also a pick for BOTM club for August. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this one and I recommend picking it up or adding it to your box!

Summary: Reading The Night Swim by Megan Goldin will take you through so many emotions. It is equal parts sadness, anger, fear, and hope. The book follows two stories in the same town that occurred twenty-five years apart. The present day story involves a true crime podcaster covering the trial of an accused young rapist. The other story set twenty-five years in the past and told in flashbacks involves the death of a young teenager. The sister of the young teenager has returned to her hometown to seek justice for her sister, who she believes was murdered. She reaches out to the podcaster and asks for her help in getting to the bottom of what happened the night her sister died. The podcaster begins to help investigate and soon finds parallels to the current trial she is covering.

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: The story opens with a chapter that hooks you in immediately as you wonder exactly what happened to the young girl who died twenty-five years ago. It is told from the perspective of the younger sister Hannah and leaves you with so many questions that you want to keep reading to get the answers. I feel that the author did a great job of moving back and forth from story to story and weaving them together. I think early on the reader knows that there is a connection, but the author keeps you guessing on what that connection is. I also liked how in the present day story, the author took you through the events leading up to the crime in small doses. She would pause in the narrative and leave you wondering what happened for a couple of chapters before continuing with the story. This was also effective at holding the readers interest and making you want to keep reading. I will say that while the book contained very sensitive themes, I enjoyed the fact that the language was very clean throughout. I actually can only recall one instance of foul language in the entire story. And since I am a huge critic sometimes of book endings, I will say that I felt the author did a great job at wrapping up the story and giving the characters (and the readers) closure. I would even enjoy a sequel involving the podcaster Rachel and her next trial.

What I didn’t like: I don’t know that there was honestly anything I disliked. Except possibly for the crimes themselves and what happened to the young girls in this story. However, that has nothing to do with the actual book and the writing itself. The author, in my opinion handled a very sensitive topic well. She makes you consider how these types of crimes are viewed in society. And about how society in general treats both the accused and the accuser. She also makes you think of how events in the past can shape the future. And unfortunately how these crimes affect both the victims and their families.

Disclaimer: PG/PG-13 for language, but see note below

Do You Read Me?: Overall, a very well written plot with some surprise twists at the end. Some things I guessed, but others I did not see coming. I will warn people that it is somewhat graphic during the present day story and during the trial itself. So while the language is fairly clean, the subject matter may be too intense for some readers. Especially if someone has been a victim of this type of crime or knows someone who has been a victim. However, I think the book is worth reading for the way it makes you think about how victims are viewed and treated.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book!

Today is release day for Michelle Campbell’s new thriller, The Wife Who Knew Too Much! I was lucky to receive an ARC of this one several months ago, but you can go grab your copy today!

Summary: This thriller revolves around a women named Tabitha who reconnects with her childhood crush Connor. The only problem? He’s married to a very wealthy woman named Nina with an ironclad prenup. After a weekend spent together, he promises to find a way out of the marriage and the two part ways. Fast forward a couple of months and Nina is found dead in their swimming pool. The police rule suicide. But was it suicide or something more sinister?

Tabitha and Connor marry and move into the huge mansion previously inhabited by Connor and Nina. Slightly uncomfortable around the staff, Tabitha is ready for her happily ever after with Connor. But then Connor starts acting weird and becoming distant. Tabitha starts wondering what really happened to Nina that night. Did Connor have something to do with her death? Is Tabitha is danger? Then she finds Nina’s diary……

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: The story opened with Nina’s diary entry, which definitely peaked the reader’s interest about what actually happened to her. It was definitely a fast read. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that one of the characters whose intentions I questioned throughout the entire story, turned out to be a good person in the end. The ending was a little sad, but did provide closure for the main characters.

What I didn’t like: Tabitha was super naive and didn’t always make smart decisions. I found myself yelling at her in my head to run away and stop being so gullible. I found a lot of the story predictable. I figured out who the “bad guy” was about halfway through the story although I didn’t know the why until closer to the end. I also understand why the author did what she did with one of the main characters at the end, but I feel like I would have liked the story better had it not happened (sorry it’s hard to talk about without spoiling anything 😉).

Disclaimer: PG-13 for language

Do You Read Me?: Yes! This was probably my favorite of this author’s books so far.

Overall a good thriller! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book!

I was super excited to read the newest book by Sandie Jones. I’ll be honest and say while I wasn’t a huge fan of her first novel, I did really enjoy her second novel. I was hoping this one would be along the same lines. Unfortunately, this one was mostly a miss for me.

Summary:

The novel is told in alternate viewpoints. The two main characters are sisters who have a somewhat strained relationship. This relationship is further tested when a young woman claiming to be their half sister shows up at a family dinner demanding answers. The only problem is that the father they all share and who potentially holds all the answers passed away 10 months ago. So the sisters and their mother are left wondering is this woman who she claims to be? And what does she really want from them?

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: It was definitely a fast read. I appreciated the last chapter, which fast forwarded a year into the future to tie up loose ends. There was some foul language, but not an overabundance.

What I didn’t like: I’m not even sure if I can pinpoint what I really didn’t like. All I can say is for some reason, this novel just didn’t work for me. It seemed very repetitive and not very suspenseful overall. I thought I had figured out a twist in the middle, which I now know the author intended for the reader to assume. This assumed twist was then shown to be false very quickly. The ending seemed somewhat rushed and overly dramatic especially given the resolution in the last chapter.

Disclaimer: PG-13 for language

Do You Read Me?: I’m torn on this one. Overall, this wasn’t a bad read, it just wasn’t one of my favorites. I recommend Sandie Jones’ The First Mistake if you are looking for a really good read by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book!

This was a December BOTM pick and one that has very high reviews on GoodReads. I picked it up when I just couldn’t get into another book I was reading. This one drew me in right from the start and I finished it in one day!

Summary: The story revolves around two sisters who live in a town ravaged by the opioid crisis. One sister, Mickey decided to become a cop and works hard to protect the people she loves. The other sister, Kacey took the opposite road as a drug addict who will do whatever it takes for her next fix. The two sisters do not speak as adults, but Mickey is determined to look out for her sister as she patrols the town they live in. But then Kacey goes missing and girls are being found murdered all over the town. Mickey, worried that her sister may become the next victim sets out on a mission to find Kacey before it’s too late.

Genre: Thriller

My Review:

What I Liked: This was a super quick read for me even though it is almost 500 pages. I don’t really know what I was expecting from this book, but once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. The book is told in the present day and in flashbacks to the sisters’ childhood. I thought the flashbacks were well timed and well done and really gave you a glimpse on what life was like growing up in that town. I was pleasantly surprised at the twists in this book as I was expecting a pretty straight forward police procedural as Mickey looked for Kacey. The author does a great job at slowly revealing these surprises and even leads you on different paths before arriving at the actual culprit in the murder of the young girls. I was anxiously awaiting the moment that Kacey was found and hoping for a happy ending for the sisters.

What I didn’t like: I did found myself questioning Mickey’s actions several times throughout the book. She put herself and others in jeopardy numerous times. But it also shows how desperate she was to find her sister. I would have liked a flash forward into the future at the end of the book, so readers could find out how everyone was doing after the events that transpired. There was some foul language, but it was not overly excessive throughout the whole novel in my opinion.

Disclaimer: PG-13/maybe R only for the language and the themes. The opioid crisis is talked about in detail including the various illegal ways that some people choose to pay for the drugs. However, it wasn’t super graphic when discussing those activities.

Do You Read Me?: Yes! Overall, a great read! I really felt for the characters in the book and the town that they lived in. Both sisters were trying to escape a rough childhood in their own ways. I think the author did a good job of making the reader see the opioid crisis from different viewpoints and also the desperation that comes with it for those addicted and those who love them. I highly recommend!

I have read two of the authors previous books and was thrilled when I was approved to review this one through NetGalley! This book drew me in right away and I honestly couldn’t put it down. The author has such an awesome way with words and phrasing. A way that I don’t think you normally find in the thriller genre. Her words at times are lyrical and poetic and show deep thoughts about life and our circumstances (especially in this book). Yesterday was also its release day, so you can go pick it up!

Summary: A little girl named Arden sleepwalks one night and disappears. Unfortunately, she goes missing in the middle of a huge rainstorm and everyone fears the worst. Miraculously, after a massive search party that goes on for days, Arden is found alive in a storm drain. She becomes the subject of national headlines as “the girl from Widow Hills.” Suddenly she is famous and forced to relive the event every year as people retell the story. As an adult, Arden changes her name to Olivia and escapes the media that have followed her her whole life. Things are going well for Olivia until the twentieth anniversary of her disappearance approaches and she finds herself sleepwalking again. And then one night Olivia wakes up in her backyard standing over a dead body with no idea how she got there. And further investigation reveals that the dead person knew her when she was a child. How did he find her and what does he want? And more importantly – who killed him?

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: The main character was portrayed as a strong, self-aware woman who was able to survive a rather challenging childhood and rise above her circumstances. The way the author wrote the story and built the suspense, I had no idea who to trust. I doubted everyone Olivia came in contact with and suspected that they all had ulterior motives at some point in the book. I was also left guessing whether Olivia herself had committed the murder while sleepwalking. There were so many possibilities on how this story would play out and just when you thought you had it figured out, the author would lead you down a different path. I still didn’t guess the ultimate “bad guy” until the author lead you to them at the end of the book. It was definitely a surprise!!

What I didn’t like: The ending was a little rushed and I felt like there were a couple of loose ends that could have been tied up. I would have liked an epilogue or another chapter that jumped into the future to see how Olivia was doing once everything settled down. I felt like I connected to the main character and wanted to make sure she was okay when the story ended.

Disclaimer: PG-13 for language

Do You Read Me?: Yes! This was a solid thriller that I would definitely recommend! I would also recommend reading The Missing Girls by this author. That story is super unique in that it is told in reverse. It is one that you really have to pay attention to and also keeps you guessing!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for a free ARC of this book!!

This was my first read by this author and I thought the premise sounded very interesting. And if you know me, you know that thrillers are my favorite reads. I was super excited when I was approved to review this book on NetGalley!

Summary:

The story revolves around a young woman named Eleanor who finds out that the man who raised her is not her actual father. This information comes in the form of a deathbed confession from the man she considered her father. Left with a mother and sister who she doesn’t get along with, Eleanor feels that she is all alone now. So when she finds out her biological dad is a wealthy businessman and that she has a beautiful half-sister, she decides that maybe she can be a part of an actual family after all.

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: The story moved at a pretty fast pace and the first half definitely made me wonder what was going to happen. Especially after Eleanor befriended her half-sister without telling her who she actually was. The opening chapter definitely clues you in that something bad happened, but you have no idea what that was. It was a good way to peak the reader’s interest from the start. There was some foul language, but it wasn’t throughout the whole story. I also liked Lewis’ character and his relationship with Eleanor.

What I didn’t like: The ending. I hated it. Really hated it. I will say the last 1/3 of the book, I realized where the story was going (in terms of the true nature of the characters). But the actual ending and what happened to the main character?? No. Just no. I don’t think there has been a book that I have read that I disliked the ending of this much. Although I will say that some people must have liked it since it has some really positive reviews on GoodReads. Maybe it’s the fact that it is so unexpected? Maybe people were so surprised at the ending that they gave it high ratings due to the shock value? I read a lot of thrillers and psychological suspense and this ending is definitely like no other. I realize the main character wasn’t entirely innocent in everything (and that’s pretty much all I can say without spoilers). I just didn’t feel that it needed to end in that way. I kept waiting for a light at the end of the tunnel. It didn’t happen. And it made me mad.

Disclaimer: PG-13 for language (although I will be honest and say it’s been awhile since I read this one and I didn’t note anything about language so it must not have been too bad).

Do You Read Me?: Overall, you may want to give it a read. (I don’t like discouraging people from reading books in general). Maybe the fact that I feel so strongly about the ending is actually a testament to how well written it is. I cared so much about the characters that the ending made me that angry. Maybe you will disagree? As I said, I did predict some parts of the ending. But the actual ending and “resolution” I would have never predicted. So if you are looking for a thriller with a shocking ending, go for it. Just know you may be angry when it ends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this book!

This was a BOTM pick in my typical thriller genre. I didn’t know anything about the author, but the reviews were really good, so I was excited. This book was released yesterday, so I am sharing my review!

Summary: A wedding set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland is the setting for this novel. The entire book is told in alternating points of view over the span of two days. The reader is introduced to the wedding planner, the bride, the bridesmaid, the best man, and the plus one on the day before the wedding. There are also secondary characters weaved throughout the story. The novel begins with a very short chapter the night of the wedding where a huge storm is blowing in and the power goes out in the massive wedding tent. The reader knows that something bad is about to happen but has no idea what. Then the novel goes back in time to the day before the wedding and we meet the characters. About a third of the way through the book, we are taken back to the wedding night where is seems as though someone has died. But did someone actually die? Was it an accident with the huge cliffs and bogs all around the island? Or was it murder? And more importantly if someone is dead, who is it?

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: I will admit this started pretty slow for me. The opening chapter was good, but getting to know each of the characters in the beginning was a little bit of a chore. I found myself not picking up the book when I had the opportunity to read, which is a sure sign I’m not that into the book. However, I decided that if I wanted to move on to other books, I needed to just finish this one. So I picked it up on a Saturday morning and once I started reading I couldn’t stop! The buildup to the ending was very well done once you got to know the characters. I assumed someone died and that it was probably murder, but I literally had no clue who it was until it was revealed at the end. I loved the way the author took some of the last chapters toward the end from each characters’ perspective and ended them all with “and then the lights went out.” It really added to the suspense!

Now, I can’t go into much more without ruining what makes this book so special, but I will say that I did not see several of the twists coming. I would say there were four main “reveals.” Two of them I saw coming pretty early on, but the last two I had no clue. I literally felt my jaw drop at the last one.

What I didn’t like: Honestly, the language was pretty bad. There was a point where I considered abandoning it, just because it had become excessive in my opinion. If it weren’t for the language, I would probably rank this as my top read of 2020 so far!! Plot-wise it is totally a 5 star read for me, I just dropped one because of the language. The only other thing I didn’t like was that there wasn’t a ton of closure at the end. If you follow my blog, you know I am a person who needs closure at the end of a novel 😂 But I will say that going forward too much in the future probably would have taken away from the fact that the whole story was meant to take place over two days.

Disclaimer: Strong R rated on this one for the language.

Do You Read Me?: I say yes for the plot (if you are okay with the language disclaimer).

Overall, a really good read! Plot-wise it is one of my favorite reads of the year!

The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine (actually 2 authors who are sisters) is one of the books I have literally been counting down to it’s release day. The authors’ first book The Last Mrs. Parrish was one of my favorite reads a couple of years ago and I was anxious for their newest one. Their second book was good, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did their first. This one put them right back up there for me!

Summary: A woman named Joanna is devastated to find out that the man she loves (Leo) is in love with another woman (Piper). Kicked out of the house and unable to see the kids any more, Joanna sets out on a mission to win her family back and to prove that Piper is not who she seems. Told in alternating viewpoints between Joanna and Piper, the reader soon realizes that Joanna is right. Piper isn’t who she claims to be. The only problem is – will anyone believe her before it’s too late?

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: I looked at some reviews (with no spoilers) online as I had very high expectations for this book and wanted to know what others thought first. Several reviews mentioned a huge twist they didn’t see coming at the end. That made me super excited to dig in! I will say that I also did not see that twist coming AT ALL! There were several things that I thought seemed suspicious, but I did not anticipate the big reveal at the end. I read this book in one day, because I just had to know what the twist was and it did not disappoint! I also LOVED that this was another thriller where the authors did not use any foul language.

What I Didn’t Like: Surprise, surprise I needed more closure 😂 The very last paragraph made you wonder what the truth really was about one of the main character’s past relationships (purposely being vague to avoid spoilers). I needed to know what really happened!! I will say too that some of the characters actions throughout made me angry and shocked, but once you know the twist, it all made a lot more sense. I almost want to reread it now that I know the ending to see if I pick up on any clues throughout.

Disclaimer: In terms of language – totally PG. There are some mentions of adult relationships happening between the married characters, but never anything graphic or detailed.

Do You Read Me?: YES! I loved this one! Overall, this may end up being in my top 5 reads for 2020! Especially with the twist that I totally didn’t see coming! Please read it and let me know what you think!

One of my February BOTM choices was The Holdout by Graham Moore. Several of my friends read it and liked it, so I moved it to the top of my pile and just finished it this weekend.

Summary: The story is told in both present day and in flashbacks. It revolves around a woman named Maya who served on a jury ten years prior. The trial she served on was super controversial and it ended with a not guilty verdict (mostly due to Maya’s influence on the rest of the jury). The jury members’ lives were forever changed after the trial as they became sources of ridicule in the public eye for letting the defendant walk free.

Fast forward 10 years and Maya is a successful defense attorney. A career she chose after the trial that changed her life. On the 10 year anniversary of the verdict, a documentary decides to reunite the jurors, one of whom is now convinced he has proof the defendant was guilty all along. But the night before the big reveal, that juror is found dead…in Maya’s hotel room. Now it’s Maya’s turn to prove her innocence when all the evidence makes her look guilty.

Genre: Legal Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: I liked that the story weaved flashbacks into the current events. It made the story unravel in smaller pieces and kept the suspense building. There were chapters about each of the jurors in the past, which allowed the reader to now the motivations of each character. I will be honest and say it was hard to keep all the jurors straight in the beginning and I did have to keep going back to previous scenes at times to review. This could have also been because I read it over a longer period of time than usual. I’m thankful though that I read a print copy which made the flipping back easier 😉

I also liked that the twists at the end were unexpected. Just when you thought they were over, another one was thrown in right up to the very last chapter. I also appreciated the larger message of justice and what does justice really mean or look like? Is justice the same for everyone and for every circumstance? It was definitely thought provoking in that aspect.

What I didn’t like: While I appreciated the last twist, it didn’t provide a lot of closure for any of the characters. I would have liked another chapter or two to wrap things up more. The language was honestly pretty bad in this one, so I could have done with less foul language personally. There were moments where you sometimes questioned, “really?” Or “you want me to believe that actually happened?” But no more than some other thrillers I’ve read.

Disclaimer: R rated for language

Do You Read Me?: Yes! I really enjoyed this one. It kept you guessing about the crime ten years ago and the present day crime. It definitely held my interest and kept me reading!

Overall, a very good read! It was suspenseful and thought provoking. I am typically a fan of legal thrillers and this one did not disappoint!

Hour of the Assassin by Matthew Quirk was one of my BOTM picks for March. At first, it didn’t interest me and I was disappointed that it wasn’t the normal thriller genre. I still ordered it as an add-on and figured I would let my husband read it. I checked some online reviews and they were pretty high. Some sites were comparing it to a David Baldacci novel, so I decided to give it a try for something different.

Plot Summary: The book revolves around a former Secret Service agent named Nick who now serves as a security consultant. His main focus is finding vulnerabilities among some of the most influential politicians and people in Washington D.C. One night on a job to “assassinate” the former head of the CIA (which is actually a fake assassination to find weaknesses in his security detail), Nick realizes that he has walked into a trap. It seems someone has set him up and framed him for an actual crime. Now he must figure out who would go to such lengths to frame him and who in his life he can actually trust.

Genre: Thriller

My Review: Overall, I was not a big fan. It was nowhere close to a Baldacci novel in my opinion (I’m a fan of most of his books). Short, predictable, very few surprises. You know right away who the bad guys are. I honestly had to force myself to finish it.

Disclaimer: PG-13 for language and violence

Do You Read Me?: This is a tough one for me. I hate to not recommend books, but I also know that there are tons of good reads out there. I appreciate the author’s effort. It just wasn’t one that I enjoyed. Maybe you will enjoy it, if you decide to give it a try. Let me know if you do 😊

P.S. I debated posting this review, since I have recommended all of my previous reads. However, I wanted to be honest and say that there are some books that just aren’t my favorite. I want my critiques to be honest, without being mean. So I hope I accomplished that with this review. And all that to also say, we all have different likes and dislikes, so someone else may really enjoy this one!

Finally another book to review on the blog! I’ve been reading a lot during this quarantine, but I was backlogged with ARCs that needed reviews. This week I’ve been trying to mix in books that are currently available, so that I have content for the blog 😊. Today’s review is a book that was getting a lot of talk online prior to it’s release – Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel.

Plot Summary: If you familiar with the story of Gypsy Rose and her mother Dee Dee from the news several years ago, this story parallels that one. However, in this novel instead of the daughter plotting to murder her mother, the mother has been sent to prison and is now being released. For years, Rose Gold Watts was held prisoner in her home believing the lies her mother Patty told her about a chromosomal defect that made her unable to eat or be around other children. Patty played to the sympathy of those in her town, most people believing that she was a caring and doting mother to Rose Gold.

Then Rose Gold is introduced to a young man online (behind her mother’s back) who makes her begin to question her illnesses and her mother. Rose Gold confides in the only real friend she has (the daughter of her mother’s best friend) which ultimately leads to her mother’s arrest. Turns out Rose Gold never had a chromosomal defect and her mother has been making her sick and lying to doctors for years. Rose Gold testifies against her mother at the trial and her mother is sent to jail for five years.

The story then revolves around Patty’s release from prison and Rose Gold’s life after her mom was sent away. It’s told in alternate viewpoints and includes flashbacks to Rose Gold’s childhood and her life as an independent adult from the time of the conviction until now. When Patty is released from prison, Rose Gold is the one who picks her up. Everyone is wondering why? How can she forgive her mom for what she did? Has Patty changed or will she hurt Rose Gold again? Or….maybe Rose Gold isn’t the innocent young woman everyone thought she was all along?

Genre: Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: I actually didn’t know the story of Gypsy Rose until a year or so ago when Hulu released the series “The Act.” I ended up reading about the events that inspired the series and learned about what happened with Gypsy Rose and her mother Dee Dee. I liked that the author chose a different alternative to the story. It was a very fast read and one that for at least the first half kept you guessing as to who the real “bad guy” was. The alternating viewpoints helped the reader get to know both characters and what was going on inside their heads. I also felt that the flashbacks were well done and helped the reader understand the actions of both characters a little more. There was also a twist near the end that did surprise me.

What I didn’t like: This is tough without giving too much away….I will say that both characters’ actions surprised me. I felt like the ending was a little rushed and could have had some more closure. And while I kind of expected parts of the ending, overall I wasn’t a huge fan of how the story ended.

Disclaimer: PG-13 for language

Do You Read Me?: I say yes! I’m curious as to what others think about the ending.

Overall, this was a good, quick read with some exciting parts. I found the premise interesting and liked the author’s writing style. I thought the author did a good job at getting inside Patty’s head and trying to make the reader see why she did what she did all those years (not excusing the behavior, but providing an explanation for it). Definitely a different take on a somewhat familiar story. Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Words cannot describe how excited I was when NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press approved my request for an ARC of You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen!! Their first novel, The Wife Between Us, is definitely on my list of top reads of all time! It’s one I recommend constantly and love chatting about with other people. Their newest one, which released yesterday, was probably my second favorite out of the three they have co-authored. I read it about a month ago and at the time it was my top read of 2020. I’ve read a couple of other good ones since then, but so far it’s still pretty high on my list for this year 😊

Plot Summary: This book drew me in right from the start. It’s really hard to summarize it without giving too much of the story away. I think that’s also why most of the blurbs online are pretty vague. The story centers around a woman in NYC by the name of Shay who feels completely unnoticed and a little down on her luck. Through a random subway incident, she finds herself drawn into a close circle of friends and she begins to finally feel noticed. However, the group has some pretty big secrets and she has no idea what she has gotten herself into…

Category: Thriller/Mystery

My Review:

What I liked: This was a super easy read! I feel like the authors did a great job of making you sympathize with the main character. Her loneliness was so profound that she was willing to turn herself into someone else in order to be liked and accepted. I think it’s a timely message of how disconnected people can become and how important it is to have truly genuine friends. I also LOVED that it was a thriller with literally no foul language! They can be so hard to find and I am super appreciative of being able to read a well written suspense novel that doesn’t feel the need to incorporate curse words for no apparent reason. The twist at the end was one I didn’t see coming (I’m honestly not sure anyone could see that particular twist due to the way the rest of the book is written). It wasn’t quite as shocking to me as the twist in the middle of The Wife Between Us (that one made me literally gasp and immediately recommend the book to all my friends). But it was still well done.

What I didn’t like: I really don’t have anything I didn’t like. I will say I did figure out part of one of the twists in the middle. I knew what the group was up to before they met Shay. I felt that was a little obvious, but there were still connections that were made later that were not as obvious. The ending was tied up pretty neatly and could have been a little longer in my opinion. But this is one of only a few thrillers I’ve read this year where I found the ending satisfying and not disappointing, so it wasn’t that big of a deal overall.

Disclaimer: PG in my opinion for language. There are a few adult themes, but I would say a mature teenager could definitely handle it.

Do You Read Me?: YES!! 100% YES! And then please go read The Wife Between Us and tell me what you thought of both of them! I also really liked Anonymous Girl by these authors, so pick up that one too 😉

In short, this was another solid thriller by the authors. I will definitely continue to read their books, recommend them to others, and anxiously await the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book! (Side note: I actually love these authors so much and really wanted to be able to lend this one out after I read it, so I also bought a physical copy in my BOTM box 😂)

Eeek!!….I was super excited when the publisher reached out and asked if I would be interested in reviewing No Bad Deed by Heather Chavez!! I immediately jumped on NetGalley and requested it! Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the opportunity to review this book!

Plot Summary: No Bad Deed reminded me so much of a Harlan Coben story that I had a hard time believing it was a debut novel. A seemingly normal family suddenly finds themselves in extremely unusual circumstances. A mother witnesses a crime on her way home from work and then the next night her husband disappears. Is it a coincidence? Was the husband hiding something before he disappeared? Did he leave on his own or was he kidnapped? Why does it seem like someone is suddenly targeting their family?

These are all the questions you are left wondering as the story unfolds. The main character Cassie is determined to find out what happened to her husband and whether it has something to do with the crime she witnessed. The journey is definitely a wild ride as Cassie struggles to understand her husband’s disappearance. She tries the police, but doesn’t seem to get very far. No one else seems concerned that her husband is missing including his best friend. So then when other things start happening and it seems like someone has set out to seemingly destroy all her family and friends, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Category: Mystery/Thriller

My Review:

What I liked: I honestly didn’t know how this one would end. The reader is left wondering if Cassie’s husband Sam left her due to an affair or whether he was abducted after she pointed police to an alleged killer. There was enough suspense that just when you think you know the answer to the question above, the author takes a different turn and you are left guessing again. Eventually the reader learns how the two events were connected, but I the ending was still a surprise to me. It was also a pretty clean read with little foul language.

What I didn’t like: I felt like there were a few holes in the story that could have been explained more. I enjoyed that there were a lot of twists and turns, but some of them were definitely more believable than others. I didn’t like that Cassie seemed to suddenly turn into a private investigator halfway through the story. And sometimes I felt like she made very silly and dangerous decisions. I also thought the confrontation scene at the end was way too long and drawn out and totally could have been cut in half.

Disclaimer: PG-13 I would say..there is some violence, but not a ton of foul language.

Do You Read Me?: Yes! I say it’s worth the read. It’s definitely one that surprised me throughout. There are a few holes in the story and some things are unnecessarily drawn out, but overall it was a good thriller.

Today is release day for one of my latest reads! The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica was an ARC that I received courtesy of NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. Thank you! I am so excited that I had the chance to review it!

Plot Summary: This one was definitely an interesting read! The story revolves around a woman named Sadie and her family who recently moved to a small island off the coast of Maine. They are all aiming for a fresh start after a series of negative events in their previous city. Not long after the family moves in, one of their neighbors is found murdered and for some reason it seems like the police are focused on Sadie as a suspect. But why? Sadie didn’t even know the woman who was murdered. Why do the police keep questioning her? Why aren’t they looking for the real killer? And is this small town really that safe?

Category: Mystery/Thriller (I promise I will review other categories soon 😉)

My Review:

What I liked: The story is told from 3 perspectives and while some connections are revealed early, the reader is left guessing how these three narrators are really linked. One storyline I believe is purposely written to make you think you know who that person really is, but it also seems way too obvious at the same time. I think the author did a great job of making you wonder where the story was going and who these three narrators actually were. Towards the end of the book, the author starts dropping some hints into one of the storylines that makes you realize things are not at all what they seem. I enjoyed the slow reveal as I tried to put the pieces together. The clues were just enough to keep you reading and to keep you guessing. At the end of the story, another perspective is added with a final twist that I didn’t see coming. I also liked that the ending had closure for all the characters and the reader was not left hanging.

What I didn’t like: The language. One of the teenage character’s language was horrific. I know the author was trying to convey that she was a troubled young woman, but I felt it was a little too much. Also, I found the scenes from the little girl’s perspective to be very hard to read toward the end. Those scenes were actually very disturbing to me. I am still going back and forth with whether I actually liked the main character Sadie. Sometimes she was written as a strong woman and other times she seemed like a complete pushover. I also thought that someone intelligent enough to be a doctor would not have made some of the really poor decisions she made in the story. She took things too far in some cases even committing crimes to investigate the murder of a woman she didn’t know. I will say that once you read the ending it does explain some of her behavior throughout the novel, but there are still things I questioned.

Disclaimer: R for language

Do You Read Me?: This one is a little bit tougher for me. Overall, I liked that the story was filled with a lot of twists and turns and it really held my interest throughout. It was worth the read to me, but definitely has some negative aspects with the language and some of the disturbing scenes. So if you can get past that, and you are looking for a thriller that keeps you guessing, I say give it a try.

Well…I began the blog by numbering my reads for 2020. But since I am only posting reviews for books that have already been published, I decided that may become a little too challenging moving forward. So I will just say my latest read was The Whisper Man by Alex North.

Plot Summary: A young boy is kidnapped on his way home one night. The local authorities soon find surprising parallels to kidnappings that took place twenty-five years ago in the same small town. The only problem? The person responsible for those crimes, “The Whisper Man,” (named for the way he whispered the boys’ names outside their bedroom windows before he kidnapped them) has been in jail for twenty-five years. Is it the work of a copycat? Did the original “Whisper Man” have an accomplice? These are questions the local police are struggling to answer as they investigate the latest kidnapping.

Meanwhile, a recently widowed father and his young son move to the same town for a fresh start to help them heal from the death of their wife/mother. The father soon finds someone lurking on his property and hears noises he can’t explain. Then one night, his young son starts hearing whispers outside his house……

Category: Mystery/Thriller

My Review: I’m not going to lie…this book is creepy at times. It is told in alternating voices with flashbacks to the kidnappings twenty-five years ago. I thought the author did a great job of telling the story through the eyes of the different characters. The transitions between chapters were easy to follow and allowed the story to unfold in a way that kept the reader invested in all the characters. There were definitely surprises and twists that occurred throughout the book, many of which I did not see coming.

However, this is a hard one to review without giving away too many details. I will say that several aspects of the book that leave you questioning what is happening are wrapped up and explained at the end. And I would say the ending overall was satisfying except for one part that I didn’t feel was completely necessary. The subject matter is also somewhat disturbing since it involves crimes against young children. But I did not feel that the story was overly graphic and violent.

Disclaimer: R for language and themes

Do You Read Me?: I would say yes with the disclaimers above. Parts of the story are a little creepy and the subject matter is dark. But it is a fast paced thriller that I think is overall worth the read.

My second read of 2020 was Mr. Nobody by Catherine Steadman

Plot Summary: A man is found on the beach with no memory of who he is or how he got there. All he knows is that there is a woman he needs to find. Dr. Emma Lewis is a neuropsychiatrist asked to consult on the man’s case. It’s the case of a lifetime for her. The only problem? The patient is in Emma’s hometown, which she left due to a tragedy over a decade ago. The patient is first dubbed “Mr. Nobody” and it’s up to Emma to decide whether he is faking his symptoms or really suffering from a fugue state. Soon, it becomes clear that there is something different about Mr. Nobody (or Matthew as he is later called). He knows things about the people in the hospital that he shouldn’t know including the secrets of Emma’s past tragedy. Oh and the woman he knows he needs to find….it’s Emma.

Category: Mystery/Thriller

My Review: First let me say a big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Ballatine for providing me with a free ARC of this book! It was my first experience with NetGalley and an ARC book and I am hooked! I loved having this opportunity! Hoping that I get the chance to review more books in the future 🙂

I read this one in one day and I literally could not put it down! I love psychological thrillers, especially ones where I have no idea where the story is going or how it is going to end. The author did a great job of slowly revealing details on the main character’s difficult past. She also did a great job of keeping you guessing as to who Matthew was, how he knew the things he knew, and whether he was going to regain his memory. I can honestly say that I had no clue how this story was going to play out in the end between Emma and Matthew. And as one who reads a ton of thrillers that is saying a lot for the author’s writing style and plot development! What I didn’t like was honestly the ending itself. I still have so many questions about Matthew and wish the ending would have played out differently for him and Emma. I feel like the ending could have been explained a little bit more in terms of Matthew and who he was and why he did what he did. I was happy for Emma’s self reflection at the end and the fact that she seemed at peace. Overall a good read!

Disclaimer: I would say R rated solely for language reasons. There is definitely foul language, although it does not appear too frequently. I have abandoned books in the past where the language was too much for me, and that was not the case for this book.

Do You Read Me?: I would say yes! I am dying to know what others think of this book and whether they were satisfied by the ending. It wasn’t a bad ending, just one that I feel was a little rushed and somewhat confusing. I definitely think we needed a little more explanation about Matthew’s condition.

My first read of 2020 was The Wives by Tarryn Fisher.

Plot summary: A woman is sharing her husband with two other wives. The catch? The wives aren’t allowed to know who the other wives are. They are assigned days of the week and have no contact with each other. Everything seems to be working fine with this arrangement until one of the wives finds a clue about one of the others and starts investigating.

Category: Mystery/Thriller

My Review: The premise was super interesting! Whoever wrote the inside cover notes did an awesome job of peeking my interest and making me wonder how in the world this story would play out. The first half of the book was SO good!! The narrator not only finds a clue about one of the other wives, but finds her and chooses to befriend her without her husband’s knowledge. I had no idea what was going to happen and I was speed reading trying to figure out how this would end. Unfortunately, when I got to the second half, things went a little off course. I feel like there were a lot of unanswered questions and some confusing parts that overall made it fall flat at the end. And then I got to the actual ending (last two pages)…super disappointing. I totally thought this would end up being a five star read based on the beginning, but the ending was more a one star. Overall, I split the difference and went with three stars.

Disclaimer: PG-13/R for language

Do You Read Me?: I say yes! The first half of the book is so well-written, I would hate to not recommend it. Plus I’ve never seen a book use this premise before, which was super interesting. If you are okay with some foul language and enjoy thrillers, it’s worth the read to me. Just know you may not be completely satisfied with the ending. Or you can always come up with your own ending like I did 😉