Same things keeping us together are the very ones making it hard: MEET THE NEWMANS.

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this is an interesting one. The Newman family--dad Del, mom Dinah, and sons Guy and Shep--are a real family. But they also appear on TV every week, playing themselves, as the perfect family.

Behind the scenes, things aren't so perfect. Del rules over the family with an iron fist, Dinah feels lost and numb, Guy is hiding his love life, and Shep may be going off the rails. Around them, the show's ratings are tanking and sponsors are running for the hills.

When Del is in a car accident that puts him a coma, Dinah snaps in action. She starts courting new sponsors and hires reporter Juliet Dunne to help her write the show's final episode.

At times, this story makes amazing points about feminism, women's rights, and more. At other points, it just seems like a group of people bickering about silly things. Juliet and Dinah, for instance--an unlikely pair who constantly fight and then reunite--often have a very annoying relationship.

My favorite was easily Guy, the beleaguered older brother who finally gets a chance to shine--both romantically and professionally--without his father around.

As Dinah steps up with Del (literally) out of commission, she starts to realize how imbalanced the world is, with power tipping all toward men. She and Juliet both see women being ignored and lost behind their male counterparts.

Even though the story takes place in the mid-1960s, the scary part is how Juliet and Dinah's story resonates now. Juliet wakes Dinah up to women's terrifying inability to have control over their own bodies, for instance being unable to buy the pill or condoms (without a husband's consent, or at all, if single), or get an abortion. We've come so far, you think, and then wonder... are we going back?

This ode to TV, family, and love is a different sort of read--funny at times, serious at others. It makes you laugh and think.


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Now none of that matters when the flame licks the spoon: KING OF ASHES.

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very S.A. Cosby book. It's incredibly well-written, but wow, it's brutal and sometimes almost too hard to read. I had to read it in small chunks, with lots of breaks for the light and fluffy romance I was also reading.

Roman returns home to Virginia from Atlanta, where he's a high-flying financial advisor. In Virginia, Roman's father is in a coma, leaving Roman's sister Neveah and brother Dante to run the family crematory business. Soon he learns Dante has gotten on the wrong side of a gang and is in horrible debt to a set of cruel and ruthless brothers.

Roman must enact a plan to save Dante, the family business, and ultimately, everyone's lives. Doing so will mean examining what exactly he's willing to do for his family. The resulting story is brutal and violent but also a masterful exploration of familial ties and the lengths people will go for power. Roman confronts a lot of dark truths--is he doing this for his family, his own power, or something else. Being home also reminds him constantly of his mother, who went missing when he was a teen. To this day, locals still think Roman's father killed her (and used the crematory).

Cosby does an amazing job of showing how secrets and grief can build up and consume a person--even a family. I can't say that I totally enjoyed this book, but I certainly appreciated it. He remains a master of this genre.

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If I don't keep my head up, I may drown: THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING.

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not quite what I expected after all the hype.

LAST ONE is a slow burn of a read that ends up as half thriller, half rumination on father/daughter relationships.

Frank, a UPS driver, reunites with his only daughter, Maggie, after a three-year rift. Maggie calls to invite him to her wedding and he learns that she's engaged to a rather wealthy guy. Well, the son of a rather wealthy, guy. Maggie's fiance, Aidan Gardner, is the offspring of a rich and famous tech billionaire (who happens to be Maggie's boss). Frank heads to Maggie's three-day wedding festivities at the Gardner's country property, but can't help but feel weird vibes. Soon, a lot of strange things begin to happen, including a mysterious death.

This is a slow read for a thriller. It does a very good job of cultivating a sinister and suspicious feel, but about halfway through, I felt frustrated that nothing of much importance had really happened yet. Frank is a bit of a whiner--much of the book is spent on him ruminating on his relationship with Maggie and wishing she was spending more time with him. Maggie, however, is busy with work, and you know, getting married.

Frank shows up to his wedding with his sister, fine, but also the sister's foster child. This is a really odd side plot, but cute, I suppose, and lends some humanity to the story in later chapters. It's still a very odd juxtaposition to the story. I was also shocked at how much time Frank thought Maggie should be spending with him leading up to the wedding. He came across as demanding and self-centered.

Frank discovers that *gasp* the Gardners are a rich family with too much power and too many secrets. Shocking--this is a plot never explored in literature before. Sigh. The story is dark and suspenseful, but the twist was not as surprising as I would have hoped. The story could have benefited from someone other than Frank's POV--I tired of his repetitive thoughts. If you like your thrillers with family drama thrown in, you'll love this one.

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Don't concern yourself with this mess you've left for me: GOOD BAD GIRL.

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Can you see the permanent furrow left in my brow from reading this book?

GOOD BAD GIRL is a befuddling thriller that keeps you flipping the pages, desperate to see how everything plays out. It focuses on the intertwined lives of several women. Edith is stuck against her will in a care home by her daughter, Clio. The two have never gotten along. Luckily Edith has Patience, a young cleaning woman and caretaker, who helps her out and brings her contraband supplies. But soon their lives collide dramatically, forcing secrets to come to light.

GOOD is told from the POV of these ladies and a few other characters. It flies by. There's a Mother's Day theme, with the story starting with the disappearance of a baby twenty years ago. It's fascinating trying to work out how our present-day characters are related, if at all, to that long-ago Mother's Day incident. The story deftly weaves in the theme of mothers and daughters and their relationships--sometimes troubled, sometimes not. At the same time, it's a well-done, intricately plotted mystery. I really enjoyed this one. 4.5 stars.

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When you speak against me would you bring your family: ALL THE SINNERS BLEED.

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Titus Crowne returns to his hometown of Charon County, VA to help take care of his father. A former FBI agent, he runs for Sheriff to try to help change things in Charon, especially the way the Black community is treated by so many (including the former Sheriff). Becoming Charon's first Black sheriff is an honor. But exactly one year after he's elected, there's a school shooting at the high school. With a teacher shot by a student and that Black student shot by his deputies, Titus knows he owes his community an investigation. But he never expects that investigation to lead to trail of horror and abuse dating back years in Charon.

This is an absolutely amazing book. I listed to it on audio, which was wonderful. I will tell you that it's not for the faint of heart--this is a brutal story in so many ways, with a horrifying story that very much revolves around dead children, abuse, and torture.

SINNERS is a complex story that spans difficult topics like race and religion. But Titus is the heart of the tale, and he's a wonderful and complicated character. I was totally drawn into his life, his world, his thoughts. He's struggling with returning home, leaving the FBI behind, and trying to police a small town where many members still march in support of Confederate statues. The way Cosby discusses and portrays race is truly masterful -- he made genius point after point about the ridiculous desires to protect these insane statues and the struggles Titus faces as a Black sheriff in the south. Not only that, but Titus must solve a terrifying mystery that could overtake his town. It's dark and horrific, but compelling and so well-done. Using the secrets of Charon's small town as the backdrop, as well as Titus' friendships and familial relationships to explore the depths of this mystery and other troubling topics, this is truly a masterpiece.

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I'm ringing all the warning bells: EXILES.

Exiles by Jane Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aaron Falk is back in South Australian wine country to celebrate the christening of his friend Greg Raco's son, Henry. Rescheduled from last year, when once local Kim Gillespie went missing from the town's festival, Aaron is glad to see the Raco family. But soon he finds himself sucked into Kim's disappearance and, as he grows closer to Raco's friends and family, he starts to ask his own questions and delve deeper.

"The little things you could have done differently, that was the stuff that haunted you."

EXILES is a lovely character-driven mystery. You must be prepared for a slow burn and a quiet thriller. This story does not offer a ton of twists and thrills (though there are definite surprises), but it builds carefully and deliberately, with each detail giving meaning to the tale. As always, Harper writes so beautifully, and every character is wonderfully written and developed. It was a pleasure to read about Aaron again (this is the final and third book in his series, though it can stand-alone).

The plot revolves around character motivations and insights, as Aaron is working on reconciling his job and the hours he spends on it versus its reward---something I can truly relate to. You get to know him, the Raco family, and the small town where the festival is held very well. While much of the focus of the book is on Kim and her disappearance, it also covers Aaron and his decisions about his future path forward and it looks back at the time when Kim and Greg Raco and his friends were teens. There is also mention of another tragedy in the small town, which Aaron explores as he grows closer to Kim's eldest daughter. The story is quite atmospheric, between the small town setting and the gorgeous Raco vineyard.

Overall, this is a dark and slow-moving mystery with in-depth and developed characters. It delves deeply into relationships and family. It was wonderful to see Aaron Falk again (though I found the ending... intriguing). 4+ stars.

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We can't go back again: WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS.

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Over twenty years ago, best friends Naomi, Cassidy, and Olivia spent their summer in the woods, playing an imaginative game they called the Goddess Game. But their childhood ended quickly when Naomi was attacked in those same woods, stabbed seventeen times and left for dead. Somehow she survived, carried to safety by an older boy who found her. Nothing was ever the same since. The girls identified her attacker, a known serial killer wanted for murdering a variety of women, and put him away for life. The attack made all three famous, but also took it toll, as all three are keeping a dark secret.

"They told the story again and again, until they thought they owned it. We tried to forget. We didn't tell the story. Not the real one. Not ever."

WOODS is a fairly quick read centering on childhood friendship and how the games we play as kids can turn dark. But it also highlights how strong the bonds can be that kids form, even if they may not always be healthy. Honestly, many of the characters in this book are fairly awful at times. It's a small town filled with a lot of corruption and dark secrets, starting with the three girls when they were just kids. There are a lot of twisted familial ties and linkages that leave you wondering how everyone is tied together.

WOODS kept my interest and was a page-turner, but the plot was very predictable. Every twist was telegraphed from a mile away--it felt like Thriller 101. There were no major surprises, especially if you're a fan of the genre. But if you're an occasional thriller reader, you'll enjoy this one. 3 stars.


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I'll leave the luggage of all your lies behind: THIS GOLDEN STATE.

This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Poppy Winslow's family has five rules:

1. No one can know your real name.
2. Don’t stay in one place too long.
3. If you sense anything is wrong, go immediately to the meeting spot.
4. Keeping our family together is everything.
5. We wish we could tell you who we are, but we can’t. Please—do not ask.

Poppy does not know her parents' real names, or why they have been on the run her entire life. She just knows something really bad would happen if they got caught. It means constantly changing schools, never making friends, and not getting a cell phone or even access to the Internet. When her parents take Poppy and her little sister to California, things seem different. The house they stay in has meaning to her family. She mails in a DNA test, not fully realizing the consequences of her actions. As Poppy grows close to a classmate, she also starts to uncover some truths about her parents. Combined with the results of her DNA test, everything unravels all the hard work her family has done to stay hidden all these years--and reveals some shocking truths about the past.

"If I could pinpoint the moment things changed, it was as simple as this: a high school library in Illinois, cozy, me working at a table with my science-fair group."

Oh this book was such a fun surprise! I could not put it down; it was mesmerizing. I found myself completely caught up in Poppy and her family's story. Who on earth were her parents? What did they do? Why would they force their children to go through such lengths to protect their identities? Why would their kids--especially Poppy, nearly eighteen--go along with it? The book is part mystery (unveiling all those answers) plus part character-driven coming of age tale as Poppy grows up, learning about herself. She's spent her entire life putting her family first, but is that really the best thing for her?

I loved learning more about her parents' backstory and also delving into Poppy's relationship with Harry, the boy she meets in math class and starts to fall for. The family dynamic in STATE is complicated and complex, but interwoven so delicately. Weisenberg also makes some timely and intriguing points about our digital footprint and how DNA can link people together.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's different, with fascinating family dynamics and a really riveting plot. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Flatiron Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

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I don't mind working without a net: RAZORBLADE TEARS.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

RAZORBLADE TEARS is the third book in my alphabetical author challenge (C). This story about a black father, a white father, and their murdered sons was riveting and heartbreaking.

Ike has been out of jail for fifteen years when his son Isiah is murdered, along with his husband, Derek. Ike never fully accepted that Isiah was gay and neither did Derek’s father, Buddy Lee. But as two ex-cons, Ike and Buddy Lee feel that they can seek justice for Isiah and Derek better than the cops. As they do, they set off a violent chain of events that may put themselves in danger as well.

This book is so good—well-written and not afraid to tackle hard topics such as racism and homophobia. It made me cry, and Ike and Buddy Lee felt like real people to me. It’s not for the faint of heart—it’s gory—but it’s also about love, family, and acceptance. This story is brutal but also hopeful, and I cannot recommend it enough!

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I used the last of my faith when you shot me straight up to the sky: SLEEPLESS.

Sleepless by Romy Hausmann
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Nadja had a difficult childhood and spent time in prison after being convicted for a crime. But it's been years since her release and she's wanted nothing more than a normal life since: a quiet flat, a job, and maybe some friends. But when one of those few friends, Lauren--the wife of her boss--asks for help covering up a murder, Nadja cannot help but agree. Even if it means endangering all the peace she's worked for. The women quickly make a plan, but when it all starts to crumble, Nadja begins to question exactly what her role is in this plan.

I really enjoyed Hausmann's book DEAR CHILD, but this one didn't have quite the same flair. There are books with confusing timelines that you enjoy and then there are books with confusing timelines that simply muddle things and make it hard to enjoy the plot. This book was the latter for me. There are a lot of interconnected stories in varying timelines and points of view and, truly, it's a lot to follow.

This read seems rather slow and rather blah until the last bit, where it takes off and gets exciting. You sort of know where it's going, which makes it even harder to keep reading. The characters are not that engaging, making it hard to get attached. It's difficult to root for this gang--especially Lauren and her husband. The plot is crazy and rather violent, spinning toward preposterous. If you can suspend disbelief, you'll enjoy things a lot more.

Overall, this had hints of enjoyment, but wasn't my favorite. 2.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Flatiron Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

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After what you put me through: ROCK PAPER SCISSORS.

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An excellent twisty thriller

Adam and Amelia Wright win a weekend away to Scotland--and this romantic getaway might be the only thing to save their rocky marriage. Screenwriter Adam spends most of his time working, much to the frustration of Amelia. Adam also suffers from prosopagnosia, or face-blindness, and sometimes Amelia wonders if he'd even recognize his own wife in a crowd. They know this weekend could make a huge difference in their marriage, but what they don't know: they didn't win this trip. And someone really doesn't want them to save their marriage.

"We both know this weekend away is a last chance to fix things. Or at least to try. He hasn't forgotten that."

This was a really fun thriller, honestly! Just one of those creepy and mysterious reads that kept me guessing most of the entire time. It's told from the point of view of both Adam and Amelia and interspersed with Amelia's letters that she writes to Adam each year on their anniversary (but does not let him read). We also have a third point of view, from a mysterious other character. How does everyone fit together? Enjoy trying to figure it out!

"My husband doesn't cheat on me with other women, or men, he has love affairs with their words."

Everyone is keeping secrets in this mystery, leading to a wild ride. The setting is amazing, a cold, dark, and snowy atmospheric Scotland that serves as another character in our twisty thriller. Every thing seems ominous and foreboding, as Adam and Amelia traverse the snowy countryside and mysterious house they are staying in.

Overall, this is a great and thrilling mystery, which keeps you guessing. It's a surprising page-turner, that also delves into the themes of marriage and writing. 4+ stars.

I received a free ARC of this book from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

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Sometimes the days go by like years: THE SWITCH.

The Switch by Beth O'Leary
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

A touching look at love and loss

Leena Cotton's way to deal with life is losing herself in her work. But when she's forced to take a two-month sabbatical, her usual focal point is gone. So Leena comes up with a plan: she'll escape to her grandmother Eileen's house, a beautiful little cottage in the lovely, quiet village of Hamleigh, and Eileen will come and stay in Leena's flat in London. To Leena, this sounds perfect; her grandmother, after all, though nearly eighty, is newly single and looking for another chance at love. Where better to find it than in bustling London? But switching places isn't as easy as it seems. In Hamleigh, Leena learns her grandmother's shoes are hard to fill, having to plan a local festival and deal with nosy neighbors. Meanwhile, in London, Eileen has to get up-to-speed with online dating and the hustle and bustle of a busy city. But, all may not be lost for the Cotton women.

Oh this book. It's just absolutely lovely. I wasn't sure if the idea of a "swapping places" book would come across as silly or trite, but in O'Leary's deft hands, it's perfect. She gives us a beautiful story about healing after grief (Leena's sabbatical comes because she blows a presentation as she's dealing with the grief of losing her sister; Eileen, obviously, has lost her granddaughter). But it's also funny, sweet, and romantic. The sadness is woven in with hope and beauty. It's one of those rare books that can make you both cry and laugh.

Eileen and Leena--what can I say about these characters? They are so real! I identified, of course, with workaholic Leena, and you just want to go into the book and save her (though she doesn't need it) as she struggles with her sister's death, feeling abandoned by her own grieving mother after the loss, and getting her life back on track. And Eileen? She's a total trip. Finally free to find love again, she's a wonderful and spunky woman that you cannot help but root for. The supporting cast is absolutely excellent--Leena's friends and flatmates, combined with the townspeople of Hamleigh, make for some of the most memorable supporting cast I can remember in quite some time. They all fit together perfectly in the story.

Overall, I defy you not to fall for this tale. Eileen's quest for love. Leena's quest to find herself again. O'Leary gives us a beautiful gift in THE SWITCH. One of my favorite reads of the year. 4.5+ stars.

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I'll look around for another try and fade away: DEAR CHILD.

Dear Child by Romy Hausmann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lena Beck disappeared fourteen years ago--a carefree student who simply vanished without a trace. Since then, her father, Matthias, and her mother have waited for any news about their daughter's whereabouts. Then, they receive a call: a woman has been found after an accident. She's in the hospital and a young girl, Hannah, presumably her daughter, is with her. From Hannah, we learn that Lena and Hannah were living in a cabin, basically unknown and cutoff from the outside world.

"He creates day and night. Like God."

This book was quite the ride! I couldn't put this one down. It was eerily reminiscent of Wendy Walker's Don't Look For Me, which I just read, and of course, Room, as everyone has mentioned. It's utterly captivating; I read it over the course of about 24 hours. The story is told from the perspective of Hannah, who has her own unique voice (that's putting it mildly); the woman known as Lena; and Matthias. Together, they tell us a creepy and often heartbreaking tale, going back in time to the cabin, as well as present day in the hospital.

I won't go too in-depth, because it's best to go in to this one blind. I will say that it's easy to get caught up in the characters, particularly Lena, and Hannah, in a sort of spellbinding way. I was mesmerized by their stories and totally enjoyed that I didn't guess the outcome. I thought this was going to be a 4.5-star read, but the ending wound up being a little crazy. It came on suddenly and just seemed a bit jarring.

Still, if you're looking for an eerie and compelling read--told by some original and haunting voices--you'll enjoy DEAR CHILD. 4 stars.

I received a free ARC of Dear Child by Romy Hausmann from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

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B, A to Z Challenge: BEHIND HER EYES.

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

This is the second book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!

Louise has a pretty boring life. A single mom and part-time secretary, most of her life revolves around her young son. But then one night she meets a man in a bar and feels an instant attraction. Though it stops with a kiss, she feels excited by the prospect of finally having met someone. So imagine Louise's surprise when, the next morning, she sees the man again. At work. He's her new boss. And he's also very married, to a beautiful younger wife, Adele. Soon, Louise accidentally runs into Adele and the two form a friendship. Louise knows it's wrong, but she feels drawn to Adele as well. She appears lonely. Plus, the more Louise learns about Adele, the more she feels something is off: Adele seems afraid and almost controlled by David. Before she knows it, Louise is spending time with Adele and David, unable to tell the other about what she's doing. She's also realizing that there's something very wrong with this marriage. But how wrong, Louise has no idea.

"You can never know everything about a person. You'd go mad trying to."

Well, this was a spellbinding thriller. It's a wild ride that keeps you guessing the entire time, wondering who is twisting whose mind and what on earth is going on between David, Adele, and even Louise. Is David an abusive husband controlling his wife? Is Adele a cowed and crazy housewife? What happened between David and Adele when they were young and Adele's parents died? Is Louise complicit in their games? I felt befuddled and mesmerized as I madly flipped the pages, trying to figure out what on earth was going on.

"The more I fall for David, the more fascinated I become with Adele. It's a vicious circle."

I knew I didn't really like any of these people, but I didn't care, as I had to know what was going to happen next. Trying to put together the pieces in this psychological puzzle is nearly impossible; it seems like everyone is playing mind games with everyone else. It's told in a Now and Then format, with perspectives from Adele and Louise. But who can we trust? Does anyone tell the truth in this book? I won't spoil it for you, but I can say that the short chapters and flip in time periods make for a captivating read.

Some of the plot is strange and again, the characters are not particularly likeable (Louise, come on, let's make better choices), but the book makes up for it in psychological thrills and twists. Behind Her Eyes has been on my shelf for a while, as I'd heard about its surprises and big ending. I'm glad I used this challenge to pick it up. It was a different read and a crazy one. 3.75 stars, rounded to 4 here.

You can read more about the #atozchallenge here.

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Gonna take me through the darkest night: AMERICAN DIRT.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So I put this book on hold at the library before it exploded into controversy and then it was the last book I was allowed to check out before our library closed down due to the pandemic. I can't tell if it was a great book to read in a pandemic (people with lives even worse on a daily basis) or if it just made my anxiety even worse! At this point, I'm just going to give a short review and try not to dip into the whole uproar over the book, but I do encourage you to read up on it and to read some #ownvoices authors, as well.

Lydia Perez lives in Acapulco with her husband, a journalist, and their eight-year-old son, Luca. She runs a bookstore, and one day someone comes in and buys several books that Lydia stocks solely because they are her favorites, not because she expects them to sell. They strike up a friendship and Javier returns frequently to her bookstore. It's only later that Lydia realizes that he is the leader of the newest, powerful drug cartel in town--the one that is ruining Acapulco. And the same jefe about whom her husband is writing an explosive journalistic profile. Once it's published, Lydia and Luca must flee Acapulco, becoming migrants overnight. They are heading to the United States, the one place Javier can't hurt them. But can they survive the dangerous journey?

This is an eye-opening and sad book. It's certainly heart-rendering and gives you such empathy for what Lydia and Luca must go through. For me, it was Luca who made this book. He is an endearing and indomitable character, and I loved him dearly. Cummins is a strong writer, and her characters certainly do come to life. I did find the story a little slow; it took it a while to really get going. It was also incredibly stressful--no surprise there--so I was on edge the entire time I was reading. However, I found myself rooting for Lydia and Luca as if they were true, actual people and for that, I applaud Cummins, no matter her motivations for writing this book. There's also so much about this story that broke my heart and it made me even further aware of so many deplorable things. The world is a terrible and scary place.

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I guess when you love someone, you just gotta let it be: THE FLATSHARE.

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Tiffy needs a place to stay. Leon needs money. Leon puts an ad in the paper, Tiffy answers it, and viola. While everyone else (read: their friends) think it's a little crazy, the flatshare seems to make perfect sense. Leon is in the flat while Tiffy is at work; she lives there while he works night shifts. He clears out on weekends. But, of course, life isn't always so simple. Tiffy is carrying baggage--a lot of baggage--from her previous relationship. And then there's Richie, Leon's brother, who is in prison. And you know, the fact that the Leon and Tiffy have never met, with the whole arrangement being facilitated by his reluctant girlfriend, Kay. But nothing could go wrong, right?


"Flat (and room/bed) to share with twenty-seven-year-old palliative care nurse who works nights and is away weekends. Only ever in the flat 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday. All yours the rest of the time! Perfect for someone with 9 to 5 job."


It's been two months since I finished this book, but I still remember it fondly. This was such a funny, sexy, and sweet read, but balanced out by its serious themes, too. I was a little wary at first, because Tiffy seemed completely obsessed with Justin, her ex, and utterly lacking in self-esteem, and I wasn't sure I'd care for her. But it quickly becomes apparent that there is/was more to Tiffy and Justin's relationship than meets the eye, and that our heroine is battling a lot.

And then there's Leon, our quiet nurse, who I liked nearly immediately. I'm sure it had nothing to do with that the fact that he doesn't like to talk to people. I didn't recognize a kindred spirit or anything. Leon, too, has a lot on his plate, with a brother in jail whom he feels was wrongly convicted.

With Tiffy and Leon having never met, we receive their communication via notes they leave in the flat, which is actually way more charming and witty that it might sound. We also get dialogue from each, told in their own style, which made them both very much seem their own person from the start. Tiffy quickly became funny and enjoyable--she just had a million miles of personality, and it was hard not to love her. And, Leon, of course, was incredibly lovable in a way that's hard to describe. (He's a nurse who took care of the elderly and kids in such a kind and tender way, okay?!)

So, O'Leary gives a wonderful surface layer of funny, quirky, and sweet. I mean, we know what we are getting, right? These two flatmates are going to fall in love via notes or something. But there's such a deeper, serious layer underneath due to Tiffy and Leon's own troubles. It brings such a nice addition to the usual formula and just gave the story so much more. Sure, a few coincidences abound, but it doesn't diminish the fun and enjoyment in reading Tiffy and Leon's tale at all.

Overall, this book made me smile. It's endearing and fun. I loved both Tiffy and Leon and their supporting cast--Leon's brother; most of Tiffy's friends; and the gang where Leon worked. The format was different and unique and easy to read. A real winner here. 4.5 stars.

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Over the unclear eyes of memory: I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney

My rating: 4+ of 5 stars


Aimee Sinclair is an actress. She's not really famous yet, but you might have heard of her. Aimee is working on her latest film when she comes home and discovers that her husband, Ben, has vanished without his wallet, phone, keys, coat, or shoes. Initially she isn't too worried as the two had a large fight the night before. But he isn't home the next morning, and Aimee's card is declined when she tries to use it. The bank tells her her account has been emptied. She immediately suspects Ben, but the bank tells her it was her. Aimee has a history of "forgetting," but she's sure she would remember this. Soon the police are at Aimee's door, and her world starts to turn upside down.


"My husband is gone"


I really enjoyed Alice Feeney's first book, SOMETIMES I LIE, and this one lived up to expectations. I have to say that Feeney has cornered the market on confusing books with unreliable narrators who bring along messed up backstories. (How's that for a mouthful?) Aimee is an interesting character--an actress with a spotty past and flitty mentions of her "forgetting"--yet you can't help but feel somewhat drawn to her. Things go south pretty quickly once Ben disappears, and we are sucked down with her. Yet Aimee is tough, and she's pretty determined to figure out what is going on.


"Acting is easy; it's being me that I find difficult"


Like Feeney's first book, this one will leave you feeling confused and disjointed as you read, much like Aimee's brain. What is going on? Can we trust her? Can we trust anyone? Complicating things is the fact that Aimee's story alternates with that of a young girl who wanders away from home and, well, let's just say that doesn't end well. These two storylines are oddly captivating, motivating you to madly flip the pages. Eventually, I found myself caring not so much about what actually happened to Ben, but just caught up in Aimee's overall story and saga.


"Sometimes it's the people who love us the most that hurt us the hardest; because they can."


Now, be warned. This is not just a befuddling tale, but a twisted one. Feeney goes dark, very dark with our story here. Oh man, but it's a really good surprise, and while I saw hints of it, I loved it, and quite enjoyed how everything came together. (Or, conversely, fell apart?) The book keeps you guessing, that's for sure.

Overall, this is a really twisted, mesmerizing thriller that keeps you engaged. I will definitely be reading anything Alice Feeney writes. 4+ stars.

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You'll write the script, I'll read the lines: THE LOST MAN.

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

My rating: 4+ of 5 stars


It's been a while since Nathan has seen his youngest brother, Bub. They live on large, adjoining properties out in the middle of nowhere in Queensland, Australia, but they are not close. What has joined the two brothers today is the death of their middle brother, Cameron, whose body is found by the grave of a long-dead stockman: an ancient landmark that casts the only bit of shadow for miles. The brothers are baffled by Cameron's death--his perfectly working, well-stocked car is found miles from the grave. What would possess their brother, who knew all too well the dangers of the scorching outback, to wander from his car to a near certain death?

I love Jane Harper and this book was certainly no exception. This is her first standalone novel (no Aaron Falk this time), and it is another beautifully written, captivating book that leaves you guessing until the very end. The characters are as scant as the landscape: the three brothers; their mother; Cameron's wife, Isle; Nathan's teenage son, Xander; a few workers from Cameron's property; and a couple of townsfolk. Yet somehow Harper weaves an excellent story that casts doubt from the beginning on what happened to Cameron. Did he purposely wander into the outback to his death? Or was something more nefarious going on?

While we're trying to figure out what happened, we're learning that something happened with Nathan in this isolated community, leaving him angry and alone. Bub seems bitter himself. Harper inserts tales of the family's past along with the present, giving us more details about our characters. And, at the same time, we start to see how no one's stories really add up. There's no real detective in this one, per se--at least no Aaron Falk, even if there is someone investigating Cameron's death--so things unravel mainly from Nathan's perspective.

And, of course, the unforgiving outback landscape is its own character: vast, stark, and dividing the brothers in more ways than one. Harper describes it so beautifully, just as she has done in her previous works. She so expertly captures the complicated family drama occurring as well as the small town dynamics happening in this often dangerous, isolated environment. The result, especially with these tense, well-drawn characters is a taunt, dramatic story that kept me reading and wondering until the very end.

I will easily read anything Jane Harper writes; her books simply do not disappoint. This one was different, in many ways, than the first two Aaron Falk novels, yet had many similarities, including her beautiful writing, nuanced plot, and wonderful characters. 4+ stars.

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Grateful for this sheltered place: NINE PERFECT STRANGERS.

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

My rating: 3.25 of 5 stars


Nine disparate strangers are gathering at Tranquillum House, a gated health resort. Each is seeking a form of peace and change: through meditation, losing weight, counseling, and more. For Frances Welty, a famous romance novelist, she needs a way to start over. Her back is in intense pain, and she's hurting from both a romantic misstep and a harsh review of her work. But once at Tranquillum House, Frances isn't exactly sure what to think. The owner, Masha, is both dynamic and odd. What exactly does she have in store for Frances and her fellow resort-goers?

Well, this was an interesting one, to say the least, and not really what I was expecting! So, at first, it drew me in immediately, with a quick introduction to Masha and her associate Yao, in the past, and then fast forwarding to Tranquillum House. You then meet all the various "strangers" at the resort. It's a pretty easy read; each character has their own unique voice, though it did take me some time to sort them all out and keep track of some of them.

However, once they are at the House, things sort of slow down (which you'll find especially ironic, as the book is filled with little insider jokes about books and writing, including a particularly apropos mention of pace from Frances). Everyone is there, they have to take a vow of silence (umm, ok?), they can't read (what?! I'd be out of there!), and you're wondering what on earth is happening as your characters just sort of sit around and ponder to themselves. Oh, but don't worry, dear Reader, it's going to get much weirder.

Because the thing with this book is that so many of the characters are great--I really liked Frances, for instance, and Zoe, and Tony, and well--a lot of them--but the plot they are dropped into becomes almost too preposterous. It felt as if Moriarty was trying to see how crazy she was allowed to go, but no one was brave enough to stop her, so she just kept going. It was odd, and hard to believe, and I just couldn't rationalize that everything that went on would really occur, could really occur, etc.

And, as I said, it's a shame, because so much of the book is funny, with these great characters, and some of it is gut-wrenching, and so well-done. There's a family whose son has committed suicide, and oh my goodness; their passages are just devastating. It's been nearly 15 years since I lost my loved one to suicide, and yet these parts of the story were so real and so well-done, they were almost too hard to read: they hit me right in the gut.

Also, as mentioned, Moriarty fits in a lot of fun little asides about reading and writing books--some about romances, due to Frances' occupation, but some just writing in general, and it's very meta and very cool. Big portions of the book are really humorous, real, and fun. So it's sad that I wasn't really sure of the overall point of the book and its insane plot.

The end of the book picks up too, which complicates my rating even more. Let's recap, shall we: oft funny and heart-wrenching story with realistic characters marred by an unbelievable plot that carries over for most of the book. What to do, what to do? In the end, between 3 - 3.5 stars, so let's go with 3.25 stars. It's quite a book, that's for sure!

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I'm too far gone to turn this heart around: SOMETIMES I LIE.

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Amber wakes up in the hospital in a coma after an accident, which she cannot remember. She is paralyzed, unable to move or speak. She feels convinced that her husband, Paul, may have had something to do with it. Her visitors include Paul and her sister, Claire.

Well, this is an interesting one. The novel takes the unreliable narrator trope to the highest level. After all, Amber is in a coma, with memory issues. She also tells us, at the beginning of the novel, that she lies. Armed with this information, we are thrown headfirst into the story, trying to figure out exactly what has happened. The reader struggles along with Amber to learn what happened as she overhears snippets in her hotel room. It's quite the ride.

The novel is told in three parts: Amber's thoughts as she struggles to remember from within the coma, Amber telling events as they lead up to the accident, and snippets of childhood journal entries. The result is a confusing, suspenseful read that makes you instantly suspicious about everything and everyone. The novel is full of warning signs and creepy moments. It also features its share of impressive twists and turns. I was definitely shocked a couple of times.

I was, honestly, a little confused sometimes too. I have some weird feelings on this one. It's a great thriller. It keeps you guessing, and it surprises you. A lot, if you're me. I'm not sure I always enjoyed the characters, but I'm certainly impressed by the book, if that makes any sense. No more details, as I highly recommend going in spoiler-free.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 03/13/2018.

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