I'm on my way to your house, guided by the stars: IN HER SPOTLIGHT.

In Her Spotlight by Amy Spalding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tess Gardner is a well-known actress, most famous for a Marvel-type role entitled Princess Platinum. She's famous but also held to a pretty high standard--and has to hold to pre-existing expectations. Ready to prove her acting chops, she get a theatric role, but a #MeToo scandals forces out her famous director. The replacement, Rebecca, just happens to be the same Rebecca whose heart Tess broke years ago at theater camp, since Tess was unwilling to admit her sexuality to herself, or Rebecca.

I love this series, though this book was a bit slower than the others. It wasn't quite as fun, with no big queer group of friends, and Tess was certainly hard to like. She's especially mean to her best friend, taking her for granted. And she lives up to her actress name, acting as if the world revolves her. (I could go without hearing the phrase "Professional Actress Tess Gardner" ever again.)

Eventually Tess' redemption arc makes it a bit easier to warm up to her--and the book. She's deeply closeted and hiding who she is: that's never easy. I found this more a coming out story than a true romance. The chemistry between Tess and Rebecca is a slow burn, without some of the wit and charm in other Spalding books. When the story focuses on Rebecca's exploration of her sexuality, it's nuanced and well-done.

We do get to see Max and Sadie (from the other books in this series) and a bit of Ari--that was fun, and I wish there was more of them. Over time, I warmed up to Tess' cast for the play and they were some strong foils for her. Overall, this story builds, culminating in a good ending.

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

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I'd love you to love me: BIG NAME FAN.

Big Name Fan by Ruthie Knox
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was really excited for this one, but wow, it was hard to get into. There are so many characters--none of them fleshed out--and so much going on.

This seemed like a lighthearted romance, but instead much of the story is focused around on-set TV politics and a complicated account about a makeup artist, Jen, on the set of said show, Craven's Daughter, who died before the book even begins. Our protagonists Sam and Bex starred on Craven's Daughter five years ago, but it ended abruptly without a series finale. The show took advantage of Bex and Sam's on-screen chemistry, but behind the scenes, Sam quit when Bex couldn't return Sam's romantic feelings.

There's much going on: Bex's complicated history raising her younger sisters after the death of their parents; Jen's death; Bex and Sam's relationship (or lack thereof); a fan fiction plot; and the reunion episode of Craven's Daughter. I loved the message about how the show and its higher ups exploited the women's chemistry but that the fans and queer folks deserved more.

But otherwise, much felt lacking. Bex and Sam feel like cardboard characters--Bex is a quiet doormat, not a vivid theater actress. Sam is supposed to be the attractive lesbian, I guess? And nothing else? There is so much Hollywood shop talk and a million characters to keep track of. And Bex and Sam's romance is slow burn, if it's even a romance at all.

There was something about the prose that made me feel like I had to constantly reread sentences to grasp what was happening-maybe because there were so many characters. I would have loved more focus on Sam and Bex and what made them who they were. But the focus on queer positivity was great. 2.5 stars.

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


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Warm breath upon her neck and goosebumps up and down her skin: ON HER TERMS.

On Her Terms by Amy Spalding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No one fake dates and then accidentally falls in love like us gays.

Clementine is a budding baby gay when she meets the wise and experienced Chloe at a bar. The two exchange numbers, which leads Chloe to propose a fake dating scheme. She'll help Clementine--a bisexual who is coming off a 20-year relationship with a man and therefore is new to the gay dating world--learn the ropes about dating in the lesbian community. Meanwhile, Clementine will be Chloe's date at a series of events leading up to (and at) her friends' wedding, so all her partnered friends leave her alone.

Of course, while fake dating, Chloe and Clementine spend lots of time together and feelings develop. Unfortunately, neither is known for their communication skills, and they don't do the best job of expressing these thoughts to one another. Complicating things is that Chloe's friend group includes Clem's boss, Phoebe. (If you've read any of Spalding's Out of Hollywood series, you'll recognize characters from other books, including Nina, Ari, and Sadie.)

The strength here is Clem and Chloe's slowly growing chemistry and their witty banter. It's a wonderfully realistic exploration of not just queer relationships, but queer friendships as well. Chloe's friend group is one any gay could relate to, and the book stresses how important these friendships are to those who need a found family. Chloe's focus on her issues with her own (straight) friends was harder: not that they were straight, at all, but the emphasis on not wanting to get married, have kids, and the fact that she was growing apart from her friends was covered ad nauseam. At first, it was nice to see a book exploring these issues--the whole idea is that neither Chloe nor Clem want the "typical" relationship experience. But Clem's repetition of this fact was a bit much.

Spalding does an excellent job looking at the nuances of coming out later in life and treats Clem's bisexuality quite well. She also touches on topics such as plus size relationships and difficult families. Clem's brother is absolutely awful, but the way Chloe handles him: oh my gosh, I would have fallen in love with her, too.

So, yes, there's a lot going on here, but it's all handled deftly. With the exception of Clem's storyline getting rather repetitive, this is a really cute romance, full of diverse characters, friendships, and a sweet romance.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington Publishing in return for an unbiased review. Look for ON HER TERMS on 02/25/2025!


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That song that's in my soul is why I left: AT HER SERVICE.

At Her Service by Amy Spalding
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charming sapphic romance!

When I requested this incredibly fun queer romance, I did not realize this book was the second in a series. Luckily, it can certainly stand alone, but I loved it so much, I'll be reading book #1 soon now. Because it's me, of course, I had book# 1 already sitting on my shelves. My house is basically the equivalent of a small library now...

AT HER SERVICE is so charming, featuring a wonderfully relatable main character. Max moves to LA from Kentucky with a dream of a new life, where she climbs the corporate ladder and discovers the love of her life. Instead, she finds herself the assistant to a Hollywood talent agent, stuck in the thankless job with no plan to move up. And don't even get her started on love, where she can do nothing but scroll dating apps and suffer through a series of hapless first dates.

When her (gorgeous, popular, queer) influencer roommate Chelsey suggests Max be the face of Chelsey's latest promotion, a self-actualization app called You Point Oh, Max reluctantly agrees. Suddenly she's receiving career counseling, joining queer kickball leagues, and making the big move with Sadie, the hot bartender she's had a crush on for ages. But when Chelsey crosses line with how much of Max's life she shares with her followers, all of Max's forward progress threatens to tumble. She has to take what she's learned and truly apply it, especially if she wants to keep Sadie.

This is such a "lesbian in your 20s book," and I mean that with the highest praise. Max is so relatable with her fears; thoughts that she is waiting around for life to start; and anxieties about being unable to stand up for herself. Only the most self-assured among us (aka not me) will be unable to find some kernel of truth in Max's story. As she pines for Sadie, you cannot help but desperately want the two to get together, longing to jump into the pages and push the pair closer. Sadie, of course, has her own baggage, worrying she's not good enough for Max, and struggling to realize her dream of buying her uncle's bar.

This is an engaging romance that blossoms without tossing in a bunch of contrived problems for our protagonists to solve. Sure, they face plenty of issues, but for the most part they seem realistic. It makes excellent points about the importance of queer spaces, friendship, and community. The romance is sparkling and winning. In fact, AT HER SERVICE is a winner. 4.5 stars.

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

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Up around the moon and back again: WHO TO BELIEVE.

Who to Believe by Edwin Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow -- what an amazing ride filled with murder and mayhem!

In a small town in Massachusetts, every resident pretty much knows everyone else's business. There's Damian, a documentary filmmaker and his wife Alice. Georgia, mom to Chloe and the town's beloved minister, struggling with her divorce from Richard, who is now dating Farley, the local therapist. (And Farley has a front row seat to everyone's thoughts!) Everyone is watched over by the police chief, Max. As for Max, he is busy trying to solve the recent murder of Laurel--where the main suspect is her restaurateur husband, Simon.

This dark, dynamic story is told from the POV of many of these main characters, one-by-one. What could be a repetitive device (hearing about the same event from each person, for example) turns out to be a suspenseful one, as we get new tidbits of information here and there, slowly revealing the story. Everyone has their own secrets and confessions and there's an interesting choice to reveal a killer up front. (But do not despair, there are plenty of killers and death to go around here!)

Our story revolves around a party held for Alice's 40th birthday, followed shortly by another death. It dips back a few days before via flashbacks. This is a wild ride as so many characters are dark and evil! So much drama, so many secrets, so much sneaking around in a small town! While there are plenty of messed up folks to go around here, I found some to love, especially spunky teenage Chloe and Alice's adorable dog, Harper. The book gets a little wild by the end, maybe requiring a bit too much suspension of disbelief, but overall I really enjoyed this dark web of lies and twisted narratives. If you want a dark, complex, well-written mystery that will keep you guessing, this one is for you!

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

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And I won't know where I'm going: THE SECRETS WE SHARE.

The Secrets We Share by Edwin Hill
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Sisters Natalie Cavanaugh and Glenn Abbott appear quite different on the surface. Natalie is a tough Boston cop with a bit of a drinking problem, while Glenn runs a popular baking blog and is about to publish a new book. But Natalie and Glenn share a secret--twenty years ago, their abusive father's body was found in the woods behind their home. For a while, their mother was suspected of his murder, but eventually a neighbor was arrested after the discovery she was having an affair with their father. Now Glenn is getting threatening messages on her blog hinting at the sisters' past. And soon a dead body is found in an abandoned building, with ties to a holiday party held at Glenn's home. Natalie is worried her sister is hiding things from her, and Glenn fears her carefully constructed face is about to fall apart.

I loved this book! It's an absolutely excellent well-plotted mystery. Hill is superb at writing damaged yet likable characters, and there are plenty in this book! The story keeps you guessing the entire time. I could not put this one down. It's so twisty and easy to read.

In SECRETS, the murder of Glenn and Natalie's father is tied to deaths in the present, cultivating a well-done story. For Hill fans, you'll see a brief, but key, appearance from Hester Thursby and Angela White plays a pretty strong role in the book too. I could totally see Natalie as a reoccurring character--she's prickly and dark, but a good detective and an intriguing protagonist.

I definitely recommend this one and Hill's Hester Thursby series as well! 4.5 stars.

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I'm wondering where the lions are: WATCH HER.

Watch Her by Edwin Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent slow-burn mystery

In the third book in the Hester Thursby series, Hester and her friend, Detective Angela White are attending a gala for Prescott University when they are told that someone has broken into the university owners' fancy mansion overlooking Jamaica Pond. Angela agrees to drop by out of courtesy, but once there, they are not sure that Jennifer Matson is telling the truth about what happened that evening. Then Prescott's general manager, Maxine, asks Hester to investigate some missing alumni, calling on Hester's renowned research skills. As Hester starts digging into the for-profit university, she unearths a tragedy that has long shadowed Jennifer and the family, financial issues, and more. But when one of the missing students she was looking into turns up dead, things turn dark, quickly.

I love Hill's Hester Thursby series. They are such intelligent and well-thought out mysteries. This wasn't my favorite of the group, but it was still incredibly well done and enjoyable. The topic of for-profit universities seemed timely and was quite interesting. Maxine made some awful choices, but I didn't envy her job running Prescott University, either.

Overall, the Matsons were a pretty terrible family shrouded in secrets and lies. Hill does an excellent job depicting this wealthy family and all the deception they've built up around them. Money certainly can't buy happiness. This is a slow build mystery, with a slightly different feel, and you have to give yourself time to acclimate to the characters and rhythm of the story. If you do, you'll be rewarded with an intriguing tale. It may not be non-stop action, but Hill writes an excellent tale of a twisted family. It's one that will keep you guessing until the end.

I also recommend reading the first two books, as there's some progress in Morgan and Hester's relationship here (and honestly, not enough Kate), but the book does stand-alone. You'll be missing two great reads, though, if you skip the first two.

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

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While my shadow's long and my eyes are clear: THE MISSING ONES.

The Missing Ones by Edwin Hill

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Research librarian Hester Thursby returns in THE MISSING ONES, but she's not the same. Shaken by the traumatic series of events that occurred in book one, Hester is anxious and guilty. This affects her parenting of four-year-old, Kate, the daughter of her partner Morgan's sister, Daphne. (Follow that?) Daphne has now been gone for over a year, and Hester and Morgan are still caring for Kate. Meanwhile, on Finisterre Island in Maine, Rory, a local cop, is watching the ferry come in yet again. He's ignoring the whispers and suspicion of others on the island, who believe he is responsible for taking Oliver, a four-year-old who disappeared over the summer--and whom Rory found, safe and sound. Now another child is missing. Soon Hester gets a text--asking her to come to the island. In short order, she'll find a body there, and connect it to the missing children. But Finisterre Island is a small place, and not one to give up its secrets easily.

Reading this novel has definitely secured Edwin Hill and the Hester Thursby series as a go-to author/series combo for me. This was an excellent and compelling read. Hester is a wonderful, complex protagonist, and I hated to see her so fragile and struggling. I love Hill's stable of regular characters--Hester, Morgan, Kate, and their dog, Waffles. Plus, several folks from the last book pop up again, which was fun. Always hovering in the background is the missing Daphne, and Hester's complicated feelings: Daphne is her best friend; Morgan's sister; and Kate's mother. Of course she wants her back in their lives, but by now, she fiercely loves Kate and feels like her mother. It adds a deeper layer to the books and an aspect that I really enjoy. And Kate, while "just" four, is a total trip. I love that kid.

The mystery presented here is wonderfully plotted and complex. Introducing Finisterre Island gives us a whole host of new characters: Rory; Annie, Faith, and young Ethan, who are all squatting in a broken down Victorian on the Island; Lydia, Oliver's mother, who runs the local inn and bakery and her husband Trey, a state cop; and others. With a small island comes intense and tangled relationships, and Hill presents and handles them all deftly. The story kept me guessing and intrigued--fascinated both by the murder and mysteries, as well as Hester's own personal issues. Seeing a vulnerable side to her was difficult due to my adoration for her character, but it was so well-done. And, of course, she's still able to solve crimes, because she's amazing.

Overall, this was an excellent read. I love Hester--and her little created family. Hill is an amazing writer and does a great job at creating a suspenseful world that easily sucks you in. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Kensington Books in return for a honest review.

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There's still no reason after all these years: LITTLE COMFORT.

Little Comfort by Edwin Hill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Hester Thursby is a Harvard research librarian with a knack for finding things. She's good at research, so when Lila Blaine comes to her, asking for help finding her long-lost brother, Sam, Hester figures it will be another easy job in what has become a side-business for her. Hester has some extra time, as she's on leave from her job as she and her partner, Morgan, try to navigate life with his niece, Kate, whom they are caring for since her own mom has disappeared. But finding Sam--who may have left with his friend Gabe, a foster kid, isn't as easy as it seems. Sam has no wish to be found. He's now a con man who cozies up to the rich and his latest mark, Wendy Richards, a Boston socialite, has the ability to give him all he's ever dreamed of: wealth, status, security, and more. When Hester's investigation threatens this, there's no limit to what Sam and Gabe may do.

This was an intriguing mystery that definitely held my interest. Somehow it was darker and grittier than I expected (sorry, I probably wasn't giving librarians enough credit here), but that certainly didn't diminish my interest at all. The opposite really. Hester is a fascinating character, to say the least. A lot of toughness, smarts, and dedication wrapped into a tiny package (she's 4'9"). She's dealing with a lot, taking on care of three-year-old Kate and a leave of absence, but that doesn't stop her from tracking down subjects and tangling with whomever she meets. She, Kate, and their basset hound, Waffles, are on the case.

The book is told from multiple POV, so we hear from a whole host of characters, including Gabe and Sam. Hill is a wonderful storyteller, and really puts you in the shoes of his characters. And boy, are some of these folks creepy. Terrible things happen in this story, and some of these people are downright despicable. Yet, he still captures the intense longing of Gabe, a foster child, and shows how Hester, who also had a tough childhood, can identify with him. Each character is an individual with their own voice. It's incredibly easy to get caught up in the tale of Gabe, Sam, and Lila and their past at Little Comfort, a lake house, plus Hester, Morgan, and Kate (oh sweet little Kate). I read the second half of the book in one determined setting, fascinated to find out what was going to happen. It's not edge-of-your-seat suspense, per se, but it's wonderful characterization and dark, mesmerizing plotting. So many secrets, so many lies to unravel.

Overall, while this one was more complicated and edgier than I was planning going into it, that was fine with me. Hester is a great character, and I'm really excited that this is a series. Hill is an excellent writer, who knows how to hold my interest with a well-paced thriller. I'm quite looking forward to seeing what Hester is up to next.

A huge thanks to Larissa at Kensington Publishing for my copy of this novel and the second book in the series, The Missing Ones. I can't wait to tackle it soon!


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From the memory of the wall: I AM WATCHING.

I Am Watching by Emma Kavanagh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Isla found the first bodies by the wall when she was only fifteen--four bodies lined up. Only one survived, teenage Ramsey. His brother, Zach, was among the dead. Three weeks later, another body is found. Then, two weeks later, another. Terror and fear run rampant in the small town of Briganton until Isla's father, Detective Sergeant Eric Bell, brings the killer, Heath McGowan, to justice. Now Isla is a professor of criminal psychology; she specializes in brain function and its influences on criminal behavior. Maybe she can figure out why serial killers are what they are. Maybe she can prevent what happened in Briganton from happening in another town. She and her partner, Connor, have scanned and studied the brains of twelve men--all serial killers. Now, they are on to their thirteenth: Heath McGowan. Meanwhile, Mina a detective on the Briganton force, was drawn to the department by the thought of working with the famous Eric Bell. She answers a routine inquiry for Victoria Prew, who feels that someone has been inside her home. But later that night, a call comes in. They've found Victoria at the wall. It's happening again in Briganton. With Heath McGowan in prison, who has killed Victoria--and will they strike again?


"It began with the bodies."


This was a really good book--just an enjoyable, dark thriller that kept me guessing until the end. I totally thought I had it all figured out, but... nope! Putting all the puzzle pieces together was actually really fun, even though a lot of this one was really gruesome (think: lots of bodies, lots of death, and many piling up at said wall). I kept telling my wife about the plot, and I'm not sure enjoyed the thought of all those bodies-ha!

The characters in this one are not always the most nuanced, but Isla is great--she finds the bodies at age fifteen and now she's a grown woman, struggling to decipher the minds of serial killers. Her father, meanwhile, made his career on the apprehension of Heath McGowan, whom Isla herself is now interviewing and examining. And Mina, new to the small town, is wary of how the case was handled so many years ago, but hesitant to confront her idol.


"She was a thirty-five-year-old woman, and she was afraid of the dark. Heath McGowan was the reason."


There are lots of red herrings in the story and plenty of twists and turns to keep you puzzling and guessing. Despite it being a small town, there is no shortage of suspects. If you enjoy a good, dark thriller, I recommend this one. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).

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I never meant to do you any harm: THE TEMP.

The Temp by Michelle Frances

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Carrie is a television producer married to Adrian, a television writer. She has signed him to an exclusive deal with the production company where she's recently started working. They've come up with what they think is a brilliant idea for their next show. But their big plans feel threatened when Carrie realizes she's pregnant--and she plans to keep the baby. Carrie and Adrian's glamorous life never included children, and it's clear he isn't keen on welcoming a child into their life now. Carrie and Adrian's boss brings on a temporary maternity hire, Emma, to assist. She's young, pretty, and while rather inexperienced, she's quite clever. Carrie is immediately threatened by Emma, but Adrian welcomes her input to his scripts and writing. Carrie's convinced Emma wants her job--and then some. Is she right?


"He was thinking of his career right now and part of her didn't blame him. The timing was awful. Everything had been going so well: the new job, signing Adrian, the green light! It was the worst possible time to be having a baby."


This was an odd yet very readable book. In some ways the story sort of meandered along, as the plot unfolds from Carrie, Emma, and Adrian's point of view. But I have to admit, it had me pretty well hooked. From nearly the beginning, I was curious as to what Emma's deal was. She clearly had some reason she wanted to be a temp for Adrian and Carrie in particular--we just didn't know exactly why. Figuring out her story was pretty interesting overall, and I enjoyed the read.

I was pulled into Emma's world--it took a bit of time to warm up to her overall character, but it was easy to be puzzled by her intentions. I wound up liking both her and Carrie and feeling a bit sorry for them. I also liked the backdrop of the TV writing world--it was an interesting background for a novel. There are not a lot of characters in this novel: we really have our main three, but they are fairly flushed out, and you get to know them well.

There are some good twists and turns in this one. I would still describe it overall as a meandering read in some ways. We sort of wander along with Emma, Carrie, and Adrian, discovering bits and pieces of their lives, especially their pasts. Then, with only a very small percentage of the book left, we're thrown one very abrupt twist, which, while quite a surprise to me, seemed really thrown in out of left field. I would have maybe liked to have seen a bit more lead up to that one.

Still, even with the abrupt, twisty ending, this was an enjoyable read. It kept me engaged and guessing. I liked being sucked into Emma and Carrie's worlds and wondering about Emma's motives. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).

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When the darkness still won’t turn to dawn: HER SISTER'S LIE.

Her Sister's Lie by Debbie Howells

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Hannah Roscoe hasn't seen or spoken to her sister, Nina, in ten years when she receives the call that Nina is dead. The sisters have no other family, so Hannah is now guardian to her fifteen-year-old nephew, Abe, a sullen and angry boy whom she barely knows. Abe comes to live with Hannah, and soon they learn that the police are investigating Nina's death as suspicious. Simultaneously, Hannah begins experiencing strange, unexplained events that quickly have her questioning both her safety and her sanity. Nina's death seems to be close to exposing secrets she thought were buried forever. Is Hannah safe? And her secretive past?


"I... then stopped myself, pulled by the invisible thread that runs through all of us, that however much we might want to, none of us can ever truly disown. Family."


Well, this was an interesting, albeit frustrating one. I really love Debbie Howells' work and the fascinating stories she weaves. Her characters are always complex and often flawed, and there's no exception here. Hannah is a mess, honestly, and I won't lie, she's not the easiest to like. Truly, there aren't really any likeable characters here. Hannah is an unreliable narrator, which sometimes drives me a bit insane. However, the book does a strong job of making you wonder who to trust or believe and what exactly is going on. I was confused a good portion of the time. The weird, creepy things that happen to Hannah are interesting and crazy, though they sort of stressed me out. (Maybe I get too involved?)

The novel is filled with references of Hannah and Nina sticking to the script and keeping each other's secrets. At first, it's intriguing and you're curious as to what they are hiding. After a while, when Hannah makes yet *another* reference to the script and secrets--without any details being revealed--you sort of want to scream. I get a little frustrated at the lack of any reveal throughout the entire book. Eventually, I basically guessed all the major twists anyway, though I still found them clever.

So, overall, this one is a mixed bag. Unlikable characters, some frustrating plot pieces. Some clever plot twists, though I managed to predict most of them. It's a very quick read, however. 3 stars here, though that rating may be slightly affected by my overall love of Howells. If you've never read anything by her, I would definitely head to THE BONES OF YOU first.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).

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She's mastering the way she dances in between sideway glances: THE GIRLFRIEND.

The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Laura is a wealthy woman with a successful career in the entertainment industry and a very close relationship to her son, Daniel, who is studying to be a doctor. She cherishes this closeness, but that all changes when Daniel meets Cherry, a beautiful young woman who hasn't had all the opportunities that Laura and Daniel's wealth has brought them. When Daniel meets Cherry while searching for a flat, she immediately recognizes all that he could bring to her life. The pair quickly form a romantic relationship, and Cherry and Laura are eager to meet. But the meeting doesn't go well and the two get off to a rocky start. Laura worries Cherry is only after Daniel's money; Cherry
feels that Laura is standing in the way of her happiness with Daniel. Will they ever see eye-to-eye?

This was a slow build novel focused on a limited cast of characters, but it had a remarkable ability to draw you into its tale of an overbearing mother and overachieving young woman. Its strength is in its characters, its slow, tense reveals, and the careful buildup to the ending, which while potentially inevitable, will have you frantically flipping pages, wondering what will happen to these crazy people.

The book works the popular unreliable narrator trope well. There are certainly early clues that neither Laura or Cherry are exactly as they seem, and you are left wondering what is going on, and who can you trust. If you're like me, you'll take sides early on, even both seem a bit outlandish.

Indeed, I found some parts a bit melodramatic. Laura initially seems a little overprotective of Daniel (who is in his mid-20s!) and Cherry a bit to harsh to jump to conclusions; a lot of childishness and pettiness reigns early on. Poor Daniel probably would have been better off jumping on a plane and leaving both behind. The book dragged at times, but really had some power in its characters. Cherry could be quite frightening and there was quite an intense, ongoing mental fight between these two women. It accompanies a slow, tense creep to the book that I definitely enjoyed.

The novel was not exactly what I was expecting. It takes a dark turn about halfway through and then there are some twists and turns in the latter half. Laura is a sad figure even if her actions are a bit insane. I found myself empathizing with her, even if she was a bit frustrating at times.

Overall, this was rather enjoyable. It's slow sometimes and perhaps not really a true thriller. My ARC version was a bit hard to read (words were stuck together and the lines didn't go all the way to the end of the page, plus it's hard to tell when we change POV). Nonetheless, this is a very creepy psychological suspense novel that you'll want to keep reading. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 01/30/2018.

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I'm wide awake and I'm in pain: PART OF THE SILENCE.

Part of the Silence by Debbie Howells

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Charlotte Harrison is shocked when a woman in her local town of Cornwall is found badly beaten. Things like that don't typically happen in this quiet town. The beating has left the woman with little memory of who she is or her life: she insists her name is Evie and that her three-year-old daughter, Angel, is missing. But as the investigation continues, the police can find no evidence that Angel even exists. Charlotte recognizes Evie as Jen Russell, a former classmate. She goes to the police and finds herself sucked into the case, as it seems as if Evie has no friends or family able to help. Charlotte and the police know that, as a teen, Jen Russell was babysitting a local girl, three-year-old Leah, when she disappeared and was never found again. Is Jen/Evie simply transposing these memories into that of "Angel"? Or is her daughter really missing? And, if so, is Evie still in danger?

This novel was a page-turner for me, despite a cast of fairly odd and unsympathetic characters, led by Charlotte. She comes across as callous from the beginning--unfeeling, harsh toward her boyfriend, Rick, and getting involved in helping Evie only to show Rick she has a heart. While you feel sorry for Evie, you don't get to know her very well, thanks to her memory loss. The POV also shifts to Jack, who is a police officer, and flashbacks from Leah's older sister, Casey, who hated her perfect little sister and the ruin her disappearance wrought on her family.

The novel is captivating early on as details unfurl slowly about Evie's past. As it continues, the book certainly kept me confused about Evie/Jen's state of mind. Is she simply confused, or did someone truly steal her daughter? It grabs you, for sure, but after a while, you get a little tired of the "poor Jen trapped in her house, wondering what happened to her daughter." Things do move along eventually, though there's never any frantic action. Just a slow, suspenseful buildup to the final reveal.

Some things are a tad frustrating. For instance, Jack doesn't always seem to act like a police officer, and I'm never quite sure of his role or why Howells decided to insert him partway through, though I liked him as a character. And, personally, I'm not sure I would want the police force in Cornwall to assist in any crime related to me -- they seemed a bit inept. Small town police, perhaps?

Still, overall, I enjoyed this one. I was able to figure out bits and pieces, but it kept me guessing and engaged throughout. If you've never read any of Debbie Howells books before (which would be a shame), I'd point you to The Bones of You first. This is still a solid thriller and rates 3.5 - 3.75 stars. I will definitely continue to be eager to read anything Howells writes.

You can read my reviews of two of Howells' previous novels here: THE BONES OF YOU and THE BEAUTY OF THE END.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review; it is available (in the U.S.) everywhere as of 06/27/2017.

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I can't have you, but I have dreams: THE BEAUTY OF THE END.

The Beauty of the End by Debbie Howells

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Noah Calaway is a lawyer (though he's left his city practice) and semi-successful crime novelist who lives alone in a secluded cabin in Devon. A barely functioning alcoholic, Noah is stuck in the past, when he was in love with a beautiful girl, April Moon, "his goddess" and supposed the love of his life. April and Noah were schoolmates and Noah rescued April from a strange situation and her terrible home life. Over time, the two would run into each other and were even engaged for some time. But April left Noah shortly before the two's wedding, and he's never really recovered. However, years later, Noah receives a call from another of their friends, Will. April is in the hospital, nearly dead from an overdose, and even worse, she's suspected of murder. Noah makes the trip to her side, and begins sifting through the pieces of April's life, trying to figure out what happened. As he does, he uncovers a different April than the one he thought he knew--and much more.

This is a suspenseful and fascinating thriller. It alternates Noah's story with a tale of a young girl named Ella, whose tale is told in italics. Noah's story flashes back in forth in time as he recalls his various encounters with April, as well as describes the present day happenings. This is a little confusing at first--it takes some getting used to--but once you're in the groove, the book picks up speed and completely hooks you. This is a feat in itself because our main character, Noah, is not particularly likeable, a bit clueless, and really rather frustrating. The one we truly might empathize with, April, is in a coma, and we only learn about her life through various stories filtered by our potentially unreliable narrator.

But somehow, Howells makes it all work. She's really a master at unfurling the suspense. The story becomes crazily readable (hey, that's a term) quite quickly. The cast of characters is layered, complicated, and complex, but they add to the story and its intrigue in just the right way. The plot leaves you constantly guessing and trying to stay a step ahead. I found myself figuring some things out and kicking myself for missing others.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Parts of the plot and Noah's actions certainly frustrated me, but the storyline was exciting and fun to read.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 7/26.

You can read my review of Howells' previous novel, THE BONES OF YOU, here.

View all my reviews