It's midnight on the highway I'm coming back for you: CALLER UNKNOWN.

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a slightly different one. Half thriller, half treatise on motherhood.

Simone leaves the U.K. to visit her daughter Lucy in Texas. She wakes up after her first night there and discovers Lucy is gone. She soon finds a burner phone in Lucy's place and realizes her daughter has been kidnapped. A message on the phone warns that Simone should not involve the police. Her husband wants her to call them anyway, but Simone refuses, going rogue to save Lucy, especially when she realizes that the kidnapper doesn't want money.

It's a captivating plot, but unfortunately it starts to border on preposterous fairly early on. Simone and Lucy make some insane decisions and are unwilling to listen to reason (e.g., lawyers, family). Much of the book focuses on Simone's fears of Lucy going to university, portraying her (justifiably) as a clingy mother unwilling to let her only child go. She thinks she loves Lucy more than her husband does, and makes statements on how mothers love kids best or children need two parents. It just wasn't necessary and the story spent much too much time focusing on it.

There are some good twists here and the plot is tense, but marred by annoyed decisions and outlandish developments. Add in Simone's crazy ramblings about motherhood and a plot that wraps up too easily and this is a decent read, but not a great one.

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

View all my reviews

With a pain that ever grows: WE ARE ALL GUILTY HERE.

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great start to a new Karin Slaughter series!

On the night of the town's 4th of July celebration, Emmy Clifton turns away her friend's teenage daughter, Madison, when she asks for help. That decision haunts her forever, as Madison and her best friend, Cheyenne disappear that night, destroying Emmy's friendship and leaving a lasting legacy on the town.

Now another girl is missing and Emmy and her father, the local Sheriff to Emmy's deputy Sheriff, must try not to repeat past mistakes.

This is a typical Karin Slaughter mystery--gritty, dark, and not afraid to delve into uncomfortable topics. Emmy is a nuanced and flawed character, making her fascinating to read about, especially when the story explores her relationship with her father and her son, both in the force.

GUILTY is both an excellent thriller, slowly spooling together disparate threads and unraveling secrets about a town, while also being a character-driven tale, delving into Emmy's family, friendships, and feelings. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

View all my reviews

For just another day in paradise: WRITERS AND LIARS.

Writers and Liars by Carol Goodman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ll read just about anything by Goodman, but WRITERS AND LIARS wasn’t one of my favorites.

That’s not to say it’s a bad book—it’s just a bit strange and sometimes stretches the bounds of plausibility. Maia, our protagonist, is stuck in the past, running the same classics museum her late father once did. When she receives a mysterious invitation to return to Eris, the secluded Greek island where she attended a fateful writing retreat years ago, she’s drawn back into a web of secrets and betrayals. The retreat not only led to her debut (and only) novel but also a devastating betrayal that has haunted her ever since. Now, many of the original attendees—including Annika, Ian, Eleni, Bill, and Sydney—are returning, along with their enigmatic mentor and benefactor, Argos. (The first of many questionable decisions made by these characters!)

It doesn’t take long for things to spiral—Argos is soon found dead, and it becomes clear that danger lurks on the island. With no escape, Maia and the others must untangle the mystery before one of them is next. And, as it turns out, there are an alarming number of ways to die on a remote island.

The novel embraces the classic locked-room (or, in this case, locked-island) mystery format, and the atmospheric Greek setting is undeniably immersive. However, the heavy-handed references to mythology—gods, goddesses, and classical themes—become overwhelming, even for an English major who’s taken entire courses in Greek mythology! The characters, too, are frustratingly difficult to root for. Their lack of common sense and inability to communicate makes for some exasperating moments, and a few plot twists verge on the absurd.

That said, there are some genuinely surprising moments, and Goodman is skilled at building tension—you can practically feel the island’s eerie isolation creeping in. If you love a locked-room mystery in an exotic locale, this might be right up your alley.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and William Morrow in exchange for an unbiased review. Look for WRITERS AND LIARS on July 15, 2025!

View all my reviews

There was a lonely girl from nowhere: I HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL.

I Hope This Finds You Well: A Novel by Natalie Sue
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was really excited to read this, as I spend every day in a "charming" corporate environment, but it wasn't really the funny office comedy advertised.

Jolene has spent years toiling at Supershops, where she feels both misunderstood and left out by her coworkers. She copes by hiding angry messages in white text at the bottom of her sent emails. But when one such message is discovered by her office nemesis, Jolene is sent to mandatory HR training led by the new HR guy, Cliff. As part of the monitoring changes he makes to her computer, she realizes she suddenly has access to all her colleagues' emails and chats. At first she's just appalled at what her coworkers are saying about her, but soon realizes she can use this information as a weapon while upcoming layoffs loom.

Soon, though, Jolene finds herself becoming friendly with Cliff--and even a few of her other coworkers. She starts to realize maybe she has played a part in her ostracism at work. Jolene is a tough nut to crack: and like. And this comes from me, a rather unsociable and shy officer worker at times! She makes a lot of questionable decisions and doesn't always treat people the best.

There's less humor in this story and more bitterness and sometimes, full on, sadness. No one at Supershops likes one another, and there's less office banter and more office showmanship. The plot plods for a while, and you want to shake Jolene for not just coming clean about her discovery. There are several other side stories involving secrecy, which are just stressful, honestly. So is the one involving a young girl who lives in Jolene's apartment building. Positives include some strong Iranian/Persian representation and an attempt to highlight the depths people will go to hide their loneliness and real truths from their coworkers.

This book just felt uneven; it's a story with promise, but be prepared for a rocky journey. The ending helps a lot.


View all my reviews

Suspicious eyes at the subway station: WE ARE WATCHING.

We Are Watching by Alison Gaylin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a page-turner!

Meg's life is upturned when her husband Justin is killed on their way to taking their daughter, Lily, to college. A group of men surround their car and harass them, eventually leading to the car accident that ends Justin's life.

Nearly four months later, Meg returns to work at the bookstore she and Justin owned. Soon weird things begin happening at the store: people taking Meg's picture, odd visitors, harassing posts on their social media, and more. As Meg and Lily dig in, they learn some of the harassment may be tied to a book Meg wrote in her teens, called The Prophesy, which predicted the world would end on 12/22/2022 (a date that is rapidly approaching).

Meanwhile, Meg worries she's turning into her father, Nathan, a washed up rockstar who has spent most of Meg's life worrying about "the wolves" who are out to get him and who killed his wife (and who Meg knows died of untreated sepsis because Nathan distrusts doctors).

This story is insanely suspenseful, filled with crazy twists and turns. It's incredibly timely, delving into the world of conspiracy theories and the danger that those unyielding beliefs can bring. Told from the POV of Meg, Lily, and Nathan, it's a taut and tense story that keeps you guessing right up to its unsettling ending. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and William Morrow in return for an unbiased review. WE ARE WATCHING releases in January 2025!


View all my reviews

If I could go back in time, I would in a second: THE SWEENEY SISTERS.

The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exploring the DNA surprise genre through literary fiction, THE SWEENEY SISTERS is an interesting and dynamic read.

The three redheaded Sweeney sisters find their lives upended when their famous writer father, Bill, dies unexpectedly. Tricia and Maggie return home to Connecticut to join Liza, go through their father's belongings, and deal with his estate. They also get the surprise of their lives when they learn that their father has left part of said estate to a fourth Sweeney sister, Serena Tucker, the girls' next door neighbor, who recently learned about Bill via a DNA test.

The race is on: to find Bill's unpublished memoir; to discover what Serena's presence will mean for Bill's legacy; and for the original Sweeney sisters to learn more about their new sister.

While the slightly misogynistic author father trope and the surprise DNA discovery trope are both fairly done, this book still feels fresh. Dolan has a witty, easy way with words, and each sister springs forth from the pages, unique and memorable.

Each sister has formed their life around Bill Sweeney, but, in fact, they may indeed be the own stars of their lives. Liza works through marriage issues; Maggie finds her place in the world; and Tricia may just find love. And Serena grapples with her new discovery, balancing her old family with the drama of the Sweeney sisters.

I quite enjoyed this book, which explores the bonds between sisters, the strength of family, and how family shapes us into who we are.

View all my reviews

And I will tell you again about the first time I saw you: NO ONE WILL KNOW.

No One Will Know by Rose Carlyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those wild fantastical thrillers that you just want to keep reading, even though it's completely preposterous!

Eve finds out she's pregnant after she's lost her wealthy boyfriend in an accident. His family wants nothing to do with her, so she's adrift. She finds herself recruited by a wealthy couple, the Hygates, to be their nanny in a remote island location. She soon realizes, however, that they don't have a child: they want hers. They offer Eve the opportunity to raise her own child in utter luxury in return for adopting it.

Now, is Eve naive for not seeing a million red flags about this situation? Yes. The story is silly and crazy, but shines in its focus on Eve's determination and a mother's love for her child. The characters are dark, the remote setting is fun, and it's just an all-around good page turner/escape, if you can set aside your need for a believable story. 4 stars.

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

View all my reviews

Lonely makes a heart ruthless: CITY IN RUINS.

City in Ruins by Don Winslow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fitting end (and goodbye) to a wonderful series and author

I love this series because it introduced me to Don Winslow and his amazing books. Seems fitting that CITY IN RUINS is supposed to be Winslow's last book. I am grateful that I still have a lot of his backlist to catch up on.

RUINS is third in the Danny Ryan trilogy. This is one time where you really have to read the first two books for the third to make sense. Everything comes full circle and the sheer amount of names and story continuity will be too confusing without the first two. Plus, they are excellent.

By now, Danny is in Las Vegas, overseeing his growing empire, and facing a Government investigation into the gambling industry. Worried about how this will affect his Vegas legacy, Danny acts on a variety of fronts, including buying a hotel on the Vegas strip right out from a competitor. This sets off a chain of events that darken back to Danny's brutal and violent days in the Irish mob.

This wasn't my favorite of the three books; it seemed to lack some of the depth and emotional complexity of the others, but it's still quite good. Danny's Vegas journey brings him across many of his (former) Irish mob counterparts--meaning we see and hear from many familiar faces from the earlier books. There's a decent side plot involving a missing mobster from an earlier book (which I didn't care too much about).

The best part, as always, is Danny. He's such a rich character with so many sides. Ryan does a strong job of portraying his struggle to stay on the right side, away from his violent past, while wanting to stay on top of the gambling world. It's Danny's personality, his inner thoughts, and the Greek tragedy parallels in this series that keep me coming back. This is a nuanced, detailed, and fitting end to a wonderful series. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

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

View all my reviews

That lonesome feeling comes to my door: THE DISINVITED GUEST.

The Disinvited Guest by Carol Goodman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Carol Goodman's books and somehow didn't get to GUEST when it first came out, so made sure to include it in my #backlistbooks23 challenge this year. Lucy Harper got sick in the 2020 pandemic, an event that also affected her husband Reed and his family. Years later, as another virus looms, she, Reed, and five other close friends and family members sequester themselves on Reed's family's island to stay safe and sheltered from whatever is coming.

"'This is what people do when they're desperate and have nothing left to lose... They begin making their own idols and gods.'"

As Goodman does so well, GUEST immediately creates an eerie feel, with its atmospheric and stifling island settling. The island is isolated and soon Lucy suspects it's haunted as well. This creates a locked room type story--very Agatha Christie-like. When Lucy discovers a journal left behind by one of Reed's ancestors, Nathaniel Harper, a doctor who treated patients who came to the island to quarantine from typhoid fever, she's immediately sucked into his story. Goodman deftly draws parallels between Nathaniel's past situation and Lucy and her friends today. The pieces of the story from the typhoid fever times were utterly intriguing--I would have read an entire book about that period alone.

"'Don't underestimate the power of stories, Dr. Harper. Sometimes it's all we poor folk have to pass our truth along.'"

As Lucy becomes more entangled in the journal and exploring the island, she is consumed by Nathaniel's story. But, can we trust her as narrator? All our characters have their own secrets, lies, and fragile pasts. It's so easy for emotions to fray during a pandemic and for feelings to quickly become volatile. Desperation, jealousy, power all come into play. Again, the cloistered setting has such a strong role here.

At times the story drags a little, focusing a bit too much on Lucy questioning those around her, and there are no major twists and surprises (it's pretty easy to guess how this is going to end). But this is an eerie, dark, and compelling tale that easily captures the creepy island setting (and the parallels to the past are especially fascinating), even if things get a little preposterous at times. 3.75 stars, rounded up here.

View all my reviews

Cause you came to my world on time: WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME.

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was totally drawn into my first Gillian McAllister book, albeit slightly confused at times! On Halloween morning, Jen is waiting up for her eighteen-year-old son, Todd. As she watches him come up the street, she breathlessly sees him stab a strange man. After Todd is taken into custody and charged with murder, Jen falls into a horrified sleep. She wakes up terrified about his future, only to realize it's yesterday. What the heck? Todd is downstairs, seemingly oblivious to what he's about to do. Jen slowly realizes she may have been given a second chance to save Todd from himself.

So this book is sometimes confusing with the backward time-telling format, but once you get the hang of it, that part is intriguing and compelling. You have to be able to roll with the time travel element to enjoy the story. McAllister builds tension with excerpts from a rookie cop named Ryan, whose story seems to somehow link with Todd's, though we're not sure how.

As Jen lives her life backward, she starts to learn more about Todd, her husband, and herself. How does this murder happen--does it go beyond Todd and their family? Did he kill a random man, or a friend? She learns more each time she goes backward, but only she retains the information, as anyone else's slate is wiped clean. It's a genius plot mechanism, honestly.

While Jen is unraveling a mystery--a murder, really--she is also learning about motherhood and how her actions may have affected her son. It's easy to emphasize with a mother questioning herself. The story is dramatic, but also emotional and tense. And wow, there are certainly some good twists and turns. I love books that surprise me! 4+ stars.


View all my reviews

Until then we'll walk through the gloaming: THE BONES OF THE STORY.

The Bones of the Story by Carol Goodman


Twenty-five years ago at Briarwood College, Professor and literary fellow Hugo Moss died while searching for a missing student. Now the Briarwood community is coming together to pay tribute to Moss and celebrate the creation of a literary fellowship once again at the school. But as donors, alumni, and faculty gather, the snowy weather turns treacherous and many guests leave. Those who remain are Moss' old students, sharing stories of their testy professor. But when one of the group dies very similarly to a story she wrote back in the college days, they realize something is very wrong.

I love Goodman's books--she's great at capturing that ominous foreboding tone. Briarwood College is a locked room mystery, with our cast of characters trapped in the building where they spent their college days with Moss. BONES is told in a then and now format featuring nearly the same characters, as most of our present-day folks are returning to Briarwood where they went to college. Our main constant is Nell, a scholarship student in her Briarwood days who has now risen to Dean at the college. Nell was swept up in the charms of her wealthy roommate, Laine. The book does a wonderful job of showing the power and intensity of college friendships--both the good and bad. There's much angst at college and a ton of drama during the present.

I thought I had everything figured out here, but Goodman threw in some great twists! The story is filled with literary references, especially as our college core struggles with the need to outbest each other in their writing. At times, this is very grim and dark--often gory with lots of death in the cold, stark setting. There's certainly an Agatha Christie feeling. The ending wraps up a little quick, but it's still a really enjoyable read. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and William Morrow in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE BONES OF THE STORY on 07/11/2023!

View all my reviews

Look, it's a sheep in wolf's clothing: THE LAST WORD.

The Last Word by Taylor Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emma Carpenter and her dog, Laika, are living alone in a beach house on the Washington coast--hiding from the past. Emma spends her days walking the beach and devouring books on her Kindle. When she reads a terrible horror novel by H.G. Kane, she leaves a one-star review that causes the author to respond, dragging Emma into a rude online argument. Then weird incidents happen at her house. Is it just a coincidence, or is Emma in real danger?

I pick up each Taylor Adams book with a bit of trepidation as his books can genuinely freak me out and also stress me out! This one was no different. There's one setting--a perfectly done isolated beach house. Emma has but one neighbor, an older drunk named Deek. With so few characters, we easily become attached to her and, of course, her dog, Laika. Laika (aka "the space dog") was certainly the star of the show (and the cause of undue stress as I worried frantically if she would survive).

THE LAST WORD goes by at a frantic pace. It's terrifying and increasingly gruesome and bloody. It did indeed creep me out! My main issue was that I predicted a lot of this plot. Still, it did not diminish much of my enjoyment of this crazy, wild ride.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, William Morrow, in return for an unbiased review. Look for it on 4/25/2023!

View all my reviews

She's got that look that kills, that woman, she's really tough: WITH MY LITTLE EYE.

With My Little Eye by Joshilyn Jackson
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Actress Meribel Mills receives an escalating set of letters from a stalker she deems "Marker Man" thanks to his scented marker covered notes whose drawings depict her chopped up or in danger. Even worse, they come directly to her home in LA and seem to indicate he's watching her every move. So Meribel and her tween daughter pack up and move across the country to Atlanta. But before she knows it, Marker Man is back at it, with intimate knowledge of her movements in her new city. Meribel feels watched--but by whom?

Whew... this was a slow one at first! I usually love Jackson's thrillers, but EYE didn't have the usual zing. This felt like a version of YOU, but from the perspective of the stalked (mostly). The beginning is a lot of description and repetitive lead up with not a lot of excitement. The best part of the book was Honor, Meribel's adopted almost thirteen-year-old daughter. Autistic and awesome, Honor carries the book with her literal wit and humor. Meribel is a great mom, too, even if she makes some questionable decisions in other parts of her life. There's an ex-boyfriend, an ex-husband, and a new neighbor who all play roles.

EYE picks up as it goes along and gets exciting as it nears the end. There's a very dark twist that I quite enjoyed, as well. A lot goes on, for sure, even if at times it feels like a typical stalker novel. Where it rises above is the surprises and the lovely relationship between Honor and Meribel. The messages about exactly what the boundaries of stalking entail also make you think--is it stalking to look at someone's Instagram without them knowing? Looking up an ex online? How much does Meribel "deserve" her stalker by being a famous actress? When does someone cross the line?

Overall, I enjoyed this one and would recommend it, even it was not quite as thrilling as I'd hoped. 3.5 stars.

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



View all my reviews

I have been so long alone: CITY OF DREAMS.

City of Dreams by Don Winslow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the second book of Don Winslow's Danny Ryan series, we find Danny Ryan on the run, escaping everything that went down in Providence between the Irish and Italian mob families. He and his loyal crew make for the sunny shores of California--with Danny's elderly father, Marty, and young son, Ian, in tow. Before they know it, they are drawn into the world of Hollywood, and Danny finds himself in love with a famous actress playing a role in a movie based on his Dogtown experiences.

I fell in love with Don Winslow's books last year and adored the first book in this series, CITY ON FIRE. The second one was not quite what I was expecting, but it was certainly an interesting and fascinating read. While FIRE delved deep into the nuances of the mob world and Danny's ties to Dogtown, this novel meanders a bit, spending a lot of time in Hollywood and Las Vegas, as Danny attempts to start a new life, but cannot quite break free from his past. Central to this is the fact that two of his crew, Sean and Kevin, aka "the Altar Boys" stumble upon the fact that there is a movie being made based on the Italian and Irish mob families of Rhode Island--there's even someone playing Danny! As Sean and Kevin become move involved on set, eventually Danny must be as well, and soon he's dating an actress and splashed all over the papers. Not exactly the reclusive Danny Ryan we are used to!

This is a typical Winslow tome filled with a ton of characters--we still hear from a bunch of folks in Rhode Island--but the main focus is, of course, Danny and his new start. There's less focus on the intricacies of the mob world, but plenty of violence and gritty crime. We also learn a lot about the movie business and get more glimpses into the life of Danny's estranged mother. I felt the story bounced around a lot--both character-wise and plot-wise--but I stayed enthralled. Winslow is such a great storyteller, bringing to life his detailed worlds so well. Plus, watching Danny struggle with his conscience (how much does he want, or not want, to remain a part of the world he left behind) and grapple with exactly what he would do to hold his family (both real and crew) together is fascinating and extremely well-done. At his heart, he's a father, a son, and the leader of his crew.

There's excerpt at the end of DREAMS from the third book, and I cannot wait to read it. I also need to continue catching up on my Don Winslow backlist! 4 stars.

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

View all my reviews

But I think its very dangerous if we do not take what's ours: THE VICIOUS CIRCLE.

The Vicious Circle by Katherine St. John
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Sveta is quite surprised when her uncle Paul passes away and leaves his Mexican villa Xanadu to her instead of his wife, Kali. It's been a while since Sveta and Paul were in touch, and Paul was a wealthy self-help guru known for his famous videos and teachings. Sveta accompanies Paul's lawyer to Xanadu, where she finds Kali and a group of Paul's faithful followers. At first, she finds the group inspirational, but soon she starts to see a dark side to their teachings. Trapped in the jungle with no escape, Sveta starts to question why she inherited Xanadu--and what lengths those around her will go to stop her.

Ugh, this book just didn't work for me. It featured an overdone cult plot that brought nothing new: a tale of a current cult mixed with the tale of an old cult. Sveta inherits this exotic place from her uncle and is fascinated by it at first, but soon realizes it's a scary cult led by his creepy wife. By now she's trapped in the jungle with no way out--shocking. No real surprises occur, and I kept waiting for something, anything to happen other than for Sveta to sneak around and get spooked by the folks at Xanadu. The lush setting is exotic, sure, but that's about all this book has going for it. There's a weird side plot involving Sveta and whether she's sticking with her boyfriend that adds nothing. Honestly, everything in CIRCLE just seemed over the top and weird. Still, many others enjoyed it, so hopefully you'll like it more than me! 2.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from William Morrow/Scene of the Crime and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

We built a wall around ourselves: INSOMNIA.

Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Emma Averell has worked hard to leave her childhood in the past. But as she nears 40, she cannot help but remember her own mother. When she turned 40, there was a terrible incident, and Emma and her older sister went into foster care. Emma has longed for stability ever since, and she's found it with her husband and two children. But now, she worries she's slowly going mad, just like her mother did at the same age. As she finds herself increasingly unable to sleep, wandering her home at night and losing time in the day, she fears her mother was right--madness is in her blood.

This book totally stressed me out with Emma's inability to sleep! It's very immersive, and you completely feel Emma's descent into sleeplessness and madness. INSOMNIA is a captivating and fast read. It certainly has its repetitive moments--there's a lot of scenes with Emma wandering her home, awake and pondering her life choices. At times, it's a bit much and it's painful to read about her "madness." But there's also an intriguing story, as Emma thinks back to her childhood, her mother, and what truly happened when she was young. I figured out a part of the plot fairly early on, but it didn't diminish my interest. As with most Pinborough books, there's a weird twist thrown in at the end--I wasn't sure this one was necessary and it sort of ruined some of the story for me. But overall, this is a quick and intriguing thriller. 3.5+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from William Morrow and Custom House, Scene of the Crime, and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Smashbomb ~ Instagram

View all my reviews

The cold facts and nothing more: NINE LIVES.

Nine Lives by Peter Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nine strangers receive a list in the mail. Nothing is on the list except nine names. None of the people seem to know one another. They don't think much of it, until bad things start happening to people on the list. The first is an old man, a resort owner, who is drowned on a beach. FBI Agent Jessica Winslow--whose name is on the list--is determined to find out how all these names are related. Can she do it before her time is up?

"A horrible thought went through Caroline's mind: It is a list of death. Someone has marked us for death."

This book moves quickly thanks to its short chapters told from multiple points of view. We hear from everyone on the list. At first it is hard to keep everyone straight (a list in the beginning really helps), but as the book progresses, it gets easier. LIVES keeps a descending countdown of people alive, starting at nine, and it really leads to a complete sense of impending doom. I truly would have loved this book if everyone was not dying; you grow attached to these random people and boom, they're dead!

Still, this is a very good and twisty read. Swanson's books are sometimes hit or miss for me, but this one kept me captivated. I felt like I was not on my game while reading, because the mystery really took me by surprise! It was incredibly interesting deciphering the linkage between the names, even it was a bit depressing too.

Overall, this is a fast and puzzling read and filled with a sense of pending disaster. 3.5 stars (only because it made me sad!), rounded up to 4 here.

I received a copy of this book from William Morrow / Customer and Netgalley via Scene of the Crime.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Smashbomb ~ Instagram


View all my reviews

Dive right into the pain: NO SECOND CHANCES.

No Second Chances by Rio Youers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kitty Rae left her life in Kentucky behind to come to Los Angeles and be a star. So far it's not working out quite like she planned. She spends most of her time as a courier, running "product" (aka drugs). She meets her next door neighbor, once beloved actor Luke Kingsley, when she fears he's about to commit suicide. Luke's career has tanked as he's under suspicion for killing his wife, Lisa, who disappeared three years ago--and Luke showed up drunk, disheveled, and with her blood all over his shirt. But Luke and Kitty form a bond and he's the only one she can trust when she gets in trouble with Johan Fly--the "Viking"--a social media influencer and drug dealer to the Hollywood elite. Johan's out for blood, but as Luke and Kitty try to escape his clutches, they stumble into a dark web of violence, drugs, and deception.

"It was all coming together. Life was good. And then, in a blink, it wasn't."

I didn't love CHANCES quite as much as LOLA ON FIRE, but like LOLA, it's powerful, intense, and packed with jaw-dropping violence. You have to just go with the idea that this book will be filled with punches, literal and emotional, and see it almost as a film. Youers writes in such a mesmerizing fashion that it's nearly impossible not to be caught up in the brutality and story of the novel. It's a fast, shocking read, but there's a surprising emotion underneath, especially with Kitty and Luke's surprising friendship.

I flew through this one, as it's dramatic, ferocious, and fascinating. 4 stars.

Major trigger warnings for all the drugs, violence, mentions of suicide, and animal cruelty.

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

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Smashbomb ~ Instagram

View all my reviews

Then the lonely can't pretend: THE REPLACEMENT WIFE.

The Replacement Wife by Darby Kane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Elisa Wright is a busy mom who also happens to think her brother-in-law is a murderer. One of Josh's past wives is dead and his fiancee is missing. And now he's dating someone new, without showing much grief. As Elisa starts to investigate Josh's past, she uncovers some terrifying information about him and the family. She also befriends his current girlfriend, who gives off mixed messages about how she feels about Josh. Meanwhile, events start to happen that have Elisa wondering about her own sanity--and her husband seems to be questioning her as well.

The premise of this book was interesting, but it just did not work well for me. Most of the plot was Elisa entertaining Josh and his girlfriend, then an argument with them or her husband, rinse and repeat. Or pick up her kid, some angst, and an argument. It felt slow and repetitive and the tension and intrigue that should exist did not. There were no huge surprises or twists there. In addition, the characters were so whiny and just irritating.

The ending was kind of fun and all in all, the book kept me just curious enough to keep reading. 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from William Morrow/Custom House and Netgalley / Scene of the Crime in return for an unbiased review.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Smashbomb ~ Instagram

View all my reviews

Put your dreams away for now: BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME.

Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

In the 1930s, women seeking divorce--no-questions-asked--could come to Reno, Nevada. The only catch was they had to spend six weeks there to become residents. Enter the Flying Leap, a dude ranch for the wealthy that facilitates the divorces by giving them a lovely stay and helping take care of everything. Ward, age 24, spent a year in college before his family lost everything to the Great Depression. Now he's working at the Flying Leap. Handsome and helpful, he's quite adored by the women. Soon, his life will be upended again by the arrival of two of the latest guests: Nina, who is back for her third divorce, and Emily, who is struggling after leaving her cheating husband.

I adored Julia Claiborne Johnson's book BE FRANK WITH ME and was so excited to read this one. The books are very different, but she's such a good writer and brings you into the worlds she creates. LUCK is told in a conversational style by Ward, about the time period when he wasn't quite 25, though he's now quite an older man. It's not the kind of book you'd typically come across, but it's fascinating too. It's honestly refreshing to read such a unique book with such memorable characters. The plot is so interesting and while it certainly covers serious topics, it's also really funny and witty in places and could make me laugh out loud.

The characters could be totally frustrating at times, but also truly real. If you're looking for a read unlike most, I recommend this one. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Custom House and LibraryThing in return for an unbiased review.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Smashbomb ~ Instagram



View all my reviews