Lies by T.M. Logan

Blurb:

"WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS BASED ON LIES?

When Joe Lynch stumbles across his wife driving into a hotel car park while she's supposed to be at work, he's intrigued enough to follow her in.

And when he witnesses her in an angry altercation with family friend Ben, he knows he ought to intervene.

But just as the confrontation between the two men turns violent, and Ben is knocked unconscious, Joe's young son has an asthma attack - and Joe must flee in order to help him.

When he returns, desperate to make sure Ben is OK, Joe is horrified to find that Ben has disappeared.

And that's when Joe receives the first message . . ."


My Review:

OH. MY. GOD.

I finished this book at 2 am, and it was soooooo good. I read it over the weekend and seriously couldn't put it down. It was fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. I was seriously out of breath at times from how much my heart was racing. I read it from cover to cover without stopping as if I was in some kind of race. Seriously, I didn't want to be social or binge-watch anything on Netflix the whole time I read it. This is MY kind of book.

I liked Joe a lot. He's a true family man - great dad, loyal husband very forgiving. Sometimes TOO trusting... It's always interesting to read a book from a man's point of view - most books I read are from a woman's point of view (I'm a chick-lit addict, what can I say), so at first I wasn't sure if I would relate to Joe but I totally did. He fought to keep his family together and take care of his child.

Okay, so, he's gullible. But clearly so am I!! I was totally blind-sighted by everything that happened in the story. I didn't predict anything - not a single thing. When I thought I had something figured out, something else happened entirely. It was amazing. I highly recommend this book - I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.


My Rating:

30 First Dates by Stacey Wiedower

Blurb:

"30 dates, 30 wild ideas, total media frenzy… but only one Mr. Right.

Erin Crawford is a relationship blogger with a bucket list and a vendetta. After having horrible luck in her own relationships, she decides to start a blog called "30 First Dates." Her mission: go out with 30 men before her 30th birthday. It's her quest to find a non-jerk in 30 dates or less. As she blogs about her sometimes humorous and sometimes just sad dates, she also begins to cross off her bucket list of 30 things she wants to do before she turns 30—killing two birds with one stone by complaining the items on her dates! In fourteen months she skydives, skinnydips, crashes a wedding, travels to multiple cities and lives way outside her usual comfort zone. The only question is, as her birthday approaches and her list rows smaller, will Erin be able to find love? Or is she destined to be a first-date-only kind of girl?"

My Review:

Let me start off by saying it's so refreshing to find a book that takes place in Dallas. I can only think of one other book that took place here, and it's so exciting to read about my city. I've been to the bars they mentioned in Uptown, I have family in Frisco and it was fun to actually see the story take place and be able to put a real location to the book.

Anyway. How cool is is it when a blogger makes it big? At first I thought this was going to be similar to The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart by Anna Bell since both involve bucket list type plots, but this was still a refreshing and different story.

Erin's dates were hilarious and had me cracking up. Her blog entries were cute to read, too. Sometimes the things that happened to her were a LITTLE unrealistic - like...a blogger to immediately make it on national television with instant fame and success? Maybe not real life, but that's why we read fiction, right?

 

 

It was predictable but also cute - a light, fun little escape. I totally enjoyed reading it.

My Rating:

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Blurb:

"Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story—and survive this homecoming."


My Review:

I think something is wrong with me. I'm the only person I know who didn't swoon over this book. I love Gillian Flynn, I really do. Gone Girl is one of my all-time favorites and has set the bar for all psychological thrillers. Dark Places was really great too. But for some reason, Sharp Objects just fell flat.

There were some things I did enjoy about the book, though. I loved Camille as a character. She was complex and flawed and has lived a hard life. There were so many layers to her that I didn't expect when I started reading but was interesting to watch unfold. The character-writing overall was great.

I also did not expect the ending. Yes, the whole story felt like it was written in a monotonous voice - it's slow and honestly boring at times. But when I got to the end, I was surprised. I maybe saw about half of it coming.

So why did I not love it? It just didn't fit the "thrilling" part of a psychological thriller. It needed more energy. It needed to make my heart race. With most books like this I am rushing from page to page, my eyes darting through the paragraphs trying to figure out what will happen next. But with Sharp Objects, I was just bored.

Now that the HBO limited series has come out, everyone I know has been talking about Sharp Objects. Since I'm a reader and surely you can relate - I just had to read the book first. When I started reading this, I posted to my Instagram story about it and I could tell right away how big the show is right now. So many people commented that they are watching it and reading it and how much they love it. Maybe my hopes were just too high. It's not a bad story and it's very well-written. It's just...monotonous. Tedious. And slow.

My Rating:

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Blurb:

"Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time."


My Review:

I literally still come close to crying when I think about this story. I've owned the book for years but for some reason never picked it up - not even when the movie came out. And to be honest, I didn't even know what it was about - something with a wheel chair? So when I was digging through my bookshelf one early weekend morning, I thought, well, why not. Let's see what all the hype is about. Plus I figured I could get my husband to watch the movie with me afterwards since Emilia Clarke is in it and who doesn't love Game of Thrones. And Sam Claflin - hello Hunger Games. It had to be a good story with these two starring in the movie.

Let me just say I don't remember the last time I cried this much due to fictional story. I probably haven't. The story was just beautiful in every way. I sat down to read it on a Sunday, finished it the same day, then grabbed the remote from my husband while hysterically crying and screaming "I HAVE TO WATCH IT!!!!" Ugh. I cried like a baby. Many pages were soaked with tears. My poor puppy kept staring at me trying to figure out what was wrong but I just couldn't stop - big, heaving, uncontrollable sobs. I was shaking - I cried so hard I was shaking and I couldn't stop. Like...75% of the book.

It was so good, you guys. If you haven't read it yet, you absolutely should. I loved Lou and Will. I loved the story. I loved everything. It was so beautifully-written. The next day at work I walked in with puffy eyes and a red nose and talked about the story non-freaking-stop. I brought it up in meetings and to all my coworkers. It seriously affected me and has stayed in my heart ever since I finished it.

I'm the kind of person who has to read book, watch movies and TV shows in sequential order, back to back. But for the first time, I can't read After You yet. I need some time. Every time I think of reading about Lou's life I just can't - I need more time to process the story and recover from how it made me feel. I do own Still Me as well.

Thank you, Jojo Moyes, for bringing this story into my life. Best book I've read in 2018 and probably even longer.


My Rating:

The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart by Anna Bell

Blurb:

Abseiling, wind-surfing, climbing a mountain - the things the terrified Abi Martin will do for love . . .

"Romantic and refreshing" Mhairi McFarlane. A hilarious new romantic comedy for fans of Lindsey Kelk, Sophie Kinsella or A Year Of Being Single Abi's barely left her bed since Joseph, the love of her life, dumped her, saying they were incompatible. When Joseph leaves a box of her possessions on her doorstep, she finds a bucket list of ten things she never knew he wanted to do. Will completing the action-packed list - no easy challenge for the naturally timid Abi - be the way to win back her man? Or might Abi just have a surprise in store...? SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE ALREADY SAYING ABOUT THIS BRILLIANT ROMANTIC COMEDY 'A fun, bouncy, brilliant tale' Heat 'Funny, relatable and fabulously written, it's even inspired us to come up with a bucket list of our own!' Daily Express ''A wonderfully warm romantic comedy . . . the perfect read' Daily Record  

My Review:

This was so. freaking. cute.

Seriously, as soon as I finished I pulled out a notebook (yes, a real notebook, not the note app on my iPhone), and made a bucket list with my husband. We talked about travel, interests/hobbies, life accomplishments and so on. Of course by now I may or may not have misplaced the notebook, but it's the thought that counts, right? I mean, it has to turn up.

Anyway, I liked Abi a lot. She was at times the stereotypical chick lit heroine - but let's be honest, I love that and sometimes I just need it in a story. I felt like all the characters were pretty well-rounded and I got to know most of them. I loved her group of friends and often felt like I was hanging out with them too while reading.

This is a feel-good, heart-warming story. I guess that's really the best way to describe it. I liked it a lot and finished with a goofy smile on my face.

My Rating:

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

Blurb:

A shocking discovery on a honeymoon in paradise changes the lives of a picture-perfect couple in this taut psychological thriller debut--for readers of Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, and Shari Lapena.

If you could make one simple choice that would change your life forever, would you?

Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. . . .

Could the life of your dreams be the stuff of nightmares?

Suddenly the newlyweds must make a dangerous choice: to speak out or to protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt? Their decision will trigger a devastating chain of events. . . .

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave?

Wonder no longer. Catherine Steadman's enthralling voice shines throughout this spellbinding debut novel. With piercing insight and fascinating twists, Something in the Water challenges the reader to confront the hopes we desperately cling to, the ideals we're tempted to abandon, and the perfect lies we tell ourselves.

My Review:

UMM OKAY. This book was so much better than I expected. I was initially drawn in when I discovered that Erin and Mark were going to the Four Seasons in Bora Bora - exactly where my husband and I spent half of our honeymoon two years ago. I miss it every day. What's funny is that for me, the "something in the water" that freaked me out were the fish - I used to have a huuuuuge phobia. Seriously, I wouldn't even snorkel. And when I did, I refused to look down for fear of seeing any fish. I did overcome that fear on the second resort we went to during this trip when we did an intro to scuba session, which I LOVED. I seriously want to become scuba certified.

 

ANYWAY. I loved this story. I started reading thanks to Netgalley because I had not heard of it before. Then I told some friends about it and found out it's on Reese Witherspoon's book club pick for that month. So I had a handful of people to discuss with. I loved it. I didn't see any of it coming - it was a slow burn while the story built up but when it picked up it didn't let you go. I didn't see any of the twists coming. It was amazing. Go read it. Go.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for an honest review. 

My Rating:

The Strawberry Hearts Diner by Carolyn Brown

Blurb:

Being broke, unemployed, and stranded back in the tiny town of Pick, Texas, was not part of Jancy Wilson’s plan. Yet here she is, watching her car literally go up in smoke—along with her last-ditch hope of staying with her cousin in Louisiana. When Jancy spies a Help Wanted sign hanging in the window of the quaint Strawberry Hearts Diner, the memories of the two years she spent there as a teenager—and the lure of the diner’s beloved strawberry tarts—are enough to draw her in and plant her feet…but only temporarily.

Raised by parents who refused to settle anywhere for long, Jancy has never known what it is to have roots. Now that Jancy’s swept up by the warmth and character of this quirky little community—and by the pull of an old crush—it’s beginning to feel like home. She’s making friends and even discovering the sweetness of falling in love. But when the town is threatened, Jancy knows it will take more than its legendary tarts to save it. Can she fight for this little Texas town—knowing she might not stay forever?


My Review:

I've never been to a small town quite like Pick, Texas. I grew up in Dallas, which is a big city, and I'm from Rio, which is even bigger. So it's hard to image a quaint, charming little town where everyone knows each other.

I loved all the female characters in this book. Jancy, who often slept in her car and has no family. Vicky, who was a single mother and owns part of a diner. Nettie, who cracked me up multiple times with her blunt words loud personality. And Emily, who is Vicky's daughter and so friendly. Together they made up a family - whether by blood or by choice - and ran the Strawberry Hearts Diner.

And let me just tell you - I don't think I've ever had a strawberry tart before, but all I could thing was where do I find one?! These are so popular and delicious that there are two rules - they can ONLY be consumed at the Strawberry Hearts Diner, and if you must take some home, you are limited to two slices per person. This was such a cute little quirk of the story line. And again - where do I find one in Dallas?!

I've never read anything by Carolyn Brown before, but from looking through her other books it sounds like she often writes about small towns. The only thing that left me a little confused was that I feel like there were a few loose ends. I won't point them out so I don't spoil anything, but after I finished and started thinking about what to write, I kept coming up with more and more things that I don't think were fully explained or wrapped up. Maybe it's just me. And there really weren't any major conflicts in the novel - which can be great if you're not looking for anything suspenseful. There were a few arguments here and there, a few little bumps in the road, but nothing that made me wonder what oh what is going to happen next. It was just a cute, charming little read about four women in Pick, Texas who own and run a diner and are discovering themselves and their future.

My Rating:

And We're Off by Dana Schwartz

Blurb:

"Seventeen-year-old Nora Holmes is an artist, a painter from the moment she could hold a brush. She inherited the skill from her grandfather, Robert, who's always nurtured Nora's talent and encouraged her to follow her passion. Still, Nora is shocked and elated when Robert offers her a gift: an all-expenses-paid summer trip to Europe to immerse herself in the craft and to study history's most famous artists. The only catch? Nora has to create an original piece of artwork at every stop and send it back to her grandfather. It's a no-brainer: Nora is in!

Unfortunately, Nora's mother, Alice, is less than thrilled about the trip. She worries about what the future holds for her young, idealistic daughter and her opinions haven't gone unnoticed. Nora couldn't feel more unsupported by her mother, and in the weeks leading up to the trip, the women are as disconnected as they've ever been. But seconds after saying goodbye to Alice at the airport terminal, Nora hears a voice call out: 'Wait! Stop! I'm coming with you!'"


My Review:

And We're Off is a good little summer read for lounging by the pool and letting your mind get lost. I have never been to Europe alone (or really travelled anywhere alone), and how fun does it sound to go on an all-expenses-paid trip right before college to get lost in and explore the picturesque European cities?

This is the gift Nora's grandfather gave her - and she would also be attending art classes in Ireland. What! How awesome. Of course her mom decided to join - the same mom that drives Nora crazy 99% of the time and doesn't understand her passion for art.

I was, at times, annoyed at Nora. She acted like a brat when her mom wanted to tag along - but come on, you're on this trip for FREE and your mom wants to spend time with you before going to college. I get her frustration that her mom is sabotaging the trip, but she didn't need to act so spoiled and entitled, you know? So I had mixed feelings about their relationship and Nora's behavior.

Some of the characters I did think were well-developed, like Nora and her mom. But the rest, I just didn't really know enough about them. Like Nora's best friend Lena. And some of the friends she made in art class. And the art class teachers. I felt like there either needed to be less characters or develop them a little more. I also didn't understand her appeal to either of the boys she was attracted to.

Overall, this is a cute little summer read to let your mind wander. I wouldn't say it's the best book I've read in a while - honestly, I've already forgotten about it.

My Rating:

This Love Story Will Self-Destruct by Leslie Cohen

Blurb:

"This is the classic tale of boy meets girl: Girl…goes home with someone else.

Meet Eve. She’s a dreamer, a feeler, a careening well of sensitivities who can’t quite keep her feet on the ground, or steer clear of trouble. She’s a laugher, a crier, a quirky and quick-witted bleeding-heart-worrier.

Meet Ben. He’s an engineer, an expert at leveling floors who likes order, structure, and straight lines. He doesn’t opine, he doesn’t ruminate, he doesn’t simmer until he boils over.

So naturally, when the two first cross paths, sparks don’t exactly fly. But then they meet again. And again. And then, finally, they find themselves with a deep yet fragile connection that will change the course of their relationship—possibly forever.

Follow Eve and Ben as they navigate their twenties on a winding journey through first jobs, first dates, and first breakups; through first reunions, first betrayals and, maybe, first love. This is When Harry Met Sally reimagined; a charming tale told from two unapologetically original points of view. With an acerbic edge and heartwarming humor, debut novelist Leslie Cohen takes us on a tour of what life looks like when it doesn’t go according to plan, and explores the complexity, chaos, and comedy in finding a relationship built to last."

My Review:

This book was cute! That's the best way to describe it. I wouldn't say it changed my life or kept me thinking about it when I finished. But it was entertaining while it lasted.

To be honest, I don't usually read the description of a book before I start. I'm one of those people who judges books by the cover (GASP!), the author and the title. I usually know right away if I'll like it. And when I do read the blurb, I try my best to skim over it and forget about it when I start reading it. I like going into books completely blind so I don't have super high or low expectations. So I'm moved by the present and not what I think it'll be about. But this story, I kept reading and reading and wondering - what in the world is this? So I gave in and re-read the blurb and things started to make sense. And like I said - it was cute!

Eve was tough and independent, but there were times I wanted to shake her to her senses. She's neurotic and sometimes a little crazy and very relatable. Eve is a writer and the way she described the way she was feeling I sat there like - whoa, I thought I was the only person who did that.

Ben was logical but also didn't hide his feelings. He wasn't afraid to love and feel and hurt. I also am pretty sure this is the first chick lit book I've read that had chapters from a male's point of view, which was a great change of pace.

I did have a little but of a hard time keeping up with their friends - they each had their own group of friends with different personalities but I couldn't keep them straight. And now that I finished the book, I honestly couldn't tell you who was who. What happened to them? Who are they? Who knows.

So I'll end this yet again saying this was cute. It was fun. It was relatable. It didn't change my life but it left me content.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.


My Rating:

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

Blurb:

Nina Browning is living the good life after marrying into Nashville’s elite. More recently, her husband made a fortune selling his tech business, and their adored son has been accepted to Princeton. Yet sometimes the middle-class small-town girl in Nina wonders if she’s strayed from the person she once was.

Tom Volpe is a single dad working multiple jobs while struggling to raise his headstrong daughter, Lyla. His road has been lonely, long, and hard, but he finally starts to relax after Lyla earns a scholarship to Windsor Academy, Nashville’s most prestigious private school.

Amid so much wealth and privilege, Lyla doesn’t always fit in—and her overprotective father doesn’t help—but in most ways, she’s a typical teenaged girl, happy and thriving.

Then, one photograph, snapped in a drunken moment at a party, changes everything. As the image spreads like wildfire, the Windsor community is instantly polarized, buzzing with controversy and assigning blame.

At the heart of the lies and scandal, Tom, Nina, and Lyla are forced together—all questioning their closest relationships, asking themselves who they really are, and searching for the courage to live a life of true meaning.

My Review:

I freaking love Emily Giffin. I follow her on Instagram and every day watch her stories and posts about her daily life with her 3 hilarious kids (Harriett is my spirit animal), her dog Dolly (she and my puppy Bowser would be best friends) and her GORGEOUS house that I aspire mine to look like during the holidays (her Christmas decorations are everything). I've loved her books since I was in high school - one Christmas I had three different people give me a copy of Something Blue since I talked about the prequel basically 24/7.

So when I got the email from NetGalley that I was approved for an ARC of All We Ever Wanted, I had a major fangirl moment. I danced around the house singing to my husband and dog, I called my mom and grandma and I even talked about it during a meeting at work.

And now that I'm finished reading, was it worth the hype and anticipation I built up? Absolutely.

The chapters switched between Nina, Tom and Lyla's point of view, helping me so fully identify and sympathize with all three characters. I always love first person point-of-view - and in this case, multiple people's POV is even better.

Nina married rich and is beautiful, classy and elegant. Her beloved only son just got into Princeton, her husband made millions (if not more) selling his tech company. So this should be the happiest time of her life. Nina was definitely my favorite character - she is strong-willed and truly believes in justice.

Tom is a single dad working two jobs to make ends meet - he's a carpenter and an Uber driver. He's so different from all the other parents at the school who live in mansions and drive fancy cars. All he wants it to do well by his daughter Lyla.

Lyla. Oh, Lyla. The fact that she's half Brazilian made me love her immediately (I'm full Brazilian). AND her mom is from Rio (HELLO so am I). She, like her dad, is different from everyone at the school. She doesn't have the trust fund, and her dad is super strict.

I love that I had no idea where the book was going - I was so hopelessly gullible that I believed in every character and every accusation. I didn't see any twist or turn coming, which is often rare in chick lit. And when I finished, my heart was so full from the story and so empty from knowing it's over.

I'm pretty sure Emily Giffin is going on a book tour soon. Even though I already own a digital version, I am totally going to buy the hard cover to get her autograph when I meet her - THAT'S how much I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating:

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Blurb:

"Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. The sky is clear, the waters calm, and the veneered, select guests jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Aurora, begins her voyage in the picturesque North Sea. At first, Lo's stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo's desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong."

My Review:

I am SHOOK. I have no words. Which obviously makes it hard when writing a review, but seriously y'all - just stop right here and go read The Woman in Cabin 10.

I don't even know where to start. I got into this story from the first page. No, I got into it from the blurb. My husband and I have been on three cruises together, and sure they were huge ships (one of them was the biggest passenger ship in the ocean) instead of a boutique-sized 10-cabin cruise, but we've always had a blast. There are activities all day long, trivia, nightly shows, all you can eat (and drink if you pay extra, which of course we always do), sunshine, laying out by the pool overlooking the ocean, excursions including swimming with dolphins and stingrays...ugh, I'm feeling nostalgic just thinking about it. But then you read about Lo and the Aurora - and let's just say our experiences were drastically different.

It's hard to talk about this book without giving anything away. I honestly don't want you to have any info - I didn't read a single review and didn't really remember the blurb. I straight up judged it by the cover and title alone (yes, I'm that person - but I guarantee you 9 times out of 10 I can accurately judge whether or not I will like a book based on these two things alone).

I was up until 2:30 am last night. Or this morning, I guess. I went to bed at 10 pm thinking I'll just read a little until I fell asleep because I had to get up at 5:30 am for yoga. HA! Ruth Ware had different plans for me. Instead, I stayed up freakishly late for a work night, kept my puppy up as well with the reading light, and then ran upstairs at TWO THIRTY IN THE FREAKING MORNING to tell my husband about this book (he was up late working since he has his own business - do business owners ever sleep?). Then I went to work and have told everyone about Lo and the Aurora and how freaking awesome this book was. So. Go read it.


My Rating: