Book Review - Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

Photo Credit - Amazon

Christine wakes up every morning confused because she cannot remember who she is. She cannot remember how old she is, where she is or what happened to her the day before. She is unable to make new memories and relies on her husband, Ben to help fill in the blanks. Ben explains their life together on a daily basis. Ben tells Christine she lost her ability to form due to a traumatic accident.

Christine has a doctor she meets up with that is helping her regain her lost memories. She is keeping her visits with the doctor a secret from her husband. With the encouragement of her doctor, Christine decides to keep a journal to jot her thoughts and memories. However, one day she opens the journal to see "Don't trust Ben" on the front page. Her entire world is thrown into disarray. Who can Christine trust? Is Ben telling her the complete truth?

The novel was an interesting read once, it started picking up towards the end. The writing was very fluid and easy to read. However, it did take a bit of patience as the book was very repetitive in the beginning until Christine starts remembering more about her past life. There were a few aspects of the novel that made me wonder why didn't anyone follow up on anything. For example, her friend keeping in touch when Christine needed her the most. Even when Christine saw "Don't trust Ben", she never questioned or wondered why she wrote it. The ending had a few twists but, it felt rushed. Like everything was rushed to become to tie up perfectly in the end with one cliffhanger. Overall, it was suspenseful read but, it fell flat a few pages in.

 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

Photo Credit - Amazon

Alice has a perfect life. She has a loving and doting husband, two wonderful kids, a successful business, a spacious home, and a best friend, Beth. Alice knows her life could have ended up completely different after her first husband died. With her second husband, Nathan, Alice feels happy and is in love again. She thought that she would never be able to love again after her husband died. Alice's best friend, Beth has been with her through thick and thin. Beth has always been willing to lend a sympathetic ear. However, when Nathan starts acting strange, Alice turns to Beth for help. She soon discovers her trust might have been misplaced.

After reading 'The Other Woman", I couldn't wait to read this book as well. The novel was a quick and entertaining with a few twists thrown in. I didn't like is that it took too long for Alice to take hold of her life and put herself first.  I do understand that when your life is thrown into confusion that, you need some time to think but, I felt like Alice mostly tried to run away from her situation or bury it than face it head-on. I would have liked to see her more in charge. Overall, it was a good read and look forward to reading more books from the author.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim

Photo Credit - Amazon

After news of her mother's sudden death, Natalie Tan returns home. Natalie left home in anger seven years ago and hasn't spoken to her mother since their disagreement over Natalie's career choice. Natalie wants to become a chef like her grandmother but, her mother wants Natalie to follow her own path. When Natalie returns back to her childhood home, she is shocked by how the once vibrant neighborhood is suffering from failing businesses. 

The neighborhood fortune teller reads Natalie's fortune in the leaves and tells Natalie she has the power to help the neighborhood succeed. She has to cook three recipes from her grandmother's cookbook for three people who need help. Unfortunately, Natalie struggles to find three people to help and she is hesitant because she resents the neighbors for not helping her and her mother in the past. During her quest to save the neighborhood, Natalie realizes that she has people who care about her whether she realizes it or not.

The novel was an interesting and magical read. I love how the author weaved a creative tale of friendship, family, and having a place to call home. I liked that the author included recipes that Natalie made but, I think it would have been better if she added it in an appendix so, it wouldn't take away from the story. While, I enjoyed the story and found Natalie to be a relatable main character but, I wasn't blown away. Mostly because I felt that Natalie gave up on her dreams easily without trying to fight for her passions. The twist ending was partially predictable but, it was emotionally satisfying. However, I would be open to reading another one of her novels.

 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sophia Barrett is a trained counselor who helps patients deal with their burdens. After taking time off because of a tragic accident, Sophia returns to work. However, when she meets a patient who has similar troubles as her, Sophia realizes she hasn't dealt with her loss. Deciding she needs some space and time to heal, she heads to Cornwall, England to heal. She moves into an apartment above a charming bookstore where is she surrounded by her favorite thing: books.  Will Sophia be able to heal from her past trauma? 

Ginny Rose is the bookstore owner and she is desperate to save her husband's dream business. She can't even ask her husband for help as he decided to take a break from their marriage. She is trying to keep her husband's dream alive but, she feels that she is missing something in her life. But, with an unexpected friendship emerges between her and Sophia; Ginny is hopeful that together with her brother-in-law, William,  they can save her bookstore. Will Sophia be able to save her bookstore and find herself in the process?

While organizing the bookstore's rare book inventory, Sophia finds a notebook containing journal entry from Emily Fairfax. Emily was a governess who lives in Cornwall more than 150 years ago.  Emily has a secret dream of being an author and she writes about her secret crush on her childhood friend, Edward. However, Edward is above her class and their union would be frowned upon.

Sophia is drawn and feels connected to Emily's story. Curious to learn more about Emily, Sophia enlists William and Ginny to research Emily's past. Together, Ginny realizes that she wants to save the bookstore on her accord and not because she thinks it would save her marriage. Sophia finds a new purpose and a way to heal during her journey with Ginny and William.

I thought the novel had an enjoyable but, predictable story. The author's idea of combining three different points of views of the women added an extra dimension to the story. It allowed the readers to understand and feel for each character. I enjoyed seeing two strong females helping each other heal and move on. However, if you are expecting a novel with secrets, suspense, and thrills, you would be better off reading another book.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

Photo Credit - Amazon

Lily Dane and her family have summered in Seaview, Rhode Island for generations. Rhode Island provides an escape from the New York social scene and a heartbreak that still haunts Lily.  The seaside community has provided Lily with blissful childhood memories and friends.  However, this summer is different when Lily's former best friend, Budgie and former fiance, Nick arrived.  Under Budgie's influence, Lily is drawn back into her former friend's world and is entangled in a complicated web of lies and secrets. A hurricane is approaching Rhode Island, will Lily be able to uncover the buried secrets that haunt her?

I originally got this book to read at the beach but, I only recently got the chance to read it. I can see why this book can be considered a juicy beach read as it is filled with secrets, deception, and betrayal.  The plot was a bit predictable but, there were a few twists that were unexpected. Overall, it was a fun juicy read but, I wasn't really fond of the characters. For example, her best friend has betrayed her several times but, Lily still tries to help her.  The book is a good read for fans of the author.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.** 

Book Review - Widows by Lynda La Plante

Photo Credit - Amazon

 After receiving news that their husbands have perished in a fire, Dolly Rawlins, Linda Pirelli, and Shirley Miller must face life alone. The widows decided to work together and complete the heist that killed their husbands after Dolly discovers her husband's robbery plans. The widows train to pull off the perfect heist given this would be their first brush with breaking the law. During their preparation, they realize they need a fourth person to pull of their plan perfectly. They recruit a fourth person for their heist while trying to figure out who the fourth man  who abandoned their husbands. Who was the fourth man that left their husbands for death? Will the widows be able to pull off the heist?

The novel was a fun to read and interesting that the four lead criminals were all females. I like that each of the characters had a strong personality. And how they tried to overcome their husband's death while pulling a heist that none of them has experience with. I found the book to be a bit slow at times but I look forward to reading more books from the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Livy Johnson decides she needs a fresh start after her relationship crumbles with her abusive ex. With her fresh start, she can mend her broken heart and follow her dreams while becoming her true self. As luck would have it, she comes across a listing for her grandmother's old home in the small community of Laurel Cove, North Carolina. Livy believes the distraction of restoring her grandmother's cottage along with the happy memories from her childhood will help heal her ailing heart.

Jack Bowdon, the owner of Bowdon's Supplies, is nursing a broken heart along with being afraid to open up his heart and love again. He crosses past with his childhood friend, Livy, and offers to help repair her home. He hopes to spend time with Livy will help cheer him up. Will Livy and Jack be able to repair their love lives? Will they be able to get over their past?

The novel was an interesting read. It was about two simple people who are trying to find themselves and love while being true to God. The story was a bit slow moving for me along with having a lot of fluff and being very predictable. I felt like the last 50 pages in the book was used to stretch the page count of the book. In my opinion, if the book had the same material, but across less pages, it would have been more enjoyable.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Book Title: Someplace Familiar
Author: Teresa Tysinger
Release date: May, 2017

Artist Livy Johnson needs a fresh start. That’s what a broken heart and forgotten dreams can do to a person. On little more than a whim, she reclaims her grandmother’s old home in quaint Laurel Cove, North Carolina and vows to restore its original charm. When she literally collides with childhood friend, Jack Bowdon, Livy wonders if she’s back for an entirely different reason.

Jack can’t believe his childhood crush is back. As the owner of Bowdon’s Supplies, and once again the town’s most eligible bachelor, he offers to help Livy with repairs. Together they embark on the project – and an undeniable whirlwind romance.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Can they survive the destructive pain of their pasts and discover God’s grace waiting to renovate their hearts?

About the Author

Teresa Tysinger is a wife and mother transplanted from North Carolina to North Texas. When not working as the Director of Communications for a large downtown church, she writes charming southern romances inspired by grace. Her debut novel, Someplace Familiar, released this summer. She also is a contributing writer for the Fort Worth Moms Blog (part of the national City Moms Blog Network). A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Religious Communicators’ Council, and the Association for Women in Communications, Teresa has spent over a decade committed to telling stories of faith through written word. She loves coffee, caramel, and stories with happy endings.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Teresa is giving away a grand prize of a gift basket that includes a signed copy of the book, an Original Painting by Author’s Sister (artist Cyndi Browning), and a $10 Amazon Gift Card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca5b

Book Review - The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson

Photo Credit - Amazon

Abby's book club is composed of five very different women who become close friends after joining the book club together. They find they enjoy each other's company more than they enjoy the books. However, when Abby passes away unexpectedly, the group is struck in turmoil. She was the nucleus that held the group together along with being the support each of the women needed. They used to rely on Abby for motivation and advice along with being a mother figure to the youngest member. The group is unsure they can continue without her, but they receive a surprise gift from Abby. Will this surprise gift be able to fire up her group? Will the women  be able to find inspiration and companionship with each other?

I have read a few other Melody Carlson's Christmas stories and this one doesn't disappoint. Like the others its a very light read, but leaves your heart and soul warmed. Perfect for the holiday season because it allows us to remember that friends and family are important and to give back to others without expecting anything in return.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

Photo Source - Amazon

Sarah Hollenbeck has gone through her second and probably hardest life transformation. She was married to her high school sweetheart when they got divorced. Unsure of her life path, she joins a book club to pass the time. She discovers she has a passion for writing steamy romance novels. When she decides to become a Christian, she is afraid of how the members of her church would react. It also doesn't help that she is falling in love with the new pastor, either. Sarah is also on the hook for one last novel, but will she able to write another steamy novel? Will Sarah be able to reconcile with her past? Will the church members be able to accept her?

At first I love reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I probably read more than half of the book within a few hours, but towards the middle, I didn't feel the same magnetic pull. I felt some portions of the book moved too quickly, and the characters didn't get to develop. Sadly, I also didn't have a connection with any of the characters. Sarah went from reinventing herself to being a moody child acting adult. However, I would be open to read other works by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Murder in Disguise (A Preston Barclay Mystery Book 3) by Donn Taylor

Photo Credit - Amazon

When news of Preston Barclay's beloved friend committed suicide, Preston is unable to believe the news. However, when the evidence points to an open and close suicide case, he decides to let sleeping dogs lie. The victim's wife, Grace, doesn't believe it is a suicide and pleads with Preston to investigate her husband's death. Preston begins to question the suicide, when details are emerging that don't quite add up including the anonymous threats. Will Preston be able to figure out the truth behind his friend's death?

This was the third novel in the Preston Barclay series, but each book looks like it can be read as a standalone. The book was an easy read but a few pages in, the number of musical references was a bit overwhelming to the point of annoyance. I found my eyes glazing over paragraphs with the music reference and found myself too lazy to search what each song was. I also found the dynamic between Mara and Preston to be boring, petty, and unauthentic. Mara is jealous when Preston talking to another female, but she purposely needles him about other men without Preston is saying or doing much. I felt like Mara and Preston made a poor investigator and they seem to be more like, "Let's kick the hornet's nest and see what happens". The author keeps mentioning Preston's Special Ops training, but not once I made it seem like he actually puts any of that to use. If anything, when I think of Preston Barclay, I think of a frumpy grandpa with his pants mid chest along with a pair of oversized glasses.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks

Photo Credit - Amazon

 When I first picked up this book and read this description: 

A novel of suspense that explores the complexities of marriage and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous wife and her obsession with her replacement.
You will assume you are reading about a woman about to enter a new marriage with the man she loves.
You will assume the first wife was a disaster and that the husband was well rid of her.
You will assume you know the motives, the history, the anatomy of the relationships.
Assume nothing.

Discover the next blockbuster novel of suspense, and get ready for the read of your life.

It answered nothing, but what the book was about, but left me with more questions than answers. However, I was pleasantly surprised how fitting that description is really. The novel starts out with two different points of view and the reader will make judgments of both of them. But as you start to get more into the book the more you realize, maybe you are wrong. What you assume is wrong. Who you think you know is wrong. Nothing you know is right.

The novel beautifully blends many suspenseful mini stories which will keep readers guessing how it all ties in together. An amazingly good read on a rainy just not on the train or you might miss your train stop!

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion**

Book Review - Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson

Photo Credit - Amazon

When Ian Wells took over his late father's law office, he wanted to move away from real estate and trust cases and  start working on criminal defense cases. He also take care of his mother who suffers from Alzheimer's and is struggling to keep the law practice afloat. A client with a trust case requests his services and offers to pay a hefty fee of two hundred thousand dollars for only a week of work.  Ian reluctantly accepts the job because of mounting bills but he soon learns that the case is not as easy as it seems. Why was Ian offered the trust deal? How does the client know Ian's family?

The novel was a quick read with an interesting story line. While, the novel had a few plot twists, the story was very predictable. I felt that the characters were believable and relatable which made me root for them. I also like that the novel moved at a good pace with enough action and suspense in between. A nice read on the subway for fans of legal suspense novels.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Photo Source - Amazon

Evelyn Hugo is world renown aging Hollywood icon who is ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous but secretive life. The world is baffled when she picks a young reporter named, Monique Grant to write her life story. Monique is relatively unknown writer in the journalism world and was beyond perplexed when she was picked for the story. While, the pair begin the journey of writing the Evelyn's life story, each with a different motive; the two begin to bond. Evelyn's story is filled with lost loves, ambition, desire and the great love of her life. As Evelyn's story comes to a conclusion it becomes very clear to Monique the horrible way their lives are connected. Why did Evelyn chose Monique to write her story? Why did Evelyn chose to become a recluse? Will Monique be able to forgive Evelyn?

The novel was very engaging and interesting to read. Once, I picked it up I couldn't put it down and I ended up missing my train stops a few times. The beautifully written novel showcase a woman who was lost, struggled, wanted acceptance and wanting to be loved. It made me aware how easy it is to judge someone without fully knowing exactly what they are going through.

Book Review - The Tea Planter's Wife: A Novel by Dinah Jefferies

Photo Credit - Amazon

The international bestselling historical fiction novel takes place in 1920s Ceylon. Gwen is a young Englishwoman who is smitten by Laurence, an older tea plantation owner and widower. As the two of them settle down in Ceylon, Gwen discovers Laurence is keeping deep secrets about his past including what happened to his first wife. Will Gwen find out the truth before it is is to late?

The novel is an interesting and vividly detailed read. You can't help but root for Gwen and Laurence to find their happy ever after. A great read for a rainy day but can be a bit slow at times.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book**

Book Review - The Things We Knew by Catherine West

Photo Credit - Amazon

An unexpected tragedy hits a young family as their beloved mother perishes. The once close-knit family is still reeling from the incident. Broken friendships and strained relations cause the siblings to leave their childhood home and never return until their youngest sister asks them to come home because of their father's health and struggling with his finances.When the Carlisle siblings return home, secret and promises come undone along with past betrayals. Will they be able to forget the past and come together and save their home? Will Lynette be able to remember what happened the night her mother was murdered? 

A heart warming story of forgiveness, redemption, love and familial bonds. The novel was an easy going read but provided a lot of twists and turns throughout the novel. I like how the novel had a different type of romantic ending. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Ricky Home Banker Husband Soap on a Rope

The soap was released in 2013 as a part of Ricky’s Home collection for the holidays. The collection had 5 fragrances such as  Walk of Shame, Banker Husband, Taco Tuesday, Street Meat and Drunk Brunch to showcase the spirit of NYers.  I found this soap at the discount section at my local Ricky’s along with bottles of mist in the same scent. The soap has notes of Sparkling Lemon, Orange Crush, Watery Jasmine, Linden Blossom, Lily of the Valley, Sheer Musk, and White Woods and vegetable oil based. The soap is heavy weight bar and is hung with a white heavy cord. The soap provided a decent lather but the first couple of uses my skin felt waxy. The soap originally retail for $7 a bar which feels a bit overpriced.