Book Review - We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

 

Sunday Brennan wakes up in a Los Angeles hospital covered in bruises after being in a drunk driving accident. She realizes she will have to swallow her pride and go home to her family in New York. She is afraid to go home after abandoning her family and her high school sweetheart five years ago without any explanations.

Sunday wants to make amends and rebuild her life even if it means dealing with her resentful brothers and ex-fiancé. She starts to realize that they might need her as much as she needs them.  However, a dangerous man from her past is out to destroy their family business and their family. Sunday realizes that the only way to save the family from financial ruin is to tell her family her secrets. As Sunday tries to come to terms with her past, she realizes she isn't the only hiding something.

I picked this book because of the beautiful cover. However, I should know better than to do that by now because this book was super boring. The plot barely moved along and the big reveal was predictable. I thought the reason for Sunday leaving to be silly and found it hard that she didn't talk to her boyfriend before leaving since they had an unbreakable bond. If you like cozy romantic reads, you will enjoy this book.

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

Book Review - Hush Little Baby by R.H. Herron

 

Jillian Marsh has been a survivor her entire life. She escaped her toxic upbringing from her religious mother as a teenager and then she hit rock bottom in her twenties because of alcoholism. She has gotten her life together after getting sober and building a successful marriage and medical career. However, she is struggling to make amends for her past mistakes during her drinking days.

A decade later, things are going down hill for Jillian. Her wife, Rochelle, has cheated and left her for someone else while Jillian is pregnant with Rochelle’s biological child. Jillian feels unsettled being alone at home especially, when weird things are happening. Even the members of her mommies-to-be group are no longer offering the solace it once was especially, when secrets are being unraveled.

As missing items starts turning into threats, Jillian starts to question everyone around her. She is afraid that someone close to her wants to hurt her. The only thing Jillian knows for sure is that she is willing to do anything to protect her baby.

I thought the book was an okay read. The book was a bit slow but, the ending was a whirlwind and made it hard to seem believable. There wasn't anything in this book that set it apart from other book with similar premises. I would be opened to reading other books by the author but, I wouldn't be going out of my way to read them.

Book Review - Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger

Photo Credit - Amazon

FBI Agent Nell Flynn hasn't been home to visit her father in over ten years.  She and her father, Homicide Detective Martin Flynn never had much of a relationship since, her mother's death. Her childhood home always brings memories of the brutal murder of her mother, Marisol. 

Nell returns home after her father was killed in a motorcycle accident. After spreading her father's ashes and closing his estate, her father's partner Detective Lee mentions the case he was working on before his death. Lee requests Nell to help him investigate the murders of the two young women. As Nell and Lee work the case together, Nell becomes convinced that the prime suspect might be her father and his police friends are helping him cover his tracks. Nell also begins to doubt her father's innocence in her mother's murder. Will Nell be able to uncover the truth about her family's past and the murders? 

I thought the novel was an interesting read. A few things left unsolved but, a majority of the mysteries were solved. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, like a flurry of activity while the rest of the story was moving at a solid pace.  The plot was a bit predictable but, there were still a few exciting pieces. This was my second book by the author and while, I liked this book better, I won't actively go out of my way to read more of her books.

 **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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Missing Years by Lexie Elliott

Photo Credit - Amazon

Ailsa Calder's mother recently willed her an old Scottish manor. However, only half of the house belongs to her. The other half belongs to her father who disappeared twenty-seven years ago with diamonds. Ailsa is torn between leaving her life in London behind and returning to her childhood home. She returns to get the house in order before selling and asks her half-sister to join her.

While spending time at the Manse, Ailsa feels claustrophobic and can't sleep. She feels drained and tired. She senses someone is watching her and especially when she hears stories about the manor's past. Then one night an intruder shows up causing Ailsa to fear what secrets the Manse might be hiding. Will Ailsa be able to move on from her father's disappearance?

I have read the "French Girl" and liked it but, this novel left me baffled. While the "villain" was unexpected, I felt disappointed. The novel dragged on and on only for a mediocre ending. I was left with more questions than answers. This novel is an easy pass and not worth even a second glance.

 **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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Photo Credit - Amazon

Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all from the outside. They have a loving relationship, a beautiful home, and their adoring baby, Cora. The couple decides to leave Cora at home while they attend a dinner party next door. They arrive home, they realize something is wrong and their daughter is missing. When the cops are called in, the detectives are suspicious of the couple. The pair realizes that they both have deadly secrets that they have been keeping from each for years.



I found the novel to be a very interesting read but, halfway through the novel, I figured out the basic premise of the ending. A few things were a surprise but, not enough to say this book was a suspenseful or a thrilling read. I wish some of the characters and the side stories were more detailed. For example, the detectives felt that something was off by the whole kidnapping but, they never really went into much detail on why they felt that way. Overall, it was a decent read and I look forward to reading other books by 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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Furies by Katie Lowe

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Violet is nervous on her first day at the all-girls Elm Hollow Academy boarding school. It's her second chance to have a fresh start in the midst of a family tragedy.  Desperate to fit in, Violet finds herself joining a group of girls who are considered outsiders. She soon finds herself in an advanced study group with the other girls, leads by her mysterious art teacher, Annabel.

The group studies mythology and Greek and Celtic legends but, also the school's own gruesome history.  Annabel tries to teach the girls that class is about learning history and mythology and not about magic. However, this doesn't stop the girls from trying to get their hands on some spells. 

Together, they try to harness the power of magic for themselves. They find themselves wrapped up in power they never had before. When a violent incident occurs, Violet finds herself feeling defenseless. When her friends' actions take a turn for the darker, Violet finds herself conflicted.

I thought this novel was going to be about a group of girls who were using magic to get their way. Instead, I am not sure what this novel is. I have a few mixed feelings about it and I am still not entirely sure if I enjoyed the novel. I was reminded of Emma Cline's "The Girls" (which I was also in-between with). I didn't really feel like the book came together in a cohesive and enjoyable way for me. I didn't really care for any of the main characters and thought they didn't really face any consequences. While I didn't really love this novel, I am open to reading other books by 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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh + Giveaway

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Quinn Collins has never left her small hometown of Harbor Pointe. She wants to stick around in case, her mom who abandonded her and her family, decides to return. Quinn has bought the flower shop that her mother once owned. She wants to create a one of a kind design so, her mother can finally notice her. And, perhaps, her mother would see the woman Quinn has become and realizes her mistake of leaving her family behind.

Howver, Quinn is completely swamped with renovations and the flower expo. Luckily, Olympic skier Grady Benson, caused damage to a local shop and was court ordered to do community service. Grady has always taken the easy way out on life and never listened to his coaches. The duo are complete opposite and are constantly butting heads. But, as the continue to work together, they see glimpses of each other's vulnerability. Will Quinn and Grady realize that they need each other?

I thought the story was good but, I was annoyed that each character gave up on each other so quickly. They kept showing each other they cared but, as soon as one person makes a mistake or is at their lowest point, they are ready to throw in the towel. I felt like they like each other and want to fight for each other but, they failed to do it. Overall, I enjoyed the story but, I could do without the many "Oh, she's too good for me" or "He's a bad boy, and I am not like that".

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

Title: Just Let Go  
Author: Courtney Walsh  
Release Date: June 5, 2018  
Genre: Contemporary Romance

For Quinn Collins, buying the flower shop in downtown Harbor Pointe fulfills a childhood dream, but also gives her the chance to stick it to her mom, who owned the store before skipping town twenty years ago and never looking back. Completing much-needed renovations, however, while also competing for a prestigious flower competition with her mother as the head judge, soon has Quinn in over her head. Not that she’d ever ask for help. Luckily, she may not need to. Quinn’s father and his meddling friends find the perfect solution in notorious Olympic skier Grady Benson, who had only planned on passing through the old-fashioned lakeside town. But when a heated confrontation leads to property damage, helping Quinn as a community-service sentence seems like the quickest way out—and the best way to avoid more negative press. Quinn finds Grady reckless and entitled; he thinks she’s uptight and too regimented. Yet as the two begin to hammer and saw, Quinn sees glimpses of the vulnerability behind the bravado, and Grady learns from her passion and determination, qualities he seems to have lost along the way. But when a well-intentioned omission has devastating consequences, Grady finds himself cast out of town—and Quinn’s life—possibly forever. Forced to face the hurt holding her back, Quinn must finally let go or risk missing out on the adventure of a lifetime.

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About the Author

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, artist, theatre director, and playwright. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. She has written two more books in the Sweethaven series, as well as two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives in Illinois with her husband and three children. Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Courtney Walsh is giving away a grand prize of a library of Courtney Walsh’s books and a $25 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/d0a4/just-let-go-celebration-tour-giveaway