Book Review - Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron

 

Cassie Woodson feels like her life is adrift after a mistake causes her to lose her prestige job at a law firm.She has to take a temporary job to help her pay her bills at another law firm. As she reviews the correspondence in a fraud suit, she realizes that her life is lacking stability, love, and friends. Her new job leaves her with time on her hands which  she spends ruminating on how she ended up in her current position.

While doing her daily mindless task of reviewing emails, something catches her eye and heart. She reads a tender and intimate exchange between a partner at the law firm, Forest Watts, and his wife, Annabelle. Cassie knows that she should be ignoring the message but, she can't help looking and finding herself entranced with their lives.

Everyday, Cassie looks forward to reading more emails between Forest and Annabelle. As Cassie falls deeper into their world, she finds a renewed purpose and happiness. She follows their lives with a fine tooth comb and decides to greedily follow their lifestyles. Cassie feels that she knows everything about Forest and Cassie.

Her admiration of the couple turns into a full blown obsession.  She wants to have their lives and she believes if continues to follow them, that it will turn into a reality. When Cassie tries to meet Forest in person, she realizes that Forest and Annabelle's marriage might be in trouble. Cassie is devastated to learn her fantasy is shattering. She decides that she will take Annabelle's place.

The book was boring and had almost no twists. I didn't care for any of the characters. The story slowly moved around and had too many eye roll moments for it to be enjoyable for me to read. The book had too much filler before it got to the main point of the story.

Book Review - The Rooster Bar by John Grisham

 

Mark, Todd, and Zola decided to attend law school for their own different reasons. They are now third-year students who feel duped by the system. They borrowed eye dropping amounts of money to attend a low tier for-profit school that is so mediocre that its graduate rarely pass the bar exam or get any profitable jobs. The trio later find out that their school is a chain of for-profit schools owned by a shady businessman who also owns a bank specializing in student loans. They realize they are one of many  victims of "The Great Law School Scam".

They begin to feel hopeless and that they have no way out. They decide to concoct a plan that they can escape their debt, expose the scam along with making a few bucks in the process. However, they realize for their plan to work they would need to leave law school a few months shy of graduation.

This was my first John Grisham novel and I was excited to read it. However, I found the novel to be very boring and slow. I read more than one third of the book before I had to stop reading it. I had a hard connecting to any of the characters and I didn't care for the one female character. It was hard to feel sympathetic with characters who complain about being ripped off and then goes ahead and rips off other struggling people. They were also upset about being duped but, it looks like they didn't really do proper due diligence and feel angry that they are being taken advantage of. Apparently, the school has a wide reputation of being horrible, wouldn't they have figured that out by the first year? I felt like Zola was just made into a prop and rarely served a purpose. I felt like most of the book is ripped straight from the headlines with little addition from the author other than his social commentary.

Book Review - Sea Rose Lane (Hope Harbor, #2) by Irene Hannon

 

 

Attorney Eric Nash returns home after being layoff. When he arrives to his childhood home, he realizes his home is being turned into a bed and breakfast. Instead of being able to plot his new future course, he has to contend with the noise and chaos from the construction along with the alluring architect, BJ Stevens. He finds himself drawn to BJ but, he knows he can't have a relationship with her if he will be leaving town for a new job.

BJ feels attracted to Eric but, she is afraid of committing because of her own disastrous romance in the past. She rather focus on getting her new business new customers and working on her special projects. However, when one of BJ's projects needs help, Eric steps in to assist. Will the pair be able to ignore the feelings they have for each other?

I found the novel to be an okay read. I like that there wasn't too many back and forth between the characters and their feelings. I liked that they were open and honest with each other about how they felt. Their romance was definitely a slow burn and took a while before they confronted their feelings. Fans of the author would enjoy the 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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

Photo Credit - Amazon

Lizzie Kitsakis is working late when she gets a call from an old friend. Lizzie knows long grueling hours are standard at elite law firms like where she is working, but she has her reasons for wanting to stay late. Until recently, she was working as a federal prosecutor which was her dream job. She had everything she wanted. She had her dream job and her devoted husband, Sam. That was until everything started to fall apart. Maybe the cracks in her life were already there but, Lizzie has been in denial for so long, she doesn't even know what's true anymore.

Lizzie barely keeps afloat with her marital problems and managing her new job.  The last thing she needs is another distraction. She receives a call from Zach Grayson, an old friend who is an inmate at Rikers. He is desperate for her help. His wife, Amanda has been found dead at the bottom of their stairs in their home. Zach is the primary suspect in her murder and he needs all the help he can get. As Lizzie begins to investigate, she realizes everyone is protecting their secrets and nothing is what it seems. Will Lizzie be able to help solve Amanda's murder? Will she be able to save her marriage?

The book is a fast-paced thriller with a few twists. A few of the twists are a bit predictable with enough clues to help you piece it together. The author leaves you wondering, what exactly constitutes a good marriage? We read about several different couples and their different dynamics. I devoured this novel in a few days and it was enjoyable to read. If you are a fan of crime thrillers or courtroom dramas, you will appreciate this book. I can't wait for more books by 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 - The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

The three Sweeney sisters grew up happy in their small seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. Liza, Maggie, and Tricia are still reeling from the after-effects of their mother's death from cancer over fifteen years ago. The sisters have drifted apart and have their own lives. When news of their beloved father, Bill Sweeney, an international famous literary genius and the renowned professor had died, the sisters return to their childhood home.

They are unsure of what their lives will look like without their father. They decide to throw an Irish wake to honor him. As guests pay their respects to Bill, one guest decides to crash the party because she is a Sweeney sister too.

Based in Washington, DC journalist Serena Tucker decided to test her DNA on a whim. She learns that she is a 50% genetic match with a childhood neighbor - Maggie Sweeney. It turns out that Serena's WASP mother, Birdie, had a history with Bill Sweeney. Serena's entire identity is thrown into a loop and she tries to come to terms with her mother's secrets.

Will the Sweeney sisters be able to accept their new sister? What will this secret hold for Bill's legacy?  Are there any other secrets Bill has kept from his family?

I thought the novel was an interesting read. I felt like there was enough to keep readers interested in reading more but, not enough to fall out of their seat gasping for air. I did feel that there were some slow gaps. I felt like this novel was more like a cozy romantic read rather than Jerry Springer-level family dysfunction read.

**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.**

 

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (April 28, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062909045
ISBN-13: 978-0062909046

Praise for THE SWEENEY SISTERS

"This is a big-hearted belly-laugh of a book, told with wit and poignancy. Family secrets, laughter and tears, shocking reveals, and an uplifting ending make this a story to savor--and share." —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of The Oysterville Sewing Circle

"Dolan uses her experience in podcasting with her own sisters to craft believable women characters who worry about real problems and use wry humor to push through dark moments . . . . A warmhearted portrait of love embracing true hearts." —Kirkus

An accomplished storyteller returns with her biggest, boldest, most entertaining novel yet—a hilarious, heartfelt story about books, love, sisterhood, and the surprises we discover in our DNA that combines the wit of Jonathan Tropper with the heart of Susan Wiggs.

Maggie, Eliza, and Tricia Sweeney grew up as a happy threesome in the idyllic seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. But their mother’s death from cancer fifteen years ago tarnished their golden-hued memories, and the sisters drifted apart. Their one touchstone is their father, Bill Sweeney, an internationally famous literary lion and college professor universally adored by critics, publishers, and book lovers. When Bill dies unexpectedly one cool June night, his shell-shocked daughters return to their childhood home. They aren’t quite sure what the future holds without their larger-than-life father, but they do know how to throw an Irish wake to honor a man of his stature.

But as guests pay their respects and reminisce, one stranger, emboldened by whiskey, has crashed the party. It turns out that she too is a Sweeney sister.

When Washington, DC based journalist Serena Tucker had her DNA tested on a whim a few weeks earlier, she learned she had a 50% genetic match with a childhood neighbor—Maggie Sweeney of Southport, Connecticut. It seems Serena’s chilly WASP mother, Birdie, had a history with Bill Sweeney—one that has remained totally secret until now.

Once the shock wears off, questions abound. What does this mean for William’s literary legacy? Where is the unfinished memoir he’s stashed away, and what will it reveal? And how will a fourth Sweeney sister—a blond among redheads—fit into their story?

By turns revealing, insightful, and uproarious, The Sweeney Sisters is equal parts cautionary tale and celebration—a festive and heartfelt look at what truly makes a family.

You can purchase The Sweeney Sisters at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Lian Dolan

Lian Dolan is a writer and talker. She’s the author of two Los Angeles Times best-selling novels, Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife published by Prospect Park Books. Her next novel, The Sweeney Sisters, will be published in 2020 by William Morrow. She’s a regular humor columnist for Pasadena Magazine and has previously written monthly columns for O, The Oprah Magazine and Working Mother Magazine. She’s also written for TV, radio and websites.

Lian is the producer and host of Satellite Sisters, the award-winning talk show she created with her four real sisters. On Satellite Sisters, she’s interviewed everyone from Nora Ephron to Madeleine Albright to Big Bird. Satellite Sisters began life as a syndicated radio show and is now a top-rated podcast for women. The recent book by the Satellite Sisters, You’re the Best: A Celebration of Friendship, is popular with book clubs.

A popular speaker who combines humor and heart, Lian has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Sunday Morning and The Today Show and many local TV stations. She’s been a featured speaker at the LA Times Festival of Books, the Santa Barbara Celebrity Authors Lunch, the Literary Guild of Orange County Festival of Women Authors and dozens of other events at libraries, book stores, schools and women’s organizations across the country. In 2020, she’ll be on the faculty of the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop.

Lian graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Classics. She lives in Pasadena, California with her husband, two sons and a big German shepherd.

        

WEEK ONE

APRIL 27th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

APRIL 28th TUESDAY Casia's Corner EXCERPT

APRIL 29th WEDNESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

APRIL 30th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

APRIL 30th THURSDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST

MAY 1st FRIDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW 

MAY 1st FRIDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

WEEK ONE

MAY 4th MONDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

MAY 5th TUESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

MAY 6th WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

MAY 6th WEDNESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW 

MAY 7th THURSDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW 

MAY 7th THURSDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW

MAY 8th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - Bridge 108 by Anne Charnock + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the late twenty-first century, drought and wildfires ravage southern Europe causing residents to flee. When twelve-year-old Caleb and his mother make the journey north, he becomes separated from her and falls victim to human traffickers. He becomes enslaved in an enclave outside Manchester but, he uses the opportunity to improve his situation. Even when his situation looks dire, Caleb never loses hope.

Caleb meets another victim of trafficking and together they look for better opportunities. He hides in the woods and searches for a new place to call home. As Caleb searches for his path, he realizes he can't trust anyone because he might end up in a perilous situation. 

I enjoyed reading this novel as the writing flowed smoothly. The book grabbed my attention and kept it until the end. I enjoyed reading about Caleb and his adventures in finding a place to belong. I liked that the author included different points of view in the book but, I felt like some characters should have been included. I would have liked to have read about his friend in the enclave roof next door and her motivations. The book was fast-paced but, lacked a bit of world-building. The author mentioned a few things in passing but, I wanted to know more about the tech or the political landscape. I felt like this book would be a great introductory novel into an awesome series about a new "world".

**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.**

Print Length: 195 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1542006082
Publisher: 47North (February 18, 2020)
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07PLHGMQN

Praise for BRIDGE 108

“Readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories with hopeful messages will be gratified by this topical tale of human resourcefulness in the face of climate disaster.” —Publishers Weekly

A dystopian novel set in the climate-ravaged Europe of A Calculated Life. Told through multiple voices against the backdrop of a haunting and frighteningly believable future, Bridge 108 charts the passage of a young boy into adulthood amid oppressive circumstances that are increasingly relevant to our present day.

From the Arthur C. Clarke Award–winning author, a dystopian novel of oppression set in the climate-ravaged Europe of A Calculated Life, a finalist for the Kitschies award and Philip K. Dick Award.

Late in the twenty-first century, drought and wildfires prompt an exodus from southern Europe. When twelve-year-old Caleb is separated from his mother during their trek north, he soon falls prey to traffickers. Enslaved in an enclave outside Manchester, the resourceful and determined Caleb never loses hope of bettering himself.

After Caleb is befriended by a fellow victim of trafficking, another road opens. Hiding in the woodlands by day, guided by the stars at night, he begins a new journey—to escape to a better life, to meet someone he can trust, and to find his family. For Caleb, only one thing is certain: making his way in the world will be far more difficult than his mother imagined.

Told through multiple voices and set against the backdrop of a haunting and frighteningly believable future, Bridge 108 charts the passage of a young boy into adulthood amid oppressive circumstances that are increasingly relevant to our present day.

You can purchase Bridge 108 at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Anne Charnock

Anne Charnock's latest novel, DREAMS BEFORE THE START OF TIME, is the winner of the 2018 Arthur C. Clarke Award, and was shortlisted for the BSFA 2017 Best Novel Award. Her novella THE ENCLAVE has won the BSFA 2017 Best Short Fiction Award. This novella is written in the same world as her debut novel, A CALCULATED LIFE, which was a finalist for the 2013 Philip K. Dick and The Kitschies Golden Tentacle Awards.

SLEEPING EMBERS OF AN ORDINARY MIND, her second novel, was named by The Guardian as one of the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2015

Anne Charnock's journalism has appeared in New Scientist, The Guardian, Financial Times, International Herald Tribune and Geographical. She was educated at the University of East Anglia, where she studied Environmental Sciences, and at The Manchester School of Art, England where she gained a Masters in Fine Art.

As a foreign correspondent, she travelled widely in Africa, the Middle East and India and spent a year overlanding through Egypt, Sudan and Kenya.

        

FEBRUARY 17th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 18th TUESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW

FEBRUARY 19th WEDNESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW 

FEBRUARY 20th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

FEBRUARY 20th THURSDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT

FEBRUARY 21st FRIDAY Insane About Books REVIEW 

FEBRUARY 22nd SATURDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW
FEBRUARY 22nd SATURDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

FEBRUARY 23rd SUNDAY BookHounds EXCERPT

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - The Girl in the Glass Box by James Grippando

Photo Credit - Amazon

Jack Swyteck is a Miami based attorney who is taking on an immigration case of an undocumented immigrant who fled to America to protect her daughter and herself. Julia Rodriguez and her teenage daughter, Beatriz escape from El Salvador to hide from the gangs and Julia's abusive husband. The duo struggles to adapt to life in America but, enjoy the safety it provides from Julia's husband.

Julia and her daughter were getting used to life in America until Julia refuses her boss's unwanted sexual advances. Her boss submits a tip to the U.S. immigration authorities to arrest Julia and put her in detention. Since Julia is slated for deportation, Jack's only move is to request asylum for her.

The novel is based on current events and can be seen as a timely thriller. My opinions and thoughts of immigration aside, I wasn't a fan of this novel. I had a hard time sympathizing with some of the characters because I didn't like them. I felt like the novel was very boring and repetitive with almost no plot development. I wasn't a fan of the ending but, I understand that immigration can be tricky and things do not always pan out. I found some of the dialogue between the characters to be stilted and surrealistic. This was my first novel by the author and probably the last.

 **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 - Never Tell by Lisa Gardner

Photo Credit - Amazon

Someone shot a man three times in his home office but, his computer has been shot twelve times. When the police arrive, his pregnant wife is holding the gun. When D.D. Warren arrives on the scene, she recognizes the woman as Evie Carter. D.D. worked a case many years ago when Evie's father was accidentally killed by his daughter.  Warren feels that there are too many coincidental deaths that occur near Evie Carter.

When Flora Danes see the new report of Conrad Carter's murder, she remembers him from when she was kidnapped. Her captor, Jacob knew and met Conrad while Flora was his hostage. Flora is overcome with guilt for not trying to find out more about Jacob's victims. Flora decides to work with D.D. to help figure out the truth behind Conrad's death. As Flora and D.D. work on the case, they discover some people will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden.

I thought the novel was a suspenseful read and showed how far someone would go protect the ones they love. I have read other books by Lisa Gardner and usually love them. However, this book left me wanting more. I felt like the story drag towards the middle and did nothing to build the story. I left like D.D. Warren took a backseat in investigating the case until the very end when she realizes who is behind the murder.

 **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 - Elizabeth Webster and the Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Elizabeth Webster prefers to stay under the radar and away from the spotlight in middle school. However, when the popular all-star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, her invisible days are long gone. When Elizabeth arrives to tutor Henry, she realizes he has an ulterior motive. Henry's house is being haunted by a ghost calling Elizabeth's name. As Elizabeth investigates Henry's ghost, she makes a few startling discoveries and realizes is Henry really the one who needs saving?

I thought the book was a very fun and laugh-out-loud read. The cast of characters were all lovable and helped our novice lawyer heroine along the way. It was fun seeing how each character grew and helped each other along. A must-read for any mystery fan!

**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.**

About the Book

Title: ELIZABETH WEBSTER AND THE COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS

Author: William Lashner

Pub. Date: October 15, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Welcome to Elizabeth Webster's world, where the common laws of middle school torment her days . . . and the uncommon laws of an even weirder realm govern her nights.

Elizabeth Webster is happy to stay under the radar (and under her bangs) until middle school is dead and gone. But when star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, it's not linear equations Henry really needs help with-it's a flower-scented, poodle-skirt-wearing, head-tossing ghost who's calling out Elizabeth's name.

But why Elizabeth? Could it have something to do with her missing lawyer father? Maybe. Probably. If only she could find him. In her search, Elizabeth discovers more than she is looking for: a grandfather she never knew, a startling legacy, and the secret family law firm, Webster & Son, Attorneys for the Damned.


Elizabeth and her friends soon land in court, where demons and ghosts take the witness stand and a red-eyed judge with a ratty white wig hands out sentences like sandwiches. Will Elizabeth's father arrive in time to save Henry Harrison-and is Henry the one who really needs saving?


Set in the historic streets of Philadelphia, this riveting middle-grade mystery from New York Times best-selling author William Lashner will have readers banging their gavels and calling for more from the incomparable Elizabeth Webster.

 

About William:

William Lashner is the New York Times Bestselling creator of Victor Carl, who has been called by Booklist one of the mystery novel’s “most compelling, most morally ambiguous characters.”  The Victor Carl novels, which have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages and have been sold all across the globe, include BAGMEN, KILLER’S KISS, FALLS THE SHADOW, FATAL FLAW, and HOSTILE WITNESS.  He is also the author of GUARANTEED HEROES, THE BARKEEP, which was an Edgar Award nominee and a Digital Book World Number One Bestseller, THE ACCOUNTING, and BLOOD AND BONE.

Writing under the pseudonym of Tyler Knox, Lashner is also the author of KOCKROACH, described as “roaringly entertaining,” by Publisher’s Weekly, and “an energetic tour de force,” by USA Today.  As Tyler Knox he has written a number of book reviews for the Washington Post Book World.

Lashner was a criminal prosecutor with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. before quitting the law to write fulltime.  A graduate of the New York University School of Law, as well as the Iowa Writers' Workshop, he lives with his wife and three children outside Philadelphia.

William Lashner Photo © Sigrid Estrada

Website | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of ELIZABETH WEBSTER AND THE COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS, US Only.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2019- Pandora's Books- Excerpt

10/2/2019- Southern Girl Bookaholic- Review

10/3/2019- Shelf-Rated- Review

10/4/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt

Week Two:

10/7/2019- Odd and Bookish- Review

10/8/2019- EatingbetweenthelinesINC- Review

10/9/2019- Little Red Reads- Review

10/10/2019- History from a Woman’s Perspective- Review

10/11/2019- Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers- Excerpt

Week Three:

10/14/2019- Books_andPoetrii- Excerpt

10/15/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

10/16/2019- Nerdophiles- Review

10/17/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review

10/18/2019- The Reading Corner for All- Review

Week Four:

10/21/2019- Books a Plenty Book Reviews- Review

10/22/2019- Wonder Struck- Review

10/23/2019- Smada's Book Smack- Review

10/24/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt

10/25/2019- fictitious.fox- Review

Week Five:

10/28/2019- Fyrekatz Blog- Review

10/29/2019- Two points of interest- Review

10/30/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review

10/31/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review