Book Review - Critical Threat (Extreme Measures #3) by Lynette Eason

 

In Critical Threat by Lynette Eason, an FBI agent will need to team up with the son of a serial killer to stop the recent string of murders. FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley is a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst who focuses on tracking serial killers and getting them off the streets. Sam Monroe is a prison psychiatrist who works with violent criminals on a daily basis. He knows that just because someone is in prison doesn’t mean that person isn’t a threat anymore. Sam’s father, Peter, is a notorious serial killer who is serving multiple life sentences in prison. Even while behind bars, Peter is still actively trying to get involved in Sam’s life. However, Sam wants nothing to do with his father and wishes that he can rid himself of Peter.

When a rash of dead bodies start to show up with a similar M.O. to Peter’s, Sam and Grace are asked to consult on the case together. Grace is hesitant to work with Sam because they have met before and things didn’t work out. They went on a date after meeting at a conference and Grace thought they hit it off, except Sam ghosted her after the date. Grace tries to put her feelings aside as they work together but she can’t help but feel that there is something between the two of them.

This book is the third book in the series but can be read as standalone. I read the first book in the series and a few of the characters from the earlier works make an appearance in this book, but they are minor characters and the reader does not need to know their backstory. I thought the book was an okay read. The mastermind was an unexpected twist but a few of the other twists were predictable. I do like that the book has a lot of action and thrills to keep the reader guessing.

Like the first book, I also didn’t really care for the characters in this book. I felt that the characters were one dimensional and wooden. The interaction between the two protagonists felt dull and forced. I felt like there wasn’t any chemistry between all the characters. There wasn’t a single character that I found believable or likable. The drama with Sam and his ex-wife was cliché. Grace and her family also deal with their own familial issues that I felt like didn’t add much to the story. I felt that while the author woven these family dramas to give readers a glimpse into Sam’s and Grace’s lives to help readers build an understanding about them, I could have done without these details. Even the interaction with minor characters didn’t seem plausible. I find it hard to believe a teenage boy who doesn’t want to hang out with his younger sister and calls her a munchkin, then has intellectual conversations about how isolated and afraid his sister might feel (without prompting!).

I also didn’t like that Grace continuously kept putting herself in danger because she assumed that backup was right behind her. I also don’t understand how the killer managed to get her so many times. I do commend her bravery but, after the first three times of her being captured and then needing to be saved, it got boring and repetitive.

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

Book Review - Locust Lane by Stephen Amidon

 

Emerson, Massachusetts is a small suburb town. It's a quiet place where people keep to themselves and follow the rules. When a young women is found dead in the posh part of town, the residents put their guards up and will stop at nothing to protect their own.

When Eden Perry is found dead, investigators feel that the three teenagers she was partying with that night is hiding something. Jack is the son of a prominent lawyer and is from a well liked family. Hannah, Jack's girlfriend, is shy and sweet. Christopher is a newcomer and desperate to fit in with the group. Their parents are desperate to protect them from the investigation and start to complicate matters when they try to push the blame on someone else.

The book started off interesting and then became boring. The book would progress with nothing being added to the story. The story was told from multiple point of views and at first, it was interesting but, then it felt like filler as, none of them actually really knew what happened that night. One of the characters had no purpose and I am not sure why they were included in the story and I had no reaction to their demise other than thinking it was entire pointless. All of the characters were unlikable and frustrating. The ending was disappointing and left me feeling unsettled. I am not sure that I would read another book by the author.

Book Review - Always Be My Duchess (Taming of the Dukes, #1) by Amalie Howard

 

 

  

Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard is a tale of two opposite people who are brought together by a mutual interest in accomplishing their goals. Lord Lysander Blackstone is the Duke of Montcroix, and he only has one goal and interest on his mind. He singularly cares to increase his already considerable fortune in order to surpass his late father’s legacy, and has no interest in finding a “duchess”. After a series of betrayals and broken promises, he finds it easier to keep his emotions in check if he focuses on growing his empire. However, a piece of real estate that he needs for his budding railroad empire is blocked by the eccentric owner of the property. The owner is only willing to sell the property to someone who believes in love and who wants to build and raise a family on the land. Lysander is devastated and annoyed that his cold personality and lack of a love life could jeopardize his business plans. He starts to lose hope for being a candidate the owner will sell to until he crosses paths with the alluring Miss Geneviève Valery.

Geneviève “Nève” Valery once had a promising ballet dancer career and her entire life ahead of her. However, her dreams and career were destroyed when Nève refused to become the mistress of a wealthy patron. Nève is out of work and desperate to find a new job but her scorned lover makes it impossible for her to land any roles. 

Nève crosses paths with the Duke when she saves him from a group of unsavory men when he was in a vulnerable state. He makes her an offer that is hard to resist. Nève is skeptical if the Duke will act honorably given her last encounter with the ton, in which the Duke is a prominent member. After hitting a dead end in job prospects, Nève decides to take up the Duke on his offer to be his fake fiancée. The plan is to help convince the eccentric seller to sell Lysander the property he desires, and Nève would be well compensated if the deal goes through. Nève and Lysander are both only focused on getting their side of the deal, until they realize that they might get more than they bargained for!

Nève and Lysander are both strong characters who are determined to keep their feelings in check but find themselves instantly drawn to each other. It was interesting and fun seeing how the duo tried to ignore their budding feelings for each other but kept finding themselves in compromising situations. The novel was set in the Victorian era but it could have taken place in any era with minor edits to the story. The elements of the Victorian era (other than the class issues) did not really come into play. There were no facts of the era or the time period to build the world in the mind of the reader. It just seemed to be chosen by the author for the romantic aspect of this time period.

I enjoyed the first half of the novel as it showed the pair maneuvering their relationship from two parties with a business arrangement while being romantically attracted to each other. However, towards the middle it got repetitive. Lysander kept making the same mistake of doing something nice but not taking into consideration Nève’s feelings, even though she told him how she felt. This could have been due to ignorance because of his social standing and privilege.  Nève also ran hot and cold. She was not consistent – she was either a fiery firecracker or a damsel in distress. 

The book was mildly reminiscent of “Pretty Woman” but it's not a remake of the story. The novel is a predictable read with no unexpected twists. The ending does leave an opening for another character to get their “happy ending” in the next book in the series. The book had adult content and language, and isn’t for readers who prefer clean romances.

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

Book Review - Girl, Forgotten (Andrea Oliver, #2) by Karin Slaughter

 

Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter is the second book in the Andrea Oliver series.  The book has a dual timeline with a murder connecting two characters together. In 1892, Longbill Beach, Emily Vaughn was a high school senior who was getting ready for prom.  She is described as beautiful and was well-liked by peers and by her conservative community, until the unthinkable happened. When it becomes evident that she is having a baby out of wed-lock, the community closes ranks and tries to protect its respected members, because they are afraid that Emily may claim that one of their own is the father. 

Emily tries to navigate her life from being a beloved member of the community to an ostracized high school student. She has a few secrets that she is keeping from her friends and family, including who the father is of her baby. Someone is desperate to keep Emily from telling her secrets and they want to silence her. When Emily leaves prom, someone is following her and they will stop at nothing to keep Emily quiet… 

Forty years later, Emily’s murder is still unsolved and no progress has been made. Her close friends keep to themselves and her family has tried to move on. 

Newly minted U.S. Marshal Andrea Oliver arrives at Longbill Beach with her first assignment. She and her partner, Bible, are to protect a judge who is getting death threats. Andrea knows she should be focusing on her assignment, but she feels a special connection to Emily. She is determined to find what happened to Emily forty years ago. As Andrea digs into the death of Emily, she realizes that not everyone in Longbill Beach is as friendly and forthcoming as they pretend to be. When a new body is discovered and it is eerily similar to Emily, will Andrea be able to figure out who the killer is before they strike again?

The novel is the second book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. However, I do recommend reading the books in order as it will help explain Andrea’s relationship with her mother, and also will give context to her motives for wanting to solve Emily’s murder. I felt that Andrea has grown so much from the first novel. She went from being a useless character who came across like a fish out of water to a strong and smart Marshal.  She progressed into a surer version of herself and she was able to stand on her own two feet. Her keen instincts allowed her to piece together clues before others even more senior to her.

The book was a highly engaging read and kept me on my toes. There were a few unexpected twists that were delightful, but also a few predictable ones. The characters were well developed and complex. The character dialogues were realistic and immersive as Bible and Andrea were trying to put together the clues.  I enjoyed following the dual timelines and trying to figure out how Emily’s story interplayed with the present murder.  I found the book to be an engrossing read and I can’t wait to read more books by the author. I would recommend the novel to any crime or thriller fans.

Book Review - Direwood by Catherine Yu

 

 

 

In Catherine Yu’s debut novel Direwood, the novel takes place in a small idyllic town in the 1990s. Aja is a sixteen year old Asian girl who feels different and out of place in her community. She is unable to connect with others as easily as her older sister, Fiona. Everything changes when her beloved sister goes missing the day after her birthday party. Days before Fiona disappears, Aja has a foreboding feeling that something bad is going to happen. She sees signs of malice in everyday occurrences such as trees being infected by caterpillars and the rain being the color of blood.

Aja is desperate to find her sister. She receives the answer to her prayers when a vampire, Padraic, shows up to her window one night. Padraic is a chance for Aja to find her sister along with providing her with the opportunity for freedom from her overbearing community. Aja is enthralled with Padraic as he tells her that she is pretty and special, things Aja yearns to hear.  

Aja decides to go with Padraic to his nest deep in the forest with the condition that she can leave whenever she wants. However, Aja isn’t planning to leave without her idolized sister. As Aja spends time with Padraic in the dilapidated church that is surrounded by a deadly fog and bloodsucking butterflies, Aja realizes that Padraic has secrets that he is keeping from her as well. Will Aja be able to find her sister and escape Padraic’s hold on her?

The book had tons of eerie gothic themes that were spellbinding and alluring to read. The author used lush descriptions to describe the scenery and Aja’s inner turmoil. Aja was stuck between being enraptured by Padraic and having a sense of being wanted and belonging with her need to find her sister. It was interesting reading about how Aja was struggling with choosing the best course of action.

Aja was an interesting character. I commiserate with her need of being the odd duck but, at times, her character felt one-dimensional. She came across as selfish, in that she stated that she wanted to rescue her sister, but made little progress in her actual goal. I felt that she was hard on her friend when they were trying to help her. Aja seemed self-absorbed and stuck in her world failing to realize the danger that was around her. When the time came for action, she seemed like a deer caught in headlights. I also didn’t like that she consistently claimed others were ruining her chances to make her escape.

The author created a descriptive and atmospheric read but the novel lacked a strong story line. The days would progress and there would be little to no development in the story. At times, it felt boring and repetitive after reading various inner thoughts of how Aja thought Padraic was hot. I wished there was more world building and explanations.  Some concepts were introduced, such as the caterpillars and butterflies, but were never fully developed. If you like slow burn horror novels, then you might enjoy this book, otherwise I would skip it.

 

Book Review - We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds

 

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds is a debut novel about a young girl and her mother trying to connect with their dying estranged grandmother. Avery Anderson is a seventeen year old girl who was looking forward to spending her senior year with her friends and touring colleges.  Instead, her parents take her out of school and move down to the deep South (Georgia) to spend time with her grandmother. Avery tries to connect with her grandmother, Mama Letty, but it’s hard when Avery’s mother and Mama Letty are always down each other’s throats. Avery tries to dig deeper and connect with the two women to figure out what drove the two of them apart.

When tempers flare and tantrums are thrown by her avoidant family, Avery is desperate to escape and find her own place to belong. Avery connects with the girl next door, Simone Cole, and also Jade Oliver, the daughter of a prominent family. The trio connect over their own grief and sadness while quickly forming a bond with each other that Avery never had with anyone else. Simone is dealing with the unexpected death of her brother and her sister leaving her family behind. Simone feels trapped because her mother has no one else but her. Jade’s mother was brutally murdered and the case has remained unsolved. 

As Simone and Avery start to spend more time with each other clandestinely, they feel that their friendship is blossoming into something more. However, not everyone in the small Georgia town is open and friendly as Avery wants to believe. The small town of Bardell, Georgia is steep and tainted with a dark history of racism that still ripples through the community.

The novel was a tearjerker read on how people with broken pieces are trying to find a way to amend the damage done by time and hatred. The book was filled with well-developed and flawed characters who were trying their best to navigate life with the cards they were dealt with. However, there were times I felt that Avery was being unreasonable. When she found out the reason behind her family’s disagreement, she took out her anger on her friend without even trying to apologize for lashing out at them. I understand that she was feeling hurt and betrayed but her friend didn’t do anything to her personally and her friend constantly went out of her way to help Avery.

Mama Letty was a vibrant character but I found it hard to like her at times. As she is nearing the end of her life, she still refuses to acknowledge some of the pain and trauma she has caused others until the very last moment. She, like Avery, were both filled with hate about things that were done to their family and instead of moving forward, they lashed out and hurt others which continues the vicious cycle of pain. The novel does have a redemption part but, will the characters be able to heal from the trauma or will it stick to their soul?

I felt that the story dragged on for a while without any plot progression. The story hinted that someone Avery knew might have murdered Jade’s mother but it was hinted at and left to the readers to infer who the killer was. The murderer was never really ousted and it didn’t really have an impact on any of the characters or the story.  I felt like this arc was just thrown in there to try and tie up loose ends, while it could have been developed more. This young adult novel does have LGBT characters and if you love reading about dysfunctional families with past trauma, you might enjoy this slow burn novel.

Book Review - The Autumnal by Daniel Kraus

 

Kat Somerville and her daughter, Sybil, goes to Comfort Notch, New Hampshire after the death of her estranged mother. Upon arriving the idyllic and quaint town, Kat forgets how beautiful her childhood home was. The small town offers Kat and Sybil a loving home and environment than the tough and difficult situation they were in Chicago. However, under the beautiful facade, the town is hiding a dark and insidious secret.

The graphic novel is a dark and horror filled read. The graphic novel was beautifully drawn and nicely detailed. The book was an entertaining read but, at times I struggled with the pace and Kat as a character. The story moved along very slowly and felt choppy at times. I believe this occurred when the issue had ended and the next issue starts but, it didn't feel like a smooth transition. Kat was aggressive at times and  was hard to like as a person. As the story progressed, she did find her voice and work on her bond with her daughter and acknowledging her past. If you are a fan of dark horror graphic novels, you might enjoy this one.

Book Review - Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks

 

Beverly and her six year old son, Tommie, flee their home during the middle of the night. Beverly is determined to start a new life after leaving her abusive husband behind. She has to be on guard in case, her husband finds her and takes them back home. Beverly becomes on edge when Tommie insists that he is hearing someone call his name and when a mysterious truck keeps parking in her driveway, Beverly will need to act quick if she is planning to escape again.

Colby Mills gave up his career as a musician to run his family's small farm in North Carolina. He decides to take a working vacation and head to St. Pete Beach, Florida to play at a local bar. While playing at the bar, he crosses paths with Morgan Lee and he finds himself falling for her.

Morgan is from an affluent family of doctors from Chicago. She graduated from a prestigious music program and wants to head to Nashville and break into the industry. When she meets Colby, she finds herself falling for him. However, is she willing to give up her dream to be with him?

This was my first time reading a book by the author. I can see why people enjoy his writing but, this book wasn't for me. The book moved so slowly and the surprise ending was predictable. The book dragged on forever until the ending where everything is tied up nicely. I did enjoy reading Beverly's story line but, felt that Colby's and Morgan's was boring. I don't think I will be in a rush to read any of his other books after reading this dud.

Book Review - Pieces of Her (Andrea Oliver, #1) by Karin Slaughter

 

Andrea thought she knew everything about her mother, Laura. They have spent their entire life in a small beach side town and Laura prefers a quiet life. All that changes when they get caught in between a mall shooting. Andrea sees a different side to her mother. As Andrea digs deeper into her mother's past, she realizes that her mother had a different identity and Laura is hiding from someone. With the mall shooting becoming national news, Laura has no choice but to try and escape her past again. Will Laura be able to keep her secret without endangering Andrea's life?

The novel was an interesting read. However, I thought the main character was so annoying. She acts like a child but, she was in her 30s. I felt like she had no common sense and continuously made the same mistakes over and over. I enjoyed reading about Laura's past and how it all tied together. But, I was a bit confused on how Laura went from someone who was like Andrea to someone who was willing to risk it all for someone she loves while her daughter still remains spineless. They did mention that Laura had training and did drills but, in the flashbacks they didn't make her out to be a badass that she currently is. The book didn't really have much twists and I felt that it was longer than it needed to be.

Book Review - The Backup Plan (Sunrise Cove, #3) by Jill Shalvis

 

Alice is excited when she comes across an unexpected windfall. She is set to inherit a dilapidated bed and breakfast that she once called home. The downside, is that she has to split her inheritance with two people from her past that she would rather forget about. Alice used to be best friends with Lauren while Knox, is the guy Alice has secretly pined for.

The terms of the will state that the three will have to work together and renovate the house and work together for one year otherwise, they will lose their share. However, each of the trio has their own heartache and history which causes tension between them. They decide to keep a set of rules to help keep the peace. As they work together, will they find what they have been looking for?

The book reads like a classic Hallmark movie with some closed door steamy parts. My favorite parts of the story is when they would add new rules and ultimately break them. The book did have some slow parts with a happy ending sprinkled with some sassy humor. I do like that there wasn't any back and forth on whether or not a couple liked each other. This book is a part of a series but, it can be read as a standalone.

Book Review - The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

 

Natalie Hargrove is a high school student who has spent years planning and plotting to become the next prom queen. She got everything she needs to win including, a vicious streak and a ruthlessness to stop at nothing to accomplish her goal.

Things take a turn for the worst, when someone threatens her plans. She convinces her boyfriend, Mike, to play a prank on Justin. Natalie is happy that everything is going to according to plan except when the prank goes horribly wrong. Natalie decides that she won't let anything stop her dreams, even if it means hiding a few dark secrets.

I thought the book was an okay read. It reminds me of those spicy books, I would read as a young adult that had adult content references but, still being appropriate for kids. The book started off strong but, the lack of character development and boring characters with a predictable plot made the book a bit boring in the second half. I can see  some young adults liking this book but, as an adult I have read way better quality books.

Book Review - The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

 

Gabe and Pippa has bought their dream home in a small coastal town. Their house is right near a cliff. The cliff is infamous for people who go there to kill themselves. Gabe is famous for talking people off the ledge until one day, he fails and someone falls to their death. When it is discovered that Gabe knew the victim, Pippa questions how much she really knows Gabe.

The book started off interesting and it kept me hook until the half way point. The constant point of view switching became boring and dull because there was barely any movement to the story. I felt like the story dragged and dragged with nothing keeping the readers hooked. I can't say that I really liked any of the characters and I found Pippa annoying. She kept sticking up for Gabe when it was hard to see what he bought to the table other than him being good looking and charismatic. While this book was a bit disappointing, I will still continue reading other books by the author.

Book Review - The 12th Commandment by Daniel Torday

 

A group of Jewish Islamic people, known as the Donme, live in an isolation community in Mt. Izmir, Ohio.The people are religious and self-sustaining, who followed their prophet, Natan of Flatbush, from Brooklyn to Ohio. When Natan's teenage son is brutally murdered, the entire community is in turmoil and begins to arm themselves.

Zeke Leger, is a thirty year old writer, who arrives to Ohio for a friend's funeral. He becomes interested in the case and decides to report on the murder. His ex-girlfriend, Johanna Franklin, prosecuted the case and believes Natan is guilty. As Zeke investigates the murder, he finds himself drawn to the Donme and becomes interested in their ways. Will Zeke be able to solve the murder before he endangers himself?

I thought the cover and the premise was interesting. Unfortunately, the book fell flat to me. The writing style didn't flow smoothly for me and there was tons of vernacular that I was unsure of. I wish the author included a section explaining the culture and norms. I feel like it would have made the novel easier to follow along if you are not familiar with the culture. I also felt that the story moved very slowly and nothing really happened for extended amount of time. I feel like readers who are familiar with the culture might enjoy this novel more than I did.

Book Review - The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older

 

In Jupiter, a man goes missing on a remote station leaving behind a bunch of unanswered questions. Investigator Mossa is assigned to the case to help find clues to his disappearance. As Mossa investigates his disappearance, she decides to enlist her ex-girlfriend, Pleiti, to help.

I thought the book was an okay read. I normally don't really sci-fi novels as either they spend too much time world building or not enough time world building. I feel like this book had a good amount of world building at times but, I found concepts confusing like the station coordinates and hard to follow. I felt like the story dragged on for a bit and it wasn't very interesting. The characters and their impending romance felt stilted and robotic. Unfortunately, while the book had an interesting premise, it wasn't for me.

Book Review - Perfect Little Children by Sophie Hannah

 

Beth was supposed to take her son to his soccer game, watch him play, and then they return home together. Except, Beth has other ideas and decides to drive past her ex-best friend's house because she lives near the field and Beth wants to get a peek at Flora.

It's been twelve years since Beth has seen Flora. And Beth isn't so sure she wants to see Flora again. However, Beth is too curious to let it go and decides to stop by for a visit. Beth parks outside the gates of Flora's house, and watches as Flora arrives with her two children, Thomas and Emily.

Except something looks wrong, Flora looks the same but, only older. Her children, Thomas and Emily look exactly the same as they did twelve years ago. Beth is confused because how could they have not grown or changed at all in the twelve years that have past?

I thought this was going to be a horror or thriller but, instead this book was an absolute bore. The same thing gets repeated over and over. I also couldn't stand Beth and found majority of the characters completely dense. Instead of telling each other the information ahead of time or when they figured something out, they drag it out for pages and pages. For example, if Beth notices something, she won't tell anyone right then and there. She will mentioned she noticed something and not say what. When she finally does tell the other person, she drags it out for pages on pages. I read over 100 pages and nothing was added to the story or changed. Then they have so many boring side stories that are not even relevant to the story. I feel like the entire book could have been half of the size. I felt like the author had a great idea but, perhaps had to have a specific word count and decided to stretch a few things instead of adding to the story.

Book Review - What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez

 

For the Ramirez family, their lives revolve around their missing middle daughter, Ruthy, who was thirteen years old, when she disappeared. Ruthy disappeared after track practice without leaving a trace. Twelve years later, Jessica, the eldest, spots a woman on TV that looks very familiar to their Ruthy. Jessica rushes to tell her youngest sister, Nina, about her findings. The woman on TV has dyed her hair red and calls herself Ruby. Ruby also has a very similar beauty mark under her left eye just like Ruthy.

Life hasn't been easy for the Ramirez family when Ruthy disappeared. Their mother, Dolores, still struggles with the loss and their father has passed which, they believe was due to the stress from Ruthy's disappearance.  Jessica is struggling to juggle the demands of a newborn with her hospital job and Nina after just graduating from college is struggling to find meaningful employment.

After seeing Ruthy, Jessica and Nina decide to plan a trip to the show to see if that's their sister. However, when their mother finds out, she insist on joining along with her best friend, Irene. During their road trip, they realize they must come to terms with what they find and how they will need move forward with or without Ruthy.

I thought the book was an interesting read and it was fun reading about Staten Island. I connected with a few of their stories and landmarks since, I grew up in Staten Island. A few times though, I was wondering where this book was heading because I couldn't figure out if it was just about a family in grief over their missing sister or was there a thriller/mystery aspect to the book. The ending was a bit unexpected and it will have you wondering about the "what ifs" possibilities.  Overall, I thought it was a good debut novel and I look forward to reading more books  by the author.

Book Review - The Pack by Lisi Harrison

 

The girls that board the Charm House or the Center for Human-Animal Reform and Manners, are there because they have an animal light inside them that needs to be tamed. Sadie is the new girl and she just wants to stay out of trouble and blend in with the rest of the students. That is until she learns she has the Lion light and a group of popular girls include her in their group called the Pack.  Sadie finds herself at the center of attention and is consumed by social drama. The Charm school is supposed to be a sanctuary but, someone is targeting the girls. Will Sadie be able to help find the mastermind?

The book was a fun read and had a few unexpected twists. It was interesting seeing Sadie accept her abilities and her powers to lead and not be just a follower. Some of the dialogue between the girls at the school were funny but, might be too much for some children/readers. For example, Lindsey and the other girls remark on each others physical appearance or Sadie gets bullied because her hair doesn't look appealing, it might seem like bullying. Instead of tampering the comments about physical appearance, they seem to enjoy making remarks about it to each other. Overall, it's a fun read and I would read other books in the series.

Book Review - Birds of California by Katie Cotugno

 

Fiona St. James is a former child actor who tried fading from the spotlight after a very public  meltdown. The tabloids love to call her crazy antics and said she lost her mind. Fiona is now in her late twenties, and hopes that her embarrassing past is behind her. She finally gained some privacy while working at her family store and she isn't willing to let anyone mess that up.

Unlike Fiona, Sam Fox, her former cast mate in the popular television show, loves the perks of being a successful Hollywood actor. He loves the attention and the money fame affords him. However, when his current show gets cancelled and his opportunities start to dry up, Sam is desperate for another job. His agent offers him an opportunity to get back on his feet but, he would need to convince Fiona to join.

Fiona is wary of Sam but, against her better judgment she decides to meet with him. The two find being in each other presence tolerable at first but, then they start falling for each other. They both discover a side of each other that they never knew before. As they grow closer, they realized that they are both keeping secrets from each other.

The book started off strong but, then petered out towards the middle and end. The reason behind Fiona's breakdown was hinted at but, when it was finally revealed, the author never talked about the aftermath or what else happened. The author dedicated maybe a few sentences and then the book ended. The description and comments quoted on the book also gave away most of Fiona's secret. So, I am not sure why it took so long for us to "find out" about it and the author chose not to give us a proper resolution.

I had a hard time liking Fiona as a person. She was aggressive and moody while taking out her anger on other people. I had a hard time feeling empathy for her because she was closed off from her friends but, she kept saying that no one wanted to be near her. I don't think anyone would want to be near someone who doesn't trust them enough to open up to them and becomes aggressive instead. I felt like the story moved so slowly without anything really happening except maybe the in-depth sex scenes that seemed out of place. 

I felt like the novel left me with more questions than answers especially with Fiona's history with Jamie. Did something happened to them that lead to her nightmares? Is that why she is obsessed with true crime and Erin's articles? Why is Sam's agent trying to push that one role to Sam? Is Jamie pulling the strings for the remake? Does Fiona finally get to direct since she has a passion for it? Does Fiona go back to school since, she expressed an interest in going back to school? What happens to Sam? Does he get another job or what happens to his dying mother? The book was relatively short so, the author could have added a few more pages to tie everything together in the end. However, the book did made me think of some child stars who did have public meltdowns and who spiraled out of control. It reinforces the fact that people need to be surrounded by people who have their best interest at heart. The novel was an okay book but, it could have been better.

Book Review - Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

 

Under the right conditions, children can disappear and end up in a new magical place. Like most children who went to a magical place, Nancy came back a changed person and she is eager to return back. Nancy joins Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children to cope with her current situation and to find a way back home. When Nancy joins the other kids at the home, there is a darkness around the corner. A tragedy strikes that makes the home no longer safe for anyone.

I thought the book had an interesting premise. I was able to guess the mastermind behind the murders pretty quickly. However, I felt that the book was missing something to make it "great". I found the writing and the characters to be flat and choppy at times. I understand that the author wanted to be inclusive in her writing but, it seems like most her of characters were "different" and that was their main trait instead of being another facet of them. The book had tons of potential but, felt flat to me.

Book Review - The Getaway by Lamar Giles

 

Karloff Country is a well known world class resort. Jay is living within the property with his family and friends. Jay loves Karloff Country and he likes working his after school job at the park. Life isn't great for other people outside of the Karloff Country so, when people come to the theme park, they want to leave it all behind.

Jay's life takes a tailspin when trouble arrives at Karloff. His friend, Connie and her entire family disappears in the middle of the night and no one knows where they went and why. Then a new set of wealthy and powerful families start arriving but, they do not leave after the park closes. Karloff Country has been offering a sanctuary to the wealthy and offered them the best of the best service and lifestyle. To ensure the guest spends the end of days in comfort, the staff will be available at the wealthy clientele's beck and call, whether they like it or not.

 

I thought the book was an interesting read. The book had nonstop twists and gruesome secrets. The characters were well fleshed out and fun to read their interactions with each other. I thought the book was going to be a horror book but, it was more like a thriller and mystery with some "scary" twists. A few times, I didn't know where the book was heading but, it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.