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If You Want to Make God Laugh takes us on an emotional journey of love, loss, racial divide, civil unrest, injustice, family and motherhood.
All I can say is, WOW! These women captured me completely. This is a story full of both sorrow and heart. The vulnerability of these women will tug at your heartstrings. They suffer, endure loss after loss and still stand up strong - refusing to crumble and fold.
Bianca Marais doesn't shy away from big issues such as the stigma of HIV, racism, homophobia, religious corruption and the abuse of power over women. She has woven these issues with compassion and honesty into a moving story that follows the lives of three women and the little boy they all come to love.
This my friends is a must read of the highest order! I highly recommend it to each and every one of you.
Thank you to Bianca Marais, Penguin Publishing and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review a digital arc of this amazing book.
All I can say is, WOW! These women captured me completely. This is a story full of both sorrow and heart. The vulnerability of these women will tug at your heartstrings. They suffer, endure loss after loss and still stand up strong - refusing to crumble and fold.
Bianca Marais doesn't shy away from big issues such as the stigma of HIV, racism, homophobia, religious corruption and the abuse of power over women. She has woven these issues with compassion and honesty into a moving story that follows the lives of three women and the little boy they all come to love.
This my friends is a must read of the highest order! I highly recommend it to each and every one of you.
Thank you to Bianca Marais, Penguin Publishing and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review a digital arc of this amazing book.
If you enjoy a mystery involving family secrets where nothing is quite as it seems, The Nanny is definitely for you.
Told in alternating points of view, The Nanny tells the tale of Jocelyn Holt as she is forced to return to her childhood home after the death of her husband. Jocelyn must face her estranged mother, while trying to put her and her daughter's life back together. If that wasn't hard enough - a skull is uncovered on the estate's lake, stirring up memories of Jo's beloved Nanny who disappeared without a word one night.
This is a slow burn type mystery - where bits are revealed little by little. The aristocratic characters were quite scandalous and I found the memories of their past deeds entertaining and often times abhorrent (which I rather enjoy!). The Holt family has quite the saga going on in this story and Nanny Hannah - well, let's just say she was the opposite of Mary Poppins.
This novel was full of regrets, misdeeds, secrets, misplaced trust, manipulation and unhealthy relationships. I enjoyed this mystery but I did have it figured out fairly early on and it felt a bit too long. Had it been just a bit faster, it would have been all the more gripping. 3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
Thank you to Gilly Macmillan, Harper Collins, William Morrow and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
Told in alternating points of view, The Nanny tells the tale of Jocelyn Holt as she is forced to return to her childhood home after the death of her husband. Jocelyn must face her estranged mother, while trying to put her and her daughter's life back together. If that wasn't hard enough - a skull is uncovered on the estate's lake, stirring up memories of Jo's beloved Nanny who disappeared without a word one night.
This is a slow burn type mystery - where bits are revealed little by little. The aristocratic characters were quite scandalous and I found the memories of their past deeds entertaining and often times abhorrent (which I rather enjoy!). The Holt family has quite the saga going on in this story and Nanny Hannah - well, let's just say she was the opposite of Mary Poppins.
This novel was full of regrets, misdeeds, secrets, misplaced trust, manipulation and unhealthy relationships. I enjoyed this mystery but I did have it figured out fairly early on and it felt a bit too long. Had it been just a bit faster, it would have been all the more gripping. 3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
Thank you to Gilly Macmillan, Harper Collins, William Morrow and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
So I didn't love this one. I didn't hate it either. It was entertaining but there was definitely something missing here for me.
It was a quick read but I unfortunately expected more. My expectations definitely affected my enjoyment but with so many glowing reviews I thought I'd get a sexier, grittier read. NOPE - dare I admit at times I found it a little too cliche and boring? This was definitely one of those times where I wondered if I was reading the same book as everyone else.
It was a quick read but I unfortunately expected more. My expectations definitely affected my enjoyment but with so many glowing reviews I thought I'd get a sexier, grittier read. NOPE - dare I admit at times I found it a little too cliche and boring? This was definitely one of those times where I wondered if I was reading the same book as everyone else.
4 Second Chance at Love Stars
This story was adorable. It kept me up way past my bedtime because I just had to read through to the happy ending - I was in that kind of mood.
Piper Calloway is 29, smart, beautiful, rich and being groomed to take over her father's multibillion-dollar real estate development firm. Sounds like she has it all right? Well, looks can be deceiving because she is also single, having recently broken off her engagement to a man she has to continue to work with every day and battling a male-dominated business daily in order to earn the respect she deserves and works hard for.
Enter Kyle, the new security guard at her building and the boy who broke her heart thirteen years ago. She has never forgotten Kyle. Not the magical summer they spent together or the disappearing act he pulled after an accident involving another camper left them both fired and unable to ever return to camp. Can fate be bringing him back into Piper's life?
Told in dual timelines - Then/Camp and Now - we experience all the butterflies, stolen moments, desire and intense feelings that come with first love. We see how Piper and Kyle fell in love and slowly connect the dots to what led them apart in the present.
Say You Still Love Me was a quick, easy read that I enjoyed. Thank you K.A. Tucker, Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an arc of this second chance romance.
This story was adorable. It kept me up way past my bedtime because I just had to read through to the happy ending - I was in that kind of mood.
Piper Calloway is 29, smart, beautiful, rich and being groomed to take over her father's multibillion-dollar real estate development firm. Sounds like she has it all right? Well, looks can be deceiving because she is also single, having recently broken off her engagement to a man she has to continue to work with every day and battling a male-dominated business daily in order to earn the respect she deserves and works hard for.
Enter Kyle, the new security guard at her building and the boy who broke her heart thirteen years ago. She has never forgotten Kyle. Not the magical summer they spent together or the disappearing act he pulled after an accident involving another camper left them both fired and unable to ever return to camp. Can fate be bringing him back into Piper's life?
Told in dual timelines - Then/Camp and Now - we experience all the butterflies, stolen moments, desire and intense feelings that come with first love. We see how Piper and Kyle fell in love and slowly connect the dots to what led them apart in the present.
Say You Still Love Me was a quick, easy read that I enjoyed. Thank you K.A. Tucker, Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an arc of this second chance romance.
4 Compulsive, Deeply Hidden Secrets and Ultimate Revenge Stars!
I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't blown away by Frey's first book, Not Her Daughter. BUT this book - it definitely blew me away! I love a gotcha that was right there all along and yet I simply didn't connect the dots enough to see it. After turning the last few pages - I literally screamed out loud - How did I NOT see that? The breadcrumbed were all there. Well done Rea Frey, you got me! You got me and I loved every second of it!
I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't blown away by Frey's first book, Not Her Daughter. BUT this book - it definitely blew me away! I love a gotcha that was right there all along and yet I simply didn't connect the dots enough to see it. After turning the last few pages - I literally screamed out loud - How did I NOT see that? The breadcrumbed were all there. Well done Rea Frey, you got me! You got me and I loved every second of it!
I enjoyed this one BUT not in the way I thought I would. Having seen so many reviews of people saying they couldn't read this alone at night, I expected some gore and to be truly frightened. I never felt scared. Maybe as someone who reads thrillers on a regular basis I have a higher threshold for it all.
5 Heart Pounding Stars!!! You'll never see/think of chestnuts roasting on an open fire the same way again!
It takes a lot for thrillers to impress me, even more for them to stump me. The Chestnut Man did both and is hands down my fave thriller read this year!
Combining a gripping storyline with great characters and the kind of intense atmosphere that will have you ferociously turning pages this was one of the best crime novels I have read in a while. I'm a sucker for police procedurals and this one definitely delivered for me. It was a twisted, slice of Nordic Noir which will appeal to those (like me!) who are not put off by upsetting content, gore or graphic violence. I have no problem admitting that I'm all in for this kind of stuff.
It takes a lot for thrillers to impress me, even more for them to stump me. The Chestnut Man did both and is hands down my fave thriller read this year!
Combining a gripping storyline with great characters and the kind of intense atmosphere that will have you ferociously turning pages this was one of the best crime novels I have read in a while. I'm a sucker for police procedurals and this one definitely delivered for me. It was a twisted, slice of Nordic Noir which will appeal to those (like me!) who are not put off by upsetting content, gore or graphic violence. I have no problem admitting that I'm all in for this kind of stuff.
Can a fated glance across a misty bus window = TRUE LOVE?
One Day in December is the kind of book that will touch your heart and make you believe in love. The kind of heartwarming love that is meant to be against all odds. The kind of love that leaves you smiling just reading about it. I opened the book and found myself immersed in Laurie and Jack's story. It was exactly what I needed. An addictive, unputdownable, angsty love story that filled my heart with a solid dose of romance.
The story is told from both Jack and Laurie's perspectives, starting from the snowy December day they find themselves on opposite sides of a misty bus window, inexplicably drawn to each other. The moment is brief but the bond it forms within them is strong and leaves them both marked. Can they find each other again or was this doomed to be a missed, fleeting moment in both their lives?
This is not a typical love story. It unfolds over the course of ten, angst filled years! In the decade following the moment they first laid eyes on each other we follow Laurie and Jack's ups and downs, their heartaches and relationships, misunderstandings and of course their friendship and undeniable connection. They may have the world's worst timing and a seemingly impossible road to love and happiness together but you can't help but root for them while wondering - will they ever actually get to be together?
Do you believe in destiny? That we all have that one perfect match - the person we are meant to be with!
One Day in December was charming, complex and romantic. Laurie and Jack are perfectly flawed and the kind of well written characters that feel like friends you want to shake and yell at for not being honest about their feelings. Every romantic at heart needs this book in their life!
One Day in December is the kind of book that will touch your heart and make you believe in love. The kind of heartwarming love that is meant to be against all odds. The kind of love that leaves you smiling just reading about it. I opened the book and found myself immersed in Laurie and Jack's story. It was exactly what I needed. An addictive, unputdownable, angsty love story that filled my heart with a solid dose of romance.
The story is told from both Jack and Laurie's perspectives, starting from the snowy December day they find themselves on opposite sides of a misty bus window, inexplicably drawn to each other. The moment is brief but the bond it forms within them is strong and leaves them both marked. Can they find each other again or was this doomed to be a missed, fleeting moment in both their lives?
This is not a typical love story. It unfolds over the course of ten, angst filled years! In the decade following the moment they first laid eyes on each other we follow Laurie and Jack's ups and downs, their heartaches and relationships, misunderstandings and of course their friendship and undeniable connection. They may have the world's worst timing and a seemingly impossible road to love and happiness together but you can't help but root for them while wondering - will they ever actually get to be together?
Do you believe in destiny? That we all have that one perfect match - the person we are meant to be with!
One Day in December was charming, complex and romantic. Laurie and Jack are perfectly flawed and the kind of well written characters that feel like friends you want to shake and yell at for not being honest about their feelings. Every romantic at heart needs this book in their life!
An Explosive and Fitting End to the 4MK Trilogy!
First, let me start off by saying that this book was lengthy and at times I certainly felt it BUT I am so glad I stuck with it - in the end it was worth the time I dedicated to not only this book but the whole trilogy.
Suspense builds and tension is at an all time high as we are forced to question what we know and what we think we know about ALL the key players in this series. Barker masterfully connects dots here that were put into play beginning with Book 1. This is not a standalone book - you MUST read the first 2 books to fully appreciate all the elements at play in this finale. I wholeheartedly appreciated that everything was wrapped up and all questions were answered, especially after all the mind play going on in this book!
Anson Bishop and Sam Porter were well developed, formidable adversaries! I enjoyed how Barker took us on a journey that upended everything we thought we knew and made us ultimately not only feel for the bad guy but question who was really the good guy in it all. So although this one isn't as fast moving as Books 1 & 2 - it proved to be a satisfying end to a series that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to JD Barker, Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
First, let me start off by saying that this book was lengthy and at times I certainly felt it BUT I am so glad I stuck with it - in the end it was worth the time I dedicated to not only this book but the whole trilogy.
Suspense builds and tension is at an all time high as we are forced to question what we know and what we think we know about ALL the key players in this series. Barker masterfully connects dots here that were put into play beginning with Book 1. This is not a standalone book - you MUST read the first 2 books to fully appreciate all the elements at play in this finale. I wholeheartedly appreciated that everything was wrapped up and all questions were answered, especially after all the mind play going on in this book!
Anson Bishop and Sam Porter were well developed, formidable adversaries! I enjoyed how Barker took us on a journey that upended everything we thought we knew and made us ultimately not only feel for the bad guy but question who was really the good guy in it all. So although this one isn't as fast moving as Books 1 & 2 - it proved to be a satisfying end to a series that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to JD Barker, Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
