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A story of friendship, family, loss, love, healing & forgiveness.
This book was a delight! It was my first foray into the
This book was a delight! It was my first foray into the
A story of loss, grief, friendship and second chances at love and happiness.
Ana lost her husband, Spencer, and is having a hard time moving on, past her grief. One night she dials his old number, wanting to hear his voicemail, and someone answers the phone. So begins, little by little a friendship with Brody, the new owner of Spencer's old phone number.
Anna and Brody are both crippled by sorrow from the mourning of a lost loved one. Their conversations, give way to a friendship as they find understanding and solace in each other. I loved their friendship and how they each encouraged each other to take the steps necessary to heal with unconditional support and understanding.
Fiona Lucas wrote this story with sensitivity and compassion for grief and loss and that shines through. It's an emotional story and not one to go into expecting a typical, romcom style love story. This is more about the healing and the emotional connection the characters form with each other, than a typical second chance romance. If you go into it with that in mind, you won't be disappointed.
The audio was well done. I really enjoyed the narration and thought it flowed easily.
Ana lost her husband, Spencer, and is having a hard time moving on, past her grief. One night she dials his old number, wanting to hear his voicemail, and someone answers the phone. So begins, little by little a friendship with Brody, the new owner of Spencer's old phone number.
Anna and Brody are both crippled by sorrow from the mourning of a lost loved one. Their conversations, give way to a friendship as they find understanding and solace in each other. I loved their friendship and how they each encouraged each other to take the steps necessary to heal with unconditional support and understanding.
Fiona Lucas wrote this story with sensitivity and compassion for grief and loss and that shines through. It's an emotional story and not one to go into expecting a typical, romcom style love story. This is more about the healing and the emotional connection the characters form with each other, than a typical second chance romance. If you go into it with that in mind, you won't be disappointed.
The audio was well done. I really enjoyed the narration and thought it flowed easily.
This book was emotional. Let me say from the start, it will most likely make you cry - multiple times. I will admit that I had a few good cathartic cries while reading Pack Up the Moon.
Laura has a terminal condition known as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or IPF. As she prepares for her death she writes letters for her husband, Josh. She leaves them in the care of her best friend to be delivered each month during the first year following her death. The letters and how Josh processes them, along with his grief was both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Told from both Laura and Josh's POV’s in a non-linear timeline, I easily became immersed in their love story, a love that truly transcends death. Kristan Higgins does a fantastic job of capturing the stages of grief. Yet, she skillfully weaves in optimism and humor alongside the grief to keep the story from getting too overwhelmingly sad.
Highly recommend this emotional read. Just be sure to have tissues on hand because you'll need them.
Laura has a terminal condition known as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or IPF. As she prepares for her death she writes letters for her husband, Josh. She leaves them in the care of her best friend to be delivered each month during the first year following her death. The letters and how Josh processes them, along with his grief was both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Told from both Laura and Josh's POV’s in a non-linear timeline, I easily became immersed in their love story, a love that truly transcends death. Kristan Higgins does a fantastic job of capturing the stages of grief. Yet, she skillfully weaves in optimism and humor alongside the grief to keep the story from getting too overwhelmingly sad.
Highly recommend this emotional read. Just be sure to have tissues on hand because you'll need them.
4.5⭐️
Wow, this one had me hooked & rapidly turning the pages! There was A LOT going on in this seemingly quiet, small town. Women are going missing and no one knows how or why. First, it's new mom, Shelby Tebow, who disappears when she goes out for a late night run. Then, it's Meredith Dickey and her six year old daughter, Delilah. Years later, Delilah has returns, after finally escaping her sadistic captors. Her father is thrilled to have her home but her younger brother, Leo, is skeptical of her story.
There are multiple narrators and timelines at play here and Kubica expertly weaves in red herrings while dropping bread crumb clues. There are some excellent twists that I never saw coming. However, some of them were highly unbelievable and required quite a suspension of disbelief, especially the end. Overall, this one really worked for me with its keep you on the edge of your seat suspense! If the end had been just a bit more believable this would have been a 5 star read for me!
Wow, this one had me hooked & rapidly turning the pages! There was A LOT going on in this seemingly quiet, small town. Women are going missing and no one knows how or why. First, it's new mom, Shelby Tebow, who disappears when she goes out for a late night run. Then, it's Meredith Dickey and her six year old daughter, Delilah. Years later, Delilah has returns, after finally escaping her sadistic captors. Her father is thrilled to have her home but her younger brother, Leo, is skeptical of her story.
There are multiple narrators and timelines at play here and Kubica expertly weaves in red herrings while dropping bread crumb clues. There are some excellent twists that I never saw coming. However, some of them were highly unbelievable and required quite a suspension of disbelief, especially the end. Overall, this one really worked for me with its keep you on the edge of your seat suspense! If the end had been just a bit more believable this would have been a 5 star read for me!
Secrets, lies, amnesia and warped relationships = a page turner!
Well, ok then Hannah Mary McKinnon! Talk about a satisfying and suspenseful thriller with a twisted ending that I totally approve of!
The premise is one that always draws me in, let me set the scene for you - a man wakes up on a beach not knowing who he is or where he is. Total amnesia! I mean come on - you know that’s a recipe for upcoming disaster and I was here for it! Add in one girlfriend with a few skeletons in her own closet, a stepsister that has some, let’s call them boundary issues, and a past that seems to include not one but two dead ex-girlfriends and I was wondering why he’d even want his memory back because none of it looked good.
I binged this audio quickly because I had to know where it was all headed. I suspected where it was all going but this is one of those books where knowing who the bad guy is feels fitting because it’s not about the “who”, it’s more about the “why”. I love a good unhinged psychopath and McKinnon delivers here - especially with that ending! I was thoroughly satisfied with how things played out - not sure what that says about me though.
Well, ok then Hannah Mary McKinnon! Talk about a satisfying and suspenseful thriller with a twisted ending that I totally approve of!
The premise is one that always draws me in, let me set the scene for you - a man wakes up on a beach not knowing who he is or where he is. Total amnesia! I mean come on - you know that’s a recipe for upcoming disaster and I was here for it! Add in one girlfriend with a few skeletons in her own closet, a stepsister that has some, let’s call them boundary issues, and a past that seems to include not one but two dead ex-girlfriends and I was wondering why he’d even want his memory back because none of it looked good.
I binged this audio quickly because I had to know where it was all headed. I suspected where it was all going but this is one of those books where knowing who the bad guy is feels fitting because it’s not about the “who”, it’s more about the “why”. I love a good unhinged psychopath and McKinnon delivers here - especially with that ending! I was thoroughly satisfied with how things played out - not sure what that says about me though.
5 emotional, sexy, respectful, courageous and full of heat Stars!
I loved Roni Loren’s first book, Yes & I Love You, and knew I wanted to read this book. Well, imagine my delight when I fell for this book even harder than the first. I listened to this on audio and the narration was great. I easily got lost in the book, hours passing, only coming up for air when I heard the word “epilogue” and realized I’d hit the end. Isn’t that the best feeling? I love getting so lost in a book that you lose all track of time.
Loren has a gift for taking imperfect characters and putting them in situations that turn their worlds upside down, in the best way! In this book, horror novelist and true crime podcaster Andi (who we met in book1!) has lived in fear of getting too close to someone romantically after a traumatic experience in her teens. Yet, she can’t help the pull she feels for her neighbor, retired firefighter Dawson Hill who is battling his own demons after surviving a fire that claimed his lower leg. Y’all these two were just so good together - vulnerable, sweet, unsure and so damn HOT!
This book deals with some heavier topics including depression, anxiety trauma and violence but it does so with a positive focus on healing, consent, self-discovery and growth. Loren deals with both disability and mental health both realistically and respectfully. The storyline was emotional, fun and red hot! In short, I highly recommend What If You & Me!
I loved Roni Loren’s first book, Yes & I Love You, and knew I wanted to read this book. Well, imagine my delight when I fell for this book even harder than the first. I listened to this on audio and the narration was great. I easily got lost in the book, hours passing, only coming up for air when I heard the word “epilogue” and realized I’d hit the end. Isn’t that the best feeling? I love getting so lost in a book that you lose all track of time.
Loren has a gift for taking imperfect characters and putting them in situations that turn their worlds upside down, in the best way! In this book, horror novelist and true crime podcaster Andi (who we met in book1!) has lived in fear of getting too close to someone romantically after a traumatic experience in her teens. Yet, she can’t help the pull she feels for her neighbor, retired firefighter Dawson Hill who is battling his own demons after surviving a fire that claimed his lower leg. Y’all these two were just so good together - vulnerable, sweet, unsure and so damn HOT!
This book deals with some heavier topics including depression, anxiety trauma and violence but it does so with a positive focus on healing, consent, self-discovery and growth. Loren deals with both disability and mental health both realistically and respectfully. The storyline was emotional, fun and red hot! In short, I highly recommend What If You & Me!
English professor and writer, Connor Nye, has spent years in a fog following the tragic accidental deaths of his wife and son in a kayaking accident. He must publish a book in order to obtain tenure and keep his job but he simply can not get on the right side of his overwhelming grief.
When a student he is advising, Madeline, suddenly disappears and is presumed dead, Conner is left with her novel - an engrossing tale of friendship and murder. Conner makes the decision to edits and publish Madeline's book as his own work. Finally able to obtain tenure and a small bit of writer fame, Conner allows himself to relax and possibly begin to emerge from his life of grief. Until the book releases and Madeline returns!
The book tells a tale which too closely resembles a real life murder in their university town. Suddenly, Conner finds himself in the middle of his book plot, fighting for his reputation, his job and possibly his life because not only is Madeline back demanding the money made off the book which rightfully belongs to her, but the police are looking at Conner as a prime suspect for murder.
Told via multiple timelines and POVs. The truth is exposed through chapters from the past from Madeline’s POV and the present through the POV’s of Connor, Madeline and another writing student, Rebecca Knox who unknowingly finds herself drawn into this web of deceit, cover up and murder.
I enjoyed this book and felt for Conner. Underneath it all he was a good guy who just kept making bad decisions. Loved how grief was explored and how Bell uses that to fuel the plot. Kill All Your Darlings was smart and twisty and had a great message about the abuse of power in the collegiate setting.
When a student he is advising, Madeline, suddenly disappears and is presumed dead, Conner is left with her novel - an engrossing tale of friendship and murder. Conner makes the decision to edits and publish Madeline's book as his own work. Finally able to obtain tenure and a small bit of writer fame, Conner allows himself to relax and possibly begin to emerge from his life of grief. Until the book releases and Madeline returns!
The book tells a tale which too closely resembles a real life murder in their university town. Suddenly, Conner finds himself in the middle of his book plot, fighting for his reputation, his job and possibly his life because not only is Madeline back demanding the money made off the book which rightfully belongs to her, but the police are looking at Conner as a prime suspect for murder.
Told via multiple timelines and POVs. The truth is exposed through chapters from the past from Madeline’s POV and the present through the POV’s of Connor, Madeline and another writing student, Rebecca Knox who unknowingly finds herself drawn into this web of deceit, cover up and murder.
I enjoyed this book and felt for Conner. Underneath it all he was a good guy who just kept making bad decisions. Loved how grief was explored and how Bell uses that to fuel the plot. Kill All Your Darlings was smart and twisty and had a great message about the abuse of power in the collegiate setting.
An addictive psychological thriller full of twists & turns!
This audiobook was compulsively engaging - I devoured it!
I can be hit or miss with amnesia plots but this one really worked for me. It was convoluted and out there and I couldn’t have been more entertained y’all! I was up way past my bedtime with this one.
Addison is in love and about to marry her fiancé. It should be the best time of her life, but it isn’t. Addison doesn’t know who she really is. Years before she woke up bleeding on the side of the road. She doesn’t know her name or how she ended up there and she can’t shake the feeling that there is something bad in her past. I found Addison to be such a wonderful unreliable narrator!
Julian’s wife disappeared two years ago. He knows something bad happened to her. He knows she never would have willingly abandoned him and their seven year old daughter. He won’t stop looking until he finds her and brings her home.
As these two stories intersect, you will be on the edge of your seat. You have to be willing to suspend reality a bit here, like you would for any good thriller movie. The twists might be considered unrealistic but they work with the story. I was not disappointed with how much this book grabbed my attention from beginning to end. The short chapters, multiple POV and interspersed flashbacks kept me glued to the audio and ignoring everything else.
This audiobook was compulsively engaging - I devoured it!
I can be hit or miss with amnesia plots but this one really worked for me. It was convoluted and out there and I couldn’t have been more entertained y’all! I was up way past my bedtime with this one.
Addison is in love and about to marry her fiancé. It should be the best time of her life, but it isn’t. Addison doesn’t know who she really is. Years before she woke up bleeding on the side of the road. She doesn’t know her name or how she ended up there and she can’t shake the feeling that there is something bad in her past. I found Addison to be such a wonderful unreliable narrator!
Julian’s wife disappeared two years ago. He knows something bad happened to her. He knows she never would have willingly abandoned him and their seven year old daughter. He won’t stop looking until he finds her and brings her home.
As these two stories intersect, you will be on the edge of your seat. You have to be willing to suspend reality a bit here, like you would for any good thriller movie. The twists might be considered unrealistic but they work with the story. I was not disappointed with how much this book grabbed my attention from beginning to end. The short chapters, multiple POV and interspersed flashbacks kept me glued to the audio and ignoring everything else.
4.5 stars! Full of sass, imperfect people and lots of heart - this is the kind of book that fills your soul!
Jill Shalvis has done it again! She makes me wish I lived in Wildstone. I have loved every single book and every single character in this series. Love For Beginners easily makes my Top 3 for the series!
Emma Harris wakes up from a coma and finds her life as she knew it, gone. She’s lost her job, her fiancé and best friend have started seeing each other and her body is no longer the same.
I adored Emma’s tenacity and her unwillingness to give up. Faced with a difficult transition to essentially rebuild her life, she does the work and starts over. Her relationship with her PT, Simon, is the kind that gives you all the feels. They are just so good for each other. Each forcing the other to dig deep, face their fears and insecurities and take a second chance at love. Without a doubt, this is my kind of book!
Love For Beginners is the 7th book in the Wildstone series but it can be read now. Each book is a standalone and they can be read in any oder. I highly recommend the entire series - I’ve LOVED them ALL!
Jill Shalvis has done it again! She makes me wish I lived in Wildstone. I have loved every single book and every single character in this series. Love For Beginners easily makes my Top 3 for the series!
Emma Harris wakes up from a coma and finds her life as she knew it, gone. She’s lost her job, her fiancé and best friend have started seeing each other and her body is no longer the same.
I adored Emma’s tenacity and her unwillingness to give up. Faced with a difficult transition to essentially rebuild her life, she does the work and starts over. Her relationship with her PT, Simon, is the kind that gives you all the feels. They are just so good for each other. Each forcing the other to dig deep, face their fears and insecurities and take a second chance at love. Without a doubt, this is my kind of book!
Love For Beginners is the 7th book in the Wildstone series but it can be read now. Each book is a standalone and they can be read in any oder. I highly recommend the entire series - I’ve LOVED them ALL!