elle_laine's Reviews (126)

Olivia Dumont's writing career is just about over after a public incident turns the public against her. But when an opportunity to ghostwrite the Vincent Taylor's final novel becomes available to her, pressure to get back into the writing game induces her to accept. Vincent Taylor is a renowned horror novel author and many people would kill to be able to work with him. But unknown to everyone else, Vincent Taylor is Olivia's estranged father and the horrible past that he was a part of is being dredged up when Olivia returns to her hometown.

Thank you Julie Clark and Sourcebooks for the eARC in exchange for a thorough and honest review. All thoughts and opinions here are mine and mine alone.

This was a gripping and chilling novel. I was invested the whole time, wondering who the true culprit was. I really liked how Clark wove the story, including dual timelines, past and present, with twists and lies to keep the story moving and engaging.

Be sure to add this one to your TBR for the summer if you are a fan of thrillers!

Eddie Flynn is facing a difficult case. Two sisters are in need of good lawyers. Both are on trial for the same murder. One is a master manipulator and one is innocent. Which one is the innocent one? Can the truth be discovered before both go to jail for the rest of their lives or the guilty one gets away?

Thank you Steve Cavanagh and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.

Steve Cavanagh does it again! I have loved every book he has written and this one was no different. The plot was engaging and suspenseful and I really enjoyed the multiple POVs. The pacing was excellent with creepy occurrences that took place throughout the book that kept me hooked.

You will definitely want to get your hands on this one ASAP!

Rosie is not thriving in New York as an actress. All her life, being an actress has been her dream, but sometimes life takes a turn. Somehow, Rosie ends up with a directing job for a theater in Wisconsin. But it isn't an ordinary theater and the people she works with are not who she would expect to work with. But unexpected places lead to unexpected relationships, and Rosie finds that diversions don't always mean giving up on dreams.

Thank you Courtney Walsh, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audio ARC of this book in exchange for a thorough and honest review. All thoughts and opinions written here are mine and mine alone.

This was a very fun and light-hearted story that kept me engaged and interested the whole time. I really appreciated the ending as it did not follow the usual script of making a new life that fits in with what a character wants in the moment rather than the character sticking to their original dreams. Well done and honestly refreshing!

I also liked the narrator; her pacing was just right and she voiced Rosie well. I recommend this book to those looking for a sweet romance that has deeper characters and touches on the reality of life.

One day they were Harvard students. The next, they are founding a lucrative and life-changing biotech startup on death and aging. Jack and Zoe's story is truly one-in-a-million. The rush of becoming successful business owners bleeds into their personal lives, and soon every aspect of their lives are tangled together.

Thank you Austin Taylor and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC of this book in exchange for a thorough review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.

Although this book was based on the premise of scientific research, it was not written in a way that estranged the reader from the story. I really enjoyed the addition of scientific lingo while still getting a really good look into Zoe's and Jack's lives. The progression of the story kept me captivated.

I recommend this one, but definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings before beginning. This story is strong, but sad and shows the harshness of reality.

The beautiful and beloved Annabelle is dead. Georgia had a tumultuous relationship with her sister and all signs point to her being the murderer. Afraid of going to jail, she feigns mental instability and ends up in a locked ward. But time is running out and danger is ever near, so Georgia grasps at her last hope: her estranged twin sister.

Thank you Sarah Pekkanen and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Everything written here is my opinion and my opinion alone.

I really enjoyed this thriller! The dual POV really added to the story and gave a close look into each twin's mind. I was definitely kept guessing on who was guilty and who was innocent in all the drama. 

I definitely recommend this one to thriller lovers! It is unforgettable, twisty, dramatic, and filled with suspense!

He's the perfect husband. The perfect father. The perfect business man. Plus, he's very handsome. But what is his real name? Which identity is real? House to house he jumps, never giving more of himself than he needs to, but leaving behind mess after mess. Ash is determined to dig into who he really is when he begins dating her mother.

Thank you Lisa Jewell and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for a thorough and honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.

It can be very difficult to pull off a book with as many storylines and characters as this book had without leaving the reader confused, but Lisa Jewell does it with efficiency and ease. The voicing for each storyline made it easy to follow and stay engaged in the plot. 

This book felt different than a typical thriller. It was not quite as grabby as some thrillers are, but I liked the pacing and execution of the plot. I definitely recommend this book to Lisa Jewell fans and people interested in a dark but not quite as twisty thriller.

Katie’s job is on the line. So it’s a no-brainer to accept the task of interviewing and filming an ocean hero who saves the day everyday for his job as a coastguard rescue swimmer. But what Katie doesn’t tell her boss is that she cannot swim. She fakes it as best she can and gets caught up in family drama, perilous situations, and yes, a bit of love.

THANK YOU Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions here are mine and mine alone.

We have yet another home run by Katherine Center. I enjoyed every minute of this story, from Katie’s hilarious mishaps to the unique family dynamics. It was so fun to see Katie develop as a character going through some tough things in life. I really liked the drama of the whole story as it was entertaining and kept me on my toes.

I highly recommend this fun and captivating story as it will leave you laughing, crying, and everything in between!

Lucy flees to her sister's seaside house in Comber Bay after getting into some trouble at her university. Lucy has always been different and feels the ocean's call. However, when she arrives at her sister's house, her sister is nowhere to be found. Strange stories and voices surround the history of Comber Bay surrounding the disappearance of her sister with intrigue.

Thank you Emilia Hart and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions here are mine and mine alone.

The atmosphere of this book was haunting and lovely, a perfect setting for the story. The dual story lines going from the historical past to the present added a lot to the story, but the lack of a truly gripping plot made the book somewhat bland. I was hoping for more. 

The narrator has a wonderful reading voice and I greatly enjoyed listening to her read. I recommend this book to those who are historical fiction fans that love a touch of magical realism.

Author Marissa Meyer tackles the art of being the healthiest and hardest working author in this self-help book. From creating outlines to going on writing retreats, Meyer gives inspiring tips, pushing authors to get words down on the page and accomplish their goal of publishing their first or their fiftieth book. 

Thank you Marissa Meyer and Macmillan Audio for the audio copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review. All opinions here are mine and mine alone.

Meyer does an excellent job bringing energy into her writing. I was definitely inspired to sit myself down and work on my manuscript. A good chunk of this book had this energy, but there were some slower and almost unnecessary sections that did not keep me as engaged, such as the discussion on breathing exercises.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to get inspired to work on their writing dreams. Listening to it via audiobook read by the author herself gave it great pacing and better insight to what Meyer was trying to convey. 

It's an exciting day for Camilla, caring for her baby and getting ready to go back to her job after maternity leave. The only thing out of place is a vague note seemingly left behind by her husband Luke. And then she sees the news. A hostage situation is developing and Luke is involved. But he is not a hostage. He is the perpetrator. 

Thank you Gillian McAllister and the William Morrow Team for giving me an eARC copy of this novel in return for an honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.

This book started out a bit slow for me, but once it got going, I was completely hooked. I absolutely loved the mystery and confusion woven throughout it. It was a very engaging read. The voicing behind each character was unique and made me relate to the characters and what they were going through.

I definitely recommend this book for those who love a good crime mystery/thriller. This is also a good book for someone wanting to dabble in thrillers as it was not creepy, but very engaging and well written.