sarahsbookstack's Reviews (2.55k)

Laney is an assistant to a Hollywood star, Alan. When she is caught in bed with him (bigger story than that) she is the target of paparazzi and when he and his starlet wife end up dead.... She had to go on the run as everyone suspects she did it.
With the help of the starlet's assistant, Nick, they try to figure out why these two were killed but she's got bigger problems with her helper that she doesn't know yet.

I liked Laney and felt it was so unfair what happened to her through this story but I love how resilient she was.  There are so many twists, almost no one is who they really seem, and it's just so fast paced and thrilling. There are a few POVs but you never get confused. This was just a very great thrill ride!

I don't know what it says about me but I love a good neighborhood drama! The lies, betrayals, mystery, etc is all so interesting to try and figure out.

This book tells us that there is a death and then goes back a year to give us more insight to try and figure out who died. The story is told through Alex (who has a drinking problem but can't admit it) and her daughter Lettie who is fascinated by the new people on the block. 

I have to say the only family I really liked was theirs. They had problems, sure, but they had a good way of figuring how to get around them. The other families just were sneaky at hiding their lies and felt no one would find out. 

There is enough drama throughout to keep the flow going well. I liked that one character a year later had some pretty great growth but I can't say for spoilers who or what the change was.

I enjoyed this book. There's banter with an enemies to lovers vibe. I really like that Jude and Molly know how to do a good fun prank. I just really wish Molly would have come clean about the one that ended up with Jude hurt WAY sooner.

I liked that Molly pushed Jude to pursue his dream but I wish she wasn't so naggy and that it hadn't led to yet another "break" for them.  On one hand, one thing that bugged me, was Molly about her parents relationship. She needed to stay out of it as a grown woman and as they are a grown couple, they can make their choices.

I was expecting a third act break up type thing (because it always seems to happen) but we got like 3 different ones in it. A little awkward at times and it drug the ending out a bit too long.

There were a lot of fun characters (I loved Ezra's mom and twin sister!) but there were also characters that I had a hard time with (Barnett's mom).

It took a long time for her (Crissy) to accept (and I don't think she still fully did at the end) that her son is gay. It was hard to read but I also know that not everyone in your life is going to accept who you are and how you live. I did like that Barnett's Paw-Paw loved and accepted him right from the start. He also made me laugh the most.

Ivy and Wes. What a pair. I did not get these two. The things they do to each other-sometimes for the fun or the thrill of it- were bizarre and borderline creepy sometimes.

But there is an underlying tension because you know something big happened between these two during one of their many breakups and you just have to keep reading to get the details.

Karen was an interesting character. She's a detective so set on finding out what Ivy and Wes might have done that her tactics are captivating and are drawn from emotional abuse she suffered.

The end was 🤯 and I had a sneaking suspicion throughout the book that proved to be right! 

I'm glad my most anticipated of the summer was a hit! (Bad pun to use after reading this but 🤷‍♀️)

I really flew through this great summer story!

Even though I don't have dyslexia or know anyone that does, I really appreciate the font being written in the dyslexic friendly one. I learned a bit more about this reading disorder through the character Sam. I also liked how she became an accomplished chef (shame on the people for firing her because of her dyslexia!) and I also loved that she wanted to write a cookbook in honor of her Grandma.

I liked how this flipped the script and made the boy bookish! From their first gross (this falls on another, not their, part) meeting in the ferry to the way they both help each other with their individual wants, I enjoyed watching the relationship develop.

I really liked that Ben read her a story and I thought it was funny that the author basically used the plot devices from her novel "Paris Is Always A Good Idea".

What I really loved was the relationship that blossomed and grew between Sam and her half brother Tyler. How she teaches him to dance and how he teases her like a "dad" when she's with Ben.

I went through this whole book just enjoying myself at hearing her point of view working in Hollywood. I read it myself but can clearly think of how she would read this herself.

I think I enjoyed Talking As Fast As I U Can more but still liked this one ok. I got the feeling this book was coming out through her breakup so it seemed not as witty at times as the other book. 🤷‍♀️

This was an interesting take of how postpartum depression MIGHT feel. So that's also a warning for those who have gone/are going through it. I plead with you, if you are going through it, get help. It's never shameful to ask for help for this. 

So Olivia's mother lost her for a day because she swore Olivia wasn't "her baby" and gave her to a "dark haired woman" in a promised exchange for her real baby to come back.

This is the horror that now plagues Olivia as she's a new mom. I just wish that Olivia would have got help sooner than she did... But she seemed more interested in learning about her mother than that. I did like that we got the voice of her mother, Shannon.

I did find it interesting also in the end that this "woman" is still with Olivia but she's better at ignoring the presence.

A sweet little story about 3 brave kids!

When a mama gator is captured in their neighborhood and brother & sister Sam and Izzy, and their friend Joey find 5 -left behind baby gators- they bravely take the babies to the rescue center for their cousin (Sam's and Izzy's) Addie to help even though their dad has a huge fear of all animals.

I liked these kids. They knew what they had to do even if they could get in very big trouble for doing it. This is a simple, easy read for young kids but with big lessons! Super cute

In this town, running is king and running can get you killed.

The Steckler sisters are both on the high school's cross country team. Stella got in trouble and had to go to a camp for runners that doubles as a rehab. Ellie is younger and getting faster like her sister. This town has had several runners killed and a new girl will be the latest victim.

I didn't guess who killed the new girl but it wasn't the one I expected it to be. The truth is a little twisted. The competitiveness of this town is crazy. Also, school administration knowingly letting underage kids get drunk just because they win races...unreal.

I did like the sister relationship. I'm always a sucker for them, seeing what they will or won't let each other get away with. This was an ok book.