Tropical Girl Reads

The Stalker – ARC Book Review

The Stalker – Book Review

The Stalker: From the bestselling author comes a new and gripping psychological suspense thriller for summer 2021 by [Sarah Alderson]

Two newlyweds. One remote island. It was meant to be the perfect escape…

Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland.

But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…

When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island. And this stranger wants them dead.

…but it became the perfect nightmare.

If you enjoy reading twisty psychological thrillers that leave your heart racing, then you’ll love The Stalker from bestselling author Sarah Alderson.

No. of pages:- 368 pages

Publisher:- Avon publishers:

Date published:- will be published on 8th July 2021

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

I only have one word for this book…WOW

The story starts with two newlyweds, Liam and Laura spending their honeymoon in a remote Scottish island all by themselves–a cottage and a castle that was ruined by a fire years ago. Yet what seemingly a quiet honeymoon soon turned to a nightmare when both of them realized that someone else is also in this remote island with them. And there’s a dark forbidding history lurking in the island…

Let’s start with the plot–the plot of the story was great! Intriguing, engaging and for a moment, I thought I was reading a horror story–I had the feeling of horror when I was reading the book and felt like watching a horror movie! The story was intense, the author did a good job hooking the reader into the story that for a moment, I simply couldn’t put the book down as I was so hooked into the book! Then towards the ending, the story got more and more intense with the moments of OMG moments and then comes the most unexpected and twisted ending that I didn’t even see it coming! Really, the ending was so good and unexpected! I did not see that twist coming in the end.

The story was also short, fast paced and quick to read, and has all the qualities of a good thriller book I usually would find in a good thriller! This author did not disappoint me and I am looking forward to read more of her books!

Overall, this book gave me a rollercoaster horror ride that kept me awake at night to finish the book–unputdownable and fast paced thriller with a twisted unexpected ending you didn’t expect–worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon publishers for the ARC. The book is based on my honest opinion only.

If this book appeals to you, you can pre-order your copy now on Amazon!

Sarah is a British born, LA based screenwriter and author.

Having spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and toddler daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home.

She finished her first novel, HUNTING LILA, just before they left the UK, wrote the sequel on the beach in India, and had signed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster by the time they reached Bali. After living there for five years, during which time she wrote another ten books, she and her family made the move to California.

Her first non-fiction book, CAN WE LIVE HERE, based on her family’s travels around the world to find a new home, was published in 2015.

While now writing predominantly for TV and film, Sarah remains a prolific author, writing women’s fiction under the name Mila Gray. Her novels in this genre include the #1 bestselling COME BACK TO ME, STAY WITH ME and RUN AWAY WITH ME.

Her adult psychological thrillers include: FRIENDS LIKE THESE, IN HER EYES and THE WEEKEND AWAY, which is soon to be a Netflix movie.

Her books have appeared in translation in Germany, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Portugal, Russia and Poland.

You can find her on Instagram @sarahaldersonauthor, Twitter (@sarahalderson) and at http://www.sarahalderson.com

The Evidence – ARC Book Review

The Evidence – Book Review

The Evidence: A completely unputdownable psychological thriller with a shocking twist by [K.L. Slater]

I can see her through the glass door. She’s smaller in real life than I expected. She looks the exact opposite of the type of woman that might murder her husband.

Everyone’s heard of Simone Fischer. The young mother accused of killing her husband in cold blood, one sunny afternoon, while their son played in the room next door.

So when journalist Esme secures an exclusive interview with her it feels like the opportunity of a lifetime. Simone has remained silent since her husband’s death but after a decade in prison, she is willing to talk to Esme. And Esme, recently freed from her own toxic marriage, is confident she can get Simone to open up.

At their first meeting, when Esme sees Simone sitting across the table from her in jeans and a lemon tunic top, she is stuck by her ordinariness. Then Simone begins to tell her story of an abusive relationship where she was a prisoner in her own home, and Esme decides that the truth needs to come out.

But not everyone is pleased that Esme is telling Simone’s story. And when Esme’s beloved sister is left for dead in a nearby wood, Esme’s life begins to unravel. Forced to question what Simone has told her, she can’t help but wonder if murder was the only way out of Simone’s marriage. Why has it taken Simone so long to tell the world the truth? And will the consequences be devastating for Esme?

No. of pages:- 370 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published on 1st July 2021

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:- 3.5 stars

This is the third book of KL Slater I have read and so since I was satisfied with the two previous books I have read from this author, I didn’t hesitate when I requested a copy of her new novel, The Evidence.

Though the plot line was good, I must say, this book gave me mixed feelings–a bit of disappointment coupled with it was OK mood.

Esme Fox is covering a podcast based on Simone Fischer who killed her husband Grant some fifteen years ago. She wanted to air Simone’s version of what really happened and also know that Simone was a victim of domestic abuse. While busy working with her podcast, she was having relationship problems with Owen who refuses to move out of their house, and dealing with after math of her son’s Zachary’s accident. At the same time, many people didn’t want her to do the podcast based on Simone Fischer. So when her sister, Michelle was found nearly beaten to death in the woods, Esme’s life began to change.

Personally, I think the plot was good. However, I didn’t find it appealing and intriguing like I did in her previous books nor I found it that fast paced. I found it a bit boring, a bit predictable as I know what is going to happen next and honestly it was a bit boring to me as well. However, there were some twists and turns and by the middle of the book, the plot thickened and got interesting making the reader hooked into the story. The characters were OK, and I am not sure why the author included Justine as a different chapter (won’t tell much in the review but by the end, I thought it was unnecessary for the author to use Justine)

Overall, this was an OK thriller–worth three stars

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Kim is the number one bestselling author of fifteen psychological crime thrillers. She has sold over two million copies of her books worldwide. She has also written four Carnegie-nominated Young Adult novels as Kim Slater for Macmillan Children’s Books. Kim has an MA in Creative Writing and lives with her husband in Nottingham, England.

The Hotel at Honeymoon Station – ARC Book Review

The Hotel at Honeymoon Station – Book Review

The Hotel at Honeymoon Station : A totally heartwarming romance about new beginnings by [Tilly Tennant]

Run away to the Dorset countryside, to the sleepy village of Honeymoon, where rose-adorned thatched cottages soak up the sunlight and Emma is risking everything for a brave new start on life and love…

When Emma’s useless fiancé tells her a lie she cannot forgive, she decides enough is enough. She leaves him, quits her dead-end job and travels hundreds of miles away to the ancient village of Honeymoon in the Dorset countryside, to help her friend Tia turn the old train station into a boutique hotel.

Tia has told Emma that it will be a project, but when Emma arrives in Honeymoon and sees a weed-choked crumbling ruin, her vision of an idyllic life in Dorset begins to disintegrate. But when she meets twinkly-eyed builder Aiden in the village shop, and sparks fly between them, she can’t help but feel that the stars have for once aligned.

As work begins on the hotel, Emma and Aiden grow closer, and on sun-dappled evening walks, he tells her the secrets of the village. But there are some villagers who wish that Emma had never arrived in Honeymoon… And when Emma is involved in a terrible accident on site, and then discovers what Aiden has been keeping from her, it feels like the universe is telling her to leave Honeymoon for good. What if she was wrong to say goodbye to all that was safe and familiar? Will she ever be able to find her happy-ever-after in Honeymoon?

A completely gorgeous and romantic read about being brave and taking chances on love and life. Fans of Shari Low, Jill Mansell and Milly Johnson will be enchanted by The Hotel at Honeymoon Station.

No. of pages:- 354 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published on 18th June 2021

Genre: – Romance/Comedy

Rating:-

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First of all, I always loved the front covers of Tilly Tennant’s books and this cover is so cozy and bright and pretty! This is I think the fourth book I have read of Tilly Tennant’s books.

Emma kicks her useless boyfriend Dougie out over a lie that she cannot simply forgive. And she has a dead end job she hates. So when her former school mate Tia proposes an idea of an investment to renovate an old station and convert to a hotel, in a remote village called Honeymoon off Dorset, Emma joins in the idea by quitting the job and moving to the quaint village of Honeymoon. Emma and Tia both meets different types of people living in the village–the cute couple Darcie and Tariq who owns the Honeymoon cafe, the brother Blake and Adrian Ronson who are contractors and who help Tia and Emma to renovate the station into a hotel and Sid, who does not want change in the village. Tia and Blake’s relationship grows and Emma and Adrian becomes friends and seem to be getting into a romance. But then, Emma wonders if she made a big mistake of coming to the village or not.

Like all her books, her stories are quiet cozy to read. The plot was good and interesting, and I do like how the friendship slowly turned to romance between Adrian and Emma, I also like how the community invested both Tia and Emma to help up to set the hotel. Though initially, I found Emma a bit of a whiny character but nonetheless I grew her character. Though the story is more like a soap opera with happily ever after, it was a cozy, warm read with funny incidents that will make you laugh as you read through the book.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and worth three stars!

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop assistant, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing. She wrote a novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and hasn’t stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor and part-time lecturer.

Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn was her debut novel; published in 2014 it was an Amazon bestseller in both the UK and Australia. In 2016 she signed to the hugely successful Bookouture and is currently working on her fifteenth Tilly Tennant novel. Christmas bestseller A Very Vintage Christmas has just been made into a movie for Lifetime Channel.

Tilly also writes young adult fiction as Sharon Sant. Find out more about Tilly and how to join her mailing list for news and exclusives at http://www.tillytennant.com

And Now You’re Back – Book Review

And Now You're Back: The most heart-warming and romantic read of 2021! by [Jill Mansell]

One magical night in Venice, Didi fell in love. But it ended – and he left without even saying goodbye.

Now, thirteen years on, Shay Mason is back.

The old spark is still there, but Didi’s determined to ignore it. As manager of a stunning Cotswolds hotel, she’s happy at last, and soon to be married. Anyway, Shay isn’t staying. He’s made a promise to his father. He’s going to keep it. And then he’ll be gone.

But Shay’s return stirs up long-forgotten emotions, and the scandal that led him to leave raises its head once again. It’s time for buried secrets to come to light. And it seems that this was someone’s intention all along . . .

No. of pages:- 338 pages

Publisher:- Review

Date published:- 19th January 2021

Genre:- Romance

Rating:-

If you like cheesy romantic stories, then this book might be for you.

Thirteen years ago, Didi was in love with Shay in Venice. But then their romance was shortlived when Shay disappeared without telling her. Now thirteen years later, Didi is working in a hotel and Shay comes back into her life, again.

Initially, the beginning was a bit bore to me–too much of characters and dialogues but by the middle of the book, it became good and interesting. Truth to be told, I am not much of a romantic fanatic but this book to me was OK. Characters to me are likable, plot was OK and the rest of the 50% of the book was OK to me. Though I have always wanted to read Jill Mansell’s books, to me, this was an OK romance book.

Worth four stars in my opinion! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

‘The queen of witty, heart-warming, feel-good love stories’ Red

Jill Mansell’s books are full of love, life and friendship and have been bringing joy to readers for twenty-five years. She started writing fiction while working in the NHS, after joining a local creative writing class. She has since written over twenty Sunday Times bestsellers, including MAYBE THIS TIME, THIS COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING and YOU AND ME, ALWAYS, and her books have sold over 11 million copies around the world.

Jill’s hobbies include buying stationery, particularly magical new colours of ink for the fountain pen she uses to write all her books – Jill is one of the few authors who still write their books by hand. Jill also loves people-watching and finding new characters to put in her novels. So when you’re out, make sure to always be on your best behaviour. And beware of beady-eyed authors carrying notebooks . . .

Jill keeps in touch with her readers on Twitter – @JillMansell – and Facebook – /OfficialJillMansell.

Those I have Lost – ARC Book Review

Those I have Lost – Book Review

Those I Have Lost : A heart-wrenching and unforgettable World War 2 historical novel by [Sharon Maas]

A secret love affair on a faraway island. Seas crawling with Japanese spies. A terrible war creeping ever closer…

India, 1940 and Rosie is devastated by the sudden death of her beloved mother. The parties, smiles and games disappear, and although Rosie is desperate to stay in her home, her father cannot look after her. All alone in the world, she is sent to Sri Lanka, to live with her mother’s friend Silvia and her three sons.

Time passes and Rosie flourishes in her new home amongst the mango trees and canna lilies. And one day, under the heat of the Sri Lankan sun, she falls in love for the first time. But her happiness is short lived, for the brutal war that has devastated families and torn Europe apart is creeping closer to their island. One by one the men depart Sri Lanka leaving Rosie with just memories and a broken heart she must hide.

As Rosie waits for letters that never come, tortured by stories of torpedoed ships and massacres of innocent families, she realises that she cannot just sit and wait for news. She volunteers to help the army, working in military intelligence to protect her island paradise. But then her work brings shocking news that makes her blood run cold. The man she loved is missing, feared dead. Yet Rosie cannot lose hope – even as more women are left widows, more children left without fathers. But when the much longed-for news comes that the war is ended, and a limping wasted figure returns home, will one final devastating revelation tear Rosie’s world apart?

No. of pages:- 430 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published9th July 2021

Genre:- Historical Fiction

Rating:-

When I saw the blurb of this book and saw “Sri Lanka” and WWII, I was so excited! Number 1 reason being I am a fan of WWII books and the other reason is I am a Sri Lankan! As a Sri Lankan, I was always curious about what Sri Lanka aka Ceylon was like during the war and so I was fascinated when I saw the blurb and decided to give it a try.

Rosie and her family are living in Madras, India in a house called Shanti Nivasam. When Rosie’s mother dies and her father cannot look after her, Rosie moves to Sri Lanka, known during the British rule at the time as Ceylon to live with her mother’s friend, Aunt Sylvie. Aunt Sylvie has three sons–Graham who is studying to be a doctor, Victor who is arrogant and Andrew who is a shy boy. The family owns tea plantations up in Kandy (I think Nuwara Eliya as that’s where most tea plantations are). While living with them, Rosie meets Usha, the beautiful daughter of a servant working in Huxley House and because of Rosie’s familiarity of Tamil language, the two girls become best friends. Then the Second World War starts with the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor and capturing many of the British colonies–from China to Burma, Malaya and Singapore and is on the verge of attacking Ceylon. Then there’s the blossoming love story between Andrew and Usha and when Andrew goes to fight in the war, Usha confides a secret to Rosie and Rosie must protect the loved ones at all costs.

Let’s start with the plot.–this is a historical fiction and I do like the plot well. A tear jerking instances with emotional and heartbreaking story makes the story more interesting–particularly the fact that Usha becomes pregnant our of wedlock, which is in the eyes of Tamil culture is a bad thing and how Rosie helps with that situation by taking her to Madras, India, shows true friendship and couragement. The story also felt realistic to me as well–reading about familiar places such as Kandy (where my mother is originally from), Colombo (where I currently live) to the down south of Sri Lanka as well as the certain schools such as Girl’s High School (this school still exists even today in Kandy), Galle Face Hotel (which still exists even today in Sri Lanka) and University of Colombo where Graham studies (the university still exists today and is one of the top universities in Sri Lanka) shows how much the author has done tremendous research about Ceylon and I try to imagine what those places where I visited in the present day looked like back then. The fact about Tamils working in plantations is also realistic that even today, still, the Tamils work these tea plantations (though now these tea plantations no longer owned by the British but by local people). As I have mentioned earlier, I was always curious about the history of Ceylon during the WWII and not much was there about the time during the war but I was glad to read the book and experience what life really was like during the war. Characters wise, I do like Rosie and Usha as well as Andrew very well. Towards the end, it gets emotional and sad with tear jerking instances but it was a happy ending. The love story between Andrew and Usha felt emotional and real and the romance blossoming between Graham and Rosie. Only thing is, I know in the end they all move back to India but I wished I know if they moved back to England when both India and Sri Lanka gained independence and if Usha followed them to England but otherside, I enjoyed reading this book! The writing was really good with descriptions of the places in Kandy and Colombo making the reader feel like they are in Ceylon with Rosie–the nature and the birds all sound realistic. Even the food descriptions made the reader feel hungry and yearning for the spicy Sri Lankan meal!

Overall, this is an emotional, tear-jerking and heartbreaking book, that will make the reader tearful and will take you to Ceylon and India during the British rule and war. Will keep you up all night reading this book! Kudos to author for writing a book based on my country! Worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Sharon Maas was born into a prominent political family in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1951. She was educated in England, Guyana, and, later, Germany. After leaving school, she worked as a trainee reporter with the Guyana Graphic in Georgetown and later wrote feature articles for the Sunday Chronicle as a staff journalist.

Her first novel, Of Marriageable Age, is set in Guyana and India and was published by HarperCollins in 1999. In 2014 she moved to Bookouture, and now has ten novels under her belt. Her books span continents, cultures, and eras. From the sugar plantations of colonial British Guiana in South America, to the French battlefields of World War Two, to the present-day brothels of Mumbai and the rice-fields and villages of South India, Sharon never runs out of stories for the armchair traveller.

Arsenic and Adobo – Book Review

Book Review – Arsenic and Adobo by Mia. P. Manansala

Arsenic and Adobo (A Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery Book 1) by [Mia P. Manansala]

The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes—one that might just be killer….

When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She’s tasked with saving her Tita Rosie’s failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case.

With the cops treating her like she’s the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block…

No. of pages:- 330 pages

Publisher:- Berkley Publisher

Date Published:- May 4th 2021

Genre:- Asian American Literature/ Cozy Culinary Mystery

Rating:-

Again, the book cover made me get attracted to this book and so I pre-ordered this book on Amazon and finally got the book!! This is also the first time I am reading a book written by a Filipino American so it was actually a great change from the books I have been reading.

Lila is working in her aunt’s Filipino restaurant in Shady Falls and is determined to save the restaurant which is on the verge of closing. But when the food critic aka her ex boyfriend Damian dies in the restaurant and the police find that he was murdered with an arsenic poison, things start changing. And the worst thing is she becomes the number one suspect in the murder case after the police finds bags of drugs and arsenic poison in her locker of the restaurant.

Determined to save her name and the restaurant, along with her long time best friend Adeena sets to find the real murderer–her aunt gives her a list of suspects, all restaurants that are given bad reviews by Damian and becomes the Nancy Drew as she tries to find who the real culprit is.

Let’s talk about the plot first–the plot was interesting. I have read some cozy culinary mystery books before and so this book fits perfectly with that genre. The writing was good and engaging with some humorous tints in it. What I like about this book is the diversity which I rarely finds in the books–though the main character is a Filipino, many of the characters are of different ethnic backgrounds from White, Black, Hispanic, Asian to Indians which makes it more thrilling to read. The characters are all mainly likable particularly the main character Lila and her best friend Adeena, not to mention, Lila’s dog, Nisa.

But what makes this book more delicious is the descriptions of the food that makes the reader feel hungry! At the beginning of the book is the Filipino names of food and the descriptions of each of the food so that makes the reader like me (who is also a foodie) to feel hungry. Not only that, with the American background in the story, I also learned a little bit about the Filipino culture, and of course tits and bits of Tagalog as well! Though the beginning was a bit boring, towards the middle and up to the end, the story got interesting and engaging with the mystery and food mingling together!

Overall I give this book as four stars! A good thriller, unputdownable with delicious Filipino meal that will not disappoint you in any way. Can’t wait for the second book of the series!

Mia P. Manansala (she/her) is a writer and book coach from Chicago who loves books, baking, and bad-ass women. She uses humor (and murder) to explore aspects of the Filipino diaspora, queerness, and her millennial love for pop culture.

A lover of all things geeky, Mia spends her days procrastibaking, playing JRPGs and dating sims, reading cozy mysteries, and cuddling her dogs Gumiho, Max Power, and Bayley Banks (bonus points if you get all the references).

Her debut novel, ARSENIC AND ADOBO, comes out May 4, 2021 with Berkley/Penguin Random House and is the first in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series.

Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @MPMtheWriter

Happy Pride Month!

Happy Pride Month to all my LGBTQ friends!!!

BOOKS FOR THE PRIDE MONTH

First of all, initially, I wasn’t a fan of LGBTQ books but soon the cute romances and great writing made me like that genre more! So as June is the Pride Month, I thought I will dedicate some books.

Favorite LGBTQ Books

Amazon.com: You Should See Me in a Crown (9781338503296): Johnson, Leah: Books

This book is the book that literally drew me to the LGBTQ series. Really enjoyed reading Leah Johnson’s debut book.

I did a book review on this book and the story line was good.

Books To Be Read

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This book had been in my TBR list and I am planning to read this book soon.

Amazon.com: Boyfriend Material (0760789291135): Hall, Alexis: Books

I really like the cover and I have put this book in my TBR list.

Books cannot wait to read

Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun: A Novel

Summer in the Scottish Highlands – ARC Book Review

Book Review – Summer in the Scottish Highlands

Summer in the Scottish Highlands: An utterly perfect feel-good romantic comedy by [Donna Ashcroft]

No. of pages:- 273 pages

Date published:- will be published on 4th June 2021

Publisher :- Bookouture

Genre:- Romantic Comedy

Rating:-

Escape to the gorgeous little village of Lockton in the Scottish Highlands, where you’ll discover sunshine, secrets and an unforgettable romance. It’s the perfect place to be this summer…

Thirty-year-old Paige Dougall’s life is a mess. Only a year ago she was smashing all of her life goals: handsome husband, high-flying job, cute kid. But in just under twelve months everything has gone wrong. Nursing a broken heart, single mother Paige returns to her childhood home in a picture-perfect Scottish village to try and get her life together.

Paige is too wrapped up in her worries to embrace the beautiful rolling hills and lavender-scented air of the highlands. That is until Johnny Becker, the infuriatingly cheerful chef, with his twinkling eyes and dimpled smile, steps onto the scene and provides Paige with some much-needed distraction…

Johnny challenges Paige to step outside her comfort zone and focus on the things that really matter. From food tasting, to puppy training, to mountain climbing, in every moment she spends with Johnny, Paige finds herself remembering how to live again… will she be able to love again too?

Across long sunshine-filled days, Paige and Johnny grow closer and she’s tempted to open her heart to him. But is happy-go-lucky Johnny hiding secrets of his own?

And can Paige learn to let go of her past and find happiness in the highlands?

A gorgeous, moving summer romance novel about finding joy in the small things and discovering what really matters in life. Perfect for fans of Nicola May, Sarah Morgan and Cathy Bramley.

Let’s talk about the cover–the front book cover is so pretty!!! I was instantly got attracted to the front cover that I didn’t hesitate when I requested this book!

One year ago, Paige Dougall had a perfect life–a steady job, a handsome husband with a daughter named Grace and living in London. But that all came crashing down and Paige moves to Lockton with her daughter Grace for the summer, nursing her broken heart. While in Lockton, she meets Johnny, a handsome chef who owns an inn and who also used to own a restaurant back in New York. Both then meet each other to reopen a library and soon both Paige and Johnny become closer to each other.

Let’s start with descriptions – I have never been to Scotland but the vivid descriptions of mountains in the Scottish countryside make the reader feel like they are actually living in Lockton. Through the author’s writing I imagined myself in the beautiful picturesque village in Scotland

Plot and the characters–though I do like how the library became a backdrop and background of the story that actually brought Johnny and Paige closer–what I like is how the romance slowly developed between the two characters. Both Paige and Johnny seemed to have a past and they both eventually became friends which soon developed into a romance. Oh, I also like Grace and of course Johnny’s dog Mack! Nearly all the characters in the book are likable!

Verdict:- Overall this is a cozy, romantic story that will take you to the beautiful scenic village in the heart of Scotland. There were some parts in the story that was a bit boring but nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book–worth four stars!

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Donna Ashcroft was born in London, England and grew up in Buckinghamshire. She went to university in Lancashire and, among other things, worked as a copywriter, buyer, waitress, secretary and marketing manager.

Donna wrote novels for over ten years before being published. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and was a joint recipient of the Katie Fforde Bursary in 2017. She has had six books published with Bookouture – her new book Summer in the Scottish Highlands is published in June 2021.

Donna loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she’s escaping into a romance novel or movie. When she’s not reading or writing she’ll probably be found hoovering … or negotiating with her teenagers about who is doing the washing up.

You can find Donna on Twitter @Donnashc or visit her at http://www.donna-writes.co.uk

The Burning Girls – ARC Book Review

Book Review – The Burning Girls by Rita Herron

The Burning Girls: A completely gripping crime thriller packed with heart-pounding twists (Detective Ellie Reeves Book 3) by [Rita Herron]

Genre:- Thriller

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published 10th June 2021

No. of pages:- 445 pages

Rating:-

The girl was beautiful, even in death. Her skin was translucent beneath the sliver of moonlight peeking through the bare branches of the surrounding pines, and her chestnut hair had tumbled around her pale shoulders. Around her, smoke twisted in the air, curling into the inky sky.

The remote town of Crooked Creek has barely recovered from its most recent tragedy when wildfires tear through the mountains. Detective Ellie Reeves is grappling with her own heartbreak––she has just discovered she was adopted and that her childhood was a lie.

Under the scorching summer sun, Ellie is called to a river where a body has been found. She spots a lone woman’s shoe caught in a nearby tangle of vines, and a pearl necklace scattered by the water’s edge. The remains are surrounded by a circle of stones, which Ellie is certain means something. Was the victim––whoever she was––caught in the fire or is something more sinister at play?

The Fourth of July usually means festivals and fireworks, but when another body turns up the town is left in tatters. A young girl with dark hair lies dead, surrounded by stones, smoke drifting in the air. Thanks to an engraved silver necklace, Ellie identifies the body as eighteen-year-old Katie Lee Curtis, and the diary she finds hidden under the teenager’s mattress could get her close to the killer.

With two victims in less than twenty-four hours, it’s clear Ellie’s up against a serial killer, and she vows that no more innocent girls will be sacrificed. For her, every day is a battle to come to terms with her past, but when this case becomes personal, will she win?

A totally gripping and utterly addictive page-turner that will have you racing through and reeling at the twists. Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Lisa Regan and Kendra Elliot, it’s best read with the lights on!

Detective Ellie Reeves is back!!

This is the third book of the Detective Ellie Reeves series and seems to be taking place immediately after the end of the second book. It started with Ellie, who is on the quest of finding her biological mother wants to contact the social worker, Gillian who had handled her adoption, only to find that Gillian had gone missing and had left the office in a hurry, carrying the adoption files with her…including her own file. Meanwhile, a deranged killer is murdering women and then burning them in the forest, arranging the stones in a peculiar fashion. Ellie then sets out to find this mysterious killer and then enlists the help of FBI agent Derrick to solve the case.

As usual, this was such a roller coaster ride! From the beginning of the chapter to the end of the book, I was literally hooked into the story, with all the drama, crimes and the quest of finding the killer, what with you have know idea who the hell is killing all these girls or women.

Let’s start with the plot–the plot was intriguing, engaging and really unique that I was hooked from the beginning. Though the book was about 400 pages long, I didn’t even feel that long as this was such a fast paced thriller with twists and turns you didn’t expect while reading! In fact I stayed up all night, finishing this book, and the story is so engaging that the author did a good job gripping the reader into the story! I must say, quiet an interesting plot and an unputownable thriller!!!

In all the three books I have read, it seems Ellie Reeves doesn’t seem to have a rest as she faces one series of murders to another, followed by a couple of dramas on the way with her friends and loved ones being hurt in the process. Ellie is actually one of my favorite characters in the book and shows what a brave and courageous girl she really is!

Overall, a fast paced thriller that will take you on a roller coaster ride filled with twists and turns that you didn’t expect! Guaranteed you will stay up all night to finish this book!!! An unputdownable thriller–worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.

With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.

For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at http://www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter @ritaherron.

Now You Know – ARC Book Review

Now You Know: A psychological thriller with a nerve shredding climax by [Nora Valters]

Genre:- Psychological Fiction

Publisher:- Inkubator Books

Date Published:- 6th June 2021

No. of pages:- format 2106 Kb

Rating:-

Everything I suffer, you will too…

Lauren has worked hard to create her dream life: a perfect fiancé, a great job, and a safe, cosy home.
But then, out of the blue, it all goes horribly wrong and Lauren finds her job is on the line, her fiancé is accusing her of cheating and someone is writing terrible things on her car.
At first, Lauren thinks this is a horrible run of bad luck. But as her life spins out of control in a series of escalating disasters, it begins to dawn on her that these aren’t random events.
She’s under attack. And she’s certain that whoever is doing this won’t stop until they’ve completely destroyed her life.
But she’s wrong – they won’t stop until she’s dead.

Lauren seems to be having a perfect life–with a perfect job, a fiancé she loves so much and everything about her life seems perfect. But then suddenly, her perfect life crashes when someone is out to destroy her. From ruining her presentation on her big day to her computer being hacked and someone writing obscene things in her car, someone is clearly determined to ruin Lauren’s life. Then Lauren loses her fiance, her job and she is determined to find out who is out to destroy her.

Let’s start with the plot–the plot of the story is intriguing. Lauren whose life is perfect seems to have angered someone who is set to take revenge. As a reader, I am curious what Lauren would have done–was it to do with work or something to do with past? Either way, it was engaging and intriguing.

The thriller is fast paced and quick to read that you could actually finish the book really quick. I do like a fast paced thriller so that’s a plus for me. However, I didn’t find much twists and turns that you would normally find in a thriller. The story seems direct, and to me, the suspects are few that you could easily pick out who is the one who is plotting revenge against Lauren. The writing was OK and at times, there were some parts that I found meh.

The characters are OK to me. I could easily understand Lauren’s frustration and her determination to find out who is ruining her nearly perfect life.

Over all, this was a good thriller–fast paced, quick to read and finish. Worth four stars!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for granting me an ARC of this books. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

If you think this book is appealing and interesting to you, you can pre-order your copies now on Amazon as this will be published on 6th June 2021!

Nora Valters grew up in the New Forest in the south of England and has lived in London, Manchester, Bournemouth, Oxford and Dubai.

She studied English Literature and Language at Oxford Brookes University before embarking on a career in marketing and copywriting.

Her debut psychological thriller Her Biggest Fan was published in 2020. She’s currently writing her next novel, which will be out soon.

Nora loves to travel and has journeyed around the world. She enjoys exploring new places, painting, hiking, and is an avid reader. She’s also a bit obsessed with dogs…

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