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.

When Sparks Fly by Kristen Zimmer

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

Honey Girl
One Last Stop
Cool for the Summer
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun: A Novel
The [Un]Popular Vote

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:-

black 4 star png - Clip Art Library

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

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:-

Free Five Star Cliparts, Download Free Five Star Cliparts png images, Free  ClipArts on Clipart Library

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.

Rita Herron

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:-

black 4 star png - Clip Art Library

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

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…

Subscribe to be notified by email when Nora’s next novel is released, for giveaways, price promotions, book recommendations as well as exclusive extra content at http://www.noravalters.com/subscribe

Books I am Currently Reading

Here are the books I am currently reading. The list does not involve ARC books however

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

Currently I am reading this book and so far it’s good!

2. The Last Thing He Told Me – Laura Dave

The Last Thing He Told Me: The No. 1 New York Times Bestseller and Reese's Book Club Pick by [Laura Dave]

3. The Last Time I Lied – Riley Sager

Last Time I Lied: The New York Times bestseller perfect for fans of A. J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window by [Riley Sager]

4. Spring House – Mary Ellen Taylor

Spring House by [Mary Ellen Taylor]

5. The Girl Before – J.P. Delaney

The Girl Before: The gripping global bestseller by [JP Delaney]

The Beach House – ARC Book Review

The Beach House: A totally gripping, utterly romantic and emotional page-turner by [Jenny Hale]

An absolutely gorgeous and heartwarming read about finding love where you least expect it, new beginnings, and how family is always with you, no matter where you are. Fans of Susan Mallery, Pamela Kelley, and Mary Alice Monroe will adore this romantic page-turner.

When her gram passes away, Melanie Simpson feels utterly lost. But her grandmother’s will gives her a purpose: an inheritance to buy a crumbling house in Rosemary Bay. They used to visit the village every summer, sit by the sparkling water on a beach the color of pearl, and daydream about turning the place on the corner into a bed and breakfast.

On her first night in her new hometown, Melanie meets local contractor and landowner Josh Claiborne, whose eyes match the dazzling sea. Melanie plans to restore the beach house to its original glory, and Josh is the perfect person to help renovate the wrap-around porch weathered by the coastal breeze and the peeling white paint faded by the sun.

But hiding in a closet is a yellowing stack of letters that could change everything. The looping handwriting reveals the mystery of the rickety house—a buried history that touches everyone in Rosemary Bay. Will its secrets bring Melanie and Josh together or tear them apart?

No. of pages:- 322 pages

Published:- will be published on 8th June 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Romance/Historical

First of all–the book cover is so pretty that it got attracted to me in the first place! Second of all, this is a cute summer and cozy reading!

Melanie inherits a house in Rosemary Bay, as a part of her grandmother’s inheritance and to fulfill her wish of opening a bed and breakfast. But the house is in utter disrepair and is about to crumble to pieces. She enlists the help of a contractor, Josh who seemed to be reluctant to help Melanie, as this house belonged once to a man named Alfred Ellis. While going through storm and then repairing the old house, Melanie comes across a stack of letters written by Alfred to his lover. Curiously, she starts reading those letters, transporting her back to those times along with the budding romance between Josh and Melanie.

I really do enjoy reading this book! The writing was good and engaging, and the author did a good job engaging the reader into the story. The characters in the book were likable, except for Janie, Josh’s ex wife who seemed to be manipulative. Melanie was a very likable character and despite Josh’s stubborn and sometimes arrogant attitude with determination to leave behind the small town and move to New York, Josh’s character was likable as well. Though the story was predictable, nonetheless, it’s a story of love, friendship spanning back from 1961 with Alfred’s love story and to the present with Melanie and Josh. I really like the ending as well, the small twist that let the cat out of the bag and a secret is revealed but it was truly an enjoyable book.

Overall, I give this book five stars! The story was warm, emotional and cozy story that will keep you up all night to finish the book. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Jenny Hale

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies.

She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers.

When she isn’t writing, or heading up her romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures—her favorite pastime.

Website: http://www.itsjennyhale.com; Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jhaleauthor; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyhaleauthor; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhaleauthor

My Mother’s Secret – Book Review

My Mother's Secret: A Novel Based on a True Holocaust Story by [J.L. Witterick]

Inspired by a true story, My Mother’s Secret is a captivating and ultimately uplifting tale intertwining the lives of two Jewish families in hiding from the Nazis, a fleeing German soldier, and the mother and daughter who save them all.
 
Franciszka and her daughter, Helena, are simple, ordinary people…until 1939, when the Nazis invade their homeland. Providing shelter to Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland is a death sentence, but Franciszka and Helena do exactly that. In their tiny home in Sokal, they hide a Jewish family in a loft above their pigsty, a Jewish doctor with his wife and son in a makeshift cellar under the kitchen, and a defecting German soldier in the attic—each party completely unknown to the others. For everyone to survive, Franciszka will have to outsmart her neighbors and the German commander.
 
Told simply and succinctly from four different perspectives—all under one roof—My Mother’s Secret is a testament to the kindness, courage, and generosity of ordinary people who chose to be extraordinary.

No. of pages:- 209 pages

Published:- September 5th 2013

Publisher:- Berkley

Genre:- Historical Fiction

Any book based on Holocaust appeals me. My Mother’s Secret by J.L. Witterick is one such book, based on the true events. The book talks about two women, Franciszka and her daughter Helena, who led a simple life in a small Polish town called Sokal with Damien, Helena’s older brother, until Germans invade Poland in 1939 and outbreak of WWII. This story talks about how this one woman, through courageous and bravery act saves two Jewish families and a German deserted soldier, all under one roof without raising suspicions from the neighbors.

The story is told from the four perspectives–Helena who gets a job as a clerk in a German company and falls in love with a German man named Casmir who owns the factory. Helena was initially scared at the thought of Jewish families hiding in their home but soon started to help those families. Brodnek is a Jew who was sent to ghetto with his family and after witnessing his brother’s death and his daughter taken away, he escapes from the ghetto and asks help from Franciszka who helps him and his family to hide in the pig shed. Another Jewish family, whose father is a doctor and the mother becomes friends with Franciszka and because of her friendship, the family hides under the cellar. Vilhelm, a German soldier who silently disagrees with the Nazi principles runs away and hides in the attic of the house. Through these perspectives we see how this one woman with brave and courage helps them to survive in the war.

Though I really like the story what with it being a true story, the writing to me was a bit childish. Nevertheless, the story was short, easy to read and also quick to read that you could actually finish this book in one setting. The language used in the book was easy and simply to understand and since all these perspectives are written in first person point of view, you get to know each of these characters’ lives, before, during and after the war.

Truly an emotional story and worth five stars!

J.L. Witterick

J.L. Witterick is the international bestselling author of My Mother’s Secret. It was always her passion to create a story about how anything is possible if we connect with each other through kindness, understanding, and courage. Originally from Taiwan, she has been living in Canada since her family’s arrival in 1968.

The Hiding Place – ARC Book Review

The Hiding Place: An absolutely heart-stopping crime thriller (Detective Morgan Brookes Book 3) by [Helen Phifer]

The little girl peered down the dark alleyway. She knew she wasn’t supposed to take this shortcut and her mother would kill her if she found out, but it was raining and all she wanted was to get home quickly. She stepped forward, not seeing the silent figure following her into the dark passageway…

When nine-year-old Charlotte Standish goes missing from her street in the small town of Rydale Falls, it sparks a media frenzy. Detective Morgan Brookes leads a frantic hunt for the girl, but little Charlie seems to have vanished into thin air.

Chasing up a lead at Charlie’s school, Morgan is chilled to learn that this isn’t the first time a child has gone missing on this street. Another girl disappeared fifteen years ago, and Morgan is the only one who thinks the cases could be related. But in the moment that she takes her eye off Charlie’s case to investigate the link between the two girls, another child, Macy, goes missing.

Then Morgan gets the call she was dreading, Charlie’s lifeless body has been found in a local park, lying in the shadow of a large tree. Morgan has let one girl down, but she refuses to give up on Macy. Determined to find an overlooked clue, she retraces Macy’s last steps. She’s getting close to the truth when her partner, Detective Ben Matthews, is attacked outside Morgan’s home. Is a twisted killer isolating Morgan from her team? And how long does Macy have left to live? Morgan must solve the case before more innocent lives are taken…

A nail-biting, unputdownable crime thriller that will keep you up all night, for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Patricia Gibney.

No. of pages:- 289 pages

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

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Thriller

Detective Morgan Brookes is back in the scene!

Nine-year-old girl named Charlie goes missing in a neighborhood in Ryder Falls. As it involves a child, the police gets involved in the case and then focus on the sex offender who happened to be living in the same neighborhood. Meanwhile, while investigating, Morgan finds out that a girl who attended the same school as Charlie went missing fifteen years ago and couldn’t help notice that there’s some similarity between the two cases. But when Charlie’s body was found a few days later and another girl named Macy goes missing in the same neighborhood, they must find the culprit before Macy is dead…

This is the third book of the Detective Morgan Brooke’s installment. But to me, unlike the first two books, this book wasn’t as good as the first two books. The book was fast paced but not much twists and turns though somehow, the reader is able to be hooked into the book. Not much of suspects in the book so it’s a bit predictable as to who the killer could be. But nonetheless I did enjoy this book though I didn’t find much exciting as her two previous books.

This book worth three stars the fact that still it’s a good thriller! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Poul Anderson Appreciation: Three Stars
Helen Phifer

Helen Phifer is the #1 Bestselling crime and horror novelist of the Annie Graham, Lucy Harwin and Beth Adams series. Helen lives in a small town in Cumbria. Surrounded by miles of coastline and only a short drive from the beautiful Lake District. She has always loved writing and reading since the days she learnt how to in infant school. She loves reading books that make the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and make her afraid to go to the toilet, alone in the middle of the night. She is eternally grateful to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert and Graham Masterton for scaring her senseless in her teenage years. Unable to find enough of the scary stories she loves to read, she decided to write her own.

Her debut novel The Ghost House was released October 2013 and introduced readers to police officer Annie Graham. It went on to be an Amazon #1 bestseller in Canada. It reached #1 on the Amazon Contemporary Horror Charts in both the UK and the US, pushing her idol Stephen King off his #1 spot many times. She was thrilled when the second book in the series The Secrets of the Shadows managed to push The Ghost House off its #1 spot even if it was a little surreal. This was followed by The Forgotten Cottage, The Lake House, The Girls in the Woods and The Face Behind the Mask.

The Good Sisters is a standalone old, fashioned horror story which Helen admits scared her so much when she was writing it that she couldn’t write once it got dark. Set in an abandoned convent it will definitely give you the chills.

March 2017 saw the publication of Dark House, a gripping psychological thriller which introduced readers to the dangerous world of Detective Inspector Lucy Harwin. This was followed by Dying Breath and Last Light.

The Haunting on West Tenth Street is a supernatural thriller set on the streets of New York and features Homicide Detective Maria Miller.

Her brand new series featuring Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams is published July 16th 2019

The Ice Cream Book Tag

Hello all!!! So I decided to take a break from reviewing books and do a book tag instead!! And who loves ice cream??? Everyone does and ice cream is like my favorite type of dessert!!!

So I came across this idea from another blog She Got Books on Her Mind so decided to try out this tag. I won’t be tagging anyone in this post but feel free to use this book tag if you want!!

First of all, vanilla is my favorite flavor in ice cream. There are so many books I wish had more boost but this is the book I chose for this theme

Baby Doll by Hollie Overton

Baby Doll by Hollie Overton

I really liked the plot of the story but I really wished there was more boost into the story which would have made this thriller far more interesting to read!

Harry Potter!!!!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Wikipedia

I don’t mind reading this book again and again, just like I don’t mind enjoying a taste of chocolate ice cream again and again.

Strawberry and sweet? That sounds lovely. Well, a book that matches with this theme and what comes into my mind is Holly Martin’s Autumn Skies Over Ruby Falls

Autumn Skies over Ruby Falls: An utterly gorgeous, heartwarming romantic comedy to escape with by [Holly Martin]

Normally I love thrillers and very rare I like romance novels but one of the books I loved was Days of Wonder by Keith Stuart–a heartwarming story between a father and daughter plus a bit of romance in it as well. I truly enjoyed reading this book!

Days of Wonder by Keith Stuart

Besides thrillers and romance, another genre I like is Historical Fiction so Daughter of Reich by Louise Fein sounds more suited to this role. Not only is this a historical fiction–it mostly involves romance between a Jewish boy and a German girl coupled with a little bit of thriller makes this story more like a milkshake!

Amazon.com: Daughter of the Reich: A Novel (9780062964052): Fein, Louise:  Books
Amazon.com: The Second Chance Supper Club eBook: Meier, Nicole: Kindle Store

Though the story wasn’t that great, I like this cover–it brings some artistic feeling into the story.

A Book Worthy of Celebration.

A book worthy of celebration???? Well I can think of one book

Amazon.com: We Were the Lucky Ones (9780399563089): Hunter, Georgia: Books

Based on the true story and talks about how a Jewish family in Poland survived the war and Holocaust, this book calls for a celebration.

A Book with Multiple Perspectives
The Best of Friends

Best of Friends by Lucinda Berry has three narrative perspectives and was one of the good thriller books I have read

A Book You Felt Compelled to Read Very Quickly.
Indecent

Really a horrible book, didn’t enjoy and I was forced to finish this book quickly.

A Book You Set Aside but Plan on Going Back to Later.
Family for Beginners by Sarah Morgan

I started reading but since I had ARCs to complete, I have set this book aside and plan to read it later.

Cup or Cone? 

Cone! I can feel the real flavor of ice cream by having from a cone

Favorite Flavor?

Ooh many but my favorite is coffee or cookies and cream

Toppings?

Not really a fan of toppings but if I had honey or chocolate drippings would be great

Favorite Local Ice Creamery? 

Umm…in Sri Lanka, it’s Carnival Ice Cream parlor. Back in U.S.A my favorite was Cold Stone and Grater’s in Cincinnati.

Anyone who wants to join in can join in!What are some of your answers to this tag?

The Playdate – ARC Book Review

The Playdate: An absolutely gripping and unputdownable psychological thriller by [Victoria Jenkins]

Arranging the playdate was easy. Child’s play. Preparing the house was more difficult. It was only now she realised how many photographs there were: the picture-perfect unit. Wife, husband, child. All of it a lie.

I made a new friend at playgroup today. She’s different from the other mothers. She feels like someone I can trust. Someone I can confide in.

But there are some things I can’t tell her. Things I can’t tell anyone.

Because I have a secret that no one else knows. One that still haunts my dreams, wakes me up in a cold sweat at night.

Even another mother would never understand. Unless, of course, she’s hiding something too…

From the bestselling author of The Argument, this utterly addictive psychological thriller will have you hooked from the first page to the final, mind-blowing twist. Fans of Friend Request, The Silent Patient and The Girl on the Train won’t be able to put this down.

No. of pages:- 289 pages

Date published:- will be May 21st 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

What will happen when a playdate turns into a nightmare? Well this is such story. Dani joins in a playdate and meets Adele who also has a daughter named Ivy. Ever since she joined the playdate, Dani has been getting threatening messages from an anonymous and escalated to a point where she was physically harmed. Adele meanwhile is facing abuse from her husband.

The story started a bit slow and was a bit boring. However, towards the end, unexpected twists and turns came into the picture that left me hooked at the end. Though not fast paced in the beginning, the story picked up the momentum in the end. The story is told from the perspectives of Adele and Dani and and the writing was good.

Overall, I give this book as four stars! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Victoria Jenkins

Victoria Jenkins lives with her husband and daughters in South Wales, where her bestselling series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based. The first in the series, The Girls in the Water was a top 5 US Kindle Bestseller and a top 30 UK Kindle Bestseller. She has an MA in Creative and Media Writing from the University of Wales, Swansea.

She has since written four psychological thrillers, one of which – The Argument – reached number 17 in the UK Kindle chart. Each thriller has a family at the centre of its story, with ordinary people thrown into extraordinary events. The Playdate – a ‘twisty turny psychological thriller’ about two mothers who meet at their daughters’ play group – is out on pre-order now.