Tropical Girl Reads

The House in the Cerulean Sea – Book Review

The House in the Cerulean Sea- Book Review

Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He’s tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place―and realizing that family is yours.

No. of pages:- 400 pages

Date published:- March 17th 2020

Publisher:- Tor Books

Genre:- LGBT/ Fantasy

Here’s the thing.

Except for Harry Potter, I am not much into Fantasy genre though lately I have been doing reviews on LGBT genre. I have heard about this book that seemed to be having raving reviews and so decided to try out this book, though I had audiobook. And to my surprise, I actually enjoyed reading this book!

Linus Baker is working in the Department of Magic and was given a task to ensure if the six of the children with magical abilities would be a threat to the world. Arthur runs an orphanage and would do anything to protect those children and he himself has a secret.

Initially, I was a bit skeptical to read this book but gradually, this book grew into me. The plot was really great and unusual–though the names of the children sounds normal, each of the children has a certain magical ability and gifted. Linus eventually develops close relationship with the children and also starts harboring secret feelings towards Arthur. As a result, the characters in the book grew into me and towards the end, I enjoyed reading the book! This book also gives a message to the reader–mostly the book talks about kindness and caring by not judging the people of who they are and accept them into the society for who they actually are! A must read. And it kind of reminds me a little of Harry Potter.

Overall, I give this book five stars!

TJ KLUNE is a Lambda Literary Award-winning author (Into This River I Drown) and an ex-claims examiner for an insurance company. His novels include the Green Creek series, The House on the Cerulean Sea and The Exraordinaries. Being queer himself, TJ believes it’s important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive, queer representation in stories.

It’s Summer Time! Books currently reading for summer Part 1

It’s summer time!!!

Best Summer Clip Art #2606 - Clipartion.com

So what are the books you are currently reading or planning to read for summer??? Here’s a list of books that I am planning to read for summer/coming to the blog soon!!! These books are not ARC but already published ones.

Tokyo Ever After – Emiko Jean

Recently I joined Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club and this is going to be the book for the summer discussion! Just started reading the book.

Izumi Tanaka has lived an uneventful seventeen years in her small town, keenly aware of all the ways in which her family is different from most of her classmates’. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity . . . and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan.

Soon she’s traveling overseas to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she’s only dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight. Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after?

2. Little Secrets – Jennifer Hillier

Little Secrets: 'For fans of Shari Lapena, Liz Nugent and Gillian Flynn' Will Dean, author of Dark Pines by [Jennifer Hillier]

After reading Jar of Hearts and The Butcher, Jennifer Hillier became one of the favorite thriller authors and is excited to get a chance to read this book.

All it takes to unravel a life… is one home truth.

Marin used to have it all. She’s married to the love of her life, Derek, she owns a chain of upscale hair salons, and is admired in her community as head of a loving family. Until the world falls apart the day her son Sebastian is taken…

A year later, Marin is a shadow of herself. The police search has gone cold. The publicity has faded. She and her husband rarely speak. With her sanity ebbing, Marin hires a private investigator to pick up where the police left off.

But instead of finding Sebastian, she learns that Derek is having an affair with a much younger woman. This discovery sparks Marin back to life. She’s lost her son; she’s not about to lose her husband. Derek’s mistress is an enemy with a face, which means this is a problem Marin can fix. Permanently.

3. A Summer Scandal – Kat French

When Violet moves to Swallow Beach, she inherits a small Victorian pier with an empty arcade perched on the end of it, and falls in love immediately. She wants nothing more than to rejuvenate it and make it grand again – but how?

When she meets hunky Calvin, inspiration strikes. What if she turned the arcade into an adult-themed arcade full of artisan shops?

Not everyone in the town is happy with the idea, but Violet loves her arcade and business begins to boom. But as tensions worsen and the heat between her and Calvin begins to grow, life at Swallow Beach becomes tricky. Is it worth staying to ride out the storm? And can Violet find her own happy ending before the swallows fly south for the winter?

Sexy, sassy and full of heart, Kat French is back in a new summer sizzler.

4. Life’s a Beach – Portia McIntosh

Life's A Beach: The perfect laugh-out-loud romantic comedy to escape with in 2021 by [Portia MacIntosh]

Sun, sea and inescapable exes…

Peach is excited to hear that her sister, Di, is getting married. Of course, she would have preferred her little sister to be engaged to someone she’s known longer than a week – and the fact that his name is Charles doesn’t bode well – but who is she to judge?! After all, her own love life is non-existent, and who doesn’t love a destination wedding…?

Whisked away to the gorgeous Italian coast, Peach assumes her role as chief bridesmaid and, despite her reservations about the groom, she tries to ensure everything goes to plan.

But weddings are never straightforward affairs… throw in some unexpected guests in the form of ex-boyfriends and one night stands, and soon enough there is more drama than a reality TV show.

Can Peach keep the show on the road, or might she end up in a whirlwind romance of her own…?

5. Invisible Girl – Lisa Jewell

Invisible Girl: From the #1 bestselling author of The Family Upstairs by [Lisa Jewell]

YOU DON’T SEE HER. BUT SHE SEES YOU.

MIDNIGHT. In the bad part of town, where cats prowl and foxes shriek, a girl is watching…

When Saffyre Maddox was ten, something terrible happened, and she’s carried the pain of it ever since. The man who she thought was going to heal her didn’t, and now she hides and watches him, learning his secrets, invisible in the shadows.

Owen Pick is invisible too. He’s never had a girlfriend; he’s never even had a friend.
Nobody sees him. Nobody cares.

But when Saffyre goes missing from opposite his house on Valentine’s Day, suddenly the whole world is looking at Owen.

Accusing him. Holding him responsible for Saffyre’s disappearance…

Well the Part 2 books, I haven’t decided yet so stay tuned for the review of these books!

My Son’s Secret – Book (ARC) Review

My Son’s Secret – Book Review

My Son's Secret: A Heart-Wrenching and Moving WW2 Historical Fiction Novel (Jews, The Third Reich, and a Web of Secrets Book 1) by [Roberta Kagan]

My beautiful boy…
Created in love… born into hatred.

There were so many terrifying stories about the Jews. People called them useless vermin, filthy, dangerous. Before I met Abram, I was afraid of them too. But I am about to tell you a very different story – a forbidden story.

My love for Abram defied all reason…as well as German law.

Tonight our son giggles with excitement as he blows out the candles on his birthday cake. But our safety is nothing but an illusion. As his candles burn out, a window shatters outside. The room shudders as the synagogue down the street is engulfed in flames.

Kristallnacht has begun.

When my hidden paradise crumbles like a stack of cards, I must do everything in my power to protect that which is most precious to me. My son’s secret must remain hidden.

No. of pages:- 344 pages

Date published:- 10th June 2021

Genre:- Historical Fiction

Rating:- 4.5/5 stars

Many of you all know–I love historical fiction but MUST be based on Holocaust or WWII!! And this book is no exception.

Basically, this story is between two sisters–Kara and Anka. The two sisters come from a dysfunctional family–their father is always drunk and abuses their mother and also towards the sisters, particularly towards Kara. Kara, being the responsible older sister tells Anka stories. One day, Kara goes to the Jewish part of time and meets a Jewish man named Abram, who owns a bookstore and shares Kara some of the books that are forbidden in Nazi Germany. The two eventually fall in love–which is forbidden in the Nazi law and Kara becomes pregnant and secretly lives with Abram and his mother, giving birth to a son Karl. Anka meanwhile marries a Nazi and starts sharing Nazi ideologies with her husband. So when Kristallnacht happens, Kara must hide her son’s identity as a half Jew.

I only have one word to say this book–WOW. This book is simply amazing. Tear jerking and a bit emotional at times to read too, but the romance between Kara a German girl and Abram a Jewish boy was captured beautifully in the book. Despite the fact that the story is a fiction, the situation was realistic that I was drawn to the book and got so engaged into the story that I simply couldn’t put it down! The author has made this book as realistic as possible, probably would have done tons of research about Jews during the Nazi period and Kristallnacht. The ending…ok at first, I thought I have missed a page or something that I thought the ending was abrupt with so many questions hanging in the air–but then I realize that this book was actually a sequel and so the author did a good job leaving the cliff hanger in the end, making the reader thirst and want to know what is going to happen next in the book!!! It was really good!!!

Characters wise, I simply liked both Kara and Abram though I sympathize with Anka–many Germans, particularly the younger ones were brainwashed into believing the Nazi ideologies and the fact that Jews were the problem of everything. It was sad and heartbreaking when you realize that despite the story being fiction, these things did happen in real life.

Overall, I cannot wait for the next book to come out and cannot wait to read more books from this author–worth four and a half stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Roberta Kagan for the book. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

I am an USA Today Best Selling Author of Historical Jewish Fiction mainly set during World War 2. My father was Romany and my mother was Jewish, When I was very young I learned about the Holocaust. I couldn’t understand how something like this could happen. So, I began to research and learn more. I met with survivors. I even met with children and grandchildren of SS officers. But I still had no answers. I cannot say that I have all of the answers to all of my questions even now. But what I do know is that soon all of the survivors will be gone. Their message must be remembered, the sacrifices that they made must not be forgotten. And so I humbly and with the utmost humility I try to tell their stories. It is painful, but I must convey the darkness and horror of the time, However, I also want the world to know and celebrate the unsung heroes. Because there were many ordinary people who acted in heroic ways. I realize that writing these books is a great responsibility. I pray every day that I am able to do this correctly. I am trying to reach out and touch many people, not with the message of the horrors but with the promise of hope. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering my work. It is an honor that I never take lightly.

I send you many blessings, Roberta

It Takes Two to Mango – ARC Book Review

It Takes Two To Mango – Book Review

It Takes Two to Mango: A Tropical Island Cozy Mystery (Trouble in Paradise! Book 1) by [Carrie Doyle]

After Plum Lockhart’s job as a travel magazine editor is eliminated in corporate cuts, she decides she’s sick of cold winters in NYC and fruitless swiping on dating apps—what she needs is a dramatic change of scenery. On a whim, she accepts a job as a villa broker and moves to a beautiful Caribbean island.

However, paradise isn’t as perfect as it seems: the slow pace of island life, the language barrier, and a cutthroat office rival make Plum question leaving her old life behind. But when a client is found dead in the jacuzzi of Casa Mango—a property Plum manages—she knows she’s really in a jam. With a killer loose on the island Plum will have to deal with a stonewalling police chief, a string of baffling clues, and a handsome Director of Security to solve this deadly case!

No. of pages:- 277 pages

Publisher:- Poisoned Pen Press

Date published:- will be published on June 28th 2021

Genre:- Cozy Mysteries

Rating:-

This is the first book of the Trouble in Paradise series and after reading her Hampton series, I was tempted to read this one.

Plum Lockhart loses her job as a travel magazine editor due to corporate cuts and she moves to a Carribean Resort to work as a broker. But soon, one of the men who had come for bachelor party turns up dead inside the resort and Plum must work out who the murderer is.

Just like any cozy mystery books, this book was engaging with some funny events in the book that will make you laugh at some parts. The writing was good and the author did a good job making the reader feel like they are in this exotic Carribean island enjoying the sun. Though there were not much unexpected twists and turns you would expect in a fast paced thriller, still, it was quiet enjoyable and unputdownable. The book cover is really cute and whoever designed the book cover did a good job drawing the reader to the book. Plum’s character initially at first I found her annoying but gradually in the book, I got used to her character and began to like her character. Overall, this was a cute mystery book and worth four stars!

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

Carrie Doyle is the best selling author of multiple novels and screenplays that span many genres, ranging from cozy mysteries to chick lit to comedies to Young Adult.

A born and bred New Yorker, Carrie has spent most of her life in Manhattan, with the exception of a six-year stint in Europe (Russia; France; England) and five years in Los Angeles. A former Editor-in-Chief of the Russian edition of Marie Claire, Carrie has written dozens of articles for various magazines, including countless celebrity profiles. She is also a screenwriter, and her movie Intern (co-written with Jill Kargman) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Carrie has three books that will be published in 2021: Death on Bull Path (the fourth book of the Hamptons Murder Mystery Series); The Murder Game; and It Takes Two to Mango (the first book of the Trouble in Paradise Series.)

Carrie currently splits her time between New York and Long Island, with her husband and two teenage sons.

The Lily Garden – ARC Book Review

The Lily Garden – Book Review

The Lily Garden: A heart-warming, feel-good summer romance by [Barbara Josselsohn]

She held the letter that she had found in the garden, and noticed the distinctive curls of her father’s handwriting etched on the worn paper. Her life had already been turned upside down by one family secret, would his last words force her to leave her childhood home forever?

When Caroline left Lake Summers thirty years ago, she thought she’d never go back to the place where she lost her parents. But when she finds out that the town’s lily garden lovingly built by her mother is going to be destroyed, she knows fate is calling. Dropping everything at her office in Chicago, she knows she is the only person who can save the garden.

Caroline and her daughter Lee are welcomed home by the warm smile of her mother’s best friend Maxine, and piles of pancakes at her cozy little restaurant in town. And Caroline soon learns that she isn’t the only person invested in saving her mother’s legacy, when she meets handsome historian Aaron. As she gets to know him, strolling along the sparkling lakeshore, she can’t imagine anywhere else she’d rather be.

But then Caroline learns a terrible secret about the day her mother died. And soon the real reason Aaron is in Lake Summers comes to light. Will the truth about the people she loves force her to give up a future with Aaron, and the beautiful town that has always been in her heart?An utterly uplifting and heart-warming story about forgiveness and family. Perfect for fans of Carolyn Brown, Debbie Macomber and Mary Alice Monroe.

No. of pages:- 265 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published on July 2nd 2021

Genre:- Literary Fiction

Rating:-

For some reason, over the past few book reviews, I have turned my attention away from thrillers and decided to read more family saga and literary fiction. The Lily Garden falls into that category. Not only the book cover is pretty and appealing but the plot line sounded interesting too.

Caroline returns back to Lake Summers after she heard the news that her mother’s beloved garden, known as Lily’s Garden (named after her mother) is set to be destroyed in the town and she flies from Chicago to Lake Summers with her teenage daughter, Lee. While also looking for colleges in the area around Lake Summers, Caroline meets handsome Aaron who is a historian and a professor at the university. Along with the townsfolk, can Caroline save her mother’s historic garden before it’s too late.

I really enjoyed the story. A warm cozy, and a heartwarming tale with a touch of romance in the book, I really do like the characters as well–many of them are all likable particularly Caroline and Aaron and I was rooting them to be a couple! I also like Caroline’s relationship with her daughter, who initially didn’t welcome Aaron though in the end she starts accepting him. I do really like the concept of community story line in the book. The author did a good job with the writing, drawing the reader into the story and making the reader walk with Caroline and Aaron into the small scenic town.

Overall, I enjoyed this warm cozy heartwarming tale–a perfect read for summer! Looking forward to read more books from this author! Worth four stars!

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

Barbara Josselsohn grew up on Long Island and lived for several years in her beloved New York City before moving to the northern suburbs. She began her career as a business journalist and then turned her attention to her first love, fiction. Her novels include THE LILAC HOUSE, THE LAST DREAMER, and THE BLUEBELL GIRLS, and has two more novels slated for release in 2021.

The Last Thing He Told Me – Book Review

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

IT WAS THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME: PROTECT HER

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his new wife, Hannah: protect her. Hannah knows exactly who Owen needs her to protect – his sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. And who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As her increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, his boss is arrested for fraud and the police start questioning her, Hannah realises that her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey might hold the key to discovering Owen’s true identity, and why he disappeared. Together they set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realise that their lives will never be the same again…

No. of pages:- 319 pages

Date published:- May 4th 2021

Publisher:- Viper

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:- 4.5 /5 stars

This was the one single thing he told her before he disappeared — Protect Her.

Amazon and Goodreads rated this book as one of the best thrillers with the book soon will be made into a TV series. I only have one word–this book is definitely worth to be made into a TV series.

Hannah is a forty something year old woman married to Owen and living in a floating house in Sausalito, California with Owen’s sixteen year old daughter Bailey. Hannah is trying hard to maintain a good relationship with Bailey. But one day, the place, called the Shop was raided by FBI and the police and made to the national news, with the owner being arrested, Owen goes missing as he is an employee of the Shop. Not only that, he leaves a single message to Hannah with two words – Protect Her. And he leaves Bailey a bag filled with money. With no idea to what happened to Owen and where he disappeared, Hannah decides to try to find answers with the help of her friend Jake in New York. But Hannah makes a startling discovery–Owen is not who he really is. In fact, there was no Owen who graduated from Princeton or lived in Seattle and this makes Hannah feel as if she really knows her husband or not. Realizing that Owen has some connections with Austin, Texas, Hannah along with Bailey goes to Austin to find the real truth.

The plot is intense and gripping–I felt as if I was watching a cat and mouse chase game and watching it on the TV instead of reading in the book! That’s how I feel as Hannah is looking around to find the truth about Owen. The story changes back and forth from past to the present–the past being the first time Hannah met Owen in New York, and small, small things about Owen that Hannah has overlooking in the past but is now willing to look at it in a different angle. And besides FBI, what does U.S. Marshal, Grady wants with Owen? I like how the author manage to grab the reader into the story, keeping the reader on the edge of the seat with a heartbeat racing to find out who is the real Owen. Kudos to the original and unique plot! The problem with the plot is not too realistic to me and as I said earlier, I felt this was like a fast paced action packed movie with twists and turns you didn’t expect coming! (which is of course a good thing!) I also think the ending was a bit too rushed. I actually yearned for more!

Now about the characters, Hannah is seemingly a strong protagonist and it was nice of seeing a strong female protagonist. She is desperately trying hard to get along with Bailey and would do anything to protect her and find the secret that Owen has left behind. Bailey sounds a bit spoilt and whiny though I suppose that’s what most teenagers are though I do like how their relationship developed slowly because of this situation.

The writing was truly engaging–it was actually a unique writing with no chapter numbers, except the chapter is written more like a title, which is to me is original as I have never seen a book starting with a title and not as a chapter. The suspense in the book was there, making the reader feel interested and keeping the reader at the edge of the seat. I couldn’t even put this book down and I devoured this book as I was so focused on the book.

Overall, this is a fast paced action packed thriller, unputdownable filled with twists and turns that you wouldn’t expect, and would take you on a roller coaster ride!!! Worth 4.5 stars.

Laura Dave is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He told Me, Eight Hundred Grapes and other novels. Her work has been published in eighteen countries and five of her novels, including The Last Thing He Told Me, have been optioned for film and television. She resides in Santa Monica.

Last Time I Lied – Book Review

Last Time I lied – Book Review

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]

Have you ever played two truths and a lie?

It was Emma’s first summer away from home. She made friends. She played games. And she learned how to lie.

Then three of her new friends went into the woods and never returned. . .

Now, years later, Emma has been asked to go back to the newly re-opened Camp Nightingale. She thinks she’s laying old ghosts to rest but really she’s returning to the scene of a crime.

The gripping new thriller from the bestselling author of Finale Girls – perfect for fans of A. J. Finn’s The Woman in the Widow

*Don’t miss Riley Sager’s new thriller, LOCK EVERY DOOR. Available to pre-order*

Because Emma’s innocence might be the biggest lie of all. . .

No. of pages:- 378 pages

Published:- July 12th 2018

Publisher- Ebury

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

Do you want to play Two Truths and a Lie? Well here’s mine

This book is intriguing and intense
Riley Sager is a good thriller writer
I hate reading.

You would have figured out which one is a lie

Wink Wink GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY

This is the second book I have read from Riley Sager, the first book being Lock Every Doors. After reading Lock Every Door and getting hooked into horror/thriller genre, I decided to try out Last Time I Lied, another phenomenal thriller book by Riley Sager.

Fifteen years ago, at Camp Nightingale three girls, Vivian, Allison and Natalie disappeared one night and never returned. Emma Davis, the fourth roommate is living in nightmare since then at the disappearance of these three girls,. Now present day, Emma is a successful artist when she was invited to join Camp Nightingale, which was reopened again after fifteen years. But was it a mistake to return back to the same place? Is Emma lying?

The story is told from Emma’s point of view dividing between the present day and fifteen years ago when she was rooming with Vivian, Allison and Natalie, the girls who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Emma sounds to be a paranoid, confused and anxious character, that makes her a bit unreliable as a character as well as intriguing at the same time–is Emma really innocent as she claims she is about the event that happened fifteen years ago? Coupled with the crime that took place is another folklore going around the camp about the fact that the Lake Midnight used to be a village and that the curse of the villagers is haunting the camp. So it is kind of intriguing and intense so that made the plot really good.

The plot of the story, just like Lock Every Door is interesting and haunting. Initially what would have thought as a haunted story soon turns into an unexpected thriller that the reader was made surprised in the book.

Though the first chapter was a bit boring, it got more interesting and unputdownable when Emma finally reaches the Camp Nightingale. Truth to be told, this story slightly reminds me of the movie Friday 13th (as it is near the lake that is supposedly haunted) but the author did a good job drawing the reader into the story and making the reader feel nervous, anxious and frightened all at the same time! Writing was really good!

By the end of the book, I was so hooked into the story that I couldn’t wait what the ending was going to be. The story is filled with OMG moments, twists and turns that you wouldn’t expect. Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book!

Riley Sager has officially become one of my favorite thriller authors and so I cannot wait to read more of his books! This book worth four stars! Completely worth it and can guarantee that this will keep you up all night and make you feel scared and intrigued at the same time!

Riley Sager is the pseudonym of a former journalist, editor and graphic designer. Now a full-time author, Riley’s first thriller, FINAL GIRLS, became a national and international bestseller that’s been translated into more than 25 languages. His subsequent novels, THE LAST TIME I LIED, LOCK EVERY DOOR and HOME BEFORE DARK, were instant New York Times bestsellers. His newest thriller, SURVIVE THE NIGHT, will be released in June.

A native of Pennsylvania, Riley now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. When he’s not working on his next novel, he enjoys reading, cooking and going to the movies as much as possible. His favorite film is “Rear Window.” Or maybe “Jaws.” But probably, if he’s being honest, “Mary Poppins.”

Her White Lie – ARC Book Review

Her White Lie – Book Review

Her White Lie: A gripping thriller that will have you hooked to the very last page by [Jackie Walsh]

Her dream wedding might become a nightmare

Tara Moore feels like the luckiest girl in the world. She’s finally found the man of her dreams, and after the fairytale wedding, she’s leaving Dublin to start a new life in Australia.

Until Avril Ryan’s body is discovered in a house that Tara lived in three years ago.

Tara doesn’t know Avril, so why was she the last person Avril called? How has she become the number one suspect?

But what the police don’t know is that Tara’s past conceals her own dangerous secrets. And as the detectives start digging and old friendships come to light, Tara begins to wonder who she can trust.

Will her wedding day become her last?

A twisty, unputdownable psychological thriller packed with suspense. Fans of T.M. Logan and Samantha Hayes will be completely gripped.

Publisher:- Hera Books

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

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

The second book I have read from this author and an intense psychological thriller.

Tara is planning her dream wedding–she was going to get married soon and move with her new husband Lucas to Australia. But then the discovery of a body in Huntley Lodge, where long time ago, Tara shared the lodge with her friend, Faye and Andrieu during their college years prompted the police to question Tara. The victim’s name is Avril Ryan and according to the police, Tara was the last person she had called before she was murdered. But despite the police’s suspicion, Tara has never met Avril Ryan nor ever met and wondered how on earth this girl got her number…

The story is told from the perspectives of Tara and Faye–Tara works as a barista in a cafe while Faye is a doctor. While Tara sounds friendly and a bit naive, Faye on the other hand sounds like a disturbing character with a vendetta against Tara for something Tara had done during their college years. We do not know which character is telling the truth so the unpredictability of the characters is something I like. However, since there were not much suspects, the one who actually murdered Avril Ryan was obvious and also not much of twists and turns you would expect in a fast paced thriller. Nonetheless, the writing was good, the author did a good job drawing the reader into the story. I also would say that the plot is also good as the thought of a discovery of a dead body actually intrigued me.

Characters wise, I think I like Tara, though despite the fact that in the beginning I couldn’t stand Faye’s character, I started to like her towards the end.

Overall, this is a good thriller that will keep you hooked into the story–worth four stars!

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

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.