Tropical Girl Reads

Beyond Tracks – Book Review

Hey all! Today’s book review is going to be a historical fiction, based on true events, Beyond Tracks by Michael Reit.

Beyond the Tracks: A WW2 Novel Based on Harrowing True Events by [Michael Reit]

Berlin, 1938

It’s no longer safe here.

When the Jewish families of Berlin start disappearing in nightly raids, 21-year-old Jacob Kagan knows it’s only a matter of time before the trucks come for him. Along with his family and best friend, he flees the country he’s always called home to find shelter in a Dutch refugee camp. Before long, the Netherlands falls to the Nazi war machine — Jacob’s new home is transformed into a transit camp with weekly trains bound for the horrors of the Eastern concentration camps.

Handpicked by the cruel new SS regime to police the camp’s Jewish population, Jacob has the opportunity to save his parents and best friend from the dreaded transport lists — but at what cost?

Based on true events, Beyond the Tracks is a redemptive story of unconditional loyalty and a will to survive impossible odds.

No. of pages:- 442 pages

Date published:- will be published on September 17th 2020

Genre:- Historical fiction/Jewish fiction/Holocaust

Michael Reit is an independently-published author. That means he likes to do everything himself, but he doesn’t identify as a control freak.

An avid fan of history and historical fiction, and intrigued by WWII, Michael spent years researching lesser-known events, locations, and people to produce his debut novel Beyond the Tracks.

He’s currently working on his next novel on the Polish Home Army, one of the largest resistance networks in Europe during World War II.

Born in the Netherlands, he now lives in beautiful Vienna, Austria, with his partner Esther, daughter Bibi, and Hungarian Vizsla Maggie. You can connect through michaelreit.com or Twitter (@MichaelReit).

Thank You Netgalley and the publisher for this book–this review is based purely on my honest opinion.

The story is set during the Nazi era. Jacob Kagan is a German Jew living in Berlin and he and his father are running their family pharmacy in Berlin. On the night of Kristallnacht, their pharmacy was nearly destroyed and realizing that they are no longer safe in Berlin, moves to Amsterdam to start a new life. Jacob and his best friend, Ethan also a German Jew move to Westbrook, a Dutch labor camp for Jews. When the camp was taken over by the Nazis, both Jacob and Ethan were appointed in the Jewish police. Jacob would do anything to save his parents and his best friend at any cost.

I am always a fan of Holocaust fiction or anything that is based on WWII era books. This book, is based on true events–the Polish Home Front, some of the characters like Zofia, Marian and Antoni are real, though Jacob is a fictional character, as the author says. As usual, reading Holocaust books would make me emotional and sad, at how many Jewish people and others who opposed Nazis lost their lives during the war. I really like the character of Jacob–despite being a part of Jewish police, he was opposed to brutality and would do work hard to save the loved ones. I admire those types of brave and courageous character and I am sure, that at that time, there were Jewish men, just like Jacob. The appalling conditions and descriptions of the train ride to Auschwitz was too real, cramped in a cattle car with people having no idea that they are being taken to the death. I also admire how Zofia and Marian, two Polish people would risk their own lives to save some of the Jews from the Auschwitz–I admire their bravery. The writing was flowing, making the reader transport back to those terrible times.

I would say, since this is the debut book of this author, he did a good job writing this book. He had done tremendous research, making the fiction into a reality thus transporting the reader back to those times. The horrendous conditions at the camp, particularly at Auschwitz, the harsh treatments imposed on the prisoners, both by the Jewish kapos or police and the Nazis were sometimes a bit too emotional to read and disturbing but one has to remember, this really happened in real life. Overall, this book brought me an emotional roller coaster ride.A very touching story about friendship at hard times, about true real friendship, that a friend would do anything, even if it means risking their own life.

Worth five stars!

The Fault in Our Five Stars. Art imitates life, life imitates art… | by Kevin Luke | RTA902 (Social Media) | Medium

For anyone interested in this book, this will be released on September 17th 2020. You can pre-order your copy on Amazon now!

Lies Behind the Woods – Book Review

The second book review of the day! This book is Lies Behind the Woods by Bradley Cornish

He thought he witnessed a kidnapping. He thought he did the right thing. He thought he was a hero. He thought, he thought. Until his thoughts came back to haunt him.

Steve Breiten is a college professor who has a long line of failed relationships behind him. All he wants is a long vacation in the mountains, free of drama and responsibilities, where he can relax, read, and maybe even start writing his book. He didn’t expect a mysterious woman to walk into his office – not that woman, the one who had been kidnapped all those years ago and rescued after a tip he’d left at the police station.Now, his plans for the summer have taken a dramatic shift. Tara Murphy is determined to show her gratitude for his actions that fateful day, and she won’t take no for an answer. As the heat builds between them, Steve finds himself at a moral crossroads. He doesn’t want to take advantage of this young, damaged woman. But he finds his resistance to her sexual advances fading fast. It’s only a matter of time before she leads him to the secret that lies behind the woods…

Don’t miss this thrilling, fast-paced tale of love, lust, and betrayal.

No. of pages:- 167 pages

Genre:- Thriller

Bradley Cornish is an up and coming romance and suspense author who is on a mission to offer people with affordable books that inspire them and give them unique worlds to escape to. As a young teen, he delved into the world of writing soon after finding out he had a brain tumor, which kept him from speaking for months on end. Writing became the go-to way for him to truly express his innermost musings. What started as crafting poems and lyrics, turned into ghostwriting, freelance writing and authoring books of his own. He went from writing dreams to writing reality. His work has been featured in Gecklon Press and many other news outlets. His forthcoming book is entitled “Lies Behind The Woods.”

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book!

On his 25th birthday, while jogging down, Steve witnesses a kidnapping case. He thought he did a right thing by saving her and he thought he was a hero. Three years later, Tara, who was the victim visits him, after the abduction and Steve is juggling with various lust feelings as Tara is doing sexual advances towards him.

I am having mixed thoughts about this book. First taking positive side, the plot line sounds great to me. However, I didn’t very much like the book much–it became kind of lame and predictable. The writing was a bit sloppy and I didn’t really enjoy reading this book. Too much unnecessary things. If the unnecessary stuff was not in the book particularly the sexual things, then this book might have become great.

I don’t really like giving negative reviews but this is one of the books I didn’t really enjoy reading. Worth two and a half stars in my opinion.

This book will be released on 14th September so you can pre-order your copy now on Amazon!

Two Gold Stars Set Royalty Free Cliparts, Vectors, And Stock Illustration. Image 94520178.

Splash – Book Review

Hey all! Just finished the book called Splash by J.R. Hart and so here’s my review!

Connor Molina’s summer can’t get any worse. He’s stuck in his college town taking summer classes, and he’s got a dead-end lifeguard job he’s too old for and a baby gay who’s thirsty for all the wrong guys.

Even worse? Tristan, a wild patron, won’t leave his section of the pool, splashing him and pulling stupid stunts to get his attention. When Tristan fakes a drowning to get closer to him, Connor’s furious, but he quickly realizes that Tristan’s reckless nature isn’t always infuriating…it’s also intriguing.

Can he let his guard down and let Tristan in, or will he be bound by his own rules and drown in the self-doubt this summer could free him from?

No. of pages :- 188 pages

Date published:- September 7th 2020

Genre:- LGBTIQ

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book!

Connor Molina is working a summer job at the pool while attending summer classes at the community college. While working at the pool as a life guard, he meets Tristan a nineteen year old boy. Connor hates him for his ego and attitude and does not want anything to do with him. But eventually soon, the two blossomed into a romantic relationship…

I have mixed feelings about this book so I am going to start with the positive ones first. The plot line is OK–the life guard working during the summer meets a boy and the hatred eventually turns in love. Towards the end, it was a bit emotional and sad to read though I did like how the romance blossomed between the two. I also like the book cover which actually will appeal to the reading audience. Also this book is really good for someone who would like quick read books

The negative ones? Too much graphic sex details that I actually had a difficult time reading the book. But maybe for others, it might not be a big deal.

Overall, this is a good book for a quick read. Worth three stars though.

If you want to read this book, you can pre-order the copy now on Amazon!

The Mistress – Book Review

Hey all! I am back with another review, just finished, The Mistress by Jill Childs.

The Mistress: A gripping and emotional page turner with a killer twist by [Jill Childs]

It wasn’t until that night that I found out he had been cheating. I never would have guessed it of Ralph – I was still head over heels in love with him then. I would have done anything for my husband… that is, until I found out what he was really hiding.

The night it happened, I was late home from a parent-teacher conference. Things hadn’t been the same between us recently and I was hoping we could start over – make things right over a bottle of wine and an early night like the old days. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I sometimes think I never really knew Ralph at all. Because I never thought he’d be capable of doing what he did. It wasn’t only dangerous, it was very, very wrong. And I’m not talking about the affair with Laura.

As I said, I came home that night hoping to finally fix things with the man I love. The very last thing I expected was to find my husband murdered.

No marriage is ever what it seems from the outside. A compulsively unputdownable domestic thriller from a USA Today bestselling author. Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and The Silent Wife.

No. of pages:- 293 pages

Date published:- will be published on 14th September 2020

Genre:- Psychological Thriller/Women’s Fiction

Jill has always loved stories – real and imaginary. She’s spent 30 years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She’s now made her home in London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does.
Although she’s covered everything from earthquakes and floods, riots and wars, she’s found some of the most extraordinary stories right here at home – in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets, just like yours.

If you’ve enjoyed reading one of Jill’s books, please do leave a review.
For latest news, follow Jill on Twitter (author_jill) and Facebook

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the ARC!

Laura Dixon is a teacher at the elementary school and is having an affair with a fellow teacher, Ralph Wilson. However, Ralph Wilson is married with a child. Then one day, during a confrontation at Ralph’s house, Laura accidentally pushes Ralph and he falls down the stairs and then dies. His wife, Helen witnessed the event and together, they wrap Ralph’s body and dump in the lake behind a boathouse away from the house. Laura seems to be fidgety with the situation. Then the police starts investigating Ralph’s missing case and Laura is feeling frightened and anxious and at the same, she feels that someone is stalking her and that Ralph seems to be haunting her around…

OK, the plotline was great! First part of the story begins with Laura’s perceptive and the second part of the story, towards the middle is Helen, Ralph’s wife’s perspective. Both women recount how they met Ralph and in Laura’s case, how her life changed when she started her affair with Ralph and in Helen how her life changed when she married Ralph. It’s actually interesting to read from both women’s point of view, so as a reader, we would know what the characters think. Laura is a very vulnerable and unreliable character and so as you read through her point of view, you would think if she is delusional or making things up in her mind about seeing a dead person around. Helen on the other hand suspects that besides her husband’s affair with Laura, he was hiding something. The police were only discreetly involved so I like how the story mainly focused on Laura and Helen. I do like thrillers where the police is only discreetly involved. The writing was great–the author did a good job of bringing out the story. There were so many unexpected twists and turns that the ending was so unexpected that I couldn’t even believe it! In other words the ending was great! This book is fast paced as well, which is why I really enjoyed reading the book.

As the synopsis says, this book does seem to be similar to Big Little Lies and Gone Girl, for those who have read the books. An unputdownable thriller that will make you as a reader to want to know more, a roller coaster ride filled with twists and turns that you didn’t want to miss! Truly enjoyed reading the book! This is the first book I have read from this author and in future I will look forward to read more of her books! Worth four stars!

Four Stars Pin - West Coast Uniforms and Accessories

If you want to read this amazing thriller, you could pre order your copy now on Amazon, which will be released on 14th September 2020!

Who’s Next? – Book Review

Third and final blog post for today! Who’s Next by Chris Merrit and here is my review

Who's Next?: A completely gripping and unputdownable crime thriller (Detective Lockhart and Green Book 2) by [Chris Merritt]

Stumbling to the ground, he claws at the earth around him, trying to stabilise himself, but his attacker is on him in seconds. As he stares at the lights of the bustling streets on the other side of the park gates, he doesn’t even have time to shout for help before everything goes black.

When the body of wealthy businessman Charles Stott is found dead on Wimbledon Common, covered in bruises just feet away from his luxury home, Detective Dan Lockhart is called to investigate the shocking scene. Examining the sickeningly disfigured body before him, Lockhart knows he’s dealing with a brutal killer. Looking more closely, he notices something on the victim’s neck: a small, crudely drawn symbol in black ink. It seems the murderer has marked his victim, but why? Dan needs to get inside the perpetrator’s mind, so he contacts psychologist Dr Lexi Green.

As the ensuing media circus puts pressure on Dan and Lexi’s investigation, another victim is found and the headlines are quick to report a serial killer is on the loose. The body of a successful lawyer has been discovered in a park with the same bruising and hand-drawn symbol on his neck. Dan fears that more victims will follow.

As the case intensifies, Dan uncovers a new lead on his missing wife, Jess, who disappeared eleven years ago. Determined to follow it up, he must choose between tracking down a serial murderer and finding Jess. Can he make the impossible decision before the killer strikes once more?

No. of pages:- 449 pages

Date published:- 11th September 2020

Genre:- Thriller

Hello! I’m a British author whose crime thrillers combine psychology, suspense, and characters you care about.

All my novels are set in London, where I live. My first trilogy starred Zac Boateng and Kat Jones, two detectives motivated by family, who tackle organised crime and police corruption. LAST WITNESS, the second Boateng and Jones book, reached #13 in the UK Kindle chart in 2019.

My second series features detective Dan Lockhart – an ex-soldier with a missing wife – and psychologist Dr Lexi Green, an American living in London. These novels are darker, more psychological serial-killer cases, with romantic relationships as a central theme.

I began writing fiction in 2014, after previous careers as a diplomat, based in Iraq and Jerusalem, and later as a psychologist working with victims and perpetrators of crime. I specialised in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which sparked my interest in telling stories about how people cope when faced with extreme adversity.

Now, I spend most of my time writing novels and drinking coffee while *thinking* about writing novels. When I’m not writing, I love climbing and playing basketball.

Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an unpublished version of this book!! This review is strictly based on my true honest opinion.

This is the second book of the series Detective Lockhart and Green but this is the first book I have read from this author. It’ s not really necessary to read the first book though.

A wealthy film director was murdered brutally by the street side and Detective Lockhart was called to scene. Besides beating the director into a pulp there was a strange symbol drawn by the killer on the neck of the victim. Together with the psychologist, Dr. Green, the two work together to tackle the killer. Meanwhile, a series of sexual assaults are happening around London and DC Smith is in charge of trying to catch the pervert.

I really enjoyed reading this book–this book is filled with turns and twists that will make the reader guess and aching to know what is going to happen next. Also what I really like about this thriller is this is actually fast paced so I was so hooked into the story that I really wanted to know who is this violent killer. Amid of all these murders and sexual assaults going around, I also like the personal background of the story, about how Detective Lockhart was trying to locate his wife, who went missing years ago, while he was on duty in Afghanistan. The thriller itself to me was like a roller coaster ride and I couldn’t simply put the book down as I want to know, what is going to happen next. I also like the part where Dr. Green is trying to help Detective Lockhart as she has some secret feelings towards him. The only thing about this book is I wish the author has written the killer’s part not as a chapter but as a separate page, maybe written in italics so to differentiate the killer’s part with the story. But I do like how the author put the killer’s part so we do know what his/her next action is going to be and her/his motive and we can get a dig at what he/she is going to do next.

Overall this is a fast paced thriller with unexpected twists and turns that would make the reader yearn to read more. Worth four stars in my opinion! This book will be released on 11th September 2020 so if this is the book you want to read, you can pre-order now on Amazon!

The Holiday Detour – Book Review

The second book blog post! This time, it’s The Holiday Detour by Jane Kolven and here is my review!

Sometimes it takes everything going wrong to make you see how right things are.

Dana Gottfried is a stressed-out Jewish lesbian who’s just quit her job and wants to get home to see her grandmother. When her car breaks down in Indiana on Christmas Eve, Dana is stranded—until she’s rescued by Charlie, a pig farmer who doesn’t identify as male or female. Although they come from different worlds, Dana is intrigued by Charlie’s sense of humor and kindness. Despite her better judgment, Dana says yes when Charlie offers a ride.

But the journey home is paved with detours. From car accidents to scheming ex-girlfriends to a snowy and deserted Chicago Loop, everything that could go wrong on their road trip does, but it leads Dana on a path of self-discovery that just might end in love

No. of pages :- 155 pages

Published:- will be published on 15th September 2020

Genre:- LGBTIQ fiction

Jane Kolven is an author of contemporary, fun LGBTQ romances. She is proud to create stories that show a variety of LGBTQ people finding happiness–because everyone deserves love. Jane currently lives in Michigan with her wife and their pets.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book! This is completely based on my honest opinion.

In a nutshell, Dana Gottfried, who seems to have quit her job before getting fired was driving all the way from Cleveland to Chicago to be with her Nana for Christmas. She is a Jewish Lesbian and is stressed out with her life. But on the way, her car breaks down in the middle of Indiana and in comes the rescuer, Charlie, who identifies themselves as queer. What begins is the whole drama as they try to make it to Chicago to celebrate the Christmas and the budding relationship between Dana and Charlie.

This is the second LGBTIQ book I have read and the first book I have read from this author. However, despite the story being a bit short, I didn’t really enjoy much. I was skimming through most of the pages and it was a bit boring to read. The plot is great but the writing wasn’t that really good, too much of unrealistic things in the books. However, towards the end, it got a little better.

Overall it was an OK book to read though and I would give 2.5 stars for this book. This book will be released on 15th September so if you are interested, you can pre-order the book now on Amazon!

My Greek Island Summer – Book Review

Hey all! I am back with more book reviews! Today I will be doing a review, My Greek Island Summer by Mandy Baggot. I actually finished reading it few days ago but my wi-fi wasn’t working and so it got delayed.

My Greek Island Summer: a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by [Mandy Baggot]

Two weeks. One unforgettable trip to Corfu. A chance to change her life.

Becky Rose has just landed her dream job house-sitting at a top-end villa on the island of Corfu. What could be better than two weeks laying by an infinity pool overlooking the gorgeous Ionian waters while mending her broken heart.

Elias Mardas is travelling back to Corfu on business whilst dealing with his own personal demons. Late arriving in Athens, Becky and Elias have to spend a night in the Greek capital. When they have to emergency land in Kefalonia, Becky’s got to decide whether to suck up the adventure and this gorgeous companion she seems to have been thrown together with or panic about when she’s going to arrive at Corfu…

Finally reaching the beautiful island, Becky is happy to put Elias behind her and get on with her adventure. Until he turns up at the villa…

No. of pages :- 381 pages

Date published:- 2nd April 2020

Genre:- Boating/Holiday/Romance

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer represented by Tanera Simons of The Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency.

The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy’s books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian.

Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor.

Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

This is the second book I have read from Mandy Baggot, the firs book being One New York Christmas, which is one of my first blog posts in the blog.

In a nutshell, Becky Rose is running a sandwich company with her sister Megan but all she does is just buttering the slices of bread and her sister actually does not involve her in any business deals. Then one day, she packs her bags and accepts a job as a house sitter for a house in the Greek Island of Corfu. But then as fate has it, she never get to Corfu on time and then gets stranded in Athens and Kefalonia–with Elias who is actually a divorce lawyer struggling with his own demons and Petra, a young and wild traveler. A spark forms between Becky and Elias while in Kefalonia but a misunderstanding occurs between then. Becky finally arrives Corfu and begins her job as a house sitter in the villa. Then one day, Elias turns at the doorstep of the villa…

Just like in One New York Christmas, I really enjoyed reading this book. First of all, I felt like I was in the island of Corfu with Becky and enjoying the summer vacation there with Becky. I also learned a bit about the Greek culture and cuisine as well, through reading the book. The book is also funny, in a comedic sense that in some parts I burst out laughing! Truly enjoyable to read although the book was a bit long but it will not bore you out. The writing was good, the author giving vivid descriptions like sailing in the sea, meeting different types of people and of course the budding romance between Becky and Elias. The characters in here are also favorable–I really like the character Becky.

Overall, this is a fun, enjoyable summer read, good to read during a summer vacation and a very cheesy romantic story set in the Greek island of Corfu. Worth five stars!

five-stars | Gioventu Spa | Tratamientos de Belleza

Reading Slump….and books I am currently reading

Hello all! These days I have been a bit behind in my reading schedule–I have a lot of ARCS and other books to read but I just didn’t feel like reading these days…

The Dreaded Reading Slump – Derby Public Library's Blog

But anyway I am trying so hard to overcome my reading slump and so here’s a sneak peek at the books I am trying to read.

My Greek Island Summer – Mandy Baggot

Two weeks. One unforgettable trip to Corfu. A chance to change her life.

Finally reaching the beautiful island, Becky is happy to put Elias behind her and get on with her adventure. Until he turns up at the villa.

The Wife- Book Review

Hey all! Just finished Shalini Boland’s The Wife, which will be released on 8th September 2020! Here’s my review!

The Wife: An unputdownable psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist by [Shalini Boland]

Zoe fainted on her wedding day, and she never knew why. She’s always felt sure something bad happened. Ten years later, she’s going to find out what…

It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Zoe was sitting in her hotel room, in her perfect white dress, looking forward to the moment when she would make kind, handsome Toby her husband.

Then, there was a blank.

They said she must have fainted, overcome with emotion. But nothing felt quite right afterwards. Did something happen in that missing time?

Now, Toby and Zoe have two beautiful children and a perfect life. They’re planning their ten-year anniversary party for their family and friends. The invitations have been sent, the food ordered. They’re going back to the grand hotel where they got married.

But as the anniversary gets closer, it becomes clear not everyone is looking forward to celebrating. Zoe catches Toby lying about where he’s been. One of her best friends seems to be ignoring her. And someone is spreading stories that might stop the party from happening at all.

Zoe is increasingly sure that she doesn’t have the full story. But does she want to know the truth, if it will destroy everything?

No. of pages:- 292 pages

Date published:- 9th September 2020

Genre:- Domestic Thriller

Shalini Boland is the million-copy, USA-Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers: ‘THE GIRL FROM THE SEA’, ‘THE BEST FRIEND’, ‘THE MILLIONAIRE’S WIFE’ (optioned for TV by Legendary Studios), ‘THE SECRET MOTHER’, ‘THE CHILD NEXT DOOR’, ‘THE SILENT SISTER’, ‘THE PERFECT FAMILY’, ‘THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL’, ‘THE OTHER DAUGHTER’ and ‘ONE OF US IS LYING’.

THE WIFE is now available to pre-order!

Her titles are published by Bookouture, Grand Central (USA) and Tantor.

Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her husband, two children and their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing psychological thrillers (in between school runs and endless baskets of laundry).

She is also the author of two bestselling Young Adult series as well as a children’s WWII novel with a time-travel twist.

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

Zoe fainted on her wedding day with no recollection of what really happened a moment before she fainted. Ten years later, Zoe and her husband, Toby are happily married with two children and are about to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary and they will be celebrating it at the very same hotel they had their wedding. But soon, while the wedding preparations is under way, Zoe feels odd–her best friend is seemed to be ignoring her and Toby seems to be hiding from her on something. And Zoe keeps seeing a woman who seemed to look like her sister Dina, who mysteriously disappeared ten years ago. And there’s a secret that would threaten to ruin Zoe’s happy life if it was have revealed…

Truth to be told, I have always wanted to read Shalini Boland’s books but this is the first book I have read from this author. The story is completely told from Zoe’s perspectives, switching between Present Day and the Past so as a reader we would get to know the life before and after. The story is filled with twists and turn and the writing was good as well. The thriller was actually fast paced. The ending was however a bit expected as I have expected that type of ending. I truly enjoyed reading this book and this book actually kept me up all night!

Overall, this is a fast paced thriller and it is actually really a good book! Worth four stars!

The Stepdaughter – Book Review

The Stepdaughter: An addictive suspense novel packed with twists and family secrets by [Georgina Cross]

It’s a normal afternoon when I walk out the patio doors of our kitchen to check on Mia, my stepdaughter, who is swimming in our backyard pool. But she’s gone. My heart stops when I see the back gate is open, her pink, fluffy towel lying folded on a chair. I was just feet away. Why didn’t I hear her scream? Who took our little girl?

My husband can’t understand how I could have let his daughter disappear. And when the police come asking questions, I wish I could wind back time to that normal afternoon when I was cooking lasagna for my family, Mia’s favorite. I can tell the officers don’t believe me: they’ve cast me as the evil stepmother.

I just wish I could understand the messages I’ve found from my husband on Mia’s phone: I’m so sorry, I still love you. And why his wedding ring is found at the bottom of the pool after Mia disappeared. He never told me it was missing. What else is he hiding?

But the detective keeps asking me where I was during those ten minutes when Mia vanished. And I can’t tell her my secret. From the way she’s looking at me, I know she thinks I did something to my stepdaughter. Mia and I haven’t always been that close and sometimes she drives me nuts, just like any normal teenager, but I would never hurt her.

I just need you to believe me.

A twisty novel packed with unputdownable suspense about the power and damage of secrets we hide. Perfect for anyone who was totally hooked by The Mother-in-Law, Kerry Fisher and Big Little Lies.

No. of pages :- 302 pages

Date published:- will be published on September 2nd 2020

Genre:- Thriller

Georgina Cross is the suspense author of The Stepdaughter (September 2020) and Book 2 (January 2021) with Bookouture. And Book 3 with Ballantine, Penguin Random House (late 2021).

She is represented by Rachel Beck with Liza Dawson Associates with her suspense fiction appealing to readers of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle, The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.

Georgina has been writing since she was a child. Notebooks & floppy discs filled with stories: adventures growing up in New Orleans and tales from Malaysia & England where her family lives. After graduating from Louisiana State University, she enjoyed a career in marketing & communications and founded Susie’s Wish non-profit which sends patients with life threatening illnesses to the beach. She spends time with her husband and their combined family of four sons watching plenty of scary movies and basketball tournaments.

Author website: http://www.Georgina-Cross-Author.com
Twitter: @GCrossAuthor
Facebook: GeorginaCrossAuthor
Instagram: GeorginaCrossAuthor

Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for this book in exchange for my honest opinion about the book!

Vanessa Tanner seems to be living in a perfect glamorous life in Huntsville and her stepdaughter, Mia Tanner is a talented swimmer with hopes of joining into Olympics. Then one day, Mia goes disappearing while swimming at the backyard of the house and at the same time, their neighbor’s house, Julia Campbell’s house goes on fire. All eyes point to Vanessa as people blame for Mia’s disappearance and Detective Angela, who is in charge of Mia’s disappearance suspects Vanessa. But Vanessa, despite not really getting along with Mia and trying very hard to become a good mother to her insists that she has nothing to do with Mia’s disappearance…

The story is so good that I finished this book in one go! A real roller coaster ride type of thriller, quiet fast paced with so many twists and turns in each chapter that will send your mind reeling. The story itself is realistic, particularly the stepmother-stepdaughter relationship between Vanessa and Mia. I was so hooked into the story that I didn’t even know that I finished the book that fast! This is the first time I am reading from this author and is probably her debut book so I must say, she really did a good job with this book! The book is well written, fast paced and did a good job of making the reader getting engaged into the story!

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book–a fast paced thriller with unexpected twists and turns you will not see coming. Quiet unputdownable that will make as a reader to want to read more. Looking forward to read more books by this author! Worth five stars!

If this book interests you, you can pre-order your copy now on Amazon! This book will be released on 2nd September 2020.