The Other Woman – ARC Book Review

Title:- The Other Woman

Author:- Holly Down

Date published:- will be published on 7th June 2024

No. of pages:- 254 pages

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 3/5

Writing:- 3/5

Overall rating:- 3/5

There are three of us in this marriage. One of us has to go…

David and I used to be the golden couple that everyone wanted to be. But as I sit in the dark corner of a crowded bar and watch his arm wrap around the waist of his beautiful younger colleague, Nina, my worst nightmare is confirmed: my husband is having an affair.

I swear to do whatever it takes to save my marriage. But when David doesn’t come home one evening, I drown my sorrows. I wake up with a pounding headache, no memory of the night before, and no idea where David is. As I desperately try to piece the night together, my blood runs cold when I hear the news that something awful has happened to Nina.

I have to find out the truth about what happened last night, even if that means betraying my husband. Because David isn’t the only one with secrets in this marriage, and I’ll do anything to stop mine from being discovered.

An utterly addictive and twisty read about obsession that will have you racing to the end! If you love Lisa Jewell, The Girl on the Train and Behind Closed Doors, you won’t be able to put this down!

David and Kitty seemed to be having a happy married life–or so it seems until Kitty finds David in the arms of another woman, who happens to be his colleague, Nina. Kitty then start drinking and stalking Nina. Then one night, Nina was found murdered in her apartment. David was the last person to see Nina…or is it Kitty?

I like that the POVs are set in David and Kitty’s characters. They are both unreliable characters and as a reader you don’t know who to actually trust. However, even though the first part of the story was interesting, intriguing and a page turner, the second part of the story, to me, was a little confusing with the addition of another main character, Catherine. I felt that twist was a complete turn over from the actual story line. It also started to get little boring, confusing and above all, I thought it kind of ruined the whole plot line. The ending to me was a little unsatisfactory to me.

This could have been a good domestic thriller but the ending was unsatisfying. Worth 3 stars.

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

The Last Invitation – Book Reviw

Title:- The Last Invitation

Author:- Darby Kane

Date published:- December 6th 2022

No. of pages:- 403 pages

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 3/5

Writing:- 3/5

Overall rating:- 3/5

Darby Kane, the author of the critically acclaimed and #1 International Bestseller Pretty Little Wife, has crafted another gripping and twisty suspense about an invitation to an exclusive club that comes with deadly consequences.

They meet the second Tuesday of every month and vote…and then someone dies.

Over the last few years, prominent people—a retired diplomat, beloved basketball coach, the CEO of an empire—have died in a series of fluke accidents and shocking suicides. There’s no apparent connection, no signs of foul play. Behind it all is a powerful group of women, the Sophie Foundation, who meet over wine and cheese to review files of men who behave very, very badly, and then mete out justice.

Jessa Hall jumped at the mysterious, exclusive invitation to this secret club. The invite comes when she’s at her lowest, aching for a way to take back control. After years of fighting and scratching to get ahead, she’s ready for a chance to make the “bad guys” lose. Jessa soon realizes, though, just how far she’s willing to go and how dangerous this game has become.

Once in the group, it’s impossible to get out. She has nowhere to turn except former friend Gabby Fielding who is investigating the mysterious death of her ex-husband. Aligned in their goal to take down the Foundation, Gabby and Jessa need each other but working together doesn’t mean they trust each other…or that either will survive to tell the truth.

This is the third book I have read of this author. I enjoyed reading Pretty Little Wife and so I almost read nearly all her books.

For the past few years, elite and wealthy men die with what happens to be suicide. Behind their deaths, a foundation is responsible for their deaths as these men had been involved in spousal abuses and the foundation believed in justice. It is an elite foundation and to be a member, you need to have a special invitation. Jessa Hall is an upcoming lawyer who gets one way ticket to join the foundation although she has second thoughts after joining the foundation. Gabby Fielding meanwhile suspect that her ex-husband Baines did not commit suicide and that a foul play maybe involved. Together, the two women try to uncover the secrets of the foundation.

Honestly, the first half of the book was actually interesting. It was actually a slow burn thriller but there is some pacing. Not many twists and turns but still, there is a flow to the story. However the second half of the book wasn’t good as the first half, which made me give a lower rating. However, I do like the premise of the book–revenge and seeking justice from the wealthy men is too good to be true! Overall, this is not really her best book but worth reading–worth three star.

Darby Kane is the pseudonym of HelenKay Dimon a former trial attorney and current award-winning romantic suspense author. A native of Pennsylvania, Darby now lives in California and runs from the cold. When she’s not writing she can be found watching suspense, thrillers, and mysteries.

One Italian Summer – Book Review

Title:- One Italian Summer

Author:- Rebecca Serle

Date published:- March 1st 2022

No. of pages:- 255 pages

Genre:- Holiday/Contemporary

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

When Katy’s mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn’t just Katy’s mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all the answers and now, when Katy needs her the most, she is gone. To make matters worse, their planned mother-daughter trip of a lifetime looms: two weeks in Positano, the magical town Carol spent the summer right before she met Katy’s father. Katy has been waiting years for Carol to take her, and now she is faced with embarking on the adventure alone.

But as soon as she steps foot on the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to feel her mother’s spirit. Buoyed by the stunning waters, beautiful cliffsides, delightful residents, and, of course, delectable food, Katy feels herself coming back to life.

And then Carol appears—in the flesh, healthy, sun-tanned, and thirty years old. Katy doesn’t understand what is happening, or how—all she can focus on is that she has somehow, impossibly, gotten her mother back. Over the course of one Italian summer, Katy gets to know Carol, not as her mother, but as the young woman before her. She is not exactly who Katy imagined she might be, however, and soon Katy must reconcile the mother who knew everything with the young woman who does not yet have a clue.

Katy Silver’s mother Carol dies from cancer and Katy is devastated at her death. Her mother has always been Katy’s best friend. Katy and her mother has been planning a trip to Italy and so Katy for the first time in her life decides to go on a solo trip to Italy to a small town called Positano. As Katy arrives, she feels her mother’s energy around the town and starts experiencing new things in her life.

This is a short romance story so for anyone who is looking for a quick read, then this book is perfect. I do like all the descriptions of Amalfi Coast, and Positano and Naples that makes me reader feel like I am in Italy with the main character Katy. I really like Katy’s strong close relationship with Carol, her mother. I like the concept the fact that Katy is transported back to the time when her mother was a young woman and carefree woman and that she gets to experience her mother’s life.

If you are looking for a emotional and loves a mother-daughter relationship set in beautiful coast of Italy, read this book. Overall worth 4 stars.

Rebecca Serle is the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years, The Dinner List, and the young adult novels The Edge of Falling and When You Were Mine. Serle also developed the hit TV adaptation Famous in Love, based on her YA series of the same name. She is a graduate of USC and The New School and lives in Los Angeles. Find out more at RebeccaSerle.com.

Nice Work Nora November – ARC Book Review

Title:- Nice Work Nora November

Author:- Julia London

Date published:- will be published today 4th June 2024

No. of pages:- 368 pages

Genre:- Women’s Fiction/Contemporary

Rating:-

Plot:- 3/5

Writing:- 3/5

Overall rating:- 3/5

After a near death experience, one woman creates her “reverse” bucket the things she wants to do after death.

Nora November was living life on autopilot before she nearly died in a surfing accident. When she recovers, she realizes how close she came to the end of her life and regrets that she let so many wishes and dreams go undone. There are reasons for that–a pressure-filled career working for her impossible-to-please father and chronic depression to name a few. But with a renewed sense of vigor, she sets out to do all the things she never did before she died. Her “reverse bucket list” includes ordinary aspirations like learning how to cook and cleaning out her late grandpa’s garden. But it also includes finding the man she was unexpectedly locked for hours with in a backroom while being held hostage in a corner store holdup . . . the one who got away.

From New York Times bestselling author Julia London comes an uplifting and heartwarming story of second chances and the power of finding out what makes life worth truly living.

Nora November had a near death experience. And when she comes back again alive, she realizes that she has been missing certain things in her life. Nora has been trying to please her stoic father by becoming a lawyer and working alongside him, while unknowingly she suffers from depression. But after her near death experiences- Nora decides to try on certain things which includes learning how to cook and then trying to revive her grandfather’s garden back.

This book was an interesting premise with an interesting plot. Nora clearly didn’t want to become a lawyer and that she only became one to satisfy her father. Nora soon turns her interest towards cooking and gardening. In other words, the book as a whole teaches us valuable lessons in general. There are trigger warnings in this book as it also talks about depression in general. Also there were emotional and heartbreaking parts in the story that will make you cry as Nora makes decisions to make her life more improved.

Overall, this is a good read and worth three stars.

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

Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon

Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe – ARC Book Review

Title:- Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe

Author:- Jennifer Page

Date published:- will be published on 7th June 2024

No. of pages:- 416 pages

Genre:- Romance

Rating:-

Plot:- 5/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4.5/5

The next warm and uplifting instalment in The Little Board Game Café series, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.

In the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, single mum Taylor dreams of a fashion design career, but she spends her days fixing zips, hemming skirts and worrying about her son, Max.

At the local board game cafe, railway enthusiast Harry, still recovering from a painful breakup, dreams of fatherhood. When Taylor and Harry cross paths, sparks fly, but Harry’s confidence issues and Taylor’s concerns for Max threaten their budding romance.

Can they find a second chance at love where they least expect it?

This is the third book of the Little Board Game cafe series and the story follows a woman named Taylor Sweet who dreams of becoming a fashion designer but currently does nothing but fixing zippers and worrying about her son Max.

I go an invitation to review this book and here are my thoughts.

I actually liked this one more than the first two book of the series. Taylor Sweet is a struggling single mom, who is struggling to meet the ends meet and I like how the author had made the character more realistic as possible. Then we also meet another character Harry who is a quiet person and who seemed to have had bad experiences with women. By chance Taylor accidentally cuts Henry’s jeans by six inches, leading her to upcycle the jeans and her sewing method had become so famous in the small town that orders of upcycling starts flooding towards Taylor, even though she is living in a cramped apartment. Henry meanwhile secretly falls in love with Taylor even though he was a little afraid of showing off his feelings. The story itself is beautifully written and although I am not much of a romance fan, this book was actually good. I enjoyed this book, I thought I really liked the chemistry between Harry and Taylor. I am wondering if there is going to be another book in the series and cannot wait to read the next one. Overall this book worth 4.5 stars.

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

Jennifer Page lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband Hermi and his very – no, make that extremely – large collection of board games. Her debut novel, The Little Board Game Cafe will be published on 13th April 2022. Jennifer writes light-hearted, cosy romantic fiction which was initially inspired by her own dating adventures. Before she met Hermi, she was single for 13 years and had pretty much given up on meeting The One.

When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games; since she met Hermi, she’s become even more obsessed with them than he is! She also loves cooking (though she’d never claim to be any good at it!), caravan holidays and walking in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

Top best 15 books so far this year

Half the year is gone-I have read a total of 72 books and out of 72 books, I have chosen 15 books that are best reads so far this year.

1.The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Worth all the hype

2. I have to Save Them – Ellie Midwood

Based on the true story, emotional and heartbreaking

3. The One – John Marrs

I simply couldn’t put this book down. I haven’t watched the Netflix series yet but I have a feeling that the book is better than the movie.

4. All Sinner Bleed – S.A. Cosby

Disturbing yet I couldn’t put the book–read within 48 hours

5. Caraval – Stephanie Gerber

Worth the hype in my opinion. Will be reading the next two books in the series soon.

6. The Family Experiment – John Marrs

Another John Marrs book which I enjoyed so much. Feels like watching a reality TV show when reading this book.

7. The Bodyguard – Katherine Center

Never thought I would enjoy this book–finished within two days.

8. Playing for Freedom – Zarifa Adiba

The non fiction book I read, which was emotional and heartbreaking to read.

9. Hide and Seek – Andrea Mara

Interesting and couldn’t put the book down.

10. The Stars are our Witness – Siobhan Curham

Another Holocaust story that was emotional and heartbreaking to read.

11. The Night Nanny – Nelle Lamar

So intense and couldn’t put down!

12. Murder Road – Simone St James

I actually enjoyed reading this, even though the Goodreads rating was not a satisfactory one.

13. The Only One Left – Riley Sager

Riley Sager is always auto buy for me and this book I couldn’t put this down.

14. Better than Movies – Lynn Painter

Usually not a fan of YA Romance but this book is an exception

15. The Family Trip – Daniel Hurst

Wow, I couldn’t put this book down–highly recommend this book.

Seven Days in June – Book Review

Title:- Seven Days in June

Author:- Tia Williams

Date published:- June 1st 2021

No. of pages:- 336 pages

Genre:- Romance/African American fiction/Contemporary

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

Brooklynite Eva Mercy is a single mom and bestselling erotica writer, who is feeling pressed from all sides. Shane Hall is a reclusive, enigmatic, award-winning literary author who, to everyone’s surprise, shows up in New York.

When Shane and Eva meet unexpectedly at a literary event, sparks fly, raising not only their past buried traumas, but the eyebrows of New York’s Black literati. What no one knows is that twenty years earlier, teenage Eva and Shane spent one crazy, torrid week madly in love. They may be pretending that everything is fine now, but they can’t deny their chemistry – or the fact that they’ve been secretly writing to each other in their books ever since.

Over the next seven days in the middle of a steamy Brooklyn summer, Eva and Shane reconnect, but Eva’s not sure how she can trust the man who broke her heart, and she needs to get him out of New York so that her life can return to normal. But before Shane disappears again, there are a few questions she needs answered…

With its keen observations of Black life and the condition of modern motherhood, as well as the consequences of motherless-ness, Seven Days in June is by turns humorous, warm and deeply sensual.

This book has been in my TBR for a very long time. Yeah like since last year. And finally I managed to finish reading this book! I heard so many raving reviews about this book and I was curious to see why this book has so much good ratings. And surprisingly it was actually really good.

Eve Mercy is a single mom, successful erotica writer. Shane Hall is a diligent English teacher and also another successful writer. The two meet at a literary festival by chance and instantly, they feel connected to each other again. Nearly a decade ago, Eve, then known as Genevieve and Shane befriended and nearly dated each other. But Shane left Eve without telling her and Eve had been feeling nothing but disappointed and angry towards Shane for leaving her. Now they have been reconnected and sparks start flying between the two.

I actually never thought I would like the story. I actually couldn’t put the book down. The chemistry between the two protagonists is sizzling and I actually like both Eve and Shane as they have gone through so much during their younger days (particularly Shane). The story is well written and beautifully written as on each day, we see both Shane and Eve connecting with each other story with little snippets o their past. The emotions and feelings between the characters are beautifully captured. This is the first time I am reading from this author and cannot wait to read more of her books.

I heard this book is going to be made into TV series soon and I cannot wait to watch the series. If you haven’t read this book yet, go ahead and get a copy. Overall this book is worth 4 stars.

Tia Williams began her career as a beauty editor for magazines including Elle, Glamour, Lucky, Teen People, and Essence. In 2004, she pioneered the beauty blog industry with her award-winning site, Shake Your Beauty – and published her debut novel, The Accidental Diva. She went on to pen two young adult novels: It Chicks, and Sixteen Candles. Her 2016 bestseller, The Perfect Find, is being adapted for a Netflix film starring Gabrielle Union – and her latest novel, Seven Days in June, debuts in June 2021. Tia is currently an Editorial Director at Estee Lauder Companies, and lives with her daughter and husband in Brooklyn.

Ask for Andrea – Book Review

Title:- Ask for Andrea

Author:- Noelle W. Ihli

Date published:- April 15th 2022

No. of pages:- 272 pages

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 5/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4.5/5

James Carson has gotten away with murder three times.

The only thing that might stop him from killing again? The three women he murdered.

He hunted them online, masquerading as an eligible bachelor. Then he played the perfect gentleman, a thick layer of charm and a thousand-watt smile hiding the fact that his first dates end in shallow graves.

What James doesn’t know is that his three victims have found each other. And that they’re coming for him.

Brecia, Meghan, and Skye might be dead, but they’re not gone. And they won’t rest until they find a way to keep him from killing again.

This is one of the unusual thrillers I have read.

A serial killer named James Carson targets women by registering himself in a matchmaking website. In three different states, under different aliases, he had met three girls–Meghan, Brecia and Skye. He had killed all these three girls in three different states and had gotten away. Now Meghan, Brecia and Skye had become ghosts, and is determined to stop him from getting away from murders and stop him from targeting more women.

This was actually well written in my opinion. The story is told in these three girls’ POV and each of these girls only have one goal–stop James Carson from killing more girls. To me, it was a bit emotional to read in these three victims’ point of view–you get to experience their feelings, emotions, and the fact that they are watching how their loved ones are suffering is too emotional and sad to leave. However, as I mentioned earlier, this was actually a unique read, as most of the time, serial killer thrillers are based on POVs of police people and not on victims’ POV so this was actually a good read.

I also liked the supernatural concept mixed in the thriller. It was page turning, engrossing and you as a reader feel routing for the victims to finally justice.

Overall, I liked this book and if you haven’t read this book yet, I suggest you try this book out. If you have read Lovely Bones, this was a bit like Lovely Bones. Worth four stars.

Noelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).

She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she’s scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).

The Greek Villa – ARC Book Review

Title:- The Greek Villa

Author:- Sue Roberts

Date published:- will be published on 3rd June 2024

No. of pages:- 302 pages

Publisher;- Bookouture

Genre:- Holiday/Romance

Rating:-

Plot:- 3/5

Writing:- 3/5

Overall rating:- 3/5

Is this villa in Greece a disastrous fixer-upper… or a dream come true for Claudia?

After receiving a life-changing inheritance from a beloved, quirky older relative, thirty-two-year-old Claudia has done something wild they would approve of – she’s bought a run-down villa in Greece! Though she’s never seen it in person, she’s sure that with a lick of paint, it will be everything she’s ever dreamed of…

But, arriving at her new home on the gorgeous Greek island of Corfu, Claudia is met with a shock. The cracks look more like chasms, plants are growing through the tiled floor, and the view of the sparkling blue sea would be perfect – if there was a window instead of a hole in the wall.

With the local villagers thinking she’s mad to take on the villa, Claudia panics she’s made the biggest mistake of her life. Until local builder Dimitri comes to her rescue… Between his caring nature, his rippling muscles and deep brown eyes, Claudia can’t believe she’s found her knight in shining armour. And they grow close over glasses of Greek wine beneath the stars, after long, hot days working on the villa.

But just when Claudia begins to see a future with Dimitri, his ex-girlfriend throws a spanner in the works. Though he reassures her that it’s over between them, Claudia starts to feel like he’s keeping secrets. Then a pipe bursts, flooding the villa, and all Claudia’s hopes are dashed at once…

Should Claudia call it quits and head back to her old life? Or is Dimitri hiding the perfect surprise, one that could help Claudia finally build her dream life in Greece?

I have read many of the Greek series written by Sue Roberts and some of them I have enjoyed reading. This book is slightly different from the rest of her Greek series.

Claudia receives and inheritance, she does something that is beyond crazy–buying a rundown villa in the small village in Greece. When she arrived only she realized her mistake and the villagers think that she was crazy enough to buy the house. But she meets Dmitri, who would help her with the renovations around the house and at the same time, Claudia was having second thoughts whether she made a mistake of buying the house or not.

The problem with all these Greek series is it basically follows the same storyline. Moving to Greece from UK, probably because of a breakup with your boyfriend or death of a relative, then meets a gorgeous Greek man, then of course it will be a happily ever after. For those who are interested in those types of romance stories, then this book will be perfect. Me on the other, even though I enjoyed her previous books, I felt the storyline was the same always though the plot was different. I knew what was going to happen next and also the end so it was predictable for me in certain ways. As a result, I feel this was an OK read to me. Worth only three stars.

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

Original Twin – ARC Book Review

Title- Original Twin

Author:- Paula Gleeson

Date published:- will be published on 1st June 2024

No. of pages:- 299 pages

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

A twisty crossover thriller that will have readers guessing right up until the end. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica, and Megan Abbott.

SHE’S ALWAYS BEEN SECOND BEST. NOW SHE’S THE ONLY ONE LEFT.

Twin sisters May and June couldn’t be more different. May is quiet, self-conscious, withdrawn; June is boisterous, beautiful, magnetic…and missing.

It’s been a year since June disappeared, a year of May waiting for her to turn up with an explanation of where she’s been and why she left. But with the discovery of an old newspaper article comes a secret: Their mother once vanished, too, on the same date when she was nineteen years old.

Just like June.

This was no coincidence. June was investigating this buried family mystery, and she left May a series of clues to pick up where she left off. Now, if May wants to find June, she’ll have to retrace her footsteps through their mother’s past.

The more answers she digs up, the more questions May has. And the biggest one of all: When her sister’s trail of breadcrumbs runs out, what will she find?

It’s been nearly a year since May’s twin sister June disappeared. May wanted to know the real reason why June upped and left. When May discovers a newspaper article, she was shocked to find that her mother, who at that time was a college student went missing before she was finally found. June had been investigating about their mother’s mysterious disappearance and the possibility that the abductor might be their biological father. May then begin to trace June’s footsteps and to uncover the hidden secret behind the abduction of their mother and the sudden disappearance of June.

This was a page turning twisty thriller. The letters written by June to her mother was actually interesting to read. Though the story is mainly told in Mays POV, there are snippets of their mother’s POV as well as June’s letters. The book actually started out great and this was a thriller that I actually couldn’t put the book down. Not only that–the whole story itself was actually very unpredictable that you actually have no idea how this story will end. Despite the interesting start, the numerous twists and turns and an unpredictable storyline, I thought I didn’t like the ending very much. Despite that, although this is a debut thriller, I actually enjoyed this thriller and would recommend this page turning thriller. Overall this is worth 4 stars.

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

Paula writes mysteries and thrillers for all ages, usually with multiple twists and complicated females at the helm. She is an award-winning filmmaker and nominated non-fiction writer. She lives just outside of Melbourne, Australia and is often found in her pj’s, drinking tea (wine), and watching horror movies snuggled between her doggo and a big cheese pizza. Her debut thriller, ORIGINAL TWIN, releases 1 June 2024.