A new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after.
For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings… until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game ― and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy.
I enjoyed Caraval series although I am still yet to read the last book of the Caraval series. Once Upon a Broken Heart follows right after Finale in the Caraval series and this time, we see Evangeline Fox as the main character.
Evangeline Fox is heartbroken–her boyfriend Luc is going to get married to her stepsister Marisol . She makes a deal with a Fate named Jack known as the Prince of Hearts and whose kiss will be fatal to many. And just like that her life changes drastically to the point when she was going to get married to a Prince named Prince Appollo and at the same time Evangeline Fox must work with Jacks even though they couldn’t stand each other.
I actually did enjoy reading this book. It was twisty and I actually liked the chemistry between Jack and Evangeline even though they cannot stand each other. The only flaw in Evangeline’s character is she tend to be naive at some situations but other than that, the story as a whole was great and unputdownable. I enjoyed reading this book and couldn’t wait to read the next book in the series. Is it better than Caraval? I think in my opinion Caraval is better but I liked the book. Overall worth 4 stars.
Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are searching for the house of their dreams.
But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace four years earlier, a violent winter storm traps them at the estate… with no chance of escape until the blizzard comes to an end.
In search of a book to keep her entertained until the snow abates, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr. Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance.
Tricia plays the tapes one by one, late into the night. With each one, another shocking piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Dr. Adrienne Hale’s web of lies slowly unravels.
And then Tricia reaches the final cassette.
The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth
This might be my 6th (or 7th I lost track) Freida McFadden book I have read and my target is to read as much Freida McFadden books as possible so I can rate which books are her best and worst!
Never Lie follows the story of the newlyweds Tricia and Ethan who drives through in the middle of the storm for a house viewing. They get stuck in the storm and they then start spending the night at the house they have been viewing. Tricia was having bad feelings about the house–she found a light flashing on the second flood, even though both she and Ethan checked every room of the house, not to mention the food in the refrigerator. The house belonged to a psychiatrist named Adrienne Hale, who mysteriously disappeared three years ago and Dr. Hale’s boyfriend Luke was the main suspect. Then Tricia discovers a secret room filled with tapes of Dr. Hale’s sessions. As soon as she starts listening to the tapes, she realized the worst mistake…not to mention that there might be someone in the house.
The story was fast paced and a page turner. But despite that, I thought this wasn’t as great as her other books but it wasn’t bad either. The story is told in the POVs of Tricia and Adrienne and you can see that both the characters are kind on unreliable. No to mention the fact that you feel a horror element in the background of this book. However, the ending is the one that got me. The ending was so twisted and unexpected that I literally had to take a breather!
I will soon be doing a blog post on which Freida McFadden’s books are the best, so stay tuned!
A wronged wife goes toe to toe with her cheating husband at the polls in this hilarious and heart-lifting novel by the bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write.
It’s a doozy of a bad day for Beverly Diamond when she catches her husband, Larry, in a compromising position with his secretary. What’s a DC suburban wife to do with a soon-to-be ex, two young kids, and no degree or financial support in 1962? Beat the louse at his own game, that’s what.
Larry runs the Maryland senatorial campaign for the incumbent candidate projected to win against his younger underdog opponent, Michael Landau. But Beverly has the pluck, political savvy, and sheer drive to push Landau’s campaign in a successful new direction, even if he already has a campaign manager who is less than pleased she has inserted herself into the race.
Now it’s rival against rival. She and Michael do make a great team…maybe in more ways than one. But with the election heating up, she needs to focus on one thing at a time. If Bev can convince Michael to go modern, pay attention to women’s issues, and learn how to dress himself properly, maybe she can show Larry exactly how much he has underestimated her their entire marriage—and make her own dreams come true in the process.
Beverly Diamond’s life changes when she finds her husband Larry cheating behind her back. Beverly has two children, no degree and she knows that her husband is going to divorce her soon. So in order to support herself, she enrolls to support Michael Landau, a young and upcoming politician who is running against her ex-husband. Beverly with her experience in politics starts using her knowledge to help Michael with his own campaign that will hopefully beat her ex- husband’s campaign.
I love Sara Goodman Confino’s book and I was excited to get my hands on this book. If you are into women empowerment, 1960’s setting, and the era when women hardly got into politics, then this book is one for you. Beverly is a very likable character and I like her overall courage and enthusiasm and her hardworking attitude to help Michael win the election. Not only that, I also like her relationship with her own mother and I like how the whole novel is based on how behind every good man there is a woman who will support you no matter what.
Overall this book worth 4.5 stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
Sara Goodman Confino teaches high school English and journalism in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and miniature schnauzers, Sandy and Gracie. When she’s not writing or working out, she can be found on the beach or at a Bruce Springsteen show, sometimes even dancing onstage. For more information visit http://www.saraconfino.com.
At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind–she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.
After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa’s new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.
And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while, Vasilisa’s stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for either marriage or confinement in a convent.
As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed–this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse’s most frightening tales.
This book has been in TBR list for a long time and when I got the hands on the all three books of the Winternight Trilogy.
This book overall is beautifully and poetically written. The book takes us to Russia in the 13th or 14th century setting with a fantasy setting as the background. The story follows a girl named Vasilisa who lives in the edge of the Russian wilderness and loves hearing the stories from her nurse about the frost demon who the everyone fears. Pytor, Vasilisa’s father goes to Moscow to look for a bride after the death of Vasilisa’s mother. When he brings the new bride and a new father, things in their small village starts changing. Vasilisa must protect her village and her family before it is late.
As I mentioned earlier, the story is well written and I could picture what Russia was like in the 13th and 14th century. I like how the author uses certain Russian words which I learned. Vasilisa is a very likable character and brave young girl. This book feels like an enchanting fairy tale story. I finished the first book and couldn’t wait to read the next one.
Overall this book worth 4 stars.
A note to everyone who trips and falls upon my Goodreads page. First, welcome. Let us read and discuss all the books together. I review books I’ve read, everything gets five stars, if I didn’t like it I don’t put it up.
Second, Goodreads is wondrous, but contacting me through my Goodreads DMs is a good way to ensure a long wait for a reply. Your best bet is Twitter or Instagram (arden_katherine) on both.
Happy reading.
Born in Texas, Katherine studied French and Russian at Middlebury College. She has lived abroad in France and in Moscow, among other places. She has also lived in Hawaii, where she wrote much of The Bear and the Nightingale. She currently lives in Vermont.
New York Times bestselling author and the Queen of Slow Burn Romance Mariana Zapata’s fan favorite All Rhodes Lead Here, a story about finding love when you least expect it—now with new exclusive content!
The people we lose take a part of us with them…but they leave a part of themselves with us too.
Aurora De La Torre, or Ora to her friends, knows moving back to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a place that was once home and is now full of bittersweet memories of her late mother, isn’t going to be easy. Starting your whole life over probably isn’t supposed to be.
But after breaking up with her longtime famous musician boyfriend, hiding out in a small town in the mountains might be the perfect remedy for a broken heart. And checking out her landlord who lives across the driveway just might cure it, too.
Only Tobias Rhodes didn’t rent out the apartment to her, rather it was his teenage son, Amos. Fiercely protective of his family and distrusting of strangers, gruff and grumpy Rhodes initially keeps little miss sunshine Ora at a distance. But over days and weeks, long hikes and fireside chats, Aurora breaks down his walls and soon an unbreakable friendship blossoms into a once-in-a-lifetime love.
I did not expect this book to be really good and I was surprised that it was actually good and unputdownable!
Aurora De La Torre has broken up with her super famous boyfriend and returned to her childhood hometown, Pagasa Falls in Colorado where she has fond memories of her own mother who disappeared while she was hiking many years ago. Her main goal is to reset her life. Aurora meets the broody and handsome Tobias Rhodes and his son Amos. At first, Tobias didn’t really welcome Aurora. But as Aurora starts getting used to her new life in the small town, she and Tobias who is known as Rhodes also start to get along as well.
This is not really a typical romance novel–it was emotional, heartbreaking and a tear-jerker book. Not to mention the fact that Aurora wants to carry out all the hikes taken by her own mother and revisit those days. I also like the friendship Aurora has with everyone in the town, including how Rhodes always seem to be there for her whenever she gets into trouble. The story is a page turner, well written and there were both the funny parts as well as those emotional moments where you want to cry. Overall, the writing in general is great- quiet moving and touching. Not to mention, in this book, I like all the characters, my favorite of course is Rhodes!
The only issue I had with this book was I felt it was a bit too long, but that was the only negative thing I found in the book. Otherwise, this is an engaging and emotional roller-coaster ride and you certainly wouldn’t want to put this book down. Overall, the book worth 4.5 star rating!
Mariana is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Amazon best-selling author and reached #7 on Amazon’s Author Ranking in 2016. Her book The Wall of Winnipeg and Me was a #1 Amazon Overall Best Seller, and was chosen as a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award nominee and also included on Amazon’s Best Books of 2016 for Romance. Wait for It reached #2 on the Amazon Overall Best Seller list and stayed in the top 100 for six weeks; it was chosen as a 2017 Goodreads Choice Award nominee in the Romance category. Dear Aaron was a top 10 Amazon Overall Best Seller and stayed in the top 100 for six weeks. From Lukov with Love was a top 10 Amazon Overall Best Seller and a finalist in the romance category for the 2018 Goodreads Choice Awards. Luna and the Lie became a #1 Amazon Overall Best Seller. The Best Thing was a top 10 Amazon Overall Best Seller and a 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards nominee in romance. Her latest novel, Hands Down, was also a top 10 Amazon Overall Best Seller.
Mariana Zapata began writing love stories soon after she learned how to spell. She probably shouldn’t admit that she started sneaking romance novels from her aunt’s bookshelves way before she was old enough to even understand what it meant when a man flipped up a woman’s skirt. (Don’t tell her mom.)
Mariana is a native Texan living in a small town in Colorado with her husband and two beloved (and emotionally manipulative) Great Danes, Dorian and Kaiser. When she’s not pretending to write, she’s reading. You can usually find her burning somewhat edible experiments in the kitchen or cracking jokes at the expense of her family members.
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Only a few months ago, my life was simple. I spent most of my time caring for patients in brightly lit hospital wards. Then I’d pick up my son from kindergarten before cooking a meal for my husband. I’d drink in every precious moment with them. Now everything has changed…
I don’t recognise the woman I’ve become. I’m a liar. Nurses are supposed to save lives. Instead, I helped to take one.
I did it to protect my family. No one can find out what I’ve done because I’d lose everything: my marriage, my gorgeous baby boy – even my life.
Then one day I step through the front door to find a woman with long, blonde hair and perfect white teeth in my family home. My heart pounds in my chest. We used to work at the same hospital. She’s the only one who knows my biggest secret and my darkest lie.
It’s clear she’s back for revenge. But she’s underestimated me. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my loved ones safe.
It’s time to finish what I started.
It’s my life or hers…
From the number one bestselling author of The Doctor’s Wife, this intense, nail-biting psychological thriller will have you gasping in shock! Perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, Freida McFadden and John Marrs.
The Nurse’s Lie the second book of the Perfect Nurse series and follows the story after Darcy leaves Chicago and moves to Florida to start a new life.
In Florida, Darcy is a nurse to a man named Joe and her boss is Joe’s son Parker. Darcy is still suffering from amnesia and she has a notebook that will tell her some things written by her sister Pippa–never return back to Chicago and never turn on the news. One day, Darcy’s notebook goes missing and Darcy wondered why her sister was insistent that she never watches the news…until she actually watched the news. Meanwhile back in Chicago, Pip is trying to forget about the past about the fact that Darcy killed Laurence and that she helped Darcy to bury the body. Now Eden returns and asks Pip to tell the truth but Pip kills her. What is going to happen next?
I didn’t like this book as I thought I would. The first book is really interesting but the second book I felt like I was watching some unrealistic thriller show. However, the pacing was great and the story itself was a page turner. The story is told in the POVs of both Darcy and Pippa as they try to get away from whatever the crimes they have committed. The ending was a cliffhanger and quiet unexpected.
This book worth 3 stars overall–it wasn’t that great but if there is a third book of the series, I will be curious to read what is going to happen next.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
Date published:- will be published on 29th July 2024
No. of pages:- 336 pages
Genre:- Psychological Thriller
Rating:-
Plot:- 4/5
Writing:- 5/5
Overall rating:- 4.5/5
My life should be perfect. But my stepdaughter wants to destroy it all…
Standing in my bathroom, the luxurious marble tiles cool under my feet, I stare at the test in my trembling hand. The second line is unmistakable: I’m pregnant.
This is all my husband Theo and I have ever wanted, but I didn’t think it was possible. I should be excited, but all I can think about is telling my stepdaughter.
Because Ellie’s always hated me, ever since she realised it was no longer just her and Theo. Now she’s seventeen, beautiful and smart – smart enough to see through me. And if Ellie decided to uncover my secrets, it wouldn’t be just my marriage at stake… it would be my life.
But I’ve been so careful burying my past. There’s no way she could learn the truth. I know stress isn’t good for the baby, so I force myself to relax.
Until one day I find a packet of tablets tucked inside Ellie’s bag. My head spins – she’s made it clear she wants me gone but I never imagined she would try to harm my baby. I know I can’t tell Theo. She would only deny it to her beloved daddy, fluttering her lashes like she always does.
My beautiful home has become a prison, my husband feels like a stranger. But all I know is that this precious life inside me is more than I deserve – and there’s nothing I won’t do to protect it…
An absolutely gripping and page-turning psychological thriller that will keep you reading late into the night! Perfect for fans of Daniel Hurst, Shari Lapena and T.M. Logan.
The Stepdaughter-s Lie is a page turning psychological thriller that will keep you up all night.
Rowan is the stepmother of Ellie. Ellie couldn’t really stand Rowan and is determined to expose whatever secrets that Rowan seemed to be hiding. Rowan who is pregnant with Theo’s child didn’t want anyone to find a secret about herself that she has buried long time ago.
This is actually an easy read and I couldn’t really put this book down as I want to know what is going to happen in the end. The story is told in the POVs of both Ellie and Rowan so as a reader you know that both the characters are unreliable which makes the story more intriguing. The writing is really great and there were some twists and turns along the way. The ending was completely unexpected and a shocking ending.
If you are looking for a thriller that is a page turner, then check out The Stepdaughter’s Lie. Overall it’s worth 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion.
Teri has lived in France, Canada, Australia and England at more addresses than she can count, acquiring three degrees, a selection of passports and a silly name along the way. Past careers have included scientist, lawyer, optometrist, and, in England, various jobs in schools, libraries and an audiobook charity. The footpaths and canal ways of the Buckinghamshire Chilterns where she now lives inspired much of the setting of Slated. She hates broccoli, likes cats, and has finally worked out what she wants to do when she grows up.
She’s been driving him wild for years . . . the good kind of wild.
The kind of wild that comes with wanting your best friend’s little sister and knowing you can’t have her.
Forbes may have labeled Ford Grant the World’s Hottest Billionaire, but all he cares about is escaping the press and opening a recording studio in gorgeous small town Rose Hill. Something that comes to a screeching halt when he ends up face-to-face with a young girl who claims he’s her biological father. Now, he spends his days balancing business with parenting a sullen twelve-year-old, all while trying desperately to keep his hands the hell off his best friend’s sister, Rosie Belmont.
After living in the city, Rosie came blasting back into town like a storm. Beautiful, messy, and chaotic. And one wide-eyed, desperate plea for a job is all it takes for Ford to hire her. He vows to keep her at arm’s length. Tries to stick to scowls and grumpy one-liners. But with her, verbal sparring is a type of foreplay―friction that soon turns to blistering heat.
Ford knows damn well he shouldn’t cross this line. But shouldn’t and can’t are two very different things.
And the only thing he truly can’t do is resist her.
This is the first time I am reading Elsie Silver’s books and I have to say, I am not disappointed.
Ford Grant is a billionaire and owns his music studio up in the countryside in Canada. Meanwhile, Rosalie returns back home from Vancouver after an incident at her office. Rosalie is the sister of Ford’s best friend West and ever since they have known each other Ford and Rosalie hated each other yet Ford was always there for Rosalie whenever she gets into trouble. Rosalie then starts working as Ford’s assistant but they realize that they have feelings for each other.
Like Done and Dusted, the story is written in Rosalie’s and Ford’s POV. It’s interesting that Ford has fathered a twelve-year-old girl named Cora who came looking for him. Cora is a likable character in the book although she acted more like a sixteen year old than a twelve-year-old. I also like the family dynamics in the book, and also I felt there is a strong chemistry between Rosalie and Ford in general. Again, the smut scenes were found much later in the book but overall I actually shipped for the country and really liked the book. The book was well written and you have a sense of feeling living in the countryside of Canada. Overall this book is worth 4.25 stars!
Canadian author who loves a good book boyfriend and the sassy heroines who bring them to their knees. Connoisseur of charged looks and lingering touches. Big fan of witty banter. Horse girl through and through. Fully convinced that it’s always wine o’clock somewhere.
She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules.
For the first time in her life, Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has no idea what she’s doing. She’s accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape.
Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It’s been years since he’s seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can’t take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her.
Emmy’s got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend’s younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?
Clementine “Emmy” Ryder is off limits for Luke Brooks. First, she is the sister of his best friend Gus. And Luke is a notorious womanizer and so there is no way he could win Emmy’s heart. Yet whenever he sees Emmy, he feels like he and Emmy are destine together. Meanwhile, Emmy left the small town of Meadowlark Wyoming to compete but an accident made her return back her hometown. Emmy cannot stand Luke but soon she finds herself falling in love with him.
This was actually a well written book. The story is told in Emmy’s and Luke’s POV and so we get to know the main character’s thoughts and feelings towards each other. The whole book felt like you were actually in the countryside that you are away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The characters are all likable and I cannot help but feel like I really like reading about cowboys! Of course there were smut scenes but nonetheless, I actually enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the next two books of the series, featuring Emmy’s brothers Wes and Gus.
Oh also I like Emmy’s best friend Teddy and really like her relationship with her family and friends–it was all wholesome.
Overall this book is worth 4.35 stars.
Lyla Sage lives in the Wild West with her loyal companion, a sweet, old, blind rescue pitbull. She writes romance that feels like her favorite things: sunshine and big blue skies. She is also the author of Done and Dusted. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.
Date published:- will be published on July 22nd 2024
Publisher:- Bookouture
No. of pages:- 340 pages
Genre:- Romance
Rating:-
Writing:- 3/5
Plot:- 2/5
Overall rating:- 2.5/5
Hate at first sight. Love at long last?
Moira and Frank are the perfect enemies. At forty-two, newly single Moira’s life is a mess. And now – thanks to their barely-adult children supposedly falling in love – she’s been thrown together with the incredibly rich, incredibly attractive, incredibly arrogantFrank as they agree on a to split up their impulsive kids.
Moira and Frank just need to show how they’re too young to be so serious about a relationship. It’s a fool-proof plan. That is, until their frustrated kids decide to elope. To Greece. Without inviting their parents…
Chasing after them, Frank and Moira frantically search every cobbled street and sparkling beach. It would actually be the perfect setting for Moira to fall in love – if only she didn’t find her present company so irritating.
But days spent competing on jet skis and stubbornly sitting on separate taverna tables, followed by unexpected nights in steamy hot tubs, lead to an undeniable chemistry neither of them can ignore – as hard as they might try…
Will Moira and Frank find their love-drunk offspring in time to speak some sense into them and finally go their separate ways? Or has their unexpected trip brought them together for the second chance at love they didn’t even know they needed…?
A sizzling, hilarious, heartfelt enemies-to-lovers story that will make you both laugh out loud and swoon hard for this second chance at love… Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Catherine Walsh and Annabel Monaghan’s Nora Goes Off Script.
Moira and Frank hated each other at the first sight. Moira’s daughter Harriet is dating Frank’s son Aiden. Moira is having troubles with her own marriage while Frank is a successful author. When their children decided to elope, the two suddenly start working together to stop their children from marrying, even travelling all the way to Greece so they could stop their children’s wedding.
The plot itself is interesting but overall, I didn’t find this book really appealing as I thought it would be. Nearly each and everyone of the characters are all unlikable, particularly Frank who seemed to be really egoistic. The story kind of got a little boring and bland with no direction as to where the story is actually going in my opinion. The banter between Moira and Frank seemed childish at most. It wasn’t a great rom com novel but more like an over hyped romance book. However, the ending was a bit OK compared to the rest of the book.
I didn’t enjoy this book at all, even though I managed to finish the book really quick. Overall this book is worth 2.5 stars.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
I am the Kindle #1 and Amazon Charts bestselling author of After You left, The Secrets of Married Women, The Last Time We Met, Send Me A Lover. and The Shadow Between Us. My brand new novel, LITTLE WHITE SECRETS, publishes May 1, 2020 but for the month of April it’s an Amazon First Reads pick, so if you have Amazon Prime you can download it free! (if not, it’s still on sale for $1.99 through April).
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Wishing you many happy hours of reading! Best wishes, from Carol.