Tropical Girl Reads

Bone Lake – Arc Book Review (Nikki Hunt Series)

Title:- Bone Lake (Agent Nikki Hunt Series Book 8)

Author:- Stacy Green

Date published:- will be published on 18th December 2023

Publisher:- Bookouture

No. of pages:- 296 pages

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 5/5

Writing:- 5/5

Overall rating:- 5/5

Broken flowers drift on the foggy surface of the water. All is quiet, until the squad of police cruisers race up to the grand house that stands alone on the lakeside. Two girls lie inside, their bodies broken and still forever…

When Special Agent Nikki Hunt is called to a home on Bone Lake, she is devastated to find blood all over the floor and two young women who clearly fought for their lives. But the viciousness of the scene isn’t the only thing that strikes Nikki. The house was the scene of another murder twenty years ago. The killer was never caught. Is this a terrible coincidence, or have they struck again?

Nikki’s team quickly identify the girls from their belongings in the bedrooms upstairs. They had a party the night they were killed, and Nikki realizes that one attendee, their friend Alexia , is missing…

Desperate to find Alexia, Nikki soon discovers that the only survivor of the original massacre, Matt Kline, still owns the house. She is instantly suspicious of him. But he claims he rents it out and hasn’t been there for years, and as Nikki looks into his dark eyes she sees her own terrible past.

With time running out, Nikki and her team dig into Alexia’s life, and find out she was fascinated with the original Bone Lake case. Amongst her things, they find notebook after notebook about serial killers. Then Nikki is shocked to learn that Alexia was having a relationship with Matt. Has Nikki make a terrible mistake trusting a fellow survivor? And can she get the truth out of him, and find Alexia alive, before it’s too late?

You’ll be glued to the pages of this heart-racing new thriller in the Nikki Hunt series. Fans of Lisa Regan, Mary Burton and Kendra Elliot will be gripped by the twists in this incredible read.

Agent Nikki Hunt is back with another case, that may be related to a cold case that happened in 2001.

In 2001, eight-year-old Matt witnessed his parents and his sister Amy getting murdered by a masked man wearing in black. Present day, two girls were brutally murdered and one of the girls Alexia is missing. Alexia was making a documentary about the murder that happened in 2001. With time running out and determined to find Alexia before it was too late, Nikki and her partner Liam must find the person who was responsible for the murders in 2001 and they believed it could be the same person.

This was a fast paced thriller. There were many twists and turns along the way although I kind of expected the ending and I also suspected by the middle of the book, who might be the real murderer. Nevertheless, that did not lower my rating as the author has once again managed to make the reader feel like they are on the edge of the story and this thriller like all her Nikki Hunt series are unputdownable with so much action going on in the series. You could read as a standalone novel but then I highly recommend to read this series starting from Book 1

Overall, this book worth five stars!

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

Stacy Green is the author of the Lucy Kendall thriller series and the Delta Crossroads mystery trilogy. ALL GOOD DEEDS (Lucy Kendall #1) won a bronze medal for mystery and thriller at the 2015 IPPY Awards. TIN GOD (Delta Crossroads #1) was runner-up for best mystery/thriller at the 2013 Kindle Book Awards.

Stacy has a love of thrillers and crime fiction, and she is always looking for the next dark and twisted novel to enjoy. She started her career in journalism before becoming a stay at home mother and rediscovering her love of writing. She lives in Iowa with her husband and daughter and their three spoiled fur babies.

She is currently working on a new crime fiction series and is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo, Helin and Fountain Literary Management for literary and dramatic rights.

Website: stacygreenauthor.com
Facebook www.Facebook.com/StacyGreenAuthor
Twitter: @StacyGreen26

The Collective – Book Review

Title:- The Collective

Author:- Alison Gaylin

Date published:- November 2nd 2021

No. of pages:- 338

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

The USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author of Never Look Back and If I Die Tonight plumbs the dark side of justice and the depths of diabolical revenge in this propulsive novel of psychological suspense that melds the driving narrative of Then She Was Gone with the breathtaking twists of The Chain and the violent fury of Kill Bill.

Just how far will a grieving mother go to right a tragic wrong?

Camille Gardner is a grieving—and angry—mother who, five years after her daughter’s death, is still obsessed with the privileged young man she believes to be responsible.

When her rash actions attract the attention of a secret group of women—the collective—Camille is drawn into a dark web where these mothers share their wildly different stories of loss as well as their desire for justice in a world where privilege denies accountability and perpetrators emerge unscathed. Fueled by mutual rage, these women orchestrate their own brand of justice through precise, anonymous, complexly plotted and perfectly executed revenge killings, with individual members completing a specific and integral task in each plan.

As Camille struggles to comprehend whether this is a role-playing exercise or terrifying reality, she must decide if these women are truly avenging angels or monsters. Becoming more deeply enmeshed in the group, Camille learns truths about the collective—and about herself—that she may not be able to survive.

Camille is still going through grief at the death of her daughter. She knows that Blanchard’s son is responsible for her daughter’s murder and rape and she is trying to cope with the death of her daughter. Then one day, a woman give her an information to join a group of grieving mothers, whose children were murdered but the perpetrators got away with the crime. At first, it was a chat room, where the women talked about their grief. However, it becomes clear to Camillie that this was more than just a chat room but an assignment to take justice into their hands…

This story and plot line in my opinion was unique. You could actually feel Camille’s grief as she is still dealing with her daughter’s death and the fact that most of Camille’s friends think that Camille needed help. I also like how the women do not know the main leader of the group as she is known as 0001. Each of these women are known as their username. There were some twists and turns, and the book was actually fast paced and a page turner. What got me later into the story was the unexpected ending–I actually did not really expect that kind of ending at all!

I do understand the grief that all these mothers are going through–while their killers are roaming freely around, the mothers are the ones who are still suffering. So it is realistic in some way. It was riveting and truly terrifying as these women take matters into their hands, probably breaking many laws in order to bring justice and give closure. I actually couldn’t put the book down and have to say, this is a page turner.

Overall this book worth four stars!

USA Today and international bestselling author Alison Gaylin has won the Edgar and Shamus awards, and has been nominated for many more, including the L.A. Times Book Prize, the ITW Thriller, the Strand Book Award, the Anthony and the Macavity. She is currently at work on her 14th novel.

Misery – Book Review

Title:- Misery

Author:- Stephen King

Date published:- June 8th 1987

No. of pages:- 369 pages

Genre:- Horror/Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

One of the true classics of psychological suspense, about a writer and his No. 1 fan, now with a stunning new cover look.

Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now he’s writing to stay alive.

Misery Chastain is dead. Paul Sheldon has just killed her – with relief, with joy. Misery made him rich; she was the heroine of a string of bestsellers. And now he wants to get on to some real writing.

That’s when the car accident happens, and he wakes up splinted and in pain, in the remote mountain home of his rescuer, Annie Wilkes.

The good news is that Annie was a nurse and has pain-killing drugs. The bad news is that she has long been Paul’s Number One Fan. And when she finds out what Paul has done to Misery, she doesn’t like it. She doesn’t like it at all . . .

This is the first Stephen King book I have read.

And probably the most disturbing book I have read as well.

Paul Sheldon is a famous writer. He gets into a car accident and then becomes unconscious. When he wakes up, he finds himself on a bed, cuffed, his legs badly injured and realizes that a deranged woman named Annie Wilkies had actually kidnapped/saved him from the crash. She would treat him but on one condition–he had to bring Misery back to life.

Paul Sheldon’s novels involve a character named Misery which was very popular and he killed off the character so he can focus on a newer thing. But Annie, who is his number one fan is not satisfied and so she brings him a typewriter and forces him to write a book where Misery comes back to live. And Paul must write the book in order to survive.

This was actually an interesting but also disturbing as well. Annie is the perfect psychopath that you certainly don’t want to get wrong foot with. It’s also disturbing at Paul suffering with his injuries, to the part where Annie actually beats him up almost if she is not satisfied with what he has written. This was fast paced, and I also enjoyed reading excerpts from the novel that he is working on for Annie Wilkies. I really felt like I was watching a horror movie while reading this book. I can actually understand why Stephen King is one of the famous horror writers and I have watched movies based on his novels and so after reading Misery, I am more than excited to read more of his books.

Is this book worth reading? If you are into gore, and horror stuff, then Misery will be perfect as it is set in the backdrop of snowy Colorado. Overall worth four stars.

Stephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father’s family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen’s grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.

Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.

He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men’s magazines.

Stephen made his first professional short story sale (“The Glass Floor”) to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men’s magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.

In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.

Out of Sight (Mackenzie Price Book 6) Arc Book Review

Title:- Out of Sight (Detective Mackenzie Price series Book 6)

Author:- Ruhi Choudhary

Date published:- will be published on 11th December 2023

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 5/5

Writing:- 5/5

Overall rating:- 5/5

The woman’s body was propped against the rough bark of the tree. Traces of dried blood streaked her pallid face like brushstrokes. There was a horrifying void in her face where her left eye should have been.

When a young woman is found murdered in the woods, Detective Mackenzie Price and her partner Nick Blackwood are first on the scene. The harrowing discovery leaves them both breathless—the victim’s left eye has been removed. Mackenzie identifies the victim as Whitney Smythe , a lost soul with troubled past, and makes another shocking discovery—Whitney recently gave birth.

Reeling from the scene, Mackenzie and her team soon discover that this case is very similar to a murder that happened thirty years ago. But the killer was captured and died behind bars, so how can the two murders possibly be connected?

When a second body washes ashore with her left eye missing, Mackenzie is certain— there’s a serial killer on the loose and she has to stop them before they pick their next victim.

Mackenzie soon discovers that both victims were connected to a commune just outside of town, a breakthrough that changes the whole course of the investigation. But every step Mackenzie takes towards discovering who the sadistic serial killer is puts her closer to mortal danger. Because someone close to her has a personal connection to the case—and they’re not telling the truth…

A completely gripping and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat flipping the pages deep into the night. Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Karin Slaughter and Robert Dugoni.

Mackenzie Price is back with another case to solve!

A body of a girl was found deep in the woods but her left eye is gouged out. The case is eerily similar to another case that happened nearly thirty years ago when Sully, Mackenzie’s sergeant was a rookie cop but the killer is already caught and is behind the bars. Mackenzie and Nick then take over the case, wondering if there are any similarities between the previous case and this case. However, when another body of a woman was found, in the similar fashion, both Mackenzie and Nick find that both women are from a place called The Farm, a cult place where they breed the babies and give away. Mackenzie must find the killer before he or she attacks again.

This was actually a fast-paced thriller, unputdownable and a page turner. There were so many twists and turns and many of them are unexpected twists and turns. The story starts with the scene where Mackenzie was arrested and so as a reader you are wondering what is going to happen to Mackenzie as you read on through the book. The book is also well written and gripping and I like the fact that the author made the reader feel like they are a part of the story. Overall, this book completely worth four stars.

This is the sixth book of the Mackenzie Price series and so if you want to read this book, it is highly recommended to read from Book 1 onwards as some of Mackenzie’s past is often unraveled in the book.

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

Christmas Book Review – In a Holidaze

Title:- In A Holidaze

Author:- Christina Lauren

Date published:- October 6th 2020

No. of pages:- 307 pages

Genre:- Romance/Holiday

Rating:-

Plot:- 3/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 3.5/5

One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

This might probably be my fifth or sixth Christina Lauren book but this book is based on the Christmas season–and since I am on a mission to read as much Christmas books as possible this month, I decided to read this book.

Maelyn Jones are spending Christmas with her parents, her brother and their friends including the brothers Andrew and Theo. However soon, Maelyn finds herself in some sort of a time loop–the events leading to the Christmas seem to be repeating again and again. Maelyn must discover her true love to stop the time loop from happening again and again.

This book is short and so it is actually a quick read. But I felt that this book wasn’t as great as her previous books. Although I really liked the setting of the book as this book gives you an air of Christmas feelings, the book mainly talks about Maelyn’s feelings towards Andrew as well towards his brother Theo. Although the pacing of the whole story as a whole was great, nevertheless, I did enjoy this book although this book wasn’t one of their best books in my opinion. Worth 3.5 stars.

The Cold Case – ARC Book Review

Title:- The Cold Case

Author:- Will Shindler

Date published:- will be published on 7th December 2023

No. of pages;- 371 pages

Publisher:- Hodder and Stoughton

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 5/5

Writing:- 5/5

Overall rating:- 5/5

The brand-new gripping thriller in Will Shindler’s acclaimed DI Alex Finn series – available to pre-order now!Years ago someone got away with murder… But time’s up. 2009 During a summer heatwave, teenagers are going missing. Junior officer Alex Finn takes the case and fears that the disappearances are linked. In a race against the clock to find and rescue the children alive, Finn and his team are only partially successful. Two of the children are saved, but they were too late for Oliver. And the killer got away. 2023 DI Alex Finn is still tormented by the cases of his youth – none more than so than the 2009 kidnappings. And it seems someone else has not forgotten either. They want answers after all this time, and with a gun in their pocket and their sights set on Alex, they’ll do anything to get what they’re after… Highly original and utterly compelling, THE COLD CASE is Will Shindler’s biggest book yet and is perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Mick Herron.

This was a five star read for me!

The story starts with the murder of Jemima whose body was found. DI Alex Finn recognizes Jemima as one of the kids who got kidnapped along with two other teenagers nearly fifteen years ago. When Finn tells Leo, Jemima’s boyfriend at that time about Jemima’s murder, Leo keep Finn hostage along with others as he tells Finn that the person, who is currently locked up in prison for their kidnapping and the murder of one teenager is not responsible for what happened fifteen years ago and that Finn must find the real killer before it is too late.

This was a fast paced thriller to me. The page divides back and forth between the present day and the past set in 2009 when Finn was investigating the teenager’s kidnappings. This is also a page turner as well. I was hooked into the story from the first chapter till the end and there are twists and unexpected turns along the way. The ending was brilliant and was quiet unexpected.

I hope this will become a series as I cannot wait to read more books from this author–worth 5 stars!

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

Zero Days – Book Review

Title:- Zero Days

Author:- Ruth Ware

Date published:- June 20th 2023

No. of pages:- 356 pages

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 2/5

Writing:- 3/5

Overall rating:- 2.5/5

Ruth Ware returns with this adrenaline-fueled thriller about a woman in a race against time to clear her name and find her husband’s murderer.

Hired by companies to break into buildings and hack security systems, Jack and her husband, Gabe, are the best penetration specialists in the business. But after a routine assignment goes horribly wrong, Jack arrives home to find her husband dead. To add to her horror, the police are closing in on their suspect—her.

Suddenly on the run and quickly running out of options, Jack must decide who she can trust as she circles closer to the real killer.

I always make a point of reading nearly every single one of Ruth Ware’s books. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t her best book–I would literally say, this might be the worst book I have read from Ruth Ware.

Jack and Gabe are hackers and hired by companies hire them to hack into the rival companies’ computer system. On one of their missions, it went wrong and Jack goes back to the apartment to find Gabe murdered. The police suspect that Jack would have killed her own husband and so begins the cat and mouse chase game with Jack trying to clear her name by finding who the real killer is.

This is not really the typical Ruth Ware thriller book. The reason why I say this is the worst book is because the whole story was unrealistic. Jack gets an injury and her injury gets infected yet she managed to survive till the end seems to be a miracle. The whole story is very predictable which made the whole book less interesting. Although I feel the premise of the story was interesting, nevertheless, I felt the whole story should have been shorter and so many unnecessary scenes are there in the book which is not really necessary in my opinion for the scene. If you however like action packed thrillers, then this book might be the one for you. I found myself skimming through the page. The ending was confusing and I felt the ending was weak as a whole.

Have you read Ruth Wate books before? I highly recommend The Death of Mrs Westaway and Turn of the Key, the two books which made me enjoy thriller and which made me want to read more of Ruth Ware books. But in my honest opinion, I don’t really recommend her latest novels Zero Days.

Nonetheless, I cannot wait for her next novel!

Ruth Ware grew up in Sussex, on the south coast of England. After graduating from Manchester University she moved to Paris, before settling in North London. She has worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language and a press officer. She is married with two small children, and In a Dark, Dark Wood is her début thriller.

Find her on twitter at www.twitter.com/ruthwarewriter, on facebook at www.facebook.com/ruthwarewriter or via her website – www.ruthware.com

The Good Lie – Book Review

Title:- The Good Lie

Author:- A.R. Torre

Date published:- July 20th 2021

No. of pages:- 257 pages

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 5/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4.5/5

Six teens murdered. A suspect behind bars. A desperate father. In a case this shadowy, the truth is easy to hide.

Six teenagers dead. Finally, the killer behind bars. But are the games just beginning?

Psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore is an expert on killers. She’s spent a decade treating California’s most depraved predators and unlocking their motives—predators much like the notorious Bloody Heart serial killer, whose latest teenage victim escaped and then identified local high school teacher Randall Thompson as his captor. The case against Thompson as the Bloody Heart Killer is damning—and closed, as far as Gwen and the media are concerned. If not for one new development…

Defense attorney Robert Kavin is a still-traumatized father whose own son fell prey to the BH Killer. Convinced of Thompson’s innocence, he steps in to represent him. Now Robert wants Gwen to interview the accused, create a psych profile of the killer and his victims, and help clear his client’s name.

As Gwen and Robert grow closer and she dives deeper into the investigation, grave questions arise. So does Gwen’s suspicion that Robert is hiding something—and that he might not be the only one with a secret.

If you love a good serial killer thriller then I highly recommend this book to you all!

Six teenagers disappeared and then were found murdered with a heart curved on their chests. One teenager escaped and the pointed to a teacher in high school that he was responsible for the murders. The killer is known as Bloody Heart Killer. The killer is behind the bars and everything seemed to be all right.

But have they actually found the right killer?

Dr. Gwen Moore is a psychiatrist and is an expert on killers. Robert Kavin is a hot shot lawyer but a traumatized father whose son was murdered by the so called Bloody Heart Killer. Robert then defends Randall Thompson, who is accused of being Bloody Heart Killer. Gwen and the media believe that Randall is guilty and that Gwen thinks Robert is hiding something.

This was actually a fast paced thriller. There were more twists and turns, the chemistry between Gwen and Robert was intense and above all, as a reader you are thrown into a deep loop if Randall Thompson is indeed the serial killer or if someone else is responsible for the murders of those six boys. The story is mainly told in Gwen’s POV but you also get Nita, who is the escaped boy’s mother as she believed that her son might be lying about his escape. There were so many questions and all these questions are answered with a bang towards the end! I have read so many of A.R. Torre’s books and I must say, this book is by far one of her best books I have read. Overall this was a satisfying thriller that will keep you hooked and worth 4.5 stars!

A.R. Torre is a pseudonym of Alessandra Torre and is her dark alter ego. While Alessandra writes spicy romances, A.R. focuses on twisted stories filled with secrets, suspense, drama, and danger.

Alessandra/A.R. is a multi-time Goodreads Choice Nominee. Her books have hit the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Charts bestseller lists. Over a million readers have enjoyed her novels in more than thirty countries.

In addition to writing, Alessandra teaches online courses to aspiring and published authors via www.alessandratorreink.com. She hosts an annual conference (Inkers Con) and has built a community of over 40,000 authors.

Alessandra is also the CEO of BingeBooks.com

The Golden Couple – Book Review

Title:- The Golden Couple

Author:- Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Date published:- March 3rd 2022

No. of pages:- 330 pages

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

The Golden Couple is the next electrifying novel from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo behind You Are Not Alone, An Anonymous Girl, and The Wife Between Us.

If Avery Chambers can’t fix you in 10 sessions, she won’t take you on as a client. Her successes are phenomenal–she helps people overcome everything from domineering parents to assault–and almost absorb the emptiness she sometimes feels since her husband’s death.

Marissa and Mathew Bishop seem like the golden couple–until Marissa cheats. She wants to repair things, both because she loves her husband and for the sake of their 8-year-old son. After a friend forwards an article about Avery, Marissa takes a chance on this maverick therapist, who lost her license due to controversial methods.

When the Bishops glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.

This was one of my most anticipated books this year and so I was able to manage to get my hands on this book. This is the fourth book I have read from the authors and the duo had been my favorite as I enjoyed reading The Wife Between Us and An Anonymous Girl. So I was excited to get my hands on this book.

Avery Chambers is a therapist and if she can’t fix you after ten sessions then she wouldn’t take anyone as a client. She then takes the Bishops couple, Marissa and Matthew as her clients. Marissa and Matthew seem to be the perfect ‘Golden’ couple living in the DC area though Marissa is filled with guilt for cheating behind her husband, prompting her to seek therapy. Avery and the Bishops start working together but as Avery gets closer to the Bishops, she realizes that they are not perfect as they seem from outside…

This is a fast-paced thriller and there were some twists and turns. Avery uses unconventional methods such as stalking the couple and their friends and coworkers so she can get to know the couple better. Marissa seems to be the typical housewife who owns a boutique store named Coco and she has somewhat a misunderstanding relationship with her assistant, Polly. Then you have Matthew who is Marissa’s husband, Natalie, who is Matthew’s ex-girlfriend and Avery’s ex-boyfriend Skip who somehow has connection with the couple. This was actually a page turner and I actually couldn’t put the book down. You have both Avery and Marissa’s POV so you can get into each of the character’s head although you find that both can at times unreliable characters. The chapters were long but because it was fast paced, I didn’t mind the long chapters in this book.

I enjoyed the book, but why four stars? Because I actually predicted most of the twists and turns and also the ending, which lowered my rating to a four star. The writing however was really great and the authors know how to grip the reader from the beginning.

If you have still not tried any books written by this duo, my suggestion would b read The Wife Between Us which in my opinion was one of the best thrillers ever written by the duo before reading this one. Worth a whopping four stars!

Things We Hide From Light – Book Review

Title:- Things We Hide from The Light (Knockemout series 2)

Author:- Lucy Score

Date published:- February 21st 2023

No. of pages:- 594 pages

Genre:- Romance

Rating:-

Plot:- 3/5

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 3.5/5

Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.

Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.

This is the second book of the Knockemout series. If you haven’t read the first book yet, you might want to read the first book before reading the second book as it follows about an incident that happened in the first book.

While the first book talked about the love story between Naomi and Knox Morgan, this book talks about the love story between Knox’s brother Nash and Lina. Lina is an insurance agent who comes to the small town to investigate about a stolen car that is related to the incident. Nash Morgan who got shot in the first book is recovering from the incident. Lina doesn’t necessarily tell anyone why she was in the town and Nash and Lina soon start to fall for each other.

Unlike the first book, the spicy scenes started towards the end of the book. It was of course a typical romance book with the love story between a small town cop and an insurance agent, the story was highly predictable but it was way too long that I felt there were too many unnecessary parts in the book. Most of the time, I was skimming through the book because I just wanted to finish off the book. I felt like the story is taking forever to finish. I think I liked the first book more that this one but then I have already gotten the last book of the Knockemout series.

Overall this book worth 3.5 stars.

Lucy Score is an instant #1 New York Times bestselling author. She grew up in a literary family who insisted that the dinner table was for reading and earned a degree in journalism.

She writes full-time from the Pennsylvania home she and Mr. Lucy share with their obnoxious cat, Cleo. When not spending hours crafting heartbreaker heroes and kick-ass heroines, Lucy can be found on the couch, in the kitchen, or at the gym.

She hopes to someday write from a sailboat, oceanfront condo, or tropical island with reliable Wi-Fi.