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Bookworms
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For anything and everything to do with books and reading. Rave about your latest read or wax lyrical...
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This 'Friends of Smashbomb' Orb is an ever-expanding list of blogs, websites, and other resources,...
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One Night on the Island
Book
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December . . . When a double-booking at...
Added: Feb 14, 2022, 12:40:01 AM

Black Cake
Book
In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with...
Added: Feb 4, 2022, 11:44:30 PM

The Collective
Book
Just how far will a grieving mother go to right a tragic wrong? Camille Gardener is a...
Added: Nov 18, 2021, 10:27:24 AM

Blush
Book
For decades, the Hollander Estates winery has been the premier destination for lavish parties and...
Added: Nov 18, 2021, 10:26:11 AM

The Christmas Escape
Book
It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas escape – a dream trip to Lapland with...
Added: Nov 18, 2021, 10:25:33 AM

Sleepless
Book
THE MIND-BENDING NEW THRILLER FROM THE NO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DEAR CHILD 'Hausmann's novel...
Added: Nov 11, 2021, 9:35:49 AM

In Another Light
Book
Three years ago mortuary cosmetologist Phoebe Glassman lost her husband in a tragic accident. No...
Added: Nov 11, 2021, 9:17:08 AM

Heard It in a Love Song
Book
From Tracey Garvis Graves, the bestselling author of The Girl He Used to Know comes a love song of a...
Added: Oct 28, 2021, 7:35:00 AM

The Santa Suit
Book
From Mary Kay Andrews, the New York Times bestselling author of Hello, Summer, comes a novella...
Added: Oct 28, 2021, 7:33:31 AM

Eight Perfect Hours
Book
What if you fell in love... ... and then he disappeared? When Noelle and Sam's lives collide...
Added: Oct 28, 2021, 7:32:50 AM

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Collective in Books
Nov 18, 2021
This was such a dark thriller--it pulled me in immediately. It's twisted and a little crazy in its plot, but it's so mesmerizing and keeps you guessing the entire time. Camille's grief and anger seeps through the pages, and the themes of loss and motherhood are prominent throughout the story. It's such a tense tale, as you keep reading and wondering, along with Camille, about the collective and its intentions. The book makes you question yourself and how far would you go to protect or avenge your family.
Overall, this is a twisty and dark thriller with an original and emotional plot. 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow and Custom House and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
This is a sweeping novel that gives a lot (!) of details about wine and vineyards. The Hollander family owns their Long Island winery—belonging to matriarch Vivian and her husband, Leonard. Leonard, who is quite firm in his ideas about gender roles, would not let their daughter Leah take over, so she runs a cheese shop in New York City. Leah’s daughter Sadie is struggling in college with her thesis.
When they all converge at the vineyard, they discover Leonard is thinking of selling. He refuses to accept any of Leah or Vivian’s ideas to help save it. But when Sadie finds Vivian’s trashy old novels from her book club days, the three women come together. It’s fun to hear about the old novels (you’ll enjoy this book if you like Krantz or Collins) and watch the women triumph over Leonard, who, honestly can be sort of awful. The themes of marriage, sexism, and family run strong and make this an interesting read, even if the characters sometimes frustrate you to no end. 3 stars.

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Christmas Escape in Books
Nov 18, 2021
I really enjoyed Hausmann's book DEAR CHILD, but this one didn't have quite the same flair. There are books with confusing timelines that you enjoy and then there are books with confusing timelines that simply muddle things and make it hard to enjoy the plot. This book was the latter for me. There are a lot of interconnected stories in varying timelines and points of view and, truly, it's a lot to follow.
This read seems rather slow and rather blah until the last bit, where it takes off and gets exciting. You sort of know where it's going, which makes it even harder to keep reading. The characters are not that engaging, making it hard to get attached. It's difficult to root for this gang--especially Lauren and her husband. The plot is crazy and rather violent, spinning toward preposterous. If you can suspend disbelief, you'll enjoy things a lot more.
Overall, this had hints of enjoyment, but wasn't my favorite. 2.5 stars.
My first choice was THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain (two As and a BOTM!). This was a mesmerizing psychological thriller about a woman, Blythe, who has always feared motherhood, based on her own childhood. After giving birth to Violet, she becomes convinced there’s something wrong with her. Violet doesn't act like other kids. Her husband Fox says it's all in her head. When their second child, Sam, is born, Blythe has a wonderful connection with him--motherhood is finally everything she's wanted. But then it all changes in a devastating moment, and Blythe must face the awful truth she's been fearing.
THE PUSH offers a very honest and brutal look at motherhood. It definitely kept me flipping the pages! It starts off with a bang, then dragged a bit for me in the middle. It's certainly serious and sad, and, at times, a mystery as well. THE PUSH will keep you thinking long after you've turned that last page. 3.5 stars.