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Hazel (2934 KP) rated My Lovely Wife in Books
Apr 6, 2019
A gem of a read
This book is like nothing I have read before ... in a good way of course but I am slightly worried that I may be moving onto the dark side of normal! Why? you may ask - just read this book and you'll understand!
What we have here is an absolute gem of a read that had me hooked from the start. I won't go into the plot as I don't want to give anything away but will describe it as being edgy, dark, twisted, engrossing, disturbingly entertaining and totally unique. The characters are just excellent but more than that, they are frighteningly believable and rarely do I find myself feeling so wrong about liking and rooting for someone so disturbed but scarily normal!
The writing is crisp and effective and easy to read with excellent pacing; great suspense and twists leave you reading way too late into the night in anticipation of what the heck is going to happen next.
I can't believe this is a debut and I am waiting on tenterhooks for Samantha Downing's next book and I only hope it's as disturbingly good as this one. On her website, she says that she wants to "tell stories that make people walk into walls"; I think she did with this one.
Thank you to the publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
What we have here is an absolute gem of a read that had me hooked from the start. I won't go into the plot as I don't want to give anything away but will describe it as being edgy, dark, twisted, engrossing, disturbingly entertaining and totally unique. The characters are just excellent but more than that, they are frighteningly believable and rarely do I find myself feeling so wrong about liking and rooting for someone so disturbed but scarily normal!
The writing is crisp and effective and easy to read with excellent pacing; great suspense and twists leave you reading way too late into the night in anticipation of what the heck is going to happen next.
I can't believe this is a debut and I am waiting on tenterhooks for Samantha Downing's next book and I only hope it's as disturbingly good as this one. On her website, she says that she wants to "tell stories that make people walk into walls"; I think she did with this one.
Thank you to the publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Isabel Smith (34 KP) rated The House Swap in Books
Jun 26, 2018
Tension, tension, so much tension!
From start to finish The House Swap is a taut and edgy examination of the rocky marriage between a young English couple, Caroline and Francis. When the opportunity arises for them to swap their city flat in Leeds with someone else’s suburban home in Chiswick they eagerly plan a week-long getaway for two so they can focus on repairing their relationship. Caroline soon starts finding signs that the owner of the suburban home she and Francis are currently occupying may very well be the person she’s tried so desperately to put behind her: her ex-lover, Carl. Francis, who knows about Caroline’s past affair, begins to notice that his wife is acting strange and inattentive; it’s putting him on edge, which is no place for a former pill-popper like himself to be. With both of their past obsessions threatening to burst back into their lives, Caroline and Francis brace themselves for the ultimate test in their marriage.
This psychological thriller definitely delivers on nail-biting suspense, calculated misdirection, and hair-raising shocks. There were more than a couple of well-placed red herrings which made the plot twists all the more juicy and exciting. Some of the content was a bit difficult to stomach, but it added to the domestic noir feel of the novel. Overall, The House Swap is a solid option for anyone looking for a fast-paced and multilayered novel that goes behind closed doors.
This psychological thriller definitely delivers on nail-biting suspense, calculated misdirection, and hair-raising shocks. There were more than a couple of well-placed red herrings which made the plot twists all the more juicy and exciting. Some of the content was a bit difficult to stomach, but it added to the domestic noir feel of the novel. Overall, The House Swap is a solid option for anyone looking for a fast-paced and multilayered novel that goes behind closed doors.

Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated The Suitable Woman - Single by Layla Kardan in Music
Jun 17, 2019
Layla Kardan is an Iranian-rooted pop star living in the United Arab Emirates. Arwa Al Banawi is one of Saudi Arabia’s most exciting and upcoming fashion designers. Not too long ago, they collaborated on a music video for Kardan’s “The Suitable Woman” single.
“‘The Suitable Woman’ is the slogan of my label and celebrates the woman on the go. Also, a woman who fights for her beliefs and proactively chases her dreams to realize her fullest potential.” – Arwa Al Banawi
Layla Kardan is focused on changing the perception of a woman’s role in society and pushing for gender equality. Also, her aim is to educate both Middle Eastern and Western audiences.
Collaborating with production company D Journal, the pair have produced a fashion-forward, edgy video. The audiovisual features some of the region’s biggest fashion influencers such as Rania Fawaz, Zeynab El Helw, Jory Al Maiman, and Tamara Al Gabbani.
“Arwa’s brand is all about being a bold and expressive woman who is not hindered by fear or limitations. These are women who pursue the things they are passionate about despite the challenges and persevere to see their dreams become a reality. Also, they are not deterred by the social expectations from them.”
The likable tune contains a relatable storyline and smoky soul vocals. Also, the song possesses mellow instrumentation scented with a contemporary R&B fragrance.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/layla-kardan-the-suitable-woman/
“‘The Suitable Woman’ is the slogan of my label and celebrates the woman on the go. Also, a woman who fights for her beliefs and proactively chases her dreams to realize her fullest potential.” – Arwa Al Banawi
Layla Kardan is focused on changing the perception of a woman’s role in society and pushing for gender equality. Also, her aim is to educate both Middle Eastern and Western audiences.
Collaborating with production company D Journal, the pair have produced a fashion-forward, edgy video. The audiovisual features some of the region’s biggest fashion influencers such as Rania Fawaz, Zeynab El Helw, Jory Al Maiman, and Tamara Al Gabbani.
“Arwa’s brand is all about being a bold and expressive woman who is not hindered by fear or limitations. These are women who pursue the things they are passionate about despite the challenges and persevere to see their dreams become a reality. Also, they are not deterred by the social expectations from them.”
The likable tune contains a relatable storyline and smoky soul vocals. Also, the song possesses mellow instrumentation scented with a contemporary R&B fragrance.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/layla-kardan-the-suitable-woman/

Succulent Container Gardens: Design Eye-Catching Displays with 350 Easy-Care Plants
Book
With their colorful leaves, sculptural shapes, and simple care, succulents are beautiful yet...

Adrian Mole: the Collected Poems
Book
Mole Press - a brand new imprint of Penguin Books - is proud to announce the first publication of...

Devil Said Bang
Book
The fourth eagerly awaited Sandman Slim novel from Richard Kadrey While ruling the denizens of...

Jonathan Higgs recommended track Another Body Murdered by Faith No More in Judgment Night by Faith No More in Music (curated)

Unteachable
Book
An edgy, sexy USA TODAY bestseller about falling for the one person you can’t have. Maise...

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2320 KP) rated A Dish to Die for in Books
Aug 10, 2022
Murder on a Neighboring Key
Even when you live in paradise, you need a break. That’s why Hayley Snow is taking a few hours with her friend Eric and their dogs and heading to a beach on one of the nearby islands. However, the day takes a sad turn when Hayley’s dog finds a dead body half buried in the sand. The man was G.G. Garcia, a Key West developer who had a bad reputation. The local police think there is something suspicious about his death, and Hayley gets pulled into the investigation. Will she figure out what really happened?
I’ve fallen in love with Key West thanks to this series, and I was happy to be back. Sadly, the mystery was very weak. Even the characters got frustrated by their lack of progress throughout the book. Plus, the victim was a little too evil, with a few things that felt thrown in just to make other characters feel virtuous. The book gets a little dark and edgy for a cozy as well. Finally, there’s a subplot that comes across as half-baked, the characters involved definitely deserved better. On the other hand, I really did enjoy the location and the series regulars. Nathan, Hayley’s husband, gets some good development thanks to a visit from his estranged father. If you are new to the series, this isn’t the book for you, but fans will enjoy catching up with the characters.
I’ve fallen in love with Key West thanks to this series, and I was happy to be back. Sadly, the mystery was very weak. Even the characters got frustrated by their lack of progress throughout the book. Plus, the victim was a little too evil, with a few things that felt thrown in just to make other characters feel virtuous. The book gets a little dark and edgy for a cozy as well. Finally, there’s a subplot that comes across as half-baked, the characters involved definitely deserved better. On the other hand, I really did enjoy the location and the series regulars. Nathan, Hayley’s husband, gets some good development thanks to a visit from his estranged father. If you are new to the series, this isn’t the book for you, but fans will enjoy catching up with the characters.