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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Storyteller in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I have to say I am a die hard Jodi Picoult fan! I was before I read Sing You Home & I am still. I heard that this book was not her "norm" among various other things. But to me it was no different. It touches on love, family, friendships, & the definition of what constitutes a family. It speaks to current societal & politcial issues with Picoult's usual grace & lyrical writing style.
This book tells the story of Zoe & Max at the beginning. They are a couple who have tried unsuccessfully for years to have a child. They eventually begin IVF treatments & in the end have a boy, stillborn. This proves too much for their marriage & it falls to pieces. Zoe begins a friendship with an acquaintance who had contracted her musical therapy services for a student at the high school where she is a counselor.
In the end that friendship goes into places that no one involved ever expected. But ultimatly that unexpected relationship is what ends up saving them all in the end.
This story was beautifully written as usual with her books. It had me laughing & crying with the characters who were all so real & genuine that you couldn't help but root for each & everyone of them despite the fact that they find themselves on opposite sides of a contensious lawsuit. I hate to say more & ruin the book. Go read it. You will NOT be disappointed!
This book tells the story of Zoe & Max at the beginning. They are a couple who have tried unsuccessfully for years to have a child. They eventually begin IVF treatments & in the end have a boy, stillborn. This proves too much for their marriage & it falls to pieces. Zoe begins a friendship with an acquaintance who had contracted her musical therapy services for a student at the high school where she is a counselor.
In the end that friendship goes into places that no one involved ever expected. But ultimatly that unexpected relationship is what ends up saving them all in the end.
This story was beautifully written as usual with her books. It had me laughing & crying with the characters who were all so real & genuine that you couldn't help but root for each & everyone of them despite the fact that they find themselves on opposite sides of a contensious lawsuit. I hate to say more & ruin the book. Go read it. You will NOT be disappointed!
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Beach House in Books
May 10, 2018
Nantucket is a magical place, so many people say. Where good things happen to good people. When Nan discovers that her finances aren't that great, she decides to rent rooms in her large home on Nantucket for the summer to help earn some money. The people who decide to rent from her are all in some sort of deep turmoil in their life and spending the summer in Nantucket and with Nan, will help them to sort all of that out.
First we have Daniel and Bea. Married for close to 7 years with two young girls. Something is not right in their marriage, and Bea can't seem to figure it out. Maybe a summer rental will do them good to bring the family together.
Daph has just found out that her husband has been seeing another woman. This betrayal is nearly impossible for her to take. With her teenage daughter giving her a headache about "throwing dad out" she believes a summer away will help to clear her head.
Michael is Nan's son and is a jeweler in New York City. When events in his life take a turn for the worse, he escapes to his home town to find the solace he needs to take the next step in his life.
All these lives are intertwined and help each other to come out of tough situations at The Beach House. A beautiful story of family, love and rebuilding that anyone is sure to connect to.
First we have Daniel and Bea. Married for close to 7 years with two young girls. Something is not right in their marriage, and Bea can't seem to figure it out. Maybe a summer rental will do them good to bring the family together.
Daph has just found out that her husband has been seeing another woman. This betrayal is nearly impossible for her to take. With her teenage daughter giving her a headache about "throwing dad out" she believes a summer away will help to clear her head.
Michael is Nan's son and is a jeweler in New York City. When events in his life take a turn for the worse, he escapes to his home town to find the solace he needs to take the next step in his life.
All these lives are intertwined and help each other to come out of tough situations at The Beach House. A beautiful story of family, love and rebuilding that anyone is sure to connect to.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Too Close: A new kind of thriller that will leave you breathless in Books
Mar 15, 2019
How close is too close?
Connie and Ness met in the park while their children played. As they talked, they realised they were neighbours. Perhaps it was only natural that they and their families would become entirely inseparable.
But when Nesss marriage ends in a bitter divorce, she is suddenly at Connies house all the time. Connie doesnt have a moment to herself, no time alone with her husband, not a second to chat to her kids.
Its all too much. Something has to give.
Connie has woken up in a psychiatric hospital. They say she committed a terrible crime but she says she cant remember a thing.
This novel is gripping and absorbing that you won't be able to put this down. I found the pace just right and the dark story well told .
I found myself crying with some of the parts and in others laughing out loud at some of the things said. There are so many emotions covered in this story including mental illness.
I loved the characters development, the plot of the story and oh my that surprising ending you don't see coming.
I don't want to say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for anyone!
I received this debut novel via NetGalley in return for an honest review but I still turned around an purchased this as I truly am astounded with this novel.
Connie and Ness met in the park while their children played. As they talked, they realised they were neighbours. Perhaps it was only natural that they and their families would become entirely inseparable.
But when Nesss marriage ends in a bitter divorce, she is suddenly at Connies house all the time. Connie doesnt have a moment to herself, no time alone with her husband, not a second to chat to her kids.
Its all too much. Something has to give.
Connie has woken up in a psychiatric hospital. They say she committed a terrible crime but she says she cant remember a thing.
This novel is gripping and absorbing that you won't be able to put this down. I found the pace just right and the dark story well told .
I found myself crying with some of the parts and in others laughing out loud at some of the things said. There are so many emotions covered in this story including mental illness.
I loved the characters development, the plot of the story and oh my that surprising ending you don't see coming.
I don't want to say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for anyone!
I received this debut novel via NetGalley in return for an honest review but I still turned around an purchased this as I truly am astounded with this novel.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated The 18th Abduction in Books
May 25, 2019
Hunt for Missing Teachers
Three teachers have gone missing in San Francisco, and all eyes are on San Francisco police officer Lindsay Boxer as she is leading the hunt for them. Unfortunately, there are few leads. Can she find anything before it is too late? Meanwhile, her new husband, Joe Molinari, has found a woman near the FBI’s San Francisco office. This woman, Anna, claims to have just seen a known war criminal from her native Serbia in the city. Is she right? What is he doing there? Can Joe make sure this man receives the justice he deserves?
Outside the prologue and epilogue, this book takes place five years in the past, meaning that some of the recent stupidity in Joe and Lindsay’s marriage has been forgotten. I couldn’t be happier about that. The story is another fast-paced mystery against overwhelming odds that keep the pages turning. It even gave me something I’ve been wanting for a long time in this series (no spoilers, don’t worry). Unfortunately, most of the Women in the Women’s Murder Club are reduced to cameos as the plot drives forward. The characters continue to be fairly thin, but that’s no surprise to fans. We get into Anna’s past and the war crimes that took place in Serbia, so expect the heavier subject matter when you pick up this book. Overall, fans of the series should be happy with this latest offering.
Outside the prologue and epilogue, this book takes place five years in the past, meaning that some of the recent stupidity in Joe and Lindsay’s marriage has been forgotten. I couldn’t be happier about that. The story is another fast-paced mystery against overwhelming odds that keep the pages turning. It even gave me something I’ve been wanting for a long time in this series (no spoilers, don’t worry). Unfortunately, most of the Women in the Women’s Murder Club are reduced to cameos as the plot drives forward. The characters continue to be fairly thin, but that’s no surprise to fans. We get into Anna’s past and the war crimes that took place in Serbia, so expect the heavier subject matter when you pick up this book. Overall, fans of the series should be happy with this latest offering.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated The First Mistake in Books
Jun 5, 2019
The first mistake could be her last.
Fairly early on in this book, I assumed that Alice's "first mistake" was her first husband, since when we meet her she's already on her second marriage. Also, the manner in which her first husband died seemed like the perfect scenario for him to actually NOT be dead and to pop up later on. Makes sense, right?
Well....yes and no.
You may think you have things figured out. You don't.
You may think you know who's doing what to whom. You don't.
You may think you know how it's going to end. You don't.
Several times throughout, my assumptions and theories were blown. Not all of them, mind you, because I was definitely right about a few things, but enough of them to make me say, "What? Wait. How?" That first big reveal? OMG WHAT. ?
I liked the alternating POVs from Alice and Beth. It helps to tell a complete story. However, I have to say that I did not like the character of Nathan at all, and was pretty quick to jump on the he's-definitely-cheating-on-her train of thought. (Is he, though?)
I enjoyed the author's first title, The Other Woman, very much, but I think I liked The First Mistake even more. Find out June 11th if you feel the same!
Thank you to BookishFirst and Minotaur Books / St. Martin's Press for the gorgeous ARE!
Fairly early on in this book, I assumed that Alice's "first mistake" was her first husband, since when we meet her she's already on her second marriage. Also, the manner in which her first husband died seemed like the perfect scenario for him to actually NOT be dead and to pop up later on. Makes sense, right?
Well....yes and no.
You may think you have things figured out. You don't.
You may think you know who's doing what to whom. You don't.
You may think you know how it's going to end. You don't.
Several times throughout, my assumptions and theories were blown. Not all of them, mind you, because I was definitely right about a few things, but enough of them to make me say, "What? Wait. How?" That first big reveal? OMG WHAT. ?
I liked the alternating POVs from Alice and Beth. It helps to tell a complete story. However, I have to say that I did not like the character of Nathan at all, and was pretty quick to jump on the he's-definitely-cheating-on-her train of thought. (Is he, though?)
I enjoyed the author's first title, The Other Woman, very much, but I think I liked The First Mistake even more. Find out June 11th if you feel the same!
Thank you to BookishFirst and Minotaur Books / St. Martin's Press for the gorgeous ARE!
Kaz (232 KP) rated The Keeper Of Lost Things in Books
Jun 9, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
I thought that this book was generally good. The writing of this was, at times, beautiful and I think that the majority of the characters were likable and well formed. I think that Portia, Bomber's sister was rather cartoony and over exaggerated and I didn't really like her involvement in the story, it was a little bit too silly for me.
I think the story line with Bomber was much more interesting and heart wrenching than the modern one. The idea of lost things, kind of fizzled out into something that was conventional, rather than having a more mysterious edge to it.
I thought that the way the story lines in the present and the past were tied together, was rather flimsy and too convenient. I liked all of the characters in the present, but this story line was a little cheesy and a bit cliche ( it seems like every single woman that has a break up or a bad marriage gets a dog!)
Personally, I think it would have been better to get rid of the modern plot line all together and just have a book about Bomber and a separate book of the different short stories about the lost things, as I enjoyed reading them and felt they were the stronger points of the book.
Despite its problems, I enjoyed reading this book. It was a easy and quick read.
I think the story line with Bomber was much more interesting and heart wrenching than the modern one. The idea of lost things, kind of fizzled out into something that was conventional, rather than having a more mysterious edge to it.
I thought that the way the story lines in the present and the past were tied together, was rather flimsy and too convenient. I liked all of the characters in the present, but this story line was a little cheesy and a bit cliche ( it seems like every single woman that has a break up or a bad marriage gets a dog!)
Personally, I think it would have been better to get rid of the modern plot line all together and just have a book about Bomber and a separate book of the different short stories about the lost things, as I enjoyed reading them and felt they were the stronger points of the book.
Despite its problems, I enjoyed reading this book. It was a easy and quick read.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Fates and Furies in Books
Feb 13, 2018
This novel details the story of Lotto and Mathilde, who meet as their college days are ending and marry shortly thereafter. Lotto and Mathilde appear to all as a glamorous and lovely couple-- adored by all their friends. However, their marriage and relationship may not be all it appears - even to each other.
Groff starts off the book from Lotto's point of view and then halfway through, we get Mathilde's side. (Therefore, everyone must compare it to "Gone Girl," which is driving me crazy. Can we just stop using "Gone Girl" as the marker to which to compare every book written since?! Thank you.) It's an interesting and well-done plot device, in Groff's deft hands, and you find yourself amazed at how the relationship differs between the two perspectives.
There's a lot of discussion of Lotto and Mathilde's parties (a bit much for me) and a backstory to Lotto's childhood (and eventually Mathilde's). Groff does an excellent job of showing how Lotto and Mathilde's childhood formed the people they became as adults -- and how they acted as spouses. I won't lie - I enjoyed Mathilde's section a bit more, even if I didn't perhaps like her as much as Lotto as a person - she's an interesting character. The end is a little much, but the novel is still well-done. I'd rate it as 3.5 stars - some of it dragged a bit for me, but I certainly enjoyed it.
Groff starts off the book from Lotto's point of view and then halfway through, we get Mathilde's side. (Therefore, everyone must compare it to "Gone Girl," which is driving me crazy. Can we just stop using "Gone Girl" as the marker to which to compare every book written since?! Thank you.) It's an interesting and well-done plot device, in Groff's deft hands, and you find yourself amazed at how the relationship differs between the two perspectives.
There's a lot of discussion of Lotto and Mathilde's parties (a bit much for me) and a backstory to Lotto's childhood (and eventually Mathilde's). Groff does an excellent job of showing how Lotto and Mathilde's childhood formed the people they became as adults -- and how they acted as spouses. I won't lie - I enjoyed Mathilde's section a bit more, even if I didn't perhaps like her as much as Lotto as a person - she's an interesting character. The end is a little much, but the novel is still well-done. I'd rate it as 3.5 stars - some of it dragged a bit for me, but I certainly enjoyed it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated City of Secrets in Books
Nov 14, 2018
Can Elizabeth Uncover Secrets to Help a Friend
Elizabeth Miles is attempting to give up her former life as the female in a group of conmen and fit into high society in order to prepare for her marriage to young lawyer Gideon Bates. Part of that involves attending church on Sundays, and it is at church that she has met Priscilla, a recent widow who is one of the few people Elizabeth considers a friend in her new life. One day Priscilla comes to Elizabeth for help since she has just learned that her recently deceased second husband has left her broke. Priscilla knows there should be more money. Can Elizabeth figure out what happened?
If you haven't started this great new series, I do recommend you back up to the first since it sets up so much of Elizabeth and her life in 1910's New York City. Since this is only book two in the series, it's still very easy to get caught up. When you do, you'll find yourself caught up in another fun caper. I did feel the pacing was a bit off early on, but it soon picked up and by the end, it was impossible to put down. This isn't a traditional mystery, although it still firmly fits in the crime fiction family. The characters are all strong, and they help make the final third of the book very compelling for us.
If you haven't started this great new series, I do recommend you back up to the first since it sets up so much of Elizabeth and her life in 1910's New York City. Since this is only book two in the series, it's still very easy to get caught up. When you do, you'll find yourself caught up in another fun caper. I did feel the pacing was a bit off early on, but it soon picked up and by the end, it was impossible to put down. This isn't a traditional mystery, although it still firmly fits in the crime fiction family. The characters are all strong, and they help make the final third of the book very compelling for us.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Tell Me No Lies in Books
Nov 17, 2018
A bit slow in the middle but worth reading.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
"Tell Me No Lies" by Alex Sinclair starts as a love story but quickly becomes a psychological thriller that questions how well we really know those around us, especially those close to us. How well do you know your husband, wife, or significant other?
Leaving a dinner celebrating their 5th anniversary, John Dalton is a victim of a hit and run. He dies in the arms of his wife, Grace.
Desperate and grief stricken, Grace vows to figure out the meaning of John's last words to her. In doing so, she learns she did not know her husband at all. How much of her marriage was true?
I enjoyed the premise and much of the story. However, Grace's many of her actions were unbelievable and far fetched. The story did include an interesting and surprising twist which made the story worth finishing.
In the beginning of the novel, I sympathized with Grace. However, her actions made me stop rooting for her and just wanted to finish the book. I am glad I finished it and would read a different book by the author and have added one of his three other works to my "want to read" list on Goodreads.
"Tell Me No Lies" by Alex Sinclair starts as a love story but quickly becomes a psychological thriller that questions how well we really know those around us, especially those close to us. How well do you know your husband, wife, or significant other?
Leaving a dinner celebrating their 5th anniversary, John Dalton is a victim of a hit and run. He dies in the arms of his wife, Grace.
Desperate and grief stricken, Grace vows to figure out the meaning of John's last words to her. In doing so, she learns she did not know her husband at all. How much of her marriage was true?
I enjoyed the premise and much of the story. However, Grace's many of her actions were unbelievable and far fetched. The story did include an interesting and surprising twist which made the story worth finishing.
In the beginning of the novel, I sympathized with Grace. However, her actions made me stop rooting for her and just wanted to finish the book. I am glad I finished it and would read a different book by the author and have added one of his three other works to my "want to read" list on Goodreads.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Not a Creature was Stirring in Books
Jan 24, 2019
Who was Enough of a Scrooge to Leave the Dead Body in Merry's Motorhome?
Merry is hoping to turn her Christmas crafting business into a full-time job, and as part of that plan, she's purchased a motorhome from her ex-step-daughter. The hope is she can use it as a mobile crafting studio and a place to show her stuff at some of the more popular craft shows. She's trying it out at the Christmas Holiday Bazaar, one of her favorite events of the year. However, when she's unloading her products, she finds the dead body of her ex-husband in one of the storage compartments. How did his dead body get into the RV?
With as much as I love Christmas, this book was a lot of fun. We got lots of talk about everything Christmas, even comparing characters to famous fictional Christmas characters. I did feel the book needed another polish to flesh a few things out, and I found Merry's concern for her ex-husband's family a little hard to believe considering how short her marriage had been. On the other hand, I loved the majority of the characters, and Merry's relationships with her own kids was fabulous. The plot was good with many twists and turns. I figured out a couple of things early, but I was left guessing about the rest of it until the end.
With as much as I love Christmas, this book was a lot of fun. We got lots of talk about everything Christmas, even comparing characters to famous fictional Christmas characters. I did feel the book needed another polish to flesh a few things out, and I found Merry's concern for her ex-husband's family a little hard to believe considering how short her marriage had been. On the other hand, I loved the majority of the characters, and Merry's relationships with her own kids was fabulous. The plot was good with many twists and turns. I figured out a couple of things early, but I was left guessing about the rest of it until the end.