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Are you a foodie? Are you a cook? Do you like to create recipes or simply put together a good...
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They call me the Charmer. My best friend Wade tells me it’s because I’m suave and mysterious....
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Just One Look in Books
Aug 12, 2021
A slightly bland thriller
After an incident at the law firm where she works, Cassie Woodson finds herself temping. She's reviewing correspondence for a fraud case--several tiers removed from her life as a lawyer. While going through the tedious emails, she discovers a series of exchanges between one of the firm partners, Forest Watts, and his wife Annabelle. Cassie can't help but read them, fixating on the way Forest seems to love and adore his wife. But when she finds a way to "accidentally" meet Forest, her fixation with the Watts turns into a full blown obsession.
"He has no idea that I have access to every corner of his life. Even the dusty ones."
This was a perfectly fine thriller, though I found it a little bland. I think it's because I'm so over unreliable alcoholic narrators. For me, that trope is just done. I lose sympathy for the protagonist at that point and just stop caring. Cassie is just an insane train wreck of a character. The whole book felt like watching one, honestly. The premise here is that she's abandoned by her mother at a young age, hence making her unstable and leading to a series of incidents (including the one where she came unglued at her law firm). But I could never quite buy why she became so obsessed with Forest Watts and his wife.
"Eyes aren't the windows to the soul. Emails are."
Most of the book focuses on Cassie's preoccupation with Forest--starting with the emails and then branching out into real life. The girl is committed, I will give you that. She creates a binder on the Watts and everything. If only she was that dedicated to something more productive. There's also a subplot with her temp co-worker, Dalton. Then with about 10 to 15% of the book left, the plot takes a complete turn and things get more exciting. However, nothing that happened previously really seemed to gel with that plot twist, so I found it all a little odd. It was a strange, out of left field turn.
Overall, I found this book interesting enough that I kept reading, so I'm still giving it 3 stars. But it was a strange ride, to say the least. Others liked it more than me, so take my review with a grain of salt.
I received a copy of this book from Random House - Ballantine and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
"He has no idea that I have access to every corner of his life. Even the dusty ones."
This was a perfectly fine thriller, though I found it a little bland. I think it's because I'm so over unreliable alcoholic narrators. For me, that trope is just done. I lose sympathy for the protagonist at that point and just stop caring. Cassie is just an insane train wreck of a character. The whole book felt like watching one, honestly. The premise here is that she's abandoned by her mother at a young age, hence making her unstable and leading to a series of incidents (including the one where she came unglued at her law firm). But I could never quite buy why she became so obsessed with Forest Watts and his wife.
"Eyes aren't the windows to the soul. Emails are."
Most of the book focuses on Cassie's preoccupation with Forest--starting with the emails and then branching out into real life. The girl is committed, I will give you that. She creates a binder on the Watts and everything. If only she was that dedicated to something more productive. There's also a subplot with her temp co-worker, Dalton. Then with about 10 to 15% of the book left, the plot takes a complete turn and things get more exciting. However, nothing that happened previously really seemed to gel with that plot twist, so I found it all a little odd. It was a strange, out of left field turn.
Overall, I found this book interesting enough that I kept reading, so I'm still giving it 3 stars. But it was a strange ride, to say the least. Others liked it more than me, so take my review with a grain of salt.
I received a copy of this book from Random House - Ballantine and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Debbiereadsbook (1541 KP) rated Crimson Jewel in Books
Oct 2, 2025
I wanted Raiden, and I didn't get him!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
The thing I love most about reviewing is finding brand spanking new authors. Finding those new authors who smash it out the park with their first book is just the icing on the cake! This is such a book.
But while I loved this book, I really did, I hated it too. And I'll tell you why in a little bit!
It's a kind of fairy tale retell: Jack and the Beanstalk. I loved the play on words with that.
It's a kind of why choose, but Bea HAS to choose. Except her choice isn't one she is allowed to make, as Raiden forsaked (not sure that's a word, but I'm keeping it!) his First-Born Son status.
Bea has multiple partners, but not at the same time. I liked that she did that, to be honest, and it made the connection she had with Raiden more intense.
It's dark and deadly in places: Bea gets kidnapped, thrown into a ravine, and almost drowned, after all. Someone doesn't want her to make her choice, and I was a little surprised who was behind it.
Not totally surprised, there were some very VERY obvious culprits but a couple threw me!
I really REALLY want there to be more books, about the First-Born Sons and what happens to them! They play a huge part here, even if only for a week or two, but they too need a happy ever after and I hope the author writes them.
So, I loved this book, yes. But as I said, I hated it too. Why??
Single person point of view!
Only Bea gets a say and I wanted, needed, so DESPERATELY needed to hear from Raiden, and I do not get him. I wanted to know what he felt when he first met Bea. When he realised what she had done, and what that meant. When he found out she had been with others before him. And when that happened all at the end (not saying what, for spoilers!) I needed to hear from him when he found out what finally happened to his parents.
And I don't get him and this is the only reason I gave this book . . .
4.5 stars (but rounded UP for the blog!)
Well done, Ms Gordon (apologies if you go by anything else, I couldn't see otherwise!) seriously, VERY well done!
*Same worded review will appear elsewhere
The thing I love most about reviewing is finding brand spanking new authors. Finding those new authors who smash it out the park with their first book is just the icing on the cake! This is such a book.
But while I loved this book, I really did, I hated it too. And I'll tell you why in a little bit!
It's a kind of fairy tale retell: Jack and the Beanstalk. I loved the play on words with that.
It's a kind of why choose, but Bea HAS to choose. Except her choice isn't one she is allowed to make, as Raiden forsaked (not sure that's a word, but I'm keeping it!) his First-Born Son status.
Bea has multiple partners, but not at the same time. I liked that she did that, to be honest, and it made the connection she had with Raiden more intense.
It's dark and deadly in places: Bea gets kidnapped, thrown into a ravine, and almost drowned, after all. Someone doesn't want her to make her choice, and I was a little surprised who was behind it.
Not totally surprised, there were some very VERY obvious culprits but a couple threw me!
I really REALLY want there to be more books, about the First-Born Sons and what happens to them! They play a huge part here, even if only for a week or two, but they too need a happy ever after and I hope the author writes them.
So, I loved this book, yes. But as I said, I hated it too. Why??
Single person point of view!
Only Bea gets a say and I wanted, needed, so DESPERATELY needed to hear from Raiden, and I do not get him. I wanted to know what he felt when he first met Bea. When he realised what she had done, and what that meant. When he found out she had been with others before him. And when that happened all at the end (not saying what, for spoilers!) I needed to hear from him when he found out what finally happened to his parents.
And I don't get him and this is the only reason I gave this book . . .
4.5 stars (but rounded UP for the blog!)
Well done, Ms Gordon (apologies if you go by anything else, I couldn't see otherwise!) seriously, VERY well done!
*Same worded review will appear elsewhere
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated The Widows in Books
Jun 5, 2019
The Widows by Jess Montgomery is inspired by the true story of Ohio’s first female sheriff. The plot delves into how two women fought greed and violence while overcoming the loss of a loved one.
The author noted, “This is a darker and deeper style of writing, much more than my other stories. For example, I examine the Pinkerton men and the violence they used. I read multiple books that talked about how these men would shoot up the striking camps. I put in this book quote by one of the Pinkerton men, ‘A real war, and then, rule of law won’t matter. Those miners who resist, why, we’ll put ‘em down like rabid dogs.’”
The protagonists Lily and Marvena are based on the real-life historical figures of Maude Collins, the first female sheriff in Ohio, and Mother Jones, the famous activist and labor organizer. Sheriff Daniel Ross, the husband of Lily is murdered and no one knows by whom. Those powerful in the town want to pin it on a coal miner, Marvena’s brother. She has something in common with Lily since she also lost her husband, but to a coal mining accident. Because the mine owners think she will be easy to control, Lily is appointed sheriff pending the next election. But having a mind of her own and a sense of justice she partners with Marvena to find the elusive murderer and Marvena’s missing daughter.
“I wrote both Lily and Marvena as tough. Lily is sensitive but is also a protector who wants to support her community. She keeps her emotions close to her heart. Marvena is fierce and persistent, but also has a tender streak. Although both women were wary of each other at first, they have a common goal to find out what happened. They end up with a strong friendship and recognize that each is balancing their own demons.”
Readers might be curious as to what is real and what is fiction. Montgomery commented, “In real life Collins had five children, and the person who killed her husband was known. I decided it would be interesting to have Lily take the sheriff position to find out who killed her husband. The similarity is that both women lost their husbands in the line of duty, both were appointed sheriff, and both were elected. The differences: Lily is eight years younger than Maude during that time period and she had only had two children.”
Historical facts are intertwined in this novel that also has strong female characters and an intriguing mystery. Readers get a glimpse into the 1920s-coal mining town in Appalachian Ohio as the author examines women’s rights, prohibition, and the life of a coal miner.
The author noted, “This is a darker and deeper style of writing, much more than my other stories. For example, I examine the Pinkerton men and the violence they used. I read multiple books that talked about how these men would shoot up the striking camps. I put in this book quote by one of the Pinkerton men, ‘A real war, and then, rule of law won’t matter. Those miners who resist, why, we’ll put ‘em down like rabid dogs.’”
The protagonists Lily and Marvena are based on the real-life historical figures of Maude Collins, the first female sheriff in Ohio, and Mother Jones, the famous activist and labor organizer. Sheriff Daniel Ross, the husband of Lily is murdered and no one knows by whom. Those powerful in the town want to pin it on a coal miner, Marvena’s brother. She has something in common with Lily since she also lost her husband, but to a coal mining accident. Because the mine owners think she will be easy to control, Lily is appointed sheriff pending the next election. But having a mind of her own and a sense of justice she partners with Marvena to find the elusive murderer and Marvena’s missing daughter.
“I wrote both Lily and Marvena as tough. Lily is sensitive but is also a protector who wants to support her community. She keeps her emotions close to her heart. Marvena is fierce and persistent, but also has a tender streak. Although both women were wary of each other at first, they have a common goal to find out what happened. They end up with a strong friendship and recognize that each is balancing their own demons.”
Readers might be curious as to what is real and what is fiction. Montgomery commented, “In real life Collins had five children, and the person who killed her husband was known. I decided it would be interesting to have Lily take the sheriff position to find out who killed her husband. The similarity is that both women lost their husbands in the line of duty, both were appointed sheriff, and both were elected. The differences: Lily is eight years younger than Maude during that time period and she had only had two children.”
Historical facts are intertwined in this novel that also has strong female characters and an intriguing mystery. Readers get a glimpse into the 1920s-coal mining town in Appalachian Ohio as the author examines women’s rights, prohibition, and the life of a coal miner.