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The Boys of Summer (Summer, #1)
The Boys of Summer (Summer, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 stars

So I didn't realise this was set in Australia, it made a nice change from American stories, though the names for some items had me guessing for a short while

I enjoyed the storyline but it also kinda annoyed me in a way. I got a lot of where Tess was coming from with Toby but I don't think I agreed with the Sean bit. It was a change once more from the usual conflict in these sort of stories...But nope. Sorry.
  
The Husband's Secret
The Husband's Secret
Liane Moriarty | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.7 (31 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Husband's Secret focuses on three main characters. Cecelia Fitzpatrick, married to John-Paul with three beautiful daughters. Tess O'Leary who owns a business with her husband, Will and cousin, Felicity and has a son, Liam. And Rachel Crowley, who is still mourning the death of her daughter nearly 30 years after the fact. How do these women's lives intersect, well....Cecelia finds a letter from her husband, not to be opened until his death...she opens it anyway. Tess finds out that her husband and cousin(yes her business partners) have fallen in love with each other. So she takes her son and heads to Sydney and enrolls him in the school which, Rachel Crowley is the secretary and Cecelia is the mother all other mothers love and hate.

The news Cecelia finds in the letter, the thoughts Rachel has about her daughters killer, and the actions Tess take after leaving her husband would make for one exciting story.

I'm afraid this story feel short of the exciting mark. When I first picked it up and started reading, I was dying to find out what was in the letter, but I would have to wait for that. Once the secret was out, I wanted to know what was going to happen next, with everyone's story. But the excitement wasn't there. This wasn't a book, that I had to hurry to get back to, which was very disappointing. I couldn't abandon the book, though because I had to know.

Would Rachel find her daughter's killer? Would Cecelia be able to live with her husband's secret? Would Tess and Will be able to work through their marriage? But getting those answers was not page turning and gripping.

I gave the book three stars because the whole premise behind the book was good, I enjoyed the story as a whole, but there was too much in between the good parts. Don't tell me about a secret letter at the beginning of the story and take three days to tell me what was in it....it's not fair. And what was happening in those three days was not exciting enough to make me wait. The moments just before the opening were the most thrilling.

Don't know if I will read more from Ms. Moriarty or not.
  
WT
When Tides Turn (Waves of Freedom, #3)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Every book in this series has been spectacular! Full of intrigue and drama, faith and freedom, handsome officers and daring heroines, and not to mention bursting with history! I have learned so much about the war of the Atlantic during World War II through these books. Not only does Sarah include REAL events and REAL people in these books, it inspires me to do research of my own. To delve into the facts and history that inspired these stories.

As the Waves of Freedom series comes to a close, Tess and Dan completely steal the show with their strained relationship and beautiful, er, practical? romance. Tess is full of life, color, and longs to be seen for who she is beneath the pretty face. Dan, has a one track mind focused on his career...That is, until his heart cries out for something more. Both Tess and Dan must learn to trust God to guide their paths, to find who they are in Him, individually. Once they surrender to God's plan, it is amazing to watch the events unfold.

While the books in this series can stand alone, you will want to begin with book one to enjoy and appreciate the full effect of the storyline. Plus, they are simply amazing books. All three have made it on my top reads list!

Get ready for one last amazing ride in the Waves of Freedom Series. And do not despair...For Sarah has a new WWII series she is working on titled, Sunrise at Normandy. The first book, The Sea Before us will be released Spring 2018.

I received a complimentary copy of When Tides Turn from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
The Best Damn Answers to Life's Hardest Questions: A Flowchart Book
The Best Damn Answers to Life's Hardest Questions: A Flowchart Book
Katie Vernon, Tess Koman | 2018 | Comics & Graphic Novels
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A little too judgy for me.
I really wanted to like this book. It look quirky, cute, and absolutely adorable. Unfortunately, this did not meet my expectations. I felt that this book was just too judgy for me. I get what Tess Koman was trying to do, but I was bored with it by the fifth page. The illustrations were okay, and at times I did crack a slight smile. All in all, I was not impressed.

*I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
  
F
Funhouse
Diane Hoh | 1990
7
6.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
80 of 235
Book
Funhouse
By Diane Hoh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There are loads of great rides at the amusement park. The Devil's Elbow is the favourite, and always packed. When it flies off its rails, it causes a terrible accident. But Tess isn't so sure it was an accident. Someone knows what she saw, and someone is out to shut her up.

This is one of my favourites from Diane Hoh and the Point horrors. I’m tea enjoying this trip down memory lane. I really don’t like fairground rides.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated On Spine of Death in Books

Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 7, 2023)  
On Spine of Death
On Spine of Death
Tamara Berry | 2022 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bones Under the Floorboard
Tess Harrow has decided to turn her grandfather’s old hardware store into a bookstore, which requires quite a bit of work. Unfortunately, that work uncovers two sets of bones – both from women who had disappeared from town without a trace years ago and years apart from each other. Worried that her late grandfather will become convicted in public opinion if not by the law, she starts looking into the case. But can Tess figure out what really happened?

Honestly, my teaser just scratches the surface of what is going on in this twisty book. There were some creative surprises, yet everything came together for a logical climax. There was one plot point that felt a little out there to me, but it was minor. And that’s saying something, too, since this is a wacky book with plenty of laughs along the way. I do appreciate the subtle change in tone as we get closer to reaching the climax. The characters, while a bit wacky as well, are still grounded enough to make us care about the outcome. If you are looking for something twisty and fun, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
  
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ClareR (5879 KP) rated Sweetbitter in Books

May 4, 2019  
Sweetbitter
Sweetbitter
Stephanie Danler | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
5
5.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A year in the life of a young woman who moves to New York and gets a job in a high end restaurant. Tess is 22 and lives life to its fullest - that’s if you count drinking hard, taking drugs and hardly sleeping as living hard. She learns a lot about food and wine, but not so much about personal relationships.
This was heralded as the book of Summer 2016, but I’m afraid I found it boring. Nothing much happens, she’s so self-centred as to be a rather unpleasant character. Reading this feels like time I can’t get back, I’m afraid!
  
3.5 stars.

Something about this book kept me interested, kept me reading. Maybe it was the five year separation between this trio of friends and how they still had that same connection. Or maybe it was the romance between Jessa and Nico. Or maybe it was the mystery surrounding these notes she kept receiving. Whatever it was, I finished this book within a couple of hours.

This is my second book by the author, the first being [b:Cowboy Dark|16109369|Cowboy Dark (Summer Romance Collection, #1)|Tess Oliver|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351199170s/16109369.jpg|20723472], the first book in this series and I enjoyed that one too.
  
I Know A Secret (Rizzoli & Isles, #12)
I Know A Secret (Rizzoli & Isles, #12)
Tess Gerritsen | 2017 | Crime, Mystery
10
9.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
For more reviews please visit https://bbookinspector.wordpress.com

I embarrassingly admit, that I was “living under the rock” and this is my first book by Gerritsen, but I am an absolute fan from now on, and I simply need to read all the eleven books from this series, it is just too good to be ignored.

The blurb above, describes this book quite accurately, Rizzoli and Isles got new, very unusual cases, and trying to find the connection between all those murders. The whole narrative is told from Jane’s, Maura’s, and Holly’s perspectives, and that helped me a lot to have a feel of the characters and their complex personalities. I really enjoyed being the one, who knew, what Rizzoli was missing. There are plenty of diverse and very interesting characters in this book, and I think every reader can choose their favourite. My favourite was Jane Rizzoli; I loved her strong personality, and she is very believable and realistic, with husband and little daughter, which showed her softer, down to earth side. There were plenty of clues, that this book is continuation of previous novels, but it can easily be a standalone thriller, even without reading previous books, I was able to enjoy it.

The plot of this book was incredibly well thought through and very addictive, which made this book very hard to put down. Tess puts clues and suspense in every chapter of this book, followed with constant twists and turns. I loved that Tess used different theories to solve the murders, and her personal experience with human bodies was absolutely fantastic.

Even thought author used quite a bit of medical terms in this book; I still found this book quite easy, understandable and pleasurable to read. The chapters are decent length, and did not leave me bored. The culmination was interesting and unexpected, which concluded this novel greatly. So, to conclude, Tess Gerritsen has a new fan, and this book is an absolute must read which is very addictive, incredibly plotted, and filled with unexpected turns and twists. Enjoy ! :)
Was given this book by publisher for honest review.
  
A story of redemption, second chances and characters that weasel their way into your heart to stay, Ms. Alexander's What Hope Remembers is fantastically done. I instantly transported to Misty Willow(which, in my mind, wasn't hard to do since I live in Willow Spring!) and settle right in for the long haul of Amy and Gabe's story. I loved watching the story unfold and felt like I was among family.

Amy, Gabe and Aunt Tess are my favorites! I loved Gabe and Aunt Tess' characters the most! They really fit well in the story. Amy's character was also a great fit. I loved the way Ms. Alexander chiseled her and her flaws. Watching them come to terms with their past, present and their future really took my breath away, in a good way, of course! Gabe's not so perfect past really opened my heart to him. I can't imagine going through what he went through, and the mama bear in me wanted to wrap him up in a big old hug!

From start to finish, you'll be completely wrapped up and taken on a whirl wind ride of hope! It is the third book in the series, yet the first one I read. It's easily a stand alone novel and I highly recommend it, with 4 stars to all! It's a story of long ago loves, soul searching, learning to forgive yourself and trust in God. Great job, Ms. Alexander! Can't wait to read more of your books. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/revell-reads-review-what-hope-remembers-by-johnnie-alexander/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>