House of Hauser

My ramblings about life, love and all things that bring me joy.

[houseofhauser]

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

I couldn’t put this down! I am not one that is generally into the fake lovers/dating trope but this may single-handedly change my mind about them.

Olive is a graduate student pursuing her PhD in scientific research and working on preventative screening for pancreatic cancer. Dr. Adam Carlson is an established professor and researcher at the university. After foolishly telling her closest friend, Anh, that she was going on a date and then caught by said friend at the lab instead. Panicking, Olive approaches the first guy she sees (Adam) and asked to kiss him before just launching in and laying on him. One thing leads to another with Anh and she fabricates a lie that she is dating Dr. Carlson. The two sit down and decide that a fake relationship is the perfect solution for each of their dilemmas. Predictably, it doesn’t take long for them to develop feelings for one another. Stubbornness keeps these two from b

I was drawn into this book initially equally due to the strangers to fake lovers to predictably real lovers trope and also the scientific research backdrop. My husband works in clinical research and I may be a little partial to hotties who are into scientific research.

[houseofhauser]

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

This took an intriguing twist!

August is new to the city. She’s pushed herself out of the comfort zone of New Orleans and life with her true crime-obsessed mom to pursue her college degree in New York City. One day on her commute to her new job at a pancake joint, August meets Jane, a fellow commuter on the subway. Jane is the first person to really pique August’s interest romantically. A small rejection paired with August’s lack of confidence causes her to spiral and pursue a different commute. Will August put her fears aside and pursue love and happiness?

This book started out fairly slow. I do think that part of my “issue” with this book is that I simply wasn’t in the right headspace for this when I started it. I did enjoy that it pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit. I have never had that multiple roommates who bond experience and this seemed like fun chaos. I would describe this as season one of Love Life meets One Italian Summer.

[houseofhauser]

The Club by Ellery Lloyd

This was a fast paced mystery turned thriller.

The Home Group is a collection of who is who in Hollywood ranging from up and coming celebrities, to musicians, to household Hollywood names. Known for their highbrow, even higher dollar club houses, The Home Group is celebrating the opening of their most ambitious launch yet – a private island. Things in this supposed sanctuary are about to get wild when the food chain of the group is thrown into disarray and those who normally place nice are out for revenge. Once you’re on the list of this exclusive club, there is no getting out.

This book combines the best aspects of The Guest List (one of my faves from 2021!), Savages, and Rock Paper Scissors. I love a good revenge plot and this had quite the twisty turn string of connections and revelations at play. Simply because there were so many characters, it did get a tad hard to keep straight but this was great. I’d recommend for anyone looking for a good follow up to Good Rich People or The Guest List.

4/5

[houseofhauser]

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay

This gripped me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the epilogue.

Ella is the sole survivor of the 1995 Blockbuster massacre that took place in her home town. Present day she is a practicing therapist helping others dissect and cope with their traumas, whilst still sorting out some unresolved baggage of her own. When a local ice cream store experiences a similar tragedy, Ella is called on by her former teacher to help the sole survivor (Jessie) of this tragedy cope. Jessie and Ella quickly realize the perpetrator behind both crimes must be the same man, there is a copycat killer on the loose, or this is some bizarre, sick coincidence. Forced to join forces once Jessie is arrested on suspicion of the murders, Ella and Jessie put their heads together to figure out who is behind the crimes before it is too late. The road to unmask the killer is a long and treacherous one, will anyone make it to the end alive?

This was so well written! Suspense in all the right places, great level of detail, and just enough action to not give me a full heart attack. This bore familiarity to The Final Girls Support Group and also the Josie Quinn series. The anxiety, the fear, the betrayal was all very palpable and this kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. TWs: sexual abuse, PTSD, depression, alcohol abuse, and abuse of power.

I recommend this wholeheartedly!

5/5

[houseofhauser]

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

My streak of stories about the children of accused killers continues! 

Years ago, Chloe Davis watched as her father was arrested for the murders of several missing girls in their small town in Louisiana. Chloe’s trauma inspired her to pursue a career as a therapist after studying psychology. When girls in her town begin vanishing, she can’t help but feel like the cycle is beginning all over again. She jumps in with both feet to help investigate the root of this sinister twist, an investigation that leads to her suspecting a host of people, including her own fiancé. When she goes to the authorities to report her suspicions, she isn’t taken seriously due to her complicated history. Will Chloe be able to get to the bottom of what is happening to these girls or will she be taken out trying?

Ugh. I so wanted to like this book! There were parts that were great and the premise was solid and enticing. However, little details lead to it falling flat for me. It was hard for me to reconcile a therapist who is revered by her patients and able to treat them effectively but is simultaneously needing to be treated with kid gloves? The police officer who act like leads, even those that turn out bad, are worse than no info at all? Nope. A cunning guy who gets away with all these murders gets the wool pulled over his eyes by his sister and doesn’t suspect the confrontation is a setup? Don’t think so. Several things just felt like they could have been thought out a little better. Overall, the premise was interesting and there was a good amount of suspense and action. 

3/5

[emilystanwick]

Decor by renumdesign featuring a roman numeral wall clock ❤ liked on Polyvore

Currey Company round lamp / Candice Olson beige shag rug / Tozai candles candleholder / Alessi roman numeral wall clock, $69 / Three hands home decor / Mitchell Gold Bob Williams turquoise home accessory / Sofa / Ion Design vintage wood shelf / Otis mod chair / Accent table

[emilystanwick]

Urban Realities by loveartrecyclekardstock featuring flower wall art ❤ liked on Polyvore

Garden furniture / Thos Baker rubber mat / Owl garden decor / MacKenzie Childs wrought iron garden decor, $81 / Lacefield Designs velvet throw pillow / Wooden planter / Cyan Design iron candleholder / Crate and Barrel rustic basket / Pier 1 Imports outside home decor / Halloween pumpkin lantern / Footed vase / Floral decor, $140 / Outside home decor / Georg Jensen outdoor lantern / Floral decor / Door knob / Crate and Barrel flower wall art / Office Star black chair / Arteriors Kazu Natural Tree Root Sculpture

[vodka-cran-berry]

[emilystanwick]

The perfect mint by littlebastard featuring scented candles ❤ liked on Polyvore

KitchenAid kitchen aid stand mixer / Ladies Gentlemen wedding silverware / Royal Albert cake stand, $64 / Baby blue throw pillow / Grey home decor / Ferm LIVING wall clock / Aquiesse scented candle / Crate and barrel furniture / Rectangle end table / IKEA Rotera

[xobunnixo]

[thenordroom]

Source: Fastighetsbyrån

[make-a-home-with-me-come-home]

Accept The Space You Already Have - I love beautiful homes as much as anyone, but I think luxury-design is ruining our our ability to enjoy reality! (img via Crisp Architects)

[dreamydiy-deactivated20150116]

Want to know how you can make your laundry room fun and exciting? Take a look at these 22 awesome laundry room ideas… #5 is seriously amazing! Read more: http://airclass.org/22-awesome-laundry-room-ideas/

image source: blog.styleestate.com

[internalisecarlohomedecor]

Wonderful living room in a Belgium apartment. Styling by Emma Person Lagerberg for Ahlens magazine. Photos by Petra Bindel. (via CocoLapinDesign)

[alixanasworld]

[thenordroom]

[thenordroom]