A Hit, A Miss, and the In-Betweens
So if you read a book that’s not necessarily your favorite, does that annoy you or does it make you that much more appreciative for the ones that are really, really good? In my case: BOTH. Although if I read too many that aren’t so great in a row, I get crabby---seriously. Life is too short for just “so-so” books, right? But on the other hand, how do you know when a lousy book is going to make some incredible shifts and turn out to be one of the best things you’ve ever read?? I don’t really think that happens very often, to tell the truth…but that doesn’t stop me from plowing through with hope, because you just never know!
Last Known Location by Eva Mackenzie
Gwen’s been having issues with her ex-boyfriend; he wants to play mind games and since she was in too deep, it’s hard for her to break free and move on. When she goes on a quick hiking trip in her area, she meets a very nice, VERY good-looking man, but he’s left the campsite when she wakes up the next day so that’s that. Until a few days later when Gwen is on her shift as a nurse at the hospital and this stranger is brought in---bloody and without a memory. The story takes off from there, and while Gwen is trying not to get too involved with this stranger (who might be dangerous), it’s not until she realizes she’s being stalked that she knows for certain that something is up. I think this story had a pretty good premise, although Gwen comes across as a bit naïve at times. The problem was I didn’t find her very likeable, and then I found areas where the leaps of logic were just too great. I wanted to like this one more, but in the end, it was just okay for me.
3 Stars (rounded up)
Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay
One day in 1975, Jane Larkin goes out to run some errands and never comes home, leaving her husband and three young children in an constant state of wondering what happened to her. As the children grow up, the younger two (and investigators) begin to believe their father is responsible, and that their mother is likely dead. Since there’s no proof and no body to be found, Jane’s husband is never charged with a crime…and even after her remains are found some 20-yrs later, there still aren’t any suspects. This is the same author who wrote Defending Jacob, and just like with that book, I found myself completely immersed in the story. The characters are so real, the descriptions so good, that I could practically see this all play out in my head like my own little movie. Highly recommend!
5 Stars
Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Not That Kind Of Ever After by Luci Adams
Bella is an almost-30yr old singleton, living in London, dreaming about the perfect “happily ever after” she always read about as a girl and now mourns the fact that she simply cannot find it for herself. After a particularly awful “date” (the term is being used very loosely here) and a very frank conversation with her best friend’s brother, Bella writes up her fairytale evening turned nightmare…and it goes viral. So even though Bella was having a hard time before, now she has a full blown following, all waiting to see what comes next, and she’s more than happy to oblige—at least until it all starts to spiral out of control. Cute book, kind of predictable and a bit unrealistic, but a nice “chick lit” type of book to pass the time.
3 Stars
Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson
As a follow-up to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, it’s now the early 1950s. Although some progress has been made in favor of females and the “blue folk,” it’s really not to the point where 16yr-old Honey Lovett, the adopted daughter of Jackson Lovett and Cussie Mary (“Bluet”), can be truly free. During a period of time when her parents can’t care for her, Honey needs to use her smarts and the kindness of her friends from Troublesome to gain independence---although, just like with her mother, this is easier said than done. Even though both of these books can be emotionally distressing at times, given the fact that these women have to live during very hard times in places where the law is not in their favor, they are also incredibly rewarding. Richardson is a brilliant writer, and I found myself falling in love with her characters---hoping she finds a way to give us more.
5 Stars
Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena
It’s Easter Sunday, and the Merton family is gathering together at their parent’s home in upstate NY, the estate where each of the children were raised. During the course of the dinner, Fred Merton (the father and patriarch of the family) manages to insult each of his three children, lording his extreme wealth and success over them until they reach a breaking point and all leave. Two days later, the housekeeper finds Fred and his wife brutally murdered, and with millions of dollars as a motive, a father who is downright cruel and a mother who sits silently by, it’s only natural that the police look to the adult children as possible suspects. Like her other works, this is a fast paced, hang by the edge of your seat mystery that I could not put down. Without spoiling the ending, I’ll just say that all the the characters were a bit unlikeable, so I don’t think the “who dunnit” really mattered all that much!
4 Stars