Book Nerds Across America

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Book Review: The Love Haters by Katherine Center

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim, but fakes it that she can.

Plus, Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop, paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good-looking man she has ever seen... but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

The Love Haters is the first book I have read by Katherine Center, despite having at least one sitting on my shelf! I am not sure why I haven't picked one up yet; my TBR shelf is just intimidating, and I spend a lot of time staring at it, finding a book to read elsewhere. I will say, if all her previous books are like Love Haters, I am sorry I haven't picked it up yet, because I did enjoy this book.

I really enjoyed Kate. I am not saying she was without problems, but I liked her. I understood her shyness about her body. I think a lot of us would relate to that. She was charming and flawed, so she felt relatable, and I really like that in a character. It was fun to see her growth throughout the story.

Key West is one of those places I have always wanted to go, so I liked that the story was based there, but honestly, this beach-raised girl now living in the middle of nowhere near water, would enjoy any beach setting.

I liked Katie's reluctance to get involved with Hutch. I think anyone with a bad dating past would be, or at least should be. Relationships are hard, and I think I would be the same after a string of them. I also liked the fact that even with her reluctance to have a relationship with Hutch, she still appreciated the finer points of him. The author also peppered in some great secondary characters that really added to the story.

Despite my really enjoying this book, it seems to have gotten mixed reviews from people who have read her before, saying this wasn't her best. If that is the case, I am truly looking forward to picking up some of her past books.

Grab this for your beach bag, it's the perfect summer read.

Book Review: The Thrashers by Julie Soto

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.

They’re everything everyone wants to be.

Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.

Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.

But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

BOOM... The Trashers start right off with a suicide. Emily Mills, 17, takes her life in her bathtub on prom night, wearing her formal gown. THIS is the right way to catch readers' attention and pull them into the story. No building up...straight to the problem, and the reader is left NEEDING to know how it happened.

The Trashers are the " it " crowd in their school. They are privileged and popular. They get their name from the group's presumed leader, Zach Thrasher, the guy every girl wants to be noticed by, especially Jodi, another member of the elite group. Jodi is different from the rest of the Thrashers; she does not come from money, and she isn't as beautiful as the other girls in the group, Paige and Lucy. In fact, she lives with her truck-driving father, who is an alcoholic and at times abusive to her. The only way she secured her spot in the Thrashers is that she has been best friends with Zach long before high school, because of that fact, she definitely does not feel secure in her spot and fears being " thrashed " by her friends for that reason.

Emily has always wanted to be a Thrasher; she wanted Zach to like her, but the only one of the group who seems to give her the time of day is Jodi. I think Jodi gave her attention more out of pity than actual friendship. Maybe deep down she understood the draw to the group since she herself is a bit of an outsider, but I did not like the way Jodi stood quietly while the rest of the group teased and bullied Emily.

The police who are investigating the suicide zero in on the Thrashers after they find a diary of Emily's. In the diary they find an entry where AEmily claims she was raped by one of the Thrasher boys, along with relentlessly teased and bullied by the rest of them. At this point, Jodi feels uncomfortable and begins to question some of the group's actions.

I really enjoyed The Thrashers, which has kind of a Cruel Intentions vibe going on with the group. None of the characters are particularly likable, even Jodi, but like me, I am sure many of us have known these people in high school, so the book can be very relatable, no matter which side you were on at the time.

It is a slow burn, but the realism of the characters keeps you turning the pages, plus, I won't lie, I wanted to see their downfall; you could feel it coming, there were just a lot of twists before you figured out the actual facts.

I feel like this book gives you a lot to think about, but there are also many triggering subjects, as you can imagine. Despite that, it is well written, keeps you engaged, and oh, the ending! All together, this is a solid YA thriller

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Book Review: Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Lenore is the wife of steel magnate Henry, but ten years into their marriage, the relationship has soured and no child has arrived to fill the distance growing between them. Henry's ambitions take them out of London and to the imposing Nethershaw manor in the countryside, where Henry aims to host a hunt with society’s finest. Lenore keeps a terrible secret from the last time her husband hunted, and though they never speak of it, it still haunts their marriage.

The preparations for the event take a turn when a carriage accident near their remote home brings the mysterious Carmilla into Lenore's life. Carmilla, who is weak and pale during the day but vibrant at night; Carmilla who stirs up a hunger deep within Lenore. Soon girls from local villages begin to fall sick before being consumed by a bloody hunger.

Torn between regaining her husband's affection and Carmilla's ever-growing presence, Lenore begins to unravel her past and in doing so, uncovers a darkness in her household that will place her at terrible risk . . .

TEE'S THOUGHTS

I have many thoughts on Hungerstone, but I will tread carefully because I don't want to give anything away. Also, if this review seems scattered, it probably is, I tend to ramble when I really like a book, and things get jumbled because my thoughts are going in so many directions.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is based on the novel, Carmilla, by Sheridan Le Fenu, which is the book that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. This was one of the many reasons I really wanted to read Hungerstone. I haven't read Carmilla, so I can't say if it is a close adaptation or just based loosely as an idea. It wasn't that book, it was the Dracula mention that piqued my interest.

The other reason it spoke to me was the fact that it was Gothic Horror. I am a huge fan, I think I have even written several posts on the blog about Gothic Horror books, this love goes back to my reading Dracula long ago

I loved Hungerstone. I believe anyone with a love of Gothic Horror would. The book stayed true to its Gothic roots. Set outside of the English town of Sheffield ( oh hay Arctic Monkeys ! )

This story had the atmosphere that makes a gothic book. Foggy moors, a dark and haunting manor house. Brooding characters, both withdrawn and unpleasant. Definitely the type of people you would expect to find in a book written about Victorian times.

Main character Lenora is tragic, in a loveless marriage to Henry, who is a steel magnate. They have moved from London, to the middle of nowhere, Sheffield. Lenora has dreams that foretell the coming of the mysterious Carmilla, who, after a while, shows up when her carriage breaks down and she is invited into the manor home. Lenora finds Carmilla both unnerving and desirable. She is seductive and forbidden. We see Lenora's self-discovery with Carmilla take root at the time she needs it most.

As in most Gothic Horror, Hungerstone isn't the typical horror, where things jump out and scare you. It is horror that is felt in the creepiness of the surroundings and the actions of the characters. It is written in a beautiful prose that is addictive, almost deliciously so.

Saturday, March 22, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: I WOULD DIE FOR YOU BY SANDIE JONES

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Now: Nicole Forbes lives a quiet life in a small seaside Californian town with her husband and daughter. She is not expecting a writer to knock on her door asking for her personal insight into the downfall of the biggest British band of the 1980s—unveiling the threads of a life she put behind her years ago. The same day, her daughter goes missing and the school claims her aunt picked her up . . . but she doesn’t have an aunt. Convinced of a link between the two, Nicole is forced to revisit long-abandoned memories from her past to protect everything she now holds dear.

1986: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is obsessed with the hottest band in London, Secret Oktober. Harboring an intense crush on the leading man, Ben Edwards, she will do anything she can to capture his attention among the throngs of groupies at the band’s scandalous backstage parties. But when Ben discovers her older sister Nicole singing at a local bar one night, he can’t help but feel drawn to her, setting in motion a collision course that could tear their family apart.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

Do you like Boy Bands, but with a bit more Rock and Roll? Yes? Then I Would Die For You might be the thriller you need to pick up.

This story is told in multiple POVs, and two time lines. In usual form, I much more enjoyed the past time line ( 1986 ) over the present as such ( 2010 ). The time lines did jump around a lot, and it did get confusing at times. This was probably my biggest complaint with the book.

The main character Nicole, has a very nice life, with her husband and daughter, but the past she tried to bury and failed to tell her husband about , comes back to haunt her. Oh yeah, the past is where the Band Boys are.

Now the things I really liked about the books....The groupies that were in the past, oh they were messy , bad band boys with typical supposed rock and roll type behavior , that me, as a person who use to be part of the music scene just loves to read about.

The characters were ok, I was neither really fond of them, nor did I dislike any of them, with the exception of a few. Nicole had a tendency to get on my nerves, honestly I do not think what she hide about the past warranted keeping a secret, and much of her problems would not have not happened fi she had been truthful to her husband to begin with.

While were the past events were sad and tragic, and it is where most of my attention was, the confusing parts, there were loads of characters, at times really confused me and I would wander away and forget where I was. I also felt that the ending was rushed, like the author needed to get it finished for a dead line ( I am sure that is not the case, but it did feel very rushed )

There are some areas of the book that may make some readers uncomfortable, triggers, I suppose you'd call them. Drug use and bad behavior ( it is rock and roll ) a parent's death to cancer and several more, so it is fair to say, it is not a light read.

Also, I think it is pretty cool that the author was inspired to write I Would Die For You by her times a being a big fan or groupie ( I really dislike the term groupie, I think it insinuates sex, as it did in the 60s and I know a lot of HUGE fans of bands that would never even think of the members in that way ) for the band Duran Duran.

I was given an early listen to I Would Die For You by Macmillan Audio ( thank you kindly ) and I really enjoyed the narrator Imogene Wilde. I found her voice very pleasing and easy to listen to.

Despite being confused, and thinking the book end abruptly, I did enjoy this book, and I think many readers will, especially if they are fans of twisty thrillers, because it was def that

Saturday, March 8, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: WILD DARK SHORE BY CHARLOTTE MCCONAGHY

GOODREADS SSUMMARY:

Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers. But with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants, packing up the seeds before they are transported to safer ground. Despite the wild beauty of life here, isolation has taken its toll on the Salts. Raff, eighteen and suffering his first heartbreak, can only find relief at his punching bag; Fen, seventeen, has started spending her nights on the beach among the seals; nine-year-old Orly, obsessed with botany, fears the loss of his beloved natural world; and Dominic can’t stop turning back toward the past, and the loss that drove the family to Shearwater in the first place.

Then, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman washes up on shore. As the Salts nurse the woman, Rowan, back to life, their suspicion gives way to affection, and they finally begin to feel like a family again. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting her heart, begins to fall for the Salts, too. But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers the sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own dark secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, the characters must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late—and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

I have never read one of Charlotte McConaghy's books. Still, they have always sounded beautiful, and her connection with nature has almost seemed something of a spiritual thing, so I have been telling myself...pick up Migration...pick up something she has written. I finally picked up Wild Dark Shore. Now. I can't compare this book with her others, because I have said, I haven't read them, but I will say this, I hit it right on the head on how I felt her writing would be.

As I listened to Wild Dark Shore, I was so pleased at how well crafted each of her characters were. Instantly I felt connected, and invested in them. I did not have to wait for the story to develop deep into the book to finally like them. I hate that, I am a very character-driven reader.

Ummm, I don't know about you, but I would LOVE to live on an island and be a lighthouse keeper. I know. In no book or movie has that ever turned out well....But...there is a first for everything? Right? I thought the island was a perfect setting for this book and McConaghy's descriptions are colorful and beautiful.. Great for a mystery. Isolated location, wild rough ocean that surrounds you. You can just see the rough seas pounding against the rocks, and maybe even depositing a body there for you to discover and nurse back to health. Yes, the mystery is a bit of a slow burn, but there is a lot taking place within the family as you wait. I never felt the story dragged.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance listen from MacMillan Audio, and it was excellent, with a full cast of narrators that brought this entire story to life.

If you, like me, have heard the constant praise of McConaghy's previous works, and wonder if you should believe the hype...you can. This one did not disappoint.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: BE READY WHEN THE LUCK HAPPENS BY INA GARTEN

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Here, for the first time, Ina Garten presents an intimate, entertaining, and inspiring account of her remarkable journey. Ina’s gift is to make everything look easy, yet all her accomplishments have been the result of hard work, audacious choices, and exquisite attention to detail. In her unmistakable voice (no one tells a story like Ina), she brings her past and her process to life in a high-spirited and no-holds-barred memoir that chronicles decades of personal challenges, adventures (and misadventures) and unexpected career twists, all delivered with her signature combination of playfulness and purpose.

From a difficult childhood to meeting the love of her life, Jeffrey, and marrying him while still in college, from a boring bureaucratic job in Washington, D.C., to answering an ad for a specialty food store in the Hamptons, from the owner of one Barefoot Contessa shop to author of bestselling cookbooks and celebrated television host, Ina has blazed her own trail and, in the meantime, taught millions of people how to cook and entertain.

TEES THOUGHTS

I won't lie, I enjoy watching Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa is my go-to when I can't find anything else to watch or if I don't need to pay much attention to the show, I have seen them all several times.

Sure Ina is on a level of pretentiousness that I will never reach, but boy can that lady cook and serve cocktails to her name-drop-worthy friends.

I can't say that this book was extremely insightful, or exciting, but it was a bit interesting to hear how she started her business, bought her lifelong dream apartment in Paris, and her house in the Hamptons.

I am not sure luck had much to do with her success as the title might suggest, she had a privileged upbringing from the git-go...so...you know...

She was open about her and Jefferies separation, something I knew nothing about, and that she had no desire to have children because of her difficult childhood. I did like how she validated women not wanting children, and that without them you can live a fulfilled life. That needs to be heard by many.

For the most part it was what I expected from Garten, a pretentious read from a pretentious person, for me her cookbooks offer me more substance and entertainment.

I borrowed this on Audio from my local library and like a lot of celebrity memiors, it was read by the author, and I always enjoy that much better than the book being read by someone else. That is what it was, a celebrity memior, fun to read but nothing really sticks to your ribs !

BOOK REVIEW: A KILLING COLD BY KATE ALICE MARSHALL

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

A whirlwind romance.

When Theodora Scott met Connor—wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family—she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.

Stay away from Connor Dalton.

Theo has tried to ignore the threatening messages on her phone, but she can’t ignore the footprints in the snow outside the cabin window or the strange sense of familiarity she has with this place. Then, in a disused cabin, Theo finds something impossible: a photo of herself as a child. A photo taken at Idlewood.

I’ve been here before.

Theo has almost no recollection of her earliest years, but now she begins to piece together the fragments of her memories. Someone here has a shocking secret that they will do anything to keep hidden, and Theo is in terrible danger. Because the Daltons do not lose, and discovering what happened at Idlewood may cost Theo everything.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

I am a true fan of thrillers set in isolated locations. The psychological aspect of being so far from anywhere or anyone gives them an eerie feeling that pushes the story even further. So A Killing Cold, written by Kate Alice Marshall was a given for me to listen to.

Theo hasn't been engaged to Connor very long when he takes her to his rich family's mountain cabin for Christmas. Things start taking a weird turn, she gets a message from someone who tells her she needs to stay away from Connor, and she begins receiving small gifts, and things begin to look and feel familiar to her. Someone does not want her at the cabin----

Ok that is all I am going to tell you, I don't want to spoil anything

So obviously you know they are all at this mountain cabin, and it's winter, and the weather is going to get real bad... this is just what I love in a book

I have never read anything from Kate Alice Mitchell, I do not even know if this is a debut, or if she has written more, but that is not important, the important thing is she has written this sinister, locked-room thriller that is perfection.

The characters are complex, it is a family of evils, so just when you think you know who to trust or who to not trust, you are thrown against the wall, turned around, and find yourself going in another direction. I could not figure it out until the author told me, but honestly, I am no armchair detective, I just like to think I am.

A Killing Cold is one of those books that will keep your attention, so pick it up and enjoy the story.

** I LISTENED TO AN EARLY RELEASE OF THIS BOOK ON AUDIO, THANK MACMILLAN AUDIO **

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Book Review:The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichi

GOOD READS SUMMARY:

When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual a one-way plane ticket and a note reading Go to Paris . But Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a childhood trauma has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. When her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.

Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and, for the first time in her life, Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress and together they embark on an adventure.

Her first iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters, and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces her to a veritable who’s who of the 1980s Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, Stella begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.

As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

I was just carried away to Paris while reading Ruth Reichl's book The Paris Novel, and let me tell you it was a magical trip through those pages. This book has everything you think of when you say Paris...Art, fashion, food, Shakespeare & Company Bookstore, love. Is there anything I missed?

Stella St Vincent's mother has died. She was never the best role model for Stella as she grew up, she tended to be very much an extravagant freewill, living for the moment. She leaves a note for Stella, along with a small inheritance, telling Stell to take the money and go to Paris. Stella has no intention to do so, she has responsibilities with work and life, and she does not want to be anything like her mother, but fate steps in when her boss tells her she needs time off to mourn, so she takes the small amount of money and heads to Paris.

A bit after arriving in the city of Love she spots a black vintage Dior dress in a shop window and is instantly drawn to it. Short on money she makes a deal with the shopkeeper and leaves with it and a few instructions from the shopkeeper.

This simple black dress opens Stella to a whole new world ( I hate to admit it but I sang that last part of that sentence, proving to myself that I watch more Disney than I care to admit ) and also gives her much insight into her mother's past life.

You can not beat the descriptions in this book. The food and wine made me hungry and I craved a good baguette, you could taste the food, and rightly so, I learned later that the author is a food writer, a talent she used well in the story.

The story is a bit predictable, but it is so darn good, that you overlook that small thing. Stella herself wasn't particularly likable, but all the characters in the book are richly written and so different from each other. You have sweetness in one, stalkerish, and somewhat eccentric in some others.

The Paris Novel is an easy read, so it is a good book to relax with during a free afternoon. Don't expect a lot of action, it isn't that type of book, it is a book you savor like fine wine, and just enjoy while you have it in your hand.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: THE LOST HOUSE BY MELISSA LARSEN

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Forty years ago, a young woman and her infant daughter were found buried in the cold Icelandic snow, lying together as peacefully as though sleeping. Except the mother’s throat had been slashed and the infant drowned. The case was never solved. There were no arrests, no convictions. Just a suspicion turned into the husband doing it. When he took his son and fled halfway across the world to California, it was proof enough of his guilt.

Now, nearly half a century later and a year after his death, his granddaughter, Agnes, is ready to clear her grandfather’s name once and for all. Still recovering from his death and a devastating injury, Agnes wants nothing more than an excuse to escape the shambles of her once-stable life—which is why she so readily accepts true crime expert Nora Carver’s invitation to be interviewed for her popular podcast. Agnes packs a bag and hops on a last-minute flight to the remote town of Bifröst, Iceland, where Nora is staying, where Agnes’s father grew up, and where, supposedly, her grandfather slaughtered his wife and infant daughter.

Is it merely a coincidence that a local girl goes missing the very same weekend Agnes arrives? Suddenly, Agnes and Nora’s investigation is turned upside down, and everyone in the small Icelandic town is once again a suspect. Seeking to unearth old and new truths alike, Agnes finds herself drawn into a web of secrets that threaten the redemption she is hell-bent on delivering, and even her life—discovering how far a person will go to protect their family, their safety, and their secrets.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

For some reason, my winter is never complete until I read a good mystery set in a desolate winter location, it gives the story an atmosphere that feels barren and cold, sometimes almost frightening. I find that snow absorbs the sounds somewhat, making it seem almost silent, knowing that adds a bit of " no one can hear you scream " aspect to the story. The Lost House by Melissa Larsen ticked every box, with its wintery location in Iceland.

Larsen was absolute perfection at describing the scenery, the location, and the characters, it all drew me in quickly, and reaching for a fluffy blanket to shield me from the frosty air I imagined as I listened along.

Probably the thing I liked least, and please know, when I say this, it wasn't a dislike that would make me not want to continue reading, or even give the book a lower rating, this is purely on me. The book includes a podcast, and in the past few years, it feels like every book I pick up centers around a podcast and I am just tired of that aspect of a story, it feels overdone to me personally. However, I am sure plenty love this in a book.

Anyway, Agnes goes to Iceland to appear on a podcast to speak about the murder of her grandmother and aunt. Her grandfather was the suspect in their murders and she is trying to clear his name. While she is there, a girl also goes missing, so she and the podcast host set out to find her.

The mystery is well crafted and the story has plenty of suspense that drives the plot and brings the characters out of the pages into a plausible situation. Speaking of characters, there are several, and you will have a hard time trying to decide if they are trustworthy or not.

The Lost House is entertaining and well-written, and I look forward to reading what Larsen puts out next.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAY'S BY TRACEY LANGE

GOODREADS SUMMARY

When Kyle McCray gets word his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, where he doesn’t expect a warm welcome. Kyle left suddenly two and a half years ago, abandoning people who depended on him: his father, his employees, his friends—not to mention Casey, his wife of sixteen years and a beloved teacher in town. He plans to lie low and help his dad recuperate until he can leave again, especially after Casey makes it clear she wants him gone.

The longer he’s home, the more Kyle understands the impact his departure has had on the people he left behind. When he’s presented with an opportunity for redemption as the coach of the floundering middle school hockey team, he begins to find compassion in unexpected places. Kyle even considers staying in Potsdam, but that’s only possible if he and Casey can come to some kind of peace with each other.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

Usually, I don’t really jump on a book that everyone is raving about on bookstagram, I find myself being an odd man or girl in this case, out. I tend to get so hyped up by what everyone is saying about it that it never seems to live up to it for me. But I did pick up We Are The Brennan’s by Tracey Lange when it came out and I can honestly say it is one of those books that seemed to be everywhere that worked out for me. So when I was offered a chance to read her latest book ( I’m a little behind on getting reviews out as you can tell ) What Happened To The McCrays I knew I’d enjoy it.

I have always loved a good family saga and Tracey Lange knows how to write a good one. You get good drama, characters that pull at your heartstrings, and writing that brings out such emotions.

The narration on the audio was fantastic, with a dual narrative. Both the female and the male drew out feelings with their reading that I never imagined feeling...

I’m not going to go into what the book is about, you can read the summary anywhere, but I highly recommend picking What Happened To The Mc Cary’s up, it’s a wonderful story

Friday, November 29, 2024

Book review: Dead Below Deck by Jan Gangsei

GOODREADS SUMMARY

When an heiress disappears from her superyacht and security footage shows her getting pushed, the main suspect has to prove her innocence in this thrilling mystery at sea told in reverse chronological order, perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Genuine Fraud.

It was supposed to be the best-ever girls’ trip: five days, four friends, one luxury yacht, no parents. But on the final night, as the yacht cruised the deep and dark waters between Florida and Grand Cayman, eighteen-year-old heiress Giselle vanished. She’s nowhere to be found the next morning even after a frantic search, until security footage surfaces . . . showing Maggie pushing her overboard.

But Maggie has no memory of what happened. All she knows is that she woke up with a throbbing headache, thousands of dollars in cash in her safe, a passport that isn’t hers, and Giselle’s diary. And while Maggie had her own reasons to want Giselle dead, so did everyone else on board: jealous Viv, calculating Emi, even some members of the staff.

What really went down on the top deck that night? Maggie will have to work her way backward to uncover the secrets that everyone—even Giselle—kept below deck or she’s dead in the water.

Jan Gangsei crafts a compulsively readable tale of privilege, family, and identity wrapped in a wholly original mystery that will keep readers on the edges of their seats until the final twist.

KAIT'S REVIEW

On the last night of her luxurious yacht trip with three friends, teen heiress Giselle Haverford went overboard, and security footage shows Maggie pushed her. Maggie doesn't remember a single thing about that night. Her odd, tenuous friendship with Giselle doesn't help her case, either. But Giselle wasn't universally beloved and Maggie wasn't the only person who might have wanted her dead. There's the best friends with secret grudges and jealous streaks, the father who sees Giselle as a liability to his political aspirations, the much younger influencer stepmom who wants her out of the way, and the ex whose life she tipped upside down for her own gain, for starters. Not that any of that matters if Maggie can't find a way to prove she's innocent… IF she actually is.

Dead Below Deck pulls readers in with a truly enticing narrative structure: Maggie's POV is told in reverse chronological order from the moment she's detained and accused of murder on Giselle's superyacht. This is interspersed with diary entries from Giselle in chronological order starting from the day she and Maggie met. Combined, the truth lies somewhere in the middle (but still mostly toward the end, because this is a mystery novel, after all!) We're able to see red herrings and slivers of reveals come together from both the present and past simultaneously. The only downside is that there's just no effort to make the voice of Giselle's diary entries actually sound like a diary entries— They're just narrative fiction that we're told is part of a diary and it really pulled me out of the story.

Dead Below Deck does a solid job of maintaining its mystery. You may suspect a vague version of the true ending, but there will also be many, many other suspects. Everyone has their own problems with Giselle, and many of those wounds were deep enough for someone to seek revenge. It felt like a new possibility was introduced every few chapters and that really kept me glued to the pages! Gangesi has some tricks up her sleeve, plot-wise, particularly toward the end of the novel. That being said, not every little twist lands super effectively.

Unfortunately, the character development wasn't fully there. The novel felt like it wanted to say something about the ultra-privileged with Giselle, but never fully committed. Separately, there are so many hints at Maggie's dark, scandalous past. It was constantly teased, yet ultimately was revealed to be pretty underwhelming. I liked but didn't feel super strongly about either narrator, both of whom had the potential to be the good guy or a deliciously cunning unreliable narrator, but never felt that way despite some inevitable scheming. The novel still had lots of merit besides, but I do wish the characters were a little more fleshed out.

If you like mysteries and twisty storytelling, there's plenty in Dead Below Deck to keep you on board. There may be some rough seas when it comes to character relationships, but the mystery element is all smooth sailing. Okay, okay… I'm done with the puns now! Seriously, this one's an enjoyable mystery!

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Book Review: Echoes Of Us by Joy Jordan Lake

GOOD READS SUMMARY:

In the midst of World War II, a Tennessee farm boy, a Jewish Cambridge student, and a German POW forge a connection that endures—against all odds.

But now everything that Will Dobbins, Dov Silverberg, and Hans Hessler fought for is at risk as their descendants clash for control of the corporation they founded together. In an attempt to remake its tattered corporate image, the firm hires event planner Hadley Jacks and her sister Kitzie to organize a reunion for the families on St. Simons Island, Georgia, the place that changed all three men’s lives forever.

As Hadley and her sister delve into the friends’ past, they uncover the life of the courageous young woman who links them all together…and the old wounds that could tear everything apart.

Told in dual timelines spanning World War II and the present, Echoes of Us follows the ripple effects of war, the bonds that outlast it, and the hope that ultimately carries us forward.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

Echoes of War, the newest book by Joy Jordan Lake really surprised me, well maybe not the book, but the story that lays within. I like Historical Fiction, when I read it a lot of the times I will pick up something however small, that I did not know before reading the book. In the last few years, I have read plenty of WW2 historical fiction, it seems to be the latest trend, but never I have read or even heard that during that time there were German Uboats on the Southeast coast of the US. That was the first thing that drew me in, something a bit different from the usual WW2 stories.

Like most Historical Fiction it flows through the story in a dual time line. I will admit, I am often not fond of dual timelines, it seems to dominate all genres these days. I don't hate it, but I do miss just a story told straight through. Despite my dislike of it, I do see why it is used, it is an easy way to tell the back story with a bit more interest. I get in this case, with the three main characters, it fit the story outline very well.

I have never read a book by Joy Jordan Lake, but have noticed she is a popular writer, and have read more than several saying this is one of her best books. I can not agree with that, but I will tell you, it was a damn good book and I will put her on my list to read again. I found my self engrossed in Echoes from the git go. Her writing was descriptive and the story moved along in a convincing way. It has unexpected plot twists, which I also enjoy, and they intertwined without feeling forced.

The story its self is intriguing, and with the information I wrote about earlier that I had not read, I even found it refreshing. The story covers generations, and with that comes the problems that affect many people over a number of years, poverty, and at times wealth, but it also tells of so much courage in the characters.

Speaking of the characters, they are all richly written, with well thought out personalities, that brought depth to the story as they jumped out of the pages at you as you read, these are characters that will stay after you long after you close the cover.

I recommend Echoes Of Us to anyHistorical Fiction reader of course, but there is so much to this story. It is a beautifully written story of love, courage, and friendship, and it even has a biota mystery even in.

Pick this one up, take a few hours and enjoy it. It is interesting enough to keep you turning those pages and you will have it read before you know it

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Book review: Remember Me Tomorrow by Farah Heron

GOODREADS SUMMARY

A missing student. A singular investigation. A new romance. Every bit of it is a mystery in a delightful novel of cosmic twists by the author of How to Win a Breakup.

East House is the oldest and least desirable dorm on campus, but it has a draw for lonely university freshman Aleeza Kassam: Jay Hoque, the hot and broody student who vanished from East House five months ago without a trace. It’s irresistible to an aspiring investigative journalist like Aleeza.

But when she starts receiving texts from Jay, the mystery takes an unexpected turn. To put it mildly. His messages are coming not only from Aleeza’s own dorm room but from the past—only weeks before he disappeared. Sharing space, if not time, Aleeza and Jay are living the impossible, and they start working together to prevent his inevitable disappearance. Causing a temporal paradox that could blow up the universe is a risk they’re going to have to take.

Aleeza digs through Jay’s suspicious friends, enemies, and exes, determined to find out what happened to him. Or what will happen to him. But it’s becoming more than a mystery. Aleeza is catching feelings for her charming new roommate. Wherever, and whenever, he may be.

KAIT'S REVIEW

When Aleeza Kassam leaves her former roommate situation at top speed, she doesn't expect her NEW dorm room to cause much trouble. But Aleeza's single room most recently belonged to Jay Hoque, a student who's been missing for 5 months, and her new dorm mates think she's the pinnacle of a true crime fanatic come to stake out the room as part of a campus-wide obsession with Jay vanishing.

Then something even stranger occurs: Through the roommate-based ResConnect app, Aleeza starts receiving messages from Jay. He's frustrated that he now somehow has a new female roommate in his single. Aleeza brushes it off as a prank, but the pair eventually realize the disturbing truth: Jay is writing to her from the past, a handful of weeks before his disappearance. Together, through the temporal anomaly that only exists on a university app when in their “shared” room, the two team up to discover exactly what happened to Jay and why before it happens to past Jay again.

Remember Me Tomorrow is part enigma, part time warp, and part simmering romance steeped in wealth, envy, and corruption. Aleeza is a bright, relatable MC who's willing to risk her quiet life to save someone else's. Jay is a bit broody and mysterious, but also very charming. The chemistry between the two is felt right from the get-go and maintains its shine throughout the novel. I do think the characters went from “let's help each other out” to “I'm madly in love with you” a little too suddenly, but anyone who reads the description knows that the book was going there anyway.

The secondary characters are memorable and help propel the personal narratives for each MC, from Aleeza's ex-best friend Mia to her new neighbor and biggest skeptic, Grace. I especially loved Jay's friend Jack, a party boy socialite who surprised me a lot, and in a good way! I did think a few character points needed more dimension, like Aleeza and Mia's pretty flimsy reason for falling out that felt very middle school, followed by Mia going full mean girl for no particularly good reason. While I loved Jack's character, there was a plot point specifically involving him that felt really superfluous and took away from the main premise. I liked (or appropriately disliked) all of the characters all the same.

The mystery itself is a fun one. I was able to predict an integral part of the mystery very early on, but I certainly didn't figure out the full breakdown before it came to light. Some hints were a little heavy-handed, but it didn't some me from enjoying the big reveal.

If you enjoy romance with a side of mystery, Remember Me Tomorrow will scratch the itch with charming characters and a side of the supernatural!

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Book review: Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

GOODREADS SUMMARY

From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.

The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.

With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.

Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?

Maybe this job isn’t such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that’s been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing.

All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down—if someone doesn’t bury Marlowe first.

KAIT'S THOUGHTS

As a longtime reader of Maureen Johnson books, I'm a huge fan of the Truly Devious series. So I was a bit disappointed when I discovered that Death at Morning House wasn't the sixth book in the popular series. Then I “met” Marlowe Wexler on the page and that all changed!

Sure, Marlowe and Stevie have some things in common— Their urge to solve mysteries and their quirky nervousness, to start— but this new MC really breathes fresh life into a fresh mystery! Marlowe is clever and observant with a heaping teaspoon of awkward. Unlike Stevie, she's not trying to dive headlong into a mystery. Instead, she finds herself thrust into a summer job where the mystery unfolds around her after an attempt to impress a girl she likes goes horribly, HORRIBLY wrong. Marlowe could be any one of us. Who wouldn't want to do some digging into the mysterious decades-old deaths at their place of work to distract themselves from a life-altering social faux pas, after all?

Marlowe works and lives on the island with a group of teens who grew up together, though their overall closeness seems to be in question these days. While they all have distinct personalities and traits, I appreciate that they didn't feel quite as much like caricatures as the Truly Devious characters can sometimes feel. I really struggle with one TD character, but I really enjoyed this whole lineup. They have drama and secrets that only seem to be exacerbated by their isolated setting and its gruesome past, sometimes putting Marlowe in compromising positions. Of the group, Riki was very favorite because of her excellent socks and her important role in unraveling the secrets of a seemingly cursed mansion alongside Marlowe. My second favorite character was Van, for his *immaculate vibes.*

The novel flirts with the romantic storyline, starting with Marlowe’s massive crush on her co-worker Akilah and their budding relationship, which was all going so well before the incident. While there's always a potential for romance, it's not a super strong element. This was actually very refreshing to me, because some mysteries get too bogged down with interpersonal drama. There are sweet, charming moments, but they don't overpower the actual plot.

But wait, there's more! Death at Morning House is a dual timeline story! That means that on top of Marlowe's misadventures, we get the point of point-of-view of the Ralston children, mainly Clara, as you discover the tragedies that befell the family in the 1930s. The Ralston patriarch was a scientist and famed eugenicist who raised his children to an unreasonably strict standard. This POV is a little more subdued as we explore the lives of children trapped under the thumb of a dangerous ideology, yet still aching to impress their celebrated father. It’s not as fun as Marlowe’s POV, but it's heartbreaking and captivating in it's own right. I think the conclusion to this timeline's drama was even more satisfying than the conclusion to the modern story, but I loved both.

My subgenre of choice has been described as “murder-y,” so I've consumed a lot of mysteries ranging from predictable slogs to riveting puzzles. Thankfully, Death at Morning House is certainly one of the latter. There are hints, if you're looking for them, but Johnson remains a master of doling out answers in small batches and planting red herrings. Even if one of the reveals was among my theories, it certainly wasn't the only one.

Death at Morning House takes a loveable, chaotic protagonist, summer camp vibes gone sideways, and an old-fashioned mystery among the obscenely wealthy to create something this is fresh but still distinctly Maureen Johnson. if you love her books, run, don't walk to snag your copy!

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