Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, March 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 384 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship. Her ex-husband was sent to jail and she started over with a new life. Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When her ex-husband is finally released, Lindsey believes she’s cut all ties. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed. Lindsey is convinced it’s her ex-husband, even though he claims he’s a different person. But can he really change? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought?

Review:

** A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No compensations were made and all opinions are my own **

Have you ever read a Chevy Stevens book? I have read every single one, including her novella, and each one gets better than the last. It's hard for me to say that Never Let You Go is her best to date because I still remember my first read by her and I get chills... in fact, all of her books leave me with chills!

Chevy Stevens is a writer of thriller/suspense novels and one of the best part about her writing is how she makes you crave more. I don't think a single one of her books has every taken me more than a couple of days to read because, once you start, you cannot stop. Fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat suspense will leave you sleepless.

One of the things that I love about Chevy's books are her characters. They are so real, so relatable and developed to feel like you would see them on the street or in the local coffee shop. The characters in Never Let You Go were no different. I loved Lindsey (I mean, her name alone) and felt that her story, her strength and her love for her daughter was so real that I understood why she did what she had to to get away from a dangerous situation. A mother's love is no joke... they will bring out the bear when needed. Sophie was another great character. Full of the typical teenage angst and trouble that you never know if you love them or hate them. As for the other, supporting, characters, every single one fit the story so well and worked to advance the story exactly as they should have!

When you are an avid reader of mystery books, you tend to learn to expect the unexpected (any Big Brother fans out there) and start to look at the most unlikely character to be the 'bad guy' but, once again, my jaw dropped when everything comes together at the end.. I love that feeling. It's rare and i takes some serious talent to be able to have the reader constantly second-guessing 'who dun it?' BRAVO!!

Overall, a stunner of a book and one that you MUST read. I can't say enough about Chevy Stevens, she is the queen of mystery and at the top of my must-read author list... perfection in a book!!

Fractured by Catherine McKenzie

Fractured by Catherine McKenzie

Publisher: Lake Union, October 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 360 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

Julie Prentice and her family move across the country to the idyllic Mount Adams district of Cincinnati, hoping to evade the stalker who’s been terrorizing them ever since the publication of her bestselling novel, The Murder Game. Since Julie doesn’t know anyone in her new town, when she meets her neighbor John Dunbar, their instant connection brings measured hope for a new beginning. But she never imagines that a simple, benign conversation with him could set her life spinning so far off course.

After a series of misunderstandings, Julie and her family become the target of increasingly unsettling harassment. Has Julie’s stalker found her, or are her neighbors out to get her, too? As tension in the neighborhood rises, new friends turn into enemies, and the results are deadly.

Review:

Can you give a book more than 5 stars? If you can... this would be the one I would do it for! YOU GUYS, I was riveted... so into this book that I gave up an entire day of the first long weekend of the year to do nothing but read.

I first heard about Catherine McKenzie from a fellow Canadian blogger, Kaley (Books, etc.), and knew when I read her first book that she would be an author who lives on my 'must read' list. Her ability to pull you into a story is unlike most authors out there and this book was no different. When I sat down to read, I had no idea what the book was about but knew that it was a mystery-type story... little did I know that it was an edge-of-your-seat, nail-biter of a book... one of those that you refuse to put down because you MUST know what happens.

The characters in Fractured were extremely well developed... even though the story was told from two points of view, I felt as though I could understand the story, and the atmosphere that surrounded everything, from many of the neighbours of whom played a roll in the book. Both Julia and John were great characters to read the story through and provided very different looks into how things happened... the back story that led up to the big mystery. Living in a 'community' neighbourhood myself, I definitely understand the dynamics that exist when you live on a street where there is always someone watching... trying to see who is doing what and reporting those who don't follow the rules to a 't'. I felt for Julia... moving away from a horrible experience and ending up in an even worse one.

Overall, this book was amazing... one that I think everyone needs to read! If you like a good mystery, this is a book that will satisfy every single desire that you crave when you pick up a book! LOOOOOVE!

My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

Publisher: Penguin Random House, February 2017

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback (ARC), 436 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.

Ok, so the real truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn’t really hers.But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren’t they?

Until her not-so perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie’s hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.

Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams? Or try to get her job back? Does Demeter – the woman with everything – have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems.

And what’s wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway?

Review:

**This book was provided to me by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own**

First off, I love Sophie Kinsella... LOVE! I believe I have read every single one of her books and just love her ability to weave a story and keep the reader engaged in every aspect of it so it comes as no surprise that I absolutely adored "My (Not So) Perfect Life". You know that feeling you get when you start a book and already, on page one, you know that you are going to be in for a good read? I got that feeling when I was reading this book.

There is something about stories that take place in London that grip me and when you add such loveable characters, like Katie (or Cat or Cath), into the mix, it's a recipe for success. In fact, all of the characters really are wonderful... each of them have their own personality which add a certain element to the overall flow of the story. Whether you love or hate them, they really grow on you as the book progresses and I found myself rooting for the people I had least expected.

I also like that the book was broken into two parts... a London storyline and a Somerset (or country) storyline. While I did enjoy the London part of the story, my favourite part was when Katie moved to the country... I can't even imagine what it would be like to go from a city-loving girl to finding yourself, back at home, in the middle of your families latest money-making adventure. I found myself smiling and laughing out loud as Katie took her 'Glampers' on crazy adventures and used some of that pent-up frustration to get back at her, more privileged, guests.

As with most chick-lit books, there is going to be a romantic aspect to the story but I really like that Sophie Kinsella doesn't shove it down your throat. It wasn't a 'romance' book and the relationship that developed really was more of a behind the scenes story... it also didn't follow that usual recipe for romance which I really appreciated. Now, that said, it doesn't take a genius to figure out how things go but, I will say that I was very happy come the end of the book.

Before I wrap up this review, I wanted to touch on the underlying message that I found running through the book and that is of the 'perfect life' that we see so much in social media. The life that people WANT you to see... I thought it was brilliant that Katie had a 180 degree spin in her thoughts on how social media works. It's so true that what you see isn't always the true story. Nobody wants you to see the heaps of dirty laundry, the messy stove, the couches covered in animal hair (speaking from experience here)... everybody wants to give the illusion that their lives are perfect. So, THANK YOU Sophie for making that a theme in your novel, I found it humbling to know that so many will read that and hopefully feel better about their own lives and the way they present themselves to other people. xx

Overall, if you are a fan, in any way, of Sophie Kinsella, this book is a must. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am already chomping at the bit for her next book to come out!

The Obsession by Nora Roberts

The Obsession by Nora Roberts

Publisher: Piatkus Books, April 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: eBook, 464 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from goodreads.com):

Naomi Carson is a survivor. As a child, her family was torn apart by a shocking crime. It could have destroyed her, but Naomi has grown up strong, with a passion for photography that has taken her all around the world.

Now, at last, she has decided to put down roots. The beautiful old house on Point Bluff needs work, but Naomi has new friends in town who are willing to help, including Xander Keaton - gorgeous, infuriating and determined to win her heart.

But as Naomi plans for the future, her past is catching up with her. Someone in town knows her terrifying secret - and won't let her forget it. As her new home is rocked by violence, Naomi must discover her persecutor's identity, before it's too late.

Review:

You guys... have I mentioned before just how much I love Nora Roberts books? This chick can do no wrong! I have read many of her books (like a lot of them) from all sort so of genres... mystery, romance, witchcraft... and each and every time I finish one, I am blow away by the sheer enjoyment I get out of it.

The Obsession literally had be gripped right from the first page and didn't let up until I finished the book. I spent a good amount of time trying to figure out the whole "who-done-it" aspect and could not centre on one person and when I finally would think of someone, I wasn't happy because I really started to fall in love with the characters. The whole idea of a small town, the quiet escape, a house on a bluff really appealed to me so I didn't want anyone who was in that ideal, dreamlike, place to be guilty of killing young women.

One of the things that I found to really enjoy about the writing style for this novel is that, while the story started in the past, it stayed with the current day throughout the rest of the book... you were never left hanging in a chapter and while I can appreciate back-and-forth style books, it seems so common these days. I really liked that Nora Roberts kept this book chronological... that may seem like a weird thing to like but it made the story so much easy to read and you would really get lost in it - hours will disappear, I promise!

Overall, I loved this story and am already craving the next Nora Roberts book on my TBR... as I said before, you can never go wrong by picking up one of her books. She's amazing!

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books, August 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: eBook, 346 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from Goodreads.com):

As the daughter of a meth dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. Struggling to raise her little brother, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible "adult" around. She finds peace in the starry Midwestern night sky above the fields behind her house. One night everything changes when she witnesses one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold, wreck his motorcycle. What follows is a powerful and shocking love story between two unlikely people that asks tough questions, reminding us of all the ugly and wonderful things that life has to offer.

Review:

Going into this book, all I had seen were good star ratings but I hadn't read anything about what it was about or the actual reviews. I feel very conflicted on whether I want to give this book a stunning review, or talk about just how horrified I was to learn about its controversial topic...

Let's not beat around the bush here... I've marked this as a "spoiler" review because I'm not sure how clear they make the statutory rape topic in any of the synopsis's.

I was disgusted and horrified when I read about how Kellan and Wavy's relationship progressed. When I first started reading, I knew that it seemed to be leaning that way, but assumed it was more on Wavy's end and she just had a school girl crush but no... it most definitely was not that way. When things progressed into actual, uncomfortable to read, sexual encounters, I felt all sorts of mixed emotions. I was grossed out, horrified, disgusted, sickened... all the appropriate adjectives to describe very disruptive relations between a 12/13 year old and a 25+ year old. However, the relationship that had developed, through the first half of the story, between Kellan and Wavy was so beautiful and innocent... loving and trusting... that it made an absolutely bad situation not seem as... illegal. I just have so many weird feelings about this book that I understand the ratings and can't help but give it a 5-star myself.

I don't really know what else to say... the characters were great, I enjoyed each of the points of view that the story was written from and felt that they all added greatly to the overall flow. For me, the story read very quickly and had me anxious to hear what was going to happen next.

Overall, I really did love this book, even with such a controversial topic, it was handled with beauty and grace and I can honestly recommend it to anyone who is willing to take a chance on a book that is maybe a little out of their comfort zone.

Little Lies by Heather Gudenkauf

Little Lies by Heather Gudenkauf

Publisher: Mira, May 2014

Genre: Fiction

Pages: eBook, 45 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

When the body of a woman is discovered in a local park-with her bewildered four-year-old son sitting beside her-veteran social worker Ellen Moore is called in to assist in the police investigation. Positioned beneath a statue of Leto, the goddess of motherhood, the crime is weighted with meaning and, Ellen discovers, remarkably similar to one from a decade past. Ellen's professional duty is to protect the child, but she's not equipped to contend with a killer. As she races to connect the dots, she knows her time is running out. And the stakes are high: if she fails, another mother is sure to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Review:

When I found out this was a short story/prequel, I decided to download the ebook from my library and blow through it in an afternoon. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did but WOW, what a roller coaster ride of pure adventure.

Heather Gudenkauf is an author that I have picked up here and there over the years but not someone that I continually pay attention to and I have to wonder why that is. This is likely the third book of hers that I have read and can honestly say that I loved all of them. It's taking everything in me NOT to order up the book 'Little Mercies' that this book is the prequel to because I have that MUST READ MORE feeling.

Now, with short stories/prequels, I have always read the actual book they are based on before it so I am not sure how exactly Ellen (and family) and Joe are connected in the main story. Whether it is based around the original crime from 13-years ago or if the crimes of 'Little Lies' have nothing to do with it but either way, I am excited about the potential of reading more of these characters. I liked both Ellen and Joe and think there is definitely 'more to the story' of their relationship.

Overall, a very worthwhile read for those who enjoy quick, fast-faced, stories.

I See You by Clare Mackintosh

I See You by Clare Mackintosh

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, November 2016

Genre: Fiction, Mystery/Suspense

Pages: Paperback, 384 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

Every morning and evening, Zoe Walker takes the same route to the train station, waits at a certain place on the platform, finds her favorite spot in the car, never suspecting that someone is watching her...

It all starts with a classified ad. During her commute home one night, while glancing through her local paper, Zoe sees her own face staring back at her; a grainy photo along with a phone number and a listing for a website called FindTheOne.com.

Other women begin appearing in the same ad, a different one every day, and Zoe realizes they’ve become the victims of increasingly violent crimes—including murder. With the help of a determined cop, she uncovers the ad’s twisted purpose...A discovery that turns her paranoia into full-blown panic. Zoe is sure that someone close to her has set her up as the next target.

And now that man on the train—the one smiling at Zoe from across the car—could be more than just a friendly stranger. He could be someone who has deliberately chosen her and is ready to make his next move…

Review:

Well, I can now happily say that Clare Mackintosh is, in fact, a stellar storyteller. Hey, it happens... an author's debut novel is a brilliant one and then, well, the follow ups aren't up to par. However, after reading 'I Let You Go', I knew that as soon as Clare's next book, 'I See You', was released, I would be picking it up and man, am I ever glad that I did because it was just as good, if not better than her debut novel.

While you can classify both of Clare Mackintosh's novels along the same genre, suspense/mystery/thriller... 'I See You' had an extra spine-tingling factor to it in that you had no idea who was behind the crimes and the fact that there could be someone watching your every move is just super creepy. This was definitely an on the edge of your seat type of book and one that I could see many people enjoying in the fall, as things start to get a little dark and mysterious out.

As for the characters, I like both Kelly and Zoe and while they can be classified as 'unreliable narrators', I have come to realize that I quite like that and enjoy not really knowing what's going on. The fact that Zoe is so innocent and couldn't see anyone is her life as a prime suspect made me feel like everyone was. Kelly, being the toughen cop with a mysterious past, made for a very enjoyable, fly by the seat of your pants, character.

Overall, an amazing book and one that I will definitely be recommending to all my friends. Clare Mackintosh is up there with my favourite suspense author, Chevy Stevens, and I cannot wait for her next book to come out.

Holiday Reads | The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, November 2014

Genre: Fiction, Christmas

Pages: eBook, 203 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

Elise Dutton dreads the arrival of another holiday season. Three years earlier, her husband cheated on her with her best friend, resulting in a bitter divorce that left her alone, broken, and distrustful.

Then, one November day, a stranger approaches Elise in the mall food court. Though she recognizes the man from her building, Elise has never formally met him. Tired of spending the holidays alone, the man offers her a proposition. For the next eight weeks—until the evening of December 24—he suggests that they pretend to be a couple. He draws up a contract with four rules:

1. No deep, probing personal questions
2. No drama
3. No telling anyone the truth about the relationship
4. The contract is void on Christmas Day

The lonely Elise surprises herself by agreeing to the idea. As the charade progresses, the safety of her fake relationship begins to mend her badly broken heart. But just as she begins to find joy again, her long-held secret threatens to unravel the emerging relationship. But she might not be the only one with secrets.

Review:

Richard Paul Evans was one of those go-to Christmas authors that I read back when I was reviewing books... now that I am back at it, I feel it's only fitting that in the first Christmas season back, I revisit his work.

The Mistletoe Promise is the first book in a trilogy and it adds the romance and happiness that you expect in a Christmas story but it also has an element of mystery and suspense that I wasn't expecting. As mystery/suspense/thriller is my favourite genre, it was a very welcome surprise.

The story centres around Elise, a depressed, divorced woman with a past that haunts her and Nicholas, a man who seems too good to be true but you know there is something beneath the surface... it's just a matter of when and where their stories will come out and how much it will affect the relationship they are working to build. I really enjoyed these characters and found myself wanting to learn more and more about them and while I don't know that their story continues through books 2 and 3, I am hoping they at least make an appearance.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have already requested The Mistletoe Inn from the library... hoping I can get it in before Christmas. Such a good read!

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, May 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 384 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

On a rainy afternoon, a mother's life is shattered as her son slips from her grip and runs into the street…

I Let You Go follows Jenna Gray as she moves to a ramshackle cottage on the remote Welsh coast, trying to escape the memory of the car accident that plays again and again in her mind, desperate to heal from the loss of her child and the rest of her painful past.

At the same time, the novel tracks the pair of Bristol police investigators trying to get to the bottom of this hit-and-run. As they chase down one hopeless lead after another, they find themselves as drawn to each other as they are to the frustrating, twist-filled case before them.

Review:

Yet another book review that I am starting with a giant WOW! What an amazing debut novel for Clare Mackintosh... a story that grabs you from the first page and keeps you guessing right up to the last page.  You know the type of book that leaves you hungry for more?  That is exactly what I Let You Go does!!

While I found the start of the story insane, it slowed off just a little to the point that I started thinking that this book wasn't going to live up to it's hype.  However, I hit the halfway point and  the book took a sudden turn that made you go from thinking it's 'just okay' to 'this book is crazy good'.  It became that page turner that I was expecting and I fell in love with Clare's ability to build a story.  Her characters were lovable and relateable ... people who made mistakes and now have to spend a lifetime dealing with the consequences.

I am so excited to read Clare's next book because if this is any indication... I will be a forever fan!

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Publisher: Random House of Canada, October 2016

Genre: Fiction

Pages: Hardcover, 480 pages

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from Chapters.indigo.ca):

A young woman and her husband, admitted to hospital to have a baby, request that their nurse be reassigned - they are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is black, to touch their baby.  The hospital complies, but the baby later goes into cardiac distress when Ruth in on duty.  She hesitates before rushing in to perform CPR.  When her indecision ends in tragedy, Ruth finds herself on trail, represented by a white public defender who warns against bringing race into the courtroom.  As the two come to develop a truer understanding of each other's lives, they begin to doubt the beliefs they each hold most dear.

Review:

WOW... another amazing book by Jodi Picoult. I have read every single one of her books and can honestly say that I always walk away feeling like I have learned something new. Her books tackle topics that some authors may shy away from and yet she handles them with such ease that her readers are left with hearts and minds full of new found love for her characters and different social situations.

In Small Great Things, Jodi Picoult tackles the topic of race and discrimination and it's such a relevant thing to talk about given the stories that dominate the news every single day. The story is written so that the readers can see both sides of the story and yet find themselves dealing with the morale issue of what's right. Perhaps you see yourself more in one camp than the other but by the end of the story, you can see the light of both sides.. you understand that the world, for lack of better terms, isn't just black and white.. that there are so many shades of grey in between.

As always, Jodi's novels leave me craving her next story... I highly recommend Small Great Things to anyone but don't stop there, read all of her stories and you will be better for it!