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!

Holiday Reads | Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand

Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand

Publisher: Little Brown & Company, October 2016

Genre: Fiction, Christmas

Pages: Hardcover, 256 pages

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

Some of the stormy weather of the past few seasons seems to have finally lifted for the Quinns. After a year apart, and an ill-fated affair with the Winter Street Inn's old Santa Claus, Mitzi has returned to rule the roost; Patrick is about to be released from prison; Kevin has a successful new business and is finally ready to tie the knot with Isabelle; and best of all, there's hopeful news about Bart, who has been captured by enemy forces in Afghanistan.

That doesn't mean there aren't a few dark clouds on the horizon. Kelley has recently survived a health scare; Jennifer can't quite shake her addiction to the drugs she used as a crutch while Patrick was in jail; and Ava still can't decide between the two lovers that she's been juggling with limited success. However, if there's one holiday that brings the Quinn family together to give thanks for the good times, it's Christmas. And this year promises to be a celebration unlike any other as the Quinns prepare to host Kevin and Isabelle's wedding at the inn. But as the special day approaches, a historic once-in-a-century blizzard bears down on Nantucket, threatening to keep the Quinns away from the place - and the people - they love most. Before the snow clears, the Quinns will have to survive enough upheavals to send anyone running for the spiked eggnog, in this touching novel that proves that when the holidays roll around, you can always go home again.

Review:

This is the third and final book of the Winter series by Elin Hilderbrand and as an avid reader of her summer series, I hope that she continues to write stories that are based in Nantucket throughout the winter because I have fallen in love with the island.

I remember when I first read Winter Street (book 1), I didn't know that it was part of a series and when it ended, I had that "WTF?" feeling and rated the book accordingly. I have since gone back and amended my review because, as a series, it was a perfect cliff-hanger ending.Looking back at the series as a whole, I loved it. It evoked all the feelings I get from Elin's summer books but upped the ante by adding in my love for all things Christmas.

As this is the third book, I already have a love-affair with the characters and the Inn and was very happy to see all of the stories wrap up, whether it was the outcome I wanted or not. I can't 100% recall how many characters are narrators in the previous books but it seems that in Winter Storms, each of the characters gets their own turn at telling the story. At first it seemed a little much and the story jumped but knowing it was wrapping everything up (with a pretty bow), I was okay with it. My preference for that type of writing style is 'fewer is better' because it gets a little confusing and hard to follow.

Overall, a perfect ending to a great series. I recommend whole-heartedly. As I said, I am in love with all things Nantucket and actually feel that Elin Hilderbrand has set up an unrealistic expectation so I will never be able to go there and love it like I do on the pages of her books.

Holiday Reads | Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews

Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews

Publisher: Little Brown & Company, October 2013

Pages: Paperback, 480 pages

Genre: Fiction, Christmas

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

Cassie Smith has been out of work for a while but she has an idea. Drawing on her love of Christmas, she begins charging for small things: wrapping presents; writing cards; tree-decorating. She's soon in huge demand and Cassie's business, Calling Mrs Christmas, is born.

Carter Randall wants to make Christmas special for his children, so he enlists Cassie's help, and his lavish requests start taking up all her time. Thank goodness she can rely on her loving partner Jim to handle the rest of her clients.

When millionaire Carter asks Cassie to join his family on a trip to Lapland, she knows she shouldn't go . . . Suddenly Cassie finds herself facing a heart-breaking choice that could change her entire life.

Review:

I'm not sure if I have started all of the Holiday Reads off this way, BUT... I read Carole Matthews each and every Christmas. It seems there are always those authors who come out with new books for the holiday season and when you find what works for you, you run with it!

First off, I have to say that I thought Calling Mrs Christmas was about an older lady, who was maybe an angel, doing amazing things for those who had lost the Christmas spirit, well, I couldn't have been further from the actual plot. In actuality, Cassie is a young woman who has been out of work for the better part of a year. Feeling depressed and in need of something to change her life, she decided to act on her favourite thing, Christmas, and sets up an event planning service for all things Christmas.

I have to say that a quarter of the way through, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book... I found the story of Cassie and Jim wonderful and heartwarming but when Carter was introduced into it, I knew that things were going to go downhill and I was already getting that sour taste in my mouth. It's the age old debate of wealth vs. love... does money really buy you everything? As far as characters go, Carter is that grease ball rich guy who wants everything and doesn't stop until it's his.. he made me feel dirty.

All in, I really enjoyed Calling Mrs Christmas and hope that there is more to her story in the future. Another great story for Christmas.

Dare Me by Megan Abbott

Dare Me by Megan Abbott

Publisher: Little Brown & Company, August 2013

Pages: Hardcover, 290 pages

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Rating: 1.5/5 stars

Summary (from chapters.indigo.ca):

Addy Hanlon has always been Beth Cassidy's best friend and trusted lieutenant. Beth calls the shots and Addy carries them out, a long-established order of things that has brought them to the pinnacle of their high-school careers. Now they're seniors who rule the intensely competitive cheer squad, feared and followed by the other girls - until the young new coach arrives.

Cool and commanding, an emissary from the adult world just beyond their reach, Coach Colette French draws Addy and the other cheerleaders into her life. Only Beth, unsettled by the new regime, remains outside Coach's golden circle, waging a subtle but vicious campaign to regain her position as "top girl" - both with the team and with Addy herself.

Then a suicide focuses a police investigation on Coach and her squad. After the first wave of shock and grief, Addy tries to uncover the truth behind the death - and learns that the boundary between loyalty and love can be dangerous terrain.

Review:

NOPE! I don't even know where to go with this book. It has been sitting on my shelf for 4 years after having received it for review... I tried to destash it a couple of times but after reading the synopsis, I thought it sounded decent and it was short so what the heck. However, it was horrible!

There was NO plot, NO character development, NO point and it felt like it was a book that was written without a purpose. I couldn't decide if it was trying to be a Mean Girls rip-off or if it wanted to be a murder mystery... I honestly just can't.