Book Review - Golden in Death (In Death, Book 50) by J.D. Robb

"All that glitters is not gold."

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Golden in Death (In Death, Book 50) 

by J.D. Robb

Expected publication: February 4th, 2020 by St. Martin's Press

ISBN: 1250207207

Book Review

by Sofie Hern

Advanced Reader's Copy courtesy of 

Edelweiss and St. Martin's Press

Four stars for this one. J.D. Robb’s words are so familiar to me that her books, her voice, has a form of cadence to them. Her books read smooth and precise that at times, I forget that I’m even reading. It has become such a pleasure to read these books and visit with characters that have become so familiar to me. With each book, I become more attached to the In Death universe that I can’t see me not reading them.

In this 50th installment, we continue to follow kick-ass cop Eve Dallas and company as she solves yet another tough case. With golden eggs, toxins, murder, and sexy scenes, JD Robb continues to produce beautiful work.

Lieutenant Dallas and Detective Peabody are looking for a killer who uses toxins hidden in a golden egg. As Dallas and Peabody investigate the case, they encounter unlikable characters and memorable ones. What I love about this book is that I get to follow every lead and dead-end alongside the homicide duo and other regular characters. This one is particularly refreshing as we see Dallas finally accept that Roarke is part of her process and that with his help, her work has become a little bit easier. She still kicks ass and takes no BS, she just does it more efficiently.

In this book, we see a few beloved characters and Eve’s interactions with them. When one of my favorite characters makes an appearance, I appreciate the book even more. This one had me laughing out loud at Eve’s literal sense, and it also had me in tears with her beautiful heart and compassion. 

Robb isn't one for cliffhangers or major plot twists but instead allows the plot, the case, to unravel right before your eyes, which is not to say there is no suspense. There is the right amount of twists, turns, funny and touching moments. Not many authors can make this happen and still continue to produce outstanding work. An absolute gem.

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Book Review - Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

“Good loses. Good always loses because good has to play by the rules. Evil doesn't.” 

― Henry Mills

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Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

Expected publication: October 1st 2019 by Grand Central Publishing

By @SofieHern

“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” This quote could not have been more perfect. This book was exhausting in the best possible way. Think Stranger Things, IT, and Spirited Away all wrapped into one beautiful book.

When I first read that Stephen Chbosky had a new book coming out I was stoked! NetGalley gave me the opportunity to read the ARC and boy, what a ride! The Perks of Being a Wallflower was a great book and Imaginary Friend did not disappoint.

The story begins with an intriguing sequence of events which precedes an unforgettable story of love, loss, and hope. Christopher and his mother are on the road to a new life. Escaping an abusive relationship, Kate takes her son in the middle the night and arrive at the small town of Mill Grove, Pennsylvania. With only a handful of dollars, Kate and her son stay at a local motel. As Kate attempts to start anew and give her son a good life, she lands a job at a local senior living facility.

Christopher start in a new school brings new friends and enemies as well. Struggling with learning disabilities, Christopher does his best to fit it while trying the hardest to make his mom proud. His mom is his hero so doing good in school is important to him.

On a cloudy day, Christopher disappears. While waiting for his mother to pick him up from school, Christopher is lured into the woods and is not seen for days. When he emerges unharmed and unable to remember a thing things begin to change in his life. What used to be difficult for him to do is now the easiest thing in the world. What once was a string of bad luck in their lives is now the exact opposite.

Soon Christopher and his mother are living the best life ever. He‘ a much better student and friend. Once all calms down and they get into a small town routine, things begin to change once again. Christopher and his friends build a treehouse out in the woods. What follows is an unbelievable story filled with darkness and fear.

Though this book has a lot going on, the characters are excellent. Character development is a beauty. You will be sucked into a world, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. You will feel so close to the characters, you’ll get so invested in them that you will finish this book feeling exhausted. An absolute gem.

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Book Review - The Rumour by Lesley Kara

“Truth travels by bike, rumors travel by plane.” 
― Eraldo Banovac

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The Rumor by Lesley Kara

Expected publication: July 9th 2019 by Ballantine Books

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I am starting a new rating system which will be broken down into three categories. These are the categories I will use to rate this book:

Plot 9/10

Narrative 8/10

Twists 9/10

When I read the synopsis I immediately hit the request button in NetGalley. I was intrigued by the title because, lets’ be honest, who has not heard a juicy rumor in their lives and it just kept spreading and growing? I enjoy books that are relatable and that have an element of possibility, of it happening in real life. Which is why I enjoyed this one so much.

Joanna has moved back to her hometown to start a new life as a single mother of 6 year old Alfie. The rumor begins one morning at school drop off when one of the moms tells a few others that a notorious child killer is living in their town. No one knows who it might be and speculation begins. Determined to fit in and in an attempt to help Alfie make friends, Joanna feels that by repeating the rumor, she will soon be part of the circle. Soon Joanna becomes obsessed with the case of the child killer while the town is in uproar at the thought of a killer living among them.

This book had me feeling quite confident about whom I thought the child killer might be. It then took a turn that made me change my mind only to have that new idea change again! You will assume and think you have this figured out but I will tell you that the twists in this book will leave you disoriented!  

This book is a perfect example of what happens when a rumor gets rolling. How it affects lives and the power it has to destroy them. Set in a side town with your typical small community vibe where everyone knows everyone else –or they think they do. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is addicting and intriguing.

If you enjoyed Big Little Lies and love a good thriller, this one is for you.

This book gets 26 out of 30 possible marks. Very much recommend.

The Rumor by Lesley Kara

Expected pub date: July 9^th 2019

By Ballantine Books

ASIN B07KDWF475

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Book Review: Those People by Louise Candlish

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“Neighbor: the nicest enemy you will ever get” 
― Bangambiki Habyarimana, Book of Wisdom

Those People 

by 

Louise Candlish

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When I was granted this ARC I was stoked! First of all this is one beautiful cover. I was sucked in from the very first page as it begins by letting us know that something horrible has happened in this neighborhood.  In the style of Big Little Lies this one reveals in each chapter small fragments of something big ahead. Told from the perspective of seven neighbors in three households this story has a bit of everything. The twisted humor is one of the things that made this book so enjoyable.

Lowland Way is one of Lowland Gardens most prominent street. A place with beautiful homes, lush gardens and friendly neighbors. A place where the street gets closed down on Sundays so children can play care free without worrying about traffic.

When Darren and Jodi move in to 1 Lowland Way, the neighbors lives are turned upside down when Darren begins constructions seemingly without proper authorization. Soon the once quiet neighborhood of Lowland Gardens turns to chaos with no end in sight.  Ant and Em who live next door to #1 are the ones who suffer the chaos from next door. With a baby at home and endless sleepless nights due to the noise, their lives change dramatically.

I can relate to this book because I once had to deal with this type of neighbors and I know everyone has one neighbor with who they just can’t seem to get along with.

This is my second Louise Candlish read with Our House being the fist and is among my favorite reads of 2018. Fans of Liane Moriarty will definitely enjoy this one. A perfect whodunit that will keep you guessing until the very end. Excellent.

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Book Review: How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper

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“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” 

― Maya Angelou

How Not to Die Alone 

by Richard Roper

My review:

Have you ever told a lie so big that you felt there was no way out of it? This is precisely what Andrew’s world has become. What started as an innocent lie turns his world upside down when asked to host a dinner party for his co-workers.

First of all let me just be honest and say I had no idea a thing called a ‘council’ existed. A Public Health branch where people search for next of kin for those who have died alone. It turns out there is such a thing and this book takes us into this sad world where a person could be given a funeral for no one to attend. But Andrew, our wonderful hero of this amazing story, does his best to make this sad world a better place -one lonely funeral at a time.

On the surface Andrew seems to have the perfect life. A lovely wife, two wonderful children, a beautiful home and a job where he knows he’s making a difference. In reality things are much more different and complicated for him. At 42, Andrew is aware that his life is not what it could be but has no desire to change.

As we get to know Andrew, we begin to see just how lonely he is. He hides his emotions behind Ella Fitzgerald and his miniature trains. There is something in his past that torments him every time he hears the song ‘Blue Moon,’ by Fitzgerald, which causes panic attacks. It’s heart-breaking to see this wonderful person go through life in such pain!

There he meets Peggy, who is starting a job at the council. Andrew likes to do his job alone so when he is chosen as Peggy’s trainer, he’s not very pleased. This is where his life begins to change. Soon they become friends but Andrew has too many secrets preventing him from living the life he so desperately wants.

This is a wonderful story of friendship and loss. A story about strength, acceptance and the resilience of the human spirit. It will make you laugh and cry. It will break your heart and put it back together. I love how simple yet complicated each character is and how each is developed in a way that works perfectly with Andrew’s story. I wish I had an Andrew in my life, that’s for sure. Beautifully written.

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Review: The Night Before by Wendy Walker

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“There's nothing stupid about wanting to be loved. Believe me.”
― Nina LaCour, Everything Leads to You

The Night Before

Wendy Walker

The last few pages of this one were a lot more intense than I predicted. What a crazy, twisty read this was! I love a good thriller, especially when I it has me thinking I’ve got it all figured out only to throw me off the path completely. 

This is a story of an emotionally broken woman who is looking for a man who is willing to love her even when she believes she’s unlovable. All her life, Laura Lochner has looked for love in the wrong places and has decided it’s time for a change. She decides to look for love using a dating website. Her fear of finding the wrong man is constantly in her mind but knows she will one day find the one. 

Her decision to meet up with Jonathan Fields, a man she men online, will trigger a series of events which make this book extremely difficult to put down. When Laura doesn’t return home, her sister Rosie begins to worry about what might have happened. Do to Laura’s past; Rosie begins to feel concern not only for Laura but for the man named Jonathan Fields. 

A fast paced read with some great twists. Excellent.

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Book Review - Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

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“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” 

― Viola Davis 

───

My review of

Everything I Never Told You  

by Celeste Ng

This book was emotionally draining and that is a good thing (as far as I’m concerned). A book that makes me sob always gets 5 stars from me. What a powerful story of family, love and heartbreak. It is one thing to pretend to be someone you are not. But pretending to be someone you don’t want to be must be utterly exhausting.  

I’m one of those people who doesn’t bother to read the blurb on a book if I know the author. This book was one of those so I went in not knowing what this book was a bout (I like surprises). This one starts you off in a typical house with a typical school morning. Kids having breakfast, lunches being fixed, parents rushing out the door and so on. The scene of homely moments suddenly changes when Lydia, the middle child of James and Marylyn Lee, doesn’t come down for breakfast. Soon they find out that their beautiful daughter was found dead in the lake behind their home and the family begins to fall apart.

In a beautifully written story, Celeste Ng takes us on an amazing and intertwined journey of family and loss. Read from different perspectives and times, this book touches on many important family and social issues which  give the reader a perspective of what it’s like to be and feel different when everyone around you expects you to be the same as everybody else. This is a burden James, Lydia's father has carried with him his entire life which he then passes on to his children.

This novel gives a powerful lesson of what happens when parents place too much pressure on their children’s shoulder and at times have unrealistic expectations. 

This one will stay with me for a long, long time.

Review: Watching You by Lisa Jewell

5 STARS

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"Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. 

There's no better rule."

-Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

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Watching You

by Lisa Jewell

Book Review

By Sofie Hern

There are books that feel like you read and read and they never seem to end. There others you wish would never end.  'Watching You' is one of those books you just want to keep reading. My fascination with mystery/thrillers led me to this amazing book. I was so happy to have received this ARC but kept putting off reading it for a few days. What was I thinking? This is such an adrenaline rush of a read! Every page reveals a stunning new detail which is why it’s so difficult to put down! 

'Watching You' is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. Written in different perspective and outstanding voices, Lisa Jewell has created her best work yet! Because of my love for thrillers I believe there are times and books that feel too simple for me and a lot of the times the story reveals itself to me half way through the book. This is such a different and refreshing story that grips you from the first page and it does not relent! Twist after twist and turns. I was blindsided so many times that I had to stop reading just to catch my breath!

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is how very wrong I was when I thought I knew it all. Jewell leads you to believe one thing while something entirely different is about to happen in the next page. Some characters you’ll love and others you’ll hate but then it all twists in a way that makes you question everything!

Each of the characters plays a very special and important role in the story. This book also made me realize that we are often too quick to judge and that not everything you hear or imagine or even see is the truth. While you start to hate a certain set of certain characters, you begin to unravel the mess and end up with a completely different idea of them. Definitely a memorable book and one I recommend without hesitation. Loved it!

Book Review: Lost For Words by Stephanie Butland

5 stars!
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“There is no friend as loyal as a book”

-Ernest Hemingway

Lost For Words

by Stephanie Butland

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My love for books and my hunger for reading have given me a biased appreciation for books that are written about books. Because authors are readers first they understand exactly what books mean and how they need to be treated. Lost For Words is now one of my favorite books about books. This is such a heartwarming story of love and heartbreak. I also want to think that it’s about how books can change lives and give hope.

In this beautiful story we follow Loveday Cardew, a young woman who works at a bookshop where she spends most of her time. Her closest friend is Archie, the owner of the shop who has employed and looked after Loveday for years. Loveday is a quiet woman with minimal social skills who keeps to herself. Her work is her haven and she also gets to meet different people with different tastes in books. As we get to know more about Loveday we begin to understand why she is who she is, why her love for books and why she appears to be completely alone.  

A good book leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment because even though your only job is to read the story, you have invested your time in the characters, you’ve cried with them and laughed right along. Seeing the characters change and become who they’re supposed to be is one of the best feelings in the world, especially if you can relate to them.  

One of the things I enjoy about this book is the progress and process in which we learn about Loveday and her past. Stephanie Butland has created a set of characters that are difficult to forget. As Stephen King once said, “Good books don't give up all their secrets at once.” Lost For Words is the perfect example and I love that!

In my opinion, if an author can make you relate to a character in a book then she has done an outstanding job. Like Loveday, I love books and books have changed my life for the better. They have given me comfort when I feel anxious and have helped to meet other who lime me love and cherish books.