BLOG TOUR: Wild Love (Forever Adirondacks #1) by Lauren Accardo

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Wild Love, the first book in the Forever Adirondacks series by Lauren Accardo. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Lauren Accardo for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Wild Love (Forever Adirondacks #1)

Author: Lauren Accardo

Published by: Berkley

Released: May 25, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A down-on-her-luck city girl searches for new purpose among the shelves of a failing bookstore in the quaint town of Pine Ridge, New York--until a forbidden love tempts her to go off-book.  

When life sets fire to your happily ever after, you ditch your cheating boyfriend, trade in the city life for the off-the-grid seclusion of your mother's bookstore in the mountains...and try to resist your attraction to the brooding town mechanic you accidentally got into a fender bender with outside the local bar. Sydney Walsh might be falling head over heels for the romance novels she's stocking up to rebuild The Loving Page, but she has no delusions about actually starring in one. That chapter has closed.

Beneath Sam Kirkland's gruff mountain-man exterior lies a gentle heart and a burning desire for the woman he knows he can't have. He's made promises that anchor him to the past, making romance off-limits. And he accepted that--until Sydney came crashing into his life.

Sam can't do a relationship right now. Sydney doesn't have the wherewithal to believe in one. But when you meet the right person, the wrong circumstances don't matter. Even when the world seems to be doing its best to keep them apart, their real, one-of-a-kind love is worth fighting for. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I knew I was going to have a good time with this book as soon as I read the synopsis. It had so many buzz words for me: a bookstore, a quaint, small town, and a brooding mechanic! The synopsis did not steer me wrong. I had such a sweet time with this one. It's a great debut. I can't wait to see what Lauren Accardo does next.

Sydney is dealing with a broken heart, which is why she's escaped to this small town to help her mother. She's not ready for love again, which is part of what makes this romance so satisfying. It's a slow burn. I love a good slow burn.

I also love any book that features books, so I really enjoyed how Sydney was working in bookstore, especially one that features romance novels. Not only did I like the bookstore setting, but I also loved the small town setting. Small towns are always filled with quirky kind of characters and they just make a story that much more fun.

I also liked or love interest, Sam Kirkland. I knew I was going to like him as soon as I saw brooding town mechanic. Sometimes, you just know.

I'm a fan of Wild Love. I thought it was really cute, really sweet. It was exactly what I wanted. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read. I'm gonna be on the lookout for Lauren Accardo's next book.

Lauren Accardo writes steamy contemporary romance featuring strong women and the men who love them. Originally from Western New York, Lauren now lives in Queens with her stand-up-comic husband. She loves karaoke, cake, and the Adirondack Mountains, where her debut novel, Wild Love, takes place.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Wild Love by Lauren Accardo. Thanks so much to Berkley and Lauren Accardo for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd definitely recommend giving this one a grab off the shelf and read. It's a great debut.

Reading Right Now! (298)

 What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

The Project by Courtney Summers -- A book that I've been looking forward to for the longest time! I read and loved Sadie, so my hopes for The Project were pretty high. I'm almost 250 pages in and I don't know how to feel. This one isn't the gut punch that Sadie was. It's almost like I'm watching an episode of Dateline and Keith Morrison is sitting there interviewing these people, saying, "And then what happened?" The story is pretty crazy, but I don't get that visceral, shocking feel from it. It's like, hmmm interesting. Do you know what I mean? It's not Sadie. I know I keep saying that, but that's what I feel.

This is about a cult run by a man named Lev. It's a religious cult. Lev feels like he has been chosen by God to save and lead the redeemed. His people go out into the communities and are redeemed by doing good work. Personally, I would have run the other way as soon as he said God chose him and the only way to be saved was through him (Lev). I'm not here for the false prophets.

Anyway, our story centers around two sisters, Lo and Bea. Their parents are killed in an automobile accident and Lo is seriously injured. Bea doesn't know what to do, and that's where she first meets Lev. Once Bea meets Lev, Lo never sees her sister again. Lo recovers from the accident, but it was touch and go, they thought she might die. She's left with a very noticeable scar on her face and a longing for her sister, who has been swallowed up by the project. Lo gets a job with a magazine publication (I think) and decides to make her writing debut by investigating Lev, The Project, and hopefully finding her sister.

It's an interesting story, but it is not as exciting as the story Summers wrote before with Sadie. I'm also not a fan of politics being brought up a couple times, I just find it annoying because not every reader has the same political view as the author. The writing is good. I'm also unsure of why this is YA. This could have easily been sold as an adult book. Lo is 19 maybe. There are some sexual situations that are more artfully explained.

I rambled too much. I like it, but it's just not the book I thought it was going to be.

 

And that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?

BLOG TOUR: You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon. I received an early electronic copy for honest review. Thank you to MIRA Books and Hannah Mary McKinnon for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: You Will Remember Me

Author: Hannah Mary McKinnon

Published by: MIRA Books

Released: May 25, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Forget the truth.

Remember the lies.
He wakes up on a deserted beach in Maryland with a gash on his head and wearing only swim trunks. He can't remember who he is. Everything--his identity, his life, his loved ones--has been replaced by a dizzying fog of uncertainty. But returning to his Maine hometown in search of the truth uncovers more questions than answers.

Lily Reid thinks she knows her boyfriend, Jack. Until he goes missing one night, and her frantic search reveals that he's been lying to her since they met, desperate to escape a dark past he'd purposely left behind.

Maya Scott has been trying to find her estranged stepbrother, Asher, since he disappeared without a trace. Having him back, missing memory and all, feels like a miracle. But with a mutual history full of devastating secrets, how far will Maya go to ensure she alone takes them to the grave? 

Shared fates intertwine in a twisty, explosive novel of suspense, where unearthing the past might just mean being buried beneath it. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was such a fun and entertaining read. If you like thrillers, I definitely think you'll like this one. I enjoyed the mystery of it all and trying to figure everything out. It does contain some recognizable thriller tropes, but it also has some surprises that I wasn't expecting.

This book was just a treat to read. It kept me turning the pages, wondering what was going to happen next. I was intrigued by all the characters and their stories. I just really liked watching it all unfold.

I liked the writing style. It was an easy story to lose myself in.

If you're a fan of thrillers, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go. It's a good time.

Hannah Mary was born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. After a successful career in recruitment, she quit the corporate world in favor of writing. She now lives in Oakville, Ontario, with her husband and three sons, and is delighted by her twenty-second commute. Connect with her on Facebook, on Twitter @HannahMMcKinnon, and on Instagram @HannahMaryMcKinnon. For more, visit her website at www.hannahmarymckinnon.com.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon. Thanks so much to MIRA Books and Hannah Mary McKinnon for letting me be a part of this tour. I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read, you'll be on the edge of your seat.

BLOG TOUR: How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby. I received an advanced copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Nicole Melleby for letting me be a part of the tour and giving me the chance to read this book.

Title: How to Become a Planet

Author: Nicole Melleby

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: May 25, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: For Pluto, summer has always started with a trip to the planetarium. It’s the launch to her favorite season, which also includes visits to the boardwalk arcade, working in her mom’s pizzeria, and her best friend Meredith’s birthday party. But this summer, none of that feels possible.

A month before the end of the school year, Pluto’s frightened mom broke down Pluto’s bedroom door. What came next were doctor’s appointments, a diagnosis of depression, and a big black hole that still sits on Pluto’s chest, making it too hard to do anything.

Pluto can’t explain to her mom why she can’t do the things she used to love. And it isn’t until Pluto’s dad threatens to make her move with him to the city—where he believes his money, in particular, could help—that Pluto becomes desperate enough to do whatever it takes to be the old Pluto again.

She develops a plan and a checklist: If she takes her medication, if she goes to the planetarium with her mom for her birthday, if she successfully finishes her summer school work with her tutor, if she goes to Meredith’s birthday party . . . if she does all the things that “normal” Pluto would do, she can stay with her mom in Jersey. But it takes a new therapist, a new tutor, and a new (and cute) friend with a checklist and plan of her own for Pluto to learn that there is no old and new Pluto. There’s just her. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a strong and important book, and I'm really glad I read it. It deals with important topics in a really meaningful way. Pluto's journey throughout this book was so emotional and impactful. I can see this story being an important one to so many readers.

Pluto has depression. She struggles with her depression. Her mother struggles with it too. It did such a great job of showcasing that struggle and how families can help each other. 

This was such a sweet story about such an important topic. I'm really glad I read it. I really liked the way that it was written. It just did a good job. 

Nicole Melleby is a born-and-bred Jersey girl with a passion for storytelling. She studied creative writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University and currently teaches creative writing and literature courses with a handful of local universities. When she’s not writing, she can be found browsing the shelves at her local comic shop or watching soap operas with a cup of tea.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Nicole Melleby for letting me be a part of the tour. You should definitely give this one a read.

BLOG TOUR: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley. I received a free advanced copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Colleen Oakley for letting me be a part of this tour and giving me the chance to read an early copy!

 

 

 

Title: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island

Author: Colleen Oakley

Published by: Berkley

Released: May 25, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Sometimes all you need is one person to really see you.  

Piper Parrish's life on Frick Island—a tiny, remote town smack in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay—is nearly perfect. Well, aside from one pesky detail: Her darling husband, Tom, is dead. When Tom's crab boat capsized and his body wasn't recovered, Piper, rocked to the core, did a most peculiar thing: carried on as if her husband was not only still alive, but right there beside her, cooking him breakfast, walking him to the docks each morning, meeting him for their standard Friday night dinner date at the One-Eyed Crab. And what were the townspeople to do but go along with their beloved widowed Piper? Anders Caldwell’s career is not going well. A young ambitious journalist, he’d rather hoped he’d be a national award-winning podcaster by now, rather than writing fluff pieces for a small town newspaper. But when he gets an assignment to travel to the remote Frick Island and cover their boring annual Cake Walk fundraiser, he stumbles upon a much more fascinating tale: an entire town pretending to see and interact with a man who does not actually exist. Determined it’s the career-making story he’s been needing for his podcast, Anders returns to the island to begin covert research and spend more time with the enigmatic Piper—but he has no idea out of all the lives he’s about to upend, it’s his that will change the most. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: That synopsis really pulled me right in. It did its job, that's for sure. The Invisible Husband of Frick Island is sweet, sad, heartwarming, hopeful, and amusing. I really enjoyed this little story of a woman who sees her dead husband and a town that goes along with her.

I loved the setting of Frick Island. I loved the quirky townspeople. I also really appreciated how they all supported Piper. There was such a sense of community and love. It had neighbors that really cared about each other and it was so nice to see that. I'm also always a sucker for small town settings in stories, so Frick was great!

I also really liked Anders journey while he was on Frick Island. He came for one thing, but he ended up with so much more then he was expecting. I liked seeing his development.

I also really enjoyed Piper. Life has dealt her a blow that she needed help dealing with. I'm glad she had the support she needed to grieve and grow.

This book was such a treat to read. I definitely enjoyed my time on Frick Island and I think everyone should visit.

 

 

 

 Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of You Were There Too, Close Enough to Touch and Before I Go. Her books have been named best books by People, Us Weekly, Library Journal and Real Simple, and have been long-listed for the Southern Book Prize. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, four kids and the world’s biggest lapdog

 

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley. Thanks so much to Berkley and Colleen Oakley for letting me be a part of the tour! Be on the lookout for this book and read it.

 

BLOG TOUR: Beth and Amy by Virginia Kantra

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Beth and Amy by Virginia Kantra! I received an advanced copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Virginia Kantra for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

Title: Beth and Amy

Author: Virginia Kantra

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: May 25, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Four sisters face new beginnings in this heartfelt modern take on Little Women by New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.  

Amy March is more like her older sister Jo than she'd like to admit. An up-and-coming designer in New York's competitive fashion industry, ambitious Amy is determined to get out of her sisters' shadow and keep her distance from their North Carolina hometown. But when Jo's wedding forces her home, she must face what she really wants...and confront the One Big Mistake that could upend her life and forever change her relationship with Jo.

Gentle, unassuming Beth grew up as the good girl of the family. A talented singer-songwriter, she's overcome her painful anxiety to tour with country superstar Colt Henderson. But life on the road has taken its toll on her health and their relationship. Maybe a break to attend her sister's wedding will get her out of her funk. But Beth realizes that what she's looking for and what she needs are two very different things....

With the March women reunited, this time with growing careers and families, they must once again learn to lean on one another as they juggle the changes coming their way. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Revisiting and Re-imagining Little Women featuring Beth and Amy. I'm going to confess to you guys that I have never read Little Women. I know, I know. I'm not really good at reading classic books. I'm sure I'll read it one day. So, even though I have not read the source material, I really enjoyed this modern look into the lives of Beth and Amy. I liked the story of sisters and sisterhood.

This was a fun, heartfelt story. I liked how it focused on growing up and how life doesn't always turn out like you think it will. 

I think fans of Little Women will definitely like this story. I'm always a big fan of re-imaginings and taking a classic tale and telling a new story with it. I liked reading this. It did everything I wanted it to do. It was a good time and I'm glad I got to read it.

New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra is the author of almost thirty novels. She is married to her college sweetheart, a coffee shop owner who keeps her well supplied with caffeine and material. They make their home in North Carolina, where they raised three (mostly adult) children. She is a firm believer in the strength of family, the importance of storytelling, and the power of love.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Virginia and Amy by Virginia Kantra. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Virginia Kantra for letting me be a part of this tour. If this book sounds good to you, I'd definitely recommend picking it up and giving it a read.

BLOG TOUR: The Clover Girls by Viola Shipman

 I am pretty excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Clover Girls by Viola Shipman. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Viola Shipman for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: The Clover Girls

Author: Viola Shipman

Published by: Graydon House

Released: May 18, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Elizabeth, Veronica, Rachel and Emily met at Camp Birchwood as girls in 1985, where over four summers they were the Clover Girls—inseparable for those magical few weeks of freedom—until the last summer that pulled them apart. Now approaching middle age, the women are facing challenges they never imagined as teens, struggles with their marriages, their children, their careers, and wondering who it is they see when they look in the mirror.

Then Liz, V and Rachel each receive a letter from Emily with devastating news. She implores the girls who were once her best friends to reunite at Camp Birchwood one last time, to spend a week together revisiting the dreams they’d put aside and repair the relationships they’d allowed to sour. But the women are not the same idealistic, confident girls who once ruled Camp Birchwood, and perhaps some friendships aren’t meant to last forever… 

Bestselling author Viola Shipman is at her absolute best with The Clover Girls. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will love its powerful, redemptive nature and the empowering message at its heart. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I love books about friendships, but friendship can be so strange. What I mean is, you can form such close bonds with a person or persons, spend all kinds of time together, have so much in common, but then there might come a point where you slowly grow apart. That friend that was your best friend forever is now someone you don't even talk to. You still have special memories and inside jokes, but life's gone on, you've moved on, and it's just strange. I might be a little bit of a downer, but this book does deal with friendships that have faded and now they are coming back together.

Our four friends were inseparable for a good number of summers when they were teens and then something happened. Life has thrown another curveball when one of the girls invites them all to come back together.

Friendship is such a special thing and I really enjoyed reading it in this story. I loved getting insight into how the girls were before versus now. I really liked how they were all able to reconnect on this trip. I thought this was a really sweet and heartwarming story. My cynical heart was touched. 

Viola Shipman is the pen name of Wade Rouse, a popular award-winning memoirist and internationally bestselling author of 12 books translated into 20 languages and selected as Today show Must-Reads, Indie Next Picks and Michigan Notable Book. Rouse chose his grandma’s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose heirlooms inspire his fiction. He lives in Michigan and California, and hosts Wine & Words with Wade, A Literary Happy Hour, every Thursday.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Clover Girls by Viola Shipman. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Viola Shipman for letting me be a part of the tour! If this book caught your eye, I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.

SPOTLIGHT: Hard Sell by Hudson Lin

 I am very excited to share a Spotlight for Hard Sell, Book #1 in the Jade Harbour Capital Series by Hudson Lin. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Carina Adores and Hudson Lin for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this Spotlight Tour!

Title: Hard Sell

Author: Hudson Lin

Published by: Carina Adores

Released: May 25, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis:  One night wasn’t enough. 

Danny Yip walks into every boardroom with a plan. His plan for struggling tech company WesTec is to acquire it, shut it down, and squeeze the last remaining revenue out of it for his Jade Harbour Capital portfolio. But he didn’t expect his best friend's younger brother—the hottest one-night stand he ever had—to be there.

Tobin Lok has always thought the world of Danny. He’s funny, warm, attractive—and totally out of Tobin’s league. Now, pitted against Danny at work, Tobin might finally get a chance to prove he’s more than just Wei’s little brother.

It takes a lot to get under Danny’s skin, but Tobin is all grown up in a way Danny can’t ignore. Now, with a promising patent on the line and the stakes higher than ever, all he can think about is getting Tobin back into his bed—and into his life for good.

If only explaining their relationship to Wei could be so easy… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Hudson Lin was raised by conservative immigrant parents and grew up straddling two cultures with conflicting perspectives on life. Instead of conforming to either, she has sought to find a third way that brings together the positive elements of both.

Lin writes diverse romances featuring queer people of color. Find out more at hudsonlin.com or on all social media platforms under the handle @hudsonlinwrites.

Thanks so much for checking out my Spotlight for Hard Sell by Hudson Lin. Thanks so much to Carina Adores and Hudson Lin for letting me be a part of it. If this one sounds like something you want to read, look out for it May 25, 2021.

BLOG TOUR: The Break-Up Book Club by Wendy Wax

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Break-Up Book Club by Wendy Wax. I received an advanced electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Wendy Wax for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

Title: The Break-Up Book Club

Author: Wendy Wax

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: May 18, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Breakups, like book clubs, come in many shapes and sizes and can take us on unexpected journeys as four women discover in this funny and heartwarming exploration of friendship from the USA Today bestselling author of Ten Beach Road and My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding. 

On paper, Jazmine, Judith, Erin and Sara have little in common - they're very different people leading very different lives. And yet at book club meetings in an historic carriage house turned bookstore, they bond over a shared love of reading (and more than a little wine) as well as the growing realization that their lives are not turning out like they expected.  

Former tennis star Jazmine is a top sports agent balancing a career and single motherhood. Judith is an empty nester questioning her marriage and the supporting role she chose. Erin's high school sweetheart and fiance develops a bad case of cold feet, and Sara's husband takes a job out of town saddling Sara with a difficult mother-in-law who believes her son could have done better - not exactly the roommate most women dream of.

With the help of books, laughter, and the joy of ever evolving friendships, Jazmine, Judith, Erin and Sara find the courage to navigate new and surprising chapters of their lives as they seek their own versions of happily-ever-after. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This is a story about books bringing people together, or in this case, four women who lead very different lives from one another. I loved how they were all brought together because of a Book Club, because of books!

We follow four different characters in this who are all struggling with life in some way. There is a lot of questioning choices, dealing with difficult situations, and wondering how they ended up in the places they currently are. I liked following all the different characters. I liked how different their problems were from one another. They definitely had some relatable issues they were struggling with.

My favorite part of this book was how they all became friends. How they helped each other through different things. They were brought together because of a book club, but they stayed together because they enjoyed each others' company.

I also loved the bookstore they met up in. It sounds so cute!

This story really highlights the power of books and how they can bring all different kinds of people together. It's a story I definitely enjoyed reading.

 

(Photo Credited to Wendy Wax)
Wendy Wax, a former broadcaster, is the author of sixteen novels and two novellas, including My Ex–Best Friend’s Wedding, Best Beach Ever, One Good Thing, Sunshine Beach, A Week at the Lake, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey, The House on Mermaid Point, Ocean Beach, and Ten Beach Road. The mother of two grown sons, she has left the suburbs of Atlanta for an in-town high-rise, that is eerily similar to the fictional high-rise she created in her 2013 release, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey.

Thank you so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Break-Up Book Club by Wendy Wax. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Wendy Wax for letting me be a part of the tour. If you see this one on the shelf, grab it!

BLOG TOUR: A Good Mother by Lara Bazelon

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Good Mother by Lara Bazelon. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Hanover Square Press and Lara Bazelon for letting me be a part of this thrilling tour!

 

 

Title: A Good Mother

Author: Lara Bazelon

Published by: Hanover Square Press

Released: May 11, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A gripping debut thriller about two young mothers, one shocking murder and a court case that puts them both on trial. 

When a soldier is found stabbed through the heart at a US Army base, there is no doubt that his wife, Luz, is to blame. But was it an act of self-defense? An attempt to save her infant daughter? Or the cold-blooded murder of an innocent man?

Ambitious public defender Abby is determined to win at all costs. As a new mother herself, she wants to keep Luz out of prison and with her daughter. But when the surprises stack up and shocking new evidence emerges, Abby realizes the task proves far more difficult than she suspected and will require a terrible sacrifice.

As the trial hurtles toward an outcome no one expects, Abby, Luz and a captivated jury are forced to answer the question that will decide everything--what does it mean to be a good mother? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: My interest was definitely caught when I read the synopsis and it was kept as I read through this book. I was definitely interested the whole way through. It's a really interesting courtroom drama, and it makes sense because the author worked as a deputy federal public defender.

I enjoyed all the courtroom scenes. It was like I was sitting through an actual trial. They were fun to read and I was waiting to see where it was all going to go next. 

I think this is a pretty good debut book. I'm interested to see what Lara Bazelon writes next.

This tried to pack as many twists and turns into it as it could. Some of them worked and I was genuinely shocked, but not all of them did. Everyone expects the crazy twists and turns in thrillers and if you've read a lot of them, some don't surprise you as much.

I enjoyed my time reading this book. It kept me entertained. If you want a courtroom drama thriller, I'd say read it.

 

LARA BAZELON is a professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she holds the Barnett chair in Trial Advocacy. She spent seven years as a deputy federal public defender in Los Angeles.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Good Mother by Lara Bazelon. Thanks so much to Hanover Square Press and Lara Bazelon for letting me be a part of the tour. Go check this one out if you're in the mood for a thriller.

BLOG TOUR: The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan

I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to HQN and Sarah Morgan for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

 

 

Title: The Summer Seekers

Author: Sarah Morgan 

Published by: HQN

Released: May 18, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Kathleen is eighty years old. After she has a run-in with an intruder, her daughter wants her to move into a residential home. But she’s not having any of it. What she craves—what she needs—is adventure.

Liza is drowning in the daily stress of family life. The last thing she needs is her mother jetting off on a wild holiday, making Liza long for a solo summer of her own.

Martha is having a quarter-life crisis. Unemployed, unloved and uninspired, she just can’t get her life together. But she knows something has to change.

When Martha sees Kathleen’s advertisement for a driver and companion to share an epic road trip across America with, she decides this job might be the answer to her prayers. She's not the world's best driver, but anything has to be better than living with her parents. And traveling with a stranger? No problem. Anyway, how much trouble can one eighty-year-old woman be?

As these women embark on the journey of a lifetime, they all discover it's never too late to start over… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This story is a lot of fun and provided me with the perfect reading escape. I love a road trip, and The Summer Seekers offered up a really fun one. This followed three women who are in different stages of life: old, middle, and young. The book is told from all three perspectives and I thought that made for a really nice mix.

A big thing that drew me to this story was the premise. It just sounded really cute and fun, and that's exactly what it was. It's definitely a story that will make you feel good.

I think it does a good job of show casing that for all the challenges that come with life, it can still be a lot of fun. Kathleen really shows that age shouldn't stop you from having a good time. Just because you hit a certain age in life doesn't mean you have to feel that age. I think she does a great job of teaching this to the other characters.

This book is fun. It's a good time. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read if you're looking for something that will make you happy.

 

Sarah Morgan is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of romance and women's fiction. She has sold over 18 million copies of her books and her work has received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and Booklist. 

Sarah lives near London, England with her family and when she isn't writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors hiking or riding her mountain bike.   

Join Sarah's mailing list at sarahmorgan.com for all book news. For more insight into her writing life follow her on Facebook at facebook/AuthorSarahMorgan and on Instagram at @sarahmorganwrites Contact Sarah at sarah@sarahmorgan.com

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan. Thanks so much to HQN and Sarah Morgan for letting me be a part of this fun tour! If you're looking for a mind vacation, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up and giving it a read. Look out for it tomorrow, May 18, 2021!

BLOG TOUR: Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Park Row and Mary Kubica for letting me be a part of the tour. This one comes out May 18, 2021 and you better be on the lookout for it.

Title: Local Woman Missing

Author: Mary Kubica

Published by: Park Row

Released: May 18, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis:  People don’t just disappear without a trace… 

Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.

Now, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find…

In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense and New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I love a mystery thriller, and I can always trust Mary Kubica to give me a good one. The synopsis was the first thing that really grabbed me with this story. It was the perfect hook and I just needed to find out more.

I enjoyed this a lot. It weaves past and present timelines, which can be a little on the confusing side at first, but I got sucked in the more I read. I really enjoyed trying to unravel just what was happening in this. I'm pretty awful when it comes to guess who the big baddie is or what happened, so I just enjoy the journey. Local Woman Missing kept me turning pages. I needed to find out just what exactly was going on.

There were some dark themes in this (as there are in most thrillers). There are some instances of abuse of a child, so if that's a trigger, just be aware.

Mary Kubica is an author that I can trust when it comes to mystery thrillers. I always know she's going to give me a good story, and this was no exception. I enjoyed this book and I think a lot of other people will too.

Mary Kubica is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of THE GOOD GIRL and PRETTY BABY.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in History and American Literature. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two children and enjoys photography, gardening and caring for the animals at a local shelter.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica. Thank you to Park Row for providing me with an early copy for honest review, and Mary Kubica for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd definitely recommend adding this one to your reading pile.