Three Daves by Nicki Elson
Three Daves was such a fun book to read. I loved the throwback to the 80’s and Nicki Elson did a fantastic job with creating…
Run Rabbit Run by Kate Johnson
I first read Kate Johnson when I got lost in her novel The UnTied Kingdom, a unique novel with a blend of fantasy and chick lit. I was looking forward to another book from her, and that Run Rabbit Run was a mystery. I love a good mystery, and this one did not disappoint! This is actually a series following Sophie Green, but I didn’t have any issue catching right up with the characters. Sophie is an ex-spy, but she is forced back into that world when she is framed for murdering a M15 officer. Her gun with her fingerprints are found at the scene, but Sophie didn’t do it. Her only option? Run. Luke Sharpe is a M16 officer, or was until his girlfriend Sophie was accused of murder. Now he has to worry about her safety as she becomes a fugitive, try to find the real killer, and be able to hold on to his job. Will the power couple be able to clear Sophie’s name in time – and maintain their relationship?
This book was fast-paced and had me on my toes the whole time! The mystery is great, as is the relationship between Sophie and Luke. Luke is a former playboy, who is learning to love one lady and all that comes with being monogamous. It was great to also get the story from his POV. Sophie just gets in one jam after another, and while worrying for her life she also worries about her relationship. Add in a sexy partner-of-sorts in Jack, and Sophie has quite the full plate to worry about. I am definitely going to be checking out the previous books and would recommend the series!
[Rating: 4]
Surprise Me! by Nancy Goodman
Debut novel Surprise Me! by Nancy Goodman is an entertaining novel that follows main character Genie Burn and her chaotic life. The never-ending struggles that Genie face are entertaining to say the least … whether it be woeful dating issues, personal fears and holdups, binge/emotional eating, or simple everyday issues- Genie handles each issue with a fresh sense of humor and honesty. It isn’t too often that I find a book that I can relate to when it comes to dieting issues, but for some reason, I found Genie so appealing and real.
Nancy has struck gold with her first novel and I am so delighted that I got to be an early reader of this one. There are so many things that I enjoyed about Surprise Me! … but I think most of all, I really enjoyed Genie’s can-do-attitude. She is faced with dilemma after dilemma and never once failed to amaze me with her witty humor and her honest approach to living a life that she really wanted. I feel that as a reader, I’m often faced with books that deal with these issues in such a depressing, woe-is-me type of approach, and Nancy Goodman does a wonderful job at making you feel at peace with yourself.
Misfortune Cookie by Michele Gorman
Misfortune Cookie the follow-up novel of Single in the City by Michele Gorman, and I actually liked it better than the first! Once again we become BFF’s with Hannah, who decides to take a second leap of fate and move from London to Hong Kong to be with boyfriend Sam. It’s a fortune cookie that helped her make the decision. Following your heart will pay off in the near future. Hannah is thrilled that her own best friend Stacy is also making the move with her. Hannah manages to secure a job in fashion that she loves with a totally cool boss, despite the little issue of her not having a work permit. She and Stacy make quick friends, and Hannah is blissfully happy with Sam. Kind of. At least, when he’s not constantly traveling for his job and possibly cheating on her with a co-worker. Sam wouldn’t do that to her, would he? He wanted her to move with him to Hong Kong – but he doesn’t seem to be making any sort of commitment to Hannah. Did she really get this wrong? Did she move to Hong Kong only to fail at her relationship?
I had such a fun time reading Misfortune Cookie. It was great to catch up with Hannah again, and she is such a fun heroine. Enthusiastic about life, not afraid to take a chance, and always with a great attitude. The story moved along quickly, and actually finished this book in a day. The ending kind of had me like, “wait, what?” but I can tell it’s definitely set up for a next book, so I understand the cliff-hanger. There was just one little thing that I want to point out – the use of characters calling Hannah “Han.” It just happened a lot. I think half of them could have been cut out. But I think this book should go on your to-read list. Even if you haven’t read the first, I think readers would still enjoy it, but I also suggest checking out Single in the City as well. I’ll look forward to the next installment!
[Rating: 4]
The Divorced Lady’s Companion to Living in Italy by …
Marilyn Wade is a half-Hungarian divorcee who decides to move to Milan to find herself – and her womanhood – once again. Her two teens and her cheating ex aren’t heartbroken of her departure, so Marilyn takes a deep breath and dives into Milan with eyes wide open. But her experience isn’t seeming to match up to her icon Jean Harper. Rumor had it Jean met her Milanese lover on a singles trip and moved to Italy to start a family with him. Marilyn assumed she would have the same sort of trip, but nothing is going her way. Will her Milan trip be a total bust, or can Marilyn find what she was looking for after all?
There was a lot going on during The Divorced Lady’s Companion to Living in Italy by Catherine McNamara. From love affairs to kinky sex scenes and even a bit of S&M…again, just a lot going on. At times I couldn’t keep everything together. I wasn’t sure where Marilyn was or why or who the characters were and how they came into the story. A lot happening but I will say I enjoyed the writing. McNamara has a way with words and creating scenes. While I may not have been totally invested in the story, I can imagine many other readers would like it.
[Rating: 3]
Blue Straggler by Kathy Lynn Harris
Bailey Miller isn’t happy with her life Texas, even though she may not fully understand why. She sometimes feels a disconnect from her family (her brother is the Golden Boy, Bailey – not so golden), but she loves her two friends Rudy and Idamarie, and works a well-paying job. But when the well-paying job practically forces Bailey to quit, an old family mystery is sparked, and Bailey tires of her not-so-smart life choices (often involving drinking) she packs up her Honda and heads out of the great state of Texas. Determined to get to Colorado and find out more about her great-grandmother Annie, Bailey doesn’t know what to expect when she gets to the tiny town of Gold Creek.
Once in Gold Creek, sleeping in a barn and driving a tow truck, Bailey realizes it might be harder to find what she is looking for – both with Annie’s mystery and Bailey’s own life. But as she slowly befriends the town and the citizens who live there, Bailey wonders if coming to Colorado wasn’t the best decision she’s ever made. Until she gets the news that Idamarie is in the hospital, and Annie rushes back to Texas. Once there, she gets another bomb dropped on her from Rudy. What decision will Bailey make now?
I really had fun reading and trying to decipher Bailey in Blue Straggler by Kathy Lynn Harris. Bailey is clearly dysfunctional, she admits it about once a chapter, but I really connected with her. I think all of us would like the courage to pack up our car and head out on our own every once in a while, and Bailey brings a spirit of adventure to the pages. All the Texas talk and stereotypes was pretty funny, but there was also a seriousness to Bailey and what she was doing with her life. I loved the vintage mystery aspect, and the twist at the end left me a little speechless. Sometimes I felt just a bit of a disconnect with the book, like Bailey was just a tad too off for me, but otherwise, I thought this book was great. Strong dialogue, unique characters, and great little subplots to keep the reader focused. I recommend!
[Rating: 4]
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender follows young Rose Edelstein, whom at the age of nine, believes that she tastes something a little peculiar in her mother’s homemade lemon cake with chocolate icing. She reluctantly swallows it down, but realizes shortly after that she possesses the unique talent of being able to taste the emotions of whoever prepares her food. From that day forward, Rose has the unwanted insight into other people’s secret emotional lives. We also learn soon after that her brother and father both possess odd gifts as well, and that together they form an interesting trio with a magical twist.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whimsical tale about Rose. At first, I had a hard time wrapping myself around the book and the magical prose, but eventually I adjusted and was able to truly appreciate it. I think Aimee Bender does such a wonderful job at hiding what is really going on … and I think that adds to the enchantment of the tale. There are so many directions that Bender could have taken with this book, but I think she does an exceptional job at examining a family with some serious issues, spinning it on its heels, and creating a magical world in which the characters reside. Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone who is looking for something a little different.
[Rating: 3.5/5]
The Song Remains the Same by Allison Winn Scotch
Nell Slattery wakes up in a hospital with her memory wiped clean. One of the only two survivors in a horrific plane crash, Nell has no idea who she is…who her husband is…or anything about her life. While she begins the physical healing of her body, she desperately tries to repair her mind as well. Who was she before the crash? What are the secrets that her friends and family are keeping from her? As she searches for answers, more questions seem to be arising, and Nell finds herself being able to trust very little of what she is being told.
At first I wasn’t sure what to think, since I’ve read quite a few books that deal with memory loss. But I thought Allison Winn Scotch did a beautiful job at making this story unique, and The Song Remains the Same is one for your to-read list. As I followed Nell through her journey of trying to regain her memories, the whole story really made me think. Who are we without our memories? And what if someone I knew – my mother, sister, boyfriend – lost their memory? What story or past experience would I try to sugar coat, to keep the pain away from them? I was really fascinated throughout the entire story, and that the songs were a great way to tie everything together. There were just a few times where I didn’t think the story moved real smoothly and I had to back up and re-read a few passages, but overall a lovely novel that will leave you thinking and discussing with others.
[Rating: 4.5]
Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
I received Save Me by Lisa Scottoline via the SheKnows Book Club. The synopsis had me eagerly tearing into this book – a mother who has to choose between her own daughter and her daughter’s bully during a school fire? I had goosebumps just thinking about ever having to be in that situation. I wasn’t sure what to expect, how the story would unfold, and the fire ended up happening right away. Rose McKenna makes her snap decision, and the rest of the book follows her life the days, weeks, and months after the fire and how her decisions continues to affect not only her, but the entire suburban community. I of course won’t tell you more than that, but I will say read this book! It was so fabulous I did not want to put it down for any extended period of time. I thought this might be a sad book, and even mentioned something on Twitter about having my tissues handy, but I don’t think I cried at all. It just really made me think, made me feel for so many characters, and kept me on my toes throughout. I wasn’t expecting the political scenario that emerges, but I loved it! There were a few editing errors I found, and I noticed multiple characters (not living in the same town) had the same farewell which I thought I was a little odd, but overall a really fantastic book that you won’t want to miss out on!
[Rating: 4.5]
