Make Up Reading

 4 out of 5 stars Thank you to Netgalley and to  Berkley Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This past year has been so hard on all of us and I have to admit that there have been times when I have had a hard time concentrating on reading physical books (Audio books have been easier  for me for some reason!) but this book completely held my attention. It seems that I have been coming across a lot of Agatha Christie style of books and this fits right in with that. The Perfect Guests also had a very gothic feel to me. It almost felt like a gothic book that I loved to read when I was  a teenager and I mean that as a compliment. In 1988 orphaned teen Beth gets a chance to live with the wealthy Averells family at the beautiful Raven Hall.  The Mano is beautiful and grand but also kind of creepy and then there is the Averells daughter Nina  who needs a friend. Beth seems like the perfect choice. Beth has b...

  5 out of 5 stars Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This novel really surprised me. I thought I would enjoy it but I did not think it would move me the way that it did. Sixteen year old Jodie Wolfe's life has not been easy. She has grown up with an alcoholic mother  who much like Jodie's peers makes fun of her facial deformities. When Jodie accuses four teenage boys from hard working Muslim immigrant families of rape things begin to turn from bad to worse for her. When Zara Kaleel, former barrister turned rape counsellor is assigned to help Jodie things become extremely hard for her. As a Muslim she is accused of being a traitor and much more. This is a heavy book but definitely one worth reading.

 5 out of 5 Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.. Last year I was lucky enough to be able to read the ARC of Trace of Evil, the first novel in the Natalie Lockhart series. It was in my top five books that I read last year. I fell in love with Natalie and Luke and the town of Burning Lake.  The Wicked Hour was not a disappointment at all. I really enjoyed the actual mystery. There seemed to be enough suspects to keep me guessing until the end. Natalie grieving not only the loss of her sister Grace but also the loss of a friendship and the potential love of her life.  Her grieving feels real to me.  I think the only thing in this book that felt a little off to me is the moments in the book when Natalie thinks of her Mother. In the first book we know that Natalie and her sister Grace were basically unwanted. That her mother wanted one child and Willow(the eldest sister) was...

  4 out of 5 stars I would like to thank Netgalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read and advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Saffyre Maddox was ten years old when something terrible happened to her life changed completely. With no other way to cope she began to self harm. After three years of therapy with Roan Fours he tells her that it is time for her to try and be on her own but the problem is she feels lost even now so she does something she shouldn't do and things take a dark turn.  Owen Pick  is an odd loner who who seems to never be able to fit in with anyone. Women never seem to be interested in him no matter what he does. He seems to just give off a creepy vibe. He also happens to live right across the street Roan Fours, his wife Cate and their children. Roan is having problems with Cate. When Saffyre everyone's life is changed. The story is told between the POVs of Cate, Owen and Saffyre.  I have to say that Owen is not an eas...

  4.5 out of 5 stars Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my first Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novel and I really enjoyed it. I think that my first introduction to this character being an audio book really worked out well for me. The narration by Robert Bathurst was perfect and as I got to know the character I realized he was the best choice. He really brought me into the story more. All the Devils Are Here (love the title by the way) felt like a good old fashioned mystery but with a hard edge that I really enjoyed. I loved the way Paris was captured here and I enjoyed the thriller aspects added to up the excitement a bit more. I love a good cozy mystery but really enjoy a good thriller as well.  I plan to read all of the previous novels now that I have been introduced to Armand Gamache . He is a very interesting character. I am so glad that I have been introduced to h...

 I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 3.25 out of 5 stars Ellie is turning 40 and the best thing to do is to have the most fabulous birthday party that a woman can have.  Told with alternating timelines, the past which takes place 24 years ago and the present.  In the past we meet best friends Leo and Mish who are ready to celebrate Leo's sweet 16.  Let's just say that things just didn't  go as planned. The present timeline is about Ellie, her fabulous party. Ellie feels like she needs to have THE party, the kind of party that makes all of her friends green with envy. While I did enjoy this novel and Melissa de la Cruz has a wonderful writing style but I didn't feel like this is much of a thriller. It felt more like an adult contemporary with some mystery thrown in for good measure. If you are looking for a good adult contemporary then pick this up!

5 out  of 5 stars Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of The Night Swim in exchange for an honest review. Am I the only one who loves listening to audio books as a way to relax? For me there is nothing more calming then listening to a good audio book and doing other things like crocheting to feel myself completely relax. What makes that even better? When the book is great and the narrators are super awesome!  Bailey Carr; January LaVoy; Samantha Desz are great narrators that really captured the feel of the novel and the mood of the characters.  The actual story was really awesome as well. I read a really good book by Megan Goldin  (The Escape Room) last year and was blown away by it. I have to say I enjoyed The Night Swim a bit more which surprised  me! I think one of the things I liked so much about this is we followed a true crime podcaster as she decided to dedicate her latest season to a rape trial. ...