Blagica Jankuloska

Mommy Dearest



Have you ever gotten so excited by a book cover that you couldn't wait to read it?
This cover is chef's kiss! It is so freaking creepy I could barely contain myself! Add the fact that I have over 70 porcelain dolls in my bedroom, this book was a beautiful combination for everything I love.

This book follows two cousins who are separated when they are younger and through a DNA test website are brought back into each other's lives after over 20 years. What follows is some pretty creepy stuff.
This book gives you small glimpses into the cousin's past to show you basically why they are the way they are in the present. I felt the main character Maeve was so strong! I loved when she talked about why she didn't want to have children and embraced the fact that all women do not have to give birth to be valuable, or an asset to society. I think people are allowed to go on their own adventures. Maeve was only a child when she stood up to the “Mothers” who were basically in a cult-like entity where birthing more girls was their mission in life. So yea even with all her “issues” she kept that stuff together and knew what she wanted out of life. She is my favorite kind of protagonist. The way the story ended was nice and not what I was expecting. I really felt it was wrapped up with a creepy little bow at the end.

Awesome as Always

Another novel by Sally Hepworth that I loved from start to finish MINUS one character!

Sally Hepworth's newest book, The Younger Wife, is a domestic thriller that follows the dysfunctional Aston family. Stephen Aston is a 63-year-old heart surgeon who is engaged to 34-year-old interior designer Heather. The only problem is that Stephen is still married to Pam, who is in a nursing home and suffers from dementia. Stephen plans on divorcing Pam so he can marry Heather, although Stephen says that the divorce is on paper only, that Pam will always be a part of his family. Stephen's two daughters, 37-year-old Tully and 35-year-old Rachel, are not too happy with this arrangement and as family secrets start to unravel, they are determined to find out who their father really is.

That synopsis sounds more sinister than the book really is. While this was not a heart thumping read, it was a great mystery with interesting and relatable characters. The story opens with Stephen and Heather's wedding. The whole family is there including Pam. After the ceremony is over, they all go into the back of the church to sign the registry and it is there that someone is hurt. We do not know who is hurt, how bad or who did it. All we know is there was a scream and then the pastor comes out to ask if there is a doctor in the house and the pastor has blood on her. The story then goes back in time
Each of the three main characters are flawed and have secrets which makes this a page turner because you are invested in the development of the Daughters and even Heather and Pam.
Tully is married and has two small sons. Not only has her husband lost a substantial amount of money in an investment, but Tully is also a kleptomaniac. I had a lot of sympathy for her because she felt there was no one she could talk to while trying to be perfect for everyone.

Rachel was my favorite character. After an incident that happened when she was sixteen, Rachel has given up on men, that is until she hires a new delivery guy for her bakery business, named Darcy. Darcy is able to finally break down the walls that Rachel has put up.

Heather was a character I thought I was going to hate, but actually ended up liking. This is the third novel I have read by Sally Hepworth it will be getting a high rating just like the others. So, if you like domestic thrillers about dysfunctional families with lots of secrets, then Sally Hepworth's The Younger Wife is the book for you. # I Am Totally Obsessed!

Disney and Magic Yes Please!



Can I just say that this was pure joy to read. This year has been a rough year for me and books. I have had so much fun reading this that it made me feel like a kid again. Firstly, when I requested this book I had no idea that it was part of a Duo. That being said you can read this as a stand alone and be perfectly fine I was.

As a longtime fan of mythology, history, and Disney, I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to review a great book from Disney Hyperion. The author did such a beautiful job of bringing ancient China to life in such a vivid and magical way. The balance the author struck between the Disney story we know and the historical accuracy. The setting of the narrative felt so alive and the author's style of writing took on a very cinematic tone, allowing readers to read and bring to life this adventure in their mind's eye. I can see this as a continued screen play with lots more action to boot.

The character development was outstanding in this novel. The way the author delved into Mulan as a person when confronted with her new reality was amazing, as was her relationship with Shang. Not only did the narrative do a great job of tackling the issues of equality amongst the women warriors and showing the balance one must find between showing strength and courage in the face of adversity without losing who they are inside. This book does such a beautiful job showing me and young readers that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being feminine and strong in equal measure. I will be buying my niece a copy of both books when she is a bit older. All young people should read the strength and beauty within these pages. A 5 Star Read all the way! # I Am Totally Obsessed!

No Rest for the Wicked


There is a good reason why Megan Goldin is one of my favorite thriller writers. I think that THE ESCAPE ROOM is still one of my all-time-favorites books and one that stands out from the rest, but her latest book is not far behind. It only took a few pages into STAY AWAKE to find myself utterly absorbed by the shattered reality that has become Liv's life..

I love thrillers that rely strongly on the doubt cast on the main protagonist's mental state. Liv, a traumatized woman who forgets everything that has happened to her as soon as she falls asleep, is a perfect candidate to star in that category of unreliable narrators. With every plot twist, I admired the author for being able to create such an intricate, multi-layered and challenging novel without ever losing credibility. Every time I was briefly concerned that a thread would be left hanging or would stretch credibility too far, I was soon reassured by the background detail that made it all perfectly plausible and tied things up nicely in the end. A highlight for me was the authors ablity to show Liv as she wakes up, completely confused and then start trying to go home or to work, only to realize that she has been asleep longer than she thought and that things have changed. Toward the end she tries to stay awake long enough to untangle all the clues of her current circumstances. The only downfall I had with the story is the constant need to be reminded that Liv is forgetful. I enjoyed this very much and will continue to be a fan of Megan Goldin moving forward. 4 STARS in other words this book is totally # All-Nighter Worthy

What happens when you are a girl who loves books and the world doesn't let you read? You apologize to the author and to make up for things you buy the audiobook so that you can inhale the book in 6 hours give or take.
This is a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Scarlet is a fairly average teen. She has some great friends, has a boy she is very interested in, and an overprotective mother. She also has a father she has never known, until now. When Scarlet thinks she has a normal life be it with an over bearing mother things are going ok and then the FBI shows up and nothing is ever the same. During their visit Scarlet she learns a great big whopper of a secret. Her father is an infamous serial killer! Jeffery Robert Lake. Now, he's dying and has said he will only give the names and locations of the victims he hasn't told anyone about to her. Now the reader knows why her mother is as she is and it makes perfect sense. This is my favorite kind of thriller because You know what to expect but the way it is presented is fresh and fun!

Scarlet is a teen at the end of the day. People expect her to do the right thing, right but how can she when She just found out about her father and on top of that He's a KILLER. The story has your traditional YA and all the makings of a great thriller. An all around a great read 4 stars all the way!

A Year of Slump


Lia Setiawan has never really fit in. And when she wins a full ride to the prestigious Draycott Academy on a track scholarship, she's determined to make it work. On her first day there she witnesses a girl being forcefully carried away by campus security, while her schoolmates and teachers seem unphased. And as she uncovers the secrets of Draycott, complete with a corrupt teacher, a golden boy who isn't what he seems, and a blackmailer determined to get her thrown out, she's not sure if she can trust anyone...especially when the threats against her take a deadly turn.

So, it is fair to say that I had a tough year with books. Dear Ms. Sutanto my apologize for my super delayed review of your academic thriller. Between doing 30 job interviews to try and function after being home for two years due to covid I was not in the right space to want to read. Having said that I can say that I finished the audiobook in two days and will be reading more from this author in the future.

This was more of a psychological thriller, as you see the pure narcissism of privileged rich kids who honestly do not think that anything will every come of their actions. I enjoyed Lia's character, even through everything that she got herself into, I found her to be a bit comical. It gave me Gilmore Girls but dark vines which made this so much more fun for me since I am a massive fan.
Unlike some readers who say that there might be parts of the story who lagged I didn't feel that> I am not sure if it's because I was listening to the audiobook or because this author's writing style was beautifully interpreted by the narrator. Overall, this will be a 4 Star Read for me. # All-Nighter-Worthy

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Delilah Dawson for a gifted copy of this book.

This book intrigued me based on its cover. I have an addiction to anything remotely crime/horror so I thought this would be right up my alley. Sadly, I had a very hard time getting through it even though it was well written. In a post-COVID world, there is a new deadly threat: The Violence. What is it? A disease, spread by mosquito, that takes the infected from 0-60 and leaves them in a blackout-type state where they demolish whatever or whoever stands in their way. Chelsea Martin, mother to teenage daughter Ella and 5-year-old Brooklyn. In the first few chapters, I found myself yelling at the abusive husband and Ella's boyfriend in equal measure. I was thrilled that a plan was constructed to get rid of the husband for a bit to give the girls a break from the abuse. This book took me about three weeks give or take a day to read even though it was well written. For me this had moments of greatness but because we are still going through the motions of covid that it was much to process. Overall, it did have a storyline that was well written which makes me hopeful for another read by this author. Three stars from me which is really good considering how much of a hard time I had with it. Very interesting concept looking forward to seeing what comes next from this author.

Dream a Little Dream



Eight books done and I have one more week in January I might actually hit double-digit book goals this year. While I think sixty books is decent I am not used to not hitting doubles. This story was okay. I enjoyed it more so because it was an audiobook but if I had to pick it up in paperback I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much. It involves a writer that is Down on his luck and desperate for work, Nick Bishop accepts a job writing a profile for the new mindfulness app Clarity. The app consists of white noise and guided meditation. It also includes “Sleep Songs”. A woman sings a creepy ballad that is the opposite of relaxing. However, it does the job for Nick and he is relaxed, deep in sleep in no time. That is when nightmares begin. This is giving me Six Sense vibes considering a dead woman who seems to know Nick and calls him by name. She whispers in his ear. Is she helping him? Eventually, he hears the woman's whisper when he is awake. As his nightmares become reality Nick makes the realization that no one at Clarity is interested in the profile he was writing. They are interested in him.


I liked this book. I listened to the audiobook. The narrator did a great job. The language was creepy, atmospheric, and descriptive. The story was very strange and I had to rewind it a few times to fully get what was happening. Which I think that is why I have to give this a three-star reading because I hate feeling like I missed something. Truthfully, I think I would want to pick up another book by this author just to see if it's the writing style or just me. The year is early so we will see how I do moving forward.

Perfection Tarnished



I am a sucker for a good thriller and this was really good. I think depending on how the year goes this will be in my top ten books for 2022! What do you get when you mix the perfect life with a husband who doesn't know how to spend his money? You get a story like this with some dark twist or two. Jade's day started out like any other, driving the kids from school to music lessons, fighting traffic, breaking up backseat arguments and tossing back snacks, then something unexpected happened that would change her idyllic world forever. The devoted mother of two Beatrix, a violin prodigy and her innocent younger brother Baxter. And a husband who is the celebrity chef of the town. Everything looks perfect from the outside, but Jade can't shake a feeling someone is watching her. Something is wrong this is more then just a bad day.



Jade is a devoted mom to her two young kids, savvy Husband Cam, otherwise known as Atlanta's Steak King for his successful group of restaurants catering to the wealthy set, they are a happily married “it” couple in town. Everything might be peachy in Buckhead, but Jade has a creepy suspicion that someone is stalking her and Cam is too busy to take his wife's concerns seriously.

Belle masterfully weaves many secrets for the reader to untangle in this dark, frightening thriller as a mother and her children are confronted with anyone's worst nightmare – a masked home invader demanding ransom. While Came is trying to put out his own fires his family is slowly burning from the inside out. Pick this up now you won't regret it.

It Always Comes out in the Wash




I am off to a really good start this year go me in 2022. It's been 21 days and I haven't bought a book yet and for me that is progress. The Lying Game was one of the two books given to me by my secret Santa from my online book club. What I love about The Lying Game is that it's an evocative and page-turning novel that will leave an imprint on the psyche of those who read it. I finished it a few days ago and the story still stays with you. Lying to protect those you love? Or telling the truth and ultimately hurting those who need you the most? Ruth Ware does a phenomenal job at slowly bringing her readers into the story and then smacking them with the cold hard truth. She has a way of making dark characters very likable and keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. This is a great book. It's a bit dark, and the setting sets the mood up for this perfectly. It's a bit sad- finally understanding what was really going on is sure to turn the coldest hearts soft. And it's an overall powerful read. I have read three books by Ms. Ware and I have to say this one kept me the most engaged. Overall, a very solid four stars. I know that you are going to say that this review doesn't say much about the story and you would be correct I didn't. I will however say that this story tests the bonds of friendship beautifully and is worth every minute I spent reading it.

American Dream



I was on a mission to start my year of reading off with a bang but at the same time I wanted to read something out of my comfort zone. So, when I saw this on NetGalley it checked off a few of my reading requirements for 2022. I wasn't sure initially if I was going to like Joan is Okay. The writing style very straight forward which is much like Joan out main character. She is a team player at a big hospital in NYC and her big interest and focus is to keep everything running like a well-oiled machine. As I continued reading and learned more about her parents, it was easy to understand what formed Joan into the person she is. There is an underlying dry humor in this book that makes it more relatable. What I loved about this book is that it shows the reader that it is okay to be unapologetically yourself. Without conforming to the want and need to fit into a mold that was set out for you.

Thank you to all parties involved in the decision for my receiving this arc in exchange for my honest review. Overall I enjoyed this book very much four stars from me. I will read more from this author moving forward.   

Dazed and Confused




This is the fifth book that I have read in 2022. However, this is the first book in a long time that has left me confused. Which is good and bad in equal measure. Bad in the sense that for a good 70% I was confused and good because this might be the one book I will want to read again just to see if I can get more out of it. Now before the author and the readers of this review get too upset with me this is a three-star read for me and that is still okay in my book. Let me explain my thought process, When I was approved for this book I was thrilled considering I had planned on buying it so win-win right? Yes at least for me. I just had a very hard time following it until the last 20%

Such a Pretty Smile focuses on two women (Lila and her mother Caroline) at two different points in time. Both are experiencing sights and sounds they can't quite explain. Both are essentially told to sit down, shut up, and smile pretty by the world around them as they search to find the reason for their experiences. When I first started reading, I thought the daughter was part of a multiple personality disorder. That's how confused I was. Which would have been a strong concept had I been right. That being said the highlights and strengths of this novel are its creepy factor. . I was drawn into what they were each experiencing, as I tried to puzzle out what was happening. Hints were dropped in the early parts of the story that pointed toward an origin in the distant past. Which made this easy to read in just a few days. Where I struggled is the development of characters. While both women had a voice the splitting chapters made it confusing. While the two main women are well done, the men all annoyed me and the main villain was just a total loss. I will be waiting to see if this turns into a series because it does have that potential. I eagerly await to see what's next for this writer and hope the next one is something I can connect with better.
Thank you, NetGalley for my arc. This is a toss-up but if you come across it I suggest giving it a chance.

Sister Dear






I am loving the thrillers I am picking up this year. Three days in and I have picked up two books that are solid four-star reads. After suffering a tragic loss, Alexa finally decides to leave the home of her overprotective father and make her own start. With a new apartment and a job, she loves, Alexa finally feels like she is moving on with her life. When she starts dating a new client, Curt, Alexa slowly starts to find her footing, until her estranged twin sister, Beth, shows up on Alexa's doorstep. Alexa has promised her father, and her therapist, that she would keep Beth out of her life, but soon Beth is living with Alexa, and Alexa is keeping her sister's presence secret from everyone. True to form, Beth starts interfering in Alexa's life in every way, and the twins' relationship takes a dark turn when Curt ends up dead and Alexa is charged for his murder.


Soon, the dark past of both Alexa and Beth starts to surface, and Alexa realizes she must separate herself from Beth permanently, once and for all. This is a twin sega with a 2022 media twist. What I loved is the duel perspective chapters from both Beth and Alexa's point of view. I liked how it showed the dynamic of their relationship. The twists and turns are sprinkled in at all the right places making this a fast-paced joy to read. If you read enough thrillers as I do you will expect a few of the twists but some of the others you are not going to see coming at all. This speaks volumes to this author's ability to craft a good story. Both characters are reliable and relatable. The only thing I was sad about is that it was over.

As a debut novel, I have to say this was impressive. The author writes beautifully and kept me engaged the whole way through making me want to find out how the story ends. J.C. Bidonde is officially on my radar as a thriller writer. Four solid stars.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Podcast Fun!




I am so proud of myself this year. I set a goal of one book and I am at such peace. I haven't picked up a book just for fun in many years. I usually pick a friend to pick the total number of books that they want to challenge me with. I haven't picked up an Allison Brennan novel since I read the Original Sin in High School and it was so nice to come back to this author and get lost in her story telling. This was such a departure from Original Sin and such a fun mystery. Firstly I will start by saying I love books that have a podcast. My favorite are true crime so this was perfect. This novel surrounds Lucas Vega who has created a podcast for his senior capstone project at Northern Arizona University. The podcast focuses on the mysterious disappearance and then death of NAU student and sorority sister Candace Swain.



The podcast is slowly gaining traction and gaining attention from everyone. The popularity starts to irritate Candace's sorority sisters. In hopes to try and solve this cold case the advisor who is helping Lucas brings Regan Merrit a former US marshal to help bring in clues. What adds more dynamics to this story is that Regan has problems of her own and this mystery is just the thing to keep her mind off her own issues. As the story continues Lucas and Regan start to get threats to end their search for answers.

I am glad that this is the book that I started my year off with. Sometimes reading a genre that you love sets your mood for a great year. I enjoyed this story. I know that some readers say that this is a bit long winded. I personally enjoyed it. The writing style is easy to follow and the story kept my interest. I am hoping that the author will continue this series with the Marshal as the lead because it would be something I would be very interested in.

Silver Tears is the second book with the wickedly addictive Faye who I loved. “Now that her former husband, Jack, is out of the way in prison for killing their daughter, Faye has grown her company - Revenge - into one of the leading cosmetic companies in Europe. She has a new man in her life and feels like she is falling in love. But when her father and former husband both escape from the prison she is terrified that the police will find out that her daughter is in hiding and not dead. And when she discovers her company is under attack she must decide how much she is willing to fight or to run.”
If you know anything about this author and the character of Faye then you know she is one tough cookie and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her family safe and life intact. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone but I will say it does leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger which I am hoping will lead to yet another book. Four-star read from me I hope to see more soon. Thank you Netgalley.

From characters named after murder victims to an eerie, isolated setting - it doesn't get more isolated than an island, right? – The Family Plot by Megan Collins is penned with killer precision. This is my second novel by Ms. Collins and I loved Behind the Red Door this novel was no different. The Lighthouse family knows everything there is to know about murderers and serial killers. They were home-schooled by their mom. She had been obsessed with true crime since her parents were murdered. Hence her children are named after murdered famous people. They are proficient in how murders occurred as well as placement of the murder victim's body. Can you imagine that being the home school that you are accustomed to? Being a true-crime lover it would be cool and a bit twisted, and I think that is what drew me to this book.
Dahlia Lighthouse knew her family was different and did not fit in. How many families have the sheriff of the community constantly in their backyard with a flashlight? But the children stuck together until they were of the age to be able to leave the island. Then they moved away. Except when Dahlia left, she had to leave alone. Dahlia had a twin, Andy who had promised they would leave together. But on their sixteenth birthday, Andy disappeared, leaving a note. Dahlia was heartbroken that he left without her. So when Dahlia was able to leave the island, she spent all her time and energy trying to find out where her brother had gone and why he left without her. The death of their father brings everyone back but Andy why? What we find is that in the plot where their father is supposed to go we find the body of sixteen-year-old Andy. The story that unfolds after the body is found is one I think you should as the reader journey on your own. What I can say is that it is as spooky and as unexpected as you think and it is worth every page turn. After reading the arc I not only bought the ebook for a friend but have the audiobook for myself considering this was a book I will read again when Ms. Collins brings out her next book.

This is the second book today that I have finished that I am glad I read but I couldn't connect with so, therefore, did not love it, I think as much as I want to give high marks for the books that I receive from NetGalley this might be my first two-star reads. I'm sorry. The tale is spun around Girl One who was born in 1971 without any kind of male DNA. She would be the first of nine daughters. She was being raised in an experimental commune called “The Homestead” with her creator, Dr. Joseph Bellanger, and the other mothers and daughters until a suspicious fire takes two lives, and those remaining scattered across the USA, choosing to distance themselves from the experiment and each other. Then we fast-forward to 1994 where Jose 1994, Josephine is studying in Chicago with the hope of following in her “father's” footsteps until she learns of her mother Margaret's disappearance on the news. She returns to her mother's home and finds that again there has been a fire, and her mother's car and purse are there even though she is not.
An interesting concept so far, right? Girl One returns to find her mother with not much to go on. The only clue to her whereabouts-a phone # for a reporter from the Kansas City Telegraph-named Thomas Abbott. This sparks a road trip where more mother-daughter pairs are discovered that rather stay hidden. At this point, you might be thinking why did I request this book if I am being so harsh? Every so often I am intrigued by a plot that changes or challenges the status quo of society so this caught my attention. But despite my interest, I found the pace slow and the chapters very long! That being said it does pick up in the second half and you do get a sense of resolution at the end. If this is your genre of choice then you will love it. For me personally, I was glad I stepped out of my comfort zone but I didn't connect with it. I will be out on the lookout for more from this author just out of curiosity.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the advanced ARC for my honest review.

Did like it although, there were some parts during my read that I found it unbelievable or plausible at times the writing, escaping into the pages, the fast pace, mix in the tension, the suspense, the overload of action, good versus evil, builds to a great conclusion and glad that I read this one.

With ‘Chasing the Lion', you get a multi-layered storyline, the author A.J. Tata kept them all straight but check reality at the door Right away you will notice how Tata has brought vast knowledge and personal experience he has into this book. As a retired General he knows better than most the inside workings of combat and military strategy and that brings this story a level of realism in the details that will keep readers engrossed from the start.
To give you a bit of background on the main character. Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair is the United States Army's top special forces commander. He is unique in that he participates in operations with his personal Joint Special Operations Command team, a team that he put together with the best of the best. Iran remains high on his list of enemies to the United States, whose leadership remain a constant threat. This is beyond well written and very detailed I just had a hard time connecting with it so I can't give it more than three stars. The pacing is spot on.

I could sit and tell you all the things I loved about this book or you could just go out and get it tomorrow. I was supposed to read this back in July but life got in the way but this is for sure a new author to love for me. This is such a fun read for me. Some people have trouble finding a place to live in San Francisco. Others can walk into the most prestigious gated community and buy a multi-million-dollar house. Presidio Terrace is home to some of the biggest names in the city, like news anchor Erin King and her husband Mason, a plastic surgeon, or the infamous Georgia St. Claire, also known as The Black Widow. And now, it's also home to mystery novelist Brooke Davies and her tech billionaire husband Jack.
These women in this story are amazing. I felt like I was reading a cross between Desperate House Wives and Devious Maids which I loved. You will find that in this story you will love and hate all these women at least once before the story is over and it will be great.
Brooke is happy with Jack, and she is looking forward to making friends in their new neighborhood. With Jack working so much, she does get lonely. And to be honest, she's struggling with her second novel. She could use some inspiration to breathe new life into these characters so she can send it off to her publisher.

Georgia has been married twice already. After a little over a year with her first husband when he tumbled down the marble staircase. He didn't make it. Then her second husband shot himself in his office. There have been rumors that it was Georgia who killed them, but she has always claimed her innocence, and there have been no arrests in their deaths. Now, she is getting ready to marry again, another wealthy man, and she claims that she genuinely loves Robert. She does everything she can to put the “Black Widow” rumors to rest because she wants to finally find her happily ever after.

But when Robert goes missing after a pre-wedding party on his yacht, Georgia doesn't know where to turn for help. She calls the police to report him missing, but they won't take an official report until he's been missing for 24 hours. As the hours go by with Robert still missing, the women's secrets start coming out and Brooke learns that all those rumors don't even start to compare to the truth of Presidio Terrace.

Buckle up for a fun ride because I promise how you think the story will end is very far from how the story ends. Well done. Thank you to all involved in my being selected for this arc I love that I found a new author to love.

I finished this book a few weeks ago however I am beyond behind on everything this year and it is new years eve and I am trying to review all the books I have managed to finish this year that I just haven't been able to do. This was yet another solid three-star thriller. Based on the description I was expecting a solid easy quick read in the who done it format. However, what I received was a book that was completely obsessed with opioids. most of the book is focused on the main character Viv and her struggles with alcoholism. I thought it was done pretty well and that should have been the focus of the story. However, the book kept trying to convince me that the real story was the “mystery” of how a teenage girl with addiction issues and a disastrous personal life managed to overdose on opioids.
Vivienne's story, told through flashbacks, is interwoven with the (mostly pretty dull) stories of two of her friends, as well as interviews by the police as they try to find out where she could have obtained the single painkiller, she took that caused her overdose. I just can't imagine the police putting in that kind of an investigation when Viv was filmed taking the drugs willingly. Overall there are bits of the story that I love and it did have a resolution at the end of the story which I was happy to see. Overall, I am happy I gave this author a chance not sure if I will be reading the next one but only time will tell.

I have to say that this book is stunning. From start to finish. There are not many books that I receive arcs of that I actually go out and buy hardcover but this is on my shelves and it is stunning. In a world where witchcraft is to the season, she was born in. Clara was born an Everwitch and is now able to use the magic of all seasons which is very rare. With such magical ability comes the power that is immeasurable and hungry seeing as if Clara doesn't control her powers, they tend to go after the ones she loves most. The solar eclipse is fast approaching and all witches are required by law to flee the path of totality, for being in the eclipse's path will strip a witch of her powers permanently. If Clara can't find a way to get her powers under control before the eclipse arrives, she has vowed to strip her powers to prevent hurting anyone else she loves.

That is all I am giving away from the story. I think. Now it's time for some honesty. I don't read enough YA to be a professional in this genre but I can tell you that I really did enjoy this. I am hoping that there might be a book two. I loved the magic in this book and thought it was a very unique take. The nature and weather that the author ties into each season in the book are just simply beautiful. I also loved that the author had a bisexual main character and managed to write it without it being complicated or questioned or over-explained or rationalized. There is so much beautiful character growth in this novel. There are not enough novels that express that love is love no matter who you chose to love. . Griffin elegantly explores risk and trust and believing in yourself. This was just an outstanding feel-good read. Thank you NetGalley for my arc I am truly sorry for my delay.

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones is a retelling of The Boy Who Cried Wolf but this time it is The Girl Who Cried Slasher. This book is a huge homage to the Slasher movie genre and the final survival girl filled with history, facts, and opinions. Where Slasher movies are not known for their characterizations this novel is all about character; as it breakdowns the many layers of the main character Jade. Jade at first is seen as a Slasher obsessed troublemaker, rebelling from society, at the end of the story Jade is explained and grows and it is a truly beautiful thing. I was fortunate enough to get an arc of this book and sadly was not able to read it before publication so I decided to support the author by buying a copy on audible. While I liked to listen to this story because I love horror even with listening I found it hard to follow and needed to sometimes restart chapters because I felt as though I was lost. While I enjoyed was the layers that were revealed of Jade and the bits and pieces about slashers. What I disliked was that Jade was never believed and struggled to get her point across, I know that this sounds like a very uneven review but I did like the spooky aspect and would read more from this author in the future.

I was very behind on reviews this year and I promise I will not say that next year but that is not important. I decided that since I was not going to make it by the deadline for this review that I would buy the audiobook and I am so glad I did. A story that tugs at the depths of your soul. I think I only paused this book long enough to eat and use the restroom it is that good. Characters that become so alive you cry with them, get angry for them, and want them to prevail. Twist and turns you never see coming, inhaling the book so fast, but wanting it to last much longer than it ever does because you can't put it down. A Prologue and Epilogue that sent chills through my body I loved this very much and will be picking up more books by this author very soon.

I was vaguely aware of this story. I think I might have googled it at some point and that was part of the reason that I requested it as an arc. This book takes this crime to another level. This is the story of a young man who is deeply disturbed, whose mental state went unchecked and was never properly treated, whose drug use was rampant, and was lost. It took murdering his father in cold blood to try to figure out why. I think privilege plays a big part in this story at least in my opinion. This young man had everything handed to him and still, he fell apart and committed a crime that did not need to happen. Thomas Gilbert, Jr., was adrift. Not interested in the finance business that his father tried to steer him toward. He continued to flounder, but his dad supported him so not much changed by way of his living situation or social life.


This is such an upsetting story, on so many levels, and while I commend the author for his thorough research, I was left questioning so much at the end. This is my type of true crime book though because I went through an entire roller coaster of emotions from start to finish.

This was an interesting read for me, not the best thriller I have read this year but not the worse. A solid three stars. The story surrounds Effie, Anna and Lizzie forged a strong bond of friendship during college that has endured through the ensuing years, although careers, marriage, and motherhood. It is all wrapped up in a secret that is shared by two of the women that adds fuel to the story. The focus of the story is the pending marriage of Lizzie and Dan, but in the week leading up to their destination wedding, they call it off and cancel all the arrangements. Determined to enjoy the time off the cast of characters and some awesome extras along for the rollercoaster ride.
However, once the group arrives things begin to unravel quite rapidly, exposing a somewhat sinister element leading to a psychological game impacting the entire group. The suspense is generated by the gradual revelation of clues as to the identity of the mastermind behind the game, but a subtle thread keeps things off balance. It is that off-balance that drove me to continue reading and the factor that will get me to pick up yet another book by this author.

My thanks to the author, Random House Publishing - Ballantine, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review. So sorry that it is very delayed it is no reflection on how much I enjoyed this book.