A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James #bookreview @berkleypub

Overview

From the book’s chillingly creepy setting, which previously appeared in The Sun Down Motel (2020), to a nerve-jangling plot that effectively borrows from a mix of genres to the writing itself, which shimmers with a dazzlingly sharp sense of wit, everything about St. James’ latest is done to perfection.”-Booklist (starred review)

Simone St. James, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel, returns with her scariest, most shocking novel yet in this pulse-pounding story about siblings who return to the house they fled 18 years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request: Come home.

Strange things happen in Fell, New York. A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For the Esmie siblings—Violet, Vail, and Dodie—the final straw was the shocking disappearance of their little brother. It started as a normal game of hide-and-seek. The three closed their eyes and counted to ten while Ben went to hide. But this time, they never found their brother—he was gone and the ongoing search efforts turned up no clues.

As their parents grew increasingly distant, Violet, Vail, and Dodie were each haunted by visions and frightening events that made them leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years.

And now after two decades running from their past, it’s time for a homecoming. Because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared. If the ghosts of Fell don’t get to them first.

A Box Full of Darkness is another propulsive thriller from the author of The Broken Girls and The Book of Cold Cases, a surprising horror story from a writer who is “particularly gifted at doling out twists” (The New York Times).

Review

Strange things happen in Fell, New York. A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For the Esmie siblings—Violet, Vail, and Dodie—the final straw was the shocking disappearance of their little brother.

Let me start with…I was not happy with this ending. It just did not seem to fit. But it is still a 5 star read. The sinister and the ghostly vibes are off the charts.

Violet, Vail and Dodie are each so different in the way they approach the “return” of their little brother Ben. This just adds to the creepiness. And let me tell you, this author takes you on a ride you won’t soon forget.

I am trying very hard not to give a spoiler away…JUST READ IT!

Need a creepy novel to keep you up at night…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney #audiobook #bookreview @macmillanaudio

Overview

The New York Times bestselling Queen of Twists is back with a psychological masterpiece that will leave you questioning everything you know about love, identity, and revenge.

“Nonstop thrills! The best Feeney book yet!” —FREIDA MCFADDEN 
“Propulsive, compulsive, addictive.” —LISA JEWELL

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.

One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying.

Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner called Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person’s date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel, and as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

My Husband’s Wife is a tangled web of deception, obsession, and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

Review

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.

No one keeps you on your toes quite like Alice Feeney!! All these twists and lies….oh boy!

The way this story unfolds will keep you completely confused. But it will also keep you reading. Which one is the true Eden? But there are so many more questions than that one…TRUST ME! This is not one you want to miss.

This is a graphic audiobook and I loved it. Great narrators, Bel Powley, Henry Rowley, Richard Armitage and the added sound effects made this story come alive.

Need a drama you won’t soon forget…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Nineteen: A Daughter’s Memoir of Reckoning and Recovery by Leslie Johansen Nack #bookreviw #audiobook

Overview

For fans of Stephanie Thornton-Plymale’s American Daughter and Cea Sunrise Person’s North of Normal comes Leslie Johansen Nack’s emotional follow-up memoir about her battle with addiction following a traumatic childhood—and her inspiring journey toward healing and happiness.

In the mid-1970s, after sailing to French Polynesia with her sisters and father, Leslie Nack returned to the US with her family. In Southern California, she began the integration process back into American life, which meant being tossed back and forth between an alcoholic, mentally ill mother and an abusive, overbearing father who took her to deliver sailboats, sent her on a wilderness survival course, and recovered a stolen boat for an insurance company in the Virgin Islands. During all of that, she and her sisters attempted to free their mentally ill mother from confinement. Life couldn’t be more unpredictable. 

At nineteen, her larger-than-life father dies suddenly in a plane crash in Mexico. In the wake of his death, she descends into addiction—caught in a downward spiral, her only solace is her next fix. Ultimately, however, Leslie’s story is one of resilience: she chooses sobriety and happiness, builds a healthy marriage, and raises two children. 

At its heart, Nineteen affirms that acquiring new skills and investing in oneself are essential to breaking free from the destructive lessons of childhood. Raw and intense but ultimately hopeful, this sequel to the popular memoir Fourteen tells the rest of Leslie’s turbulent—and incredible—story.

Review

Leslie Nack had a unique childhood. Her mother was mentally ill and her dad…well he was something else. She struggled with so much. I know that writing this was so cathartic and helped heal some of her wounds.

Leslie’s story is filled with heartache, abuse, addiction and battles. It took some strength to overcome and she did it!!

I enjoyed listening Leslie’s story. She narrates this herself and this always makes an audiobook better. This is well written and unique.

Need a good memoir…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this for a honest review.

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The Heart of Everything by Mark Levy #bookreview #audiobook

Overview

Even death can’t break the bond between father and son in an uncannily funny and poignant novel about love, loss, memory, and family by Marc Levy, the bestselling author of P.S. from Paris.

There’s nothing too unusual about a father asking his son for a favor—unless, of course, the father in question has been dead for five years.

Thomas, a young virtuoso pianist living a quiet, carefully structured life in France, is stunned when his late father, Raymond, suddenly appears in his home. He’s not a ghost in the traditional sense—he’s real enough to ask for help. His request? That Thomas travel with him to San Francisco to find Camille, the long-lost love of his life.

For Thomas, it’s as surreal as it sounds. And yet…it might be his last-in-a-lifetime chance to know his father as a man and to square the regrets of the past. Together they embark on a five-thousand-mile journey that questions the very nature of existence, proves that love never fades, and rekindles the curious, heart-tugging bond between a parent and child that somehow endures beyond death.

Review

I so enjoyed this tale. It is funny and touching all at the same time.

Thomas, a young virtuoso pianist living a quiet, carefully structured life in France, is stunned when his late father, Raymond, suddenly appears in his home. He’s not a ghost in the traditional sense—he’s real enough to ask for help. His request? That Thomas travel with him to San Francisco to find Camille, the long-lost love of his life.

When Thomas took a hit off of a joint in his mother’s desk, then saw his dead father, I could not help but die out laughing. This is the best scene in the whole book. And there are quite a few good ones.

The relationship between father and son sneaks up on the reader. You think this is a tale of lost love. It is so much more than that. This story takes you on a wild ride you will not soon forget. And to be honest, I did not know if Thomas was crazy or if he was really seeing his deceased dad. You need to read this to find out!

The narrator, Simon Mattacks, could not have been better. He had Raymond and Thomas down pat!

Need a story about a father and a son, a ghost story, a love story rolled all into one…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Shark House by Sara Ackerman #bookreview #audiobook @harpermusebooks

Overview

A BookBub “Best Books Coming This Winter”

A haunting mystery beneath the ocean’s surface. One woman’s reckoning with the past. Long-buried secrets waiting to rise.

Hawai’i, 1998. When a string of rare shark attacks unsettles the once-peaceful Kohala coast, marine biologist Minnow Gray is called in to investigate. Known for her uncanny connection to sharks, she is the island’s best hope for uncovering why the attacks are happening—a mystery that has both the local community and the tourism industry on edge—and for determining whether the same great white still haunts the coastline.

Witness to an unspeakable tragedy involving a white shark and her own father, Minnow has carried a darkness with her ever since. She knows, deep inside, that unlocking the memories of that long-ago morning is the only way to truly heal. And as she searches for answers, the past and present collide, revealing shocking and unexpected truths that cut deep as the sea itself.

The longer she’s in Hawai’i, the more she comes to see that her journey here might be as much about finding herself as finding the shark.

An atmospheric exploration of the intricate/fragile dance between humans and sharks, set against a backdrop of stunning Hawaiian landscapes and deep-sea danger, The Shark House is a tale of resilience, redemption, and the raw power of the natural world—and of the courage to face what lies within.

Review

Hawai’i, 1998. When a string of rare shark attacks unsettles the once-peaceful Kohala coast, marine biologist Minnow Gray is called in to investigate. The longer she’s in Hawai’i, the more she comes to see that her journey here might be as much about finding herself as finding the shark.

I have to say, this tale is unique. A total transformation from Sara Ackerman’s WWII novels. I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this. I mean…it’s about sharks. I may never think about sharks the same again.

Minnow is an amazing character. she is smart and a bit damaged from her past. She doesn’t hesitate to do what she can to find out why these sharks are attacking.

The setting of Hawaii and all its beauty along with the power of the ocean and the sharks leads to a rare tale where you can picture everything in your mind. And you end up rooting for the sharks.

This is narrated by Jennifer Robideau. Excellent job!

Need an atmospheric tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston #bookreview @vikingbooks

Overview

FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FIRST LIE WINS

Two women. One dead husband. And only one alibi.

“Elston expertly unravels a web of secrets and lies. You won’t be able to put this excellent thriller down until the final shocking page.” —Megan Miranda

Everyone at Chantilly’s Bar noticed out-of-towner Camille Bayliss. Red lips, designer heels, sipping a Negroni. But that woman wasn’t Camille Bayliss. It was Aubrey Price.

Camille Bayliss appears to have the picture-perfect life; she’s married to hotshot lawyer Ben and is the daughter of a wealthy Louisiana family. Only nothing is as it seems: Camille believes Ben has been hiding dirty secrets for years, but she can’t find proof because he tracks her every move.

Aubrey Price has been haunted by the terrible night that changed her life a decade ago, and she’s convinced Benjamin Bayliss knows something about it. Living in a house full of criminals, Aubrey understands there’s more than one way to get to the truth—and she may have found the best way in.

Aubrey and Camille hatch a plan. It sounds simple: For twelve hours, Aubrey will take Camille’s place. Camille will spy on Ben, and the two women will get the answers they desperately seek.

Except the next morning, Ben is found murdered. Both women need an airtight alibi, but only one of them has it. And one false step is all it takes for everything to come undone.

Review

Camille Bayliss appears to have the picture-perfect life; she’s married to hotshot lawyer Ben and is the daughter of a wealthy Louisiana family. Only nothing is as it seems: Camille believes Ben has been hiding dirty secrets for years, but she can’t find proof because he tracks her every move.

Aubrey and Camille change places for just a few hours and when Camille gets home…her husband, Ben, is dead. Did she do it? Did Aubrey? Who?

This story definitely kept me guessing. And trust me, I thought I had it figured out…I DID NOT! I love it when that happens. There is so much I want to say about this book…just read it!! I loved the guessing game and the intricacies.

Just an FYI, this has multiple points of views and different time periods. This could cause some issues with audiobook readers. But trust me, you need to read this however you read!

Need an intricate tale to keep you guessing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Bookbinder’s Secret by A. D. Bell #historicalfiction #bookreview @macmillanaudio @stmartinspress

Overview

Every book tells a story. This one tells a secret.

A young bookbinder begins a hunt for the truth when a confession hidden beneath the binding of a burned book reveals a story of forbidden love, lost fortune, and murder.

Lilian (“Lily”) Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life. She is trapped between the oppressiveness of her father’s failing bookshop and still being an apprentice in a man’s profession. But when she’s given a burned book during a visit to a collector, she finds, hidden beneath the binding, a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune, and murder.

Lily is pulled into the mystery of the young lovers, a story of forbidden love, and discovers there are more books and more hidden pages telling their story. Lilian becomes obsessed with the story but she is not the only one looking for the remaining books and what began as a diverting intrigue quickly becomes a very dangerous pursuit.

Lily’s search leads her from the eccentric booksellers of London to the private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, deep into the heart of the mystery. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything for the books, Lilian’s world begins to fall apart and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth the risk to her own life.

Review

I love this cover and this title! Always a big draw to me!

A young bookbinder begins a hunt for the truth when a confession hidden beneath the binding of a burned book reveals a story of forbidden love, lost fortune, and murder.

I am in the minority on this one. I loved the premise and the setting. However, I found the pacing a bit off and this is a bit too descriptive. And as much as I enjoyed Lily, some of her actions do not seem to fit the time period.

Now that that is out of the way! I did enjoy the premise. A 50 year old letter hidden in a book! This definitely draws you in. The murder and love story create an intriguing tale. Plus, the bookbinding information helps endear the reader to this story.

Olivia Vinall is the narrator. She did a good job. I am not sure I have ever listened to her before.

Need a unique mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Is This A Cry for Help by Emily Austin #bookreview @atriabooks

Overview

Emily Austin, the bestselling “queen of darkly quirky, endearingly flawed heroines” (Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus), returns with a luminous new novel following a librarian who comes back to work after a mental breakdown only to confront book-banning crusaders in an empowering story of grief, love, and the power of libraries.

Darcy’s life turned out better than she could have ever imagined. She is a librarian at the local branch, while her wife Joy runs a book binding service. Between the two of them, there is no more room on their shelves with their ample book collections, various knickknacks and bobbles, and dried bouquets. Rounding out their ideal life is two cats and a sun-soaked house by the lake.

But when Darcy receives the news that her ex-boyfriend, Ben, has passed away, she spirals into a pit of guilt and regret, resulting in a mental breakdown and medical leave from the library. When she returns to work, she is met by unrest in her community and protests surrounding intellectual freedom, resulting in a call for book bans and a second look at the branch’s upcoming DEI programs.

Through the support of her community, colleagues, and the personal growth that results from examining her previous relationships, Darcy comes into her own agency and the truest version of herself. Is This a Cry for Help? not only offers a moving portrait of queer life after coming of age but also powerfully explores questions about sexuality, community, and the importance of libraries.

Review

Darcy’s life turned out better than she could have ever imagined. She is a librarian at the local branch, while her wife Joy runs a book binding service. But when Darcy receives the news that her ex-boyfriend, Ben, has passed away, she spirals into a pit of guilt and regret, resulting in a mental breakdown and medical leave from the library. When she returns to work, she is met by unrest in her community.

I enjoyed the issues brought forth in this book and I admire Darcy and the way she handled them. But then, she has just come back from a nervous breakdown. She struggles to keep it together and does a pretty good job of it. There are many places in this book in which I don’t think I could have kept it together quite as well as Darcy. I might have come unglued on a couple of patrons 😂!

This story takes on book banning, grief, relationships and the importance of a good librarian and library! This tale hit home on several levels.

Need a good novel that explores the importance of libraries…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Architect of New York by Javier Moro #bookreview #historicalfiction

Overview

A transportive work of historical fiction chronicling the life, loves, and iconic successes of Rafael Guastavino, the influential yet largely forgotten Spanish architect of New York’s Gilded Era

Iconoclast. Genius. Womanizer. Architect Rafael Guastavino’s signature vaulted tile ceilings revolutionized Gilded Age New York City. The Oyster Bar in Grand Central, the Prospect Park Boathouse, and the iconic Old City Hall subway station number among his masterpieces. But while his works continue to imbue the city with the glamour of a bygone era, the man himself has been largely forgotten.

Told through the eyes of Guastavino’s son and business partner, Rafael Jr., Javier Moro’s magnetic prose brings to life the remarkable rags-to-riches journey of this influential immigrant family. Guastavino was a stubborn man, enamored of his own sense of destiny, but he was also a deeply compassionate father, as committed to his family as he was to his work, and equally defined by his successes in the latter realm as by his failures in the former.

Set against historical events including the Chicago World’s Fair and the sinking of the Titanic, The Architect of New Yorkis a moving and entertaining father-son story filled with finely developed and deeply researched real-life characters (including such figures as Stanford White and Daniel Burnham) that captures the romance and drama while offering a timeless glimpse into the human heart.

Review

Iconoclast. Genius. Womanizer. Architect Rafael Guastavino’s signature vaulted tile ceilings revolutionized Gilded Age New York City. The Oyster Bar in Grand Central, the Prospect Park Boathouse, and the iconic Old City Hall subway station number among his masterpieces. But while his works continue to imbue the city with the glamour of a bygone era, the man himself has been largely forgotten.

This is a bit slow and drawn out. I did enjoy learning about the history surrounding the architecture and the creations by Rafael Guastavino. He was truly a genius. Plus, he was a bit of a scoundrel as well, especially where women were concerned. I had a hard time keeping up with all his women and children. He was also terrible with his money. I bet he lost multiple fortunes due to mismanagement.

This is told through the voice of one his sons. This made this a unique narration. It shows their relationship and how it changed through the years.

This is narrated by Robert Fass. He did a good job with the Spanish accents.

Need a good history of architecture in NYC…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Star Society by Gabriella Saab @harpermusebooks #bookreview #historicalfiction

Overview

Inspired by the indomitable spirit of Audrey Hepburn, this gripping story follows two extraordinary sisters as they reunite after World War II, embarking on a journey of justice, survival, and secrets amid the backdrop of the Red Scare in Hollywood.

A new name, a new country, and a coveted title as Hollywood’s newest rising star: by 1946, actress Ada Worthington-Fox has discarded the life she left in war-torn Arnhem, where she worked for the Dutch resistance before Gestapo imprisonment prompted her to flee after release. But that life is thrust back into the spotlight when Ingrid–the sister she believed dead–shows up on her doorstep.

Politically-minded Ingrid escaped the Nazi invasion of Arnhem and fled to Washington, DC, where she became a private investigator. Now, she has been sent to root out Communist influences in Hollywood. Her target: Ada Worthington-Fox, the sister she long thought lost to her. Ingrid must hide her true purpose as she shields Ada from sneaky reporters, damaging rumors, and increasing threats, all while fighting to uncover which side her sister is truly on before Ingrid’s efforts to help her are too late.

Yet, Ada has her own mission: locating the Gestapo agent who terrorized her hometown and bringing him to justice. But delving into her past would risk alerting the press to a life too personal to expose. As the rising fear of Communism threatens everyone, she turns to her sister, believing Ingrid’s ties to Washington may be her only hope for success.

But the connections between Ada’s elusive Nazi and Ingrid’s Communist witch hunt might be stronger than they realize. Both sisters share the darkest secret of all, one that risks their very lives if ever exposed. As they come closer to identifying Ada’s target and as Ingrid’s investigation intensifies, they will need to decide what is more important: justice or safety, keeping silent or taking a stand, and, above all, if their loyalty to one another is worth risking the post-war lives they’ve fought to build.

A thrilling historical novel that transports readers from the shadows of the Dutch resistance to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Review

A new name, a new country, and a coveted title as Hollywood’s newest rising star: by 1946, actress Ada Worthington-Fox has discarded the life she left in war-torn Arnhem, where she worked for the Dutch resistance before Gestapo imprisonment prompted her to flee after release. But that life is thrust back into the spotlight when Ingrid–the sister she believed dead–shows up on her doorstep.

This story starts a bit slow but stick with it. It turns into a family drama, a war tale, a romance, a red scare and more!

I enjoyed how this played out. You cannot help but love Ada and Ingrid. Both have different issues going on. And trust me! The drama between these two will keep the reader on their toes. Throw in their mother…oh boy!

The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, has become one of my favorites narrators over the past year. She does a great job.

Need a twisted, Hollywood tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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