reecaspieces

Overview

For fans of dual-timeline, mother-daughter novels like The Paper Palace and Tom Lake, a compelling contemporary novel about a woman’s struggle to face her reckless history, with its trail of damage and deception, and her quest for the redemption that might still be possible.

From the ruins of Egypt to the privileged life of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the story of a woman’s odyssey through the maze of love, loyalty, recklessness, and remorse, as the consequences of her acts ripple through the generations.

Approaching a milestone birthday, Arden Rice has seen it all: three marriages, hardship and wealth, choices she both regrets and defends, all fueled by the same fierce desire—to give her daughter the best possible life. At least, that’s what Arden tells herself.

But nothing is simple. Arden is haunted by her impetuous history, with its trail of damage and deception. Yet she’s finally made a life where she can be her best self—until the unthinkable happens, and a train engineer’s lapse in attention throws that life into chaos.

Secrets begin to unravel, and Arden finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew—along with her own role in shaping the disturbing person her daughter has become. As the stakes increase, especially for the vulnerable granddaughter who’s now in her care, Arden must face questions she’s spent a lifetime avoiding: Which acts define a person? Can someone be better than her worst acts?

For fans of dual-timeline and mother-daughter novels, a compelling story about a woman’s struggle to face her reckless history, with its trail of damage and deception, and her quest for the redemption that might still be possible.

Review

Arden has recently lost her daughter in a train crash. As she struggles to overcome her grief and care for her granddaughter, Arden begins to look back over her life.

I have read two of this author’s books, The Color of Ice and The Sound Between the Notes. I enjoyed both of these novels. Basically because the characters are so great. Well, this one fell short and it is because I truly disliked Arden. I found her selfish and deceiving.

There is a lot in this tale; drama, deception, lies and love. And I did enjoy part set in Egypt…very atmospheric!

Need a quick, family drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Overview

From the author of the “delightful” (New York Times Book Review) Mary Jane, a new novel of found family, growing up, and the best and worst of the 1980s, revolving around San Francisco’s most exclusive department store, I. Magnin.

Nineteen-year-old Zippy can hardly believe it: she’s the newest and youngest salesgirl at I. Magnin, “San Francisco’s Finest Department Store.” Every week, she rotates her three spruced-up Salvation Army outfits and Vaseline-shined pumps; still, she’s thrilled to walk those pumps through the employee entrance five days a week as she saves to buy something new. For a girl who grew up in a one-bedroom apartment above a liquor store with her mother and her mother’s madcap boyfriend, Howard; a girl who wanted to go to college but had no help in figuring out how; I. Magnin represents a real chance for a better and more elegant life. Or, at the very least, a more interesting one.

Zippy may not be in school, but she’s about to get an education that will stick with her for decades. Her fellow salesgirls (lifetime professionals) run the gamut from mean and indifferent to caring and helpful. The cosmetics ladies on the first floor share both samples and advice (“only date a man with a Rolex”); and her new roommate, Raquel, an ambitious lawyer, tells Zippy she can lose ten pounds easy if she joins Raquel in eating only every other day. Just when Zippy thinks she’s getting a handle on how to be an adult woman in 1985, two surprises threaten both her sense of self and her coveted position at I. Magnin.

Set in the Day-Glo colors of 1980s San Francisco, Shopgirls is an intoxicating novel of self-discovery, outrageous fashion, and family both biological and found.

Review

I have done some thinking about this book. And I settled on a 3 star rating. And I hate to do that because I love, love, love this author. You cannot beat her book Mary Jane. But, even though this book has some of her brilliance. I just did not enjoy it quite like her other books, and I have read them all.

This story follows Zippy. She is a young, naive sales girl for I. Magnin. I loved Zippy’s intelligence and her work ethic. She knows how to read her clients and this leads to quite a lot of jealousy with her other sales girls.

I enjoyed reading about I. Magnin and how their process worked. And all the gorgeous clothes. This is a unique setting for sure!

However, this story is a bit slow and drawn out. There is a bit too much of the sales and who is buying what. And the paper dolls…🤷🏻‍♀️. These just didn’t seem to fit. You will need to read this to find out.

But, Zippy is the reason for everything in this book and she is a character that will keep you reading. She has a lot to learn and discover and she has such a big heart.

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

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Overview

A famous actress whose life is unraveling flees to an idyllic English lakeside resort and the best friend she ghosted in this poignant and witty story from the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Book Club Hotel.  

In school, Milly Beckett and Nicole Raven were as close as sisters. Now, years later, a gulf separates them, and not just because of the different spheres they inhabit. Nicole is a global superstar with the world at her fingertips, but when scandal breaks, she turns to the only person she trusts.

Fresh from a painful divorce and struggling to balance her work and raising her daughter alone, Milly is tempted to refuse her friend’s plea for help. Nicole wasn’t there for her when she needed her most, and that’s hard to forgive. But Nicole is desperate and Milly agrees to give her the sanctuary she needs.

Against a stunning Lake District backdrop, stilted small talk gradually gives way to soul-deep revelations as the two women slowly find their way back to one another. Living with Milly gives Nicole a glimpse of a different path for herself, and Milly starts to see a life beyond her divorce, including the possibility of a new romance. But Nicole can’t stay hidden forever—and neither can the secret she’s been keeping from Milly, a secret that threatens both her future happiness and the fragile bond between them.

Review

I loved every character in this book. Each character has their own neurotic issues. So, there is someone in this book you can relate to…trust me!

Nicole is a famous movie star. She ghosted her best friend, Milly, when Milly needed her the most. Now Nicole needs Milly to help her, and of course, Milly comes to her rescue….But, their path back to “best friends” is not going to be easy.

I have said this before and I will say it again…I love a book with secrets and this book has quite a few. Nicole is definitely holding out on Milly. But, Milly just can’t quite let her back in. And when the secret comes out, as it always does, look out!

Need a book to just take you away…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

Three girls go into the woods, but only one comes out…

Driving alone at night in a wild rainstorm, Luke Conway strikes something—or someone. He and his wife, Carrie, recently moved back to Clear River to help take care of her ailing father, and after a tragedy at his previous job, this move is their last chance at a new life. Now, standing in the downpour on this Texas road, Luke, an off-duty cop, has a decision to make—and he has to make it fast.

No one else is around. No witnesses. And he can’t find a body.

Wanting to believe he’s being paranoid, that he’s just seeing things, Luke panics and leaves, deciding not to report the incident but rather to secretly investigate it. He can’t put more stress on Carrie, who’s already haunted by the unsolved attack and murder of two teenage girls that happened years ago in Clear River, a horrific crime in which she was the sole survivor. The killer has not been found, but Carrie and Luke’s anguished search for answers will slowly reveal the horrific truth.

Review

Luke, an L. A. cop, is married to Carrie. Carrie is the daughter of a retired cop of Clear River. She has a mysterious past. She was the only witness to the murder of two of her friends years ago. And Carrie cannot remember anything. Since her dad’s health is failing, they have moved back to Clear River. And now her memories are starting to return. But they are not what she thought!

I did find Luke a bit of a…how do I say this nicely…well, he could make better decisions. Let’s put it that way. When he hit someone and then fled the scene, it wasn’t suspicious at all when he kept asking about someone. 🤦🏻‍♀️

But, Luke is a character which added quite a bit of intensity to this tale. And yes, you will need to read this to find out…but watch out for the twist at the end! It is a doozy!

As with all of Rick Mofina’s books, this one is filled with intensity, suspicions, questions and drama.

I have been a fan of this author for years. He has some really good thrillers. I have never listened to one so I was excited to get this on audio. The narrator, Will Damron, did a wonderful job with all the intensity and anticipation!

Need a good thriller, with a twist… THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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Chirp

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