reecaspieces

Overview

Twisted friendships, toxic pasts and tangled motives—this is Sara Shepard doing what she does best!”—Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author

#1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars Sara Shepard’s next adult novel follows a group of mothers living in a mysterious “mommune,” each of whom is running from something

When Lenna gets a call from her old friend Rhiannon, she is startled; Rhiannon disappeared years ago without a trace. But Lenna is even more startled to learn that Rhiannon has a son and that she lives off the grid with a group of women in a community called Halcyon. Rhiannon invites Lenna, a new mother herself, to join them. Why suffer the sleepless nights by yourself? It takes a village, after all.

Lenna decides to go and hopefully repair her relationship with Rhiannon, but as she drives into the desert and her cell service gets weaker, she becomes suspicious. Who are these women and why did Rhiannon invite her here? And that is before she learns about the community’s rules (no outside phone calls, no questions about people’s pasts) and the padlock on the gate that leads out to the main road. But Lenna has other concerns, secrets from her past she is terrified will come out. When a newcomer arrives in the community, Lenna’s worst fears are confirmed—she was brought here for a reason.

Nowhere Like Home tackles themes of complicated friendships and trauma but all with Sara Shepard’s expert twists that you don’t see coming.

Review

Lenna’s young son cries all the time. She needs a break and her husband is not very helpful. Lenna decides to go visit an old friend and she hopes to repair their relationship. This friend, Rhiannon, lives in a commune. When Lenna arrives, she immediately knows something is not right.

I had a bit of trouble connecting with the characters in this tale. I also found the dialogue between the characters a bit simple. Or rather, it did not feel like adults talking to each other, especially mothers.

I did enjoy the concept of the “mommune”, a commune full of mothers and young children. This makes the story move quickly. However, the “meat” of the story does not happen till the very end. And believe me, it is a good, tangled mess full of secrets. It just took a while to get there.

Need a twisted tale about friendship…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

The power of suggestion does wonders for the heart in an absolutely captivating romantic comedy by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.

Hypnotist Savannah Sinclair is known for helping clients overcome their deep-rooted issues, from anxiety to addiction. But her nontraditional approach also attracts plenty of skeptics—including her high school nemesis and rival, Mason Beckett, who just so happens to be the boy who broke her heart.

Mason’s life hasn’t gone according to plan. His latest novel was a flop, and the only gig he can land is writing a scathing exposé of his hometown hypnotist, Savannah. But in order to write an authentic article, he has to be a willing participant. Hypnosis is the last thing he expected: he’s shedding his negative nature and opening himself up to new experiences…and when a fire alarm interrupts their session, Mason walks out into the real world entranced and sporting a sunny disposition and a tendency to say yes.

Hypnotized Mason is fearless, revealing things he’s never told a soul, acting completely out of character, and leading Savannah on a frantic chase to keep him safe. He likes his new self. The problem is, so does Savannah. She can’t fall in love with a man who’s in a trance, but can she keep him still long enough to get him to snap out of it?

Review

Savannah is a hypnotist and when the person she hates the most walks into her office and needs help…Savannah has to struggle to be professional.

Mason, who just come off of a failed novel, is struggling to find his footing. He is going to write an article to help “reconstruct” his name in the publishing world. But choosing Savannah may have been the wrong choice.

There were places in this tale in which I laughed out loud. It was a night I had insomnia and my husband was laying beside me…you try to hold in a guffaw! 😂. Anyway, I enjoyed these two characters. Now, I did want to snatch Savannah bald headed in places. She frustrated me with what was right in front of her eyes. And Mason, he is perfect! (You and I both know that is a dream…this is a romance though. Dreams are allowed!)

This story hit me at the right time. I needed something light and fluffy. I have read a ton of thrillers lately and I needed something different.

Need a cute, quick romance…This is it! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

In a daring, brutal act of terrorism, an explosion rocks and topples the Statue of Liberty. Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park Service is awakened by his boss with that news and sent to New York as the agent-in-charge. Not long after he lands, he learns two things – one that Gina Delgado of the FBI has been placed in charge of the investigation as the lead of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and two, that threats of a second terrorism attack are already being called into the media. While barred from the meetings of the Joint Task Force for his lack of security clearance, Walker finds a young boy among the survivors with a critical piece of information – a video linking the attackers to the assault.

As a radical domestic terrorist group, led by a shadowy figure known only as Jeremiah, threatens further attacks against America’s cultural symbols, powerful forces within the government are misleading the investigation to further their own radical agenda.

Review

Michael Walker, Special Agent for the National Park Service, is sent to NYC after an attack on the Statue of Liberty. This attack is just the beginning of a domestic terrorist group’s onslaught on America.

Michael is a character I want to know more about! He is my new favorite hero!

There are a lot of things that I love about this book. I love the characters, I love the fast pace and I absolutely love going to the state parks. The author throws in little tidbits about each state park and it just adds so much to this novel. Oh, and this book is full of intensity and intrigue. BUT, and you know there is a but, it felt a bit unrealistic, especially at the end. Oh, I am not saying this can’t happen, it can! It just might be a bit more believable if presented in a different way.

All of that being said, I enjoyed this novel. I am already looking to see if there will be another in this series. I really want to know more. As a matter of fact, I want to see this as a tv series! This would be so captivating!

Need a good, domestic thriller tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

A Publishers Weekly Bestseller

Named one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2023

When a severed hand washes ashore in the wealthy enclave of Palm Beach, Florida, the lives of two women—a lonely writer obsessed with the unsolved murder of her mother’s best friend and a panicked wife whose husband has disappeared with their children—collide as the world shutters in the pandemic lockdown of 2020.

“Reef Road is magnificent. It feels utterly real, a novel of deeply personal context. It swerves between truth and lies—the lies that lead to an even deeper—and more devastating—truth. Though pure fiction, it reads as compellingly as a mixture of memoir and exposé. It has left me shaken to the core. Deborah Goodrich Royce writes with brilliant understanding of the mystery and occasional grace of trauma.” —Luanne Rice, New York Timesbestselling author

A young woman’s life seems perfect until her family goes missing. A writer lives alone with her dog and collects arcane murder statistics. What each of them stands to lose as they sneak around the do-not-enter tape blocking Reef Road beach is exposed by the steady tightening of the cincture encircling them.

In a nod to the true crime that inspired it, Deborah Goodrich Royce’s Reef Road probes unhealed generational scars in a wrenching and original work of fiction. It is both stunning and sexy and, like a bystander surprised by a curtain left open, you won’t be able to look away.

Review

Two young boys discover a severed hand on the beach. Neither one quite know what to do. But, this hand turns lives upside down and inside out!

Talk about lies, secrets and forbidden love! This story is full of these transgressions. As a reader, you do not know who to believe.

Deborah Goodrich Royce has some beautiful prose in this tale. She resonates so well with the reader in places. However, this story is also a bit scattered. It just does not gel well, especially at the end.

I really enjoyed this author’s other book, Finding Mrs. Ford. Y’all check that one out as well! Both of these books have great qualities!

Need a unique tale of secrets…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

Named Most Anticipated by: The Nerd Daily・ Culturess・Zibby Magazine・ and more

“Witty, warm, and charming…Fans of Emily Henry and Robinne Lee’s The Idea of You are going to go crazy for this one!” —Jennifer Close, author of Marrying the Ketchups

A recipe for love that hits all the right notes

Culinary student Lexi Berman, 24, has one goal: to make her late mother proud by becoming an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. And she isn’t going to let anything–or anyone–get in the way. But when she meets Jake Taylor, a dive bar musician who charms her with show tunes, she makes a rare exception to her no-dating rule. After a steamy weekend together, Jake leaves for L.A. to record his demo, and Lexi never expects to see him again. And she definitely doesn’t expect him to become an overnight celebrity, with a breakout single that’s almost certainly about her famous blueberry pancake recipe.

As Jake’s star rises and the world speculates about the subject of his song, Lexi keeps the affair to herself. After all, she’s finally found her footing at her new restaurant job, and even has a prospective romance with her coworker. But when a distraught Jake turns up on her doorstep late one night, her carefully-laid plans are thrown for a loop. Though she and Jake try to be friends, things between them soon reheat faster than a bowl of Lexi’s matzah ball soup. But a relationship with Jake means risking her face in tabloids, withstanding cruel internet comments, and worst of all, jeopardizing her career. As Jake’s upcoming tour approaches, and rumors swirl about him and another pop star, Lexi has to decide if holding onto her meticulously-planned future is worth walking away from what could be the perfect recipe for love.

Set both in the chaos of fame and the high stakes world of New York City restaurants, this novel sprinkles in a second chance at love and a dollop of celebrity drama to create a romantic romp that will make even the most jaded reader smile.

Review

Lexi is determined to make it as a chef. She is not dating at all. Her life revolves totally around her goal. So, she is caught unaware when she meets Jake, a night club singer. Jake charms her and he is totally irresistible. So, after their one night stand, she never expects to see him again. But, as you can guess…things change.

Oh boy! Lexi and Jake are wonderful together….even when they are not in the best of terms! I mean it is a romance book so you know they are going to break up and then get back together. And that is exactly what happens. These two have chemistry that cannot be denied. I enjoyed how the author wove in music AND food!

Need an adorable, witty romance…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

When a travel writer haunted by old ghosts comes face to face with a new one—who just happens to be one of the most famous men in the world—she has no choice but to dig into his past … and her own. 

Fifty-six-year-old Neena Lee is determined to revive her career as a travel writer. Trouble is, the upstart editor at the travel magazine where she works has fired everyone else over the age of forty. Worse yet, Neena is still plagued by the panic attacks she’s been suffering since her brother’s death.

Despite her fragile condition, Neena’s flatlining bank account means she must go back to work. When the baby-faced editor finally offers her an assignment, she jumps at the chance. Even better: She’s being sent to the remote barrier island off the coast of Georgia where John F. Kennedy, Jr., and Carolyn Bessette pulled off a secret, paparazzi-free wedding.

But when Neena arrives at the tiny church on Cumberland Island where the fairytale wedding took place, she’s shocked to see John F. Kennedy, Jr. himself waiting for her in the back pew…even though he’s been dead for almost twenty-five years. Though Neena is sure she’s hallucinating, John begs her to hear him out—and to help him reunite with his wife.

Thanks to John’s continued presence and trademark charisma, one mission soon leads to another, and soon Neena has befriended a dead man. Nevertheless, she knows she needs to get back to her real life if she’s going to save her job, her reputation, and her home.

But the more Neena interacts with John, the more he pushes her to confront her own demons—encouraging her to worry less about not having saved her brother…and more about saving herself.

A clever, thought-provoking novel that will resonate with those looking for peace amidst the overwhelm of life.

Review

Neena Lee has just lost her brother and she blames herself. She did everything she could but he just would not stop using drugs. His death sent her into a deep depression with a hospital stay! Needless to say, she is desperate now to get back to work. Her contract job, writing articles for a magazine, seems to be drying up. That is…until the new manager sends her to Cumberland Island, GA.

When Neena Lee arrives on Cumberland Island, she falls into the spell of the island. And this spell includes seeing a famous ghost, John F. Kennedy, Jr.

I loved this tale! The cute characters, the ghost, the setting…it just took me away. I loved reading about all the problems Neena Lee is dealing with and how she became stronger and faced her fears!

Need a thought provoking tale about life…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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