reecaspieces

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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Overview

In The Boy Who Cried Bear, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong keeps readers on the edge of their seats while detective Casey Duncan tries to locate the threat before it’s too late. . . 

Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren’t allowed to wander off alone.

When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against.

Review

Haven’s Rock is a new settlement in the Yukon. There are certain rules everyone needs to abide by. So, when ten year old Max goes missing, strange occurrences start happening and lots of people become suspect.

I have read the first in this series, Murder at Haven’s Rock. I don’t believe it is necessary to read this one first. But it does provide some background that is not in this second book.

As with the first book, I loved the setting of Alaska and, of course, I love Casey and her husband, Duncan. These two have a lot on their plate with this new settlement in the Yukon.

This story has a lot of twists and turns and definitely keeps the reader on their toes!

Need a good thriller with a great setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion

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Overview

Bruno Johnson is a wanted fugitive—and unless he helps the Costa Rican police, they’re turning him in

Ex-cop, ex-con Bruno Johnson is hiding from US law enforcement in Costa Rica with his wife, Marie, and the twelve children they rescued from toxic homes in south central Los Angeles. Bruno works at the Lido Cabana Bar at the Punta Bandera Hotel, and his friend, Karl Drago, is getting married on the beach right outside. After the festivities, Bruno and Marie go skinny dipping in the ocean, but they’re quickly interrupted by a visit from law enforcement.

A shooting has just occurred at El Gato Gordo nightclub, and the victim is a prominent local figure and Bruno’s close friend. The chief of police asks Bruno to help investigate, but the stakes are higher than ever—if Bruno doesn’t find the shooter, the chief will turn him over to US authorities.

Everything is complicated further when Bruno becomes a victim of a crime himself, realizing that someone else may be after him. Bruno has to juggle the police investigation with figuring out who’s targeting him—if he drops the ball, it might be the last thing he ever does.

Review

Bruno and his family are living in Costa Rica. Bruno is a fugitive running from the law in America. He has a job as a bartender at a hotel. But when his close friend is shot at a local club, Bruno realizes his own life, and that of his family, may be in severe danger.

I have reviewed another in this series, The Scorned. And I rated it three stars as well. I think this series is just not for me. I like Bruno. But, this story is just a bit choppy and complicated. It just doesn’t not seem to fit well together. Now, this is rated very high among other readers. So, that is why I say this series is just not for me. Y’all give it a shot and let me know what you think.

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

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Overview

Fate brings together a ballet teacher and a hockey player in this big-hearted novel about second chances and taking risks by the bestselling author Entertainment Weekly calls the “master of witty banter.”

Once upon a time teenage Aurora Evans met a hockey player at the Mall of America. He was from Canada. And soon, he was the perfect fake boyfriend, a get-out-of-jail-free card for all kinds of sticky situations. I can’t go to prom. I’m going to be visiting my boyfriend in Canada. He was just what she needed to cover her social awkwardness. He never had to know. It wasn’t like she was ever going to see him again…

Years later, Aurora is teaching kids’ dance classes and battling panic and eating disorders—souvenirs from her failed ballet career—when pro hockey player Mike Martin walks in with his daughter. Mike’s honesty about his struggles with widowhood helps Aurora confront some of her own demons, and the two forge an unlikely friendship. There’s just one problem: Mike is the boy she spent years pretending was her “Canadian boyfriend.”

The longer she keeps her secret, the more she knows it will shatter the trust between them. But to have the life she wants, she needs to tackle the most important thing of all—believing in herself.

Review

Aurora is teaching dance classes and fighting a panic disorder. Enter pro hockey player, Mike Martin with his daughter. She is taking dance classes from Aurora. Could it be…could this be her pretend Canadian boyfriend!

Aurora and Mike have a unique relationship. She met Mike years ago, when she was very young. She started an imaginary boyfriend from this encounter. I found YOUNG Aurora, so adorable. I enjoyed this fantasy to real life trope. It is a very unique story line.

This is more of a 3.5 star read…you round up right?!?! I love the characters and their interactions. But there are places this story is a bit wishy washy, or however you would describe it. Like, for instance, Mike does not like to be lied to. It is very important to him. But yet, he himself, turns around and lies Aurora. Just a bit too human I guess 😂😂😂.

Need a story to get lost in…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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