The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

 

My thoughts

This is the best sequel I've read in, well possibly, forever. It cleared up a lot. It lets you get to know some of the secondary characters from the first book. And you get to see just how strong Hannah really is. How much her relationship with Bailey has grown. Her feelings for what Owen did. And how she comes to feel about Nicholas.

This book really does pick right up where the first one, The Last Thing He Told me, ended. You won't feel lost in any way and no it is not a standalone. You must read the first book. 

Hannah and Bailey are coming to grips with Owen disappearing. Hannah is trying in every way to keep Bailey and herself safe. Getting to know Bailey's grandfather Nicholas too. And his son. Bailey has family that she didn't know anything about. Their life is fairly peaceful five years after Owen's sudden disappearance. They have no idea where he is. 

Nicholas died. That changed everything. 

Then a text comes for Hannah. "Get out of the house. Now." Hannah doesn't give it a second thought. She has planned for this day and planned well. She grabs what she needs, texts Bailey, and leaves. Now they are about to begin a whole other kind of life. One that should possibly, hopefully, make them stop having to run. Stop having to worry. 

The rest of this story is an excitement you won't believe. Told from several people and gives you so much insight into what is happening along with what did happen. Back when Nicholas's daughter and Owen's wife was struck and killed. How it changed everything. What lengths Owen was willing to go to in order to keep Bailey safe. The animosity that Nicholas feels toward Owen for taking his granddaughter away. To not get to know her. 

Is Nicholas willing to help Hannah though.? Help her find the way for a life without fear? From the start to the finish this book keeps you turning the pages. I didn't want it to end but had to know what happened too. Maybe there will be a third, though I honestly can't see any being as good as this one.

This author takes her story to a whole new light. The descriptions make you feel the intense hostility. The love. The loss. The beauty of walking up to a party that will change a family forever. One way other the other. The story is truly beautiful even through the most intense parts. From the US to France and a few more places you take this journey with Hannah, Bailey, Nicholas, and Owen. 

I loved most all of these characters. My favorite being Hannah. She's one strong woman. She knows what she wants and she fights for it. I also loved Nicholas after getting to know him better. Maybe found a soft spot for Owen and why he ran. And Frank. Frank who was best friends with Nicholas. As much as an organized crime boss can have a best friend.

Well done. So well done. 

Thanks to Scribner for this ARC. 

Five huge stars. 

About

Laura Dave continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey in the riveting and deeply moving sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster and Apple TV+ show, The Last Thing He Told Me.

Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.

But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.

Hannah and Bailey are forced to go on the run in a relentless race to keep their past from catching up with them. As a thrilling drama unfolds, Hannah risks everything to get Bailey to safety—and finds there just might be a way back to Owen and their long-awaited second chance.

A gripping, rich, and deeply moving novel about the power of forgiveness, The First Time I Saw Him picks up right where the epilogue for the “genuinely moving” (The New York Times) The Last Thing He Told Me left off, giving listeners the eagerly awaited and absolutely exhilarating sequel to Dave’s global blockbuster.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

My thoughts

OMG this book was so good. I didn't want to put it down. I had to read it before I can read the next book in this series. 

When Owen goes missing his wife Hannah, and his daughter Bailey, are left with the fallout. The many questions. And it seems the lies. The cover up. Hannah takes Bailey to Austin, TX on a whim. Their lives are never the same after this. So many unanswered questions but also so many are answered. Or figured out. 

This book will grab you and hold you. It holds your heart. Makes you want to know what it is that Owen is hiding and how Hannah will deal with it. How Bailey will learn to live without her father. She's lost her mother already. She seems to dislike Hannah. Until she sees that Hannah has her best interests at heart. That Hannah really cares more for her than anyone. And that Hannah is not going to leave her. 

Hannah and Bailey find a life that they never ever saw coming. But where is Owen. What happened to make him leave them. What kind of secret can possibly be worth leaving your family for???

I can't wait for The First Time I Saw Him. The much anticipated sequel to this book....

About

Before Owen Michaels disappears he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child and wants nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a U.S. marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

The Devil's Advocate by Steve Cavanagh

 

My thoughts

I read this book and held my breath in many places. The awful things going on made my skin crawl. It's sad but it is happening every day in this country now. In this state. I live in AL and have no doubt there is so much corruption and unlawful things going on. I wish things were different but it's at the very top so that may take a good long time. 

This book takes us to a small town close to Mobile, AL. A young black man is on trial for murder. His life hangs in the balance. A very corrupt prosecutor has every intention of seeing this young man go to his death for a murder that he, the prosecutor, knows he didn't commit. He loves to see people die. He lives for that. He's a very sick man. And he is getting away with it. Over and over. AL is a death penalty state. 

When Eddie Flynn and his gang go to Alabama to take on the defense of Andy Dubois they are heading into the midst of one of the worst places in AL. They are going to find so much corruption and evil. Andy is a young black man. He was friends with the young lady, Skylar Edwards, who was murdered. She left work and hitched a ride. She thought she was safe with the man she got the ride from. It was her last day alive.

This case takes you through a lot of bigotry and violence. Through several murders, some covered up and others left to be found. Warnings for Flynn and his associates. Things look very bleak for Andy. 

With the New York attorney and the other people with him maybe Andy stands a chance at least. Andy has been beaten. He's been starved. Glass put in his food. Awful things happened to him. He signed a confession under duress. They told him he could go home. See his mother. That no harm would come to her. 

This was a bit hard to read because of all the things that happened. But it was realistic for a small town in AL. At least the way I've seen it or heard about things in this state. There is corruption in all areas but I have no doubts that in small southern towns where bigots live it's worse. 

Eddie has his work cut out for him. And the jurors. 

Thank you to Atria for this ARC. 

4.75 stars rounded up to 5.  

About

This high-octane legal thriller from the international bestselling author of Kill for Me, Kill for You will “make your palms sweat and your blood run cold” (The Times, London) as it follows a highly successful lawyer who is hiding a deadly secret.

He’s won every trial…because he’s behind every murder.

Ambitious District Attorney Randal Korn lives to watch prisoners executed. Even if they are not guilty.

An innocent man, Andy Dubois, faces the death penalty for the murder of young girl. Korn has already fixed things to make sure he wins a fast conviction. The one thing Korn didn't count on was Eddie Flynn.

Slick, street smart, and cunning, the former con artist and now New York lawyer has only seven days to save an innocent man against a corrupt system and find the real killer.

In a week the judge will read the verdict, but will Eddie be alive to hear it?

The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh

 

My thoughts

This book should have been a DNF for me but I trudged on and finished it. The last fourth was pretty good. Filled with more action. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a pretty good job. I think she may have done better but still. Sometimes an audio makes me enjoy a book more. Not in this case. 

This was a book about witches and pirates. Actually pirate witches. I found it to be very slow to start. I also found the main character's use of the C word way to much. Every page it seemed. I may have exaggerated a little but still. It was way overused. C word as in women's private part. I hate that word in and of itself and then the author has the main female character using it extensively. Ruined that part of the story. 

To me this book could have been shortened and been better. It took forever for the captive and the main witch, Ben and Alys, to finally admit they had feelings for each other. Alse Ben was not a tortured captive. He was just that, a captive. No enslavement involved. Not in the sense of being a slave anyway. He was pretty much allowed to roam around most of the time. He was kept in Alys's cabin, though shackled, and not abused. 

The pirate women escaped from men who wanted to hurt them. Keep them from using their powers. Maybe if they had been allowed to use it they would have faired better. I mean when they used their witchcraft to defend themselves they were left helpless. Weak. Unable to do much. So they were not exactly a danger to anyone. Yes they could do damage but the aftermath was them needing to recharge. Rest...

I just did not enjoy this book and it's part of a series. It ended on a cliffhanger. Not one that will have me wanting to read the next book though. Sorry but I just have to be honest. I didn't enjoy this book. It seemed repetitive in areas. To much so. I dreaded picking it back up to continue. And this was an audio book. 

Thank you #Harlequinaudio for this ARC.

2.5 stars... 

About

From a world where women are forbidden to use magic and the only freedom is found on the Caribbean high seas comes a swashbuckling romantasy from USA TODAY bestselling author Eva Leigh.

Condemned as a witch, sentenced to die, Alys Tanner uses her innate magical power to flee Puritanical New England. Stealing a ship, Alys becomes captain of The Sea Witch, leading its all-female, sorcery-wielding pirate crew. But the colonial British navy is in hot pursuit. The navy fights for a choke hold on the Caribbean and will destroy anything they cannot control, especially witches.

When Ben Priestley, a headstrong naval navigator, is inadvertently captured by the lady pirates, dangerous truths are revealed. A quest that could turn the tides against the navy’s might ignites a reluctant partnership between the by-the-books prisoner and the fierce witch pirate captain. While they brave backstabbing pirates, perilous tropical islands and monster-filled seas, Alys and Ben’s mistrust grows into unexpected desire as they battle an enemy that will stop at nothing to rule the waves.

Spellcaster by Jaymin Eve

 

My thoughts

This is my first Jaymin Eve book and I highly look forward to book two. This is a good fantasy, paranormal, enemy to lover book. It has a lot of the best things going on. A bunch of witch's in college. Black magic. Monsters. Parties. What could possibly go wrong?

I read and listened to the audio. The audio was great. Both narrators did a great job. Pulled me right in and they used their voices to bring the characters to life. 

Spellcaster is exactly what the title implies. A college where witches and warlocks go to learn how to control their witchcraft. Their many powers. Where they meet each other and make lifelong friendships. And there is a lot going on. All different types of magic. 

The main character, Paisley, is the youngest of five. In her early twenties, 22 to be exact, she starts the academy where her siblings go and her father is a teacher. She just came into her powers and has to learn how to use them and what exactly she is capable of. She makes friends with someone who is being bullied right off the bat. Good for her. Bullies in any school is horrific. There are actually four girls in their group who become the best of friends. 

Logan is a powerful warlock who is starting Weatherstone Academy also. But he's not starting out as a freshman. And he is there to teach others while taking classes also. His family use to be best friends with Paisley's family. Now they only want to destroy the Hallistars. But Logan it seems has a soft spot for Paisley and won't let anything harm her. 

This book pulled me in and kept me reading/listening all the way through. It's so well written and makes you feel the emotions of the characters. I felt as though I was there on the campus. Like the monsters were right in front of me. And the tension between Logan and Paisley is so strong. Each of the secondary characters are great also. Each play an important role in what is going on at Weatherstone.

Secrets are about to be revealed but it looks like we have to wait for the sequel. I was not happy about that but it is what it is.... Wonderful book. I can't wait for the sequel now.

Thank you Harlequin Books and Harlequin Audio for the ARCs. 

4.75 stars 

About

From the bestselling author of the Shadow Beast Shifter series, Jaymin Eve, comes an all-new, intense enemies-to-lovers romantasy with steamy heat, magical creatures, fast pacing, and stakes that will keep you hooked. Dive into a world where love is as dangerous as power—and nothing is ever as it seems.

Welcome to Weatherstone College…

Don’t walk the halls late at night.
Don’t disturb the ancient magic.
And don’t, under any circumstances, ever trust a spellcaster.

When my magic bloomed at twenty-two, the last thing I expected was to receive an acceptance letter to the most prestigious witch college in the world. It’s not that I don’t have magic. It’s just…unpredictable. But with Weatherstone a part of my family legacy, I’m determined to live up to their expectations.

A task that’s almost derailed on my very first day when I come face-to-face with Logan Kingston, the son of my father’s enemy. I’m warned to avoid the powerful spellcaster at all costs, but apparently Logan did not receive the same memo. The more time I spend around him, the more I crave his unsettling attention, and as hate flirts with obsession, I’m left wondering if there’s another side to the decades-old feud between our fathers.

On top of that, Weatherstone is not at all like I expected. Built on the ancient blood of necromancers and battle, the magic here is as unpredictable as mine, and I sense a dark energy stalking my footsteps. When a monster attacks me, I have no choice but to turn to the strongest warlock in our school: Logan.

After all, to fight a monster, I’ll need a monster.

Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger

 

My thoughts

This is an author I am always happy to read. I've read a few of his books but this is my second Cork O'Connor and I intend to get through them all. Krueger is my favorite male author. His books are inspiring and so realistic. Make you think about things...

This is the latest O'Connor book and to me his best yet. Of course I do have a few to read, but still...

You meet Cork and his family. His time being a cop. His guilt over possibly sending an innocent man to prison. I have to admit it seems he did everything in his power to not do it. He truly didn't believe he was guilty. But a confession is a confession. 

This one deals with a woman being murdered in her home. Chastity was brutally murdered. Her mother was at the scene and had a knife in her hands. Her husband was missing. Her baby girl was screaming in another room. Aphrodite, Chastity's mother, was in shock. But could it be her that had done this? Or was it the missing husband? Or could this have been a stranger's doing?

This book is very good. I didn't figure out who the killer was and I do usually have it or a pretty good idea who. The descriptions are beautiful and as usual Krueger did an excellent job of pulling me right in. I didn't want to put this one down and read in from one night to the next. It's that good.

There are several characters but it's easy to keep them separated. Hints to child abuse and or sexual abuse to a child by a parent or parents. 

Thank you Atria Books for this ARC.

Five big stars. 

About

The New York Times bestselling Cork O’Connor Mystery series—a “master class in suspense and atmospheric storytelling” (The Real Book Spy)—continues with Cork O’Connor revisiting a case from his past and confronting mysterious deaths in the present.

A few nights before Halloween, as Cork O’Connor gloomily ruminates on his upcoming birthday, he receives a call from his son, Stephen, who is working for a nonprofit dedicated to securing freedom for unjustly incarcerated inmates. Stephen tells his father that decades ago, as the newly elected sheriff of Tamarack County, Cork was responsible for sending an Ojibwe man named Axel Boshey to prison for a brutal murder that Stephen is certain he did not commit.

Cork feels compelled to reinvestigate the crime, but that is easier said than done. Not only is it a closed case but Axel Boshey is, inexplicably, refusing to help. The deeper Cork digs, the clearer it becomes that there are those in Tamarack County who are willing once again to commit murder to keep him from finding the truth.

At the same time, Cork’s seven-year-old grandson has his own theory about the the Windigo, that mythic cannibal ogre, has come to Tamarack County…and it won’t leave until it has sated its hunger for human blood.

Island Endgame by Rebecca Hodge

 

My thoughts

I read both of this author's previous books and loved them. It had been a minute since she wrote one and when I saw this one I had to have it. Like the previous two... It is so good. Part mystery and a lot thriller. This author is becoming a favorite of mine. 

When Kenzi arrives on the island things start out kind of different than she expected. There was no one to meet her. She had to walk a distance to get to the camp. There were no cabins for campers either. Seemed more like a deserted island. Then she met Chris and his dog Skagit. Chris was the owner's son. He was the same age as Kenzi's nephew Tim. Tim had died and Kenzi blamed herself. She was a nurse and could not save him from a drowning. 

When Kenzi meets the other staff and learns how the camp operates she relaxes a bit. She meets everyone and they go to work. Then things start going south. A hostage situation. Looking for gold. A couple of deaths. Yes this one has some edge of your seat thrills. You don't have to guess who did it either. That is obvious from the moment you meet them. But the struggles to survive this attack is hard. Learning a bit about the other workers and becoming close friends makes it even harder. 

This book was so good. From start to finish you won't want to put it down. You learn about this island and the few people there. I adored them all myself. Not the unwanted visitors but the ones that worked there. The mother and son. The dog. One smart pup there.

It's well written and the descriptions will let you see everything. You'll feel like you are walking the woods. The trails. The water's edge. Gasping when someone is hurt. Holding your breathe when the final showdown comes...

Thank you BooksGoSocial for this ARC.

4.75 stars. 

About

An isolated island. A grieving nurse, struggling to heal. Three desperate fugitives taking hostages.
Can she outwit them and survive?

Guilt-ridden over the drowning death of her nine-year-old nephew, Kenzie Adams flees her nursing job at a major city hospital to work at a primitive but picturesque island summer camp. Hopefully a few low-stress months away from the city will help steer her life back on course. But before the campers arrive, Kenzie’s second chance takes a turn to real-life terror. Three determined fugitives invade the island to search for a rumored treasure, and they threaten to kill Kenzie and the staff, including the caretaker’s young son.

Their captors have a plan … until Kenzie seizes an opportunity to escape. But with no weapons, no communications with the outside world, and mounting danger from increasingly desperate men, she’ll have to tap into unexpected strengths to save everyone before the captors deliver on their ultimatum—find treasure or die. Kenzie must learn to trust herself again, or she’ll relive her greatest nightmare, failing to save yet another child.