THE VACATION by T.M. Logan

To me this was a very good book. I didn’t really find it slow at all. There were parts that could have seemed like it was dragging but to me it just added info to a story where things were not at all what they seemed and that info would definitely play out later in the book. I honestly loved this thriller.

Kate, Jennifer, Rowan and Izzy were best friends. They use to get together each year for a girls weekend. Over time with jobs and family that stopped so Rowan found a place for them all and their families to get together for a whole week for a vacation. It was suppose to be all fun and relaxation. But there were things going on that made it much more. Much more than a typical vacation.

Kate was married to a man she trusted with all her heart. She is the one telling the main part of this story and who feels like she has so much to lose. She honestly believes her husband is having an affair with one of her three best friends. But which one? Who would betray her in such a horrible way? Would Sean really do such a thing. They have two children. Lucy and Daniel. I absolutely loved Daniel. I think he is the sweetest child I have read about in a good long time. But he is easily fooled into doing things that could put him in danger. He just wants to be one of the boys. Lucy has a few secrets of her own that make this vacation one that won’t soon be forgotten.

Jennifer has two teenage boys and is married to Alastair. Jennifer will do anything to protect her sons. She does not see the things they do that everyone else sees. Her perfect angels are really by far not perfect. But will she really do anything? What about their dad? Does she feel the same about him? Will he do anything for them too?

Rowan, married to Russ and mother to Odette. She stands to loose quite a bit if anything is not just perfect. Odette is one spoiled rotten child and at times I thought she needed a switch to her back side.

Last is Izzy. Izzy has a lot going on but also knows a lot about things that are going on while on this vacation. She seems to be very smart about figuring things out and getting to the bottom of things. She’s the only single one in this group and has been best friends with Sean since they were mere babies. But would she betray her friend by cheating with her husband?

What really happened while on vacation. What could cause four women, best friends for over half their lives, to become so angry with each other. Is one of them really having an affair with the other ones husband or is it much more than that?

This book kept me turning the pages for sure. I wanted to know what was going on. I wanted to find out who was the one betraying her best friend. Just when I thought I had it all figured out another twist would come out. Toward the end there are lots of twists and the trills will leave you breathless. Absolutely shocking twists. I loved it.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #TMLogan, #StMartin’sPress for this ARC. This is my own true review.

I had to give it a big 5 stars because I was fooled. I did not see some of the twists coming. A big recommendation too.

THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by Michele Campbell

I have read and loved other books by this author and this one is right up there among the best.

There is nothing like first love. It’s a special time in a young person’s life when everything is perfect. Everything feels so good and you love with your whole heart. Innocence is yours and no one can take away the feelings you have. Young people take these feelings to heart and don’t believe they can live without that person they love so deeply. A broken heart seems to be worse when you are this young. Truly it’s just something new to a teen though.

Tabitha and Connor fell in love and seemed to have it all figured out. They were totally engrossed with each other and did not need anyone else. It was true love for them both and it was a raw, true, innocent feeling where nothing could interfere with them. Almost nothing. Connor’s grandmother was a force to be reckoned with. She thought she was above everyone. Way better than a lowly hired hand. Tabitha and her grandmother worked for the country club and that is where Tabitha/Tabby, met Connor. They fell hard for each other. Things were not as perfect as they thought. When Connor’s grandmother said to end it Connor did just that.

Many years later and Connor runs into Tabitha again. Is it true love once more or something way more sinister. Is he being honest with her or using her as a fall for his “wife’s” death. Connor married the ultra rich Nina. She’s way older than him and is richer than God. He keeps trying to prove to her that it’s the real thing but once he ran into Tabitha again he’s almost willing to give it all up for true love. Or is he?

There are several people in this story who could have a motive to kill Nina. Her late husbands business partner who has a thing for her. His ex wife who blames her for the demise of her marriage and for her and Connor breaking up. Nina can be a force. She can be a hard woman. But she had been hurt by her late husband also. He was much older and had many affairs during their marriage. She didn’t want to be hurt again and that made it hard for her to trust. Thus she truly believed Connor was going to kill her for her money. But would he do that? Was the money really worth that to him?  Would Tabitha be capable of killing Nina to get Connor for herself?

This book starts out strong and stays that way until the very last word. You will turn the pages and wonder what is coming next. Who did what to whom and why. Did Nina really take her own life or had something much worse happened to her? Who can you trust? Who do you believe. Or can you truly believe anyone? There are a few suspects to look at: Connor, Tabitha, Juliet, Hank, Lauren or even Steven Kovacs. One of them may be guilty of murder and others may be hurt trying to find out.

There are many likable characters in this book. The scenes are so realistic and the tension is thick. I found myself holding my breath a few times. Wondering just who do I trust and saying run. Run fast. Get away. Don’t look back just run.

This is a great thriller and you are in for a true treat.

Thank you to #NetGalley #MicheleCampbell #StMartin’sPress for this ARC. This is my own review.

A big 5/5 and the highest recommendation.. You will love it.

BOOKS I HAVE READ AND LOVED THIS MONTH

Nine of the books that I have read and loved. Each was so very good. I enjoyed them all.

SIDE TRIP by Kerry Lonsdale

WOW, OMG and any other expletive you can think of. This book is the best yet and I have loved each one by Kerry Lonsdale that I have read. This book is a ride waiting to happen. It’s truly a laugh out loud, tearjerker, heartbreaking, heart fulfilling, story of love, loss, love found and new beginnings all in one. One that will stick with you.

Joy is living her life for her sister not for herself. She has blamed herself for her sister’s death since it happened all those years ago. She doesn’t see that she was only a child and most certainly could not possibly be responsible for what happened. The story of exactly what happened with leave you breathless and it will rip your heart right out too. It’s a sad story for sure but not one that a young girl needs to feel such guilt about. Joy is a kind, caring, compassionate, loving and truly free spirited person who deserves to live her own life.

Dylan is traveling cross country for his own reasons when he meets Joy and the two decide to travel together. They make a pact and stick to most of it. Dylan has a lot going on and is a somewhat private person and doesn’t want what he is doing to be made public. He has his reasons and you will learn what and why he is doing what he is doing. He’s also a very kind, caring and compassionate, loving person who is afraid of falling in love. He’s seen a lot in his life that makes him feel this way.

This is a very emotional book. Well written and filled with such hope for the characters. They will feel like people you know and love. You will hurt with them and for them. Cry with them and for them. The scenery feels so beautiful all the way from California to New York. The side trips are exceptional and will leave you breathless. You will feel like you are right there in the middle of it all.

I absolutely loved this book and didn’t want it to end, though that ending floored me. Wonder characters, plot, scenes, build. It was one of those books that makes you feel and you will love all those feels. This author outdid herself. No wonder it came so easy to her writing this one.

Thank you #NetGalley, #KerryLonsdale, #LakeUnionPublishing for this ARC. This is my heartfelt review.

I gave it 5/5 stars and a high recommendation to all.

THE SUMMER HOUSE by Lauren K. Denton

This book was so good. I read HURRICANE SEASON by this same author and just knew this would be another good one. I was not at all disappointed.

Lily woke to one of the worse days ever. Her husband was gone and all he left was a note and divorce papers. What a way to start the day. She has no choice but to move on. Move out of their place and get a job. She’s a very strong young woman and picks up her life and moves on. She’s a very likable person. I admire her for many things. She gets a job in a retirement village as a hairdresser. Makes new friends and does great. She’s a very resilient young woman even when she is afraid of what lies ahead in her life.

Rose runs the retirement village and is a divorced woman who doesn’t take much off of anyone and doesn’t get to close. Her and Lily seem to hit it off great though. I liked Rose and her nephew and her great niece. Rose has some tough choices to make.

This book is a very light read and will keep you interested in the lives of all the characters. They are all so likable and you will feel like you are on the beach, in the hairdressers shop or in Rose’s office. It’s told in such a way that you have lots of feelings. It made me laugh in places and cry in others. It was truly a joy to read.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LaurenKDenton, #ThomasNelson

A true 5/5 stars and a very high recommendation.

WHAT YOU WISH FOR by Katherine Center

WOW! What a story. This book is so good. It will have you laughing so hard and crying such big huge tears that you won’t know if you are truly happy or sad. I laughed so hard at Samantha’s(Sam) antics. She is truly a funny, delightful, serious, feeling, librarian, that you will fall in love with. She is probably my favorite character. I love this book. The tears will flow and heartache will be there, but this book is totally awesome. This story, told from Sam’s words, is exceptionally light and carefree. She’s such a likable person that we can all relate to in ways. She’s serious also when she needs to be.

When Sam finds out who is replacing Max as the principal of the school where she is a librarian she can’t believe it. Of all the places for her first crush to show up it is there. From the bottom of her heart she is not happy with this news. Will she survive and be able to continue to work here? Will her heart be able to stand seeing him again?

Duncan starts out as a very unlikable character in this book. As Sam thinks back on how he use to be though you will start to like him a bit better. After you get to know him and know exactly why he changed so much you will love him. You will shed some serious tears when he finally tells his story though so be warned. He’s a hard man who has had a very hard time of it. But with Sam, Alice and Babette there to help, he just might stand a chance again.

This book will touch you in many ways. It’s got all the feels. Happy tears, sad tears, laughter, seriousness, lost and found, beached whales even. It has a lot going on and to me it’s the best book I’ve read by Katherine Center and I have read some very good ones by her. This is my favorite though. It’s a quick read with very likable characters. Likable settings that you will feel like you are in the middle of. So many things that will give you the kind of feels you like in a book. It’s just an all around great one to lose yourself in.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #KatherineCenter, #StMartin’sPress for this ARC. This review is told from my heart in my own words.

A big 5/5 and a high recommendation to all.

THE SAFE PLACE by Anna Downes

This is a new to me author. Her debut novel and it’s a good one. This book pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. From the start it held my attention. Wanting to know what happened next and why any of it was happening was the pull for me. I loved it. I have to admit I truly loved this book and look forward to more by this author.

Told from two different voices, Emily and Scott, this book is about some deep emotions. About a family and what they will go through for their child.

Emily’s life is really messed up. She doesn’t have anything, no job, no money and soon no place to live, when Scott offers her the chance of a lifetime. She embarks on a new adventure that will change her life forever. She will meet Scott’s wife and daughter and become a part of their lives in ways she never knew possible. A place that is far from ordinary and is most beautiful. She’s to help in many ways and just be a part of the everyday life. It’s perfect for her. Until it’s not.

Scott thinks Emily is the perfect person to help his wife and hires her as a housekeeper, grounds keeper of sorts, to care for their child, help with animals, redoing the guest house and anything that needs to be done. He goes through a lot to get her to accept the position and she is so very grateful. Until she’s not.

This book is so good. It’s setting is a beautiful place that you can visualize. The people that you meet are both good and not so good. But you will like them and you will have mixed emotions about what is happening. You will feel like you are right there through this whole story. From the edge of your seat thrills to the touching feelings of a mother’s love. It’s a roller coaster of a ride for sure. It had me turning pages at a fast rate. I wanted to know who did what and why. One thing I did figure out but mostly I was wrong on most of what I thought was going to happen. This author did a fantastic job of writing this book to keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. I applaud her for that.

It’s honestly a very good book. I could picture so many of the scenes as they played out. How they would look if it was a movie. That is what it felt like, a movie. Only in book form that had me holding my breath at each turn.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AnnaDownes, #StMartin’sPress Minotaur for this ARC. This is my own review.

I gave it 5 stars and a huge recommendation to anyone that likes a good thriller.

THE DAY SHE CAME BACK by Amanda Prowse

OMG, this book is awesome. The best ever by Amanda Prowse and that is saying a lot. She’s a wonderful author and this book is pure magic. Pure poetry in it’s own way. Such a touching book. A big 10 tissue box read.

Highlights from this book:
AND JUST LIKE THAT SHE SAW THE THREAD DETACH ITSELF AND FLOAT AWAY, NO MORE THAN A HAIR ON THE BREEZE: LIKE HER, UNANCHORED AND AT THE MERCY OF THE ELMENTS TO BE CAST THIS WAY AND THAT WITHOUT CONTROL OR SAY. THE VERY THOUGHT WAS TERRIFYING. SHE CLOSED HER EYES AND LET HER HEAD FALL FORWARD, HER LIMBS NUMB, HER MIND BLANK SAVE FOR THE THUD OF A HEARTBEAT IN HER EARS AND THE SOUND OF BLOOD RUSHING THOUGH HER VIENS AND HER BREATH AS LOUD AS IF SHE WRE UNDER WATER.
‘...HATE AND RECRIMINATION ARE BIG THINGS AND IF YOU LET THEM FILL YOU UP IT BRINGS YOU THE OPPOSITE OF PEACE BECAUSE IF YOU HATE IT TAKES ALL OF YOUR ENERGY-AND THAT’S SUCH A WASTE; HOW CAN YOU LIVE LIFE WEIGHED DOWN LIKE THAT?’

This book will absolutely steal your breathe away. You won’t want to put it down for anything. It starts out strong and only increases with each page. A truly heartfelt story that will have you crying those big ugly tears that only an Amanda Prowse novel can do. This story about a grandmother, mother and daughter is in my opinion told to perfection. Just such a touching and beautiful story.

You will not want to like some of these people but you will. You will love them in fact. They will touch your heart in ways you never saw coming. This book really honestly took me on a high of the best kind. My eyes are so swollen and red from the sad and happy tears I shed while reading. The story of a girl who was raised by her grandmother. Whose mom died. But the twist of this one is one that leaves you wondering, how can anyone do that to a child? You may not understand at first. I sure didn’t. But you will. You will read the letters between mother and daughter and it will help you to face anything. You will feel both’s pain and both’s loss. A mother who gave up her daughter for her granddaughter. A mother who gave up her daughter for her mother.

I could totally understand Victoria’s pain in many ways. Wondering how her mother could have done the things she did. How she could have chosen the path she did. How a grandmother could have done this. What possessed them to lie. To create such a story for a child. The why’s are many and will be answered completely. Victoria is young and alone when she finds out that her mom is not dead but very much alive. Her whole life has been a lie. She feels so betrayed. How can anyone be so cruel?

Sarah had deep problems and her mom, Primrose, knew only one way to help her. One way that would work out the best. Sarah went on her way and eventually lived her life. To the best of her ability she did things that would help her in the long run. She didn’t give up on life. She fought to live. Prim only did what she did out of true love for both her daughter and her granddaughter. I honestly believe that.

This is a very emotional story and it’s told completely. From the beginning to the end no stone is left unturned. All of my answers plus a few more were answered. I loved how this story played out. How the ending was so perfect for everyone. The ending, before the Epilogue, was done so good. It truly was so touching. It had me bawling though. It was just one of those scenes you see that make your heart turn a few flips and you think aw yes, that is how it should be.

This is my favorite book by this author. Her books are always emotional but this one is just....

Thank you #NetGalley, #AmandaProwse, #AmazonPublishingUK for this ARC. This is my own true review.

It’s a 5 star book and the very highest recommendation ever...

DEPARTED by Tess Thompson

Love is a magical thing. From beginning to end you are there for each other. You see only the beauty. In the Cliffside Bay series I often wonder, do they all truly see each other this way. As perfect. Men with big muscles, toned bodies, perfect husbands. Women with the perfect bodies, tone, beautiful. Often one of the people in these relationship is broken. Has baggage. Lots of problems. But to each other they are perfection. Is that what true love is? Seeing only the best in your partner? Only that they are perfect. Sure they have arguments. Some more serious than others. But they never leave. They are always there for each other. Yes, it’s perfection. Love is truly grand...

This book gives you a look into the life of David and Sara. Each has been deeply hurt. Each has lost a partner. They have children. Sara gets news that could change her life. She could do so much good. But she needs a husband. Enter David. The perfect, handsome, yet broken, David. Together they can do anything. Apart they are hopeless. Theirs is a love story that you will not forget. It will take you on a journey of the soul. From the beautiful children each has to the love they could possibly find if only they can see it. If only each had not been hurt so deeply.

This book gives you a look into the lives of all the couples in Cliffside Bay. A walk down memory lane in a way. As each couple comes together to see the grand opening of The Oar. It had burned down but is being rebuilt and will be the new beginning for the younger generation coming up. More babies will be born and the town will continue to grow. New people are introduced yet this is the last book in this series. I hate to see it end but have to say this was the perfect way to write the ending. This book touched my heart. The love it radiates. The feelings between each couple. It’s like you are right there with them. Through it all you root for them to succeed. To have the life each wants and deserves. It’s such a good feeling.

This is a wonderful read. It made me do so much crying. Happy tears. Sad tears. Scared tears and new beginning tears. This book was totally awesome. Great job by a great author, Tess Thompson.

I give this book 5/5 stars and a very high recommendation. Read, cry, enjoy and take this journey with plenty of tissues.

NO ONE SAW by Beverly Long

 I read TEN DAYS GONE by this same author and loved it. This is another very good book also. It’s not as intense or as full of thrills but it will grab ahold of you and not let go. It will touch your heart.

A five year old child goes missing from a daycare and everyone in the town is searching. Everyone wants to know how a child can just vanish from plain sight. Who could or would do such a thing. It takes a monster to put parents through such horrors. Though I did guess who did it and with whom except for one out of the three. One was only mentioned near the end so it would have been impossible to guess that. But the other two were pretty much a given in my opinion. But still, this book will keep you turning pages. It will make you want to know for certain and want to know WHY.. Why would anyone do such a thing.

The detectives in this story did a great job. They left no stone unturned. From far and wide they searched. Talked to people of interest. Found people that you would never think of. They worked hard even while going through problems in their personal lives that were hard. I was introduced to them in the first book and now in this one.

This book was well written and had many likable characters. Even the villains were likable although you will despise them in the end. It’s not really an edge of your seat thriller until the ending but still it’s a great story. A mystery to be solved. The descriptions were great and some of the names were ones that will give you a chuckle. You will have to read it to know what I mean there.

I look forward to more by this author. She knows how to weave a story that will have you in tears, holding your breath and praying for a happy ending.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #BeverlyLong, #HARLEQUIN for this ARC. This is my own review. I was in no way compensated for it.

I gave it 4 stars and highly recommend it.