Saturday, July 31, 2021

Read in July!

 

BOOKS I READ IN JULY!

1: THE LILY GARDEN by Barbara Josselsohn
2: LADY SUNSHINE by Amy Mason Doan
3: THE CHILDREN'S SECRET by Nina Monroe
4: NO MORE WORDS by Kerry Lonsdale
5: ALL THE LITTLE HOPES by Leah Weiss
6: THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT by Marianne Cronin
7: THE SCHOLAR by Tess Thompson
8: THE LIGHT OF LUNA PARK by Addison Armstrong
9: THE STRANGER IN THE MIRROR by Liv Constantine
10: THE GIRL IN THE STRIPED DRESS by Ellie Midwood
11: LIE BESIDE ME by Gytha Lodge


Thursday, July 29, 2021

LIE BESIDE ME by Gytha Lodge

 

He’s lying next to you. He’s not breathing. . . . And the killer might have been you.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens is on the trail in this explosive crime novel from the acclaimed author of She Lies in Wait and Watching from the Dark.

“Secrets and self-sabotage abound in this gripping psychological thriller.”—The Guardian

Louise wakes up. Her head aches, her mouth is dry, her memory is fuzzy—but she suspects she’s done something bad.

She rolls over toward her husband, Niall. The man who, until recently, made her feel loved.

But it’s not Niall lying beside her. In fact, she’s never seen this man before.

And he’s not breathing. . . .

As Louise desperately struggles to piece her memories back together, it’s clear to Jonah Sheens and his team that she is their prime suspect—though they soon find she’s not the only one with something to hide.

Did she do it? And, if not, can they catch the real killer before they strike again?

In this gripping novel, a young woman finds that trying to make sense of her life’s bad choices might prove the most dangerous reckoning there is.

MY THOUGHTS: 

While I really enjoyed this book and it did keep me on the edge quite a bit, I also found it to be very unbelievable. I could not connect with any of the characters at all. That still did not make it a bad book though. I think what I really disliked about this one was the fact that the main character was a drunk who certainly never learned a thing from getting drunk. After blacking out repeatedly and almost getting killed or raped she just kept right on with the drinking. Drunk Louise... I despised her. She was in my opinion a phony. I did not like her. At least her best friend, April, was honest. To a point anyway. 

This book is very well written and it definitely will keep you turning the pages. It's edge of your seat and makes you want to know why a man was murdered in a woman's bed. It  gives you lots of emotions and makes you feel as though you are there in so many scenes. It's overall a good book. Just not believable to me. I did not like anyone. Well I may have to take that back. There was one person. I liked the female detective and how she handled things. She had a story of her own going on through this book and it was great. I loved how she thought. How she got ahead of things and finally took care of herself. I liked her. 

I very much disliked Niall. He was so hung up on his ex that he could not see what was going on in his marriage. Why marry one woman if you are so in love with another? Makes no sense to me. Maybe circumstances made things the way they were. I just didn't like him at all. Not even at the end. I just didn't. He was a bit of a self righteous punk. My opinion of him is very low. 

This story is told in two ways. One being Louise dealing with her marriage via letters to her husband. The other the person actually telling this story. The author if you will. Louise's letter to her husband seems to be very heartfelt and honest. I believe she truly loves the jerk. I believe she will make him a good wife. If she will stop drinking. I like finding out some of April's background and knowing what made her the way she was. That was very interesting.

Overall I will say that this is a good story. Well written and keeps you on your toes. Though I found it very much in many places unbelievable it was what it was. The two Louise's are what made me doubt the story. She talked about sober Louise and drunk Louise a bit to much for me. But it was till worth reading and I will give it it's due.

Thank you #netgalley, #GythaLodge, #Randomhousepublishinggroup for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

4/5 stars and I do recommend you read it. You will like it I'm sure. 


Tuesday, July 27, 2021

THE GIRL IN THE STRIPED DRESS by Ellie Midwood

 


“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispered, pressing a note into her hand. Her entire body trembled when she read it: I am in love with you.

Helena steps off the cattle train onto the frozen grounds of Auschwitz. She has twenty-four hours to live. Scheduled to be killed tomorrow, she is not even tattooed with a prison number. As the snow falls around her, she shivers, knowing that she has been sentenced to death for a crime she didn’t commit.

When a gray-clad officer marches towards Helena and pulls her away, she fears the worst. Instead, he tells her that it’s one of the guard’s birthdays and orders her to serenade him.

Inside the SS barracks the air is warm, thick with cigarette smoke and boisterous conversation. After she sings to the guard, Franz, he presses a piece of cake into her hands––the first thing she has eaten in days. On the spot, he orders her life to be saved, forever changing the course of her fate.

What follows is a love story that was forbidden, that should have been impossible, and yet saved both of their lives––and hundreds of others––in more ways than one.

Fans of The Tattooist of AuschwitzThe Choice, and The Orphan Train will be utterly entranced by this unputdownable page-turner. This completely heartbreaking yet beautifully hopeful novel shows that love can survive anything and grow anywhere.

This book was previously published as Auschwitz Syndrome.

MY THOUGHTS: 

Ellie Midwood has written another chilling and realistic book. One that is based on a true story of love and compassion. One done with extensive research. Read the author's notes at the end and get the whole story. 

Two quotes from this book that I want to share:
1) Someone said that Auschwitz was such a terrible place that God himself decided not to go there. To be honest, I couldn't agree more with that statement.
2) If, in the future, you see a teenager shout a racial slur at someone, stop him, pull him to one side and explain to him where you served and how such slurs led to the slaughter of millions. If you see a newspaper article denying the Nazi crimes, write one countering it and tell the people exactly what you've witnessed. The hatred, the racism, the xenophobia didn't miraculously disappear with Hitler. They're all still very much alive and kicking and it's up to us to do something to fight them. (this is very profound, very spot on)

This is the story of a young woman, just a girl actually, who was sent to Auschwitz to be gassed. Her and her family were to die. It was just by a miracle that she was saved. By her singing a song to a young SS officer, a kid, that saved her. Both of the main characters in this book are so very young. They should have been enjoying their young lives. Living, going to school, out on dates. Living. Not surviving. Not one being in charge of lives. Not one being a victim of such hatred. 

This story is very touching and very emotional. When Helena is saved from the gas chamber by Franz she has no idea what is in store for her. All the things that will happen. All the horrors she will see. The deaths. The cremations. The abuse. It's beyond belief. Yet it happened. All around her every day. She was spared death but lived a horrible life in a prison camp. The only thing that saved her was the love of a young man. And it was love. At least from him. Not sure if she was in love or a victim of Stockholm syndrome. Either way it saved her. He treated her as a human being. He learned to treat all of the prisoners as humans. 

Franz was I'm sure taught from a very young age to hate. He was groomed to be a SS officer and do the things that he was told. He could be cruel yes. He could be kind also. He learned that kindness was better. Love taught him that I'm sure. It's very sad that these young people were groomed this way. Even today it happens. That is the sad part. Franz did things that he was sorry for. He paid a price. He also fell in love with Helena. A young lady who was suppose to die. 

This is their story. It's not all glam and shiny. It's brutal. It's sad. It's filled with scenes that you will see. You will feel. You will cringe. You will most certainly weep. Hearing Helena's story hurts. It breaks your heart. Also hearing what Franz has to say will break you. I felt very bad for him and just could not help it. I think there are good people at times forced to do bad things and this is certainly the case here. Though he did show that he cared. He had a conscience. He took no part in having people gassed. He saved a few and that is commendable in my opinion. I had relatives who were Polish and I'm sure back then they would have felt differently. Possibly. 

This is a very heartfelt story. Well written and well researched. I have to say this author does a great job of writing historical fiction. She gives it her all. So much feeling went into this book. You will feel it too. The hatred. The pain. The screams. And yes possibly the love between a boy and a girl. 
I had to put it down a few times and walk away to compose myself and so I could see the words. It's very emotional. Especially towards the ending.

Thank you #NetGalley, #EllieMidwood, #Bookouture for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 stars and I do recommend it. Have plenty of tissues handy. 


HAPPY RELEASE DAY!

 

THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE by Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb
THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE by Renee Ryan

ALL THE LITTLE HOPES by Leah Weiss

WHAT'S LEFT UNSAID by Emily Bleeker


Monday, July 26, 2021

Mailbox Monday!

 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists!!
Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia @ A Girl and Her Books, has a permanent home now at Mailbox Monday.
 ************

Here’s a shout out to the administrators:
Leslie @ Under My Apple Tree 
Serena @ Savvy Verse And Wit
Martha @ Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf 
Velvet @ vvb32reads
************
                THANKS to everyone for keeping Mailbox Monday alive. 
************
I hope you had a good mailbox.
I had a great mailbox!
************
1:  THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki
courtesy of Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine via NetGalley 
2:  A LITTLE BIRD by Wendy James 
courtesy of Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley
3:  THE SUMMER WE BURIED by Jody Gehrman
courtesy of Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley
4:  THE GOLDEN COUPLE by Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen
courtesy of St Martin's Press via NetGalley


It's Monday! What are you reading!

 

I hope you had a great reading week.

********************
This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOKDATE
Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
********************
WHAT I READ/REVIEWED: 
1:   THE LIGHT OF LUNA PARk by Addison Armstrong
reviewed 7/20
2: 
THE STRANGER IN THE MIRROR by Live Constantine 
reviewed 7/22
3: THE GIRL IN THE STRIPED DRESS by Ellie Midwood
review will be 7/26
WILL BE READING: 
1:   LIE BESIDE ME by Gytha Lodge
2: 
THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE  by Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb
3: 
THE WOMAN AT THE GATES by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger  
4: 
THE FAMILY PLOT by Megan Collins
5: 
WHERE THE TRUTH LIES by Anna Bailey
6: 
GONE FOR GOOD by Joanna Schaffhausen 
7:  HER PERFECT LIFE by Hank Phillippi Ryan
8: 
THE GUILT TRIP by Sandy Jones

9: 
THE INHERITANCE by JoAnn Ross
10:  THE PLOT by Jean Hanff Korelitz
11:   
 LITTLE BONES by Patricia Gibney
12: 
THE NECKLACE by Matt Witten
13: 
WHERE I LEFT HER by Amber Garza
14: 
NEVER SAW ME COMING by Vera Kurian 
15: 
OTHER PEOPLE'S THINGS by Kerry Anne King
16: 
THE MISSING HOURS by Julia Dahl
17: 
THE LIVING AND THE LOST by Ellen Feldman
18: 
IN ANOTHER LIGHT by A. J. Banner
19: 
  WE ARE THE BRENNANS by Tracey Lange
20: 
  THE KEEPER OF HAPPY ENDINGS by Barbara Davis
21: 
THREE SISTERS by Heather Morris


Sunday, July 25, 2021

Week in Reading!

 

READ/REVIEWED:

1:THE STRANGER IN THE MIRROR by Liv Constantine 
reviewed 7/22
2: THE LIGHT OF LUNA PARK by Addison Armstrong 
reviewed 7/20

READING NOW:

1: THE GIRL IN THE STRIPED DRESS by Ellie Midwood
review 7/25

COMING UP: 

1: LIE BESIDE ME by Gytha Lodge
review 7/28
2: THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE by Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb
review 7/31



Thursday, July 22, 2021

THE STRANGER IN THE MIRROR by Liv Constantine

 

A diabolically twisty, psychologically unsettling novel about a woman with no recollection of her past from the authors of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Wife Stalker.

"Jaw-dropping twists with an unsettling edge that you’ll need a few days at the beach to recover." —Reese's Book Club

Addison’s about to get married, but she’s not looking forward to the big day. It’s not her fiancé; he’s a wonderful man. It’s because Addison doesn't know who she really is. A few years ago, a kind driver found her bleeding next to a New Jersey highway and rescued her. While her physical wounds healed, Addison’s memory never returned. She doesn’t know her real name. Or how she ended up injured on the side of a road. Or why she can’t shake the notion that she may have done something very, very bad . . .

In a posh home in the Boston suburbs, Julian tries to figure out what happened to his loving, caring wife, Cassandra, who disappeared without a trace two years ago. She would never have left him and their seven-year-old daughter Valentina of her own free will—or would she? 

As these two lives intersect, The Stranger in the Mirror hooks readers with riveting drama, told with Liv Constantine’s hallmark blend of glamour, tense psychological thrills, and jaw-dropping twists.


MY THOUGHTS: 


This is another great book by an author that I really enjoy. I think she/they really outdid themselves this time. This book was a page turner.


This is a very complex story that will keep you turning pages. It will have you wondering what is going on. You will like most of the characters, even one that you will most likely end up despising. At first I liked that one but quickly learned I was being fooled. Taken for a ride. Being lied too if you will. What happened to Cassandra? Where could she have possibly gone? Is she dead or did something awful happen to her? This book answers all of that and much more. Even though you know right from the start almost that Addie and Cassandra are one and the same it will come as a shock what happened that caused all of the turmoil in their life. Caused her to run. 


This book is so very good. It makes you feel like you are in the town with the characters. In their homes. Sitting at their table and laughing along with them. I really liked Gabriel. I really liked his family. I was a bit aggravated at his mother at first but begin to see her point too. Who wouldn't in this case. I loved Ed and Gigi. They were the best. They took Addie in and helped her. They stood by her. 


What could possibly have happened in Cassandra's life to cause her so much pain. The nightmares. The almost memories. Did she do something so horrific that she lost her whole life. Her memories of everything. As bits and pieces start to emerge she wants to remember. She's also very afraid to remember. She has no idea where she came from or what she may have done. But she's about to find out everything.


Thank you to #NetGalley, #LivConstantine, #Harper for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book. I loved it!


5/5 big stars. I recommend you read this one. It will give you all the feels too. All of them.



Tuesday, July 20, 2021

THE LIGHT OF LUNA PARK by Addison Armstrong

 

In the spirit of The Orphan Train and Before We Were Yours, a historical debut about a nurse who chooses to save a baby's life, and risks her own in the process, exploring the ties of motherhood and the little-known history of Coney Island and America's first incubators.

A nurse's choice. A daughter's search for answers.

New York City, 1926. Nurse Althea Anderson's heart is near breaking when she witnesses another premature baby die at Bellevue Hospital. So when she reads an article detailing the amazing survival rates of babies treated in incubators in an exhibit at Luna Park, Coney Island, it feels like the miracle she has been searching for. But the doctors at Bellevue dismiss Althea and this unconventional medicine, forcing her to make a choice between a baby's life and the doctors' wishes that will change everything.

Twenty-five years later, Stella Wright is falling apart. Her mother has just passed, she quit a job she loves, and her marriage is struggling. Then she discovers a letter that brings into question everything she knew about her mother, and everything she knows about herself.

The Light of Luna Park is a tale of courage and an ode to the sacrificial love of mothers.

MY THOUGHTS: 

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE.

This is a debut novel that will turn you into a weeping pile of mush. It's beautifully-heartbreaking. It's a subject that I have never read about. At least in part. I never knew about the incubators in Luna Park. I never knew they had been around for such a long time. What I did know is how awful women were treated in these times. Whether from being a nurse, teacher or pregnant mother. How dare you show yourself if it's obvious you are expecting. That just turns my stomach. How can women think they want to go back to the times before they had rights. Before they were allowed to have minds of their own. To be treated like second class humans. As nurses they had to keep their mouths shut and do what the male doctor told them. 

This book is told from two different time periods and two different women. It is done in a way that you will wonder who the two will eventually intersect. How they are related. I did guess as you may too. Not a big secret but I won't tell. 

In 1926, Althea Anderson was a young nurse in training. Only twenty four years old and working hard at getting her nursing degree. She was alone and making her way in the world. Both of her parents were deceased. Her mom during childbirth. Her dad just a few years before. The things Althea sees and does will make you love her. She's a strong young woman who only wants to do what is right. What is best for a very tiny early preterm baby. From there her life will never be the same.

In 1950, Stella Wright, is a young school teacher. Only twenty four years old and teaching children with special needs. It had been written in law that all children deserved an education no matter what and she takes this very serious. She's married and loves her husband more than anything. While he wants children Stella is not quite ready yet. She's still mourning the loss of her beloved mother just three months earlier. Her husband, Jack, is a wonderful man who she adores. He has nightmares and episodes from his time in the war. He doesn't want to talk about it and she feels he should.

This story will take you places. It will touch your heart in ways you will not be ready for. It's a historical and a romance all in one. It's a learning read too. At least for me it was. I got so angry at how the women were treated. Not only in the early twenties but also in the fifties. How dare they pretend to have a mind of their own. How dare they voice an opinion. Now I do have to say that Jack was not a pretentious pig like most of the men. And you will meet Charlie who is not either. Two men who value a woman's opinion. For that time period they were jewels for sure.

This book was great. This author took me in and didn't let go. I read this book until very late and I rarely do that. I didn't want to put it down. I hate that it ended but loved the ending too. This story made me laugh a few times but made me cry those big ugly tears too. The ones that make your eyes feel raw. The good kind.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AddisonArmstrong, #PenguinGroupPutnam for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 huge stars and it would be more if possible. I highly recommend this one to you. 


Monday, July 19, 2021

Mailbox Monday!

 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists!!
Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia @ A Girl and Her Books, has a permanent home now at Mailbox Monday.
 ************

Here’s a shout out to the administrators:
Leslie @ Under My Apple Tree 
Serena @ Savvy Verse And Wit
Martha @ Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf 
Velvet @ vvb32reads
************
                THANKS to everyone for keeping Mailbox Monday alive. 
************
I hope you had a good mailbox.
I had a great mailbox!
************
1:  THE GIRL IN THE STRIPED DRESS by Ellie Midwood
courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley
2:  COUNT OF THREE by T.R. Ragan
courtesy of Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley
3:  LITANI by Jess Lourey
courtesy of Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley
4: THE WOMAN AT THE GATES by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley

BOOK MAIL: 
VIOLIN WORDS by Taylor Dean
A gift from Taylor Dean 
THREE SISTERS by Heather Morris
Won on Goodreads from St Martin's Press


James by Percival Everett

  My thoughts First, the narrator was wonderful. I was sucked into this story. It was a bit slow at first but it was worth it. What this wor...