Category: Contemporary

Contemporary · Mystery/Crime · Romance · Suspense

Sizzle – Julie Garwood

Book Chick2 Comments

6671931| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Lyra Prescott, a Los Angeles film student, is closing in on graduation and facing important decisions about her future. She’s already been offered a job at her hometown TV station, an opportunity that could ultimately launch her dream career as a film editor. But heading back home would also mean dealing with her overprotective brothers, social-climbing mother, and eccentric grandmother. Unsure of her future, Lyra dives into work on her final school assignment: a documentary transformed by a twist of fate into a real-life horror film.

After she unwittingly captures a shocking crime on camera, a rash of mysterious, treacherous incidents convince Lyra that she’s trapped in a sinister scenario headed for a violent ending. Running scared, she turns to her best friend, Sidney Buchanan, whose connections bring dauntless and devilishly handsome FBI agent Sam Kincaid into Lyra’s life. As the noose of deadly intrigue tightens and the feelings between them deepen, Lyra and Sam must place their faith in each other’s hands – and stand together against the malevolent forces about to break loose.

Untitled

My thoughts:

“So it is not a full pot in rating but still just what I needed.”

Garwood has this nice way of writing which makes you feel warm and captivated by her books and this one was no exception. This time it is even a little funny. Not only does we follow the good guys, Lyra and Sam, but also some of the bad guys, and one of them is hilarious. He prides himself with being smarter than everyone else but in the end he keep taking those not so smart decisions which is resulting in some funny situations. It fit perfectly and I wanted more of it.

The plot is quite believable if not a little exaggerative and the relationship between Lyra and Sam feels a little forced. To much of that instant attraction and not enough off actual conversation between the main characters. And I would have loved to get more of Gigi and the whole tornado around her. She is one heck of a good character and I would totally read a book only about her. So it is not a full pot in rating but still just what I needed. Been having trouble with a reading slump lately that I’m trying to dig myself out off it.

This is the 8th book in the series and that Garwood still can keep me captivating I find it somewhat impressive. Specially since the books, I so far have read, are between 10 and 20 years old. But it still does not feel old fashioned.

 

 

Contemporary · Mystery/Crime · Romance · Suspense

Dirty laundry – Liliana Hart

Book Chick1 Comment

36303602

| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: A new novel in the New York Times bestselling series: Coroner JJ Graves and her husband Sheriff Jack Lawson are back on the job when the body of an elderly woman is found in Bloody Mary.

Rosalyn McGowen is everyone’s favorite great-grandmother. She always has baked treats in her bag, she smells of roses, and she takes in stray cats. No one knows who could hurt a sweet old lady. But Rosalyn isn’t exactly as she seems. Every Thursday at noon Rosalyn secretly posts The Bloody Mary Tattler on social media, and it has everyone in town both captivated and horrified.

When Rosalyn’s secret is discovered along with her body, it’s not easy for JJ to determine her death as a homicide. But it’s not long before they discover the list of suspects is endless and Rosalyn didn’t exactly take all of her secrets to the grave.

Untitled

My thoughts:

“There relationship is so well written, it feels natural and realistic and it is easy to connect with.”

Another brilliant J.J Graves story from Liliana Hart. I read book 4.5 in the series several years ago and then I quite forgot about the series while waiting for book five. It was nice to pick up the thread again. I really like Harts writing where you get this warm, fuzzy feeling and even though the book about murder, death and human eating cats, there is also an aura of a feel good book at the same time. Mostly because I love JJ and Jack. Their relationship is so well written, it feels natural and realistic and it is easy to connect with. This time the book also has the feel of a mix between “desperate housewives” and “Midsomer Murders”. Such a fun story and plot to follow.

The conclusion in the end was however somewhat rushed and rich in details. It was a little hard to keep up with it to understand who the killer was and the why’s. It also ended on a major cliffhanger and we still haven’t received the whole truth around JJ’s dead parents. There is just so many loose threads floats around and it is time to knot some of them and be done with it. It is time to reveal those secrets.

Adult fiction/Erotica · Contemporary · Fiction/Science Fiction

The storied life of A.J Fikry – Gabrielle Zevin

Book Chick1 Comment

18293427| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love.

We are not quite novels.
We are not quite short stories.
In the end, we are collected works.

A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died; his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history; and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island—from Chief Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who’s always felt kindly toward him; from Ismay, his sister-in-law, who is hell-bent on saving A.J. from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who persists in taking the ferry to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.’s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, he can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.

And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It’s a small package, though large in weight—an unexpected arrival that gives A.J. the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn’t take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J., for the determined sales rep Amelia to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light, for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.’s world. Or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn’t see coming.

Untitled

My thoughts:

“Heartwarming.”

What a lovely book. Took me by total surprise. I started it because I had it on my list after seeing one of the book tubers I follow talking about it. I just wanted something easy to read during the days before the holiday where I planned to start a real brick of a book, and oh my what a wonderful story. So captivating, sad but jet happy at the same time. It is by far, one of the best books I have read this year.

This is a short story with only 260 pages but it is enough to capture both my heart and soul. It is charming, funny and an easy read with some deep thoughts and emotions. How I have missed it for so long I have no idea. I love this kind of books. Heartwarming. I read a review on Goodreads written by a person who do not like heartwarming books. *Dramatic gasps* That is like the best thing ever. And I love when I find those like The Storied Life och A.J. Fikry who are not only heartwarming but also captivating on the brink to life changing. I cannot rave enough about this one without giving away spoilers. You just have to read it.

This is a definite reread for me.

Contemporary · Romance

The General – Jessica Gadziala

Book Chick1 Comment

42527241| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Everyone in Navesink Bank knows about Senator Ericsson’s son, his wife, and the story that hit headlines that eventually led to one of the Mallick boys going to jail for assault.

What became of that woman after being coerced into lying on the stand was unknown.

That was until late one night when a phone rang in the offices of Quinton Baird & Associates.

And her voice was on the other end of the line.

Untitled

My thoughts:

“It is a great story in a somewhat passive pace and an easy read.”

A sweet story about a woman who finally has had enough and taking her own life in her own hands. With a story that didn’t disappoint and a romantic twist that feels natural and compelling we finally get to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth about Jenny and Eli. Why she lied and destroyed the life of her savior. In the book about Eli I disliked Jenny and in The General, you do get to know the whole truth and see that in the end, she pretty much saved his and somewhat her own life right there and then. But in Jenny’s case it is Smith who is the real savior. The man who not only saves her from a life in prison but also from a life she didn’t want.

Jenny is a really sweet character and a deep one with a lot of layers. Smith is a typical good guy characters who I feel is missing a couple of layers but in the end is just as perfect as he can be. It is a great story in a somewhat passive pace and an easy read.

There is however two thinks that bothers me.

  1. If Quinton Baird & Associates goes under the cover of security, how the heck could she do a simple Google search and find “fixers” when they are not supposed to exist and be that easy to find. If for an example Maren had leave a card or something for Jenny way back, since she knew the truth, I would totally understand. But not just a simple Google search to find this cloak and dagger company.
  2. What was on the laptop? Why even bring it up in the story if not saying what was or not was on it and not even mentioning it later on.
Contemporary · Romance

Breathe – Kristen Ashley

Book Chick1 Comment

18773967| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: There’s nothing like the first time . . . 

In Carnal, Colorado, Faye Goodknight is the town’s quiet, shy librarian. She may also be Carnal’s last remaining virgin. For years, Faye has had a crush on Chace Keaton, but the gorgeous cop has always been unattainable. She’s resigned to live contentedly with only her books for company-until Faye suddenly meets Chace alone in the woods . . .

Chace doesn’t think he’s the good guy everyone believes him to be. He’s made a lot of choices he regrets, including denying his feelings for Faye. Through his choices, he’s come to believe the pretty librarian is too good for him, but after their time in the woods, Chace realizes that she may be his last chance for redemption. Soon, their long simmering desires grow to a burning passion. Yet always casting a shadow over their happiness is Chace’s dark past . . .

Untitled

My thoughts:

“KA is so good at what she does that even she may not be able to maintain the expectations she has created.”

“I’m so bored.” That was my main thought throughout the whole thing. I don’t know what it was, but it never fell right with me. Didn’t find the characters as good as I know Ashley usually writes them, the story was mostly repetitive information from the earlier books and the romantic part of the plot was just overrated. KA is so good at what she does that even she may not be able to maintain the expectations she has created. I’m disappointed to be honest and it was not what I expected.

I struggled so much, I feel exhausted and broken. I really wanted to DNF it but couldn’t do that to her since KA is one of my favorite authors. But I tried, Oh lord did I try and maybe it would have been more humane to end it in the middle and not knowing what I know now.

I’m tired and I need a break. No romance for a while now. I need to read some other stuff and hopefully find my reader self again.

Contemporary · Mystery/Crime · Romance · Suspense

Nine Lives – Sharon Sala

Book Chick1 Comment

36576332| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: The synopsis written to this book is so bad and filled with misinformation. It was misleading and wrong. Whoever wrote that one needs to quit their job. Here, read Katy’s review on Goodreads. She knows how to write an synopsis. 😀

 

Untitled

My thoughts:

“I love how Cat not loses herself and stand strong in her opinions and still are not one of those dumb as heck characters you in the end just dislike.”

Sharon Sala is a really skilled author when it comes to mixed characters and points of view. No “this chapter, this character” way of writing. She has it all jumbled together and you jump from one character to another in the blink of an eye. And it is never confusing, never boring and you get to view an situation from several directions. It is not a skill I see often among the authors I read and feel it is important to highlight.

The book itself was really good. I liked the characters and I especially like Cat. She is an character right up my ally. The plot is insane and really intriguing, exciting and so, so sad at some moments. I can really see myself continue this series (there is a total 3 books).

I love how Cat not loses herself and stand strong in her opinions and still are not one of those dumb as heck characters you in the end just dislike. The romantic part of the book feels realistic but in no way takes over the story. I’m happy with the outcome and it was a book I could feel cozy with.

Contemporary · Romance · Suspense

Diamond Bay – Linda Howard

Book Chick1 Comment

420741| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: KELL SABIN WAS IN TROUBLE

He knew it the minute the other boat drew near, the minute he heard the crack of rifle fire over water. Wounded and desperate, he flung himself into the Gulf and headed for shore.

Rachel Jones wasn’t looking for trouble, much less a man, but in Kell she found both. He was washed up on her beach, unconscious, like so much driftwood, but he was every inch flesh and blood. Her body responded in the only way it knew how, but what really frightened her was the response of her heart. Like it or not, she was in love.

Untitled

My thoughts:

“Nothing really deep that grips you but still exciting enough to keep you going.”

One word: mediocre! But to be honest the book is older than myself and we already know I’m a hard reader to please. However I did like it. Although more romance than suspense it is still nice to spend some time with an “Old, but Goldie”. It is quite light and airy. Nothing really deep that grips you but still exciting enough to keep you going.

The plot is a typical “been there, read that” and nothing surprising. Was a little fast in the end and it could have been a little more developed. I liked the characters but not the instant love situation. I liked the plot but I did not like the slowness in the middle of the book. But I especially liked the dog Joe.

Adult fiction/Erotica · Classic/Historical · Contemporary · Fiction/Science Fiction · Romance

The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

Book Chick1 Comment

32620332| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ’80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Untitled

My thoughts:

“Can an author write so perfect that you in the end, are questioning your very own existence?”

Let me first say that I had no idea what to expect when going into 2018 most mentioned book. What I did know is that it had an interesting synopsis and I kept seeing it in my Goodreads and Youtube feed. Trying not to be caught up in the hype wave I have “ignored” it for some time while it was in my TBR pile. Well I have certainly stopped ignoring it now and joined the hype train. *toot toot* Here I come because wow this was so worth the wait!

Can a book be this perfect? Can an author write so perfect that you in the end, are questioning your very own existence? Can a story be so consummated that you start to wonder “was this really a fiction?”. I know that this is supposed to be a literary fiction but it was read more like a chick lit/true story. A deep chick lit with none of that “hubba bubba” love. It was just about life. From the beginning to the end! Honest from page one. It is the most well- devolved, character driven story I have ever read, where you have it all from the emotion spectrum. Love, hate, delight, rejection, pleasure, sadness, courage, fear, anticipation, hopelessness, willing, anger, grief, strengths and everything else.

There is so many human destiny’s and so much feelings, in so many different ways crammed between the covers that you can’t help but wonder, is it true? I ended the book at work and literally wanted to cry, not suitable for an open office landscape. I could not (off course) cry there and then but that is how strong of impact it had on me. It is so much grief and agony but still so much love that in the end it is worth it. Don’t believe me? Believe the other 33 000 people who have given it a five star rating on Goodreads.

Contemporary · Romance

Dr. Strange Beard – Penny Reid

Book Chick1 Comment

30315676| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .

Untitled

My thoughts: Out of the now five books I have read so far in the series about the Winston brothers, this is the least favorite one of mine so far. I did not find it as funny, lovingly and straight to the heart and warm as the others. And I can’t quite put my finger on it. It is like Reid was uninspired while writing it and did it mostly because of the side story line and plot twists around the father Darrell.

I do understand it. It is an important line not to be forgotten since it has been there throughout the series, but it was a little too much and now so many different things happening and I can’t quite get it all connected in my head. There is no cliffhanger per say, but it is certainly stuff that is not yet cleared up.

I do like the characters as always, even though they were a little more shallow than usual. But hey, it was still good. And I will continue the series. This one just missed the mark this time.

Contemporary · Mystery/Crime · Romance · Suspense

Fire and ice – Julie Garwood

Book Chick1 Comment

3407345| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Sophie Rose, a tough and determined newspaper reporter, is the daughter of Bobby Rose, a suave, charming, and handsome gentleman who also happens to be a notorious big-time thief sought by every law-enforcement agency in the country. When the major Chicago daily where she works insists she write an expose about her roguish father, Sophie refuses, quits her job, and goes to work at a small newspaper. Far from her onetime high-powered crime beat, she now covers local personalities such as the quirky winner of several area 5K runs whose trademark is goofy red socks.
Those red socks-with Sophie’s business card neatly tucked inside-are practically all that’s found after runner William Harrington is killed near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, seemingly the victim of a brutal death by polar bear. The Alaska cops want to know why Harrington carried Sophie’s card. With an unerring nose for a good story, she heads north.
What Sophie doesn’t realize is that on her journey from Chicago to Prudhoe Bay, danger follows in her wake. After one attempt on her life, she’s been assigned brash but sexy Jack MacAlister as a bodyguard by the cautious FBI. Amid great peril and deadly intrigue in the unforgiving Alaskan terrain, she and Jack form an uneasy alliance sparked with sensual attraction. But they will soon be fighting more than their growing passion for each other. Powerful forces will stop at nothing to prevent the exposure of the sinister conspiracy Sophie and Jack are about to uncover.

Untitled

My thoughts: What I really like with Garwood is that she is such a strong character writer. Especially when it comes to the females. I’m a huge critic when it comes to females and often finds them dumb, childish, meek and excessive. But never with Garwood. I receive pretty much what I expect and it never disappoint me. This one was just as good as always when it comes to the writing, character and such. The plot however I found a little weak. I really liked Sophie’s history and enigmatic father but Jack could have used a little more work and the story a little more depth. I missed that … umpf… in lack of better words.

Nothing bad really, just didn’t earn the last star but certainly not a bad book in any means. This is the 7 book in the series about Buchanan-Renard family and it is safe to say, I will continue it.