November 6, 2019

I am not a huge fan of angst. I think there is enough of it in real life that I don’t seek it out in books that I choose to read. There is currently only one author who I make an exception for, as I am never disappointed at the depth of her characters.

It’s FREE in KU – what are you waiting for?!?!?

Landon and Shay, Part One is another of Brittainy C. Cherry’s studies of a relationship fraught with trouble, with seemingly insurmountable odds against the success of the couple. I could tell from the beginning that the animosity between Landon and Shay was mainly due to how much they actually had in common, even though they were not aware of that fact at first. Or, they might have been aware of their similarities subconsciously, which is what caused each of them to “hate” the other.

This is the strength of the author’s writing. She creates complex characters who are realistic. They have substance and personality and are intriguing enough to make the reader want to know more about them, to grow along with them. I particularly loved how she used Shay’s character, and her propensity for personality analysis, to dig deeper into the character’s psyches. That was brilliant and extremely well-done.

I know it seems as if I am speaking in riddles, but I think that one of the best things about her books is the journey that the reader undertakes right along with the characters. I can’t describe a plot point without giving away where the characters are at that time, which would, in turn, give away the beautiful arc of the plot.

And that would ruin the whole story.

Oh, and there is a twist that I absolutely did not see coming; it left me stunned, causing me to read more carefully to see what I may have missed.

Honestly, if you have read any of her books, you know what I am talking about. And if you haven’t read any of her books, why the heck not? As I said at the beginning, I am not a huge fan of angst, but her books leave me reeling and wanting more. “Epic love story” is a phrase that is often over-used, but it certainly applies to this story. I will be eagerly awaiting Part Two to finish the journey with Landon and Shay.

Landon & Shay: Part One by Brittainy C. Cherry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wrecked and gutted. That’s how this book left m, but in the best ways possible. The author’s ability to capture every minute detail of a relationship and make the reader feel like they are experiencing it themselves is unmatched. I have virtually nothing in common with these characters, but I felt so deeply for them it was amazing. My only complaint about this book is that we have to wait for part two! For a complete review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.

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I have read a couple of this author’s books before and am often left wanting (The Girl from the Sea comes to mind). But I think she does a decent job of throwing red herrings into her plots, so I keep coming back for more. I am happy to say that I believe The Other Daughter is one of her best books yet.

The action takes place in the present time with a few “Then” flashback chapters interspersed. Everything is seamless, though, so it never feels like too much of a jolt to shift time frames. The chapters detailing past events add much to the current developments and even allow the reader to question what is happening in the present. I love it when an author can craft a plot in that manner.

The characters are realistic. I can see each of them being a real person, and all of their reactions appear to be genuine. That being said, however, I do think that the “big reveal” (while a shocker) seems a little far-fetched – but I am willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt that extensive research was completed to portray the character’s actions and reactions accurately. Regardless, it made for a real “WTH” moment and kept me engrossed in the story to the end.

If I had to pick on anything, I would say that things were tied up and explained a little too neatly. I did like the twists that the author threw in that propelled Rachel’s actions while making me question Rachel’s stability. That was a delicate balancing act. However, there was an answer for everything, and a little bit of messiness might have added to the realness of the story.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who would enjoy a quick psych thriller.

The Other Daughter by Shalini Boland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This psychological thriller was a quick read that had me questioning the characters’ motives right up until the last page. I thought that the author did a good job of laying the groundwork for the reader to believe one thing while crafting a sub-story that was equally plausible. There were more than a few “Oh, no way” moments, and the big reveal did surprise me (that’s hard to do). For a more detailed review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of this book.

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Shalini Boland is the million-copy, USA-Today bestselling author of eight psychological thrillers: ‘THE GIRL FROM THE SEA’, ‘THE BEST FRIEND’, ‘THE MILLIONAIRE’S WIFE’ (optioned for TV by Legendary Studios), ‘THE SECRET MOTHER’, ‘THE CHILD NEXT DOOR’, ‘THE SILENT SISTER’, ‘THE PERFECT FAMILY’ and ‘THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL’.

THE OTHER DAUGHTER comes out Nov 5th and is now available to preorder!

Her titles are published by Bookouture, Grand Central (USA) and Tantor.

Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her husband, two children and their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing psychological thrillers (in between school runs and sorting endless baskets of laundry).