I’m a sucker for Jessica Peterson’s books, and I love her latest “Sex & Bonds” series. The Troublemaker is the second in the planned trilogy, and while I didn’t like it quite as much as the first one, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s not a spoiler to tell you it covers both “first-time” and a “brother’s best friend” tropes, and they both balance nicely.
One of the things I like most about her books is that she creates worlds that just feel real. Her characters are very human and relatable. Even if their overall character isn’t anywhere in your personal orbit, a reader can usually find something about each one.
I couldn’t help but root for Greer – she was feisty and ambitious. But her awakening (in more ways than one) was tender and deep. Brooks was…well, I wish people like him existed. She does tend to write strong, vulnerable heroes that make you just want to hug them…before tearing their clothes off.
I won’t give away the plot, but this book felt different from others. First, there didn’t really seem to be a major conflict; no real “OMG, I can’t believe that happened” moments. An attempt by Brooks’ dad didn’t feel fully realized, and a personal scare between Brooks and Greer seemed thrown in.
I also missed more of the trading floor. It was mentioned, and it’s a location for several scenes. But I would have liked more of Brooks’ background. I think if we had been able to see MORE of what the Wall Street Bathroom said about him, his journey would have been much more interesting.
The same goes for the ultimate decision between Brooks and Greer moving forward (regarding Brooks’ sister Lizzie). That seemed to come out of nowhere.
That being said, I loved Kate’s (I want to go there). And I did enjoy Brooks and Greer’s relationship. It showed that when the heart knows, it just….knows. Maybe that’s why there was less drama. Sometimes things just go that smoothly.
I can’t wait for the 3rd book!
The Woman in Carriage 3-James-Psych Thriller-Available Now
The Woman in Carriage 3 by Alison James is the type of psych thriller that makes the reader think it is going in a certain direction. But then ends up going in a completely different one.
And that’s a good thing.
Hattie is an interesting “heroine.” There’s no other word for her – she’s an absolute mess. She drinks too much, has one-night stands, and can’t hold a job. Someone to really root for, right?
Due to an unfortunate circumstance during a commute, there is a delay on the train she travels on. So, she joins a small group of other commuters to pass the time.
Little does she know that this innocent meeting will lead to all kinds of excitement, both good and bad. And it is anything but innocent.
Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BXM14TYYsocial
What follows is very reminiscent of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” – but not exactly. There’s subterfuge, deceit, uncertainty, heroism…and a lot of secrets.
The author does a fantastic job of keeping the reader guessing as to who knows what and when. How everything is tied together also remains unclear. There are more than a few twists and surprises along the way as well.
I was actually drawn in by Hattie’s mess because I was rooting for her to find some kind of footing. But because of that, I was skeptical of just about everything that happened to her. It kept me involved.
There are moments of “Wow, that’s a lot.” But that is okay, too, because it kept the plot moving at a good pace. There are also a couple of red herrings that don’t exactly land. And one character virtually disappears with a lame excuse.
But again, it’s all okay because the overall plot is engaging.
The Woman in Carriage 3 does not require a lot of concentration. The author does a good job of keeping things fairly simple but interesting. Alison James has written a good page-turning psych thriller, and I look forward to other books from her.
