The third book in Erin Nicholas’ Hot Cakes series does not disappoint. In fact, I think it might be my favorite so far.
I always enjoy how the author builds her characters through her series. We’ve met and gotten to know both Grant and Josie over the first two books, so we have an idea of what their characters are. But in this book, they take center stage.
I’m not going to rehash the plot, 1) because I hate book report reviews, 2) you can find details elsewhere, and 3) I hate spoilers.
I loved the chemistry between these two. The author always creates good heat between characters, but Grant and Josie were off the charts. I liked how he was a little bit domineering and how she was turned on by it, even as she thought she wouldn’t be. That was realistic and believable. And did I mention hot?
But it’s not just couple’s chemistry, the friends who own Hot Cakes have a camaraderie that is enjoyable and downright hysterical. Their conversation about cupcakes early on was laugh out loud funny. And I love Piper throwing her two cents in all the time. I truly can’t wait for her story; I think she’s my favorite character.
The conflict in this book is a familiar trope, but because of the relationship between Grant and Josie, it doesn’t feel like a retread. It feels fresh and actually makes sense in the bigger picture of the overall plot. Of course, there are screw ups and misunderstandings, but not as many as one might expect. It’s nice to see adults being adults and not acting like teenagers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but that’s no surprise, given how I felt about the first two: Sugarcoated and Forking Around. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
Full disclosure: I could not completely relate to any characters in this book. But I still really enjoyed the story. It created an interesting and unique dichotomy for me. Let’s start with what I liked.
I could totally get behind the “hitting rock bottom to rebuild” setting that propels Bree. I found her tribulations to be amusing as she navigated reinventing herself and trying to be a better person. I did also like how she learned more about herself and others around her during her journey.
I also did feel for her at times, and understood her reluctance to part with sentimental items, especially those that reminded her of her mother. In today’s world where everything needs to be picture-perfect, old things are often shunted aside for shiny, new things…and I think that’s just wrong. This is where Bree was conflicted, and where I understood her the best. Deep down she knew what was right, she just didn’t know how to access it and got distracted
I appreciated Trey. Of any of the characters, I think I could probably identify with him most, especially his attitude toward commercialism and social media. I could get behind someone who just wanted to be able to live without having to have every second documented. At times, this caused interesting tension between him and Bree.
And the social media aspect is where I just couldn’t relate. The whole influencer/non-influencer/collaborator thing is so shallow to me. I find the whole thing (in real life) to be just phony. The emphasis on followers (regardless of whether they’re real or not) and buying them to “boost” yourself seems ridiculous.
Given that, however, I think the author captures the whole movement perfectly from start to finish. Bree’s journey ultimately shows her the importance of real-life connections and experiences, and how dangerous living in the virtual social media world can be.
And perhaps that’s the point – it’s time to refocus on real people, not virtual, fake images.
Kristin Rockaway is a native New Yorker with an insatiable case of wanderlust. After working in the IT industry for far too many years, she traded the city for the surf and chased her dreams out to Southern California, where she spends her days happily writing stories instead of software. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and planning her next big vacation.
Thanks for stopping by my stop on the HTP 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Women’s Fiction & Romance. Be sure to check back throughout the summer for more reviews!
I’ll be honest: this book had me at the theater. I always like finding unique settings in historical fiction novels, and this one certainly qualifies.
I loved how the author set everything up. The connections between characters were tenuous and not easily discernable, adding a bit of mystery. The backstory unfolds slowly, which adds to the tension that is already felt through the setting.
I think that there must have been copious amounts of research because the author captured the essence of theater. Having been in theater myself, I could picture the costumes and stage area, and I could practically smell the aroma that all backstage areas seem to share. Sweat, makeup, perfume, and grease (among others) all combine into a scent that is uniquely “theater.”
Not only was the general theatrical atmosphere accurate, but the author also managed to balance the ominous presence of the Nazis against the magic of the theater. It was an interesting juxtaposition that gave those scenes depth.
As to the plot itself, has everything a good read should have. There’s intrigue, espionage, romance, and…oh yeah, don’t forget the Nazis. A stunning singer with a hidden past and her dashing manager (who is not what he seems) are the stars, but the secondary characters have just as much depth. And everyone has secrets.
I did think that the plot sagged a bit after the initial introductions and set-up. There were still important points, but the drive forward slowed. Fortunately, it sped up quickly, and the last third of the book was nonstop action. I’m not going to spoil the plot, but let’s just say that it was all very movie-worthy.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the author’s attention to detail. She really created theatrical Paris in the last stages of the Nazi occupation, and made me care what happened to the characters.
AUTHOR BIO
Karen Robards is the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty novels and one novella. She is the winner of six Silver Pen awards and numerous other awards.
Thanks for stopping by for the second entry in the HTP 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Historical Fiction. Check back in later this month for The Woman Before Wallis.
I had really high hopes for this book and the author did a great job of keeping my focus for nearly the entire story. However, the end became a little shaky (not enough to ruin it thought. Read on).
I loved the set up for this book. From the beginning with the mysterious letters and Nell’s decision to investigate her family history, I was drawn in. I wanted to know more about her past, just as she did.
How much did her grandmother influence…well, everything. Does Adam, have an ulterior motive or is he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? And how much influence does Joyce really have?
The author had me guessing throughout nearly the entire book, and I especially liked the touches of gaslighting that occurred throughout the plot. Disrupted backpacks, unlocked and suddenly locked doors, and fences…who is responsible? Who is an ally and who has ulterior motive? There were a few characters I wasn’t sure about the entire time, and I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is where the author really excelled.
I also liked the flashback chapters that gave the reader the backstory on Sarah and her interactions with her husband’s family. These were poignant and informative and gave depth to both her story and (by relation) Nell’s story.
All of that being said, I loved the story right up until just over three-quarters of the way through. At that point, I felt like the author was trying to tie everything up and that there were some leaps of logic. I also felt that the ending was incomplete; sort of like there was a big build up and then the reveal did not live up to that.
I was left with a few questions, even after the book was finished. With that said, however, I still really enjoyed the story. I appreciated Nell’s journey to find her real family history. I would recommend it for that reason alone.
Author Bio:
Lesley attended the Curtis Brown Creative 6 month novel writing course in 2015/6, and in 2017 The Orchid Girls (then On The Edge) was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize.
Lesley is the author of psychological thrillers and spends her days writing in coffee shops in Kings Cross where she lives and works as a librarian. She loves the atmosphere and eclectic mix of people in the area. Lesley discovered Patricia Highsmith as a teenager and has been hooked on psychological thrillers ever since.
I liked this author’s Some Days Are Dark, so I was looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed. I love a good gaslighting, and I got plenty of that in this twisted thriller. It hooked me from the beginning and slowly continued to draw me in up to the explosive finale.
The author did a fantastic job setting the scene, giving the reader a peek via flashback to an event that shaped Della’s (the main character) life. I mean, wow…what an opening sentence. If that doesn’t pull you in, I don’t know what would.
The author then switches to the present when Della is an adult. Despite her family history (more on that in a second), she seems to have everything together and has made a good life for herself. I instantly related to her because she is an English teacher.
I was not surprised to see that author is a former teacher because she accurately nailed every aspect of teaching. The school scenes brought back many memories, from engaging students to dealing with ineffective administrators. The reality and accuracy of those parts made me “trust” the rest.
I’m not sure if that makes sense. If I know someone is accurate about a topic that I am knowledgeable in, I am more likely to go along with other aspects of the story, even if they seem a little off the mark.
Not that I think Della’s past is far-fetched. On the contrary, we know that evil exists in the world and that evil people have families that must deal with them. I’m referring to some of Della’s actions later in the book that could be considered (shall we say) professionally questionable. She oversteps and pushes the boundaries of professionalism, but she has her reasons.
I liked how the author kept the action in the present, but occasionally would flashback to another event from Della’s childhood. That plotting allowed the present-day action to continue while building the foundation from the past that continued to influence Della’s perceptions. It was effective.
My only complaint, and it’s pretty minor, is that while I appreciate how Della’s past shaded her judgment and cast doubt on her suspicions, I also felt like Zoey was too much of an enigma. Her motivations could have been more evident.
I also think the author had a great build-up to the “past’s” climax, but then it was all wrapped up in a few brief paragraphs. I think a little more detail there would have helped cement both Della’s story and given a platform to Zoey’s. The whole ending also seemed a tad rushed, given how evenly plotted the rest of the book was.
Regardless, it was engaging, and it certainly kept me guessing. I highly recommend picking this one up for a thrilling summer read.
Author Bio Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.
On the surface, this book is about two estranged sisters. When their grandmother, Bertie, passes away, she specifies in her will that to inherit anything, they must reconcile by spending a month at her beach house. The premise itself is interesting, but there is also so much more at stake than initially appears.
I thought that the author did a good job setting the stage for the “reconciliation.” It was apparent from the beginning that although they used to be close, Cassie and Julie had gone completely separate ways for almost 15 years. The reasons for that are revealed slowly, with small hints in the form of inner thoughts and barbed retorts giving the reader clues along the way.
I was very interested in the dynamic between Cassie and Julie. Cassie was very prickly and a huge chip on her shoulder, where Julie was easygoing to the point of being a pushover. Cassie took advantage of that, which made her somewhat unlikeable to me at first. I warmed to her over time, though.
What I found particularly intriguing were the life choices that each of the women had made over the years of estrangement. Julie picked a husband who she felt took care of her (and not much else) in the form of control, something she had missed as a child. While Cassie, on the other hand, had made choices that were more along the lines of Julie’s mother. I thought this was a fascinating juxtaposition that was deeply explored and expertly relayed.
I thought that point that they had the same eyes (also the same as Bertie) was especially telling. Eyes are the windows to the soul. Cassie and Julie were more alike than either of them were willing to admit.
I liked how Bertie had everything planned out, right down to involving Craig. With the memories of both girls, and the opinions of Craig, she came across as the mother that neither girl truly had. She was also someone who I would love to know (especially because of her “New Age-y” vibe).
What made this book truly unique to me, however, was Julie’s narrating the dual princess stories. I could see where that was going from the beginning. I was thrilled that the author used that as part of her character development. It was so illustrative, and I loved it. I was also pleasantly surprised that one character did something that I didn’t expect (no spoilers, but I expected a different choice to be made).
I loved the poignancy, and the story was heartfelt. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
Author Bio Cecilia is an author with a reading addiction — a serious one. She is a lover of wine and all things chocolate, and the proud mother of Babaganoush, an English Bulldog. She is also a recovering lawyer, but asks that you do not hold that against her.
I really enjoyed Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life? the first in what looks like a series from a very talented and astute author. And I liked this one even more. Ms. Bailey has upped her game, and the result is a winner of a book.
In this second book, we follow Emma. She is the second oldest of the Callaghan sisters, so I am sensing a pattern; please let it be so! A compassionate heart surgeon, she is divorced from her cheating bastard of a husband (and that’s treating him nicely). This is her story.
I love how this author builds layers. Characters who seemingly have a small part in the plot sometimes end up sharing a nugget of wisdom that has great impact. A perfect example is little Lewis, one of her patients, who wisely states that Dr. C “fixes hearts.” He has no idea how accurate he is. Oh, and he has quite the adventure as well (great scene, that).
Anybody who has been involved in a divorce will be able to find a character in this book to relate to. Emma moves between anger, self-doubt, and “screw him” seamlessly. The emotional roller coaster is real and accurately portrayed. Maddie, her secretary, is loyal and always looks out for Emma’s best interests.
And then there are the sisters. We already met Meg in the first book. I liked how part of this one overlapped so that there was a common timeline. It tied the books together neatly, instead of them being in a vacuum. Meg doesn’t figure much in this book. Neither does Grace, who makes a cameo with big news that I assume will be part of her story.
We do get healthy doses of Beth and Lucy, the two youngest Callaghans, and boy I cannot WAIT for their stories. Lucy particularly had me laughing out loud several times. While some might see her as mere comic relief (and there is plenty of that, especially when she is Elsa), she is also fiercely loyal to her sisters. She made me think of the yappy little dog who will protect its owner.
One thing I noticed in Meg’s story, and it’s even more pronounced here, is that the author doesn’t hit you over the head with lessons or plot points. She tells a person’s story, and it’s up to the reader to get what they want out of it. I appreciate the craft that goes into that.
Ms. Bailey knows how to set and describe a scene so that it feels like the reader is actually there. From the aforementioned Elsa moments to Beth’s birthday, to a raucous and thoroughly enjoyable trivia competition that left tears rolling down my face, the humanity and the humor are captured perfectly.
I also liked how she didn’t wrap everything up neatly with a bow. While that’s fine for some books, the overlapping timelines from the first and second books illuminate that life is an ongoing story. I assume that we will be able to follow Emma’s progression through the other sisters’ stories.
I hope I’m right about this, because it means that I’ll get three more chances to visit the Callaghan sisters. I look forward to Grace’s because I think I will be able to relate to her. And I really can’t wait for Lucy’s!
Seriously, do yourself a favor and pick up Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life? and then move on to this one so you’re call caught up.
I enjoy when a book gives a glimpse of events yet to come and then backtracks to recount what happened leading up to the event. It creates a sense of foreboding, and actually makes me read a little bit more carefully to see if I can pick up any hints along the way.
The action is told in alternating points of view between Louise and her daughter Katie, as they navigate their usual summer trip to Montauk. The addition of Katie’s best friend, Isa, throws the whole family a little off-kilter, and it quickly becomes apparent that there is a lot bubbling under the surface. I’ll come back to that in a little bit.
I thought that the plot was well thought-out. I especially liked that we got to the “main event” before the book was even half-way finished, because that meant that there was still a lot to unravel. And boy, was there.
After the incident, the author did a good job of following each of the main characters through their grief process. The result, however, was that there were a few areas that were long inner monologues and self-reflection. The action did drag during these periods, but the exploration of how people grieve differently was well-done.
I also thought that those passages went too long, because by the time we get to the next few “events,” they’re essentially wrapped up within a few pages. I would have liked to have read more detail about those and about James and Katie’s memories of the night in question. All of that could have used more time. It also seemed like a few plot points were more for convenience than for actually mattering to the plot itself.
I actually liked Katie the best; I thought her actions and reactions were very natural to a 17-year-old girl with even a bit of wisdom beyond her years. I didn’t particularly like Louise, especially as I read further. At one point, another character calls her daughter, Katie, “sanctimonious.” I think that fit Louise better (it’s obvious who Katie gets it from) because she came across as selfish and not very responsible.
And that’s one of the things that was hidden below the surface. Her judgment on Sarah was difficult to stomach given her own actions. But, in a way this fit the stereotypical Upper East Side persona that Louise was somewhat scornful of; she just seemed to have very little self-awareness.
One thing that did stand out to me were some of the linguistic choices made by the author. Some are nitpicky (the Upper West Side is not a borough, it’s a neighborhood). However, others should have been caught.
No teenager from Manhattan or Long Island would say that they “fancy” something (especially not a teenage boy), high schools don’t have recess, they would say braids (not plaits) and would have cookies with tea or hot chocolate (biscuits are for breakfast or dinner). Those instances were scattered but jarring enough to me to notice that the lingo wasn’t correct.
The author did capture the overall atmosphere of a Montauk summer, and I liked how she tied it to the hope of making things better between the characters. The plot was nicely charted by the seasons. The story was good, the characters were intriguing (if sometimes unlikable) and there were a few “what the heck” moments. It’s a good book to pick up for the summer.
Author Bio
Jennifer Harvey is a Scottish writer now living in The Netherlands. She is the author of three novels. Someone Else’s Daughter will be published on June 18th 2020 with Bookouture. Two more titles will follow in October 2020 and May 2021. Her short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines in the US and the UK, such as Bare Fiction, Litro Online, Carve Magazine, Folio, and The Lonely Crowd.
She has been shortlisted for various short story prizes including the Bristol Prize, the University of Sunderland Short Story Award and the Bridport Prize. Her radio dramas have won prizes and commendations from the BBC World Service. She has been longlisted twice for the Bath Novel Award.
As far as psych thrillers go, this one is definitely unique.
It’s difficult to go into too much detail, because the crux of the plot, the very thing that makes it psychological, is wound all through the story and to even mention it could spoil the surprises the author has cleverly added.
Having the elderly as the main characters was a smart choice because the thrust of the story would have been run of the mill. As it was, however, it added a sinister level to the psychological games the villain was playing. I did like Michael, as well the as unusual alliance he formed (not sayin’ with whom!)
I thought the author captured the worries of older adults in a way that made them sympathetic without making them caricatures of “poor old folks.” Concerns like adult children, finding footing in a changing world, and the ever-present health issues were all addressed adequately and with some feeling.
On the other hand, I did think that Dolores verged on being a stereotype at times. That may have been by design. But I found her to be uneven (again, possibly on purpose). For example, I did not notice her stilted speech at first, but at one point, it seemed like it became more pronounced…to the point where I had to go back and reread to see if I had missed it in her first few scenes (I had).
I think that as we age, we all have the same fears. Will people forget about me? Will they dismiss me as being old and senile? Who can I trust when the people I used to trust are no longer around? How do I stop someone from taking advantage of me…or worse?
And when you have a psycho killer after you, how much more important do those questions become?
AUTHOR BIO
Jackie Morrissey lives in County Dublin and worked for many years in adult education. Her job took her into colleges and prisons all around Ireland, and introduced her to a range of interesting people. She loved the buzz of teaching, but came to hate the tyranny of correcting assignments. She has written throughout her adult life and has had many short stories published, one of which won the Molly Keane Short Story award. She has also been a regular contributor of short pieces for the Irish radio program Sunday Miscellany. About four years ago, she took the decision to write full time. The psychological thriller Before I Die is her first published novel.
BEFORE I DIE is Jackie’s debut novel and her first published with Inkubator Books.
I would be hard-pressed to find a series that makes me feel calmer than this one. There is something about stepping into the world of the Anderson sisters that feels like a comforting hug. I was taken with The Magnolia Sisters, and in re-reading my review, I had to laugh. I didn’t care for May. Ironic, because I loved her as the main character in this book.
To be honest, she had me when she dressed up as Claire from “The Breakfast Club” for Annie’s 80s party. I think my issue with her in the first book was that we honestly didn’t get to see much of her, and what we did, she was pretty negative.
In this installment, with her at the forefront, we finally get to understand why she is so prickly. I’m not going to give it away, but let’s say that she has good reason to have put a shell around herself.
Just like the first book, you know that Tom and May are meant to be together (he’s the Bender to her Claire, and they both have a fondness for British murder mysteries), but their history keeps getting in the way.
Annie meddles (again – I love this girl and hope she gets her own story even though she isn’t an Anderson sister proper) so that Tom and May are forced to both confront their past and figure out their present and future. It’s not an easy road, and all of the pitfalls they face felt natural to the setting and the people.
The author does a fantastic job of capturing small-town life, from the nearly decade-old gossip to the community pulling together for a festival (pretty sure I worked with Miz Greyson at some point). I think that is what makes this series so likable. The people may get obnoxious and meddlesome, but they are ultimately there for each other.
I especially liked how the author started the book like a storyteller was setting the scene. It completely set the tone for me. That was nicely bookended, in not quite the same way, but with a fitting finish to the story.
I can’t wait to get Rose’s story. And I’m mentioning Annie again because by now she is pretty much an adopted Anderson sister. Can we make this happen?
Author Bio Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories! Currently splitting time between her home state of Louisiana and London, she enjoys kissing books, Star Wars, and creating original pie recipes for all of her books. Tobey Maguire is her Spider-Man.
