Book Review Archives

February 9, 2022February 4, 2022

Am I Allergic to Men?-Bailey-Adult Humor-Available Now

Am I Allergic to Men by Kristen Bailey is one of those books with which I have a love/hate relationship. That makes this book review difficult to write.

There’s so much to love, but I hate it because it’s the end of the series. Why? Because all of the Callaghan sisters have stories and it is done.

I’m sad. And I’m not ready to say goodbye to this wonderful group of siblings. Over the five-book series, they have come to feel like family.

It’s a good thing that Ms. Bailey throws everything imaginable into this book because it was her last chance.

First off, I do have to preface the rest of this review by stating that I have been looking forward to Lucy’s story. As the youngest, she has been in the periphery of the other sisters’ stories, and her character is easily the most engaging of all.

Now, I am not going to give away how the author relays Lucy’s story, but I will say it completely threw me for a loop. It was nothing that I expected, but everything I wanted for Lucy.

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The story kicks off in a raucous manner, with the most entertaining bar fight I have ever read. And the rest of the story doesn’t disappoint either.

Filled with trademark bluntness, hilarious situations, and a dose of seriousness, this story is amazing from start to finish. In addition to the unfiltered craziness, there are also heartfelt moments and emotional realizations

Honestly, I do not want to give away anything from Lucy’s story, because it is not what you think it will be. Because of that, it is perfect for Lucy.

Her free spirit, charm (yes, even the bluntness of it), and wicked humor are on full display, but we also see her sensitive side. We also get a generous dose of the other sisters as the family comes together in a time of trouble.

One thing I take from this story is that Dad Callaghan is a saint for dealing with this crew. And now we know where the daughters get their feistiness. Mom Callaghan is a force to deal with.

I could go on and on about this story, but I will just repeat that it is not what you expect, but it is perfect for Lucy.

Seriously, I am looking forward to whatever this author has up her sleeve next. She has set the bar pretty high with the Callaghan crew.

I do recommend getting to know the sisters before starting Am I Allergic to Men? So, check out my book reviews of the other books in the series from Kristen Bailey:

Website: www.kristenbaileywrites.com.
Facebook: kristenbaileywrites/
Instagram: kristenbaileywrites/
Twitter: @mrsbaileywrites

Author Bio:

Mother-of-four, gin-drinker, binge-watcher, receipt hoarder, enthusiastic but terrible cook. Kristen also writes. She has had short fiction published in several publications including Mslexia & Riptide. She writes women’s fiction and she hopes her novels have fresh and funny things to say about modern life, love and family.

February 8, 2022January 31, 2022

The Perfect Home-Lynch-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The Perfect Home by Kevin Lynch is the second psych thriller I read in less than a week that focuses on a person’s home no longer being safe for them to live in. (For the other book review, check out The Guest Room).

In this case, June and her long-time neighbors start having issues when a new tenant (Steve) moves in. A once quiet street is now home to cars in need of repair on blocks and music blasting.

June’s family says that the neighborhood is no longer safe because of the increase in rentals, and they want her to consider selling. When bad things start to happen, June wonders if there is something more nefarious at hand.

The book kicks off with a brutal attack, but the reader does not get to that point in the actual plot until much later in the book. The build-up to the pivotal event is good if a little uneven.

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Part of my issue with the book is that it is written in the past tense as if June is relating it all. That makes it difficult for me to get into the action. Of course, that is a personal reading preference.

There were also times that the dialogue seemed stilted. I don’t know if that is because of the tense or not. But it wasn’t as sharp as it could have been.

The overall plot of the story is engaging. Some readers will not figure out who is behind everything. The psych thriller aspect is good. I guessed at the mastermind but underestimated the reach of the person responsible and how it all tied together. So well-done on that.

The Perfect Home is a solid psychological thriller that you won’t regret adding to your TBR. You can also look at my book review for Somebody Out There, another psych thriller from Kevin Lynch

Author Bio

Kevin is a Guidance Counselor by day and a psychological thriller author during his off hours. He puts an original slant on some common experiences and creates engaging stories with a personal twist. Kevin lives in Dublin, Ireland with three great kids, a frenetic Westie, Alfie, and a wife who makes him laugh, which is really all he could ask for.

Kevin writes psychological thrillers. The Perfect Home is his second novel with Inkubator Books.

February 7, 2022January 30, 2022

The Last Grand Duchess-Turnbull-Review-Historical Fiction-Available Now

To truly enjoy The Last Grand Duchess, a new book by Bryn Turnbull, there are a few things that you need to have straight in your mind.

1) This is Russian History. It’s dark. Dense doesn’t begin to describe it. Complexity is normal. It is epic and a huge topic to tackle.

2) There is a love/hate relationship with the Romanov family in the overall arc of Russian history. They are a pivotal family, and (as such) they are not always treated as people may expect.

3) Because of their position, and the era of history they occupy, there is little documentation available. Therefore, there is possibly a lot of supposition in any story involving them.

4) From what is known, Olga was a shy introvert. Therefore, even anecdotal evidence of her is difficult to find. She is also young and, therefore, immature.

5) You will absolutely, positively need to refer to the multi-page character list that precedes the story (see point number 1).

How do I know all of this?

Because I flunked a History of Russia class in college.

Twice.

It actually totally derailed my major. But I digress. To the book review.

If you have those four points in mind, you will enjoy this book so much more because you will know what to expect. The author does what she can with scant information, filling in blanks, and crafting a compelling story.

I should add here that I visited Russia in the mid-1990s, and one of our stops was the last known residence of the Romanov family. However, our tour guide was cagey about certain details. We were told this was typical. So, there is that as well.

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As mentioned above, Olga is young. Her perspectives are not as informed as those of an adult. But this is what makes her interesting. We get to see the history unfold from her point of view.

I feel like this is a vital point, because she is of the age where her concerns are not political or futuristic. She wants the life that a grand duchess should enjoy. The passages involving her experiences with her aunt illustrate this brilliantly.

The author also captures the intrigue of Russian politics in a time of turmoil accurately (at least from my knowledge).

I am not quite sure what else I can say. The story itself is intricate and detailed. For this reason, this is not a book that you can read in fits and spurts, catching chapters here and there.

You need to allow yourself to be immersed in Olga’s world, embracing the atmosphere and attitudes. Only then will you be able to fully enjoy the epic story that Bryn Turnbull has crafted.

For another perspective on Russian history, check out my book review of Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten.

Social Links:
Author Website
Instagram: @brynturnbullwrites
Twitter: @brynturnbull
Facebook: @brynturnbullwrites
Goodreads

Bryn Turnbull is the bestselling author of The Woman Before Wallis. Equipped with a master’s of letters in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews, a master’s of professional communication from Ryerson University and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from McGill University, Bryn focuses on finding stories of women lost within the cracks of the historical record. She lives in Toronto.

February 4, 2022January 30, 2022

The Guest Room-Halsall-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The Guest Room by Rona Halsall is just one of those books. It starts slow but does just enough to keep the reader interested before heading off into crazy territory. In other words, stick with this one!

The premise is familiar: a woman (Steph) is determined to stay in the family home (of 30+ years) while her ex-husband (Andy) and daughter (Bea) want her to move due to the change in the neighborhood.

Anyone who has to make a difficult decision against the wishes of family will relate to Steph’s dilemma.

That does not mean that Steph is an entirely sympathetic character. She is stubborn and thinks that she knows what is right even as she doubts her own choices. Her wishy-washiness is distracting.

When strange things occur in Steph’s house, things move along fast enough. There are just enough hints to make the reader question whether Steph is losing it. Or is there a nefarious plot to get her out of the house?

Given that her ex-husband and daughter want her to sell, it is not out of the realm of belief that one of them is behind some of it. But the author also wisely throws in another possibility in the form of a homeless man who Steph takes in as a boarder.

What a perfect fall guy. Or is he?

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The second half of the book moves along much faster than the first half. I am grateful for that because parts of it did drag. And there are times where Steph should have been smarter.

Ultimately, there are enough red herrings and false clues to keep it all interesting. And the ending does really go gonzo, which I actually appreciate. The author keeps the guessing going right up until the very last paragraph – and I love it when that happens.

As I said at the outset of this book review, stick with The Guest Room because the pay-off is worth it.

For more from Rona Halsall, please check out my reviews of the following books: The Liar’s Daughter, The Ex-Boyfriend, One Mistake, Her Mother’s Lies.

Facebook: RonaHalsallAuthor/
Twitter: ronahalsallauth
Instagram: ronahalsall

Author Bio

Rona is the author of bestselling psychological thrillers published by Bookouture. Her challenge in writing is to find domestic storylines with twists that her readers will never guess.

She was born in Nottingham, grew up near Blackpool and went to college in Leeds and then moved to Snowdonia, North Wales where she brought up her family while working as a business mentor. Now, she lives on the Isle of Man with her husband, two dogs and two guinea pigs.

February 2, 2022January 16, 2022

Woman Last Seen-Review-Thriller-Available Now

In this taut, mind-blowing thriller, the woman last seen is Leigh. Or is it Kai? Maybe Fiona? Who really knows? What does “Woman Last Seen” really mean?

That’s what reading this book does to you. The author does a fantastic job of keeping the reader off-balance.

The premise is simple enough. It starts with a woman who is being held captive and then switches to Leigh’s point of view a few days prior.

Let me break in here and say that it is vital, and I mean seriously important, that you read the headers of the chapters, so you know what day it is and whose perspective you are reading.

If you do this, it will not be confusing. If you don’t, good luck to ya!

But back to the actual review.

What follows is a good amount of Leigh’s story, including some background on her marriage to Mark. And just when you think you have a handle on the story and where the author may be going with it…

…we meet Kai.

It’s a jolt. It feels like the author is saying, “Oh no, that’s not the story you need to know. THIS one is!” And the more you read, the more you realize that is absolutely true.

But I guarantee you will not know why it is important to know Kai’s story in addition to Leigh’s.

Furthermore, you probably will not know how the two fit together (kudos to you if you figure it out).

Because this is one of the biggest mind-screw twists I have ever read in a book. And it occurs at only about one-third of the way through!

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There are red herrings, twists, assumptions…and more questions than you know are possible. Honestly, at one point or another, I expected pretty much every character in the book of being in on the plot. Even the 12-year-old.

There are two other notable things that I need to mention:

1) There is a lot of exposition and characters “thinking” about things. This makes for some long and drawn-out passages that drag the generally thrilling action.

However, you will definitely be missing character development and hidden clues that give you an idea of who is doing what and why they are doing it. So, you will sacrifice detail for speed. Just be warned.

2) The action takes place in March of 2020. Everybody knows the significance of the date in the real world. I know there has been much conversation in the book world about whether authors should use the pandemic in stories or if people would prefer to read plots that ignore it. I could go either way.

But the author uses the pending lockdowns as an excellent plot point. She doesn’t hit the reader over the head with “The pandemic is coming! The pandemic is coming!” Instead, she offhandedly mentions it, and it plays a bit part in the thrilling action toward the end.

The police are left hanging out to dry in the end. However, when you get to the very last page, you understand why the author chose to leave things as they are, and it all makes sense.

And frankly, you probably won’t see the end coming either.

By far, Woman Last Seen is one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. And it should be straight to the top of your TBR list!

Other thriller reviews for this author: Just My Luck; Lies, Lies, Lies

Social Links: Author Website
Instagram: @adele_parks
Twitter: @adeleparks
Facebook: @OfficialAdeleParks
Goodreads

Author Bio:

Adele Parks was born in Teesside, North-East England. Her first novel, Playing Away, was published in 2000 and since then she’s had 20 international bestsellers, translated into twenty-six languages. She’s been an Ambassador for The Reading Agency and a judge for the Costa. She’s lived in Italy, Botswana and London, and is now settled in Guildford, Surrey, with her husband, teenage son and cat.

January 30, 2022January 24, 2022

The Liz Taylor Ring-Review-Fiction-Available Now

With a clever title like The Liz Taylor Ring, it would be hard to go wrong. Fortunately, most of the book gets things very right.

Just like a past novel from this author (The Grace Kelly Dress), the author chooses a style icon from the past as the touchstone for the characters.

In the case of the Liz Taylor ring, the reference is to the whopper of a ring that Richard Burton gave Liz Taylor during one of their reconciliations. This parallels two of the characters (Lizzie and Ritchie) and their on-again/off-again romance.

It is safe to say that Lizzie and Ritchie have very little in common with Liz and Richard, but it is not for lack of trying. I don’t want to say more, because it would give away plot points.

The ring in question, and at the center of the entire plot, is an heirloom that each of Lizzie and Ritchie’s three kids (Addy, Nathan, and Courtney) knows about. But in clever plotting, each knows a different version of the story and what happened to the ring.

One unfortunate aspect of the book is that none of the three of them are particularly likable for a majority of the book. Addy is a controlling martyr, Nathan is a paranoid borderline narcissist, and Courtney…well, Courtney is the typical “youngest child total screw up.”

There is a lot of family history between these three. Unfortunately, the relationships between all of them are shaky. Because, you know, reasons.

All in all, there are times when it is a bit much. In a nutshell, Addy is too mean, Nathan is too “sidekick” and Courtney is too much of a mess.

Fortunately, there is a point where all three take a breath and the sibling relationships start to grow. I am just glad that I stuck with them because there are some truly beautiful family moments. Before we get to them, though, there’s just a lot of nastiness.

Now, I will give the author props for a few special details. For example, Ritchie is an addiction-level gambler. His two oldest kids, Addy and Nathan, are named for characters from “Guys and Dolls.”

Obviously, if you know the show, you know the connection. But if you don’t, the story centers around a gambling ring. Very clever.

Ultimately, The Liz Taylor Ring does focus on the importance of family ties and forgiveness. Not bad lessons to take to heart.

Social Links:
Twitter: @BrendaJanowitzr
Facebook: @BrendaJanowitz
Instagram: @brendajanowitzwriter

Author Bio:

Brenda attended Cornell University and Hofstra Law School, where she was a member of the Law Review. Upon graduation from Hofstra, worked for the law firm Kaye Scholer, LLP, and did a federal clerkship with the Honorable Marilyn Dolan Go, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

January 28, 2022January 19, 2022

The Commandant’s Daughter-Review-Historical Fiction-Available Now

The Commandant’s Daughter is not your typical historical fiction novel. So, this may not be a typical review.

Let me start my explanation by saying that I am a big fan of this author (see reviews: The Lost Mother, The Secretary, The Fortunate Ones, What Only We Know). I am always excited to see another book by her.

She has a talent for writing stories that make the reader think by exploring complicated situations and posing questions that bring a deeper understanding.

This is no exception.

At the heart is the story of Hanni (the commandant’s daughter in question), a young woman who is trying to follow a dream given to her when she was a child. She loves photography, and she is good at it.

There are just a few problems.

It is 1947. She’s a woman. Her mentor was a Jew. And her father is the Commandant of the title. Plus, he is one of the nastiest villains I can remember. And when one is talking about people who run concentration camps, that is saying a lot.

But there is more to the story than just Hanni trying to do better than her father while pursuing her passion.

Because there also happens to be a killer loose in the city. And he is taking care of people overlooked by the Nuremberg Trials. The officer who receives the case (Freddy) recognizes Hanni’s eye (through her camera) and they work together to catch the killer.

It is a thrilling, complicated, and thought-provoking story that had me turning pages.

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The descriptions of the casualness of some people even after the atrocities of the camps come to light are…well, illuminating. This was pure evil at work, and there were still people who tried to defend the actions of the men in charge.

This begs the natural question that haunts Hanni and Freddy: should a killer be stopped if that killer is ridding the world of evil men who were about to escape justice?

It makes you think about the moral and ethical implications.

Additionally, the author reflects on the laws in place to ostracize and marginalize Jews. As Freddy remembers it: “The measures were enshrined in the statutes…they were both just and justified.”

One can’t help but draw parallels to what is occurring in some countries even as I write this review. Staggering to think that the lessons of history have still not been learned.

That’s not to say that the book lectures or gets preachy, making connections between the past and present. It is solely in the past. And it is well-plotted and researched.

I liked everything about The Commandant’s Daughter. It is a unique entry in the historical fiction genre, and I highly recommend it.

Twitter: @cathokin

Author Bio:

I seem to have followed a rather meandering career, including marketing and teaching and politics (don’t try and join the dots), to get where I have always wanted to be, which is writing historical fiction. I am a story lover as well as a story writer and nothing fascinates me more than a strong female protagonist and a quest. Hopefully, those are what you will encounter when you pick up my books.

I am from the North of England but now live very happily in Glasgow with my American husband. Both my children have left home (one to London and one to Berlin) which may explain why I am finally writing. If I’m not at my desk you’ll most probably find me in the cinema, or just follow the sound of very loud music.

I’d love to hear from you and there are lots of ways you can find me.

January 25, 2022January 19, 2022

The New Girl-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The New Girl left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, there are some genuine jaw-dropping moments in the story. On the other, it wraps up in one of the strangest endings I can remember.

First the good.

The set-up is excellent. Sophie is the perfect foil. She ran home to her small town after a tragedy occurred while she was in college, but now that years have passed, she wants more than the town (and her long-term boyfriend) can give her.

She is very relatable in that regard.

Things look up for her when she finds her dream job, filled with people who take an interest in her. Everything is too good to be true.

Literally.

Even as Sophie falls into the spell of her new job and new friends, there are hints that not everything is as it seems. And when a blast from her past occurs, her life turns upside down.

**Buy link:**
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There are whispers of Sophie’s past woven throughout the story and as her past and present collide, the book really takes off.

Up to that point, I found myself very skeptical of…well, everything. I have “scam” or “unreliable” in my notes at least six times. There are points that I think Sophie should have also realized the convenience and obviousness. But she is so desperate to be successful that she is blind to the details.

Things do get complicated as Sophie starts to put the pieces together but ultimately everything becomes clear.

The one problem I have with the book is the climax and aftermath. After all of the buildup, it all happens in a hurry. I wish there had been more time spent on it. And the prologue seemed like a total afterthought. For me, it was awkward and did not fit with the story.

But I did enjoy the rest of the story and would recommend The New Girl for the masterful gaslighting that occurs throughout.

Other books by this author: The Wedding, I Know Your Secret

**Twitter: @RJ_Heald**
**Facebook: rjhealdauthor/**
**Instagram: @ruthheald**
**Website: https://ruthheald.com/**

Author Bio:

Ruth Heald is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers THE WEDDING, I KNOW YOUR SECRET, THE MOTHER’S MISTAKE and THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS, and the relationship drama 27: SIX FRIENDS, ONE YEAR.

Ruth studied Economics at Oxford University and then worked in an eclectic mix of sectors from nuclear decommissioning to management consulting. She worked at the BBC for nine years before leaving to write full time. Ruth is fascinated by psychology and finding out what drives people to violence, destruction and revenge. She’s married with two children. Her novels explore our greatest fears in otherwise ordinary, domestic lives.

January 24, 2022January 24, 2022

Southern Bombshell-Review-2nd Chance Romance-Available Now

Southern Bombshell by Jessica Peterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a serious love/hate reaction to Southern Bombshell. I love it because I love the family and the world they inhabit. Blue Mountain Farm, and the universe the author has created around it, is a place I want to visit (I think I have said that in past reviews, but it still holds true). More importantly, though, is that she has built a family so strong and resilient that they almost leap off the page in their realism. I also love that the stories sometimes run simultaneously with others from the series. For example, we know from past books that Millie and Nate had something going and it ended badly. Now we get to find out why. I have to get nitpicky to figure out what I didn’t like about the book – and I come up with Nate’s family not being as fleshed out as I would have liked. A bit more of his dad’s nastiness would have been good if only to savor the deliciousness of his downfall. But as I said, that’s being picky, because the whole book is just awesome. I especially liked the focus on June at the end.

Oh, and the hate part? Millie is the last of the Beauregard siblings, so it seems like this might be the end. Unless a few of the characters introduced in this story manage to get their own stories? Maybe a whole book for June? (Hint, hint).
View all my reviews

January 17, 2022January 9, 2022

The Ex-Husband-Review-Thriller-Available Now

In the thriller The Ex-Husband, a character states, “Secrets make liars of us all.” In the case of this book (which I hope I convey accurately in this review), there really are no truer words spoken.

Secrets also make everyone paranoid. Some for good reason.

The ex-husband in question is Sam, once married to Charlotte, who is the protagonist. The story unfolds solely from her perspective. After a prologue that details when their marriage was, for all intents and purposes, over, the action proceeds in alternating “then” and “now” chapters.

It is an effective story-telling method because the reader gets to see “in real-time” how much Sam had a hand in his own failures. Let’s just say a conman is always looking for his next con, and that can be in any part of his life.

Charlotte is aware of this in the “now,” but it is easy to see where she got pulled in and how he manipulated her. I’m not going to say anymore, because it really is best to read and discover on your own.

But somebody else is aware of what Sam (and Charlotte) were up to in the past – and they mean to make her pay for it. That’s where the “cat-and-mouse” aspect of the thriller comes in.

All this setup takes some time to relate, and there were a few times I wished the author would get to the point.

After finishing the book, I realized that the long set-up was necessary to build the tension. It would not have been nearly as effective if the author had sped it up. So, yeah, what do I know?

In effect, the author was setting up the long con for the reader as well as for Charlotte. I loved how the connections between characters were made, but the reader never really knew which ones were important, and which were coincidental.

Come to think of it, Charlotte didn’t either. Remember that point about liars being paranoid?

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Another thing I liked was how Charlotte would narrate what she was saying as true or untrue. That dwindled a bit in the later part of the book as the action took off. I wish it had been a bit more consistent later because I found it gave great insight to her character.

I’ve cruised a lot, and I know several people who have and still do work on cruise ships. Some of the things that the author mentions didn’t ring true to my knowledge. But I’m sure she did her research. Perhaps she is not referring to the bigger cruise lines? Not sure.

The section that details Charlotte’s job on a luxury yacht was especially entertaining, as I am a big fan of “Below Deck,” and I totally got that vibe. The opulence also provides a great contrast as she becomes more paranoid.

I also had a “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” feeling in a few parts. That’s all I’m going to say about it in this book review. Read it, and you’ll understand.

I very much enjoyed The Ex-Husband and would highly recommend this atmospheric, twisty thriller.

Another book review for this author: The Last Wife

Social Links:
Author Website
Twitter: @KJHAuthor
Facebook: @karenhamiltonwriter
Instagram: @karenhamiltonauthor
Goodreads

Author Bio:

Karen Hamilton spent her childhood in Angola, Zimbabwe, Belgium and Italy and worked as a flight attendant for many years. She has now put down roots in the UK to raise her three children with her husband and she also writes full time. Her books include The Perfect Girlfriend, The Last Wife, and The Ex-Husband, out January 2022.