Review: Keep You Close by Lucie Whitehouse

Keep You Close

by Lucie Whitehouse

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 368

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When the artist Marianne Glass falls to her death, everyone insists it was a tragic accident. Yet Rowan Winter, once her closest friend, suspects there is more to the story. Ever since she was young, Marianne had paralyzing vertigo. She would never have gone so close to the roof's edge.

Marianne -- and the whole Glass family -- once meant everything to Rowan. For a teenage girl, motherless with a much-absent father, this lively, intellectual household represented a world of glamour and opportunity.

But since their estrangement, Rowan knows only what the papers reported about Marianne's life: her swift ascent in the London art world, her much-scrutinized romance with her gallerist. If she wants to discover the truth about her death, Rowan needs to know more. Was Marianne in distress? In danger? And so she begins to seek clues -- in Marianne's latest work, her closest relationships, and her new friendship with an iconoclastic fellow artist.

But the deeper Rowan goes, the more sinister everything seems. And a secret in the past only she knows makes her worry about her own fate . . . 

Kritters Thoughts:  I read a lot of mystery thriller and it is becoming my favorite genre.  This book was a mystery thriller with a literary fiction foundation.  I say this because yes it had the who dun it, but that story sat on top of a story about two friends who kept a secret and how that secret destroyed their friendship.  

At times this book slowed down for me and it was hard to keep my focus on the book, but then something would happen and I would be back in the story.  It definitely had an ebb and flow and sometimes the flow was great and sometimes it was just so so.  I would only recommend this to mystery thriller fans who enjoy books that are on the wordy side; this one isn't one of those lighter mystery/thrillers, this one has depth.

I loved Rowan.  What a great character to get us into the story and through the story.  I loved that she was complicated and interesting.  I wouldn't mind hearing another story from her perspective.  

This is my first Lucie Whitehouse read, but I have some of her previous on my radar.  After reading this book I am even more excited to pick up her one from her backlist and dive in.



Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

June

by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

Publisher: Crown

Pages: 400

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Twenty-five-year-old Cassie Danvers is holed up in her family’s crumbling mansion in rural St. Jude, Ohio, mourning the loss of the woman who raised her—her grandmother, June. But a knock on the door forces her out of isolation. Cassie has been named the sole heir to legendary matinee idol Jack Montgomery's vast fortune. How did Jack Montgomery know her name? Could he have crossed paths with her grandmother all those years ago? What other shocking secrets could June’s once-stately mansion hold?

Soon Jack’s famous daughters come knocking, determined to wrestle Cassie away from the inheritance they feel is their due. Together, they all come to discover the true reasons for June’s silence about that long-ago summer, when Hollywood came to town, and June and Jack’s lives were forever altered by murder, blackmail, and betrayal. 


Kritters Thoughts:  An epic family drama that spans generations and is written in two time periods - the past is 1955 and Lindie and June are in Ohio as a Hollywood movie comes to town and the present is Cassie who has inherited her grandmother June's home and has escaped into this home to hide out and put her pieces back together.  

With dual narrative books, I rate them first on if I like both time periods because I don't want to enjoy one over the other or then I would just prefer a book set in that one time period.  A great dual narrative happens with the reader feels like they can't have one without the other - this one was not that kind.  I completely and utterly loved the 1955 storyline and could have enjoyed a book just set in that time period with that story.  I loved the small town that was overcome by Hollywood and seeing the mega stars interact with the townsfolk.  I didn't care for Cassie's story, it was the necessary part to drive the 1955 storyline, but it just was ok for me.

As I have read in other reviews after finishing the book, I agree that the secrets weren't great secrets, but they were fine for me.  I don't always mind when I find something out early, it doesn't completely ruin the story for me.

This was my first Miranda Beverly-Whittemore book and I am still intrigued to read Bittersweet.  Has anyone read both?  Do you like one over the other?


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: A House for Happy Mothers by Amulya Malladi

A House for Happy Mothers

by Amulya Malladi

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Pages: 301

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  In trendy Silicon Valley, Priya has everything she needs—a loving husband, a career, and a home—but the one thing she wants most is the child she’s unable to have. In a Southern Indian village, Asha doesn’t have much—raising two children in a tiny hut, she and her husband can barely keep a tin roof over their heads—but she wants a better education for her gifted son. Pressured by her family, Asha reluctantly checks into the Happy Mothers House: a baby farm where she can rent her only asset—her womb—to a childless couple overseas. To the dismay of friends and family, Priya places her faith in a woman she’s never met to make her dreams of motherhood come true.

Together, the two women discover the best and the worst that India’s rising surrogacy industry has to offer, bridging continents and cultures to bring a new life into the world—and renewed hope to each other.

Kritters Thoughts:  A woman who is half Indian and half American grows up in America and doesn't know much about her mother's heritage.  Her mother doesn't help much either to share her heritage with her daughter.  Her husband was born and raised Indian and his parents still live over in India.  They have tried many different ways to become parents and finally end up having to go the surrogate route, but not only do they go the surrogate route, they choose a surrogate from India to carry their child.  Asha is the woman who chooses to be the surrogate and get paid for carrying their child.  She has wishes and dreams for this money and wants to use it to better the life of her family, but there are definitely some reservations for earning money this way; at least in her mind.

First, I found this book to be informative and interesting.  I don't know much about the world of surrogacy and even international at that.  Having chapters and portions of the book from Asha's mind made the book feel even deeper than usual as we get her viewpoint of "renting" out her womb and being paid to carry a child for complete strangers.  I loved seeing the "issue" of surrogacy from both sides of the coin and seeing both the good and bad of it.  

In the end, I loved how Priya was able to connect with Asha and made her feel more than just an oven for the bun.  I wish that each woman who chooses to be a surrogate gets the experience that Asha does with a relationship with the parents and a full experience of doing something for someone that they couldn't do for themselves.

I am a fan of this one and will be pushing it on others for a good, interesting read.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Berkley NAL.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Forever Beach by Shelley Noble

Forever Beach

by Shelley Noble

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 416

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  
Two women…
One little girl…
Can they forgive the past in order to ensure the future of an innocent child…?

Once a foster child herself, Sarah Hargreave can’t wait to finalize the adoption of her foster daughter Leila. Sarah longs to give her all the love and stability she was denied in her own childhood. She’s put her own friendships and even her relationship with Wyatt, her longtime lover, on hold in order to give Leila her full attention. 

When Leila’s biological mother suddenly reappears and petitions the court for the return of her daughter, Sarah is terrified she’ll lose the little girl she’s come to love as her own. Convinced the mother is still addicted to drugs, Sarah and her social worker enlist the help of high profile family lawyer, Ilona Cartwright. But when they meet, Sarah recognizes her as Nonie Blanchard who grew up in the same group foster home as Sarah. They’d promised to be best friends forever, then Nonie was adopted by a wealthy family, and Sarah never heard from her again. Sarah still hurts from the betrayal. But Nonie harbors her own resentment toward Sarah who she believes abandoned her when she needed her most.

Mistrustful of each other, the two women form a tenuous alliance to ensure Leila’s future, but when Leila’s very survival is on the line, they’ll have to come to terms with their own feelings of hurt and rejection to save the child they both have come to love.

Kritters Thoughts:  Women can be friends and be the biggest support system for each other and this book reminded me that at moments no one else is a better call when you need to vent or an opinion!  Sarah, Reesa, Ilona and Karen are all interconnected and each needs something from someone else in their group.  I loved reading women supporting women.

The other big thing this book taught me was the ins and outs of foster care.  I don't know that I had ever read a book that dealt solely on foster care and not adoption.  From both the perspective of the soon to be mother with a daughter from foster care to the woman who works as a caseworker "in the system."  I loved reading both sides of the coin as a woman is trying to get her daughter out of the system and the caseworker who is trying her hardest to keep her life and job going forward.

I have now read four Shelley Noble books and have rated them 4 stars or above, so I am officially a Shelley Noble fan and need to read her backlist and at the same time can't wait for what comes next!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

What a sad week and weekend of reading.  A rough week at home - dog at emergency vet and rough week at work - its busy and can't tell you why!  AND a busy weekend - Nationals baseball game and a LulaRoe party.  SO not a lot of reading occurred!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan
Forever Beach by Shelley Noble

Currently Reading:

A House for Happy Mothers by Amulya Malladi

Next on the TBR pile:
June by Miranda Beverly Whitemore

Review: By the Numbers by Jen Lancaster

By the Numbers

by Jen Lancaster

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 304

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Actuary Penny Sinclair has a head for business, and she always makes rational decisions. Knowing that 60% of spouses cheat and 50% of marriages end in divorce, she wasn't too surprised when her husband had an affair. (That he did so with a woman their daughter's age? Well, that part did sting a bit.) She just made sure she got everything in the divorce, including their lovely old Victorian house. And as soon as her middle daughter has her hipster-fabulous wedding in the backyard, she's trading it in for a condo in downtown Chicago...

Well within the average market time in her area, Penny gets an offer on the house. But then life happens. Her children, her parents and her ex come flying back to the nest, all in need of Penny's emotional and financial support. Spread thin, Penny becomes the poster child for the sandwich generation, when all she really wanted to do was make managing director, buy a white couch, and maybe go on a Match.com date...

Kritters Thoughts:  I love Jen Lancaster.  I love her memoir style books.  After reading this book, I have read two out of the four fiction books that she has written and so far I am a fan of her fiction too!

Penny Sinclair is now a divorced mother of three children who have all left her in an empty nest.  They have all come home for the wedding of one of her daughters and when the gang gets back together - drama ensues!  Not only do the children return, but her ex husband returns with his new much younger lady.

I loved this book.  I loved how it included stories from the past in an interesting way, they were woven into the main story in just the right way.  

Jen Lancaster just knows how to write.  I like how she creates her characters and then how they interact, sometimes it feels so real that it makes me want to befriend or even kick some of them!  I love the predicaments that Jen Lancaster gets her characters in and out of.  

I need to move the other fiction by Jen Lancaster up my TBR pile!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Berkley NAL.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan

Sleepless in Manhattan

by Sarah Morgan

Publisher: MIRA

Pages: 464

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Cool, calm and competent, events planner Paige Walker loves a challenge. After a childhood spent in and out of hospitals, she’s now determined to prove herself—and where better to take the world by storm than in the exhilarating bustle of Manhattan? But when Paige is let go from the job she loves, she must face her biggest challenge of all—going it alone.

Except launching her own events company is nothing compared to hiding her outrageous crush on Jake Romano—her brother’s best friend, New York’s most in-demand date and the only man to break her heart. When Jake offers Paige’s fledgling company their big chance, their still-sizzling chemistry starts giving her sleepless nights. But can she convince the man who trusts no one to take a chance on forever?

Kritters Thoughts:  The first full book in the series, but the second story from this "world", but it is based on a different character than the first book.  Paige Walker makes a brief appearance in the novella in the first book and she is the focus of this book.  She thinks she is headed for a promotion and instead her and her two friends are laid off from an event planning company - where she actually loved her job, maybe not her boss, but at least the job.  After a moment to breath and take in the news, she decides to open her own company and with the help of her friends, her brother and a long time crush business is open and love may be in the air!

Like all romance books, this one can be predicted from page one and as I have said before that is just fine with me!  I don't mind that I knew where we would end up at the end, but the journey is always fun and enjoyable.  

Of course, I have to say that this book definitely included some sexy times, but they fit in the story and didn't overtake the plot.  Read this book for the plot and skim over the sexy times if they aren't your cup of tea!

I loved this book so much more than novella and because of this am excited to continue with this series and will follow and read along as they come out.  I am hooked!  


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel (and there will be one!)

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Midnight at Tiffany's by Sarah Morgan

Midnight at Tiffany's

by Sarah Morgan

Publisher: MIRA

Pages: 81

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Matilda is a New York waitress by day, but an aspiring author by night – and she loves to write about kickass heroines!

So when she meets gorgeous millionaire Chase Adams, she decides to channel them and act on their sizzling attraction! One magical night later, she's living the dream, but will a trip to Tiffany's make it a reality?

Kritters Thoughts: A romance novella that was a kick off for a series.  I will review book one in the series tomorrow.

First let me say that I went into this book knowing that it was a novella and the pages would be limited.  Let me also preface that I love a good romance and don't read them often because I like them in small doses, a romance here and there.  

I did not love this one.  I hear the term often in Young Adult reviews - instalove, but it doesn't happen to me often in my reading - it did in this book.  I sneezed and these two hoped in bed and spoiler were talking marriage.  I did love how they met and their first date, but I wish the author had used more pages and maybe bumped it out of novella status and created a fuller story.  I did enjoy meeting these characters before book one takes off, but this could have been book one and been a full story on its own.

I did continue with the series and you will see a review for book one, spoiler, I loved it!



Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2016 Challenge: 15 out of 50

Review: Flight Patterns by Karen White

Flight Patterns

by Karen White

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 416

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Georgia Chambers has spent her life sifting through other people’s pasts while trying to forget her own. But then her work as an expert of fine china—especially of Limoges—requires her to return to the one place she swore she’d never revisit...

It’s been thirteen years since Georgia left her family home on the coast of Florida, and nothing much has changed, except that there are fewer oysters and more tourists. She finds solace seeing her grandfather still toiling away in the apiary where she spent much of her childhood, but encountering her estranged mother and sister leaves her rattled. 

Seeing them after all this time makes Georgia realize that something has been missing—and unless she finds a way to heal these rifts, she will forever be living vicariously through other people’s remnants. To embrace her own life—mistakes and all—she will have to find the courage to confront the ghosts of her past and the secrets she was forced to keep...


Kritters Thoughts:  Georgia Chambers fled from home 10 years ago for a reason that the reader is left to find out.  She is having to return home for work and her work reason will turn very personal.  

First, I enjoyed this book, I just didn't love it.  Rarely do I say this, but I felt as though this story could have been told in fewer pages.  There were moments toward the middle where the story just kind of puttered and I wanted some action to take place to move things forward.  The second half really picked up once the reader was made aware of all the secrets and the characters were learnings things too, but with the slowness of the middle I just couldn't completely love this one. 

This is actually my first Karen White read and I own a few of her previous and I am definitely intrigued to read another to see if I just don't love her pacing or if this book is different from the others.  Have you read Karen White?  Which is your favorite?  Where should I start with her backlist?


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Penguin Random House.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford

Radio Girls

by Sarah-Jane Stratford

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 384

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  London, 1926. American-raised Maisie Musgrave is thrilled to land a job as a secretary at the upstart British Broadcasting Corporation, whose use of radio—still new, strange, and electrifying—is captivating the nation. But the hectic pace, smart young staff, and intimidating bosses only add to Maisie’s insecurity. 

Soon, she is seduced by the work—gaining confidence as she arranges broadcasts by the most famous writers, scientists, and politicians in Britain. She is also caught up in a growing conflict between her two bosses, John Reith, the formidable Director-General of the BBC, and Hilda Matheson, the extraordinary director of the hugely popular Talks programming, who each have very different visions of what radio should be. Under Hilda’s tutelage, Maisie discovers her talent, passion, and ambition. But when she unearths a shocking conspiracy, she and Hilda join forces to make their voices heard both on and off the air…and then face the dangerous consequences of telling the truth for a living.

Kritters Thoughts:  A different look at a time and place that is written about often.  London is on the cusp of World War II and radio is on the cusp of popularity.  Maisie gets in on the ground floor of the BBC at the beginning and works her way up in the Talks department.  At the same time London is seeing women's fight for the right to vote and seeing some opposition to the way business and politics have been going for years and years.

There were two main things that really attracted me about this book - the time in history and the location, meaning the BBC and the radio world.  I love books that take place when is before a big point in history, in this case right before the second World War and the reader knows what is coming in the background history wise and the characters may have no clue.  I also loved the "world" this set in, the beginnings of radio and BBC and seeing women have an opportunity at this time to hold powerful positions and make impacts on their communities.  This book reminded me that women were making an impact in the career and home, but still not eligible to vote - boggles the mind!

I am a historical fiction fan and read many of them, but this one felt unique.  I am excited to see what comes next from Sarah-Jane Stratford and am adding her to my historical fiction authors to watch list.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Berkley NAL.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

With a holiday Monday, a quiet work week and a quiet weekend, I got quite the reading done!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax
Flight Patterns by Karen White
Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford
By the Numbers by Jen Lancaster
Midnight at Tiffany's by Sarah Morgan

Currently Reading:

Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan

Next on the TBR pile:
Forever Beach by Shelley Noble

Review: Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax

Sunshine Beach

by Wendy Wax

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 432

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  There’s nothing that a fresh coat of paint and a few glasses of wine can’t fix…
 
After losing their life savings in a Ponzi scheme, Maddie, Avery, and Nikki have banded together to make the most of what they have left, using their determination, ingenuity, guts, and a large dose of elbow grease. It’s Maddie’s daughter Kyra who stumbles across a once glorious beachfront hotel that has fallen into disrepair. The opportunity to renovate this seaside jewel is too good to pass up—especially when they come up with the idea of shooting their own independent television show about the restoration. What could possibly go wrong?
 
Everything. With the cameras rolling, Maddie’s second-chance romance with her all-too-famous new boyfriend gets complicated, Avery struggles with grief over the loss of her mother, and Nikki’s reluctance to commit to the man who loves her could leave her to face the biggest challenge of her life. Even the hotel seems to be against them, when their renovation uncovers a decades-old unsolved murder which just might bring their lives tumbling down all over again…

Kritters Thoughts:  The fourth in a series that I actually started reading halfway through, which I don't normally do!  

There are four main characters who in each book have tackled a big DIY renovation while also dealing with drama and tragedies in their lives - the big thing that makes this book unique to other books that center around female friendships is that this one has ladies from different ages and it is cool to see the mentoring that can happen if females trust the wisdom of others both younger and older than them.

I haven't read book one or two in this series and definitely want to go back and read them and see where this series started.  I wouldn't recommend starting midway, I think there are things that I am missing, but started book 3 without knowing this was a series.  

I think readers of all ages would love this story and would find a character that resonates with them and be able to hold on to them throughout the series.  I hope there are many more books to come in this series, one each summer!



Rating: perfect beach read

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Berkley NAL.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.