PLBR Book Reviews 2018 - ELLES BOOK BLOG

ELLES BOOK BLOG

MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST BY TRACI WILTON

7/30/2019

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost is an enjoyable paranormal cozy mystery. I am anxious for the next book in the series based off of this one!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: July 30, 2019
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: A Salem B&B Mystery #1
Pages: 336 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

Charlene Morris knew Salem, Massachusetts had a spooky reputation. But when she decided to open her B&B there, she expected guests—not ghosts…

A grieving young widow, Charlene needed a new start—so she bought a historic mansion, sight unseen, and drove from Chicago to New England to start turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. On her first night in the house, she awakens to find a handsome man with startling blue eyes in her bedroom. Terror turns to utter disbelief when he politely introduces himself as Jack Strathmore—and explains that he used to live here—when he was alive. He firmly believes that someone pushed him down the stairs three years ago, and he won’t be able to leave until someone figures out who. If Charlene wants to get her business up and running in time for the Halloween tourist rush, and get this haunting houseguest out of the way, she’ll have to investigate. Though truth be told, this ghost is starting to grow on her . . .

THE SILENT PATIENT BY ALEX MICHAELIDES

7/26/2019

The Silent Patient is Alex Michaelides debut novel and it's one I won't forget! What a thrilling ride! Shock after shock, twists and turns you won't see coming, and so much intrigue is what pushes this novel into a league of it's own.

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Genre: Thriller. Suspense.
Series: None. Standalone.
Pages: 297 pages
Format: Hardcover. Purchased.

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

YOU'VE BEEN VOLUNTEERED BY LAURIE GELMAN

7/23/2019

I genuinely hope Laurie Gelman continues to writes books, especially in this series! The Class Mom books are funny, engaging, and perfect for those who love sarcasm!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: June 23, 2019
Genre: Chick Lit. Humor.
Series: Class Mom #2
Pages: 268 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

In the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Laurie Gelman’s "irreverent and hilarious" (The New York Post) hit Class Mom, brash, lovable Jen Dixon is back with a new class and her work cut out for her

If you’ve ever been a room parent or school volunteer, Jen Dixon is your hero. She says what every class mom is really thinking, whether in her notoriously frank emails or standup-worthy interactions with the micromanaging PTA President and the gamut of difficult parents. Luckily, she has the charm and wit to get away with it—most of the time. Jen is sassier than ever but dealing with a whole new set of challenges, in the world of parental politics and at home.

She’s been roped into room-parenting yet again, for her son Max’s third grade class, but as her husband buries himself in work, her older daughters navigate adulthood, and Jen’s own aging parents start to need some parenting themselves, Jen gets pulled in

LEVEL UP BY S.M. SHADE

7/21/2019

Level Up is another hilarious romantic comedy from S.M. Shade! This is the 5th book in the series but can stand completely on it's own! I recommend this book and all the others!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: June 21, 2019
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Series: Violent Circle #5 (can stand alone)
Pages: 222 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

It's hard to believe it's almost over.

After three years of living in the wildest apartment in the craziest neighborhood, the clock is ticking down.

College is ending.

My friends and I, known around Violent Circle as the Frat Hell Guys, have managed to make it to graduation without a major injury or arrest record. It was a close call.

My career path as a video game designer is laid out clearly before me, but I have one more objective to achieve before the school year is over; show the beautiful, stubborn, infuriating woman I’m in love with that she’s mine.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

THE TRUTH ABOUT HEARTBREAK BY B. CELESTE

7/20/2019

The Truth about Heartbreak has all the workings for an awesome read. However, it fell really flat in areas that should have been really important.

Rating: ★★
Release Date: June 1, 2019
Genre: Forbidden Romance
Series: Standalone
Pages: 484 pages
Format: eBook. Borrowed from KU

Forbidden Romance - Check.
Cheating - Check.
Brother's Best Friend - Check.
Angst - Check.

BLURB

I fell in love with him when I was thirteen years old.

He was older, mysterious, and unattainable. The guy I could never touch.

Then one night changed everything for us. But there was one huge problem.

He belonged to her.

THE PERFECT COUPLE BY ELIN HILDERBRAND

7/18/2019

A women's fiction, domestic drama, and who-dun-it all rolled into one! The Perfect Couple is the PERFECT beach read. I devoured this one from start to finish. I highly recommend it.

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: June 19, 2018
Genre: Women's Fiction
Series: Standalone
Pages: 480 pages
Format: Paperback. Purchased.

It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate.

But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect. Featuring beloved characters from The Castaways, Beautiful Day, and A Summer Affair, The Perfect Couple proves once again that Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of the summer beach read.

THE ME I USED TO BE BY JENNIFER RYAN

7/17/2019

The Me I Used to Be is an intriguing and original novel by Jennifer Ryan and I enjoyed it immensely. I recommend this one to those looking for a book with a bit of mystery!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: July 2, 2019
Genre: Women's Fiction
Series: None. Standalone.
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback. ARC.

In New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s bold new novel, Evangeline Austen returns to her family’s sprawling Napa Valley ranch, determined to rebuild her life and expose the shocking truth about the past.

She’s not the naïve girl she used to be…

After serving time for a crime she didn’t commit, Evangeline returns home to a cold welcome. Her mother blames her for her father’s death, and her brothers want her out of their way. When Evangeline learns she’s solely responsible for their failing ranch—putting her family’s future squarely on her shoulders—she’ll have to find a creative way to save their home before they lose it all.

She’ll have her reckoning...

Her only ally: the cop who sent her away. Chris Chambers is

WRITTEN WITH REGRET BY ALY MARTINEZ

7/14/2019

Written with Regret is the first book in the emotional and angsty Regret duet. These books have a little suspense and a huge twist you won't see coming! I recommend it (them).

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: May 23, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance.
Series: The Regret Duet #1
Pages: 234 pages
Format: eBook. Borrowed with KU.

Every little girl dreams of the fairytale. The one where the white knight rushes in to save her from the clutches of evil. They fall in love, have babies, and live happily ever after.

By that definition, my life should have been a fairytale too.

When I was eight years old, Caven Hunt saved me from the worst kind of evil to walk the Earth. It didn’t matter that I was a kid. I fell in love with him all the same.

But that was where my fairytale ended.

Years later, a one-night stand during the darkest time imaginable gave us a little girl. It was nothing compared to the pitch black that consumed me when I was forced to leave her with Caven for good.

At the end of every fairytale, the happily-ever-after is the one thing

MURDER ON CAPE COD BY MADDIE DAY

7/12/2019

I purchased this book on a whim wile visiting my local barnes&noble. At first I didn't realize it wouldn't be available at other retailers until the end of the year, so I would have waited to review it until then. However, since it is available I am going ahead and writing my review so those who want a copy can order theirs on B&N if they choose. It's a very good read!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: Available on B&N. Amazon on Dec. 31
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery #1
Pages: 304 pages
Format: Paperback. Purchased.

Cape Cod bicycle shop owner Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida and her book club must find a crafty killer in this charming new series from the Agatha-nominated author of the Country Store Mystery series!

A Cape Cod shop owner and her book club must find a crafty killer in this charming new series from the Agatha-nominated author of the Country Store Mystery series.

Summer is busy season for Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida's bicycle shop, nestled in the quaint, seaside hamlet of Westham, Massachusetts. She's expecting an influx of tourists at Mac's Bikes; instead she discovers the body of Jake Lacey. Mac can't imagine anyone stabbing the down-on-his-luck handyman. However, the authorities seem to think Mac is a strong suspect after she was spotted arguing with Jake just hours before his death. Mac knows she didn't do it, but she does recognize the weapon--her brother Derrick's fishing knife.

A RAINBOW ABOVE US BY SHARON SALA

7/9/2019

Sharon Sala is my go to author for sweet, small town romances. A Rainbow Above us is her latest release and what a charming read it is! I adored it so much. I can't wait for more!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Genre: Sweet (clean) Romance. Small town/southern.
Series: Blessings, Georgia #8 (can stand alone)
Pages: 352 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

What will it take to bring people together?

Hurricane Fanny left no one in Blessings, Georgia unscathed--including Rowan Harper, the only surviving member of her family. Rebuilding her life now seems almost impossible.

Bowie James comes back to help repair his grandmother's house, but he doesn't intend to stay long. He and his mother were forced out of Blessings a decade ago, and he's neither forgiven nor forgotten those responsible.

But Rowan is kindhearted, beautiful, and lost, and Bowie discovers that he can entrust her with his deepest secrets. If only their love could bring hope and healing to everyone around them, maybe they'd be willing to give it a chance...

THE FRIENDS WE KEEP BY JANE GREEN

7/6/2019

Jane Green has written plenty of books in her time and each one her stories make me smile. This is a beautiful women's fiction novel about friendship and time. I recommend it.

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Genre: Women's Fiction
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 384 pages
Format: eBook. ARC received from publisher.

The Friends We Keep is the heartwarming and unforgettable new novel from Jane Green, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sunshine Sisters and The Beach House.

Evvie, Maggie, and Topher have known one another since college. Their friendship was something they swore would last forever. Now years have passed, the friends have drifted apart, and they never found the lives they wanted—the lives they dreamed of when they were young and everything seemed possible.

Evvie starved herself to become a supermodel but derailed her career by sleeping with a married man.

Maggie married Ben, the boy she fell in love with in college, never imagining the heartbreak his drinking would cause.

Topher became a successful actor, but the shame of a childhood secret shut him off from real intimacy.

THE DAY SHE CRIED BY K. WEBSTER

7/4/2019

The Day She Cried is an emotional bully romance. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. I felt some things too rushed and would have liked them to be explored more.

Rating: ★★★
Release Date: October 17, 2017
Genre: YA Bully Romance
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 286 pages
Format: eBook. Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.

She was my first love.
She was my first hate.
The very sun in my world tried to burn me alive with her lies and cruelty.
Until I dimmed her light for good…
Or so I thought.

Now she’s back.
Cracked. Broken. Lost.
And for the first time in a long time, I feel free.
Free from our past. Free from my present that suffocates me. Free to destroy her future.

Her misery is my music.
Thrilling. Invigorating. Intoxicating.

For so long, all I’ve done is hate her.
So why do I love her?

IMPERFECT MATCH BY CORINNE MICHAELS AND MELANIE HARLOW

7/1/2019

Imperfect Match is a pleasant, lighthearted, friends-to-lovers romance with a lot of heart! I really enjoyed this collaboration between Corrine Michaels and Melanie Harlow.

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: April 26, 2019
Genre: Friends-to-Lovers Romance
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 255 pages
Format: eBook. Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.

Rule number one for a professional matchmaker?

Don’t fall in love with your client.

I screwed that up when I fell for my best friend, Reid Fortino. He’s gorgeous, successful, and sexy as hell. I figured it would be easy to find him a match—and save the family business at the same time.

But the more time I spend attempting to find the perfect girl, the more I realize how much I want him for my own. What’s the harm if we give in for just one night?

I should have known that would never be enough.

Now I’m on the verge of losing my job and my heart.

We were an imperfect match from the start, but I don’t know how to let him go.

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