PLBR Book Reviews 2018 - ELLES BOOK BLOG

ELLES BOOK BLOG

THE WAY BACK TO YOU BY SHARON SALA

12/31/2019

Once again, Sharon Sala writes a beautiful and heartfelt romance for readers to enjoy! I adore this series and hope it's one that never ends.

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: December 31, 2019
Genre: Small town, southern romance (wholesome)
Series: Blessings, Georgia #9
Pages: 352 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

"Sharon Sala's Blessings, Georgia series is filled with unforgettable charm and delight!"—ROBYN CARR

What do you do when your whole life is turned upside down?

Sully Raines sets out to find his birth mother, and ends up in Blessings, Georgia. A new surprise awaits him here, but of the best kind―his childhood sweetheart, whom he hasn't seen since she moved away when they were teens, is living in Blessings now. He's not sure she's as happy to see him as he is to see her, but it's been a lot of years, and a lot of water under the bridge...

Sully's heartfelt search for answers about his past might just turn out to be the key to his future..

Praise for Sharon Sala:
"Sharon Sala is a consummate storyteller. Her skills shine in her Blessings, Georgia series. If you can stop reading then you're a better woman than me."--DEBBIE MACOMBER,

THE WIVES BY TARRYN FISHER

12/29/2019

Tarryn Fisher has written a mind twist with, The Wives! I gobbled this one up and never wanted to put it down! If you're a psychological thriller fan, grab this book!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: December 30, 2019
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Series: None. Complete Standalone.
Pages: 336 pages
Format: Paperback. ARC.

New York Times bestselling author Tarryn Fisher delivers a pulse-pounding, fast-paced suspense novel that will leave you breathless. A thriller you won’t be able to put down!

“You’ll have whiplash until the very end.”--New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover

Thursday’s husband, Seth, has two other wives. She’s never met them, and she doesn’t know anything about them. She agreed to this unusual arrangement because she’s so crazy about him.

But one day, she finds something. Something that tells a very different—and horrifying—story about the man she married.

What follows is one of the most twisted, shocking thrillers you’ll ever read.

FOE BY IAIN REID

12/26/2019

Foe is another mind bending thriller with an epic twist many readers won't see coming. I love his books and cannot wait to see what sort of book he writes next.

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Genre: Psychological Thriller (ish)
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 273 pages
Format: Paperback. Purchased.

We don’t get visitors. Not out here. We never have.

In Iain Reid’s second haunting, philosophical puzzle of a novel, set in the near-future, Junior and Henrietta live a comfortable, solitary life on their farm, far from the city lights, but in close quarters with each other. One day, a stranger from the city arrives with alarming news: Junior has been randomly selected to travel far away from the farm...very far away. The most unusual part? Arrangements have already been made so that when he leaves, Henrietta won't have a chance to miss him, because she won't be left alone—not even for a moment. Henrietta will have company. Familiar company.

Told in Reid’s sharp and evocative style, Foe examines the nature of domestic relationships, self-determination, and what it means to be (or not to be) a person. An eerily entrancing page-turner, it churns with unease and suspense from the first words to its shocking finale.

SLEEP LIKE A BABY BY CHARLAINE HARRIS

12/26/2019

I really love this series and I hope Charlaine Harris continues to write Aurora's books but this one felt a little drab. I wish Aurora would be a little more upbeat.

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Aurora Teagarden mystery #10
Pages: 320 pages
Format: Paperback. Purchased.

In Sleep Like a Baby, the next installment of the #1 New York Times Bestselling Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden series, Robin and Aurora have finally begun their adventure in parenting.

With newborn Sophie proving to be quite a handful, Roe’s mother pays for a partially trained nurse, Virginia Mitchell, to come help the new parents for a few weeks. Virginia proves to be especially helpful when Robin has to leave town for work and Roe is struck with a bad case of the flu.

One particularly stormy night, Roe wakes to hear her daughter crying and Virginia nowhere to be found. Roe's brother Philip helps her search the house and they happen upon a body outside… but it isn’t Virginia’s. Now, not only does she have a newborn to care for and a vulnerable new marriage to nurture, Roe also has to contend with a new puzzle -- who is this mystery woman dead in their backyard, and what happened to Virginia? This heart-pounding

25 DAYS 'TILL CHRISTMAS BY POPPY ALEXANDER

12/24/2019

25 Days 'till Christmas is an amazing debut by Poppy Alexander and I am looking forward to many more of her books in the future. I recommend this one during the holiday season!

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: October 8, 2019
Genre: Holiday Chick Lit.
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 348 pages
Format: Paperback. Purchased.

In this heartwarming, feel-good holiday novel, one woman needs to find a little inspiration in the 25 days leading up to Christmas to help her remember the magic of the season and the magic of falling in love—perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan and Josie Silver.

Kate Potter used to love Christmas. A few years ago, she would have been wrapping her presents in September and baking mince pies on Halloween, counting down the days and hours to Christmas. But that was before Kate’s husband left for the army and never came home. Now she can hardly stand December at all.

Kate can’t deny she’s lonely, yet she doesn’t think she’s ready for romance. She knows that her son, Jack, needs a Christmas to remember—just like Kate needs a miracle to help her finally move forward with her life. So she’s decided if there isn’t a miracle on its way, she’ll just have to make her own.

'TWAS THE KNIFE BEFORE CHRISTMAS BY JACQUELINE FROST

12/22/2019

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas is the second book in the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series! I found this book to be festive and fun just like the first book.

Rating: ★★★★
Release Date: November 13, 2018
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Christmas Tree Farm mystery series #2
Pages: 320 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

It’s out of the cupcake tin, into the fire for Holly White’s best friend, Caroline. Can Holly clear Caroline’s name in time to go caroling?

When a body turns up in a larger-than-life candy bowl filled with peppermints on the town square, Holly White is horrified to learn her best friend Caroline is the main suspect. Everyone in town, including Mistletoe, Maine’s sheriff, saw Caroline fighting with the victim on the night of his death. Worse, a custom kitchen knife, engraved with Caroline's initials was found with him.

Now, just ten days before Christmas, Holly’s up to her jingle bells in holiday shenanigans and in desperate need of a miracle. Juggling extra shifts at her family’s Christmas tree farm and making enough gingerbread jewelry to satisfy the crowd is already more than she can handle―and now she has to find time to clear her best friend of murder. Add in her budding relationship with the sheriff, and a personal stalker dressed as Santa Claus, and Holly’s ready to fly south until springtime.

CLARA AT CHRISTMAS BY LACEY LONDON

12/20/2019

If you're a fan of Sophie Kinsella or Lindsey Kelk you won't want to miss the Clara Andrews series! This is probably the closest I have gotten to finding a series like the beloved Shopaholic and I Heart series. I recommend this series to chick lit fans!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: October 16, 2015
Genre: Chick Lit
Series: Clara Andrews series #4 (read in order)
Pages: 171 pages
Format: eBook. Purchased.

With snowflakes falling and fairy lights twinkling brightly, it can only mean one thing - Christmas will be very soon upon us.

With just twenty five days to go until the big day, Clara finds herself dealing with more than just the usual festive stresses.

Plans to host the perfect Christmas Day for her American in laws are ambushed by her BFF’s clichéd meltdown at turning thirty.

With a best friend on the verge of a mid life crisis, putting Christmas dinner on the table isn’t the only thing Clara has got to worry about this year.

Taking on the role of Best Friend/Therapist, Head Chef and Party Planner is much harder than Clara had anticipated.

With the clock ticking, can Clara pull things together - or will Christmas Day turn out to be the December disaster that she is so desperate to avoid?

TWELVE SLAYS OF CHRISTMAS BY JACQUELINE FROST

12/20/2019

Twelve Slays of Christmas is a fun and festive read! This is the first book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series and I cannot wait for more books! I highly recommend it.

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: October 10, 2017
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #1
Pages: 320 pages
Format: eBook. Purchased.

When Holly White’s fiancé cancels their Christmas Eve wedding with less than two weeks to go, Holly heads home with a broken heart. Lucky for her, home in historic Mistletoe, Maine is magical during Christmastime—exactly what the doctor prescribed. Except her plan to drown her troubles in peppermints and snickerdoodles is upended when local grouch and president of the Mistletoe Historical Society Margaret Fenwick is bludgeoned and left in the sleigh display at Reindeer Games, Holly’s family tree farm.

When the murder weapon is revealed as one of the wooden stakes used to identify trees on the farm, Sheriff Evan Grey turns to Holly’s father, Bud, and the Reindeer Games staff. And it doesn’t help that Bud and the reindeer keeper were each seen arguing with Margaret just before her death. But Holly knows her father, and is determined to exonerate him.The jingle bells are ringing, the clock is ticking, and if Holly doesn't watch out, she'll end up on

THE BOSS WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS BY JANA ASTON

12/18/2019

The Boss Who Stole Christmas is the first novella in the Reindeer Falls series. While I thought the book was cute and festive it didn't really live up to my expectations.

Rating: ★★★
Release Date: November 7, 2019
Genre: Holiday romance novella
Series: The Reindeer Falls series #1(can stand alone)
Pages: 100 pages
Format: eBook. Purchased.

Dear Santa,

Please bring me a new boss for Christmas. Mine is the worst. The worst, hidden in a six foot tall package of male perfection. It’d be easier if he looked like an old Scrooge, wouldn’t it?

Nick Saint-Croix doesn’t look like an old scrooge. He’s hot as-

Um, never mind. Just bring me a new boss. Please.

Sincerely,
Holly Winter

Warning:
Reindeer Falls is more naughty than nice. They're over-the-top Christmas with merrily-ever-afters guaranteed. These stories are novella length for quick holiday binging. Enjoy!

LANDON & SHAY (PART 2) BY BRITTAINY C. CHERRY

12/16/2019

This is the stunning conclusion to the Landon & Shay duet! Please note, these two books must be read in order! If you love realistic and emotional romances you won't want to miss this duet.

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: December 4, 2019
Genre: Emotional Romance
Series: The L&S Duet #2
Pages: 338 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

Once upon a time, I fell in love with a boy.
A beautiful, broken boy who had his own world of struggles.

People warned me against our love, but I didn't listen.
We looked weak.
Young, foolish.
Dangerously in love.
We didn't care.

In order to keep our hearts protected from the opinions of others, we became each other’s secret.
We shared stolen moments. Tender touches. Secretive embraces.

It was our twisted love story, and it worked for us up until our lives changed forever.

The boy I loved became Hollywood’s newest golden boy.

NEVER ENOUGH BY KELLY ELLIOT (REVIEW + GIVEAWAY)

12/15/2019

Never Enough by Kelly Elliot is the first book in a brand new series. I adored this one! It's angsty, but light. Romantic, swoony, and so many other things as well! I can't wait for the next one.

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: Western Romance
Series: Meet Me in Montana #1
Pages: 315 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Cowboys and Angels series comes an intricate romance that asks the question, Can love heal the pain of the past?

Longing to forget the pain of his wife’s death, Brock Shaw has immersed himself in the one thing that lets him escape the guilt. Bull riding. But life on the road means leaving his young son at home with his parents. They want him to give up his career and be a father to his child, but Brock needs the adrenaline to get through each day…or so he thinks.

Lincoln Pratt needs a fresh start. As a top interior designer in Atlanta, she has everything she could ever want, but she’s always at her father’s mercy. Something’s missing, and Lincoln knows she’ll only find it somewhere far away—like the rolling pastures of Hamilton, Montana, where she meets the irresistibly mysterious Brock.

HUMBUGGED BY PIPPA GRANT AND LILI VALENTE

12/14/2019

Humbugged is my first foray into Pipa Grant and Lili Valente books and I am stoked that I found them! I love romantic comedies the most and this one hit the spot!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Series: Happy Cat series #4
Pages: 259 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

He’s the world’s most alpha Marine and the last man I should be letting jingle my bells this holiday season.

So why does Clint O’Dell keep running through my thoughts wearing nothing but a Santa hat? And why do I stupidly agree that we should be Christmas friends with benefits?

Someone must have spiked my eggnog.

I don’t do Marines.

Or Santas.

I learned my lesson about both the hard way.

But when Clint steps in to rescue me—from a murderous goose, a

CHRISTMAS CLICHE BY TARA SIVEC

12/12/2019

I've been a fan of Tara's work for quite some time now and am never disappointed in her stories! This book is hilarious! If you're in the mood for a Christmas romance this is the one you want!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: November 19, 2019
Genre: Holiday Romance. Romantic Comedy.
Series: None. Complete standalone.
Pages: 250 pages
Format: Paperback. Purchased.

‘Twas the week before Christmas
and all through L.A.,
Allie Parker’s famous twin sisters
were driving her cray.
She fled to the mountains
with a hostage in tow,
hoping to sleep through the holidays,
which were a sh*t-show.
A crash in a blizzard,
and a hot mountain man,
definitely wasn’t part
of her evacuation plan.
Santas, and stockings,
and creepy nutcrackers too,
everywhere she looks,
it’s a crazy Christmas zoo.
But there are hugs, and smiles,
and a beautiful view,
kisses and laughter,

REGRETTING YOU BY COLLEEN HOOVER (REVIEW + GIVEAWAY)

12/10/2019

Colleen Hoover proves her skill with each and every book she writes whether it be romance, young adult, thriller, or women's fiction. This book falls in the women's fiction category and has all the fillings of an ugly cry read!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: Women's Fiction
Series: None. Complete Standalone.
Pages: 365 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us comes a poignant novel about family, first love, grief, and betrayal that will touch the hearts of both mothers and daughters.

Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike.

Morgan is determined to prevent her daughter from making the same mistakes she did. By getting pregnant and married way too young, Morgan put her own dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her predictable mother doesn’t have a spontaneous bone in her body.

With warring personalities and conflicting goals, Morgan and Clara find it increasingly difficult to coexist. The only person who can bring peace to the household is Chris—Morgan’s husband,

KISS ME WITH LIES BY S.M. SOTO

12/9/2019

Woah! This book ends in one hell of a cliffhanger and I am having some trouble waiting for the next book! I just NEED to know what happens! Other than this, Kiss Me With Lies is an epic read!

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: December 3, 2019
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: The Twin Lies Duet #1
Pages: 320 pages
Format: eBook. ARC.

Two sisters. One unsolved murder. A sickening plot for revenge.

When Mackenzie Wright attends her first real high school party, held somewhere deep in the woods of her small California town, no one expects to wake up the next morning to news of a gruesome murder. Especially not her own sister’s.
No suspects.
No motive.
No convictions.
Just one unsolved murder and whatever’s left of the now deserted town.

Mackenzie has spent years with her sister’s death weighing heavily on her shoulders, but it isn’t until she stumbles across a photograph that changes everything for her. The memories, everything from that night, come flashing back in high-speed technicolor and Mackenzie soon finds herself obsessed with the truth.

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