Audio Book Review: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2018

The May Mothers is a group of first time mothers in New York City who all have babies coming in May. Winnie, Francie, Nell, Collette, and Token seem to have the closest relationships in the group. The ladies meet before the babies are born and then a couple of months after the babies are born, they decide it's a good time for them to have a night out to enjoy themselves. Nell arranges for them to all meet at a bar called The Jolly Llama. While there, Winnie's son, Midas goes missing. All of the women are determined to find out what happened. But in their investigations, they find out more about each other than they ever could have imagined.

I really enjoyed this book. Normally, I listen to audio books on they way back and forth to work or when I'm in the car, but I found myself listening to this book as often as I could, so I could find out what happened to Baby Midas. The author has you fooled for a while thinking one person is responsible for this heinous crime, but then the twist comes along and **BOOM** mind blown. I didn't see it coming.

The funny part was when the twist did come, I was walking around the grocery store and I said a little loudly, "What the F***!" That got a few people to look in my direction.  I was never a part of a mommy group, so I couldn't quite relate to that part of the story.  But being concerned about the welfare of your child is something every mother can relate too.  There were parts when I was sure I knew how this story was going to end. But I was quite shocked.  Another great un-put-downable.

This is the first book I've read by Aimee Molloy, but I look forward to reading more. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend that you do.



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Audio Book Review: Drop Shot by Harlan Coben

Drop Shot by Harlan Coben

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 1996

In this book, the focus is on Myron Bolitar's tennis clients. Myron is at the US Open watching his client, Duane Richwood play. When shots ring out in the stadium, the result is deadly. Valerie Simpson, a teen tennis player looking to get back in the game, has been murdered. She had come to Myron a few days before to become a potential client. Why was Valerie murdered? Myron feels an obligation to find out, since she had come to him and called him many times. Is she connected to Duane? Myron and Win have a lot of digging to do to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Book 2 in the Myron Bolitar series. Myron is a jack of all trades, but his main trade is as a sports agent. He gives his clients a personal touch, big agencies aren't able to deliver. Plus, he's a lawyer and that helps out as well, especially when his clients seem to need legal services.

I really liked this book. I could connect with it on a personal level, being a former tennis player myself. Not that I was anywhere near being able to play in the US Open, but it was a fun sport.

This book takes you back to look at Valerie's life when she was a tennis star at a very young age. Bring in more murders from her past, political scandals, inappropriate coaches, disappearing suspects, and you have an interesting book. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.



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Review: Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li

Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Published:  2018


The Han's own The Duck House restaurant in Rockville, Maryland. The Duck House is a Chinese restaurant that has been a staple in the community for decades. Most of the employees have worked there since the beginning. Jimmy Han is not happy running his father's restaurant, though. He's ready to step out on his own.   So when a fire destroys The Duck House, he sees this as a perfect opportunity to go through with his plan. But, will the cause of the fire, prevent Jimmy from doing what he wants to do?

Thank you to Henry Holt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was really interested to read this book since it is based where I currently live. Books that are local to my area, always have me intrigued before even opening them up. But this one fell flat for me. I didn't really care what happened. There really wasn't too much excitement in the book beyond the fire. I did finish the book because I had to see if there was going to be something more that was going to happen. Unfortunately, it never did.

The basis of this book was the people in the relationship.  Although there were several main characters, I can't say that I really got to know any of these characters in a way that made me want to know more about them.  All of the characters are seriously flawed and they don't contribute much to the overall book.  I wanted to enjoy this book, but I couldn't find anything to keep me connected.

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Review: Tampa by Alissa Nutting

Tampa by Alissa Nutting

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Published: 2013

Celeste is an 8th grade English teacher. She is married to a handsome and wealthy man named Ford who is also a police officer. Celeste, herself is beautiful and could be a model instead of a teacher. But teaching is her chosen profession in order to find a way to quell her affinity for 14 year old boys. During her first year teaching, she finds the perfect candidate, Jack. Jack comes from a single parent home and his father works long hours. They have lots of time to be together. But when Jack wants more, Celeste has to find a way to end this relationship without hurting Jack or exposing her secret.

This book is disturbing on so many levels. First of all, even though I've seen in on the news several times, it's hard to believe that a grown woman would have any interest in a 14 year old boy. There are a few other things that happen in the book as well, that will give away too much to talk about here. I will say this book was like a bad car crash. Where you just can't look away. It was hard to put the book down, I had to find out what was going to happen in the end. The 3 stars for this rating is due mostly to the subject matter. There were parts that were hard to read, especially as a mother to a young boy. Overall, the book was pretty good and I will read other books by Alissa Nutting.

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Audio Book Review: The Fallen by David Baldacci

                  The Fallen by David Baldacci

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Published: 2018

  

Amos Decker and his partner Alex Jamison are on a vacation from the FBI. They are visiting Alex's sister and niece in Barronville, a town they have just moved to. On their first night in town, Decker is sitting out on the back deck when he notices lights flashing in a house near by. Unable to let things like this go, Decker goes to see what the commotion is all about. Inside the house are two dead bodies, but there is something strange about these murders. Something isn't adding up. Barronville is a town full of addicts of opiod's but not much else going on. So why are these people being killed. Even though Decker is on vacation, he can't put the FBI badge down long enough to enjoy it.

I think Amos Decker is one of my favorite characters from David Baldacci. I love how he lives in his own bubble and really doesn't care what anyone else thinks. This is no different. He inserted himself into this case before the police even asked for his help. Another think I like about Amos, is that he also has a soft side, that really comes out in this book. When he is dealing with Alex's niece.

This is a story that is hard to believe.  You are trying to take a relaxing break from work(not that it's an easy task for Decker) when bedlam breaks out.  Even though Decker shouldn't get involved, he can't help it.  When events take place that remind him of his own family that he lost, you begin to see the softer side of Decker.

This is the 4th and latest book in the series and I hope there are more to come.

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Review: Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2018

Georgina Shaw has everything going for her in her life in Seattle. She's in a top position at work and she is engaged to one of the wealthiest men in the city. So why is she being arrested for the murder of her best friend, Angela Wong, 14 years earlier? Geo(as she likes to be called) didn't murder her friend, but she was there when it all happened and kept this secret for this long. There are so many secrets from that night, that need to come to the surface, but one Geo will keep hidden for as long as she can.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Geo is sentenced to 5 years in prison for her actions on the night her friend was killed. After she is released, more murders similar to what happened with her friend that night begin to happen. Geo's friend who was also friends with Angela, Kaiser Brody is now a police officer and is working on this case. But is it too much for him considering his feelings for Geo in the past. He believes, Calvin is responsible for these murders since he's escaped from prison, but there is something different about these that has everyone stumped.

I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book. It's impossible to read this story and not become fully engrossed. Geo is really the kind of girl that you would probably be friends with. She is pretty down to earth and knows how to get what she wants. My heart went out to her during the whole book, I wanted to jump in and try to save her. But the ending will have you thinking to yourself, "What the hell just happened?" I recommend this to anyone who likes a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat.



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Review: Invitation to a Bonfire by Adrienne Celt

Invitation to a Bonfire by Adrienne Celt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Published: 2018

Zoya is an orphan from Moscow who is now living in the United States. She is a student at the Donne School, but she has no family. So when school is over, what will her life become? When her favorite author becomes a teacher at the school, Zoya's life changes dramatically. They start an affair even though Zoya knows his wife from childhood. Strange twists happen toward the end, that I didn't suspect. The story is told from Zoya's journal entries during her life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book started off really slowly for me. I really didn't get much out of it at the beginning. The last 30% of the book, though really had me on the edge of my seat and ready to find out what this girl is all about. Zoya is really kind of a boring character. She goes to class and makes very few friends. When she graduates, she has no family to return home to, so she stays on at the Donne School and works in the greenhouse. There she encounters many students and few faculty members. The students constantly harass her and the faculty basically ignores her. All of that changes when she find out that, Lev Orlo is now a professor. She has been pining for this man through his books for years. Now that he is here, she can't tear herself away from him.

None of the characters were very likable in this book. Zoya is very boring, Lev is full of himself for no good reason, and his wife well she's a character we really don't get to know too well, but she is a strange bird.

3 stars for this one and the best part is at the end.

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Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published: 2017

Starr Carter lives in Garden Heights, which is the ghetto. She goes to the predominately white private school, Williamson, where she has to pretend to be someone she is not. When she witnesses the murder of one of her closest friends, Khalil, from the neighborhood, by the hand of a white police officer, she has to take a closer look at herself, her neighborhood, and the friends she chooses to hang with.

I have been wanting to read this book for a long time. Now, that it's a movie, I had to get it in before I went to see it.

This book really resonates with the times we are now living in. For people of color in this country, every day is a reality that your life can be cut short, by one wrong move. Even if that move is not going to harm another person.

For Starr Carter, being the only witness comes with a lot of pressure to speak about what happened or to keep it inside. Speaking out can mean trouble for her family and herself. Keeping it inside, means that Khalil will never get justice for his death. While Starr decides what to do, life must go on. She examines her relationship with her friends at Williamson, she reflects back on her life with Khalil, and she grows closer to her family.

This is a great book for everyone to read. Please read it and see the movie.

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Audio Book Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2017

Dimple Shah has just graduated from high school and, in the fall, she will go to Stanford and study web design. San Francisco State University, is holding a six-week course for this over the summer, that Dimple would love to attend. The only problem is that it costs $1000 and she knows her parents can't afford it. So she is genuinely surprised when they agree to let her go. On her first day she runs into, literally, Rishi Patel, who is there on an arrangement from his parents. Dimple has no idea. Dimple is not having any of it. When they are paired for the six weeks, Dimple is sure it will never work. Rishi isn't even into web design, but as time goes on, and they get to know each other better, Dimple begins to change her mind about Rishi. But is it enough to promise her life to him at this young age, or will they just be friends for the long haul.

I loved listening to this book. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed the book just reading it. As a married woman, I don't know if I could have allowed my parents to set me up with my future husband.

Dimple is a non-traditional Hindu woman. She wants a job and a career before even thinking about a boyfriend, much less a husband. Rishi is very traditional and just wants his parents to be proud of him. They both are able to teach the other a different way of life, but will it be enough for them to agree to be together?
I love how these two young adults tried something new and allowed themselves to feel something they may not have otherwise felt. They were both able to make new friends and make discoveries about themselves that helped them to grow.

This is a great story for young adults to read. Sure in the end, we all want to find that special someone and settle down. But you should live your life for yourself, before you decide that it's time to settle down. And when you find that special someone, you should know what to do to make them happy and make yourself happy as well.

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Winning Wednesday -- Bookish Giveaways!!

Bookish Giveaways!!

Hey guys!  I know it's been a while, but I have been busy.  I have shared a few giveaways on Facebook here and there, but I've missed this post.  I'm getting things together and trying to get back in the groove.  So here's to more posts and more giveaways.

Enter for your chance to win an Advanced Copy of Watching You by Lisa Jewell.  Brought to you by Simon & Schuster.

Open to US Residents only -- Ends Oct. 31, 2018



Enter for your chance to win one of 10 copies of All the Lives We Never Lived by Anuradha Roy.  Brought to you by Simon & Schuster.

Open to US Residents only --Ends Oct. 31, 2018





Enter for your chance to win one of 10 Advanced Copies of Liar Liar by James Patterson and Candice Fox.   This is book 3 in the Harriet Blue series. Brought to you by James Patterson.

Open to Residents of US and Canada (except Quebec) only -- Ends Oct. 25, 2018




Enter for your chance to win an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Gown by Jennifer Robson.    This giveaway is on Goodreads and you will have to be signed in to win.

Open to US Residents only --  Ends Oct. 25, 2018



Enter for your chance to win an Advanced Readers Edition of Dragonshadow by Elle Katharine White.  This giveaway is on Facebook, so you will have to be signed in to win.  Brought to you by Harper Voyager.

Open to US Residents only -- Ends Oct. 29, 2018



Enter for your chance to win a copy of The Matchmaker's List by Sonya Lalli.  Brought to you by Penguin Randomhouse.

Open to US Residents only -- Ends Oct. 30, 2018







Enter for your chance to win 35 Erotic Romance Books and a brand new E-Reader.   Brought to you by Booksweeps.

Open to all except where prohibited by law -- Ends Oct. 29, 2018

Book Riot Giveaway Page -- Click here

Giveaways from Goodreads

**These giveaways are not sponsored by What 'Cha Readin'?. Please see each giveaway for official rules.**

Audiobook Review: Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben

Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben
The First Myron Bolitar Novel 
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2006

Myron Bolitar is an accomplished sports agent in New York City. He doesn't have very many clients, and the ones he does have aren't very big names. His newest client, Christian Steele has been signed by the Titans this year, but trouble seems to find Christian around every turn. A year ago, his fiancee went missing and now her father has turned up dead. What is the connection of these two incidents? How can Myron help clear Christian's name and find out what happened to Cathy? With the help of Myron's best friend, Win and his ex-girlfriend Jessica, who also happens to be Cathy's sister, they will get to the bottom of this no matter what they have to do, to get to the truth.

This book is the first in the Myron Bolitar series. We are introduced to Myron and his cohorts and find out about his background. I enjoy a good series and I can't wait to find out more about these characters.

This was a book that kept my attention the whole time. There are times when listening to an audio book that the story gets lost along the way. But not for this one. I found myself wanting to listen and find out what was going to happen next. I definitely didn't see the ending coming. I can't wait to see what Book 2 in the series has in store.



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Review: How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson

How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Published: 2018

Kate Reddy is about to be 50 years old. She has been out of work for a few years, but now its time to get back out there. Her husband, Rich, has started training to be a counselor and they are trying to renovate the house they have just bought. When Kate learns that a job has opened up at her old company, she jumps on the opportunity. Kate knows she is perfect for the job, but will her age hinder her from getting back in the workforce.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for an Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read I Don't Know How She Does It last month in order to prepare myself for this book. I had seen the movie prior to reading the book an enjoyed it, but the book was just okay for me. I felt the same way about this sequel. You definitely want to read the first book in the series as there is a lot of continuation from that story.

Kate Reddy is a character I thought I would be able to relate to, but such is not the case. I'm not sure if it was the setting o the book or what that made me not as compelled to want to read the book. It took me 12 days to read, which is very rare for me. I will say that I enjoyed this book better than the first, but not by much. If there is a movie for this book, though, I will be happy to see it.

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Review: The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen

The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2018

What would you do if you found out your husband had an affair? Would you try to end the marriage, or work it out? What if sex was not a part of the affair, would that make a difference? These are the questions that Josie has after she finds out that her husband, Frank, has been having an affair for the past seven weeks. Should she stay or go? He's so great with the kids, but what about her? This book takes you on Josie's journey from her discovery of the affair, to her final decision on whether to stay with her husband or get a divorce.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I'm not sure what I would do if infidelity was a question in my marriage. I think, we can all say what we would do, but until we are faced with that situation, I don't think we fully understand how we would feel. Love is a tricky thing and when you find it with someone, it can be devastating when they break that love apart.

When Josie finds out about Frank's affair, her world is turned upside down. She has to find out the answer to all of her questions. She doesn't know if she will ever be able to trust Frank again or how she is going to live without him, as well. This is the man who is the father of her children and the man she has shared a bed with for so many years. But how could he betray her like this? They both decide to go to counseling. But Josie has conditions that Frank must agree to before she will even entertain the fact of sharing just her time with him. Will he agree or will they just end up going their separate ways.

This book is good for any married woman to read and may help you if this is a situation that you may be going through in your life.

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