Review: My Sizzling Second Chance by Daniella Brodsky

My Sizzling Second Chance by Daniella Brodsky
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Published: March 2020


Clancy and Flo meet on the ferry where she was trying to hook him up with the stranger sitting next to her. When Flo attempts to hook these two up, Clancy suggests they go on a practice date. Once they are together, Flo doesn't want to let him go. Each of them are keeping a secret. Will they be able to stay together if these secrets are revealed, or will that be the end.

Thank you to Daniella Brodsky for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have read quite a few romantic novellas, but this one just didn't sit too well with me. For me there wasn't enough development of the characters, they were easily forgettable.

Flo has a secret she is keeping from Clancy, something about her ex-best friend and her ex-boyfriend. But I don't think we ever find out what that secret it. Clancy's secret is that he is a billionaire, but we don't know much about that either. I'm not even sure what city they are in.

This is the first book I've read by Daniella Brodsky and I'm willing to give her books another chance.


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Review: The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: July 2019

Sarah Hall has just graduated in the top of her business school class. She thinks it will be a breeze to find a job with her marks. But finding work was more difficult than she imagined. When she finally does find a job, she is at the bottom of the totem pole and has to work hard to get the attentions of her coworkers. Even though she is on an elite team on her fellow team mates don't treat her as such. When a big project comes up and ends up being messed up, everyone's job is on the line, they turn against each other. Some of the team comes together to meet with each other when they get stuck in an elevator. Will they be able to get out alive?

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

I read this book over the summer when life was super busy and I was just reading and I didn't have much time to do reviewing or blogging. Here's what I remember:
Sarah was a girl I could really relate to. We've all be in a position where we are the new person at work and having to find our way with a team that has already been established. Sarah is not as strong as the other members of her team, but she has a great head on her shoulders. There were parts of this book that were predictable, but there was a twist that I really didn't see coming.

I really enjoyed this book and I wish that I would have reviewed it sooner. I did take a few notes, but not enough to write the kind of review I normally like to do. I know I liked the book and that it held my attention all the way through. I recommend it to everyone who likes books were the girl is the heroine.

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Review: The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: June 2019

Alice's life hasn't been the same since she lost her husband, Tom. When Nathan comes into her life, she feels like she can conquer anything with him by her side. She has two beautiful daughters and a best friend who always has her back. Then, in the blink of an eye, her whole world comes crashing down and she is questioning everything she knows to be true. Who can she trust and will she find out the truth before it's too late.

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

When I first started reading this book, I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen. All the clues were laid out for you right there in the open. But what actually happened was quite different and it had me shocked all the way until the end. There were some parts to my theory that were correct and others that were way off.

Alice and Beth as well as their daughters are best friends. Even though they have only known each other for a few years, they share similar interests and disinterests(where other school moms are concerned). When strange things start to happen that Alice can't explain, she turns to her best friend for help. But when Beth gives her information that she never expected to hear, she's not sure who to believe or trust. Trying to keep her daughters in the dark about what is really going on in their house is not easy and when it all comes to the surface, will Beth have anyone she can lean on?

I can understand Alice's position. I don't have a lot of close friends where I currently live and those friends I do have, we all have children in the same grade. So I can see myself confiding in them. These people are more likely to know my husband since he grew up in the area we now live in. So it's interesting to see women I talk to mention my husband if they went to school with him. But if he was dead and someone didn't know him brought him up, I would be very wary of that. Beth thinks she knows Alice's dead husband. But how could she. And why does he now have an active Facebook page. This is all becoming too much, but Alice has to know what is going on.



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Review: The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published: April 2019

Annika Rose is a beautiful woman living in downtown Chicago. She is 32 years old and she is pretty happy with her life. When she is reunited with Jonathan, her first boyfriend who had disappeared from her life 10 years ago, her world is turned upside down. She has grown so much since the last time she saw Jonathan, but she still has feelings for him. When they decide to give things another try, Annika and Jonathan learn more about themselves and each other than ever before. Will love win this time, and is Annika really different from the girl he used to know.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Heros & Heartbreakers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've said it many times on my social media while reading this book, that I devoured it. This book grabs you right from the start and draws you in for the long haul. Full of things that will make you laugh, make you cry and even make you gasp. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. I had to find out what was going to happen.

In the story you find out that Annika is a little quirky and that is because she is on the Autism Spectrum. I could really relate to this part of the story, since I have a child on the spectrum myself. There are some people who will accept the quirky habits and learn more about the person and there are others who are cruel and who just won't understand.

The story starts when Jonathan runs into Annika after 10 years in the grocery store. The story flashes back and forth from current day, which is 2001 in the book, to 10 years previously when Jonathan and Annika first met and the development of their relationship. I think this is a book everyone will enjoy.

  

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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: 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: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Roy and Celestial have been married for almost two years when their relationship takes a hit no one could ever anticipate. As they are in rural Louisiana visiting Roy's family, he is wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit. Sentenced to twelve years in a Louisiana prison, the time they have spent married will be much shorter than the time they are about to spend apart. Will they both be able to survive the predicament they are in? With Celestial in Atlanta trying to continue to live her life and Roy in Louisiana, writing letters back and forth and having sporadic visits, will their marriage survive?

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

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. One of the best books I have read so far this year. This has also been selected as an Oprah Book Club Selection.

Can you imagine what you would do if one night you and your husband were asleep in a hotel bed, enjoying some time away from home visiting family. When all of a sudden, your door is ripped open and you both are snatched out of bed. Your husband is being charged for a crime he couldn't have committed. An earlier act of kindness, now turned into something it is not. Then he is tried for the crime and convicted and has to spend twelve years behind bars. How will your marriage survive this? Are you going to pick up the life you have built in one state to move to another and be closer to him, even though you can only see him once a week? Will you continue to live your life and make that journey? Or will you leave him to his own devices in jail, there is nothing more you can do for him and the wait is just too much to bear? What would you do?

Celestial, has not had an easy life. On the outside, her life looks pretty incredible, with parents who had made something for themselves and live in a wealthy part of Atlanta. Roy, though he didn't come from much, had graduated from college and proven himself in the professional world. This is the type of couple you always would think, nothing like this could happen to them. But things like this happen every day. Hundreds of men and women are in prison now for crimes they did not commit.

A heart breaking and compelling story about love, marriage, and life and how we all try our best to survive it one day at a time.

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Winning Wednesday--Bookish Giveaways

Free Books to help get over the HUMP!!!

THE MARTIAN

Enter for you chance to win an autographed copy of The Martian by Andy Weir before his new book Artemis is available on November 14th.  Sponsored by Read It Forward 15 copies available!

Open to US Residents only -- Ends October 22nd

WHO LOVE SCI-FI??

Enter for your chance to win a signed set of James S.A. Corey's Expanse Series.  Brought to you by orbitloot.com 

Open to US Residents Only--Ends October 31st

BEING A GIRL IS GREAT!!

Enter for your chance to win a hard back copy of Because I Was a Girl by Melissa de la Cruz(author of Descendants--the Disney movie and the Blue Blood series as well as many others)  This is a collection of true stories of hardships and difficulties women had to face just because they were a girl.  Includes stories from Victoria Aveyard, Libba Bray, Margaret Stohl, chef Katie Button, aerospace engineer Emily Calandrelli, plus many more.  Perfect for girls of any age!!  From MacMillian Kids.

Open to US Residents Only--Ends October 31st--There will be 10 winners. 

DO YOU LIKE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE?

Enter for your chance to win a Little House on the Prairie Prize Pack (say that 3 times fast) from Harper Collins Prize Pack includes:

• A copy of Caroline by Sarah Miller  This is the latest Little House Inspired Novel   
• 5 additional Little House Books
• Little House Coloring Books
• Little House Tote Bag
• Little House Apron, Puzzle and Stickers from CafePress
• Little House Fabric Collection from Andover Fabrics
• Laura Ingalls Doll and Accessories from The Queen's Treasure
• DVD--Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Open to US Residents only(48 contiguous States)--HURRY Ends tomorrow October 19th

LITERARY ADVENTURE IN NYC

Enter to win a New York City Literary Adventure.  Sponsored by Read It Forward. This prize if for you and a guest to take a trip to NYC April 20-22, 2018.  The winner will receive:

• A custom tour of NYC that visits literary highlights curated by Intrepid Travel and Read It Forward
• 2 nights at a New York City Hotel
• 2 Round-trip airline tickets to get you there
• $500 to spend on food and transportation
• $1500 gift voucher from Intrepid Travel to spend on your next literary journey
• 14 recently published books (See below) set in NYC hand picked by Read It Forward editors.

 
Open to US Residents Only -- Ends November 15th

TONS OF EBOOKS

Enter for your chance to win 50 Mystery/Thriller ebooks from author Becca Hamilton.  There are a ton of great books on this list. 

            

When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker, The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons, In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen, are all Free for Prime members on Kindle now!!
This is open to EVERYONE, except those who live in Taiwan, South Korea, Portugal, Italy, Austria, China, Russia, Hong Kong, Greece, France, Japan, Spain, Czech Republic--Ends November 26th

ADVANCED READERS COPY

Enter for your chance to win an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Body in the Casket by Katherine Hall Page.  The book won't be available until December 5th.  Read it before everyone else.  Sponsored by Harper Collins.  This is a GoodReads Giveaway.

Open to US Residents only--Ends November 1st 

Enter for your chance to win an early copy of The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn.  This book is not available until January 2, 2018.  This is another Goodreads giveaway.  

Open to US Residents Only--Ends Friday, October 20th

 Enter for your chance to win an advanced copy of The Missing by C.L. Taylor.  Book available on November 7th.  This giveaway is on Facebook and you will have to be signed in to enter.  Sponsored by the Author. 
Open to US Residents only--HURRY Ends today October 18th

GIFTCARD

Enter for your chance to win a $500 gift card from Barnes & Noble.  Sponsored by BookRiot and HarperCollins. 

Open to US Residents only -- Ends November 21st

Enter for your chance to win a $500 gift card to the Bookstore of your choice!!!  Sponsored by BookRiot.
Open Internationally -- Ends November 26th

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.**