Review: You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published: March 2020
 

Shay Miller is having a rough time in life. She's in between jobs, feels like she's being forced our of her house, her best friend just had a baby, and oh yeah, she just saw a woman commit suicide. She feels quiet alone. On the way to her temp job one morning, she sees Amanda jump in front of the train she is supposed to be taking. After that, Shay become overly interested in Amanda's life, attending her memorial service, meeting her friends, and becoming friends with them. It feels like things are starting to really turn around, until ... the craziness begins.

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

I have enjoyed the other two books by this writing duo and I'm so excited to read more. This book gripped me from the very beginning and refused to let me go until the end. I found myself reading this book whenever I had a free moment. To me this is the best book they have written so far.

Your late twenties and early thirties can be a difficult time in a woman's life, especially if she is single, childless, and in between jobs. For Shay, when things to seem to be just turning around, its seems like there are even more obstacles in her way. When she meets some new friends, who help her with a new apartment and a makeover, it seems like things might really be going her way, but unfortunately, Shay is not that lucky. Will she be able to sort the truth from the lies?

I loved this book and I highly recommend it.

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Review: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published: Jan. 8, 2019

When Jessica Farris decides to sneak her way into a psychological study, she thinks the extra money will be good to help out her family and her own struggling finances. Dr. Shields seems like a caring doctor who while going through the study seems to be helping Jess with her own issues. But she's in for more than she bargained for. When the Q&A portion of the study is over, Dr. Shields sends Jess on different tasks throughout the city some of which turn out to be dangerous. Will she be able to get herself out of this situation before it takes a turn she can't undo?

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

I have been looking forward to this book ever since I found out it was coming out at the end of last summer. Now it is finally here for everyone to enjoy.

This book is unlike any other book I have ever read. It kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end. Just when you think you know what is going to happen, there is a twist and you're like What the ... ?

Jess Farris is a makeup artist in New York City. She has a few close friends, but she works just to live and to help her parents pay for her sister's medical bills. Jess could be any young woman in America. Trying to find her place in the world. When an opportunity presents itself, to earn a few extra dollars, who wouldn't jump on that? While reading this book, I could really feel myself in the characters shoes. I don't know that I would have been brave enough to do some of the things that Jess did, but trying unconventional things to earn money I can totally see myself doing.

What a great way to start 2019 with this amazing book. I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did. I can't wait to discuss it with you. My first book and first 5 star. I hope the rest of my reading year goes as great as this first book does.

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The Best of 2017


THE BEST BOOKS I READ IN 2017

After only reading 40 books in 2016, I was determined to read more in 2017.   At the beginning of the year, I set my Goodreads goal for 100 books.  Quickly I realized that was not a realistic goal especially after reading less than half of that the year before, so I changed my mind and reset it to 75.  I'm happy to say I met and surpassed my goal, finishing the year with 78 books read.  For me 2017 was a great year for reading.  Here is a breakdown of my reads:

★★★★★ - 4 Books

★★★★ - 35 Books

★★★ - 37 Books

★★ - 1 Book

For 2018, I've pledged to read 85 books.  I'm working my way up to 100.  So let's take a closer look at my favorites for the year!

FIVE STAR BOOKS

In A Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Nora Shaw has been invited to her "friend" Clare Cavendish's hen weekend(a bachelorette party). But Nora and Clare haven't spoken to each other in ten years and if their mutual friend Nina wasn't attending, then Nora sure as hell wasn't going to go. Nora doesn't even know who Clare is marrying. Arriving a a house made completely of glass in the middle of the woods, with snow on the ground and no cell reception, Nora instantly regrets her decision to come. When disaster strikes, despite Flo(the maid of honor) trying to make this the best hen weekend ever, Nora tries hard to remember exactly what happened, but it's difficult. Will she be able to put the pieces together before she is charged with a serious crime?

Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens
Lindsey and Sophie are mother and daughter. They live together in Dogswood Bay. Sophie is in here senior year in high school and Lindsey owns her own cleaning company. When Lindsey finds out that her ex-husband, Andrew is about to be released from prison after 10 years, she goes on the alert. He was very abusive and manipulative towards Lindsey, but Sophie wants her dad to be a part of her life. When things start to happen that can only be explained by Andrews controlling behavior, the pair try to hide from him in any way they can. Will they be able to stay away from him, or will he try to hurt Lindsey again?

A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena
Karen and Tom Krupp have been married for two years and they are very much in love. When Tom comes home from work one night, he finds his front door unlocked and dinner half way done in the kitchen, but his wife and her car are no where to be found. After calling her best friend and neighbor Brigid and having no luck with where Karen, might be, Tom calls the police to report her missing. Shortly after, the police arrive at his door to let him know that Karen has been in a terrible accident and is in the hospital. Tom is instantly worried because none of these actions sound like his wife. But does Tom now Karen as well as he thinks? Is she keeping secrets from him?

Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy
Liv and Nora are cousins and practically sisters. They decide to take their families on a two week cruise down the coast of Central America. Both women cautious, they spend the first several days aboard the ship. When they finally decide to take an excursion, the men head for golf and the women take the kids on a zip line tour. This is when all hell breaks loose! From the bus breaking down, to six children going missing in a foreign country, this family vacation is definitely not going to plan. Told from the perspective of the children and the parents, as well other key characters that are introduced throughout, you dive deep into the story and it's hard to get drawn out!

My Four-Star Faves

The Wife Between Us by Sarah Pekkanen & Greer Hendricks 

An American Cage by Ted Galdi

All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

The Boyfriend Swap by Meredith Schorr

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig

Solo by Kwame Alexander & Mary Rand Hess

Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown

FAVORITE AUTHOR

I have enjoyed reading James Patterson books for a long time now.  I know a lot of people think his books are just cookie cutter these days.  He writes an outline and then another author does the hard work.  But I still enjoy his books and I will continue to read them.  I'm up to date on two of his series, The Women's Murder Club and NYPD Red.  It's so hard to keep up with his writing since he puts so many books a year.  With at least 17 books coming out this year alone, keeping up has proved to be challenging.  7% off the books I read this year were James Patterson books.  I hope to continue in my quest this year to read his standalone books and stay on top of the series I'm already reading.  I would also like to start the Alex Cross series again.  I've read a few of the books in the series but this was many years ago.  

Here are the 11 James Patterson books I read this year:

The Best James Patterson book of 2017:

The Black Book by James Patterson

Detective Billy Harney comes from a family of cops. His dad is a cop, the head of detectives and his twin sister is a cop. Billy likes to play by the rules, he's a good cop. When he takes down a brothel in the middle of Chicago filled with the city's most prominent people, the mayor, the arch bishop, etc., he is faced with a few difficult situations to get him through this arrest and trial. With the help from Goldie, a family friend and the head of Internal Affairs, Billy will get to the bottom of this case one way or another. But then those involved in the case end up dead, including himself, briefly, and his memory leading up to the trial is erased. Will he be able to find his memory before he is charged with the deaths? 

BINGE READING

In late October, I was determined to get caught up with the Helen Grace series.  I had a copy of Hide and Seek, which is the 6th book in the series, from First To Read.  When I was ready to read it, I found out I needed to catch up with the series, because the first paragraph had me confused.  Then I realized that I only had 16 days to read 5 books.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to Hide and Seek, but I did catch up with the remainder of the series.  Helen Grace Series

MOST VISITED POST IN 2017

I'm thankful for all the new followers I've received throughout the year and each person who takes a few minutes out of their life to read my posts.  The most visited post this year was from Hit The Ground Running by Mark Burley

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2018

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp -- January 2018

Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughn -- January 2018

Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse -- January 2018

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones -- February 2018

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeny -- March 2018

How To Walk Away by Katherine Center -- May 2018

Dreams of Falling by Karen White -- June 2018

Thank you to everyone for joining me on my blogging journey.  I hope to bring you more content this year and more reviews.  I plan to review more of the audiobooks I listen to, which I haven't done in the past.  What are your reading plans for 2018?  I would love to hear about them in the comments. 

HAPPY READIN'!!

Review: The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen ---BLOG TOUR

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is about a woman. A woman who was married to man whom she loved dearly. She loved him so much she couldn't see his flaws or how she was changing. This book is also about a woman who is about to marry said man. But his ex wants her to see all the things she didn't before it's too late. This book is also about a woman who loves this man unconditionally flaws and all. Just when you think you know which woman is which, you will be surprised. All together, these three women are centered around this one man. This one man who is rich and powerful and full of flaws.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I will admit that the book started off very slowly for me. The story was interesting enough, but there wasn't much there to make me pick up the book instead of watch a tv show. At about the 1/2 way point, there was a twist in the story that made me perk up a bit and changed my view on the whole story. Things really got into full swing then and I couldn't put it down. I had to see where the plot was going and what was going to happen at the end. It really leaves you on the edge of your seat.

It's hard to write a review about this book without giving too much away. You think you know what is going on, but in actuality you have no idea.

Richard is the man. He is handsome, rich, powerful. He was raised by his older sister after their parents where killed in car crash. Richard has been married twice before and he is now engaged to Emma. Richard's "crazy" ex-wife doesn't want to see this marriage take place and will stop at nothing to warn Emma, even if it makes her look crazier than Richards claims she is. Who will win in the end?

I believe this will be one of the best books of 2018. Set to release on January 9th!!

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Fall Readin' Plans

I have hesitated on writing about my Fall reading because the weather has been so warm.  I wasn't sure if Autumn was every going to make an appearance of if we were going to go straight into winter.  But the leaves have finally started to change color and the mornings and evenings are much cooler. One great thing about this time of year is the amount of money I'm saving on my electric bill!!  So I've laid out my plans for fall and I hope I'm able to stick with them.

First up for me is An American Cage by Ted Galdi.  This is the second book I've read by Mr. Galdi and blessed to have received another advanced copy.  His first book Elixir(click on title for my review) was excellent and so far so is this book, very hard to put down. This book is set to be released October 16th.

Three men escape from a prison in Texas, and this story follows the 24 hours after their escape and attempt to enter Mexico.

I decided to include these books because they were orange and perfect for fall reading.  Also a couple of these have been on my TBR for quite a while now.  I have read a few of Karin Slaughter's books in the past, earlier this year I read, The Kept Woman.  I'm not sure why I didn't do a review for it though.  I've read Jonathan Safran Foer before as well, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, although that was before I was blogging. 

I have been waiting to read this book for a while and contemplating on whether or not I was actually going to do it, since The Girl on the Train was just okay for me.  I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about this book, so I thought I add it for fall.  I've borrowed it a couple of times from the library and haven't read it yet.  It's not renewable since it is a new release.







The next book I have on my list for this fall is a book that I won directly from the author.  J.L. Leslie is a new author for me and I look forward to getting to know her writing.  Her book Lincoln's Choice is what I will be reading.

 

 

The rest of the books I have planned to read this fall are also new authors to me, and are all Advanced Reading Copies.  The Boyfriend Swap by Meredith Schorr.  This is a Christmas Romance set to be released November 7th.

 

I Can't Breathe  by Matt Taibbi.  This book is non-fiction that tells the story of Eric Garner, a black man in New York who was killed by police after they had put him in a chokehold.  This book is set to be released October 24th. 

 

The Wife Between Us  by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen  A novel of suspense that explores the complexities of marriage and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love(blurb from Goodreads). This book is not going to be released until early next year, but I will be participating in a blog tour for this book in December. 

 

I'm sure there will be other books along the way, I have about 8 checked out right now from the library, plus a whole lot more that I just won!! 

 

So Many Books, So Little Time!!