Abby Jimenez: Yours Truly

Abby Jimenez shows the power of a good old fashioned letter:

Bri's life is not in the best spot; Her divorce is finally coming through, her brother is still searching for a kidney donor and he's getting worse each day and the promotion she thought she was going to get is probably going to a new doctor who just transferred to the hospital. And this new Doctor all the nurses hate and patients seem to be dying on him every which way. Jacob knew it would be hard to transfer to a new hospital, he knew that he may struggle for a bit, but he can tell that the nurses hate him and his patients keep dying, plus a run in with another Doctor here, he is struggling and his anxiety is at a 10. He knows he needs to do something, so he decides to write her a letter. And its a really good letter one that is set to change not only his life but Bri's as well.

This is the first book that I have read by Jimenez and it was really cute and well done. Although this book is part of a series, I did not read the first one but did not feel like I needed to in order to enjoy this book. The friendship between Bri and Alexis is explained with them being best friends. And while there are hints back to the first book it was nothing major that made me put down this book to read that one first.

I really enjoyed the banter between Bri and Jacob and to me it is crazy that they did not realize their soulmate material when they first met. Granted that could have gone better but man they just seemed to click. It was like the truly understood each other from the beginning even when they were mortal enemies for the short period of time.

I loved the letter writing aspect of the book as that is such a lost art. But I really appreciate how Jimenez incorporated it into the novel, with Jacob being a journal writer and that is how he gets his thoughts out, especially with dealing with anxiety.

Jimenez did mental health in a way that felt real and not like she was using it as a butt of a joke or the comedic relief for the story or having it overshadow all of the story. She made it a part of Jacob, part of who he is which is okay, and this was showcased by Bri every time they enter into stressful situations

The Miscommunication trope is not my thing, it makes me want to pull my hair out any time i read a book that one has it and if it goes on too long. For this book i think the miscommunication went on way too long and it was this that also made the book longer than i think it needed to be. 

This book has cemented that I need to try more books by Jimenez, as this was really cute, but it still had some substance to it by tackling harder topics that many shy away from when writing romance books. I look forward to reading more books by Jimenez

Enjoy!!!

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Jay Kristoff: Empire of the Vampire

In the first of a series, Jay Kristoff shows what happens when Vampires rule the world:

It has been 27 years since the sun became nothing more than a faint light on the horizon, that barely anything that is still alive can grow. This does not mean the darkness has not brough new "life" to the world. The Vampires are now able to move about at any time of the "day" and they take advantage of every aspect of the new lack of sunlight. Vampire and Humanity have been waging war with very little light of hope left. Gabriel de Leon is half man, half monster and the last remaining Silversaint from the brotherhood of the Silver Order, who had dedicated their lives to destroying the creatures of the night. But at last he has been captured by the enemy and before he meets his death, A mistress of death wants his story in the hope that he will reveal where the only hope of Humanity remains, with the Holy Grail. 

In the illustrious words of Gabriel "Fuck My Face" this book was awesome. I did not know what to expect when going into this book, so i was extremely happy with where Kristoff took the story and characters in this book. I was just looking for a down and gritty vampire book and this book fucking delivers (there are a lot swears in this book so I am just reciprocating). I don’t think I can state how good this book was, and it will take you through all the emotions not only as a reader but for what Gariel goes through in the book, both the highs and the lows and lets say there are quite a few lows.

Gabriel as a character is gruff to say the least, but at the same time he lives up to the attitude that he had. He has lived more lives in his one than many of the people we meet along this quest and that includes the vampires. Yes, he is gruff a lot of the book, but once you hear all of his story it makes sense. One thing that Gabriel is good at is surviving and surpassing all the odds.

I really enjoyed that Kristoff has this world set in a more medieval world with the weapons, beliefs, some culture and religion that are more common in this time. The world that Kristoff created here is immersive but no overwhelming which I appreciate. The idea of the Holy Grail being the savior of this time is not something new, but how Kristoff presents it in this book is, and while the book does center around the idea of the Silver Brotherhood and the circle I did not find that this book was preaching God to me (which I appreciate).

I like that Kristoff had Gabriel tell his story and there are the slight interludes with the current timeline. Though we do not get a round POV this way, I think that the story is so well done that we do not need multiple POV to fill it out. The book does jump around a bit with the timeline but i never felt lost or didn’t know which part of Gabriel's history that we were being told about. As you learn more about Gariel it makes sense why he would not want to talk about certain aspects of his life.

I also liked Kristoff's take on vampires, in the sense that not only the type of vampire you will be depends on which line turns you but also how long you stay dead after you are killed. So if you have stayed dead and your body is rotting away you are basically a mindless vampire set on killing anything in your path, but if you arise not long after being killed you will be more deadly. 

This is a chunky book and i was able to read the physical copy as well as the audiobook at the same time and this saved me lots of time when i could not have the physical book with me. I will say that Damian Lynch brought the book to life with his voice and when i was reading my physical copy it was his voice I heard in my head. Also I was not expecting the illustrations in the book these were a nice surprise and beautifully done

This will easily be one of my favourite reads this year and start the car, I'm on my way to get the second book as not only was this book fantastic but there is still so much that needs to be told. Highly recommended book.

Enjoy!!!

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J.D. Barker: The Fourth Monkey

The first in a series, J.D. Barker gives new meaning to See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil:

Det. Sam Porter receives a phone call that he never thought that he would, the 4MK killer is dead. As the lead detective on the task force, Porter knows that he has to go to the scene and Porter knows that even in death he is going to cause problems. He has a victim that is still missing and within the 4MK's pocket is a dairy that unravels the twisted history of them. Porter hopes that understanding the killer will help him find the missing, victim but time is running out for that has been done to the victim is not something one can survive.

WOW, I do not know why I slept on this book for so long, but I totally regret it as this book was simply fantastic, and one of my favourite reads this year. This book 100% lives up to its hype, and I think more people should read this book, and I will keep recommending this book. It grabs ahold of you from the very beginning and never lets you go. I mean how can you not be hooked when the beginning starts with the death of a serial killer that our lead detective has been chasing for 5 years.

This book is dark and descriptive when it comes to the bodies found and how the victim dies and who the killer chooses as a victim is just downright disturbing. This book had the mystery and thrills that I look for in these types of books. Barker knows how to flirt with the line that takes this book from thriller to horror and I am here for it.

I really enjoyed that Barker included a POV from the killer in this book, even if it is in dairy form from when the killer was a young boy. This gave an insight in where they came from and the whole idea of nature vs nurture aspect of creating a serial killer.

I love that the main detective, Porter, he is very real and is not made pretty by the book but just an old grizzled detective who is great at what he does. Porter just feels real throughout the book, from what he is dealing with the case, as well as in his personal life. Porter and his partner Nash, have a really good rapport with each other and it does add some comedic relief in the book. I like how Porter treats his teammates and does what he thinks is best for the team, investigation and the victim have been taken.

Barker keeps the reader guessing throughout the book and I will completely admit that I did not see all the twists coming in both the present time as well as the diary one. This made me turn the pages faster and faster as I got further and further into this book.

I was so engrossed I did not want to put it down, and I don’t think that you will want too either. I highly recommend this book if you like mystery, thriller books with serial killers. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Enjoy!!!

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Carissa Broadbent: The Serpent & the Wings of Night

The first book in a series, Carissa Broadbent pits a lone human against the vampires in the fight for one wish:

Oraya is the adoptive daughter of the Nightborn Vampire King and while she has carved out some sort of existence surrounded by Vampires, she wants more. Her only chance is to enter the Kejari, a tournament where the winner is granted one wish by The Goddess of Death. Oraya knows that to stay alive she cannot trust anyone but herself but she needs allies as well. Raihn is not only ruthless and dangerous but a threat to her father’s crown as he from a different vampire kingdom. Oraya will be pushed past her limits, past her guards but she must always remember to guard her most important thing, her heart.

This is the first book that I have read by Broadent and I personally think that this book deserves the bype that it has received. You will want to make sure that you are able to dedicate some time to this book as I bet that you are going to want to read it in one sitting. This book grabs you from the beginning and takes you on a great ride. 

I loved the games and trails (though I thought they felt over a bit too quickly for me, I wanted more of that action). I loved the relationships that were formed and the heartbreak that occurs not only to the main character but side/enemy characters as well as more people die in the trials and awaiting the next game. I acutally thought this book would be a bit darker than it was, though carnage is there, it was either over really quickly or not expanded upon.

I like both main characters, but I am sure that I am not the only one who wished to have a POV from Raihn. I understand why there is not but man i wish i could have known what he was thinking for quite a bit of the book. Oraya and Raihn are very similar characters, and probably why they butt heads alot, they are determined and know what it means to fight to survive.

We have shiny vampires in this book but damn are they ruthless. The maiming of their children so that they are unable to take their place at head of the family is just dark and the whole idea of when one Vampire line is in control the others all suffer. Also human are basically cattle in this book, they are needed to stay alive but that is about it so they suffer deplorable conditions and situations.

I was able to predict the twist at the end (I actually thought it was a bit obvious but that may just be me) but this did not make me enjoy the book anyless, especally what happens right before things are revealed and after. I would have like some sort of backstory as to what started the games, as we know the games represent trials that God went through but why did she start the games? Was it jsut to ensure there was always a way to transfer power from one Vampire Type to another? I guess more world build a bit and information would have been nice.

This book was great and with the ending how can one not pick up the next book in the series. I know I cannot resist. Highly recommened if you like vampire with bite, games/trails and fantasy.

Enjoy!!!

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B.R. Spangler: When the Sky Falls

In the first in a new series, B.R. Spangler show what happens when humans mess with the environment:

The machines were supposed to help, they were supposed to save the world from Climate change, reverse the damage that humans had caused to Earth. When the machines are turned on, the unthinkable happens, the Machines do the opposite of what they were supposed to do and release a toxic fog that not only burns those who touch it but it has the ability to tear apart anything that was made from organic material. Emily has one job given to her by her parents is to take her sister Sammi to the mall, where they will be safe. Her father is trying to fix the machines make the fog go away and he would meet them there. But you can never see anything Fog and something the Fog is the safer than humanity.

As the first in a new series, I think that the premise that Spangler has presented here is one that had me instantly sold. I will say I did not realize that it was a YA book, so that took me a bit by surprised and I had to readjust my expectations for the book and this did take me a bit. The majority of the book also takes place in about few days after the Fog emerges and a lot happens in that time, frame very fast paced as everything is going to shit, which i feel is very realistic, but then when get a huge time jump.

I'm on the fence with the 15-year jump in time that occurs, part of me wishes that we got to see how Emily and Peter were able to survive but at the same time, I'm happy for the time jump to see how far the colony has come. However, there are some Significant events that happened in those 15 years that are not addressed. Also the time jump occurs around the 75% mark of the book, so it was almost like a teaser for the next book especially with the cliffhanger at the end.

I liked the idea of the Fog coming from a man mad machine that was supposed to help but the opposite happens. I feel like this is the premise of many dystopia books, so not that original but I appreciate that Spangler took the route of Fog causing the earth to be uninhabitable outside and trying to find places that the Fog could not eat through.

As with any end of the world type book there are tragedies in this book, and most of them I did not see coming. Spangler did a great job of showing that no one is safe and heartbreak can happen to anyone.

I liked the characters and felt the heartbreak with them but never really knew the characters as the reader is with each of them for only a short amount of time between the two timelines. This is more of a plot driven book than i thought it would be.

There are A LOT of unanswered questions by the end of this book, from the Outsiders to the Machines, there are many things that need to be resolved or explained further. I have so many questions and I don’t really like that Spangler left so much unresolved/unexplained.

This book was okay. I think if you like plot driven books, end of days and YA book then you will enjoy this book. I am unsure if I will continue on with the series, I mean the cliffhanger is pretty big but I don’t like all the unanswered questions in this one and if Spangler continues this, I know I would not enjoy the second book.

Cheers!!!!

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Rachel Caine: Stillhouse Lake

In the first in a series, Rachel Caine shows how far a mother will go to protect her children:

Gina Royal has an ordinary life, two kids and a husband who loves her, the white picket fence is where her life it, that is until a car accident changes everything. It reveals that her husband is a serial killer. Now Gina, now Gwen, is forced to run, not from her husband who is behind bars, but from the internet trolls and family members of the women who her husband murdered, not believing that she could not have known. Gwen finally feels that she has a found a place where her and the kids can settle down for a little while but when the first body shows up and then threatening letters from a familiar address, Gwen does everything she can to keep the truth of who her and are kids are hidden, but you can only hide from evil for so long before it finds you.

This book/series has been on my TBR for a very long time and I should not have put it off this long. I was hooked right from the beginning, I mean it is hard not to be, as it is not every day that your FMC discovered that her husband is a serial killer and just the night before there was a woman strung up in your garage who was being tortured to death. I mean if you like thriller books, that is a hard start to stop reading at. Caine did an amazing job of keeping the story flowing and fast paced that you do not want to put this book down.

I liked that there were multiple mysteries that Caine presents in the book and you wonder are they connected are they not connected, who could be involved, things like that. Although, I was able to figure out some of the twists that Caine was going to do, I did not figure out all of them. I certainly did not think that Caine was going to end the book the way she did and it left be wanting for more.

You cannot help but feel and root for Gwen who has everything stacked against her, and there are those out there that not only want to hurt her but her children as well. All she is looking for is a place and a way to keep them safe. I appreciate that she tries to balance safety and normalcy for them even though it is restrictive at times.

You better believe that after I finished this book I went right out and got the next book in the series. If you have been eyeing this book/series, don’t wait any long pick it up and start reading it, you'll probably want to get it done in one day.

Enjoy!!!!!

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Catherine Mack: Every Time I go on Vacation Someone Dies

In Catherine Mack's debut novel, it shows how a vacation can turn from good to bad to worse:

All Eleanor wants to do is get through the latest book tour. The Pros is that it is taking place in Italy, the MAJOR Con is that her ex and blackmailer and muse for the male lead in the series, Connor is also going to be on the tour. That is why Eleanor has decided to finally Kill Connor, well not in real life, but in her series so that she can move on and start writing something different. But when someone tries to kill Connor in real life, and the only thing they know that there is only 10 days to figure out who the killer is, but as other bodies start falling, the suspect list keeps getting shorter. This is the vacation to die for, literally. 

As a debut novel I appreciate that Mack was trying to do something a bit different here with the format of the book and how all the information is laid out and I think that Mack succeeded on some points but not on others. I really enjoyed the ideas that Mack presented of an author who's first book is based upon real events of her vacation as well as that the book was only told from Eleanor's POV. However, I wasn’t a fan of the format of Eleanor talking to the readers instead of just telling the story and the never-ending footnotes. I can say that I did not read all the footnotes. Also how does this translate in other formats like audio, are the footnotes at the end of each chapters?

I did like the overall plot of this book and I think that Mack did a good job of placing people against each other, and determining that the killer was in or connected to their group in some ways. I also thought that the methods of murder were different from a lot of books that I read. I was able to figure out most of the twist before the end.

I’m not sure a ever like Eleanor as a character, she was annoying a lot of the time, and pretty selfish throughout the book, even when she realizes that she was being selfish she never changes from being so. But I did like she is an unreliable narrator as we only get her POV and there are always 2 sides of the story you know as the reader you are not getting all the information or sides to the relationship and story.

This book really took me down memory lane from a trip to Italy 10 years ago and that was probably the best part of the book, getting to relive some of my own memories.

This book was just not for me. I think that Mack tried to do a bit too much with this book and that lead it to not be for me.

Cheers!!!!!

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Lisa Edmonds: Heart Of Malice

In the first of a series, Lisa Edmonds shows that darkness follows no matter how hard one tries to run:

The first time that Alice killed, she was six years old and she was ordered to do it by her grandfather. Alice was not always her name, but it is the one that she possessed now and she will do anything to keep from being discovered. She escaped from her grandfather's crime syndicate after being a prisoner there for 20 year and there is no looking back. Alice now tries to make her living as a private investigator that specializes in the supernatural. Hired to determine what objects are missing from a young girl's grandma's library, Alice soon discovers that the object missing is one of immense power that could slaughter the entire city.

I don’t know why I have not heard of Edmonds before but I am extremely happy that I have discovered her. Heart of Malice is what I want from the UF series that I read. It was dark, gritty, the FMC didn’t know who she could trust, has quite a horrible background, faced paced read where you don’t really know where the author was going to take everything. As well there are side stories/plots that need to be explored in future books. There is enough there to keep you wanting more after the book is finished.

Loved that it had witches with different types of Magic each for the elements but also blood Magic and of course Blood Magic is the most dangerous/powerful one and the on that Alice has along with some others. Alice is extremely powerful but she goes to great lengths to not let anyone around her know the power that she has as if she does she will be discovered.

Alice is pretty badass when it comes to magic, she also has the grit, determination and survival instinct that sometimes you don’t often see in FMC. I mean she will lay her life on the line to protect innocent people (for the most part) but at the same sense she wants to survive and live. When you get glimpses of her past you cannot question her will/need to live.

I love that Alice has a ghost side kick Malcom, he provided some of the comic relief in the book and who wouldn’t want a ghost sidekick. I also liked that Malcom had his own powers and knowledge as well that he could share with Alice.

Could have done without the instant lust, yes, as this is not always my thing, especially in series, I do like more of a slow burn but at the same time it made sense in context of the story and what having sex can help with.

Loved loved loved how Dark this book was. There is torture that occurs (mainly off screen) but enough detail is given to know what occurs. There are also deaths that occur onscreen that some may find disturbing.

I'm extremely happy that I found this series, and I cannot wait to continue on in this series, to see how some unresolved aspects within this book play out. Plus cant wait to find out more about Alice and what she is able to do. Just a fantastic start to a UF series.

Enjoy!!!!

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Katherine Center: The Rom-Comers

Katherine Center show what is truly takes to write a good Rom-Com movie:

When Emma’s father got sick she knew she had to step up to take care of him and her younger sister. She put her dream of being a screenwriter on hold. For 10 years she has put others before herself until an old friend wants to bring her back in. A well known screenwriter needs help writing a Rom-Com and it just so happens that Charlie Yates is Emma’s favourite screen writer. When she reads the screenplay it is horrible and she cannot believe he wrote it. When Emma meets Charlie, well maybe one shouldn’t meet their hero. Worst Charlie doesn’t want to fix the screenplay and Emma knows rom com and know she can help him fix it, but it will take all of her to get it done and maybe just maybe she can find her own happy ending.

Center is the author that reintroduced me to Contemporary Romance, and is still a go to author for me when I need a change of Pace. I find that she has the ability to suck me in to her characters and stories right from the start and I need to know how this relationship is going to play out. The Rom-Commers is no different. When we meet Emma I already feel like I know her and the hardship she has gone through with giving up ehr dream so her younger sister can achieve her's. 

When I saw that this book gave me all the emotions and feelings, I am not lying. It made me laugh, cry, feel dispare and hoepful, and sometimes all of these at the same time. I will say that I felt that this was a bit lighter in topic than some of the other books that I have read by Centre but I was okay with it and it was what I needed at the time I was reading it. The concept is really cute and I was here for it

Emma is a pretty loveable character, she is very happy and very much no self-centred at all. She wants to do what is best for everyone around her even if it is detrimental to herself. There are times when i wanted to slap her for not thinking of herself first, but that is just who Emma is and she does go on a bit of the journey in the book to discover that it is okay to put herself first every once in awhile

Charlie (I am not writing his last name) on the other hand is basically an ass for most of the book. He puts Emma down (A LOT) and critisces her even more. I think Charlie has a hard time being around someone like Emma and he lashes out even more. When you first start reading Charlie he does not really have any redeeming qualities even though Emma searches for them. He has his moments and did I like Charlie by the end, Yes?

Grumpy Sunshine trope which was played perfectly, and honestly one of my favourite troupes when it comes to romance novels. I will say the third act I was not a fan of and it seemed a bit rushed towards the end, but this did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. One thing that did was the use of the MMC's full name every single time that Emma talks about him she uses his full name. We know by the tenth time who is it. I mean it's cute to begin with but then it was just annoying.

This is going to be one of my favourite by Centreprobably in my top two now (my favourite is still Things You Save in a Fire) but this is a close second. You'll want to pick this one up if you are looking for a lighter read and if you are a fab of the grumpy Sunshine Trope.

Enjoy!!!

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Marcus Kliewer: We Used to Live Here

In his debut novel Marcus Kliewer shows why you should never have strangers in your home:

Charlie and Eve cannot believe the killer deal they got on an old house on a great piece of land, its like a piece of country in the city. Only problem is one road in one road out. Eve is working on the house alone when a stranger knocks on her door. It turns out not just one person but a whole family with a father who used to live there and wants to show them where he grew up. Eve is apprehensive but ends up letting them in. As soon as they are inside unexplained things start happening, starting with the youngest child going missing in the basement. New sounds, creaks and moans start to enter the house and the family cannot take the hint to leave and Eve now knows, she never should have let them in.

I love reading debut novels, I like discovering up and coming authors and when I saw this book was Kliewer's debut plus it was a horror book i was really excited to read it. I will say that Kliewer crafted a story that kept me guessing as what was occurring and I think that he was on point with the creepy atmosphere that he created in this book. You can tell there is something wrong with the house and family pretty quickly. The family just gives off those vibes of trying to appear normal, but they are not. I suggest reading this one in the dark if you are looking for a scare, or maybe a house/cabin far away from other people just to heighten it a bit.

But OMG, what the actual F happened here? Like I honestly have so many questions after finishing this book that I don’t know if that was Kliewer's intention or not. But i am so confused and I feel dissatisfied with that ending, I wanted a little more, maybe a little less of a cliff hanger as I do not know if this is going to have a sequel or not.

There are a few aspect in this book that caused me to struggle as I was reading it. I found that many of the chapters were overly long and I wish that Kliewer could have found a way to break them up a bit. Also, while reading it I felt like there were too many extra documents that were not part of the story. As to why they are there makes sense at the end but while reading them I felt it took away from the story quite a bit and made me feel less invested at times.

I will say that the book is much more of a slow burn book and it really picks up in many aspects around the 75% area. I was okay with the slow burn in the actual chapters of the story but man those extra documents really hindered it.

I don’t know whether to recommend this book or not. I mean when I was in it I was in it, but that ending, I just don’t know. I guess read this one if you are okay with something that feels incomplete and will have questions in the end. Best parallel example i can come up with is the ending to inception with the quarter at the end.

Enjoy!!!! (I think, I honestly dont know)

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Hannah Mary Mckinnon: Only One Survives

Hannah Mary McKinnon is back and questions how well do you know your friends:

All Vienna Taylor wanted was to make music as a drummer, it was part of her, her escape and when all the hard work pays off, along with her best friend Madison, they form an all female group, The Bittersweet. They are just starting to find a following, getting recognition when the unforeseeable happens, an icy road sends them on the fight for their lives. They take shelter in an abandoned cabin hoping to outlast the winter storm. But one by one Vienna's friends and bandmates meet a gruesome end and her best friend Madison disappeared into the night and Vienna struggles to come to terms with it and the end of the Bittersweet. What happened to the Bittersweet? Is Madison still out there? But do guilty people run?

Wow, this book really surprised me. I have read a few books by McKinnon and I have learned that she does not always take the road most traveled with her books and the twists that she employs along the way are amazing. Only One Survives is no exception. I really enjoyed this book and it kept me really entertained in wanting to know what happened to the band that night as well as what is going to happen to Vienna in the present.

I loved that McKinnon had two timelines in this book, I felt that it help keep the reader on their toes as we go back and forth to discover how the band came together but also what happened the night of the tragic accident.

With two timelines, I was surprised that we only got Vienna's POV, I thought that McKinnon would have more than one band member have a POV but it really worked in McKinnon's favour. The reader is really able to see the progression of Vienna through her story, of being a girl who loved drumming for the escape it provided her to the (almost) rockstar she wanted to be and the changes in her personality along the way and the way she interacts with the people around her. There were many times when I wanted Vienna to say something and stick up for herself, but it was just who she was. You will feel sorry for Vienna in both timelines with her different struggles.

I will say that the book felt a little long winded by the end as I knew how it was going to play out, but everything up to that point was really well done. Plus that ending was everything I wanted it to be.

I think this is now my favourite book by McKinnon so far. I was glued to my seat in both timelines to see how everything was going to unfold, highly recommended book if you are looking for one with suspense (I would say domestic suspense type book) or a music related book of the coming of age of a band.

Enjoy!!!!

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Kit Rocha: Deal with the Devil

In the first in a series, Kit Rocha shows what women will go through in order to protect their community:

Nina is an information broker, and she uses the knowledge she finds and the information and objects she procures for other to help support the community that she lives in. Without her and her librarian friends the community would not be able to Survive. Knox is a solider who has convinced his team to go AWOL, there is just a catch, the kill switch within them needs to be turned off. In order to achieve this Knox is given the job of capturing Nina and delivering her to his broker. Only catch is that he doesn’t think she will come quietly. But Knox has information that she needs, the location of a federal storage unit full of old literature, only its in dangerous lands and they need to team up in order to get it.

This is the first book I have read by Kocha and based upon some of her other works (going by the covers/premise of a few I saw, I judged I’m not afraid to admit that) I was not sure what I was getting myself into. This is the first book in the series, and I really enjoyed this book and it was not what I expected it to be. It was a fun mix of action, suspense and romance and who doesn’t love a story where more than one of the Female main characters who can kickass. I think that Rocha did a great job of mixing all the elements together to give the reader a rollercoaster ride of a book that was pretty fast pace.

I loved the idea of Library mercenaries but this is not totally explained or expanded in the book. I mean I know that Nina and her friends are trying to help the community and by getting the books for their community there is a preservation of history, but at the same time, I don’t really know why the world is this way. How did the world get here? I think there needs to be slightly more world building for me.

Knox and Nina are the main characters and this is their story so they have the most POV though I appreciate Kocha having a few of the other members have chapters from their POV, made the story feel more rounded and not one (two) dimensional. I loved how analytical Nina is. always calculating, always the strategist trying to figure the way out of situations and figuring out the odds. Knox will do anything for him men, even sacrificing himself that you have to admire as a character trait, the same can be said for Nina too and her friends. Nina is scary but i actually think that Dani is scarier. and i look forward to that in future books. 

There are some twists and turns along the way and I was able to figure out the main twist but not exactly how it was going to play out, it was a bit lack luster but at the same time really smart of Rocha.

The ending though will make you want to pick up the next book in the series and I know I cannot wait to pick it up, I have some questions about all the main characters.

Enjoy!!!

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Sally Hepworth: Darling Girls

Sally Hepworth shows that although the outside of the house made look Idyllic, it is anything but on the inside:

Jessica, Norah and Alicia are often told how lucky they are. How lucky they are to have been taken in by Miss Fairchild, to save them from some horrible situations in life. How lucky they are to live in such a beautiful home on a beautiful estate. But living with Miss Fairchild did not feel very lucky at all. Miss Fairchild had rules, Miss Fairchild was unpredictable, and Miss Fairchild was never to be crossed or there would be consequences. The girls were able to handle it till one faithful day where they needed to get away. Now 25 years later the home is being destroyed but in the process a body is discovered under the house, and now there are more questions about what happened in that house.

This is the first book by Hepworth and I now need to check out all of her backlist as once you start this book the mystery hits you full force and does not let you go till the end. Hepworth does a great job of keeping this high till the end as you question what is happening in both timelines and what each timeline is going to reveal, this is what makes this book a great domestic suspense book. I think that people need to realize that this is a domestic suspense book and not a straight-out mystery or thriller. For me a domestic suspense book has different parameters than the other two genres, often in domestic suspense things unfold a bit slower and I could see that not being appealing to everyone.

I'm a big fan of books that have the multiple timelines and POV, when i realized that this book was going to have those aspects to it, I knew I was going to love this book. I think that this created a well rounded book and no one was left out. Plus it gave insight as to some of the reason why the girls grew up into the women that they are today and the way that they cope in their everyday lives.

I think Norah (I made sure to have the h there, lol) was my favourite character, i just loved her don’t care attitude about things but made sure that all the girls and women had a voice. She did seem to be the one that was least affected by their time with Miss Fairchild and was often used as the comic relief in the book. In both timelines I could not help but feel sorry for Jessica and what she had endured. But i loved the aspect that the girls became sisters in this book and stuck up for one another and have stuck together even into adulthood, though that is probably a coping mechanism in itself.

The Manipulation factor is on point in this book and the methods that all the characters use in one way or another from subtle to blatant but I was here for both. And the manipulation stems all the way to the end of this book, and the ending is one of my favourites that I have read this year.

Excellent book and one to pick up if you are looking for a domestic suspense book, if you like manipulation as a main aspect in a book and man that ending was on point. Really can’t wait to check out other books that Hepworth has written, which do you recommend?

Enjoy!!!!

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