ARC Review: The Business Trip

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Stephanie and Jasmine meet on a plane. 

Then they both vanish. 

Both their disappearances are blamed on a man named Trent McCarthy.

What really happened?

I really enjoyed how this book messed with my mind. Just when I thought I had something figured out, another twist would come and change everything. Looking back, all the twists made sense too-until I got to the end. Some of the end seemed too far fetched for me, despite it making for a very dramatic finale. I would give this book 3.5 stars. If you don’t mind an out of left field ending, the rest of the book is quite good. 

ARC Review: Sweet Fury

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion or influence the review itself.

Lila Crane is the Julia Roberts of this story, an actress beloved by all. Her fiancé, Kurt Royal, lives up to his last name, making movies everyone adores. But this, their feminist adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night, is set to be their magnum opus. Lila even starts seeing a therapist, Jonah Gabriel, to help her truly prepare herself. But there are secrets and hidden dangers everywhere…

This is a deep book that, while being a psychological thriller of sorts (perhaps more suspense?), also tackles very deep issues: how women are treated compared to men, what is expected of women, what justice truly is…all while being a story that keeps you turning pages desperate to know what’s next. I would recommend this book.

Double ARC Review: What the Woods Took, and The Rules of Royalty

 I received ARCs of these books from the publisher in exchange for honest reviews. This did not affect my opinions of the books or my reviews themselves.

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

A group of teens are sent to a rehabilitation program in the woods, each with something in their past that has led an adult to have them kidnapped in the middle of the night and forcefully brought to the program. As they trek through the woods, strange things begin to happen, things very unworldly, until their trip is absolutely terrifying.

This is a slow burn type of terror, that starts out eerie and moves to full on horror. The characters are extremely complex and realistic, and Gould is tackling an important and timely topic with teen rehabilitation programs. I would recommend this book. 

The Rules of Royalty by Cale Dietrich

As a present for his eighteenth birthday, Jamie learns he is actually a prince. His world is completely thrown for a loop as he goes to meet his biological father, who is king of Mitanor, and also meets Erik, the incredibly handsome prince from a neighboring kingdom.

This book is a sweet, adorable read. You know you’re in for a happy ending when you start it, and that’s exactly the kind of story so many of us need right now. Jamie and Erik are so cute together, and every time they came together in the book I was so happy. I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: Madrigals and Mayhem

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion or my review itself.

It’s Christmas time in Cambridge, and Molly is thrilled to decorate the bookstore she now co owns. But after meeting Charlotte, who is passionate about bringing her grandfather’s toy store back to life, strange things start to happen. There is a poisoning, and a search for a highly valuable Madame Alexander doll. To help solve the case, Molly joins the cast of Madrigals and Mayhem.

I love the setting of this. Cambridge really comes alive, as do the stores depicted. The characters have big personalities that really work within this story, and their storylines are compelling. The various mysteries are good too. If you enjoy a nice holiday cozy, this one just might be for you. 

ARC Review: Perfect Girl

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Jessa has always been the “perfect girl”, following all the rules, never shirking her responsibilities. But this perfect girl status now has her and her friends at the most horrifying sleepover of their lives.

First of all, the cover of this book is great. It got me interested right away. The book itself was definitely scary, and Jessa and her friends are characters to root for. While the story didn’t entirely grab me the way others in this genre have (maybe I called the twist too early?), the absolute creepiness of it all kept me reading and I’m glad I did.

If you are looking for a quick scary young adult read filled with compelling characters, I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: Guilt and Ginataan

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Lila and her Brew-ha Cafe best buddies have a booth at the Corn Festival, selling delicious food and drinks. But when they decide to race through the corn maze, one friend is found unconscious, next to a knife and a very dead woman. Now Lila, and her friends and family, have to solve the crime and prove their friend innocent. 

This, along with the Laura Child’s Tea Shop series, might just be my favorite cozy mystery series, and one of my favorites series out there. The characters are so vibrant and wonderful, and you become completely invested in them and their lives. The setting comes alive and feels like a place you want to visit. The romance is weaved in beautifully, and all the platonic and romantic relationships are great. And the food! I want to eat it all! The mystery is always really good as well. I highly recommend this book. 

Review: Still See You Everywhere

 I received a copy of this book from Novel Suspects and NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

When a woman on death row asks Frankie Elkin to find her long-lost sister, Frankie very reluctantly agrees. It does mean she gets to go to paradise, after all. But when Frankie gets there, she quickly realizes nothing is quite what it seems, and she might not come out of this one alive.

First off, the main character, Frankie, is highly complicated and a total badass. She’s not perfect by any means, but she tries, and she’s a survivor. And being a survivor is definitely a skill she needs in this story.

There is so much action, so many twists and turns, so many genuinely scary moments. This is a book that does not let up and I loved that about it. I would recommend this book.