Book Critic
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Review: The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan
Author Gilly Macmillan is known for writing some darker mysteries so when this one came up for review, I was intrigued enough to check it out. I know that a lot of psychological thriller and mysteries tend to be more twisty and dark and I love reading mysteries like that. For me my favorites are either classic Agatha Christie style mysteries or the dark twisty modern psychological thrillers! This one actually sounded like it might blend both the classic mystery with the darker twists that more modern thriller are known for so I was super excited see how the two merge together. I haven’t read a mystery in a while…
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Review: The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Kristy Woodson Harvey has written a number of contempo lit/women’s fiction novels over the years and I have been a massive fan ever since I read her first book years ago! I have read almost all of her books and each one is always well written with charm, wit, and excellent story telling. I have recommended her books to so many of my friends and I have yet to meet someone who was disappointed in her novels. This book is her first foray into historical fiction and sometimes the crossover doesn’t go smoothly for some writers. Most writers pick a genre and stick with it and historical fiction writers are…
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Review: On A Night Like This by Lindsey Kelk
Raise your hand if Cinderella was your favorite Disney princess growing up! Personally I loved Sleeping Beauty but Cinderella was certainly a close second. I loved the idea of a commoner marrying a prince and finding love with someone completely unexpected and outside of her social rank and standing. As I have moved into adulthood, I have gravitated toward romance novels that feature this classic troupe. Rich lord meets commoner and marries her anyway, even if it feels unlikely it always seems to draw me in. Over the years my favorite group of Cinderella romance has been replaced with enemies to lovers troupes but there is still a soft spot…
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Review: The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St James
I can’t even begin to tell you how much of a fan I am of Simone St James! I have read every single one of her books and she is absolutely an auto buy author for me. I had her latest novel pre ordered for MONTHS in advance. I am just a massive fan girl. Her books (especially the more recent ones) are the perfect mix of murder, ghosts, horror, and gothic. I can’t say enough good things about her books just read them if you haven’t already! Especially the newest books like The Broken Girls and The Sun Down Motel. I didn’t think a book could top The Broken…
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Review: Under Lock and Skeleton Key (Secret Staircase Mysteries #1) by Gigi Pandian
I am usually up for a new cozy mystery series. I always find cozy mysteries relaxing and satisfying, they typically have charming main characters and mysteries that aren’t overly complicated or too dark so they make for nice relaxing reading for me. When I saw this one come across my desk for review I was super excited because it was a new book in a mystery series, and it had a bit of a Gothic twist. Not to mention it boasted a classic locked room mystery—-so think Murder on the Orient Express or And Then There Were None. Mysteries that on the surface appear simple and at the same time…
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Review: The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery
It’s that time of year when we have had the ‘false spring’ week in Oregon and have then settled into 6 more weeks of winter. We had this absolutely beautiful week where it was sunny and 60-65 degrees—spring was in the air—until it wasn’t. Suddenly we were back to 40 degree temps with constant rain (like torrential down pour) and like many Oregonians we are all left longing for sunshine and warmer temps! So what is a surefire way to cure the longing in our hearts? A book set in a sunny location that offers a little bit of escapism and a whole lot of sunshine! Enter this lovely new…
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Review: The Lady Tempts an Heir (The Gilded Age Heiresses #3) by Harper St George
I fell in love with Harper St George’s series the second I opened the first book! Not only are the covers stunning with gorgeous dresses but the stories are sensual, romantic, and all around great reads. I actually kind of thought that the series would end after the second book since it’s the Gilded Age Heiresses series and there were only two sisters, but I was thrilled to see this book was coming out even if this book featured the brother of the two previous heiresses. I instantly jumped at the chance to review this one—in fact I had in on pre order for months as soon as I saw…
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Review: If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher
I don’t know what drew me to this book first, the hot fireman or the protagonist having a massive public meltdown! It’s like my dream some times to just have a complete meltdown where I give zero f*cks and just go off and still be able to keep my job and relationship but yet I have something to laugh about later. Am I right people? Basically I wish my life was a movie or a story some times where I could get away with that. Like go full on Waiting to Exhale and burn my ex’s stuff and still find love—that’s exactly what this book promises—literally! I was instantly drawn…
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Review: The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have been writing domestic thrillers for the last few years and I love this writing team! I especially loved their first novel together, The Wife Between Us. After reading that one I was super excited to check out the next book which was just ok for me but that said, I enjoyed their writing style and was eager to read other collaborations. When this book came up for review I was familiar enough with the authors names and the quality of novels they put out so I was obviously on board with a review. While the second book I read wasn’t my fav, it was…
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Review: Sisters of Night and Fog by Erika Robuck
I have read and enjoyed a couple of Erika Robuck’s books over the years. She has proven to me that she is a solid writer who doe wonderful research on her historical fiction novels. So I am typically on board for a review whenever one of her books comes across my desk for review! I really enjoyed Hemingway’s Girl and the Invisible Woman, though I didn’t love The House of Hawthorne as I had hoped, it was still full of great research and things to enjoy. When her latest novel came up for review, I was excited to see what topic and historical period she would go with next! The…