When 75-year-old Angela invites her family on a trip for her birthday celebration at a beach resort in Cornwall, suggesting it might be her last, how When 75-year-old Angela invites her family on a trip for her birthday celebration at a beach resort in Cornwall, suggesting it might be her last, how can they say no? There for the party are Angela's son Scott with his new wife and baby, Scott's ex-wife, their two teenagers, and a private chef Angela hired for the event.
The premise of the book is intriguing, and I enjoyed the writing style. A snowstorm leads to the family being trapped at the lodge, and at some point they receive some disturbing news from the police: a man has been killed nearby. It's unclear at first as to who it could have been, but things start to unravel soon. Someone else ends up dead, and it only gets crazier from there.
At first it seems a bit of a slow burn, but the story is so filled with drama and tension, that I was hooked the whole time. There's also the jealousy between the wives, perfectly told through their own POVs, that at times I didn't know which one to believe or to root for.
There are many twists and turns, some predictable, some truly surprised me. Overall a pleasure to listen to.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the arc in exchange for an honest review....more
Eight years have passed since a broken dam caused a flood that swept away Lucy's younger brother. Now tragedy strikes again when her stepbrother disapEight years have passed since a broken dam caused a flood that swept away Lucy's younger brother. Now tragedy strikes again when her stepbrother disappears and ends up dead a few days later. This sets Lucy on a path to find out if the events are related and to find out the truth behind it all.
The novel does a great job of capturing the complex family dynamics that follow such tragedy. I liked how strong Lucy was under these circumstances and how she was a rock to her mother. The number of characters in the story was so large, but everyone was well-developed, and Court Stevens wrote them so intricately woven together, that it was difficult for me to determine who was responsible for what.
I found this plot to be quite original, but part two ruined the suspense somehow, and the time jump in part three pulled me out of the narrative a little. All in all, I thought this book was OK and despite its sadness and heartbreak, I was intrigued enough to finish reading it. But I think it's a hard one to rate, as it is not a pleasant reading experience.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review....more
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.
The House Guest is set in Hugh andMany thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.
The House Guest is set in Hugh and Juliet Mullen's magnificent home, Mullins End, which has been in the family for many generations. The two seem to have a practically perfect existence together, but things take a turn for the worst when a stranger who claims to be Hugh's third cousin (and the heir to the property upon Hugh's death) turns up unexpectedly and requests to stay there until she resolves some issues with her own place.
The story provides an interesting reading experience, told from a variety of perspectives, each adding to the web of scandalous drama and lies. Most of the characters are immoral, and they all believe they are outsmarting the others. This struck me as funny and highly ironic. But even though the overall plot was enjoyable, I found certain parts of the novel to be unbelievable, and that slightly ruined my reading experience, hence only three stars....more
I didn't enjoy this sequel as much as I did the first book. There was something about Beth that I didn't like.
But overall this was a nice story about I didn't enjoy this sequel as much as I did the first book. There was something about Beth that I didn't like.
But overall this was a nice story about two parents doing everything in their power to get back to their kids, in a post apocalyptic world nonetheless. And I was happy with how it all wrapped up.
I'll be definitely on a lookout for future books from this author!...more
I think at some point in life, we all wonder "if I could go back in time, what's the one thing I'd change?". That's what this book is about. And whileI think at some point in life, we all wonder "if I could go back in time, what's the one thing I'd change?". That's what this book is about. And while I liked the premise, it didn't grip me and I feel conflicted about the resolution. I guess I wished the time travel part was in some way explained, instead of the "I don't know how this all happened, but I'm glad I did" that we got....more
A "friends to lovers" romance with a happy ending, but with plenty of room for improvement. I mean, I wished that the chemistry between Kate and BrodyA "friends to lovers" romance with a happy ending, but with plenty of room for improvement. I mean, I wished that the chemistry between Kate and Brody was more palpable and their connection stronger. There also wasn't enough tension or intimacy, just him being in love with her since they were kids and her suddenly (and without any clear reason) falling for him.
But overall a cute summer-y read, so I'll give it 3,5 stars rounded up ...more
This was a cute romance in a summer camp for adults setting.
The love story between Garland and Stevie was sweet, but it didn't blow me away. What I dThis was a cute romance in a summer camp for adults setting.
The love story between Garland and Stevie was sweet, but it didn't blow me away. What I did enjoy a lot though, were all the fun challenges and the friendships that stemmed from that week at Camp Carl Cove. ...more
I thought this book has what it takes for me to love it, but sadly it didn't deliver. I have no feelings whatsoever about the romance in it or the chaI thought this book has what it takes for me to love it, but sadly it didn't deliver. I have no feelings whatsoever about the romance in it or the characters, the only thing I liked being the relationship of Sam with her brother.
A quick summer read, but a mediocre one at best ...more
I know this probably isn't the purpose of these books, but I was hoping the story would somehow be more related to the MCU. Anyway, I still enjoyed leI know this probably isn't the purpose of these books, but I was hoping the story would somehow be more related to the MCU. Anyway, I still enjoyed learning a bit more about Bucky aka The Winter Soldier and would recommend this to any Marvel fan....more
What a peculiar and fun story this was! Alien invasion done differently (although at times it reminded me of The Humans by Matt Haig). Proper review tWhat a peculiar and fun story this was! Alien invasion done differently (although at times it reminded me of The Humans by Matt Haig). Proper review to come....more
Jojo Moyes has a gift to creating these flawed, yet oddly charming characters. A lovely story of growing as a person in light of some big life changesJojo Moyes has a gift to creating these flawed, yet oddly charming characters. A lovely story of growing as a person in light of some big life changes and one of unlikely, beautiful friendships ❤️...more
For You and You Only was so different from the previous three books, and I mean that in the worst way possible.
If in my review for You Love Me I said For You and You Only was so different from the previous three books, and I mean that in the worst way possible.
If in my review for You Love Me I said I empathize with Joe and that he's "not that bad", I have definitely changed my mind now, as I finally got to see the true psychopath that he is. Full review coming at some point. (I do mean it and hope I'll soon sit my butt down and review all these books I keep labeling "rtc" ...more
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