Book Review: A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa Sheinmel @AlyssaSheinmel @SourcebooksFire @netgalley #ADangertoHerselfandOthers #netgalley #bookblog #bookreview #bookblogger #bookreviewer #booksonthebookshelf

PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire

PUBLICATION DATE: February 5th, 2019

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Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book via NetGalley.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Four walls. One window. No way to escape.

Hannah knows there’s been a mistake, She doesn’t need to be institutionalized. What happened to her roommate at that summer program was an accident. As soon as the doctor and judge figure out that she isn’t a danger to herself or others, she can go home to start her senior year. Those college applications aren’t going to write themselves. Until then, she’s determined to win over the staff and earn some privileges so she doesn’t lose her mind to boredom.

Then Lucy arrives. Lucy has her own baggage, and she’s the perfect project to keep Hannah’s focus off all she is missing at home. But Lucy may be the one person who can get Hannah to confront the secrets she’s avoiding-and the dangerous games that landed her in confinement in the first place.

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MY REVIEW:

This books synopsis had me hooked and wanting to read this novel. A young teenager Hannah finds herself institutionalized as she is considered a danger to herself and others. Hannah is sure that as soon as her doctors and judge find out she isn’t actually a danger to herself and others that they will let her go and live her life, returning to graduate high school. However, Hannah isn’t released as soon as she has initially expected, and finds herself bored with the day in and day out same routine she finds herself in. She is enclosed in the same room most days and is determined to get extra privileges for good behaviour.

Hannah is adamant that she is not responsible for hurting her good friend Agnes at summer school. She insists that what happened was an accident and she loves her friend Agnes, she would never hurt her. Or would she?

We get a glimpse into the daily life and thoughts of young Hannah as she is completely bored within the same 4 walls of this institution. It was interesting to see things as Hannah sees them and get a glimpse into her thoughts and views on things. Hannah is a troubled young girl who is going through some mental health issues and I found it quite an interesting read.

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MY RATING: 4/5 stars

Book Review: The Affair by Sheryl Browne @SherylBrowne @bookouture @netgalley #netgalley #TheAffair #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblog #bookblogger #booksonthebookshelf

PUBLISHER: Bookouture

PUBLICATION DATE: August 10th, 2018

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Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book via NetGalley.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

You trusted her. You shouldn’t have.

Alicia’s been telling lies. And now they’ve come back to haunt her.

When an old colleague turns up at a party, Alicia comes face to face with the man who has the potential to ruin her perfect family life. He wouldn’t, would he?

In order to keep her secrets, Alicia has to tell yet more lies and when a devastating car accident makes the situation even more dangerous, it’s only a matter of time before everything falls apart. Can secrets really stay hidden forever?

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MY REVIEW:

This book was amazing from beginning to end. An addictive, intriguing book that will have you feeling many different emotions, from shock, to bewilderment, to frustration, to sadness to heartbreak and everything in between. I loved the roller coaster of a ride this book takes you on, to be sure to sit down and hold on tight – you’re about to go on one wild ride!

This poor family cannot seem to catch a  break! Their lives as they know it is about to suddenly change, and they won’t see any of it coming. I enjoyed both main characters, husband and wife Alicia and Justin. They seemed like the most loving, caring couple and I really enjoyed reading about them and their family. They have two children, a teenage daughter and a newborn son. They are faced with a tragedy that will shock you and have you gaping as you read along.

Without giving too much away this is a book that you need to read…like now!

I really enjoyed reading about Justin’s character and I couldn’t help but feel so sorry for him many times throughout the book. He truly and dearly loves his little family and would do anything for them. In the face of adversity and heartache, everyone in this story deals with the tragic loss and heartache in their own way. Secrets and lies are revealed, and this only adds to the heartache and despair of the novel.

Overall a wonderful read that you have to get your hands on today!

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MY RATING: 5/5 stars

 

Book Review: Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris #SoldonaMonday #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblog #bookblogger #netgalley #booksonthebookshelf

PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Landmark

PUBLICATION DATE: August 28th, 2018

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Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book via NetGalley.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

2 CHILDREN FOR SALE

The scrawled sign, peddling young siblings on a farmhouse porch, captures the desperation sweeping the country in 1931. It’s an era of breadlines, bank runs, and impossible choices.

For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when the image leads to his big break, the consequences are devastating in ways he never imagined.

Haunted by secrets of her own, secretary Lillian Palmer sees more in the picture than a good story and is soon drawn into the fray. Together, the two set out to right a wrongdoing and mend a fractured family, at the risk of everything they value.

Inspired by an actual newspaper photo that stunned readers across the nation, this touching novel explores the tale within the frame and behind the lens—a journey of ambition, love, and the far-reaching effects of our actions.

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MY REVIEW:

The cover of this book is simply stunning. That alone was enough for me to want to read this book. Then after reading the synopsis I knew for sure that it was a must read for me.

I went into this book wanting to know why someone would put up a for sale sign for their children. How could someone give up their children for money? I couldn’t wrap my head around that idea and I needed to know more about this book. What unfolded was not what I expected and the book fell a bit flat for me. I wanted to know more about the children that were for sale, but the book took a different avenue and I think for this reason it fell a bit short for me.

After reading so much hype about this book I think I had too high expectations for this book. It was an interesting read and honestly I think my expectations were too high for me going in. There are so many wonderful reviews for this book so please don’t be discouraged from reading this book after my review, go ahead and give it a read and see for yourself.

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MY RATING: 3/5 stars

Book Review: Keep Her Close by Erik Therme @bookouture @netgalley #KeepHerClose #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblog #bookblogger #booksonthebookshelf

PUBLISHER: Bookouture

PUBLICATION DATE: December 5th, 2018

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Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book via NetGalley.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Someone took your daughter. And nobody believes you …

Then:
Three-year-old Ally was found alone in a parking lot.
She was barefoot and dressed only in a yellow sundress. In the middle of winter.
What kind of person would abandon their daughter?

Now:
Fifteen years later and Ally has a new family.
But her real father has sent her a letter.
And now Ally is missing.

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MY REVIEW:

This book’s synopsis I found to be very intriguing. A young girl found abandoned, and all alone; she is cold, underdressed, and appears to have been just left standing there. Why would she be there all alone? This alone had me hooked and wanting to read the book to find out what was going on.

Flash forward 15 years, and she is living with the people who found her. Now a teenager, Ally receives a mysterious letter from someone claiming to be her ailing father, saying he doesn’t have much time left in the world and wants to meet her. Without telling her parents, Ally decides to leave and meet this man. But is he truly her father? Is she safe, or is something dark and sinister going on?

Her father Dan, the man who raised her, is worried about where she is gone and decides to go search for her. He is quite hot tempered and angry, and has frequent outbursts. I mean he is searching for his daughter who he loves very much and I can’t blame him for being upset. I did find his character to be overly likable though, and he was quite impulsive, as he often made decisions without logically thinking them through and thinking of the consequences that could follow. I’ll give him credit though – he was determined to do whatever it took to find his daughter and make sure she was ok.

This book takes you on a wild journey as we follow one mans desperate attempts to locate his daughter.

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MY RATING: 3/5 stars

Book Review: If, Then by Kate Hope Day @netgalley @randomhouse #IfThen #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblog #bookblogger #netgalley #booksonthebookshelf

PUBLISHER: Random House

PUBLICATION DATE: March 12, 2019

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Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book via NetGalley.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The residents of a sleepy mountain town are rocked by mysterious visions of an alternate reality in this dazzling debut that combines the family-driven suspense of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere with the inventive storytelling of The Immortalists and Station Eleven.

In the quiet mountain haven of Clearing, Oregon, four neighbors find their lives upended when they begin to see themselves in a parallel reality. Ginny, a devoted surgeon whose work often takes precedence over her family, has a baffling vision of her beautiful coworker in her bed, and begins to doubt the solidity of her marriage. Ginny’s husband Mark, a wildlife scientist, sees a vision that suggests impending devastation–and grows increasingly paranoid, threatening the safety of his wife and son. Samara, a young woman desperately mourning the recent death of her mother and questioning why her father seems to be handling it with such ease, witnesses an apparition of her mom healthy and vibrant, and wonders about the secrets her parents may have kept from her. Cass, a brilliant scholar struggling with the demands of new motherhood, catches a glimpse of herself pregnant again, just as she’s on the brink of returning to the project that could define her career.

At first the visions are relatively benign, but they grow increasingly troubling–and in some cases, frightening. When a natural disaster threatens them all, it becomes clear that the visions were not what they first seemed, and that the town of Clearing will never be the same.

Startling, deeply imagined, and compulsively readable, Kate Hope Day’s debut novel is about the choices we make that shape our lives and determine our destinies–the moments that alter us so profoundly that it feels as if we’ve entered another reality.

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MY REVIEW:

Imagine seeing visions of yourself or those you love, knowing that what you are seeing cannot be real… Are you losing your mind? Are the visions you are seeing premonitions of something to come? Would you tell someone what you seen or would you fear they would think you are crazy?

This book was quite an interesting read for sure. We are introduced to many main characters – Ginny, Mark, Mr. Kells, Cass and Samara. All of them are connected in some way and know one another. Ginny is married to Mark. Their neighbours Cass (married new mother of one) and Samara (young woman who lost her mother) live close by. Samara took piano lessons from Mr. Kells wife years ago when she was alive. Mr. Kells is currently in the hospital, and his life was saved by Ginny, who is a surgeon. Mr. Kells is a professor and is Cass’ mentor. Samara is a real estate agent tasked with trying to sell Mr. Kells home. All these characters lives are interconnected in some way and I found that a really interesting piece in the novel. What else do they have in common? They have all seen visions in the same small town they live in.

The premise of the novel is that they all get to view their lives in an alternate reality, hence the name of the novel – If, Then.  I found it to be an interesting read and found myself wanting to know the whole point of the visions. What did the visions mean? And why were these people experiencing these visions? I thought it was an interesting and intriguing idea for a book. It kept me flipping through the pages to see what would happen next. It had a mystery and suspense type feel that I liked.

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MY RATING: 3/5 stars

Book Review: Social Misconduct by S.J. Maher @NetGalley @simonschuster #SocialMisconduct #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblog #bookblogger #netgalley #booksonthebookshelf

PUBLISHER: Simon Schuster

PUBLICATION DATE: April 23rd, 2019

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Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book via NetGalley.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A timely and shocking thriller about a young woman who is the target of a social-media smear campaign.

Her perfect job becomes the perfect nightmare when a stalker hacks her phone.

Candace Walker is thrilled when she lands a new job at a hip Manhattan tech company and gets a brand-new iPhone. She’s more than ready to move on from creating clickbait ads for weight-loss pills and herbal erection boosters, and is determined to dazzle the startup team she joins.

A week later, though, everything is at risk: Candace is the target of a mysterious harasser and an online smear campaign. She tosses her new phone into the Hudson River, begins hiding out in her sister’s storage locker in New Jersey, and can’t think of a single person she can trust. But Candace hasn’t come this far—and gone to such lengths—to submit to what is happening without a fight.

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MY REVIEW:

This was the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it. I look forward to more books by this author.

Social Misconduct starts off with the main character Candace as she drops her phone into a river. She then takes a ferry to her destination, and is on the run from someone she believes is watching her and following her. This alone intrigued me and kept me wanting to read more. Is someone following her? Who would it be and why? And why would she drop her phone into the river?

This book is told in alternating timelines, and each chapter flips back and forth between past and present. I really enjoyed this style of the book as it allowed us little bits of information at a time and kept us wanting to read more to get all the pieces together. Slowly you get the full picture of what happened, and I find it adds to the suspense and leaves you wanting to know more, as you flip through the pages to see what happens next.

We learn that after Candace gets a new promotion at her job, she suddenly gets threatening text messages on her phone, saying that she owe this person and that if she doesn’t do as they say then she will pay! She thinks she knows who is sending her these messages and is confused why he is doing this to her and she thought they were friends. She soon doubts herself and wonders if she is wrong about the identity of the person sending her these messages. Is it truly who she thinks it is or is it someone else?

When you think about it social media can be a scary place, especially if someone gets your personal information and hacks into your phone or computer. I can’t imagine what that would be like.

Without giving too much away this was a great read. I was hooked and wanting to read more. Thanks for reading my review and hope you like this book as well.

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MY RATING: 4/5 stars

Book Review: I Know You by Erik Therme @ErikTherme @bookouture @NetGalley #IKnowYou #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblog #bookblogger #booksonthebookshelf #netgalley

PUBLISHER: Bookouture

PUBLICATION DATE: April 12th, 2019

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Thank you to the publisher Bookouture for providing me an eARC of this book via NetGalley.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sisters Bree and Alissa Walker share a special bond. Neglected by their parents, they have always looked out for one another. But one day, sixteen-year-old Alissa goes missing. When Bree discovers her green backpack with all her belongings, abandoned on the steps of their run-down trailer, she knows that something bad has happened …

Then she receives a chilling text message. Someone has Alissa. But Bree will have to give up something very precious in exchange.

Desperate to save Alissa, Bree looks at everyone close to their family. She’s sure that Alissa’s best friend is keeping something back about her little sister and a boy at school, and why has their estranged uncle, who they’ve not seen in years, been hanging around again?

It soon becomes clear that the person behind the message knows a lot about the dark truths within the Walker family and will go to any lengths to get revenge. And as the search for Alissa continues, Bree discovers something about her brother Tyler that she wishes she hadn’t, a dangerous secret, which is also the key to bringing her little sister back home.

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MY REVIEW:

This was the first book I have read by this author and I quite enjoyed it. 3 children – Bree, Tyler and Alissa – are raised by their single mother who works two jobs to make ends meet. The eldest daughter, Bree, helps to look after her younger siblings especially her youngest sister Alissa. Their father is mean – he is neglectful, abusive and is an alcoholic who is kicked out of the home more often than he is in it. So it is up to Bree to care for her siblings.

8 years later, when Bree is a young adult she gets a text message on her phone. Her sister has been kidnapped and the person messaging her wants Bree to bring her brother to this person in exchange to get Alissa back. There is just one problem… Bree has no idea where her brother is. If she wants to get her sister back, she has to find her brother first. She is unsure what to do or where to look. Who took their sister and why? Will Bree be able to find her brother Tyler before it is too late?

A great read that will have you biting your nails wondering what will happen next. I really enjoyed Bree’s character in this book. She had done well for herself despite everything she was tasked with in her life. She got an education, worked a job and helped raise her younger siblings. She was kind hearted and cared for others.

I didn’t expect the ending at all which I loved. Keep me guessing the whole way through.

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MY RATING: 4/5 stars

Blog Blitz & Book Review: The Family Lie by Jake Cross @bookouture @netgalley @JakeCrossAuthor #TheFamilyLie #bookblog #bookblogger #bookreview #bookreviewer #booksonthebookshelf #blogblitz #blogtour

 

PUBLISHER: Bookouture

PUBLICATION DATE: April 23rd, 2019

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Hi everyone and welcome to my stop on the Blog Blitz for The Family Lie by Jake Cross. Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be a part of this book tour and for providing an eARC via Netgalley.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jake has been making stuff up from a real early age. His parents never believed his silly lies when he was young, so he still has no idea why he thought he could invent a decent story as an adult. But he kept trying, and here we are. THE CHOICE is his first novel, the first of three thrillers to be published by Bookouture, and he hopes you like it. If you don’t, he at least hopes you don’t ask for a refund.

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AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakecrossauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JakeCrossAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17625443.Jake_Cross

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

You whispered goodnight to your daughter. You didn’t know that would be your last goodbye.

You wake up in the middle of the night.

Your five-year-old daughter is gone.

Your husband is nowhere to be seen.

Your family think he took her.

The police believe he’s guilty.

But he wouldn’t do that, would he?

He’s a loving father. A loving husband. Isn’t he?

An addictive and completely gripping psychological thriller with a twist that will blow you away. Fans of The Girl on the Train,K.L. Slater and Shalini Boland won’t be able to put down this jaw-dropping novel.

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MY REVIEW:

Gripping, thrilling and wildly entertaining. The Family Lie is packed full with lies, betrayal, deception and secrets. I loved it. What better than a family drama full of surprises.

This book was a page turner for me. I was always wanting to know what would happen next and was eager to find out who took the little girl and if the father was responsible. Where have the girl and her father disappeared? It would be a mother’s worst nightmare to discover her child and husband both gone without a trace. And to make matters worse, could the husband truly be responsible for your child’s disappearance or is something more sinister at play here?

A captivating thrill of a book that will grip you and demand your attention for the wild ride. Thanks for stopping by on my stop of the blog blitz. I hope you enjoy the book!

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FOLLOW THE TOUR:

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BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B07N8VVHGFSocial

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2t41M85

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2D1yls8

Googleplay: http://ow.ly/sLbg30nxGTv

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MY RATING: 4/5 stars

Book Review: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager @riley_sager @DuttonBooks @penguinusa @NetGalley #LockEveryDoor #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblog #bookblogger #booksonthebookshelf #partner

PUBLISHER: Dutton

PUBLICATION DATE: July 2nd, 2019

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Thank you to the publisher, Dutton, for the eARC copy of this book via NetGalley.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. No disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen’s new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan’s most high-profile and mysterious buildings. Recently heartbroken and just plain broke, Jules is taken in by the splendor of her surroundings and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind.

As she gets to know the residents and staff of the Bartholomew, Jules finds herself drawn to fellow apartment sitter Ingrid, who comfortingly, disturbingly reminds her of the sister she lost eight years ago. When Ingrid confides that the Bartholomew is not what it seems and the dark history hidden beneath its gleaming facade is starting to frighten her, Jules brushes it off as a harmless ghost story . . . until the next day, when Ingrid disappears.

Searching for the truth about Ingrid’s disappearance, Jules digs deeper into the Bartholomew’s dark past and into the secrets kept within its walls. Her discovery that Ingrid is not the first apartment sitter to go missing at the Bartholomew pits Jules against the clock as she races to unmask a killer, expose the building’s hidden past, and escape the Bartholomew before her temporary status becomes permanent.

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MY REVIEW:

Addictive, dark, creepy, gripping, thrilling! This book! WOW! I have read Riley Sager’s previous novels and absolutely LOVED them and this one was no different. You need this book. Like now!

I loved the dark, almost haunted feeling of the book. At times I was creeped out and it felt like I was right there in the book, wondering what sinister creepy thing would happen next. I loved the whole haunting vibe I got from the book. I found myself swiping through the pages wanting to know what would happen next. I was so engrossed and addicted to this book I simply could not put it down! I needed to know what was going on with the Bartholomew, what the whole idea of the building was, and I needed to know right away!

Imagine moving into a prestigious old building, called the Bartholomew, where many prestigious people live. The building is huge with an interesting history, and all Jules has to do is follow the rules given to her and essentially apartment sit. That’s it. And she will get paid handsomely to do so! Seems easy enough right!?

Jules is in apartment 12A and meets a young girl in the apartment below her in apartment 11A, who is also paid to house sit, by the name of Ingrid. They quickly become friends, meeting in the park and having a great chat. Late one evening in the Bartholomew Jules hears something concerning and decides to check on her friend Ingrid. When Ingrid answers her apartment door she insists that everything is fine, but Jules is not convinced. Ingrid promises all is well, and Jules decides there is nothing she can do. After all her friend did say all is fine. But something didn’t seem right, and Jules can’t help but feel there is more going on that her new friend isn’t telling her.

The next morning Jules learns that Ingrid is gone. She is told that Ingrid had moved out during the night, but Jules does not believe that. Determined to find out the truth, Jules does some searching and digging on her own to uncover the truth. Why would Jules suddenly disappear, and not say good bye to Jules? Something feels off and Jules vows to uncover the truth.

Without giving too much away you need to read this book! Be sure to get your hands on a copy when this book is released! You will love it!

Be sure to hold on tight because this book is going to take you for one heck of a thrill ride!

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MY RATING: 5/5 stars

 

Book Review: The Night Before by Wendy Walker @Wendy_Walker @StMartinsPress @NetGalley #TheNightBefore #bookblog #bookblogger #bookreview #bookreviewer #partner #booksonthebookshelf

PUBLISHER: St. Martin’s Press

PUBLICATION DATE: May 14th, 2019

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Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for the eARC copy of this book via NetGalley to read and share my review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

First dates can be murder.

Riveting and compulsive, national bestselling author Wendy Walker’s The Night Before “takes you to deep, dark places few thrillers dare to go” as two sisters uncover long-buried secrets when an internet date spirals out of control.

Laura Lochner has never been lucky in love. She falls too hard and too fast, always choosing the wrong men. Devastated by the end of her last relationship, she fled her Wall Street job and New York City apartment for her sister’s home in the Connecticut suburb where they both grew up. Though still haunted by the tragedy that’s defined her entire life, Laura is determined to take one more chance on love with a man she’s met on an Internet dating site.

Rosie Ferro has spent most of her life worrying about her troubled sister. Fearless but fragile, Laura has always walked an emotional tightrope, and Rosie has always been there to catch her. Laura’s return, under mysterious circumstances, has cast a shadow over Rosie’s peaceful life with her husband and young son – a shadow that grows darker as Laura leaves the house for her blind date.

When Laura does not return home the following morning, Rosie fears the worst. She’s not responding to calls or texts, and she’s left no information about the man she planned to meet. As Rosie begins a desperate search to find her sister, she is not just worried about what this man might have done to Laura. She’s worried about what Laura may have done to him…

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MY REVIEW:

Gripping, thrilling, dark, and suspenseful! This book will have you biting your nails and sitting on the very edge of your seat as you are gripping the book in your hands, wondering what will happen next. Laura goes on a date with a man she met over the internet. Her sister Rosie knows little about this man, and where they are going on this date, so when Laura is still not home the next morning Rosie begins to worry. Did something possibly go wrong during the date? Could Laura’s date have hurt Laura? Could Laura have hurt him? Given Laura’s past, Rosie is worried and begins the frantic search to find her sister to return her to safety. She just prays she isn’t too late.

Laura has a dark past. She is well known in her town she grew up in and most know of her dark past, so Laura changes her last name to help her remain anonymous. What happened in Laura’s past that was so awful she would try to hide who she was?

The story is told from different timelines. The novel starts off with Laura talking to counsellor Dr. Brody and as part of their discussion he asks her to recall memories. Then we have alternating perspectives of both Rosie and Laura – Rosie while searching for her sister Laura, and Laura the night before while on her date. I enjoyed the various POV’s as we get pieces at a time of the night before and slowly learned what truly happened. It leaves you wanting more, and I found myself on the edge of my seat as one piece of the puzzle was delivered at a time. I was curious to find out what truly happened and wondered if something sinister had happened on the date of if Rosie was overreacting. Is someone out to get Laura? It leaves you wondering – who can you trust? Can you trust a random man you met on the internet? Can you trust the ones you know and love?

I don’t want to give away too much of the book, but what a fabulous read from beginning to end. Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoy the book!

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MY RATING: 4/5 stars