THE ECHO WIFE  by  SARAH GAILEY

My Rating: ★★★★

This was so different from what I was expecting!

I started this thinking it's a domestic suspense thriller, but it was more than that. Once I started reading it, I just couldn't stop. 

The plot had a slightly eerie feeling to it especially with the inclusion of all the genetic and cloning concepts. It was something that I haven't read before, so it was so intriguing to read. 

I'm still confused about how I feel about the ending though, on one hand I felt that it was perfect but on the other hand, I guess I wanted something more shocking or scandalous!

Nevertheless, an absolutely fascinating read!

THE LAKE  by  LOUISE SHARLAND

My Rating: ★★★

Kate's world falls apart when her teenage son drowns in the waters by his school. She’s convinced it wasn’t just a tragic accident, but no one will listen.

Now, six years later, Kate unearths Michael’s lost diary and realises she may finally be able uncover what really happened that night.

But as she delves deeper, she begins to realise that she didn’t really know her son – or the people in his life – at all. And that, sometimes, secrets are better left submerged…

An interesting premise with an equally good plot!

The plot flows smoothly and it' has a dark theme to it, that keeps you hooked on. AIso, it's filled with twists and turns. I kept guessing and changing my suspect right till the end, but even then I couldn't figure it out before Kate.

In terms of the main character, Kate, there were times when I genuinely felt bad for her, because losing a child is obviously difficult and plus, she didn't have the right support system to help her grieve. But there were instances in the book, when I lost connection with her and found some of her actions questionable.

But overall, a good read.

Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!

THE NIGHT FIRE  by  MICHEAL CONNELLY

(Harry Bosch #22)

My Rating: ★★★★★

Just two words to describe this book, "Simply Amazing!".

Another fantastic addition to one of my all time favorite series. I love reading Renée Ballard as much as Harry Bosch, and if you include Mickey Haller in the plot.... What more can I ask for ?!

THE ATTORNEY  by  STEVE MARTINI

(Paul Madriani #5)

My Rating: ★★★★

This is my first Paul Madriani book and I am definitely planning on reading the other books in this series.

The plot was filled with action and twists right from the start. I particularly enjoyed the courtroom scenes because they were so engrossing. The ending was definitely a surprise because it was so unexpected!

GUITAR NOTES  by  MARY AMATO

My Rating: ★★★★

What an amazing book! It's so simple but yet delivers such a powerful and beautiful message. I loved the bond between Lyla and Tripp. After reading this... I really want to learn how to play the guitar!

JUST TWO OF US  by  RYU HYANG

(Just Two of Us #2)

My Rating: ★★★★

I really enjoyed the first part of this book, but this was even better!

The story picks up right from where it left off in the previous book. The reason why this is much better than the first part is because this time the characters were developed much better. And also there was more depth in the plot rather than just being an ordinary romance novel, it focused on family, love and importance of forgiveness.

I loved how the family relationships got developed in this plot. Soohyuk struggle to come to terms with finding his birth family was understandable but I think having Yuna by his side made it a lot more easier.

I wish there would have been another book, but, I can't really complain much, as the ending was like a typical K-Drama.

Overall, an enjoyable read.

Thank You NetGalley and POPPYPUB for this ARC!

DANCE UPON THE AIR  by  NORA ROBERTS

(Three Sisters Island #1)

My Rating: ★★★★

I enjoyed reading this! While it was a feel-good romance story, the settings and the inclusion of witchcraft in the plot were fascinating.

Looking forward to read the next books in the series!

CLOSE MY EYES  by  BEVERLEY HARVEY

My Rating: ★★★

Beth's life changes with a random chance sighting: a face from her past, someone Beth hasn’t thought about for years. She suddenly starts getting awful flashes of an event from her past – a vicious attack from an unknown person. And she thinks it could be more than just a nightmare. But how could she forget something this big?

Gemma, one of Beth's closest friends, is married to another childhood friend of Beth, Guy. What had promised to be a happy married life has soon turned into a nightmare for Gemma. Guy is a downright bully and Gemma has no one to turn to for help.

More details start to come back to Beth – details she knows she couldn’t have invented. But these are people who have known her all her life and have her best interests at heart. Who should she believe? And is she prepared for what she will find? Because the truth will ruin someone’s life – and they will stop at nothing to keep the past forgotten.

This was a very intriguing read!

I enjoyed the way the plot was narrated in alternating chapters between Gemma and Beth, it helped to build up the suspense and thrill in the air. Excellent character development as the plot progressed. The main issues of domestic violence and trauma have been dealt with such care and importance.

In terms of the main characters, I was glad when Beth and Gemma decided to stand up for themselves. Guy was one horrible and obnoxious character.

Even though there were no major twists in the plot and the ending is on expected lines, it still makes for an engaging read!

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

A CHILD OF MY OWN  by  VANESSA CARNEVALE

My Rating: ★★★★★

Isla and Ben are devoted parents to their beloved daughter, Reese. She is their little miracle, the child they thought they’d never have until donors made her existence possible. But Isla has never told Reese about her biological parents. She wants to be honest with her daughter, but can she bear to open up old wounds?

Then Isla receives a call from Lucy, once her closest friend and the donor who made her dreams come true. They haven’t spoken in almost ten years, but Lucy has devastating news: she has lost her beloved husband Nate.

Heartbroken for her friend, Isla welcomes Lucy back into her life. But then Lucy comes to Isla with a request that changes everything. If Lucy gets what she wants, Isla’s perfect family could be destroyed. But would she deny the woman who helped her become a mother the chance for her own happiness?

This is such a beautiful story! Right from the first page I was drawn into the story and found myself unable to put the book down until I finished it.

Narrated beautifully in alternating versions of Isla and Lucy, it covers the entire journey of these two remarkable women. Right from how they became best friends, Lucy willing to become a donor so as to give her friend one of the best gifts ever, the unexpected change in their friendship which eventually led them to be estranged for almost a decade to their emotional reunion. Each of these events, have been so wonderfully presented.

Apart from the characters, who each leave a mark in this story, even all the other social and legal issues involving donor embryos have been well highlighted.

Overall, this is a book which is full of heart and I don't think my words will enough to explain what a wonderful read this is!

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

21st BIRTHDAY by  JAMES PATTERSON

(Women's Murder Club)

My Rating: ★★★

When a distraught mother pleads with San Francisco Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas to investigate the disappearance of her daughter, Tara, and baby granddaughter, Cindy immediately loops in SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer.

The prime suspect is Tara's schoolteacher husband, Lucas Burke, until he puts forward a theory of his own that unexpectedly connects the dots on a constellation of killings.

As the case grows into something far bigger than any of them could have imagined, the four friends will need each other to help unpick the truth from a web of lies.

Another amazing addition to one of my favorite series of all time!

One of the highlights for me with this series are the characters. Their bond and the way the work together as a team despite being in different fields is so amazing. The plot is intriguing and it contains enough suspense and twists to keep you hooked till the end.

However, the ending is a bit rushed. It leaves you slightly disappointed and asking for more.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC!

THE WINTER GIRLS  by  ROGER STELLJES

(Agent Tori Hunter #2)

My Rating: ★★★★

An interesting thriller!

This is the second book in this Agent Tori Hunter series. Even though I haven't read the first book, I didn't feel that I missed much because the author provides a brief introduction and recap at the beginning.

It was well written and easy to read. The characters were good and the investigation was also explained in detail. There were enough twists throughout the plot and the action-packed ending was exhilarating.

However, the main highlight of this book (for me, personally) was the concept behind the whole plot. It was something very unique and interesting.

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

THE WEDDING  by  RUTH HEALD

My Rating: ★★★

Lauren is all ready and excited to begin the preparations of her wedding to Adam. When she sees a card addressed to her in the post, she is expecting a congratulatory message. But just four words were printed in the card, forming a vicious message "He doesn’t love you"

Soon things begun to turn into a nightmare. All her excitement turns into fear and she begins to have doubts.

And finally when the truth comes out, shocking everyone, is a happily ever after possible?

A quick read! The premise was intriguing and I was also attracted to the book because of its cover.

The plot starts off very well, there is a suspense in the air as to what is happening and who is responsible for trying to scare Lauren. Every character comes across as unreliable and as a suspect with a ulterior motive, the most unlikable of all being Adam.

But as the plot progresses, even though there are constant events and twists to keep up the suspense, there was a lack of a surprise element. I found it too predictable and easy to figure out who was the culprit.

Nevertheless, it's a good book to choose for a quick and fun weekend read!

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

THE GIRL IN THE MISSING POSTER  by  BARBARA COPPERTHWAITE

My Rating: ★★★

An interesting read!

It started off very slowly but as the plot progressed, it got more intriguing and exciting. The twists were unexpected and the ending was shocking!

Overall, a good and enjoyable read.

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

WHO DO YOU TRUST?  by  KIRSTY FERGUSON

My Rating: ★★

Dana has all she ever wanted – a husband she loves, her four-year-old daughter Kelsey who is the apple of her eye, and another baby on the way to complete her perfect family.

But then the worst fear that Dana has, comes true, and everything she thought she knew, she now starts to doubt. As her world comes crashing around her, who can Dana trust?

Even though it was a quick read and had an intriguing premise, it slightly lacked in execution.

Initially when I started reading this book, I was excited and I thought that this is going to be interesting and exciting. But after a few chapters, all the excitement just frizzled out. I found all the characters annoying.

All the incidents in the plot were obviously leading up to the final twist at the end. But there were so many things that happened in the last few pages that it just ended up being messed up.

Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC! 

THE FAMILY SHIP  by  SONJA YOERG

My Rating: ★★★★

“Family is not an important thing, it is Everything!”

The Family Ship! What can I say more? The title says it all!

A lovely and beautifully written story about family and its importance in each of our lives through the lives of the Vergennes. Narrated across the versions of each of the nine Vergennes children and their mother Maeve, it covers the entire journey of this family.

The ship—an oyster boat transformed into a make-believe destroyer, USS Nepenthe —is the heart of the Vergennes family, a place both to play and to learn responsibility. Each of the children have their own dreams, thoughts and struggles. But when tragedy and disaster strike the family, they come together, fight, struggle and face all the hardships as one family. And most importantly discover the value and love for each other.

An amazing and touching read!

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC! 

QUIET IN HER BONES  by  NALINI SINGH

My Rating: ★★★

When socialite Nina Rai disappeared without a trace, everyone wrote it off as another trophy wife tired of her wealthy husband. But now her bones have turned up in the shadowed green of the forest that surrounds her elite neighborhood, a haven of privilege and secrets that's housed the same influential families for decades.

The rich live here, along with those whose job it is to make their lives easier. And somebody knows what happened to Nina one rainy night ten years ago. Her son Aarav heard a chilling scream that night, and he's determined to uncover the ugly truth that lives beneath the moneyed elegance . . . but no one is ready for the murderous secrets about to crawl out of the dark.

This was such an intriguing and engaging read!

It was so well written. Narrated through Aarav’s version, who is definitely troubled by his mother’s disappearance, we follow his journey to find his mother’s killer. There are quiet lot of characters, which was slightly confusing at times because I had to recall who they are and what is their connection to the Rais’ and the plot.

But the entire build up to the ending was amazing. Even though I kept guessing who was the killer, as I always do, I was glad to get it wrong but definitely surprised with who it turned out to be!

Overall, an excellent thriller with a bit of creepiness included. Highly Recommended!

Thank You NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for this ARC! 

MEET ME IN LONDON  by  GEORGIA TOFFOLO

(Meet Me #1)

My Rating: ★★★★

This book is perfect for a light read.

The story flows smoothly. Both the main characters Oliver and Victoria are very likable. Victoria’s friendship with her friends is so amazing and it’s one that gives major friendship goals.

It’s both cute and enjoyable! I had fun time reading it and will be eagerly waiting for the next one!

CAN I GIVE MY STEPKIDS BACK  by  AURELIE TRAMIER

My Rating: ★★★★

As a childcare center director, Morgan has to deal with kids every day but would much rather run her own boarding kennel. Snoopy—Morgan's beagle—is indeed the only living being she has considered family these past few years. When her sister and brother-in-law die in a terrible car crash, she has no choice but to adopt their two children.

The unexpected addition to her household is clearly unlikely to get her closer to her canine goals—and as if this wasn't enough, she seems to be getting it all wrong with her "step kids". Elliot finds her terribly childish, and on Lea's birthday, she forgets to bake a cake for school. Grandma Catherine is convinced she'd do a much better job...

This was completely different to what I was expecting but it was still a heartwarming read!

Despite her reservations, Morgan’s love for her sister supersedes everything. It was nice to read how she tries to improve and not just provide for her sister’s children but gradually begins to love them. I felt a lot sympathetic towards her while reading her personal struggles. Elliot’s letters to his mum were really heart wrenching as he poured out his secrets and all his emotions into them.

It was not an easy journey for any of them. But they deal with the ups and downs and finally do come together.

Thank You NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC!

PATRIOT GAMES  by  TOM CLANCY

(Jack Ryan #1)

My Rating: ★★★

Mixed feelings about this! While it did have a certain amount of action and suspense, which were exciting. There were quite a few parts in the book which were slightly boring.

What is interesting is the inclusion of the viewpoints of both Jack Ryan and his team as well as that of the opposition. We are able to read and be a part of the action from both the sides.

The main highlight of the book is definitely the last chapter, where all the tense action takes place and you are unable to keep the book down until you finish it!

THE INVITATION  by VI KEELAND

My Rating: ★★★★

I enjoyed reading this book and I didn’t put it down till I had finished.

The plot itself draws you in and keeps you engrossed but the characters also help out. Hudson and Stella were genuinely awesome; Fisher and Olivia were fun to read and Charlie was simply adorable.

The highlight for me was that there wasn’t much drama involved. Also, I loved how the coincidences brought some twists to the story, which made the book even more interesting!

ONE PERFECT GRAVE  by  STACY GREEN

(Nikki Hunt #2)

My Rating: ★★★★

When the remains of two bodies are found in an open grave along a desolate highway in Stillwater, Minnesota, Special Agent Nikki Hunt knows exactly who they are. The bright blue jacket lying on the frozen earth belongs to Kellan Rhodes, the missing boy she’s desperately been trying to find for the last two days. The other body is his mother Dana, who had been Nikki’s lead suspect.

Although the wounds on Dana’s body suggest she murdered her son and took her own life, Nikki finds evidence that suggests she was a victim too. Dana was desperately trying to regain custody of Kellan, and Nikki finds boot prints at the scene that belong to someone else.

When another child is reported missing, local journalist Caitlin Newport claims the cases are linked: Zach Reeves was taken away from his own mother in a custody battle, just like Kellan was.

Now, Nikki must decide if she can trust Caitlin again, before time runs out to find the killer and bring Zach home alive…

I loved the first book in this series and so when I saw this, I knew I had to read this!

The plot was so exciting and fast paced that I just couldn’t put it down. Nikki Hunt’s investigation along with all her team members is excellent and meticulous. The perpetrator is obviously a sick individual who targets little children, I did have doubts quite early into the book as to who it could possibly be. And I was glad to have guessed it right.

Agent Nikki Hunt’s work ethic, camaraderie with her colleagues as well as her ability to keep her emotions at check are some of the amazing qualities which definitely makes her one of my favorite FBI agents. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Overall, an excellent fast paced, edge of the seat thriller! Highly Recommended!

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

SEVEN LIES  by  ELIZABETH KAY

My Rating: ★★★★

Oh, my goodness! What an obsessive friendship!

Narrated by Jane, this book covers the seven lies that Jane has told her best friend Marnie. They have been inseparable since they were eleven years old and have a lot in common. But once Charles enters Marnie’s life, Jane begins to feel insecure.

What follows is her sinister tale of obsession and toxic friendship.