A Mother’s Sacrifice

A Mother’s Sacrifice by Gemma Metcalfe

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Mother’s Sacrifice by Gemma Metcalfe is a phenomenal psychological thriller. Fantastic characters, remarkable plot with incredible twists. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat while you read this book.

The story beggings on Christmas Day, which also is Louisa’s sixth birthday. After her mother’s death, little Louisa is sent to a children’s home, where years later she meets and falls in love with Aiden. Young love doesn’t last long, it ends with a big sorrow that will hunt Louisa into her adulthood. But life is full of great surprises. First, Louisa meets a charming and loving James, and ten long and difficult years later they welcome a bundle of joy, by the name Cory, into their lives. However days after the birth, Louisa begins to suspect that someone is after her child. James and her friends suspect that Louisa is suffering from a postpartum depression. They can no longer handle Louisa’s obsession and they talk her into getting help. But is it a paranoia if it’s really happening?

An incredible novel, full of mystery, many puzzles and an unpredictable ending.

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This Is How It Ends

This is How it Ends by Eva Dolan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Is How it Ends by Eva Dolan is a psychological thriller that will keep you entertained thru the whole book.

Our two main characters are Ella and Molly. The story begins with a murder. And since that point, Ella’s story goes backward, telling us about her past, her history and takes us to the very beginning, an incident that changed Ella’s life forever and turned her into the girl she is today. Molly’s story tells us how the events have proceeded after the murder and how it eventually ended.

Ella, an activist for a lower class community, finds herself face to face with her enemy that has changed her life. In the result, the man is dead on the floor of the apartment building she works so hard to save. Her life came crushing two years ago, that’s when Ella realized that law enforcement is not as safe and luxurious as her father made it seem. But Ella finds another way to help people. Ella’s momentum to rise and become a voice for her community begins when she meets Molly. They work so hard for their cause, but the dead man can ruin it all for her. The only person Ella can turn to is Molly.

Molly has done some unspeakable things in her life, one of which was attacking a cop with a hammer, he survived an attack. But she never killed. The fear in Ella’s eyes convinces Molly to help the poor girl to hide the body. Since that day, Molly tries to convince herself that what she did was a right decision. Then why is her consciousness is troubling her? And why she has a strong feeling that her protege didn’t tell the whole truth?

Ella and Molly’s stories are very captivating. But the best part is the beginning. The author just throws the murder at us in the first chapter. Boom, this is how it begins. I love books with this type of beginning. After the first chapter, I was not able to get enough of this book. However, it slowed down sometime in the middle, closer to the end. And just when I was about to lose my interest – boom, scandalous twist, followed by an unforeseen ending. Bravo Eva Dolan!!!

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Truly Madly Guilty

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was very eager to read Liane Moriarty’s book “Truly Madly Guilty“. I’ve read many good reviews regarding this author and finally decided to give her a chance.

The story is about how three couples and three young kids dealt with the accident that took place two months prior, at the ordinary Sunday BBQ.

Couple number one: Oliver and Erika. Both grew up with parents that had heavy addictions. Oliver’s parents were alcoholics, while Erika’s mother was a hoarder. Both characters are determined, organized and very private. Because of their hard childhood, they had to grow up fast and built themselves into adults they are today. However, no matter how alike Oliver and Erika are, there is one thing they can’t agree on. Erika doesn’t want to have kids, while Oliver can’t wait to become an ideal father that he never had. Will Erika and Oliver find their happy medium? Or will this break their family?

Couple number two: Clementine and Sam. Happily married, with two kids, Sam and Clementine always find time for themselves and their family. Years ago Clementine found her calling as a cellist, and Sam has been always there to support his other half. And due to his wife’s busy practice schedule, he is more than happy to take care of their kids. However, after an incident at the BBQ, Sam and Clementine’s marriage is falling apart. Clementine is rethinking her career choice, and wonders if she should become a stay at home mom, while Sam is failing his training at the new job, wonders if he has failed in a role of being a father and a husband. Will this be an end of Sam and Clementine’s marriage?

Couple number three: Tiffany and Vid. Prosperous electrician and his second wife, strip dancer turned successful house flipping mogul, are two people with larger than life personalities. They are a life of every party, and very often are the ones who host friendly gatherings. However after their last BBQ, the couples relationship tenses. Their ten-year-old daughter, Dakota, feels responsible for the accident and begins self-punishment. Meeting a client from her previous “career” at her daughter’s school puts extra pressure on Tiffany and her relationship with Vid. All secrets come to light sooner or later. Will Tiffany’s dirty little secret find it’s way to light? If so, will it hurt her relationship with Dakota?

I did enjoy the story. It has many small twists here and there, which made the book very interesting. The story was a bit too long, however, I enjoyed it. The ending surprised me, especially the last party about grumpy old neighbor Harry. Looking forward to reading more of Liane Moriarty’s novels.

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Fur Coat, No Knickers

Fur Coat, No Knickers by Anna King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fur Coat, No Knickers is a bittersweet story of Donnelly family during a dreadful time of WWII.

Shortly after Irishman Patrick Donnelly arrives into England, he finds his way into a card game house where he wins an ownership of an old and antique house. Years and hard work later, an old house becomes a grand mansion. Angie, sassy and hot-tempered lassy wins Patrick’s heart, and they live a happy life together in the family home, bearing two sons, Sam and Danny. After Patrick’s death, Angie remains living in the house with Danny and Sam’s family: wife Hetty and their daughters Grace, Violet and Polly.

Angie, a matriarch of Donnelly’s family, could never imagine the horrors WWII will bring on her family. After Sam and Hetty’s death, she strives to keep her family safe and together. But it’s a fulltime job to keep up with her granddaughters. Polly is the youngest grandchild, suffers a trauma after her parents’ death. Violet, sassy, beautiful but wild heartbreaker. And finally Grace, sweet, goodhearted and dedicated young girl. However keeping her eyes on the girls, Angie missed an opportunity the save her youngest son from a seduction of a scheming Beryl Lovesett.

A gripping wartime novel, with strong female characters that takes place in London during the time of WWII. It is full of courage, hope, and heartbreak. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who is interested in WWII history.

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One Fine Day

One Fine Day by Cindy Kirk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading many mysteries and thrillers I was in a mood for a feel-good love novel. I was very lucky to come across this heartwarming book.

Abigail Fine and Jonah Rollins have been friends since an early childhood. When Abby’s mother passed away, Jahan’s family accepted Abigail as one of their own. Therefore years later, when Johan and his wife went thru many failed options to have a child – Abby offers to be their surrogate. Everything in life comes with a challenge. During the pregnancy, a doctor informs the future parents of child’s possible defects and/or health issue. Jonah’s wife makes a decision to abort the child, but Abby disagrees. As a result, Jonah decides to stand by his wife’s side and her decision, leaving Abby on her own, with a child she didn’t want nor planned to have.

Six dreadful years later, Abby finds herself in a very happy place. She runs an inn in a historic suburb town of Chicago, Hazel Green. It was always her dream to run her own business. And her five eyers old daughter, Eva Grace, is happy, healthy and charming little girl.

Jonah’s unexpected arrival into Hazel Green takes Abby back to the hurtful time six years ago. Jonah determined to make things right this time around. He wants to be a part of his daughter’s life and make amends with Abby. This time is up to Abby to make a decision. Will she find a forgiveness in her heart and press a reset button on her and Jonah’s relationship?

“One Fine Day” is a bittersweet story about friendship, forgiveness, love and second chances.

P.S. This is a first book of the series. I am very excited to read more about wonderful characters of charming town Hazel Green.

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The Other Mother

The Other Mother by Carol Goodman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of psychological thrillers and I was extremely happy to come upon this gem. I was very much into the book, but after the unexpected twist in the middle of the story – I was not able to put this book down.

After giving birth, Daphne Marist starts to experience postpartum depression. Her husband Peter suggest for Daphne to attend a support group for postpartum anxiety, that’s where she meets Laurel. Two new moms find a bond and become very close friends. However, this does not last long. Daphne starts to notice strange things in her friend’s behavior. She is trying to help Laurel, she even finds a great job that is a perfect for Laurel based on her job experience. However this effort is taken for granted, and even worse, Laurel breaks off their friendship. Things at home are not getting any better neither. Peter accuses Daphne of being an unfit mother and threatens to take her child away. Angry and afraid, Daphnes decided to take Laurel’s identity, accepts the live-in job that she has found for her friend, and leaves her husband.

As days go by after Daphnie’s arrival at Catskills, she starts to feel more relaxed in her new surroundings, she accustoms to her new role, her new job, and a new employer, Sky. Daphne also learns about an accident that took place many years ago in the tower, that is still a part of her employer’s residence. The person who was involved in the accident happens to be a patient in the nearby psychiatric hospital, and a former patient of Sky’s father. Daphne starts to notice too many coincidences in that particular case, and she begins the digging. This investigation takes her to the psychiatric hospital… where she is being admitted as a patient against her will. Intrigued yet? This is only the beginning!

People say that everything happens for a reason. Daphnie’s capture in the psychiatric hospital is not accidental. It is a well thought thru plan. By the end of the book, you will learn how Daphnie and Sky are connected. “The Other Mother” is a twisted and complex psychological suspense novel. Even if you have excellent detective skills – you will be surprised by the turn of the events in this book. Thank you, Carol Goodman, for a thrilling read and Goodreads, for the complimentary copy.

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The Wife Between Us

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Old stories and books teach us that since the beginning of time, husband’s role is to earn a living, while wife’s role is to take care of the household and raise the children.

Richard Thompson has been raised by those exact rules. However, he also inherits a strong sense of control and hot temper from his father. All Richard wants is a picture perfect life – peaceful home, kids, a wife that loves and cherishes her husband. Sounds so simple, doesn’t it? When Richard meets Vanessa – he is taken by her innocence and shortly after offers her to be a part of his picture-perfect life. Swapped off her feet by a Prince Charming, Vanessa can’t see a trap she is so willingly walking into, and a price she will have to pay for a life in a golden cage. But when Richard bumps her for a younger woman, Vanessa suddenly feels that’s it’s her duty to “save” the girl. Vanessa goes into a stalker mode and strives to stop Richard’s upcoming marriage. What is a reason that drives former Mrs. Thompson to this bizarre action? Is it jealousy? Or is it anger for being replaced?

The book has many shocking twists, so fasten your seatbelt, you are in for a wild and scandalous ride thru Vanessa and Richard’s history. Great plot, the book is full of deceiving turns, by the end, you will be questioning every single word and character. The first and second to last twists took me by a surprise. I had to reread the chapters just to double check I didn’t misread the facts. Bravo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, you’ve created an entertaining suspense thriller!

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Bad Girl

Bad Girl: A Novel by T. E. Woods

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What would you do when your significant other’s ex-lover/mother of his child drops by unannounced looking drop dead gorgeous 20 years after the last time he has seen her? And on top of that, her plan is to reclaim her son and former lover.

Sydney Richardson finds herself in a difficult situation. On one hand, she wants to walk away and avoid the love triangle drama, on the other hand – there is something very queer and suspicious about Miranda Greer and curious Sydney wants to learn what it is. Therefore, when Miranda is found dead, business owner Sydney Richardson puts on her “detective” hat and digs dipper into Ms. Greer’s life. In a process, (unofficial) detective Richardson goes undercover into Miranda Greer circle. She does not only clear her lover/friend’s name but brings down the real murderer and shots down illegal transportation operation that has been investigated by FBI.

The novel is the second part of a Hush Money Mystery, and I hope it is not last. A very captivating and thrilling storyline, followed by a remarkable set of characters.

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