The Wife Before Me

The Wife Before Me by Laura Elliot

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Do you believe in ghosts? You don’t believe in something you can’t see, but can you believe in something you can feel?

At her mother’s funeral, Elena meets charming Nicolas. Months later, as their romance progresses, they make vows to each other, Elena moves into Nichola’s house and they start a family. Their union is picture perfect. However, there is a dark cloud that is hanging above Elena and Nicolas relationship, that that cloud’s name is Amelia Madison.

Two years prior, Amelia’s car was found on a bottom of the sea, her body was never recovered. The bedroom that Amelia and Nicholas have shared remains locked. Amelia’s interior design touch, photographs and paintings are occupying Nicholas home. Elena finds herself in Amelia’s cocoon. Shortly after she begins to dress, look, and walk like Nicholas’ previous wife. And there is one more thing that both women share – a fear for their lives.

If you read and liked “The Gone Girl” and “The Wife Between Us” I am sure you will enjoy this gem as well. I loved the twisted plot, I was turning pages so fast, could not get enough of the story. This book with take you thru many stages of sadness, anger, and fear and leave you with a very intriguing ending. Thank you Bookouture, Netgalley and Laura Elliot for the advanced copy of this book.

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Effie’s War

Effie’s War by Philip Paris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forbidden love, unprotected war secrets/plans, Nazi undercover spy – this book contains many captivating details and stories that tend to keep the reader’s attention from page one.

In late 1943, the Ross family receives a letter that is instructing them to leave the family farm. Heartbroken, the family continues to collect their harvest, sell the animals and prepares for a move. During this time, Italian POWs are sent to help Ross family with the harvest. The sparks start flying between handsome Toni and youngest daughter of Ross family, Effie. However, their romance is not the only one in the air. Oldest daughter, Ina is also romantically involved with a young British Captain Armstrong that has been staying at the farm.

When Ross family received an eviction notice – the worse fears they had were to abandon their farm and their home. They never expected that one short month can change their lives forever, bringing the death of the loved ones, exile, betrayal, and break their once close and loving family apart.

The novel itself is very entertaining. Funny and mischevious events are quickly turned into shocking and tragic ones. The characters are easy to like. And the ending of the book was simply unpredicted but it certainly leaves the reader with a closure. Phenomenal novel. This is my very first book by Phillip Paris, and it’s definitely not the last. Thank you Phillip Paris, NetGalley and Black & White Publishing for this remarkable novel and adventure.

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Goodbye, Paris

Goodbye, Paris by Anstey Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodbye, Paris is a bittersweet love story. I was debating between 3 or 4 stars, but the 4 starts won because of a very not typical ending.

Grace is a music instrument repair/building store owner. Twenty years prior to that she was a promising cellist, but an incident that has happened in college has ended Grace’s cellist career once and for all.

Now, Grace is living a wonderful and happy life. Her business is blooming. She even hires a young student from a local private school, Nadya, to help her around the shop. Grace does not have many friends. But she has a wonderful lover, David, that lives/works in a different city.

One wonderful evening, in Paris, David saves a life of a young woman. An incident is caught on camera and overnight David becomes a worldwide hero… and unfortunately, that’s not the last thing that becomes known to the public.

Goodbye, Paris is not your typical love story. And I really loved the ending. It was simply a perfect way to end the story. Bravo Anstey Harris! This is a super quick read. Perfect for a vacay or just relaxing reading night at home.

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London Rules

London Rules by Mick Herron

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My first Slough House novel, and first novel by Mick Herron.

The story has a very good start, a group of armed people drives into the center of a town and opens fire. People die, assassins vanish and ISIS claims responsibility. The second attack comes shortly after. A group of unique individuals gathers in a Slough House for their daily meeting and discuss the attacks. Prior to the meeting, Roddy Ho, one of the teammates is almost run over by an unmarked car. He thinks nothing of it, but his associates decide to keep an eye on him. The second attempt on Roddy’s life puts him into an interview room at Regent’s Park and his teammates together with their leader under house arrest. However, Slough House crew are not the ones to sit tight and wait for higher-ups to resolve the problem. They take the matter into their own hands and jump heads down into a dangerous terrorist rollercoaster ride.

I loved the characters. They are funny, sassy, gutsy group of people that were brought together at Slough House under different circumstances, which I am still a bit confused about. The story was nice too, the writing reminded me of James Patterson books. The overall idea of the story was good. Too many details and characters to keep up with, and I felt lost from the beginning. I think it would have made the difference if I read the previous series first.

Thank you GoodReads Giveaway and SohoPress for this book.

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