Then She Was Gone

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve heard and read many good reviews about this book and now I am so happy I gave it a chance. This is my first book by Lisa Jewell, and I’m sure it is not the last. I was hooked to the story from the very first pages. I must warn you, this is a very chilling and shocking story.

Child’s disappearance is any mother’s worst nightmare. And Laurel was not an exception. After Ellie has vanished, Laurel’s marriage and relationship with her older children felt apart. But just like every mother, Laurel never lost hope of finding her daughter again. And one fine day, in a cafe, she runs into a very handsome tall dark stranger who sweeps her off her feet.

After meeting Laurel’s new lover, her family starts to wonder if she has found a replacement for a family she has lost 10 years ago. Floyd seems to have the same style of clothes and manners as Paul, Laurel’s ex-husband, he lives just blocks away from family’s old home that was sold after Paul and Laurel’s divorce… and his nine-year-old daughter Poppy is a split image of Ellie.

Creepy? I know! But it gets much worse! I was literally on the edge of my seat by the time I reached the end of the book. This is one of my favorite suspense novels. It keeps the reader thinking. I did figure out a few plot twists before I got to it in the book, but the overall story is quite atrocious.

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The Lost Girls Of Paris

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, therefore I was very interested in what this novel had to offer.

One summer morning, Grace stumbles upon a suitcase at Grand Central Station. Inside it, she finds twelve photographs of young women. Hours after the encounter with the suitcase, Grace learns that its owner, Eleanor Trigg, has been hit by the car hours earlier and died on the scene, right in front of Grand Central. But when Grace discovers another piece of information about the victim, she does unthinkable – she goes to Washington DC to investigate further into Eleanor’s case and photographs she has found in her suitcase.

Two years prior, Eleanor formed a group of female secret agents that were sent to France to help with the resistance. A few weeks into the new operation, Eleanor noticed discrepancies in communication with her girls, and shortly after – the agents started to disappear without the trace. Eleanor was released of her duties as soon as she brought her suspicions to the Director of an agency. Two years later, her questions about the lost girls were not answered and Eleonor finally received a chance to follow their steps to discover the truth.

This is a great story about friendship and survival. I enjoyed each character, their determination to keep moving forward has inspired me. Thank you, NetGalley and Park Row publisher for a free and advanced copy of this book, and huge thank you to Pam Jenoff for an incredible story.

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An Anonymous Girl

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Antagonistic, chilling, and frightening are the words that come to my mind when I try to describe this novel. After stories like this, I start to question everyone and everything around me. Interesting, isn’t it, how a person can really think they can play and manipulate real people like marionettes? Welcome to the world of Dr. Lydia Shields, where everything is possible…

A struggling make-up artist Jess Farris hears of a psychology study from her client. Rules seem to be simple: arrive on time, answer a few questions, and receive $500 at the end of the two-day study. However, days after the study is completed, Jess receives a text message, from Dr. Shield, with an offer she can’t refuse. Within a few weeks, Jess starts to question every “test” and “request” Dr. Shields sets up for “Subject 52”. Therefore, she decides to dig dipper into Lydia Shields’ life. By the time Jess realizes that she is involved in a web of lies and secrets, it’s too late to escape manipulating psychiatrist… Jess belongs to her now.

“An Anonymous Girl” is a second psychological suspense novel written by a dynamic duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. And just like their first book “The Wife Between Us”, it didn’t disappoint. It’s quite a rollercoaster, each chapter reveals a new secret. It’s one of those books that you read so fast that you skip the words and lines because you can’t wait to find out what happens next.

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The Wartime Sisters

The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Loigman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am not sure was it the second or third chapter that I was reading when I first thought – this may be my very first 2019 five star book. And as usual, I was right. I loved everything about this book, a great set of characters, a phenomenal plot, and a great twist towards the end.

The book first introduces us to two sisters: Ruth, the smart and serious one, and Millie, the pretty one. As girls grow older we notice how their relationship start to change. And there were multiple reasons for it, starting with girls’ mother, who always seem to prefer her pretty daughter to a serious one. Ruth’s potential boyfriends preferred carefree and beautiful Millie to a nerdy Ruth. Friends and family enjoyed tender and sweet Millie to a “cold fish” Ruth. Therefore, after the passing of their parents, Ruth puts a very large distance (physically and morally) between herself and her sister. Years later, when Ruth learns of Millie’s misfortune, she finally lowers her guard down which results in sisters’ reunion.

There are secondary characters that are also very important and play a huge role in both Ruth and Millie’s lives. We have Lillian – firm and honorable wife of a commanding officer; Arietta – cheerful and companionable singing armory cook; Lenny – a sketchy delivery boy, turned husband, turned dangerous individual; and finally Arthur – loving, understanding and nerdy husband.

The story takes place in the early 30s thru mid-40s. One of my favorite parts of the book is a specific location an author decides to place the story – the Springfield Armory. I’ve first heard of this place when I read about the American Revolutionary War. And thanks to the author, I had a chance to learn a bit more about it, it’s function and workers lives there during WWII.

Thank you NetGalley and my favorite publisher St. Martin’s Press for a free copy of this wonderful novel, and another huge thank you to an amazing Lynda Cohen Loigman for a thrilling and fascinating story!

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Queen Victoria: Twenty Four Days That Changed Her Life

Queen Victoria: Twenty-Four Days That Changed Her Life by Lucy Worsley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a very long book to start my 2019 reading year. However, Queen Victoria did live a very long and sensational life.

I’ve always admired Queen Victoria. England went thru many great changes during her reign. She is known as a woman who redefined British monarchy. Thankfully to this book, I’ve learned many new facts about Victoria. I was not aware of “baby race” prior to this book. And it was great to learn more about her parents, her relationship with uncle Leopold. And there were many new details about her favorite attendants: Munshi and John Brown. Her relationship with Disraeli and Lord Melbourne. Also, this book confirmed my theory about Albert and Victoria’s marriage and bond.

This book is a great introduction to the Queen’s life. However, just keep in mind that this book is not about Victoria’s twenty-four specific days that have changed her life, the writer has divided her life into twenty-four periods. In my opinion, the book is very well written, thoughtfully sorted, each chapter of the Queen’s life is covered equally. It is quite captivating. I really like Lucy Worsley’s style of writing. She makes it into a fascinating story instead of just counting Victoria’s biography facts.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan publisher for a free copy of this book.

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