The Perfect Girlfriend

The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An intense twisty story that will make your head spin and your heart race! A book that made me check behind me just in case somebody creepy was watching! An absolute must read!

If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours. If they don’t, make them. This is the rule Elizabeth/Juliette lives by.

Meeting Nate changed Elizabeth/Juliette’s life. Since their first encounter she knew – they belong together. And as a perfect girlfriend, she did everything to make sure their future looked bring and happy. She patiently waited for Nate to get over his “party” phase, settle down, she gave him space he previously requested. And when the time was right, Elizabeth/Juliette made her reappearance. However, Nate’s negative reaction took her by a surprise. And the more Nate pushed her away, the more dangerous the consequences had followed.

During my read, I was impressed by Elizabeth/Juliette’s obsessiveness and the ability to manipulate a group of people. Yes, her actions were outrageous, nevertheless, the time, research, and the work she invested towards her goals are quite admirable.

“The Perfect Girlfriend” had me rushing through the pages to see what would happen next! Many thanks to NetGalley and Wildfire publisher for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review, and Karen Hamilton for a brilliantly entertaining read.

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The Forgotten Village

The Forgotten Village by Lorna Cook

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am a big fan of dual timeline stories, and always happy to come across such novels.

During 2018 storyline we meet newly single and jobless Melissa who came to Dorset on a romantic summer vacation. The romantic part of the vacation didn’t turn out to be as great as she had expected, especially after an awful breakup. However, coming upon a village that was requisitioned during WWII got Melissa’s attention. But not the village itself, mostly one specific couple from old photographs.

In 1943 part of the novel we are being introduced to two more main characters: Anna and Veronica. As requisition approaches, both women are looking forward to leaving Tyneham. When Anna is looking forward to joining the forces to help the English army, Veronica is planning an escape from her abusive and estranged husband.

Two different stories, two different timelines, the only thing that connects them is abandoned village in Dorset, England.

I must say, I was a bit disappointed, as I expected to learn more of the history of the village that was forgotten after the war, however, the main focus of the novel was on a family that used to own the village. I am the kind of reader that always finishes the book, even if I find it not quite interesting. Nevertheless, the last pages contain an interesting twist in the story that made the book worth reading.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced free copy of the novel.

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Random Acts Of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness by Dete Meserve

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I usually give my reading preference to fiction, but I decided that this year I should give non-fiction books another try, and I am very happy to start with “Randon Acts of Kindness”.

This book combines multiple stories from across the US that unites people of different age, ethnicity, and status. And the only factor that unites them is a desire to help others. Each person described in the book has different reasons that pushed them towards their act of kindness. Each story is unique, heartwarming and inspiring.

Every individual act of kindness described in the book reminds the reader that there are good people left in this world who do countless selfless good deeds and motivate us to continue the goodwill.

Thank you NetGalley and Melrose Hill Publisher for a free and advanced copy of this book, and another huge thank you to the authors Dete Meserve and Rachel Grego for sharing these wonderful stories and restoring our faith in humanity.

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The Things We Cannot Say

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The Things We Cannot Say” is not a rare story that comes to us from the dark times of WWII. And no matter how many similar stories I read, I still find them disturbing, shocking and heart wrenching. People that lived thru that dark time never truly forget their stories and nor should we. These stories should be told, to remind us of the horrors of the past, for what we should never repeat.

In this particular novel, we come across one of the many victims of WWII. However, no matter how much time has passed, Alina was never able to admit her past to her loved ones alone with her road to survival. Alina’s story shows us courage and willingness to keep going forward, no matter how much one has lost in the past. I was glued to the pages of the book, it has many twists and turns and it is absolutely captivating.

This novel was one of love, loss, survival, and redemption. It’s well-written, absorbing, and an unforgettable story. Thank you NetGalley and Graydon House publisher for an advanced copy of the book, and Kelly Rimmer for a fascinating story.

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