The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris

The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Everything in life happens for a reason, and “The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris” is a perfect example to prove the theory.

Anna receives a phenomenal opportunity of a lifetime. Therefore Anna leaves her previous life behind in a small town in England and on her way to concur Chocolate world in the city of light and love. Upon her arrival in Paris, Anna becomes an apprentice to a very famous French confectioner Thierry, and shortly after they become close friends. During one of their walks, le famous chocolatier suffers a heart attack. This unfortunate incident plays a big role in Thierry’s life – it gives him a chance to reunite with the love of his life.

A heartwarming novel about new chances and opportunities, young love and friendship. Thank you NetGalley and Sphere Publisher for a free and advanced copy of the book.

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The Third Mrs. Durst

The Third Mrs. Durst by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.

A small-town girl Marlena learned a very valid life lesson early in life – in order to have a good life one has to work hard towards their goals. And Marlena has a very specific goal. In order to achieve it, she follows the steps of a very close friend she admires the most. Marlena starts her carrier at a modeling agency, where she meets tall, dark and handsome Mr. Durst. A few years later, the couple reconnects in Germany, and soon after tied the knot.

Now, Marlena is living a Cinderella life, but only a few people are aware of a rough price she has to pay to carry the Durst name. Old saying states – it takes two to tango… and it would take a while for Michael Durst to realize that he is not the one leading the dance.

The novel is divided into three parts. The first two parts were phenomenal pageturners, however, the final part has disappointed me. I was expecting a much stronger finale. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the storyline. Thank you NetGalley and Midnight Ink publishers for an advanced free copy of the novel.

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Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald

Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald by F. Scott Fitzgerald

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald” book combine survived Fitzgeralds’ letters that Scott and Zelda have exchanged from the time they have met and thru Scott’s death.

For me, as a newbie to Scott and Zelda’s love story, this book was a phenomenal information source that explained very thoroughly Fitzgeralds’ relationship and reasons that drove Scott to alcoholism and Zelda to insanity.

One thing that fascinated me the most was their dedication to each other. Even in the period of Zelda’s first breakdown, Fitzgeralds were able to sustain their alliance despite the fact they have blamed each other for their failures. It was an interesting fact to see that while apart – Fitzgeralds’ lead calmer lives, but once together – their worlds would collapse with rapid speed.

While reading Fitzgeralds’ letters – I often caught myself thinking: how different their lives would become if they would never be married, or separated once their marriage problems have begun. Would Zelda lose her sanity? Would Scott’s alcoholism be prevented?

In the end, I find Fitzgeralds’ story love story passionate and romantic. Two highly intelligent people hopelessly in love, whose remarkable personalities clash once together, but remained devoted to each other thru their best times and worst. Their story is inspirational but tragique at the same time.

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

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The Escape Room

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

Sarah Hall is living a dream life. She has a handsome and successful boyfriend, building a prosperous career at Wall Street’s hedge fund Stanhope and Sons, and financial stability. Her future is bright and full of hope. The only thing that bothers Sarah is her team, Vincent, Jules, Lucy, Sylvie, and Sam, a group of deceitful, ruthless and secretive people. But in order to survive in the financial world, one has to grow a tough skin, right? Fortunately, Sarah creates a close friendship with one of her teammates, however, Lucy insists on their friendship to be a secret in their work circle.

On a chilly Friday evening, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam receive an invite to an escape room challenge, a team-building exercise. However, the organizer has much darker plans for the group. During their time in the locked elevator, each member of the group evaluates their lives, steps they took to “lock” their deals, people they have destroyed. And, of course, the simple reason behind their actions – money. As hours pass by, “the big four” are starting to realize that this is no longer a game, someone is out for revenge…

The Escape Room is a dark phycological thriller about loyalty, survival and most importantly -vengeance. It was a thrilling read with many twists and turns. A thoroughly engrossing novel that I won’t soon forget.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press Publisher for an advanced free copy of the book and Megan Goldin for cleverly written and well-plotted novel.

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The Little Bookshop on the Seine

The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A sweet heartwarming story of friendship, trust, and determination.

Sarah is a kind and gracious friend, therefore when her friend from Paris asks to swap their bookshops and lives for a few months, she leaves her small and sweet little town behind in order to help her friend, and to get a taste of Paris.

Upon her arrival in the city of lights, everything seems to fall out of order. Her bags with documents are stolen, the shop is in a complete mess, the staff seems very snobby. And no matter how hard Sarah tries to raise the sales, nothing seems to be working, and worst of all – money start to go missing from the cash register. On top of everything, her long-distance relationship with a handsome freelance reporter is starting to go down the hill as well.

As weeks go by, Sarah achieves one of her goals, bookshops’ employees start to open up and include her in their circle. She meets one of her favorite author, with whom Sarah strikes a great friendship. She also finds a stack of old love letters hidden in a dark corner of the bookshop.

I loved the story. A wonderful set of many different characters, and a great life lesson – don’t judge people your first impression of them, you never know what they are going thru.

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The Puppet Master

The Puppet Master by Ronald S. Barak

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

“The Puppet Master” is a political mystery novel set in the heart of American capital. This is the second book in the series but it is a prequel to “The Amendment Killer”.

Washington DC’s world got shaken when three leading politicians were suddenly murdered. Cliff Norman, the murder suspect was quickly identified and taken into custody. However, right before the suspect’s trial, the numbers of events begin to happen, and the prime detective on the case, Frank Lotello, starts to question every lead that originally guided them to Norman.

Although I liked the idea of the book, the actual plot took too long to unveil. The novel does cover many political issues and how disrupting the legal system of justice is. I didn’t feel there was much suspense in the book. There was a reference to an old Columbo show in the story, and actually, that’s exactly what the novel has reminded me of, good, old Columbo episode.

Thank you Ronald Barak for a free copy of the book.

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One Little Secret

One Little Secret by Cate Holahan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am becoming a big fan of Cate Holahan. After reading ‘Lies She Told” I was very excited to get my hands on her new book “One Little Secret”. And once again, I was not disappointed by the story.

When three couples arrived at a glass house for a short getaway, they never thought that their vacation will end with a murder. Each guest of the house carries a secret, and some even share a few…

At the end of the night, one of them is dead… and every person left in the house has a motive.

Honestly, I was not impressed with Detective Gabby’s approaches to the case. And her family’s involvement. However, I was glued to the pages of the book by multiple twists that connected the three couples.

“One Little Secret” is a captivating mystery novel that keeps amusing the reader with new twists with every chapter. I had a really hard time predicting the ending and must admit I was pleasantly surprised by the finale. Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books Publisher for an advanced free copy of the novel.

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