Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging

Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging: An Easy and Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Your Body Young, Your Mind Sharp and Your Spirit Fulfilled by Nathan K. LeBrasseur

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging” is a great read book on aging, which I found to be a comprehensive and informative guide. The book covered a wide range of topics related to aging, including the physiological changes that occur as we age, common health concerns for older adults, and strategies for maintaining good health and well-being in later life.

While I didn’t come across any information that was particularly new or surprising to me, I found the book to be a helpful reference guide for anyone who is just beginning to explore and learn more about aging. The writing style was clear and accessible, and the information was presented in a way that was easy to understand and digest.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about aging and how to maintain good health and well-being as they grow older. I also want to express my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with a free and advanced copy of this book, which allowed me to access this valuable resource.



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One Wrong Word

One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The novel’s pace was one of the things that stood out to me the most. It covered a span of many days, yet was able to do so in a concise and engaging way. The characters, while seemingly straightforward at first, were given depth and complexity as the story developed. This made it easy to get invested in their individual journeys, even as the mystery surrounding them deepened.

As the plot progressed, it became increasingly difficult to determine who was telling the truth and who was lying. The different versions of events that were presented throughout the novel made me question every character’s motives and actions. This kept me on edge throughout the story and added an extra layer of intrigue to the mystery at hand.

While I found the ending to be a bit too dramatic for my personal taste, I appreciated how it tied up loose ends and provided a satisfying resolution to the story. Overall, I found this to be a great thriller that kept me engaged and entertained from start to finish.

One of the things that I particularly enjoyed about this novel was how the main character, Arden, was a savvy crisis management expert rather than a detective. This made her unique compared to other protagonists in the genre and added an interesting dynamic to the story. Watching her narrow down the suspects and try to solve the case using unconventional methods was both entertaining and refreshing.

I am grateful to NetGalley for granting me access to an advanced copy of this novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The author’s writing style was engaging, and the plot was well-crafted, keeping me hooked from beginning to end. The characters were well-developed, and I found myself invested in their stories and rooting for them throughout the book.



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The Teacher

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The Teacher” is intricately woven with a spider web of lies and deceptions, making it an enthralling and captivating read. As a seasoned thriller reader, I have learned not to take everything at face value and to expect the unexpected. This novel was a perfect example, with the final plot twist leaving me speechless. I was left guessing until the end, and the satisfaction of the unexpected conclusion was genuinely delightful. The author’s ability to keep me on the edge of my seat and deliver a mind-bending ending made this book an exceptional read I highly recommend to any thriller fan.

Freida McFadden has expertly crafted Addie’s storyline, creating a character that is truly one-of-a-kind. Addie’s presence in the lives of Eve and Nate transforms their story into a gripping and compelling page-turner, setting it apart from many other books in the same genre. The novel is filled with secrets, suspense, and a number of unexpected twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a relaxing evening, accompanied by a glass of your favorite wine.

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



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The Lost Dresses of Italy

The Lost Dresses of Italy by M.A. McLaughlin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a story that reminds us of the power of love, the fragility of life, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The novel has two timelines that take place in Verona in 1867 and 1947, both of which are equally captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the stories of post-war Italy, the resilient people who survived the war, and the heart-wrenching losses they experienced. Christina Rossetti’s story is as dark as it is captivating. The textile historian’s journey to narrow down Rossetti’s timeline in Italy and uncover her secrets kept me on the edge of my seat.

I really enjoyed the detective aspect of the story. The author used many creative methods to uncover the truth. While I was surprised by the betrayal revealed at the end of the novel, the clues were cleverly hidden throughout the story. Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read that combined historical events from the resistance movement with the life of an esteemed Victorian poet.

Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.



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Don’t Let Her Go

Don’t Let Her Go by Willow Rose

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is an absolute rollercoaster of events that will keep readers on their toes!

This novel is an exceptional read, with an intriguing plot that has twists and turns in almost every chapter. It boasts of multiple storylines that keep the book exciting, and the number of dead bodies that detectives keep discovering is beyond shocking. The web of secrets unravels at a rapid pace, making it a true page-turner. I was initially skeptical about the large number of characters, but the author made it work perfectly by giving each character a well-defined role and engaging them in the story.

The detective’s background is truly inspiring. Billie Ann is straightforward, laid-back, and unafraid to speak her mind. Despite being a cancer survivor and a victim of rape, she has finally decided to come out of the closet and reveal a lifelong secret. Billie Ann’s captivating character and courageous spirit have truly inspired me to stay tuned to her upcoming cases. Her exceptional qualities have left a lasting impact on me.

I absolutely loved everything about the novel – the masterful storytelling, well-crafted characters, and easy-to-follow plot. I am confident that Billie Ann’s future books will be just as amazing, and I eagerly await their release. Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel.



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Till Death Do Us Part

Till Death Do Us Part by Willow Rose

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I had high hopes for this novel, given its promising synopsis. However, it failed to live up to the hype in my opinion. To begin with, the writing style felt off, and the storyline lacked a natural pace. It all seemed very contrived. While the dual storyline was a great idea, it was executed too obviously, leaving nothing to the reader’s imagination. Additionally, the story lacked any real suspense or mystery. The repeated use of the phrase “Till Death Do Us Part” in a different context felt out of place and contrived.

I’m new to Eva Rae’s novels and picked this book based on positive reviews. Although it’s not my favorite, I see potential in the series and would give this detective another chance.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary advanced copy of the novel.



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The Wharton Plot

The Wharton Plot by Mariah Fredericks

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am a big fan of Edith Wharton’s books, so I was eagerly anticipating reading about a story in her life.

I found the plot to be quite dull. The murder of a fellow novelist, David Graham Phillips, her competitor, piqued Edith’s interest; her investigation was unimpressive as she had no way to narrow down the suspects. She kept accusing anyone she thought was the murderer without any concrete evidence, which made her appear foolish.

Moreover, her relationship with her husband is a significant part of the novel, with Edith constantly trying to avoid him.

In my opinion, the book lacked any real suspense. The story focuses on too many different things thrown into the plot, making it unnecessarily longer.

I was completely engrossed by the writing of Old New York and its society. This part of the story truly stood out to me and I found it to be the most enthralling aspect of the entire narrative.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a complimentary and early copy of the novel.



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The Girl on the News

The Girl on the News by Elisabeth Carpenter

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This novel features a woman who is wrongly accused of a crime and is sent to prison. A dedicated crime journalist spends years investigating the case and conducting multiple interviews to uncover the truth. Eventually, she is able to identify the real killer. Although the investigative process and Sadie’s involvement in the story were compelling, Jessy and her daughter’s account fell short of capturing my attention. The book’s synopsis failed to capture the essence of the actual story, leading it in a different direction.

Overall, I found the book to be satisfactory. The detective aspect of the story and how the murders were connected were enjoyable. However, the turning point in the plot involved too many characters, some of whom were not significant to the story and only added to the length of the novel.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the free advanced copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.



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The Girl from Provence

The Girl from Provence by Helen Fripp

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

French resistance teams up with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, an internationally renowned author, to fight against the gruesome enemy. The central character of the novel is a young boy who holds critical information that could bring an end to the war. A group of skilled individuals unite to aid the boy in his mission. However, they require a particular book to decipher the information and bring an end to the devastating conflict.

The novel is set in a picturesque province and includes the world-renowned children’s book “The Little Prince”. However, apart from that, I found the rest of the story to be rather mediocre. Despite the numerous characters involved, their stories were not adequately introduced to the reader. I strongly believe that if the author had concentrated on one couple and their mission, the story would have been more elaborate and captivating.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced and complimentary copy of the novel.



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One of the Good Guys

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One of the Good Guys, written by Araminta Hall, is a book that explores the themes of trust, deception, and complex relationships. The story revolves around the consequences of keeping secrets and how they can impact individuals and their relationships with others. As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to three different characters, each providing their perspective. While Cole and Mel’s story was understandable, given their history, Leonora’s involvement with the couple was quite odd. Despite understanding her motives and the “cause” she was fighting for, it was inappropriate to involve Cole in her “art” in the way she did. Cole’s actions were creepy, and they turned public opinion against Leonora, making Cole a victim and more desirable to women.

I must say that I had higher expectations from the plot, and I anticipated a more satisfying and conclusive ending. Although the novel had a decent start, the sudden and incomplete conclusion failed to meet my expectations, and it left me feeling disappointed.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the free advanced copy of the novel. I received it in exchange for my honest review.



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Rock Paper Scissors

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had this novel on my TBR list for some time, but it wasn’t until my fellow readers on Instagram posted multiple excellent reviews that I decided to read it finally. And boy, what a ride! Although it started as a typical thriller, the ending gave me full-body chills.

I enjoyed the romantic aspect of the story between Adam and Amelia, who had their one-in-a-lifetime great love together. Despite the twisted plot and the sickening revelation that came with it, I still admired the direction of the story. The multiple twists at the end that tied up so many loose ends were simply mind-blowing. Without a doubt, Adam and Amelia’s relationship was peculiar after all that transpired. I guess every couple has their quirks.

The novel truly impressed me, and I believe this story will stay in my mind for quite some time. Thank you to my fellow readers for recommending it, as it was worth my time.



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Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman

Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am an avid fan of Agatha Christie’s novels, with Poirot’s novels being my absolute favorite. However, my interest in knowing more about the enigmatic Mrs. Christie has grown stronger over the years. This novel provides a detailed account of Agatha’s life from childhood to death, surpassing all the other fiction and nonfiction books and articles I have read about her life and her famous disappearance. Each chapter of this book is a captivating and engaging exploration of Mrs. Christie’s life and her works. With valuable insights and a deep dive into her legacy, readers are sure to come away with a greater appreciation for this literary icon.

If you’re interested in a fun and informative read, I recommend checking out “Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman”. It’s a quick and easy-to-read novel that explores the life of the Queen of Mystery in a charming and engaging way. I think you’ll love it, regardless of whether you’re already a fan of Mrs. Christie or not!



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