The Death Of Mrs. Westaway

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After years of struggle, Hal receives a letter that can turn her life for the better. The guilt of taking on a false identity troubles the young girl, but in the end, she goes thru with it. When Hal arrives at the family mansion, the links begin to make sense. And the identity she has assumed can potentially be proven to be correct. Hunted by the family secrets, Hal finally learns the truth.

The Death Of Mrs Westaway is a good mystery thriller, although I found it way too long. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the mystery part and predicted the villain of the story very early on. However, the sneaky Ms. Ware did tend to mislead me and make me think I was wrong. The novel is full of twists and turns, all the way until the very end. Great set of characters and I loves the gothic mansion with all its spine-chilling secrets.



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The Castle Keepers

The Castle Keepers by Aimie K. Runyan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story of the three generations of the Alnwick family, their family curse, and one magnificent castle.

The book is written in three chapters, each dedicated to the next Marquize of Northridge. The book focuses on the Almwick men who have fought in the war, and their lives in the castle after the horrid past. The war is not the only part that unites the marquises. It is the women that come into their lives, stand by their side and help the men to fight the generation curse.

The Castle Keepers is a great story of broken spirits, healing, and finding a new path for the future. I’ve enjoyed all their stories, although must admit that the story of Charles and Beatrice was my absolute favorite. This is a heartwarming novel, perfect for any lover of historical romances.

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



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You Should Have Known

You Should Have Known by Rebecca Keller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After moving into a retirement community, Frannie comes across Katherine with who she creates a close and unexpected friendship. But the friendship is short-lived when Frannie recognizes Katherine’s husband. The Judge, as he likes to refer to himself, played a crucial role in Frannie’s life. Dark thoughts invade Frannie’s mind, and she makes a move she later gravely regrets.

An interesting story and fast-paced narrative keep the reader on top of things as the characters rush through a series of events. The story was not what I expected at the beginning, however, it turned into something of a healing piece. The book is a readable and pacey drama about the devastating impact of a horrific fatal car accident on victims, lawbreakers, and the corrupt justice system.

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



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The Girl Who Came Home

The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Young Maggie got a chance of a lifetime, to come abroad on the magnificent RMS Titanic, which was presumed to take her to a new land, new life, a world of opportunities. As she boarded the ship, she never expected to live thru the horror of the night of April 15, 1912. For a long 70 years, Maggie refused to talk about the dreadful night. But the time has come to break the silence and share her story.

The fate of the grand RMS Titanic is well-known around the world. And reading survivors’ stories leaves the reader with a chill and horror of the frightful night as it happened yesterday. Maggie’s character perfectly summarises the will to live and the guilt of survival. Although, in the novel, I expected the details of April 15 to be featured in a darker and tragic tone, the author has concentrated on Maggie’s life before and after the tragedy. Which gave the novel a different path and a semi-happier sentiment. Overall, The Girl Who Came Home was a pleasant read and a great reminder of the fatal tragedy.



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The Family Secret

The Family Secret by Kiersten Modglin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The sudden death of Lowell’s parents makes him the head of the Bass family and business. And just like that Austyn and Lowell’s quiet lives take a drastic change. Unfortunately, Bass’s family wealth and expectations weigh heavy on Austyn, but in the name of love, she does her best to stand with her man. One day, she comes across a hidden diary that contains a vital secret about the family she is about to marry. Unable to keep the secret, Austyn puts herself in grave danger.

The Family Secret is one of a kind family thriller. I enjoyed the mystery, the family’s dark secret, and the overall plot of the novel. Great set of characters that begin to change as the novel goes on, making the reader to second guess their own judgment about them. This is one of many Kiersten Modglin novels I’ve read in the past year, and the author does not disappoint with her new twists and plot ideas.

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



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The One Who Fell

The One Who Fell by Kerry Wilkinson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Millie doesn’t have a good reputation when it comes to the residents of her not-so-small town. Hence, when she begins to investigate a rumored incident, she is met with a very hustle and eerie obstacle. With not many people to turn to, she begins to dig further into the past, just to get herself in bigger and more dangerous trouble than she ever expected.

The One Who Fell is a good suspense novel. I’ve enjoyed Millie’s character more than expected, her openness, simplicity, and honesty won me from the very first pages of the book. The incident that sparked her attention seemed so insignificant at first, but due to Millie’s curiosity saved the life of young girls. The plot was slow, although it kept my attention, and the ending was very satisfying.

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



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The Marriage Counselor

The Marriage Counselor by Dea Poirier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a marriage counselor, Adele fails to succeed in her own marital life. After receiving the news that her husband is missing, one by one, like a domino effect Adele learns of his double life, affairs, and many many lies. But her missing husband is not the only problem in her life. As dead bodies pile up left and right, she does not know whom to trust anymore. But as a true alfa, she fights hard to come up on top.

The Marriage Counselor is a gripping domestic thriller, with multiple twists and turns, and a great set of characters. There was something of a slow start, but not enough to spoil my enjoyment of it. As the plot thickens and secrets are revealed in each chapter, you will not be able to stop reading. The book really picks up steam in the second half and the ending is perfect. I did not see that coming! It’s a great page-turner, and I would absolutely recommend it to any thriller/suspense lover.

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



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Midnight in the Snow

Midnight in the Snow by Karen Swan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With a release of a tragic documentary about a world-famous surfer, Clover becomes a household name in the film industry. In a search of a new project, she chooses the name of the person who is the least approachable. However, she is eager to learn his story and show his true face to the public. But instead of uncovering a dirty secret, she discovers his true identity.

Written in true Karen Swan fashion, the novel is a combination of suspense and romance. Great set of characters, although at times I felt Clover failed to stand up for herself, which seems, unlike the strong characters she portrayed to be. I didn’t particularly like her and Kid’s chemistry, it felt forced and unnatural. Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed learning about Kit’s storyline throughout the novel and he gained my full respect. Overall, Midnight In The Snow is another emotional, entertaining, and enticing novel that keeps you engaged from start to finish.



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The Soulmate

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Their dream home is located on the cliff where people come to make the hardest decisions of their lives. Gabe, the hero of the community, is able to talk the visitors out of their hard decisions, but the last visit has ended in a tragic way. The worst part – the victim was actually a mutual acquaint of Gabe and Pippa. Questions begin to rise in Pippa’s mind: why out of all visitor’s Gabe failed to save the one he knew?

The Soulmate is an incredibly creepy, clever psychological thriller. I was in this story’s grip from the very start. A dual timeline gives the reader an outline of the characters’ lives prior to an incident and an explanation of their connection to one another. The main twist of the story is a drastic change in one of the characters that I failed to foresee. The pace was fast throughout, but wow, those last chapters sent literal chills down my spine.

Sally Hepworth’s style of writing is very strong and addictive. This was definitely one of the “can’t-put-down” novels that I’ve read this year. While the story was not insanely original, it was extremely compelling.

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



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Into The Water

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After her sister’s drowning, Jules is forced to come back to the town she ran from and swore to never return to. Her sister Nel’s death brings up another drowning case that has taken place at the same lake just a few months earlier. Both victims had a strong connection, were their deaths pure incidents or planned suicide?

I’ve been introduced to Paula Hawkins a few years back and have been enjoying her novels, however, this particular book didn’t catch my attention as her other novels did. Although it did contain many plot twists, it kept losing my attention. Majorly due to all the extra info that was provided that could have been avoided since it had not much to do with the latest drowning incidents, the main point of the book. The novel is built on a dual now/then timeline that helps the reader to understand Jule’s teenage experience and the cause that drew the line between her and Nel. While this read didn’t feel like anything particularly unique, it was overall enjoyable.



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The Last Summer

The Last Summer by Karen Swan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A visit of the Earl to a small island of St Kilda has shaken Effie’s life. And within a short few months, the life obstacles will turn a carefree girl into a woman who must defend herself and her elderly father.

In the novel, we get to see Effie transform from a wild island girl into a beautiful young woman who carries a heavy weight on her shoulders. I admire her bold and strong character, her ability to adapt to a new environment, and most of all her absolutely unfiltered love for life and her background.

The author’s writing is impeccable, as always. The story is bittersweet with a phenomenal cliffhanger. It just came to my attention that The Last Summer is a first part of a trilogy, and I can’t wait to read the next book of this story.



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He Said He Would Be Late

He Said He Would Be Late by Justine Sullivan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With the tension of becoming a first-time mother, Liz is struggling with her day-to-day tasks. A mysterious flirty text on her handsome husband’s phone adds an additional stress to Liz’s already long anxiety list. Will she be able to navigate her life to become a full-time happy mother, wife, and publisher author?

He Said He Would Be Late goes back and forth in time between the couple’s early relationship days and the present time. The author packs a lot into this story: mental health issues, lies, secrets, hysteria, and ambition with a few surprises along the way. Although the novel is full of constant twists and though I was surprised a couple of times, to me it felt as if the story kept turning in circles, and kept going back to ground zero multiple times. I struggled to finish the novel, however, found the ending very satisfying.

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



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