Alex and Holly are in love and they think that it will last forever. It might have if Alex had not been attacked and tossed into the river to drown. When he comes to it is in a different year randomly landing on future days or past days only to wake in unfamiliar surroundings. A chance meeting with an unusual professor leads to some answers but not many. Can he alter his life by making small changes? What if he went to Cambridge instead of singing for cash on the corner and wasting away drunk and high? What if random acts of kindness changed his life course. The only outcome he can live with is if he is with his true love Holly. For fans of OONA OUT OF ORDER and THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY and those of us who question how much of our lives are coincidence and how much fate.The audiobook was made more enjoyable by the lively British slang and accent. 3 1/2 stars
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Lois is sent to a divorce ranch in Reno thanks to Daddy footing the bill. She, like the other guests, are there to live for the required weeks in order to rid themselves of their pesky husband. This was one of the only options open to women in the 50's and most went back home to their parent's home after the divorce was final passing the control from one man to another and back again. Lois is timid and a rule follower until she meets the mysterious Greer who teaches Lois how to let loose a bit and break some rules. While Lois is gaining confidence and thinking for herself the friendship may have a dark side. A coming of age story for adult women kept in a golden cage by the men who supposedly love them. This honest look at the famous Reno divorce ranches where new friends, new freedom, and new possibilities were an enticing combination. For fans of BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME and THE DOLLHOUSE. 3 1/2 stars
Theodosia (Theo) leaves Australia and shows up at her older brother's place in the states suddenly to follow her dream of becoming an author. He agrees to give her the summer and she spends her days writing at a coffee shop where she meets a famous author who quickly becomes a mentor and much more. Life is good until the author is murdered. Theo with the help of her brother and a P.I. friend try to uncover what happened but get pulled in as Theo is outed by social media as the potential murder suspect. It looks like the author was considered the head of a conspiracy theory network and these are the very people who are after Theo. It doesn't help that the author sent her manuscript to his publisher and they want to publish it. This imaginative thriller looks at the power of social media to control society and the underground groups who have the power to put someone on a pedestal or pin a target on their back. There are many threads to keep untangled that are pulled together quickly (surprise) in the end. Once again Sulari Gentill writes about authors and their manuscripts in a way that should put the CIA or other government agencies on high alert. 3 1/2 stars Annie is a robot who is designed for pretty much one thing pleasing her owner in and out of bed. She might not be the best cleaner but from Doug's eyes she is pretty darn perfect. Annie meets Doug's best friend and does something unforgivable which spirals into really radical behavior. Annie is learning to be human (to please Doug of course) but finally when Annie takes matters into her own hands and stands up for herself it makes her feel even more human and Doug look like a class A jerk. At some point in the book you start to forget that Annie isn't human (which is a nod to the ability of the author) only to be reminded how confusing it must be for her to have to navigate independent thoughts and her own needs first. The audio was wonderful but this is one that you shouldn't be played around young ears. 4 stars
In a world revenged by climate change and shortages - a mother and daughter are relocated to a crumbling high rise where Sil's aunt lives and works. Sil's mother won't talk about their past leaving Sil to try to get answers from her aunt's stories. There are no friends for Sil to hang out and desperate for answers of her family's history, she becomes obsessed with the penthouse owner and her mysterious dogs. Imagination, loneliness and a need to make sense of her world leads Sil to find a way into the penthouse and solve the mystery. It is hard to pigeonhole this lovely story into one genre. Part coming of age, part futuristic warning story, part HARRIET THE SPY it is a unique story of a little girl looking for herself. 4 stars In the 1990's Lacey along with her older sister are used to small kids barging into their room and the constant annoyances that happen when your parents run a home daycare. No one can prepare them for the day when a one of those children accuses the parents of Satanic practices and child abuse. With both parents tossed in jail Lacey depends on her tough as nails sister until she is murdered. Adrift in a cruel world and the foster system Lacey's only friend is Dylan. She and Dylan are separated and when they find each other again as teens and tragedy happens yet again they decide to flee to Canada. Fast forward years later and they are both under assumed identities and with promising careers. Lacey still looks over her shoulder and it is only a matter of time before someone finds them. An emotionally charged look at a flawed legal system, the effects of fuzzy memories or coerced testimony that destroy not only one person but the whole family. It also examines how social media can fuel the witch hunt allowing the public to become judge and jury. Book clubs will have much to discuss and readers of intense books like MY DARK VANESSA, WHERE THE CRAWFISH SING and SHADOWS OF PECAN HOLLOW will be captivated. 4 intense stars Two sisters become embroiled in gangster violence and a power struggle in the heart of Las Vegas. Crissy has a very successful nightclub act impersonating Princess Diana. She is as fragile as the real princess somewhat sheltered behind the casino walls until her estranged sister and niece come to town and instantly her house of cards begins to sway. Betsy has just taken a job working for a big cryptocurrency company which her boyfriend is also part of. What started as a great job opportunity has turned into something sinister run by some dangerous criminals. Crissy starts losing people she is close to and the smoking gun is pointed at her. Two sisters different as Las Vegas - a dangerous playground in spotlights at night and seemingly harmless in the light of day. Touches on abuse both substance and physical in a unique story that feels like THE CROWN meets THE GODFATHER. 4 stars
If you were expecting a true crime story you will be disappointed and instead a bit humbled by the many years of service this couple have provided to the upper U.S. and Canada. Gene and Sandy Ralston have developed very precise sonar methods that help find missing bodies in large or unstable bodies of water. Where divers have given up and families still wait for closure this couple, asking only for gas money, will come in and spend hours locating missing people. Thanks to their big hearts more than 130 people have been located and laid to rest. The author also explores water related facts, myths and history of water deaths. 3 1/2 stars The continuing story that began with THE SEARCHER of the retired American cop who moves to a small village in Ireland. Instead of peace and quiet minding his garden and his business as well as honing his woodworking he gets pulled into the under the radar criminal activity of the locals. All Cal wants to do, along with his girlfriend Lena, is to mentor Trey a troubled teen who has a good heart but needs life to be a bit easier for her. When Trey's no good dad comes home with a scheme to make money off a wealthy Englishman and involves Trey Cal knows he is walking into a minefield and with calm persistence he protects Trey from her dad and herself. This is the perfect Irish slow burn. These are characters who have seen a hard life and will protect their own above all else. Cal is all heart and the witty Irish banter is priceless even when delivered at knifepoint. You can read this book as a standalone but it is so much more enjoyable when read after reading THE SEARCHER. For fans of her other books as well as S.A. Cosby's stories of the American south. 5 stars
A fun Regency era romp featuring a young woman trying to help her ill sister by replacing her as a governess to two young ladies. It should be easy but Emily isn't fond of children and these are too old for a governess anyway. The youngest is good hearted but frail while the oldest is rebellious and not in need of a governess. Emily has another side line that could prove to be just the ticket to get her out of the manor home and back to help pay the medical bills for her sister but she will need to not care. Witty and full of real world situations instead of fluff and tea parties this will appeal to many historical romance reader or not and the author takes a broad approach to sexuality and identity which is marvelous. The audiobook was wonderful. 4 stars |
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