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Part romance, part women’s fiction, The Seaside Sisters is an ode to sisterhood in all its messy forms. Sisters Hannah and Sara are mourning the loss of their mom, while their Aunt Maddie is grieving her sister. What better place to do that than on the Cape?
Set on Cape Cod for one summer, Maddie attempts to save her marriage, Sara struggles to find her place as a working mom and wife, and Hannah just wants to get her next book written after a breakup.
Cape Cod is my happy place, so I’m always delighted when it’s the setting for a good book, especially with our annual summer vacation there coming up soon.
I loved this book so much and really identified with Sara and her struggle to be seen and appreciated. This was my first Pamela Kelley book, but it won’t be my last.
As always, I encourage you to read for yourself and see how you like it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Thank you to the author, the publisher St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for sending me and ARC copy. It’s on sale now and you can pick up your copy by clicking here.
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💖Closed Door Romance
💖Forced Proximity
💖Grumpy vs Sunshine
💖Strangers to Lovers
💖 Workplace Romance
🏠 Hollywood Setting
🚫No spice (hence the bell pepper 😂)
Just finished The Rom-Commers and wow, what a ride. Seriously, the ups and down in this book. I can’t even. Even though I usually read romance books with a lot of spice, I adore Katherine Center’s books. The characters she creates jump off the page and come to life. This was no exception.
Emma is so strong and selfless. I instantly wanted to give her a hug. And I also kind of want to shake her. The poor girl has put her whole life on hold to take care of her dad, blaming herself for his accident and the loss of her mom. I really hate that she was manipulated into working with Charlie. Logan sucks. He’s sneaky and tells half-truths and keeps secrets. Thank goodness he somewhat redeemed himself. But he was a pretty awful friend for a while.
It took me a little bit longer to warm up to Charlie. He’s kind of a jerk for the first half of the book. I have to admit I was pretty nervous about his cough, though. As someone who is familiar with sarcoma and its recurrence, as soon as he started coughing I had to stop myself from skipping ahead to make sure he was okay. It’s sweet how he takes care of his guinea pig. By the end of the book, I had heart eyes for him. 😍
I love this ode to romance and rom-coms and the joy they bring. Hands down one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I would have liked it to be dual POV, but if you check out the audio, you get a little sneak peek into Charlie in one of my favorite scenes (the diving board!!!).
As always, I encourage you to read for yourself and see how you like it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
A huge thank you to the author, the publisher St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for sending me this amazing book for my review. It’s on sale now and you can pick up your copy by clicking here
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While I do my best to ensure my reviews are spoiler-free, I may inadvertently reveal information that could help you connect plot points. So, here’s my TL;DR spoiler-free review: A cute cozy mystery set on an island with touches of romance and magic.
My latest cozy read is my first venture into Gretchen Rue’s storytelling, “A Pie to Die For.” This book marks the beginning of her new series—a blend of cozy mystery, a touch of romance, and a dash of magic. Este March runs the family-owned Lucky Pie Diner, situated on Split Pine Island, a quaint island town in Northern Michigan. The island buzzes with activity during the tourist-packed summer season but is essentially isolated from the rest of civilization through the winter.
Each pie Este bakes holds something special. But, notably, two “lucky pies” are baked daily, promising unparalleled fortune to those who eat them. Everyone is on the hunt for these lucky pies, yet only Este knows which ones carry the magic. She honors a family tradition by keeping it a secret, although she’s been known to steer someone she feels could use a bit of luck towards one of these extraordinary pies. Conversely, there are those she believes should never receive a special pie, as they are simply not deserving.
The mystery in “A Pie to Die For” revolves around a valuable piece of property Este owns, a determined real estate developer who wants to seize it, and a new, unreliable produce man who fails to deliver and then turns up dead.
When all signs point to Este as the person of interest, she finds herself in a predicament. Determined to clear her name, she hasn’t been formally charged or implicated in the crime. Nonetheless, in a small seaside community, rumors spread quickly, and Este keeps stumbling upon clues.
I absolutely love this book. There’s something about cozy mysteries that just resonates with me. The premise of “A Pie to Die For” is particularly charming, and I found it to be a swift, enjoyable read. I had my suspicions about the real culprit and spotted several red herrings, but I didn’t piece everything together until the very end, which is always a satisfying conclusion. Gretchen Rue has crafted a solid four-star book. I eagerly anticipate reading more of her work in the future and continuing with the rest of the series.
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While I do my best to make sure my reviews are spoiler-free, I may inadvertently reveal information that can help you connect plot points. So, here’s my TL;DR spoiler-free review: A great thriller, with a big twist that was a bit predictable, but that didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the storytelling. The mini twists and character building are amazing.
Ten years ago, there was an accident that changed the lives of all those involved. Golden Girl Phoebe was killed, her brother Grant lost his sports scholarship, and everyone has basically forgotten that Becca was in the backseat, also badly injured. Another man, Wyatt, also went missing the same night. Now, Phoebe’s mother is planning a memorial, Wyatt is back, his sister June is asking questions that no one wants answered, and Grant and Becca are losing it.
The book goes back and forth between then and now, told from the POV of Grant, Becca, June, Wyatt, and ‘Ten Years Ago’. The storytelling here is masterful. At first, I felt so bad for Grant, but it turns out he’s a bit of a dick. And poor Becca, she was in the car and all anyone can talk about is Phoebe. It turns out this girl has gone and lost whatever marbles she had left. Holy crow. While I felt the overall “twist” was a bit predictable, the turns that Becca and Grant’s characters take… I just can’t. I think I liked June best overall, although none of the characters are particularly likable.
This is very much a slow-burn thriller. You dive deep into the backstory of the characters and their motivations. If anything, it could do with a little more plot building. The writing is absolutely phenomenal, and Tate is a great storyteller. While I normally like a more fast-paced thriller, this book had me hooked from the start. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” until the next thing I knew it was 2 am and I was done. I very much look forward to this author’s next book.
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While I do my best to make sure my reviews are spoiler-free, I may inadvertently reveal information that can help you connect plot points. So, here’s my TL;DR spoiler-free review: A solid 5-star police procedural/romantic thriller from a seasoned writer with lots of twists and turns. Do yourself a favor and read the first 4 books first.
If Lindsay Boxer and Kinsey Millhone had a love child, her name would be Kara Quinn. She is prickly, unlikeable, and works best alone. She’s also fiercely loyal, hardworking, smart, and feisty. She faces parental disappointment, but not for your typical reasons. Kara’s parents were con artists, so she did an about-face and became a cop. As an undercover agent, she’s developed few attachments outside her squad. Until her identity is leaked to the media and she’s forced to go on loan to the FBI’s Mobile Response Team under the command of Mathias “Matt” Costa. She and Matt develop a romantic relationship, and Kara learns that she can be part of a team… most of the time.
Now in The Missing Witness, Book 5 in the Quinn & Costa Series, Kara is home in LA to put an end to the human trafficking trial that changed the trajectory of her career. We pick up shortly after Seven Girls Gone. David Chen is out on bail and has placed a $1 million bounty on Kara’s head. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bryce Thornton from the LAPD branch is still making problems with the backing of Assistant Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Chavez. Things escalate quickly when David Chen is murdered, and the only witness is a whistleblower on her way to expose a coverup within the LA Government. Violet is a computer geek with a personal connection to the growing drug and homeless crisis going on in LA. When she witnesses the murder, she disappears. Kara’s hunt for Violet leads to unexpected consequences, and forces her to confront what she thought she wanted versus what she knows she needs.
There are so many twists and turns in this book that I was actually surprised, which is hard sometimes since I’ve read so many thrillers/mysteries. I am also extremely hopeful that there will be more books in the series. Matt has a bad premonition about what will happen if James isn’t locked up for a long time.
The MRT also sees some new additions, such as FBI SA Sloane Wagner, a former Marine who goes undercover in Chavez’s office. I really hope we get to see more of her character since this book only touched on the surface. There’s also Nina Radinovich, the Assistant US Attorney and district attorney who hip-checks Chavez when she gets pushy about Kara’s alibi for Chen’s murder. You can just tell she’s a badass and I hope we get more of her. Brennan’s writing is so layered, and the story is so well-constructed that this was hard to put down.
While the story is billed as a romantic thriller, I would call it more of a police professional thriller with a side of romance. Matt and Kara‘s relationship is the absolute definition of a slow burn. And while I give it 1.5 spicy peppers for a heat reading, it’s pretty tame as far as a romance novel goes.
All in all, I love, love, loved this book! It’s no secret that police romance books are my absolute favorite, especially if they have multiple agencies and offices. I feel like I should know these characters (Lex?) from her other books, but honestly, it’s been so long since I read them that I can’t remember. Maybe at some point I’ll get to go back and re-read them.
Here’s hoping for more books in the Quinn & Costa series.
Thank you so much to the author, Allison Brennan, Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC copy of this book. The Missing Witness is out now! You can grab your copy here.
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If you’re a frequent reader over here at Feed The Bookworm, you know I’m a huge sucker for a good police procedural thriller. I think it’s because I read a lot of detective stories when I first discovered my love of books. This book came out of nowhere for me. If you’re a fan of Women’s Murder Club and Stephanie Plum, I can guarantee that you’ll love “The Lies You Wrote” by Brianna Labuskes. This was a one-day read for me and marked my first book of the new year. Throughout the day, I switched between the audio and Kindle versions, depending on my activities. I love that both the Kindle book and the audiobook are in KU.
The book centers around Raisa Susanto, a forensic linguist for the FBI. Side tangent – I didn’t know a forensic linguist was even a thing before this. Prior to reading “The Lies You Wrote”, my dream book job was event planner for a billionaire’s consulting firm (can you tell I’ve been reading a lot of romance books this winter?), but now I want to be a forensic linguist and play with words all day.
Raisa is tough, smart, and wily, raised on the streets and in foster care after losing her parents. She’s a loner in the FBI, with no partner and one of only two linguists, so she gets farmed out to other departments. She’s quick with her words and pulls no punches
She’s paired with Callum Kilkenny, a broody, gruff, and seasoned FBI forensic psychologist to investigate a copycat killing of a crime committed 25 years ago. So far, so good, very straightforward. Now throw in a true crime podcaster snooping around trying to get a scoop (Jenna) and a police informant cyber wiz who has inserted herself into the case (Delaney), and things start to get interesting.
Raisa is coming off the loss in a tough case, where her conclusions led down the wrong end, and things went badly. Callum is renowned for his capture of the ABC killer 10 years ago, however it also came with the loss of his wife, who was targeted by the serial killer before Callum brought him down. Now the must figure out if they’re dealing with a copy cat killer, or if the real killer evaded capture decades ago.
This book was such a twisty, turn-filled, and captivating mystery. I always pride myself on being able to figure out “the twist,” but this book had so many it was like whiplash. Where in some stories this could be considered overwhelming, it all makes perfect sense in the context of this book. I was able to kind of figure out the mini twist, the buildup to the big twist was great, even though I kind of saw it coming.
Labuskes is a master wordsmith (I am trying to figure out a way to use psycho-killer stabby man in every day conversation somehow), her prose is witty, engaging, and fast-paced. The book made me laugh, kept me reading, kept me guessing, and most importantly I cannot wait to read the next book. I’m so happy that it’s going to be a series. The romantic thriller lover in me is hoping for a little romance between Raisa and Callum. In the mean time, Labuskes has a robust backlist to enjoy, many of which are in KU. I’ll be happily reading all of them while I wait for The Truth You Told, due out September 10, 2024. On sale now, you can grab your copy of The Lies You Wrote here. This awesome book is available on KU for both reading and listening!
Thank you so much to the author, Brianna Labuskes, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC copy of this book. The Lies You Wrote is out now, and available on Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Unlimited Audio. You can grab your copy here.
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People to Follow is Olivia Worley’s debut novel, is yet another retelling/reimagining of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. These seem to be particularly popular lately, and I don’t hate it since it’s one of my favorite Christie works. It shares a similar tone with Lucy Foley’s The Guest List but is distinctly tailored for a younger audience. This became apparent to me about halfway through. It’s technically considered a YA Thriller, but I would consider it more of a mystery than a thriller.
The characters in People to Follow are an intriguing mix; none are particularly likable, each harboring both annoying traits and deep-seated secrets. These secrets are the threads that bind them together and lead them to an isolated island for a three-week retreat. What starts as a period of relaxation quickly turns sinister when a storm leaves them stranded, and the murder of one among them sparks a tense whodunit.
10 young influencers are invited to a private Caribbean Island for 3 weeks of relaxing and unplugging, all to be filmed of course for a new reality show titled IRL. Each of the characters is facing some sort of personal crisis, mostly revolving around their dive in popularity. A “storm” strands the production crew, and the emergency takes the PA off island. She leaves a cell phone for emergencies, and each influencer has a watch. Turns out the cell phone goes missing, and the watches only get messages from “The Sponsor”, and they can’t send any outgoing messages. When one of their number ends up dead, the remaining 9 come to the logical conclusion that one of them is a murderer.
The story is told from alternating points of view between 4 of the main characters. Max, an aspiring documentary YouTuber who has had trouble catching a new story since his smashing expose. He’s here trying to catch a story on The Bounce House, a famous TikTok trio who have also been invited to the island. Kira, a fitness influencer who was a former reality star of a popular dance show. She finds her old nemesis from the dance show, a member of The Bounce House is also on the island. Logan is a former member of The Bounce House who has recently been kicked out/left. Who knows, but the internet is awash with rumors and conjecture. She isn’t happy to see her former friends. Then there is Elody. She’s the most annoying of the bunch, but she has the most distinct voice of all the characters. She has no apparent ties to the other influencers but seems to be there as the life of the party. When in doubt, she finds a way to make it fun/interesting. I found myself enjoying her chapters the most as the book unfolded.
I managed to guess the murderer’s identity mid-way, but the specific character revelation was a surprise. Particularly interesting was the plot involving Max’s secret, which led to a predictable yet intriguing revelation of the perpetrator’s identity and their accomplice. Despite some predictability, the book’s ending was engaging, with a well-executed plot twist.
This book is literally begging to be made into a movie. It was an absolutely solid debut from Worley. While the ‘closed-room mystery’ theme might seem overdone, Worley’s take is great.
Thank you to Olivia Worley, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy of the book.
People to Follow is on sale now, you can grab your copy here.
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I want to start off by saying that Tess Gerritsen is one of my all-time favorite authors. I discovered her late in my reading lifetime and I’ve been working my way through her catalog ever since. The Rizzoli and Isles series is still one of my all-time favorite series (so much better than the TV show IMO) and her standalones are also phenomenal. Gerritsen obtained her MD before switching to a writing career which lends authenticity and credibility to her writing.
We all know that I am a sucker for a great police procedural thriller and The Spy Coast certainly does not disappoint.
This is yet another book with dual timelines (they seem to keep popping up in my TBR) as we meet Maggie Bird, who has gone by a number of different aliases throughout her life, but who now resides in Purity, Maine, as a chicken farmer. Her life as a CIA operative is long behind her, or so she thought.
Our story opens 10 days prior, with Diana, one of Maggie’s old CIA colleagues escaping with her life after an attack, but failing to find out who is trying to take her down. Then we meet Maggie, hunting down a fox that has gotten into her henhouse.
This turns out to be the least of her problems when a woman who visited her earlier in the day ends up dead in her driveway. It appears that one of her old and still-classified cases has been compromised, and her name, along with others, has been leaked. The Spy Coast takes us around the globe and flashes back to 16 years ago to events in Malta right before Maggie left the CIA firmly in her past. But as we all know, the past does not always stay in the past, and Maggie’s past seems to be out to get her.
I enjoyed this book very much and I’m really hoping that based on the ending of this book there will be another, and that this will turn into a series. The side characters are phenomenal. They consist of a group of other, retired CIA agents who all reside in Purity, Maine. And the poor police chief Jo, who seems competent and smart, just to be outwitted by The Martini Club. The twist in this book is something I certainly did not see coming. The end leaves more questions unanswered than answered, which usually bugs me, but in this case, I don’t mind.
P.S. – In taking a look at the author’s website it looks like The Martini Club will indeed be a new series! I’m very excited and cannot wait for more adventures.
A huge thank you to the author Tess Gerritsen, NetGalley, and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC copy of this book.
One sale now, you can grab your copy here. This awesome book is available on KU for both reading and listening!
Keep reading for some more thoughts that I need to say out loud but SPOILERS!
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🛑 ✋ POSSIBLE SPOILER AHEAD ✋ 🛑
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I love that we meet Maggie while she’s after a fox in the henhouse. And she explains to Callie that even though she kills the fox, another predator will move in to take its place. Much like Bella, who has now assumed her father’s place.
So now let’s talk about this planet crash. There were supposed to be 8 people on board. But we know two didn’t board the plane. Maggie and Bella. Our girl Maggie seems poised to enter into a romantic relationship with Declan, who I’m sure has lots of his own secrets. BUT is Danny really dead?
Here’s my theory- Maggie did indeed fall victim to the honey trap, and Dr. Danny was indeed a double agent, or working for the Russians. But who knows. Only time and Tess will tell..
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Abby and Mitch are back, and the stakes are higher than ever. The Exchange picks up 15 years after the ending of The Firm. Mitch and Abby, out of hiding, are enjoying life in NYC: Mitch works for a high-end international law firm, and Abby edits cookbooks.
Once again, the McDeere family finds themselves in the thick of a nefarious plot, but this time, the bad guys zero in on Abby. As Mitch frequently reminds her, “They picked you.” The book takes readers back to Memphis for a spell, bouncing us around the world from London to Italy, Morocco, and beyond, with a cameo of a familiar but not so friendly face from Mitch’s previous life.
While some might argue that the pace of The Firm was on the slower side, the opposite could be said for The Exchange. I found The Exchange to be extremely fast-paced. If I had one criticism, it would be that the ending kind of snuck up on me and felt rushed. Overall, this was a solid legal thriller, and the international aspect added a good spin. It’s a quick read that you won’t want to put down.
Grisham is one of my all-time favorite, auto-buy authors. This book most certainly lived up to its predecessors.
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I was just telling my work wife last week that I really needed a good political thriller. As someone who devoured James Patterson and John Grisham growing up, this was the perfect book to satisfy my craving. (FWIW, those are still two of my auto buy authors.)
Of course I had to read While Justice Sleeps before diving in here, since it sets the stage for the events of Rogue Justice. While I suppose you could read it as a stand alone, I strongly recommend you read While Justice Sleeps before Rogue Justice.
In Rogue Justice, Stacey Abrams captivates us with her skillful blend of political intrigue, current events, and meticulously researched fiction. A direct sequel to her previous work, While Justice Sleeps, this novel continues the story of the ballsy Supreme Court clerk Avery Keene, who we’ve all grown to love.
Abrams effortlessly brings us back into the world she built in the first book. We’ll get reacquainted with the disgraced President, the on-the-run Major Vance, Jared Wynn, Dr. Ling, Noah Fox and Special Agent Robert Lee. Their stories expand as we uncover that the events in the first book were just the tip of the iceberg. And we can’t forget about the new players who will reek havoc of their own, including an expat female assassin.
The story picks up as Avery, attempting to regain stability after exposing an international conspiracy, is drawn into yet another web of secrets and lies. She’s still ensnared in the aftermath of When Justice Sleeps, as President stokes has been reinstated and there is a looming impeachment trial. Avery is approached by Preston Davies, a law clerk who suspects that his boss, a federal judge, was being blackmailed before her unexpected demise.
The plot intensifies as Avery uncovers a list of names of all the judges on the FISA Court, America’s “secret court” that authorizes wiretapping and spying on suspected terrorists. What follows is a series of alarming revelations that suggest a grave threat to the nation’s judicial branch.
As this story is deftly woven with details lifted from today’s headlines, I can’t help but admire how Abrams has manipulated certain character traits to keep readers on their toes. For instance, while the depiction of the President might echo real-life figures, he’s no caricature. This unexpected portrayal challenges readers’ preconceived notions, ensuring an engaging read as we sift through truth and deception.
What sets “Rogue Justice” apart is Abrams’ detailed exploration of the FISA Court, a topic of growing concern in America. As Avery unravels layers of deceit and power plays, she grapples with threats to her life, her loved ones, and the sanctity of the nation’s judicial system.
While the book is undoubtedly thrilling, it’s Avery Keene’s eidetic memory and relentless pursuit of justice that truly make it shine. She navigates through a complex maze of legal and political challenges with ease, serving as a beacon of truth in a world where power often trumps honesty.
Blending suspense, mystery, and political insight, Abrams’ once again proves her talent for storytelling is as potent as her understanding of the real-world political landscape. The scariest part about this legal thriller…it could actually happen. Rogue Justice is a must-read, ensuring you’ll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish, eagerly anticipating the next move in this masterful game of chess. Undeniably, Stacey Abrams’ second novel in the Avery Keene series has surpassed its predecessor, leaving me wondering and anticipating what’s coming next. No matter what that is, rest assured, I’ll be eagerly waiting.
As always, I encourage you to read Rogue Justice and come to your own conclusions. Thank you to the author Stacey Abrams, the publisher Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC copy of this book.
On sale now, click here to grab your copy here. While your at it you can pick up a copy of While Justice Sleeps here.
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