AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Title:  Second Chance At Sunshine Inn

Author:   Amy Clipston

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Audiobook ALC

Narrator:  Melissa Moran

Length:  9 hrs 46 min

No. of Pages:   368

Date of Publication:   July 8, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to the Sunshine Inn, a picturesque coastal inn with sweeping views and two new owners who couldn't be more opposite. From bestselling author Amy Clipston comes a no spice, grumpy/sunshine romance perfect for fans of Anne-Marie Meyer and RaeAnne Thayne.

Two polar opposites, one cozy inn--and one sweet and surprising chance at unlikely love.

When Everleigh Hartnett, a cheerful traveling NICU nurse who can't sit still, inherits half of her godmother's beloved seaside bed-and-breakfast, she dreams of selling the place to fund the nonprofit she and her godmother always envisioned. But there's one tiny her new co-owner. Rugged, grumpy, and fiercely loyal to the inn, Cade Witherspoon isn't about to let his peaceful life--and his new start--be sold off so easily.

Everleigh and Cade are opposites in every way. She's sunshine and laughter, while he's all rough edges and quiet brooding. Their clash of wills over the inn soon has them wondering what on earth Everleigh's godmother was thinking when she left them both in charge.

As Everleigh gets to know Cade's softer side--and Cade finds himself drawn to Everleigh's optimism and kindness--their disagreement over the inn becomes something sweeter. But with the arrival of Cade's long-lost brother and the looming threat of a developer sniffing around the property, they'll have to make some hard choices--together.

Can Everleigh and Cade let go of their expectations and build something lasting together? Or will the Sunshine Inn be the place they both leave behind?

Second Chance at Sunshine Inn by bestselling novelist Amy Clipston is a heartwarming, standalone romance, which features the grumpy/sunshine trope and a charming small-town setting that's Netflix's Falling Inn Love meets Debbie Macomber set in a seaside bed-and-breakfast. This book delivers all the emotions and butterflies, leaving out the explicit scenes. And it comes with engaging discussion questions, making it a fantastic choice for your next book club pick!

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Everleigh Hartnett and Cade Witherspoon become partners after inheriting Everleigh’s godmother’s bed-and-breakfast. Complete strangers, their relationship starts rocky, but Everleigh, deeply saddened by the loss of her beloved grandmother, is determined to fulfill her shared dream of starting a nonprofit. Selling her half of the inn would be a significant step towards making this dream a reality.

Cade, on the other hand, has no intention of selling. He proposes a partnership, suggesting that Everleigh could be a silent partner while he keeps the inn running. Initially, neither Everleigh nor Cade are willing to compromise, but as they spend time together fixing up the inn, a bond begins to develop between them. However, this newfound closeness doesn’t mean that their journey will be easy. Both Everleigh and Cade face challenges and obstacles that test their resolve.

This heartwarming romance is intertwined with a touching family drama that emphasizes the importance of family bonds. The slow-burning romance between Everleigh and Cade is beautifully crafted, leaving me with a warm and satisfying feeling. 

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hi, I’m Amy Clipston. I am an author of Amish and Christian fiction with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Most of my books focus on the Amish community, faith, and love. I also write romance novels and young adult inspirational stories.

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Review - Don’t Let Him In

Title:   Don’t Let Him In

Author:  Lisa Jewell

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Publisher:   Atria Books

Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  384

Date of Publication:  June 24, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell, three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.

He’s the perfect man. It’s a perfect lie.

Nina Swann is intrigued when she received a condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of her late husband, who is looking to connect after her husband’s unexpected death. Nick is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband, Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn’t right.

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Nina, Martha and Ash. All connected to one man, Nick. Gaslighter extraordinaire. The things Nick does in Lisa Jewell’s latest book are utterly cringeworthy. With his affable personality, making everyone feel comfortable, gaining people’s trust comes easy to him.  His romantic relationships are a breeze. He is Nick. Alistair. Jonathan. Andre. Simon. How he pulled all of these personas off for so long was not only shocking, but quite remarkable. 

Starting with two of the women Nick has bowled over, Nina and Martha, both of whom have been completely unaware that Nick and Alistair are the same man for the longest time. Their lives intersect in a chilling way. Nina’s daughter, Ash, was never easily fooled by Nick. Still not over the death of her father, a man Nick claimed was once friends with, she is determined to discover who this man is. 

What a thrilling story! Shocking in its intensity, and utterly compelling, Lisa Jewell proves that she excels at her craft of writing. The reader’s attention is snagged from the opening scene and keeps us focus to the very end, an epilogue that will leave you breathless. 

Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa was born in London in 1968. Her mother was a secretary and her father was a textile agent and she was brought up in the northernmost reaches of London with her two younger sisters. She was educated at a Catholic girls’ Grammar school in Finchley. After leaving school at sixteen she spent two years at Barnet College doing an arts foundation course and then two years at Epsom School of Art & Design studying Fashion Illustration and Communication.

She worked for the fashion chain Warehouse for three years as a PR assistant and then for Thomas Pink, the Jermyn Street shirt company for four years as a receptionist and PA. She started her first novel, Ralph’s Party, for a bet in 1996. She finished it in 1997 and it was published by Penguin books in May 1998. It went on to become the best-selling debut novel of that year.

She has since written a further nine novels, as is currently at work on her eleventh.

She now lives in an innermost part of north London with her husband Jascha, an IT consultant, her daughters, Amelie and Evie and her silver tabbies, Jack and Milly.

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Review - The Game is Afoot

Title:   The Game is Afoot

Author:  Elise Bryant

Series:   Mavis Miller #2

Publisher:  Berkley

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   368

Date of Publication:   July 8, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION: 

A clever and hilarious new mystery about a mother who thinks she has to do it all—even solve a murder—from the author of It's Elementary

After rage quitting her job, Mavis finally has time to get all the rest she’s been putting off. Or she should have the time. Hypothetically. Except she’s taken on a new  Supermom. Her hours are filled with chauffeuring her daughter, Pearl, around to her extracurricular activities, somehow ending up class mom, and…investigating another mystery?

When Coach Cole, the director of the kids’ soccer program, drops dead on a sunny Saturday morning, no one suspects foul play. However, the police soon discover something suspicious left on the field, making it clear that someone had it in for the coach. But who? Sure, parents got mad when he made their precious star athletes sit on the bench, but not thatmad.

Mavis is determined to find out, even if it takes her into the dark, dangerous underbelly of gentle parents and MLM girlbosses. Plus, it’s an easy distraction from everything else going on. Like the panic attacks she keeps brushing off. Or the fact that she’s unemployed and totally lost as to what her purpose and path in life should be. And then there’s her ex-husband who’s back in town and doing everything she’s ever wanted, just as she’s beginning a new relationship. Mavis knows a murder investigation probably isn’t the self-care she needs right now. But how exactly are you supposed to take care of yourself when you don’t even know who you are anymore?

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Mavis Miller found herself in a whirlwind of responsibilities when she was reluctantly drawn into her daughter Pearl’s school PTA. Amidst this chaos, she became a key figure in solving a murder. This pivotal moment came after Mavis had faced a disappointing setback in her job, where she had been overlooked for a promotion she believed she deserved.

Frustrated by her lack of recognition at work, Mavis made a rash decision to quit her job. However, her newfound busyness soon turned into a whirlwind of activities, including shuttling Pearl between various extracurriculars. One of these activities was soccer, and when the team’s coach suddenly drops dead on the field, foul play at first seemed unlikely. However, that soon changed. Could he have genuinely upset one of the parents to the extent of causing his death?

Competition was one thing, and the pressure to make parents’ children stand out in activities was another. But to resort to murder was an entirely different level of absurdity. Determined to uncover the truth behind the team’s beloved coach’s demise, Mavis found herself entangled in a web of intrigue. Meanwhile, she was grappling with the same stress she had experienced when she had been forced to join the PTA. This time, however, it was a cult-like MLM that was exerting immense pressure on her to become involved, threatening to break her.

Amidst this chaos, Mavis found herself torn between two romantic interests. She couldn’t help but wonder if she should give her ex-husband, Corey, another chance, especially since he had become more involved in her and Pearl’s life. However, she was also deeply enamored with Jack, the school psychologist at Pearl’s school. This romantic triangle was an enjoyable part of the engaging second installment of the Mavis Miller series, promising to be an entertaining series. The story weaves together suspense, romance, and humor, creating a captivating narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elise Bryant is the NAACP Image Award-nominated author of Happily Ever Afters, One True Loves, Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling, and the forthcoming It’s Elementary. For many years, Elise had the joy of working as a special education teacher, and now she spends her days reading, writing, and eating dessert. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Long Beach, California

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Murder Takes a Vacation

Title:  Murder Takes a Vacation 

Author:  Laura Lippman

Publisher:  William Morrow

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC and Audio ALC

Narrator:  Kimberly Farr

Length:  9 hrs 46 mins

No. of Pages:   272

Date of Publication:   June 17, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Highly acclaimed New York Times bestseller Laura Lippman returns with an irresistible mystery featuring Muriel Blossom, a former private investigator and middle-aged widow whose vacation on a Parisian river cruise turns into a deadly international mystery…that only she can solve. 

Mrs. Blossom is not the kind of woman to play the lottery. She is practical, a devoted grandmother, and has a knack for blending into the background, which was an asset during her days assisting private investigator Tess Monaghan. But when Mrs. Blossom finds a winning ticket in a parking lot, everything changes...including Mrs. Blossom. She is determined to see the world that sometimes feels as if it’s passing her by.

But when Mrs. Blossom booked her cruise through France on the MS Solitaire, she did not expect to meet Allan on her transatlantic flight. He is the first man who’s sparked something inside her since her beloved husband passed.

She also didn’t expect Allan to be found, dead, twenty-four hours later in Paris, a city he wasn’t supposed to be in.

Now Mrs. Blossom doesn’t know who to trust on board the ship, especially when a new, mystifying man, Danny, keeps popping up around every corner, always present when things go awry. He claims that Allan was involved in the transport of a stolen, precious piece of art, and he’s convinced that Mrs. Blossom knows more than she lets on, regarding both the artifact and Allan’s murder.

Mrs. Blossom’s questions only increase as the cruise sails down the Seine. Why does it feel like she is being followed? Who was Allan, and why was he killed? Most alarmingly, why do these mysterious men keep flirting with her?

What follows is a charming one-of-a-kind mystery from one of Time magazine’s “essential crime writers of the last 100 years.” The perfect combination of cozy and thrilling, this novel and the delightful Mrs. Blossom are sure to be unforgettable.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

68-year-old Mrs. Blossom may not play the lottery, but she certainly won the lottery by finding a winning ticket. From a private investigator who excelled at blending in when it came to surveillance, to a doting grandmother, she has now booked a cruise to France. Her journey begins with a long flight across the ocean, where she meets the charming Allan. From a shared flight to a few drinks, she can’t believe that after ten years of widowhood, she finds herself drawn to him.

However, just 24 hours later, Mrs. Blossom’s life takes a dramatic turn when she is visited by the Paris police. They are full of questions and ultimately ask her if she knows Allan. Upon confirming their brief connection, she is informed that Allan has tragically fallen off a balcony to his death. Allan is not the only new man that Mrs. Blossom meets on her trip. She soon finds herself in constant company with Danny, who practically has become her shadow. Who is Danny, and why has he stuck so closely to Mrs. Blossom?

As Mrs. Blossom delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers that something sinister is afoot. A precious artifact has been stolen, and it turns out that Allan was not the man she thought he was. Not sure how she got connected to Allan, then Danny, and is now entangled in the stolen art, Mrs. Blossom puts on her private investigator hat and sets out to uncover the truth.

This one-sitting story is a thrilling and entertaining read. Although I received a digital ARC, I was also delighted to receive an audio copy for review. Kimberly Farr’s narration is excellent, and Laura Lippmann’s writing is simply captivating. I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Blossom’s relatable character. She is not embarrassed by her age or size, and her relentless pursuit of answers is a pure joy to witness. 

Many thanks to William Morrow and to Libro.fm and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Lippman was a reporter for twenty years, including twelve years at The (Baltimore) Sun. She began writing novels while working fulltime and published seven books about “accidental PI” Tess Monaghan before leaving daily journalism in 2025. Her work has been awarded the Edgar ®, the Anthony, the Agatha, the Shamus, the Nero Wolfe, Gumshoe and Barry awards. She also has been nominated for other prizes in the crime fiction field, including the Hammett and the Macavity. She was the first-ever recipient of the Mayor’s Prize for Literary Excellence and the first genre writer recognized as Author of the Year by the Maryland Library Association.

Ms. Lippman grew up in Baltimore and attended city schools through ninth grade. After graduating from Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Md., Ms. Lippman attended Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her other newspaper jobs included the Waco Tribune-Herald and the San Antonio Light.

Ms. Lippman returned to Baltimore in 1989 and has lived there since. She is the daughter of Theo Lippman Jr., a Sun editorial writer who retired in 1995 but continues to freelance for several newspapers, and Madeline Mabry Lippman, a former Baltimore City school librarian. Her sister, Susan, is a local bookseller.

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Party of Liars

Title:  Party of Liars

Author:  Kelsey Cox

Publisher:  Macmillan Audio

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audio ALC

Narrator:  Dan Bittner, Kate Handford,

  Pearl Hewitt, Saskia Maarleveld, Suzy Jackson

Length:  10 hrs 57 mins

No. of Pages:   336

Date of Publication:   July 1, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A lavish, Texas-sized Sweet Sixteen turns deadly in this twisty, pulse-pounding new novel — serving up a fresh take on a classic locked-room whodunnit. Let the festivities begin…

Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.

It’s a killer guest list . . .

DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl

ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house

MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume

KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .

Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Sophie Matthew’s sweet sixteen party was supposed to be a lavish gala that would create lasting memories. However, the party took a tragic turn when a body fell from a balcony. The events that unfolded were not only shocking but also deeply disturbing for all involved.

One of the main characters in this story is Dani, Ethan’s much younger second wife with a newborn daughter, Sophie. Dani is struggling with postpartum depression and paranoia, possibly due to the eerie and reportedly haunted house they now live in. Her dark thoughts and emotions were particularly unsettling for me, as I have a daughter who has suffered postpartum depression twice and is expecting again in less than a month. Seeing Dani go through such powerful emotions was deeply upsetting, and I almost considered giving up on the book more than once.

Despite the disturbing elements, the story was captivating due to its drama, intensity, and the secrets, lies, and deceit that unfolded. The audiobook format, with five narrators, was particularly compelling, as each narrator performed their roles masterfully, delivering pristine performances.

While Dani seemed to be the primary protagonist, there was also Kim, Ethan’s bitter ex-wife and Sophie’s mother. Once a successful veterinarian, Kim had become a broken woman, dependent on alcohol for comfort and consumed by bitter rage.

Órlaith, the elderly Irish nanny for Dani and Ethan’s baby, was an intriguing character. She was a woman full of superstition and eerily watched over the Matthews family. Along with Sophie, her best friend, Mikayla, completed the compelling cast, though she was anything but innocent. 

This enigmatic story, told through multiple perspectives and flashbacks, builds a compelling resume for the five women involved. Kelsey Cox, a new author to me, has certainly become an author I would love to follow. She brilliantly captures the essence of the characters, presenting a wonderfully written locked-room mystery. The suspense is palpable, drawing the reader in like strong tentacles. Major issues like postpartum depression, paranoia, and one woman’s desperate struggle with alcohol are woven into the narrative. 

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelsey Cox received her MFA in fiction from Purdue University and works from home in the Texas Hill Country. You can often find her writing at Mammen Family Public Library, chasing around her two young daughters, or watching British mysteries with her mom and aunts. On nights when bedtime goes as planned, she enjoys curling up on the sofa, glass of wine in hand, and a book with complicated characters and a killer twist in her lap.

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Review - Parents Weekend

Title:  Parents Weekend

Author:  Alex Finlay

Publisher:  Minotaur Books

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:   Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   312

Date of Publication:   May 6, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

From the bestselling author of If Something Happens to Me, comes one of the year’s most anticipated thrillers.

In the glow of their children’s exciting first year of college at a small private school in Northern California, five families plan on a night of dinner and cocktails for the opening festivities of Parents Weekend. As the parents stay out way past their bedtimes, their kids—five residents of Campisi Hall—never show up at dinner.

At first, everyone thinks that they’re just being college students, irresponsibly forgetting about the gathering or skipping out to go to a party. But as the hours click by and another night falls with not so much as a text from the students, panic ensues. Soon, the campus police call in reinforcements. Search parties are formed. Reporters swarm the small enclave. Rumors swirl and questions arise.

Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella—The Five, as the podcasters, bloggers, and TikTok sleuths call them—come from five very different families. What led them out on that fateful night? Could it be the sins of their mothers and fathers come to cause them peril or a threat to the friend group from within?

Told through multiple points of view in past and present—and marking the return of FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller from Every Last Fear and The Night Shift—Parents Weekend explores the weight of expectation, family dysfunction, and those exhilarating first days we all remember in the dorms when our friends become our family.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Five college freshmen failed to show up at an event at their school. This wasn’t just a casual occurrence; it was Parents Weekend, and the opening event was supposed to be a sophisticated experience. Initially, the faculty assumed the kids were just being mischievous, and no one was alarmed. However, as the hours ticked by, it became increasingly apparent that something sinister was afoot. While the campus police had diligently investigated, they realized they needed more assistance. FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller was promptly called in, and an intensified search for these five young individuals began. 

The young people are in this story Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix and Stella. They haven’t even had a chance to make their mark on the world, and it becomes eerily apparent that something dreadful has happened to them. The story of the missing college students gain traction quickly, attracting the attention of podcasters, bloggers as well as TikTokers. They are all keenly interested in this case. In fact, the missing group gain a new moniker—The Five. 

While in some ways, although a dual timeline story, this is also a story with a very short time span. The more the reader immerses themselves in this thrilling story by Alex Finlay, the more the sense of urgency is realized. Not only is the safety of the students paramount, the reason behind their disappearance remains intriguing. 

The narrative in this book is presented from multiple perspectives, adding an extra layer of intrigue. With a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique stories, the powerful narrative unfolds, making it a fast-paced read. However, I must acknowledge that this story delves into some serious subjects, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that. As we’ve seen Keller in two of Finlay’s previous novels, Every Last Fear and The Night Shift, her personal life plays a more significant role in this story. 

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alex Finlay is the author of the 2021 breakout novel, Every Last Fear, the 2022 Goodreads Choice nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller, The Night Shift, and the 2023 LibraryReads Hall of Fame recipient, What Have We Done.  His work has been an Indie Next pick, a LibraryReads selection, an Amazon Editor’s Best Thriller, as well as a Cosmopolitan, CNN, Newsweek, E!, BuzzFeed, Business Week, Goodreads, Parade, PopSugar, Scribd, and Reader’s Digest best or most anticipated thrillers of the year. Alex’s novels have been translated into twenty-one languages and are sold around the world.  All of his novels have been optioned for film and television, and Every Last Fear is in development for a major limited series.  

Alex writes under a pen name and is a prominent Washington, D.C. lawyer who has represented clients in more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

His next novel If Something Happens to Me releases in May 2024.

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Review The Night Shift

Title:  The Night Shift

Author:  Alex Finlay

Publisher:  Minotaur Books

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:   Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   312

Date of Publication:   March 1, 2022

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

It’s New Year’s Eve 1999. Y2K is expected to end in chaos: planes falling from the sky, elevators plunging to earth, world markets collapsing. A digital apocalypse. None of that happens. But at a Blockbuster Video in Linden, New Jersey, four teenage girls working the night shift are attacked. Only one survives. Police quickly identify a suspect who flees and is never seen again.

Fifteen years later, in the same town, four teenage employees working late at an ice cream store are attacked, and again only one makes it out alive.

Both surviving victims recall the killer speaking only a few final words... “Goodnight, pretty girl.”

In the aftermath, three lives intersect: the survivor of the Blockbuster massacre who’s forced to relive her tragedy; the brother of the original suspect, who’s convinced the police have it wrong; and the FBI agent, who’s determined to solve both cases. On a collision course toward the truth, all three lives will forever be changed, and not everyone will make it out alive.

Twisty, poignant, and redemptive, The Night Shift is a story about the legacy of trauma and how the broken can come out on the other side, and it solidifies Alex Finlay as one of the new leading voices in the world of thrillers.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

I cherish fond memories of visiting Blockbuster Video with my children. However, Ella’s story is different. She is the sole survivor of a heinous crime that occurred at the former video store, where three of her friends were tragically killed. Fifteen years later, a similar crime happens at an ice cream shop, leaving Jesse as the lone survivor. Jesse, a foster child, has endured numerous life changes.

Ella and Jesse’s paths crossed when the principal at Ella’s school, where she works as a school counselor, asked her to visit Jesse at the hospital after the attack. As we delve deeper into Ella’s character, it becomes evident that she is deeply broken, undoubtedly due to the traumatic events of her past. Despite her struggles, Ella is determined to help Jesse. She becomes increasingly involved in Jesse’s life, and they spend a significant amount of time together.

Two other prominent protagonists in this captivating story are Chris, the hardworking lawyer handling the case, and Keller, the FBI agent investigating it. Alongside the intriguing perspectives of Ella and Jesse, the other viewpoints are equally compelling. This harmonious blend of perspectives contributes to the overall intrigue and suspense of this thrilling narrative.

I was fully drawn into this multi-layered story, right from the very start. Equally tragic and intense, this book was impossible to put down. This is Alex Finlay‘s sophomore book, and it was an excellent example of his writing prowess. It was very nice to see special agent Sarah Keller once again in this book. I was also quite pleased to go on to read Parents Weekend immediately upon finishing this book. 

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alex Finlay is the author of the 2021 breakout novel, Every Last Fear, the 2022 Goodreads Choice nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller, The Night Shift, and the 2023 LibraryReads Hall of Fame recipient, What Have We Done.  His work has been an Indie Next pick, a LibraryReads selection, an Amazon Editor’s Best Thriller, as well as a Cosmopolitan, CNN, Newsweek, E!, BuzzFeed, Business Week, Goodreads, Parade, PopSugar, Scribd, and Reader’s Digest best or most anticipated thrillers of the year. Alex’s novels have been translated into twenty-one languages and are sold around the world.  All of his novels have been optioned for film and television, and Every Last Fear is in development for a major limited series.  

Alex writes under a pen name and is a prominent Washington, D.C. lawyer who has represented clients in more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

His next novel If Something Happens to Me releases in May 2024.

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