AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Our Perfect Family

Title:   Our Perfect Family

Author:  Nicola Marsh

Publisher:  Dreamscape Media

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Audiobook ARC

Narrators:  Jodie Harris; Nikki Thomas;

   Andrew Cutcliffe

Length:  7 hrs 2 mins

Date of Publication:   February 25, 2025

My Rating:  3 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Perfection comes at a cost… 

Respected high school teacher Austin Yates is a devoted family man. But when a cruel online attack leaves his teenage daughter traumatized, Austin’s carefully controlled life begins to unravel. Family means everything to him—and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect them. Even if it means removing the threat.

For Kate, Austin is the man who saved her. She’s a good wife and doting mother. But when whispers of scandal and accusations against Austin ripple through their small town, Kate faces an impossible choice: defend the man she owes everything to or protect the family she’s sworn to hold together.

Mia wanted to complete her final year at school unscathed. But an incriminating photo changes everything and as the world around her closes in, her next move could destroy her family—or save it. In a town where judgment spreads faster than truth, one family’s secrets are about to be exposed.

And not everyone will survive the fallout.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Austin Yates has experienced traumatic events in his past. But, he’s moved ahead. He is now a high school teacher, one well respected by both his peers and his students. But when his daughter Mia is traumatized by something that happened at school, his life begins to unravel.

Kate has been very happy being wife, mother, hostess. Her marriage to Austin has been good.  Just as Austin is, she is completely undone about what has happened to their daughter. 

This intriguing read is excellently narrated by Jodie Harris, Nikki Thomas, and Andrew Cutcliffe. The diverse voices, each representing a different point of view, keep the reader engaged throughout the story. With dual timelines, secrets are gradually revealed, and the cracks in the seemingly perfect family become increasingly apparent. This intense story was an easy one-sitting with, leaving me with a positive experience.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA TODAY bestselling & multi-award winning author Nicola Marsh writes feel-good fiction with a twist!

She has published 68 books with Harlequin, Amazon and indie, and sold over 8 million copies worldwide.

She currently writes women's fiction/rural romance for Harper Collins Australia Mira imprint, emotional domestic suspense for Bookouture and contemporary romance for Harlequin Dare.

Her first mainstream contemporary romance, BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD released to rave reviews, including a nomination for RWA's RBY, Romantic Book of the Year. 

Her first indie-pubbed contemporary romance CRAZY LOVE is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestseller, and was nominated for an ARRA award.

Her women's fiction novel SAVING SARA with Lake Union hit the #1 kindle romance spot on Amazon UK.

Her young adult fantasy SCION OF THE SUN won a National Readers' Choice Award for Best YA novel.

She's also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a RBY and National Readers' Choice Award winner, is a multiple finalist for awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers' Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Awards. 

A physiotherapist for 13 years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two dashing young heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, barracking loudly for her beloved North Melbourne Kangaroos footy team, and her favourite, curling up with a good book!

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Review - The Summer That Changed Everything

Title:   The Summer That Changed Everything 

Author:  Brenda Novak

Publisher:  MIRA

Genre:   Women's Fiction/Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   368

Date of Publication:  June 3, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

She returned to prove her father's innocence, but there's no telling what she'll find…

It's been fifteen years since Lucy Sinclair saw her father. Fifteen long years since she sat in a courtroom and watched him sentenced to life in prison. He murdered three victims—all people she knew—which ruined her life at just seventeen. But now she’s back in Virginia to talk to him, wondering if there’s more to the story of what happened that fateful night.

An old flame, Ford Wagner, makes his own return to North Hampton Beach, fleeing a marriage that seems destined for divorce. He’s wary of Lucy and her digging into the past, but the more time they spend together, the closer they get and the more he finds himself reconsidering the truth behind the death of their mutual friend that summer. Problem is, there are plenty of those in this small coastal town who would prefer things stay quiet…

MY THOUGHTS:

Fifteen years ago, Lucy Sinclair’s life took a devastating turn when her father was sentenced to life in prison for three murders. At just 17 years old, she was left to grapple with the unimaginable. One of the murders in particular has haunted her for years, and she can’t shake the doubt that her father is innocent. While she understands his guilt for the other two murders, she can’t help but wonder if he’s truly responsible for the death of that young girl.

This summer, Ford Wagner, plans on spending the next few months at his summer home in North Hampton Beach. He’s eager to finalize his divorce from his wife and is determined to leave his past behind. Little does he know that he’s about to cross paths with Lucy, a woman he briefly dated in high school. Their relationship was promising, but it was interrupted by the tragic circumstances surrounding her father’s sentencing.

Lucy has been trying to move on from her father’s actions and build a new life for herself. However, the past continues to haunt her, and she can’t help but wonder if she’s doing the right thing. When she returns to North Hampton after 15 years, she finds that people are just as angry and resentful as they were back then. Determined to find answers, she sets out to uncover the truth behind the young woman’s death.

Meanwhile, Ford is immediately concerned for Lucy and sets out to help her. Together, they embark on a journey to uncover the secrets of the past and bring justice to the young woman’s family. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a web of lies and betrayal that challenges everything they thought they knew.

Their time together all those years ago was brief, but it was passionate. Can they overcome their past and forge a new future together? Meanwhile, Ford faces complicated circumstances with the woman he hopes to make his ex-wife.

This captivating story kept me guessing until the very end. Although it may be a slow-burn narrative, the solid concept and intriguing investigation make it a worthwhile read. I particularly enjoyed the way the characters pieced together clues and the development of their relationship. The second chance that Lucy and her father receive is truly heartwarming.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brenda Novak, a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, has penned over sixty novels. She is a five-time nominee for the RITA Award and has won the National Reader's Choice, the Bookseller's Best, the Bookbuyer's Best, and many other awards. She also runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a charity to raise money for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). To date, she’s raised $2.5 million. For more about Brenda, please visit www.brendanovak.com.

SOCIAL:
TWITTER: @Brenda_Novak
FB: @BrendaNovakAuthor
Insta: @authorbrendanovak
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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - A Chain of Pearls

Title:  A Chain of Pearls

Author:  Raemi A. Ray

Series:   Martha's Vineyard Murders #1

Publisher:  Tule Publishing Group

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audiobook ALC

Narrator:  Kim Bretton

Length:  8 hrs 58 mins

No. of Pages:   348

Date of Publication:   April 9, 2024

My Rating:    4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The last thing she wants is to dig up the past…

When the body of a celebrated journalist is fished from the Edgartown Harbor, the official report rules his death accidental. But why was he alone on a senator’s yacht during a nor’easter? That’s only the first question London-based lawyer Kyra Gibson has when she arrives on the idyllic island of Martha’s Vineyard to settle her estranged father’s affairs.

She’s not looking for closure. She’s not seen him in decades since he left her with her aunt following her mother’s death. But as Kyra delves deeper into her father’s life, she learns he had many regrets and wasn’t as retired as she believed. The more Kyra discovers, the more questions she has. With the help of world-weary detective, Tarek Collins, they uncover a web of intrigue and corruption involving a powerful senator, a dubious energy company, and brutal murder.

As they chase down clues, Kyra and Tarek flirt with danger and race against time to solve the murders and uncover the dark secrets lurking beneath Martha’s Vineyard’s picturesque façade of old money wealth and privilege.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS: 

Raemi A. Ray’s debut novel, the first in the Martha Vineyard Murders series, is a captivating read. Kyra, a lawyer in London, arrives on the idyllic island of Martha’s Vineyard to settle her father’s affairs. However, her arrival soon turns ominous as she suspects foul play in his death. Could her father’s past as a journalist have played a role in his murder? As Kyra delves deeper into the investigation, her long-standing estrangement from her father resurfaces, adding complexity to the unfolding mystery.

This all proves to be quite taxing for Kyra, as resentment for her father has grown over the years. It just might be that the deeper she digs that her resentment will lesson. Learning more and more about her father’s life is helping to paint the picture of his life before his death. More than that, Kyra begins learning about her father when he was younger.

Kyra is not alone in her search for answers. Since it was soon proved that her father’s depth was indeed the result of our play, a detective, Tarek Collins, arrives on the island to begin his own investigation. She has no plans to let him go about finding answers on his own, and the two make an unlikely partnership.

Embarking on a new series is always exhilarating, and Raemi A. Ray’s debut novel delivers a solid start. The engaging narrative and well-developed characters make it a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense. Coincidentally, my family and I are planning a trip to the Vineyard in mid-July, adding an extra layer of excitement to my reading experience as I read the first book in this captivating series.

Many thanks to Raemi A. Ray and to Tule Publishing Group for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Raemi A. Ray is the author of the Martha’s Vineuard Murders series, publishing in 2024. She takes inspiration from her travels to the island and around the world as well as from local and national headlines. Most of her books are based somewhat on real life. When not writing, working her other boring job, she earns her keep as the personal assistant to the resident house demons, Otto and DolphLundgren. She lives in Boston with her family.

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BLOG TOUR - Death at a Paris Hotel

DESCRIPTION:

For Lady Eleanor Swift, Paris means champagne at breakfast, romantic walks by the Eiffel Tower… and her deadliest case yet!

Newlyweds Lady Swift and Detective Hugh Seldon are honeymooning in the most romantic city on earth. Clifford, her butler,has come along for the trip to make sure everything goes to plan for the happy couple. And Gladstone, the mischievous bulldog, to make sure it doesn’t!

But the pair are shocked when, just as they are toasting their new marriage at the best table in their hotel’s opulent restaurant, a man tumbles through the glass roof and lands amid the silverware and coq au vin. Before he dies, he presses a striking pearl brooch into Eleanor’s hands. She has the strangest feeling of déjà vu. Has she met this man before? All too quickly, the local police arrive and immediately accuse the new Mr and Mrs of working with the victim – a thief who’d just robbed the museum down the block.

With her new husband by her side, Eleanor races to clear their name and discover who would kill to get their hands on the unusual brooch. Following a clue about a doomed love affair takes the gang from the famous cabarets and cobbled streets of Paris to rubbing shoulders with the aristocracy at the very top of the Eiffel Tower.

But soon Eleanor notices a mysterious man in black following their every footstep. Is he friend or foe? And can Eleanor and Hugh unravel the case before the City of Light becomes the city of death?

An utterly charming and unputdownable golden age cozy mystery set in Paris. Fans of T.E. Kinsey, Catherine Coles and Lee Strauss will adore it.

BUY LINK:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0F2C1HJ3Wsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at:http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Title:   Death at a Paris Hotel

Author:  Verity Bright

Series:  Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #22
Publisher:  Bookouture    

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  336

Date of Publication:  June 30, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS: 

Lady Eleanor Swift embarks on a new chapter of her life as a married woman. On her honeymoon with her new husband, Hugh, she eagerly anticipates the time they will spend together. This is particularly a blessing for Ellie, as Hugh narrowly escaped a poisoning attempt just two days before their wedding. Thanks to good planning by Hugh, they are accompanied by Ellie’s ever-reliable butler, Clifford, and her beloved bulldog, Gladstone. This is an unexpected surprise to Ellie and she realizes that Hugh knows how special they are to her.

However, their honeymoon takes an unexpected turn when a man falls through a ceiling, literally landing in Ellie’s lap and dies, but not before pressing a valuable object in her hand. When Ellie realizes this, she can sense the value of what turns out to be a silver brooch. Despite Hugh’s status as a senior detective back home, he lacks the authority to act in Paris. Nevertheless, Ellie keeps the information of the pearl brooch secret, determined to solve the murder herself. She is willing to leverage Hugh’s prominence to aid her in her quest.

With a long list of suspects, Ellie and Hugh find themselves entangled in a game of cat and mouse to uncover the truth behind the murder. As they delve deeper into the investigation, clues begin to pile up, as well as both Ellie and Hugh find themselves becoming suspects themselves. Now, they must work doubly hard to clear their names, as the stakes are higher than ever.

Verity Swift’s captivating series enchants readers with its fresh and intriguing plots. Ellie, Hugh, and the ever-clever Clifford form an unstoppable trio when it comes to solving crimes, no matter how perilous the danger. The Paris setting, including a visit to the Eiffel Tower in its early stages, and Hugh’s humorous attempts at French communication, all work together to make this book quite an engaging read. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

https://twitter.com/BrightVerity

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Verity Bright here: https://www.bookouture.com/verity-bright

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - First Wife’s Shadow

Title:   Two Dead Wives

Author:  Adele Parks

Publisher:  Harlequin Audio

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Kristin Atherton

Length:  11 hrs 58 mins

No. of Pages:   368

Date of Publication:   March 18, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

“Absolutely gripping, this is revenge lit at its best. Provocative and compelling. I was left breathless at the final twist.” —Lisa Jewell, author of The Family Remains, on Two Dead Wives

An exhilarating psychological crime thriller that will have you racing to the finish!

HIS FIRST WIFE DIED. NOW THERE'S A VACANCY…

When Emma meets Matthew, a kind, handsome widower, he seems to be just what she needs.

Yet as their relationship moves fast, Emma’s friends worry she might be exploited. She’s a rich woman after all.

Emma doesn’t care Matthew has no money. But as the memory of his perfect first wife hangs over them, Emma does have one tiny doubt.

If Matthew’s wife hadn’t died, he wouldn’t be with her. And Emma wonders if she’s second best. Can she ever fill the dead woman’s shoes?

As jealousy and suspicion blossom between Emma and Matthew, events take a darker, dangerous turn.

Suddenly Emma doesn’t know who she can trust. Her friends? Her husband? Or even herself…?

MY THOUGHTS:

Emma, enamored with her new husband, Matthew, acknowledges that their courtship was brief. However, she often feels uneasy when he speaks fondly of his first wife, Becky. He describes their love as an unparalleled passion. Despite her lingering feelings that Matthew is still in love with Becky, she can’t help but be captivated by their passionate relationship.

Emma’s budding romance with Matthew was to be met with skepticism from her lifelong friends. Perhaps it’s because Matthew is younger, or perhaps it’s simply because she rushed into the relationship and marriage. Things don’t go smoothly for Emma, and strange occurrences begin to disrupt her life. She starts feeling as if she’s being haunted by Becky’s ghost.

Kristin Atherton’s narration of this fast-paced story is expertly done. While the story is intriguing, particularly when Emma is feeling haunted, I found myself drawn to the twists and turns that kept the plot moving at a rapid pace.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adele Parks was born in Teesside, North-East England. Her first novel, Playing Away, was published in 2000 and since then she's had 20 international bestsellers, translated into twenty-six languages. She's been an Ambassador for The Reading Agency and a judge for the Costa. She's lived in Italy, Botswana and London, and is now settled in Guildford, Surrey, with her husband, teenage son and cat.

Social Links:

Author Website

Instagram: @adele_parks

Twitter: @adeleparks

Facebook: @OfficialAdeleParks

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - The Death Mask

Title: The Death Mask

Author:  Iris Johansen

Series:   Eve Duncan #31

Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audiobook ALC

Narrator:  Elisabeth Rodgers

Length:  10 hrs 40 mins

No. of Pages:   384

Date of Publication:  June 24, 2024

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen comes a new thriller starring Eve Duncan as she races against time to protect her beloved family from a merciless killer.
  
World-renowned forensic sculptor Eve Duncan’s skills frequently make her a target. And in this epic adventure, they make her the first choice to create an Egyptian death mask for a nefarious potential client. But Eve cannot be bought, not for all the riches in a gold mine. Her would-be employer soon realizes that he must threaten the lives of those she holds dear to procure Eve’s services and force her to travel to Africa to mold the priceless mask.

Eve knows that her husband, Joe Quinn, is out there somewhere, searching tirelessly for a way to help. Joe has back-up from Alex Dominic, a mercenary for hire, but nothing will make it easier to set his emotions aside in order to navigate the impenetrable jungle and mastermind a breathtaking escape.

Against an unpredictable enemy, Eve and Joe must each focus on their own unique abilities to get out alive. The future of their love and their family depends upon it.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Eager to spend time with her son Michael, who is returning home from school, Eve initially declines her request to create an Egyptian death mask. However, those who want her to make the mask pressure her into taking the job, which she initially resists. This task becomes even more urgent when Michael’s life is threatened. Meanwhile, Eve is concerned for her husband, Joe, who is away, but when danger approaches both Eve and their son Michael, he frantically searches for them.

I have been a fan of this series since its inception. While some of the stories are quite far-fetched, I still enjoy the dynamic between Eve, Joe, Michael, and their daughter Jane. I also enjoy the spinoff series, so when I read any of the newer books, I feel like I’m returning home.

I would love to see where the story takes us next, especially now that Jane has a daughter of her own. Additionally, I appreciate the fact that Michael is still a young boy, as I believe this contributes to the series’ potential for many future stories.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve,Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand,Killer Dreams, On The Run, Countdown, Firestorm, Fatal Tide, Dead Aim, and more. And with her son Roy Johansen, she has coauthored The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.

Johansen began writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success. She had seventeen consecutive New York Times bestsellers as of November 2006.

Johansen lives near Atlanta, Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.

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Review - Lie in the Tide

Title:  Lie in the Tide

Author:  Holly Danvers   

Publisher:  Severn House

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   236

Date of Publication:   June 3, 2025

My Rating:  3 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Theirs is a reunion . . . to die for! Four friends are meeting at a beautiful Cape Cod beach house for a long overdue reunion. But before the trip is over, one of them will wind up dead . . . Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley.

It’s been twenty years since Mori, Avery, Remi and Calista last saw each other. As they reconnect on Cape Cod to celebrate Calista’s 40th birthday, each one hides a painful and devastating secret.

Former introvert, Mori is now a bestselling erotica author. She’s more successful than she ever dreamed, and yet shamefully on the cusp of divorce #3.

Remi’s a yoga instructor, blissfully married to her high school sweetheart. On this trip, she’s concealing her pregnancy – and the baby’s paternity.

Quiet Avery is a farm wife living in Iowa. Her life doesn’t have the scandals of her friends’. But she does have a house full of kids she fears she’ll never see again . . .

And Calista, the quintessential suburban mom and high school English teacher, is harboring the biggest secret of all.

These four women are about to learn that one little white lie could kill more than just their friendship . . .

Lie in the Tide is an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller that digs deep into those little white lies that have the potential to turn deadly.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Secrets are bound to dampen the reunion of four friends after two decades: Mori, Avery, Remi, and Calista. Their lives are about to change, and soon, one of them will face a tragic end.

I enjoyed this book. While it’s a quick read, it boasts intriguing protagonists and suspense that hits hard as these four women step away from their lives. As I read, I couldn’t help but think of the quote I’ve heard many times: “You can never go home again.” These women may have been bonded when younger, but their lives have taken vastly different paths. Add to that the murder of one of them, and the story takes a dramatic turn.

As a resident of Massachusetts, I recently spent a weekend in Natick. Having Natick and the Cape as backdrops in the story made me feel more connected. I eagerly anticipate reading more from this author in the future. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

WAIT! I bet you think you’ve come to the wrong place. Before you go, let me introduce myself. I’m Sherry, and Holly, and Holly. I know what you’re thinking. Who are you? Let me explain. I’m a mystery writer who writes for multiple publishers under three different pseudonyms: Holly Danvers, Holly Quinn and Sherry Lynn. You’ve landed on my official author website. Welcome to my mystery collection. All traditionally published thrillers and cozy mysteries.

Are you looking for a salty sea stroll alongside a cliff walk where beach roses bloom? Does the sound of the waves lure you in? Couple that with a sleuth that solves mysteries while tending the flower gardens of her SeaScapes business! The Mainely Murder Mystery series by Sherry Lynn is the perfect trip for you.
 
How about a weekend away amongst the tall pines in the Northwoods of Wisconsin? Maybe a bookish cozy mystery tucked into a log-cabin library alongside a lake sounds dreamy? The Lakeside Library Mystery series by Holly Danvers might be something to check out.
 
Are you the crafty type? Does a gift shop where all the locals sell their wares sound like a favorite hangout? If so, you might consider visiting the town of Heartsford in the Handcrafted Mystery series by Holly Quinn.
 
I invite you to peruse my website. I promise you’ll find the perfect mix of hometown charm and mystery to keep you reading long into the night.

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