BLOG TOUR - Home for the Baby's Sake

Title:  Home for the Baby's Sake 

Author:  Christine Rimmer

Series:  The Bravos of Valentine Bay #8
Publisher:  Harlequin Special Edition

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   288    

Date of Publication:   September 29. 2020

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

He’d do anything for his son…including returning to the town he left behind.

Valentine Bay’s the perfect place for real estate developer Roman Marek to raise his infant son. But when he snaps up the charming local theater, he doesn’t bargain for tempestuous director Hailey Bravo. Hailey won’t let Roman wreck the thing she holds most dear—and she’s certainly gotten under Roman’s notoriously thick skin. As the duo spar and sparks fly, Roman’s surprised to find that Hailey’s the perfect missing piece for his family. But how can he convince her that this partnership’s for keeps? 

BUY LINKS:
B&N | Amazon | Google
IndieBound | Harlequin | Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS:

Roman Marek is twice married and now widowed with an infant son. He has headed home to Valentine Bay with hopes of raising his son in the beautiful town. Little did Roman realize that he would be bit by gthe love bug in the form of theater director Hailey Bravo. The fact that Roman is a real estate developer with a project that just might destroy the location of Hailey's theater most definitely creates friction between them.

However, something else is brewing. Hailey is concerned for her theater, but there is something about Roman that she cannot let go of - the fact that she desires him. Hailey soon learns that Roman's feelings are mutual, except that he wants to go a step further.

There is a lot of give and take in this cute romance by Christine Rimmer. I love the instant family that is formed as Hailey and Roman work through their obstacles to find their way to forever love. I loved Roman and Hailey and I really loved his mom. There were moments of sadness in this story, but it leveled out to deliver a happy ending.

Many thanks to Harlequin Special Edition and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy the following excerpt:

Excerpt, HOME FOR THE BABY’S SAKE by Christine Rimmer When she arrived at the fish place on Ocean Road, Roman was waiting outside for her, leaning against a sleek black sports car—the famous one made in Italy, with doors that opened upward, like wings. “This car,” she said, shaking her head, trailing a finger along the gleaming hood. “You’d better write the arts council a check, Roman Marek.” He put his hand to his broad, hard chest, right over his heart. “You have my solemn word on that.” They went inside. The food was excellent, as always, and being with Roman was easy and fun. Even the silences were comfortable. He said he’d moved back to town from Las Vegas and bought a house on Treasure Cove Circle. Hailey knew the house. It was a mansion nestled in its own private oceanfront reserve, surrounded by beautiful old-growth forest, overlooking a secluded stretch of beach. “I want to see you again,” he said as he walked her back out to her car. She gave him her number and when he gathered her close, she didn’t resist. The kiss was just right, a tender, sweet getting-to-know-you kind of kiss. His lips felt so good brushing against her own, and excitement sizzled through her. They both pulled back slowly and just stood there at the driver’s door of her Kia Sportage, grinning at each other for a long string of lovely seconds. “See you soon,” he said as he pulled open the driver’s door for her. She climbed in and he shut the door. Then he stood there, the afternoon sun gleaming on his dark brown hair, as she backed from the parking space and drove away. For the rest of the day, Hailey felt like the living, breathing representation of some old romantic song. She walked on air and danced on clouds. She’d met a guy she wanted to see again. That hadn’t happened since Nathan. She couldn’t stop smiling as she sat at the kitchen table in the family cottage she shared with Harper and worked on her plans for the Christmas show—which desperately needed an actual name. Later in the afternoon, she was back at the theater, greeting the parents as they dropped off their children for Fall Revue rehearsals. It was the usual circus, corralling all the kids, giving them instructions that they immediately forgot. There was some pushing and one of the little girls cried. Hailey consoled and coaxed and loved every minute of it—she always did. But somehow, more so today. Because she kind of had butterflies over Roman Marek, and for three long years she’d honestly believed that all her butterflies had shriveled up and died.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A New York Times bestselling author, Christine Rimmer has written over ninety contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. Christine has won the Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewers Choice Award and has been nominated six times for the RITA Award. She lives in Oregon with her family. Visit Christine at http://www.christinerimmer.com.

Author links: 

Website: https://www.christinerimmer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinerimmerauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RimmerChristine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinerimmerauthor?ref=hl

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21949.Christine_Rimmer

Review - In a Holidaze

Title:   In a Holidaze

Author:  Christina Laurens

Publisher:  Gallery Books

Genre:   Women's Fiction

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   336

Date of Publication:   October 6, 2020

My Rating:   3 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

What happens when you wish something would never end? That is what Maelyn Jones is about to discover. For her entire life, Mae and her family have been spending Christmases with a couple of other families at a delightful Christmas cabin in Utah. Mae knows that this will be the last holiday that they will spend together. And for a book that is said to be Love Actually meets Groundhog Day, Mae’s wish is that this holiday vacation continue to occur year after year.

Mae’s simple wish leads to a sudden car crash as she is driving away from the cabin. She blacks out. Next thing Mae knows, she is back on the airplane headed to Utah - only to repeat the same holiday week time and again. Truthfully, Mae would rather forget one very specific event of said week, a disastrous kiss that shakes the foundation of perfect memories.

Unfortunately for Mae, as she is destined to repeat the same fiasco over and over again, she is determined to break this continual loop that is beginning to drive her crazy. While trying to figure out why a simple wish would land her in a time traveling loop, Mae is also realizes that keeping conversations straight is rather dizzying in the varying timelines.

With a mix of drama and humor, along with a rather Hallmark-like romance, have fun suspending belief as I did in this delightful book by the prolific duo that is none other than Christina Lauren.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Yes, there are two of us! Lauren (on the left) and Christina (on the right).

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced fifteen New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received multiple starred reviews, won both the Seal of Excellence and Book of the Year from RT Magazine, been inducted into the Library Reads Hall of Fame, named Amazon and Audible Romance of the Year, a Lambda Literary Award finalist and been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. They have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, People, O Magazine and more. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, followed by  Roomies, Love and Other Words, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, My Favorite Half-Night Stand, and the Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, and Library Journal starred The Unhoneymooners, out May 2019.

Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you can find her at her desk, writing or watching BTS videos. She lives in Utah with her husband and daughter, thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter.

You can follow their shenanigans at:

@lolashoes (Lauren) & @seeCwrite (Christina) on Twitter, and @ChristinaLauren on instagram.

For official information about their books, events, interviews, movie/TV news and more, follow @christinalauren.

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BLOG TOUR - Ties That Tether

Title:   Ties That Tether
Author:  Jane Igharo

Publisher:  Berkley

Genre:   Multicultural Interest; Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   336

Date of Publication:   September 29, 2020

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

When a Nigerian woman falls for a man she knows will break her mother’s heart, she must choose between love and her family.

At twelve years old, Azere promised her dying father she would marry a Nigerian man and preserve her culture, even after immigrating to Canada. Her mother has been vigilant about helping—well forcing—her to stay within the Nigerian dating pool ever since. But when another match-made-by-mom goes wrong, Azere ends up at a bar, enjoying the company and later sharing the bed of Rafael Castellano, a man who is tall, handsome, and…white.

When their one-night stand unexpectedly evolves into something serious, Azere is caught between her feelings for Rafael and the compulsive need to please her mother. Soon, Azere can't help wondering if loving Rafael makes her any less of a Nigerian. Can she be with him without compromising her identity? The answer will either cause Azere to be audacious and fight for her happiness or continue as the compliant daughter.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

In this excellent debut novel by Jane Igharo, a young Nigerian woman is being pressured by her mother to marry another Nigerian, with hopes of never forgetting her heritage. However, businesswoman Azere has her own mind and while on a business trip she has a one-night stand. Imagine her shock when she discovers that the man, Rafael Castellano, a gorgeous white man, is now working at her advertising firm. No chance of forgetting their night together.

Meanwhile, Azere's mother will not let her forget her heritage for one moment, and has a line of available Nigerian men for Azere to consider marriage. Not a single one of them is promising enough to Azere, with the exception of her first love - a man she cannot stomach now. More than that, something happened between Azere and Rafael on their night together, thus forcing Azere to consider long-range life choices.

Azere loves and respects her mother, and she understands that her mother does not want her to forget who she is and she does her best to honor her mother. However, her heart has been compromised and she must choose between love, honor and loyalty. Is her happiness really her due? If it is, she could lose her relationship with her mother. As a strong woman, one who has always known her own mind, she is truly in a dilemma now.

This book touches strongly on tradition, family and the culture that binds everyone together. It also explores matters of the heart, even when pain is part of the equation.  This is something that many families face, especially when an interracial relationship begins to be formed. Now you have two cultures clashing. When one appears to be dominant then the road to be traveled becomes paved with uncertainty. The question of love and strength of heart comes into play with Azere and Rafael.

I was quite moved by this story. The romantic in me wanted love to be the deciding factor, but the culture clash between Azere and Rafael was real. Also, the honor Azere wanted to show her mother went a long way, to the point of very difficult decision making. Was culture more important than a future based on love and commitment? Azere had something else to consider this entire time, and that was fulfilling her father's dying wish for her to marry a Nigerian man, something her mother never let her forget.

There was another layer to this book involving Rafael and his family and culture. How Rafael and Azere came together to explore their connection was a difficult trial, but as this was a romance, there was a happy ending, even if the trail was not an easy one to traverse.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jane Abieyuwa Igharo was born in Nigeria and immigrated to Canada at the age of twelve. She has a journalism degree from the University of Toronto and works as a communications specialist in Ontario, Canada. When she isn't writing, she's watching "Homecoming" for the hundredth time and trying to match Beyoncé's vocals to no avail.

BLOG TOUR - Alaskan Christmas Redemption

Title:   Alaskan Christmas Redemption

Author:  Belle Calhoun

Publisher:  Love Inspired

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   224

Date of Publication:  September 29, 2020

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Some secrets are meant to be shared.

Before he gives his heart…

he’ll have to forgive himself.

Returning to Owl Creek after years away, Braden North’s determined to help his best friend, Piper Miller, save her failing diner. But as they work to revitalize her business, Braden’s convinced he must hide the truth about a tragedy from their past…or risk losing Piper for good. If he can find the courage, might telling her everything make this Christmas a time for healing and forgiveness?

BUY LINKS:

B&N | Amazon | Google 

IndieBound | Harlequin | Goodreads 

MY THOUGHTS:

Braden North is bending over backwards helping his best friend Piper Miller work hard to save her diner. While Piper is glad that Braden is there to help her, she can't forgive the fact that he abandoned her several years ago. The timing was awful because Piper lost her beloved father, then she lost her best friend. He is back and he is helping, but Piper is guarding her heart.

With regard to her diner, it was her father's baby. Piper wants to keep it running profitably and by so doing she knows she will always honor her father. She has mixed feelings working with Braden. On the one hand she is glad he back, then the hurt she still feels when he left is at war with the fact that she is beginning to have stronger feelings for him.

Meanwhile, Braden is fighting his own battle with regard to Piper. He is glad to be back, but will he stay in their lovely town? Actually, Braden is hiding something from Piper, and should she find out, he worries if he will lose her for good.

This sensitive story of friends to lovers offers so much. It touches on secrets, forgiveness, hope and love. Factor in the beautiful Alaskan setting, the holiday season, and the warm community, and what you have was a wonderful story with a satisfying HEA.

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

Please enjoy the following excerpt:

Excerpt, ALASKAN CHRISTMAS REDEMPTION by Belle Calhoune Braden watched as Piper’s eyes widened with surprise. The shock on her face made him want to laugh out loud, but he knew the situation was far from humorous. The Snowy Owl Diner was at stake, and although he’d agreed to provide his assistance, he wasn’t sure if Piper even believed it could be saved. From this point forward, she would have to tell him everything about her situation. He would have to look over the books with a fine-tooth comb. If he was truly going to help her, he needed to understand exactly what she was facing. The good, the bad and the ugly. “A-are you serious?” she asked, sputtering. “Completely,” he said, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. “Whatever you need is what I’ll do.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “You will? Really? You were so decisive last night. What made you change your mind?” Braden paused before answering. “Because I owe you, Piper.” “For what?” she asked, confusion radiating from her eyes. Telling her the truth wasn’t an option. She wouldn’t want to know why he would forever be indebted to her. “For a million different things. You’ve always being in my corner. How could I say no to you when you’ve always said yes to me? No matter what trouble I got into or the problems I laid at your feet, you always jumped in to help me. There’s no way I could do any less for you.” Tears slid down Piper’s face, and she made no attempt to wipe them away. She bowed her head, and he could see her lips moving. When she raised her head back up, Braden saw pure happiness emanating from her eyes. “Thank you, Braden. I’m so grateful that you changed your mind. I know it’s complicated, but in my heart I truly feel that I was meant to carry on Daddy’s legacy. I just can’t imagine my life without this place in it. I’m willing to do just about anything to save it.” Braden couldn’t envision Piper losing ownership of the restaurant either. It would be agonizing for her. Not to mention Trudy and Hank. They were all invested in it. The townsfolk would be both saddened and upset. Piper would be the subject of endless gossip about the circumstances of her losing ownership of the Snowy Owl. She wouldn’t be able to bear it if the townsfolk discovered that the diner had been struggling since before her father’s death. He knew Jack’s reputation was important to Piper. People would sympathize with her as well, but he knew she would be inconsolable. If there was even a small chance of them reversing things, he wanted to give it his all. It would be his penance for shaving years off Jack’s life. If it hadn’t been for him, Jack might be here today, doing everything he could to boost the restaurant and spreading his effortless charm throughout the establishment. “We should meet up so you can give me an opportunity to look over the books and all of your monthly bills along with revenue. That’ll at least give me a snapshot of what’s been going on.” Piper made a sad face. “Sure thing. I hope you see something in there that I missed, but I crunched the numbers over and over again. It’s not looking good.” “We have to look at all your options. You might need a lawyer or a consultant.” She shook her head. “I don’t have money for an attorney. It’s a lack of money that’s gotten me into this situation in the first place.” Piper let out a frustrated groan. “Why don’t we meet this evening to try and sort some of this out?” he suggested. From what he’d initially gathered, they had only a short window of time to get things dealt with before everything imploded. That needed to be prevented at all costs. “That sounds good. Come by after I close up,” she told him. “I have to get back out there, but I’m so thrilled you changed your mind about helping me.” She flashed him a smile. “In case you didn’t realize it, I’m super grateful.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Belle Calhoune lives in Connecticut with her college sweetheart husband and two daughters. After a thirteen year career as a Federal Investigator, she chose to pursue a writing career. An avid lover of romance novels since she was a teen, she enjoys writing love stories and reading them. She loves spending summers in beautiful Cape Cod and traveling to new places. A dog lover, she has a mini poodle and a chocolate lab. More than anything, she believes in happily ever afters. 

Author links: 

Website: https://bellecalhoune.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellecalhoune/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BelleCalhoune

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Belle-Calhoune-280681912035512/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6862710.Belle_Calhoune

BLOG TOUR - Lethal Temptation

Today we are celebrating the release of a new, romantic suspense title from Kaylea Cross by participating in the blog tour. LETHAL TEMPTATION is available now! Be sure to add the book to your TBR pile now and follow Kaylea for exclusive updates about the book and the Rifle Creek series.

Join Kaylea's Reader Group for Exclusive News!

Lethal Temptation by Kaylea Cross

Available Now | Rifle Creek Series, #2

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook

Book Blurb:

She’s got her guard up.

Detective Avery Dahl finally has her life back on track after a painful divorce. She’s not going to risk her heart again, especially to a sexy veteran with heartbreak written all over him. Due to extenuating circumstances at an upcoming family wedding, she reluctantly agrees to bring him as her fake boyfriend—and soon realizes her mistake. Because Mason is as lethal with seduction as he is with a weapon, and keeps pushing her boundaries until her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. Her instinct is to push him away, but when a mysterious enemy targets her, Avery has a choice to make. Face it alone, or take a risk and let him in.

He’s determined to get past it.

After a horrific accident ended his military career, Mason Gallant has struggled to fit into the civilian world. Now that he and his buddies are opening a business together in Rifle Creek, he’s finally found his footing again. But he never counted on meeting a woman like Avery. He can’t stop thinking about her, so when she needs help, he steps up. Except posing as her boyfriend makes things even worse—because he soon realizes he wants way more than just her body. Now that he’s seen the caring, sensual woman inside the tough cop, he wants to protect her from whoever is threatening her. As the attraction between them heats up, the danger escalates. Mason must prove to her that she can trust him with her heart as well as her life—or risk losing her to the bullet of a stone-cold killer. 

Add the book to Goodreads

 

Title:   Lethal Temptation

Author:  Kaylea Cross

Series:  Rifle Creek #2  

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Kindle AR

No. of Pages:   210
Date of Publication:   September 29, 2020

My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Divorce is never easy and Detective Avery Dahl is living proof of that. Thing were rather horrible so there is something she is sure about - she will never trust her heart to another man. With a family wedding coming up, Avery has no choice but to ask Mason Gallant to pose as her plus one for the wedding. However, since the wedding trip will be for a few days, Avery goes a step further, she asks him to pose as her boyfriend to smooth things over with her family.

Mason has no problems agreeing to help Avery. However, it doesn't take long for the pair to realize they are kindred spirits in more ways than one. Mason is dealing with PTSD as a result of his time in the military. Avery is dealing with the trauma from her past marriage. They also connect on other levels, especially when it comes to a very strong attraction that they both share. But, Avery has her walls up, and knows that no matter how drawn she is to Mason, she could never open her heart again.

While Mason and Avery get to know one another, problems do arise. for one thing, they are plagued by destruction and violence, and this raises Mason's antenna towards Avery.. Posing as her boyfriend is one thing, but not he is feeling more like her protector. All the while, Mason is striving to keep his triggers at bay, aided by his loyal companion dog Ric. 

While most of this story focuses on the developing relationship between Mason and Avery, readers get the point of view of the person who is plaguing Avery. This lends an air of mystery to this already well-written story. Kaylea Cross did a fine job delivering passion, excitement and danger, with a layer of emotion that fit right into the story, ending with a thrilling conclusion that proved that life does offer second chances and that trusting one's heart could be well worth it. 

Lethal Redemption is the second book in the Rifle Creek series, but it did quite well for me as a standalone novel since I didn't read the first book. I definitely look forward to future books in this series.

Many thanks to Kaylea Cross for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

----------------

PURCHASE THE PREVIOUS TITLE IN THE SERIES

LETHAL EDGE is Available Now

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AUTHOR INFORMATION: 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

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BLOG TOUR - Confessions on the 7:45

DESCRIPTION:

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Unger returns with her best novel yet. Reminiscent of the classic Strangers on a Train, Confessions on the 7:45 is a riveting psychological thriller that begins with a chance encounter on a commuter train and shows why you should never, ever make conversation with strangers.


Be careful who you tell your darkest secrets...

Selena Murphy is commuting home from her job in the city when the train stalls out on the tracks. She strikes up a conversation with a beautiful stranger in the next seat, and their connection is fast and easy. The woman introduces herself as Martha and confesses that she's been stuck in an affair with her boss. Selena, in turn, confesses that she suspects her husband is sleeping with the nanny. When the train arrives at Selena's station, the two women part ways, presumably never to meet again.

But days later, Selena's nanny disappears.

Soon Selena finds her once-perfect life upended. As she is pulled into the mystery of the missing nanny, and as the fractures in her marriage grow deeper, Selena begins to wonder, who was Martha really? But she is hardly prepared for what she'll discover.

Expertly plotted and reminiscent of the timeless classic Strangers on a Train, Confessions on the 7:45 is a stunning web of lies and deceit, and a gripping thriller about the delicate facades we create around our lives.

BUY LINKS:

Harlequin | Indiebound | Amazon 

Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Target 

Walmart | Google | iBooks | Kobo

Title:   Confessions on the 7:45

Author:  Lisa Unger

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Publisher:  Park Row

Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   368

Date of Publication:  October 6, 2020
My Rating:  5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

A chance encounter for Selena Murphy changes everything in her life. Heading home from work one day she is completely overwhelmed after just learning the truth about her husband's infidelity with their nanny. Deep in thought, as she sits down on the train ride home, a woman sits next to her and reveals a dark secret about her life. Selena feels comfortable sharing her own situation, and even voices what she would like to happen with the nanny.

She gets home and as far as she is concerned, that chance encounter is behind her. What is more important is figuring out how she will confront her husband. However, before long, the nanny disappears. She didn't show up at work, and her sister has contacted the police saying she doesn't know where she is. Meanwhile, Selena is getting strange messages - from the stranger on the train. 

If you are like me at all, your mind might have veered to Hitchcock's movie, Strangers on a Train. Similarities to be sure, but this book offers so much more. Selena has to ask herself, who was the stranger called Martha that she shared information with? Could Martha have had anything to do with the disappearance of the nanny? Why is she even getting messages from Martha now? What does Martha want? What is her motive?

In this thrilling story by Lisa Unger be prepared for a bit of virtual whiplash with the twists and turns that come flying through the pages of this book. This is truly a book where nothing is as it seems and watching things unfold was truly exciting. Unger might have set her plot similar to the classic movie, but she went down a long road of unexpected turns.

One thing that kept this fast-moving book going were the various points of view. The perspectives differed enough so that the groundwork for secrets that have a very long reach could be established. There were some red herrings, some obvious clues, and then some not so obvious. The execution was flawless, making this book impossible to put down. 

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

Please enjoy the following excerpt:

Chapter Two  Anne  It had been a mistake from the beginning and Anne certainly knew that. You don’t sleep with your boss. It’s really one of the things mothers should teach their daughters. Chew your food carefully. Look both ways before you cross the street. Don’t fuck your direct supervisor no matter how hot, rich, or charming he may happen to be. Not that Anne’s mother had taught her a single useful thing. Anyway, here she was. Again. Taking it from behind, over the couch in her boss’s corner office with those expansive city views. The world was a field of lights spread wide around them. She tried to enjoy it. But, as was often the case, she just kind of floated above herself. She made all the right noises, though. She knew how to fake it. “Oh my god, Anne. You’re so hot.” He pressed himself in deep, moaning. When he’d first come on to her, she thought he was kidding – or not thinking clearly. They’d flown together to DC to take an important client who was considering leaving the investment firm out to dinner. In the cab on the way back to the hotel -- while Hugh was on the phone with his wife, he put his hand on Anne’s leg. He wasn’t even looking at Anne when he did it, so for a moment she wondered if it was just absent-mindedness. He was like that sometimes, a little loopy. Overly affectionate, familiar. Forgetful. His hand moved up her thigh. Anne sat very still. Like a prey animal. Hugh ended the call and she expected him to jerk his hand back.  Oh! I’m so sorry, Anne, she thought he’d say, aghast at his careless behavior. But no. His hand moved higher. “Am I misreading signals?” he said, voice low.  Stop. What most people would be thinking: Poor Anne! Afraid for her job, she submits to this predator. What Anne was thinking: How can I use this to my advantage? She really had been just trying to do her job well, sort of. But it seemed that Pop was right, as he had been about so many things. If you weren’t running a game, someone was running one on you. Had she subconsciously been putting out signals? Possibly. Yes. Maybe Pop was right about that, too. You don’t get to stop being what you are, even when you try. They made out like prom dates in the cab, comported themselves appropriately as they walked through the lobby of the Ritz. He pressed against her at the door to her hotel room. She was glad she was wearing sexy underwear, had shaved her legs.  She’d given Hugh – with his salt and pepper hair, sinewy muscles, flat abs -- the ride of his life that night. And many nights since. He liked her on top. He was a considerate lover, always asking: Is this good? Are you okay? Confessional: Kate and I – we’ve been married a long time. We both have – appetites. She couldn’t care less about his marriage. Anne didn’t actually believe in the things other people seemed to value so highly. Fidelity – really? Were you supposed to just want one person your whole life? Marriage. Was there ever anything more set up to fail, to disappoint, to erode? Come on. They were animals. Every last one of them rutting, feral beasts. Men. Women. All of society was held together by gossamer thin, totally arbitrary laws and mores that were always shifting and changing no matter how people clung. They were all just barely in line. Anne neither expected nor encouraged Hugh to fall in love. In fact, she spoke very little. She listened, made all the right affirming noises. If he noticed that she had told him almost nothing about herself, it didn’t come up. But fall in love with Anne he did. And things were getting complicated. Now, finished and holding her around the waist, Hugh was crying a little. His body weight was pinning her down. He often got emotional after they made love. She didn’t mind him most of the time. But the whole crying thing -- it was such a turn off. She pushed against him and he let her up. She tugged down her skirt, and he pulled her into an embrace.  She held him for a while, then wiped his eyes, kissed his tears away. Because she knew that’s what he wanted. She had a special gift for that, knowing what people wanted -- really wanted deep down – and giving them that thing for a while. And that was why Hugh – why anyone – fell in love. Because he loved getting the thing he wanted, even if he didn’t know what that was. When he moved away finally, she stared at her ghostly reflection in the dark window, wiped at her smeared lipstick. “I’m going to leave her,” Hugh said. He flung himself on one of the plush sofas. He was long and elegant; his clothes impeccable, bespoke, made from the finest fabrics. Tonight, his silk tie was loose, pressed cotton shirt was wilted, black wool suit pants still looking crisp. Garments, all garments – even just his tennis whites -- hung beautifully on his fit body. She smiled, moved to sit beside him. He kissed her, salty and sweet.  “It’s time. I can’t do this anymore,” he went on. This wasn’t the first time he’d said this. Last time, when she’d tried to discourage him, he’d held her wrists too hard when she tried to leave. There had been something bright and hard in his eyes – desperation. She didn’t want him to get clingy tonight. Emotional. “Okay,” she said, running her fingers through his hair. “Yeah.” Because that’s what he wanted to hear, needed to hear. If you didn’t give people what they wanted, they became angry. Or they pulled away. And then the game was harder or lost altogether. “We’ll go away,” he said, tracing a finger along her jaw. Because of course they’d both lose their jobs. Hugh’s wife Kate owned and ran the investment firm, had inherited the company from her legendary father. Her brothers were on the board. They’d never liked Hugh (this was one of his favorite pillow talk tirades, how Kate’s brothers didn’t respect him). “We’ll take a long trip abroad and figure out what comes next. Clean slate for both of us. Would you like that?” “Of course,” she said. “That would be wonderful.” Anne liked her job; when she’d applied and interviewed, she honestly wanted to work at the firm. Numbers made a kind of sense to her, investment a kind of union of logic and magic. Client work was a bit of a game, wasn’t it – convincing people to part with their cash on the promise that you could make them more? She also respected and admired her boss – her lover’s wife -- Kate. A powerful, intelligent woman.  Maybe Anne should have thought about all of that before she submitted to Hugh’s advances. He wasn’t the power player; she’d miscalculated, or not run the numbers at all. She made mistakes like that sometimes, let the game run her. Pop thought it was a form of self-sabotage. Sometimes, sweetie, I think your heart’s not quite in it. Maybe he was right. “Ugh,” said Hugh, pulling away, glancing at his watch. “I’m late. I have to change and meet Kate at the fundraiser.” She rose and walked the expanse of his office, got his tux from the closet, and lay it across the back of the couch. Another stunning item, heavy and silken. She ran her fingers lovingly along the lapel. He rose, and she helped him dress, hanging his other clothes, putting them back in the closet. She did his tie. In his heart, he was a little boy. He wanted to be attended to, cared for. Maybe everyone wanted that. “You look wonderful,” she said, kissing him. “Have fun tonight.” He looked at her long, eyes filling again. “Soon,” he said. “This charade can end.” She put a gentle hand to his cheek, smiled as sweetly as she could muster and started to move from the room. “Anne,” he said, grabbing for her hand. “I love you.” She’d never said it back. She’d said things like “me, too” or she’d send him the heart- eyed emoji in response to a text, sometimes she just blew him a kiss. He hadn’t seemed to notice, or his pride was too enormous to ask her why she never said it, or if she loved him. But mainly, she thought it was because Hugh only saw and heard what he wanted to. She unlaced her fingers and blew him a kiss. “Goodnight, Hugh.” His phone rang, and he watched her as he answered.  “I’m coming, darling,” he said, averting his eyes, moving away. “Just had to finish up with a client.” She left him, his voice following her down the hall. In her office, she gathered her things, a strange knot in the pit of her stomach. She sensed that her luck was about to run out here. She couldn’t say why. Just a feeling that things were unsustainable – that it wasn’t going to be as easy to leave Kate as he thought, that on some level he didn’t really want to, that once things reached critical mass, she’d be out of a job. Of course, it wouldn’t be a total loss. She’d make sure of that.  There was a loneliness, a hollow feeling that took hold at the end. She wished she could call Pop, that he could talk her through. Instead her phone pinged. The message there annoyed her. This is wrong, it said. I don’t want to do this anymore. Just stay the course, she wrote back. It’s too late to back out now. Funny how that worked. At the critical moment, she had to give the advice she needed herself. The student becomes the teacher. No doubt, Pop would be pleased. Anne glanced at the phone. The little dots pulsed, then disappeared. The girl, younger, greener, would do what she was told. She always had. So far. Anne looked at her watch, imbued with a bit of energy. If she hustled, she could just make it. Excerpted from Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger, Copyright © 2020 by Lisa Unger. Published by Park Row Books.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of eighteen novels, including CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 (Oct. 2020). With millions of readers worldwide and books published in twenty-six languages, Unger is widely regarded as a master of suspense. Her critically acclaimed books have been voted "Best of the Year" or top picks by the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, Amazon, IndieBound and others. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.

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