The Book Was Better

Marianne is sent across the country from Virginia, where her lineage means everything, to Versailles Prep in California where her name is just a whisper. Her mission is clear: facilitate a merger with the Beaumont family and become Versailles royalty; make a brand, not friends. Marianne generates a statement from the start and the imitators wrack up as quickly as the frenemies. But when she makes a questionable decision to keep her crown, the guillotine comes down quickly. She has to decide if her failure will become her legacy or if she can somehow find herself in the rubble.  This Marie-Antoinette-inspired debut was eloquently written, but suffered from a bit of purple prose—beautifully composed, but sometimes unnecessarily elaborate and difficult to decipher. I found the dialogue to be inauthentic at times, and I fear that the exchanges may have been a bit too elevated for the intended YA audience. I remain unclear on why Marianne was given her task in the first place, why Leo h...

In this installment, we find our favorite sleuths on the case of another traitor, and still on the hunt for the elusive Beckett. In a nearby coastal harbor hides a "ghost fleet" -- a fleet of fake ships made from wood and canvas that are designed to make the British naval assets appear more plentiful than they actually are. But when a lookout is murdered and photographic evidence of the ghost fleet goes missing, the Crofter's Green crew must simultaneously solve the murder and stop the photographs from falling into the wrong hands.  Homefront Sleuths feels like coming home. This was a terrific edition featuring the characters I've come to know and love. I really enjoyed the teamwork and suspense, and this tale felt a little less convoluted than some of the recent stories. It seems that Harry is taking on more of a leadership role, and often seems more local-copper than Nigel. I'm pleased that Mr. Brown has recognized that Evie and Nigel work best as a team, and th...

Reeling from loss and struggling with her next steps, Emily decides to take a gap year in Europe before heading off to college. But not just any gap year: She plans to recreate her once-famous grandmother's iconic European tour when she was part of the Flower Sisters duo. Along the way, she finds friends who become family and family secrets. Most importantly, she find herself and who she can be when she lets go and follows her heart.  This was a cute coming of age tale, but fell short when it came to conflict. The plot seemed to follow more of a straight line, with short-lived blips, rather than a typical plot mountain. The journey was fun, but read more like a travel guide than a novel. By the end, I can't really say I felt like I knew the characters all that well, especially not with any depth. There was a lot of crying, forced dialogue, and cliche tropes.  Traveling by book is a favorite past time of mine, but I had hoped for better out of this trip.  I really apprecia...

  When Detective Seth Winslow takes a temporary assignment in a small Missouri town, it's a stark contrast to his time in New York. The locals take care of their own -- and keep each others' secrets. But it might just take an outside perspective to stop a serial killer who's targeting women with long blonde hair: women who look suspiciously like his key witness, Claire. Seth is sure there's something shady going on, but as he gets closer to the truth -- and to Claire -- he risks putting everything on the line.  This was pro-level, unputdownable writing. Seth was a flawed, but endearing hero. The setting was authentic and raw, and the level of depravity was bone-chilling. I appreciated Chief Wells' role and accountability. Like Seth, I also found Claire difficult not to like. While the mystery was not a hard one to solve, the depth and twists were unexpected and shocking.  Huge thank you to the author for taking me along for this pre-read ride!  Nowhere Good: ★★★★★

When Adrienne and her young daughter dash out the door and speed away from her abusive husband, she has only one place to go: home. But home hasn't been a safe harbor for Adrienne in quite some time, so she's not sure if she'll be accepted by her callous mother. While her welcome is less-than-welcoming, her sweet five year-old is readily accepted and she's able to start building a life again -- until she runs into her former best friend. Simon is everything she remembered and more, but can they put their rift aside and reveal their long-harbored feelings? Or will the danger that still awaits Adrienne put an end to any happily-ever-afters?  As cliche as it might sound, this book spoke to me. From the spiritual questioning to the heart-breaking violence and strained relationships. The emotional depth and surprising heaviness were well balanced with moments of sweet tenderness and undercurrent of a classic romance. The writing was eloquent, well-paced, and page-turning.  C...

Aspiring jockey Gracyn Lane has moved from one foster home to the next, and by 20 she's had enough. When she discovers that her birth mother may actually be the respected Anna Shaw, a stable owner a few towns over, she sees an opportunity to reap revenge on the mother who abandoned her, while also giving her a new job and place to live. What she doesn't expect is for Anna and her friends to be so kind and welcoming to a stranger -- and filled with secrets of their own.  This was a great read and a stunning debut! I love Foxe's skill with showing rather than telling -- though I did occasionally feel like there was a secret I wasn't being let in on; a presumption of knowledge I didn't have. The relationships were complicated and dynamic, with unforgettable characters and a stunning Australian backdrop. The "shop talk" was immersive and didn't feel overdone. I did feel like Gracyn was a bit too easily swayed by a stranger, but the emotional depth made up ...