The Resting Place by Camilla Sten

What if every face you see is just a white blank, even the face of the person you just saw murdering your grandmother? This is the nightmare that Eleanor lives every day with her condition called prosopagnosia, or face blindness. Five months after her grandmother Vivianne's murder,  she gets a call from a lawyer that the estate in Sweden, called Solhöga, has been left to her.  She and her boyfriend,  Sebastian, her aunt Veronika, and the lawyer Rickard visit the dark and imposing mansion to inventory the assets. From the first,  Eleanor feels uneasy,  like she's being watched.  Several times she sees a shadowy figure watching her outside.  Is it just her imagination,  or could it just be the missing groundskeeper? No one believes her, but unexplainable events keep happening.  What happened here fifty years ago that caused the mansion to be abandoned?

This was a good mystery,  creepy enough,  but it didn't have that punch of dark haunting dread that I felt when reading her debut novel The Lost Village. I just recently read another book about prosopagnosia,  but this book did better at using the condition to add to the creepiness of the story. While most women would feel comfort having their boyfriend with them for protection, Sebastian seemed whiny and spineless,  making Eleanor seem even stronger by comparison.  He just didn't seem that sympathetic to her situation. Overall, I liked this thriller and I love the author's writing style.  I look forward to reading more of her spine-tingling fiction in future.

Thank you to the publisher St. Martin's Press for sending me an early copy of this chilling new book! I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

To Save My Child by Emma Robinson

When Libby collapses one day, Anna rushes her to the hospital where she receives the worst news.  Libby requires a transplant to save her life,  and an organ from a family member would be her best chance at survival.  Unfortunately,  Anna herself isn't a match.  Heartbroken and determined to do anything,  even beg from the man who nearly broke her,  Anna contacts Libby's father,  Ryan. Throughout the battle for her daughter's life,  Anna finds her own strength. 

This book is definitely a tearjerker! I can't believe the abuse Anna had finally escaped from,  only to have to crawl back to save her daughter. Reading about this vile controlling man made me so mad I had to put the book down and take a break a few times. This was a very emotional read,  but well worth it. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman

This is truly a love story to all things Michigan in winter.  When Amberrose, or,  Sunny Dunes as she's renamed her tv personality as a meteorologist in Palm Springs,  becomes obsolete when her clueless boss replaces her with a robot, she is forced to return home to Michigan and work for a startup news station.  As her introduction to Traverse City News,  she has to tape segments of herself enjoying all the winter festivities Michigan has to offer.  All this winter fun and Christmas cheer bring back the guilt and grief of losing her little sister too young and she struggles to overcome her misery.  But then a letter from a new friend and love interest, Mason,  about his own loss helps her put things in perspective.

The author pointed out that we want our news personalities to seem like real people and I agree.  I love all the stories of them enjoying festivals,  new restaurants,  winter activities,  etc because it adds a human touch. I love how by returning home helps Sunny deal with her grief. In the end when she has a big decision to make,  she realizes what's really important in her life. Great heartfelt and inspirational story!

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

A Spell of Rowans by Byrd Nash

Victoria Rowan, "Vic", escaped from her mother's controlling abusive house years ago after her father's death. Now, her response after hearing of her mother's death...ding, dong, the witch is dead. But when she returns home to Grimsby to help with final arrangements, things aren't quite that easy. How can narcissistic mother still be the center of attention after her death?

This book has well written characters, a great mysterious plot, a little bit of romantic tension, and some magic. I love this author's writing style and look forward to reading more of her books. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy by Robin Bielman

When Kennedy's ex calls her from his bachelor party in the middle of the night,  drunk and having second thoughts about the wedding,  and then he won't answer her calls or texts,  she's determined to help. He and his fiancée El are perfect together,  so she crashes the wedding set at an inn on a working seaside ranch asking with her best friend Andrew. Unfortunately,  she didn't realize the ranch was owned by the family of her college nemesis,  Maverick Owens. And after he overhears her reason for being on the ranch, he decides to keep an eye on her so she doesn't ruin their reputation as a wedding destination. A week with her nemesis doing all kinds of pre-wedding activities while trying to get time alone with the groom for a chat... this could be tricky!

Romance characters are the absolute worst at communication.  If only they'd sat down and talked about their issues... but then there'd be no storyline.  That being said,  I love how loyal Maverick is to fulfilling his promise to Nicole. Kennedy's fun-loving character and competitive streak really bring Maverick out of his depression and she sees a different side of him on the ranch than she did as her competition at college. I thought the side characters were hilarious and really rounded out the whole story,  especially Andrew. Did I see a hint of a sequel with Mavericks brother Hunter?!!

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

For the last eight years, Cooper has raised his daughter Finch in a remote cabin in the Appalachian mountains.  No electricity,  no running water... just living off the land and the yearly supply run from his former army buddy, Jake. But when Jake doesn't come,  Cooper has a hard decision to make.  He's afraid to show his face in town due to secrets from his past, but those supplies are critical. The only other people Finch has ever known are Jake and their meddlesome hermit neighbor,  Scotland, so a trip to town is new and exciting.  After their trip,  Finch starts pushing her boundaries,  and when a stranger wanders into their woods,  it spells danger for their future. 

The beautiful portrayal of the woods and landscape in this book made me want to pack my bags and escape too. But by the hints about Cooper's past,  I knew there was more to the story than just wanting to live off the grid.  The love Cooper shows toward Finch, doing everything possible to keep them together,  was wonderful to read. And the heartbreaking twist at the end almost had me in tears. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood

Vaughan Springthorpe is the youngest of five daughters and told throughout her life that the beauty ran out before it got to her. Rather plain and with a lame leg that gives her a quite noticeable limp, her father teaches her to be his assistant solicitor, fearing that she'd never find a suitable husband. After her father's death and using her masculine sounding name, she secures a position at Morton Abbey, organizing and preparing the papers for the sale of the estate. But someone seems intent on scaring her away, trying to enter her room at night, gunshots outside her window, and eerie child's crying on the supposedly vacant second floor. Add in a creepy butler and the owner's taciturn invalid brother, and most solicitors have been scared away in a week. But Vaughan is stubbornly determined, finding a friend in Joe, the gardener and even helping the invalid Nicholas Spencer. But things aren't quite as they seem in this odd house and Vaughan is afraid of falling under the curse herself before completing the job.

The author admits in a note at the end that she takes her inspiration from Frances Hodgson Burnett's book The Secret Garden, so by the middle of the book when Vaughan and Joe help Nick to get better by spending time in the gardens, I was feeling like I've seen it and read it already, but I'm glad I pressed on because the story branched off from there into its own mysterious storyline and I couldn't wait to see how it ended. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Titanic Sisters by Patricia Falvey

When a letter comes from America to a poor farm in Ireland, asking for one of the girls to take a position as governess to their cousin's daughter after her mother's untimely death, Delia knows it won't be her. Nora has always been their mother's spoiled and treasured daughter while Delia was resented for being the surviving twin when her brother was stillborn. Her father always showed her his love, but decisions like this were always made by their overbearing mother. But when her father puts his foot down and sells Nora's first class ticket on the Titanic for two steerage tickets and a position as housekeeper for the Boyle family, Delia is grateful for her chance at adventure. But when tragedy strikes and the ship sinks, Delia believes Nora drowned. When she disembarks in America and sees the kindly housekeeper for the O'Hanlon family that Nora would have worked for, she tells a little white lie and says she's Nora. And after meeting and falling in love with her charge Lily, it becomes even harder to tell the truth.
From the title of the book I was disappointed that it wasn't more about the Titanic, but the story was still fascinating. The fact that these Irish women were coming over to find their opportunity in America, completely dependent on their employer for their livelihood would be terrifying to me. I loved the resilience of Nora and how even after almost drowning in the Titanic disaster, she sails across the ocean twice more.
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Do-Over by Bethany Turner

McKenna Keaton has spent her life in pursuit of a prestigious New York law career...to the exclusion of all else. Even in high school, her boyfriends were just placemarks for the important events like prom and homecoming, requiring little attention from her. But her life goes up in flames when, instead of being named senior partner at her law firm, she's being investigated for embezzlement. She returns home to Durham, North Carolina in shame, only telling her favorite sister what happened. But when a face from her past reappears, she has some hard decisions to make about her future. Henry Blumenthal, her nerdy friend from high school, is now Hank Blume, a celebrated and successful documentarian, and he admits to his massive crush on her in high school.

I liked how down-to-earth Henry was despite his success. And his excitement for the mystery in the Keaton genealogy was fun to read. I didn't really connect with McKenna's character. So many of McKenna's troubles could have been solved by telling the truth! It seemed like her whole family was so warm and loving toward her and she really treated them all badly.

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

A Christmas for Chrissie by D.E. Haggerty

Wally has been my favorite of the "brothers" since the start of the series and I'm glad to finally get to read his story. 

Chrissie was introduced in an earlier book when Suzie leaves their PI business to start her craft beer business.  They hired Chrissie as the receptionist/assistant, and from the start it's obvious she has her own secrets to keep.  But this is a group willing to accept her despite her secret background...all except Wally. Due to his secret government connections, he's been able to run background checks on every new employee,  but Chrissie shows up clean...too clean. Unable to let it go or admit his growing attraction to her despite her secrets,  he keeps pushing.  But he's met his match with Chrissie. Until a ghost from her past reappears seeking vengeance and she's forced to admit she needs his help. 

I love this series and can't wait to find out what happens next... maybe with funny man Barney and Valerie. The only complaint I have is that the last two books feature men my father's age and I have a bit of a cringe at the bedroom scenes,  no fault of the author. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Night of Many Endings by Melissa Payne

From the description, I was comparing this book to the Breakfast Club movie from the 80s. A group of people from all ages and backgrounds, stuck in a library during a terrible snowstorm with no light or heat.  The way they help each other and the truths they share about their lives will change them in a positive way long after that night. Heavy topics like drug use,  loneliness,  homelessness,  and guilt are discussed in a way that doesn't seem depressing and sad,  but leaves you at the end feeling hopeful.  

Never judge a book by its cover... everyone has their own issues and battles to fight.  Sometimes the kindest and happiest people have the most tragic past they're trying to conquer. I love Nora's helpful approach to everyone in need,  believing that by helping others,  maybe someone else is helping her brother. I'm a sucker for books about libraries and bookstores,  and while this book wasn't quite what i expected,  I still really enjoyed it. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Unchained by Samantha Wilde

Brooks Ivanov is Lexi's brother that went missing in the first book after uncovering secrets about the Lionsgate Corporation. He was captured and sold to a company as a drug trial test subject.  The drug he's injected with makes him stronger and faster with amazing healing abilities,  but makes him lose his memories. He's become a killing machine after injection but sedated the rest of the time. Until he meets a nurse that gives him a kind touch and hope. 

Camryn Bayfield takes a new job at a rehab hospital in Utah. Red flags go up on her first day however when the single story hospital is actually a 12 floor facility...underground. Her patients are kept like prisoners and sedated most of the time. Patient 36 in particular raises concerns when she finds him restrained,  bloodied and dirty.  If these patients are recovering from injuries,  why do his bruises look fresh? Cam helps him escape,  but can't leave him alone due to the crippling withdrawals, and now they're on the run.  As the only successful recipient of their drug trial,  they'll never let him go.  

Now with his memories returning,  Brooks reconnects with his sister Lexi, her husband Nash, and the rest of the Holmes brothers,  determined to fight back against his abusers. 

I'm loving this whole series and can't wait to find out what happens next. Will we finally find out why Cole is so secretive and dangerous? Or will it be the mysterious Dallas next? 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Homewrecker by Jill Westwood

After a drunken mistake with a coworker at her school, Andie flees New York to a goat farm in North Carolina, determined to keep her father from making a mistake of his own. He left his job and his apartment to move in with his high school sweetheart. The hard work, the smell, and the mosquitoes make Andie think her dad is losing his mind to stay here. Not to mention Renata's surly and suspicious adopted son, Seth. He seems to be around every corner, eavesdropping on her phone conversations, questioning her motives in staying, and looking irresistible in nothing but a towel in her bathroom (wait... she couldn't possibly be attracted to HIM could she?!!) 

This story is a hilarious rom-com: demon goats, malicious chickens, and vicious bloodsucking mosquitoes are the perfect blend of humor plus heat. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Cosy Christmas at Bridget's Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown

With her and her children still grieving the sudden loss of her husband almost a year later, now isn't the time for Bridget to lose her job and home. She jumps at the chance when her in-laws offer her their vacation home in Mulberry-on-sea. She grew up in this small seaside community where she fell in love, and she's hoping to reconnect with friends and create a new home for her three kids. But the house is in bad shape and everyone in town is laughing about her meet-cute with the local barman. She finds comfort in baking, but soon has too much for her little family. A trip around town on her bicycle with the extra goodies inspires an idea for a new business and a fresh start. 

This is a sweet and clean romance with all the magic of the Christmas season. The small town atmosphere felt cozy and welcoming. I just wanted to cuddle up with a cup of hot cocoa in front of a fireplace. Unfortunately for me, I'm reading an advance review copy in early October and the temperature is still in the 70s.

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Room in the Attic by Louise Douglas

Happy publication day! And it comes in the perfect month of the year for thumps and bumps in the night and all things creepy. 

The story hooked me from the beginning with Louis visiting the old insane asylum turned boarding school in the present as a real estate developer and encountering a terrifying apparition he remembers well from his childhood at the school. He and fellow misfit Isak attended All Hallows in 1993 while renovations are being done.  They are assigned a room in the West wing where they hear strange sounds coming from the attic room above. When Louis investigates the noise,  he finds a rocking chair moving on its own which he at first believes is the draft from the chimney. But that can't explain the sound of tiny running feet...

In 1903, a boat drifted to shore carrying an unconscious woman and a young girl.  When it's determined that the woman is in a coma and will need long term care,  she and the child are sent to All Hallows asylum. Emma Everdeen, a nurse at the asylum, is assigned to be the child's caregiver until her mother is well. To keep the child safe from the asylum patients,  she and Emma are locked in the attic room. But everything isn't as it seems when the girl's mother wakes up.

Part mystery,  part paranormal,  and all creepy,  this story will have chills creeping up your spine and have you looking over your shoulder at every noise. I love stories about old haunted buildings and the asylum setting was perfect for that. The ending seemed abrupt though and I wish we found out what eventually happened to the property and the old buildings.

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Child of Light by Terry Brooks

Auris has been in the goblin prison since she was 15. Now at age 19, she and a group of friends are about to age out of the children's prison and into the much worse adult prison so they plan an escape for which Auris is the only survivor.  She's been wandering the desert for days and about to be recaptured when she's rescued by a strange being claiming to be fae. And he claims that she is also fae which is crazy because she looks and acts completely human.  But she has no memory of her former life before the prison and an instant ability with fae weapons. When she's taken to Viridian Deep, the home of the forest Sylvan, she's finds a home and a future she kind for... if only she could solve the mystery of her past. 

This is my first Terry Brooks novel.  I love his ability to create a world that I can escape to through the pages. The world-building was excellent,  the characters were realistic and relatable, I just loved it!

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Highland Games by Evie Alexander

When Zoe's great-uncle Wilie dies and leaves her his cabin in the Scottish highlands, she decides this is just the kind of life change she's been yearning for. She fondly remembers her summers spent there 20 years ago and her longtime friends Fiona and Jamie. But when she arrives she finds the cabin nearly uninhabitable. To make matters worse, the man in charge of the castle and grounds, Rory, is determined to push her out and fix up the cabin for himself.
I laughed so hard at all the tricks Rory tried to get her to leave. But in the end, what girl can resist a scot in a kilt?! I'm so excited that this is only the first in a series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Off the Grid by Kay Richard

I was first attracted to this book because it's set in my home state of Michigan and for that I wasn't disappointed. This sweet romance highlights so many of the fall and winter attractions of the state like apple picking,  cider,  ice skating,  ice fishing,  and especially hibernating with your lover during a snowstorm.

However the romance itself,  while sweet and cute at times was a little flat overall.  The chapters at the end with the other character's pov were odd and didn't really flow with the rest of the story and then the final chapter highlighting the past year in a conversation just seemed awkward. I give it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling

Wow, what the heck did I just read?! Set in a fictional world,  similar to our Victorian Era,  this is Gothic horror, supernatural and strange,  with just a hint of romance thrown in. 

Jane Shoringfield, accountant and lover of all things numbers and math,  has calculated that her best chance of survival is a marriage of convenience.  She creates a list of her most eligible men, none too handsome or young so as to limit competition from other women. Bachelor #1 is Dr. Augustine Lawrence, country doctor and surgeon with a large estate in Larrenton called Lindridge Hall. At first skeptical of the match, he is soon convinced when she steps in to assist him in an emergency surgery without fainting or squeamishness. His only condition... that she stay at the surgery in town and NEVER visit his estate, where he will stay every night.  But things go awry the first night when the wedding crowd delivers them to Lindridge. Are the whispers of ghosts and strange things in the house true? Why does she see the reflection of a blond-haired, red-eyed woman when she looks at a dark window pane? 

I found myself deliciously scared by the strange things happening in this book. At first just seeming like a nightmare,  then I thought maybe Jane was losing her sanity and these were the workings of a psychotic mind.  I honestly got a bit lost for a while with all the strange things going on,  but it all added to the foreboding atmosphere of the story.

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Three Sisters by Heather Morris

Three Sisters is a continuation of the Tattooist  of  Auschwitz series but can be read as a standalone.  The sisters made a promise to their dying father as young children that they would always stay together and help each other. Then in 1942, rumors go around the community that the Nazi's are gathering up the teenage Jews to work for Germany.  Cibi, the oldest,  is away taking part in the Zionist youth movement, and Livi is thought to be too young to be taken.  When Magda gets a serious fever and must be hospitalized, the doctor keeps her there to keep her safe.  Unfortunately Livi is on their list even though she's only 15, and Cibi volunteers to go with her.  They are transported to Auschwitz, working in the labor camps transporting bricks to build a new camp...Birkenau. Meanwhile, Magda hides out every time the Germans come looking for her,  but eventually she also gets caught. The girls take many risks while in the camp in order to stay together.  When they are released and able to return home to Slovakia,  they suffer terrible treatment by their neighbors just for their religion so they decide to make a new life in Israel, reuniting with the surviving members of their extended family. 

I love that this and the other books in the series are based on real life characters.  The abuses they suffered are just terrible and I admit I had to reach for the tissues a few times! The fact they were able to stay together was a miracle in itself.  Heather Morris has a way of writing in a compassionate,  relatable way to paint a picture of the true conditions of the camps. 

Happy Publication Day! I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

In Another Light by A.J. Banner

Phoebe Glassman is a mortuary cosmetologist,  helping people grieve their loved ones while barely surviving her own grief.  Three years ago,  she lost her husband and daughter in a car accident and had to be admitted to a mental hospital. Because of this,  her coworkers are afraid to tell her when the body of a woman comes into the mortuary that looks like Phoebe, only ten years younger. And she has a strangely familiar tattoo... 

I loved this twisty thriller! I felt bad for Phoebe and wondered how much more she could take as she investigated deeper into her doppelganger's past and found more secrets and lies that connected to her own life. Grab a box of tissue for this story though!

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley

It's 1707 and Scotland is suffering unrest during the Jacobite rebellion.  Lily Graeme comes forward to claim her husband's wages after his death in service of his country.  The problem is in proving they were married at all. Adam Williamson is one of the men on the committee to decide on the validity of her claim, but he finds himself less than impartial because he's very attracted to her.  The story jumps back and forth throughout Lily's life,  with a lot of historical and political information of the times. I loved Lily's story,  but I got a bit lost in the complicated history. Overall probably 3.5 stars for me rounded up to 4.

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Sunrise Over Pebble Bay by Della Galton

Olivia has been longing for two things for a long as she can remember: to make her break as a professional actress,  and to be a mom.  She broke up with longtime fiancee Tom after he suddenly changed his mind about wanting kids and started a casual relationship with maitre'd and fellow actor Phil. As things between them become more serious,  she starts to broach the subject of children,  but Phil seems skittish and changes the subject every time. Then when she's rejected yet again after an audition,  she despairs of ever getting anything she desires out of life. But after surviving a near tragic incident,  Olivia realizes maybe what she really wants is right in front of her after all. 

This is a wonderful story about family,  love, and acceptance.  Sometimes when you really love someone,  you need to accept their limitations and compromise.  I think Olivia really matured throughout the book,  learning to accept life as it comes and recognize sometimes it takes hard work to achieve your dreams. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.