The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain

Kayla and her young daughter are finally moving into their new home in Shadow Ridge Estates, a home that she designed with her fellow architect husband Jackson. She has many fears and reservations about living in the house where her husband tragically died in an accident.. Built to become a part of the surrounding forest, now the trees seem ominous and threatening. And the whole town of Round Hill, North Carolina is less than welcoming, even her closest neighbor Ellie Hockley who returned to her family home after almost fifty years to care for her aging mother and terminally ill brother.

In 1965, Ellie was living at home in Round Hill, going to college for pharmacology, and in a serious relationship with the local bank manager. But against her family's wishes, she joins a group called SCOPE for the summer, dedicated to helping register black voters. But when she falls in love with a fellow volunteer, she discovers the terrifying prejudice of her neighbors. 

It took me awhile to get into this book but I pushed on and I'm so glad I did. The last part of the story where the truth is revealed is just amazing, emotional, shocking.... just wow! I've loved every Diane Chamberlain book I've read and I'm so glad I got a chance to review this one!

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

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

Lux followed her boyfriend Nico from California to Hawaii, lured by his promises of adventure aboard his sailboat Susannah. But after the boat is damaged, instead of turning to his super rich family for help, they've been stuck working dead end jobs struggling to save money for repairs. Then they meet Brittney and Amma, two college friends willing hire them for $50,000 to sail to an isolated island totally off the grid. But when they arrive another boat is already there, a luxury yacht, and another couple curious about the island and it's curse. Meroe island is named for the shipwreck of that name, where only a few of the sailors were rescued after cannibalizing the rest. After spending time there themselves, none of them are exactly what they seem, and after one is found dead and another missing, Lux starts to 

wonder if any of them will survive the island. 

Keep this book in mind as the perfect beach read... or even the perfect escape during this long cold winter. As creepy as the island itself sounded, the beautiful views, sandy beaches and inviting warm tropical water sound like the perfect getaway right now. Just maybe without all the murder! Ok, so they spend a lot of time hanging out getting to know each other, wandering through the jungle exploring, lazing on the beach until you wonder where the story is going and then bam! Everything seems to happen at once until you're left reeling and then, after everything is explained you're like ah, OK, I get it... and then it all falls apart again! What a wild ride! I absolutely love this eye-catching cover too. 

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

The Pilot's Daughter by Audrey J Cole

Cora's father dreamed of teaching her to fly. She took flying lessons and her father taught her to fly a passenger jet in a simulator. But ultimately she wanted to become a nurse and now works in a busy Seattle ER. Her husband died over a year ago in a helicopter crash while doing humanitarian work in Hawaii, and since his death she has been afraid to get on a plane. She's second guessed her decision so many times, afraid to leave her young children orphaned. But there is a ceremony in Hawaii celebrating her husband's work and she is requested to receive his award. She boards Pacific Air Flight 385, flying first class, sitting next to a handsome stranger, Kyle Adams, who, as a homicide detective, is a last minute addition to the flight to follow a lead in a case. But halfway through the flight, the plane is hijacked and six people are dead including the pilots. With no way to know how many hijackers there are, everyone becomes suspect and Cora has to attempt to save herself and the 154 other souls on the flight with only the help of a nearby pilot to coach her.
This book had plenty of action in it to keep me hooked, I felt like the romantic element between Cora and Kyle wasn't really necessary. But the story didn't really spend much focus on the attraction, so it didn't distract from the hijacking plot that much. I love the way that Alanna got revenge in the end and got her own happily ever after.
I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

She Likes Piña Coladas by Brittanée Nicole

ack and Charlotte had one perfect night six years ago on St. Patrick's Day where they both felt a connection. They stayed up all night talking, but by morning he was gone without a trace. Now, Jack is the man she compares all other dates to, the perfect man her friends jokingly refer to as the leprechaun. Ever since, her life is full of bad decisions and clumsy mistakes. After her boyfriend forces her out of her own apartment, she's had enough. She creates a dating profile called Message Me and Escape, asking for a Portuguese talking stranger to join her in a vacation to the Azores--no kissing, no romance, no sex.
But when she shows up at the airport, who should be there but Jack, who claims to have felt the same that night but gives no indication of why he left without a trace. The attraction is still there but how can she trust it's real if she's always afraid he'll disappear again?
I have to say, I loved the beginning of the story with all Charlotte's dating disasters, and the fun banter between Jack and Charlotte, but the middle of the book lagged for me with the same misunderstandings over and over where nothing much else is happening. Overall it was a cute and funny rom-com.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Thin Place by C.D. Major

This book is based on the fascinating history of Overtoun House and Bridge in Scotland. Since the 1950s the bridge has been nicknamed the dog suicide bridge for the over 600 incidents of dogs jumping off the bridge into the ravine below.  Of these over 50 dogs have died.  Explanations over the years range from an irresistible animal scent to the paranormal. 

Ava Brent is first introduced to the mystery when,  as a journalist,  she is assigned to cover the story. But everyone in town is reluctant to share any information,  fearing the strange atmosphere the house and grounds have over the town. Ava feels that same strange pull after her visit,  compelled to keep returning and digging into the mystery... to the point of obsession.  Soon,  the rest of her life is falling apart, sacrificed to her obsession, even her relationship with Fraser and the pregnancy they've longed for. Told in 3 timelines between Ava, a woman named Marion who married and became mistress of the estate,  and a sickly child named Constance whose bedroom overlooked the bridge,  the ending will leave you gasping. 

I didn't realize this was based on a true location until the explanation at the end.. so of course I then had to look up the history myself! I was dragged into this creepy mystery from the first description of Overtoun and unable to stop reading. I absolutely loved it!

Wishing Under a Starlit Skye by Lisa Hobman

This is a wonderful return to the small village of Glentorrin on Skye, where Caitlin owns the local bakery. As a single mother and business owner, she's always felt too busy for dating, but now that her daughter Grace is turning 13, she finally feels ready. But she's not into the dating sites and decides to go to a local singles night, which literally starts off with a bang when she gets knocked off her feet by longtime friend Archie. When they realize they're both looking for dates they decide to help each other out. Caitlin starts dating the father of Grace's best friend, but the more serious they get, the more Lyle gets jealous of her friendship with Archie. Could she be falling for the boy-next-door?

I read the previous book about Reid and Jules and I was happy to catch up with them in this book and get closer to some of the other secondary characters in town. Archie was the perfect laid back caring man that everyone in town can't help but love. I really loved his character while Caitlin was just average for me. I'm hoping Dexter gets his own book soon?!!

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

The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell

Melody Browne is a single mother in her 30s, working as a kitchen assistant, and estranged from her parents since she became pregnant at 15. While on a date at a hypnotist show, Melody faints. All of a sudden she starts having flashbacks of a childhood she can't remember. A traumatic fire when she was nine caused her to lose her memory. Now, she's remembering places and people, but the more she remembers, the more questions she has. Will she ever discover the truth of her past?

This story jumps from Melody's present and her brief and jumbled flashbacks to her childhood from ages 4 to 6. I was concerned with her relationship with Ken because, while he was probably meant to be a steady and sweet adult presence in her life, I thought his possible intentions were creepy given his lifestyle. Her past was just so tragic and heartbreaking, it almost seemed a blessing that she blocked it out her while life. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

I loved the first book It Happened One Summer, where sisters Piper and Hannah come to Westport to restore their crab fisherman father's bar and Piper falls for local fisherman Brendan. In that book, younger sister Hannah and local player Fox Thornton bond over a love of music in a special moment at a music convention.

Now, Hannah has been back in LA for months, but reconnected with Fox through texts where they've become friends. She's working as a production assistant on a movie set, longing for more both professionally and personally. She dreams of being the music director, choosing the soundtrack for the special moments in the film, while secretly dreaming of a special moment with the director, Sergei. When she daringly suggests Westport as a more fitting location for their movie, she's excited to be back in the small town. Unable to stay with Piper, Fox offers his guest room to her. Things heat up between the two friends, but each are afraid to get close due to insecurities in their pasts. Will they share their true feelings before its too late and Hannah has to return to LA?

I love this friends to lovers story. Fox is determined to help her step up in her job and also catch the eye of her crush... even if the jealousy kills him! And Hannah is so understanding and patient with Fox's insecurities, when I just wanted to reach through the pages and shake him. I look forward to more heartmelting stories by this author. 

  
    
  

Love at First Spite by Anna E Collins

When Dani's fiancée cheats on her with their realtor,  she decides to get revenge in a big way. She buys the lot next door,  planning to build an Airbnb to block his view,  with decor so annoying he'll regret his mistakes every time he looks at it. The problem is finding an architect for a project that small.  The only one willing to work with her is grumpy and stern Wyatt Montego. But the longer they work together,  the more she sees the sweet and sensitive man behind the gruff exterior. 
I really loved the opening scene where she wears her wedding dress to play paintball.  The crazy ideas she had for the spite house became more wacky as time went on.  I was a little frustrated that she spent so much time on revenge for the past when she could have focused on a wonderful future. Overall I thought it was a fun and hilarious read.