Or Else by Joe Hart

When Andy returns to his hometown to care for his father in the beginning stages of dementia,  he never expected to reconnect and begin an affair with his childhood friend Rachel, who is suffering in an emotionally abusive marriage. But shortly after Andy receives an anonymous note that says to end the affair--or else, Rachel and her two boys disappear the same night her husband is murdered. Andy knows if he comes forward with the note and truth of his affair,  he'll become the number one suspect. But why couldn't he do a little investigating of his own? After all,  he's a successful crime thriller writer. But the closer Andy gets to the truth,  the more he and his family are in danger. 

The setup of the loop neighborhood where everyone knows each other's business added to the plot of the story.  There were so many unknowns amongst the neighbors. Add to that the stress of his father's declining health and keeping secrets from the police,  the tension just kept building to an explosive conclusion. And even after the suspect is found,  there were still loose ends until the very last page. I finished this exciting thriller in one night!

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

Love & Tequila Make Her Crazy by Brittanee Nicole

Nate and Amelia were always together, even as children. Nate was her protector, she was his cheerleader, bringing him back after his father's tragic death. Through her college years, supporting him while he tried to make it in Nashville. They were always meant to be together, but after another tragedy, the grieving and heartbreak cause a misunderstanding they just can't get over. Now, it's three years later, Amelia is finally starting to get over Nate and start dating again when he comes back, tattooed and hotter than ever, trying to win her back. But the problems that caused their breakup don't just magically go away…

I loved Amelia and Nate. The emotions in this book are just so real and heartbreaking. Nate's character, even with his flaws, just made me melt inside. And Amelia, fiery and feisty, was his perfect match, though she always seems to jump to the wrong conclusions. And what woman can eat that much emotional chocolate and keep her figure?! Only in fiction! Great best friend second chance romance! It can be read as a standalone, but the whole series is good.

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

Those Who Disappeared by Kevin Wignall

Foster Traherne has been alone his whole life. His mother killed herself shortly after his birth and his father disappeared during a storm on a Swiss glacier over thirty years ago. As a child Foster would imagine his father had survived and came back for him, and even thirty years later he still has hope that could happen. But when his father's body is found encased inside the glacier, that hope disappears. What's worse, during the autopsy, it's discovered that it may not have been an accident. Now Foster is on a mission to track down his father's friends and get the true story of what happened the day his father died.
While this story did contain some twists that kept me guessing, it's not exactly the action packed adventure story I was expecting. I was glad Foster finally got the truth, but the ending just seemed too anticlimactic for me.

The Oceanography of the Moon by Glendy Vanderah

Suffering from overwhelming grief over the death of her Aunt Julia, a woman closer to her than her own mother,  Riley retreats into her own mind in visions of the moon seas her Aunt taught her about.  After her mother is also killed months later,  Riley is sent to the Wisconsin countryside to live with her mother's cousin.  They try everything to help her heal, but it isn't until her cousin Kiran is born that she comes out of her shell. Now it's ten years later and Riley is starting to feel confined by the boundaries she put up that have kept her from the outside world. When a stranger appears on the farm one day, she feels an instant connection with this man and the secret pain he hides, for she feels that same pain and guilt every day. 

Vaughn Orr is a bestselling novelist living in New York that longs to see the moon and stars. He's chosen Wisconsin as the place to retreat and heal his writer's block,  but when his car runs out of gas,  he finds the enigmatic and welcoming Mays family. There's just something about Riley that draws him in and soon he can't imagine leaving.  But Vaughn is harboring a secret that could destroy everything. 

Vanderah has a unique ability of bringing out the magic of the natural world through her writing.  The characters are so vivid and realistic,  I could feel their pain. From beginning to end,  I just couldn't put this book down! I have read and loved every one of her books and I can't wait to read the next. 

Thank you to the publisher for this complimentary advance reader copy. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily. 

Notorious by Mae Thorne

It's the time of Revolutionary War in New York City and Delia Wolcott is still single, with her mother despairing that she'll become a spinster. The family is forced to house a British officer, and Lord Carrington comes to reside in what used to be Delia's favorite brother's room. Arthur was murdered with no witnesses and Delia is determined to uncover the truth and avenge his death. She becomes the infamous traitor Foxglove, helping rebel families escape the clutches of the enemy while gathering information and poisoning some of the worst British offenders. But her identity as Foxglove is at risk now that the Lord is constantly underfoot, and right next door. The worst part is that he's been assigned to find and hang Foxglove for treason. 

While the writing seemed a little choppy in some parts, overall I liked the story. The descriptions of clothing from the era, the focus on propriety at all times, the romance, the intrigue...

I loved the teasing and not so subtle innuendo between Delia and William. Despite their differences, their attraction was like a powder keg about to blow, but still William was warm and affectionate even when she was being nonsensical. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. 

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

The Little Library on Cherry Lane by Katie Ginger

Elsie Martin has her dream job working as a librarian at the little library she grew up with in the village of Meadowbrook. But when the library's future is threatened by a development company set to build affordable housing, Elsie must put aside her crippling social anxiety to fight for her beloved library. It's not just a building,  it has become a hub of the community.... if only she could get the developers to understand that!

Jacob Yardley has always sought his father's approval,  even joining his father's construction company when all he ever wanted was to do charity work. He believes in affordable housing,  having grown up in a small town where his friends were forced to move away due to lack of housing options.  He felt attracted to Elsie from the moment he met her and his feelings have only grown throughout,  but how can anything ever happen between them when his company threatens what she loves the most?

I loved how this mousy, shy librarian found her confidence and stood up for her community,  forcing a compromise. I didn't really like some of her hatred and bitter comments directed towards Jacob though.  He just seemed like a sensitive soul getting beaten from all sides by both his father and the townsfolk. I could see how everyone's hatred was really starting to get to him.  I loved the small town community feel to this book. I didn't realize this was part of a series,  it could totally be read as a standalone. 

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

Your Beautiful Lies by Louise Douglas

After the love of her life gets sent to prison, still claiming his innocence, Annie doesn't hear from him for ten years. She settled for a comfortable and safe marriage with older man, William, and lives a rich, yet dull life with her young daughter. William Howarth is chief of police in their small South Yorkshire village and now in 1987, the tensions in this mining town are high as the workers are striking, protesting the possible closing of the mines. When Annie's former love Tom returns and reconnects with her, still proclaiming his innocence, she believes him...until a woman is found murdered on the moors. A woman that looks remarkably like Annie.

While I felt bad for Annie and Tom, separated for all those years, I didn't really like to read about her sneaking around on William. Seemingly a really good man, though unemotional, her only objection to him seemed to be that he was so much older, which she obviously knew before they married. This was just an ok read for me, not even about the mystery of the dead girls, but focused more on Annie's affair. The plot pretty much followed exactly what I expected with no surprises. 

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

Hollywood Games by Evie Alexander

This book is a continuation of Zoe and Rory's story in Highland Games. 

As Earl of the crumbling Kinloch Estate, Rory is doing everything he can to ensure the castle stays in the family. Zoe has been trying to increase interest in the estate via social media posts of her hunky boyfriend in Braveheart poses. But when her posts catch the attention of none other than Hollywood heartthrob Brad Bauer, chaos descends on Kinloch when filming for Braveheart 2 begins. Skeptical of the movie plot, the film crew and especially Brad, who claims to be Zoe's husband in a past life, Rory agrees to the film contract and included restoration work on his beloved castle. But he doesn't plan on his own insecurities and jealousy. Can saving the estate man giving up the woman he loves?

I loved Zoe and Rory in the first book and I was so happy to revisit their story and add some new characters too. I snort-laughed through Brad's ridiculous description of his Braveheart 2 plot, his crazy belief in Zoe being his past love, and the whole entitled Hollywood behavior of the rest of the cast. I look forward to more laughs to come in the rest of the series!

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

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Avery Chambers, though she lost her therapy license due to her controversial techniques,  promises she can fix you in 10 sessions for anything from self confidence to assault to marital problems.  But from the first session,  she can't quite figure out Marissa and Matthew Bishop. The immediate issue is Marissa's infidelity,  but Avery can sense that's not the only secret she'll have to unravel in this marriage.  And just when it seems the case will end in a happily ever after,  it all starts to fall apart. 

There were so many tangled threads to this story,  it had me wondering how any of them would tie together by the end.  From the murder of Marissa's high school friend, to Matthew's ex, to strange and intrusive behavior of an employee, and even a homeless man that Marissa befriended. How do these characters all connect to the final explosive conclusion? This book will have you in the edge of your seat to the very end!

Thank you to the publisher for this advance review copy. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.