Category Archives: Book Opinion

Missing Pieces

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Author: Heather Gudenkauf
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Mystery
Source:  MIRA

Goodreads:  A woman uncovers earth-shattering secrets about her husband’s family in this chilling page-turner from New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf

Sarah Quinlan’s husband, Jack, has been haunted for decades by the untimely death of his mother when he was just a teenager, her body found in the cellar of their family farm, the circumstances a mystery. The case rocked the small farm town of Penny Gate, Iowa, where Jack was raised, and for years Jack avoided returning home. But when his beloved aunt Julia is in an accident, hospitalized in a coma, Jack and Sarah are forced to confront the past that they have long evaded.

Upon arriving in Penny Gate, Sarah and Jack are welcomed by the family Jack left behind all those years ago—barely a trace of the wounds that had once devastated them all. But as facts about Julia’s accident begin to surface, Sarah realizes that nothing about the Quinlans is what it seems. Caught in a flurry of unanswered questions, Sarah dives deep into the puzzling rabbit hole of Jack’s past. But the farther in she climbs, the harder it is for her to get out. And soon she is faced with a deadly truth she may not be prepared for.

Ope’s Opinion:  This may not be fair, but if some one else had written this book, I would be writing how good it was, but I expected so much more from Heather Gudenkauf.  She writes amazing books and this one was just okay.  It does not deter me from reading her next book.

I just couldn’t get into Sarah and Jack’s relationship until towards the end of the book.  They seemed so distant for being married so long.

I am always a little suspicious of a non-professional trying to solve a mystery that the professionals have not solved.  It just didn’t come together for me.

I will read Heather Gucenkauf again and again.  She has so many great books!

Rating: 3

At the Corner of King Street

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Author: Mary Ellen Taylor               corner of king
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Won from Book Fan Mary
                 visit her blog!

 

 

Goodreads:  The author of The Union Street Bakery presents a new novel about a woman searching for a fresh start—while unable to forget the past…

Adele “Addie” Morgan grew up in a house filled with pain and loss. Determined to live life on her own terms, Addie moves to the country and finds a job at a vineyard where she discovers stability, happiness, and—best of all—love with the kind owner, Scott.

But an unexpected call abruptly pulls Addie out of her new and improved life. Her sister has just given birth and Addie’s Aunt Grace wants her to return home to help the family—even if it means confronting things she’s tried so hard to forget.

When Addie arrives, she quickly realizes that she hasn’t truly let go of her former life, at least not completely. After making a surprising connection with her sister’s baby—and her sister’s ex-husband, Zeb—Addie must choose between her picture-perfect future with Scott and the family roots she thought she’d left behind for good…

Ope’s Opinion:  This is the third in a series set in Old Town Alexandria, VA.  Since my daughter lives there the setting has a lot of meaning for me and makes me like the books more.

I like the family drama that Taylor writes so well.  The relationships feel real and the characters become like family.  The overall subject was a little on the sad side.  Mental illness effects the whole family and this story brought that to light.

There is one more in the series that is sitting on shelf and will be read really soon!

Rating:  4 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

What I Thought Was True

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Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick                                   what i thought
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Genre:  Contemporary Young Adult
Source: Purchased

 

 

Goodreads:  From the acclaimed author of My Life Next Door comes a swoony summertime romance full of expectation and regret, humor and hard questions.

Gwen Castle has never so badly wanted to say good-bye to her island home till now: the summer her Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, takes a job there as the local yard boy. He’s a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island’s summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she’ll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen’s dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

A magnetic, push-you-pull-me romance with depth, this is for fans of Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, and Deb Caletti.

Ope’s Opinion:  Oh, My!  Read this book!!!  This is my second book my Huntley Fitzpatrick and it was as good or better then the last one.  She knows how to bring her characters to life.  I get so absorbed in their lives, I feel like I am one of the friends along for the ride.

This story is so much more then two young people trying to figure each other out.  It deals with parenting, work ethic, friendships, loyalties, truth and so much more.

There are some twists and turns along the way and the ending took my breath away!  I am looking forward to her next one – which is sitting on my shelf right now.

Rating:  5 – I like this book so much it will be passed on and on and on….

Anything For You

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anything for you

Author: Kristin Higgins
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Little Bird Publicity

Goodreads:  Before you get down on bended knee…

…you should be pretty darn sure the answer will be yes. For ten years, Connor O’Rourke has been waiting for Jessica Dunn to take their on-again, off-again relationship public, and he thinks the time has come. His restaurant is thriving, she’s got her dream job at Blue Heron Vineyard—it’s the perfect time to get married.

When he pops the question, however, her answer is a fond but firm no. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Jess has her hands full with her younger brother, who’s now living with her full-time, and a great career after years of waitressing. What she and Connor have is perfect: friends with an excellent benefits package. Besides, with her difficult past (and reputation), she’s positive married life isn’t for her.

But this time, Connor says it’s all or nothing. If she doesn’t want to marry him, he’ll find someone who does. Easier said than done, given that he’s never loved anyone but her. And maybe Jessica isn’t quite as sure as she thinks…

Ope’s Opinion:  Kristan Higgins did it again.  She wrote captivating characters that you just can’t help but care about.  

As I was reading this book, I was moving into my new home and the holidays were keeping us busy.  Even with all that, I found myself wanting to come back and have the quiet time to read this book.  It was a real escape for me.  Kristan Higgins made it a relaxing time.

This can be read alone, but I really do suggest starting from the beginning.  Each book adds to the characters you already know.

Rating:  4 

Falling Like Snowflakes

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Author: Denise Hunter                   falling
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Holiday Fiction
Source: Purchased

 

Goodreads:  Eden Martelli is too busy fleeing the clutches of danger to realize she’s running straight into the arms of a new love.

Speeding north through rural Maine, Eden Martelli wonders how her life came to this—on the run with her mute five-year-old son dozing fitfully in the passenger seat. When a breakdown leaves them stranded in Summer Harbor, Eden has no choice but to stay put through Christmas . . . even though they have no place to lay their heads.

Beau Callahan is a habitual problem solver—for other people anyway. He left the sheriff’s department to take over his family’s Christmas tree farm, but he’s still haunted by the loss of his parents and struggling to handle his first Christmas alone.

When Eden shows up looking for work just as Beau’s feisty aunt gets out of the hospital, Beau thinks he’s finally caught a break. Eden is competent and dedicated—if a little guarded—and a knockout to boot. But, as he soon finds out, she also comes with a boatload of secrets.

Eden has been through too much to trust her heart to another man, but Beau is impossible to resist, and the feeling seems to be mutual. As Christmas Eve approaches, Eden’s past catches up to her.

Beau will go to the ends of the earth to keep her safe. But who’s going to protect his heart from a woman who can’t seem to trust again.

Ope’s Opinion: This was an exciting, intense read!  The characters were amazing!  I think this is the beginning of a series – I hope that is right because I want to read more of these people. 

Denise Hunter is one of my favorite authors!  I don’t even have to read the synopsis of the book to know I want to read it.  She always has a great story with characters I care about.

Rating: 5 – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on…

The Word Game

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Author: Steena Holmes               word game
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Fiction
Source: Purchased

 

Goodreads:  For overprotective parent Alyson Ward, any time her daughter, Lyla, is out of sight is reason to panic. So it’s a big step for her when she lets Lyla attend a sleepover at her cousin’s house. Comforted by the knowledge that her sister, Tricia, is the chaperone, Alyson does the one thing she never thought possible: she lets go and trusts that her daughter will be safe.

But Alyson’s sense of peace is short lived. When Lyla comes home the next morning, she reveals something that could tear apart not only their family but also the entire community. Now, Alyson and Tricia must confront their painful shared past as they come together to help a little girl who they fear might be harboring terrible secrets similar to their own. Will the sisters be strong enough to face their demons in order to protect the child, even if it means telling their most private truths?

Ope’s Opinion: Oh, my! this has to be one of the top five books of 2015 for me.  I can not believe how absorbed I was in this story from the very beginning until I flipped the last page.  

Each one of the women in this book is strong in their own way.  They are supportive of each other and very relatable.  The subject matter is difficult to deal with.  Steena Holmes did it in a way that made you feel deeply for everyone.

If you have not read a Steena Holmes book this would be a good choice, but then any of her books are awesome.  I look forward to her next book.

Rating:  5 + – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on……

 

The Things We Keep

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Author: Sally Hepworth                       things
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: William Morrow

 

Publication Date:  January 19, 2015

 

Goodreads:  Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease at only thirty-eight years old, knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. She also knows there’s just one another resident her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life at Rosalind House. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.

When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna’s and Luke’s families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them. 

Ope’s Opinion:  This book captured my attention from the very beginning.  The writing just made the story flow.  Although the subject was a difficult one to read, the author made the story keep moving.  

I felt like I was really inside Anna’s head – that is how good the writing was!  Life has dealt Anna and Eve some hard blows.  Both woman were strong and handled things with a head on approach.  They are admirable woman.

I want to read another Sally Hepworth book.

 

Rating: 4 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Whisper If You Need Me

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Author: Dina  Silver
Publisher: Createspace    whisper
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Book SparK

 

Goodreads:  From bestselling author, Dina Silver, comes her first Young Adult Contemporary Romance novel.

A strong-willed yet vulnerable young beauty, Julia Pearl is sixteen years old when she’s sent away to summer camp for the first time. Julia’s father and stepmother are convinced that time away from home will be good for Julia, hoping it will restore the confidence she lost when her mother disappeared five years earlier.

Released from the emotional constraints of her new family and the ugly reputation her mother left behind, Julia finds herself reluctantly tossed into the free-spirited and often drama-infused world of overnight camp—where she quickly falls for an intensely charismatic counselor named Jack Dempsey, a nineteen-year-old college student who will prove to save her life in more ways than one.

Rich with humor and poignancy, Whisper If You Need Me is a timeless story that will remind readers of the strength of friendship, the unwavering devotion of family, and ultimately, the power of young love.

Ope’s Opinion:  If you like summer camp books with a little romance, a lot of girl drama and some family issues, you will fall in love with this book.  The story line is a bit predictable with a good looking guy at camp, a young camper falls in love and a couple of mean girls cause trouble.  Dina Silver adds some interesting elements to keep your attention.  

The characters are interesting and relatable.  I would recommend this to a young adult reader with the warning of some foul language – not excessive, but also not necessary.

I have a couple more Dina Silver books on my shelf I will look forward to reading them.

Rating:  3 – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.

Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between

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Author: Jennifer E. Smith       hello
Publisher: Poppy
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Source: BEA

 

 

Goodreads:  On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan have only one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night leads them to family and friends, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

Charming, bittersweet, and full of wisdom and heart, this irresistible novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that arise when life and love lead in different directions.

Ope’s Opinion: I just finished this book – it was so good!  Anyone who left for college or is getting ready to, will certainly relate to the story of good byes.  It is an emotionally hard time of life, with so much uncertainty ahead.  I think Jennifer E. Smith captured the emotional roller coaster very well.

When reading this book you need to remember it is a YA.  It is written from a young adults perspective, for young adults to relate to.   If you remember that time – these characters express a lot of the emotions that are happening at that point of life.  Just enjoy the read.

Rating:  4 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Last Night at the Circle Cinema

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Author:  Emily Franklin         last night
Publisher: Carolhoda Lab
Genre: Young Adult
Source: BEA

 

 

Goodreads:  Olivia, Bertucci, and Codman were the trio no one else in high school could quite figure out, an impenetrable triangle of friendship. Now they’re graduating and about to start new lives away at college and without one another. Beyond their friendship, there’s one thing they have in common: the Circle Cinema, a once-thriving old movie theater now reduced to a boarded up concrete box, condemned and about to be forgotten forever―which is, as far as Olivia and Codman can tell, a lot like what’s going to happen to them.

So in one last desperate effort to hold on to the secrets they share, Bertucci hatches a plan―an experiment, really. He convinces Olivia and Codman to join him in spending their last night before graduation locked inside the cinema’s concrete walls. None of them can open the box before sunrise. Over the course of the night, the trio is then forced to face one another, the events of the past year, and whatever is to come when the new day dawns.

Emily Franklin’s Last Night at the Circle Cinema is the story of a friendship’s end and moving rebirth.

Ope’s Opinion:  This was a much darker book then I usually read.  I was glad it was a short one.  I liked seeing the story from different points of view. I also liked going back in time to learn more details about the characters.

I didn’t care for the language in this book.  Although I suspect it is probably how these teens talk to each other, I didn’t enjoy it.

Maybe I was a bit on the slow uptake, but I did not see the ending very far in advance.  I was actually kind of disappointed ( can’t say more without giving it away ).

I suppose if you are looking for an October read, this one might fit the bill.

Rating: 3 – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.