TBR Thursday – November 28

TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.

My pick this week is The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell.

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone and Watching You comes another page-turning look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light. 

Be careful who you let in. 

Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am. 

She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them. 

Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone. 

In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets. 

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Review: The Skeleton Coast (Quest of the Sunfish #3)

Title: The Skeleton Coast (Quest of the Sunfish #3)
Author: Mardi McConnochie
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Pajama Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: November 28, 2019
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The grey light of dawn crept through the sky. The sun was yet to make its first appearance, but the crew of the Sunfish were already up and ready to weigh anchor. Having barely escaped the dangers of a world dominated by gangs, the corrupt Admiralty, and the hostile sea, Will, Annalie and their friends must now set sail for their most daunting destination yet: Sundia. This isolated country, forbidden to outsiders, is where the twins must make their final stand in their search for answers–and for their father. But with all they’ve overcome so far on their journey, how long can their luck hold? Packed with twists, dynamic characters, and compelling environmental themes, The Skeleton Coast brings Mardi McConnochie’s acclaimed cli-fi trilogy to a riveting conclusion.

Review:

This book was a great conclusion to this series.

The action started immediately, with the Sunfish being boarded by pirates. It was great that it was started so quickly. I would have liked a little summary of what happened before, because it had been a while since I read the last book. However, this quick beginning is good if you read the books in succession because it keeps the story going.

There was a point in the story where the group of kids was separated into two groups. The narrative followed one group until they joined together again, then it backtracked and followed what the other kids were doing. It was a little confusing the way it jumped around in the timeline. If it had happened simultaneously, it would have been easier to follow.

I really enjoyed this series!

Thank you Pajama Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Melissa, Queen of Evil by Mardi McConnochie

Have you read The Skeleton Coast? What did you think of it?

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – November 27

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things by Jacqueline Firkins. The expected publication date is December 17, 2019.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this charming debut about first love and second chances, a young girl gets caught between the boy next door and a playboy. Perfect for fans of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.

Mansfield, Massachusetts is the last place seventeen-year-old Edie Price wants to spend her final summer before college. It’s the home of wealthy suburbanites and prima donnas like Edie’s cousins, who are determined to distract her from her mother’s death with cute boys and Cinderella-style makeovers. Edie has her own plans, and they don’t include a prince charming.

But as Edie dives into schoolwork and applying for college scholarships, she finds herself drawn to two Mansfield boys who start vying for her attention. First there’s Sebastian, Edie’s childhood friend and first love. He’s sweet and smart and . . . already has a girlfriend. Then there’s Henry, the local bad boy and all-around player. He’s totally off limits, even if his kisses are chemically addictive.

Both boys are trouble. Edie can’t help but get caught between them. Someone’s heart is going to break. Now she just has to make sure it isn’t hers.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Blog Tour Review: The Last Affair

Title: The Last Affair
Author: Margot Hunt
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: MIRA Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: November 26, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Love may be blind, but obsession’s a real killer.

Nora Holliday is not that kind of woman. Not the kind who has an illicit affair with a married man. But Josh Landon is everything Nora’s alcoholic husband isn’t. And now she and Josh are so infatuated, they can’t stay away from one another.

Abby Landon, Josh’s daughter, is home from college nursing a broken heart. She’s seeking solace, not more scandal, so when she catches her dad kissing Nora, she vows to take the homewrecker down.

And as for Abby’s mother and Josh’s wife, Gwen? To anyone on the outside looking in, the mother of two appears to be living the ideal suburban life.

Until she winds up dead.

The serene seaside town of Shoreham has always been the perfect place to raise a family—not somewhere housewives are brutally murdered. So who killed Gwen Landon, and how many twisted secrets will be exposed as the vindictive plot comes undone?

Review:

This was an exciting thriller!

The pacing of this thriller was great. It sped up throughout the story, building the tension. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. This was especially good, since the final murder is described in the prologue, though we don’t find out the details until the end.

This is the first thriller that I’ve read in a long time, that I couldn’t figure out the ending. The ending was so shocking! It wasn’t one of the possibilities that I thought had happened. It was a nice surprise, since it was described in the prologue, yet I still couldn’t guess what had happened.

I loved this story!

Thank you MIRA Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle

Best Friends Forever by Margot Hunt

Author Info:

Margot Hunt is a critically acclaimed author of psychological suspense. Her work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews.

Have you read The Last Affair? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Books on My Current TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Thankful, but I decided to do another topic, which is Books on My Current TBR. These are books I’m excited to read soon. Here’s my list:

1. Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver by Jill Heinerth

2. Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw

3. Woman on the Edge by Samatha M. Bailey

4. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

5. Raven Lane by Amber Cowie

6. Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things by Jacqueline Firkins

Couple leaning on brick wall

7. A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

8. One Week ‘Til Christmas by Belinda Missen

9. Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki, Steve Pugh

10. The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock

(All photos taken from Goodreads)

What’s your list of books on your Top Ten Tuesday?

Review: When You Ask Me Where I’m Going

Title: When You Ask Me Where I’m Going
Author: Jasmin Kaur
Genre: Young Adult, Poetry
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Rupi Kaur and Elizabeth Acevedo, Jasmin Kaur’s stunning debut novel is a collection of poetry, illustrations, and prose.

scream
so that one day
a hundred years from now
another sister will not have to
dry her tears wondering
where in history
she lost her voice

The six sections of the book explore what it means to be a young woman living in a world that doesn’t always hear her and tell the story of Kiran as she flees a history of trauma and raises her daughter, Sahaara, while living undocumented in North America.

Delving into current cultural conversations including sexual assault, mental health, feminism, and immigration, this narrative of resilience, healing, empowerment, and love will galvanize readers to fight for what is right in their world.

Review:

This is an incredibly moving poetry collection.

This collection contains a combination of poetry, prose narrative, and illustrations. The poems give a personal, emotional look at Jasmin’s life. The prose narrative tells a story that demonstrates the themes in her poetry. All of these art forms combined to tell a complete story.

Even though I have had very different life experiences from the author, I could relate to many of the poems. One that was particularly moving read: “depression is this ghost that looks over my shoulder & nobody seems to believe in spirits.” At one of Jasmin’s book signings that I went to, she said to snap your fingers if something she read resonated with you. I was snapping along as I read this book.

I loved this collection! I can’t wait to see what Jasmin writes next.

What to read next:

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Have you read When You Ask Me Where I’m Going? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – November 25

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

This weekend I finished When You Ask Me Where I’m Going by Jasmin Kaur.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading The Last Affair by Margot Hunt.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading The Skeleton Coast (Quest of the Sunfish #3) by Mardi McConnochie.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – November 24

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 9 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… When You Ask Me Where I’m Going

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I’m reading When You Ask Me Where I’m Going by Jasmin Kaur.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Rupi Kaur and Elizabeth Acevedo, Jasmin Kaur’s stunning debut novel is a collection of poetry, illustrations, and prose.

scream

so that one day

a hundred years from now

another sister will not have to

dry her tears wondering

where in history

she lost her voice

The six sections of the book explore what it means to be a young woman living in a world that doesn’t always hear her and tell the story of Kiran as she flees a history of trauma and raises her daughter, Sahaara, while living undocumented in North America.

Delving into current cultural conversations including sexual assault, mental health, feminism, and immigration, this narrative of resilience, healing, empowerment, and love will galvanize readers to fight for what is right in their world. 

What book are you in bed with today?

Six for Sunday – Books With Fire in the Title

This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.

This week’s prompt is Books With Fire in the Title. Here’s my list:

1. Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

2. The Fire Keeper (The Storm Runner #2) by J.C. Cervantes

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J.K. Rowling

4. Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

5. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium #2) by Stieg Larsson

6. Fire and Blood (A Targaryen History #1) by George R.R. Martin

Did you write a #SixforSunday post? What was your list of Books With Fire in the Title?

(All book cover images from Goodreads)