“For so long all I’d wanted was a home of my own. I didn’t understand home wasn’t a place. It was a person.”

― Judithe Little, The Chanel Sisters

The Channel Sisters is Judithe Little's second stand-alone novel. It is a historical-fiction narrative about the Channel sisters and is told from the youngest sister's point of view from the time they spent in a monastery orphanage until her death in 1921.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their family years before, they’ve grown up under the guidance of pious nuns preparing them for simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers. At night, their secret stash of romantic novels and magazine cutouts beneath the floorboards are all they have to keep their dreams of the future alive.

The walls of the convent can’t shield them forever, and when they’re finally of age, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them. Their journey propels them out of poverty and to the stylish cafés of Moulins, the dazzling performance halls of Vichy—and to a small hat shop on the rue Cambon in Paris, where a business takes hold and expands to the glamorous French resort towns. But when World War I breaks out, their lives are irrevocably changed, and the sisters must gather the courage to fashion their own places in the world, even if apart from each other.

My reaction to this novel...

I'm one of those who loves Chanel but can't afford the exorbitant indulgences from the illustrious company, so I'm especially interested in learning how they got started and how the business grew off.

I thought the "Chanel" Sisters title of this book was merely a coincidence when I first saw it. When I first started looking for it on Goodreads, I found out that it was all about them. I immediately began reading it and found it impossible to put it down.

I became really interested in the book when the author mentioned what the Chanel sisters were thinking when she said that, in their words, “people thought they were buying Chanel for glamour and sophistication, but what they were actually purchasing were the relics of their youth, memories of the nuns who educated them and the abbey that provided them with shelter. An illusion of riches sprung from the rags of their past.” These words drew my attention and caused me to reflect on what actually happened to them and how hard they may have worked to achieve their greatness.

I really enjoy how the author wrote it in a way that made me feel like I was there to see their hardships, despite the fact that the novel detailed what happened to them when they were young, their conflicts, love stories, and failures. Even though I don't frequently enjoy reading biographies, this one is wonderfully refined, beautiful, and just lovely. It's awful, but when I read about their prior challenges, I can see how they deserved to be honoured today. Every story of difficulty is extravagant, thus their brand has a genuine claim to luxurious fame.

All readers who appreciate reading and are curious about what happened to the main characters in this great novel should pick up a copy of this book, I would like to recommend it.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

“It was so much easier to dream when you knew what to dream of”

This is extremely true because if you are clear on your life's objective or desire, you will be on the right track to accomplish all of your goals. If your dream is still uncertain to you, you will regularly worry and be filled with uncertainties whenever you accomplish something.

“You don't accept what you're told you are. You decide for yourself.”

Only we have the power to make our own decisions. Because everything that happens to us is solely a product of our own choices, we shouldn't rely on others to determine who we are and what we do with our life. We are in charge of ourselves.

Romance books can be related to. It frequently serves as a metaphor for our own life. We might even take something away from it. It's possible that one of the readers recently experienced a disastrous breakup with a nasty guy. So the reader may find comfort in reading about a character who faces a similar problem. Anyway, here are some romantic books that will be published in January 2023 and to which we may in some ways connect.

1. Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen 

Lauren Kung Jessen approaches the issue in her endearing and unique debut with a lighthearted, sympathetic delight. Even the most pessimistic readers will enjoy Lunar Love's distinctive personalities and wide-eyed optimism as they quest for love. A skillfully produced rival-to-lovers romantic comedy about juggling conventional and modern dating. Readers who enjoy Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Helena Hunting will certainly find this lovely, enemies-to-lovers first rom-com laced with Chinese astrology to be the ideal fit. This book is anticipated to be released by Forever on January 10th, 2023.

2. Exes and O's (The Influencer #2) by Amy Lea

In this romantic comedy, a social media influencer who is infatuated with romance novels visits her ex-boyfriends as she searches for true love. Lea's follow-up to Set on You (2022) is a funny, sympathetic examination of life and love, packed with tender moments, tiny gestures, and an evident love of the romance genre itself. A humorously wonderful romance about how the finest love stories are discovered where you least suspect them. This book is anticipated to be published by Berkley Books on January 10th, 2023.

3. Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn 

Love, profession, making peace with the past, and finding your path while understanding your true value are all contemporary issues that the celebrated author of Love Lettering tackles in her latest novel. Georgie, All Along is an intelligent, sympathetic must-read for anybody who has ever pondered the life that slipped away. It is honest and profoundly moving. This book is scheduled to be released by Kensington on January 24th, 2023.

4. Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher

A series of interrelated independent novels featuring three wealthy brothers concludes with Final Offer, the third and last book in the series. This book is anticipated to be released by Bloom Books on January 31st, 2023.

5. Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni

In this vivacious and emotional queer rom-com by debut author Taleen Voskuni, an Armenian-American woman rediscovers her origins and celebrates who she truly is. The most touching narrative about family, heritage, fearless love, and loving yourself. It has humor to soften the serious topics, and the colorful San Francisco backdrop really brings the story to life. Sorry, Bro will simultaneously make you chuckle and touch you profoundly. This book is anticipated to be published by Berkley on January 31st, 2023.

Reading suspenseful literature, including mysteries, thrillers, and other genres, exercises our minds and activates many different parts of our brains. It gives us tasks to solve that act as a mental "endurance challenge." In order to process and retain knowledge for later use, our brain is tirelessly to process information in the form of stories. Reading is not just enjoyable but also utterly necessary since it is a survival strategy ingrained in our genes.

So, listed below are a few of the thriller books scheduled for publication in January 2023.

1. The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

Fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware will enjoy Rachel Hawkins' wickedly twisted gothic thriller, which is set in an Italian mansion with a sordid past. The Villa invites you into its lethal heritage, which was inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the notorious summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a castle on Lake Geneva—the setting for the creation of Frankenstein. This book is anticipated to be released on January 3rd, 2023, by St. Martin's Press.

2. Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong 

Liar, Dreamer, Thief is an intimate portrait of life in all its complexities—and the perils inherent in revealing people's most tightly kept secrets. It is a page-turning thriller as well as a delicate investigation of mental health. Bizarre and rife with horrifying realities and technicolor falsehoods. In this wonderfully crafted work that muddles lines between good and evil, comedy and tragedy, imagination and reality, a young woman's carefully created fantasy world crumbles. This book is anticipated to be published on January 10th, 2023, by Grand Central Publishing.

3. All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

Stacy Willingham follows up her immediate New York Times bestseller, A Flicker in the Dark, with a gripping thriller about a desperate mother with a dark background. It charts a great trajectory for the coming year by illuminating Willingham as a fresh voice to enjoy. An intelligent, suspenseful tale with unexpected narrative turns. The novel by Stacy Willingham will have you flipping pages far past your midnight. This book is scheduled to be released by Minotaur Books on January 10th, 2023.

4. Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (Ernest Cunningham #1) by Benjamin Stevenson

In this completely unique, not to be missed book, a classic and contemporary murder mystery are combined in a way that references Knives Out, Clue, Agatha Christie, and The Thursday Murder Club. The book is scheduled to be released by Mariner Books on January 17, 2023.

5. Exiles (Aaron Falk #3) by Jane Harper 

The Dry, Force of Nature, The Lost Man, and The Survivors author has produced a superb book that is both a great mystery and a heart-pounding read. A superb criminal story that is full of emotion, mystery, and atmosphere. Beautifully written and completely engrossing. A cast of individuals that feels completely genuine, a series of mysteries that are completely engrossing, and a backdrop so vivid you can almost smell the wind through the forest. This book is scheduled to be released by Flatiron Books on January 31st, 2023.

Fiction is the deception that allows us to communicate the truth. A serious case of cognitive disassociation would result from such interference in the modern world. The weight of such duty is rarely considered in a culture that is so focused on the individual. When you take ourselves so seriously, it's difficult to be ludicrous. However, this may point to fiction's greatest helpful function in the modern world: the revival of the debating craft.

Therefore, the following is a list of some fiction books that will be published in the first month of 2023:

1. The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

In this razor-sharp debut, a young Indian lady discovers the false allegations that she killed her husband to be unexpectedly helpful—until other women in the community start approaching her for assistance getting rid of their own spouses. With intelligence, humor, and a particular kind of magical irreverence, Shroff brilliantly conveys the intricacy of female friendship. The Bandit Queens is heartfelt, surprising, and full of giggle-inducing moments. Readers won't soon forget Parini Shroff's razor-sharp debut of comedy and heart, The Bandit Queens, which is full with crafty crooks, second chances, and sarcastic and smart women. This book is anticipated to be released by Ballantine Books on January 3rd, 2023.

2. Small World by Laura Zigman

A moving tale about two quirky, recently divorced sisters who move in together as adults and ultimately face their childhood is the latest from popular novelist Laura Zigman. Small World is a stirring story about sisterhood and optimism that is written with sardonic humor and acute sensitivity. It serves as a reminder that sometimes looking back is necessary in order to go forward. This book is scheduled to be released by Ecco Press on January 10th, 2023.

3. Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

From comedian, essayist, and award-winning screenwriter Monica Heisey comes a humorous and brutally familiar debut novel about one woman's clumsy search for happiness and purpose after an unplanned separation. Really Good, Actually is a sensitive and bittersweet comedy that exposes the ambiguities of contemporary love, friendship, and our quest for the thing we like to call happiness. It is full of incisive insights and laugh-out-loud humor. This is an outstanding debut novel from a distinctive new voice in literature. This book is scheduled to be released on January 17th, 2023, by William Morrow.

4. The Faraway World: Stories by Patricia Engel

Ten stunning, award-winning short tales by Patricia Engel, whose book Infinite Country was a New York Times bestseller and a Reese's Book Club selection, are interconnected by the themes of migration, sacrifice, and moral compromise. The New York Times bestselling author of Infinite Country, Patricia Engel, is the author of a collection of compelling stories titled The Faraway World. These stories, which are both intimate and expansive, vividly depict the liminality of regret, the vitality of community, and the heroic acts and private moments of love. This book is scheduled to be released by Simon Schuster and Avid Reader Press on January 24, 2023.

5. Maame by Jessica George

Maame is a smart, humorous, and profoundly moving film that tackles contemporary issues with comedy and tenderness. These issues range from racism and family responsibilities to feminine pleasure, the complexities of love, and the life-saving potential of friendship. It explores what it's like to be pulled between two homes and cultures, and it celebrates when you can finally find where you belong. This is what matters most. This book is anticipated to be published on January 31st, 2023, by St. Martin's Press.

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.”

― Joanna Davidson Politano, The Love Note

Joanna Davidson Politano's The Love Note is said to be an incredible tale. This is the tale of a misplaced love letter and its enormous influence, which finally drives each finder to perform at their highest level. This tale of love missed, love forgotten, and love gained is filled with secrets both big and little.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.

My reaction to this novel..

This is the first Politano novel I've read. The Love Note tells the story of how a strange, undelivered love note impacts several members of a home as it passes from one person to the next. I found Willa's narrative to be the least engaging even though it was clearly the heart and subject of the story. I found the plot of Willa and Gabe to be predictable and dull, and I didn't like for Politano's overly sentimental, intense writing style. I think the only reason I even kind of enjoyed the book was because she let her characters share their sentiments and views about God and their connection with Him, along with the quotes that were included in each chapter.

Anyway, after I finished reading the book and decided to give it a rating on Goodreads, I was astonished to find how highly rated it was and how many positive reviews it had received. Because my opinions of the novel tilt more negatively than theirs do, I wondered if I had read the same book that they had. This book was difficult for me to get into. I'm not sure how I managed to keep reading and sticking with it. The worst thing I could have thought of was to put the book down while I was sorely tempted to skip the pages. There is a lot of meandering, and the sluggish development of the anticipated love tale made me lose interest.

In addition, I felt that the characters' use of contemporary language drew me away from the location and left the story lacking in substance and specifics. Moreover, I thought the portrayal of the period lacked truth. Particular to that is a slew of excessive explanation and too much infusing representations of the characters' sentiments. Some readers might find this to be interesting, but I thought it was unduly lyrical. This left me feeling odd and uninterested. There are other instances when I am reading this book and do not notice that my eyes are slowly drooping, and after an hour, I wake up wondering what happened to the novel since I completely forgot what occurred.

Then again, the slow-moving love story in this book made it tiresome for me to read, and when you thought something wonderful would happen, there was nothing and no magic at all. It was as if the author was just playing with her readers' expectations by pretending to write a good love story when, in reality, she had written nothing more than just an ordinary romance. I won't suggest it to those who don't thoroughly enjoy languid love stories since it will certainly bore them.

My Overall Rating: ⭐✨(1.5/5)

“The secret to finding true love is not in discovering someone who will give it to you but learning how to give it.”

Love is more about learning how to give than it is about receiving. We show someone we care about them because we genuinely feel that way, not because we want them to feel the same way about us. Some people really believe that if they love someone, they must love them in return. However, in my opinion, when we love someone, we put ourselves at risk of being hurt until we understand the lessons we learn as a result of that love.

“I don’t need help when it comes to self-soothing. I know how to survive and I will survive”

― Caroline Kepnes, You Love Me

The follow-up to Caroline Kepnes' 2016 thriller Hidden Bodies, You Love Me was released in April 2021. For the week of April 10, 2021, the book debuted at position fifteen on The New York Times fiction best-seller list.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Joe is done with the cities. He’s done with the muck and the posers, done with Love. Now, he’s saying hello to nature, to simple pleasures on a cozy island in the Pacific Northwest. For the first time in a long time, he can just breathe.

He gets a job at the local library—he does know a thing or two about books—and that’s where he meets her: Mary Kay DiMarco. Librarian. Joe won’t meddle; he will not obsess. He’ll win her the old-fashioned way: by providing a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand. Over time, they’ll both heal their wounds and begin their happily ever after in this sleepy town.

The trouble is, Mary Kay already has a life. She’s a mother. She’s a friend. She’s busy.

True love can only triumph if both people are willing to make room for the real thing. Joe cleared his decks. He’s ready. And hopefully, with his encouragement and undying support, Mary Kay will do the right thing and make room for him.

My reaction to this novel...

Despite my dissatisfaction with the second novel, I have great expectations for the third. I'm excited to read this one because I've read favorable reviews and seen good ratings on Goodreads.

The initial chapters were a tad out of control. Anyway, knowing Joe, we anticipate his insanity; if he isn't nuts, he isn't Joe. Just because he narrated this third book differently from the first two, I found it challenging to read. Every sentence is difficult to recall since it seems like he has gone wild. Simply said, I don't like it that way. But the natural bookworm in me compelled me to continue reading it, so I struggled so hard I was about to give up when it struck me.

I suddenly realized that Joe was the same guy from the previous book, which aroused my curiosity and made me want to keep reading. It's a good thing I have this book and I can read it whenever I have time. I was so engaged in the tale that I forgot I have a lot of chores. I'm so relieved to reach the end of the narrative and think, "It's been a long time, Joe!" It's a good thing you're not like the character from the second book."

I found the story to be rather strange. In the end, I had not anticipated anything like it. I don't understand why he has such bad luck with women. I was just sorry for him. He has committed a great deal of evil deeds, but he still seeks his true love. There were a lot of bizarre events in this novel, but a few parts I really wanted to see were left out. Even if the revelation was less shocking than it may have been, the story started to get creepier.

I wanted to recommend it to anyone who have read the first and second volumes, as well as those who, like me, adore psychological thriller books.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨(3.5/5)

“Self-delusion. I think the worst thing you can be is a liar to yourself.”

― Holly Brown, Don't Try to Find Me

This thrilling and compelling debut is perfect for readers of Reconstructing Amelia and Gone Girl. When a fourteen-year-old runs away, her parents use social media to find her, starting a public campaign that will reveal their deepest secrets and transform their family forever.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Don't try to find me. Though the message on the kitchen white board is written in Marley's hand, her mother Rachel knows there has to be some other explanation. Marley would never run away.

As the days pass and it sinks in that the impossible has occurred, Rachel and her husband Paul are informed that the police have "limited resources." If they want their 14-year-old daughter back, they will have to find her themselves. Desperation becomes determination when Paul turns to Facebook and Twitter, and launches FindMarley.com.

But Marley isn't the only one with secrets.

With public exposure comes scrutiny, and when Rachel blows a television interview, the dirty speculation begins. Now, the blogosphere is convinced Rachel is hiding something. It's not what they think; Rachel would never hurt Marley. Not intentionally, anyway. But when it's discovered that she's lied, even to the police, the devoted mother becomes a suspect in Marley's disappearance.

Is Marley out there somewhere, watching it all happen, or is the truth something far worse? 

My reaction to this novel...

I had high hopes for this book because it was compared to Gone Girl, my all-time favorite book. I was therefore really disappointed in the plot after I finished reading this book. I can affirm that it differs significantly from Gone Girl. It was only the tale of a petty adolescent who ran away from home for an utterly trivial reason. Although the story is easy to read and the wording is clear, the plot is so straightforward that you will be deeply let down because you will have expected more from it than just a straightforward thriller story. Really, I'm so disappointed.

I also felt that the plot dragged on interminably, and none of the characters had any redeeming qualities. I too had an idea for a wonderful twist that may revitalize the plot, but the revelation presented by the author is not a twist. It was only a minor plot point that won't make you cringe or drop your jaw. It is nothing but a bore. I find it intolerable.

I also found it difficult to get into the tale since there is significantly more stretched, repetitive, and lengthy filler than there is any storyline or plot line. I can't believe I persevered through the lack of cohesion in this novel. B and the psychiatrist didn't contribute anything. Since the author inserted them, I genuinely believed that they would add more on the story, but they are completely insignificant and would just serve to disappoint readers.

This novel is hardly a thriller, in my opinion. It focuses family problems, and deception. There isn't anything particularly ominous or sinister. There was no charm or insight, and there was nothing to properly connect it together. I was hoping for a major tension building, a bombshell, or something really horrible to transpire, but it lacked substance. I would not suggest it to anyone who has high hopes for thriller novels. It will only let you down, just like it did to me.

My Overall Rating: ⭐(1/5)

“People Struggle. People have to find their answers, and their happiness.”

This is real. People suffer. We all experience difficulties in life and have issues that we must contend with. Even while it could seem that some individuals are happy with their life and don't appear to be struggling, they may actually be hiding problems from others. We should learn to appreciate one another since we are all on the same level when it comes to our pursuit of happiness. 

“If I were a carpenter, I would build you a window to my soul. But I would leave that window shut and locked, so that every time you tried to look through it all you would see is your own reflection. You would see that my soul is a reflection of you.”

― Colleen Hoover, Point of Retreat

The follow-up to Slammed, by popular novelist Colleen Hoover, is sure to be a smash. Colleen Hoover enthralled readers all over the world. It introduced Layken and Will, a young couple whose love withstood terrible circumstances to emerge stronger and more resilient than before. Now, as Layken and Will's emotionally charged narrative progresses, a startling and unexpected revelation about Will's background causes them to seriously reevaluate all they previously believed they knew about one another. They must choose whether to stand up for a future together or to relapse into loneliness and pain since their relationship's basis is under jeopardy.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Layken and Will have managed to overcome the obstacles that threatened to destroy their love, proving that they are destined for one another. What they are about to learn, however, is that the things that have brought them together may be the very things that ruin their connection forever…

Layken is left second-guessing the relationship whilst Will is jumping over hurdles to prove his love for her. What the young lovers discover about themselves along this journey may change their entire world and the lives of those who depend upon them the most...

My reaction to this novel...

I have no idea why I don't like this book series. The female protagonist in the first book really annoyed me, so I was hoping that reading the second would make me feel differently about her. In this second installment, I really grew more frustrated with her. Okay, so Will, the male lead, gets a voice in this because it is his point of view, and I liked how he told the narrative instead of hearing it all through Layken. She struck me as being simultaneously naive and self-centered, which I truly dislike.

I'm very disappointed that I invested so much on both volumes in this series. Actually, after reading Slammed, I wasn't expecting much. In comparison to the first book, this one is slightly better, but only because it focuses on Will's feelings and experiences rather than Lake, who, as I already stated, I did not like in either book. It features a bizarre plot and annoying characters. I couldn't grasp why they were so emotional about almost everything; it was draining. Many points in the story came out as clumsy and forced. It was a little aggravating how Lake and Will misconstrued their romantic relationship. Lake should have known him well and not assumed the very worst from him if she loved him as deeply as what she professed all through the novel. I found myself skipping pages to get to the conclusion since the tale dragged in several parts, which is a terrible experience for me.

The fact that Layken behaves like a child throughout the whole novel despite caring for her brother is another aspect of her that I dislike. Although she is only 19 years old, she should grow up and behave like a responsible young adult since she is the one who convinced her mother not to take the responsibility of taking care of her brother away from her. So, come on, how can she take care of her brother if she is not mature enough to think? She acts like a bratty, misbehaving child when she has a tantrum. Kel is far superior than her. It was really horrible.

There is far too much crap in this book. It did not captivate me from the beginning to the end. Layken and Will's relationship is shallow. I didn't think the love story was genuine because they don't seem to have any spark together. Aside from Layken, who has been quite annoying up until this point, the characters have undergone significant changes from the previous book. There are so many tangential storylines throughout the plot. This book series has let me down, therefore I've made the decision not to read the third book in the series. I won't suggest this to other book lovers out there. This book series is a huge disappointment.

My Overall Rating: ⭐(1/5)

“Love is the most beautiful thing in the world. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the hardest things in the world to hold on to, and one of the easiest things to throw away.”

This is really accurate. Love is both the most beautiful and the most difficult emotion that any man may experience. It has the power to both give us meaning in life and to entirely destroy us. I just disagree with the last statement, which states that love is easy to toss away, since I believe that if you truly love someone, throwing away or forgetting your feelings for them is not as simple as one-two-three. It has the potential to severely harm you in a heartbeat. 

"Best way to get over losing someone is other people. The right people. Not to take their place, but to remind you what living feels like.”

-- R.S. Pateman, The Second Life Of Amy Archer

For lovers of S.J. Watson and Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, a taut, riveting psychological thriller book. A compelling and well-written story that you will find difficult to put down. A moving and shocking read that will undoubtedly advance the abilities of RS Pateman.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

On 31st December 1999, ten-year-old Amy Archer went missing from her local playground. Her body was never found and the lives of her parents, Beth and Brian, were torn apart.

On the tenth anniversary of the disappearance, Beth is alone, still struggling with the enormity of her grief and the horror of not knowing the fate of her only child. But the fear and confusion have only just begun, and Beth's world is turned upside down when a stranger knocks on her door, claiming to know what happened to Amy.

Beth is introduced to a little girl who is the uncanny double of her missing daughter, who knows things that only Amy would remember; the name of her favourite toy, the place where she scratched her initials, what Beth likes for breakfast. But this can't be Amy, she hasn't aged a day...

Now Beth is forced to question everything she has ever believed in, and push her faith and her sanity to the limits, if she is to find out the truth about what happened to Amy.

My reaction to this novel...

Actually, I'm not sure how long ago I purchased this book. I frequently forget to read it, but I came across it the last time I went through my entire library. Despite the fact that I was unfamiliar with the author, I began to read it before my forgetfulness struck again. I'm excited about this book since I read on Google that if you loved Gone Girl, you should read it. Because I like that novel, I felt driven to read this one as well.

As soon as the first chapter began, I was engrossed in the story's flow, especially when the author discussed reincarnation. It was really intriguing even though I had read something like this before. I felt anxious at times while reading this, but the author will leave you hanging as the plot progresses, leaving you wanting more. I had a number of fantastic situations in my head that would improve the storyline. I became frustrated with it and skipped several chapters in an attempt to grasp the core of the story, which the author failed to express.

The novel has a good premise, but it needed a little more work to succeed. I struggled to connect with the main character, Beth. She was uneasy, and her actions were forced and fabricated. As the novel progressed, her anxiety and indecision irritated me. Every few paragraphs, she seemed to change her mind about the premonition or whether her young child had been reincarnated. Her scenes eventually became a little too loud for me, and I started getting headaches.

Nothing irritates me more than an uncertain ending, and the ending was abrupt. I expect a fully developed, satisfying conclusion after putting in the time and effort to read a book. Although the author may feel that the reader would be left with profound, lingering thoughts, all I can think of is a lazy author who gave up on effectively closing the work. I also got the impression that the author couldn't think of a suitable way to end his story. I am unable to recommend it to other readers because it was so unsatisfying.

My Overall Rating: ⭐✨(1.5/5)

“It’s ridiculous how your life doesn’t need your permission to turn upside down.”

― Liz Fenton, The Good Widow

In this gripping, emotional thriller, acclaimed authors Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke make their debut as suspense writers. The Good Widow skillfully handles Jacks' sorrow and the loss of her imperfect marriage while still being heartbreaking and intriguing. The Hawaiian backdrop is breathtaking, the language is incisive and evocative, and the climax was a fantastic, unexpected surprise. 

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Elementary school teacher Jacqueline “Jacks” Morales’s marriage was far from perfect, but even in its ups and downs it was predictable, familiar. Or at least she thought it was…until two police officers showed up at her door with devastating news. Her husband of eight years, the one who should have been on a business trip to Kansas, had suffered a fatal car accident in Hawaii. And he wasn’t alone.

For Jacks, laying her husband to rest was hard. But it was even harder to think that his final moments belonged to another woman—one who had left behind her own grieving and bewildered fiancé. Nick, just as blindsided by the affair, wants answers. So he suggests that he and Jacks search for the truth together, retracing the doomed lovers’ last days in paradise.

Now, following the twisting path of that fateful road, Jacks is learning that nothing is ever as it seems. Not her marriage. Not her husband. And most certainly not his death… 

My reaction to this novel...

I like reading psychological thriller books because they get me to contemplate what is happening and what the story's next twist will be. It's interesting for me to read unexpected novels, especially if they throw me off guard. In fact, I had high expectations for this narrative. 

The fate of the two victims who passed away during the incident is an intriguing mystery. I made a lot of assumptions, but while I was reading it, I decided to look it up on Google to see if it was a romance or a thriller since I felt the story is leaning more toward the romantic end. This disappointed me. I'm not sure how the main character will be able to let go of the occurrence after viewing the incident's scene. The story was ridiculous. The story took a while to get going, but at the third or so mark, it really got the momentum, and I found myself waiting for Dylan to act when she learned James' true stance. At that time, I was wondering whether she may change her mind, but nothing happened. In addition, the author omitted the specifics of their deaths.

I too wondered, "Really?! Is she nuts?!" as I read the part of Dylan where she is afraid of what Nick did to her after she dumped him. She should have anticipated Nick feeling this way after breaking his heart. I'm not saying Nick did the right thing, but if he was really madly in love with her and she broke his heart so badly, she ought to have known he wouldn't stay or even allow her to go that easily. It irritated me that Dylan was acting like a victim and was afraid of Nick because, in my perspective, it was her responsibility that Nick behaved that way.

I found this book to be more of a romance than a thriller, and I was let down by the story's development and resolution. I didn't find it to be appealing. I had already predicted what would happen. It would be better if the author tried interesting concepts and stunned their audience with a shocking turn of events.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐(2/5)

“I've figured out a funny little secret about life: Even if you stay on the sidewalks and pay your bills on time and use hand sanitizer, bad things still happen. Yes, maybe you can cut your odds by playing it safe. By attempting to predict each and every possible pitfall. But your fate will still find you, no matter how much you hide from it.”

I really think that if something is supposed to happen to you, whether you are prepared for it or not, it will still occur, no matter what you do or how cautious you are every day or with every action you take. Whether anything is happening for or against us, we cannot stop it. All we have to do is let God handle the situation. 

“Empathetic silence is one of the most underused weapons in the world.”

― Gillian Flynn, The Grownup

Gillian Flynn's short tale "The Grownup" was first released under the title "What Do You Do?" in the Rogues anthology from 2014, curated by Gardner Dozois and George R. R. Martin. It received the Best Short Story Edgar Award in 2015. In the same year, Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the UK and Crown in the US both released it as a standalone book.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

A canny young woman is struggling to survive by perpetrating various levels of mostly harmless fraud. On a rainy April morning, she is reading auras at Spiritual Palms when Susan Burke walks in. A keen observer of human behavior, our unnamed narrator immediately diagnoses beautiful, rich Susan as an unhappy woman eager to give her lovely life a drama injection. However, when the "psychic" visits the eerie Victorian home that has been the source of Susan's terror and grief, she realizes she may not have to pretend to believe in ghosts anymore. Miles, Susan's teenage stepson, doesn't help matters with his disturbing manner and grisly imagination. The three are soon locked in a chilling battle to discover where the evil truly lurks and what, if anything, can be done to escape it.

My reaction to this novel...

Gillian Flynn is one of my favorite authors of psychological thriller. I read her Gone Girl, which was the beginning of it, and I became a devoted reader of psychologically twisted literature. I don't know why, but it's kind of exciting to keep speculating on whodunit all the way to the book's conclusion. I also felt that part of her book was excellent. You'll remain uncertain up to the very end.

The short stories in this book may all be read in one sitting. I find this one to be a little peculiar. You'll be curious about this book after reading the first page. I really read the first paragraph multiple times because I thought I was misreading it, but eventually I realized I was wrong.

Anyway, when I read the chapter about Susan and Miles, I was terrified. Because it was so terrifying, I just took a 30-minute rest before resuming. It was so creepy that I kept thinking about the entire event. I was shocked and confused when Miles eventually confessed everything. I was perplexed, and I'm still dubious about the true meaning of this work. The tale wasn't long enough, and I wanted to know more about what happened to the main character, so I simply wished that this book wasn't so short.

Despite the novel's short length, I felt a connection to the characters. It was an odd little story that was quite evil. She could build a future supernatural or horror-themed fiction on this. She tells stories in a unique way, and I hope she keeps writing stories like this. I've read every one of her books, so I'm looking forward to what she writes next.

I really want to recommend it to everyone, especially if you appreciate at least one of her works or if you enjoy reading about imperfect characters in challenging situations.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

“Feeling sad means having too much time on your hands, usually.”

This is real because if you have too much free time or are not engaged in activities that will keep you occupied, you will experience all the sadness you are currently experiencing because you will have plenty of opportunity to reflect and think about things that will make you unhappy. Because of this, the majority of individuals make a point of acting on their sadness. They keep themselves occupied so that they don't have time to reflect on the awful things they are going through. 

"It’s not his fault, but I still feel angry. It’s symptomatic of the problems in our entire relationship. We both work so hard we’ve almost become strangers. And when we are together, we argue.”

― Ruth Heald, I Know Your Secret

A shockingly engrossing book about the dark secrets we're reluctant to reveal and the extent individuals will go to get retribution. Fans of K.L. Slater, My Lovely Wife, and The Wife Between Us  will be tearing through the pages of this riveting page-turner, screaming at the turns, and reeling from the shocking conclusion.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

'You're not who you say you are. Neither is she.'

She thinks she knows me. She believes my marriage is falling apart at the seams, that my husband can barely look me in the eyes. She thinks I’m desperate for a baby, that my longing for a family keeps me up at night. As much as I hate to admit it, all of this is true. She thinks I listen to her advice, that I care about her opinion. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Because she has no idea who I am. She has no clue that I know everything.

I know her secret. I know that she did the unforgivable. I know how many lives she ruined.

I know exactly what she did. And I’m here for her.

My reaction to this novel... 

I like thriller novels, particularly those with surprising ending twists. I've read a lot of nice things about this, so I have high expectations. I must admit that the first half of the chapters left me a little perplexed since there were instances where the author did not carry the momentum into the subsequent chapter. I feel like I'm missing certain things. However, it struck me after reading the first half of the book. Even if I had accurately predicted the plot, my own prediction did not minimize the shock and apprehension I had when the twist was revealed. I truly want to express that this book exceeded some of my expectations and that I'm satisfied with it. It makes me really pleased.

The author expertly crafts a dark tale about one woman's fixation with revenge and another woman's story of suffering and previous sins. This was my first novel that I've read from her collection of works. The notion that the author wants the readers to see is brilliant, even though there are points when the plot slows down and I was able to guess the scenario. I adore how the plot unfolds, and her conception of the narrative is just what I look for in a thrilling book. Maybe if she speeds up the plot, readers like myself will find it more stunning and unforgettable. It was like being on a slow roller coaster ride where I could predict the next loop despite being blindfolded, yet at the end of the ride I was both satisfied and astonished.

I Know Your Secret will screw your mind, with exhilarating twists and turns, unexpected disclosures, and plenty of stunning moments as the pieces fall into place. It was beautifully bound. The plot developed slowly and discreetly. The narrative has such a sinister and unsettling feel to it. The last page will hold you there till the end of this spine-tingling book. It was an amazing delight to read this book which I heartily suggest to everyone searching for thriller novels to sate their cravings. It is a real psychological thriller in every meaning of the term.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

“Although too much time has gone by to miss her, I feel regret that I didn't maintain our friendship. Even if we no longer have much in common, we would have always had the past, which, in some ways, is just as important as the present or future.”

― Emily Giffin, Something Blue

A book that demonstrates how someone with a "perfect existence" may lose it all—and then recover everything—is the latest release from the author of the New York Times bestselling Something Borrowed. It is a book about a woman's unexpected insights on what friendship, love, and the happily-ever-after really mean. It's a book for anybody who has ever questioned whether the one thing you need is really the last thing you desire, even in private.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Darcy Rhone has always been able to rely on a few things: Her beauty and charm. Her fiance, Dex. Her lifelong best friend, Rachel. She never needed anything else. Or so she thinks until Dex calls off their dream wedding and she uncovers the ultimate betrayal. Blaming everyone but herself, Darcy flees to London and attempts to re-create her glamorous life on a new continent. But to her dismay, she discovers that her tried-and-true tricks no longer apply—and that her luck has finally expired. It is only then that she can begin her journey toward redemption, forgiveness, and true love.

My reaction to this novel...

Okay, so I've read this book, and the plot truly let me down. I can't even put into words how this book made me feel. I truly dislike the author's portrayal of the main character; she is miserable and self-centered, and the fact that her love story involved my favorite character bothers me much. I abhorred it to the core. Darcy doesn't deserve Ethan in the slightest, thus I don't like imagining her with him. I hate Darcy more than any other characters I've encountered while reading books. She's an absolute loser. Darcy, who is selfish, spoiled, and self-centered, is not going to change after conversation with Ethan. It's just impossible. Consequently, it looked ridiculous how rapidly Darcy transforms from being wholly egotistical to a compassionate and caring soon-to-be-mom.

In actuality, I anticipated being captivated with Darcy here, but the opposite really occurred. Perhaps it's because of Ethan. Because of it, I can't fully go on. Marcus and Darcy, in my opinion, truly deserve one another. Darcy should have seen a therapist since her attitude is out of the ordinary and may endanger herself and her baby, leading to postpartum blues. Actually, the book is so petty and boring that I cannot stand it. Reading more was definitely a hassle, but I don't like to put a book down half-read. When I stated in my review of Something Borrowed that I was eager to read Darcy's point of view, I had no idea it would be so awful.  I groaned a lot about the things she complained about and how petty she was in general.

My favorite character, the charming Ethan, didn't make me very pleased too. In the first book (Something Borrowed), he certainly has Darcy sorted out and offers Rachel his version of Darcy as a friend. However, in this book, Darcy turns up at his home, and the two quickly become best friends. Even so, this friendship eventually turns into something else, which I really don't like as much as what I said at the beginning. I got the impression that Ethan and Darcy had fallen into a "love the person with you" mentality, which wasn't at all endearing, adorable, or even a read that I could easily accept. Oh, my! That insanity has to end. I truly want a different tale—one in which Ethan is not entangled with this petty Darcy. I'm not sure whether I want to suggest it to everyone, but if you do decide to read it, be prepared that it may irritate you, as it did me.

My Overall Rating: ⭐✨(1.5/5)

“Love and friendship. They are what make us who we are, and what can change us, if we let them.”

Each of us values both love and friendship. It is quite difficult to control our emotions, especially if they are consuming us. As a result, feelings of love and friendship may transform us since they contribute to some areas of our life that might mold us.

“You can only control your own actions. Not other people’s reactions.”

We are all different from one another in a variety of ways, thus we are not the ones who control other people's feelings. Only ours is within our control. We can try our utmost to fix things, but no matter how hard we try, nothing will ever change, and we will just end up disappointed.

“Love demands everything, they say, but my love demands only this: that no matter what happens or how long it takes, you`ll keep faith in me, you`ll remember who we are, and you`ll never feel despair.”

― Ann Brashares, My Name Is Memory

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants author Ann Brashares wrote the best-selling young adult novel My Name is Memory in 2010. The main characters of the book are a mysterious young boy named Daniel and Sophia, the girl he has been looking for all his life. Daniel is trying to jog Sophia's memory of him in a race against time before his furious, centuries-old brother Joaquim discovers them. 

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short.

Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together. 

My reaction to this novel... 

I've had this book in my library for a while now. Simply because I'm in the mood for a love tale, I remembered this book and decided to read it last week when looking through my library. Actually, I had this book because of the title and cover. I have no idea what the narrative would be like because I haven't even read the book's synopsis.

My interest was sparked by the first chapter's discussion of reincarnation. Wow.. I find romance and reincarnation stories to be so fascinating that I can't stop reading them. I can't help myself since it's been a while since I read a good romance book like this. I read the book quickly and wanted to throw my book out the window after the cliffhanger. Now, I can't wait to read the sequel. I was left seriously in the dark!

I was intrigued by the story because it got me thinking about reincarnation. that your love for the person you previously loved will remain as strong even after numerous reincarnations. I've read a lot of reviews of this book, some of them unfavorable, but I came at it from a different angle. I've known love that lasts a lifetime. You will be able to feel the love of your life's essence despite all of the different forms and shapes they may take.

I just don't agree with how the story ended. I knew there was a second volume, but after waiting for her for so long, why should he have to abandon her once more? It was incredibly depressing, and I wanted to compel everyone who hasn't read this book to do so.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

“You forget your victories, but you remember the losses.”

I also don't understand why the majority of us find it so simple to forget the happiness of our successes yet so difficult to forget all of our emotions when we lose a battle. Perhaps our determination to win, after everything you sacrificed and put into it, did not even bring us to victory, which is why it is too difficult to forget all the sufferings we suffered while losing that battle. 

“Love who you love while you have them. That's all you can do. Let them go when you must.”

All that is left for us to do is that. Because we can never predict what may happen in the future, we must express our love to those we care about till they are at our side. If we have the chance, we should show them how much we love them since we can never tell when it's time to let go. 

“And the thing about revenge is that although it might be sweet, it’s always too late. The worst has already happened. Revenge is . . . yes . . . now I had it. Revenge is punishment.”

― Jodi Taylor, Long Shadows

The Elizabeth Cage books are ideal for fans of Sarah Painter and Genevieve Cogman because they are twisty, dark, and immensely compelling. gripping and rife with intriguing story twists. An unpredictable thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

The identity of Elizabeth Cage has always been a mystery. Even she doesn't know who, or what, she is. But she's learned to live with it.

Until now, when what should have been a peaceful holiday turns into anything but, and Elizabeth is forced to recognise that she isn't what she seems.

But neither is anyone else. Has her whole life been a lie?

Someone very badly wants to know the truth about Elizabeth Cage. And they'll do anything to find out. But who will live to regret it?

My reaction to this novel...

Because of this Elizabeth Cage series, I got to know Jodi Taylor as a writer, and I'm delighted I was able to finish the third book in the series. Though I did not appreciate the second one, all I can say is that what I have felt in this third book is a complete opposite of what I felt in the second. This third book was excellent. It was as though I felt what I felt during the first book, and I was overjoyed about it. Because of the cliffhanger at the conclusion, I hope the author will create another novel that picks up where this one left off.

I was startled several times, particularly at the scene in the mirror. I pictured myself staring in the mirror as Elizabeth Cage did. I was so frightened that I developed goosebumps all over. There were also moments when I was reading it in my kitchen and it was so gloomy and rainy that I had to put it down because my imagination was conjuring up some spooky scenarios from the novel. Even though I had those feelings, I like that about this book since the author had me hooked on the narrative, which ultimately made me want more.

I was also saddened when Elizabeth learned something about her history, which I won't mention here so as not to be a huge spoiler, but I could truly feel the sorrow and sadness as the author attempted to convey it to the readers through her characters. I had the impression that I was riding a roller coaster in the dark while unsure of when the following loop and drop would occur. Since I truly enjoy riding roller coasters, it was a lot of fun for me.

I greatly appreciate the author's talent for developing likeable characters. Her characters are so richly developed that I feel like I know them personally. This third book never has the contradictions that other authors utilize to make up for poor story lines. The twists keep popping up, and just when you believe you've got that sorted out, the twist is revealed, and your jaw drops. Every time I finish reading one of her stories and realize there won't be another adventure, I become a bit heartbroken. I thus heartily suggest this book to everyone who enjoys reading thrillers and suspense novels. Be warned: this one may cause your hair to raise at the back of your neck, as it did to me multiple times. I'm glad I learned about and read Jodi Taylor's work. It was truly incredible, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)

“Time does not heal. Time just adds to the burden.”

Although it is said that time cures all wounds, for some people, this is not the case as time just makes their pain worse. The reason they are unable to move on may be that they are still in the same position that caused them to suffer over time. As a result, even if time passes, it does not heal the wounds; rather, it just makes them worse, especially with each memory it brings to the person who is still hurting. 

"Sister. She is your mirror shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Somedays she is the reason you wish you were only child."

--Barbara Alpert 

They are identical twins. Comparable suspects and DNA. In this suspenseful thriller with a startling turn, Revenge meets Pretty Little Liars. Readers will be kept guessing at every turn in this gripping narrative, and they'll be left gasping at the dramatic end. Readers who enjoy suspenseful, well-developed thrillers should take this.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

When they were little, Lexi and her identical twin, Ava, made up a third sister, Alicia. If something broke? Alicia did it. Cookies got eaten? Alicia's guilty. Alicia was always to blame for everything. The game is all grown up now that the girls are seniors. They use Alicia as their cover to go out with boys who are hot but not exactly dating material. Boys they'd never, ever be with in real life.

Now one of the guys Alicia went out with has turned up dead, and Lexi wants to stop the game for good. As coincidences start piling up, Ava insists that if they follow the rules for being Alicia, everything will be fine. But when another boy is killed, the DNA evidence and surveillance photos point to only one suspect: Alicia. The girl who doesn't exist. As she runs from the cops, Lexi has to find the truth before another boy is murdered. Because either Ava is a killer…or Alicia is real.

My reaction to this novel...

The Third Twin opens with Ava and Lexi, a pair of twins who appear completely same unless you meet them. It  didn't really live up to my expectations for suspense; I had honestly expected it to be shocking and will make me stop off in the middle of it because of nervousness while reading it. There was some creepiness present, but not enough to really captivate me. Truth be told, I have a lot of problems with this tale. With the exception of Zane, I just don't like the characters. 

Lexi's representation of the main character's utter idiocy shocked me. I think it's too much for her to mess with the cops. She is an awful liar, which is why I dislike her. It was very awful. Her description as the smarter twin does not correspond to what she does in the novel. More specifically, how can an intelligent and responsible twin not think clearly enough to know that deceiving detectives by telling them lies doesn't make her good and doesn't make her get away from all the accusations? How can an intelligent and responsible twin agree to pretend as their third twin just to date boys, which was rejected by her twin sister? It was awful because there was too much lying and pretending, and the ultimate twist was not surprising enough.

I just wasn't into this book. The beginning was alright, but after I reached the middle, everything soon began to fall apart. The narrative needs to be much crisper and the culprit actually made no sense. I believe the author should have remove a couple of the teen drama and concentrated more on the murder mystery. It didn't keep my interest and just seemed silly. The resolution for the problem in this story is something out of a television show  that was terminated in the last generation because hardly anyone watched it. It's just as absurd and improbable as it is for me. I'm not sure if I'll suggest it to adult readers, but I think adolescents would appreciate it, but with discretion because it contains murder.

My Overall Rating: ⭐(1.5/5)