The Other Mother

The Other Mother Author: Carol Goodman

Publisher: William Morrow Books

Release Date: March 27, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Just when you think you might have things figured out, this story takes a different turn you would never have seen coming.

Daphne Marist has had a difficult time since her daughter Chloe was born. She tried as hard as she could to be a good mother but Post-Partum depression hit her hard making the difficult even more trying. When she joins a mother’s support group, she meets Laurel Hobbes and they quickly connect and find they have a lot in common, including both having little girls named Chloe. The more time they spend together the more alike they become until the day things go dangerously wrong and Daphne is left fleeing everything she knows with Chloe and heads to a new job in secret. She has found a position working with her favorite author in her mansion that happens to be next to a mental asylum. With the world trying to tell her she is crazy and the mental asylum just outside her window, Daphne begins to wonder what is real and what the voices in her head are telling her are real.

It took me a while to realize I hadn’t read anything by Carol Goodman before this, the writing and story were so good I just figured I had been reading her books for years. While this story was mostly about Daphne, it did have a few other viewpoints that greatly added to the story. Along with the viewpoints, the reader is exposed to diary entries that give a behind the scene look at what is happening between these characters and what has led them to be in their current situations. Goodman did a fantastic job of weaving together several different story lines and tying them all up by the end of the book. Several of which I wouldn’t have guessed tied in with each other until the end of the book, which opened the path to see how clues were sprinkled throughout to show the connections I had missed. This is something that rarely happens for me when reading a novel. I am usually very good at seeing all connections and figuring things out before they happen. I am pleased to say that Goodman worked it out so beautifully I didn’t see it until it was all right in front of my face and the story was laid out for me to connect the dots and make an amazing picture. I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but wound up thoroughly enjoying the entire story. I would highly recommend this to readers that love suspense and mystery and want to be guessing until the very last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Not That I Could Tell

Not that I could tell Author: Jessica Strawser

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: March 27, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

DO NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!! Read until the very last chapter to see the right way a suspense novel should be played out.

What seems to be an innocent girls night out turns into something so much more. When the neighborhood moms gather at one of the houses to enjoy some wine and relax away for a few minutes, none of them imagine that by Monday morning one of them would be gone and the police would be involved. Yellow Springs, Ohio is a small town that keeps everyone involved in everyone else’s lives in one way or another; so when Kristin and her twins disappear leaving her estranged husband behind, secrets start to turn up making everyone question what they thought to be true. Her husband Paul is at the center of the investigation but when nothing turns up, the police seem to let the case go. Clara, their closest neighbor is pulled into the drama when the case dredges up memories of a past she has tried hard to leave behind. Izzy, one of the newest neighbors in town isn’t sure what to think but also doesn’t have time to deal with too much drama when her own life is falling to shambles. As more details turn up, everyone realizes things are not what they seem and everyone has their secrets, some more deadly than others.

I have to admit that part way through I was feeling a little disappointed with how the story was playing out. I thought the suspense could be played up a little more. But just when I started to get disappointed, things turned around and I couldn’t put the book down. This is the kind of book that if readers will be patient the pay off at the end will be worth every page. I loved how things unfolded and the characters brought out the best, and worst, in each other. You can really see the way they care for each other and used their own experiences to help one another. I did not like Paul from the very beginning and am glad that Strawser let him play out the way that she did. The dynamic between all the characters really was spot on; I didn’t feel that any of them acted out of character but instead played out the story deliberately and intentionally the way the story should unfold. By the end I was taking the title of the book and rolling it around in my head with what different characters would say and it totally made sense for each and every one of them to be able to utter that sentiment and be truthful. On the last few pages I had a smile on my face as I read the last scene unfold. I am pleased to say that I highly recommend this book to any and all readers that are looking for a story that will keep them guessing and characters that are genuine and play out beautifully. This will for sure be one of my top books of the year.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Rainbirds

Rainbirds Author: Clarissa Goenawan

Publisher: Soho Press

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Intriguing, mischievous, and well thought out. A spring must read!

Ren Ishida is finishing up graduate school at a university in Tokyo when he receives word that his sister, Keiko, has been murdered. Ren travels to the small town of Akakawa to take care of the memorial service and see to his sister’s affairs as neither of his parents want anything to do with his sister since she left several years ago. Ren and his sister were always close and often alone together as he grew up since his parents were always fighting. The police have no leads on the murder investigation, so Ren plans to wrap things up and head back to Tokyo. While at the cram school that Keiko taught at, the owner finds out that Ren also studied American and British literature and offers him his sister’s position for the rest of the semester. On a whim, he decides to take up the offer to also try to find out what happened to his sister. As he meets his sister’s colleagues, he finds that his sister changed from whom he knew and the woman he talked to on the phone every week. Ren comes to find that perhaps he would rather not know who she became but he can’t stop himself from falling down her rabbit hole.

This is by far one of the best written books that I have read so far this year. The story flowed seamlessly and keep me intertwined through all the developments of Keiko’s past life and Ren’s current affairs. The story was ultimately about Ren fining closure and maturity through his sister’s murder. I was glad to see progressive character development for once on multiple characters, primarily Ren and Rio. I was also glad to see that Ren didn’t repeat his sister’s past mistakes, even though he came very close.

Part of what I love about this book is the glimpse into a different culture. As an American, I often forget that other parts of the world are very different from what we see every day. The thought of still having arranged marriages in today’s society mixed with shunning a child due to disobedience is drastically different then what I am used to. It’s books like these that really have the opportunity to open a reader’s mind to a real place outside of their current area. The scenes were set beautifully and I could feel the chill in the air at Akakawa.

Although there is not any foul language in this book, there are some implied sex scenes; however, there is nothing explicit. There is also some alcohol/tobacco use and scene concerning a suicide. I recommend this book to mature young adult readers and up.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Dangerous Game

A dangerous game Author: Heather Graham

Series: New York Confidential #3

Publisher: Mira

Release Date: March 13, 2018

Rating 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

An intriguing plot with a fun, flirty crime-fighting pair that is better at solving crimes than most seasoned detectives.

Kieran Finnegan has just finished up what she thought was going to be a normal day at the office. Being a criminal psychologist, she sees and hears things on a daily basis that most don’t. However, upon leaving the office, she hears a lady yelling her name who then thrust a small infant into her arms, which is by no means an ordinary end to her day. The woman runs off and is killed on the streets in front of Kieran moments later. Kieran has never met this woman and has no idea why she would bring this child to her. Kieran’s boyfriend, Craig Frasier works for the FBI and gets himself involved in the case to make sure Kieran stays safe. Even though he tells her to stay out of the case, she can’t help but look into what is going on and find out what it has to do with her.

The first thing to note is that this is the third in a series. The second thing to say is for me that didn’t seem to be a problem. I really enjoyed the story and the characters and didn’t feel that having not read the first two in the series deterred from that in any way. With many elements to the complicated plot, it takes careful attention by the reader to make sure they follow along until the very end to see how things wrap up, which they do quite nicely. Even though it can be classified as a romantic suspense, the romance didn’t over shadow the suspense. The story can be a little intense with the content included, between the stolen baby and other aspects it isn’t recommended for a young audience at all. I thought the story flowed at a very enjoyable pace and the characters meshed well with each other. Graham did a great job showing the different aspects between Craig being with the FBI and Kieran not but also wanting to help solve the case. Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this to fans of Graham’s writing and readers that enjoy a good suspense thriller with twists and turns throughout.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Dayfall

Dayfall Author: Michael David Ares

Publisher: Tor Books

Release Date: March 13, 2018

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Interesting concept, but could use more explanation.

Jon Phillips is a small time detective in Ephrata, Pennsylvania who has dreams of becoming a private investigator. He has been profiling a serial killer in Philadelphia, but no one will listen to his theories. He decides to take measures into his own hands and discovers that his theory is correct and manages to single handedly take down the serial killer, almost at the cost of his own life. Even though he survives, his career in law enforcement does not. The Philadelphia chief of police visits him in the hospital to let him know that he can never join the City PD; however, there is another opportunity open to him. The mayor of Manhattan needs help in catching the Dayfall Killer before Dayfall happens. Manhattan has been shrouded in darkness for several years as a result of a nuclear winter which also caused sea levels to rise, submerging large portions of the island. With only hours until everyone is exposed to hours of sunlight, answers are needed to ensure she can control the City and keep Gotham Security from taking over. Several of the MPD officers are already on Gotham Security’s payroll and she needs someone she can trust. With little to no options, Jon reluctantly takes on the case in hopes of a high profile takedown that can catalyst his PI career into the spotlight.

This was an interesting dystopian concept. Having the east coast completely covered in darkness and it becoming a norm to the residents so much so that when daylight did occur it started making people go crazy. I wish that there had been more of an explanation of the reasoning behind it and why it didn’t affect other areas of the US and/or countries. Even so, the story was still enjoyable. Phillips partner in the MPD pretty much made the book for me. The banter, shady dealings, and nicknames brought him to life really well. The relationships felt a little forced at first, but things seemed to fall into place as the story continued.

There is quite a bit of harsh language as well as implied sex throughout the book mixed with some fairly graphic violence. I recommend this book to mature readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Night Music

Night Music Author: Deanna Lynn Sletten

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date: March 13, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

When you can hear the night music, you know everything is safe. It’s when it stops that you know the storm is about to hit!

In 1968, Joe Russo has been shipped off to Vietnam. He has done well to keep himself and his fellow soldiers alive. He doesn’t have any family and didn’t leave any friends behind, so when he gets offered a letter from a volunteer, he jumps at the chance. His pen pal is a young girl named Charlotte (Char) Parsons, whose older brother died earlier in the war. She writes to Joe of life in small college town that gives Joe hope after war. If he can make it back stateside, maybe he will find a small town like that to settle down.

Fast-forward to 1970, Char is just starting her freshman year of college. Her friends are envious because she has a boyfriend that is a senior, who is very outspoken about ending the so called “Vietnam War.” Char never really thought much about his opinions until she meets the new student Joe, who is a vet that was wounded in the war. Joe brings a new perspective to Char and she starts to question her relationship with her boyfriend. As the anti-war movement grows more intense, so do the emotions within Char who must decide the direction her life will go once and for all.

As usual, Sletten has crafted an emotional story centered with conflict that brings the characters to life. It happened so fast in this book, that the Joe, Char, and Deke had faces in no time. I could picture them with ease and I’m pretty sure that Deke looked like Geoffrey Blake from Forrest Gump. The conflict within Char was raw and made it feel very real throughout the whole story. I couldn’t help but root for her and Joe to be together and cringed when Joe kept Tony’s box because I knew what was going to happen and sure enough it did! Why Joe? Seriously, I can’t take things like that when I’ve fallen in love with someone’s relationship!

All that to say, if you enjoy romances written around the Vietnam war (or if you’ve ever read another Deanna Lynn Sletten book), I recommend this one as you will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Olivia Twist

Olivia Twist Author: Lorie Langdon

Publisher: Blink YA Books

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A fun, quirky, retelling of the classic by Charles Dickens that will be appealing to a new generation.

Olivia Brownlow spent a portion of her childhood living on the street pretending to be a boy while stealing on the streets of London in order to survive. When one of her thefts goes bad and she is caught, she lucks out by her uncle taking her in and treating her how to be a lady in high society. Unfortunately, it is hard to leave behind the only life she has ever known. Just when she thinks she has turned a corner, a face from the past comes back into her life. Jack MacCarron has become the adopted nephew of one of London’s riches families. Jack used to be on the street as well and was known as the Artful Dodger. His new aunt is using him and his skills to gain enough wealth to stay in high standing. When Jack finds out that Olivia is using her skills as well to help the local orphans, he decides that together they may be able to do enough good to outweigh the bad of their pasts.

I so enjoyed the last book Langdon wrote and was really looking forward to this retelling. It has been several years since the last time I read Oliver Twist so this seemed like an entirely new story to me. In fact, after I read this, I had to go back and read Oliver Twist again to see what the similarities were, which happened to be more of a slight alternation rather than full retelling. The dynamic between Olivia and Jack was played out really well, along with that of Olivia and most of those she interacted with. The romance played out really well and didn’t seem forced, which is always a nice today in today’s novels. The writing was very well done and told in an exciting way, but it may not click for all audiences (what book ever does). I think many people will enjoy Olivia Twist, especially those that are fans of the original Dickens novel. I recommend this for fans of the original and anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Shattered Minds

Shattered Minds Author: Laura Lam

Publisher: Tor

Release Date: June 20, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Techno thriller, Scifi, Steampunk, and high paced twists and turns that will make the pages fly!

Being one of the best biohackers in Pacifica lead Carina to work for Sudice, a cutting edge company that experimented on brains. After the company took things too far, she decided it was too disturbing when she found herself enjoying the pain she was inflicting on her patients. Once she thought about murder and she knew things were going too far. She quit the company and started taking the drug they had been administering to their patients that put them in a dream world where they could carry out their fantasies without hurting anyone in the real world. This drug, Zeal, helped her deal with these feelings as well as lead her to an old coworker who has been secretly working with a rebel group to take Sudice down. Carina has to make a choice whether to follow this lead or leave it all behind.

Shattered Minds is the kind of novel you have to pay close attention to with the alternating point of views throughout. That can be confusing at times but works for the benefit of the reader here, giving more to the story than if it had stayed with a single point of view. There are moments of romance throughout but for the most part they are on the backburner for the action. The techno talk can be intimidating at times making it hard to follow the story for someone who isn’t very technologically savvy. I really am not sure what all to say about this book. The concept is very different and yet very intriguing. I would recommend this to fans of science fiction and dystopian novels with a techno futuristic feel to it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

If I Die Tonight

If I Die Tonight Author: Alison Gaylin

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Things are never as open and shut as they seem!

The quiet town of Havenkill, New York rarely sees any action. In fact, the most action that Officer Pearl Maze has seen has been when dealing with some teenagers who were pool hopping in the dark. But that all changes one stormy night when a washed up 80s pop music icon crashes through the police station doors claiming that someone hijacked her precious green jaguar and then ran over a teenage boy.

As Liam Miller fights for his life, the town’s teenagers take to social media. Liam traverses from being a spoiled rich kid to all American small town hero. And those who were ever opposed to the status quo start to become a target. Can the state police get to the bottom of the case? Was it the pop star? Could it be another teenage boy who ran Liam over? As Pearl works to find the truth, even one of her fellow officers begins to ignore the facts and trust his gut. The ugliness of social media is brought on full display for all of Havenkill to see.

After reading this book, I’m wondering why I have never picked up an Alison Gaylin book before. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was quickly hooked and couldn’t put it down until I knew the full truth. Throughout the book, the reader has the opportunity to form opinions about several of the characters to determine who ran over Liam. Gaylin did an expert job of leading the reader down certain paths only to suddenly take a hard left turn of out nowhere, which left me reeling several times as I thought I had the mystery solved.

One of the things I loved about this book was the ability to read the behavior of the characters. They way there were acting was very realistic and I could figure out what was going on behind the scenes, particularly with two of the main characters. It is not often that you have an author talented enough to make you fully immersed into the book in a way that you feel like you are witnessing it in person. Gaylin also did a great job showing the power of social media in both a positive and negative way. So many teens today take to social media when things happen and it can create an ugly monster, just like it witnessed in this book.

There is some strong language throughout, so I recommend this book to older mature teens and an audience that enjoys such a story as this.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

If I Live

If I live Author: Terri Blackstock

Series: If I Run #3

Publisher: Zondervan

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

One of the best conclusions to a series I have read in a long time! Blackstock does not disappoint!

Casey Cox is still running for her life and trying to prove she is not a murderer. She has been indicted for murder, but has information that proves she isn’t a killer, if she can only find someone to believe her. Her face is all over the news and even with changing her appearance she still fears being recognized. Dylan Roberts may have been tasked with finding Casey and bringing her to justice, but after discovering all the information Casey has to prove her case, he is now the only one to help her. The more they work together the closer they become and Casey’s enemies use that to lure her out by putting Dylan’s life in danger. Neither of them want to put the other in danger, but is it worth staying safe if it means the real killer goes free?

Terri Blackstock is one of the premier Christian fictions writers for a reason. With her latest installment in the If I Run series, she shows what it takes to write a story readers will want to not just read but devour. This series is by far her best yet and the conclusion will make readers ecstatic. Both Casey and Dylan are characters that are flawed and trying to figure things out as they go. They don’t have it all together and make it easy for readers to picture themselves in their shoes. I was surprised halfway through the book at the direction the story was going. I didn’t see it being able to stay worthwhile if it continued along this course. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised with how well Blackstock worked things out to bring the story to an entirely new level of suspense.

These days it is hard to find writers that are able to bring things to a new level. When you discover a writer with the caliber of Blackstock, you want to hang on tightly and remember her. The only negative aspect of the book is how sad I am that this is the last in the series. I’m not saying this because the story wasn’t wrapped up but because I would love to see more with these characters and more by Blackstock. I’ve learned a lot from reading books written by Terri Blackstock, not just how well written novels actually look, but also from the stories themselves. Research is key to making key points believable and it is obvious an immense amount of research went into making these novels what they are. While this is the last book in the series, I recommend reading the series in order for the story to be at its fullest. I highly recommend If I Live to fans of Blackstock new and old that want an incredible read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.