Month: August 2019

When elite business financiers Jules, Vincent, Sam and Sylvie who all work for the same company, find themselves called to an important meeting on a Friday night and get trapped in an elevator, they think help will soon arrive.  But they discover this will not be the case.  They are in the middle of a game.  The elevator is their prison and the game is the Escape Room.

In order to leave the elevator they must solve the questions and puzzles and complete the riddles.  But unfortunately these savvy business types begin to turn on each other as the questions and riddles get harder to answer and secrets they have been hiding begin to come to light.

But who is the Master of the Escape Room game?  Why have they been chosen and why are they being tortured? Who could they have possibly upset?  Well, in their world, that could be just about anyone living or dead.

And finally, who will survive both the game and the secrets which are the clues to opening the elevator.  As devious business executives which one will outwit the rest and what could possibly be the end prize?  Money or their lives?

The Escape Room is THE best book I have read this year!  With incredible plot twists and emotions which range from high to low I went on the rollercoaster ride of my life, and I was not let down!

Thank you, thank you #St.Martin’sPress for sending me the advanced copy of #TheEscapeRoom # MeganGoldin.  Don’t walk, run to the store and pick up a copy!

 

Is There Still Sex In The City is Bushnell’s follow up book to her blockbuster Sex and the City.

Now middle-aged, Bushnell and her friends Sassy, Kitty, Queenie, Tilda Ta and Marilyn are all experiencing mid-life and all that entails.  Bushnell herself, after marrying in her forties, finds herself getting divorced and having to start all over in a dating world filled with all types of new social media.  And of course, true to form each essay starts with a question.

And so the big question is can one navigate new types of technology, ways to look younger and still find someone to love you for you? Or do you even need a partner?

Especially when you discover all the new jargon you must learn to be a mid-lifer just when your mind begins to have senior moments.  Words such as “cubbing”, dating a younger man, or restoration and rejuvenation of certain areas or perhaps mortgaging your house not to prevent, but to dissolve wrinkles.  And the cost??? Astronomical! And it is all exhausting!

In a series of essays, Bushnell takes us through mid-life which includes marriage, divorce, regret at not having children and loss. She of course does this with the same wit and humor which was found in her first book. Only this time there is a much more profound sense of adulthood. We get a glimpse at the landmines these women try to maneuver around, sometimes unsuccessfully, just as they did in their 20’s and 30’s to hopefully find out who they are and who they can be in their 50’s and 60’s and beyond.

Thank you #NetGalley #GrovePress #IsThereStillSexInTheCity #CandaceBushnell for the advanced copy.

Mercer Hennessy was a reporter who loved her job and her family.  After a tragic loss she withdrew from the world.  But when her former editor calls and asks her to write a book about the trial of the century, Mercer decides it may be good for her.

A mother, Ashlyn Bryant has been accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter whose body was found in a washed up in a garbage bag on the shore of a beach in Boston, MA.  As Mercer follows the trial and writes her book she is positive Ashlyn has committed this horrendous crime and will pay for her actions. How could she not?

Until the verdict comes in.  When Ashlyn is found not guilty everyone is in complete shock.  But when Mercer’s editor calls her and tells her Ashlyn would like HER to write a book about what really happened, she must put her feeling aside and trust that Ashlyn will tell her the truth.  But as they sit and talk, Mercer realizes Ashlyn’s story seems to change on a daily basis.  And as time passes Ashlyn has Mercer so confused not only about the murder, but even that Mercer’s family could easily have been involved.  Something is not right and Mercer knows it.  But she also begins to doubt herself.

Who really killed the young girl and why is Ashlyn trying to manipulate Mercer?  Who really can be trusted?

Trust Me is a terrific psychological thriller which keeps you guessing as to who the real killer could be.

Everyone seems to have something to hide…trust me…

Julia Summers is a super wealthy mom of two who, with her gorgeous husband who adores her live on the Upper East Side where Julia’s motto is the more it costs the better!

Her lifestyle and status make her the envy of the mom’s who are beneath her at the very private school her children attend.  She can choose to speak to you while other’s look on enviously, or she can blow you off…her choice.  She is A list and her friends at the school are all A list as well.  She is invited to only the premiere events and fundraisers.  She has a nanny/housekeeper for the family.  Julia lives in a perfect bubble of a world.

But when their Hampton home floods just prior to the summer season and they have to stay in “the city”, Julia decides to take on a project.  Tatum, who is a mousy, shy spin instructor at Flame, an unknown small gym, intrigues her.  She decides to remake her.  Sort of as her protégé.

But the naïve protégé may not be exactly who she seems.  Soon, Julia finds most of her “cool” friends fawning all over Tatum.  Then they begin to distance themselves from her and she sees her status begin to go from A to B to… what is happening?  Then Julia’s husband is arrested and jailed.  Julia is not only ostracized from her group, but she is being replaced by women who were much lower on her grade level.  And now her husband is in the news…and not in a good way!

But as in most cases when you hit rock bottom, you begin to realize just who your real friends are, some who you never thought would ever give YOU the time of day.  You also begin to see what is really important in your life and the lives of your family.  Your priorities begin to change…but you still must watch out for your frenemies.

This was a funny hard to read novel.  By that I mean as the reader, you see Julia’s mistakes coming and all you want to do is tell her to stop!  But you can’t, and all you can do is let her make the mistakes…and she does!  Then you hope she will learn…

Thank you #NetGalley  #BallentineBooks #That’sWhatFrenemiesAreFor #SophieLittlefield #LaurenGershell for the advanced copy.

The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan is a beautifully written, tender love story that intertwines two women,  Anna, who has her whole life ahead of her, and Claire, whose life is ending.  It is the story of deep love, regret, and strength.  But it is also very funny and expertly written with scenes of Paris which makes the city come to life in the reader’s mind.

Anna Trent worked in a chocolate factory in England.  She thought this is where she would be for the rest of her life.  After a serious work accident which lands her in the hospital, she finds to her surprise her roommate is none other than her childhood French teacher Claire.

As they become friends, they begin to share their life stories.  Both are filled with much love and much sorrow.  Claire sees herself in Anna and wants to help her experience both true life and true love.  Anna on the other hand just feels as if her life is over.

Claire is able to get Anna a job at the premiere Paris chocolate shop.  Anna begins her journey both excited and terrified.  As she begins to acclimate to both the French, the cast of characters at the shop, as well as her hilarious roommate who forces her into the adventures of a lifetime, she begins to come out of her shell. She reluctantly at first begins to live.

What develops are two beautiful love stories which at times are mirror images of each of the women.  The story is told by both Anna and Claire, and with Claire giving us flashbacks throughout her long life, we are able to see the similarities in both of them and also the regrets which Claire has and is desperately trying to help her friend avoid.

The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris is a wonderful funny story with the richness and excitement of falling in love.  There are lessons to be learned for both the characters as well as the readers.  Especially in the City of Love and especially in a chocolate shop!

Thank you #NetGalley #Sourcebooks #TheLoveliestChocolateShopinParis #JennyColgan for the free book.