Lisa's Cubby

In the second installment of The Central Park Pact, Claire Hayes, whose husband died while cheating on her with at least two other women, who have since become her best friends, is ready to find not love, but “companionship”.

Claire takes a hard look at herself and her life and decides she is a “vanilla”, someone who is very boring and extremely predictable.  She is not one to take many chances.  She decides she want to be more like a “strawberry lemonade”, someone who sparkles and is unpredictable and a little looser.

Then she decides her Upper Eastside apartment needs a redo to wash away the memories of her late husband and there will be no dull or boring colors…all pinks!  Enter Scott Turner a very handsome highly acclaimed contractor and his dog Bob, (who is a girl).

Although they try to work amicably, Scott cannot wrap his head around Claire’s eccentric renovation ideas.  And as they begin to clash, sparks begin to fly just as Claire decides it’s time for her to step back into the dating world and experiment with one night stands, something which Scott is not exactly pleased about. But he doesn’t understand why.

Will Claire be able to change her boring ways? Will Scott be able to incorporate Claire’s pink themed demands? Will they be able to come to some sort of compromise?  What about those sparks! And…what about Bob?

Although Love on Lexington Avenue is the second in the series, and I have not read the first book, Layne nicely recaps the basics of the first book in the first few pages and catching up and understanding was easy.

The story is quite cute and funny and it kept me interested and highly entertained. I hope there is another installment.

Thank you to #NetGalley #GalleryBooks #LoveonLexingtonAvenue #LaurenLayne for the free advanced copy.  The book will be out on September 17.

Marlena Altizer was born into poverty.  With a mother who was a drug addict, a long gone father and many siblings, her only dream was to get out of this horrible situation and make it big. Anyway she could.

Enter Michael Durst, a handsome, wealthy, New York businessman who takes a liking to Marlena.  Although she realizes he has been married twice before, and she quickly begins to understand Durst is very controlling and perhaps pathological in some ways, she feels as if she can handle him.

And at first she does, living the lifestyle of the rich and famous, attending parties, shopping, and enjoying the good life.  Until she is not.  And her life becomes unlivable. She begins to see a side of Durst he had kept hidden.  An evil, hateful, viscous side.  Marlena realizes she is more of a prisoner and a showpiece who is only there to assist Durst in his questionable business dealings.  He controls what she wears, what she eats, where she goes and even what she weighs. And to add to all this stress, Marlena, who is the third Mrs. Durst discovers the previous wives died when Durst became unhappy with them, and under very suspicious circumstances.

Unfortunately it seems she is unable to break herself free from her husband’s hold no matter how hard she tries.  The last time almost killing her.  So she decides the only way she can truly be done with him is to kill herself rather than live with him any longer.

The Third Mrs. Durst is a very dark psychological thriller with heart palpitating turns and an incredible ending to die for.

Thank you so much #NetGalley #MidnightInk #TheThirdMrs.Durst for the free advanced copy.

When Penelope “Pepper” Bradford moves into an exclusive apartment complex with her fiancé Rick, she believes their love is so strong they will live happily ever after.  But when Rick’s “fidelity” choices prior to their wedding as well as other issues begin to way on Pepper’s mind, their relationship becomes far from happy. It actually turns destructive for both of them.

As Penelope integrates herself into the apartment complex she decides to join the co-op board to keep herself occupied.  She begins to make friends with some of her neighbors and what she uncovers is that no one has the perfect life.

Patricia, the president of the board whose decisions seem to be those all must agree with, has many issues with apartment applicants as well as with board members becoming too friendly with the apartment staff, although she herself does not need to follow her own rules.

Francis and Carol who have been married and arguing for over 50 years both must face life-changing health issues which they choose to handle differently.  Can their relationship survive?

Birdie and George, another elderly couple also face a marriage crisis.  George has been deeply depressed since his retirement and Birdie can’t seem to get him to do anything about it other than take pills.  She feels it may be time for her to move on and begin a new life.

Sergei and Caleb met working at Carnegie Hill and have fallen in love.  Sergei cannot fully allow his feelings for Caleb to be known.  Caleb wants to shout how happy he is from the rooftops.  When Caleb does something without thinking it out, can Sergei forgive him?

Pepper looks at her neighbor’s relationships and realizes she too has big decisions to make.  How can she become the person she wants to be without hurting the ones she loves.

I would say Carnegie Hill is an updated version of Peyton Place, for those old enough to remember the show which was filled with eccentric people and drama galore.

Carnegie Hill is a terrific story with much drama and many laughs.

Thank you #NetGalley #CarnegieHill #JonathanVatner #ThomasDunneBooks for the advanced copy.

When old college friends reunite after being estranged for years for one of their own’s wedding, it should be a very joyous, happy occasion.  But that certainly was not in the cards. A murder has been committed and it seems they have all confessed. But it can only be one of them.

These college friends who are now somewhat strangers to each other all believe the other’s lives are perfect.  But all is not as it seems.

The gathering includes Kate, who is fashion model beautiful, wealthy and does not have a care in the world, but unbeknownst to her friends is in the middle of a horrific mid-life crisis.

Emily is a preschool teacher who drinks a bit.  She had a falling out years ago with one of her college roommates which she has regretted for years.  She also regrets the secrets she has been keeping and how they have been eating away at her.

Ginger is now a harried mother of three.  She and her husband whom she met in college barely make ends meet.  Her teenage daughter will be the death of her if her two younger children don’t kill each other first.

Then there is Lula an elderly woman they meet and befriend at the wedding who has been married “a few” times.  She thinks her latest husband is cheating on her and she will go to great lengths to figure out if this is true.

So, back to the murder…why would they each risk all they have to go to prison.  How did this situation get so out of control? Who really committed the crime and why?

Some friendships, both old and new can be meaningful, dependable and supportive regardless of their length or their history. But when push comes to shove these women will do anything and everything to protect each other. This is the lesson they learned.

Quite the page turner, Pretty Guilty Women is cleverly told via the detective’s interrogation’s of the women and then we have the women’s back story chapters.  There is comic relief as well with of course a few shocking twists at the end.

Thank you #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #PrettyGuiltyWomen #GinaLamanna for the advanced copy. It was terrific!

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.