Tag: book-reviews

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gimore

lisascubby

Yes, I know…I am reading last year’s favorite cozy a little late, but…I finally got around to the first in the series and I must say this is a cozy, charming, funny, mystery with some pizzazz!

When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, it could not have come at a better time! After living in Boston for several years working in a corporate office well, let’s just say she needs a break!

Although Jeanie has no idea how to run a cafe, she feels she can get us to speed pretty easy. That was her first mistake. Her second was opening the back door of the cafe when she heard noises where she discovered a man with muscles and many pumpkins in his hands standing there. This is farmer Logan who supplies the cafe with items from his farm.

Needless to say they get off on the wrong foot. But both seem to be interested in the other but too shy to even think it to themselves.

But Jeanie has other problems…someone is trying to sabotage her cafe. But why? This town, Dream Harbor is close knit with very quirky residence, but no one seems dangerous. What she has discovered is most of them are way too kind. It’s a place where everyone knows everyone’s business and is not afraid to butt in! It’s also a place where it seems dreams are meant to come true…usually.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe is adorable. It’s an easy quick read in which you will continually have a smile on your face. It’s a heck of a feel-good story in a town you wish you could live in and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next!

Published by Harper Collins

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

lisascubby

The List of Suspicious Things is an unforgettable, tragic story with a serial killer, two twelve-year-old girls and a small town frantic to figure out who the murderer is and why. But the story is so much more. It encapsulates how people who are different are treated, grief, mental illness and determination. And of course, the shocking discovery of just who the killer is. But by the end of the story and the damage to the mystery has caused to some of the innocent is palpable.

Twelve-year-old Miv and her best (and only) friend Sharon have decided to try and investigate who is killing women in their town. Miv needs to find out as her father has just told her they may be moving to another town. With Miv’s mother who does nothing but stay in her room, not speaking to anyone and then getting shuttled off for months at a time to somewhere, Miv has no idea where to, she cannot and will not accept the move.

So, she and Sharon devise a plan to look at the local men and write down reasons they feel they may be the killer. Unfortunately, they have many on their list. As they begin to investigate Miv is much more determined to find the killer. Sharon just wants to be with Miv and be her listener.

As they gather information, what they discover is there is much more going on in this small town than just having a serial killer amongst them. They will learn people who are innocent of everything can be found guilty just by the color of their skin. They will also learn some married couples have deep dark secrets which they desperately try to hide. And they will also learn that evil is not that far away from them.

Their lives will be changed forever as the danger intensifies, but Miv will try to help those who can’t help themselves, and try and put a murderer, yet unknown in jail.

The List of Suspicious Things is a thriller but also explores many different types of characters and their deep flaws as well as loss, grief and humanity. In the end, this story has so many lessons which the reader needs to see and understand in order to discover who and why the characters do what they do. The ending, bittersweet…

Thank you #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #JennieGodfrey #TheListofSuspicousThings for the advanced copy.

Pre order:

Where Secrets Stay by CherAnn Wright

lisascubby

Where Secrets Stay, which is based on real events, is an unexpected, chilling, incredible psychological thriller in which we have a missing young girl, a very dysfunctional family, murders, hidden items and dark secrets. As the mysteries unfold, the reader will hardly be able to fathom the intricate weavings of an incredible plot.

When Kevan comes back home to bury her grandmother, the memories of her abusive childhood and fear return. If it wasn’t for her grandmother, she would not be the woman she has become and would still be living rotting in this small town. Her grandmother was Kevan’s only lifeline to normalcy.

As she and her friend Beth try to sort out her grandmother’s items, there is an old key which for some reason jolts some sort of memory. What the key’s meaning holds is not only something which may perhaps open a door but open a pandora’s box of clues with dark hidden memories.

Nathan has come back home as well. He is here to help his mother’s best friend take care of her place. But this visit is bittersweet for him. His young sister went missing years ago. She went out for a walk and just vanished without a trace. Coming back has made Nathan decide that he will once again try and discover what happened to his little sister all those years ago.

Incredibly, Kevan and Nathan’s worlds will come crashing down around them and then mysteriously collide when they separately find a dilapidated house in the woods with secrets which will change both their lives forever.

Filled with mystery, murder and suspense, Where Secrets Stay will grab you from the very first page, and keep you guessing as the past suddenly meets the present and all the answers come to light.

Thank you #NetGalley #SleuthingSlothPress #CherAnnWright #WhereSecretsStay for the advanced copy.

The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber

lisascubby

Get cozy, sip a cup of something and begin to read The Forget-Me-Not Library the latest book by the magical, wonderful Heather Webber. The story, uplifting and comforting, tells the tale of a town, if you are honored to be drawn there, who will know exactly what you are looking for, even if you don’t have a clue. Along the way, you will meet very special people who will become your friends and whom you will cherish forever.

Julie Nightingale is a school nurse from Alabama who has decided to take a road trip to try and figure out her life. Lost in so many ways especially about her grandfather who recently was tragically killed and whom she feels responsible for being unable to help him is searching…for what? she has no clue. So, when her car breaks down suddenly in a small town called Forget Me Not, she just wants to get her car fixed and move on. But the town has other ideas.

Julie meets Tallulah Byrd Mayfield and her children. Tallulah works at the Forget Me Not Library. Recently divorced, she and her two very young children now live with her grandfather. She is trying her best to keep everything together, work a full-time job, and take care of her family.

As Julie waits for the part for her car to come in, she and Tallulah begin to get close as Julie watches her children, takes them to the library and even begins to volunteer. Julie also begins to learn all about the mysterious Forget Me Not town. She starts to meet some of the very eccentric townspeople and well, starts to actually feel as if she is healing. How can that be?

But that’s the magic of The Forget Me Not town and yes, there is a lure that their Library and who resides there is “special” as well.

Is it truly possible that a town can heal heartbreak? And fear? And panic?

Well, in the end, it’s truly the people who open their arms and embrace those who need love and care to try and make them whole again, but there truly is something which draws the lost to the town in order to have them find exactly what they are looking for, and even more. For some, they will never leave while others will get what they need and move on.

The Forget-Me-Not Library is an enjoyable, wonderful feel-good read with so much heart and soul and love and mystery.

Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin’sPress #HeatherWebber #TheForget-Me-NotLibary for the advanced copy.

Summit Lake by Charlie Donlea

lisascubby

I am pretty sure I have not read one book by author Charlie Donlea which I have not thought was perfection! Summit Lake is no exception. Filled with dozens of surprises and an epic shocking ending, you will devour the story until you are just exhausted. The twists and turns and secrets of this amazing story are exceptional.

There has been a murder in Summit Lake, a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Becca Eckersley, a first-year law student at her father’s alma mater went up to the family’s lake house to study for tests and was brutally murdered.

Investigative reporter for a magazine, Kelsey Castle, back on the job after taking a leave of absence gets assigned the story. Kelsey believes this is a slam-dunk robbery gone bad and Becca was killed by a random break-in.

The story, which is told in chapters, Kelsey’s by her, Becca’s as a story which begins when she was in college and ending on the fatal night she died are both riveting and hold so many secrets each chapter will astound you.

Kelsey soon discovers that there may have been some sort of coverup by the police in this sleepy town. But why? What is there to hide? She discovers buried in Becca’s past are many hidden clues to what may have happened. Why then is no one talking except some of the locals whose theories run the gambit?

But the closer Kelsey gets to the truth, the more she feels she is being followed and then begins to be questioned by the detective looking into the murder. She knows this proves she’s on the right track and won’t stop for Becca and also because she discovers this hits too close to her own past.

Who or why would someone kill sweet Becca Eckersley? And what were the secrets she took to her grave?

Summit Lake is a spine-chilling psychological thriller which will have you racing with Kelsey to the very unexpected conclusion!

Published by Kensington.

The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf

lisascubby

The Perfect Hosts is another chilling, shocking story by author Heather Gudenkauf. It centers around a gender reveal party where something goes terribly wrong. Someone dies. The story so mesmerizing you won’t be able to put it down. Sometimes the rich just don’t know when to stop as they try to outdo each other. Unfortunately, this time it’s so over the top that unbeknownst to all the guests, many deep secrets and lies will be exposed and we will all learn the deep dark hidden truths.

Madeline and Wes Drake are having a baby and decided to have a gender reveal party at their sprawling horse ranch. Wealthy beyond belief, they spared no expense to make it the party of the year…and oh, it was. Just as the reveal was set to begin, there was a massive explosion which leaves many injured and one dead. But unfortunately, it seems it was not an accident.


Enter ATF Agent Jamie Saldano who must now return reluctantly to a town, Nightjar, Wyoming where he lived as a child, was almost beaten to death by someone they never found and whose sister disappeared. Although he has changed his name, he knows Wes Drake. He was the one who found him when he was almost killed.

Shaken, Madeline is taken to the hospital to make sure she and the baby are fine. There she meets a young woman who helped cater the party. She too is pregnant. Because the girl has nowhere else to go, she invites her to stay at the ranch. And another surprise awaits Madeline when she gets home…her stepsister Lucy has shown up at the ranch as well. The last time they saw each other was at their father’s funeral where Madeline was given control of his estate which included his and Lucy’s horses.

As Agent Saldano investigates, it seems that the Drake family’s hands are not clean. But which of them, if any, would benefit by killing someone? Saldano also takes this opportunity to revisit the mystery of what happened to his sister all those years ago.

But, secrets have a way of being exposed in many different ways. The Perfect Hosts are absolutely not perfect and the shocking twists, lies and jaw dropping ending proves that!

Heather Gudenkauf is the critically acclaimed author of several novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Weight of Silence, The Overnight Guest and Everyone Is Watching. She lives in Iowa with her husband and children. 
Website: https://heathergudenkauf.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heather-Gudenkaufs-Books-259685275092/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathergudenkauf/ 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hgudenkauf/ 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/heather-gudenkauf 


The book is available now at the following sites:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Hosts-Novel-Heather-Gudenkauf-ebook/dp/B0DQQ9BRLR 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-perfect-hosts-heather-gudenkauf/1146709766?ean=9780778360049 

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-perfect-hosts-original-heather-gudenkauf/22162822?ean=9780778360049&next=t 

Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488236150-the-perfect-hosts 

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Perfect-Hosts/Heather-Gudenkauf/9780778360049 

Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-perfect-hosts-by-heather-gudenkauf/-/A-94483956?preselect=94481317#lnk=sametab 

Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/otherwise-engaged-a-novel/9780778387268.html  

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-perfect-hosts?sId=7c9b6427-a9f0-4dbf-824b-e63babdb3880 

AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-perfect-hosts/id6739534386 

Thank you #NetGalley #ParkRow #HeatherGudenkauf #ThePerfectHosts for the advanced copy.

Food Person by Adam Roberts

lisascubby

Food Person is a lovely, funny, poignant story about two very different women who after having a love/hate relationship with each other while in the process of trying to write a cookbook together discover not only buried guilt and fears about themselves, but also are able to finally pull up their big girl pants and become the adults they were meant to become. Even if it takes the pain, suffering and heartaches of their pasts to get them there.

Isabella Pasternack works for a digital food magazine. She loves her stories and mostly loves to cook. Sadly, no one at her place of work, including her boss know who she is and when suddenly she is thrown in front of a camera during a crisis, it goes so bad she is fired.

Thank goodness she lives with her best friend Owen whom she cooks meals for in exchange for paying rent. But she realizes she perhaps needs money and decides to bite the bullet and go to her mother. Sadly, her mother has become a bit “eccentric” ever since the sudden loss of her husband, Isabella’s father a few years ago. Unfortunately, her mother would rather go dumpster diving and cook for the homeless rather than help her daughter.

Then Owen drops a great job in her lap. His father has a client; a former famous actress who wants to write a cookbook in order to get her career going again. The money is exceptional, and Isabella jumps at the chance, sort of … until she meets Molly Babcock a self-centered, food hater whose only enjoyment seems to be to do drugs and drink!

Unable to get along, they somehow come to a truce but when Isabella decides she wants to use Molly’s late mother’s recipes in the book, the relationship turns from bad to worse. And that is when both their lives begin to blow up!

How do you mend a broken heart? Well, the book Food Person with its delicious comfort food, creative recipes, snark, while finding love and friendship along the way will make you, the reader, believe anything is possible!

Thank you #NetGalley #Knopf #AdamRoberts #FoodPerson for the advanced copy.

The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz

lisascubby

The Last Ferry Out is a chilling mystery with twists and turns and secrets galore. This can’t put down book is more than a thriller. It also encapsulates the relationship between two women who have just gotten engaged, but both are feeling unable to completely give themselves to their relationship for different reasons. It also deals with the death of one of them and the feelings of what could have/should have been said and the regrets that are left behind as one of them searches for answers as to what really happened to cause the death of her partner.

Isla Colel is a haven for people who are trying to escape their lives…for whatever reason. Years ago, this island was a popular resort but now is a dilapidated fishing area where you can hide out openly. No one asks questions as to where you are from or what you used to do. They understand the reason you are here, because they are here for the same reason.

So when Abby gets off the ferry to try and find out how her fiancé Eszter ended up dying here, all she sees and feels is her pain and loss. Also guilt at all the times Eszter tried to engage her while she was here only to have Abby ignore her.

As Abby begins to explore the area, she meets a group of people who actually knew Eszter. All of them have their own secrets but all Abby cares about is getting to the bottom of Eszter’s last days and how she ended up dead.

When one of these “friends” of Eszter, Brady tells Abby that he knows what happened to Eszter and will tell her the next day, she is relieved. Until he never shows up again and seems to disappear leaving her confused, angry and scared.

Abby begins to believe something dark is happening on the island but can’t put her finger on what it is. She feels as if this group of people are hiding things from her. She begins to work on her own to discover the secrets they all are keeping.

While all this is happening, through chapters by Eszter we begin to see what her life was really like and as Abby will discover, Eszter’s own secrets. Did she even really love Abby? She learns Eszter had been in danger and now realizes she too could become a victim of the island. Where does Abby go from here? Who can she trust?

The Last Ferry Out is chock full of intrigue and surprises but also delves into relationships, love and mourning. The lies on this island run very deep and the revelations at the end…no words!

Thank you #NetGalley #BallentineBooks #AndreaBartz #TheLastFerryOut for the advanced copy.

Overdue by Stephanie Perkins

lisascubby

Overdue is an adorable, funny, heartwarming story about two library co-workers whose lives are both disrupted by their relationships and some personal problems which they can’t seem to resolve for themselves. It’s the tale of two lost souls who are unable to come to terms with how to move forward due to fear of what will happen. But perhaps if they can find each other that could change.

Ingrid Dahl is a librarian who has been living with her college boyfriend, Corey for over 10 years, but when her sister finally becomes engaged, they begin to see perhaps they weren’t meant for each other. So, they decide Corey will move out for a month, they will date other people, and after the 30 days, meet and discuss getting back together. What could go wrong?

Ingrid has been keeping a bit of a secret from Corey. She has had a bit of a crush on her co-worker Macon who himself has just come out of a long-term relationship. Not usually very assertive, she decides to make a move on Macon. Unfortunately, it does not go very well and now they seem to not be friends anymore, while still working together.

But Ingrid has other problems. A job is opening up at the library, a promotion, although comfortable at the job she questions if she should follow her heart and open that bookstore she’s always dreamed of just to get away from Macon, but instead she decides to go on some dating apps and see what’s out there which is not much. And when Ingrid and Corey meet after their month of separation, where they both surprisingly want another month!

It’s during this second month that Ingrid begins to see Macon for who he really is and just what his responsibilities are when he’s not at work. She begins to want to help Macon open himself up to new ideas and he begins to give Ingrid the confidence to make some life changing decisions.

But, with all this happening she still can’t convince him they should be together. Why? That is the question!

Overdue is a lovely romance about two friends who are not only afraid to take the leap to the next level of their friendship but are also scared of the risks in what they want out of life.

Thank you #SaturdayBooks #Overdue #StephaniePerkins for the advanced copy.

The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley

lisascubby

The Dogs of Venice is a beautiful story about love, loss and finding yourself again. It’s a novella so it is a very quick read, even though you don’t ever want it to end. It transports you to Venice, Italy and all its beauty where dogs are allowed to run wild. It’s where one man who is mourning the loss of his marriage will meet a dog which will change his life forever. Written by the author of The Editor and The Guncle, Steven Rowley, it has his humor, charm and life lessons all bundled into an uplifting tale.

When Paul’s marriage of five years ends in a shocking divorce which he never saw coming, he becomes a shell of himself. Not really understanding what he did wrong, he decides to go on a planned Christmas trip they were both going on to Venice by himself. Although nervous as he had never done something like this, he begins the journey alone to basically spite his soon to be ex.

But when he gets there and sees the magical city in front of him, he tries to make the most of his time there. Not everything goes his way, and he feels extremely awkward. But he suddenly sees dogs roaming around the city relaxed and unharmed and enjoying themselves. He particularly discovers one dog who has a routine and confidence as he interacts with people. Paul begins looking forward to seeing him.

At one point he loses track of the dog and is unable to find him. Desperate, he looks for him. While looking he meets a few funny, quirky characters, has experiences and some uncomfortable encounters he’s not sure how to handle, but through it all he begins to find himself and a strength he never knew existed.

Rowley’s story, The Dogs of Venice, although short is pact with wisdom, strength, emotion and evolution. As for the dog? Well, you’ll just have to find out what happens!

Thank you #NetGalley #G.P.Putman’sSons #StevenRowley #TheDogsofVenice for the advanced copy.

Pre-Order