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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
I do love a domestic thriller. Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding is read by Rebecca Ross, Cassandra Campbell, and Kirby Heyborne. The book follows three points of view: Francis, DJ, and Daisy. Francis is a stay-at-home mom who struggles with her self esteem and a dark secret in her past. DJ is a young boy whose family goes through a traumatic experience. Daisy is a teen who struggles with a relationship with her mom. Francis is a pariah mom at her son’s private school since he struggles with getting along with the other kids. She does not fit in until the beautiful, confident Kate wants to become her friend. She seems like a normal woman, with a normal family, but slowly something seems off. Little does Francis know, Kate is not who she says she is, with a dark past of her own.
This felt more like a mystery and trying to solve a puzzle and not so much a domestic thriller. The dark secrets that haunt these women are dark indeed. Francis is definitely a woman many can relate to. She has a negative body image, has social anxiety, and struggles with parenting. Most importantly, she struggles to forgive herself for past mistakes. I do love her growth and development throughout the book. Daisy and DJ had to be my favorite characters. They endure so much as kids and I felt their outlooks on life are so realistic. I love that the author incorporates motherhood, marriage issues, mental health, and bullying throughout. Bullying can happen at any age and still have an effect on someone no matter the age.
The book flows perfectly. I was always intrigued and never felt that the pace was slow. One thing with thrillers or mysteries is that I HATE predictable endings! When I had completed 40% of the book, I swore I figured it out. BUT! I was wrong. There is a great twist that I did not expect. The ending was not completely satisfying in regards to Kate, kind of anti-climatic, but I did love the ending for Francis, DJ, and Daisy.
At first, I was not a fan of the narrators, they seemed almost stoic, not emotional but as I listened, I realized that is how the characters are intended to be. The narrators grew on me as the book went on and I was blown away by the emotion towards the end.
Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars and I will definitely keep an eye out for more Robyn Harding books!!
This felt more like a mystery and trying to solve a puzzle and not so much a domestic thriller. The dark secrets that haunt these women are dark indeed. Francis is definitely a woman many can relate to. She has a negative body image, has social anxiety, and struggles with parenting. Most importantly, she struggles to forgive herself for past mistakes. I do love her growth and development throughout the book. Daisy and DJ had to be my favorite characters. They endure so much as kids and I felt their outlooks on life are so realistic. I love that the author incorporates motherhood, marriage issues, mental health, and bullying throughout. Bullying can happen at any age and still have an effect on someone no matter the age.
The book flows perfectly. I was always intrigued and never felt that the pace was slow. One thing with thrillers or mysteries is that I HATE predictable endings! When I had completed 40% of the book, I swore I figured it out. BUT! I was wrong. There is a great twist that I did not expect. The ending was not completely satisfying in regards to Kate, kind of anti-climatic, but I did love the ending for Francis, DJ, and Daisy.
At first, I was not a fan of the narrators, they seemed almost stoic, not emotional but as I listened, I realized that is how the characters are intended to be. The narrators grew on me as the book went on and I was blown away by the emotion towards the end.
Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars and I will definitely keep an eye out for more Robyn Harding books!!
When I first read the synopsis for The Shaman of Turtle Valley by Clifford Garstang, I was not sure what to expect. Narrated from several different points of view, this book combines the differences in cultures with a bit of mysticism intertwined. After high school, Aiken enlists in the military. His brother was tragically killed, so when Aiken comes home, he tries to establish a relationship with his father. However, when returning home, he brings with him a South Korean bride and their child. Soon-hee does not fit in. She does not get along with his mother and senses the spirits that lurk over the house. One day, Soon-hee and their son disappear and Aiken is desperate to find them. During this journey he also needs to find himself and where he fits in this life.
This story is absolutely breathtaking! At first glance, I thought this book would be a drag. It is quite the opposite! The pages just flew by. It is gripping from the first chapter to the very last. The characters seem to have so many layers and there is so much that goes into their reactions. There are secrets, rivals, and cultural differences that affect all the characters. There is also a history in Aiken’s family that seems to curse their home and Soon-hee can sense it. Soon-hee and Aiken’s mother is by far the most fascinating characters. But I truly love how their bond develops.
I ultimately had one issue with the book. Every chapter has a new point of view and sometimes the transition is a little rough. I wish there was a name at the beginning of each chapter when the point of view changed. However, I loved the culture and mysticism. You can see the impact that the spirits have on the characters and it is absolutely fascinating. I am quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Definitely check it out! I rate it 4 out of 5 stars!
Thank you, JKS Communications for a copy of the book!
This story is absolutely breathtaking! At first glance, I thought this book would be a drag. It is quite the opposite! The pages just flew by. It is gripping from the first chapter to the very last. The characters seem to have so many layers and there is so much that goes into their reactions. There are secrets, rivals, and cultural differences that affect all the characters. There is also a history in Aiken’s family that seems to curse their home and Soon-hee can sense it. Soon-hee and Aiken’s mother is by far the most fascinating characters. But I truly love how their bond develops.
I ultimately had one issue with the book. Every chapter has a new point of view and sometimes the transition is a little rough. I wish there was a name at the beginning of each chapter when the point of view changed. However, I loved the culture and mysticism. You can see the impact that the spirits have on the characters and it is absolutely fascinating. I am quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Definitely check it out! I rate it 4 out of 5 stars!
Thank you, JKS Communications for a copy of the book!
"Ms. Collette Cameron has done it again! This story is a beautiful weave of history, romance, and suspense."
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/70
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/70
"This book is undoubtedly packed with suspense and adventure!"
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/72
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/72
"This historical romance is a rollercoaster of emotion!"
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/72
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/72
"This book portrays fantastic family dynamics."
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/86
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/86
"This paranormal romance is positively sinful!"
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/96
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/96
"This mafia novel is filled with drama and steamy relationships."
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/102
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/july-august/viewer/desktop/#page/102
No one can be trusted in Our House by Louise Candlish. One day, Fiona Lawson comes home to see strangers moving into her house. Where are her kids? Where is her soon-to-be-ex-husband, Bram? The strangers claim that they had purchased this highly desired home, which is impossible because Fiona never put it up for sale! Even though this neighborhood is highly desired, it is obvious that no one can be trusted. In this domestic thriller, everyone is a liar.
I don’t want to give any more information regarding the synopsis because it will give away certain twists. I love the uncertainty. I did predict some of the twists but because everyone is untrustworthy, there is always doubt. It kept me glued to the book. I actually enjoyed the characters. They weren’t exactly likable, but they were fascinating, to say the least.
This book has four different points-of-view: Fiona’s podcast, Bram’s letter, and Fiona’s present moment and Bram’s present moment. The transitions between the points of view are relatively smooth, but sometimes it is just a little tedious. The book is almost 400 pages and I don’t think it needed to be that long. Some of the narrative is repeated because of the different point-of-view.
I won’t give away the ending, but the ending left me in shock. I do love an entertaining domestic thriller and it is fascinating to read about this unusual situation. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I don’t want to give any more information regarding the synopsis because it will give away certain twists. I love the uncertainty. I did predict some of the twists but because everyone is untrustworthy, there is always doubt. It kept me glued to the book. I actually enjoyed the characters. They weren’t exactly likable, but they were fascinating, to say the least.
This book has four different points-of-view: Fiona’s podcast, Bram’s letter, and Fiona’s present moment and Bram’s present moment. The transitions between the points of view are relatively smooth, but sometimes it is just a little tedious. The book is almost 400 pages and I don’t think it needed to be that long. Some of the narrative is repeated because of the different point-of-view.
I won’t give away the ending, but the ending left me in shock. I do love an entertaining domestic thriller and it is fascinating to read about this unusual situation. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I was not sure what to expect after I read the first chapter of Shrug by Lisa Braver Moss. The book introduces readers to Martha. She is one of three children, growing up in the 1960s. The first discovery about Martha is her shrug. She developed this nervous tick and has little control over it, except for when she is singing. She has perfect pitch and loves music. It is definitely an escape from her home life. Her parents fight often. Her father is physically abusive and her mother is mentally abusive. Not only that but she is growing up in a period of political turmoil. With her world crumbling down around her, will she be able to escape and go to college?
This coming-of-age book hits so many emotions. I wanted to scoop up Hildy, Martha and Drew and protect them from the awful home life they had to endure. No child should ever have to experience such horror. Despite their home life, they have hope and passions. These characters felt so real. Their reactions to the events seem so realistic and it evoked so many emotions. There were moments that I had tears streaming down my cheeks.
The characters are what make this book shine. It is absolutely impossible to put down. I have read several coming-of-age novels and there are times when the pace is slow, that is not the case with this book. It moves at an incredible pace. I also really enjoyed the musical aspect of the book. There are so many references to music throughout the story as if it is a soundtrack to Martha’s life. I really recommend this book. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is currently available for pre-order and will be available on August 13th!!
Thank you, JKS Communications and the author for a copy of this book.
This coming-of-age book hits so many emotions. I wanted to scoop up Hildy, Martha and Drew and protect them from the awful home life they had to endure. No child should ever have to experience such horror. Despite their home life, they have hope and passions. These characters felt so real. Their reactions to the events seem so realistic and it evoked so many emotions. There were moments that I had tears streaming down my cheeks.
The characters are what make this book shine. It is absolutely impossible to put down. I have read several coming-of-age novels and there are times when the pace is slow, that is not the case with this book. It moves at an incredible pace. I also really enjoyed the musical aspect of the book. There are so many references to music throughout the story as if it is a soundtrack to Martha’s life. I really recommend this book. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is currently available for pre-order and will be available on August 13th!!
Thank you, JKS Communications and the author for a copy of this book.