The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan

April 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks/Harper Audio
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (464 pages/audio 9 hours 34 minutes)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Zoe Maisey is a seventeen-year-old musical prodigy with a genius IQ. Three years ago, she was involved in a tragic incident that left three classmates dead. She served her time, and now her mother, Maria, is resolved to keep that devastating fact tucked far away from their new beginning, hiding the past even from her new husband and demanding Zoe do the same.

Tonight Zoe is giving a recital that Maria has been planning for months. It needs to be the performance of her life. But instead, by the end of the evening, Maria is dead.

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It’s not often you get a chance at a fresh start and that’s why Zoe Maisey is doing everything she can to be the perfect girl. She doesn’t want to be the one who destroys the second chance family after all. But what do you do when your past catches up to you?

Zoe was definitely my favorite character. She made a horrible mistake – one that cost three teens their lives – but she was young and I honestly think she was drugged or given alcohol she wasn’t aware of drinking. Despite all that, she really does feel guilty and has made solid efforts to become a better person. She knows that, even if she’s not at fault, she’s going to always be the first suspect due to her history.

The others didn’t make as much of an impression on me. Sam seemed to be a bit of an afterthought as he never really gets involved in Maria’s death. Tess isn’t too bad and I did like her more as we moved through the story, but she does make some questionable choices. Lucas’ relationship with Zoe is better than most step-siblings. You know he’s been through some tough things with how well he and Zoe get along, and it’s great that they had the support of the other in this. Chris bugged me from the very beginning, but I think a lot of that had to do with the way Maria was constantly micromanaging Zoe so that Chris wasn’t put out.

The idea of a second chance family – one where everyone gets a fresh start – is a good one. Maria and Zoe want to move past Zoe’s accident. Chris and Lucas want to move on from the death of Lucas’ mom. But what wasn’t great was Maria’s pushing Zoe to hide everything and maintain this ideal of the perfect family. Families aren’t perfect. Even the best ones are messy at times.

While I’m not generally a fan of novels told in the first person point of view, in an audiobook it seems to work better for me. Although, I did find myself talking back to the car stereo more often but I’m not sure if that’s because of the characters or the POV. The male narrator, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, had a soothing, pleasant voice and the way he voiced both Sam and Lucas was enjoyable. The female narrator, Penelope Rawlins, however, did a much better job of making you think that there were two separate narrators. It actually took me several alternating points of view before I realized there was one person for both Zoe and her aunt, Tess.

The Perfect Girl is an engaging story full of hidden secrets and lies of omission. Although it has a bit of a slow start, once the author gets the ball rolling, it doesn’t stop until the end. The ending was a bit of a cliché, but for once, I fully agreed with its use. Seemed like the perfect way to end it, in my opinion. I’ll be anxious to check out other books by this author soon.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

American Duchess by Karen Harper

February 26, 2019 By 2 Comments

American Duchess by Karen Harper
Published by William Morrow Publishing
Genre: Historical
Heat: Sweet
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Before there was Meghan Markle, there was Consuelo Vanderbilt, the original American Duchess. Perfect for readers of Jennifer Robson and lovers of Downton Abbey.

Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt, her “The Wedding of the Century” to the Duke of Marlborough, and her quest to find meaning behind “the glitter and the gold.”

On a cold November day in 1895, a carriage approaches St Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward, awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just 18, the beautiful bride has not only arrived late, but in tears, yet her marriage to the aloof Duke of Marlborough proceeds. Bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother, Alva, Consuelo loves another. But a deal was made, trading some of the vast Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige, and Consuelo, bred to obey, realizes she must make the best of things.

At Blenheim Palace, Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties, including producing an “heir and a spare,” but her relationship with the duke quickly disintegrates. Consuelo finds an inner strength, charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats including Winston Churchill, as she fights for women’s suffrage. And when she takes a scandalous leap, can she hope to attain love at last…?
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From the dawning of the opulent Gilded Age, to the battles of the Second World War, American Duchess is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest to attain independence—at any price.

Billed as a novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt, American Duchess is more than a love story, it’s a story of duty, of searching, of destiny. This is a fictionalized account of the life of an actual person. Beginning in 1895, the story follows our main character to New York City to famed Blenheim Castle in Great Britain.

Consuelo agrees to an arranged marriage for the good of her family (or more correctly at the insistence of her mother). However, Consuelo will eventually consider her own good as well as the good (and rights) of women in general.

Parts of this story were wonderful – the emotional struggles of Consuelo at first, and then her struggle on behalf of others. Her goals are easy to understand and follow. Also, her links to some big names of the era add an additional, unexpected level of interest.

Some characters seemed a bit flat. The Duke (her husband) never manages to have a sympathetic moment in a span of years, for example. His life seems dedicated to social climbing. In other cases, Winston Churchill for example, are quite out of character here (Ms. Harper’s Churchill is not the man presented in his biography).

However, the backdrop always seemed completely perfect. This is largely a look at ‘high society’ and gives a wonderful look at the structure of lives, as well as the places the rich and famous live! I loved descriptions of balls, ballrooms, and the clothing and manners of the times. Plans for guests, decorations, the operations of a massive household, all find their way into this story. Ms. Harper gives us a wonderful and imaginative peek into the world of high society.

The pace is never fast, but it is always interesting.

Consuelo’s story is beautifully written and will really enthrall those who are interested in the time period, from turn-of-the century to a bit Into the second World War.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson

January 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment


Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (333 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

The danger isn’t all in your head . . .

Growing up, Kate Priddy was always a bit neurotic, experiencing momentary bouts of anxiety that exploded into full blown panic attacks after an ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and nearly ended her life. When Corbin Dell, a distant cousin in Boston, suggests the two temporarily swap apartments, Kate, an art student in London, agrees, hoping that time away in a new place will help her overcome the recent wreckage of her life.

But soon after her arrival at Corbin’s grand apartment on Beacon Hill, Kate makes a shocking discovery: his next-door neighbor, a young woman named Audrey Marshall, has been murdered. When the police question her about Corbin, a shaken Kate has few answers, and many questions of her own—curiosity that intensifies when she meets Alan Cherney, a handsome, quiet tenant who lives across the courtyard, in the apartment facing Audrey’s. Alan saw Corbin surreptitiously come and go from Audrey’s place, yet he’s denied knowing her. Then, Kate runs into a tearful man claiming to be the dead woman’s old boyfriend, who insists Corbin did the deed the night that he left for London.
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When she reaches out to her cousin, he proclaims his innocence and calms her nerves . . . until she comes across disturbing objects hidden in the apartment—and accidently learns that Corbin is not where he says he is. Could Corbin be a killer? And what about Alan? Kate finds herself drawn to this appealing man who seems so sincere, yet she isn’t sure. Jetlagged and emotionally unstable, her imagination full of dark images caused by the terror of her past, Kate can barely trust herself . . . So how could she take the chance on a stranger she’s just met?

Yet the danger Kate imagines isn’t nearly as twisted and deadly as what’s about to happen. When her every fear becomes very real.

And much, much closer than she thinks.

Kate was always shy and a bit nervous but she got a whole lot worse when her boyfriend lost his head and locked her in a closet for daring to speak to or about other men. Blowing his brains out with a shotgun while outside the locked closet door put her in a panic and the shock shut her down. She didn’t come home for a while. Spending time in the hospital was safe. Once she was out, she spent most of her time at home. When her cousin from London is coming to Boston to a temporary job, he offers to exchange residences with her. She can stay in his apartment and he’ll stay in hers. She agrees but she’ll be sorry.

Mr. Swanson writes a good tension-filled suspense story. He probes the minds of those who think evil thoughts. Kate was unfortunate in her life but her cousin also had a back story. He thought he’d put it behind him, but it wasn’t true. He might have left his old friend behind, but his old friend wasn’t through with him yet…

As she arrives at his apartment, she notices a lady knocking on the door of the woman across the hall. She says she didn’t show up for work and isn’t answering her phone or emails. Kate is sure she’s dead, but she tells herself not to be silly. When the cops show up and want to search the apartment, she lets them in. Then she wonders if her cousin was the killer.

This is a twisted tale with two insane men at the center of the story. Corbin’s past comes back to life and Kate almost dies from it. The ending is violent and fast. Yet, when all is said and done, Kate still has a life and even a new love. The story is torturous but the ending is sweet.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Story of X by A. J. Molloy

April 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

X
The Story of X by A. J. Molloy
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (266 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/F, Multiple Partners, Anal Play, Forced Seduction, Toys, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Thistledown

A darkly seductive and passionate tale of secret societies, elaborate rites and sexual experimentation, in the tradition of the captivating classic Story of O and Kubrick’s film Eyes Wide Shut.

Shy American student Alexandra Beckmann-‘X’ to her friends-arrives in Naples desperate for adventures beyond the sheltered life she has led. She is there to study the Camorra, an infamous Italian crime organization. But in the sun-soaked, ancient city streets, her research leads her to a man like no one else she has ever met.

Irresistibly handsome, Lord Marcus Roscarrick is an Italian aristocrat with a mysterious past. Yet, underneath his refined exterior, X senses a man who is well-acquainted with danger.

Soon they begin a passionate affair, and X is drawn into Roscarrick’s world-a world she never dreamed existed. But as she falls ever more deeply under Roscarrick’s spell, X must decide whether she dares to submit entirely to this shadowy realm of dark desire.

When X goes on a work study program to Italy, she goes looking for love but never dreams it will lead her head long into ancient mysteries best left alone.
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Alexandra Beckmann, otherwise known as X, is in Italy with her friend Jessica working on her thesis. Choosing to write about the mob is probably not the safest subject matter, but being steeped in all of Italy’s essences, it stirs her blood. X and Jessica meet an enigmatic wealthy man at one of the corner cafes and he pays for their drinks and food. X is transfixed by the allure of the mysterious Marcus Roscarrick. Wealthy, hot and eligible, X pursues him only to be rebuffed. Feeling like a fool, she heads off and resumes work on her thesis. Wandering the environs of Italy’s darkest corners, Roscarrick saves her when she gets into a situation over her head. The game is on.

From the first page, this story grabbed my interest. Here was a girl in Italy studying the mob. Talk about poking a bear with a stick! As X gets in deeper, you get a tour of the best and worst that Italy has to offer, both in experiences and travel destinations. As she becomes involved with Marcus sexually, hidden dimensions about the man, his past and whether their relationship can possibly go any further glued me to my chair. Was he in the Italian mob? How did he garner his fortune? What was that about a dead wife with a whole lot of money that he inherited? Lots of questions kept me guessing and that wasn’t even the best part.

Marcus is a member of a Mystery Religion based out of a Dionysian tradition. It is secretive and dangerous and in order for X to see him, she has to be initiated into the society. Fearful and upset, X is repelled by the idea, but can’t stand the thought of being apart fromMarcus. The Mysteries are a series of rites performed in secret locations that involve ancient knowledge, sexual situations and drugs. Leading her into this hidden world, Marcus tries to protect her even as they both get deeper into the intricacies of the Italian mob and the web of violence and intrigue that comes with it.

The Story of X is a compelling read that takes smoking hot sex scenes and pairs them with a Mystery religion so that the two are intertwined. BDSM elements including voyeurism, drugged orgies, multiple partners, public spankings, nudity and whippings are all a part of the initiation process. Not to mention a special tattoo as well. Marcus is a conflicted character with a lot of personal history to deal with and X has to navigate some seriously shark infested waters if she is going to be with this smoking hot billionaire.

Overall, this book was such a different BDSM twist that it had me guessing the entire time. Part mystery, part erotic romance, this story was unique enough that I could not put it down. Everyone hears about the fun parts of Italy, but what about the slums and crime ridden parts? This author did a great job of letting me see the good, bad and ugly while still keeping me riveted to the passion between the characters and what was at stake if the initiation didn’t take place.

For a hot read with some biting dialog, nicely rounded characters and a tour of Italy that reads like the most interesting travel brochure ever, put this one on your reading list.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Losing It by Cora Carmack

February 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

LOSING

Losing It by Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (183 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Quince

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible—a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half a brain would ever believe.

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She’d left him naked in her bed about eight hours earlier. . . .

I really cannot say if a twenty two old virgin is rare or not in the real world, but it seems to me that it is very common in romance novels – especially in New adult ones. I do not see virginity issues as a problem, but in the case of Losing It, the whole story revolves around it without any significance.

In Losing It, the drama is toned down, there are no major ups and downs, but certainly there are attempts at them. I missed the lack of significant drama. Actually, I didn’t appreciate that the conflict was tuned down especially because the cornerstone of the story was an illicit relationship between a teacher and the student. But also I did not like it because the author introduced another good place for development of it – love triangle – and then she resolved it too neatly.

On the other hand, the characters are realistic, and their friendship and relationships were believable. They act like what they are: college students. Cora Carmack captured and presented the fun part of a student’s life really well. Not only that, the author presented well students who are in their final year and have to choose their future career path. All the fears and questions related to this are told through Bliss’ eyes, since the story is written from the heroine’s POV. The relationship between Bliss and Garrett is complex and I believe the story would have been stronger if it had been written from alternating points of view.

Losing it has funny moments. It is a light read without a tortured hero and wounded heroine, but with one completely crazy cat. This is a story for readers who prefer less drama, more fun and no huge emotional roller-coaster twists in their stories.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,
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