Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

Published by Minotaur Books

Published on April 21, 2020

Genre(s): Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

Page Count: 352

Source: Gifted

Format: Kindle

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Description: Overwhelmed by tragedy, a woman desperately tries to save her marriage in award-winning author Jennifer Hillier's Little Secrets, a riveting novel of psychological suspense.

All it takes to unravel a life is one little secret...

Marin had the perfect life. Married to her college sweetheart, she owns a chain of upscale hair salons, and Derek runs his own company. They're admired in their community and are a loving family—until their world falls apart the day their son Sebastian is taken.

A year later, Marin is a shadow of herself. The FBI search has gone cold. The publicity has faded. She and her husband rarely speak. She hires a P.I. to pick up where the police left off, but instead of finding Sebastian, she learns that Derek is having an affair with a younger woman. This discovery sparks Marin back to life. She's lost her son; she's not about to lose her husband, too. Kenzie is an enemy with a face, which means this is a problem Marin can fix.

Permanently.

Hello Readers.

This book was gifted to me from one of my best friends. She read an ARC of it and sent me a copy of it the day it released. I finally got to read it this week and I am so glad that I did. I got really into the story and even would send my friend messages about what I was reading. I was all in. 

I was pulled deeply into this book the first scene and plowed through it in less than a day. I started it one evening and finished it the next afternoon. I am sure that I would have read it faster but I had to person a little. The characters were wonderfully flawed. Driven by emotions, their actions left me in shock at times. A true roller coaster. I laughed. I cried. I wanted blood. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it was an incredible book and I absolutely loved it. I will be reading all the other work by the author. I will definitely be watching for new releases. Highly recommend. 

InkedBookdragon

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer

Published by St. Martin's Press

Published on April 14, 2020

Genre(s): Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Contemporary

Page Count: 384

Source: Publisher

Format: ARC

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Description: What makes Simon Fitch so perfect?

-He knows all her favorite foods, music, and movies.

-Her son adores him. He was there when she needed him most.

-He anticipates her every need.

-He would never betray her like her first husband.

The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.

The question is, why?

Nina Garrity learned the hard way that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But with Glen gone―presumably drowned while fishing on his boat―she couldn't confront him about the affair or find closure to the life he blew apart.

Now, a year and a half later, Nina has found love again and hopes she can put her shattered world back together. Simon, a widower still grieving the death of his first wife, thinks he has found his dream girl in Nina, and his charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, while her friends see a different side to him, and they aren't afraid to use the word obsession.

Nina works hard to bridge the divide that’s come between her daughter and Simon. She wants so badly to believe her life is finally getting back on track, but she’ll soon discover that the greatest danger to herself and her children are the lies people tell themselves.

Hello Readers.

I was sent an ARC of this book and was really excited about reading it. I loved the other book written by D.J. Palmer and was delighted to hear that there was a new book. The premise looked so promising. Life got a little crazy so I did not get to read it as soon as I got it. Thankfully, I finally got to read it. 

I had such high expectations for this book. Perhaps they were too high going into it. The first chapter started out strong. The scenario was intriguing and I wanted to read as much as I could. I ended up reading five chapters that night before I needed to sleep. I wish that I could say that the momentum continued but it did not. The book became quite slow and even drug in some parts. I developed a love-hate relationship with some of the characters. I liked them at first and then grew to hate them as the book continued then liked them by the end. I wanted to throttle some of them at times. 

I am rating this book Three Orange Books because I liked it but it was really touch and go for a bit there. It took way too long for me to read. I tried to get into it more but there were moments that I wanted to read anything and everything else. I may be able to go back and read it again and feel differently about it but a three is all that I can give it now. I am not sure if I would recommend it.

InkedBookDragon

The God Game by Danny Tobey

The God Game by Danny Tobey

Published by St. Martin's Press

Published on January 7, 2020

Genre(s): Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense, Mystery, Adult

Page Count: 496

Source: Publisher

Format: ARC

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Book Description:

You are invited!

Come inside and play with G.O.D.

Bring your friends!

It’s fun!

But remember the rules. Win and ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.™ Lose, you die!

With those words, Charlie and his friends enter the G.O.D. Game, a video game run by underground hackers and controlled by a mysterious AI that believes it’s God. Through their phone-screens and high-tech glasses, the teens’ realities blur with a virtual world of creeping vines, smoldering torches, runes, glyphs, gods, and mythical creatures. When they accomplish a mission, the game rewards them with expensive tech, revenge on high-school tormentors, and cash flowing from ATMs. Slaying a hydra and drawing a bloody pentagram as payment to a Greek god seem harmless at first. Fun even.

But then the threatening messages start. Worship me. Obey me. Complete a mission, however cruel, or the game reveals their secrets and crushes their dreams. Tasks that seemed harmless at first take on deadly consequences. Mysterious packages show up at their homes. Shadowy figures start following them, appearing around corners, attacking them in parking garages. Who else is playing this game, and how far will they go to win?

And what of the game’s first promise: win, win big, lose, you die? Dying in a virtual world doesn’t really mean death in real life—does it?

As Charlie and his friends try to find a way out of the game, they realize they’ve been manipulated into a bigger web they can’t escape: an AI that learned its cruelty from watching us.

God is always watching, and He says when the game is done.

Hello Readers.

I read The God Game for a buddy read with some of my closest friends. I was sent a copy of it and this was the perfect opportunity to read it. What a book! This one was nothing like I thought it would be. I was drawn into it and could not wait to see what happened next. I have said it before but that truly is a rare thing for me. I read a lot of books and only a small percentage of them grab my full attention. This one did just that. Creepy at moments. Intense. Left me wanting more. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books because I was torn on how to rate it. This would be one of those that I would rate with half books if I had that system. It was not quite a Five but it was more than a Four. I have purchased the other book by this author and look forward to reading it. Recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare and Leave No Scone Unturned by Denise Swanson

Uninvited Love by K.L. Humphreys

Uninvited Love (Killers in Paradise #1) by KL Humphreys

Published by Independently Published

Published on March 19, 2020

Genre(s): Romance Suspense

Page Count: 244

Source: Enticing Journey Book Promotions

Format: eBook

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Description:  On what was supposed to be the happiest day of Chelsea Thompson’s life, she finds out that the man she loves unconditionally has been cheating on her. 

Instead of going on her honeymoon with her new husband, she flees all the way from Chicago to Lanzarote on her own. 

While she’s there, she meets her next door neighbor, Aaron Easton. He’s sexy, fun and makes her feel alive, but she’s adamant he will be just a friend. After experiencing rejection, and betrayal she doesn’t want to dive into another relationship, particularly when he lives so far away from her life in Chicago.

Aaron Easton has secrets. He’s made mistakes in his life but he’s trying to turn his life around. He’s doing a good job until he meets his new and beautiful neighbor.

For a man that had vowed never to get involved with another woman, he can’t help but be drawn to the beautiful Chelsea.

For two jaded people who don’t want to get involved with each other, it doesn’t take long for their red hot attraction to take over. Soon they’re breaking every rule they’ve ever made.

But there’s something that threatens their fledgling relationship. There’s a serial killer on the loose, he’s murdering women and leaving them on the beach. Now he has his sights set firmly on Chelsea and he will do whatever it takes to make her his next victim.

Will Aaron be able to keep Chelsea safe? If he does, what’s going to happen between them? Will she return to Chicago and back to her old life? Or will he be able to convince her that their love is real and worth a chance?

Hello Readers.

This book was a pleasant surprise. I was not sure what to expect. I definitely did not expect the intense moments or the passionate ones. I knew that they might be present but I was not expecting them to be so well done. Smooth transitions. Complex characters. 

I am rating this book Four Blue Books because I truly cannot wait to read the next one. To say that I am intrigued is an understatement. I will also be looking into the rest of the work by this author. Recommend. 

InkedBookDragon

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

Published by Graydon House

Published on December 30th 2019

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

Page Count: 336

Source: Publisher

Format: Paperback

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Description: Imagine that your husband has two other wives.

You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this unconventional arrangement, you can see your husband only one day a week. But you love him so much you don’t care. Or at least that’s what you’ve told yourself.

But one day, while you’re doing laundry, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket—an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives.

You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are. Then, Hannah starts showing up to your coffee dates with telltale bruises, and you realize she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. But you’ve never known him to be violent, ever.

Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you go to find the truth? Would you risk your own life?

And who is his mysterious third wife?

Hello Readers.

"What in the world did I just read?" I frequently asked myself this as I read The Wives. This is the second book by Tarryn Fisher that I have read. The first one was Never Never that she co-wrote with Colleen Hoover. I was not sure if I would like her writing style. There was a lot of talk about this one. Those of you that have been around a while know how I feel about hyped up books. I usually shy away from them. An ARC of this book was delivered to my house. This meant, hype or not, I was going to read it. 

Where do I begin with this one? Complex characters. Some likeable and some were not. The reader is thrown curve balls throughout the story. There were multiple times that I stopped and thought, "Whoa...what?" It kept me guessing. I love that. I do not care for books that I can guess within the first few chapters. I like books that keep me wondering what is about to happen. This one was great for that. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it kept me on my toes. It was a roller coaster read and I loved it. I will be looking more into the author's body of work. Highly recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, Repeat by Kylie Scott, and Space Between: Explorations of Love, Sex, and Fluidity by Nico Tortorella

Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkesan

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Published by St. Martin's Press

Published on January 8th, 2019

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

Page Count: 375

Source: Gift

Format: Hardback

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Description: Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave.

Question #1: Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt?

But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking… and what she’s hiding.

Question #2: Have you ever deeply hurt someone you care about?

As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

Question #3: Should a punishment always fit the crime?


Hello again.

After being blown away by The Wife Between Us, I was greatly looking forward to this book. I started it as soon as I could and had trouble stepping away from it when I had to "adult". Being responsible can be annoying at times. I love when books make me feel this way.

This book stayed in my thoughts when I was away from it. I loved some of the characters. I absolutely hated some of the others. They were wonderfully written but they were so infuriating that I wanted to throw my book. I would daydream about physically harming them. I assume that was what the authors were going for with this book. They did a great job.

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because I loved it. It kept my interest and I hated to see it end. I felt invested. Highly recommend.


InkedBookDragon


Currently reading: The Overdue Life of Amy Byler & Lucky Caller by Emma Mills, and She Died Famous by Kyle Rutkin

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

Published by Minotaur Books

Published on June 11th 2019

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

Page Count: 304

Source: Publisher

Format: Paperback

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Description: From Sandie Jones, the author of the Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller The Other Woman, comes an addictively readable new domestic suspense about a wife, her husband, and the woman who is supposedly her best friend.

THE WIFE: For Alice, life has never been better. With her second husband, she has a successful business, two children, and a beautiful house.

HER HUSBAND: Alice knows that life could have been different if her first husband had lived, but Nathan's arrival into her life gave her back the happiness she craved.

HER BEST FRIEND: Through the ups and downs of life, from celebratory nights out to comforting each other through loss, Alice knows that with her best friend Beth by her side, they can survive anything together. So when Nathan starts acting strangely, Alice turns to Beth for help. But soon, Alice begins to wonder whether her trust has been misplaced . . .

The first mistake could be her last. 

Hello again.

To say that I was excited to receive an arc of this book is an understatement. I had heard that Sandie Jones had written a sophomore novel and I could not wait to get my hands on it. Her previous book, "The Other Woman" was a real page-turner so I was beyond intrigued. Let the review begin...

Bravo! Most authors will tell you that it is super difficult to write that second book, especially if the first one was a big hit. Everyone expects greatness. Some fall horribly short. Some write meh books. Some write really good books. This was a really good book. 

Like a great puzzle, the pieces of this story fit together perfectly. The characters were layered. The characters were realistic. They were beautifully flawed. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because I greatly enjoyed it. I would have read it in one setting if I had been given the chance. It truly was that good. The author has her third book coming out this year and I cannot wait. Highly recommend this author and this book. 

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Pines by Blake Crouch, She Died Famous by Kyle Rutkin, and Lucky Caller by Emma Mills

Lies by Kylie Scott

Lies by Kylie Scott

Published by: Kylie Scott

Published on July 21st, 2019

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Suspense

Page Count: 242

Source: Purchased

Format: Paperback

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Description: Betty Dawsey knows that breaking things off with Thom Lange is for the best. He’s nice, but boring, and their relationship has lost its spark. But steady and predictable Thom, suddenly doesn’t seem so steady and predictable when their condo explodes and she’s kidnapped by a couple of crazies claiming that Thom isn’t who he says he is.

Thom is having a hellish week. Not only is he hunting a double agent, but his fiancé dumped him, and thanks to his undercover life, she’s been kidnapped.

Turns out Thom is Operative Thom and he’s got more than a few secrets to share with Betty if he’s going to keep her alive. With both their lives on the line, their lackluster connection is suddenly replaced by an intense one. But in his line of work, feelings aren’t wanted or desired. Because feelings can be a lethal distraction.

Hello Readers.

I saw the cover for this book and I was intrigued. It pulled me in and demanded my attention. There are some truly terrible covers out there so it is refreshing to find those that are appealing. I saw this one and wondered "Mysterious Man, who are you? Are you lying or is someone else?" I ordered the book and pretty much attacked it the moment that I took it out of the box. What can I say? I know what interests me. 

I had heard good things about Kylie Scott's writing but had not read any of her work prior to this one. The control that she exhibits is lovely. Some of the characters are relatable and endearing. Some of the characters made me want to push them out a high rise window. With that said, all the characters were written well. The premise of the story was pretty solid. There were times that I did have to stop and think about what I had just read but it flowed well.  

I am rating this book Four Red Books because it was an enjoyable read. The overall feel of it was a good one and that is pretty special. I will be looking into the other works by the author based on my experience with this book. Recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: The First Mistake by Sandie Jones and The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

The Break Down by B. A. Paris

The Break Down by B.A. Paris

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin (reprint edition)

Published on May 22nd, 2018 

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

Page Count: 352

Source: Gifted

Format:Paperback

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Description: If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods. It was on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, and a woman was sitting inside―the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm, and she probably would have been hurt herself if she’d stopped. Not only that, her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home.

But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing. Where she left the car; if she took her pills; even the alarm code.

The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.

And the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…

Hello Readers.

I was given this book as a present this past Christmas. I had put it on my wishlist because it intrigued me. I had heard things about the author so I wanted to try some of her work. I thought this book would be a good read and it did not disappoint. 

Where do I begin? Hmm...this book was extremely hard to put down once I started it. I grabbed it for a long trip for the holidays.  I was pulled into the story almost immediately and was a bit heartbroken when I had to step away from it and socialize. I would think about it when I couldn't read it and could not wait to get back to it. 

The characters were complex and surprising. I thought that I could probably be friends with some of them. It really takes skill to write characters so multi-dimensional that the reader wants to befriend them. Bravo for that! 

This book did not feel like it was over 300 pages. It flowed beautifully. I was captivated the entire time.  I did not experience any lag. That is super rare. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because I think it is absolutely incredible. I added all of the author's work to my TBR and greatly look forward to reading more of it. Highly recommend!

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: P.S. I Like You by Kasie West, Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian, The First Mistake by Sandie Jones, and The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

Published by Minotaur Books

Published on August 21, 2018

Genre(s): Suspense, Mystery/Thriller

Page Count: 304

Source: Publisher

Format: ARC Paperback

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Description: The most twisty, addictive and gripping debut thriller you'll read this year.

HE LOVES YOU: Adam adores Emily. Emily thinks Adam’s perfect, the man she thought she’d never meet.

BUT SHE LOVES YOU NOT: Lurking in the shadows is a rival, a woman who shares a deep bond with the man she loves.

AND SHE'LL STOP AT NOTHING: Emily chose Adam, but she didn’t choose his mother Pammie. There’s nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her son, and now Emily is about to find out just how far Pammie will go to get what she wants: Emily gone forever.

THE OTHER WOMAN will have you questioning her on every page, in Sandie Jones' chilling psychological thriller about a man, his new girlfriend, and the mother who will not let him go.

Hello Readers.

I was sent a copy of this book and was intrigued. The premise looked promising and I was optimistic. I have a special place in my heart for books if this nature. Who doesn't love a good mystery? I certainly do but I am often disappointed because I tend to figure them out early on. This one surprised me. That is not an easy thing to do. The characters were fantastic. Complex and intriguing. I found myself wanting to know more about them. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books because it was a wonderful read. There were some moments where I saw what was coming but was surprised overall. I would definitely read more by this author and highly recommend.

InkedBookDragon