This month was great. Between pool time and vacation, I got a lot of reading done. 12 books. 4,029 pages. An average of 134 pages per day. So here we go!!
Eyes of Justice by Lis Wiehl (292 pages). Triple Threat have been friends and cohorts for 6 years. Cassidy is a crime reporter, Nicole is an FBI agent and Allison is a federal prosecutor. Between the three of them, no crime is too big of a mystery. Until one of them is killed. The other two find themselves teaming up with private investigator Ophelia to solve this crime. Before it’s too late and another one of them dies. I finished in 3 days.
If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy (292 pages). This was my Once Upon a Book Club book. A fun modernization of a classic fairy tale. Cindy is a recent Parsons grad with a major shoe obsession. After all, shoes are the one things that always fit, even when you are a plus-sized girl like Cindy is. When her stepmother’s hit tv show (basically The Bachelor) needs a few new contestants, Cindy and her two stepsisters join the cast. A chance at winning prize money that could help boost her career? Sign her up! A chance to be a role model for women of normal sizes as the first plus sized contestant? Sure, that’s a fun bonus. But as the show goes on, Cindy realizes that she and Prince Charming might actually have a real connection. Can a girl really get everything she wants, all by being on a reality tv show?! I finished in 2 days.
Labyrinth by Catherine Coulter (497 pages). FBI Agent Sherlock is simply driving her car one afternoon when she is t-boned by another vehicle. And then hits a man who is running across the street. Eventually, through DNA, they learn his name and that he is a now missing CIA analyst. Turns out he is missing because of something he may have uncovered. And what he may have uncovered could have massive effects. Meanwhile, in a small town in Virginia, FBI Special Agent Hammersmith happens upon a serial kidnapping ring that encompasses the local sheriff’s nephew and a very powerful family. Two twisty and frightening stories overlap in this very interesting crime novel. I finished in 1 day.
See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt (325 pages). Historical fiction about Lizzie Borden? Yes please! The story was told by Lizzie, her older sister Emma, the maid Bridget, and a stranger named Benjamin. As someone who has been to the Lizzie Borden house, I love reading books about her. Because I can literally picture exactly where everything happened (I even have photos axing my dad in the sitting room and my mom in the guest room- yes, we are morbidly funny). I enjoyed the addition of Benjamin- he was hired by Lizzie and Emma’s uncle John to talk to Mr Borden (aka- hurt him in some way). But before he could get the job done, someone else took care of both Mr AND Mrs Borden. While hiding around the property, he found (and kept) the ax head. And tried to use it later on to blackmail the Bordens. I did not enjoy the bouncing around of the timeline though. Literally, my only complaint. I finished in 1 day.
The Lake by Natasha Preston (356 pages). Esme and Kayla are now counselors in training at Camp Pine Lake, a camp they haven’t been to in 10 years. Because something happened during their last summer at camp. And the lake never forgets. This had a great twist ending. I finished in 3 days.
Miss Austen by Gill Hornby (268 pages). I know what you are thinking, a book about Jane Austen. Probably historical fiction. Correct on the genre. Incorrect on the subject. This was about Jane’s older sister, Cassandra. The sister who took it upon herself to make sure Jane’s legacy outlived them all. Cassandra had been engaged at one time, but lost her fiancé to yellow fever. After that, she swore never to marry. She and Jane lived together with their mother until the end of their lives. When Jane predeceased her, Cassandra gathered up all of her correspondence and got rid of any that she felt was too personal. Their relationship was something very special and beautiful. I finished in 3 days.
The Light Over London by Julia Kelly (293 pages). Historical fiction about WW2? Yep, I’m in. In 2017 England, Cara is a freshly divorced woman, working for an antiques dealer. When she discovers a diary from 1941, she decides she wants to learn everything she can about the young woman who served in the ATS (the Auxillary Territorial Service, a women’s branch of the British army). Louise Keene was 19 years old when she met pilot Paul Bolton at a dance. Meeting and loving him changed the course of her life. She left her small town and joined the ATS, quickly becoming a gunner girl. Finding Louise’s diary helped Cara finally find out family secrets from her only living relative, her grandmother who had also served in the ATS. I loved this one so much! I finished in 3 days.
Tailspin by Sandra Brown (424 pages). Rye Mallett is a fearless freight dog pilot. One night, he agrees to fly a black box down to a small airport outside of Atlanta for a Dr Lambert, despite impenetrable fog in the area. The trip is a disaster, starting with a sabotage attempt that leaves him with a crashed plane, a female doctor named Brynn O’Neal who claims she was sent by Lambert to retrieve the box for him and a 48 hour race against time (and people who really want what is in this package) to deliver the box to the right recipient. I finished in 4 days.
Her by Christa Parravani (306 pages). This memoir was heavy. Christa and Cara are identical twins. And at the age of 28, Cara overdosed and died, leaving Christa truly alone for the first time in her life. She didn’t know how to function without her other half. It is truly a love letter to a lost sister. I finished in 4 days.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (365 pages). The Riva kids have always taken care of themselves. Their father is famous singer (and always absent) Mick Riva. Their mother June died when they were young. But they’ve managed to do quite well for themselves. Oldest Nina is a surfer and model, married to the biggest tennis star in the world. Twins Jay and Hud are a dynamic duo- Jay the pro surfer and Hud the photographer. Youngest Kit is still trying to find herself. Told hour by hour the night of their famous end of summer party, the Rivas’ stories are told through flashbacks. And truths come out during the party that will ultimately change their lives. I finished in 2 days.
Pretty Guilty Women by Gina Lamanna (319 pages). The wedding of the year is happening at Serenity Spa Resort. Among the guests are Lulu (aunt in law of the groom), Ginger, Emily and Kate (college friends of the bride). 24 hours after check-in, a man is dead. And all four women have confessed to murder, each swearing she acted alone. I finished in 3 days.
The Dinner by Herman Koch (292 pages). Two couples (brothers and their wives) meet up for dinner one evening to discuss their sons. A video has surfaced that could affect the boys future. And could also affect the parents. As dinner goes on, the differences in the boys and their parents come to light. I didn’t really like this one. I finished in 2 days.
This month’s favorite was .....The Light Over London.
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