July 2023

Book Review: The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden

Hello readers! It’s sequel time. After finishing The Housemaid for book club this month, I had to dive into book two, The Housemaid’s Secret, and boy is it a juicy secret! Here’s the format for this review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Now let’s find out about…

The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden

The Synopsis

Millie is back with another housemaid job but this time in a multi-million dollar penthouse in NYC. After being contacted by Douglas Garrick, she agrees to the job even if she gets the creeps in their apartment. Not to mention, Mr. Garrick has instructed Millie never to disturb Mrs. Garrick who is in the guest room and very ill. Under no circumstances can she knock and disturb her while she gets better. But things start to get a little weird- like when she finds blood on a white nightgown. Then something happens that causes Millie to have to open the door. As soon as she does, everything changes. Millie isn’t one to back down to a dangerous man, though. And she’s not about to start now.

My Review

If you thought the twists and turns in The Housemaid were good, you ain’t seen nothing yet! This book keeps you guessing until the very last page. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, things get flipped upside down. I flew through it due to the super short chapters. You’ll be reading *just one more* well past your bedtime.
I do think you need to read the books in order, but don’t let that scare you off. If you’ve got a lazy weekend, you’ll finish them both with no trouble. I gave it 4 stars.

Who Should Read It?

Anyone dealing with a book hangover or in a reading slump. Fans of thrillers. Fans of psychological thrillers.

Pair It With…

I’d pair this with a lazy weekend and book one.

I want to know all your thoughts on this one once you read it! Get your copy of The Housemaid’s Secret at your local library, independent bookstore, second hand book website, or here.

Book Review: Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

Hello readers! Today, I’ve got a romance set in a small town in the Pacific Northwest with a king crab fisherman for a male lead and a music loving female lead. Lead? Main character. It’s quite charming. Here’s the format for this review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Without further ado…..

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

The Synopsis

In book one of this duology, It Happened One Summer, we meet the Bellinger sisters, Piper and Hannah. Piper’s story is told in book one. Hannah is our girl for book two, Hook, Line, and Sinker. In book one, Hannah and Piper find themselves nearly broke and in the small town where their father is highly regarded after his death. As they get to know the people in town, they start to make a life for themselves and that’s when Hannah meets Fox, a king crab fisherman who is a bit of a ladies man. They are forced to spend time together on their own and bond over Hannah’s love of music. This causes something to shift in Fox and causes them to strike up a real friendship.
Now for book two. Hannah and Fox have been texting each other for about a year sharing songs that perfectly describe their day or the mood they are in. When the film Hannah is working on hits a snag, she suggests heading to Westport for an authentic setting as the perfect backdrop. While planning, she realizes the guest room at her sister’s house is already spoken for, but Fox agrees to let her crash at his place. After all, they’re best friends at this point. When Hannah arrives Fox starts to see Hannah in a new light. But Fox has always been a playboy. Will he have it in his heart to change? Or will he throw away the best thing that might have ever happened to him?

My Review

Admittedly, I was a big fan of book one, so book two was a no-brainer for me. I do not think that you have to read the first one to understand everything about the second book, but I did like knowing the context of everything going on. It’s worth your time to read both. I thought this was a great summer read due to its light and fluffy content. Nothing got too serious, and I had fun reading it. I will warn the more sensitive readers that this has some open door romantic content. If that’s not your thing, skim through those parts or skip this series altogether. I’m sad to not visit Westport anymore, but I’m sure glad I got to visit it for two books. The narrator on audio is a tad annoying, but not so annoying that I needed to stop listening. I gave it 4 stars.

Who Should Read It?

Lovers of romance and romcoms. Readers that don’t mind a bit of spicy content. Music lovers. I didn’t play this up enough. There’s so many music references in this book. I loved that! Read this if you’re a fan of the friends to lovers and forced proximity tropes.

Pair It With…

Any of the records mentioned in this book but playing your favorite record will work. I think this one also pairs well with a pool or the beach. And of course…with book one, It Happened One Summer.

Let me know if you visit Westport and get to know the Bellinger sisters! Get your copy of Hook, Line, and Sinker at your local library, independent bookstore, secondhand book website, or here.

Book Review: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

Hello readers! While this story looks like a wintery, cold weather book, I assure you that you will enjoy it at any time of the year. Even in the months where it feels like we live on the surface of the sun, July and August. Here’s the format for this review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Now let’s discuss…

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

The Synopsis

Mila Pavlichenko is a single mother and is more of the bookish type. But when Hitler starts to invade her home country of Russia, she joins the fight. She’s given a rifle and earns herself the title of Lady Death. Mila makes 300 kills as a sniper and is sent to America on a goodwill tour. While there, she meets and befriends First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. She also discovers an old enemy who has joined forces with a dangerous new foe, and Mila engages in the deadliest battle of her life.
The Diamond Eye is based on a true story about a mother turned soldier turned heroine.

My Review

This book came highly recommended to me by a friend who loves historical fiction, specifically WWII historical fiction, and could not stop talking about how great it was. She also noted how interesting it was that we never get many Russian accounts of that time period. I gave it a chance, and she was right! I was captivated by this story of a woman who risked everything to fight for her country and did it with such talent and guts. This was my first book by Kate Quinn, and I found her writing style to be enjoyable and will definitely give more of her stories a try. I gave it 4.5 stars.

Who Should Read It?

This book is for fans of: historical fiction, WWII heroines, strong female characters, books based on true stories.

Pair It With…

Fur (faux or real- I don’t judge) in blanket form or coat form, a White or Black Russian, which I know didn’t originate in Russia, but a White Russian is such a cold weather drink in my mind. It goes perfectly with the snowy setting of the book.
My White Russian Recipe
In a rocks glass filled with ice:
2 ounces Vodka
1 ounce Kahlua
Finish with heavy cream
Stir and sprinkle with cinnamon

Now I’m in the mood for some cold weather, a warm coat, and a White Russian. Let me know if you pick this one up or make the drink. The cinnamon isn’t usually part of the drink, but I’ve been adding it to mine for years. Get the book at your local library, independent bookstore, secondhand book website, or here.

Book Review: The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

Hello readers! I have an excellent beach read for you today that is currently being developed for Netflix, and the main character is played by none other than Nicole Kidman. I’ll definitely be watching, but I HIGHLY recommend that you read the book first. Here’s the format for this review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Now let’s find out about….

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

The Synopsis

It’s wedding weekend in Nantucket for Greer and Tag Winbury’s son, Benji and his bride-to-be, Celeste. Only, a dead body has been discovered. Everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. The chief of police is tirelessly working on this investigation and starts to uncover all kinds of secrets that surely weren’t meant to see the light of day. You’ll never guess how this story unfolds, but you will quickly see that there’s no such thing as the perfect couple.

My Review

Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors. She writes complex characters and weaves her stories into intricate baskets of entertainment. This is a backlist title of hers (published in 2018), but it still holds up. One thing that you can count on with Elin and her Nantucket books is the setting. I’ve never been to Nantucket, but I feel as though I have after reading so many of her books. It seems like such a lovely place, and I hope to visit one day. Because of the depth of character, expert description of the setting, and the whodunit of it all, I’m giving this one five stars.

Who Should Read It?

Those of us not ready to say goodbye to summer and beach vibes. Those who love weddings. Those who love a dysfunctional family story. Those who love a good plot twist. Honestly, everyone should read this one. I think anyone would truly enjoy it.

Pair It With…

A rum drink. There’s a scene in the book when several characters gather to drink rum. They are choosing to drink very expensive rum straight, but I’d suggest something a little more appetizing such as a Mojito or a Dark and Stormy. But being that it’s a book about a wedding, maybe just some cake! 🙂

I hope you pick this one up before the film version comes out. You’ll probably have plenty of time with the writers’ and actors’ strike currently going on. Not sure they’re currently shooting. When you do, let me know how you like it! Get your copy at your local library, independent bookstore, secondhand books website, or here.

Book Review: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Hello readers! If you’re looking for a page-turner, I have just the book for you. Here’s the format for the review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Let me tell you about…

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

The Synopsis

Millie is an ex-con in desperate need of a job so she can move out of her car and not jeopardize her parole. Going back to prison just isn’t an option anymore. When she gets wind of a live-in housemaid position where she’ll be cooking, cleaning, and taking care of a young child, she jumps at the chance. She’s sure her background check will cost her the position, but to her surprise, she gets the job. She’s relieved and can’t believe the beauty of the house where she’ll be working and living. That is until she’s shown the creepy staircase that leads to the room where she’ll be sleeping. She shakes off the unsettling feeling and revels in the relief that it’s not her car she’s sleeping in anymore. But then the first day of work starts, and things take a turn for the worse. But she never expected it to get as bad as it does.

My Review

I finished this book in one day. I listened to it on audio and couldn’t find it in me to hit the stop button. It had me hooked from the prologue and didn’t let go until the end. It was full of twists and turns, the chapters are short, and it was a wild ride. I had a few issues with some things that felt were loose ends, so I am giving this one 3.75 stars.

Who Should Read It?

Anyone who loves a psychological thriller. Anyone trying to get out of a reading slump. I finished this one right after Fourth Wing, and let me tell ya, that one will give you a book hangover. The Housemaid pulled me right out of it and got my mojo going again. I’m a big chicken when it comes to scary things, and this was not bad at all. Creepy? Oh yeah! But not so bad that I couldn’t read it.

Pair It With…

Well a creepy staircase obviously! 🙂 I would pair this with a bright sunny day or a project like painting because I’m a big ol’ baby when it comes to reading scary things. If I were more thick skinned, I’d pair it with a dark and stormy day on my couch listening to the thunder and the rain for all the moody ambiance.

I hope you pick this one up sometime soon. I’m currently reading the sequel now. It’s shaping up to be as spooky as the first one. Get your copy at your local library, independent bookstore, secondhand books website, or here.

Book Review: The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

Hello readers! I can’t wait for you to read about this spectacular book. (See what I did there?) Here’s the format for this review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Without further ado…..

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

The Synopsis

Marion is a nineteen year old dance instructor. She lives at home with her father, Simon, and older sister, Judy. Her mother died when she was just a child, so it’s been the three of them and their housekeeper who has been with the girls their whole lives. Marion also has a boyfriend, Nathaniel, who is just back from a European trip and is ready to settle down with Marion and get started on a family of their own. But Marion isn’t sure she’s ready for that at such a young age. She craves adventure and purpose for her life that doesn’t involve making meals, running a household, and raising children. When she learns of an open audition for the Radio City Rockettes, she decides she must try.
Meanwhile, NYC has been plagued by the “Big Apple Bomber” for sixteen years and keeps escaping the clutches of the police. At the end of their rope, the NYPD decides to enlist the help of Dr. Peter Griggs, a psychiatrist who has an interesting and unconventional way of studying criminals and the mentally ill.
By chance, Marion and Peter find themselves working together with the police to help find the bomber. Marion soon finds she’s much more of a standout than she thought, and uses this self realization to her benefit and the benefit of the entire city.

My Review

I thought this was a splendid book. I found profound statements such as, “She hadn’t realized until now what a passive participant she’d been in her own life, gliding along with everyone else’s desires for her future.” I was angered by certain, outdated standards placed on women. My heartstrings were tugged several times making me feel sad and sympathetic. My heart rate climbed when the bomber got a little too close for comfort. I also enjoyed a peak into the behind-the-scenes world of the Rockettes audition process. I gave it 4 stars.

Who Should Read It?

This book is for fans of: historical fiction, 1950s New York, the stage life, the Rockettes, family drama, a good mystery, mental illness in the 50s vs. now

Pair It With…

I’m pairing this book with a fuzzy blanket and maybe even a Christmas tree. While the book isn’t even focused on Christmas, the story does take place during December while the Christmas Spectacular is the show that’s performed at Radio City Music Hall. Do you have to save it until December? Certainly not! But if your TBR pile is overflowing like mine, adding this to your holiday reads won’t be a disappointing move.

I hope you pick this one up sometime soon. When you do, let me know how you like it! Get your copy at your local library, independent bookstore, secondhand books website, or here.