Sofia Tres Santos is young (20-years old) but has already faced a lot of suffering. Her highly-abusive father regularly beat her and her siblings and she was raped as a teen. She was so traumatized that she then engaged in risky, demoralizing behavior. Now she’s taken control of her life and is going to school… Continue reading Once Pure by Cecy Robson ★★★★ (Shattered Past #3)
Maggie Hughes is the 15-year old daughter of an English speaking Canadian father and a French mother living in Quebec. Despite her father’s admonishments to not cavort with French boys, Maggie’s young heart is captured by Gabriel Phénix, the young and impoverished boy living at the adjacent farm. When she ends up pregnant, her parents… Continue reading The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman ★★★★1/2
Our story begins with Quinn and Graham’s first encounter, the one that started them down the road to a relationship, and it is unconventional to say the least. It next transitions to years after their marriage and they’re in trouble. I didn’t read the synopsis before I started listening to the story and had no… Continue reading All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover ★★★★1/2
Poppy Wyatt was having tea with some friends at a hotel, celebrating her upcoming nuptials, when the fire alarm went off (fire drill). When it was over, her engagement ring was missing and her phone snatched. She finds a phone in the trash can and it becomes her lifeline to the hotel finding her ring.… Continue reading I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella ★★★★★
Told by the second Mrs. de Winter, the story begins in Monte Carlo where she's the orphaned paid companion of an American matron. When she meets the elegant widower Maxim de Winter, he sweeps her off of her feet and they quickly marry. Though his wife Rebecca died a year ago, her presence continues to… Continue reading Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier ★★★★★
The story begins in Memphis 1939, narrated by 12-year old Rill Foss who along with her three younger siblings are riding out a storm on their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat in the midst of their mother being in full labor. Not long after their parents leave for the hospital, they are besieged upon by strangers… Continue reading Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate ★★★★★
Noah Marshall’s very comfortable and orderly life changes in an instant when his successful but troubled mother’s life ends one night. Jackie Marshall was the chief of police for the Austin Police Department and she left behind some troubling secrets, partially revealed to Noah the night of her death. His quest for answers takes him… Continue reading Keep Her Safe by K. A. Tucker ★★★★
When Tate Collins shows up to move into her brother’s high rise apartment, she has an unusual encounter with his best friend and fellow airline pilot, Miles Archer. Even after an awkward start, these two couldn’t ignore their strong attraction. As they proceed with their secret relationship, both agree that it would only be sort… Continue reading Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover ★★★★
I’ve followed true crime since reading In Cold Blood by Truman Capote as a teen. Most of my focus tends to be on serial killers as they are a crafty group who are often elusive to law enforcement and I really want my happy ending (they’re found, locked up, tried and justice served). Imagine my… Continue reading I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara ★★★★
The story centers around the Bradfords, an old Kentucky family who are titans of the bourbon industry. The current generation of Bradfords are the children of Virginia Elizabeth Bradford Baldwine (she’s referred to as Mrs. Bradford, never mind her married name) and William Brandwine: Edward (the tragic and oldest one), Max, Tulane (Lane) and Gin.… Continue reading The Bourbon Kings by J. R. Ward ★★★★ (The Bourbon Kings #1)
Blue Mood Café 