Tell Me An Ending by Jo Harkin

Tell Me an Ending by Jo Harkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tell Me An Ending was provided as an advanced reader copy by #scribner in exchange for an honest review. It has a pub date of March 1. This book made me think “what if” – as a human, and as a therapist who focuses on trauma treatment. Tell Me An Ending was a slow burn, so if you expect a fast pace, this may not be what you are looking for, but it absolutely is a provocative storyline. The characters manage to be both likable and sometimes not, which goes a long way toward them being relatedly human. Jo Harkin does an excellent job of writing the thoughts and feelings of the characters in a way that feels natural to read. Although a slow burn and a slow-at-times read, this is a story that will stay with me and always have me wondering, “What if?”. #NetGalley #TellMeAnEnding #JennReviews

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My Dead Husband by NJ Moss

Y'allMy Dead Husband by N.J. Moss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow. Initially, I found My Dead Husband to be a run-of-the-mill domestic thriller. This was an audio listen provided by #dreamscapemedia in exchange for an honest review. I must admit I didn’t particularly care for the narrators voice, but that may simply be a personal preference. This story though…as many twisted things as I have read in my lifetime, I was NOT expecting the twists and turns that unraveled here! Ellie seems to have escaped an abusive relationship when her future ex dies by suicide, but then she catches glimpses of him and begins to receive threatening phone calls and sabotage of her up and coming novel, as well as with her career. In the midst of it all, Ellie finds love again and seeks to uncover the truth of her past. This book will no doubt take you by surprise – but whether or not that is a good thing is up to you. #MyDeadHusband #NetGalley #JennReviews

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The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Coming March 8, 2022 from a duo who has yet to write a bad book! The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Avery Chambers is a former therapist who fixes you in a 10 sessions, who lost her license to practice because of her unconventional methods. Enter Marissa and Mathew Bishop, the golden couple, who present to her post infidelity by Marissa, setting a collision course of hidden secrets, plot twists, and crossing paths. The Golden Couple was a great listen with good narration and likable characters. There were things along the way that didn’t seem to fit the story, almost as if there were two separate storylines being told together, but it did all come together in the end. I have yet to encounter a book by these authors that I didn’t enjoy engaging with, trying to figure out the plot, while thoroughly enjoying the story. This audio file was provided by Macmillian Audio and St. Martin’s Press in return for an honest review. #NetGalley #JennReviews #ReadingEscape #TheGoldenCouple

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In Defense of Witches by Mona Chollet

In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This. Book. Phew. My biggest problem with it is that I probably highlighted half of the book and wanted to immediately share quotes and have to wait until pub day! Absolutely fascinating, amazingly written, and food for my feminist witch soul.

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The Marriage Secret by Carey Baldwin

The Marriage Secret by Carey Baldwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On the surface, Zach seems like a perfect husband, who provides the perfect life, house, and everything a woman could want. In The Marriage Secret, he is quickly shown to be obsessive, controlling, cold, and calculating. When Zach becomes a suspect in the murder of a young woman, the surface fairy tale unravels further. The narration of this story was pleasant and skilled, and although I was able to guess some of the twists, there were still some surprises waiting in the wings. A worthwhile, solid listen, that would also be a good read. This honest review was provided in return for advanced reader audio access. #TheMarriageSecret #NetGalley

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Sundial by Catriona Ward

Sundial by Catriona Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! What a ride! An excellent, hard to put down read with relatable characters, well written prose, and a good plot with some unexpected twists. This may be a new favorite author! RUN, don't walk, to buy this when it releases on March 1, 2022!

Rob seems to have achieved the “normal” life she has always wanted; a husband, two kids, a home, until her oldest daughter Callie begins to say and do things that remind Rob of her family and the darkness of the family she left behind. Rob and Callie return to Sundial, Rob’s family property in the Mohave Desert, where Rob tries to unravel her past and her present.

Catriona Ward is showing her potential and has secured herself as a name I will purchase and read just because she wrote it. A phenomenal trip through the Mohave and the tangled web of generational darkness, trauma, and shocking secrets that will catch you by surprise - - WELL worth the read.

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The Lying Wife by Kathryn Croft

The Lying Wife by Kathryn Croft
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Callie really means well, but seems to get in her own way often, despite trying to make her ready-made family function. She struggles with a relationship with her new step-sons, who certainly don't make it easy on her. From there, it is a slippery slope for her. This was a solid read that meandered through Callie's story until the conclusion. Callie manages to be both likable and relatable, but also will leave the reader scratching their head, wondering what the hell she is thinking.

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Danger Unknown by Kathi Oram Peterson

Danger Unknown by Kathi Oram Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brooke unexpectedly finds herself on the run in a desperate effort to protect herself and her young daughter following the brutal murder of her husband. While on the run, Brooke becomes injured and her daughter finds her way to the doorstep of Michael, living on a remote ranch with struggles of his own. From there, danger increases as Michael and Brooke fight to uncover and survive a deadly conspiracy as secrets are uncovered. A breathtaking pace that will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages well into the night as Brooke, her daughter, and Michael fight to survive and uncover the truth as the bond between the three develops. #DangerUnknown #ReadingEscape #JennReviews

This honest review was provided in exchange for advance reader copy access provided by #NetGalley #ARC

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The Necklace by Matt Witten

The Necklace by Matt Witten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twenty years ago, Susan lost her daughter to abduction and murder. An arrest was made and the killer was sentenced to death. As the execution approaches and Susan makes plans to attend the execution, doubts surface, leaving Susan to wonder if the real killer is behind bars or has been left to walk free. Susan’s journey toward the truth takes some unexpected twists and turns and she must fight her way through obstacle after obstacle in her quest for truth and justice for her daughter. Susan is written in such a way that the reader will join her on her rollercoaster of doubt, following her instincts, and all of the emotions that come with it. I felt along with her and found her character to be relatable, real, and well written and developed. I’m uncertain if the procedural end of the story was well researched and had some moments of “would that really happen that way?”, but it was not enough to detract from the plot or the connection with the characters. A solid, emotionally provocative read. #TheNecklace #NetGalley #ReadingEscape #JennReviews

This honest review was provided in exchange for an advance reader copy provided by #NetGalley

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