Book Review (Round Seven)

 tufted headboard bed // nightstands // bedding from Homegoods
Good morning everyone!! Sorry it has taken me so long to get another book review up. I don’t know what was up with me – for a period of time I was unable to get interested in any book I picked up. It seemed like every single one I read was a dud, and I didn’t want to do a book review post full of bad books! When Chris and I took our vacation to Mexico, I was finally able to relax a little bit and dive into a really good book! The first two books and the last one on this list were out-of-this-world AMAZING so if you read any of them, pick those three!! 🙂
1. THE MARRIAGE LIE by Kimberly Belle
One of the best books I’ve read in a LONG time!! This one kept me guessing and avidly reading until the very last page. I really related to the main character and was rooting for her the entire time, which made the book even better. The premise is this: Iris and Will have a perfect marriage: a nice home in Atlanta, a loving relationship and the excitement of trying for their first baby. However, Iris’s world comes to a halt when she learns that a plane headed for Seattle has crashed, killing everyone on board, including her husband Will. The thing is, Will wasn’t supposed to be on a plane to Seattle – he was supposed to be at a business conference in Orlando. As Iris searches for the truth, she finds out that she may not have known her husband very well at all. And what she does find is shocking! 
2. THE SAFEST LIES by Megan Miranda
If you’re looking for a book to truly captivate you and pull you out of your own reality for a little bit, then this one is the one! This is actually a YA suspense novel so most of the characters are in high school, but it didn’t bother me one bit because the story is so compelling. Kelsey has lived most of her life in a shadow of fear, raised to see danger everywhere. Her mother hasn’t set foot outside their front door in seventeen years, since she escaped from her kidnappers. Kelsey knows she’s supposed to keep a low profile, but that plan is shattered when she drives off a cliff and is rescued by her classmate Ryan Baker. A few days later, Kelsey arrives home to find that her mother is missing… and someone is coming after her too. Besides the intense, gripping suspense, I also really liked this book because of the romance – it is seriously so adorable you guys, full of swoons, butterflies and with no unnecessary drama. It reminded me of when I first fell in love with Chris! Trust me – YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK! P.S. My mom read it after me and loved it too 🙂
3. THE CHILD by Fiona Barton
If any of you guys were fans of The Widow by Fiona Barton, then you will probably love her next book, The Child. This was an enjoyable mystery novel, although I wouldn’t say it was the best or most captivating book I’ve ever read. The story is told from the perspective of four different women. Short, punchy chapters keep the book moving along, as Kate, a reporter, tries to solve the mystery of a baby’s skeleton found at the site of an old housing unit. Parts of the book seem pretty unrealistic to me, and there were so many characters that I had trouble connecting with any one character; however, the end of the book did have a twist which made it a worthwhile read. 
4. THE PASSENGER by Lisa Lutz
My mom loaned me this novel and I read all of it while I was in Mexico. It did hold my attention (I finished it in two days), however the subject matter was a bit unsettling. The main character (whose real name remains hidden until almost the end of the novel) is a woman on the run: racing from town to town, changing her identity five or six times, and living off the grid. Because she’s on the run, the woman is forced to commit several petty crimes, and she even ends up committing murder along the way. To be honest, I didn’t like the main character one bit, nor could I relate to her. However, I kept reading because I just HAD to learn what exactly she was running from (which you do find out, at the very end of the book!). Like I said, the subject matter is a bit dark and unsettling (I myself started feeling guilty for all the crimes she was committing), but if you’re looking for a novel to keep you on your toes and guessing until the very end, then you will love this one!

5. THAT NIGHT by Chevy Stevens
I normally LOVE all of Chevy Stevens’ novels, however I’m including this one to let you know that I couldn’t make it all the way through this book! It has a lot of five-star ratings on Goodreads, however it felt like pure torture for me to try to finish this book. Toni is in love with a bad boy, named Ryan, much to the dismay of her parents, while Toni’s younger sister is perfect in every way. When Toni’s sister is murdered, it is pretty obvious that Toni and Ryan did not do it, yet they are convicted of the murder and sent to jail. What’s even worse than Toni being wrongly convicted of murder and sent to jail is probably the amount of bullying that she undergoes throughout the book. This girl can never catch a break: she is bullied in high school, she’s bullied during her prison sentence, she’s even bullied in the halfway house. It is honestly so disheartening and unrealistic, it made me angry! Like I said, I eventually had to put it down because it became too tortuous to read.
6. I AM LEGEND by Richard Matheson
I wanted to end this review on a positive note! I am Legend is a bit different than the other thrillers on this list: it was written in 1954 and was the basis for the hit movie starring Will Smith. Although it’s a bit different than some of the more modern thrillers, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! If you’ve seen the movie before, prepare yourself because the novel is a bit different. The protagonist, Robert Neville, is the last living man on Earth… but he is not alone. Every other man, woman and child on the planet has become a vampire. The vampires only come out at night, and they are hungry for Neville’s blood. Neville has to learn how to coexist with the vampires, searching for food and supplies during the day, and barricading his house at night. In particular, if you’re a fan of shows like the Walking Dead, then you HAVE to read this. I can’t recommend this novel enough! 
If you have recently read any must-read novels, please leave them in the comment section below so that we can all see! 🙂
xoxo
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43 Comments

  1. I just read one (while listed to it during my commute) but I immediately thought Caitlin would love this one! It's In The Blood by Lisa Unger, have you read it?? It is my first book by her but I will be reading more! The other series I am completely obsessed with is Linda Castillo Kate Burkholder’s mystery series, I have read 3 of the 13 books so far and have loved them all https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/kate-burkholder/ ! The last one I have read I think you will like is Whispers by Lisa Jackson!

    1.10.18Reply
    • I totally agree with this! In The Blood was amazing!!

      1.10.18Reply
    • I just randomly grabbed it off the shelf at the library because I needed a book on cd and liked the cover and I am so glad I did!!! I literally started taking the long way to work just so I could listen more lol

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  2. The Marriage Lie sounds so interesting!

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  3. I never even knew I Am Legend was a book! I saw the movie and really enjoyed it so now I have to read the book!

    1.10.18Reply
  4. I love your book reviews! Looks like I have several new reads to add to my list!

    1.10.18Reply
  5. I really enjoyed the book "The Breakdown" by B.A. Paris. Great book!

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  6. Great reviews, I'm definitely interested.

    http://www.jessicabroyles.com

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  7. I have heard such good things about The Marriage Lies – definitely checking out some of theses!

    Lauren,
    http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com

    1.10.18Reply
  8. I'll have to check out I Am Legend! Love your book reviews.

    Design by Sydnee | A Lifestyle Blog ��

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  9. All of the books by Karin Slaughter and Lisa Gardner are must reads! They are all crime and murder mysteries!

    1.10.18Reply
  10. All of the books by Karin Slaughter and Lisa Gardner are must reads! They are all crime and murder mysteries!

    1.10.18Reply
  11. Highly recommend “The Last Mrs. Parrish”. It’s a thriller and you’ll love it!

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  12. I have been looking for new books, thank you so much!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

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  13. Great reviews, I will have to check The Marriage Lie out! Thanks for sharing <3

    https://www.myblackcloset.com/

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  14. I read The Passenger and it sure was captivating! My city was mentioned in the book- when she was at the train station in Erie, Pa- so that was pretty cool. Thank you for sharing, I always read books you recommend!

    1.10.18Reply
    • The Passenger was one of my favorites last year too. 🙂 It was a more unique concept to me than a lot of the thrillers I've read..they all start to seem very similar after awhile. I wasn't bothered by the crime in the Passenger either because there was a good reason for each of them!
      Gina || On the Daily Express

      1.11.18Reply
  15. Ah I love your book reviews!! You always go into so much detail – but never ruin the ending! I think all of these bar one (that one you didn't like) will make it onto my reading list for sure!

    Your newest breakfast obsession is easy, delicious and gourmet! Check out my newest post now… Blush & Bordeaux

    1.10.18Reply
  16. I actually really liked That Night. Have you read Those Girls? That one is too much for me. You should sign up for a Goodreads account if you haven't already. It's a great way to keep track of what you have read, what you want to read, and you can follow people with similar book interests. I've discovered a lot of new authors that way.

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  17. Love these book reviews! I recently read a book called The Husband's Secret — I don't know if you've read it but it was AWESOME. Read it in one day because I couldn't stop, and absolutely loved the way she ended it. Definitely would recommend!

    1.11.18Reply
    • Random reply haha, BUT we have the same spelling for our name, and I've been eyeing that book for so long!! The title and book cover always intrigued me, but haven't picked up the book just yet The title stood out to me when I came to comment, so now I want to read it!

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    • The Husband’s Secret was amazing!!

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  18. I am excited to read these. Do you use a goodreads account? That way your followers can follow your reading list and recommendations?

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  19. Have you read Behind Closed Doors?! My favorite book of 2017!

    https://www.alexisdezayas.com

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    • I LOVED Behind Closed Doors (and I feel like I picked it up because it was on one of the previous book review lists here…?). So good.

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  20. I'm definitely going to download The Marriage Lie. I'm intrigued!

    Arum Lilea

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  21. All of these sound so good!

    BlondieintheCity.com 

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  22. I love your book review posts, and I always enjoy the ones you recommend. I added a bunch of these titles to my 'holds' list at the library. Between here and 'Cannonball Read' I have a huge list to get through! I'm halfway through a YA novel ("Alex, Approximately") and can't wait to start a non-fiction one called "The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women", about women at radium-dial factories during WW1.

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  23. Omg, I absolutely loved I Am Legend, too! Such a great book!

    I hope you have a great Thursday,
    Michael
    https://www.mileinmyglasses.com

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  24. Thank you for these… I build my "To Read Book List" based on your reviews and so far, you're spot on!

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  25. I definitely want to read the Marriage Lie! Sounds so good! Thanks for sharing!

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  26. Love these suggestions, this is the second time I see someone recommend The Marriage Lie! Need to read it!

    Olga
    https://www.littlethingsolga.com/

    1.12.18Reply
  27. Love your book reviews, will need to add these to my list!!

    I feel like you would love "The Last Mrs. Parrish" – it's not a murder mystery but it is a Thriller and definitely holds your attention. 🙂

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  28. I think you would also really like "Silent Child" – It is a quick read, but I finished it in one day and it kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end!

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  29. I just finished The Marriage Lie this week! Loved it! It kept me guessing too. I was so torn! Still am! Lol! I know that’s horrible but their love…ugh!

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  30. I love all your book reviews! I never read as a hobby, let alone barely for school assignments. However, I have found a love of reading as a hobby now because of you. Your book reviews have helped me find books I'm really interested in & always keep me on my toes, thank you!

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  31. I love when you do book reviews! I read so much, but am so happy that none of the ones you mentioned I've read before. Book #1 and #2 have been added to my reading list. Perfect timing for this long weekend.

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  32. Please link the outfit too!

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  33. Very curious to read the passenger! xx
    http://www.bonjourchiara.com

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  34. This is a great post! <3

    Charlotte | https://charlotteidek.com

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  35. I just finished The Last Mrs. Parish. It was so good!

    1.30.18Reply
  36. I love love LOVE your book reviews and basically read all of them! Please, Please keep doing, love pj nights reading(:

    3.8.18Reply