Tag: William Morrow

Book Review, Books

You And Me And Us

Openly Bookish

What would you do if you were given terminal news? Tommy Whistler has this quandary. Of course his significant other, Alexis wants him to fight his illness the best he can, to give him more time with her and their daughter, CeCe. Tommy prefers to have quality over quantity. What’s the point of prolonging the end result if you are too, sick to enjoy time with your loved ones? With time ticking he decides he wants to spend his last few months in his hometown.

Alexis is not thrilled to return to Tommy’s hometown. She doesn’t want to risk his past coming back into their lives, or giving their daughter food for thought. The past has to stay the past. Yes, Tommy loves and is committed to Alexis, but there are certain people she doesn’t want to share her family with.

CeCe is mad she’s missing out on acting camp. Just when her high school experience was coming together after participating in their play of, “Romeo and Juliet.” CeCe’s lead costar seems to be smitten with her supposed ‘best friend’ instead of her. Maybe her time away won’t be so awful.

Will Alexis and CeCe put aside their frustrations to help make Tommy’s summer the best it can be? This novel explores what it’s like to deal with a terminal illness and how the choices we make regarding to do treatment or not affects our family members and friends. What would you do if you were in Tommy’s shoes?

I received my complimentary copy of You And Me Snd Us by Allison Hammer from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are of my own choice and mine. This debut novel is a sweet, thought provoking story that will have you wishing you could hug these characters. To go grab a gorgeous copy click here to help support the publisher and to find out more about this fantastic author. Thank you TLC Book Tours for helping me discover another wonderful new favorite author.

Book Review, Books

The Eighth Girl

Openly Bookish

Did I just go on a roller coaster? My mind is still trying to grapple with the genius of a writer I just read. Genius in how she took a very complex mental health disorder and gave it the tender care it needs. She does a wonderful job to help those unfamiliar with Dissociative Identity Disorder otherwise known as Multiple Personality Disorder understand it better. This thick novel did just that.

Meet Alexa Wu who struggles corralling her different personalities. She lives with her stepmom Anna after her father left them and her mother died. She has her best friend Ella. They are close almost like sisters, until Ella agrees to work at a strip club to earn extra money, so she can get her own place. Alexa is not thrilled with Ella’s choice, but is hopeful it will be a short term gig. Her best friend is aware of Alexa’s personalities and loves her anyway. Alexa is thrilled about her new photojournalist job she scored. Now if only her alters (personalities) will allow her to keep it. This novel is Alexa’s journey to try to carve out a life for herself and how she deals with her alters and being able to function day to day.

Enter in Alexa’s psychiatrist, Daniel who has challenges of his own he is working to keep reigned in. He is challenged in dealing with Alexa and her switching her personalities within a session. Can Daniel help Alexa? How do you help someone with DID/MPD?

The way in which the author presents alters is spot on. I like how her description of where the alters reside is called the nest and how when one personality recedes they return to the nest. I think the way in which this difficult subject was handled was done with grace.

I received my complimentary copy of The Eighth Girl by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. To grab your own copy to keep and to support HarperCollins and check out more about the author. This novel deals with very adult topics (abuse, suicide, etc.), so please be cautious before purchasing. This debut author is going to make a huge impact in the mental health field with her novels. I can’t wait to see what future novels she will produce. Thank you once again TLC Book Tours for helping me discover a new favorite author.

Book Review, Books

The DNA Of You And Me

Openly Bookish

Emily started working in a genetics lab, hoping one day to have her own. Her boss, Justin is arrogant and seems to pit her against her colleague Aeden. Both Aeden and Emily are doing separate research on the theme of smell in rats and how to restore the sense of smell if that ability has been removed, or damaged.

Emily is a nerdy loner who due to a grass allergy never got to play outside as a child, so her friendship skills are in need of exercise. Her colleagues do try to befriend her as does Justin, but she’s not about to be distracted away from her intense research.

At first Aeden seems aloof, but over time warms up to Emily. Just when Emily thinks she might have found something to resemble love she over hear’s Aeden’s mom make a snotty comment about Emily. This makes her wonder’s if he truly wants to be with her.

Emily already lost her dad, a fellow scientist who raised her singlehandedly, but doesn’t want to loose Aeden, but then doesn’t want to be his pity choice. Will Emily be able to resolve her relationship with Aeden? Is her research more important than finding love? When career and romance collide, who will win?

I received my complimentary copy of The DNA Of You And Me by Andrea Rothman from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own will. To get a copy check visit HarperCollins and find out more about the author.

Book Review, Books

The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

Openly Bookish

Three generations searching for love. Rachel who seems to have fleeting romances, Eve who has swapped her travels to Africa with her boyfriend in favor of taking care of her grandmother. Esther stuck on a island against her will by her husband, in an attempt to heal her from her grief.

Rachel lands on the Isles of Scilly to research clams. While going out to do her research a storm brews up fast and she doesn’t want to lose her boat. Attempting to swim it to shore behind her she ends up getting her arm caught between rocks. An older woman whose a recluse rescues Rachael. She has landed on an island called Little Embers. Her rescuer finds her some clothes to borrow. They are clothes from a different era with a secret.

Eve is stuck taking care of her grandmother and wonders if she’ll ever rekindle the boyfriend she left behind. Helping her grandmother write her memoirs Eve senses there’s more to her life then her grandmother is letting on.

Esther is stuck on an island to try and heal her grief. With her husband and little boy so far away can Esther heal?

Join Esther, Eve and Rachel on their journeys to discover love and the how the paths we choose shape our future. This gripping novel is set on the isles off the Cornish coast. If you enjoy small town stories then you might just fall in love with this story. This novel touches on so many different themes from loss, independence, grief, romance, adventure and most of all hope.

I received my complimentary copy of The Lost Letters Of Esther Durrant by Kayte Nunn from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. To go grab a gorgeous copy of this novel support HarperCollins and to find out more about the author.

Book Review, Books

The Sea Of Lost Girls

Openly Bookish

I love when I discover a new author whose writing style I can just dive into and can’t put down. The Sea Of Lost Girls is a story that will naw at your mind and heart after you’ve finished the final page.

Tess is a teacher at a fancy boarding school that her husband works at as well. This boarding school has a unique past of originally being a place for wayward girls to be sent to. Her son Rudy attends there and has a girlfriend Lila who seems to be a great influence on him. Life seems like its perfect until the night Rudy asks Tess to come pick him up from their safe spot and Rudy’s girlfriend is found dead later that early morning.

Who killed Lila? Tess is sure it can’t be Rudy. He loves his girlfriend. Yes, he has anger issues, but not to the point of murder. Tess wants to uncover who killed Lila, but in sleuthing she discovers there’s more to the sordid history of the boarding school. Is there something to maiden stone?

I received my complimentary copy of The Sea Of Lost Girls You by Carol Goodman from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. To grab a gorgeous copy visit HarperCollins and find out more about the author.

Book Review, Books

Dead To Her

Openly Bookish

Marcie has come up in the world now that she’s married to Jason, lives in a nice home and hobnobs with the rich inner circle of Savannah. The only thing is Marcie’s past is shut away in a little box. When her and Jason’s friend William marries a new wife, Keisha, a woman who makes everyone’s head turn. Marcie wonders if this new wife is all who she appears to be.

Keisha is thrust into this high society that is out of her comfort zone, but even though William is much older then her, the money is worth it. But her past keeps knocking at her door, making her feel unworthy of her new found love and home. Can Keisha move beyond her past?

Two women trying to fit in to a world that has its own little secrets. Why was William’s first wife so beloved? Are the inner circle ladies truly your friend, or is it just for social appearances? Will Marcie and Keisha ever get along?

I received my complimentary copy of Dead To Her by Sarah Pinborough from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. Sarah Pinborough creates complex characters that take you on a whirlwind of adventure. My brain is still wrapping around the ending. If you enjoy Gone Girl, then you may enjoy this Southern thriller. Pinborough is a master of the psychological thriller. Once you read one of novels you’ll be greedy for more.

Book Review, Books

St. Francis Society for Wayward Pets

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If you need a story that will pull at your heart strings, wrap you in a fuzzy blanket on a cold winter night and bring you hot tea, then go immediately to your local bookstore, or click the link at the end to grab a copy of St. Francis Society For Wayward Pets.

Maeve gets let go from her job as a sports writer due to the company going belly up, then her jerk of a baseball player boyfriend cheats on her. In public. Men! Not only is that a cluster of a combo, Maeve gets notified her birth mother has died and she’s invited to the funeral.

Would you go to a funeral for a woman who didn’t show an ounce of interest in keeping in contact? Maeve is shocked she’s invited with all things considered. She loves her adoptive parents and adoptive brother, Eli. Why rock the boat by going?

Being kind and sensible Maeve caves and goes. The town where her bio mom lives is like a step back in time to Mayberry. What would it have been like for her to have grown up here instead of big Seattle?

Maybe Maeve will get to learn about her birth mother. Why did she not want to get to know Maeve? Why would she be invited to the funeral if her mom gave her away? So many unanswered questions and a small town taking in Maeve. It’s hard when you look just like your dead birth mother.

I received my complimentary copy of St. Francis Society For Wayward Pets by Annie England Noblin from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. To grab a gorgeous copy support HarperCollins and check out more about the author.

Book Review, Books

Cross Her Heart

Openly Bookish

Lisa’s life is finally getting into a great rhythm with her daughter Ava. She has a great job, landed a big account at work and has the best friend ever in her coworker, Marilyn. Ava is turning into a classic surly teenager with attitude. She can’t understand why her mom is so protective of her. Ava is practically an adult, can’t her mom are that? Lisa knows they can get through her daughter’s rebellious phase.

One afternoon at a local town fair Ava saves a little boy who falls into the river. Being on the high school swim team has it’s perks. Ava swallows up all the attention while Lisa is trying to avoid being a part of the spotlight.

The affects of Ava’s heroism turn Lisa and Ava’s world upside down when people come looking for someone named Charlotte. Whose Charlotte? Does she know Lisa? Does Lisa know her? Are things as they seem for Lisa and Ava?

I loved Sarah Pinborough’s young adult novel 13 Minutes. Cross Her Heart is even better. For fans of Gone Girl, this new book by Sarah will definitely become a new all time favorite. I already want to read it again. If you adore suspense and psychological thrillers then this is a must read.

I received my complimentary copy of Cross My Heart by Sarah Pinborough from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and my own choice to post. Pick up a copy here and learn more about the author. I thought I was a big fan of Sarah Pinborough, but after reading Cross Her Heart, I’m now an avid fan and am going to read her other novels.

Book Review, Books

The Clergyman’s Wife

Openly Bookish

Charlotte Collins is the wife of a local vicar. Her husband is caught up with what their landlady, Lady Catherine deems appropriate for high society. Charlotte is more concerned with taking care of their daughter and learning the ropes of being a vicar’s wife. She misses her family back home, but their maid Martha keeps her company while Charlotte’s husband is in his book room writing his sermons.

When Charlotte’s husband summons’s the farmer, Mr. Travis’s son to help plant roses for them, Charlotte meets a new possible kindred spirit, but decorum persists. Over time by visiting old Mr. Travis she sees how he enjoys getting to see her little daughter and how kind his son is. They speak occasionally at church and when they bump into each other on walks.

Over time Charlotte discovers she has more than friendship feelings for Mr. Travis’s son. Unlike her sister, Maria who married for love, Charlotte married out of convenience since her husband, William was the only eligible bachelor and a good social catch. Charlotte is ashamed about the feelings that are welling up for her regarding their neighbor. She senses Mr. Travis’s son has mutual feelings, but they are both conscious of what’s appropriate when interacting. It’s hard when there are nosey town neighbors spreading gossip.

This novel made me thankful I’m a women in modern times. The view of women and wives in this older era is depressing. It shows how back then marriage was a contract between esteemed families and depending on who you paired up with reflected back on your family’s status within the community. Marrying for love was not the priority and I think looked down upon. Or matching from different social classes was another huge no, no. If you never found a decent marital match then you were left to live at home indefinitely.

I received my complimentary copy of The Clergyman’s Wife by Molly Greeley from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own will. To procure a copy visit HarperCollins and check out more on Molly Greeley. If you enjoy Victorian era novels then you may enjoy this debut novel. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t my cup of tea, but it did provide a clear example of Victorian life.

Book Review, Books

Lost Child

Openly Bookish

I’ve read Torey Hayden books before. She is a child psychologist who writes books are about kids she’s helped who are extremely emotionally disturbed. This book I almost DNF’D 2x. Not because I wasn’t enjoying the book, but due to the shock factor of how the child of the story, Jessie talks and the subject matter. I’m also spiritually sensitive, so there were parts I almost felt spiritually attacked. I persevered to the end and I’m glad I did. This has to be the most EXTREME case of hers I’ve read.

I’ve never read a book about a person who has RAD: Reactive Attachment Disorder and Lost Child shows you what a child is like who has this disorder. The characteristics of this disorder are not for the faint of heart, or highly sensitive person. I’m an empath, hence why I reacted to the story stronger.

I received my complimentary copy of Lost Child by Torey Hayden from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. This book is worth reading, though it should come with a warning on the cover with how graphic it can be. I still am a fan of Torey’s work and hope she’ll write another book soon. Thank you for sharing Jessie’s story and how lives can be changed when we choose to reach out and care.