Tuesday 26 January 2021

Book Review - Blind Spot by Jo Richardson ⭐⭐⭐



Title: Blind Spot
Author: Jo Richardson
Pages: 497 (Paperback)
Genre: Fiction
Source: Book Sirens 
Format : Kindle E Book 
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐



When I look for books to review, I usually take my time because there are so many to choose from and I know what I like to read. Upon reading a sample of Blind Spot I just knew that I had to read it. I must say that the story was indeed a page turner.

The author's descriptions of the characters were vivid. I imagined that I was there feeling what Tucker felt while he confronted the demons of his past. Sydney's character was very interesting because I never before thought that people could possess the kind of "gift" that she possesses.

The connection between the main characters and the passion was really alive as well. You felt their love and struggles, their journey.

Had the book been shorter though it would have been much more effective.

I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Saturday 23 January 2021

Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover ⭐⭐⭐⭐


 

Title: Verity
Author: Colleen Hoover 
Published by: 
Pages: 324 pages 
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Format: E book
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


Synopsis 

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.


Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

A standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.




My Review:

Finally I read the much talked about Verity. 

This is the type of story that will stay with me for a while. 

Verity has been on my TBR list for a while and it did not disappoint. This was my first time reading Colleen Hoover and I assure you that I will be reading more of her work in the future. 

Lowen is a writer who is a bit down on her luck, her mother died leaving her in debt, she has issues with sleep walking so of course she needs a break in life. After witnessing an accident on the street on the way to her publishers' and being helped by a kind stranger Jeremy her life takes an unexpected turn. 
Jeremy Crawford ends up being the husband of a famous author Verity Crawford who wants to hore Lowen to complete his famous wife's book series.

Verity suffered tremendous loss and was in a tragic accident which left her in a coma.  After seizing the opportunity, Lowen agreed to stay in the Crawford's household to research manuscripts and plan her writing. In doing so Lowen makes a startling discovery, Verity's autobiography.  As she reads the sordid tale in Verity's autobiography, Lowen realizes that there lies within that family secrets.

What I love about this book is that it held my interest till the very end. As Lowen read Verity's manuscript you could have felt every feeling and emotion. There were times I was angry, sad and of course horrified. The ending was surprising too. I did not expect the story to end that way.

I am glad I finally read this. 

Monday 18 January 2021

Book review: Ties that Tether by Jane Igharo ⭐⭐⭐⭐



Title: Ties that Tether
Author: Jane Igharo
Date : September 29th. 2020
Pages :336
Genres : Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Women's Fiction
Source : Libby Overdrive, Library 
Format E book
Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Synopsis:

When a Nigerian woman falls for a man she knows will break her mother’s heart, she must choose between love and her family.

At twelve years old, Azere promised her dying father she would marry a Nigerian man and preserve her culture even after emigrating to Canada. Her mother has been vigilant about helping--forcing--her to stay well within the Nigerian dating pool ever since. But when another match-made-by-mom goes wrong, Azere ends up at a bar, enjoying the company and later sharing the bed of Rafael Castellano, a man who is tall, handsome, and white.

When their one-night stand unexpectedly evolves into something serious, Azere is caught between her growing feelings for Rafael and the compulsive need to please her mother who will never accept a relationship that threatens to dilute Azere's Nigerian heritage.

Azere can't help wondering if loving Rafael makes her any less of a Nigerian. Can she be with him without compromising her identity? The answer will either cause Azere to be audacious and fight for her happiness or continue as the compliant daughter.


I downloaded the Libby App recently because the library here in Trinidad and Tobago, because of the pandemic is trying to make reading more accessible because many would not be able to visit the library as we usually do. So in other words I am a newbie to this. I borrowed this book mainly as a test, not knowing what it was about and became very engrossed in the story.

Azere made a promise as a child  to her dying father that she would marry a Nigerian "Edo" man. Now an adult living in Canada Azere's mother has gone to great lengths to honor her deceased father's wishes by trying to match her with every eligible bachelor of Nigerian Heritage. Azere goes on these dates dutifully but never makes a connection with anyone. 

After one of these arranged dates goes wrong, she  meets Raphael, who is completely handsome and guess what he is not Nigerian or even Black. They connected at the bar and had a one night stand. Azere tries to put Rafael out of her mind when lo and behold he starts working at her job.

There begins a romantic adventure that keeps you turning pages.

This is definitely a must read!!!


Sunday 17 January 2021

Book Review - Camgirl Got me - Taylor By Just Bae ⭐⭐⭐

 





A nice quick read !!! ⭐⭐


Ok so it is two am and I could not sleep so i decided to read this short story. I love how I am discovering new writers everyday like Just Bae.
A Camgirl got me is a short story that is very erotic and definitely a page turner. Sometimes stories like these are not so well written but I was actually surprised at the style of writing.
Good short story.



Saturday 16 January 2021

Book review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid⭐⭐⭐⭐

 



Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Pages:391
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Adult
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐


2021 is off to a great start for me with this book. 

This has been on my TBR for a very long time and all I can say about it is that it lived up to the hype.

Prior to reading this I heard so many rave reviews and the fact that it did not disappoint gave me peace.

Monique Grant is a young writer, working for a magazine called Vivant. Newly separated from her husband, Monique is requested for by none other than Evelyn Hugo who wants Monique to write not just a story for the magazine but her autobiography.

As Monique interviews Evelyn she is told a story about a life of intrigue and tragedy.  It was also a story about the great lengths we will go in life to protect the ones we love and for love. In my opinion this was the best part of the book.

With an ending so shocking that Monique couldn't believe it.

This story was well written. I enjoyed it completely.

Sunday 3 January 2021

Book Review: My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell ⭐⭐⭐⭐



Title: My Dark Vanessa
Author: Kate Elizabeth Russell
Published By: William Morrow
Pages: 373
Genre: Adult Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Dark
Source:  Library
Format: e book, .epub
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐


"Come and be worshipped, come and be caressed, My dark Vanessa, crimson-barred, my blest, My admirable butterfly!"

This book was disturbingly good. A page turner indeed.

What a way to start 2021. 

There were parts of this story that I felt uncomfortable reading but I just could not put it down.

Vanessa Wye is a fifteen year old student of a boarding school called Browick where, upon attending meets Jacob Strane an English teacher who she becomes infatuated with. Strane also has an interest in Vanessa one that leads her down an unimaginable path of destruction for the rest of her life.

I think this book is necessary because sexual grooming is something that happens more frequently than we care to admit. Many older men and some women prey on young people that may be viewed as weak. 

This book was so well written. I love the imagery and the relevance of every single person in the book. While reading I felt everything that Vanessa was going through. At times I became emotional, angry and also felt pity for Jacob Strane.

This book gives a good example of what can happen if people don't address trauma. 

I really want people to read this book so I would say no more.

I am looking forward to reading more from this author. 



Friday 1 January 2021

Happy New Year Everyone!!!