Too Close To Home.

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 4.5★ 

 

 Thank you to publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing|Park Row for Earc via Netgalley, in exchange for honest review. 

 

 

04.14.26   

 

  

 

Nothing in this idyllic community is quite what it seems…

 
Those lucky enough to live in the elite lakefront community of Cloverhill Lakes are drawn to it for its safety and top-notch school district. The moms meet for coffee at the park while their kids play, they’re heavily involved in the PTA, and the summers are filled with chardonnay, brunch, sundresses, and backyard bonfires. 

But everything changes when Regan Hoffman’s car explodes at the annual Labor Day party. The wrong person is killed, but it was meant for her. As the carefully crafted walls of her community begin to crumble, Regan tries to keep it together—something made infinitely harder when she sees her dead husband…alive. 

When a Cloverhill Lakes resident suddenly goes missing, dark secrets begin to surface from underneath the idyllic veneer of their beautiful community—and the truth threatens to destroy them all as Regan finds herself in a fight for her life.

 

 🌷

 
What a roller coaster ride! 

This story: it’s everything that I love about thrillers. Too Close To Home is the book that will hook you, and next thing you know, you’ve reached the end of the book. I’m still going through so many emotions after reading this book. Multiple perspectives worked perfectly in this book, and each had you on the edge of your seat, wondering what’s going to happen next. Although I enjoyed all the perspectives, Andi and Sasha intrigued me the most, especially Andi’s. What Andi had to go through, I can’t even imagine, but all the descriptions in the book made me feel as if I could imagine it. While reading from Andi’s perspective, I was on the edge of my seat constantly. I couldn’t put the book down, but there was part of me that was anxious about what was going to happen next. 

I liked the way that the author developed Andi, Sasha and Regan throughout the story, and by middle of the book, I felt as if all of them were my friends. What I loved about the story was all the twists. Just when you thought you had it all figured it out, you were proven wrong. It’s one of the reasons I spent most of the night reading, I couldn’t pull away from the story. I liked the friendship between Andi, Sasha and Regan; they reminded me of some of my closets friends. Too Close To Home was fast paced, and there was always something happening. 

I’m so glad that I got chance to read this book. I haven’t read many books by Seraphina Nova Glass , but this one is my favorite one. I think that this book would make an amazing movie. I loved the setting of this book, and how almost everyone came together. I highly recommend this book to any thriller fans.

Calamity Rayne: Gets A Life (Calamity Rayne,#1)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to the author,Lydia Michaels and Lydia Michaels PR for E Copy, in exchange for honest review

 

  

An awkward girl's account of inexperience, sexual mishaps, and too much tequila... 

Needing a change, Rayne Meyers—a.k.a. Calamity Rayne—sets out to be a personal assistant for one of the wealthiest families in the world. What could possibly go wrong? Inexperienced with sophisticated settings, she does her best not to screw things up too severely, except there’s one complication she didn’t foresee—her boss’s devastatingly charming son, Hale Davenport.   

Hale is everything Rayne is not–experienced, mature, and methodical. But when he meets his father’s new assistant, a woman nothing like the calculating females he’s used to, he is captivated and prepared to throw caution to the wind.

 🌷

 
I love rom-com books. I was glad to have the chance to read this book. I don’t remember the last time I smiled and laughed this much while reading a romance book. One of my favorite things about Calamity Rayne: Gets A Life is that it had you laughing on multiple occasions, especially when Rayne got herself into awkward positions. I loved Rayne from the moment that I met her. I think it’s her personality, you can’t help but love her. Even though I had mixed feelings about Remington, I adored the bond between her and Rayne. Sometimes I got the feeling that she was the only one that he listened to. When I first met him, I never thought I liked him, but as the book progressed, so did my feelings towards him. 

Hale, that’s another character that I had mixed feelings about, but not as much as his father. In general, he was a good person; I didn’t always agree with some of his decisions. You could tell that there was a connection between the two of them from the moment that they met. I loved how Hale tried to take care of Rayne and how patient he was with her. I loved the scenes between the two of them, and I like the fact that it wasn’t all about romance, and that’s what made this book feel so real. Those two belonged together. I rooted for them all throughout the book. 

I liked that Calamity Rayne: Gets A Life was much more than a romance book, but it also dealt with real life issues. Rayne was an amazing character, and she grew so much from the beginning of the book. This was such fun book to read, and I had force myself to put down, so I could study. That ending, it has me craving the next book. I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Rayne and Hale! Highly recommended.

The Secrets Of Provence(Forgotten Bookshop In Paris,#2)

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

   Thank you to publisher,Avon Books UK for providing with complimentary E ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.  

An unforgettable, heart-wrenching story tying together past and present, from the bestselling author of The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris Provence, 1940. Thrown out of occupied Paris by the Nazis, brave, beautiful Mathilde finds refuge with her cousin in Provence, where she’s soon drawn into the Resistance movement. Secrecy and subterfuge are her constant companions in her life on the run, where passions run high and betrayal is a constant threat. 

But Mathilde’s greatest pain and greatest joy are wrapped up in the most heartbreaking secret of one she must hide even from her beloved husband, and keep for the rest of her days.
Paris, present day. Juliette’s life should be perfect, with her bookshop established and her long-term relationship feeling settled, but something just isn’t clicking. Her thoughts turn to tracing her roots. Why did her French grandmother spend most of the war in Provence, after being expelled from Paris?
An old photograph will lead Juliette to a crumbling château, where she uncovers a story that will change her life in the most unexpected way…

   🌷

 
A story that will stay with you, long after you turn the last page. 

 The Forgotten Bookshop In Paris was the first book that I read by Daisy Wood, and the one that got me into her books. I loved Jacques’s story, but I was curious about how his wife was after she left. When I came across Secrets Of Provence, I had a feeling that I was going to love the book. Yet, it still took me by surprise. This story was so beautifully written, with descriptions, characters, and the challenges they faced. Despite the hard subject, I didn’t want to put the book down, but also didn’t want the story to end. 

Out of all the characters in the book, Mathilde was my favorite. She had to leave her husband behind and then endure so much afterward. What I adored about her was her courage and how willing she was to help others. I loved all descriptions from Mathilde’s perspective; making me feel as if I was there beside her; experiencing it all. Daisy Wood did an amazing job of merging Juliette’s and Mathilde’s timelines. Although, I enjoyed Juliette’s story too, I was more pulled into Mathilde story; eager to see where she end up at end of war. 

Every page in this story was an adventure. I cried, I got angry, and I laughed with all the characters throughout the story. I also liked the fact that there were a few surprises within the story that I didn’t see coming. Secrets of Provence is an outstanding book, and if I could, I would give it more than five stars. Daisy Wood is officially one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and I cannot wait to see what she has for us next!

Dear Debbie.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  4.5★

Sometimes, enough is enough… 

Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction. 

Or at least, she did. 

These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice. 

And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

 

   🌷

 
Just when I didn't think I could be more surprised by Freida's book, I was proven wrong. Dear Debbie had everything I love about thriller books, and I found myself unable to put it down. Every page had me wondering what Debbie would do next. I loved the twists in this book; most of which I didn’t see coming. One of my favorite things about Freida books is the twists. No matter how many times you think you have figured it out, most of the time you will be wrong. The twists will keep you turning the pages, and before you realize, you finish the book. I finished this book in one day; I could not pull away from the story. 

The beginning was slow, but once the story picked up, I was intrigued and found myself telling my friends about the book. Debbie wasn’t the only one keeping secrets; so was Cooper, but the secret he was keeping was far from what I assumed it was. I did wonder if Cooper would notice that Debbie is acting differently, and there was part of me that hoped he would. I understood why Debbie did what she did, but I also felt that if no one stopped her, she would go too far. There was so much happening in this book, even if you wanted to put book down, you wouldn’t be able to. 

I loved the Dear Debbie drafts; those were very interesting to read. The character development for Debbie was outstanding. Although Debbie had issues, she’s one of my favorite characters from the Freida books that I read. She’s the character you know you shouldn’t like, but you still find yourself rooting for. After this book, I can’t wait to see what Freida has in store for us next. Highly recommended for thriller fans.

Roped In (Silver Saloon,#1)

 

 

   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 Thank you to  Persis for letting me be part of her amazing street team, and for opportunity to read this ARC.

 

Blair Rivers never does repeats—especially not with cocky, gorgeous cowboys she meets during rodeo weekends. But after one unforgettable ni

ght with a mysterious stranger, she heads home to Whiskey Creek and tries to forget all about him.
Until he walks into her bar. 

Gage Dalton just took a job as the new foreman at a neighboring ranch. He didn’t expect to run into the fiery bartender who ghosted him—but he’s more than happy to turn the heat back up. Trouble is, Blair doesn’t believe in love. And Gage? He’s planning on making her believe in second rounds.

 🌷

 
I’ve been reading Persis Lassiter since she wrote her first book, The Layover That Changed Everything. I love all her books; she has a way of capturing your attention from the first page to the last. While reading, you’ll find yourself feeling connections with the characters. Roped In wasn’t any different, and even though Gage screamed red flags, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to him. I understood why he did what he did, but at the same time, I felt he went a little too far. Even though at first I didn’t understand how Blair could be drawn to Cage, as the story progressed, I saw it. Cage is the type of character you shouldn’t like, but you can’t help but like him. The tension and action in this book made it impossible to put down. Every page had me wondering what’s going to happen next. 

I loved Blair. I loved how Blair wouldn’t let anyone know what to do until Cage showed up. There was so much tension between them that I was always on edge, eager to see what was going to happen next. One of my favorites in this book was the descriptions; I could picture Whiskey Creek and The Silver Saloon while I was reading, as if I was watching a movie. Also, the emotions in this book; I felt every single one of them. Roped In was one of the darker books, and I loved everything about it. I read it until I reached the last page and afterwards recommended it to my friends. I’m still thinking about it and cannot wait for the second book. 

Although I loved all of Persis’s books, Roped In is my new favorite; at least so far. I had always loved books that feature a western vibe, and this one is one of the most intense, and favorites. I would highly recommend checking this book out. Be prepared for a thrilling ride!

The Last Drive Home(Golden City,#3)

 

 

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to the author,Casandra Moll for letting be part of ARC Team!  All opinions are my own.

 

 

04.07.26 

Liam Montgomery is a veteran MLB shortstop, a devoted father, and Golden City’s sunshine. He’s spent the last decade focusing on his game and his daughter, committed to avoiding women and relationships. When his longtime nanny leaves to pursue a new career, Liam is stuck sorting through a string of disappointing hires and a pile of lackluster applications—an unwelcome distraction in what should be his hard-earned retirement year. 

Until he meets her. 

Tessa Hastings takes care of everyone—her four adult siblings who can’t seem to grow up and the families she nannies for. But Tess has never learned to accept the same care she so freely gives. When she’s suddenly let go from her current position, she finds herself searching for a new job to ground her while quietly drowning in a relationship that's been just "good enough" for far too long. 

When Liam takes a chance interviewing a friend of a friend, Tess shows up and they realize they’ve met before—weeks ago when Sammy, the Montgomery’s family dog, ran away from Liam and into Tessa’s ice cream-filled arms. Now, as the two grow closer and lines start to blur, both realize the ways they’ve protected themselves all this time might be the very reason they’re afraid to swing at something real.
Because sometimes love doesn't come right down the middle. 

Sometimes, it forces you to chase it.

 🌷

 
Baseball is one of my favorite sports. When I came across this book, it captured my attention right away. The title was what first caught my eye, followed by the cover. I’m so glad that I got a chance to read this book. I liked the story's pacing and the way the relationship between Tessa and Liam developed. It was realistic. When I started reading The Last Drive Home, I wondered how long it would take them to confess the attraction that the two of them felt for one another. I could practically feel the tension between them. I was rotting for the two of them. 

I haven’t read the other book in the series, but now that I read The Last Drive Home, I can’t wait to read the others. I loved Liam, I loved the way he took care of his daughter, Ruthie; he was such an amazing dad, and the way that he looked out for Tessa. The way he looked out for Tessa; that’s when I knew that his feelings went deeper than he was willing to admit. I feel like everyone but him could see it. Among all the characters in the book, Tessa, Liam, and Ruthie were my favorites. If I were asked to pick a favorite, I don’t think I could choose. I loved the bond that Tessa formed with Ruthie. I think that she needed someone like Tessa in her life. 

 
I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. I loved how caring Tessa was, the way she took care of Ruthie, and the way she looked out for her family. It’s one of the reasons that I felt that Liam and Tessa were perfect for each other. The Last Drive Home is one of those books where the minor characters stand out as well, and you find yourself wanting to learn more about them. I would highly recommend this book for romance fans! I’m eager to see what Cassandra has in store for us next!

Remarkably Bright Creatures.

 

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. 

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. 

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. 

  🌷

 
Remarkably Bright Creatures is unlike any book that I read before. It touched me in so many ways. I've been hearing about this book for a while. My friend and I finally decided to buddy read this book. I'm so glad that we did. It was interesting to read the book from the Octopus's perspective. I liked the way that he described everything, and I loved his view on humans. I knew that Octopuses are smart creatures, but I had no idea how much. I did my own research after finishing the book. Marcellus was one of my favorite characters in the book, and the way he bonded with Tova was so bittersweet. 

Tova was another character I adored, and I liked how much she cared about her job and Marcellus. The way those two communicated had me smile every time. You never think that an Octopus and a human could have that special bond, and they do. That was one of my favorite things about this book: the connection between Tova and Marcellus. Long after I turned the last page, I was still thinking about the two of them. Marcellus and Tova are the two characters that you won’t forget. I think friendship is just what the two of them needed. 

I liked the way Van Pelt intertwined Marcellus, Tova, and Cameron’s stories. I was also curious to find out what happened to Tova’s son, Erik. I was also eager to see if Cameron would be able to locate his father. There were a few slow parts, but I loved most of it. Now that I read the book, I’m excited for the movie to come out. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a book that will stay with you.

Then There Was You.

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 Thank you to the author, S.L Scott and The Author Agency, for providing me with EARC,in exchange for honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

 

The time is now. 

I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to smile, to laugh, and to really live. Until I met him.
Heart-stoppingly handsome. Totally forbidden. Keats Matthews looked at me like I was something special. 

He was escaping his past. I wanted to escape my present. Together, we fell hard and fast and knew we had found forever. Or so we thought … 

Six years later, his shoulders are broader than I remembered, his charming smile thaws my frozen heart, and it’s so tempting to run my fingers through his hair like I did years ago. But it’s the tenderness and warmth in his brown eyes that remind me of the forever we almost shared.
It’s magic when we’re together again. Our chemistry has only magnified. Seeing him, confident and more irresistible than ever, has me falling for him all over again and hoping for a second chance.
But he still believes our timing was off before. He’s wrong. It was the secret I kept hidden that was our undoing. Time hasn’t healed old wounds, and not everything hidden has come to light. When it does, we’ll stand together or fall apart. Either way, we must find out.

 🌷

 
I loved Sosie and Keats’s story. Don’t you just love those names? They are so unique, just like the characters. Then There Was You is a story where you know that you are going to love the characters from the moment that you meet them. That’s the feeling I got from Sosie and Keats. This is the type of romance book that I love. I have read a lot of romance books, but this one… it was so raw and so beautiful, and I saw Keats and Sosie’s story play out like a movie in my mind. I rooted for them throughout the book; these two belong together. 

I liked how Sosie and Keats met, and it didn’t take long to see how powerful their connection was. The way S.L. Scott described their emotions and connection, I felt those emotions, as if I were part of the story. It was a beautifully written love story, and I couldn’t get enough. Then There Was You is the type of story that will have you turning the pages until the last page. This is the book that I read when I couldn’t sleep. I loved escaping into Sosie and Keats’s story. 

This was a very moving and emotional book, and I loved everything about it. I loved the way that the author described the setting; I pictured myself there. I loved both Sosie and Keats, but of the two, Sosie is the one who went the furthest. She had endured so much. I loved that Keats supported her every step of the way. Then There Was You is the story I wish I could give more than five stars to. I would highly recommend it for romance fans. This was my second book by S.L. Scott, and I can’t wait to check out her others.

The Sound That Found Me.

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  4.5★

 Thank you to the author, Jillian Marie for providing me with E -ARC in exchange for honest review. All opinions are my own. 

 

 

At sixteen, Heather Brown meets a boy on vacation who changes the way the world sounds. One summer. One connection. And then it’s over—before either of them knows how to hold on. 

Fifteen years later, Heather’s life looks exactly the way it’s supposed to. She’s engaged. Her career is thriving. Her future is mapped out in sensible, adult decisions. What she doesn’t have is the feeling she’s spent years convincing herself she outgrew. 

Bradley Hart carried it with him. 

He turned that summer into music—and the music into a career. Now a rising star, Bradley’s songs are built on memory, longing, and the girl who taught him what it meant to feel something that deep for the first time. 

When Heather hears one of his songs, it doesn’t feel like nostalgia. It feels like a message. 

Reaching out reconnects them in a way that’s immediate, complicated, and impossible to ignore—but timing has teeth now. Heather isn’t free. Bradley isn’t just a memory. And choosing him would mean unraveling a life she’s already promised to someone else. 

This time, the question isn’t whether first love lasts. 

It’s whether telling the truth—about who you were, who you became, and who you still want to be—is worth everything it might cost.

 🌷

 
I'm in love. 

I shouldn't be surprised, since this isn't the first book I've read by the author. The Sound That Found Me had me going through so many different emotions, and I still cannot get the story out of my mind. Heather and Bradley’s story played in my mind like a favorite song. I loved how Jillian connected music to their love story in this book. I was rooting for the two of them from the moment that Heather heard Bradley’s song. Those two belonged together, and I hoped that they would find a way to be together. 

The Sound That Found Me is the type of book that I love when it comes to second-chance romance. I love that they found each other through music. I adored the connection between Bradley and Heather, and as a reader, you wanted them to end up together. Even though Heather was with someone else at the time, they didn’t seem to have the connection that Bradley and Heather did. I loved the character development in this story, especially for Heather; she went a long way from who she was at the beginning. I was so absorbed in this story that I felt as if I were there with Heather and Bradley. 

 

 I loved the friendship from Tory and Nico; they reminded me of my best friends. I’m so glad that Heather had them. In general, I was on edge of my seat for most of the book, and there was part of them that didn’t want to end. I’m already eager for Jillian’s next book.

Interception.

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

   Thank you to author,Emily Louise and Rattle The Stars PR, for opportunity to be part of  ARC Team!  

 

03.25.26   

 

 

Everything was just fine. Until he showed up. Then my world came crashing down around me. 

 
Jackson Bentford was something from my past, a mere memory of a love that I left behind in college. He was the picture-perfect boyfriend, and the reason I became the version of myself I always yearned for. We were madly in love, ready to commit to one another for a lifetime, but secrets managed to make everything fall apart at the seams. Five years later, I moved on to bigger and better things. I’m with a man I love and I’m advancing in my career at ESPN. My life was exactly the way it should have been. 

Then I was blindsided – Jackson strolling back into my life without any warning with his captivating smile, and body that looks like it was carved by the Greek Gods. I should have known that our first interaction after so many years apart would have been intense, but I didn’t realize how life altering his presence would become. 

I, Hillary Brown, knew he was trouble. I knew he would bring nothing but uncertainty into my life, but that didn’t stop me from accepting his friendship. Perhaps it’s for closure. Perhaps it was because my heart couldn’t say no to him, even after all this time. 

No matter how many times I reminded myself that he was simply a friend, it seems I was falling in love with him all over again. 

So what happens when I can’t contain my feelings for my ex-boyfriend, while maintaining a relationship with my current boyfriend? What happens when the secrets I buried five years ago resurrect? 

I should have listened to the warning bells. I should have never let Jackson Bentford back into my life.

   🌷

 

In the past couple of years, I’ve fallen in love with sports romance. I read a few books. When I heard about Interception, I knew that I had to check it out. Just the blurb had me intrigued and wondering about what was going to happen with Hillary and Jackson. This story ended up being so much more than I expected. I was not prepared for the emotions that I would experience while reading this book. Interception is not a story I will forget. I adored Hillary and Jackson’s story, but my heart broke for the two of them on multiple occasions, and I also wanted them to find their way to each other. Their story was inspirational in so many ways. 

b> Interception was a breathtaking debut novel. Emily Louise did an outstanding job of describing everything, especially Hillary and Jackson’s emotions throughout. Even though I couldn’t even begin imagining what Hillary and Jackson went through, I felt as if I did. Interception had one of the best vivid imaginations I have read in a while. You could feel tension and attraction from the moment Jackson came back, and the two of them saw each other. Every scene between the two of them had me turning the pages because I was eager to see what would happen next. I was rooting for two of them from the beginning. 

Emily included some hard issues in this book, which made the story feel so much more realistic. I like how the story transitioned between the present and the past, giving us more insight into Hillary and Jackson’s story. There was part of me that couldn’t stop turning the pages, but there was also part of me that didn’t want the story to end. I’m so glad that I got the chance to read this story, and I’m eager to see what Emily Louise has in store for us next.

Daughter Of Egypt.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to publisher, St.Martin's Press for providing with complimentary E ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.  

 

03.24.26  

1920’s London was enthralled by the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Filled with priceless statues, jewels, and the gold-encased mummy of the boy Pharaoh himself, the burial site unleashed a fascination with the ancient world and revolutionized the world of archeology.
The discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and his associate, famed archeologist Howard Carter. What no one knows is that without the pioneering spirit of Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter, the tomb might never have been found. As a young woman, Evelyn was fascinated by the story of Hatshepsut, a woman who had to assume the guise of a man in order to rule Egypt. Although she brought peace and prosperity to Egypt, her male successors ruthlessly and thoroughly erased her name from history. 

Lady Evelyn’s ambition to find the tomb of Egypt’s first woman ruler exposes her to life-threatening danger and pits her against archeologists who refuse to believe the tomb can be found―and certainly not by a woman. Refusing to give up, Evelyn is on the verge of success when she is suddenly forced to make an agonizing choice between loyalty to her beloved father and Carter and realizing the dream of a lifetime.

 

  🌷

 
Be prepared for a wild ride! 

There is so much that I can say about this book; there are so many emotions that I am going through me right now. This book was amazing in so many ways. I feel like I shouldn’t be surprised since this isn’t the first book that I read by Marie Benedict, but this story exceeded my expectations. Daughter Of Egypt is a story of two strong women: Lady Evelyn and Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Even though they took place in different timelines, I loved how Evelyn's and Hatshepsut's stories connected. I enjoyed reading from both Evelyn and Hatshepsut’s perspectives; I admired their courage and their determination. Every page had me craving more, wondering if Evelyn and Hatshepsut would be able to accomplish their goals. 

Although I enjoyed both perspectives, I was more intrigued by Hatshepsut’s story. I admired everything that she accomplished, and the way that she didn’t give up on what else she wanted to accomplish. I had a feeling there was a reason Evelyn was so fascinated by her. I didn’t know much about Hatshepsut before reading the book. After reading the story and the author’s note, I wanted to do my own research to learn more. I was intrigued by Egypt’s history. All of the descriptions in Daughter Of Egypt made me wish I were there, although while reading the story, I felt as if I were. 

Both Evelyn and Hatshepsut were such incredible women; I’m still thinking about them. The descriptions in this book were outstanding and had me on the edge of my seat. It was the most atmospheric book that I have read. I have read a few books by Marie Benedict, and Daughter of Egypt is my new favorite. This is a must-read!

It Girl.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 4.5★

 

 Thank you to publisher, Ballantine Books for providing with complimentary E ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own. 

 

New York, 1900. At the dawn of a new century, the city’s streets teem with electricity, automobiles, a brash young President Teddy Roosevelt—and the It Girls. As artist’s muses and working models, these independent young women soar to stardom not because of their pedigrees or inherited wealth, but because of their talent, charisma, and irresistible beauty. Pop culture is born, and in a world alight with Mr. Edison’s new bulbs, no one shines brighter than America’s sweetheart, Evelyn Talbot. 

But the journey to stardom was not simple or straight. As a young girl, a grieving Evelyn is forced to take care of her widowed mother and kid brother. While working as a shopgirl, she is recruited as a studio model, and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of her age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity, a “Gibson Girl,” the most sought-after face of her time. Enter a parade of powerful and power-hungry men, from world-famous architect Stanley Pierce, the visionary behind Manhattan’s mansions and iconic landmarks, to Hal Thorne, the shockingly wealthy railroad heir and premiere “playboy” of high society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security—even love. But fame and fortune are cruel teachers. 

When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared “the Crime of the Century,” the sins of the men in her life are blamed on her. In the media frenzy that erupts, Evelyn realizes that—to survive—she will have to take charge of her own ending. But can this artists’ muse turned showgirl pull off the greatest act of her life? 

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A story that will stay with you. 

It didn’t take long for It Girl to engage me in the story of Evelyn Tablot. There was so much I loved about this story; I was intrigued by her, and every page had me craving more. I was curious to see what was next for Evelyn. It Girl was a beautifully written novel, but also heartbreaking at times, and yet, I couldn’t pull myself from the story. One more chapter would turn into five more. I liked that the story was told from Evelyn’s perspective; making you feel as if you are going on the journey along with Evelyn. I was always eager to see where she would end up next. 

The story flowed well, starting with Evelyn as a young girl and her rise to fame. I can’t imagine rising to fame at such a young age, but I understood why she took that opportunity. Although I sometimes questioned the choices her mother made for her. Evelyn’s mother was one of the characters that I didn’t like from the start; to me, she didn’t treat Evelyn the way a mother should treat her daughter. As the story progressed, I disliked her even more. I wished Evelyn would stand up to her mother and make her own decisions, but I also understood why she couldn’t. I admired Evelyn; despite everything she endured, she didn’t give up on her dreams and kept on going. 

I liked that each part of the book featured a different part of Evelyn’s story. There were times when my heart broke for Evelyn. It Girl is a story that will have you go through a range of emotions. I knew this book was loosely based on the life of Evelyn Nesbit, which I had never heard of. I loved reading the author’s note at the end, and did my own research afterwards because I was intrigued by the story. This was my second book by Allison Pataki, and I cannot wait to check out her others.