The Lies We Leave Behind.

 

 

★★★★

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Somewhere in the Pacific, 1943. Kate Campbell is a nurse who bravely flies back and forth from the front to rescue wounded soldiers, amid long days, harsh conditions and often dangerous weather. Driven by a deep personal need to help in the war effort, she is conflicted when an injury results in her reassignment to the relative comfort of the English countryside. 

Love has never been part of her plan, but despite herself, she falls for an officer with three bullet wounds, startling blue eyes and a wicked sense of humor. For the first time, Kate sees a future far from the horrors of war and hate. But before she can pursue it, a secret from her past calls her to duty, and she'll have to travel back into danger one more time to rescue a part of herself she'd left behind. But will she make it back? And will that future still be waiting for her if she does?

 

 🌷

 
A beautifully written story about love and courage. 

I loved the vivid descriptions and details in this novel; I could see myself in the scene as I read it. The Lies We Leave Behind is a captivating book that you will find difficult to put down. I could spend hours reading this book, and if it wasn’t for studying, I would have. Noelle Salazar has a way of drawing the reader into the story, especially with all the twists and turns. I thought I couldn't be more amazed and then the unexpected happened again. I did feel that there were more twists in the second half of the story than the first half. I was hooked into the novel from the first page, when a woman appears and leads William to reflect on his past, leaving me wondering what happened to Kate. And how did this woman know her? Dual timeline worked well in this book because it connected the two stories. 

I immediately connected with Kate and was rooting for her and William every step of the way. When Kate had to go unexpectedly, I prayed that nothing went wrong, and she would find her way back to him. I didn't like that she was not being honest with William, but I could see why she didn't tell him the truth. I was scared that all of those lies would make it more difficult to explain afterward. I hoped William loved her to understand it and forgive her. I admired Kate's determination. I can't image what she had to go through, especially in the second half of the book; I was scared she wouldn't make it through. I was praying for her every step of the way. 

I loved William and Kate's love story. I had previously read a WWII book in which a nurse fell in love with a soldier, but it did not have the same impact on me as their story. I believe they were meant to fall in love; to make it through the war. I couldn't quit thinking about the story even after I'd turned the last page. I was intrigued what happened afterward. Noelle Salazar been on my reading list for a while, and I can see why others are talking about her. Now that I have read her book, I’m eager to check out rest of her books!

The Pianist's Wife.

 

★★★★★

Thank you to publisher, Lake Union Publishing for providing me with copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

 RELEASE DATE: 02/04/2025

Berlin, 1944: Amira and Gisele have been best friends since they were children, and now Gisele is the only person who knows Amira’s secret. A secret that puts her and everyone she loves in unimaginable danger amid the daily horror and violence of Nazi Germany. 

With the threat of exposure drawing closer, Gisele’s suggestion that Amira marries her friend Fred, a famous pianist, might just be the lifeline she needs to keep them both safe. Because Fred has secrets too.
As the two strangers promise to look after each other, a profound love develops. But while the war rages on, Amira, Fred and Gisele are soon faced with terrible choices that will test their loyalty—and their courage—to the ultimate limits. How far will they go to keep each other alive? 

 🌷

 
Heartbreaking, heartwarming, and memorable are only a few words that describe this book. This was one of the most beautifully written books I'd read this year. 

I discovered Soraya M. Lane in 2019 and have read a few of her books since. I loved them all. I was excited when she announced that she was writing a new book. I loved so many aspects of this book, especially the story, which moved me in many ways. Despite its content, The Pianist's Wife is a book that will captivate you from start to finish. I was engrossed in Amira’s story when I picked up the book, and I felt myself being transformed into her world through the book. I was both excited and scared about what Amira would face next. I had no idea what to expect while reading this novel, and just when I thought I couldn't be more shocked, another unexpected twist changed everything. 

You couldn't help but love Amira. I adored her from the beginning. She may not have felt it, but she was strong. Amira endured many hardships simply because of who her mother was, yet she refused to give up. I was rooting for her every step of the way. . Part of me didn't want her story to end, primarily because I was frightened of how it would end. I wasn't initially sure about Amira and Fred; especially given why they married. It didn't take long for me to change my mind; their bond revealed how much they cared for one another. 

Sometimes, the book was difficult to read, and I had to take a break to reflect. I've read a few books set during WWII; it's one of my favorite subjects to read about, but The Pianist's Wife affected me the most. I loved Amira and Gisele's friendship; it was one of my favorite parts of the story. Gisele took great measures to preserve her friend's secret, showing the significance of true friendship. I could see how much research went into this book and learned a lot while reading it. I suggest this to anyone who loves historical fiction. I would rate it higher than 5 stars. It's one of my favorite reads this year.

The Coworker.

 

 

★★★★

 

Two women. An office filled with secrets. One terrible crime that can't be taken back.
Dawn Schiff is strange. At least, everyone thinks so at Vixed, the nutritional supplement company where Dawn works as an accountant. She never says the right thing. She has no friends. And she is always at her desk at precisely 8:45 a.m. 

So when Dawn doesn't show up to the office one morning, her coworker Natalie Farrell—beautiful, popular, top sales rep five years running—is surprised. Then she receives an unsettling, anonymous phone call that changes everything… 

It turns out Dawn wasn't just an awkward outsider—she was being targeted by someone close. And now Natalie is irrevocably tied to Dawn as she finds herself caught in a twisted game of cat and mouse that leaves her wondering: who's the real victim? 

But one thing is incredibly clear: somebody hated Dawn Schiff. Enough to kill.

 

 🌷

 
A story that will keep you on the edge of your seat! 

I have heard about Freida McFadden books from friends and people on social media for a while. I'm a thriller fan, so I decided to check it out. Now that I've read it, I know why so many people are talking about this author. I couldn't get enough of this book; I was so caught up in the story that I didn't realize I had spent hours reading it. The Coworker was unlike any other thriller books I had read in the past, mainly because there were many more characters in the book I didn't like than those I did like. The Coworker is one of those books; just when you think it’s time to put it down, another twist has you reading for a few more hours. 

Dawn was someone I liked. I hated the way people treated her simply because she was different. The facts about turtles that were discussed in the book fascinated me. Most of the information about them was new, and reading the book taught me something. I liked how part of the novel was told through emails between Dawn and her best friend, Mia. I was pleased she had someone like Mia to listen to and support her. That could be why I didn’t see the next part coming. Although I loved Dawn, I also had a bad feeling about her and thought she could be hiding something. This was primarily because of how the tone of her emails shifted throughout the book. 

Natalie, Initially, I liked her. Until she started bullying Dawn, she may not have thought that, but what she did to Dawn was inappropriate and not how a grown woman should act. I realized a few things halfway through the book, but there were also quite a few twists I didn't see coming, like the ending. In general, The Coworker is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I am intrigued to check out the rest of Freida McFadden's books.

The Wedding Engagement.

 

 

★★★★

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Planning a wedding is so romantic . . . except when it’s not yours, and you’re planning it with the guy you’re secretly crushing on. 

 
Scottish schoolteacher Liv Holland has a secret. She’s been carrying a torch for Arran Adebayo, her brother’s best friend, for years. A blind date gone wrong cements in Liv’s mind that Arran has no romantic interest in her whatsoever. But then, with her brother set to marry her own best friend, she and Arran are enlisted to help plan the festivities… After being left at the altar by his ex, single father Arran is having trouble managing his growing feelings towards the woman who is both his best friend’s sister and his son’s Liv. Then his mind is blown when fate thrusts them together for an unexpected blind date, but he messes up his chance to tell her how he feels. 

As the big day approaches and Liv and Arran’s connection intensifies, their chemistry chafes against their checkered romantic histories. Risking everything for love could mean losing each other forever . . . or being the next ones to find their happy ever after. 

 🌷

 
I stumbled onto The Wedding Engagement when returning books at the library. The cover caught my eye first; just look at it; it has this romantic feel that makes you want to pick up the book. Then I saw the title and knew it would be the kind of story I enjoy. I had no idea what to expect from the novel because I had never read any of the author's previous books. I shouldn't be shocked because I found many of the authors I now adore by accident. Liv and Arran's story was so adorable that I couldn't stop reading it. Every chapter had me wondering whether this was the moment when they would finally tell each other how they felt about each other. However, I got the impression from reading the book that Liv was more in denial or believed she didn't deserve happiness. The only times she looked happy were when she was with Arran and his son. Those two belonged together. 

I adore Liv's friendship with her twin brother, Sam. I loved how they watched out for one other, especially when it came to their father. Their father was the only character I couldn't connect with. Sam and Liv's relationship made it simpler for them to deal with their father. Every time he messaged Liv or appeared; I wanted to punch him. I adored Liv, Mia, and Elise's friendship, and they all seemed to know exactly what to say to one another. Their friendship is very similar to my friendship with my closest friends, and it made me smile. Those three will remain best friends for years to come. 

I think Arran and Liv's romance was lovely, but a few parts dragged on and were hard to get into. I adored how the two of them were together, and it appeared that Arran's son, Jayce, adored her just as much. I especially enjoyed the ending, which made me smile long after I turned the last page. Part of me is curious about what will happen to them next. I didn't want the story to end. I hadn't realized there was another novel involving Mia and Sam. I was interested in how they met, and now I'm excited to find out. Of course, I loved that the book was set in Scotland. It's one of the places I'd like to visit someday. I would strongly suggest this book to any romance fan.

A Happier Life.

 

★★★★★

 

Present Day: Keaton Smith is desperate for a fresh start. So when her mother needs someone to put her childhood home in Beaufort, North Carolina, on the market—the home that Keaton didn’t know existed until now—she jumps at the chance to head south. But the moment she steps foot inside the abandoned house, she’s confronted with secrets about grandparents who died before she was born. And as she gets to know her charming next-door neighbor, his precocious ten-year-old son, and a flock of endearingly feisty town busybodies, she soon finds she has more questions than answers.

1976: Rebecca “Becks” Saint James has made a name for herself as the best hostess North Carolina has ever seen. Her annual summer suppers have become the stuff of legend, and locals and out-of-towners alike clamor for an invitation to her stunning historic home. But she’s struggling behind the façade. Becks strives to make the lives of those around her as easy as possible, but this summer she is facing a dilemma that even she can’t solve. And as the end of the season looms, she is brought to a decision she never wanted to make. 

As both Keaton and Becks face new challenges and chapters, they are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected the secrets, hopes, and dreams of the women in their family for generations.

 

 🌷

 
Heartwarming. 

That's simply one way to sum up this beautifully written story. I didn't want to stop reading Keaton and Beck's stories because I wanted to see how their stories would end. A Happier Life is a remarkable novel. I wish I could rate this book more than five stars. I adore reading novels with multiple timelines. I always wondered how the timeframes in would relate to one another, and in this case, it was a family connection; granddaughter and grandmother. Despite being related, Keaton and Beck's story took place years apart, and even though there was a connection to Keaton's point of view, it felt like I was reading two separate stories. That’s one of things that I love about reading from multiple timelines and perspectives. That way, you can relate to each character more personally. 

I like both Keaton's and Beck's views, but I found Beck's story more compelling, particularly the way Beck and Townsend loved each other. Their love story warmed my heart. What the two of them had; that’s true love. That's why I didn't like what Becks was keeping from Townsend; I could understand why she wanted to do it, but I wondered whether he'd figure it out eventually. Their love story had my emotions everywhere, and there was part of me where I didn’t want for their story to come to an end. Keaton, I admired the growth of her character and her determinations to learn the truth about her grandparent’s disappearance. I do believe she was more trying to do that for her mother and uncle, more than herself. 

I couldn't help but love Keaton and Bowen's relationship. She needed someone like Bowen in her life after the events of her last relationship. I loved the connection she had with his 10-year-old son, Anderson, who I believe is among the sharpest 10-year-olds I've ever read about. I was rooting for two of them all through the book. I loved how townspeople in Beaufort went out of their way to help and make Keaton feel welcome as she prepared to sell the house. I have a hunch she would have had a far more difficult time if they hadn't all been so supportive. I loved the descriptions of Beaufort, North Carolina, and wished I could visit. 

There is much more I could talk about, but I don’t want to include spoilers. A Happier Life was such inspiring story for me. I love the fact that it was mix between romance, women’s fiction and some historical fiction. This is the second book that I have read by the author, and I'm excited to see what other adventures she has in store for us.

Tell Me Everything.

 

 

★★★★★

Fans know her as the spoiled, rich cheerleader Lyla Garrity on Friday Night Lights or as the affluent, mysterious Samantha on the HBO megahit Euphoria. But as revealed for the first time in these pages, Minka Kelly’s life has been anything but easy. 

Raised by a single mother who worked as a stripper and struggled with addiction, Minka spent years waking up in strange apartments as she and her mom bounced around the country, relying on friends and relatives to take them in. At times they even lived in storage units. She reconnected with her father, Aerosmith’s Rick Dufay, and eventually made her way to Los Angeles, where she landed the role of a lifetime on Friday Night Lights. 

Now an established actress and philanthropist, Minka takes this next step in her career as a writer. She has poured her soul into the pages of this book, which ultimately tells a story of triumph over adversity, and how resilience and love are all we have in the end. 

 🌷

 
Heart-wrenching. 

I had never watched Friday Night Lights. I'd seen Minka Kelly in a couple of movies, so I knew who she was. I didn't even realize she wrote a memoir until a few months ago. I'm not a big fan of Minka Kelly , but I loved her in the movies and enjoyed reading memoirs, so I decided to check it out. I’m so glad that I did. . Minka's story was devastating in so many ways; I can't imagine going through what she did. . There were a few times that I wished that I knew her personally so I could hug her. She may not believe it, but she was strong and a survivor. Despite everything that she had gone through in her life, she kept on going, and she accomplished so much. Tell Me Everything is a memoir about Minka's life rather than her acting career. She talked about acting, but it wasn't the center of this book. 

Tell Me Everything is a difficult book to read. As I read, I experienced the same feelings she had: hope, betrayal, love, loneliness, fear, and grief. Even though I don't know Minka, I felt as though I did after reading this heartbreaking book. I had a lot of celebrity memoirs through the years, but none of them were as heartbreaking as this one. There were also pleasant moments, such as when Minka made friends who made me think of my best friends. I liked how Minka wrote her memoir as a story rather than just recounting details of her life; it made her story more engaging. It might be a hard book to read at times, but I couldn’t get enough of her story, I was on the edge of my seat until the end. 

I was curious about the title Tell Me Everything and whether it had a backstory. When I finished reading the book, the title made perfect sense. If I wasn’t a big fan before, I am now. Minka Kelly is an incredible writer; the emotion in her novel is breathtaking. After reading her memoir, I hope she writes another book in the future. Tell Me Everything is one of my favorite memoirs, and I highly recommend reading it.

First Lie Wins.

 

 

★★★★

4.5 ★

Evie Porter has everything a nice, Southern girl could want: a perfect, doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, a fancy group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist. 

 
The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job. 

Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job will be different. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time.
Because the one thing she’s worked her entire life to keep clean, the one identity she could always go back to—her real identity—just walked right into this town. Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there’s still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher—but then, Evie has always liked a challenge...

 🌷

 
First Lie Wins has been on my reading list for a while. I regret not having read it sooner. I'm glad one of my best friends got me a copy, so I don't have to wait long at my library. It was popular, and everyone was talking about it, so I couldn't help but be curious. My favorite genres are thrillers and mysteries, but I could be selective about them. First Lie Wins is exactly the type of thriller I love: lots of twists will keep you guessing. This novel kept me reading late into the night, and I didn't even realize time was passing since I couldn't get enough of Evie's story. I enjoyed how detailed it was, and even though I'm not a con artist, reading the story from Evie's point of view made me feel like one. Every page kept me wondering what would happen next and whether Ryan would discover Evie's real identity. 

I liked Ryan from the start and admired how he treated Evie. As the story transpired, I realized how much Evie had grown to like Ryan. I knew if he found her identity, it would end their relationship, and I didn't want that for either of them. I sensed Evie wasn't the only one hiding something, and something about Ryan made me question what he was hiding. I was rooting for the two of them. There was so much going on in this novel, and just as you thought you had figured it out, another twist threw your assumptions out the window. I was on the edge of my seat until the end. I couldn’t wait to see what Evie would end up doing next. 

I liked how the chapters switched between her identity and the one she used when working for Mr. Smith. From the start, I was skeptical of Mr. Smith; something was off about him, and no one knew where he was or who he was. I was as intrigued and suspicious of him as Evie was, and I figured if anyone could bring him down, it would be her. I was rooting for her the whole time. This was the first book I read by Ashley Elston, and she did an excellent job for her adult debut. I see why everyone was talking about this book. I'm eager to read her young adult works. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers and mysteries. Be ready for a fantastic journey!

Everything I Promised You.

 

 

★★★★★

Thank you to publisher, Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

RELEASE DATE: 01/28/2025

 

Their love was written in the stars, but how is Lia to move on when death trumps fate? 

When Lia's mom was 17, she had her fortune told and learned her only daughter was fated to fall in love with her best friend's son. Life unfolded exactly as predicted, and despite the army-brat lifestyle bringing them in and out of each other's orbit, Lia and Beckett were meant to be. Or so they thought. 

When a freak heart attack steals Beck's life, Lia is devastated and unmoored. She lived her life by her mom's old fortune; if she was fated to be with Beck, and Beck is gone, who is she supposed to be? And is there room in her broken heart for life, let alone another love? 

 

🌷

It is a remarkable story of love, loss, friendship, and moving on. 

This was a beautiful yet heartbreaking story. My heart shattered for Lia several times; all I wanted to do was hug and hold her. I felt connected to Lia. I may not have lost the love of my life like Lia, but I did lose my cousin, who was my best friend, unexpectedly in 2016. Therefore, I felt the same way Lia did, but differently. I knew how she was feeling, the loss she felt, that sometimes would come at the most unexpected times. I'm also happy she could make friends who sympathized with and helped her in Tennessee. I adored her friends. It brought back memories of my best friends and the help they gave me following the passing of my cousin. I cherished Paloma, Meagan, Sophia, and Lia's friendship. I adored their brief conversations in the books. They helped Lia recover because she needed that. 

I adored Isaiah straight from the start. Even though Lia refused to admit it at first, I could see the connection between the two of them from the beginning. I know she didn't want to admit it because she felt she was betraying Beck, and I understand why. While reading the novel, I hoped she'd realize Beck wanted her to be happy and move on. Isaiah and Lia had a strong bond, and I hoped she'd realize she could go on. I loved the before and after chapters and the chapter names. I loved that Virginia was in there; I've lived there for 15 years, and it's my home, so it made me feel a wide range of emotions. 

Everything I Promised You will make you cry and feel like you're on Lia's trip. I sobbed, smiled, became angry, and experienced everything Lia felt. The story felt real. I felt like I had transformed into the story. Everything was detailed vividly, and it was difficult not to become engrossed in Lia's story. I couldn't put the book down! All I wanted was to keep reading. On the other hand, I didn't want to go to the end because it meant saying goodbye to everyone. This will not be the last time that I read this book. I met Katy in 2017 during a book event for her book Kissing Max Holden , and we became friends throughout the years. I've loved her works since the beginning; she draws you in and connects you to the characters. I'm delighted I could read Everything I Promised You , and I'm interested to see what she has in store for us next! Highly recommended for romance and young adult fans around.