Book Journey

Debbie Mullen is known in her community as the advice columnist for “Dear Debbie”. For years, Debbie has typed out advice on everything from how to get a nasty stain out of a favorite garment to how to handle a bored husband. And Debbie has done her best to give out sound advice that keeps them coming back for more….

That is…

Until recently.

While Debbie has always had the dinner on the stove, breakfast at the ready, and the laundry complete and neatly folded…. she is beginning to crack.

Her husband Cooper is clearly keeping secrets. Her one daughter is dating the wrong type of guy. The other has been dropped from the sport she loves. Her boss is starting to weigh on her. Her neighbor… ugh… her neighbor has stolen her garden photo shoot, and Debbie?

Well, Debbie is about to clean up EVERYONE’S mess.
You are welcome.

Admittedly, if you look through my past reviews of McFadden, there is a mixed bag of nuts. Some are fabulous, and I can rave for days. Others leave so many loopholes I keep falling through every page I turn, and I swear I am over her- Yet, she’s had enough wins with me to earn my respect to check out what she’s up to.

So here we are… Dear Debbie, hot off the presses and right into my grubby hands. I found this one somewhere in between… .good – but not her greatest. Fun in a way that I don’t think I can describe her other books, and that’s a good thing.
I like a good snarky feisty take-no-prisoners female protagonist, and Frieda gives me Debbie. Debbie tells it like it is. It may not always make it into her article ( well, most of the time), but she has a file for what she really wants to say.
Debbie takes nobody’s poop. NOBODYS. Mess with her family… You messed with the wrong people. Mess with er garden… well… you will get yours.
Debbie is someone you wnat to keep close – but maybe not as a friend… maybe someone you just keep an eye on…and…

a restraining order – but I don’t think that would stop her. She woudl take that as a challenge.

Overall, a fun twist to McFadden’s style. A quick read, but it hit the spot.

What people will do for a taste of fame ~ Sheila

When science-minded Lyla reluctantly agrees to take part in a new reality show, One Perfect Couple, she does it to help her actor boyfriend, Nico, who is certain this is going to be his big break.

Five couples with assorted backgrounds are brought to a remote tropical island to compete and see who will win the title of The Perfect Couple.

Lyla understands going in that this was not a big-budget show; after all, this was the first season, with hopes that sponsors would follow. Yet from the start, the canned food, dry pastries, and cameras not working correctly were a red flag… and in contrast the beautiful sand, amazing blue water, and vibrant colors of the island made up for much of this.

When a severe storm blows in on the first night, while the crew is off island, many of the contestants’ villas take major damage, and leave some with severe injuries, including death. The game participants find themselves in survival mode and must either work together as supplies dwindle and tensions rise, or battle among themselves as they hope that rescue is not too far away. Yet as days turn to weeks, a new sort of reality sets in that this may be where they all die.

Think…. Survivor meets Love Island. While I am a huge fan of Survivor ( never missed a season!), I would never watch Love Island. If you are like me and have no interest in the couple swap shows… You need not worry – while that may have been the plan for Love Island, the wild weather puts a stop to all of that.

Honestly, it was an interesting read. Well done, Author Ruth Ware, for coming in with a unique synopsis ( at least unique to me). Always something I appreciate.

Rated: 3.2 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes – The Woman In Cabin 1, which most people loved, and I did not
Read Author Again: probably

Themes: Death, Murder, Survival

Book Club Worthy – Yes. The lure of fame as well as society’s interest in Reality TV, especially the ones that involve playing with emotions and love interests. A tropical island theme and the food to go with the read could be anything from canned selections to pastries. Coconut water and fresh coconut, could be fun as well.

Fifteen years ago, Lizzie and Bex were the best of friends in college. When Bex moves on without Lizzie, Lizzie is left confused as to what she had done to hurt their friendship.

Bex, known as Rebeeca Sommers, to her millions of Instagram followers, is doing pretty well for herself as she shares her wholesome life on the farm with her 5 children and handsome husband, Gray. Lizzie, who watches Bex’s success as one of those followers, struggles as a journalist looking for a big break.

Lizzie is surprised when, out of the blue, Bex reaches out to her long-ago friend with an opportunity to join her at the coveted Influever conference – MOMBOMB, offering her the opportunity to put her journalism skills to work with an exclusive interview with Bex. For Lizzie, it is a chance to put her skills on the map and one she can not say no to.

The cutthroat world of social media is not for everyone, and Lizzie finds herself surrounded by the biggest names of the net, and quickly, in the midst of a murder scene with one key person missing – Bex.

As psychological thrillers go, this was a good read. I liked the synopsis set around the world of influencers ( something I still think about how I woudl explain this world to my long-gone Great Grandmother. “Yes, Grandma, people talk on this from everything from skin care to hiking to farming and baking bread to favorite books, and thousands of people all over the world tune in to watch. No, Grandma, they do not need to be milking the cows or making dinner – there are faster ways to do these things now.”

Anyhoo – while the book was not earthshattering, I have to talk about this, it was good, I liked the social media twist. I think that what I am finding from probably re-reading too many of this style of thrillers is that you know the twist will also have a twist, and this one was no exception. Fairly quick and easy to listen to.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: maybe

Themes: Social Media, Influencers, Crime, Reality

Book Club Worthy – As a book club read, I think it would be interesting to discuss the strange world of influencers and why this is a thing. Why do people tune into their screens to watch someone or learn something, and then continue to watch these same people (not going to lie – I do it too)

“Delightful, refreshing, and everything I hoped it would be”. ~ Sheila

Del and Dinah, with their two sons, Guy and Shep, have been America’s favorite family of the 1950s and 1960s, having been on the television screen for two decades. Known for their humor and family wholesome antics, the world tunes in to see what silliness the boys will get themselves into, what fatherly advice Del will give out that will solve everything by the time the credits roll, and of course, what Dinah is whipping up in the kitchen that will feed their mind and souls. There really isn’t too much that a fresh-baked cookie won’t solve.

Of course, times they are a-changing.

Ratings are not as strong as they used to be. Sponsors of the show are putting their dollars elsewhere, and it seems that America is looking not for a 30-minute feel-good wholesome show anymore… they now want to see more complex situations, a little more dirt on that kitchen floor, if you will – then Dinah would ever allow.

Or would she?

In the midst of rumors becoming reality that the show will not be renewed and a finale will need to be written, Del is in an accident that turns the Newmans’ world upside down. After all, Del writes all the scripts as well as directs them.

Who will write the most important script of the show’s run? And if there is anything that may change the direction the show is going, what will it be? What would bring the audience back, making the Newmans relevant?

I don’t think my review does this one justice. When I first heard about Meet The Newmans before its release date, it went on my TBR list. The book sounded fun and unique – I loved thinking of a Leave It To Beaver style family struggling with the every changing world and how to rewrite your story – even if it is only for show? I mean, can you imagine an episode where Beaver gets his first tattoo? Or Ward coming home a little late and a little tipsy after an evening of cards at the local pub – missing dinner completely? (If I lost you there, look up Leave It To Beaver)

In a word – fun. I really enjoyed this book. As you discover the boys are not as wholesome as the screen may cause you to believe, Del has secrets from his family, and wholesome housewife Dinah gets a little taste of the feminine movement when she teams up with writer Juliet Dunne to help with the final episode, and Juliet introduces Dinah to the book, the Feminie Mistique.

Definitely a palate cleaner for someone who is stuck in a genre rut… give it a try!

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: yes

Themes: changing times, being yourself, bringing women out of the dark ages, family values

Book Club Worthy –Absolutely! This would be a great book to discuss – talk about the TV shows you watched as a child, young adult, and in your 20s/30s, and how it has changed from the TV now, for better and for worse. The book The Feminine Mystique and what it did for women, secrets in the family, and an opportunity to dress up in the 1960s era

“Vibes of The Housemaid by McFadden… but still worthy of reading. ` Sheila

Jane’s upbringing was not one of white picket fences and Sunday Brunch. Jane was more of the troubled light-fingered foster kid type, always seeming to struggle in areas that came so easily to others.

Newly arrived in the Thornfield Estates area of Alabama, an upper-class gated community of shiny new cars, enormous houses, and bored housewives who brunch and drink martinis before noon, Jane could not be more different. What starts out as dog walking for one of these families and soon escalates into many ( after all, if one family has someone to walk their dog – they all should!) Jane finds it easy pickings to swipe a piece of jewelry here or there, or a few bills from a stack they leave around….

Then Jane meets Eddie. Newly widowed when his wife Bea and her best friend drowned in a freak boating accident, Jane feels her luck begin to change. Not only is Eddie kind and easy on the eyes, but he’s also rich beyond her wildest dreams and seems to have taken a liking to her.

Before you know it – it’s Jane who is wearing the clothing she once only dreamed of, it’s Jane who is whipping out a no-limit credit card to purchase items for a local fundraiser, and it’s Jane who is meeting up with the local ladies for brunch, mimosas, and gossip…

But – the glass slipper is not a perfect fit. Jane finds herself consumed with thoughts of Bea, who was beyond beautiful, brilliant, smart and strong. Lost to the sea, until Bea’s body turns up – how can Jane ever feel that Eddie will be hers… after all, Jane has a past that seems to keep nipping at her high designer heels, and all can so easily be lost.

Ok. First, the obvi. When I started listening to this book, I internally groaned when I felt the strong likeness to Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid. Part of this could be because I saw The Housemaid movie a couple of weeks ago, so it is fresh in my head… and in all fairness, it’s not like there aren’t copycat or “feels like” books out there for all the big titles… I mean, why wouldnt you? Still, I am a fan of originality. Kicking off with a young down on her luck girl with a shady past (**Cough cough same as The Housemaid) who finds herself in a rich neighborhood and a hot guy who has taken a liking to her (**COUGH COUGH**) and next things she knows… she is in is life…. ( ok if I keep coughing Im going to need water….)

But here is the kicker…. The Wife Upstairs was released FIRST. By two years. Yup. This makes my above paragraph obsolete… or at least twisted – and the reverse of what I said.

As the book went on, I did appreciate the twist – and while yes, so many similarieties betwee the two books, I did get engaged. Kind of guessed the last few pages.

I want to mention – the title. NO. NO. NO. You sit with that throughout the whole book, kind of knowing because uhhh… yeah… the title.

Rated: 3 out of 5 (I know I complain about this one – but as mentioned – not this book’s fault – turns out it was the first of the two books)
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Yes – I have enjoyed Hawkins before!
Hex Hall ( her YA read that I read in 2010) and The Heiress ( I read last year at this time)

Themes: deceit, murder, lies, hidden truth

Book Club Worthy – this could be a fun discussion – for those who have read both books, it would be interesting to hear if this bothers them when books are so alike or if they love the revisit to something so entangled and good ( maybe it’s just me, this bugs)… And of course the title. What would you call it?

Can’t get enough of this amazing lady ~ Sheila

Betty White comes in like a rockstar in this small but powerful read ( listen in my case) of advice on friendships, the importance of laughter, her love of animals, and, of course, the people she met on the way. Fans of Betty White will not want to miss this final book by this incredible woman.

Recently, at book club, one of our members recommended this book for our February read. It did not win the vote, but sparked interest in me as I love all things Betty White. I think she is my spirit actor, filled with joy, a positive tone, a love of animals, and dang, she is funny (I probably just think I am funny ;P )

I didn’t catch when I picked this on audio how short it was – coming in at 2 hours and 16 minutes, it was more of an appetizer. Doing a deep dive today into Google, I see Betty has several memoir-style reads – and as long as this woman made an impact on this earth, rightfully so. Don’t be surprised if you see me pop up with another one at some point 🙂

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: I don’t think so
Read Author Again: probably 🙂

Themes: This actress’s last 15 years and advice

Book Club Worthy – This one is a little short and doesn’t go too far into Betty’s career; however I think if a book club had a Betty White reading month and then came together to share the book they chose and what they got out of it could be fun – you could certainly dress up, talk about your favorite movie/sit com… and share Betty witisisms 😀

18-year-old Matilda’s life has been anything but easy. A father who is a famous painter ( the reclusive Kingsley Cello), who has never been part of the picture, and a mother who can not see beyond her own ambitions. When Matilda’s mother once again abandons her to chase her new lover in Mexico, Matilda is left to stay with her mother’s ex-boyfriend, Saar.

When an unexpected invitation arrives from none other than Kingsley himself, inviting Matilda to his seaside estate, Hidden Beach, Matilda feels things may finally be turning her way. Yet when she arrives, she finds that Kingsley is not there, and instead meets her half-brother Meer, his hippie-like bohemian mother, and wife of Kingsley’s, June, a former child star, Brock, and an unfriendly wild-child Tatum who wants nothing more than to leave this place.

As days turn into weeks while Matilda waits eagerly for her father’s return, she finds she is stumbled into a web of lies and deceit, and a connection to the Sinclair property across the water, where secrets can run thicker than blood.

Hmm…. while an interesting read, set five days from the big happening of the Sinclair property across the lake, this story almost stands on its own. Yes, it’s peppered here and there with a little Sinclair note, and reveals more as it goes along – but not as connected as I had hoped.

That said, it was still a good read – it reminded me a bit of the Cedar Cove Series by Debbie Macomber that I read, I think, long before I wrote about books…. It was a 12-book series about a fictional town, and each book was an address. While the books all tie together, the main storyline was about the people at the address the book was titled and their connections to one another and the town. I thought then, and still think now, what a brilliant way to write a series.

Back to the book at hand, while I wanted more of a connection to the two previous books – We Were Liars and Family of Liars, once I realized this was something different, it made for an interesting read. I didn’t feel this was as strong a book as the other two, but good.

Rated: 2.75 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: possibly

Themes: absent parents, secrets and lies

Book Club Worthy – Probably, most books can be. Topics such as absent parents and growing up on your own, what we thought of the tie-in to the Sinclairs, the whole chicken scene (don’t get me going)….