Evie Porter has her next assignment – Ryan Somner. The name and location have been delivered by her boss Mr. Smith -who she has never met… only communicated by phone and delivered packages and then a deposit into her bank account.
This new job, however, is a little trickier… Ryan is kind and fun to be with and easy on the eyes. Despite herself, Evie likes him and she knows, he likes her too. For the first time… Evie allows herself to envision a different life that does not include lying, deceit, theft, and betrayal. Something that some may call – normal.
But so many things need to happen for that to ever be a reality – first, there is no way out from Mr Smith’s watchful eye… Second, there is a reason that she was assigned to Ryan and there is something shady there… and third – well. Evie Porter is not even her name. Nor were the many names she has called herself that came before that.
I have had a nice streak lately of books that grab me immediately. First Lie Wins was no exception. Not only was this a good thriller – it was different than anything I have read before (also a plus). Often when an author creates as many paths as Ashley Elston does here, there is usually a path that is left unfinished – which can weigh on me like a loose thread… but not here – while there are many moving pieces – in the end, they all fit and you can find how each part, leads to the satisfying hard-earned finish.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with the one exception that has nothing to do with the storyline or author… just as it was digging in and things were starting to fall into place – there were 17 pages in my copy (pictured above). While I could not wait to get a new copy to move on I trudged forward with the gap and pieced together what I could of what must have happened in the “in-between” of page 278 and page 295.
While a new author to me, I nosed around her website and there are a couple of back titles that caught my eye… if you check it out I am sure you can know which would be right up my alley 🙂
Rated: 4.5 out of 5 Read Author Before: No Read Author Again: I think I would Where Read: Fort Myers Florida
It’s fun to revisit the characters you enjoy – and Millie is definitely one to have on your side. ~Sheila
Millie has a reputation as being “a fixer”. As word got out that Millie had a way to take care of the bad husbands, she had a little stint with the help of a friend cleaning up some messy marriages.
Those days, however – are in the past. Millie still with a record of her jail time, just wants a nice easy job to pay the bills and keep her moving forward. When Douglas Garrick calls about her working for him and his wife – a little housekeeping, a little errand running, a little cooking – Millie says yes. The Garricks seem easy to work for, their house is never dirty and Mr Garrick is pleasant in their encounters. The only thing that makes Millie wonder is Mrs. Garrick, who keeps to herself in her room with some assorted health issues. And the longer she works for the Garrick’s the more mysterious it seems that Mr Garrick does not want Millie to talk to his wife…
What could possibly be going on?
I’m a little proud of myself with this one. I feel like I finally have a bit of a grasp on McFadden’s style and even predicted a couple of things in this one. (Go Me!!!) But – don’t get me wrong… when this story begins to fully unfold – there is the usual McFadden Origami style here that once again – in the end… had me fooled.
I enjoyed this one as a sequel but probably not as much as the first one – still a strong read and I am glad I did 🙂
Rated: 3.5 out of 5 Read Author Before: Yes Read Author Again: Of Course 🙂 Where Read: Listened to audio – finished right before leaving on our RV trip
Every bit as good as I was hoping it would be! ~Sheila
In August of 1975, a Camp counselor awakens to find one of her campers missing. Barbara Van Laar is not just any camper, she is the daughter of the Summer Camp Owners and also the sister of the boy who went missing from his very camp over a decade ago.
As the police are called in, and Counselors, Campers, Camp Staff, as well as Family Members are questioned… a tale begins to unfold like no other of betrayal and deceit, long-time grudges, and long-hidden secrets.
I don’t often get to sit and really READ READ. Like – a qty of time. This was a treat for me with days of RV travel and nothing but time while on the road I read this in two days. I loved this book and had no trouble picking it up and reading it for hours. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the tale told by so many different narrators – usually I do not like a lot of different characters to keep track of but in this case, they were well-developed and easy to follow the narration changes as pieces of the story unfolded from what happened then – to what was happening now.
Kudos also for the timeline that was being focussed on between 1950 – Fall 1975 was at the start of each chart with the timing of that chapter highlighted. I thought that was brilliant and I have never seen this done in such a way before.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend digging into a great campfire tale.
Rated: 5 out of 5 Read Author Before: No Read Author Again: I would! Where Read: In the RV traveling between Minnesota and Tennessee (finished in Tennessee)
Hey all! Happy New Year! If you are wondering where the First Book post is… here it is 😀 I have had a quiet morning of reflection and COFFEE… gone are the days of my staying up past midnight to have this post in your in boxes by 6 am… I’m as devoted as ever… just not as insane about it lol.
I usually make you search for my book choice within the pics… oh I am in there, but I thought this year starting this post off with not only my book choice – but also my word of the year choice : JOY
Again – I hope to review more… get back into a rhythm here which also means writing more…. and learning how to find that balance.
With no further ado… below you will find the First Books of 2025. What a fun selection! Among these book selections, you will also find some authors – keep your eyes out for: Cary Griffith Kaira Rouda Joshilyn Jackson Heather Gudenkauf Lorna Landvik
Fun Facts – very few duplications this year! That actually excites me! While in the past years there may have a been a hot tile that several selected – I love the diversity of what you will see below. I love that first book, as well as all books you choose, are a personal preference. Books/genres speak differently to us at different times in our lives. We have everything here from some heavy hitters, comfort reads, education, historical, non fiction, memoirs, fun, heart-wrenching, a little spooky, a little romantic and MORE! We played participants!
AND – below the pics the book titles (if I was able to read them :D) and links to the books so you too can learn about them and maybe select them for future reads this year. If I missed anyone please let me know and I will post an update tomorrow. There is usually an add-on after I post and with all the ways the pics are sent between texts, emails, and Facebook messages… it is quite possible I missed something.
Every year there are a few people that are head slapping right now going “DOH! I totally forgot to send mine in!” No worries – other years there have been a few that come in later and I add them and repost tomorrow so feel free to send 🙂 Thanks all – this is a project that helps me through the New Year and brings a smile to my face as I see the selections and learn about books that were not on my list to read but now are. (I added quite a few to my TBR this year by putting together this post. Happiest of New Year and Happy Reading! Sheila
Beginnings are exciting… endings, they can be a bit harder. ~Sheila
Ed Kapanash’s experiencing his final summer as Chief of Police and is looking forward to quieter days, sleeping a little longer, and perhaps just enjoying the life he has worked so hard to build…
But – when the call comes in about Richardson’s 22 million dollar home burning to the ground and fingers are being pointed…. Ed’s plans are put on hold.
The Richardsons are new to Nantucket. Bull, a businessman, and his gorgeous and wild wife Leslee (how does one describe Leslee?) have been the talk of the town. Throwing lavish invite-only themed parties that you want to be invited to. You can say a lot about Leslee, but you can never say she does not know how to throw a party. The food, the theme, the service, the drinks – are all over the top and Nantucket residents covet the invite.
Coco, a young aspiring screenwriter, meets Bull in St John and worms her way into a summer job in Nantucket to work for Bull and his wife, looking for the right time to present her screenplay to him… all the while keeping an eye on the gorgeous and off-limits boy they hired to drive their boats…
Nantucket regulars are plenty and when it gets right down to it, there are more than a few people who would not have minded throwing a match to all that the Richardson’s own… But – in the meantime… you might as well grab a drink and enjoy the summer, after all isn’t that what Nantucket is best at?
There is so so so much more to say about this book but I honestly feel you need to dive in (swimsuit-clad or not) and enjoy the ride.
I love books like this where you have the chance to revisit characters you have come to know – much like friends. While this is the 4th book in this Nantucket setting, you do not have to read the other 3 to enjoy this one – although I have a feeling you may wish you had just to get a real feel for the land. As a long -time Hilderbrand fan, I was excited for this book and also sad knowing that this is the last of Hilderbrand’s Nantucket writing as the Author is turning towards other projects including some writing with her daughter.
Overall – I really did enjoy this book and I think if you are a fan of summer beach reads (I swear you can feel the sun as soon as you turn the page!) Pick this one up today and let me know your thoughts 🙂
Elizabeth Zott is anything but ordinary. She is matter of fact. She is brilliant, she is a scientist- and she is ahead of her time.
Set in the early 1960’s, Elizabeth Zott finds herself struggling for every inch as a woman in a field that is best described as a mans. Never taken seriously for her ambitions (although often sought out for her opinion if she did not get credit), Calvin Evans enters her life as a breath of fresh air. Calvin sees her.
REALLY sees her.
As life as it is in science – outcomes can be unpredictable until you find the right formula and Elizabeth’s life takes a turn she that no one seen coming. Certainly, becoming a star of an on air cooking show, owning a dog that is smarter than the average man, and becoming a single mom … was not part of that equation…
yet, like science… we continue to evolve and learn to work with what we are given.
So…. funny story. I bought the book after hearing great things about it. There it sat (as often my books do…) on a shelf, waiting for its time. A not so favorable review by a friend made me think the book was not for me and my interest in this unopened book waivered. Upon stumbling across the mini series on TV one evening, I thought I would give it a try and found it interesting and delightfully different. This still was not enough to get me to open the book….
Then – it was picked as a book club selection with my book club the Bookies. Reluctantly I thought audio may be the better way to go, and honestly this time of year I have more time for audio than I do to sit and read…
Turns out – I adored it. I can not explain if my enjoyment of the mini series helped prep me for this listen (probably) but I did enjoy the quick wit – sometimes dry humor that follows throughout this book that is blended with a true taste of the times. In Lessons On Chemistry, you get a little women’s rights, an example of what life was like for women in a men’s field – and a refreshing look at a character like Elizabeth that broke the mold … said “Why the hell not” and paved a path (fictional or not) for women to reach beyond the invisible limitations set before them.
So many books can be a cookie cutter format of other books. You know the type – you read it and if reminds you of another book with similar bones…. not necessarily bad… but definitely done before. A Lesson In Chemistry felt different to me. Refreshingly so.
Bookies Thoughts: A lot of mixed opinions in our Book Club. Most struggled with it and found it a slow start receiving lower ratings. Only a couple had the same opinions as I did. Most likely the mini series prepped me and helped me with my enjoyment. I would love to hear other opinions on this one. Love it? Hate it? Somewhere inbetween?
I’m not sure when the twisty turny double WOW’s began in books but I sure do love them. ~Sheila
Catherine, 24, finds her mom to be an enigma. Ruth speaks little of her past. She keeps to herself, nothing that really makes her stand out – and honestly, Catherine never really has given it much thought beyond feeling this was normal. The fact that she doesn.t know anything about her father? Well… that can be normal too.
Ruth is anything but ordinary. She may seem like someone who lives a quiet life but no one really knows what she hides of her past… what she fears of the future… and what keeps her awake at night in the present.
Well… almost no one knows..
As Catherine prepares to move to start her career in Baltimore, she finds out her mom may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Immediately concerned, Catherine changes her plans to be there for her mother. While looking into their past for clues if this is hereditary, Catherine unearths more than she bargained for…
Leaving her questioning everything.
It was…. juicy good. I like a good twisty mystery.. what I like even more are the books that are doubley twisty… you know the ones… when you think you know…and maybe you do know… but wait!
There’s more!
It has been a fun journey to read Pekkanen for years from her early books to now and see how her writing has changed and become even more addicting. I find myself waiting for what she will do next! A good read!
There are a handful or so of authors that I keep an eye on for their next books – Liane Moriarty is one of these authors.
~Sheila
The Delaney’s are that family. Everyone in their community knows them from their long running Tennis Academy. Both Joy and Stan are avid players, and their 4 children, Amy, Troy, Logan and Brooke grew up playing as well, common fixtures on the court.
But when the children grow up and no one wants to take over the Academy, the Delaney’s have no choice but to sell. And when a scared young girl shows up on their doorstep one night, old hidden hurts take spotlight, and fingers are pointed.
As the family seems to spiral beyond repair, Joy disappears without a trace. Local Authorities suspect foul play and as the siblings try to connect to get to the bottom of where their mother has gone, pieces of a long buried puzzle start to come together, bringing forth a secret that had long ago been buried.
Here we go. Strap in.
I am a firm believer in reading the book first. When I noticed this book was being made into a mini series on Peacock, I was thrilled to see what the movie version of this would look like. I was not disappointed.
Having read the book first (yeah baby!) I jumped right into the into the mini series. I enjoyed the book very much – loving Moriarty’s subtle way of leading us in never knowing which direction the twist will come from.
Stan (Sam Neill) and Joy (Annette Bening) rule their roles. I binged this baby as fast as I could. It was well put together and highly recommended.
Patrick and Sara met in College and became close friends, almost inseparable. Sara was the first person to tell Patrick her would be famous some day…. She called Patrick out and while his attraction to her was in a sisterly way… he loved her all the same.
As years went on and Patrick did indeed become famous, and Sara fell in love and married Patrick’s brother, the two friends while still close… drifted with Patrick’s crazy schedule and Sara raising her two children. When Sara became sick, Patrick felt he had time to go and see her and vowed to do so…. and then it was too late.
When Patrick goes to the funeral he is asked a big favor from his brother, to watch his niece Maisie (9), and his nephew Grant (6) for a while as things are sorted out.
Thus begins an interesting summer, Patrick know to the kids as Guncle (Gay Uncle) has no idea how to entertain two children, especially two children that has just lost their mother – and his lifestyle is not exactly set up for young houseguests….
But a summer of togetherness may be just what is needed on both sides as the three go through changes, heartbreak, and rebuilding together.
I first heard about The Guncle on line when social media scrolling (don’t pretend you don’t do that…. ;P) After coming off two heavy reads I was looking for something fun and lite and immediately secured myself a copy of The Guncle. It checked the boxed I needed checked. Lite, funny and heartwarming is the best way I can describe this book. You can see the relationship that Patrick and Sara had built the foundation of all those years ago come forth in what could be a very true situation. Author, Steven Rowley does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the children’s resilience and questions during a hard time. Don’t over think it, if you are looking for a sweet read – pick up The Guncle.
Picoult never ceases to amaze, Wish You Were Here caught my totally by surprise in all the right ways. ~Sheila
Diana and Finn are moving forward in their relationship and their careers. Diana works in the auctioning of art, and Finn is a Surgical resident. As the couple prepare for a wonderful vacation in the Galápagos, Diana knows Finn is about to pop the question and can think of no better setting.
The days before they are planned to leave, a virus breaks out that brings the world to its knees. Finn finds out it is all hands on deck at the hospital and no one is approved to leave. He encourages Diana to use her ticket and at least get a chance to get away from whatever is going on. Hesitantly, Diana agrees.
The vacation of course is no where near as planned. Between harsh remarks and looks from the locals towards Diana for coming from an area that the virus is heavy so she can be “on vacation”, poor to no cell service, and the surprise that stores and restaurants are closed. As the island goes on lockdown, Diana finds that she can not get back to Finn even when her vacation is over.
As she makes a few friends, and learns the way of a slower paced life, Diana finds she has time to think more of the life she was creating, her relationship with her mother who is in memory care – and wondering if when she returns to Finn, will she be the same person that he knew.
This was my first fictional read centered around the COVID/a virus outbreak. Well, unless you count Year One by Nora Roberts which is just freaky as her book was written before we even knew what COVID was.
The book started out a little paced, the beginning feeling a bit slow for me, and basically about a woman questioning her decision to get on that plane in the first place. It’s definitely different than anything I read by Picoult before and I found myself not really getting the point of this being book worthy. It’s not the first time I made a decision on a book too soon….
Let me say this. Hold on to your brain cells because Picoult is once again going to blow you away with a remarkable twist that as it was revealed I really found myself saying….. Whoaaa….No…. way.
Worth the read? You bet. I’m sure there are thousands of fictional reads out there about the pandemic (either the one we lived through, or a made up one). The way this book handles a couple of BIG topics and shows a side of the pandemic that I never considered in nothing less than brilliant.
Do yourself a favor and pick this book up today or enjoy it on audio.
Book Journey 