The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17317855-the-husband-s-secret

Source: Purchased

SUMMARY

At the heart of The Husband’s Secret is a letter that’s not meant to be read

My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died...

Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves.

REVIEW

This story was a little slow going for me at the beginning, which I don't mind at all, then it felt like all of a sudden it picked up speed, then it was done, and I was left with my jaw open on the ground! This book was brilliant!

I loved the characters, how human they were, all of their good and bad qualities and their flaws, there was no sugar coating here, it is one of my favourite things that writers have the capability of doing. 

The story is told in alternating points of view between three main characters (all women) Cecilia, Rachel and Tess. All of their husbands had secrets, and it is not till the epilogue that we learn what each of them was, which is awesome, she packed in a punch right at the end.

Cecilia is a stay at home Mom and runs the home along with being one of the best selling Tupperware representatives in the country, and everything seems to be okay for her until she finds a letter that her husband has written her in case of his death, and that sets off a whirl wind of events that she could have never dreamed of.

Rachel is a widow and lives on her own now, her daughter was murdered about 25 years before that and she has one son also. She seems to be okay with her life the way that it is now, although missing her daughter and husband terribly, she seems to find solace in her grandson whom she takes care of some days during the week when she is not working at the local elementary school. Her turning point is when her son and daughter in law tell her that they plan to move to New York.

Tess runs a marketing firm with her husband and cousin and has a six year old little boy, her life seems to be going great as far as she can tell, everything is neat and tidy, until her husband decides to tell her that he has fallen in love with someone else, and you will not believe who it is!

If you like trying to figure out how all of the characters are going to come together, than this book is for sure for you, I was left guessing right up until when it happens, and even then I could not believe it, it was a shock for sure.

I loved everything about this book, the characters, the pacing, the plot, and even how she ties in the Berlin Wall believe it or not, it does play a part. I can't stop raving about this book, and it was my bookclub's choice for this month, so I can't wait to get to the meeting and start chatting about it.  This is one of those books that you will want to read with at least one other person so that you have someone to talk to about it, there are so many "oh my god" moments. Needless to say this one gets a 5/5 from me!

The Beast of Callaire by Saruuh Kelsey

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20590654-the-beast-of-callaire?ac=1

Purchase links:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Beast-Callaire-Legend-Mirror/dp/1291790608

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-beast-of-callaire-saruuh-kelsey/1119059310?ean=9781291790603

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Beast-Callaire-Legend-Mirror/dp/1291790608

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/424300

SUMMARY

Yasmin is a descendant of the Manticore. A creature of Persian mythology. A Legendary.

But she doesn’t want to be. Unlike the Legendaries in The Red, Yasmin wants nothing more than an ordinary life. She tries to fool herself into believing that she doesn’t change into a beast every full moon and savagely kill innocent people.

But when Yasmin starts hearing a voice in her head and is drawn into dreams that aren’t her own, she is led to Fray—a girl who once saved Yasmin from hunters, who has shadowy memories that hint at her having Legendary magic—and Yasmin is catapulted into a life of Majick and malevolence.

Despite the danger around her and Fray, Yasmin might finally have a chance at being a normal girl with a normal girlfriend. But with Legendaries being killed, a war between the Gods brewing, and the beast inside Yasmin becoming stronger each moon, her mundane life is little more than a dream.

EXCERPT

The wood is beautiful through these eyes, but I wish I could choose what they looked at. The edges of the leaves are crisp, the flat green my human eyes would see is brought into bright relief. But I only see what the beast wants to see, so I can’t focus on each brilliant new thing because I’m wary and paranoid of what the beast will be drawn to next. A squirrel—a rabbit—a stray human wandering along the trail.

I could kill someone and I wouldn’t be able to stop it. My jaws would rip flesh from bone and I’d be paralysed in my mind, watching the horror as it happens. I know because it’s happened. Six times. Thankfully, four of those people got away with only claw welts or bite marks. But two of them are dead because of me.

One was a girl no older than nine. I killed her when I was fourteen, before I’d become used to the Change, before the beast had settled into its control of my body. Now it only kills for sport, not by accident, and mostly it hunts small animals. Easy prey. Even in Manticore form, I’m a coward. I’m glad of it.

The second person I killed was a middle aged man last year. He had a gun pointed at my friend Willa as she lounged in the pool of Almery Wood. I’m not sure whether he meant to kill her for spoils or just for the hell of it, but I don’t regret killing him as much as the young girl. It still haunts my nightmares sometimes, though, his glazed green eyes and slack, wrinkled face.

I still don’t know why the beast killed to save my friend. Maybe there’s the smallest connection between the two of us, between girl and monster. But as the leaves are ripped beneath large, golden paws I’m not so sure. The Manticore is a creature made of bloodlust and vicious intentions. I doubt there’s any part of it that cares about anyone other than itself.

The beast steps into a clearing lit by moonlight and shakes out its fur, the feathers of its wings tickling my ears—its ears. I shake my head instinctively to get rid of the irritation but the beast’s head stays still. It doesn’t care about what aggravates me. I doubt it even knows what aggravates me. I might have thoughts but this creature is mindless.

The beast turns suddenly, my head spinning with the motion, and it regards the trees, all tall and close together, their braches reaching out and speckled with leaves. My hearing strains for a noise—I’m not sure what startled the beast.

A low, guttural growl comes from the depths of the beast’s stomach and I finally see what the Manticore heard. A middle aged man comes from behind a wide trunked service tree, the vibrant leaves contrasting against the intentionally dark brown of his jacket. He meant to blend in, whoever this man is. I futilely try to urge the beast away, to turn and run, but the Manticore will never back down.

The beast’s ears prick to the sound of footsteps but by now it can’t move at all. All it can do is raise its large head, pull downy wings around itself as a flimsy, useless shield, and watch as the owner of the footsteps nears us.

Wide, green eyes are right in front of my eyes, bushy brown eyebrows drawn low and accompanied by a frown. A girl. A girl in the woods. Thank you, I think at this stranger but I have no Majick in this form so she doesn’t hear my gratitude. This is an angel come to deliver me a swift death, to save me from this excruciating feeling.

I relinquish my grip on consciousness and let the waiting blackness swallow me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Saruuh Kelsey is the author of the Lux Guardians series. Her debut and the first in series, THE FORGOTTEN, a YA science fiction set in Victorian London and London 25 years in the future, is out now for free. Book two, THE REVELATION, releases October 7th. THE BEAST OF CALLAIRE, the first novel of a new YA fantasy series, with a same sex paranormal romance, is out May 20th.

Website: http://saruuhkelsey.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/luxguardians

Tumblr: http://theluxguardians.tumblr.com

Blog: http://syntaxreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

GIVEAWAY

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Since You've Been Gone by Anouska Knight

Published: July 29 2014

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18528411-since-you-ve-been-gone

Source: A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

SUMMARY

How do you learn to love again?

In one tragic moment, Holly Jefferson s life as she knows it changes for ever. Now to the external world, at least she s finally getting back on her feet, running her business, Cake. Then she meets Ciaran Argyll.

His rich and charmed life feels a million miles from her own. However, there s more to Ciaran than the superficial world that surrounds him, and he too is wrestling with his own ghosts. Will Holly find the missing ingredient that allows her to live again and embrace an unknown and unexpected tomorrow?

REVIEW

To be honest, I found this book hard to connect to, I don't know if it was me not being in the right frame of mind for it or what, but I just didn't connect really to any of the characters or the plot, however, I seem to be one of the few that feels this way, so that is good.

We meet Holly and we find out right away that her husband has passed away and she is now trying to figure out how to live life without him, and she is doing this by throwing all of her time in to her cake shop called "Cake". 

There are quite a few characters that we meet in this book, like Holly's employee Jesse, he is really funny! Also her sister and brother in law, they were always there for Holly and tried to keep her on track with where she wanted to go and made sure that she got out of the house. 

Then we meet Ciaran, and he is the "typical" trust fund baby, or so Holly thinks. He turns out to be someone that she can really get to know and fall for, but there are bumps along the way that may end up making her think that he really is just a playboy.

I really think that you should read this book and find out for yourself what happens, as it is not a bad book in anyway, it gets a 3/5 from me.

Sale books for JL Berg

 

J.L. Berg's NEVER BEEN READY and WHEN YOU'RE READY are on sale for 0.99 for this week only!

NEVER BEEN READY Amazon: http://amzn.to/SEWFYe B&N: http://bit.ly/1ivYhIx

WHEN YOU'RE READY Amazon: http://amzn.to/1kPM5VJ B&N: http://bit.ly/1uHcU5k

About NEVER BEEN READY: Years after suffering the tragic loss of her husband, Ethan, which left her alone to raise their young daughter, Clare Murray still holds the last letter he wrote with the words "When You're Ready" written in his familiar messy handwriting, unable to break its weathered seal. Ready for what? He was her entire world, and Clare had accepted a life without him, without love. Until years later, fate brings her to an emergency room, and face to face with a stormy-eyed doctor intent on changing her mind. Son of a billionaire, Logan Matthews has spent his life trying to make his absentee father proud. Without a family to depend on, all he's ever wanted is a place to call home. After a failed marriage, Logan believes he's unworthy of love...until he meets a woman who awakens his spirit and transforms his entire life in an instant. But how far are Clare and Logan willing to go for love? Can his love mend the pieces of her grieving heart? When their love is tested, is Clare ready to put her whole heart on the line again? Can Logan learn the true meaning of love, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness? When a second chance at love is given, Clare and Logan learn you are never truly ready until you're ready to risk it all.

About NEVER BEEN READY: Leah Morgan was done with men. After barely surviving a horrendous childhood, and a boyfriend who bailed when things got rough, Leah had given up on love. Then she met him, Hollywood’s new golden boy who suddenly had eyes only for her. She tried to convince herself that one night couldn’t hurt, but after six months, the memories of his mesmerizing gaze and searing touch still invaded her every thought. Declan James had just one rule when it came to women. Keep it simple, and never linger. That all changed the moment he met Leah. Even across a crowded bar, he could tell she was different. Sweet, with just the right amount of sass, she made him break his golden rule and now he couldn’t walk away. When casual becomes anything but, and emotions run deep, will Leah and Declan fight their fears, or let old insecurities tear them apart? When Declan’s past comes roaring back in a way neither of them could have expected, will they stand united or be torn apart by the challenges that lie ahead? It was only supposed to be one night, but only forever will do.

A Life, Forward by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21852694-a-life-forward?from_search=true

Purchase links:

A Life Forward: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Forward-Rowan-Slone-Novel-ebook/dp/B00JHRYEJA/ref=la_B005VRG1S2_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399402765&sr=1-3

A Life Redefined: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Redefined-Rowan-Slone-Novel-ebook/dp/B00DL5XGYI/ref=la_B005VRG1S2_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399402765&sr=1-2

SUMMARY (BOOK 1)

Seven years ago, an innocent act by Rowan Slone turned her life into a nightmare. Since the age of ten she’s lived with the burden of her baby brother’s death. Now she is seventeen and all she wants to do is graduate high school, go to college, and escape the loveless family she has endured all these years—the same family that holds her responsible for his death. But no one holds her responsible more than herself.

When long-time crush Mike Anderson invites her to the Prom, suddenly her future looks brighter. Rowan’s younger sister, Trina, however, is determined to ruin her new-found happiness, no matter the cost. And when Rowan discovers her mother’s long-held secret, she finds herself teetering on the edge of an abyss. Can Rowan find the strength to move toward the future or is she doomed to dwell in the past?

SUMMARY (BOOK 2)

Her father is gone. Her mother is in jail. And Rowan Slone has left her dysfunctional, violent past behind. With college looming on the horizon, she has a new job that she loves, and a safe place to call home. She is close to achieving everything she ever wanted-a sense of family, a sense of purpose, and a sense of self.

But there are cracks in Rowan’s life that threaten to send her future crumbling to the ground. When her relationship begins to suffer, her father returns and her long-held secret is discovered, Rowan must find the courage to fight for the most important thing yet-herself.

EXCERPT

Scene between Rowan and her boyfriend, Mike Anderson, in A Life, Forward:

My hand itched to swing out and slap his handsome face. But that face wasn’t as handsome as it used to be. It was harder, more angular, more severe. He’d shaved this morning but dark stubble still peeped through. Something had changed in my boyfriend since he left this summer; something that I did not like.

Maybe, though, I had changed, too.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I am not your charity chase. Back off, Mike. This is in the past.”

“But how? How is it in the past?” He stared at me a hard moment then blurted, “That’s why you always wear long sleeves. My God, Rowan, you can’t even wear normal clothes.”

If someone threw me into the middle of a tornado, I wouldn’t have felt more frazzled, confused, stirred up. “This is me, Mike. Take it or leave it.” The shakiness in my voice disproved my strong words.

He was silent, eyes focused on my arm. It started to burn under his gaze, and I had to clench my fist to keep from scratching at the dozen lines, from tracing the ugly A.

Sometimes I still wanted to cut but I didn’t.

I. Didn’t. Cut.

My legs were covered in silky light hairs because I refused to hold a razor between my fingers. I’d bent over backward, writing in my journal, studying late into the night, putting more hours in at the shelter, just to occupy my mind.

I didn’t cut anymore.

I didn’t cut anymore.

I don’t cut anymore.

I don’t cut anymore.

“I don’t cut anymore!” A soft knock on the door was the only thing that interrupted my screams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracy Hewitt Meyer is a multi-genre, multi-published author of new adult fiction as well as adult paranormal and contemporary romance. She has a B.A. in English and a Master of Social Work, both of which feed her true passion-a love of writing. Born and raised in the beautiful state of West Virginia, Tracy now lives in the mid-east with her family, a goldendoodle, and a bearded dragon.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5323127.Tracy_Hewitt_Meyer

Website: http://www.tracyhewittmeyer.com/

Twitter: @TracyHMeyer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracyHewittMeyer

Annabel by Kathleen Winter

Published: April 2013

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16124495-annabel

SUMMARY

A finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Governor General's Literary Award, the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, and a #1 national bestseller, Kathleen Winter's spectacular debut novel is now available in a new edition.


In 1968, into the beautiful, spare environment of remote coastal Labrador, a mysterious child is born: a baby who appears to be neither fully boy nor girl, but both at once. Only three people are privy to the secret — the baby's parents, Jacinta and Treadway, and a trusted neighbour, Thomasina. Together the adults make a difficult decision: to raise the child as a boy named Wayne. But as Wayne grows into adulthood within the hyper-masculine hunting culture of his father, his shadow-self — a girl he thinks of as "Annabel" — is never entirely extinguished, and indeed is secretly nurtured by the women in his life.


Haunting and sweeping in scope, Annabel is an unforgettable novel about a one person's struggle to discover the truth in a culture that shuns contradiction.

REVIEW

I cannot remember when or where I got this book, but I am so glad I did, and so glad that I read it! It takes on a very interesting topic and not one that I have ever read about before, so I am not sure how realistic this story would be, however, it feels very real while you are reading it. I loved all the characters, even all their flaws, and there were a lot. Kathleen Winter just made the people and the surroundings pop out at you with every word that was written.

We are first introduced to Jacinta and Treadway, the parents of Wayne who is born right at the beginning of the novel. They seem like the typical "normal" couple, but not everything is at it seems on the outside. Treadway is what you would call a man's man I guess, he goes out and works, and Jacinta stays home with the baby and tends to the house. When Wayne is born a hermaphrodite, no one knows what to do, and Jacinta thinks that she can hide it from Treadway and make a decision later, but Treadway knows, and he makes the decision for them, a decision that will forever have consequences for Wayne.

Throughout this novel there are many different subjects that are brought up, trust, loyalty, friendship, lies, and so many more. I finished the book today and I know that I will be thinking about it for days and weeks to come, and I love when that happens as I know that it will be a book that I will read over and over again. 

We see Wayne grow up through this novel, trying to fit in, not knowing where he belongs, but for the longest time, he does not understand why. We see Treadway try and reinforce the fact that he is a boy over and over again, and to Wayne he does not know why his Dad is fixated on this, and why it should matter so much, until the day that he finds out the truth of the situation.

I don't want to say much more about what happens in this novel, but I do strongly suggest that you read it, I think that it touches on so many subjects that everyone can find something to relate to in it. An absolute 5/5 must read from me!