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Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy

A great sequel that tells of the power of second chances. A special thanks to @stmartinspress and @ellekennedy33 for the chance to read this #eARC !

Picking up where Good Girl Complex leaves off, Bad Girl Reputation tells the story of the other half of the Hartley twins, Evan, and his tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship with Genevieve. When Genevieve, nicknamed Gen, arrives back in town for her mom’s funeral it is clear that she is in the midst of a maturity metamorphosis. She left the town the day after a blackout bender that found her drunkenly embarrassing herself. She ran away from her relationships, her alcohol dependency, and partying and thrill-seeing ways. When she collides back with her ex, Evan, she is forced to reconcile her past self with who she is now and decide who she wants to become and what that means for her relationships.

This was an intoxicating tale of growth, decision-making, love, and second chances. I ripped right through Good Girl Complex obsessed with the push and pull of Cooper and Mackenzie’s improbable relationship and was so far that Elle Kennedy decided to revisit the Avalon Bay and tell Evan’s backstory and relationship background with Genevieve as well. I can’t get enough of this character development in these devious guys and journey to self-love and acceptance for these strong female leads.

I highly recommend this for those who love love and second chances.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 4.5/5

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Lucy Checks in by Dee Ernst

I’d like to extend a special thanks to @stmartinspress and @dee.ernst.7 for the chance to read this #eARC! Lucy Checks In will be out August 16 and is available for preorder.

Lucia (Lucy) Giannetti is in need of an overhaul. Career, love, life, the works. She’s just had her hotel executive boyfriend break her heart and make a fool of her in one fail swop when he makes off with her any many other’s money and leaving her to pick up the pieces and be investigated by the FBI. With her career in tatters, she eagerly accepts a job in Rennes, France getting a defunct hotel back up and running. When she arrives she learns it’s going to take a lot more than some new decor to get this hotel back off the ground and most of the residents don’t have faith she can pull it off. Will she be able to restore the Hotel Paradis to its former glory or will this project be more than she can take?

This was a solid summer read. It really helped my need for vicarious wanderlust. I was mildly disappointed that the groundwork was laid for the ghost to play a part and it was ultimately just left a very minor piece (I love a good spook!). The story was solid and I enjoyed the character development in Lucy and how she fulfilled that before she let herself fall for Bing. Romance, growth, comedy, this was solid and had it all. I recommend for those looking for a good, easy summer read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

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The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones

A guilty conscience is hard to disguise.

Noah and Rachel are best friends who once had a fling. They’re now grown and married to Paige and Jack. When Jack’s bother, Will, and his fiancée, Ali, plan their wedding it seems like it will be a great opportunity for them to have a fun week unwinding in Portugal. But all the together time results in high tension when secrets start spilling out and threatening to ruin relationships and friendships alike. Ali and Will’s wedding night serves as the pinnacle of tempers flaring and it’s unclear if everyone will make it out alive.

This was a page turner that I had no trouble breezing through. Despite several twisted and knotted relationship threads, I had no trouble navigating the story. This one flipped you on your head each time you thought you had it all sorted and knew where it was taking you. I recommend for those who enjoy a good mystery with lots of tension and betrayal.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

What a heartbreaking but amazing journey this book was!

*Minor Spoilers Ahead*

TW: abandonment, alcohol abuse, infidelity, drug use, minor violence

Malibu Rising follows the story of unlucky-in-love fictional singer and songwriter Mick Riva and his twice wife, June, and the messy path Mick left along the way to his stardom fading. It follows as June raises their three children and a child born from Mick’s infidelity and her struggle to raise children who have enough and felt loved while keeping the family afloat and the family seafood restaurant going.

So first of all I have to say that this is the first book that I realized that TJR adds Easter eggs to her books connecting characters to each work and placing them in the same universe but their own unique tales and I absolutely adore that. This book repeatedly broke my heart, made me want to scream on the characters’ behalves, to hold them and make them feel loved. The kind of gift for writing one has to possess to do that is rare and incredible. This connection made the ending that much more satisfying, thought I hope this is not the last we time we hear of or see the Rivas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 4.5/5

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“they’re just husbands. i’m evelyn hugo. and anyway, i think once people know the truth, they’ll be much more interested in my wife.”

— the seven husbands of evelyn hugo

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Eddie Munson our beloved ♡

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Bossypants by Tina Fey

Hilarious and insightful.

Talented comedian and writer Tina Fey gets personal in her autobiography. She opens up about everything from her near death experience during her honeymoon to the struggle and very mixed reviews she faced in choosing whether or not to portray Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live. She tells it all with a heavy dose of humility and self-depreciation and her unique flourish of comedy that always packs a punch.

I absolutely loved this. I love Tina Fey so much, most notably for her work on SNL and Mean Girls. She has a presence on the screen that leaves you in awe of her sass, intelligence, and poise, but also with the impression that you could sit down for a glass of wine with her and it wouldn’t be weird. This book (especially the cruise portion) kept me laughing out loud and also deeply appreciating all that she has done for women in showbiz. I’d love to see her do another with a deep dive into Mean Girls, her films and friendship with Amy Poehler, and motherhood.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

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Blood Sugar by Sascha Rothchild

Stressful in the best way.

We all get mad enough to wish those around us would drop dead from time to time. Ruby has actually made a person or two drop dead for real - three to be exact. The trouble starts for her when she is accused of killing her husband, but ironically that’s one death for which she isn’t responsible. The skeletons in her closet begin being brought to light one by one and her life crumbles before her eyes as a hellbent detective tries with all his might to send her to prison for her husband’s death. Will she be able to prove her innocence or has her luck ran out at long last?

This was riveting! So many different layers and Ruby is such a complex character. I’ve learned that I really enjoy shows and books with morally ambiguous characters (a la Dexter) and this book delivered on this in a big way. Ruby reminded me of an older version of Chloe in “Never Saw Me Coming” and the nail biting factor of this novel matched as well. I recommend for anyone who enjoys thrillers involving conscience-questionable characters with a legal battle.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

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The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

The ultimate workplace revenge story! 😯

Vincent, Sylvie, Sam, and Jules are the best at what they do. Working in finance has afforded each of them a life of extreme luxury. When they receive a compulsory team building exercise in an escape room, they all dutifully turn up eager to show off their competitive sides. When when the AC switches off along with the lights and the time ticks past 70 minutes, they know this is no ordinary escape room. Who will make it out alive?

I loved the alternating POV on this cautionary tale of workplace opportunism and greed gone wrong. As someone who works in corporate America, this definitely resonates and it was easy finding myself siding with Sara and even frustrated by her blind allegiance to the company. I recommend this for those looking for an unconventional corporate thriller.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

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Survive the Night by Riley Sager

What. A. Wild. Ride!

Charlie has got to getaway. From her consuming guilt over her best friend and roommate being killed after she left her at a bar, from her boyfriend who she feels she’s weighing down, and all those faces that look at her with sympathy. So when a stranger in an Olyphant sweatshirt approaches her at the ride swap board she decides to take him up on his offer to take her to Ohio. From the way her loads her box into the trunk to a slip allowing her to see his real ID, it doesn’t take Charlie long to realize that she’s made a huge mistake and now may be riding down the interstate with the Campus Killer. Will Charlie concoct a plan to escape or will she end up the next tooth in his box?

I got through this book in record pace because I just couldn’t put it down. A thrill ride that will leave you absolutely breathless and on edge from start to finish. Each time I read a Riley Sager novel I think it can’t be as good as the others but each time he delivers and absolutely kills it! This story has twists on twists and will leave you guessing right along with Charlie what is real and what is imagined.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5/5

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The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

The perfect revenge story.

Amber has lead a rough life. But she is done living a life without. She’s plotted the perfect plan and there is only one thing standing in the way of her living her fairy tale dream, and that is Daphne Parrish, married to the suave and affluent Jackson Parrish. She befriends Daphne and charms her way into the family’s good graces so she can line up her chance to strike. Daphne has a secret of her own and begins devising her own plan. Who’s plan will prevail and is happily ever after in the card for anyone?

This is a book where I genuinely disliked all the characters. I think it all wrapped up quite nicely though. The key to this book was the dual POV. It switched from Amber to Daphne at the absolutely perfect time. The suspense factor and whether the plans would unravel kept me tuned in. I recommend this for suspense lovers and love triangles.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 3.5/5

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Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

Just as much sass and humor and even more spice! 🌶⚓️ The Bellinger sisters are back! This sequel picks up months after “It Happened One Summer” leaves off. This story focuses on Hannah and her budding relationship with crab fisherman Fox Thornton, friend and shipmate to Brendan that Piper is engaged to. The novel sees character development for both Hannah and Fox as they shake off “supporting costar” doubts and self consciousness - Hannah in her career on a film set and Fox in becoming leadership on the boat crew. They also go from sure friends bonding over music to lovers that can’t keep their hands off each other and vehemently support one another in tackling their self doubt. This was not quite as fun and quirky as it’s predecessor but had a deeper, inspirational feel to it. The self discovery journey and growth is everything and then the spice is also off the charge and adds to the entertainment levels. I recommend for anyone who enjoys a good friend zone to lovers trope. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 3.5/5

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The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

Un-put-down-able mystery!

New young mother Tallulah finds herself swept up in the seemingly inescapable intrigue of Scarlett, a schoolmate. When Tallulah and her boyfriend, Zach, don’t return from a night out of fun and merriment her mom, Kim, goes into panic mode and begins a crusade to find her daughter and uncover what went on that night. Blooming novelist Sophie is soon pulled into the drama herself when she moves to the village with her boyfriend and who has accepted the job of head teacher at the local college. Their lives and quests converge when Sophie literally digs up a clue that blows the doors off this case a year after Tallulah went missing. Will the truth be uncovered in time to save the young couple?

I’ve yet to breeze through a 400 page book as fast as I straight zoomed through this Jewell installment. I was instantly pulled into Tallulah’s mystery and commiserated with Kim in her frantic search to reunite her daughter with her grandson. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a dual POV mystery with a thriller streak.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 4.5/5

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Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood

A fun and breezy novella! When environmental engineer Mara’s advisor and close friend, Helena, passes away she leaves her home to her, or half of it anyway. When Mara does some digging she realizes she’ll be sharing her new abode with Helena’s nephew, Liam, who works as a lawyer for big oil. The two immediately lock horns and pull out all the petty stops. Will they learn to coexist or will they end up setting in court? This was a fun strangers to enemies to lovers trope. It was a fun, easy read and perfect for summer/beach read. I look forward to my next Ali Hazelwood read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

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Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

This kept me paralyzed on the edge of my seat! Thank you to @stmartinspress and @megangoldinauthor for a chance to read this eARC! This thriller comes out August 9 and you can preorder now via B&N, Amazon, or your local bookstore. Two years and three months ago someone tried to kill Liv. There’s just one problem - she can’t remember who made an attempt on her life or any new memories she has processed since. Liv was able to recover and relocate to London to start anew and with the help of a journal outlining her life for her and visual guides in her home recommended by a helpful social worker, she’s been able to move on from her past, until now. Something causes her to snap from her routine and fly back to Brooklyn, where everything started. She begins to wake up every day thinking it’s the day she almost died, burns her journal, and is only able to work from the notes on her arm and hands while hopped up on caffeine and paranoia. Liv finds herself at the center of a murder investigation with her prints all over it with no memory of whether she was involved or assurance as to whether she is at risk. Will she be able to assemble the pieces and clear her name or will she learn that she is indeed a cold blooded killer? I absolutely loved this! I’m an avid thriller reader and I’ve never read anything quite like this. I was immediately swept up in Liv’s fight for the truth. I enjoyed the cut between two years ago (the attempted murder of Liv and the other murders), the recent past (as she searched for truth and leading up to Ted’s murder), and the present day. It allowed for the reader to have just enough information to keep you baited and on the edge of your seat. I strongly recommend for thriller/mystery lovers out there! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5/5

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Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

A haunting tale showing how the ones closest to us can be the most dangerous.

Marin seemingly has it all: married to her college sweetheart, successful job managing popular hair salons, and a beautiful family. It all begins to crumble when her son Sebastian is taken from her. Marin becomes a shadow of her former self retreating from nearly everyone in her life except her best friend, Sal. When the FBI sidelines her son’s disappearance due to lack of leads, Marin turns to a PI to keep the investigation going. Things take a bizarre turn when the PI discovers her husband’s affair with a much younger girl. Marin loses herself in an attempt to find control.

This was an intriguing story. A sort of fusion of Molloy’s The Perfect Mother and Lapena’s The Couple Next Door. I was a little thrown by the fact that this appeared to be about the son going missing and her mission to find him but ultimately that played a smaller role in the overall plot. There were a couple of decent twists and I was relieved by the ending. I recommend for anyone looking for a breezy mystery turned thriller.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

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Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

Move over, Gilligan’s Island! This breezy but twisty mystery/thriller is the perfect beach read.

Lux is still reeling from the loss of her mother when she meets and falls for Nico, a laidback, charming, full-time wanderer. Nico promises to take her around the world in his fixer-upper boat. Nico crosses paths with friends Amma and Brittany who are looking to go to Meroe Island, a forgotten and mysterious island named for a ship that wrecked there. The group is delighted when they run into Eliza and Jake, a carefree couple with a nice boat, even nicer provisions, and a kind and welcoming demeanor. Their fate seems to change quickly on the island as several small strange things keep happening. Will they change the cursed reputation of the island or will it curse them?

Lucy Foley’s The Guest List meets Bartz’s We Were Never Here in this slow burning thriller. The creepy vibes on this were absolutely delicious and not over done. I did unravel part of the mystery about midway through but it was still satisfying nonetheless. Super bingeable and engaging! I recommend for this who love a good island mystery and/or thriller!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5