fiction

BOOK REVIEW: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

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Title:  The Last Thing He Told Me

Author: Laura Dave

Audiobook Length: 8 hours and 49 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary

Read Start Date: April 24, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 5, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers: Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered; as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss; as a US Marshal and FBI agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth, together. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they are also building a new future. One neither Hannah nor Bailey could have anticipated.

My Review: The book follows the story of Hannah Hall, a woman who is forced to face the truth about her husband’s past when he suddenly disappears.

The story begins with Hannah’s husband, Owen, disappearing without a trace. Hannah is left alone with her stepdaughter, Bailey, and a note from Owen that says, “Protect her.” This sets off a chain of events that forces Hannah to confront the truth about her husband’s past and the secrets he kept from her.

As Hannah delves deeper into Owen’s past, she discovers that he was not who she thought he was and she begins to question everything she thought she knew about her husband.

The narrative of The Last Thing He Told Me is presented from Hannah’s point of view, unfolding in two distinct timelines. One timeline progresses forward from the day Owen vanished, while the other traces backward from the day Owen left. In the current timeline, we witness Hannah’s struggle to come to grips with the shocking truths about her husband’s past. Meanwhile, in the past timeline, we gain a deeper understanding of their relationship and the version of Owen that he chose to reveal to her, now causing her to question everything and piece together his true identity. Hannah is caught between her love for Owen and her responsibility to shield Bailey from the risks of Owen’s past. As she tries to navigate this complicated situation, Hannah must decide whom to trust and must make the impossible choice between Bailey’s safety and being a family again.

I first listened to this audiobook in the first year of my daughter’s life, when I was so sleep deprived I couldn’t really appreciate it. Upon the second reading, I absolutely loved this book. From the well crafted thrilling plot, to the well-developed and realistic characters, this book had me gripped from the first page.

I really liked how the story unfolded in two timelines, as it gave a comprehensive view of the story, while at the same time kept the tension high.

I also really liked Hannah, a nice, caring woman put in an impossible situation by her husband’s dark past. She handles the complex situation she is thrown into with a grace and determination that had me rooting for her through out the book.

This book won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery&Thriller in 2021. I can see why!

Summer is just around the corner. If you haven’t read this book already, I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list.

BOOK REVIEW: Hounds of the Underworld by Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray

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Title: Hounds of the Underworld

Author: Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray

Audiobook Length: 8 hours and 18 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Mystery

Read Start Date: April 21, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 24, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  On the verge of losing her laboratory, her savings, and all respect for herself, Pandora (Penny) Yee lands her first contract as scientific consult to the police department. And with seventeen murder cases on the go, the surly inspector is happy to leave her to it. Only she’s going to need to get around, and that means her slightly unhinged adopted brother, Matiu, will be doing the driving. But something about the case spooks Matiu, something other than the lack of a body in the congealing pool of blood in the locked room or that odd little bowl.

Matiu doesn’t like anything about this case, from the voices that screamed at him when he touched that bowl, to the way his hateful imaginary friend Makere has come back to torment him, to the fact that the victim seems to be tied up with a man from Matiu’s past, a man who takes pleasure in watching dogs tear each other to pieces for profit and entertainment.

Hounds of the Underworld blends mystery, near-future noir and horror. Set in New Zealand it’s the product of a collaboration by two Kiwi authors, one with Chinese heritage and the other Māori. This debut book in The Path of Ra series offers compelling new voices and an exotic perspective on the detective drama.

My Review: I received this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hounds of the Underworld is about siblings Matiu and Penny, who team up to solve a man’s disappearance. Penny, on the brink of losing her laboratory, is hired by the police for her services, and Matiu, her adopted Maori brother, tags along to the crime scene. Accidentally touching a bloodied bowl on the floor, Matiu hears a cacophony of screams in his head and wakes up his childhood imaginary friend, Makere. The siblings are thrust into a dark world of dog fighting, murder, and supernatural forces.

With respect to the audiobook recording, I really loved listening to the New Zealand accents of the narrators. The book includes a list of Maori terms that were used throughout the book, but I didn’t find it helpful in the audiobook version. With a paperback, you could flip to the back to see the definition, but by the end of the audiobook, it was already too late.

The dog fighting ring depicted in the story may be a trigger for dog lovers — it was for me. I was ready to cry at some points in the book and I was not happy that the authors didn’t do more to at least have a happy ending for a certain dog I have in mind.

The book starts off slow, focusing on the siblings’ relationship, but picks up pace in the last half and ends on a cliffhanger. Since this book was first published in 2017 (I think the audiobook format was just released), the 2nd and 3rd books in the trilogy are already published and available. I already have a long list of books on my “TBR” list this year, but I will definitely be adding the next books for reading in the future.

Reviews Published
Professional Reader
10 Book Reviews

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BOOK REVIEW: After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Title: After I Do

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Book Length: 336 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit

Read Start Date: April 19, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 27, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: From the New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, comes a breath taking novel about modern marriage, the depth of family ties, and the year that one remarkable heroine spends exploring both.

When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for? This is a love story about what happens when the love fades. It’s about staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got. And above all, After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game-and searching for a new road to happily ever after. 

My Review: The novel tells the story of Lauren and Ryan, a married couple who have been together for 11 years but are struggling in their marriage. The book takes readers on a journey through the couple’s decision to take a year-long break from their marriage to try and figure out what they really want.

The novel begins with Lauren and Ryan at their breaking point. They have tried couples therapy, but nothing seems to be working. Lauren is feeling unfulfilled in her job as a freelance writer, and Ryan is feeling stuck in his job as a lawyer. They are also struggling with communication issues, and their once-loving relationship has become strained.

After a particularly bad fight, Lauren and Ryan decide to take a year-long break from their marriage. During this time, they agree not to see each other or communicate in any way. They both hope that this time apart will help them figure out if they still love each other and if they want to stay married.

The year apart is not easy for either of them. Lauren struggles to find her place in the world and her purpose in life without Ryan. She also finds herself becoming more isolated and lonely as she spends more time on her own. Ryan, on the other hand, finds himself drawn to a coworker and begins to question his feelings for Lauren.

Throughout the novel, we see the couple grow and change as they spend time apart. They both have experiences that help them grow as individuals, and they begin to understand themselves better. Lauren discovers a new passion for photography and starts a successful business, while Ryan decides to leave his law firm and pursue a career as a musician.

As the year apart comes to a close, Lauren and Ryan must decide if they want to stay together or move on separately. They both have new perspectives on life and love, and they must decide if they can forgive each other for the mistakes of their past and build a new future together.

As a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s recent books, I couldn’t help but notice that her writing style in After I Do feels different. Although Reid is an excellent writer, the tone and structure of this book deviates from the style of her more recent works. Perhaps it’s because After I Do is written in the first person, or maybe it’s because it’s a contemporary novel rather than historical fiction (or what I like to call modern historical, where the story takes place in the last few decades rather than centuries). Whatever the reason may be, it feels like a departure from her usual style – but this could also be an early work in the evolution of Reid’s writing.

Although I have been divorced myself, I found it difficult to relate to Lauren. When I ended my own marriage, I was completely done with my ex and didn’t think about him or care about his whereabouts. However, Lauren seemed to be consumed by the absence of her husband and continued to think of him throughout their year-long separation, even writing unsent emails to him. From the beginning, I sensed that she didn’t truly hate him as she claimed. While the book’s message seems to be that the year break was necessary for them to rediscover their love for each other, I couldn’t help but wonder if they were truly in touch with their feelings. If they were so fed up with each other that they wanted to break up, why did they immediately realize that they couldn’t stand being apart? This made me question their level of self-awareness and the authenticity of their feelings.

Despite this one small flaw, some positive aspects of the book include:

Realistic portrayal of marriage: One of the strengths of the book is its realistic portrayal of marriage. Reid does not shy away from showing the ups and downs of a long-term relationship, including the challenges and struggles that many couples face. This makes the story relatable and authentic

Strong character development: The characters in the book are well-developed and complex, making them feel like real people rather than just fictional constructs.

Thought-provoking themes: The book tackles many thought-provoking themes, including the importance of communication in relationships, the challenges of pursuing one’s dreams while in a partnership, and the question of whether love is enough to sustain a long-term relationship.

BOOK REVIEW: The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman

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Title: The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 202 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: April 14, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 17, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 4

Brief Summary of the Plot From Goodreads: Ten thousand years ago, Morpheus condemned a woman who loved him to Hell. Now the other members of his immortal family, The Endless, have convinced the Dream King that this was an injustice. To make it right, Morpheus must return to Hell to rescue his banished love — and Hell’s ruler, the fallen angel Lucifer, has already sworn to destroy him.

Collects THE SANDMAN #21-28.

My Review: In the prologue, Dream’s sibling Destiny calls a family meeting. During the meeting, the siblings squabble, and they call Dream out for basically being a jerk, and having sentenced his once lover Nada to hell because she rejected him. Morpheus’s reflections on the past, and a push from Death, lead him to realize that he has made mistakes in the past and that he needs to make amends. He decides to embark on a journey to Hell to confront its ruler, Lucifer, and seek a way to free Nada from her eternal damnation.

Dream heads to hell, only to discover that Lucifer has closed Hell, kicking out all the dead humans and demons and gives the keys to Morpheus. As news of Lucifer’s abdication spreads, various supernatural entities, including demons, angels, and gods, flock to Dream to try to persuade him to give them the keys. Morpheus must navigate through the chaos and decide who is worthy of ruling Hell.


This volume was much better than Volume 3. The storyline was full of imaginative and peculiar elements, and it was presented as a cohesive narrative that progressed seamlessly from episode to episode. The volume was structured more like a novel than Volume 3, which featured disjointed, unrelated stories. Additionally, the 30-year anniversary edition included an enjoyable fictional author and illustrator biography at the end of the book that added to my overall enjoyment of the volume.

Previous Books in the Series

Title: The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: April 9, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 14, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 3

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  The third book of the Sandman collection is a series of four short comic book stories. In each of these otherwise unrelated stories, Morpheus serves only as a minor character. Here we meet the mother of Morpheus’s son, find out what cats dream about, and discover the true origin behind Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The latter won a World Fantasy Award for best short story, the first time a comic book was given that honor.

See my review of Volume 3 here.

Title: The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 27, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 30, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 2

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

During Morpheus’s incarceration, three dreams escaped the Dreaming and are now loose in the waking world. At the same time, a young woman named Rose Walker is searching for her little brother. As their stories converge, a vortex is discovered that could destroy all dreamers, and the world itself.

See my review of Volume 2 here.

Title: The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 240 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 22, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 26, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series THE SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his 70 year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman.

This book also includes the story “The Sound of Her Wings,” which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death.

See my review of Volume 1 here.

BOOK REVIEW: The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country by Neil Gaiman

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Title: The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: April 9, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 14, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 3

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  The third book of the Sandman collection is a series of four short comic book stories. In each of these otherwise unrelated stories, Morpheus serves only as a minor character. Here we meet the mother of Morpheus’s son, find out what cats dream about, and discover the true origin behind Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The latter won a World Fantasy Award for best short story, the first time a comic book was given that honor.

My Review: The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country is a collection of four standalone stories featuring the character of Dream, also known as Morpheus, who is the lord of dreams and one of the Endless.

The first story, “Calliope,” follows a struggling writer named Richard Madoc who has resorted to kidnapping and imprisoning a muse named Calliope in order to gain inspiration for his writing. Dream intervenes and teaches Madoc a harsh lesson about the consequences of abusing power and creativity.

This story was probably my least favorite in the collection. I was really disturbed by some aspects, especially the scenes of rape and imprisonment.

The second story, “A Dream of a Thousand Cats,” follows a group of cats who dream of a world where cats rule over humans instead of the other way around. As they share their dream with one another, they discover that their collective dreaming has the power to shape reality and create the world they desire.

I’m a big fan of cats, so this was my favorite in the collection. It really made me wonder whether the cats would succeed and become our overlords in reality (by being larger than humans). Even though anyone with cats can tell you that they are more or less our masters anyhow.

The third story, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” takes place in 1590s England and follows Shakespeare as he prepares to perform his play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for the first time. Dream offers to provide him with the best cast possible, including the King and Queen of Faerie, leading to a performance that is truly magical.

I found this story to be a little boring. It wasn’t as engaging or interesting as other stories in the Sandman series. However, the story’s focus on the theater and the performing arts may appeal more to others than it did to me.

The fourth and final story, “Facade,” is about a woman named Element Girl who was granted immortality by a mysterious benefactor. However, she soon realizes that immortality comes with a terrible price as she is trapped in an ever-changing, grotesque appearance. Dream offers her a way out, but it is not what she expects.

This story was okay, and while the premise that eternity can be a curse (rather than something to strive for / achieve) was interesting, I found the pacing rather slow, and there wasn’t too much action.

Other than the story about the cats, I didn’t care too much for the other stories, and the collection as a whole seemed disjointed. The stories varied in tone and plot and didn’t seem to carry the overall plot of Sandman forward.

I would still recommend reading it though if you intend to read on in the series.

Previous Books in the Series

Title: The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 27, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 30, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 2

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

During Morpheus’s incarceration, three dreams escaped the Dreaming and are now loose in the waking world. At the same time, a young woman named Rose Walker is searching for her little brother. As their stories converge, a vortex is discovered that could destroy all dreamers, and the world itself.

See my review of Volume 2 here.

Title: The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 240 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 22, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 26, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series THE SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his 70 year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman.

This book also includes the story “The Sound of Her Wings,” which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death.

See my review of Volume 1 here.

BOOK REVIEW: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

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Title: The Idea of You

Author: Robinne Lee

Book Length: 448 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit

Read Start Date: March 31, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 9, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: EVERYONE IN THE WORLD KNOWS HIS NAME.
BUT IT’S YOU HE WANTS.

At thirty-nine, Solène Marchand is a devoted mother, a dedicated colleague and a considerate ex-wife.

But it’s a long time since she’s felt like herself.

So when someone comes along who seems to see her – to want her – for who she really is, the attraction is instant. And so begins a jet-setting, earth-shattering secret love affair.

But what if that someone is world-famous sex symbol Hayes Campbell? Captivating frontman of boy band of the moment August Moon – whose face is everywhere. Including Solène’s teenage daughter’s bedroom wall.

Can Solène allow herself to fall for the boy the whole world wants?

OR WILL SHE HAVE TO MAKE A DEVASTATING CHOICE..?

My Review: The story follows Solène Marchand, a successful and recently divorced art gallery owner in her 40s, who unexpectedly falls in love with Hayes Campbell, a younger man in his 20s who happens to be a member of a popular boy band.

As their relationship develops, Solène and Hayes must navigate the challenges that come with their age difference, including the disapproval of Solène’s friends and family, as well as the intense scrutiny of the media and the public. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about societal norms and the double standards that exist around age differences in relationships.

I think what I liked most about the book was the love story. The romance scenes are steamy, and the chemistry between the 2 characters is undeniable. The book stayed with me long after I was done reading it, but maybe because the ending was unsatisfactory, albeit realistic.

What prevented me from giving the fifth star was how the novel repeatedly emphasizes the age difference between Solène and Hayes, with Solène frequently reflecting on her insecurities and concerns about dating a younger man. Often referring to him as a “boy.” I found this way too repetitive. Like we get it already.

Secondly, EVERYONE in Solène’s life was constantly saying “what are you doing with him”. She had no support from literally anyone in her life. It just got a little tiring. Basically her friends were telling her that although Hayes was the big love of her life, she wasn’t allowed to be with him because he was younger than her and a celebrity? This also didn’t make sense to me because she live s in L.A….aren’t people there used to having celebrities around? You’d think it would be no big deal.

Overall, The Idea of You is a well-crafted and emotionally resonant novel that is worth a read for fans of contemporary romance. While it may not be perfect, it is still a highly engaging and thought-provoking work that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

BOOK REVIEW: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

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Title: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

Author: Lisa Unger

Audiobook Length: 12 hours and 20 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

Read Start Date: April 3, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 12, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.

What could be more restful, more restorative, than a weekend getaway with family and friends? An isolated luxury cabin in the woods, complete with spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. Hannah’s loving and generous tech-mogul brother found the listing online. The reviews are stellar. It’s his birthday gift to Hannah and includes their spouses and another couple. The six friends need this trip with good food, good company and lots of R & R, far from the chatter and pressures of modern life.

But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare. A deadly storm is brewing. The rental host seems just a little too present. The personal chef reveals that their beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the friends have their own complicated past, with secrets that run blood deep. How well does Hannah know her brother, her own husband? Can she trust her best friend? And who is the new boyfriend, crashing their party? Meanwhile, someone is determined to ruin the weekend, looking to exact a payback for deeds long buried. Who is the stranger among them?

 My Review: Lisa Unger’s Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that will captivate readers from beginning to end. The story follows three couples who rent a luxurious cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway, but find themselves caught in a terrifying situation where they cannot trust anyone, not even each other.

The novel begins by introducing the six main characters, each with their own personal secrets and complicated relationships with each other. There are married couples Hannah and Bruce, Hannah’s brother Mako and his wife Liza, and Mako’s ex-girlfriend Cricket and her boyfriend.

Although the rental cabin initially seems like a dream with its hot tub, stunning views, and personal chef, things quickly take a turn for the worse. A deadly storm brews, the rental host seems a little creepy, and the personal chef reveals the cabin’s spine-tingling history. Meanwhile, a stranger seeks revenge for long-buried deeds and is determined to ruin the group’s weekend. Strange things start to happen at the cabin, and what was supposed to be a great weekend, ends in a nightmare no one could have anticipated.

The author masterfully builds tension and unease throughout the novel, utilizing the isolated cabin in the woods to add a sense of danger and isolation. Each character is well-developed and complex, with their own motives and secrets that are slowly revealed, building suspense and intrigue.

This was a great book to listen to while exercising, as it kept me engaged the entire time.

BOOK REVIEW: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

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Title: How to Sell a Haunted House

Author: Grady Hendrix

Audiobook Length: 12 hours and 59 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Thriller

Read Start Date: March 28, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 3, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Grady Hendrix takes on the haunted house in a thrilling new novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else.

When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father’s academic career and her mother’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world.

Most of all, she doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market.

But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…

 My Review: After the tragic passing of her parents, Louise is forced to return home to handle their estate and confront her estranged brother, Mark. Despite being siblings, they have never seen eye to eye. Louise, the older child, feels her parents favored Mark, leading to resentment. On the other hand, Mark believes that Louise has always had everything handed to her while he’s been left with nothing.

Their parents’ will only exacerbates the situation, leaving everything to Mark except for their mother’s peculiar collection of “artwork,” including unsettling puppets and taxidermy squirrels. While Mark is eager to sell the house, Louise wants to prolong the process by delaying the removal of the “artwork.”

Amidst these family tensions, strange occurrences begin to happen in the house, such as scratching sounds from the attic, televisions turning on when no one is around, and the unsettling movement of the puppets. These supernatural elements set the stage for an unforgettable haunted house story.

The author, Hendrix, skillfully creates an engaging and atmospheric world that draws readers in. The horror elements are genuinely creepy, and the story has plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep readers on edge.

Overall, How to Sell a Haunted House is a must-read for those who enjoy horror and paranormal stories.

BOOK REVIEW: Mad Honey by Jennifer Finney Boylan and Jodi Picoult

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Title: Mad Honey

Author: Jennifer Finney Boylan and Jodi Picoult

Audiobook Length: 15 hours and 12 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Thriller

Read Start Date: March 16, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 17, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: A soul-stirring novel about what we choose to keep from our past, and what we choose to leave behind.

Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising a beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father’s beekeeping business.

Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start.

And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet at times, she wonders if she can she trust him completely . . .

Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in him, and as the case against him unfolds, she realizes he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her.

Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.

My Review: I borrowed the audiobook of Mad Honey from the library solely because it was listed as “popular”, without any prior knowledge of the story. I later discovered that it was a nominee for the Goodreads Best Fiction award in 2022.

The novel is structured around two different points of view, that of Olivia and Lily, and revolves around the pivotal event of Lily’s untimely death, and suspected murder. While Olivia’s perspective progresses forward in time, Lily’s viewpoint takes readers back in time, providing insight into her life leading up to her death. Through Lily’s perspective we see the evolution (in reverse) of the romantic relationship between Asher (Olivia’s son) and Lily. Meanwhile, Olivia’s viewpoint centers around the aftermath of Lily’s death and Asher’s subsequent trial.

This unique structure adds a layer of depth to the storytelling and allows readers to see the full picture of the events leading up to and following Lily’s passing. In the afterward of the book, the author’s describe their writing process, where initially each author took up one POV. Through editing and redrafting (done by both authors) the writing styles were combined into one cohesive book.

The suspenseful plot kept me on the edge of my seat, as the investigation into Lily’s death unfolds and secrets are revealed. I don’t want to give away too much about the plot as the story takes a surprising turn around the halfway mark, revealing an unexpected twist that is not hinted at in the synopsis. The twist and well executed pacing adds an additional layer of complexity to the story and kept me guessing until the very end.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own flaws and challenges that make them feel real and engaging.

A definite must-read!

BOOK REVIEW: The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House by Neil Gaiman

/ E.A. Hoffmann / 4 Comments

Title: The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 232 Pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 27, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 30, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 2

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

During Morpheus’s incarceration, three dreams escaped the Dreaming and are now loose in the waking world. At the same time, a young woman named Rose Walker is searching for her little brother. As their stories converge, a vortex is discovered that could destroy all dreamers, and the world itself.

My Review: The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House is the second installment in Neil Gaiman’s groundbreaking Sandman comic book series. The story follows the continuing adventures of Dream, the lord of dreams, as he navigates the strange and dangerous world of the Dreaming.

The Doll’s House begins with Dream discovering that a number of his subjects have gone missing from the Dreaming. He sets out to find them, unaware that his search will lead him to a group of escaped nightmares and a young woman named Rose Walker, who possesses a mysterious and powerful ability.

As Dream and Rose’s paths converge, they find themselves caught up in a web of danger and intrigue. They are pursued by a trio of terrifying “Furies,” who seek to punish Dream for past transgressions. Meanwhile, Rose discovers that her family is far from ordinary, and that her destiny is intertwined with the fate of the Dreaming itself.

One of the strengths of The Doll’s House is undoubtedly its art. Dringenberg and Jones III create a stunning visual landscape that perfectly captures the dreamlike quality of the Sandman universe. The use of color and shadow is particularly effective, creating a sense of atmosphere that draws the reader in. The character designs are also impressive, with each figure rendered in intricate detail that makes them feel like living, breathing beings.

The writing, as expected from Gaiman, is also engaging and thoughtful. The Sandman universe is rich with mythology and symbolism, and Gaiman deftly weaves these elements into the story.

One aspect of The Doll’s House that may be off-putting for some readers (and is the reason why I am only giving it 3 stars) is the level of violence and gore present in certain scenes. While violence is not a new element in the Sandman series, The Doll’s House takes it to a new level with some particularly gruesome depictions.

For example, the scenes featuring the serial killers known as the “Cuckoo” and the “Thessalian” are especially unsettling. The graphic nature of their crimes and the graphic depiction of the aftermath was too much, and it detracted from my enjoyment of the story. Similarly, the Corinthian’s character, while intriguing, is also deeply disturbing, with his penchant for murder and his unsettling appearance.

The Corinthian is a living nightmare created by Dream, who is one of the missing dream entities that Dream is trying to find. As he took human form, he became a serial killer who likes removing his victim’s eyes. While I am a fan of horror and true crime books, these books often do not have graphic pictures associated with them and therefore when reading a regular book, I am free to imagine the crime, or not. With graphic novels, it’s in your face, like it or not.

I think my favorite story line of Volume 2 was Rose Walker, who discovers that she is a dream vortex, i.e., an entity capable of bringing everyone into the same dream. She is linked to the first volume via several different characters, which I did not realize until later in Volume 2.

While I didn’t like Volume 2 as much as Volume 1, it is definitely worth the read and I will be moving on to Volume 3.

Other Books in this Series: 

Title: The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Length: 240 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels

Read Start Date: March 22, 2023

Read Finish Date: March 26, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series THE SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his 70 year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman.

This book also includes the story “The Sound of Her Wings,” which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death.

See my review of Volume 1 here.