Review: This Is How I Lied

This Is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was able to listen to the audiobook of this as I read and it kept me up way past my bedtime. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plot.
The story is based around a cold case murder that has occurred 25 years previously. It is now being investigated in the light of new evidence by a detective who was the best friend to the murdered girl. The nuances of this story really kept me reading. I also thought the plot twists were terrific and unexpected.
My only critique is that I felt that a major plot point was never fully resolved to my preference, it would be a spoiler to say what it was, so I will leave it at that. It detracted from the story slightly.
Overall, I recommend this for any thriller lovers.
Thanks for the early release copy to review.
#Netgalley #ThisIsHowILied #HarlequinTradePublishing #ParkRow

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Review: The Burning

The Burning by Laura Bates
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I appreciated this story of a mother who moves her children to a new country, Scotland, to try to protect her daughter from the bullying directly and through social media techniques previously. As a teen who is facing the ongoing bullying over a single event that labeled her as a "slut" and other negative terms, she is trying to rebuild her life in her new town. One of the assignments she is given is to research a town person whose history might be unique or interesting. She chooses a woman accused of witchcraft and this leads her down fascinating roads. Unfortunately, she is unable to keep the separation between her prior life and her current life. This leads to an interesting story and conclusion.
Overall, this was a good book and I listened to part of it on audiobook which enhanced the story.
I recommend this, especially for YA readers who want a unique story that takes on the issues of bullying and harassment that teens often face.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy.
#TheBurning #Netgalley #SourceBooksFire

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Review: The "I Love My Air Fryer" Keto Diet 5-Ingredient Recipe Book: From Bacon and Cheese Quiche to Chicken Cordon Bleu, 175 Quick and Easy Keto Recipes

The "I Love My Air Fryer" Keto Diet 5-Ingredient Recipe Book: From Bacon and Cheese Quiche to Chicken Cordon Bleu, 175 Quick and Easy Keto Recipes by Sam Dillard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful collection of recipes that are simple to prepare and specific to using your Air Fryer. I bought an Air Fryer about a year ago and have loved it so far but have not liked that my old cookbooks are not made for its use. So I was relying on some online sources and a lot of trial and error. This book offers a lot of straight forward recipe ideas that can all be used in the Air Fryer. The added benefit is that they are also specific to a keto diet. The recipes choose ingredients that are generally easy to obtain in all the meal categories and are tasty as well. The added bonus is the recipes that are specifically "kid friendly". I appreciate this as many cookbooks are great for an adult palate but not necessarily approved by children.
Highly recommended. Thank you for the early copy.
#Netgalley #TheILoveMyAirFryerKetoDiet5IngredientRecipeBook #AdamsMedia
4.5/5

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Review: The Herd

The Herd by Andrea Bartz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a tough one. The premise of this book sounding promising to me. It is about a group of women, elite in their positions in the workplace, who follow their leader, Eleanor, the founder of The Herd. The idea is for this to be highly respected women to work together as members of The Herd and be supportive of each other. Then one night Eleanor goes missing. The mystery evolves around her disappearance and many who work with her are suspects.
I think my reluctance on this review is that I didn't really enjoy these characters or feel invested in their stories. And then the ending was not the great conclusion that I expected it to be. Overall, it is a good story but could have been even better.
#Netgalley #TheHerd #RandomHousePublishingBallantine #BallantineBooks

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Review: What Lies Between Us

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am officially hooked on John Marrs books! I first read The Passengers about a year or so ago and then What Lies Between Us came up and I grabbed it.
This was another page-turner that did not disappoint. Interestingly though, it is a very different thriller than his previous books. There is nothing futuristic or Science Fiction feeling in this one. It is a pure domestic thriller, but different from others in this group, because the tension is between mother and daughter.
For reference, I did not read (and have not read) the blurb about this book so I went into it without a frame of reference. This added to the suspense, in my opinion. This begins as a mother/daughter pair who live in the family home together in England. The daughter works at the library and appears to be caring for an ailing mother at their home. The story quickly becomes twisted as you realize that Mummy Dearest is not just a recluse (I was initially thinking The Woman In the Window), but actually something more sinister. As you turn the pages, the story is told in both dual POV and dual timelines. This backstory alters your impression of these characters as well as your understanding of events.
The chapters are short and page-turning. The story moves with twists and turns and is well worth the ride.Another terrific story from this author.
Highly recommend.
#Netgalley #WhatLiesBetweenUs #AmazonPublishingUK

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Review: Take Me Apart

Take Me Apart by Sara Sligar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a thrilling story told with a dual timeline from the POV of Kate, an archivist hired for the summer and her subject, Miranda, a successful artist who suffered a mysterious death. Miranda's son Theo hired Kate to work in his home going through his parents' things and getting it ready for auction. Through her work, Kate becomes engrossed in the reasons behind Miranda's death and uses the clues that she finds in the home, including Miranda's own words. This sets up a mystery that was never fully elucidated at the time of her death. It is rich in the family dynamics, mental health issues, physical and mental abuse, what we might do for the ones we love and ourselves, and relationships.
This is an intriguing thriller that checks a lot of boxes.
Highly recommended read.
Thank you for the early copy.
#Netgalley #TakeMeApart #FarrarStrausandGiroux

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