Author Archives: ashareads

Review: Darling Girls

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Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: 4/23/2024

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the free copy on NetGalley and Libro.Fm for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth tells the story of three foster sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, who grew up under the strict care of their foster mother on a farm, hiding dark secrets beneath a seemingly perfect upbringing. Their past comes back to haunt them when a body is found under their childhood home, turning them from witnesses into potential suspects in a disturbing case.

Sally Hepworth’s books have been hit or miss for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Darling Girls. The intriguing premise initially excited me, however, I didn’t anticipate the heavy subjects being described in such graphic detail. While I expected the thriller to be dark and twisted, the story turned out to be more sad and heartbreaking. It unfolds through three distinct POVs, but the audiobook’s single narrator made it challenging to differentiate between them—I would have preferred multiple narrators for a more immersive experience. The narrative alternates between the present and the characters’ childhoods, with the present timeline being more slow paced and the past providing a faster pace. Unfortunately, I found the ending somewhat predictable. I gave this three stars and I recommend taking a look at the trigger warnings beforehand.

Review: The Next Mrs. Parrish

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The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
Publisher: Bantam
Pub Date: 6/18/2024

Thank you to Random House for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Next Mrs. Parrish is about Amber Patterson Parrish, who becomes a well-known socialite even after her husband’s legal troubles. As her husband’s release from prison approaches, she, her husband Jackson, and his ex-wife Daphne face their past mistakes and secrets, leading to unexpected alliances and challenges.

The Next Mrs Parrish is a true sequel so I recommend reading The Last Mrs. Parrish and The First Shot before reading this one. The writing seemed overly simple and the dialogue felt stilted. It leaned more towards a family drama than a thriller. The pacing was uneven, with certain scenes dragging on too long. I wasn’t a fan of the characters and the supposed twists were easily predictable. While I appreciated the various perspectives, I found it odd that Daphne’s perspective was told in the first person whereas Amber and Daisy Ann’s were in the third person which irked me. The ending was predictable, which wasn’t terrible in itself, but the journey there felt lackluster. I ended up giving this book a generous three stars. This sequel felt unnecessary. Overall, I don’t think the author duo is for me. Their style just doesn’t resonate with me, and The Last Mrs. Parrish remains the only book of theirs that I liked.

Review: Just for the Summer

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Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Publisher: Forever
Pub Date: 4/2/2024

Thank you to Forever for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Justin and Emma, both cursed in love, come up with a plan to date and then break up, hoping to end their bad luck and find true love next. Their simple summer romance fling gets complicated as they face with personal challenges and start having feelings for each other, making them wonder if they were meant to be together after all.

Just for the Summer is one of my most anticipated spring releases! I’ve read all of Abby’s book so far and I’m a huge fan of her writing. Her skill in crafting complex characters who evoke empathy, intertwined with beautifully developed slow-burn romances and intimate moments, always leaves me cheering for the protagonists. Just for the Summer has got to be in my top 3 now and deserves all the stars! Slightly different from Abby’s previous books, Just for the Summer excels by intricately weaves the challenges of life with laughter, tears, and bringing the power of hope all into one. I loved seeing Emma and Justin’s personal growth through their own perspectives and how they intertwine in each other’s lives. The supporting characters really made this book shine and loved the support system that Emma and Justin received through their found families. Abby was able to address heavy topics with sensitivity in a way that was thoughtful and also added another layer of depth to her writing. There are so many other things I want to say, but I want to keep this review spoiler free! If you’re an Abby fan or new to her writing, pick this one up on release day!

Review: Heart Bones

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Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Atria
Pub Date: 1/31/2023

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just finished Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover because when Olive and June pick a book, you know it’s worth the re-read, right? Back in 2020, I devoured this book in a day, and guess what? It happened again! Like a fine wine, Colleen Hoover’s words have that magnetic pull this time around like it did the first time around even when the story gets heavy.

Beyah was given such a terrible hand at life that I couldn’t help but root for her. Samson’s flaws couldn’t overshadow the empathy he evoked. It’s a Hoover hallmark—crafting characters that stay with you, long after the final page. Despite a whirlwind and rushed ending, my four stars remains as is.

Review: Good Half Gone

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Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher
Publisher: Graydon House
Pub Date: 3/19/2024

Thank you to Graydon House & Harper Audio for the free copy on NetGalley & LibroFM in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Iris, having narrowly avoided the tragic fate of her kidnapped and trafficked twin sister, seeks proof of what happened to her by interning at the creepy Shoal Island Hospital for the criminally insane. She quickly discovers that the hospital harbors deep, sinister secrets, realizing the danger extends beyond its patients and into the very essence of the institution itself.

Tarryn Fisher’s books can be hit or miss for me, and, unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark. The beginning of the book started strong, capturing my interest with its intriguing storyline. However, I guessed the major twist early on which was a disappointment. I hoped the journey towards this twist would keep me engaged, but I found Iris, especially her present-day portrayal, to be boring. The segments showing her as a teenager were more interesting to read. I felt the story lacked the suspense needed to make the predictable twist compelling. I ended up rating this three stars because even though I finished this book in a day, I found the overall story to just be okay.

Review: Happily Never After

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Happily Never After by Lynn Painter
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 3/12/2024

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Happily Never After by Lynn Painter, Sophie Steinbeck enlists the help of a professional objector, Max, to escape her own doomed wedding, leading them on a series of anti-wedding adventures where they work together to save others from unhappy marriages. As they navigate their unconventional partnership, Sophie and Max confront their own skepticism about love, only to find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, especially when faced with a job that hits too close to home.

I loved the banter between Sophie and Max; their chemistry was off the charts. The evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers was sweet, yet when they finally came together, it turned spicy. Sophie’s roommates were hilarious, adding even more fun to the story! The only aspect I found less appealing were some of the decisions Sophie and Max made individually, which irked me, but this didn’t deter my overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, this is a fun, lighthearted romance that’s perfect to pick up this spring!

Review: Murder Road

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Murder Road by Simone St. James
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 3/5/2024

Thank you to PRH Audio & Berkley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Newlyweds April and Eddie inadvertently become suspects in a series of unexplained murders after picking up a dying hitchhiker along Atticus Line during their honeymoon. Their efforts to clear their names uncover the town’s dark, sinister secrets, threatening to engulf them in its ominous history.

I’ve always been a fan of Simone St. James’ thrillers so I was excited to hear about her upcoming release. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me and I wish I DNF’d it. While the premise seemed intriguing at first, the story ultimately proved forgettable. The protagonists, April and Eddie, came across as both irritating and dull, with their motivation for investigating the murders in the small town feeling weak and unconvincing. Additionally, many of the plot twists were predictable. I was particularly disappointed by the paranormal elements in this book, which, unlike in St. James’ previous works, failed to add any depth or eerie atmosphere to the story. This isn’t a book I would recommend. If you decide to give it a try, I suggest keeping your expectations low.

Review: The Princess of Las Vegas

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The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian
Publisher: Doubleday
Pub Date: 3/19/2024

Thank you to Doubleday & PRH Audio for the free copies in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian, Crissy Dowling, who impersonates Princess Diana, sees her life in Las Vegas turn upside down when her sister arrives and a murder occurs, pulling her into a world of crime, secrets, and cryptocurrency.

I love Chris Bohjalian’s work so I was excited to hear that he was coming out with a new thriller. I was a bit hesitant on how I’d feel about this since I’m not a fan of the royals. I was pleasantly surprised the plot proved captivating and consistently held my attention. However, there was way too much talk about crypto currency. I liked the alternating perspectives between the sisters added depth, and their involvement in the murder mysteries kept me thoroughly engaged Setting the story against the vibrant backdrop of Las Vegas effectively turned the location into a character in its own right. Overall, I’d recommend this if you like slow burn thrillers!

Review: Tangled Up In You

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Tangled Up In You by Christin Lauren
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Pub Date: 6/25/2024

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tangled Up In You is the fourth installment in the A Meant To Be series and it can be read as a standalone. This is a modern day retelling of the classic Rapunzel and draws inspiration from the Disney film, Tangled. The novel is about Ren, a self-taught, off-the-grid woman attending college for the first time, and Fitz, a student with a meticulously planned future. Their lives intertwine through an immunology seminar assignment, leading them on an unexpected road trip where they discover that the answers to their dreams might lie in their unlikely partnership.

I had mixed feelings about this book. I loved the backdrop and was captivated by all the intriguing characters. Yet, I couldn’t help noticing striking similarities to Kiss the Girl, the third book in the A Meant To Be series, especially in the road trip scenes. The pacing of the book seemed to be a bit off to me. The beginning of the book was really intriguing, but once we got to the road trip part, it was pretty slow. The last quarter of the book felt rushed and packed with events with little to no explanations which led to an abrupt ending. I was also surprised to find this book to be more young adult versus adult. Contrary to the previous books in the series which featured mid-20s adults, this book felt more like a young adult novel, with Ren and Fitz behaving more like teenagers despite being in their early 20s. Fitz’s character was well-developed and was fascinated by his backstory, but Ren’s golden retriever energy and naivety were so excessive that it was off-putting for me. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite in the series, but it was entertaining to read so I rated it 3 stars.

Review: Bride

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Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub Date: 2/6/2024

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Bride by Ali Hazelwood, Misery Lark, a vampyre, is thrust into a political marriage with Lowe Moreland, the Alpha of the Weres, to maintain a peacekeeping alliance. Misery navigates this uneasy alliance with her own hidden agenda, determined to reclaim something precious to her, even if it means living in the hostile territory of her mortal enemies.

Ali Hazelwood’s Bride marks an exciting shift to a new genre: paranormal romance. Moving away from her usual style, I was pleasantly surprised that she tried something a bit different. There was an element of mystery in the beginning that intrigued me. I found the subplots to be more interesting than Misery and Lowe’s romantic involvement. The steamy scenes were definitely a plus, but I just couldn’t see Misery and Lowe as a long-term couple. The pacing was a bit off in this book where some scenes dragged out and other scenes were action-packed and kept me engaged. I really liked the way that all the characters were fleshed out. It also made complete sense that this was told through Misery’s POV. The world building was a bit tedious at times and wasn’t necessary since this was more of paranormal romance. I also felt that the third act breakup didn’t make much sense and it wasn’t explained how it was really resolved. It honestly made like Lowe less. Overall, I thought this was a great first attempt into paranormal romance for Ali and can’t wait to see her explore this genre more!