This is the best sequel I've read in, well possibly, forever. It cleared up a lot. It lets you get to know some of the secondary characters from the first book. And you get to see just how strong Hannah really is. How much her relationship with Bailey has grown. Her feelings for what Owen did. And how she comes to feel about Nicholas.
5 stars
https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-first-time-i-saw-him-by-laura-dave.ht...
This is one of the best books I've read. I am going to start the sequel next. I have to know....
Well written. Intriguing. Edge of my seat thrills. Secrets. Answers? This is a must read.
This book is in my top 20 favorites for the year.
This book is very good. It's not exactly a thriller or a mystery. You know exactly what is going on for the most part but it's one you can't look away from. I mean that. You just can't. It's about corruption is a small town in Alabama. Something that happens. Really happens.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-devils-advocate-by-steve-cavanagh.htm...
This book should have been a DNF for me but I trudged on and finished it. The last fourth was pretty good. Filled with more action. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a pretty good job. I think she may have done better but still. Sometimes an audio makes me enjoy a book more. Not in this case.
2.5 stars
This is my first Jaymin Eve book and I highly look forward to book two. This is a good fantasy, paranormal, enemy to lover book. It has a lot of the best things going on. A bunch of witch's in college. Black magic. Monsters. Parties. What could possibly go wrong?
I read and listened to the audio. The audio was great. Both narrators did a great job. Pulled me right in and they used their voices to bring the characters to life.
This is an author I am always happy to read. I've read a few of his books but this is my second Cork O'Connor and I intend to get through them all. Krueger is my favorite male author. His books are inspiring and so realistic. Make you think about things...
This is the latest O'Connor book and to me his best yet. Of course I do have a few to read
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/09/apostles-cove-by-william-kent-krueger.htm...
I read both of this author's previous books and loved them. It had been a minute since she wrote one and when I saw this one I had to have it. Like the previous two... It is so good. Part mystery and a lot thriller. This author is becoming a favorite of mine.
Set on an island at the beginning of camping season. A buried treasure and unexpected guests....
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/09/island-endgame-by-rebecca-hodge.html
I wasn't sure about this book initially. I didn't know what to expect. It was an audio and from an author I have not read before. I was so pleasantly surprised. I hated having to put this one down. Sometimes life just gets in the way of a good book. A good story. One that captivates you. This is one such story. I highly recommend this one.
This one will be in my top twenty for the year.
The audio was great. Narrator did perfectly.
This author is one I automatically read. Sometimes her books grab me and I can't let go. Other times they are ok and I can put them down. This one is a just ok for me. It was good. It wasn't a could not put down.
The audio was good. The narrator did a great job. She even sounded like a male in parts. Made me believe there was more than her narrating.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/09/all-this-could-be-yours-by-hank.html
This author always delivers a good thriller. This one is her latest. This book was a true edge of your seat thriller.
There are five female narrators and one male. They all did a good job of bringing this book to life but the females, with the exception of Charlene's pov, sounded the same to me. I honestly could not tell them apart. The male was just ok. I felt he dragged out his part a bit to much. He did pull you into the scenes though.
I loved this book. It was both heartbreaking, interesting, and magical. It was filled with so much. A fantasy, romantasy, fiction, and so much more. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I also shed a few tears while reading this. Especially in the last Act. It has five Acts and each is better than the last. Told from Matilda and Vincent's POVs.
Five stars.
I was cringing throughout a lot of this story. From all the murdered men to why they were murdered. While I do believe they all deserved it we can't just take justice in our own hands. Can we? If you were abused, either beat by a spouse or sexually assaulted by a predator, wouldn't you want to get even? If you could. If you could get away with it. I think most of us would. If we are honest.
This is a must read. It will be in my top twenty at the end of the year. This book was so good. A sad tale of what life was like for women who loved reading back in 1895. And what happened if they disobeyed their husband. Yes I said disobeyed. Can you imagine?
5 stars
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-secret-book-society-by-madeline.html
@madelinemmartin
@harlequinbooks @htpbooks @htpbooks_audio
I've read an enjoyed all of this author's previous books. I enjoyed this one. The best in my opinion was her very first book, A FLICKER IN THE DARK... It was so good.
This book is about a young woman whose sister went missing. Natalie was the oldest of the two sisters. When she went out the window to meet up with someone it was the last time she was seen.
3.75 stars
https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/forget-me-not-by-stacy-willingham.html
I've read and loved, through many tears, so many of this author's books. They always make me cry and always make me think about things. This one was good. It was sad. It made me think. But it was not my favorite book. I was a little let down.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/my-sisters-only-hope-by-alison-ragsdale.h...
@bookouture
I have read and enjoyed several of this author's books. I have also learned quite a bit from each. This one is about a women I had never heard about. I'm very glad this was written. Not just for the story but for the info. How a female was a force to be during several wars. As a photojournalist. And as a strong, albeit, tiny female.
4.5 stars
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-last-assignment-by-erika-robuck.html
This is one book you don't want to miss. If you love a good edge of your seat thriller. A mystery to hold your interest from start to finish. . It is definitely in my top ten of the year.
I listened to the audio and I am blown away at how good the narrator, Emily Pike Stewart, did. She made each character her own. The realistic voices were spot on perfection. I'll definitely listen to more by this narrator.
This book was so much fun to read. Yes it was a book about a serial killer. Yes she was older and had retired. Yes she starts killing again. But..... You may find yourself rooting for her to not get caught. To get away with everything. Just maybe you will like Lottie...
Grab this one. It's so good.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/too-old-for-this-by-samantha-downing.html
@smariedowning
@berkleypub
This is Megan Miranda's best yet. Riveting. Thrilling. A story to keep you guessing until the end.
I throughly enjoyed this story. It had so much. So many good thrills. So much family drama. So much to keep you guessing and most likely you will be wrong. Family secrets can be deadly. Or possibly they can keep your loved ones alive.
4.75 stars
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/you-belong-here-by-megan-miranda.html
I love this author. Her books never seem to disappoint me in any way. This one is her latest. Set in Lisbon during the second World War. About two strong females who happen to be attractive and have the brains we all know females can and do have.
I enjoyed this book very much.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-secret-librarian-by-soraya-m-lane.htm...
I enjoyed this book. It drove me crazy in parts but I still enjoyed it. I figured out the twists so no big deal there. I also knew what Mandy had hidden.
Not a favorite but still. I'm glad I read it.
Full review:
https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-locked-ward-by-sarah-pekkanen.html
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought it was so well written and engaging. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good historical. A friendship made story. Secrets revealed. And so much more.
This is my second book by this author. It was good. I liked this one even better than In The Hour Of Crows. Still about death and things that happen after death.
This is a kind of strange story. Or at least it was for me. I liked it very much. It's a bit goth and southern charm. A bit of a mystery and thriller. Also a few murders thrown in for good measure.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/grave-birds-by-dana-elmendorf.html
This is now my favorite book by this author.
This book is very emotional. Even when things are good. When things go as you want them too, it's emotional. I laughed in a few places at the things children said. Overall though I cried many tears for the characters in this novel.
This book will be in my top reads for 2025!!
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-lies-they-told-by-ellen-marie.html
The Blum family moved to Maine from Brooklyn, NY. A small town in Maine where everyone knows everyone. There are few secrets. Gus Blum got a job at the college. Claire is going to start her own clothing business. Wolf starts middle school. Hazel starts her senior year of high school. All should be great. But then something happens that no one could have seen coming.
After Julia's husband is murdered right in front of her Julia becomes reclusive. She orders her groceries delivered. Works from home. She is afraid to go out in case the killer is out there waiting. But when she receives a call about inheriting a lot of money and a villa in Italy what is she suppose to do.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-unraveling-of-julia-by-lisa.html
If I had not have the audio of this one I don't think I would have finished it. Not that it's all bad. Parts are very good. But parts are so unbelievable that they made me cringe. Not in a good way either. This story had great potential but alas it fell a bit short.
While the descriptions were wonderful and you certainly felt like you was at this lake, And David's glass mansion was one I could picture, I didn't believe a lot of what happened.
WOW... What a story. What a book. This one was so full of manipulating and lies and just plain bad that I didn't want to put it down. It was a quick read for me too.
You meet a lot of women in this story. And a lot of men. Could the women all be the same woman? Or could it be that the men are all the same man. So many liars are involved. So much drama.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/07/dont-let-him-in-by-lisa-jewell.html
I think this will be another favorite author for me. I loved her book A Sorceress Comes To Call. It was outstanding. This one was also good. Not quite as good as Sorceress though. I didn't get the Snow White vibe everyone says it's based on. I did enjoy it though and it has a princess named Snow and lots of mirrors. This was just a way darker read than any Snow White book I've ever read. Still good.
This was a very compelling story. Based on true events but is fiction. It's very realistic and heartfelt. It's so obvious the author did great research into this. A tough subject matter too. Fiction but based on the truth. Based on what happened way to often by Nuns in the Catholic churches. In the homes they kept for girls who needed love and understanding, not abuse and shame.
A must read.
For a debut this is really good. I was pulled right into the story. It has the best first chapter ever. The end of the first chapter literally made me gasp out loud. I didn't see it coming.
This is a story of love. Also a story of loss. It's the story of a family. Tom, Honor and their daughter Chloe. They are on vacation in Paris.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/07/finding-grace-by-loretta-rothschild.html
This book was a pleasure to read. It had a tough subject matter but overall it was a beautifully written story of women, friendships, being there for each other, and moving pass abusive relationships. It is in two different time periods that eventually meet. I enjoyed this book so much. Even the hard parts were good. Not hard to read.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/07/lightning-in-mason-jar-by-catherine-mann....
I gave this book five stars. Not because I loved it. I hated it. I think the author did a fantastic job of writing it. I think he did a fantastic job of making it emotional. It was such a sad book though. I cried so much while reading this book. It is definitely a heartbreaking tearjerker. It's definitely shattering.
If you have lost a child do not read this book.
https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-river-is-waiting-by-wally-lamb.html
Excellent book. While I don't believe it was quite as good as her Addie LaRue book, it is still excellent. Grabs you and won't let go. And I'm not big on books about or with vampires. lol I loved it.
A MUST READ....
This book will definitely be in my top ten book of the year. It was perfection. A story that kept me turning the pages. Kept me in tears and even a laugh or two. Mostly it made me believe in life. As hard as things are now and were back then, there is always hope for the future. Never give up...
This is the story of a family.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-stolen-life-of-colette-marceau-by.htm...
This was such a fun book. Yes it was intense and in places it was very emotional. But it was still a fun one. You get to know about Auntie Em. From when she was young and single. To when she met and fell in love with Uncle Henry. How Dorothy came to live with them.
This book if full of Easter Eggs from The Wizard of Oz so be sure and look for them.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/before-dorothy-by-hazel-gaynor.html
This is about a woman, Claire, who takes a job cataloging antiques to sale. They belong to Hannah Reeves. A very rich woman who has been almost elusive since her father's death many years prior. While working, Claire, learns there is a secret library in the mansion. She is adamant about finding it.
A wonderful book...
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-secret-library-of-hanna-reeves-by.htm...
I loved this author's book THE LIES I TELL, and this one is even better. I devoured it.
This one had me guessing all the way through every time I thought I had it figured out something else happened and I WAS SO WRONG. I didn't know until the end. Or know as much as it allowed us to know.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-ghostwriter-by-julie-clark.html
@julieclarkauthor
@sourcebooks @bookmarked
Definitely one of my favorite authors. I always want to read a Kimberly Belle book. And I'm never disappointed.
This story is set in Amsterdam. It's about two women. One married to a very rich man. One who recently moved to Amsterdam after a divorce. This is about how diamonds may not always be a girls best friend....
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-expats-affair-by-kimberly-belle.html
@kimberlybellebooks
This was my first read by this author. I will look for more.
Quote on the last page that got to me:
“We are emigrants and we exist in two worlds, one past, one present, and we are nourished by both.“
I enjoyed this book a great deal. It started out a little slow for me. To much on the ship I think. Though it was a necessary part of the story.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-famine-orphans-by-patricia-falvey.htm...
Marguerite by the Lake
This is the second book I've read by this author. I believe this is her second book. Though it was fairly good, it was also a bit of a let down for me. Not bad, but not one that wowed me either. It kept me turning the pages and guessing what was coming though. That was a good thing.
The best thing about this was the narration.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/marguerite-by-lake-by-mary-dixie-carter.h...
Death At A Highland Wedding
I've enjoyed this series so much. I already look forward to the next book. I am rooting for Gray and Mallory to end up together. Though she has gone back 150 years in the past and basically decided to stay there Mallory pretty much has fallen for Gray.
Such a good book!!
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/death-at-highland-wedding-by-kelley.html
@kelleyarmstrongauthor
@stmartinspress
Little Child Gone
This is the best series I've read. The best thriller series. I'm so glad there will be more Nikki Hunt books. This author knows how to pull you in and keep you turning the pages. Holding your interest and making you feel like you are there. Stacy Green is one fantastic thriller/mystery writer.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/06/little-child-gone-by-stacy-green.html
@authorstacygreenwhisenand
@bookouture
The Girls of Good Fortune
By the author of SOLD ON A MONDAY, which was my all time favorite by this author. This one pulls you right in and keeps you wanting more.
You meet Celia in prison at the beginning of this story. Set in the late 1800's and told from before Celia's imprisonment and after. You get to know her and how she became a prisoner.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-girls-of-good-fortune-by-kristina.htm...
Letters From Strangers
I read and listened to this book. The narrators did such a good job. It felt like I was right in the middle of the drama. And boy was there drama. But it was so good. A well written story. It will make you stop and think about what you would do in this situation. Both as the mothers and as the child.
Full review coming June 2nd as part of a book tour.
The Man Made of Smoke
You follow Dan Garvie from when he was just a kid who escaped a serial killer at a rest stop. Dan was with his parents and his best friend Sarah. He always felt guilty that he didn't save the little boy that was with this man. The boy with the haunted eyes. The scared child that it seemed everyone turned their backs on.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-man-made-of-smoke-by-alex-north.html
Roll the Sun Across the Sky
What a book. This is my favorite book by this author. It will grab you and not let go. It's a heartbreaking and happy story all in one. I cried and laughed. I hated Arden and loved her. This was just a great story.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/05/roll-sun-across-sky-by-barbara-linn.html
@barbara_linn_probst
@shewritespress
I did enjoy this book. It was well written and in places edge of your seat scary. While some characters, most of them, I didn't like there were some I did. Even though parts were unbelievable it was still very good. This author has a way of pulling you into her books and not letting you go until the very end. And what an ending. That part made me cry. It was perfect...
https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-artist-of-blackberry-grange-by.html
To me this book started out kind of slow. I didn't have a hard time putting it down. It was good. It was very interesting. There are a couple of stories going on and finding how they relate was interesting. For the most part I was lost for a while. When it did pick up though I enjoyed it.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-amalfi-curse-by-sarah-penner.html
Five students at an esteemed college go missing. Right after another students body is found. Natasha Belov's body was found in a cave. Everyone assumed she was caught in the cave and drowned when the tide came in. But could it have been murder and could the five students who have gone missing be responsible. And where are these students now.
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/05/parents-weekend-by-alex-finlay.html
