Nordstrom Anniversary Sale pajamas, also love these!
my bedding is from Homegoods, pillows are from Target
Hey guys! I have been meaning to do a book review post for a few weeks now because I’ve read some AMAZZZZING books lately! I can’t wait to share these with you. Let me know in the comments if you have read a good book lately!
1. THE BREAKDOWN by B.A. Paris
I have been highly anticipating B.A. Paris’s new novel (that was released yesterday!) because Paris is the author of one of my other favorite books. All I can say is – WOW – it did not disappoint!! It definitely joins the rankings as one of my most favorite books of all time. I wanted to tear through it as fast as possible but didn’t want to miss a second of it (I actually did tear through the book, though – I read it all in one sitting!). The premise of the novel goes like this: the protagonist, Cass, is driving along a winding rural road when she passes a woman in a parked car – she considers checking on the woman to see if she’s in need of help, but decides to keep driving since she’s almost home – the next morning, she learns that the woman was brutally murdered in her car. After the murder, Cass is terrorized and spends every second looking over her shoulder, feeling as though she is being watched by the murderer. My heart was in my throat throughout most of this book, petrified for Cass, wondering if she was in extreme danger or simply imagining everything. I am not one to get scared easily, but this book is VERY creepy – I felt a little paranoid and had a pretty fitful night of sleep after reading it! However, I think this is proof that the book did it’s job. It’s without a doubt one of the most emotional psychological thrillers I’ve read in the past year and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
*FYI, I did receive a copy of this book for free, however, all opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this 🙂
2. NEVER LET YOU GO by Chevy Stevens
This is another AMAZING book that I would rate five stars! I’m just going to go ahead and put it out there that this book is about domestic violence, and if you are squeamish or uncomfortable with that subject then this might not be the book for you! However, this book is beautifully and wonderfully written; it has quite a different approach to the domestic abuse sub-genre, while maintaining the spine-chilling suspense that I love about psychological thrillers. Immediately from the start of the novel, you are rooting for the protagonist, Lindsey, as she escapes an abusive marriage and tries to make a new life for herself and her daughter. Not only did this book hook me on an emotional level (I really related to Lindsey and felt like she was a friend in real life), it also has one of the biggest, most shocking endings that I have ever read. I truly commend Stevens for pulling off the ending – I had NO idea it was coming, and it kept me on my toes! I also enjoyed this book because Stevens is a hardcore animal activist in real life and it is definitely portrayed in the book – I loved dog in this book, Angus! I won’t say too much about the plot because I don’t want to give it away, but this is definitely a must-read. Highly recommend!
3. BEHIND HER EYES by Sarah Pinborough
I really enjoyed this book by Sarah Pinborough (my first novel of hers). It’s not as suspenseful or spine-tingling as some of the other novels I’ve read, but I kept reading because I wanted to figure out how it all ended. Single mom Louise meets an enchanting man at a bar on a rare night out, and sparks fly when they share a kiss together. However, when she arrives at work on Monday she finds out that the man from the bar is actually her new boss, David. Things get a little stranger when Louise bumps into Adele, David’s wife, and establishes a friendship with her. A super weird love triangle develops between the three of them – Louise, David and Adele – and by the end of the novel, one of them is dead. The story gets a little far-fetched, but if you can suspend your belief in reality for a moment, is incredibly entertaining – and has a shocking twist at the end.
I really enjoyed this book by Sarah Pinborough (my first novel of hers). It’s not as suspenseful or spine-tingling as some of the other novels I’ve read, but I kept reading because I wanted to figure out how it all ended. Single mom Louise meets an enchanting man at a bar on a rare night out, and sparks fly when they share a kiss together. However, when she arrives at work on Monday she finds out that the man from the bar is actually her new boss, David. Things get a little stranger when Louise bumps into Adele, David’s wife, and establishes a friendship with her. A super weird love triangle develops between the three of them – Louise, David and Adele – and by the end of the novel, one of them is dead. The story gets a little far-fetched, but if you can suspend your belief in reality for a moment, is incredibly entertaining – and has a shocking twist at the end.
4. THE GIRL BEFORE by J.P. Delaney
I decided to read “The Girl Before” because my mom read it and absolutely loved it (she finished it in a day) and we have very similar reading tastes! I did finish it quickly (it is a page-turner) however by the end of the novel I was left wanting more. The book is a cross between Gone Girl and Fifty Shades of Grey – if you liked those two books, then you will probably love this one. My main issue with the novel was that the protagonists, both women, kept making stupid decisions. Some of their behavior was just outright ridiculous – I wanted to grab them by the shoulders and shake them! The book alternates between the perspectives of Emma (Before) and Jane (After) as they move into a new apartment – a very beautiful but strange apartment owned by the handsome and mysterious Edward Montford (who is very similar to Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey). Overall it was very entertaining and worth the read!
I decided to read “The Girl Before” because my mom read it and absolutely loved it (she finished it in a day) and we have very similar reading tastes! I did finish it quickly (it is a page-turner) however by the end of the novel I was left wanting more. The book is a cross between Gone Girl and Fifty Shades of Grey – if you liked those two books, then you will probably love this one. My main issue with the novel was that the protagonists, both women, kept making stupid decisions. Some of their behavior was just outright ridiculous – I wanted to grab them by the shoulders and shake them! The book alternates between the perspectives of Emma (Before) and Jane (After) as they move into a new apartment – a very beautiful but strange apartment owned by the handsome and mysterious Edward Montford (who is very similar to Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey). Overall it was very entertaining and worth the read!
5. BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty
I read this one thanks to some reader recommendations on my last post (so thanks, you guys!). I absolutely, hands-down LOVED it! You may recognize the name of this one because it was turned into a 7-episode miniseries starring Reese Witherspoon on HBO. I purposefully have not watched the show yet because I wanted to read the book first! The story revolves around three women, all mothers in the same town in Australia whose kids are starting kindergarten together. Madeline is funny and passionate (and also fashion-obsessed), while Celeste is beautiful and always flustered, and single-mom Jane is young and serious. On the surface, this book was about the humorous dynamics of parents acting badly. Under the surface, the author tackles many dark issues, including bullying, rape and domestic violence. It’s not your typical psychological thriller, however the characters are so believable and compelling that the story really draws you in. I devoured it in a few days. It gets five stars from me!
xoxo
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I really like your cute pajamas!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Your book posts are my favorite!
Omg I'm halfway through Big Little Lies and loving it! It's so good! I absolutely love book review posts, thanks for this Cait!
I hope you have a fab Wednesday,
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.co.uk
Whenever you post book reviews, I immediately add them to my "to read" list! I love crime/suspense novels so these posts give me so many recommendations.
You should read books by Mary Kubica, the recent one I read was "Pretty Baby" which was fantastic.
https://maureengetsreal.wordpress.com/
Big Little Lies was soooo good! I need to check out the others on the beach this weekend 🙂
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
I'm definitely going to be adding The Breakdown to my reading list. It sounds so good! I've just read Girl At War. It's so sad but it has an incredible storyline.
Arum Lilea
If you've never Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll, I'd definitely recommend it! I think it's right up your alley.
I loved B.A. Paris' previous book, Behind Closed Doors, so I'm eagerly waiting to read The Breakdown. Glad it didn't disappoint!
http://www.tulipsandpersimmon.com
Love it when you do book reviews!! I always read every one you recommend if I haven't already!
Book Review (Round Five). Nordstrom Anniversary … Let me know in the comments if you have read a good book lately! 1. THE BREAKDOWN …
goldenslot
สูตรบาคาร่า
I can't wait to read The Breakdown and Never Let You Go! I am reading Before He Finds Her by Michael Kardos, and while I haven't gotten very far in it, I heard it was a good one and I think falls into your thriller category!
The ending of Behind her Eyes drove me nuts! I felt like it was a realistic story until all of a sudden it was some weird sci-fi/mystery/weird fiction! I did love it up until the last few chapters though.
Thanks for this! I need more good books to read!
Briana
http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/
I've heard Big Little Lies is SO good! Love your pj's!
xo, Steph
http://www.urbanblonde.com
omg, i had no idea that b.a.paris had a new book, and i don't care at all what it's about. i just know i need to read it, lol! thanks for the tip, i already put it on hold at my library.
b
Oh my goodness the first book sounds terrifying! I definitely wouldn't sleep well after reading that lol x
Jenny | LuxeStyle
I read the Girl Before a few months back. Kind of have a love hate relationship with this book. I mean . . . how is Jane so clueless??? I wanted to scream and shake her.
You should try The Kitchen House. It is a little different from what you typically post but it was a great read. Pretty eye opening for me. I have a long commute so I did the audio book. Hearing the different dialects really enhanced the book.
Loving these photos!
Jill
http://www.jilldap.com
Big Little Lies was amazing! I loved the twist at the end. It definitely caught me off guard. I read Behind Closed Doors by Paris and enjoyed it! Can't wait to pick up The Breakdown. Have you read The Girl in the Redcoat by Kate Hamer? It is beautiful written and the plot immediately draws you in. I highly recommend!
xo Natalie
http://styleintheafternoonblog.wordpress.com
Thanks for the book recommendation! WOW! It's amazing how you're such a fast reader! I wish I could read that fast but I usually postpone a lot of my reads because I don't want it to end haha!
x. kritsida
http://aperfectcanvas.net/
I love your book reviews! I have the same reading taste as you so I always like to see what your recommendations are. I think I have the one Never Let You Go but I can't remember if I read it yet or not. (I have big containers full of books that I haven't read yet-cannot keep up!)
Great post 😉
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
Just purchased The Breakdown on my Kindle 🙂 I just finished The Perfect Stranger (by Megan Miranda, author of All The Missing Girls – one of my favorites!!). I enjoyed reading it, but it had me wishing there was more to the story. I'm really looking forward to The Lying Game (by Ruth Ware, author of The Woman in Cabin 10) and A Stranger in the House (by Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door) which both come out in the next month. Thank you for your book reviews – I really enjoy them!!
Xo, Julie
You may have read them already, but if you liked Big Little Lies, The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty is great! Also, I loved Gillian Flynn's other books, Dark Places and Sharp Objects.
I'll have to give The Breakdown a go, it sounds fab! Your PJ's are also super cute.
Abigail Alice x
You definitely need to read The Couple Next Door and Her Every Fear! I finished them both in one sitting! Currently ready In Dark, Dark Wood and it's REALLY good!! Reese Witherspoon is also making it into a movie…all the more reason to read it, right?!?
I just finished Big Little Lies too and I really enjoyed it, the ending totally surprised me!
xoxo, SS
http://www.SouthernAndStyle.com
I read "Big Little Lies" earlier this summer and LOVED it! I suggest "The Husband's Secret" and "The Hypnotist's Love Story" by Liane Moriarty as well, they are just as good and stick with Moriarty's recurring theme of relatable characters with dark pasts/secrets.
Another great book is Mary Kubica's "The Good Girl." Very suspenseful! Thank you for your book reviews and your fantastic recipes!
I love the book reviews you do! Thanks for taking the time to write what you think – definitely makes me want to read more!
I'm reading Defending Jacob right now. It's about a man that has to defend his 14 year old son in a murder trial. Only a few chapters in, but very good so far!
I'm reading Defending Jacob right now. It's about a man that has to defend his 14 year old son in a murder trial. Only a few chapters in, but very good so far!
Big Little Lies was my first Liane Moriarty book a few years back, and I LOVED it. I have read tons of her books! Pinning this so I know what to read next!
Jackie http://www.thatswhatsupblog.com
I always enjoy your book review posts!
https://shoppingbrake.com/
I need those jammies now!
If you've never read Elizabeth Haynes book they are SO GOOD! And some of Lisa Ungers are as well (though some a little to sci fi for me, but most are really good!)
I read Never Let You Go and The Girl Before and both were such good books!!! I love your reading lists, it's always my first place to look when looking for a new book!!
I read Never Let You Go and The Girl Before and both were such good books!!! I love your reading lists, it's always my first place to look when looking for a new book!!