Say Everything by Langley Gray

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Published: April 26, 2021

Bisico Press

I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

After working in fashion, film, and finance, Langley Gray traveled the world and was lucky enough to marry her own leading man. Three kids and a house in the suburbs later, she decided to add some adventure back into #thatminivanlife by pursuing her dream of writing fiction.

“And I do love an underdog story.”

Iris is in Hong Kong learning more about her family business. She is in line to take Uber when her father decides to retire. And Iris is loving everything she is learning. She gets a surprise from her parents, in the form of a blind date. Little did Iris know, this would only be the beginning.

Oh, my heart! This was such a sweet story. I absolutely love the way the plot played out. And the adorable nod to “Say Anything” was beyond precious. Who hasn’t at least thought about having their love interest pull the epic John Cusack move with the boom box?

The characters in this book are just as delightfully charming as we have come to expect with this series. And the road to love is just as murky and complicated. Langley sets such a beautiful scene, and the road to resolution is just as sweet as ever.

I loved the scenery descriptions in this book. I’ve never been to Hong Kong, but the way Langley uses the characters to describe the places they visit is just brilliant.

The epic nod to cheesy 80’s romcoms was huge. I think it is fair to say just about anyone who is under 50 had a serious soft spot for the romcoms from the ’80s.

This was such a beautiful conclusion to the Socialites Series. While I am sad, I don’t have another book featuring everyone’s favorite billionaire babes to look forward to, and I cannot wait for whatever journey Langley Gray has planned for me next.

NOW READING: Bitter House by Kiersten Modglin

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Vera Bitter is dead, but her secrets have yet to be buried.

After the tragic death of Bridget’s parents, her grandmother took her in. Vera Bitter raised her from behind a closed door—cold and uncaring from the moment she arrived at Bitter House. After Bridget’s high school graduation, Vera kicked her out without so much as a goodbye, and Bridget never heard from her again. Which is why, when she receives word of Vera’s passing and discovers she’s inherited the family manor, she’s immediately filled with dread.

Those worries are amplified when she arrives at Bitter House after years away to find an enigmatic piece of her past waiting for her. Growing up, there was only one person Bridget distrusted more than her grandmother, and that was Cole Warner—the son of Vera’s house manager and the bane of her childhood existence. Now, he’s her new housemate.

Owning the house she was once forced to leave with a man she’s always despised forces Bridget to confront feelings and questions she’s been running from since the day she was driven away from Bitter House.

Then the first letter arrives.

And with it, a world of secrets, darkness, and deception is unlocked. Years ago, Bridget tried and failed to find sanctuary inside the shadowy halls of Bitter House, and as she struggles to imagine a future there now, she discovers a terrifying truth: behind the iron gate and stone walls of the old estate, nothing is quite what it seems. Bitter House has secrets and, if she can’t decide whom to trust, danger lies in wait.

Preorder: https://a.co/d/gGPDQOO

One of Our Own by Lucinda Berry (Audiobook)

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Simon & Schuster

Audible Release: March 12, 2024

Listening Length: 3 hours 54 minutes

Narrators: A.J. Cook, Tessa Albertson

Genre: Domestic Thriller

KKECReads Overall Rating: 5/5

KKECReads Rating for Performance: 5/5

KKECReads Rating for Story: 5/5

I purchased a copy of this audiobook on Audible, and I leave my review voluntarily.

This was a beautiful experience. This is the first produced audiobook I’ve listened to, and it was brilliant.

The storyline was intense and engaging. The characters were heartbreaking, frustrating, and bold. I love that Lucinda Berry never hesitated to write about things that would make people uncomfortable.

How this was performed the way the narrators brought the characters to life, was incredible. I was impressed with AJ Cook; she did such a fantastic job.

I did not want to stop listening to this story. I was captivated and involved. The pacing was like a movie, the sound effects were clever, and this plot will make your head spin.

I Let Her In by Maria Frankland

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Published: March 19, 2024

Bookouture

Pages: 320

Genre: Domestic Thriller

KKECReads Rating: 5/5

I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

This was twisted! I enjoyed this story; the alternating narrators were used well. The character development was beautifully constructed, and the storyline was deviously curated.

The use of memory, forgiveness, trust, and family was brilliant. I found the pacing just intense enough to keep me engaged. I liked how the entire story was entwined and how things unraveled.

The last chapters are so fast-paced and intense readers will find themselves sitting on the edges of their seats, trying to read faster to see what happens next!

We Tell No One by Daniel Hurst (audiobook)

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Tantor Audio

Audible Release: October 31, 2023

Listening Length: 5 hours 47 minutes

Narrators: Jennifer Ness, Deirdra Whelan, Francesca Waite

Genre: Domestic Thriller

KKECReads Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

KKECReads Rating for Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

KKECReads Rating for Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I purchased a copy of this audiobook on Audible, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Who hurt you, Daniel? Oh, my stars. This book was bananas. It starts evenly keeled, to the point that I was shocked it was a Daniel Hurst novel, until the twist.

This was a ride. I loved the narrators; they were all so talented and brought the characters to life beautifully. Their performances were stellar. Engaging and emotional!

I did not know what to think as this house of cards crumbled. I did not necessarily see the chaos unfolding as it did; I never do with Hurst, but I did not expect any of that.

I love the way Daniel builds a story. He provides enough context and background to draw readers in without being dry. His characters are always multidimensional in the best and worst ways.

I love how Daniel uses emotion in his books. He takes the most simplistic element and adds a jagged twist.

I found this story fast-paced, engaging, and very entertaining. I had such a book hangover when it finished I sat in my car for about five minutes just staring at my console.

I love knowing that Hurst will blow my mind and leave me speechless, and I enjoy trying to figure out how. I haven’t yet, but that is more than okay.

This is a writer that will quickly become a favorite. I will read anything he writes, and I don’t even need a title or blurb. He is that good!

The Stranger by Kiersten Modglin

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Published: February 1, 2024

Kiersten Modglin

Genre: Domestic Thriller

Pages: 164

KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Imagine the worst-case scenario: being stranded in a blizzard. You aren’t dressed appropriately, you don’t have your phone, you can’t feel your toes, and a stranger is offering you a ride.

Part of you knows you should say no thank you and keep walking, but it’s only getting colder and icier. What are the odds the nice guy who stopped would be dangerous?

For someone who isn’t a visual writer, Kiersten nailed describing the blizzard and cold throughout this book. I loved how the weather was almost like a character, dangerous and mysterious.

I liked the alternating perspectives and timelines. By chapter 4, I thought I knew what would happen, so naturally, I also knew that was 100% not what would happen because it is almost impossible to guess a KMod twist.

The way this story unravels will leave you glued to the pages. You will be terrified but too invested to stop reading. When the pieces fell together, my mind was blown.

The twist was executed perfectly. The build-up was intense, and I loved the depth and dimension to the characters. Tibby (I LOVE that name) had difficulty trusting and being vulnerable.

This is fair; as women, we are often taught that being too trusting with strangers can lead to dangerous situations. Tibby is a character readers will connect with. At some point, we have all had the fears, anger, insecurity, and self-preservation she has.

Kiersten plays with emotions so precisely in this book you cannot help but be swept away in the plot. I felt like I was right beside these characters. The ending was stylized a bit differently for a KMod book.

I liked the confidence and cat-and-mouse element in the end. This was a book you start and finish within hours. Things are moving so quickly, and the plot is so intense there is no safe place to pause.

After reading this book, I am pretty sure people will double-check that their doors are locked and sleep with the lights on. Kiersten is coming for 2024 and not holding back. Get ready!

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

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Published: January 9, 2024
St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 281
KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Rachel Hawkins (www.rachel-hawkins.com) was a high school English teacher before becoming a full-time writer. She lives with her family in Alabama, and is currently at work on the third book in the Hex Hall series. To the best of her knowledge, Rachel is not a witch, though some of her former students may disagree….

Holy buckets. This book was deliciously twisted. I could not stop reading the last half of this book- it sucked me in and didn’t let go.

The twists! The secrets! Oh, my stars! The family drama! Oh, goodness. The tea is scalding, my darlings. The characters are beautifully written. The character’s arcs are done so well, and each character will give you a reason to love and hate them.

I loved how this story was told. The alternating narrators and timelines were clever. This was such a fantastic read. If you want a story that will captivate you, look no further.

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