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The List by Kiersten Modglin

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This book has been on my “to be read” list for a while now. As I continued adding titles to my TBR list, this novel moved further down. Until last night (October 26).

Kiersten Modglin is a fantastic author who has penned over 20 novels so far in her career. She is a wife and a momma, and a genuinely kind soul. Her talent and passion for writing are evident in all of her work. And she can tell a story that will make your heart race, make your blood run cold, and make you question whether you locked your front door.

Persistence. Forgiveness. Determination. Revenge.

This twisted tale introduces us to Jordyn and Connor, a young married couple preparing to move because Connor has been transferred. Seems innocent enough, right? They find the perfect house for their growing family and settle in. Very quickly, things take a turn for the mysterious. As newcomers to a small town, Jordyn witnesses an emotional scene in the grocery store that leaves her with questions. Questions no one will answer and questions with answers no one wants Jordyn to discover.

The twists in The List are intense! Classic Modglin, this twisted tale, is filled with secrets, suspense, and a powerhouse of strong female characters. The women in this novel are genuinely badass; there is no more straightforward way to say it. These women are strong, smart, brave, determined, and unstoppable. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Jordyn, our main narrator, and her persistence in getting to the bottom of the mysterious deaths that have haunted Bates for the past ten years.

There are so many themes within this novel that just hit you in the heart. The biggest one for me is Jordyn making an impossible choice despite her initial gut instinct. Being a good person and doing the right thing is a shade of gray, but it becomes a shining white light within these pages.

This book is so well written, the story is scary and suspenseful, and it is filled with characters you can’t help but like. Unlike Santa’s list, you do not want to find your name on The List. I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Find The List by Kiersten Modglin on Amazon.

Follow Kiersten Modglin on Instagram here.

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TODAY’S THE DAY!
Are you dying for a vacation?
No need to pack your bags or worry about reservations…
Let me send you to Isla del Amor to discover what secrets, danger, and scandal await the characters of my latest psychological thriller THE PERFECT GETAWAY!

It was the trip of a lifetime…
until someone ended up dead.
When four couples receive invitations to try out a luxury island resort, they are excited for a week of relaxation and reconnecting.
For some, it’s the honeymoon they never had the chance to take.
For others, it’s a last-ditch attempt to save their crumbling marriage.
But when one of the group members ends up dead on the night of a terrible storm, what was once a paradise soon becomes a prison.
Trapped on the island with no cell phone service and no means of escape, the couples fear the worst. What exactly happened to their friend? And could they be next?
Determined to learn the truth, the couples search for answers, but only discover more secrets. Friendships, loyalties, and marriages are put to the ultimate test as they grapple to decide who to trust and who could be a threat.
Will they make it off the island? Or will the perfect getaway turn into their last?

So, what are you waiting for?
→THE PERFECT GETAWAY awaits: mybook.to/theperfectgetaway
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I have The Perfect Getaway five stars- grab your copy and find out why!

Get The Perfect Getaway by Kiersten Modglin on Amazon NOW!

The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle

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Oh man. I don’t even know where to begin to unpack this book. It’s the ultimate game of clue- winner takes all. In a oddly structured, blended family, the death of the patriarch leaves both sadness, and a bizarre will behind.

Getting to know the characters in this novel was seriously wonderful. The dynamic storytelling and the lead-up to the twist is insane. You will seriously not be able to put this one down.

I really enjoyed the themes of self-reflection and the grass not being greener on the other side, and things and people not being what they seem throughout this novel. It is so well played, and it is so relatable in terms of relationships.

This is my first Rose Carlyle novel, and I can honestly say it will not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. Her characters all had such depth and dimension. She dangled the plot in front of you, like a carrot on a stick, and she keeps the pages turning with her seriously devious, suspenseful, twists. I am so please with my October BOTM selection. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Find The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle on Amazon

The Perfect Getaway by Kiersten Modglin

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Thank you so much, Kiersten, for giving me the absolute pleasure of reading this book early. I am so grateful for the opportunity.

HOLY. HELL.

This was a RIDE. Lifelong friends end up getting an amazing offer- that almost sounds too good to be true… yet under pressure, everyone agreed to go. Who would have thought that being stranded on paradise could turn into purgatory?

The character development in this book is done so carefully, and in such detail, that you literally find yourself building assumptions about who did it… only to have another little truth-bomb dropped, shattering all you thought you knew. I was getting definite Agatha Christie vibes, with this cast of characters. And I definitely appreciated the build-up, and the suspense with each turn of the page.

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters, and seeing the dynamic of the couples. I have to admit, Natasha and Jaren were my favorite couple… and I was hoping this trip would be the thing necessary to close their broken marriage. They were both the most calm, cool, rational, and honestly, the most likable couple. They were definitely the only couple who didn’t have deadly secrets, or a dirty past that could potentially come crashing down like a tidal wave.

The island imagery was beautiful. I felt like I was there (sigh), and it made me want to book a trip to an island surrounded by crystal clear water, and sunshine. The resort sounded like absolute heaven on Earth, and was a character in a way. Beautiful, and deadly; calm, but chaotic… charming but not without imperfections. Kiersten shared that her initial inspiration for this book came to her, while she was on vacation (ironically, on a secluded, beautiful island) and she ran with the concept. And run she did… this is a twisted tale.

I really liked the underlying themes Kiersten played with in this book… nothing is what is seemed, everything and everybody was like an iceberg- what you could see was just a sliver of what was hiding beneath the surface. Calm waters turn deadly, and secrets from the past start crawling out of their hiding places. The choices we make, are not always right. Sometime we choose what is easy, as opposed to what is right. Friendship is a beautiful, powerful, life changing thing. Keep your friends close… but your enemies closer… Easier said than done, when you don’t know friend, from foe.

There was a lot of information to process in a rapid manner. And much like a game of Clue, Kiersten dropped tricky hints like a trail of crumbs. It was definitely a twisted ride. The build-up for the first half of the book was full of details that helped you start thinking you knew what was going to happen next. Spoiler! You really have no idea. Getting to know the characters, and getting a glimpse into their dynamic, their current lives, and their inner dialogue… really makes you think, can we ever really know someone?

The final chapters will literally blow your mind. So many twists, turns, and deadly waves will come crashing down… and you will be left not knowing who you can trust. Friends forever, right? I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Find The Perfect Getaway by Kiersten Modglin on Amazon (official release date October 20, 2020)

The Weight on Skin by Beena Khan

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Thank you, Beena, for sending me a copy of this novel. I appreciate your kindness, and generosity and your belief in my review. It has been a pleasure reading for you.

This book was really good. Much faster paced than the first book in the series. The character development was very well done. We get to see an entirely different side to Kabir, and he becomes so much more realistic in the construction of this novel.
I have to admit, I enjoyed the writing in this book over the last book. As much as I enjoyed Red… in this book she was so much more dynamic, and such a bold, empowered and functional character.
Beena writes the emotions associated with grief beautifully… and accurately. The things Kabir thinks and feels, and does, as he works through his feelings is pretty intense. It was really lovely, albeit sad, to go back and get more detail about Kabir’s past, and have him actually share the stories of his high school bullying. Beena brought such pain, and such a depth to the subject of bullying and the effects it can leave on a person. Even years later.
This book didn’t delve into drinking, but the emphasis on addiction was still there. This time it was primarily on sex and closure. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Red’s persona in this book- no spoilers- but I actually loved what she brought to this story. She completed the arc of Kabir’s past, and the things holding him back. Now that he has his closure on all levels of his life, he is able to move forward. To a brighter, happier, new life.
I loved the cultural influences throughout this story, the wedding details were my favorite. I also love the strong women Beena writes. The fact that (minor spoiler) a strong female ends up being the attending surgeon for Kabir was pleasantly refreshing. The growth the character take in this book is pretty fantastic. Their journey is so much bolder and more realistic this time. And I very much enjoyed Kabir’s story.
The writing, continuity, formatting and editing were so much better in this novel. You can definitely see the improvement Beena has made. She is clearly getting more comfortable with herself as a writer, and that is really showing through. I am really proud of her growth as a writer in this book. I have no doubts she will only get better as she continues creating.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Find The Weight on Skin by Beena Khan on Amazon

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

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This is a beautiful, completely unprecedented, unexpected love story. This book is about love, acceptance, growing, forgiveness, revenge and protecting the ones you love- no matter what. This book starts out very calmly, very swiftly, and builds into such a dynamic story of survival. This was such a quick and easy read… and you will not believe the ending. Buckle up and prepare yourself for an incredible ride. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Find Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens on Amazon

The Last Thing She Ever Did by Gregg Olsen

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This book was fast paced and intense. You will be hooked from the first page, and you will not be able to put this book down. It is an intense story about how dangerous secrets can be… and how easily mistakes are made. The emotions inside this book will rip you in two, and you will not be able to stop yourself from finding the truth… no matter what the cost may be. Gregg Olsen is taking not prisoners with this novel… and he is a master at creating terrifying moments. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Find The Last Thing She Ever Did by Gregg Olsen on Amazon

The Mother-In-Law by Kiersten Modglin

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Holy. Buckets. This book- wow. This book is a whirlwind from page one. What starts out as a very sweet romance… turns very dark very quick. The writing is fantastic, the twist is so well done and you will not be able to put this book down. You will have so many feelings. You will be on the edge of your seat, until you get blown back. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Find The Mother-in-Law by Kiersten Modglin on Amazon

The Dream Job by Kiersten Modglin

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I read this book in June.

This book was so unique, right from the first page you are hooked. It starts in the most peculiar way, and you don’t really know where it is going… but then things start to take off. And boy do they take off. This book was fast paced, with a plot that doesn’t quit and an intense cast of characters. You definitely won’t want to put it down, because you will have to know just how it ends. A very unconventional love story, filled with excitement and so many twists and turns. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Find The Dream Job by Kiersten Modglin on Amazon.

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