River Bodies-Karen Katchur

If you’ve read and loved Kate Kessler’s Audrey Harte novels then I think you’ll really enjoy River Bodies!

Becca Kingsley hasn’t been to her hometown, Portland, in a very long time but she feels she owes it to her dying, ex-police chief of a father to be by his side. When a brutal murder that is identical to one committed 15ish years ago takes place while Becca is in town, she finds herself pulled into the case by curiosity and her childhood love-turned current police detective, Parker.

River Bodies is 321 pages long and took me 5 days to read.

I enjoyed reading this story and am giving it a 3 out of 5! While the actual murder case wasn’t the reason I liked this book, I found the family drama enticing.

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for sending me this copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

The Evolution of Claire- Tess Sharpe

For those of you who know me, you know I love dinosaurs and all things Jurassic Park/World. When my friend, Chaz, told me about this book I knew I had to get a copy. I was not disappointed in the slightest!

Claire Dearing is a driven young woman fresh out of her first year of college. She has applied to many prestigious summer internships but when she gets accepted to Bright Minds project she knows that she would be a fool to pass up this opportunity. The opportunity not only is rubbing elbows with the billionaire, Mr. Masrani, but also with DINOSAURS! The internship takes place in an upcoming “theme park” of sorts, Jurassic World, where you can see creatures that have been extinct for millions of years. Claire knows that it will be dangerous but doesn’t understand that dinosaurs aren’t the only monsters on the island, they’re also in human form.

The Evolution of Claire is 390 pages long and took me 4 days to read.

Omgggggg I loved this so much I’m giving it a 4.5 out of 5! While this book feels like it was made for me to read, I’m sure others wouldn’t rate it so high. But if you’re a dino lover and adored Bryce Dallas Howard’s performance in Jurassic World, it’s a must read! Also, if in general you just love adventure and mystery.

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

Twist of Faith- Ellen J. Green

Ava has always known she was adopted. Growing up she had a difficult relationship with her adopted mother who always kept her past hidden. But Ava needs to know where she came from and the Polaroid picture she found of an old house after her adopted mother died, has to be a clue. Ava asks her friends to help find more information once she finds out the house in the picture was the site of a double homicide. The closer Ava gets to the truth the more danger she puts herself and her friends in.

Twist of Faith is 321 pages long and took me three days to read.

I’m giving this story a 3.5 out of 5! I really enjoyed this book. The multiple perspectives that take place in this story make it incredibly interesting and gives it a “need to know” ending!

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for sending me this copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

Lumberjanes: Volume 1/Beware The Kitten Holy- Stevenson, Ellis, Watters & Allen

You guys!!! Have you ever read something and then immediately had to read and learn everything about it! That’s how I’ve felt after reading Lumberjanes.

Welcome to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types! A summer camp for unique girls that cherish “friendship to the max” and love an adventure. Creepy creatures and a spooky boys camp next door only make the camp more fun!

Lumberjanes: Volume 1 is 128 pages long and took me one day to read.

I loved reading this so much and am giving it a 4.5 out of 5! Even though this is for ages 9-12 there is something so much fun and funny about these characters. I will be recommending this to everyone!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

The Clarity-Keith Thomas

I’m so behind on posting my reviews so I wanted to share one with you that I really enjoyed reading!

What if the memories we had weren’t our own? When Ashanique starts remembering things that are literally impossible for her to remember (like World War I), a psychologist, Matilda, from a local hospital becomes very interested in what she has to say. But Ashanique didn’t ask for these memories and she certainly didn’t ask for a group called the Night Doctors to chase her down in hopes of capturing her. Matilda finds herself increasingly protective of Ashanique and will do whatever it takes to make sure she survives.

The Clarity is 295 pages long and took me 3 days to read.

I loved this book so much! I’m giving it a 4 out of 5 because I couldn’t stop thinking about it months after I read it. It is suspenseful and a little stressful but very much worth the read!

Thank you Atria for sending me a copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

The Family Plot-Cherie Priest

Music City Salvage has made a name for itself by salvaging parts of old homes. Chuck is approached by an elderly lady who desperately wants to sell her family home. From the pictures Chuck has seen, it feels impossible to pass up. So he sends his daughter and crew to start the demolition and will join them later in the week. To save money, the crew will be sleeping in the house they are tearing apart. Only, there is someone or something that will stop at nothing for the crew to leave the old home alone.

The Family Plot is 365 pages long and took me two days to read.

This book freaked me out so much! But I loved every minute of it! I’m giving it a 3.5 out of 5! I’m normally a pretty big scaredy cat and this had me closing my eyes hoping whatever was about to happen would suddenly stop. This would be a great Halloween-time read!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

The Witch Elm- Tana French

Tana French is the queen of mystery in my opinion. She is hands down one of my favorite authors. When I found out about The Witch Elm I freaked out and emailed Viking like crazy for a copy to review. They were kind enough to oblige!

Toby is an easygoing guy who has never had real troubles in his life. But after he is attacked by two people burglarizing his apartment, he suffers from severe memory loss and physical and mental impairments. His family talks him into staying at the Ivy House, a large family-owned home, with his recently fatally diagnosed Uncle Hugo. Toby seems to be slowly improving when a human skull is discovered on the Ivy House property. Nothing will be the same for Toby or his family as they scramble to discover if there is a connection to the deceased.

The Witch Elm is 509 pages long and took me 5 days to read.

She’s done it again folks! I give this book a 4 out of 5! I loved this story so much! It is such an interesting mystery and you become invested in Toby and his outcome. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to those who love mysteries!

Thank you, Viking for sending me a copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

Out of Season- Antonio Manzini

I’ve been trying to read more books based out of countries other than the U.S. But for some reason I just can’t stop reading mysteries!

Out of Season takes place in the seasonal beauty, Alpine Aosta in Italy. This small, and usually quiet, town doesn’t typically have a lot of action but today a girl has been kidnapped. Detective Rocco Schiavone has been contacted by friends of the girls family rather than the family themselves. Rocco finds this to be very suspicious and will break everyone involved until he finds the girl and her kidnappers.

Out of Season is 342 pages long and took me 3 days to read.

Im giving this book a 2.5 out of 5. As much as I wanted to like this book, I just really disliked Rocco Schiavone. I’m not sure if his personality is intentionally prickly and rude but I wasn’t a fan. I think if he would have been even a little more human I would have enjoyed this book more.

Thank you Harper for sending me this copy!

Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey