The Drift- C.J. Tudor

Not everything is what it seems in this new book by C. J. Tudor. A catastrophe has impacted the world and as we follow the stories of three characters, we see how their survival is at risk in this new and dangerous landscape.

The Drift is 337 pages long and took me three days to read.

I really don’t want to say too much about this book because watching the story unfold is part of the thrill! I’m giving it a 4 out of 5! I will be thinking about this thriller for years to come!

Thank you, Ballantine Books, for sending me this copy!

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

Lacey

The Sanctuary-Katrine Engberg

When a body cut clean in half is found in a Swedish town, the trail leads to a small island off the coast. Luckily the primary detective on the case has an insider on the island to do some digging. The heartbroken Jeppe is on leave but when his partner contacts him about this disturbing case, he reluctantly assists. He quickly realizes just how small the island is and that by following the clues he’s putting himself in danger of losing his life.

The Sanctuary is 324 pages long and took me five days to read.

I’m giving this book a 3.5 out of 5! I really enjoyed the plot and Engberg captures the small town feeling perfectly.

Thank you, Scout Press, for sending me this copy!

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

Lacey

Everybody Knows- Jordan Harper

DISCLAIMER: “Everybody Knows” was one of my favorite books I read in 2022.

Mae is a fixer of sorts. The rich and famous (but mostly powerful) people depend on her and her agency to cover up scandals, prevent problems and take care of business. But after her boss approaches her outside of work to discuss a job and is later murdered, Mae knows that he must have been on to something big. She may have a skewed moral compass but she can smell a huge pay day a mile away. Digging into the job with her former boyfriend, Mae gets swept up into a dark world even she didn’t know existed. Will she make it out with what’s left of her soul intact or will she even make it out alive?

Everybody Knows is 339 pages long and took me 2 days to read.

I LOVE JORDAN HARPER SO MUCH!!! This book is such a great read and I’m giving it a 5 out of 5! He does dark and gritty books so well and “Everybody Knows” is no exception. I read it not that long ago and I already wish I could read it again for the first time. For your sake, please read this book, read his previous book “Girl Rides Shotgun” and keep your eye out for him in the future.

Thank you so much, Mulholland Books, for sending me this copy!

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

Lacey

The Hunter- Jennifer Herrera

Former NYPD detective Leigh O’Donnell is given a second chance when she takes a case with her former hometown police department thanks to her younger cop brother. Things haven’t changed much with the small town, but Leigh now has a daughter that she has to protect so staying in her old family home with her uncles seems like the best option. When she starts to work on the investigation of two dead young men found in a nearby river without water in their lungs, she realizes she was avoiding her hometown, not just because of her painful past, but possibly something even more sinister.

The Hunter is 338 pages long and took me one day to read.

This book was really captivating and I enjoyed the ride so I’m giving it a 3.5 out of 5! You don’t know who you can trust throughout the book which I always enjoy. I’ll be keeping an eye out for future books from Jennifer Herrera!!

Thank you, Putnam Books, for sending me this copy!

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

Lacey

No One Knows Us Here-Rebecca Kelley

As a single woman in her 20s , Rosemary was not prepared for her teenage sister Wendy to show up at her door looking for a place to live. Rosemary feels stuck, she feels like she’s barely making it on her own, let alone trying to raise someone. So when billionaire CEO Leo Glass propositions her to be his contracted girlfriend, she feels like this is the only option to provide a safe place for Wendy. But Leo becomes increasingly controlling and Rosemary doesn’t know if she can continue when she discovers his resources are endless and getting out of her contract will be unexpectedly dangerous.

No One Knows Us Here is 324 pages long and took me one day to read.

I enjoyed this book so much and I’m giving it a 4 out of 5! It’s suspenseful and I literally couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend if you enjoy domestic thrillers!

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing, for sending me this copy!!

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

Lacey

Nine Liars- Maureen Johnson

Stevie Bell is at it again! When Stevie finagles her way into a London school trip to see her boyfriend David, she is asked by David’s friend to look into an unsolved mystery at a manor called Merryweather on a stormy night in 1995. The closer Stevie embeds herself into the case the more dangerous it becomes for herself and her friends. But Stevie isn’t known for her subtly and will do whatever she needs to to solve the murders that took place in the woodshed at Merryweather and close the cold case!

Nine Liars is 446 pages long and took me three days to read.

This was one of my favorite books I read in 2022 and am giving it a 4.5 out of 5! I love Stevie and her friends and am so invested in their well-being. I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series because they are the perfect stories to scratch the mystery genre itch!

Thank you, MB Communications, for sending me this copy!

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

Lacey

My Favorite Reads of 2022

I’ve read 76 books this year but these 11 made it to the top of my list of most favorite reads of 2022!

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid needs no introduction and there is a good reason why. This book had me in tears and left me an emotional wreck. I loved every single minute of it!

“Beyond The Wand” by Tom Felton had my 13 year old self swooning! Tom does an amazing job of capturing the magic from the Harry Potter films and gives us a sneak peek into his rather unusual childhood.

“Nettle & Bone” by T. Kingfisher was the fairytale I didn’t know I needed. Who doesn’t love a princess who is perfectly capable of rescuing herself and may or may not kill the prince in the process.

“Nine Liars” by Maureen Johnson is the fifth book in the Truly Devious series and I can’t get enough of the main character Stevie Bell, the mystery solving high school senior. She is truly a badass and I love her so much.

“League of Liars” by Astrid Scholte caught me off guard in the best way. Bursting with magic, moody scenery and a prison escape plan, I’m counting down the days to the follow up!

“Everybody Knows” by Jordan Harper had a lot to live up to after his book “She Rides Shotgun”. It remains one of my go to recommendations and I’m so excited to add this thriller to my list of recs! With high stakes L.A. fixers, this is a must read for those of us that are drawn to the dark side of showbiz.

“Into The Mist” by P.C. Cast was one of my most anticipated books simply for the incredible cover and I’m happy to report that the cover matches how great this story is. I cannot wait for the next book in the trilogy!!!!

“Last Seen Alive” by Joanna Schaffhausen is the fifth book in the Ellery Hathaway series and she faces off with none other than Francis Coben, the man who abducted and tortured her at a young age. If you’ve been reading the series then you know it’s the battle we’ve been waiting for and Joanna delivers!

“The Book of Cold Cases” by Simone St. James is so atmospheric, creepy and timely. Must read for true crime podcast listeners!

“The Old Woman with the Knife” by Gu Byeong-mo will forever stay with me. Hornclaw is an elderly assassin and although the book is short, it leaves a lasting impression.

“Our Crooked Hearts” by Melissa Albert is the perfect book for spooky season or if you’re in the mood for some witchy fun. One that will absolutely have you looking over your shoulder in the best way!

As 2022 comes to an end, I am once again grateful for this amazing lifestyle and love of books we share! Happy New Year and here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!

Lacey

The Den- Cara Reinard

The four Fox siblings are, at best, confrontational when together. Add in murder and you’ve got quite the group! At their mother’s birthday party, their father appears to have a heart attack which brings their family to a boiling point. One by one it seems as though the Fox family members are being picked off. Can they trust one another to sort out what is happening? Or will they burn their lives down fighting the whole way?

The Den is 320 pages long and took me two days to read.

I’m giving this book a 4 out of 5! It is so suspenseful and I really had fun trying to solve the mystery. The longer it sits with me the more I enjoy it. Highly recommend for those mystery/thriller lovers in your life!

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

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

Lacey