Carries Book Reviews

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grace thought she’d found the perfect man when she met Jack. For years Grace has been responsible for her younger sister Millie who has Down’s Syndrome and knows that Millie will always be a part of her life which has ended many of Grace’s previous relationships. But with Jack it has been different, Jack treats Millie as his own family and her parents with respect so after a few short months they decide to marry.

Little does Grace realize she will find that things are not always what they seem rather quickly. From the outside Grace and Jack are the perfect couple and very much in love not wanting to part each other’s company. Behind closed doors however things are not at all what Grace ever expected her marriage to be.

Behind Closed Doors is told by switching between the past and present time with each chapter you read. The story slowly unfolds giving the glimpse into Grace and Jack’s life with each page turn getting you further and further hooked into just what goes on in their supposedly perfect marriage and just how this one will turn out in the end.

This book was just so hauntingly good as it went on. As the story unfolds it just becomes so scary to think that this could go on and will have a reader just wondering what could Grace have done differently all throughout the relationship. Definitely ended up on the edge of my seat wanting all the answers and couldn’t put this one down.

Overall, awesome psychological thriller that I’d definitely recommend.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Somniare by D.T. Dyllin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Remy Novem is a witch and when she is murdered she doesn’t die but finds herself trapped in Somniare. Somniare is a dream landscape made up of the dreams and nightmares of the humans. Trapped Remy needs to find a human to help her escape the nightmares that surround her and find out just what happened as she has no memory of her death.

Somniare was a fun and creative fantasy read with great world building. The realm that the story takes place in is made up of dreams which can be anything from new creatures and things you wouldn’t think of but also things that would be of nightmares that we all know such as zombies or even characters such as Freddy from the Nightmare on Elm St movies.

Along with Remy being a witch and practicing magic the story also brings Fae into the plot. The Fae and witches don’t get along at all and Remy immediately runs into one while in Somniare. Then Remy also meets her familiar in the dreamscape who is both male and female that can change shapes and do a bit of magic too.

Overall, this was a great start to this series that ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, would definitely be interested in seeing where the author heads in the next installment.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anne and Marco Conti are going through the unthinkable for any parent. Invited to a party at the next door neighbor’s their babysitter cancels at the last moment so Marco convinces Anne that they can take the baby monitor and periodically check in on the baby and all will be fine. Unfortunately at the end of the night a little after 1am the Conti’s return home to find their baby daughter Cora missing from her crib.

Told from the different POV’s throughout the read The Couple Next Door is an intense read as the secrets and lies of that horrible night are uncovered. Definitely a page turning thriller that I was completely hooked on until the very last page waiting to find out just what had happened to little Cora and who had been behind it all.

I started off this one thinking fairly early on that the ending was going to be an obvious one but boy am I always glad when I’m wrong and the twists and turns keep coming. Anne and Marco are a compelling couple as you read about all it is that the pair have to hide in their lives and how the night in question came about.

Overall, a great psychological thrill ride that will have you guessing all along the way.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Riley Moon has just graduated from Harvard Business and Harvard Law and started what she thought was going to be her dream job, that is until she ends up working with Emerson Knight. Emerson is rather introverted and eccentric and when he’s denied the chance of actually seeing the gold that Riley’s bank is storing for him he inquires about some missing funds and a disappearance and decides he needs Riley to assist him in an investigation.

Well, “crap on a cracker” I didn’t expect this one to be as funny as it was but Curious Minds was an absolutely hilarious read from start to finish for me. As soon as Riley and Emerson teamed up I just couldn’t stop laughing, mostly at Emerson. But I rather enjoyed both characters as they ventured on their journey.

Riley is supposed to be a graduate from Harvard but reminds me a bit more of the Elle Woods (Legally Blonde) version of a Harvard graduate, more concerned with her outfit and how she looks than actual business going on. Emerson is one of those socially awkward but incredibly smart characters that will have you laughing.

The plot to the book though could often seem a bit far fetched when it comes to a mystery/thriller read. Perhaps it was just finding the characters quite humorous that I would often think of the bad guys in here twirling mustaches and giving their evil villain laugh and things seeming a bit too over the top. But regardless I still enjoyed the story due to liking the main characters.

Overall, a more humorous mystery/thriller read. The humor is what really made me enjoy the story more than the plot.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Boxed Set: The Clockwork Siren Series, Adventures 1-3 by Katie Hayoz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Melusine Doré has spent her life hunting down and killing monsters for a living. Her biggest competition is Levi Cannon who’s family is well off so Melusine resents him for taking away jobs from her that she needs to survive. When the two are forced to team up to hunt a sea creature they can’t help but end up attracted to each other. Unfortunately for Melusine she has been cursed when it comes to love.

All three books of the Clockwork Siren Series in a boxed set. The three novellas are Immersed, Submerged, and Surfaced. Each continue the story on from where the last had ended and each get a bit more intense.

Katie Hayoz has done a wonderful job with this story and bringing all the different elements of it to life. There was just so many different things going on that a part of me thought this story would probably fail miserably but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. Chicago was turned into the fantasy/steampunk land with monsters and machines. The characters were given enough attention to their back stories that you really care about them and their relationship.

Great fast paced read with a mixture of a lot of different elements.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.