Book Review: The Asteroid Hunter

On By cyireadbooksIn Biographies, Memoirs, Non Fiction (Adult), ScienceLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
  • Publication Date: March 19, 2024
  • Author: Dante Lauretta
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) | Science
  • Page Count: 336

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

A “captivating, behind-the-scenes account” of NASA’s historic OSIRIS-REx mission to return an asteroid sample and unlock the mystery of formation on life on earth braided with the remarkable life story of the mission’s leader, Dr. Dante Lauretta (Sara Seager).

On September 11, 1999, humanity made a monumental discovery in the vastness of space. Scientists uncovered an asteroid of immense scientific importance—a colossal celestial entity. As massive as an aircraft carrier and towering as high as the iconic Empire State Building, this cosmic titan was later named Bennu. Remarkable for much more than its size, Bennu belonged to a rare breed of asteroids capable of revealing the essence of life itself. But just as Bennu became a beacon of promise, researchers identified a grave danger. Hurtling through space, it threatens to collide with our planet on September 24, 2182.

Leading the expedition was Dr. Dante Lauretta, the Principal Investigator of NASA’s audacious OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. Tasked with unraveling Bennu’s mysteries, his team embarked on a daring quest to retrieve a precious sample from the asteroid’s surface — one that held the potential to not only unlock the secrets of life’s origins but also to avert an unprecedented catastrophe.

A tale of destiny and danger, The Asteroid Hunter chronicles the high-stakes mission firsthand, narrated by Dr. Lauretta. It offers readers an intimate glimpse into the riveting exploits of the mission and Dr. Lauretta’s wild, winding personal journey to Bennu and back. Peeling back the curtain on the wonders of the cosmos, this enthralling account promises a rare glimpse into the tightly woven fabric of scientific exploration, where technical precision converges with humanity’s profound curiosity and indominable spirit.

My Thoughts & Opinions

The Asteroid Hunter is author Dante Lauretta’s autobiography that chronicles his life’s work and experience in hunting and tracking Bennu. A formidable asteroid as large as an aircraft carrier, and as tall as the Empire State Building.

The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific development, and exploration of the universe. In particular, how the earth came to be.

By sampling and studying asteroids with similar biological markers as earth, Lauretta and his team of scientists hope to discover earth’s origins, and determine if there could be other biologic lifeforms, or at least attempt to determine the origins of earth and its inhabitants.

There is a lot of scientific and technical language. But since I have a keen interest in STEM, I managed to glean a lot of information and the whole process intrigued me. And because most of the research is conducted in my home state of Arizona, I was even more fascinated.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book even though the research isn’t finalized yet. The samplings from the asteroid still has to make it back to earth for testing and further study. But for what has been written thus far, the book has exceeded my expectations. Five stars.

I received a DRC from Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Worm’s Lost & Found

On By cyireadbooksIn Children's FictionLeave a comment

Blurb

Worm runs one of the best lost and found offices in the world. He has a rare ability to find things. Lost umbrella? Missing keys? Misplaced toy? If it is lost, then Worm can find it. But then the unthinkable happens: Worm can’t find his hat!

Worm’s absent-minded friend Seal is always losing things. But can she help Worm find his beloved hat? Seal has the perfect solution: look left, look right, then . . . make pancakes? Can Seal’s silly solution actually help Worm find his favorite cap?

In Jule Wellerdiek’s first book with NorthSouth she finds a humorous way to deal with things that are lost, and celebrates the joy that comes with finding things when you least expect it.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Worm’s Lost & Found is a cute picture book with a fun story. I loved the soft colors and adorable characters. They all made reading the book enjoyable and entertaining.

There really isn’t a life lesson to be learned from the book. Except for maybe that some lost items will turn up eventually when we least expect them.

And since I’m a sucker for seek and find activities in any book, Worm’s Lost & Found has a seek and find game that will challenge any preschooler to find objects within the pages of the book. Five fun stars.

I received a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Puppy Brain

On By cyireadbooksIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Celadon Books
  • Publication Date: April 30, 2024
  • Author: Kelly Nichols
  • Genre: Non Fiction (Adult)
  • Page Count: 400

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

How do you raise a happy, healthy, and emotionally resilient dog? Full of actionable guidance, Puppy Brain will show you how to create a harmonious, fulfilling relationship with your pet, from Kerry Nichols, founder of Nicholberry Goldens.Do you want to learn how to help your dog feel safe? Do you dream of owning a dog who enjoys meeting new people and exploring new places? Kerry Nichols, founder of Nicholberry Goldens, brings readers into the whelping box and onto the frontlines of a puppy’s developmental journey with her trademark clarity and wit.With guidance about everything from crate training to spaying and neutering, Puppy Brain distills the latest insights and breakthroughs from canine research into practical, actionable, evidence-based guidance.Through years of research into brain development and the use of intentional breeding practices that focus on honoring a puppy’s choices and needs, Kerry has developed an approach that results in a harmonious, fulfilling relationship with our dogs rather than one steeped in rote obedience. Puppy Brain will reshape the way you think about your dog and show you how to meet your dog’s most basic needs.With irresistible photos, clear guidance, and engaging humor, Puppy Brain reveals the best parenting practices based on how your dog’s mind works. As her hundreds of thousands of followers can attest, Kerry’s guidance will help you raise dogs who are confident, loving, and happy. The perfect gift for dog lovers and psychology enthusiasts alike, Puppy Brain is the definitive resource for anyone looking to raise their puppy with respect and love.

Thoughts & Opinions

Excellent! Puppy Brain is the best pup parenting reference book that I’ve read, period. Being a seasoned dog owner, I’ve read a good share of books about raising and training dogs, but Puppy Brain is just perfect for new as well as seasoned dog owners.

The book covers everything from conception, birth, crossing the Rainbow Bridge, and anything in between. Not only did Puppy Brain reinforce what I already knew, it also provided superb advice on potty training, chewing, crate training, as well as discipline.

Dotted with cute black and white pictures of puppies and dogs, Puppy Brain is a must read, and must have reference tool for any dog owner. Five outstanding stars.

I received an ARC from Celadon Books. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Four-Alarm Homicide

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & ThrillersLeave a comment
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
  • Publication Date: April 23, 2024
  • Author: Diane Kelly
  • Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
  • Page Count: 304

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Blurb

Carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are hot for a historical property that has just come on the market—a fire station in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood that was built nearly a century ago.

The cousins have just begun the interior demolition work at the fire station when Joanna Hartzell, who lives in a townhouse around the corner, comes by with a plea for help. Joanna owns the right half of her building, which she proudly maintains in perfect condition, while the left side falls into disrepair: the seven adult children who inherited it years ago refuse to lift a finger on repairs. Never one to turn down a challenge, Whitney and Buck manage to acquire the rundown townhouse—though it turns out Joanna is only one of the many neighbors interested in buying the property once they’ve worked their magic.

Then Joanna shows up at the fire station confused and rambling, then collapses, never to recover. Alarm bells go off for Whitney: she suspects something—and someone—evil could be the real cause. Can she and Collin put the clues together and smoke out a killer?

My Thoughts & Opinions

Four-Alarm Homicide is the sixth novel in the House-Flipper Mystery series, but it is the first novel that I’ve read from this author. That being said, I had no problem reading Four-Alarm as a standalone.

The story unfolds through the lens of the main character, Whitney Whitaker, a carpenter by trade and house-flipper with her cousin, Buck. There’s a few cameo appearances from Whitney’s cat, Sawdust. But I didn’t see the point of including a cat’s point of view as it didn’t add anything to the narrative.

The pacing of the novel was significantly slower than what I’m accustomed to as the murder doesn’t occur until I was at least 40% vested into the novel. I would normally give up at a little past 33%, but what kept me going were the science-based theories, and the house-flipping operations. Patience paid off in the end as the finale was unexpected and a surprise.

Being that the novel is the sixth in the series, I was pleasantly surprised that all of the characters were well developed and didn’t lose any of their attributes through the prior novels. I loved all of the characters. But dear to my heart was the crotchety old neighbor, Gideon. And then, of course, there was Whitney’s cousin, Buck.

Like most cozy mystery novels, there are a few recipes at the end which was a bonus in my book. Four stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Wish You Were Here

On By cyireadbooksIn Children's FictionLeave a comment
  • Publisher: NorthSouth Books
  • Publication Date: September 10, 2024
  • Author: Bernadette Watts
  • Genre: Children’s Fiction
  • Page Count: 40

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Blurb

While strolling through the park, Franz Kafka hears the cry of a young girl named Saskia sitting with her mother. When Franz learns that the child has lost her beloved doll, Christiana, Franz reassures her that her doll is traveling the world. Upon their next fortuitous meetings, Franz presents Saskia and her mother with postcards from the lost doll—one from Paris, another from Venice, and finally one from Egypt. When Saskia insists that her doll Christiana come home from her travels, Franz is distraught until he finds a vintage doll in a secondhand shop. Saskia is skeptical—the doll looks old. But when Franz reminds her that we all age from our amazing journeys through life, her heart bursts with joy at their being reunited.

Inspired by a famous story, this moving account of generosity highlights the power of imagination and offers a window into the enigmatic life of one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Wish You Were Here is a cute and heartwarming picture book perfect for a bedtime story. The illustrations reflect a muted color scheme that will have a calming effect after an activity filled day.

The story evokes lessons revolving around kindness and generosity that will provide an ideal teaching opportunity. The story is sweet, but I didn’t get the ending. Did Franz pass away or move? But I guess that will be up to the reader to decide and explain to the young ones. Four stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: The Demon of Devil’s Cavern

On By cyireadbooksIn HorrorLeave a comment
  • Publisher: DarkLit Press
  • Publication Date: April 20, 2024
  • Author: Brennan LaFaro
  • Genre: Horror
  • Page Count: 200

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Blurb

Six months after the death of “Noose” Holcomb, Buzzard’s Edge rests in an uneasy quiet, but can a town that resonates with such hatred remain peaceful for long?

Dark forces conspire to chase Rory Daggett and his mute adopted daughter, Alice, into exile, framed for a crime they didn’t commit.

With a new sheriff and a notorious killer for hire tracking their every move, the two must choose between starting a new life and saving the soul of the town that betrayed them.

Strap yourselves in tight, folks, ’cause the blood-curdling saga of Rory Daggett and Buzzard’s Edge is fixin’ to unleash a harrowing storm. Get ready to face a nightmarish landscape where gunpowder and the macabre collide in a haunting dance of terror.

My Thoughts & Opinions

The stellar reviews captured my attention. However, I didn’t get the same vibe as the other readers. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I read the previous novel as I was pretty clueless as to the backstory of Buzzard’s Edge and it’s people.

The Demon of Devil’s Cavern is not anything like what I’m used to reading in the horror genre. I expected a horror story similar in the adrenaline rush like novels written by Duncan Ralston (Ghostland) and Daniel Kraus/George Romero (The Living Dead.) The Demon doesn’t even come close to the graphic and horrific depictions of zombies, ghosts and other demons that I’ve come to expect from a good horror novel. That being said, I found The Demon of Devil’s Cavern to be a little boring. Two okay stars.

I received a DRC from DarkLit Press through NetGalley. This review is completely my own reflect my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Goth Moth

On By cyireadbooksIn Children's Non-fictionLeave a comment
  • Publisher: NorthSouth Books
  • Publication Date: September 3, 2024
  • Author: Kai Lüftner
  • Genre: Children’s Fiction
  • Page Count: 32

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Blurb

Walter is a shy moth. He prefers to hide out in his quiet attic. But a fiery passion slumbers in him . . . In his heart he is a drummer, a true “Goth Moth.” There’s just one problem: Walter has no drums, let alone a band. The moth adores the music by Jitterbug (also known as Lady B. Marie)—his idol. At one of her concerts, the unimaginable happens: the Goth Moth now finds himself on stage, in the limelight.

Kai Lüftner’s rollicking rhymes tell the story of someone who flies under the radar with daring rhythm. Wiebke Rauers prepares the stage for our shy hero in such a thrilling way that you too will become a Goth Moth fan.

Rock on with Walter the Goth Moth and Lady B. Marie the Jitterbug in these musical refrains about being yourself!

My Thoughts & Opinions

Having enjoyed the first book, Jitterbug, I was excited at the opportunity to read the Goth Moth. However, I didn’t find Goth Moth to have the same dynamics. The rhyming isn’t as fun and I think that the character illustration is a bit creepy.

Not a bad picture book, but I think that some children may get a little scared by the main character. Two stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Darling Girls

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & Thrillers, Womens Fiction1 Comment
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
  • Publication Date: April 23, 2024
  • Author: Sally Hepworth
  • Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | Women’s Fiction
  • Page Count: 352

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

My Thoughts & Opinions

Darling Girls is my fourth Hepworth novel, and it ranks up there in the five-point scale.

The novel reminded me of Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews which I enjoyed. The plotlines are similar — domestic suspense with smatterings of psychological abuse.

The story unfolds through multiple points of view over dual timelines…the focus being on three unrelated foster girls who bond with each other in the face of adversity — becoming “sisters” in the process. The story can be disturbing to some as there are scenes of sexual and psychological abuse.

There are numerous characters. But since the narrative unfolds primarily through three points of view, it was easy to follow along. However, there was an unknown emcee that confused me a little. But in the climactic finale, the emcee is revealed tying the whole narrative together into an unputdownable read. Five stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars

On By cyireadbooksIn Children's FictionLeave a comment
  • Publisher: NorthSouth Books
  • Publication Date: September 10, 2024
  • Author: April Suddendorf
  • Genre: Children’s Fiction
  • Page Count: 48

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Blurb

Every witch needs a pet by her side. But if you’re picturing black cats or toads, think again. Because in Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars the animal companions are just as original and likable as their witches: a little monkey helps his pink-haired witch cut her locks, while a parrot helps his tarot card-reading witch answer the phone.

In her picture book debut, German author–illustrator April Suddendorf plays with a cliché: witches are not evil, old, or scary, but modern, versatile women from all over the world. Joyful magic unfolds through clever rhymes as each witch, and her animal friend, is introduced. Readers, discover what kind of witch you want to be!

My Thoughts & Opinions

Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars is a cute rhyming picture book. I liked the illustrations, but the colors to me were a little drab. It could use more eye popping colors in my opinion.

As for the characters, there were a number of familiar animals mentioned. But one in particular threw me — a pangolin. Pretty exotic for a children’s picture book. I think that sticking with the tried and true and familiar animals would have been more acceptable, but that’s just me.

Overall, however, Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars is more than suitable for preschoolers as a storytime book. Three stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Granite Harbor

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & ThrillersLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Celadon Books
  • Publication Date: April 30, 2024
  • Author: Peter Nichols
  • Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
  • Page Count: 320

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Blurb

In scenic Granite Harbor, life has continued on—quiet and serene—for decades. That is until a local teenager is found brutally murdered in the Settlement, the town’s historic archaeological site. Alex Brangwen, adjusting to life as a single father with a failed career as a novelist, is the town’s sole detective. This is his first murder case and, as both a parent and detective, Alex knows the people of Granite Harbor are looking to him to catch the killer and temper the fear that has descended over the town.

Isabel, a single mother attempting to support her family while healing from her own demons, finds herself in the middle of the case when she begins working at the Settlement. Her son, Ethan, and Alex’s daughter, Sophie, were best friends with the victim. When a second teenager is found murdered, the body left in the same manner as the first victim, both parents are terrified that their child may be next. As Alex and Isabel race to find the killer in their midst, the town’s secrets—past and present—begin bubbling to the surface, threatening to unravel the tight-knit community.

My Thoughts & Opinions

I had high expectations for this novel as I loved the excerpt. Unfortunately, Granite Harbor just fell flat.

The plot follows a whodunit trope. But the pacing was slow and the exciting parts were pretty sparse. With choppy transitions between chapters, I got lost several times where I didn’t know the timeline — past or present.

There were numerous characters. Too many to keep track of. And the different timelines didn’t help. The character count was just one of the reasons that I didn’t enjoy the novel as much as I wanted to.

I just felt that the narrative didn’t have to be so long winded. So by 46%, I was just bored. I skimmed a few chapters, then skipped to the end which wasn’t satisfying or redeeming. Two stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from Celadon Books through NetGalley. And I also won an ARC from Celadon Books through the Bookish First Raffle. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Picture Day at Dino Play

On By cyireadbooksIn Children's FictionLeave a comment
  • Publisher: NorthSouth Books
  • Publication Date: September 10, 2024
  • Author: Sean Julian
  • Genre: Children’s Fiction
  • Page Count: 32

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

Today is picture day at the dino daycare. Freda is excited to wear her favorite hat for the photo. After playing outside with her Cretaceous friends, Freda’s hat is missing! Her teacher Miss Beak and the other students help her search until they discover the hat in the most unlikely of places: a bird has used the hat to make a nest! At first Freda wants the hat back, but then she feels that the bird needs her favorite hat more than she does. Miss Beak has a clever solution that makes the class photo picture perfect: arts-and-crafts hats for all the dinosaurs!

My Thoughts & Opinions

Picture Day at Dino Play is such a cute story. It’s the perfect book to teach the young ones that sharing is caring. It’s the second book in the dino adventure series and it’s just as good as the first.

The illustrations continue to be colorful and adorable. And all of the characters just come alive on each page. I had fun reading it and it will be a great book for preschoolers and toddlers anytime — bedtime or story time. Five stars

I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: A Haunting in the Arctic

On By cyireadbooksIn General Fiction (Adult), Horror, Mystery & ThrillersLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
  • Publication Date: February 27, 2024
  • Author: C. J. Cooke
  • Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Horror | Mystery & Thrillers
  • Page Count: 352

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Blurb:

The year is 1901, and Nicky is attacked, then wakes on board the Ormen, a whaling ship embarked on what could be its last voyage. With land still weeks away, it’s just her, the freezing ocean, and the crew – and they’re all owed something only she can give them…

Now, over one hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed up on the forbidding, remote coast of Iceland. It’s scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels an inexplicable pull to document its last days, even though those who have ventured onto the wreck before her have met uncanny ends.

Onboard the boat, Dominique will uncover a dark past riddled with lies, cruelty, and murder—and her discovery will change everything. Because she’ll soon realize she’s not alone. Something has walked the floors of the Ormen for almost a century. Something that craves revenge.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Having read The Lighthouse Witches and loving it, I was excited to read A Haunting in the Arctic. Sadly, A Haunting didn’t meet my expectations. I did expect a slow paced novel. But A Haunting didn’t have the same impact as Lighthouse. A Haunting just wasn’t creepy enough. And the plot didn’t make much sense — was there possession involved?

The story unfolds through multiple points of view over multiple timelines. It got to be confusing at times as I kept wondering how the two different timelines and characters would connect. And in the end, I didn’t get how some of the characters were even included in the narrative. I’m still pondering the novel as there were so many unanswered questions.

There were quite a number of characters. And with so many characters, only a handful were fully developed. For the most part, all of the characters were so unlikeable. They were dark and somewhat sinister. It was fairly depressing to read about them.

With such a confusing story and a convoluted conclusion, I’m surprised that I managed to finish the novel. But that won’t stop me from attempting another go at Cooke’s other endeavors. Two stars.

I received a DRC from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Mickey

On By cyireadbooksIn Biographies, Memoirs, Non Fiction (Adult), Outdoors & NatureLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Kensington Books
  • Publication Date: March 26, 2024
  • Author: Helen Brown
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) | Outdoors & Nature
  • Page Count: 368

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Blurb

The youngest daughter of an eccentric engineer and a musical theater fanatic, Helen Brown grew up in the New Zealand coastal town of New Plymouth in a crumbling castle overrun by nature, and overshadowed by nearby, beautiful Mount Taranaki. It’s 1966, the Pacific islands are being used for atomic bomb testing, and her parents and siblings are swept up in their own lives. Twelve years old, struggling in school, and facing eye surgery–for the second time–Helen feels lonely and lost. . . .

Until her father gives her a three-month-old, gray-and-brown tiger-striped tabby with extra toes on each paw. Noticing an M design on the cat’s forehead, Helen names her new companion Mickey. Inquisitive, rambunctious, clever, and skittish, Mickey disrupts the already quirky household with his mischief. But Helen finds love, joy–and herself–in learning what it means to care for a living creature who needs her as much as she needs him.

My Thoughts & Opinions

I’m such a sucker when it comes to books involving pets — cats and dogs especially. So when I was given the opportunity to read a book about a cat named Mickey, I was over the moon!

I was expecting a story similar to those pet books written by W. Bruce Cameron, Tatum Talks; Mica Stone or Marth Teacher. But Mickey was not even close to any of the books by the authors mentioned, which was a bit disappointing. Mickey was a very minimal cat story and more of the author’s journey growing up with a somewhat disfunctional mother and siblings.

I enjoyed the beginnings of the book. But after a while, it got a little tedious, especially when the focus turned to Helen’s mother, who I disliked from the get-go. Kudos to Helen for surviving all those years unscathed.

What I found puzzling was Helen’s eye surgeries. There appeared to be more than one and I didn’t quite get what prompted those surgeries (lazy eye?) A little more background information would have been nice since the book really didn’t focus on Mickey the cat, but on Helen’s life.

While I can’t say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book, Mickey was still a good read. Three stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: The Manicurist’s Daughter

On By cyireadbooksIn Biographies, Memoirs, Parenting & FamiliesLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Celadon Books
  • Publication Date: March 12, 2024
  • Author: Susan Lieu
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Parenting & Families
  • Page Count: 320

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Blurb:

Susan Lieu has long been searching for answers about her family’s past and about her own future. Refugees from the Vietnam War, Susan’s family escaped to California in the 1980s after five failed attempts. Upon arrival, Susan’s mother was their savvy, charismatic North Star, setting up two successful nail salons and orchestrating every success―until Susan was eleven. That year, her mother died from a botched tummy tuck. After the funeral, no one was ever allowed to talk about her or what had happened.

For the next twenty years, Susan navigated a series of cascading questions alone―why did the most perfect person in her life want to change her body? Why would no one tell her about her mother’s life in Vietnam? And how did this surgeon, who preyed on Vietnamese immigrants, go on operating after her mother’s death? Sifting through depositions, tracking down the surgeon’s family, and enlisting the help of spirit channelers, Susan uncovers the painful truth of her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of beauty.

My Thoughts & Opinions:

I typically enjoy biographies and memoirs. And while I did enjoy the beginnings of The Manicurist’s Daughter, my interest waned after 54% I still managed to skim the remainder of the memoir and I don’t think I missed anything noteworthy.

As a reader that has a tendency to “mouth” foreign words and phrases, the constant barrage of Vietnamese names and phrases became a detriment to my ready enjoyment. I lost track of people and/or relatives, especially when there were only Vietnamese names involved. As such I probably would have enjoyed listening to an audiobook version so I wouldn’t have to fumble over pronunciations.

The memoir wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought the book would delve more into the body image/malpractice angle of her mother as well as the effects of the interratial marriage between her and her Korean husband. But, I just got smatterings of them.

The Manicurist’s Daughter wasn’t the best memoir that I’ve read. But it wasn’t the worst, either. Two okay stars.

I won an ARC from Celadon Books through the Bookish First raffle. I was also invited to read the DRC from Celadon Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Bye, Baby

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & Thrillers, Womens FictionLeave a comment
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
  • Publication Date: March 5, 2024
  • Author: Carola Lovering
  • Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | Women’s Fiction
  • Page Count: 352

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Blurb

A missing baby. A fraught friendship. A secret that can never be told.

On a brisk fall night in a New York apartment, 35-year-old Billie West hears terrified screams. It’s her lifelong best friend Cassie Barnwell, one floor above, and she’s just realized her infant daughter has gone missing. Billie is shaken as she looks down into her own arms to see the baby, remembering—with a jolt of fear—that she is responsible for the kidnapping that has instantly shattered Cassie’s world.

So begins the story of Billie and Cassie’s friendship–both in recent weeks, and since they met twenty-three years ago, in their small Hudson Valley hometown the summer before seventh grade. Once fiercely bonded by their secrets, including a traumatic, unspeakable incident in high school, Cassie and Billie have drifted apart in adulthood, no longer the inseparable pair they used to be. Cassie is married to a wealthy man, has recently become a mother, and is building a following as a fashion and lifestyle influencer. She is desperate to leave her past behind–including Billie, who is single and childless, and no longer fits into her world. Hurt and rejected by Cassie’s new priorities, Billie will do anything to restore their friendship, even as she hides the truth about what really happened the night the baby was taken.

Told in alternating perspectives in Lovering’s signature suspenseful style, Bye Baby confronts the myriad ways friendships change and evolve over time, the lingering echoes of childhood trauma, and the impact of women’s choices on their lifelong relationships.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Bye, Baby is the second novel that I’ve read by Carola Lovering. While I did enjoy the novel, I feel that Lovering has potential to be more.

The novel is touted as a mystery/thriller. But I found it to be more in line with women’s fiction with a touch of domestic suspense.

The story follows best friends Billie and Cassie through high school and adulthood. Told through dual points of view over dual timelines (past and present,) I was taken on a journey through an every evolving friendship between besties that over time morphed into an unrecognizable relationship. Proving that people can and do outgrow each other, especially when social status, marriage, and parenthood are added to the mix.

The novel should be read at face and entertainment value. I say that because there are some scenes in the narrative that may raise a few questions — especially for those readers that are fans of crime scene and investigative thrillers.

The characters are well developed, and I enjoyed how Lovering captured all of the characters’ personalities through high school and beyond. It just highlights the author’s ability to flesh out her characters and bring them to life on the written page.

Overall, Bye, Baby was a very good suspenseful read worthy of four stars.

I received a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: The Other Lola

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & ThrillersLeave a comment
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
  • Publication Date: March 12, 2024
  • Author: Ripley Jones
  • Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
  • Page Count: 336

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Blurb

In the months after Cam and Blair broke their small hometown’s legendary missing-girl story and catapulted to accidental fame, they vowed never to do it again. No more mysteries, no more podcasts, and no more sticking their heads where they don’t belong.

Until Mattie Brosillard, a freshman at their high school, shows up on their doorstep, begging Cam and Blair for help. Mattie’s sister Lola disappeared mysteriously five years ago. No trace of her was ever found. Now, she’s back–but Mattie is convinced the girl who returned is an impostor. Nobody believes Mattie’s wild story–not Mattie’s brother, not Mattie’s mother, and not even Cam and Blair. But something is definitely wrong in the Brosillard family. And Blair has her own reasons for wanting to know what really happened to Lola while she was gone.

With Cam and Blair still struggling with the aftermath of their first mystery―and with new secrets swirling between them―the stakes are higher than ever in this can’t-miss sequel to Missing Clarissa.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Because I really enjoyed Jones’ previous novel, Missing Clarissa, I was more than excited for the opportunity to read The Other Lola. With so many references to the mystery in Missing Clarissa, I don’t think that The Other Lola can be read as a standalone.

Unlike Missing Clarissa, The Other Lola is a slow read. Lacking plot twists and cliffhangers for a majority of the novel, it took a lot of patiences to get past the 51% point. But by then I figured out the finale. Skimming the rest of the novel till 86%, my suspicions on the perpetrator(s) were validated. It’s only because the novel closely mimics an episode of Law and Order SVU that I watched fairly recently. If it weren’t for the similarity to the TV episode, I probably would have enjoyed the novel a lot more.

The main characters are a carryover from the previous novel and because of that, they weren’t as fully fleshed out. Too bad since new readers will probably find the characters uninteresting and pretty vanilla. Some of the newer characters included a non-binary person and a few lesbians. I just don’t get why just about all authors seem to jump on the LGBTQ+ bandwagon and think it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Don’t get me wrong, it’s just that just about every book I’ve read recently either has a non-binary characters, or a lesbian/gay characters built into the narrative. And it can get a little confusing with the “they/them” pronouns.

In any event, The Other Lola turned out to be a decent read. Not the best, and not the worst. Three stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: The Truth About the Accident

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & ThrillersLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
  • Publication Date: January 2, 2024
  • Author: Nicole Trope
  • Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
  • Page Count: 256

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Blurb

From the author of The Family Across the Street comes another gripping psychological thriller about a family in crisis, a marriage at breaking point, and how secrets can be deadly. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and The Housemaid .

I gaze at my husband’s once handsome face, so still and pale in the hospital bed. The doctors say I should keep talking. He might be able to hear me even after the terrible accident that left him fighting for his life. But all I have to whisper to my husband is  I know what you did.

Every day I wave my husband Damon off with a kiss and a smile, drive our precious children to school, and make sure our house is pristine before preparing a delicious meal. I pretend I’m not filled with fury that he once nearly destroyed our perfect life. It’s important to carry on as normal.

That is, until the accident.

My husband was hit by a car. It was pouring with rain. Nobody saw what happened. But the police are asking questions…

Do they know about the terrible argument we had that day?

Do they know about the text message I sent, telling someone to Delete everything?

My Thoughts & Opinions

After reading a glowing review of The Truth About the Accident, I jumped at the chance to read and review the novel. The old saying, “different strokes for different folks” rang true for me with this book. While I did enjoy the first few chapters, the novel slowly devolved into something that I couldn’t wait to be over. Still, I managed to persevere and finish the book. After all, the narrative did have some interesting plot twists.

The story unfolds through the three main characters’ points of view. Each view dovetailing each other. It did get a little confusing and tedious at times, especially when the timelines changed. Perhaps if the characters were more refined, I wouldn’t have had that problem of identifying who’s who in the novel.

The narrative follows a whodunit theme laced with family drama. I suspect that the family drama was supposed to add an air of suspense. It did, to a point. But after a while it got frustrating, especially when those women, who are supposed to know better, kept repeating the same mistakes. And with a lukewarm finale, I was left feeling like there was something missing in the whole scheme of things. Three stars.

I received a physical copy of the novel from Grand Central Publishing. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Red String Theory

On By cyireadbooksIn Multicultural Interest, RomanceLeave a comment
  • Publishers: Forever (GCP) | Hachette Audio
  • Publication Date: January 9, 2024
  • Author: Lauren Kung Jessen
  • Narrators: Yu-Li Alice Shen; Andrew Grace
  • Genre: Romance | Multicultural Interest
  • Page Count: 352

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

Just a date . . . or a twist of fate?
 When it comes to love and art, Rooney Gao believes in signs. Most of all, she believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate. And that belief has inspired her career as an artist, as well as the large art installations she makes with ( obviously ) red string. That is until artist’s block strikes and Rooney begins to question everything. But then fate leads her to the perfect guy . . . Jack Liu is perfect. He’s absurdly smart, successful, handsome, and after one enchanting New York night—under icy February skies and fueled by fried dumplings—all signs point to destiny. Only Jack doesn’t believe. And after their magical date, it looks like they might be lost to each other forever . . . until they’re given one more chance to reconnect. But can Rooney convince a reluctant skeptic to take a leap of fate?

My Thoughts & Opinions

I absolutely loved Red String Theory! Author Jessen has done it again, but in a much more profound way. To me, Red String Theory was so much better than the first novel, Lunar Love. And perhaps it was due in part to the narrators of the audiobook. Narrators Shen and Grace did a superb job in capturing the essence of the characters by projecting the personalities, inflections, and emotion in their narration. But the narration just enhanced the already fully developed characters that Jessen cast in her novel.

Red String Theory was much more than a romance. It contained elements of humor, love, as well as unfeigned sincerity. I loved that the romance aspect was wholesome and clean. A welcome change from steamy lit romance novels. I also enjoyed the showcasing of cultural traditions that were passed on through generations.

Overall, Red String Theory is a novel and audiobook not be be missed. Author Jessen should be on every romance fan’s radar. Five exceptional stars.

I received a physical ARC from Forever (GCP) and was also invited to listen to the audiobook from Forever (GCP) through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: The Search Party

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & Thrillers1 Comment
  • Publisher: Atria Books
  • Publication Date: January 16, 2024
  • Author: Hannah Richell
  • Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
  • Page Count: 352

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

A spellbinding locked-room mystery about a glamping trip gone horribly wrong when a powerful storm leaves the participants stranded and forced to confront long-held secrets and a shocking disappearance.

Max and Annie Kingsley have left the London rat race with their twelve-year-old son to set up a glamping site in the wilds of Cornwall. Eager for a dry run ahead of their opening, they invite three old university friends and their families for a long-needed reunion. But the festivities soon go awry as tensions arise between the children (and subsequently their parents), explosive secrets come to light, and a sudden storm moves in, cutting them off from help as one in the group disappears.

Moving between the police investigation, a hospital room, and the catastrophic weekend, The Search Party is a propulsive and twisty destination thriller about the tenuous bonds of friendship and the lengths parents will go to protect their children—perfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley.

My Thoughts & Opinions

The Search Party turned out to be a big surprise. I wasn’t expecting much, but the novel turned out to be a page turner.

There are numerous characters, and I found it very helpful to familiarize myself with the cast of characters outlined in the front pages of the novel. That being said, the characters became fully developed, distinct, and engaging.

The story unfolds through multiple points of view over the course of a holiday weekend. It starts with a “hook” and continues with mini cliffhangers in between chapters. I got thoroughly immersed in the story as there were numerous plot twists and sub stories that revealed secrets hidden for years.

A thoroughly engaging novel, The Search Party is well worth a read. If author, Hannah Richell isn’t on your radar, she should be. The Search Party garners five outstanding stars from me.

I was invited to read a DRC from Atria Books through Edelweiss+. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Big Sister, Long Coat

On By cyireadbooksIn Children's FictionLeave a comment
  • Publisher: NorthSouth Books
  • Publication Date: March 5, 2024
  • Author: Nelly Buchet
  • Genre: Children’s Fiction
  • Page Count: 40

Rating: 3 out of 5.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Big Sister, Long Coat is a cute story about sisterhood. It wasn’t a fun read, and it was pretty solemn. I’m not sure if that’s how it was supposed to be — somewhat serious, without rhymes, and humorless.

The illustrations were a little amateurish and could use some bright and fun colors to liven up the atmosphere. As it stands, the illustrations were a little depressing in my opinion.

Overall, Big Sister, Long Coat was a sweet story, but not something that I would want to read to my granddaughters or daughters. Three stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: The Heiress

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & Thrillers2 Comments
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
  • Publication Date: January 9, 2024
  • Author: Rachel Hawkins
  • Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
  • Page Count: 304

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she’s not only North Carolina’s richest woman, she’s also its most notorious. The victim of a famous kidnapping as a child and a widow four times over, Ruby ruled the tiny town of Tavistock from Ashby House, her family’s estate high in the Blue Ridge mountains. In the aftermath of her death, that estate—along with a nine-figure fortune and the complicated legacy of being a McTavish—pass to her adopted son, Camden.

But to everyone’s surprise, Cam wants little to do with the house or the money—and even less to do with the surviving McTavishes. Instead, he rejects his inheritance, settling into a normal life as an English teacher in Colorado and marrying Jules, a woman just as eager to escape her own messy past.

Ten years later, Camden is a McTavish in name only, but a summons in the wake of his uncle’s death brings him and Jules back into the family fold at Ashby House. Its views are just as stunning as ever, its rooms just as elegant, but coming home reminds Cam why he was so quick to leave in the first place.

Jules, however, has other ideas, and the more she learns about Cam’s estranged family—and the twisted secrets they keep—the more determined she is for her husband to claim everything Ruby once intended for him to have.

But Ruby’s plans were always more complicated than they appeared. As Ashby House tightens its grip on Jules and Camden, questions about the infamous heiress come to light. Was there any truth to the persistent rumors following her disappearance as a girl? What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what’s written in a will—and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Initially, I didn’t quite understand the narrative and I got a bit confused at the ending. Then, in the middle of the night after mulling over the finale, that “Aha” moment happened. What started out to be a four star review has now evolved into something much better.

There are quite a number of characters. And in true Hawkins’ style, her characters are enigmatic and engaging. I did get a little lost on the relationships between the characters, but that confusion disipated as soon as I put some added thought into the family tree. Having done that, the novel became an immersive read.

The story unfolds through multiple points of view and dual timelines. Full of plot twists and mini cliffhangers between chapters, the narrative kept me on my toes and guessing till the end. The Heiress was a complex novel as it involved multiple characters, timelines, and plot lines. But after pondering the finale and encountering that “aha” moment, The Heiress became a rewarding mystery worthy of five solid stars.

I received a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: Broadcast Blues

On By cyireadbooksIn Mystery & ThrillersLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
  • Publication Date: January 2, 2024
  • Author: R. G. Belsky
  • Genre: Mystery & Thriller
  • Page Count: 320

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

Wendy Kyle took secrets to her grave—now, Clare Carlson is digging them up

New York City has no shortage of crime, making for a busy schedule for TV newswoman Clare Carlson. But not all crimes are created equal, and when an explosive planted in a car detonates and kills a woman, Clare knows it’ll be a huge story for her.

But it’s not only about the story—Clare also wants justice for the victim, Wendy Kyle. Wendy had sparked controversy as an NYPD officer, ultimately getting kicked off the force after making sexual harassment allegations and getting into a physical altercation with her boss. Then, she started a private investigations business, catering to women who suspected their husbands of cheating. Undoubtedly, Wendy had angered many people with her work, so the list of her suspected murderers is seemingly endless.

Despite the daunting investigation, Clare dives in headfirst. As she digs deeper, she attracts the attention of many rich and powerful people who will stop at nothing to keep her from breaking the truth about the death of Wendy Kyle—and exposing their personal secrets that Wendy took to her grave.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Broadcast Blues is the sixth installment of the Clare Carlson series. But it is possible to read it as a standalone novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this whodunit from a journalist’s point of view. It was different from the standard detective angle and the pacing was faster than a cozy mystery.

The main character, Clare Carlson, is the News Director at Channel 10 News. And she’s just a spitfire of a character. Her unrelenting quest for justice really shines and not only was she steadfast in her investigations, she had the personality to match — full of spunk and snark. I loved her wry sense of humor and she had a supporting cast and crew to complement her in every way. What’s surprising is that the author notes that her characters were based on real-life people that she worked with as a journalist. That tidbit just added a different dimension to an already fully developed cast of characters.

The plot contains numerous twists which kept me guessing until the end. But it wasn’t that surprising once all the evidence was gathered and laid out in a methodical manner.

Overall, Broadcast Blues was an enjoyable, suspenseful, and entertaining read. I will certainly want to read more from this author. Five stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from Oceanview Publishing through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: If Love Could Kill

On By cyireadbooksIn Health, Mind & Body, Non Fiction (Adult), Parenting & FamiliesLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor
  • Publication Date: February 6, 2024
  • Author: Anna Motz
  • Genre: Health, Mind & Body | Nonfiction | Parenting & Families
  • Page Count: 272

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Review

If Love Could Kill is a collection of 10 case files of women involved in violent acts that the author was involved in. The book provides a psychoanalysis of each of the 10 women and the why’s for their propensity toward violence.

Cases were varied and included psychological disorders such as Munchausen’s Syndrome, Self Mutilation, and Erotomania, among others. But in the end it all comes down to the vicious cycle of the abused becoming the abuser after an endless cycle of violence.

I didn’t particularly care for the book inasmuch as I was probably expecting more of a true crime type narrative. Instead, I felt like a student in a case studies class analyzing symptoms, dysfuctions, and therapies.

The book eventually becomes a platform for the author promoting her political beliefs and reforms. Something that I didn’t need to read about. Two okay stars.

I received a DRC from Knopf, Pantheon through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Book Review: The Mud Monster

On By cyireadbooksIn Children's Fiction, Parenting & FamiliesLeave a comment
  • Publisher: BooksGoSocial
  • Publication Date: September 23, 2023
  • Authors: Jay Allen, Bill Taylor
  • Genre: Children’s Fiction | Parenting & Families
  • Page Count: 36

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

Imagine you are alone in the woods searching for a lost ball, with rumors of a Mud Monster lurking in large mud holes around you.

In the adventurous and funny children’s book, The Mud Monster, Bullwrinkle the young Shar Pei finds himself in a sticky situation.

And what about The Mud Monster himself? Is he real or created in someone’s overactive imagination?

But as Bullwrinkle goes against his mother’s rules by entering the woods alone, he discovers the muddy consequences of his actions.

Your kids will laugh out loud at Bullwrinkle’s hilarious antics to find the lost ball, while they learn the importance of following family rules.

My Thoughts & Opinions

The Mud Monster is a cute and education story geared towards children ages 3 – 8. In it, your child will learn two “grown up” words such as imagination and stubborn. And what better way to instill learning new vocabulary than with adorable illustrations and a story that also teaches family values such as respect and honor.

The characters are fun and are portrayed by family friendly pets like a Newfoundland, Labrador Retriever, and of course the star — a Shar Pei named Bullwrinkle.

A wonderful, fun and entertaining read, The Mud Monster is sure to please any pre-schooler. Five adorable stars.

I received a DRC from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Review: Mercury

On By cyireadbooksIn General Fiction (Adult), Womens FictionLeave a comment
  • Publisher: Celadon Books
  • Publication Date: 1/2/24
  • Author: Amy Jo Burns
  • Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Women’s Fiction
  • Page Count: 336

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Review

Mercury is the rural hometown to the Joseph family, where Mick and Elise own and operate a roofing company. Their three sons, Baylor, Waylon, and Shay help with the family business when they can. But when Marley West and her mom Ruth arrive into town, sibling rivalry and jealously threaten to upend the Joseph’s family dynamics. And will it be for the best or worse?

I really enjoyed Mercury. The novel was a little depressing at times as it portrayed a rural family struggling to make ends meet while also dealing with modern/contemporary issues such as PTSD, gay relationships, and dementia. It is not a light read due to the subject matter. And as a family drama, it did get a little intense at times. With numerous plot twists that unfold over multiple timelines, Mercury kept me engaged and captured till the end.

The characters are well developed and genuinely portray a rural family of the 90’s. I liked all of the characters as they all added flavor and color to the narrative. But it is the main character of Marley that really made the story come to life. I watched Marley grow from dependent teenager, to loving mother and wife, and into an independent, strong businesswoman that persevered through thick and thin.

Overall, Mercury was an excellent family drama well deserving of five solid stars.

I received a DRC and ARC from Celadon Books through NetGalley and the Bookish First Raffle. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.