The Truth About Alice- Jennifer Mathieu Review

Hello all, 

Today I'm reviewing a book that I went in with high expectations and soon found myself doubting the YouTubers who recommended it. More to follow: 

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Winner of the Children's Choice Book Awards' Teen Choice Debut Author Award

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party. When Healy High star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car crash, it was because he was sexting with Alice. Ask anybody.

Rumor has it Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the "slut stall" in the girls' bathroom: "Alice had sex in exchange for math test answers" and "Alice got an abortion last semester." After Brandon dies, the rumors start to spiral out of control. In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students tell all they "know" about Alice-and in doing so reveal their own secrets and motivations, painting a raw look at the realities of teen life. But in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.

This title has Common Core connections.

4/5 Stars

I'm not sure if I went into this book thinking it would be more than what it was. It was artistic and it felt like it could have been taken out of the minds of a group of American teenagers. Only I didn't find myself understanding where the story arc was or how this would proceed. I kept waiting for the moment to hit me. I felt like we were climbing the hill and then got that 'ah' moment. I was left feeling disappointed however the book kept the four stars due to its easy read and relatable characters. I would have loved to see this book do more. I would love to know your thoughts. 

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON UK

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON US

CLICK HERE FOR GOODREADS 

Thank you for stopping by. 

Kristal 

Fatal Identity (Book 10 Fatal Series) By Marie Force Review

Hello all,

Another suspense-filled novel that will have us in the Halloween mood. I hope that this will be on your reading list this holiday season.

Fatal Identity By Marie's Force

Every family has its secrets...

As the first anniversary of her marriage to Vice President Nick Cappuano approaches, Lieutenant Sam Holland is dreaming of Bora Bora--sun, sand and a desperately needed break from the DC grind. But real life has a way of intervening, and Sam soon finds herself taking on one of the most perplexing cases of her career.

Government worker Josh Hamilton begs Sam to investigate his shocking claim that his parents stole him from another family thirty years ago. More complicated still, his "father" is none other than the FBI director. When a member of Josh's family is brutally murdered, Sam begins to question how deep this cover-up goes. Is it possible the revered director was part of a baby-napping ring and that others involved are also targets?

With a killer intent on deadly revenge and her team still reeling from a devastating loss, Sam's plate is full--and when Nick and their son, Scotty, take ill, is her dream of a tropical anniversary celebration in peril too?

5/5 Star Review

So this wasn't quite I was expecting considering that I'm used to having Sam and Nick dominate the books that have filled these series with some of them being able to show off the other characters stories. This book caught me off guard with how much of the supporting characters of this book were able to take the spotlight. There was a smaller level of danger to Nick and Sam, however, it was the other characters that kept this book moving. That made this book emotional for those reading it and got me invested in what was going to happen. 

I can't say too much or I'll spoil this book and that is something that I just can't do. It's a book that has so much to offer the series, but be prepared for Nick and Sam to take a backseat. The five stars came from the level of angst from the other characters, the boiling 'oh no' elements that made the suspense fulfilling. 

Its another great book from Marie Force. 

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON US

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON UK

CLICK HERE FOR GOODREADS

Thank you for stopping by and hope that you check back with us soon for more reviews. 

Kristal McKerrington 

Christmas At Cade Ranch - Karen Rock Review

Hello all, 

Some early Christmas cheer for you. I recommend this before the holidays roll around. Its a must have! I want to thank Karen Rock for giving me the honour of letting me review this great book for her. I can't shout enough from the rooftops about how great she is. So check out her review and tell me what you think!

Christmas At Cade Ranch- Karen Rock

James Cade has one priority: keep the family ranch running smoothly in the wake of his younger brother's death. With Jesse's ex, Sofia Gallardo, and her young son, Javi, stranded at Cade Ranch over Christmas, this task just got a lot harder. The longer Sofia and Javi stay, the harder it is to imagine the ranch without them. James couldn't save his brother from his inner demons, but he can give his nephew a secure future. Maybe more—if he can figure out how to trust Sofia, and stop feeling like he's betraying Jesse. Because trying to stop thinking about beautiful, determined Sofia is impossible.

5/5  Stars

Review

From the outset this book gripped me and held me from start to finish. The emotional story of Sofia was one that wasn't easy to forget and the desire to see Javi happy pulled at my heartstrings. I was dying to see how this played out and couldn't wait until the end. I was totally blown away by what came at the end and the hurdles that James has to overcome with the help of Sofia is enough to make anyone fall for cowboys. I have to say I found myself wondering about these great characters. 

There is nothing not to love in this book and there are so many people that will be touched by this story. It's not just a great romance, grief, tear jerker but a super warm and desirable one. Please find the buy links below and know that you will be filled with more of the Christmas spirit than before. 

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON US
CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON UK
CLICK HERE FOR GOODREADS 

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope that you will agree with me about how wonderful it is. 

Kristal McKerrington 

Rattle (DS Fitzroy 1) By Fiona Cummins Review

Hello All, 

I'm getting to the last of the books I completed in hospital. I have to say this one was one that I couldn't put down. This isn't my genre but stumbling on it I decided to give it a shot and I fell in love with Fiona Cummins. Anyway wait till you see what I think and maybe it might get you to give this author a chance. 

Rattle 

By

Fiona Cummins

'It's a rare debut that has this much polish. Harrowing and horrifying, head and shoulders above most of the competition' - Val McDermid

A serial killer to chill your bones

A psychopath more frightening than Hannibal Lecter.

He has planned well. He leads two lives. In one he's just like anyone else. But in the other he is the caretaker of his family's macabre museum.

Now the time has come to add to his collection. He is ready to feed his obsession, and he is on the hunt.

Jakey Frith and Clara Foyle have something in common. They have what he needs.

What begins is a terrifying cat-and-mouse game between the sinister collector, Jakey's father and Etta Fitzroy, a troubled detective investigating a spate of abductions.

Set in London's Blackheath, Rattle by Fiona Cummins explores the seam of darkness that runs through us all; the struggle between light and shadow, redemption and revenge.

It is a glimpse into the mind of a sinister psychopath. And it's also a story about not giving up hope when it seems that all hope is already lost.

Review - 5/5

I have to say that first off the title says it all!

"Rattle" my bones it did and it was so well put together that I was surprised to find myself falling in love with something I usually don't read. This gave me a moment to pause as I found myself unable to put it down and how I found myself pulling for the little children in this book. The setting of a hospital was also something that made me bite my lip a lot. Might want to read this on Halloween as its a great one to get you nervous and your stomach doing all sort of things. 

I have to say that the set up for the second novel was perfectly done and this book will rival the works of Rachel Caine who released "Stillhouse Lake". I look forward to seeing how she develops this going forward. 

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON UK
CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON US
CLICK HERE FOR GOODREADS

Thank you for stopping by to check out my thoughts on this great series that still has me tingling. 

Kristal McKerrington 

Stillhouse Lake By Rachel Caine Review

Hello all, 

So I have to say that I enjoyed this book greatly and the fact I have been a supporter of Rachel Caine has nothing to do with it. She is a wonderful author and her work has stood out strong against the great material that is coming out in this genre. I think this could be bigger than people give it credit for. 

Stillhouse Lake 

By

Rachel Caine

Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.

Review 

5/5

Chilling and well worth reading as I held my breath at several points. I have to say I fell in love with the characters in this book and wanted nothing more than to root for them. Rachel Caine hid the murder well right up to the last second. I have to say I fell in love with how she made the puzzle pieces to slip together. I have to say that I'm honoured to have read this book and seen how her writing has gone so well, easily from Young Adult Fantasy to this genre. 

There is nothing I found wrong with this book at all and that is rare for me. It was what I needed when sitting in the hospital and it got me out of my reading slump. I have to say that I can't wait to see what else these series have to offer. I pre-ordered this one as I can't wait to see the next piece of the journey. 

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON US
CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON UK
CLICK HERE FOR GOODREADS

Thank you for stopping by and I can't wait to see what your thoughts are on this book. 

Kristal McKerrington 

Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars #1) by Sara Shepard Review

Hello All 

So I might be 15 books behind schedule for my reading challenge this year, however, I can't wait to share my thoughts on the three books I was able to read in the past month. 

Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars #1)

by Sara Shepard 

In the exclusive Philadelphia suburb of Rosewood, Alison is the Queen Bee of her elite seventh grade hive. BFs Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily vie for her attention, even as each of them hides a hideous secret only Alison knows. So when Alison goes missing after a slumber party, never to be seen again, each girl is heartbroken, but also a little relieved. Now it is three years later, and though the four girls have grown apart, they are each still hiding something. Artsy Aria is carrying on an affair with one of her teachers, fashionista Hanna shoplifts to accessorize her trendy outfits, blue-blood Spencer is sleeping with her older sister’s boyfriend, while straight-A Emily is trying to ignore her attraction to a new female classmate. When the girls begin receiving threatening text messages and emails that from someone known only as "A," they must confront the fact that against all odds, it appears Alison is back. Could Alison still be alive? And if so, why is she so determined to uncover all their dirty little secrets?

Review 

5/5

From the outset its just a great thriller for Young Adult readers out there who is looking to get into the genre without getting something to gorely or hard to read. I can see why this did well as its capturing all the elements of what teenagers went through at High School and also tackles what some teenagers have I suspected gone through in the United States when they have lost friends. 

This is a great drama that I have to say I was finding myself unable to stop reading. Its not the same as the show which I sort of enjoyed. I have found myself far more interested in seeing what the rest of Sara's series is like. Check back with me to see how I get on with the rest of it. I can't wait to share my thoughts. 

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON US
CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON UK
CLICK HERE FOR GOODREADS

Thank you for stopping by and check back for more reviews. 

Kristal McKerrington