Book Review: The Memory of Us by Claire Raye

 The Memory of Us by Claire Raye

contemporary romance

Kindle edition/346 pages

Quote: " Sometimes there is more said through silence than you can ever say with words."~ Nora

From the Cover:

Twelve hours was all they spent together, but to them, it meant everything.

Nora and Elliot's meeting was predetermined. They both believed that wholeheartedly. It was fate. No last names, no identifying information, only an all consuming need to be near each other and the belief in falling hopelessly in love with a stranger. But circumstances beyond their control separated them, and twelve years later, they're still searching.

Apart, they're broken, and they won't give up until they find each other.

But, what if they never do?

My Review:

I'll be honest. I don't read a ton of romance, but when I do get in the mood, it better grab me from the beginning. 

This one definitely did! I immediately got pulled into the young, love at first sight story. 

Nora didn't even want to be there, and Elliot only came to make an appearance, and leave.

But, fate brought them together...for twelve hours.

Nora has to go back home, and neither of them realize how fast things can change.

This book is full of loving and longing. Spending so much time living with unanswered questions. What happened that morning? Where is the other one now? Will they ever find each other, and what will happen if they do?

I enjoyed the back and forth of this story.  I love books where the chapters go from one person to the next with their point of view. Like two sides of the story. It was so well written and constantly had me rooting for them to find each other, and grumbling at their missed chances!

Through twelve years of, well, life, their stories never stray too far from what could've been.

Maybe, we all have a story somewhere in us, like that. Maybe, that's what draws readers in to this book.

Or, maybe I'm just a sucker for a fantastic love story.

I gave this book 5 stars!

Also, Claire Raye has a ton of series, mostly new adult types.

I may be adding more of her books to my list soon.

If you'd like a new physical copy of The Memory of Us, click HERE or a used copy, HERE

I hope you enjoyed this review. Happy Reading!

National Write Your Story Day!

 Hey!
Okay, I know it has been too long since I've gotten around to writing and posting. No excuse, it's just life.
Maybe, one day, I'll get around to writing my story. 
Which brings me to today's post! 

It is National Write Your Story Day!

Technically, it's tomorrow.

I absolutely love reading memoirs or autobiographies. I have always been fascinated with learning about other people and the lives they've lived.

I love learning all the good, bad, and ugly of what makes a person who they are, or were.

We can learn so much from a person's history. 

Speaking of history, this is also how I have learned so much about different times, events, places, and so many things in general that I otherwise would never have known about.

For example; the first time I read anything about munchausen by proxy was from reading
  Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood by Julie Gregory
This was long before the Gypsy Rose Blanchard story. 

In the book,  I Am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby  I learned about a whole religion that I'd never even heard before.

Fun fact: Did you know that Sissy Spacek's husband Jack Fisk was best friend's with Bill Paxton(Twister)? I didn't!

Until, I read her memoir My Extraordinary Ordinary Life

If you're anything like me, and love learning about the lives of others, here is a list of 20+ memoirs that I have read.

Memoirs I've enjoyed!

I hope you'll read one or a few, and please send me your favorites!

What is your favorite memoir?

Do you prefer ones about famous people, or more of the unknowns? I think I'm torn on that one. At least, I don't prefer one over the other. I'd read them all! 

Morning ramblings of my simple life.

 Today, I'm reminded of how blessed I am.

It started with a picture that was posted on Facebook of this perfect, white farmhouse, long gravel drive, gorgeous sunset in the background, and wildflowers for miles.

"Picture perfect"!

My first thought was, "Wow! I'd love to live there! It's perfect!"

Then God whispered,

"What's wrong with the house I gave you?"

That got me! I needed that. There is nothing wrong with my house, and there are a million things I'd change about it. Does that make sense?

If I'd had the time, money, opportunity, and space to build my dream house, would I be happier? Truly?

No, I'd still find things I did wrong, or want to change. It would never be the perfect house or property.

But, I can work on the house I have, and the home I'm creating. My home is my family. The people that I share this house with. None of us are perfect. Some things about us will never change. Just like this old house. We just keep working on what we can on the bad days, and enjoy the blessings on the good days.

We have room to work, grow, and play. We're safe and warm. There's food, hot water, electric, and comfy seats.

I just needed to be reminded of how blessed I really am.

I have a hardworking husband, loud kids, muddy animals, and sticky floors. 

We squall and bicker, we hug and kiss. We laugh, and love, and cry, and pray.

We work hard daily on a house that will never be perfect. We have unfinished projects, and things that just have to wait.

Our floors don't match, and I hate that they're fake wood. The rooms are too small. The yard is so rocky. The basement is old and creepy. The closets are wonky. The drive needs new gravel and the walls need painted. 

But, there are tons of windows to let in the sun and breeze. The animals and kids have room to run and play. I can watch the backyard while I'm in the kitchen. I can enjoy my coffee and read while sitting at the bar. I can relax with my family and snuggle together. We can have cook-outs, parties, and sit around the fire pit. I have my garden and my chickens. I can holler at my neighbor if I need anything.

A simple life, isn't always simple, and it will never be perfect.

So, it's nice to see the aesthetically pleasing photos of "the perfect place", those magazine worthy homesteads, but don't forget to appreciate the place you're at.

I'll probably always have a love/hate relationship with my house, but I'll appreciate it a little more today and be thankful I have a home!

Proverbs 16:20

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Grieving My Mother

 

My Momma

I know I've been away for a while, and I have tried to start this post several times. It just wasn't time, and I wasn't ready.

I'm not sure that I am now, but I just need to write something. I feel I need to push myself to be able to type the words.

On November 22, just after noon, my mother passed away suddenly.

Every time I say those words, it feels so odd. So surreal. How can this be true? I don't know this reality. I don't know myself without my Momma. Every day is a new challenge.

The memories, the missed phone calls, the plans we'll never finish. Some days it is just too much. I have to take it in bits. Push down the lump in my throat and push through. How do I just go on? How do I keep going and find normal?

My mother was one of the most selfless people I have ever known. She literally lived her life for others and taking care of everyone she loved. She never said no to anything anyone needed. Even when she was tired, or sick, or didn't have the extra time or money. She would say, "Sure!" and make it happen.

She strived to keep her family close. Every birthday, holiday, special event. She was our planner and coordinator. She would make sure everyone was included and felt loved and accepted, no matter what.

Her pure love and acceptance of everyone was by far one of her most memorable qualities. My mother did not have an easy life. She had many trials, and heartbreaks, but she taught us to always be reminded of how blessed we were. How loved we were, and that God is always with us. Her love for and serving the Lord was her biggest accomplishment. I know one day we will be together again, and that is my comfort on days I struggle with her not being here.

I love you so much, Momma.

Book Review: The Moonshiner's Daughter by Donna Everhart

 The Moonshiner's Daughter:

A Southern Coming-of-age Saga of Family and Loyalty

by

Donna Everhart

Southern Historical fiction

Young Adult

Kindle edition/368 pages

Quote: "I ain't likely to take up something I hate, Merritt. No matter how good the money is. I might as well go out and be a prostitute, or something."~ Jessie Sasser

From the Cover:

Set in North Carolina in 1960 and brimming with authenticity and grit, The Moonshiner's Daughter evokes the singular life of sixteen-year-old, Jessie Sasser, a young woman determined to escape her family's past...

Generations of Sasser's have made moonshine in the Brushy Mountains of Wilkes County, North Carolina. Their history is recorded in a leather-bound journal, that belongs to Jessie Sasser's daddy, but Jessie wants no part in it. As far as she's concerned, moonshine caused her mother's death a dozen years ago.

My Review:

The Moonshiner's Daughter

The first time this book popped up on my Goodreads recommendations, I knew I had to read it!

I haven't read any of Donna Everhart's books, but this probably won't be my last.

I'm a sucker for anything Southern set, and the vivid characters Everhart has created makes them ones you won't easily forget.

From the beginning we see Jessie, a teenager struggling with so much already, in her young years.

At age four, she witnessed her mother die in a horrible accident. Now, with only her father and brother close, she struggles with feeling unheard, unappreciated, an eating disorder, trying to find her true friends, and learn who she is. All the while, having to hide what her family truly does.

Jessie has always felt moon shining was bad in every way. She's seen it kill her mother, make her uncle a mean alcoholic, who is also greedy. It has cost her brother his baseball career, her father put in jail, and caused violent tension between them and the neighbors.

Through most of this book, I wanted to cry for her, or scream at her to RUN!

She starts out with such strong convictions. Her reasoning is completely valid, and although she has typical(at not so) teenage problems, she seems to be unwavering on the issue of bootlegging.

By the last few chapters, I was ready to through the book, literally!

The story just seems to make a wide U-turn, and completely throw me off.

I won't say too much, but the ending was completely unexpected!

As a whole, the book was beautifully written. At times, I felt I was inside Jessie's world. To me, that makes a great book.

I did only give this one 3 stars. I just felt the end was sort of too unbelievable. Maybe, it just wasn't what I would have chosen, or how I would have ended Jessie's story.

I hope you enjoy this review.

Let me know if you've read this one, or any of Donna Everhart's other books.

Goodreads Giveaway Wins!(and future reviews)

 Goodreads Giveaways=Free Books!

Who doesn't love free books?

I have been using Goodreads Giveaways for years! I love that there are always so many listed for you to enter to win. There are print and ebook formats that you can choose from. You can narrow down your search by genre, and/or when the giveaway ends.

Or, like me, you can scan through the list and enter just about all of them. 

These books are posted/sponsored by either the author, or a publishing company;i.e. Random House.

There is no purchase necessary, and the only "rules" are agreeing to the terms of each giveaway.

For example, you must give your mailing address if you win a physical book in order for it to be sent to you.

You must agree to Goodreads terms and conditions, which basically says you cannot hold them responsible for anything. Once you enter the giveaway, it is solely under the author or publisher's terms and agreement.

I'm pretty sure we've all read similar before, but it is always a good idea to read through the rules, and make sure you understand them.

Goodreads has been such a wonderful website that supports all types of authors, readers, and reviewers. I have never had any issues with receiving a book I have won. I will add, there have been times, it has taken over a month to receive the book (physical), but, honestly, it's a free book!

I'm sure you have something to read while you wait. 

Each giveaway will show how many copies of that book are available to win. That can be anywhere from 1 to 100. It all depends on who is posting the giveaway. Usually, it will also show how many entries there are for each giveaway.

I will say, I have won a book where there were only 20 copies available, and maybe 2,000 entries.

I've also lost when there were 100 copies and only about 900 entries. It's all about luck.

My advice is to look through them often, and enter as many as you want.

Here are the 4 that I have won just in the last two months!

Hereafter: The Telling Life of Ellen O'Hara by Vona Groarke

Description:

(copied from Bookshop.org)

A lyrical portrait of a young Irish woman reinventing herself at the turn of the twentieth century in America

Ellen O'Hara was a young immigrant from Ireland at the end of the nineteenth century who, with courage and resilience, made a life for herself in New York while financially supporting those at home. Hereafter is her story, told by Vona Groarke, her descendant, in a beautiful blend of poetry, prose, and history.

The Nurse's Secret by Amanda Skenandore

Description:

(copied from Bookshop.org)

A thrilling historical novel of the dark side of gilded age New York City.

Based on Florence Nightingale's nursing principles, Bellevue is the first school of its kind in the country. Where once nurses were assumed to be ignorant and unskilled, Bellevue prizes discipline, intellect, and moral character, and only young women of good breeding need apply. At first, Una balks at her prim classmates and the doctors' endless commands. Yet life on the streets has prepared her for the horrors of injury and disease found on the wards, and she slowly gains friendship and self-respect.

Just as she finds her footing, Una's suspicions about a patient's death put her at risk of exposure, and will force her to choose between her instinct for self-preservation, and exposing her identity in order to save others.

On the Way to Christmas:Three Stories by Sheila Roberts, Melissa Ferguson, and Amy Clipston

Description:

(copied from Bookshop.org)

A Christmas Do-Over by Sheila Roberts

Darby doesn't want to go home for the holidays, but a career fail sends her slinking back to the small town she always wanted to escape. No one there is especially glad to see the former mean girl--especially not her sister, Erica, or childhood best friend, Gregory. Darby is working hard to be a better person, but has she eaten enough humble pie to make amends?

Dashing Through the Snow by Melissa Ferguson

When Willow's boyfriend of seven years dumps her on the eve of a romantic getaway, she decides to take the two-week train trip on The Christmas Express alone. Hurt as she feels, she can't anticipate how the hilarious rebound ride with conductor Oliver, elf Ian, and aging world adventurer Clarence will heal her heart--and renew her sense of worth.

A Perfectly Splendid Christmas by Amy Clipston

Kacey adores the metropolitan life, but when she gets away to help her sister during a family crisis and run her bakery, she falls in love with former classmate Drew. The problem: he's a small-town man, and she's a big-city woman. Is their love big enough to overcome such a major difference?

More Than You Can See: A Mother's Memoir by Barbara Rubin

Description:

(copied from Bookshop.org)

Barbara Rubin writes this story of joy and sorrow mixed with humor and rage as both mother and advocate for her daughter Jenn. In this role, she witnessed firsthand the battles that come when a person is the most vulnerable, but she also saw the gift of human kindness and the difference it can make in another person's life. She hopes that her journey, lived through her daughter's injury, will help others understand the lessons that can be learned from tolerance and will give hope to families whose paths have also been darkened by tragedy. This is her first book. Barbara resides in Washington Crossing, PA.

Wow! I don't know which one to read first!

Each one appeals to me for different reasons.

I'm always a sucker for a good memoir, or historical fiction based on fact. On the other hand, maybe a cozy holiday book soon would work. Ah!

Help me choose!

Which one should I read first?

Watch for the reviews of these books later, too.

Have you entered any book giveaways lately?

Have you won any? I'd love to know!

Book Review: The Locked Door by Freida McFadden

 The Locked Door

by
Freida McFadden

Psychological thriller

audiobook/ 8 hours

Quote:" Dad always says that If you're going to do something wrong, at least be smart enough not to let anyone see you do it."

From the cover:

Some doors are locked for a reason...

While eleven-year-old Nora Davis was up in her bedroom doing homework, she had no idea her father was killing women in the basement.

Until the day the police arrived at their front door. 

Decades later, Nora's father is spending his life behind bars, and Nora is a successful surgeon with a quiet, solitary existence.

Nobody knows her father was a notorious serial killer. And she intends to keep it that way.

Then Nora discovers one of her young female patients has been murdered. In the same unique and horrific manner that her father used to kill his victims. 

Somebody knows who Nora is. Somebody wants her to take the fall for this unthinkable crime. But she's not a killer like her father. The police can't pin anything on her.

As long as they don't look in her basement...

My Review:

This is my fourth read by Freida McFadden. I so wanted to love this book as much as the first 3 I've read. Sadly, I did not.

The book started out pretty well, and I'll even say had good bones, but somehow it just fell short of my expectations.

I almost felt like this book was made in haste, possibly falling into the quantity over quality trap.

For me, Nora just seemed a tad off. Not in a daughter of a serial killer way, but off as in the writer never really figured out who she was supposed to be.

She seems to have had, at one time, similar traits to her father, but then insists she is nothing like him.

She cannot remember her ex-boyfriend, or why she broke up with him years ago, yet she feels safe enough to hop in the sack after their second meeting.

Furthermore, she makes reference over and over to her father's type, yet never mentions any similarities in the one around her with those features.

I loved the idea this story had going, but there were just too many times I was going, "What? That makes no sense!" 

Right up until the very end.

For the record, I will definitely continue reading McFadden's books! Everyone can have an off project.

It wasn't my favorite, but for the sake of author's name, the idea of the story, and a few well played scenes, I'm giving,The Locked Door a 3-star rating.

Fall Book List for Kids!

Fall Book List 

for kids

The first day of Autumn, already? It's hit right on time here in Ohio! 92F yesterday, and 70F today. Sounds about right. Honestly, I'm always one that desperately clings to every last scorching heat wave, and holding out for a big crazy storm. We got a fairly good downpour for about 10 minutes yesterday. And...then, nothing.

I really do enjoy Fall, I just never seem to look forward to Summer ending. All three of my daughters, on the other hand, are pulling out hoodies, decorations, and pumpkin spice latte recipes before Labor Day. It does give me a chuckle and help my mood. I crochet little pumpkins with cinnamon sticks down in them, and they are rapidly taking over our decor!

I also homeschool my youngest, so constantly having a reading list is always on the forefront.

This seems to be the time that we stockpile our books and prepare for long days of binge reading.

(No complaints from me!)

We seem to acquire books from a little bit of everywhere. We have them gifted or given, we do a ton of library trips, thrift stores, and Thriftbooks which is actually having a great sale on children and YA books. Buy any 3, and get 1 free. Plus free shipping! I've also recently found BookOutlet, and they have pretty awesome prices. 

No matter how you get your books, Autumn has such a diversity of book choices. It's a great time to incorporate learning and lessons throughout the season. There is gardening/harvesting, nature changing, animal habits and environments, books about giving, celebrating, tons full of Fall recipes to learn and share.

I feel it is a great opportunity to get children interested in reading. There are so many choices to find their interests.

We like to have a little of everything. Here is a list I've put together. Some we have read, others are going on our list.

Fall Book List

for kids

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger

Look! It's the Candycorn by Danielle McLean

The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Sonali Fry

Run, Turkey, Run by Diane Mayr

Friendsgiving by Nancy Siscoe

The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing

We're Going on a Goon Hunt by Michael Rex

How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor

Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy by Lisa Wheeler

Turkey Bowl by Phil Bildner

The Great Pumpkin Contest by Angie Rozelaar

Over the River and through the Wood by Emma Randall

Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo

Gobble Up, Snoopy! by Charles M. Schulz

Thanksgiving at Our house by P.K. Hallinan

Little Blue Truck's Halloween by Alice Schertle

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

Where Do Diggers Trick-or Treat? by Brianna Caplan Sayres

The Berenstain Bears Big Halloween Party by Mike Berenstain

Little Monster(Ten Minutes to bed) by Rhiannon Fielding

There's a Witch in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

Frankenstein Doesn't Wear Earmuffs by John Loren

Sparkleton The Haunted Woods by Calliope Glass

Popcorn by Frank Asch

The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills

Let It Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Bat! by Lucille Colandro

The Leaves on the Trees by Thom Wiley

Treemendous: Diary of a Not Yet Mighty Oak by Bridget Heos

The Pug Who wanted to be a Pumpkin by Bella Swift

On Our way Home by Sebastian Braun

Happy Halloween, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

Wow! We've listed over 30 Titles! This is a great list for Fall, Autumn, and Halloween books!

Have you read any of these? Which is your favorite? Are there any I missed? I'd love you to add them in the comments!

Happy Reading! and Happy Fall!

Book Review: Brain Damage by Freida McFadden

 Brain Damage

by 
Freida McFadden

psychological thriller/crime

Kindle edition/398 pages

Quote:" And none of that hurt. The truth is, I didn't feel it at all. What hurt is everything that came after."

Brain Damage

From the cover:

After years of hard work, Dr. Charly McKenna finally has it all. Prosperous career as a dermatologist? Check. Spacious apartment overlooking Central Park? Check. Handsome lawyer husband? Double check.

Then one night, a bullet rips through the right side of her skull, and she loses everything.

As Charly struggles to recover from her brain injury, she begins to realize that the events of that fateful night are trapped in the damaged right side of her brain. Now she must put the jigsaw pieces together to discover the identity of the man who tried to kill her...before he finishes the job he started.

My Review:

This one definitely is getting mixed reviews. Maybe, even myself included.

Personally, I think some of the reasons other readers gave it lower ratings, were the reasons I loved it.

As it is tagged a psychological thriller, I can see some being disappointed, or disagreeing with it. If it had been placed as a medical mystery, it may have been rated differently. I feel some readers felt misled from the beginning. This is the fourth book I've read by Freida McFadden, and it honestly is one of my favorites. I know I seem to say that a lot lately; especially about McFadden's books. They really do just keep drawing me in. This one definitely gets bumped up due to the medical aspects. I've always been fascinated with learning about the medical field and human biology. Brain Damage definitely gives you that. While McFadden isn't a brain surgeon, she does actually work with brain injury patients and the recovery process. She actually knows her stuff, and it shows in her writing.

This book gives you the story of a woman who is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head. It takes you through the mystery of solving the crime, but for me, it was so much more about Charly's journey through recovery. You get a behind the scenes look at the recovery process. All the stress, frustrations, repeating everything, and the struggles through memory loss. It is exhausting, mentally and physically, but Charly finally sees that it is all worth it.

Of course, no book is perfect, and there were a couple of things that I didn't agree with, but I didn't write the characters.

I will say there wasn't much suspense or thrill to the book, but I truly enjoyed the whole book.

I give it 5 stars!

Side note: A few years ago, I read  Left Neglected by Lisa Genova that I also enjoyed. These two books share the same brain injury but completely different stories. I definitely recommend checking them both out!

Book List~ Fall Vibes

Hello Fall!

How did we get here so quickly?

 Fall or Autumn here in Ohio really is a whole vibe of its own. It's the change in the air, the cooling temperature, the earthy scents, the crackling fires. The days get slower, and nights get cozier. Even our drinks change into something warmer. All of it just puts you in a whole new mood. Or at least it does for me. 

Around this time of year, I really start weeding through my stacks of books and trying to pick and plan out my reading list. I'm definitely a visual person, and book cover porn is a real thing.(Although, doing a Google search, I haven't found the right wording yet to get the type of results I wanted)*blush*

Fall book covers, and books, can be so diverse. You can find anything from an Autumn cozy romance, a creepy thriller, a spooky ghost story, a magical mystery, to a true crime.

That's really what my goal is for this list. A wide variety of Fall books to choose from. I can easily go from a cozy rom-com to something dark and full of suspense and mystery.

Do you have a specific way to choose your Fall book list? Do you prefer to stick with a theme?

I'd also love any suggestions that I don't have listed!

My Top 3 Cover pics

Whispers in Autumn by Trisha Leigh

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice

Autumn Chaos by Olena Nikitin

List of Great Autumn Cover Reads!

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin

Where We Fall by Rochelle B. Weinstein

The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny

The Sowing Season by Katie Powner

Embers on the Wind by Lisa Williamson Rosenburg

Moral Compass by Danielle Steel

Halloween Season by Lucy Snyder

A Sweet Alaskan Fall by Jennifer Snow

Pumpkin Everything by Beth LaBonte

Halloween at the Graff by Jayne Sinclair

A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong

Into Thin Air by Deborah Rogers

Dracula, My Love by Syrie James

Meet Me on Love Lane by Nina Bocci

One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker

Autumn in the Book Title List

Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet

Autumn Getaway by Jennifer Gracen

Autumn Bridge by Takashi Matsuoka

Autumn of the Grimoire by J.L. Vampa

Autumn Bones by Jaqueline Carey

Almost Autumn by Marianne Kaurin

The Autumn Murders by Robert Gott

Autumn Rose by Abigail Gibbs

Autumn Nights by Debbie Macomber

Autumn Falls by Bella Thorne

Wow! I'm so excited about all these books! Now, I have to decide which ones to read!

Which one has your favorite cover? I'd love to know if you've read any of these, or if you plan to!

I'm definitely going to do a list for children's books also, so keep checking back!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Dear Child by Romy Hausmann

 Dear Child

by
Romy Hausmann

psychological thriller/mystery/crime

audiobook/11 hours

Quote:

"We know how everything works. We have our own rules, you see. It's just that Mama forgets them sometimes. But luckily, she's got us, we remind her of them."~ Hannah

Dear Child

From the cover:

In a windowless shack in the woods, Lena's life and that of her two children follows the rules set by their captor, the father: Meals, bathroom visits, study time are strictly scheduled and meticulously observed. He protects his family from the dangers lurking in the outside world and makes sure his children will always have a mother to look after them. 

One day, Lena manages to flee- but the nightmare continues. It seems as if her tormentor wants to get back what belongs to him. And then there is the question whether she really is the woman called "Lena" who disappeared without a trace 14 years ago. The police and Lena’s family are all desperately trying to piece together a puzzle which doesn't quite seem to fit.

*SPOILER * This review may contain spoilers* SPOILER*

My Review:

I gave this book 3/5 stars. I usually don't start my reviews with the negative side, but when deciding to post a review, these 2 things kept popping up and making me hesitate and rethink the way to write it.

1. I opted for the audiobook, which lately has been hit or miss in my selections.

This one I really struggled to get into. I'm honestly not sure if it was the storyline, the audio speed, the translation, the narrators/characters, or just a combination.

There were at least 3 or 4 times that I went back a chapter or two and re-listened to see where I was in the story or if I'd missed something. It really just never gripped my attention.

I honestly didn't care for any of the characters. 

"Lena"/Jasmin seemed too day dreamy or misfocused. I didn't like her vibe from the beginning.

Hannah was too two-sided for me. One minute she's intelligent from her "study time", yet very unaware or over naive, even with the whole situation.

Lena seemed to have a very callous and selfish attitude about everything going on. The affair, the effects it had on others, etc.

Karin just seemed very disengaged throughout the whole book.

Jonathan, um, where was this kid???

I won't go on into the rest of the characters. You get the idea.

2. I instantly got Room by Emma Donoghue vibes.

I just couldn't get passed that. The alternate book cover is even almost identical. Crayon font and meant to be in a child's handwriting.

Other than how the abduction begins, there were too many similarities in the characters and situation.

Anyone who has read Room would not be able to ignore this. I kept reading to see if things ever changed directions, but almost to the end it was way too similar.

The book wasn't bad, it just wasn't what I expected and had almost zero suspense, mystery, or thrill. There was no real chase to it. Yes, the whodunnit factor was good, not great.

I definitely think I would have enjoyed the physical book better. 

I give Dear Child by Romy Hausmann 3 stars.