Tag Archives: reading

Apr11

Lil Red’s Book Club: Listen For The Lie By Amy Tintera Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Listen For The Lie By Amy Tintera Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing an excellent thriller by Amy Tintera called Listen For The Lie. This book went back and forth between the past, present day, and a true crime podcast which I really liked. It actually reminded me a bit of None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell if you have read that one before! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Listen For The Lie for domestic violence and murder. You ready? Let’s get to it!

Lucy doesn’t think she killed her best friend Savannah (Savvy), but she doesn’t know for sure. All she remembers from that night five years ago is being found in the middle of the road by a good Samaritan, injured, and covered in her best friend’s blood. The rest is a complete blank for Lucy but that’s no matter because according to everyone in her small town, she is guilty regardless of if there wasn’t enough evidence for a conviction. After Savvy’s death, Lucy hightailed it to L.A. and never looked back. But, now, she must return back to Nowhere, Texas for her grandma’s birthday. Although Lucy can’t stand her parents, she loves her grandma despite the guilt trip she laid on her to attend her party.

An eightieth birthday bash isn’t the only thing waiting for Lucy in Texas. In fact, it is everything that Lucy never wanted to happen. A popular podcast called Listen For The Lie has taken an interest in Savvy’s cold case. During the show’s first season the host, Ben, solved an unsolvable case and is looking to repeat his success in Texas. Ben is going into this experience from a neutral position. Maybe Lucy killed Savvy. Maybe she didn’t. But, if Lucy didn’t, he is determined to find out who and leaves no stone unturned.

As Ben conducts his own investigation, he talks to anyone and everyone. Lucy’s grandma, Savvy’s family, Lucy’s high school best friend, and even her monstrous ex husband. And, after some convincing and a nudge from her grandma, Ben interviews Lucy too. Lucy is not much help at first. She can’t remember a thing about Savvy’s death and she is keeping her late friend’s secrets even though it could benefit her. Then, bits and pieces of that fateful night begin to form. Fragments start out as fuzzy and in a moment of shocking clarity, she knows exactly who the guilty party is. Who is responsible for Savvy’s death? Read Listen For The Lie to find out!

I really, really enjoyed Listen For The Lie and it was a wonderful change of pace from Gone Before Goodbye, the last book I finished. While the latter moved at an often agonizing speed, Listen For The Lie was fast paced from start to finish. In fact, it was so good that I finished it in two sittings. The way this book sprinted forward, I just had to keep up with it! Listen For The Lie featured shocking twists and turns, a fascinating plot, and a huge tip of the cap to the true crime podcast fandom. I loved reading the podcast portion at the end of almost every chapter and it was a huge motivation to keep on reading!

The best part of this book, however, was Lucy herself. She is my kind of leading lady and I could not get enough of her. Lucy was sarcastic, freaking hilarious, and a take no shit kind of girl. Her attitude was that people were going to stare at her and talk about her so let them. If they think she killed her friend, let them. It had no impact on her whatsoever and her only goal was to help solve Savvy’s case, even if she ended up in jail. She was so easy to root for and while her feisty spirit was all well and good, her fleeting moments of tenderness helped solidify her as one of my favorite main characters to date. She will have you laughing out loud and cheering her on too – I just know it.

Overall, I am going to award Listen For The Lie with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This thriller was a blast and will leave you guessing whodoneit the whole way through. Highly recommend!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr7

Lil Red’s Book Club: Gone Before Goodbye By Reese Witherspoon And Harlan Coben Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Gone Before Goodbye By Reese Witherspoon And Harlan Coben Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a thriller called Gone Before Goodbye cowritten by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben. This book revolved around a top secret mission that was a definite change of pace from my normal Lifetime Movie books and it was actually pretty good! I wouldn’t say it’s the best book I ever read but it held my attention from start to finish because it was just so different from what I usually read. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Gone Before Goodbye for combat missions, graphic violence, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

Former Doctor Maggie McCabe is down on her luck big time. Her beloved husband, Marc, was killed during a humanitarian medical mission and life has been spiraling rapidly since. A pill addiction caused her to lose her license and she is currently living with her sister while they each face crippling debt. Then, an opportunity falls into her lap that is too good to say no to. Evan Barlow, her old mentor requested that he pay her a visit at his ultra luxe cosmetic surgery office so he could offer her a job. One that is a little unorthodox but it would completely eliminate her family’s debt and relieve her of her medical malpractice suit. All she has to do is go to Russia and perform surgeries on a rich and powerful man and his girlfriend, ensure their stability after surgery, and go back to America.

With no time to think about any repercussions, Maggie immediately hops a private plane to Russia to meet her new employers. Upon landing, she is taken to a remote wooded area with a sprawling palace right in the middle. The home of Oleg Ragoravich, a reclusive oligarch, and his young girlfriend, Nadia. The palace boasts priceless art, an Olympic sized pool, a garage full of dream cars, and a surgical wing straight out of Johns Hopkins. She will be performing a breast augmentation on Nadia and several facial surgeries for Oleg. While this seems questionable, Maggie is the perfect candidate. She is the best that money can buy but unlicensed and therefore her discretion for the matter at hand will be without a doubt.

The surgeries are each performed to the highest standard and then, everything goes to hell in a hand basket. As Nadia recovers, Maggie notices a mark that ties her directly to her deceased husband. And, in that moment, Oleg flees the makeshift medical facility. Security guards swarm the palace while Maggie’s head swims. Is this powerful family more connected to Maggie than she knows? Was Marc simply a casualty of war or was his death the result of something far more sinister? Read Gone Before Goodbye to find out!

Gone Before Goodbye was completely far fetched. Lol, there. I said it. Was it a lot of fun to read, though? Absolutely! This twisty novel read like a spy thriller and, although it took me a fair bit of time to get into it, I eventually was so in for the ride. Gone Before Goodbye had it all. Shocking grand reveals, a revolving door joining past and present, and secrets that would shake Maggie to her core. Maggie’s new gig put her in an impossible situation as soon as she agreed to it and when things went sideways, it was up to her to save herself.

Maggie McCabe was a formidable leading woman who had the smarts, guts, and level head of the most seasoned spy. Through the brilliant mind of a world renowned surgeon, she was able to begin putting together the puzzle she found herself in. Maggie went from seeking redemption from these surgeries to demanding answers about her husband’s death. And, she was redeemed. She went from a woman with grief permeating off of her to a bonafide badass. It didn’t matter to Maggie if this job killed her so she had nothing to lose. As the reader, all I could do was hang on tight to see what happened next!

Overall, I am going to rate Gone Before Goodbye with a six out of ten stars. I’m glad I read it in the name of trying something different but it wasn’t my favorite. This is a book you could take or leave!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar30

Lil Red’s Book Club: It’s Not Her By Mary Kubica Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: It’s Not Her By Mary Kubica Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing an excellent thriller by Mary Kubica called It’s Not Her. Although there were several parts of this book that were very hard to read, it was completely unputdownable and I finished it in three sittings. I am definitely interested in reading more by Kubica and plan on starting with Local Woman Missing as It’s Not Her was one of the best thrillers I have read all year. Before we begin, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on this book for graphic violence, sexual violence, mental health disorders, and highly disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

It’s family vacation time! Courtney and her husband Elliott and daughter Cass will be having a joint vacation with Courtney’s brother Nolan, his wife Emily, and three children named Reese, Wyatt, and Mae. Their getaway takes place in the remote woods of Wisconsin in a resort along the lake. Resort might be a far stretch for their destination as it’s pretty ramshackle but it will be home for the next few weeks. Mae and Cass are close in age and spend their days joined at the hip. The adults drink and have grown up conversations while Wyatt does whatever fourteen year old boys do. Meanwhile, Reese can be found wallowing in the misery of all of this family time until a young man named Daniel makes her do a double take.

The vacation is, indeed, in full swing. Until it gets cut short. After Cass and Mae enjoy a slumber party in Courtney and Elliott’s cabin, Mae makes her way back to her family with a belly full of pancakes and a smile on her face. A few minutes later, she runs screaming back to Courtney and Elliott’s place. Mae has discovered the deceased bodies of her mom and dad. Reese is nowhere to be found and Wyatt managed to sleep through the entire ordeal. Courtney returns to the grisly scene and it is so much worse than she could ever imagine. Her brother and sister-in-law have been slain brutally and Reese could be anywhere dead or alive.

A police investigation immediately follows and there is not much to go off of. There are no leads to point to the murderer and no traces of Reese after extensive searches. All the while, Courtney, Elliott, Wyatt, Mae, and Cass are holed up in a tiny cabin and are not allowed to leave. Courtney can not handle the stagnation and decides to do her own investigating in her determination to bring Reese home. However, the clues that she finds only incriminates those closest to her. How could Wyatt sleep through the murder of his parents? And why is there blood on her husband’s shoes? As the days drag on, Reese is nowhere closer to being found until Courtney discovers a major break in the case. Who is responsible for this terrible crime? And will Reese be alive to tell the tale? Read It’s Not Her to find out!

It’s Not Her was a wild ride from start to finish. It was harrowing, heartbreaking, and So. Freaking. Twisty! Just when I thought I had a feel for what might have happened, Mary Kubica’s expert writing pulled the rug out from under me. And it kept happening again, and again, and again. I always love when I can figure out a grand reveal. I love it even more when I can’t, though, and the final twist left me absolutely shook. It has been a few days since I finished It’s Not Her and I still can’t stop thinking about it.

I very much enjoyed Kubica’s writing style because it was so raw. She kept the punches coming rapidly and interspersed them with such tender moments that the next blow would feel even more heart wrenching. Every dead end was a kick to the gut. The agony of every passing day with Reese missing was palpable and every single Red Herring felt infuriating. It’s Not Her will leave you questioning your own ideas as to what happened with each turn of the page until you have no idea what to think. And, when you learn the truth, you will be just as shocked as me.

I am going to award It’s Not Her with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This was a dynamite introduction into Mary Kubica’s work and if her other books are anything like this, then I know I am in for a treat. Highly recommend!

What are you currently reading? Have you read any of Mary Kubica’s books? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar18

Lil Red’s Book Club: Her Last Breath By Taylor Adams Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Her Last Breath By Taylor Adams Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing an excellent thriller by Taylor Adams called Her Last Breath. I pride myself on being an amateur detective and often figure out the grand reveal in the books that I read. Not with this one! The surprise twist left me absolutely shook and kept me turning the pages at a rapid pace. This is easily one of the best thrillers I have read in months! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Her Last Breath for highly disturbing content in police cases, child abuse, and graphic violence. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Tess and Allie have been best friends since childhood and it all started with a punch to the face. In grade school, a boy was bullying Tess and Allie responded with a slug that resulted in a split lip. They were inseparable ever since. While Tess is meek and shy, Allie is a take no nonsense kind of girl. She says what’s on her mind and has an adventurous spirit. So much so that she created an empire on thrifty solo travel. Her favorite activity, though? Going caving. That’s right, exploring the depths of the earth where catastrophe can happen at any step.

Allie has finally convinced Tess to join her for a caving expedition and it is all systems go. Both women might not be as close as they were in their childhood and they consider this trip a way to make up for lost time. After a hike through the woods to get to their location, they enter the cave and are greeted by a stranger a few paces in. He claims to be from Green Ridge to evaluate bats in the cave for an infection called white nose syndrome. Then, he asks Tess and Allie if he could join them on their adventure as an unofficial guide. He is making both of them uncomfortable and Allie promptly tells him to f off and they go on their way.

There are three people in the cave and only one will make it out alive. The stranger is, of course, not with Green Ridge at all and he is on the hunt. In the depths of the cave, they meet again and all hell breaks loose. There is no way out except to return the way that they came. But that’s not necessarily true. There is another way out that has yet to be explored. A chasm called Worse Than Death with impossibly small crawl spaces that just might allow you to see daylight again. If you can fit. In the dark of the cave, everything is not what it seems and the hunted might become the hunters yet. Who will make it out on the other side? Read Her Last Breath to find out.

I have been reading a fair amount of Freida McFadden books as of late and Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams was a delicious change of pace. The plot was fascinating, the twists were insane, and it was very well written. The best part of this book though has got to be the setting. I am so used to reading books that take place on earth – not under it! The majority of Her Last Breath took place in the cave and I could literally feel the claustrophobia as I read. Caves are dangerous and one wrong step can result in injury or for the ground to shift. As Tess and Allie made their way deeper and deeper, I couldn’t help but to hold my breath. Between the darkness, tight squeezes, and a dangerous man on their tail I just knew something bad was going to happen. It was only a matter of when.

I really can’t say too much about Her Last Breath because I want you to be just as surprised as I was if you read it. Just know that you are in for a treat! Although I love being able to solve the riddles in books, I love it even more when I can’t. Taylor Adams crafted the ultimate thriller and it sounds silly but it really did thrill me. At the end of the day, books that fall under the thriller/suspense category are a dime a dozen and eventually they all start to be the same. Her Last Breath was unlike anything I have ever read before and I can’t wait to read more by Taylor Adams. I have a very good feeling about her other books!

Overall, I am going to award Her Last Breath with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This book was ingenious from start to finish and I cannot stop thinking about it!

Have you read any of Taylor Adams’ books? What did you think of them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar2

Lil Red’s Book Club: Ward D By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Ward D By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing a thriller by Freida McFadden called Ward D. Freida McFadden’s books have always fell under my “just okay” category. They are quick reads and twisty but are they mind blowing? No. Are they far fetched? Always! However, Ward D was probably one of the best books that I have read by her and landed under my “pretty good” ranking. Honestly, it’s quite a boost! Before we begin our discussion, I will be placing a trigger warning on Ward D for mental health, child abuse, disturbing content, and graphic violence. Now, let’s get to it:

Amy is a medical student and tonight she is scheduled to work and learn in Ward D, the mental health unit of the local hospital. It’s not that she’s nervous or anything. More like terrified. It will be the night shift in a locked ward with people who are potentially dangerous. Her biggest fear, though? Being mistaken for a patient as Amy has had her own share of mental health issues too. It’s safe to say that Amy has no interest in studying psychiatry further, but it’s just for one night. All she needs to do is make it through.

After being buzzed into the locked ward, Amy gets the lay of the land from Dr. Beck and nurse Ramona. It would be a relatively quiet night in Ward D but there is a glaring issue. A dangerous patient is in one of the seclusion rooms and will be transferred to a more secure setting in the morning. All of the other patients are fearful of him and have made this perfectly clear to Amy with claims that he is going to kill all of them this very night. Dr. Beck’s advice? Stay far away.

The atmosphere in Ward D is tense with patients acting out and it only gets worse. There is a ghost of Amy’s past who is also a patient tonight. Her name is Jade and she was Amy’s best friend in the world until the girls turned sixteen. Jade went from a good girl to an absolute wild child in a matter of years and put Amy into a lot of problematic situations. Some would result in a grounding or possibly a suspension from school. Others would put both girls behind bars. Since then, Amy has turned her life around and is fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor. Jade, on the other hand, has been in and out of mental health wards for the past eight years.

Between the stress of the patients and the fear that Jade might reveal Amy’s darkest secret, her own mental health begins to deteriorate swiftly. Amy begins seeing shadows, hearing animal like noises from the seclusion room, and even seeing blood on the floor. Is she hallucinating or is something far more sinister happening on Ward D? As the night continues, coworkers and patients alike seem to have simply disappeared. Amy no longer has to get through the night but survive it. Will she evade the man in the seclusion room? Or is this just all in her head? Read Ward D to find out!

One of my biggest qualms with Freida McFadden books are their lack of originality. They all read like plots of thriller books that I have read before with sloppy twists that feel like an afterthought. This, combined with the far fetched nature of her plots has always made her books lackluster for me. Ward D, however, actually read like something new and made for an unputdownable experience. I finished the book in a day! Although I figured out all of the twists and turns in Ward D, is was still a refreshing read with a plot that I was actually interested in that took place in a unique setting.

Ward D was definitely a page turner and I really liked that it all transpired in the course of one night shift. It made the situation at hand feel so much more dire because you just knew that something major was going to happen as the hours counted down. This book also flip flopped to eight years prior which gave a chance to learn more about Amy and Jade’s friendship as well as the hallucinations that Amy suffered from. These flashbacks made Amy shift into an unreliable narrator to the point that it was hard to tell what was real at all. I would never call myself a huge McFadden fan but she was onto something with Ward D!

Overall, I am going to rate Ward D with a six out of ten stars. This is the highest I have ranked any of McFadden’s work since reading The Housemaid series and I have no problems with recommending this book!

What is your favorite Frieda McFadden book? What is your favorite thriller novel? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb28

Lil Red’s Book Club: The First Time I Saw Him By Laura Dave Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The First Time I Saw Him By Laura Dave Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the sequel to Laura Dave’s thriller, The Last Thing He Told Me, called The First Time I Saw Him. I read The Last Thing He Told Me five years ago and I have to admit that I don’t remember much of it. However, I guess I liked it well enough because I gave it an eight out of ten stars in my review! Perhaps I would have liked the sequel more if I had a better recollection of its predecessor because The First Time I Saw Him really missed the mark for me. There is no content in this book that requires a trigger warning so let’s get right to it:

It has been over five years since Hannah’s husband, Owen, has disappeared off of the face of the earth due to providing evidence against a dangerous crime organization. It was all for the safety of Hannah and his daughter Bailey and they have been rebuilding the pieces of their lives since he vanished. Bailey is now a college graduate and Hannah is still making fantastic pieces of hand carved furniture. They have also grown very close to Bailey’s maternal grandfather, Nicholas, who was also part of the crime syndicate that Owen turned against. Nicholas also played an integral role in protecting Hannah and Bailey. After decades of loyalty to the big boss, he left with the promise that as long as Nicholas is alive that no harm would come to those he loves.

Unfortunately, that promise is swiftly broken upon Nicholas’s passing and the crime family wants blood. They still hold a grudge towards Owen for his betrayal and as he is in hiding, the only way to get to him is to get to Hannah and Bailey first. Almost as soon as the death of Nicholas is announced on the news, snatchers from the organization are deployed to Hannah and Bailey’s homes. Luckily, they have prepared for this situation for a long time. They hoped that their plan of escape would never have to happen but they are now thrust into it with both of their lives on the line.

Hannah and Bailey are on the run and the name of the game is to get as far away from their usual haunts as possible. Through back roads, safe houses, and the help of a friend with a private jet, they end up in France. Who they meet upon their arrival is certainly not who they were expecting but their help could provide the protection they need and a way to find Owen again. While Hannah and Bailey prepared and perfected their escape plan for over half a decade, other plans were being made too. Plans for a last ditch effort should the truce between Nicholas and his former employer no longer be honored. Hannah and Bailey have one final go at a normal life with or without Owen. Will the help from an unlikely ally see it through? Or will the family they could be simply vanish? Read The First Time I Saw Him to find out!

The only thing I really remember from The Last Thing He Told Me was essentially a wild goose chase. Hannah and Bailey on the run, their initial poor relationship, plans being made, plans changing, and the ever watchful organization hot on their tail. The First Time I Saw Him was basically the same thing minus Hannah and Bailey being besties now. Regardless of how long it has been since I read the first book, I had the nagging feeling as I read its sequel that I have read it all before. The bones of The First Time I Saw Him were so similar to its predecessor that it felt more like a review than a brand new book.

What I remember liking the most about The Last Thing He Told Me was its sense of urgency that was so palpable on each page. Both Hannah and Bailey had no idea what was happening as they avoided peril and I could feel their anxiety so clearly. That swell of emotion was just not there as I read The First Time I Saw Him because its plot had already been done before. Yes, it was scary that Hannah and Bailey were put in this situation once again but it was also such a crazy story that it felt like a really bold move to rinse and repeat it. While I enjoyed Laura Dave’s writing, the sense of deja vu was much too prominent and The First Time I Saw Him felt like something borrowed over something new. This might sound harsh but it just felt like a lazy effort on Laura Dave’s part and I was happy to be done with the book or, rather, the CliffsNotes of the first one.

Overall, I am going to rate The First Time I Saw Him with a three out of ten stars. It was well written but that didn’t save the repeat plot one bit!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb19

Sunny Days Ahead

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Sunny Days Ahead

Hello! Is it just me or has this winter left a lot to be desired? January felt like it was five months long and February was particularly rough due to the passing of our beloved neighbor. I feel so mentally and physically drained. However, I did perk up this morning when I checked the weather because guess what?! It is going to be almost sixty degrees in Akron, Ohio and that sounds like just what the doctor ordered. It’s amazing what a bit of warmth and sunshine can do to boost your mood and it had me thinking of all of the things I can’t wait to do in the spring. Like the following:

Spring Hiking Spree:

My brother and I are avid hikers and it is our go to activity as soon as the weather warms up. During the winter, we hit the gym for our workouts but in the spring you can always catch us on the trails! The metro parks in our neck of the woods offers a fall and spring hiking spree and we can’t wait to participate in both of them. This will be our second year of completing the spring spree and the third year for the fall. It’s hard not to feel good when you’re immersed in nature, taking a leisurely stroll, and enjoying great company. Bring it on!

Planting Flowers:

My dad has two green thumbs and I love to help him plant flowers in the garden as soon as the appropriate weather strikes. Whether we are scattering seeds in the wildflower patch, making arrangements in raised planters, or simply cleaning up the debris from the winter – it is fun because we’re together! It’s exciting to start a project and watch it grow and come to life. The best of all is when I show up at my mom and dad’s and see the beautiful bouquets he creates from our handiwork as a greeting on the kitchen table. ❤

Warm Weather Clothing:

As much as I adore breaking out my coats, heavy sweaters, and winter accessories for OOTDs, I am SO over it lol. What started out as a mild winter went into a stretch of frigid days and lots of snow in mid January. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of summer but I have been begging for it since then! It is going to be so glorious to step outside in shorts and a T-shirt for work or flouncy sundresses for a weekend date with my main squeeze. Seventy degrees and sunny is my ideal temperature but if it were a hundred degrees tomorrow you would not find me complaining. I don’t do well in really hot weather but trust and believe I would be basking in it like a lizard lol.

Playing Outside:

Johnny and I have three sweet nieces who live nearby and there is nothing better than playing outside all together. I revel in unleashing my inner child with my favorite old hobbies of blowing bubbles, picking flowers, drawing with chalk, and running around the yard like crazy people. Whether we are hitting up the park or staying close to home, the piece de resistance is a frozen treat or something cold to drink afterwards. The cool down is wonderful until it’s back outdoors for more warm weather activities! I am particularly excited to go bunny watching with them in my parents’ yard because there are always a bunch come springtime. ❤

Reading Outside:

As you all know, reading is one of my most treasured hobbies and it is such a simple pleasure to be able to read outside. When it’s nice out, I love to sit on our little patio at the apartment with a glass of lemonade and a good book. Feeling the sunshine on my face as I get lost in a story just makes the whole world disappear and it’s so damn nice to check out for a little while. As much as I love curling up on the couch with whatever book I’m working on, I plan on taking the majority of my reading outdoors whenever the weather is ready!

After a crummy few months, I just know that there are Sunny Days Ahead and I have been chomping at the bit since yesterday!

What is your favorite springtime activity? What are you looking forward to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb16

Lil Red’s Book Club: A Killing Cold By Kate Alice Marshall Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: A Killing Cold By Kate Alice Marshall Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a thriller by Kate Alice Marshall called A Killing Cold. My sister, mom, and I tend to read the same books and this was passed down to me from my big sis once she was done reading it. About halfway through the book, she told me she was enjoying it. Then, upon completion she changed her sentiment as it was far too far fetched for her liking. I agree with this wholeheartedly. It started strong enough but I was SO ready for it to be over when there was about sixty pages left. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on A Killing Cold for domestic violence, general violence, child abuse, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

Theo and Connor met at a party and both of them felt like they had seen each other before. But where? And when? Call it fate, but a whirlwind romance began and after six short months they are engaged to be married. Theo came from a troubled background. She has no idea who her real parents are and is permanently estranged from her adoptive family after years of trauma they caused. Connor, on the other hand, lived a life of wealth and privilege. His family, the Daltons, are powerful in ways that regular people would never understand. They protect their own, keep secrets buried, and go through life with the air of those who are untouchable.

Every Christmas, the Daltons spend two weeks in their luxury mountain retreat and it will be Theo’s first time meeting them. As she braces herself for their interrogations, she begins receiving texts that warn her to stay far away from Connor. She chalks it up to a jealous ex or perhaps one of Connor’s siblings looking out for him for moving too fast. Besides, it’s too late to cancel the trip now and she is head over heels for her fiance. To the mountains they go and upon their arrival, Theo can’t help but feel that she has been there before.

Her welcome from her new family is icy, if not frigid. They are sizing her up and appear to have every intention of scaring her away. After all, Theo is a poor girl who now has unimaginable wealth falling into her lap. As much as she would like to turn on her heels and run, she holds firm. Of course, she is there for Connor, but for the first time fragments of memories from her early childhood are returning to her. What used to be dicey images pulled from nightmares are piecing together. Real or imagined, one thing is for sure: The Dalton family has something to hide.

As the days on the mountain drag on, Theo begins to explore. She is particularly drawn to an abandoned cabin that the family no longer has use for. In this cabin, a small semblance of truth is revealed. Theo can remember the small bed with flowers on the sheets. It was hers. And, tucked away, she finds a photo of a little girl with Connor’s late father smiling in the snow. There is no longer any denying it. Theo’s childhood began and ended in the mountains. She remembers fleeting moments of her and her mother pretending they live in an enchanted forest. Until it all came to an abrupt halt because her mother was wearing a blue scarf that turned red. What happened to Theo’s mother? And how far will the Daltons go to keep the truth buried? Read A Killing Cold to find out!

A Killing Cold was a shining example of a disappointing thriller. Sure, it had the twists and turns. Were they any good? Not really lol. When I am reading a novel of suspense, I love when they are just plausible enough to have some truth to it. Alice Kate Marshall spun a story with A Killing Cold but it was a plot that couldn’t stand on solid ground. As I read, all I could think about was the example of a Hallmark movie where a girl ends up with her childhood pen pal. It’s a story, yes, but it is as unlikely as the grass being purple.

As I turned the pages, A Killing Cold became more and more convoluted and there came a point when I just had enough. With a quarter of the book left, I was damn near begging for it to be over. The poorly placed Red Herrings, overplayed dysfunctional family trope, and the constant shifting of blame was just too much. It felt like Kate Alice Marshall threw Every. Single. classic thriller writing tool at the wall to see what stuck. Sadly, few of these attempts helped push the painstakingly slow plot forward and I felt nothing but sheer relief by the time the last page was read. A Killing Cold was a total and complete dud.

In a shocking plot twist of my own, I will be rating A Killing Cold with zero out of ten stars. I understand this book has received a fair amount of hype and I promise you it is not worth it. I wasted my time so you don’t have to waste yours! ❤

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb1

Lil Red’s Book Club: Anatomy Of An Alibi By Ashley Elston Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Anatomy Of An Alibi By Ashley Elston Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing Anatomy Of An Alibi by Ashley Elston. I have been reading a fair share of Stephen King and was excited to give Anatomy Of An Alibi a go. I love horror but I also love a twisty thriller and was ready for a change of pace. I have also never read anything by Ashley Elston and it’s fun to explore new authors. I suspect this will be the last thing I read by Elston, however, because this book was not it for me in the slightest. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Anatomy Of An Alibi for car accidents and general violence. Now, let’s get to it:

From the outside, Camille’s life looks picture perfect. She is married to a successful defense lawyer named Ben, has a gorgeous home, and a bank account with more money than she knows what to do with. Everything would be perfect if the people in her life were too. Ben is a controlling husband who watches her every step and tracks her phone. This is rich because Camille has done nothing wrong but has every reason to believe that Ben is up to no good. He is secretive, spends hours tucked away in his home office, and their marriage is disintegrating. She could divorce him but there is a clause in the prenup she signed that she can only have her cut if there is wrongdoing. IE: Ben cheating on her or abusing her.

After some snooping, Camille thinks she has her way out. She finds a woman named Aubrey’s name, home address, and work address on a napkin in Ben’s briefcase. Jackpot! She’ll meet the woman he is cheating on her with, have her admit it, and get this divorce moving. Camille decides to pay Aubrey a visit at the bar she tends at and learns that she is not a cheater at all. She only knows Ben’s name as he’s somewhat of a local celebrity. But Ben certainly knows her.

Aubrey was orphaned at sixteen when her parents got hit by a drunk driver. Paul Granger is the man who was convicted of the hit and run but he has maintained his innocence. In a letter he wrote to Aubrey, he informs her that there has been new evidence in his case that was given to him by a dirty cop. A dirty cop who is dying and wishes to make good with anyone he harmed. With this information, Aubrey makes it her mission to uncover who really killed her parents while Camille focuses on finding a way to escape her husband.

As the story weaves on, the ladies find common ground and must work together to prove that Ben isn’t who he says he is. He either killed Aubrey’s parents or is covering it up. What they need is a plan to prove Paul’s innocence and force Ben to spill what he knows. So they concoct a perfect alibi. One that will allow Aubrey to pose as Camille while Camille spies on Ben through security cameras. Then, the unthinkable happens. Ben is murdered while Aubrey and Camille touch down at their meet up spot and both of their lives are now on the line. Will they get the information they need? Or is one of them going down for murder? Read Anatomy Of An Alibi to find out! (Or don’t lol)

I absolutely love thriller novels and I say the twistier the better. I revel in the surprises and being at the edge of my seat. Anatomy Of An Alibi was twisty, yes, but it was a mess. This book was so incredibly convoluted and read like the twists were just being thrown in for the sake of having them. Every page felt like an eternity to read for a story that just wasn’t that good to begin with. This book was exhausting and, to be frank, poorly written. For all of the poorly crafted plot twists, there was a character that was equally as poorly crafted and I didn’t care for any of them. Normally I can live with one or the other but when both the plot and characters don’t move me, reading feels like a chore rather than something enjoyable.

I finished this book during my surprise snow day and almost didn’t bother with it. It was boring and predictable. The only saving grace was the budding relationship between Aubrey and one of her roommates. Who doesn’t like a little romance?! Other than those fiery moments, Anatomy Of An Alibi was a snooze fest through and through. Perhaps it would have been better written by another author because I think Ashley Elston bit off a bit more than she could chew with this book!

Overall, I am going to rate Anatomy Of An Alibi with a zero out of ten stars. Do not waste your time on this one because it was one of the worst books I have read in recent memory!

What is your favorite twisty thriller? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan31

Surprise Snow Day

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Surprise Snow Day

Hello! This past weekend was christened “snowmagedden” in good ol Akron, Ohio. We had a huge snow storm on Sunday and are now treated to single digit temperatures. It sucks. What didn’t suck, however, was getting a surprise snow day on Monday! The neighborhood one of my clients lives in literally never gets plowed so they let me know that I had the day off because safety first. It was so sweet! For the duration of winter, I would jokingly ask where the adult snow days are at and I finally got one. I rarely take a day off for myself and while I was disappointed to not go to work, I decided to make the most of the me time and had an amazing time. 😀

After working on the computer for the first part of the morning, my day was wide open to do whatever I would like from the comfort of my heated blanket. So, I opened a book and power read the last one hundred and thirty pages or so of the one I was working on. Peep a brand new Lil Red’s Book Club for the review tomorrow! I still had several hours to spare once I was done reading before Johnny got home from work and my next order of business was to play some Vampire Survivors. Johnny purchased this game over our holiday break for a whole two dollars and it has been an endless source of entertainment. And, rather than have to switch off to Johnny when my level was over, I just got to keep playing. It was freaking awesome!

When I had my fill of Vampire Survivors after two rounds, I wound my afternoon down with a viewing of MTV’s Teen Wolf. One of my clients got me addicted to that show and I can’t stop watching to save my own life. It’s surprisingly well done, has a fair share of gross out and scary moments, and a strong cast of actors. My favorite character is Stiles, hands down, but I love Lydia too! I usually like to watch documentaries when I have the TV to myself and it’s really nice to have a show to put on that’s just for fun. Teen Wolf is that for me to the T and I always look forward to the next episode. I’m hoping to find the MTV Scream series on streaming at some point so I can watch that next. If it’s as good as Teen Wolf then I know I am in for a treat. 🙂

Life handed me lemons with a snow storm that kept me from work but lemonade was made with my snow day. Once I got the text from my client’s family to take the day off, I considered it a sign from the universe that a day off was just what I needed. And you know what? It really was! I got to spend the whole day doing all of the things that I enjoy. I was snugly warm in my blanket, had the space heater blasting, and was in a cocoon of comfort. The following day I woke up feeling well rested and so excited to get back to work and that sealed my snow day success. Hey, everyone needs a day off sometimes!

Instead of braving the winter wonderland, I spent an entire day in creating my own fun. The January blues were definitely getting me down and I felt like a brand new Lil Red!

What is a perfect day off like for you? What is winter weather like in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah