Tag Archives: review

May11

Lil Red’s Book Club: A Perfectly Nice Family By Nicole Trope Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: A Perfectly Nice Family By Nicole Trope 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 Nicole Trope called A Perfectly Nice Family. This is the second book of Trope’s that I have read and it was pretty good! It didn’t blow my mind but it was still a solid, twisty suspense novel. After breezing through this book in three sittings, I am excited to start the second book in the Stillhouse Lake series next! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on A Perfectly Nice Family for disturbing content, general violence, and sexual violence. Now, let’s get to it:

Stephanie is a divorced mother of two to sixteen year old Luke and twelve year old Avery and she is barely getting by. She works part time while trying to obtain a degree, care for her children, and budget like crazy to make ends meet. It doesn’t help that child support from her ex-husband, Doctor Christopher Gordan, is so sporadic and she is sick and tired of begging him to do better. However, a change in luck might put Stephanie’s financial troubles at bay. Thanks to a suggestion from her best friend, Gail, she has decided to rent the granny flat behind her home to a struggling family called the Kemps. They recently lost their home in a fire and need somewhere to stay until they gather their bearings.

In a mere few days, the Kemps have moved in. Husband and wife, Cecilia and Jason, as well as their fifteen year old daughter, Polly. Although she knows that this family has been through a lot, Stephanie can’t help but feel that she has made a big mistake. Jason might be kind and friendly but Cecelia and Polly are a different story. They are rude, mean spirited, and all around off putting. Each respective member of the family seems to be constantly at Stephanie’s door with a request or a complaint. They have signed a six month lease and it promises to be the longest six months of Stephanie and her kids’ lives.

Shortly after the Kemps move in, things in Stephanie’s home begin to fall apart. A broken dishwasher, rotted window frames, and busted pipes occur within weeks. All repairs that Stephanie simply can’t afford to make. She has been suspicious of the Kemps since their arrival. There are no traces of them on the internet and their strange demeanor can’t go unnoticed. But, surely, they are A Perfectly Nice Family, right? Unfortunately, they are far from it and the damage that the Kemps are causing is just beginning. What is their end game? Read this book to find out!

A Perfectly Nice Family fell under my “good but not great” category. I did enjoy the quick read, though! This book went back and forth between Stephanie, Cecilia, and Avery and I loves me a back and forth narrator. It’s always interesting to read the different perspectives and watch as the pieces begin to come together! As far as the plot went, it was a classic Lifetime Movie novel (As Johnny calls my books!) through and through… Strangers are introduced, strange things start happening, and you know the rest. It wasn’t the most inspired story I have ever read but it definitely kept me turning the pages. Even though I easily figured out the grand reveal! Detective Lil Red on the case!

My primary issue with A Perfectly Nice Family were the characters. While I was, of course, rooting for Stephanie and her family, I failed to feel any kind of connection with them. They just seemed to be there to move the plot along and, of course, I sympathized with them deeply but I didn’t have a fondness for them. The Kemps were terrible, to be sure, but every character felt surface level at best with little to no development. If I could have hooked onto just one person in this book, I think I would have liked it better. It just didn’t work out that way.

Overall, I am going to rate A Perfectly Nice Family with a six out of ten stars. This is a thriller you can take or leave. It was fine for what it was but it’s also fine if you skip on it!

Have you read any of Nicole Trope’s books before? 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

May5

New Polka Dot Princess Dress

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New Polka Dot Princess Dress

Hi!! During my last shopping trip to TJMaxx, I was hoping to find a new dress to wear to my cousin’s wedding later this month. I did find a dress and it was glorious. However, it was much too big and there were no other sizes available. I was really bummed out because it was absolutely perfect and made it my mission to find it online as soon as I got home. I scoured the websites of TJMaxx and Marshall’s and came up blank. I found the exact same dress on Poshmark and it was seventy bucks which was a hard pass. Then, I landed upon a lookalike dress on Shein. Did I feel great about ordering off of the fast fashion website? Not in the slightest. But I needed this damn dress and will never shop on it again. In my defense, it really is pretty! Check it out:

Minus the drastic drop in quality, this dress is an exact replica to the one I swooned over at TJMaxx. The dupe is thinner and pretty sheer but that was nothing that a slip couldn’t solve and I feel like an absolute star in it. I am very partial to a polka dot and this bold pattern paired with the dreamy lace and silk is the stuff that dreams are made of. This dress runneth over with delightful details like the the keyhole opening, the buttons up the lower back, and the butterfly lace at the bottom. Everywhere you look features something exciting and sweet and I am freaking obsessed!

As I had already been burned by the size of this dress once, I decided to order a medium and a large to avoid having to make a reorder. I was ambivalent about Shein sizes and couldn’t get a straight answer from the reviews. I am pleased to report that the medium was very true to size and my new dress fit like a glove. I plan on wearing it with a pair of vintage gloves a la my wedding OOTD when my sister and I were in New Orleans and am thinking a darling pair of Barbie pink platform heels in the shoe department. I cannot wait to show you all the end result because, I hate to toot my own horn, it is going to be good! 😀

This was a one off Shein purchase but I couldn’t imagine wearing anything different to a very special occasion!

Have you ordered off of Shein before? What did you think of your purchase? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May3

Lil Red’s Book Club: Stillhouse Lake By Rachel Caine Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Stillhouse Lake By Rachel Caine 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 the first book of a seven part series by Rachel Caine called Stillhouse Lake. If the other books are even half as good as this one, then I know I will be in for a treat! Stillhouse Lake had a crazy plot, was jam packed with twists and turns, and kept me guessing until the very last page. And, of course, that cliffhanger at the end made me want to sink my teeth into the next book ASAFP! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Stillhouse Lake for graphic crime scene content, gruesome violence, sexual violence, and highly disturbing content. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Gwen Proctor is a tough mama bear who will go to no end to protect her two children, Lanny and Connor. However, she didn’t always used to be this way. She used to be Gina Royal. The submissive, complacent wife to the notorious serial killer, Melvin Royal. She was tried as an accessory to his crimes but was acquitted, claiming she knew nothing despite his murders happening in their own home. Since her release from jail, her and her children have been on the run. She may have been acquitted in the court of law but in the public eye she is very much still guilty and undergoes constant threats to the safety of herself and children.

After several moves and with the help of her hacker ally, Gwen and the kids have found a place to possibly settle down. A small community in Tennessee called Stillhouse Lake. While Gwen works from home, her kids have a chance for a somewhat normal life by attending a new school and even making some friends. Although their new home provides a sense of security, the family is never truly safe. One slip up could blow their new identities, Gwen receives constant death threats per day, and Melvin still attempts to communicate with her through writing letters. It’s only a matter of time before they will have to pack only what they can carry and move far away from Stillhouse Lake.

That time might be sooner than they think. A body has been discovered in the lake directly in front of Gwen’s front door. Her wounds, cause of death, and disposal method are all too familiar – it is exactly like Melvin’s. Due to her past life and proximity to the body, Gwen is a prime suspect and must once again go to great lengths to prove herself innocent. Everyone who she might have trusted seems to give her reasons not to and she is all alone. Gwen’s only goal is to keep her children safe and all ties will be cut from them if she is arrested. Could her ex-husband be the cause of this crime even from jail? Or is Gwen not as innocent as she claims to be? Read Stillhouse Lake to find out!

Prior to cracking this book open, I had a very lackluster reading experience with No Exit by Taylor Adams. Stillhouse Lake was a breath of fresh air and I enjoyed it very much! This book was a slow burn at first which I can often find to be very tiresome. However, when the scene was set and the pace picked up, it transformed into nonstop action in a true cat and mouse game. While I had an inkling as to who the cats could be, there was one in particular that was especially shocking and it completely blindsided me. I fancy myself an amateur detective and pride myself on figuring out grand reveals prior to so I absolutely love a twist that I didn’t see coming.

What I really liked about Stillhouse Lake is that it left me with more questions than answers. This is a seven book series and I could tell that Rachel Caine was carefully planting the seeds for future plot points throughout the book. I am so excited to read Killman Creek next! What I do know, is that Gwen Proctor is a leading lady who is not to be messed with. Her strength, tenacity, and quick thinking never faltered even in unspeakable danger. She was brusque but her love for her children radiated off of the pages and created plot turns that felt like a punch in the gut. This is the beginning of Rachel Caine expertly crafting our key players in the series and I can’t wait to see what happens in the sequel!

Overall, I am going to rate Stillhouse Lake with an eight out of ten stars. This was an incredibly strong opening to a lengthy series and I am SO in!

Have you read the Stillhouse Lake series? What did you think of it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May1

April 2026 Finishes

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April 2026 Finishes

Hello everyone and happy May!! April in Ohio brought all of the showers so here’s to hoping for beautiful May flowers for all! Before we jump into this new month, let’s jump back slightly to discuss the beauty products I finished up in April. There weren’t too many but they were all very nice *Borat voice* and I would definitely use them again! You ready? Let’s get to it:

Would I Use Again?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: YES!!!!

Bath & Body Works Vampire Blood Body Cream: YES

Glow Elixir Hyaluronic & Retinol Serum: YES

Why/Why Not?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: I have been using the Evoluderm Micellar Water faithfully for I don’t even know how long and it is, hands down, the best I have ever used. It is so gentle and hydrating but so effective on makeup removal with no harsh scrubbing required. About a year or so ago, TJMaxx began carrying the mega bottles of Evoluderm and I always have to buy one when I see them. The last micellar water I used was completed in mid January and this bottle lasted me until the middle of April. That is fantastic value for every day use!

B&BW Body Cream: I loves me the B&BW body cream, however, I am happy that I finished my bottle of Vampire Blood up before the weather started heating up. I only wear lotion before bed and it can get rather stuffy in my apartment. The B&BW body cream is nice but it is SO heavy and makes me sweat like crazy when it is warm at chez nous in the evening. It’s a fantastic product and so nourishing but I like to swap to the classic and light B&BW lotion come the late spring and summer weather. It took two and a half weeks of once daily use to finish this bottle and, as always, Vampire Blood is their best Halloween scent. 😀

Glow Elixir Serum: I have been using my bottle of Glow Elixir Hyaluronic & Retinol serum since the end of February and just finished it a little over a week ago. That is awesome for twice daily use! This is the third or so time I have purchased this serum from TJs and I will continue to do so every time I see it. It is SO freaking nice! The Glow Elixir serum is thin and light but oh so hydrating and brightening too. My skin looks fresh and simply glows with every use and a little of it goes such a long way. A dime sized amount allows for full face and neck coverage and it is a perfect year round product. Highly recommend!

These April finishes were short and sweet but they all packed a punch. Definitely give any of these products a go if you see them in stores!

Which products did you use up this past month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr25

Bath & Body Works April Freebie

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Bath & Body Works April Freebie

Hi! When my sister and I went to New Orleans, I was genuinely shocked that I didn’t have a travel size shower gel from Bath & Body Works to bring with me. I thought my bath and body care hoard was much better stocked than that and it sucked having to use the products provided by the hotel. It was impossible to feel clean with the awkward combo of bar soap and shampoo I had to use! Because my family is going to Italy this year, I made damn sure that I got a travel size body wash for my March freebie from B&BW. I also went ahead and got another one this month in case my mom needed to share. Like my selection in March, I went for a classic B&BW scent that I never bothered trying before. Check it out:

Once again, the travel size options I had to pick from were slim to none at B&BW and In The Stars was literally all they had for shower gels. Since my choice was made for me, I didn’t even smell it so let’s give it a whiff in real time lol. Here we go… And it is pretty good! Actually, upon another sniff it is actually really nice. In The Stars features fragrance notes of (get ready for it because it’s a doozy) “Starflower, sandalwood musk, sugared tangelo, white agarwood, and radiant amber”. Whatever any of that means! Does anyone know what a tangelo is?!

The little scent story on Bath & Body Works’ website says that In The Stars is a warm fragrance that feels like you’re in the middle of the forest. However, I feel like I’m in the middle of the ocean with this scent! In The Stars smells crisp and clean to the point that I would classify it as an aquatic scent and I am SO not mad about that. I absolutely love an aquatic fragrance and it definitely doesn’t translate to the fragrance notes or scent story whatsoever. Isn’t it weird how scents smell different to every single person? I can’t stand a musky fragrance and would have despised In The Stars if it smelled true to its notes to me. Thankfully that wasn’t the case and I would happily get it again. 🙂

What will In The Stars smell like to you? Who’s to say? Lol but I’m incredibly curious to find out!

What is a scent that you love that other people hate? What is your go to B&BW fragrance? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr20

If The Shoe Fits: Shein Wedges Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Shein Wedges Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of If The Shoe Fits! My family is attending a wedding in May and I was hoping to find a new dress for it the last time my mom and I went to TJMaxx. I did find a dress and it was perfect. However, it was much too big and that was the only available size. When I got home I scoured the internet to find the dress and order it. The only one I could find was on Poshmark for a whopping seventy dollars and that was a definite no go. I did end up finding a look alike on Shein and it worked great! I also couldn’t resist ordering these funky wedges on the cheap. Check them out:

^^^ Still confused about this clasp. Help!!

When it comes to shoes for spring and summer, I like unique wedges and platforms that I can just slip on and go. These wedges from Shein really caught my eye because I loves me a chunky heel and that olive green color is so cool! This was my first time ordering anything off of Shein and, honestly, I don’t plan on doing it again but I just needed that dress. I can’t wait to show you all! Of course, with any fast fashion website quality is always the concern and these wedges were very average. They’re sturdy enough to feel comfortable but do I anticipate them lasting longer than this summer? Hard no. Will I be wearing them until they fall apart? Absolutely!

Quality aside, I like everything about these wedges. Except for one thing… How in the HECK are you supposed to attach the straps?! I have never seen anything like it before and it is essentially a clasp and a buckle. It’s a major head scratcher for sure! The only thing I could figure was to put the clasp right in the middle of the buckle because that was the only way to keep it together. Or is it? I have no idea! When I discovered this anomaly I immediately went to the reviews to see if other people mentioned it and literally no one did. I’m not sure if I got a dud or what but I guess the buckle clasp method is how I will wear these shoes.

You truly never know what you are going to get on a website like Shein. I was expecting minimal quality but not expecting the challenge of attaching ankle straps SMH!

Does anyone have any idea what do to about these straps? Have you ordered off of Shein before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr16

Groovy Movies: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Edition

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Groovy Movies: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Edition

Howdy! This past weekend we had a fun afternoon out with our nieces to see The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. We watched the first one when it came out with our biggest niece and we all loved it so we were most excited! Although I liked the first one a bit better than the sequel, it was still a hoot. The Mario Galaxy games are my favorite so it was way cool to see it on the big screen! In a spoiler free setting, as always, let’s discuss this family friendly flick:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Princess Rosalina lives up in the stars and is mom to the adorable Lumas that reside there. They are colorful, silly little stars and their world revolves around the princess. However, their world is turned upside down when Bowser Jr. kidnaps her to drain her power and have the Bowser family reign supreme. Princess Rosalina always told her Lumas to find Princess Peach if anything were to ever happen to her and that is exactly what one brave Luma does. The Luma travels far and wide to reach the Mushroom Kingdom to request help from Princess Peach and she agrees while leaving the Kingdom in the care of Mario, Luigi, and a new Yoshi friend too.

Of course, Bowser is still tiny but has changed a lot for the better. In his little castle he paints pictures, cooks soup, and trims bonsai trees. His son, Bowser Jr., misses him fiercely and just wants to make his old man proud. So he attempts to free him from Princess Peach’s castle. The plan is a bust, but it puts Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Bowser on the path to reunite with Princess Peach in space. All they need is a space ship!

Thanks to a delightful cameo by Fox McCloud, the heroes arrive in the Space Junk Galaxy to defeat Bowser Jr. and foil his plot to create an all destroying cannon with Rosalina’s power. Their problems have doubled, though, as Bowser was so inspired by his son that he returned to the dark side once more. If the canon is created, the Bowsers will have complete power over any and everything. Will Princess Peach save Princess Rosalina? And will our heroes defeat Bowser and Son? Watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to find out!

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was a short and sweet flick that was barely over an hour and a half. In that short time, it was jam packed with a whole lot of fun! The visuals were striking, the Lumas were the literal cutest, and who doesn’t love Yoshi?! There were plenty of quick witted jokes, nods to games of the past, and wonderful cameos by beloved characters. Mr. Game And Watch, anyone? There was just one thing that Johnny and I could not get behind…

Why, exactly, was Chris Pratt cast as Mario? Especially when the voice actors for Mario in the games are both living and available? It truly makes no sense to us lol. Not only does Chris Pratt actively suck as a person but his voice work for Mario was just not it. Pratt’s vocal acting did absolutely nothing for us and it weighed the whole movie down. That was our opinion for the first Mario movie too and our sentiments have only amplified. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was a total blast and the overall casting decisions were great. Just not this one.

Overall, I am going to rate The Super Mario Galaxy Movie with a six out of ten Lumas. It was a solid sequel but was definitely one that you could take or leave.

Have you seen the Mario movies? What did you think about them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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

Apr10

Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Gel Moisturizer Review

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Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Gel Moisturizer Review

Hello! It took me a solid two plus months to finish the moisturizer I was using and I am finally onto something new. For the past week and change, I have started using the Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Moisturizer and it has been a revelation. I have literally never used a moisturizer like this one before and I just had to share it with all of you. If you are looking for baby soft skin and the most radiant glow, then you have got to try this Glow Hub one out. The moisturizer definitely lives up to the brand name! Let’s discuss further:

There are so many things that I love about this moisturizer but let’s start with the texture. Can you see the bubbles in it? SO satisfying! Gel moisturizers are my absolute favorite and I can’t get enough of the hydrating burst I feel when I use them. The Glow Hub moisturizer is, hands down, the best gel texture I have ever used. It is the bounciest, lightest formula and it sounds weird but it almost feels like rubbing jelly on your face? Lol as soon as I start applying it, I can slightly feel the moisturizer crackling on my skin in fizzy delight and it is so invigorating. It’s a bubbly blast of cool, hydrating magic!

Not only does the texture of this moisturizer amaze me, but the scent does too. It is infused with peach and coconut but all I can smell is the peach. I am so not mad about this because anything peach scented is my favorite! The Glow Hub moisturizer smells exactly like a fresh bit peach and it’s honestly an experience to use it between its fragrance and the fizz. After just one use of this product, it was like a transformation. My skin looked fresh, bright, and clean and felt soft as can be. I genuinely can’t recall ever using a moisturizer with such immediate and apparent results. If I ever see this bad boy again at TJMaxx, I am buying Every. Single. Jar. Available. It is that good.

Gel moisturizers are perfect for spring and summer and the Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Moisturizer is perfect in general. Highly recommend!

What is your favorite skin care brand? How about your favorite moisturizer? 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