Best Reads of 2020

 

2020.  There's a lot to say about 2020 😟 , but I'm going to stick to books.

Once again, my goal was to read/listen to 26 books, but I surpassed that with a whopping total of 28!  Woo!  😝  However, in comparison to last year, I have a greater variety of genres, and I doubled the amount of last year's winners.  That's nice. 😊  Here's my list of books that I gave a 4/5 or greater:

1.  A Better Man (Penny) ~ Mystery

4/5 (very good)

2.  Jar of Hearts (Hillier) ~ Mystery

4.25/5 (very good +)

3.  A Long Walk to Water (Park) ~ Fiction

4/5 (very good)

4.  How to Win Friends and Influence People (Carnegie) ~ Non-Fiction

4.5/5 (excellent)

5.  10% Happier (Harris) ~ Non-Fiction

4/5 (very good)

6.  Turnaround Artists (Ghadimi) ~ Non-Fiction

4.5/5 (excellent)

7.  The Fourth Monkey (Barker) ~ Mystery

4.25/5 (very good +)

8.  The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Morris) ~ Fiction

4.25/5 (very good +)

9.  Little Secrets (Hillier) ~ Fiction

4/5 (very good)

10.  If You Tell (Olsen) ~ Non-Fiction

4.25/5 (very good +)

11.  All the Devils Are Here (Penny) ~ Mystery

4.25/5 (very good +)

12.  The Good Sister (Hepworth) ~ Fiction

4/5 (very good)

December Reads

27.  The Good Sister (Hepworth) ~ 4/5 (very good), eBook, NetGalley  

Thoughts:  It took me a bit to become fully interested in the story line, but once that happened, I wanted to pick it up frequently.  I enjoyed the characters, Fern and Wally, very much.  At times, there was an Amelia Bedelia vibe, which I thought was charming.  

28.  Her Final Breath (Dugoni) ~ 3.5/5 (good), audiobook 

Thoughts: This is the second in the Tracy Crosswhite Series.  It was a good listen, but nothing that kept me entirely engaged.

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  1 - 20

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  1 - 8

New-to-Me Authors:  1 - 14

DNF:  0 - 0

November Reads

25.  If You Tell (Olsen) ~ 4.25/5 (very good +), ebook

Thoughts:  WHOA!  This was a horrible, horrible train wreck that I couldn't stop reading.  I am astonished as to what took place in this family, and so surprised that nobody really noticed.  As they say, truth is stranger than fiction.  (11-5-20)

26.  All the Devils Are Here (Penny) ~ 

4.25/5 (very good +), audiobook

Thoughts:  Always happy to see a new book out by Penny and always enjoy it.  I loved the personal family interaction in this one.  (11-12-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  1 - 19

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  1 - 7

New-to-Me Authors:  0 - 13

DNF:  0 - 0

October Reads

24.  Promise Me (Coben) ~ 3.25/5 (just okay +), audiobook

Thoughts:  Unfortunately, my rating reflects more of my thoughts of the narrator versus the story line.  I don't know what happened . . . EEK! . . . I just looked it up.  Apparently, Coben was the narrator.  Oops!  Sorry.  I must have listened to others, and that's who Myron was to me.  Not sure, but the narration made a huge impact on my enjoyment.  (10-9-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  1 - 18

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  0 - 6

New-to-Me Authors:  0 - 13

DNF:  0 - 0

September Reads

23.  Until I Find You (Frey) ~ 3.25/5 (just okay +), ebook - NetGalley

Thoughts:  I didn't find this to be very realistic in emotions or facts.  Having a blind woman with a child was an interesting angle and her "knowing" her son was certainly plausible, but how her friends and others around her treated her seemed off.  Getting information on his birth verification seemed not likely, as well.   (9-19-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  0 - 17

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  1 - 6

New-to-Me Authors:  0 - 13

DNF:  0 - 0

August Reads

22.  The Boy From the Woods (Coben) ~ 3.25/5

(just okay +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  I enjoy Coben's writing style, but this book just didn't intrigue me.  (8-14-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  1 - 17

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  0 - 5

New-to-Me Authors:  0 - 12

DNF:  0 - 0

July Reads

19.  Before She Knew Him (Swanson) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  I really liked a portion of this - it was very unique; however, there was another big element that I didn't care for.  And . . . I guessed the ending correctly.  (7-2-20)

20.  Nothing to See Here (Wilson) ~ 2.5/5 (eh), Audiobook 

Thoughts: This was too unrealistic and simply not my cup of tea.  (7-10-20)

21.  Good Girls Lie (Ellison) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  No surprise for me, but a good listen nonetheless.  It was a little slow at times.  (7-30-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  3 - 16

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  0 - 5

New-to-Me Authors:  1 - 12

DNF:  0 - 0

Blurred Year (14)

 

Well, this was the first time I missed my Blogiversary!  (It is August 18, 2020 now, and it was on July 16.)  The year has been such a blur that it slipped right past me.  I wondered if the pandemic would affect my reading habits, but it has not.  I continue to listen to audiobooks while doing other activities and usually only read an ebook at bedtime.  Sitting on the deck (vitamin D bath) with a hardcover book has been my only real book time, which has been enjoyed (the book, not the sun - 😰).  Although, I haven't had any audiobook time on my commute, because there hasn't been a commute and that isn't planned to happen any time soon (well, it sorta has been planned, but I don't think it's going to happen).  As the year progresses, I hope our lives revert back to wondering about what book we are going to read next, instead of the constant laser focus on our health and world affairs*.  

Stay safe, everyone.

*Of course, we should always be concerned about our health and world affairs.  I think (and hope) you know what I mean.

June Reads

16.  Helpless (Palmer) ~ 2.75/5 (eh +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  I didn't care for the topic and the characters were just okay.  (6-10-20)

17.  The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Morris) ~ 4.25/5
(very good +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  Being that it was labeled as fiction, I thought it was fiction!!  Later to find out that it was based on interviews with the main character!  At times, I didn't want to put it down.  I, also, found out that another character from this book is featured in Cilka's Journey.  (6-24-20)

18.  Little Secrets (Hillier) ~ 4/5 (very good), ebook - NetGalley

Thoughts:  I was eager to read every evening.  The story of a child abduction is heart-wrenching.  That definitely propelled me forward to find out who swooped up Sabastian.  I think I enjoyed Jar of Hearts a bit more, but Hillier is an author I will pick up again and again.  (6-27-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  2 - 13

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  1 - 5

New-to-Me Authors:  1 - 11

DNF:  0 - 0

May Reads

13.  The Fourth Monkey (Barker) #1 ~ 4.25/5 
(very good +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  It's now over a month since listening to this book, and I don't have anything jotted down. I obviously like it - a lot!  (5-8-20)

14.  Darkest Fear (Coben) #7 ~ 3.75/5 (good +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  I always enjoy the sarcastic humor.  (5-18-20)

15.  Necessary Lies (Chamberlain) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  Not my usual fare, but it had an interesting storyline.  Learned a little regarding the timeframe.  (5-29-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  3 - 11

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  0 - 4

New-to-Me Authors:  1 - 10

DNF:  0 - 0

April Reads

10.  In the Dark (Billingham) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  This was a new-to-me author.  I enjoyed his style.  It was a good listen, almost very good.  More are in store.  (4-12-20) 

11.  Turnaround Artists (Ghadimi) ~ 4.5/5 (excellent), eBook

Thoughts:  I read the rough draft of a Based on a True Story book.  Everybody can learn something or be reminded of best practices in the workplace or personal life.  I thought it was a very interesting and engaging book.   (4-22-20)

12.  Fire in the Ashes (Kozol), 3.75/5 (good +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  This was a bit shocking, but on the other hand, not so.  Sad to hear and feel the actual details of some people's lives.  I have been informed.  (4-27-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  2 - 8

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  1 - 4

New-to-Me Authors:  3 - 9

DNF:  0 - 0

March Reads

7.  Shamed (Castillo) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), Series #11, Audiobook

Thoughts:  I forgot to take notes on this book, but I know I enjoyed the listen.  I look forward to the next in the series.  (3-7-20) 

8.  10% Happier (Harris) ~ 4/5 (very good), Audiobook

Thoughts:  This was an interesting book - following Harris's journey.  I liked his sense of humor.    (3-28-20)

9.  A Girl's Guide to Murder (Jackson), 3.5/5 (good), YA, eBook - NetGalley

Thoughts:  My speed at reading this was pathetic!  Therefore, I didn't get the flow needed to keep me 100% engaged.  Maybe that's the point!  It needed to keep me engaged, so I would want to continue reading to create the flow.  Hmmm.  (3-31-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  2 - 6

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  1 - 3

New-to-Me Authors:  2 - 6

DNF:  0 - 0

February Reads

4.  Jar of Hearts (Hillier) ~ 4.25/5 (very good +), eBook

Thoughts:  Eek!  Apparently I liked this one, but didn't jot any notes down for it.  (2-3-20) 

5.  A Long Walk to Water (Park) ~ 4/5 (very good), Audiobook

Thoughts:  It's my understanding that this is a YA book and that it's based on a true story.  I believe the "true story" component added to my enjoyment.  (2-10-20)

6.  How to Win Friends and Influence People (Carnegie) ~ 4.5/5 (excellent), Audiobook

Thoughts:  This was actually a re-read/listen for me (an uncommon event, but it was a professional book study).  I preferred reading it versus the audio version, but it was still valuable.  (2-22-20) 

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  2 - 4

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  1 - 2

New-to-Me Authors:  2 - 4

DNF:  0 - 0

January Reads

1.  A Better Man (Penny) ~ 4/5 (very good), Audiobook

Thoughts:  I guessed "who done it" from the beginning, but that was okay.  You never really know, until it's fully revealed.  My visit was still warming.  I simply enjoy just being with the characters.  I've known them for quite awhile!  This is book #15!  (1-7-20)

2.  Watcher in the Woods (Armstrong) ~ 2.75/5 (eh +), Audiobook

Thoughts:  I didn't realize that this was part of a series, so I was just plodding along at first.  I got the general idea of what was happening, but it never really pulled me in.  Beginning at the beginning with #1 may have been a better choice for me to grow with the characters.  (1-21-20)

3.  Hide Your Fear (O'Brien) ~ 3/5 (just okay), eBook

Thoughts:  I was curious as to what was going on and why, but ultimately, it was just weird.
(1-30-20)

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  2 - 2

Books:  0 - 0

eBooks:  1 - 1

New-to-Me Authors:  2 - 2

DNF:  0 - 0

Best Reads of 2019

Well . . . it wasn't a very productive reading/listening year, but I anticipated that.  Reading is missed, but I can't do it all.  I still read and listen a little bit everyday, so that's my norm for now.

I read 33 books (with a 26 book goal) in 2019.  Six books made it to my "Best Reads" list (4/5 or higher) this year.  They are all non-fiction.  It consistently shows up as my favorite genre!
My Best Reads of 2019 are as follows:





1.  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Kondo) ~ Non-Fiction

4.25/5 (very good +)

2.  Educated (Westover) ~ Memoir
4/5 (very good)

3.  Born a Crime (Noah) ~ Memoir
4.5/5 (excellent)

4.  Comprehension Connections (McGregor) ~ Non-Fiction
4.5/5 (excellent)

5.  The Michigan Murders (Keyes) ~ Non-Fiction
4.5/5 (excellent)

6.  Talking to Strangers (Gladwell) ~ Non-Fiction
4.25/5 (very good +)

November & December Reads

Playing Catch Up, Once More!

NOVEMBER

30.  The Michigan Murders (Keyes) ~ 4.5/5

31.  Gray Mountain (Grisham) ~ 2.5/5

DECEMBER

32.  The Chain (McKinty) ~ 2.5/5

33.  Talking to Strangers (Gladwell) ~ 4.25/5

YEAR END STATS

Two Months Combined - Yearly

Audiobooks:  4 - 25

Books:  0 - 4

eBooks:  0 - 4

New-to-Me Authors:  2 - 24

Short Story Collection:  0 - 0

DNF:  0 - 1

TOTAL BOOKS READ:  33

September & October Reads

Playing Catch Up, Again!

SEPTEMBER

26.  The Whisper Man (North) ~ 3/5

27.  The Scarred Woman (Adler-Olsen) ~ 3/5

OCTOBER

28.  The Bitter Season (Hoag) ~ 3.5/5

29.  Last Words (Koryta) ~ 3/5

Silent Scream (Marsons) ~ DNF

Two Months Combined - Yearly

Audiobooks:  4 - 21

Books:  0 - 4

eBooks:  0 - 4

New-to-Me Authors:  1 - 22

Short Story Collection: 0 - 0

DNF: 1 - 1

THE WHISPER MAN

Author:  Alex North

Genre:  Thriller, Standalone

Published:  2019

Personal Rating:  3/5 (just okay)

Format:  eBook

Yearly Count:  26

From NetGalley:

After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy believes a fresh start will help him and his young son Jake heal. A new beginning, a new house, a new town. Featherbank.

But the town has a dark past. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and murdered five residents. Until Frank Carter was finally caught, he was nicknamed "The Whisper Man," for he would lure his victims out by whispering at their windows at night.

Just as Tom and Jake settle into their new home, a young boy vanishes. His disappearance bears an unnerving resemblance to Frank Carter's crimes, reigniting old rumors that he preyed with an accomplice. Now, detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis must find the boy before it is too late, even if that means Pete has to revisit his great foe in prison: The Whisper Man.

And then Jake begins acting strangely. He hears a whispering at his window...

Thriller?  Eh.  Not so much.  I was never fully engaged with the story, but was somewhat interested.  The writing was fine, the characters were okay, but there just wasn't enough to make me want to read into the night.  I did finish it -- that says something.

Thoughts of Joy

My thanks go to Celadon Books and NetGalley for providing me with the eGalley.

August Reads

I didn't think I finished any books this month, but I have surprised myself with one!  :)

25.  Lies (Logan) ~ 2.75/5

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  1 - 17

Books:  0 - 4

eBooks:  0 - 4

New-to-Me Authors:  1 - 21

Short Story Collection: 0 - 0

DNF: 0 - 0

LIES

Author:  T. M. Logan

Genre:  Thriller

Published:  2018

Personal Rating:  2.75/5

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Leighton Pugh

Yearly Count:  25

From NetGalley:

Six days ago, Joe Lynch was a happily married man, a devoted father, and a respected teacher living in a well-to-do London suburb. But that was before he spotted his wife’s car entering a hotel parking garage. Before he saw her in a heated argument with her best friend’s husband. Before Joe confronted the other man in an altercation where he left him for dead, bleeding and unconscious.

Now, Joe’s life is unraveling. His wife has lied to him. Her deception has put their entire family in jeopardy. The man she met at the hotel has vanished. And as the police investigate his disappearance, suspicion falls on Joe.

Unable to trust the woman he loves, Joe finds himself at the mercy of her revelations and deceits, unsure of who or what to believe. All he knows is that her actions have brought someone dangerous into their lives—someone obsessed with her and determined to tear Joe’s world apart.

What if your whole life was based on LIES?

Lies was believable until it wasn't.  :(  I had high hopes for this one, and they kept falling as the book progressed.  By the time the ending arrived, I was a bit disappointed.  There were just too many events that didn't ring true.  

Thoughts of Joy

My thanks go to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with the eGalley.

July Reads

YIKES!!!

NOT ONE BOOK FINISHED!

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  0 - 16

Books:  0 - 4

eBooks:  0 - 4

New-to-Me Authors:  0 - 20

Short Story Collection: 0 - 0

DNF: 0 - 0

The Teen Years Begin

Thoughts of Joy is 13 today!

While this space hasn't received much love and/or attention, I still plan to continue keeping a record of my reading/listening.

I decided to put my goal for the 2019 Goodreads Reading Challenge really low so I wouldn't feel any pressure to read.  That was all fine and dandy as I was naturally reading at a decent pace.  Well, I was going to exceed the goal quickly, so I changed it.  Now . . . I'm 3 behind.  Go figure!  It's not a big deal, just a mental space I wanted free.  Not sure if I'm going to do something about it or not.  We'll see.

Last summer I did cull many books, but there are many more lingering on shelves and in closets.  I will continue my quest for culling as the mood strikes.

So, my teen years begin with the hope of keeping up with my posting a bit better.  For some reason, I don't receive notification of comments anymore.  I have to go into my blog and look for them!  Sorry to those I haven't responded to in a timely manner.  I have found some more that I will address soon.  Thanks for reading, commenting and celebrating 13 years of blogging with me!

Happy Reading to All!

Thoughts of Joy

June Reads

22.  The Other Woman (Jones) ~ 3.75/5

23.  The Suspect (Barton) ~ 3/5

24.  The Escape Room (Goldin) ~ 3.75/5

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  2 - 16

Books:  0 - 4

eBooks:  1 - 4

New-to-Me Authors:  2 - 20

Short Story Collection: 0 - 0

DNF: 0 - 0

THE ESCAPE ROOM

Author: Megan Goldin

Genre:  Thriller, Standalone 

Published:  2019

Personal Rating:  3.75/5 (good +)

Format:  eBook

Yearly Count:  24

From NetGalley:

Welcome to the escape room. Your goal is simple. Get out alive.

In the lucrative world of finance, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam are at the top of their game. They’ve mastered the art of the deal and celebrate their success in style—but a life of extreme luxury always comes at a cost.

Invited to participate in an escape room as a team-building exercise, the ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high rise building, eager to prove themselves. But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they’re caught in a dangerous game of survival.

Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free. But as the game begins to reveal the team’s darkest secrets, they realize there’s a price to be paid for the terrible deeds they committed in their ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. As tempers fray, and the clues turn deadly, they must solve one final chilling puzzle: which one of them will kill in order to survive?

This was incredibly unbelievable, but I enjoyed it anyway.  Odd, but true.  I much prefer more realistic reads, but I was curious and would pick this up to find out more!  There were two time frames:  an elevator team building exercise and the events that lead up to it.  That, too, was not my favorite style.  So, with an unbelievable storyline and a format I'm not fond of, I still enjoyed this book.  That says something.  The actual writing was an easy read.

Thoughts of Joy

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with the eGalley.

THE SUSPECT

Author:  Fiona Barton

Genre:  Mystery, Kate Waters #3

Published:  2019

Personal Rating:  3/5 (just okay)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Various

Yearly Count:  23

From NetGalley:

When two eighteen-year-old girls go missing in Thailand, their families are thrust into the international spotlight: desperate, bereft, and frantic with worry. What were the girls up to before they disappeared?

Journalist Kate Waters always does everything she can to be first to the story, first with the exclusive, first to discover the truth—and this time is no exception. But she can’t help but think of her own son, whom she hasn’t seen in two years, since he left home to go travelling.

As the case of the missing girls unfolds, they will all find that even this far away, danger can lie closer to home than you might think...

This was just okay.  I didn't dislike it, but didn't like it either.  Unfortunately, I never connected with any of the characters, and I was never curious as to what happened.

Thoughts of Joy

My thanks go to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with this eGalley.

THE OTHER WOMAN

Author:  Sandie Jones

Genre:  Fiction, Standalone

Published:  2018

Personal Rating:  3.75/5

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Clare Corbett

Yearly Count:  22

From Goodreads:

Emily thinks Adam’s perfect; the man she thought she’d never meet. But lurking in the shadows is a rival; a woman who shares a deep bond with the man she loves.

Emily chose Adam, but she didn’t choose his mother Pammie. There’s nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her son, and now Emily is about to find out just how far Pammie will go to get what she wants: Emily gone forever.

I was interested, but didn't find it all to be realistic.  Some choices were ridiculous, but that's life, isn't it?  Also, it got a bit choppy when the story was trying to move forward.

Thoughts of Joy

April & May Reads

Playing Catch-Up!

APRIL

13.  The Happiness Project (Rubin) ~ Audiobook, 3/5

14.  Mine (Cole) ~ NetGalley, eBook, 4/5

15.  Rust & Stardust (Greenwood) ~ Audiobook, 3.5/5

16.  The Silent Patient (Michaelides) ~ Audiobook 4/5

17.  Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning (Hollie) ~ Book, 3/5

18.  Sometimes I Lie (Feeney) ~ NetGalley, Audiobook 3/5

MAY

19.  So You Want to Talk About Race (Oluo) ~ Audiobook

20.  Comprehension Connections (McGregor) ~ Book, 4.5/5

21.  Into the Darkness (Hodge) ~ Audiobook, 3.5/5

Two Months Combined - Yearly

Audiobooks:  6 - 14

Books:  2 - 4

eBooks:  1 - 3

New-to-Me Authors:  9 - 18

Short Story Collection: 0 - 0

DNF: 0 - 0

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT

Author:  Gretchen Rubin

Genre:  Non-Fiction, The Happiness Project #1

Published:  2009

Personal Rating:  3/5 (just okay)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Gretchen Rubin

Yearly Count:  13


From Goodreads:

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.

In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

I just happened to see this on the shelf at my library and, on a whim, decided to bring it home.  I can't believe it's been 10 years since it was published!  The speed of time is scary!

My biggest complaint is that she states throughout the book that she needed to just "Be Gretchen."  However, the entire book is about CHANGING Gretchen.  Whether it be about choice and/or for the good, it's still based on changing Gretchen and that bothered me throughout.  The book on a whole is incredibly overwhelming!!!  Every itty-bitty, minute component/detail of one's existence is in one way or another probed and prodded.  It is examined to the point of exhaustion.  The research behind her ideas were interesting, although I don't recall anything being new or revolutionary.  I enjoyed her as her own narrator.

Anyone know . . .  Is she happier today?

Thoughts of Joy

March Reads

9.  Bring Me Back (Paris) ~ 2.5/5

10.  Born a Crime (Noah) ~ 4.5/5

11.  The Woman Inside (Scott) ~ 3/5

12.  If I Run (Blockstock) ~ 2/5

Monthly - Yearly

Audiobooks:  3 - 8

Books:  0 - 2

eBooks:  1 - 2

New-to-Me Authors:  3 - 9

Short Story Collection: 0 - 0

DNF: 0 - 0

IF I RUN

Author:  Terri Blackstock

Genre:  Christian Thriller, If I Run #1

Published:  2016

Personal Rating:  2/5 (not enjoyable)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Nan Gurley

Yearly Count:  12


From NetGalley:

Casey didn't kill her friend Brent. She discovered his body, but she'd never try to hurt him. He's the only person she's ever trusted enough to tell the truth about what happened to her father . . . and there's no doubt in her mind that Brent was killed trying to help her prove it. She has to run before they get to her too.

Dylan Roberts was hired to find Casey and bring her back so that justice can be served. As a former Criminal Investigator for the Army, he can't imagine that tracking down one girl will be that difficult.

But the more elusive Casey turns out to be, the more Dylan digs into her past to try to determine what she might be thinking. What he finds there doesn't fit the profile of a killer at all. She's unlike any other fugitive he's ever seen.

The police refuse to discuss any other possibilities. There's something more going on here. Something more to this fugitive who has captured his attention. Now he just has to figure out what it is . . . and Casey just has to stay one step ahead of everyone who's after her.

How many ways can you roll your eyes?  The narrator had no character voice change, it was very unrealistic and dare I say a bit saccharine (could have been the narrator).  And, you are left with an open ending.  This, of course, is because it's #1 of 3.  Yikes!  I will not be reading anymore in this trilogy, because it simply wasn't for me.

Thoughts of Joy

My thanks go to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing me with the eGalley.

THE WOMAN INSIDE

Author:  E. G. Scott

Genre:  Thriller, Standalone

Published:  2019

Personal Rating:  3/5 (just okay)

Format:  ebook  

Yearly Count:  11


From NetGalley:

Rebecca didn’t know love was possible until she met Paul, a successful, charismatic, married man with a past as dark as her own. Their pain drew them together with an irresistible magnetism; they sensed that they were each other’s ideal (and perhaps only) match.

But twenty years later, Paul and Rebecca are drowning as the damage and secrets that ignited their love begin to consume their marriage. Paul is cheating on Rebecca, and his affair gets messy fast. His mistress is stalking them with growing audacity when Rebecca discovers Paul’s elaborate plan to build a new life without her. And though Rebecca is spiraling into an opiate addiction, it doesn’t stop her from coming up with a devious plot of her own, and this one could end absolutely everything.

Another book that had an interesting beginning, which definitely built my curiosity--until it didn't anymore.  Early on I figured out what was going to happen and just slowly watched it unfold.  Of course I couldn't predict all the details, but even those additions didn't thrill me.

Thoughts of Joy

   

My thanks go to Penguin Group and NetGalley for providing me with this eGalley.