When I'm Gone : A Novel

Luke Richardson has returned home after burying Natalie, his beloved wife of sixteen years, ready to face the hard job of raising their three children alone. But there’s something he’s not prepared for—a blue envelope with his name scrawled across the front in Natalie’s handwriting, waiting for him on the floor of their suburban Michigan home.
The letter inside, written on the first day of Natalie’s cancer treatment a year ago, turns out to be the first of many. Luke is convinced they’re genuine, but who is delivering them? As his obsession with the letters grows, Luke uncovers long-buried secrets that make him question everything he knew about his wife and their family. But the revelations also point the way toward a future where love goes on—in written words, in memories, and in the promises it’s never too late to keep.

This was a unique read for me.  Initially, I was really interested in the story, then that sort of wore off.  I fully expected to give this book three stars, but then the ending... It ended at a place I that was exactly what this book needed.  I love these type of family stories that involve a "past" that must be discovered.  While some of it was a little unbelievable and too coincidental, I was able to suspend that enough to really enjoy involving myself in Luke's life.  I would definitely be interested in checking out other books written by Emily Bleeker.  

 

 * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

The Word Game

For overprotective parent Alyson Ward, any time her daughter, Lyla, is out of sight is reason to panic. So it’s a big step for her when she lets Lyla attend a sleepover at her cousin’s house. Comforted by the knowledge that her sister, Tricia, is the chaperone, Alyson does the one thing she never thought possible: she lets go and trusts that her daughter will be safe. But Alyson’s sense of peace is short lived. When Lyla comes home the next morning, she reveals something that could tear apart not only their family but also the entire community. Now, Alyson and Tricia must confront their painful shared past as they come together to help a little girl who they fear might be harboring terrible secrets similar to their own. Will the sisters be strong enough to face their demons in order to protect the child, even if it means telling their most private truths?

Oh man, I had such high hopes for this story!  While the subject matter was difficult, I felt strongly that I would really enjoy the book.  And I liked it okay, but something just fell short.  There are very few times that I wish a book was longer, but in this case I did.  I wanted to know more about the relationships.  I felt bad for what happened, but I didn't feel affected by it like I usually am with this kind of story line.  I just wanted more!  Other reviews I have read, disliked Aly and her actions.  I actually fully supported her in every situation that she was involved in, past and present.  I wouldn't tell anyone not to read it, because it was a quick read.  However, it's not a book that I think readers will become emotionally invested in.  I gave this book 3 stars overall.

* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

         

The Girl You Lost

Eighteen years ago your baby daughter was snatched. Today, she came back.

A sinister and darkly compelling psychological thriller from the No.1 bestselling author of The Girl With No Past.

Eighteen years ago, Simone Porter’s six-month-old daughter, Helena, was abducted. Simone and husband, Matt, have slowly rebuilt their shattered lives, but the pain at losing their child has never left them.

Then a young woman, Grace, appears out of the blue and tells Simone she has information about her stolen baby. But just who is Grace – and can Simone trust her?

When Grace herself disappears, Simone becomes embroiled in a desperate search for her daughter and the woman who has vital clues about her whereabouts.

Simone is inching closer to the truth but it’ll take her into dangerous and disturbing territory. Simone lost her baby. Will she lose her life trying to find her?

This story was fast-paced, intriguing and a great thriller!  I did not want to stop reading and plowed through the whole book!  My only criticism would be that I would have liked to have a little more setup with regards Simone, Matt and Helena.  I felt terrible for what happened to them, but didn't feel as connected to them as I felt like I could have.  I love books like this, but so many times they seem predictable, unrealistic or just disappointing.   This book delivered!  While I knew there had to be more, I was never quite sure what that would be.  That's why I loved it - it definitely had me guessing until the end!  I will be picking up more Kathryn Croft books now that she is on my radar!       

   
 * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

The Sisters Club

Four women have little in common other than where they live and the joyous complications of having sisters. Cindy waits for her own life to begin as she sees her sister going in and out of hospitals. Lise has made the boldest move of her life, even as her sister spends every day putting herself at risk to improve the lives of others. Diana is an ocean apart from her sister, but worries that her marriage is the relationship separated by the most distance. Sylvia has lost her twin sister to breast cancer, a disease that runs in the family, and fears that she will die without having ever really lived.
When Diana places an ad in the local newsletter, Cindy, Lise, and Sylvia show up thinking they are joining a book club, but what they discover is something far deeper and more profound than any of them ever imagined.  With wit, charm, and pathos, this mesmerizing tale of sisters, both born and built, enthralls on every page.

I really enjoyed reading this title!  It read quickly and I thought the pacing was good.  The relationship between these women was fascinating to watch develop.  I had to suspend belief a little bit because I wasn't sure that these women really would develop a relationship so quickly in this way.  But I appreciated a break from the norm book that depicts women as hateful to each other. I loved each of the women and was rooting for them to become better.  My only disappointment was the lack of books in the actual book.  Aside from the titles mentioned at the beginning of each new section, they didn't seem to tie into anything.  For a group that started in a bookshop, I would have liked to hear a little more about that.  Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading books about relationships among women in a positive way.

   * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

The Penguin Lessons

'I was hoping against hope that the penguin would survive because as of that instant he had a name, and with his name came the beginning of a bond which would last a life-time.'

Tom Michell is in his roaring twenties: single, free-spirited and seeking adventure. He has a plane ticket to South America, a teaching position in a prestigious Argentine boarding school, and endless summer holidays. He even has a motorbike, Che Guevara style. What he doesn't need is a pet. What he really doesn't need is a pet penguin. Set against Argentina's turbulent years following the collapse of the corrupt Perónist regime, this is the heart-warming story of Juan Salvador the penguin, rescued by Tom from an oil slick in Uruguay just days before a new term. When the bird refuses to leave Tom's side, the young teacher has no choice but to smuggle it across the border, through customs, and back to school.

Whether it's as the rugby team's mascot, the housekeeper's confidant, the host at Tom's parties or the most flamboyant swimming coach in world history, Juan Salvador transforms the lives of all he meets - in particular one homesick school boy. And as for Tom, he discovers in Juan Salvador a compadre like no other... The Penguin Lessons is a unique and moving true story which has captured imaginations around the globe - for all those who dreamed as a child they might one day talk to the animals.

Hmmm...this book.  Aside from the cover being adorable, I couldn't help but absolutely fall head over heels for Juan Salvador.  I mean, a penguin, named Juan Salvador???  Instant love.  He is probably my most beloved animal in a book, because I so desperately wanted to have him for myself.  However, I wasn't always as in love with the direction of the story.  I realize it was a true story, but I wanted more about the penguin!  Rather than stories that didn't involve him, but involved the culture and politics of Argentina, I would have loved to hear from others about the affects of Juan on their lives.  We heard about the author and Diego, but I have to believe there was more.  I would have so much enjoyed it if the author would have been able to connect with those people from long ago to hear their accounts as well.  That's why the book only got 3 out of 5 stars from me because the star just wasn't showcased as much as I felt he needed to be to make it great.  In the meantime, I'm looking for a stray penguin...   

 * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

From Good to Grace

Many women feel as if they do not do enough and are not enough. They're always trying hard to be good: a good friend, mom, wife, Christian, employee, or ministry leader, hoping for that "atta-girl" from God. With compelling illustrations from her own life, Christine Hoover leads readers to the understanding that they're living by a lesser gospel, the gospel of goodness, one without Christ's grace. Relying on Scripture, they can start asking, "What does God want "for" me?" before asking, "What does God want "from" me?" Women will breathe a sigh of relief at this powerful message of freedom and hope. Rather than serving God out of obligation or duty, they'll be compelled to love and serve God with great joy.

This book is a little harder for me to review than recent titles I have read.  I feel conflicted.  I ABSOLUTELY love the message of this book.  A life with Jesus does not have to be perfect, just filled with grace, for yourself and others.  However, I felt that many times the same ideas were repeated over and over.  I think this book could have been broken down into more sections to break up the thoughts.  It just started to feel like it was repeating itself.  Again, the message it was relaying was exactly what I needed to read, but I found myself often zoning out because it just all ran together.  I guess what I am trying to say is as much as I think the message is beautiful and one so many need to hear, this book could use some more editing.  If you are looking to change your mindset of trying to be "good" all the time, this book will help you see what you can discover.

 * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story

When Josh returns to his hometown of Martinsburg, Texas, to help his best friend get married, he didn’t intend to run into church wedding coordinator—and ex-girlfriend—Holly. He can’t help but pine after the girl he never got over.



Holly broke up with Josh years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. But she loved him then and still loves him now. As she helps him plan his best friend’s wedding, she can’t help but feel horrible for the pain she caused him. And even though she longs to be with Josh, she doesn’t feel worthy of his big-time lifestyle when she is more comfortable in her small town world. Will Josh and Holly be able to keep things as they are when their true feelings threaten to surface at every turn?

This novella didn't blow me away, but I don't think I expected it to either. I was looking for a light read that would be a buffer between other books and this worked. I would mention that I actually thought the plot of this book could have easily been made into a full novel and fared better. The characters had great background and I would have loved to have more, but as a shorter story it was just nothing special.

* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *