Category: 4 Star

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Kimberly reviews The Lost Tomb by N. J. Croft

TITLE: The Lost Tomb
SERIES #: Lost #1
CHARACTERS: Noah Blakeley
AUTHOR: N.J. Croft
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/23/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
“With Heaven’s aid I have conquered for you a huge empire. But my life was too short to achieve the conquest of the world. That task is left for you.” ~ Genghis Khan 1227

An archaeologist dies while searching for an 800 year-old secret hidden beneath the mountains of Mongolia.

A ruthless man is determined to fulfill a destiny foretold centuries ago. The world hovers on the brink of chaos…

When Major Noah Blakeley’s ex-wife is killed while on an archaeological expedition in Mongolia, he resigns as head of an elite anti-terrorist unit to make a home for his children. But when he receives an anonymous email that his wife’s death was no accident, swiftly followed by an attempt on his life, he has no choice but to find out why. With the help of Star, a space archaeologist, he must trace his wife’s final footsteps and beyond.

But nothing and no one are what they seem, and soon Noah is embroiled in an ancient feud that could change the world forever.

REVIEW:
I do not recall reading anything from NJ Croft before but this book was really good. This story is a bit about history and revenge. Noah finds out his ex-wife was killed while looking for relics. He goes after who might have killed her but in the adventure of finding the killer he comes across a lot more than just killers. He comes across an ancient feud.

I really found myself interested in the feud and how it could affect us. And then I started to wonder what, if any, of the history might be true.

A very interesting read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Return To Magnolia Harbor by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: Return To Magnolia Harbor
SERIES #: Moonlight Bay #3
CHARACTERS: Jessica & Christopher
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/23/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
USA Today bestselling author Hope Ramsay delivers the next book in her Moonlight Bay series, an enemies-to-lovers story about a man who returns home to his small town and finds love in the most unlikely of places.

She never forgot him…but can she forgive him?

Jessica Blackwood is trying to make her architectural design firm a success, and she’s off to a great start, thanks to a recommendation that leads to the job of the century-designing a house for a wealthy but reclusive bachelor. The only problem? Jessica’s new client happens to be her old high school nemesis. The bigger problem? He’s no longer the cocky boy who once tormented her, and suddenly she finds herself intrigued by her new client.

Christopher Martin isn’t proud of his past behavior. He regrets nothing more than hurting Jessica all those years ago, and now that he’s back in Magnolia Harbor he finally has a chance to make amends. As the two work side by side, Topher begins to realize he wants more than a house. He wants forgiveness and a future with the woman he’s never forgotten. But can he prove to Jessica he’s truly changed?

REVIEW:
What if you ended up having to work with your childhood bully? Could you do it? Well that is what Jessica has to figure out. Christopher was terrible to Jessica as kids but now they are adults and he has returned to Magnolia Harbor and wants to build a perfect home there. Jessica is an architect and it is hard for her to trust anything he says. Old feelings of being teased and tricked come up to haunt her.

But as Christopher and Jessica work together their adult feelings start to override their childhood feelings. But there is so much more to their relationship than just working together they have to deal with the city and the people inside it.

I really liked Topher. He is just adorable when he deals with his nephew. And honestly he is who every childhood bully should be as an adult. Kids are mean but adults should be able to look back and realize their mistakes. Jess is a bit slow on the forgiveness but then he put her through a lot. So you can sorta see it.

Another great story from Hope Ramsay.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews The Lasaran by Dianna Duvall

TITLE: The Lasaran
SERIES #: Aldebarian Alliance #1
CHARACTERS: Taelon & Lisa
AUTHOR: Dianna Duvall
NARRATOR: Kirsten Potter
RUN TIME: 11 Hours & 23 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: April 24, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible |Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the first novel in a thrilling new sci-fi series full of action, intrigue, humor, and romance.
Taelon searches the galaxy for his younger sister, who mysteriously disappeared while on a diplomatic mission. When an ally reveals that she was seized and is being held prisoner on Earth, Taelon descends upon the blue planet, intent on freeing her and exacting vengeance. However, all does not go as planned. Before he can find her, Taelon is captured and becomes the subject of torturous experiments. For what feels like an eternity, all he knows is pain and fury… until a mind tentatively touches his own and a woman’s voice forever changes his world.
After suffering tragic losses, Lisa is finally beginning to carve out a future for herself when chance sends her to the Anomalous Cognition Research Institute. What at first appears to be a benign organization seeking participants for a psychic study instead turns out to be a government facility harboring a much darker intent. Lisa discovers this too late and soon becomes the unwilling subject of a terrifying experiment. Just as fear and desperation threaten to consume her, a deep, compelling voice penetrates the looming insanity and lends her hope.
Having seen only the worst of humanity, Taelon is shocked when Lisa risks everything to free him. Together the two make their escape, and Taelon finds himself fascinated by the small human woman who—despite all she’s suffered—can still laugh and tease and lure smiles from him. Friendship swiftly grows between them as they work together to evade soldiers intent on capturing them and find themselves hunted by mystifying preternatural beings. Through it all, Lisa steadfastly remains by his side, stealing more of his heart each day while she helps him unravel the mystery of his sister’s fate. Can they find his sister before the hunters find them? If they survive their quest, will Taelon have to bid Lisa farewell… or can he coax her into leaving her planet and joining him for the adventure of a lifetime?

REVIEW:
When I heard that Dianna Duvall was starting a new series I was excited. When I heard that the new series would start with Ami’s (from the Immortal Guardian series) brother I did a happy dance. I would suggest reading the Immortal Guardian series first, but I think you could pick up The Lasaran and be okay. But you will miss a lot of the back story of the whys and whose.
That being said I truly enjoyed listening to this story! Kirsten Potter did an amazing job as always. Kirsten’s ability to bring the characters to live is phenomenal. Kirsten Potter is one of my all time favorite narrators. I am already looking forward to her reading the next installment in this series to me.
We get the best of both worlds in this book. We get to see some of our favorite Immortal Guardian’s and learn the history of the Lasaran’s. Taelon was sent on a mission to find out what happened to his sister. But things didn’t go according to plan. This story is his journey and boy is it a journey. I can’t wait to see what is next in this series.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this audiobook and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Sea Glass Cottage by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: The Sea Glass Cottage
CHARACTERS: Olivia, Juliet & Caitlin
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/17/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Emotional and deeply satisfying. I savoured every page Sarah Morgan
New York Times Bestselling Author
The life Olivia Harper always dreamed of isn’t so dreamy these days. The 16-hour work days are unfulfilling and so are things with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when she hears that her estranged mother, Juliet, has been seriously injured in a car accident, Liv has no choice but to pack up her life and head home to beautiful Cape Sanctuary on the Northern California coast.
It’s just for a few months—that’s what Liv keeps telling herself. But the closer she gets to Cape Sanctuary, the painful memories start flooding back: Natalie, her vibrant, passionate older sister who downward-spiraled into addiction. The fights with her mother who enabled her sister at every turn. The overdose that took Natalie, leaving her now-teenaged daughter, Caitlin, an orphan.
As Liv tries to balance her own needs with those of her injured mother and an obstinate, resentful fifteen-year-old, it becomes clear that all three Harper women have been keeping heartbreaking secrets from one another. And as those secrets are revealed, Liv, Juliet, and Caitlin will see that it’s never too late—or too early—to heal family wounds and find forgiveness.

REVIEW:
Oh how I love the writings of RaeAnne Thayne. She makes you feel like you could crawl into the story and sit down and talk with the characters. And I know I would have been friends with Olivia. She comes home because her mom “falls and can’t get up” (sorry I had to)…. And so did Thayne (it’s in the book, I swear). Olivia has to take care of her mom and her now teenage niece and also has to deal with her own issues.

This story is about family and coming to terms with all the feelings and secrets each of them keep.

This is a great book to sit down to read and just fall into. As are all of Thayne’s books.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

TITLE: Mexican Gothic
CHARACTERS: Noemi Taboada
AUTHOR: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
NARRATOR: Frankie Corzo
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 39 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: June 30, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible |Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . .
From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes a novel set in glamorous 1950s Mexico.
After receiving a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find – her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.
Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.
Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

REVIEW:
WOW!!! What an amazing story! Not at all what I was expecting at all.
I will say that the beginning of this book was a little slow to build. But once the world was built things started getting serious quickly. I truly enjoyed the twists and turns of this story. The secrets that are being held at High House are epic. I would have never figured out what was actually going on until Silvia revealed it to me.
I truly enjoyed Noemí’s journey.

This was my first book from author Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I really enjoyed her world building and storytelling. I will be adding her to my list of authors to watch for the next book.
I did listen to this book on audio and this was also my first book narrated by Frankie Corzo. Frankie did a great job of bringing these characters and story to life.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this audiobook from Audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Highland Conquest by Heather McCollum

TITLE: Highland Conquest
SERIES #: Sons Of Sinclair #1
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: Heather McCollum
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/28/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cain Sinclair has a plan. In order to finally bring peace to his clan, he will wed the young female chief of their greatest enemy. Only problem: capturing her and forcing her back to Sinclair castle doesn’t exactly make her want to say yes. Ella Sutherland may be clever, passionate, and shockingly beautiful, but what she isn’t is willing.

Every attempt Cain makes to woo her seems to backfire on him. A gift? The kitten practically claws his eyes out. A competitive game of chess? Even when he wins, he loses. It seems the only time the two ever see eye to eye is when they’re heating up Cain’s bed. Still, the only thing Ella truly wants is the one thing he cannot offer her: freedom.

But when Cain discovers she’s been harboring a secret—one that could threaten both clans’ very existence—he’ll have to decide between peace for the Sinclairs or the woman who’s captured his heart.

REVIEW:
This is the first in a new series from Heather McCollum and I can not wait to read the rest of the series.

Ok imagine if the Hatfield and McCoy’s were Scottish, smart, funny and respectable. And Cain and Ella are the kids who fall in love but these two are actually in charge of their clan’s and by getting together they would join the Hatfield and McCoy’s… Ok that might be a bit hard to imagine but reading the story isn’t a hardship at all.

I loved Cain and Ella. They are too funny together. Yes she is his captive hoping if they wed the clan’s will combine and belong to Cain but Ella isn’t willing to have that happen even if she is willing to have a bit of fun with Cain.

This is just adorable. There are so many times that made me smile in this book and I just love how strong and independent Ella is. McCollum is easily one of my favorites in the Scottish Highland genre and this book just shows why. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Summer At Lake Haven by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Summer At Lake Haven
SERIES #: Haven Point #11
CHARACTERS: Samantha & Ian
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/23/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Return to Haven Point for one last summer by the lake…

Samantha Fremont may still be grappling with her mother’s death, but this summer she’s determined to build a new life for herself. Starting with making her friend’s dream wedding dress and establishing herself as a boutique fashion designer in the process. What she does not need is a surprise litter of puppies, the voice in the back of her mind saying she can’t do any of this—or her friend’s gorgeous brother who’s visiting from England for the wedding.

Ian Somerhill knows a sabbatical in Haven Point is exactly what his children need to recover from their own mother’s death. And even if he and Sam got off on the wrong foot, she has a way with Miranda and Thomas. As Sam—and her adorable puppies—bond with his children, they fall into a friendship unlike any he’s had in a long time. But Ian has obligations in England he can’t ignore—and a complicated past that might just stop this summer romance from ever blooming into something more.

REVIEW:
Another great story from RaeAnne Thayne. She takes us back to Lake Haven (11th in the series).

Who could want more from life than to make wedding dresses and hang out with puppies? Well Samantha couldn’t. She has given up on men (at least for the time being) and is ready to focus on herself. But then Ian and his two adorable children. Sam thinks she can just help the kids get over the death of their mom with a bit of womanly love and puppy breath (who doesn’t love that?) and Ian is just in need of help and willing to do what he needs to for his kids.

I just love the writings of RaeAnne Thayne. She has grown so much as a writer and is high up on my list of authors. And this book is exactly why. Not one to be missed. The characters are great. The kids are great and you can practically smell the puppy breath through the pages.

Can’t wait for the next in the series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews A Killer’s Wife by Victor Methos

TITLE: A Killer’s Wife
SERIES #: Desert Plains #1
CHARACTERS: Jessica Yardley
AUTHOR: Victor Methos
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the bestselling author of The Neon Lawyer comes a gripping thriller about a prosecutor confronted with the darkest part of her past and the worst fears for her future…

Fourteen years ago, prosecutor Jessica Yardley’s husband went to prison for a series of brutal murders. She’s finally created a life with her daughter and is a well-respected attorney. She’s moving on. But when a new rash of homicides has her ex-husband, Eddie, written all over them—the nightmares of her past come back to life.

The FBI asks Jessica to get involved in the hunt for this copycat killer—which means visiting her ex and collaborating with the man who tore her life apart.

As the copycat’s motives become clearer, the new life Jessica created for herself gets darker. She must ask herself who she can trust and if she’s capable of stopping the killer—a man whose every crime is a bloody valentine from a twisted mastermind she’s afraid she may never escape.

REVIEW:
This book is not for the faint of heart. There are a number of scenes that can be difficult to read or imagine.

That being said it is a really well written legal thriller. I did have some issues with Jessica who is supposedly one of the best lawyers and yet she can be so naive on things. And that made me roll my eyes a number of times but other than that the story was compelling and keeps you wanting to read the next chapter.

Jessica was married to a serial killer and now a copycat is out there so she gets involved in locating and stopping the copycat. And that means having to meet up with her ex-husband for help.

Very well written book and any fans of the genre will enjoy it.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

TITLE: The Night Swim
CHARACTERS: Rachel Krall
AUTHOR: Megan Goldin
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/04/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After the first season of her true crime podcast became an overnight sensation and set an innocent man free, Rachel Krall is now a household name―and the last hope for thousands of people seeking justice. But she’s used to being recognized for her voice, not her face. Which makes it all the more unsettling when she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her, begging for help.

The small town of Neapolis is being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. The town’s golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping a high school student, the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure to make Season Three a success, Rachel throws herself into interviewing and investigating―but the mysterious letters keep showing up in unexpected places. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago. Officially, Jenny Stills tragically drowned, but the letters insists she was murdered―and when Rachel starts asking questions, nobody seems to want to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections between the two cases that will change the course of the trial and the lives of everyone involved.

Electrifying and propulsive, The Night Swim asks: What is the price of a reputation? Can a small town ever right the wrongs of its past? And what really happened to Jenny?

REVIEW:
Here is the thing. This book is SO hard to read and yet once you get started you NEED to continue. This story delves very deeply into the subject of rape. But it is a real, upfront depiction of what the victim goes through not only at the hand of the rapist but at the hand of those that still blame the victim. Was she asking for it? How was she dressed? What did she do to deserve this?

I won’t say this book is perfect. There are parts that I do not believe was written accurately but for the most part the story hits home. The story also has the murder of Jenny, who it is claimed accidentally drowned, but her sister is sure it is murder and wants Rachel to find the truth.

Again, this story has parts that are hard to read. It gets intense and you just want to put it down to take a breath but then you can’t stop thinking about it.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Friendship List by Susan Mallery

TITLE: The Friendship List
CHARACTERS: Ellen and Unity
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/04/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
[ ] Dance till dawn
[ ] Go skydiving
[ ] Wear a bikini in public
[ ] Start living

Two best friends jump-start their lives in a summer that will change them forever…

Single mom Ellen Fox couldn’t be more content—until she overhears her son saying he can’t go to his dream college because she needs him too much. If she wants him to live his best life, she has to convince him she’s living hers.

So Unity Leandre, her best friend since forever, creates a list of challenges to push Ellen out of her comfort zone. Unity will complete the list, too, but not because she needs to change. What’s wrong with a thirty-something widow still sleeping in her late husband’s childhood bed?

The Friendship List begins as a way to make others believe they’re just fine. But somewhere between “wear three-inch heels” and “have sex with a gorgeous guy,” Ellen and Unity discover that life is meant to be lived with joy and abandon, in a story filled with humor, heartache and regrettable tattoos.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Every year Mallery takes us away from Happily Inc/Fool’s Gold and takes us on a journey of friendship instead of romance. Not that it doesn’t have romance involved… what would a Mallery book be without romance?… but the books are mostly about friendship and the “other” relationships in our lives.

In this story we have Ellen and Unity. They have been friends for what seems forever and they make a pact. This will do the things on their bucket list and the one that doesn’t get everything complete will pay for the winner to have a spa weekend.

I will be honest and say I had moments of dislike for every single character. But you know what? That is life. Even the people we love most drive us crazy. Or we want to kick them in the butt and say “It is what it is. Get over it.”

Mallery brings real life to paper. The way we handle our teenagers and their grown up actions. Our friends and their childlike behavior. And of course love and romance. So many moments with the teenagers in the story I wanted to yell at them or yell at the parents for what they were/were not doing. But when a book can make you feel so involved you know you have been taken into the authors world and out of your own.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Never Look Back by Mary Burton

TITLE: Never Look Back
SERIES #: Criminal Profiler #3
CHARACTERS: Melina & Jerrod
AUTHOR: Mary Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Expect the unexpected in this gritty, tense, and page-turning mystery from New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton.

After multiple women go missing, Agent Melina Shepard of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation makes the impulsive decision to go undercover as a prostitute. While working the street, she narrowly avoids becoming a serial killer’s latest victim; as much as it pains her to admit, she needs backup.

Enter lone wolf FBI agent Jerrod Ramsey. Stonewalled by a lack of leads, he and Melina investigate a scene where a little girl has been found abandoned in a crashed vehicle. They open the trunk to reveal a horror show and quickly realize they’re dealing with two serial killers with very different MOs. The whole situation brings back memories for Melina—why does this particular case feel so connected to her painful past?

Before time runs out, Melina must catch not one but two serial killers, both ready to claim another victim—and both with their sights set on her.

REVIEW:
This is the third in the series but certainly can be a stand alone. The series wraps around Agent Melina Shepard. Melina goes undercover as a prostitute and is barely able to escape an attack from who will soon be identified as a serial killer. In comes FBI agent Jerrod Ramsey who has been trying to catch the killer.

I enjoy a book that can stump me. And while I was close to all the answers some surprised me.

Mary Burton has become one of my favorite authors and I always grab her books as quickly as I can. And this is another great story by the author.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews He Started It by Samantha Downing

TITLE: He Started It
CHARACTERS: Beth, Portia, and Eddie Morgan
AUTHOR: Samantha Downing
PUBLICATION DATE: July 28, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Beth, Portia, and Eddie Morgan haven’t all been together in years. And for very good reasons—we’ll get to those later. But when their wealthy grandfather dies and leaves a cryptic final message in his wake, the siblings and their respective partners must come together for a cross-country road trip to fulfill his final wish and—more importantly—secure their inheritance.
But time with your family can be tough. It is for everyone.
It’s even harder when you’re all keeping secrets and trying to forget a memory—a missing person, an act of revenge, the man in the black truck who won’t stop following your car—and especially when at least one of you is a killer and there’s a body in the trunk. Just to name a few reasons.
But money is a powerful motivator. It is for everyone.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts He Started It is a wild ride of three siblings fulfilling their late grandfather’s final wish to revisit the family road trip that they went on 20 years earlier. What lays ahead for the Morgan siblings is a lot of memories, questions, lies and betrayals.

*Staring at the final sentence in the book wondering what the heck just happened*
I think it took me a whole 5 minutes to realize that the story was over. Wow, just wow!!!
Family road trips will never be the same after reading He Started it. This was a great follow up novel by Samantha Downing. I really enjoyed My Lovely Wife and was excited to pick up He Started It for review.
The story has a few slow parts but I could not put the book down because I had no clue what was going to be next. And boy was I surprised multiple times.

I am already looking forward to whatever Samantha has in store for us next!!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley, Edelweiss & Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts