Review: Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris 

Release Date: June 19, 2018 

Publisher: St. Martin's Press 

Genre: Adult, Thriller/Suspense 

Source: ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

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She went missing. He moved on. A whole world of secrets remained―until now.

Finn and Layla are young, in love, and on vacation. They’re driving along the highway when Finn decides to stop at a service station to use the restroom. He hops out of the car, locks the doors behind him, and goes inside. When he returns Layla is gone―never to be seen again. That is the story Finn told to the police. But it is not the whole story.

Ten years later Finn is engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen. Their shared grief over what happened to Layla drew them close and now they intend to remain together. Still, there’s something about Ellen that Finn has never fully understood. His heart wants to believe that she is the one for him...even though a sixth sense tells him not to trust her.

Then, not long before he and Ellen are to be married, Finn gets a phone call. Someone from his past has seen Layla―hiding in plain sight. There are other odd occurrences: Long-lost items from Layla’s past that keep turning up around Finn and Ellen’s house. Emails from strangers who seem to know too much. Secret messages, clues, warnings. If Layla is alive―and on Finn’s trail―what does she want? And how much does she know?

A tour de force of psychological suspense, Bring Me Back will have you questioning everything and everyone until its stunning climax.

Review:  

As soon as I read the synopsis for Bring Me Back, I added it to my TBR pile. "Secret messages, clues, warnings" is what reeled me, and I couldn't wait to see how everything would unfold - was Layla truly alive? 

The result? Bring Me Back was unfortunately a mixed bag. On the bright side, it was an easy to read, and the storyline was interesting enough to keep me hooked. On the negative side, however, there were several aspects of Bring Me Back that brought my enjoyment down considerably. 

Bring Me Back starts off strong. It opens several years prior with Finn being interviewed by the police in regards to his girlfriend's disappearance. Finn claims innocence, but there's a doubt hanging in the air, a feeling of suspicion that can't be fully eradicated. At this point, I was hooked. I liked the mysterious feel to his story. Layla seemingly disappeared into thin air at a dark, desolate rest area, and I could tell there was more to the story. Was Finn completely involved? I didn't know for sure, but I knew for certain that there was more to the disappearance that he was unwilling to share. After that, the book quickly jumps to current times. Finn has moved on from that day. He's ended up in a relationship with Layla's sister of all people, and he's just proposed to her. That's when the the creepy things start happening, and to say I was hooked would be an understatement. I was on the edge of my seat, dying to know what would happen next. I loved the eeriness, and how B.A. captured the scene in such an attention-grabbing way

Unfortunately, as Bring Me Back continued, it slowly began to loose its mojo for a variety of reasons. For one, the pacing slowed down considerably. For such an exciting start, I couldn't believe how tiresome the story soon became. I didn't like how such a big piece of the mystery was revealed in the beginning, because (1) it cut down on the suspense and (2) it made the book proceed to go in circles, in my opinion. Finn's constant struggling with telling or not telling grew old fast. I couldn't understand why he would keep everything to himself, and I also couldn't believe who he choose to finally tell, especially considering what he previously thought about that person. The back-and-forth between Finn and the person assumed to be Layla also grew to be repetitive. I felt that they kept having the same conversation over and over again with the same arguments, the same threats, but no action. I wanted more excitement. To be more specific, I wanted the excitement from the start to come back. 

It also didn't help that I couldn't bring myself to care about Finn. Honestly, I thought he was a horrible man. He was incredibly selfish, and this selfishness often brought danger to the ones he supposedly loved. I also didn't find his relationship with Ellen to be all that interesting. For the most part, I felt bad for the women. He obviously was only with her because of who her sister was, and in some ways, she realized that but then proceeded to make excuses for him. It just wasn't likable...I also felt that the secondary characters were undeveloped. Very little was known about the cop and Finn's best friend, for example, and they only appeared when Finn needed help... 

The part, however, that disappointed me the most was the big twist at the end. I had this feeling that it was going to turn like that from the beginning, and I was really hoping it wouldn't be the case. I felt as if it was the cheap way out in some respects. It also didn't help that I found it so completely unbelievable...Yes, I know it's supposed to be fiction, but for everyone not realize this *BIG* thing? It didn't make any sense! And I'm still annoyed to think about it now. I wish I could go more into this, but I don't want to spoil the book for anyone. 

Overall, I'm torn on Bring Me Back. If it would've kept up the pace and intrigue it possessed in the beginning, I would've loved it. It probably would've been a 4-star book. However, given the lack of development and the unbelievable twist, I can't truly say I liked it. Was it an easy read? Yes. Was it hard to finish? Not really. But did it completely infuriate me by the end? Sadly yes. 

As always, this is just my opinion. Others have loved this book, and honestly, I can see people enjoying this, especially as a summer read. 

2 stars!! 

Review: Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen

Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen

Release Date: March 20, 2018 

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: eARC provided by publisher via First to Read in exchange for an honest review

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Her name is Sarah. She's blonde, blue-eyed, and Jewish in 1939 Germany. And her act of resistance is about to change the world.

After her mother is shot at a checkpoint, fifteen-year-old Sarah meets a mysterious man with an ambiguous accent, a suspiciously bare apartment, and a lockbox full of weapons. He's part of the secret resistance against the Third Reich, and he needs Sarah to hide in plain sight at a school for the daughters of top Nazi brass, posing as one of them. If she can befriend the daughter of a key scientist and get invited to her house, she might be able to steal the blueprints to a bomb that could destroy the cities of Western Europe. Nothing could prepare Sarah for her cutthroat schoolmates, and soon she finds herself in a battle for survival unlike any she'd ever imagined. But anyone who underestimates this innocent-seeming girl does so at their peril. She may look sweet, but she's the Nazis' worst nightmare.

Review:  

I requested Orphan Monster Spy from Penguin's First to Read program on a whim. It looked interesting, and I'm always in the market for a new historical fiction read. Unfortunately, Orphan Monster Spy wasn't the book for me. It's the classic case of a fantastic premise but an execution that falls short.  

Orphan Monster Spy introduces Sarah, a young adult in 1939 Germany who becomes a spy for the resistance. I'll admit that Sarah is an interesting main character. She's fearless, resourceful and cunning. The lengths by which she goes to survive are admirable, and I liked that she always had a trick up her sleeve no matter the situation. 

Honestly, she's the type of character I typically like and maybe even love, but that didn't occur here. Basically it's hard to connect with Sarah. It was difficult to get a feel for her personality and more importantly her feelings. Her narrative was incredibly cut and dry, lacking heart as well as emotion, and while in some ways I understood the reasoning behind it, I feel the narrative would've benefited for more feelings, more passion. There were so many times at which I expected a larger response from Sarah - so many times I expected here to scream and yell and just feel - but that never truly happened. Most of the time I found the secondary characters to be more interesting and  likable. Mouse, Sarah's boarding school friend, was a favorite of mine, and I felt that she managed to save this novel in some respects. Like Sarah, she's dealing with her own heartbreak, her own disaster, but I felt that her feelings were better displayed.

Given the title as well as the synopsis I was expecting a chilling spy thriller; however, that wasn't exactly what I received. There were some interesting parts, some wonderful twists and turns, but it took a long time to get to them, and sometimes that made it hard to get through certain parts of this book. I craved more action and excitement, and I wish Matt had cut to the chase sooner than later. The last part of the book was by far the most exciting, but by the time I got there I was just ready to be done, which somewhat dulled my enjoyment. 

Overall, Orphan Monster Spy didn't live up to my expectations. As I said before, it does contain an excellent premise, but a premise can only carry a book so far. Will I read other books by Matt? Maybe. I did see potential here, and I'll be curious to see if he writes a sequel to this. In some ways I feel Orphan Monster Spy was the beginning to a larger story.  

2 stars 

Review: Nothing Left to Burn by Heather Ezell

Nothing Left to Burn by Heather Ezell
Release Date: March 13, 2018
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Source: eARC provided by publisher via First to Read in exchange for an honest review
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The autumn morning after sixteen-year-old Audrey Harper loses her virginity, she wakes to a loud, persistent knocking at her front door. Waiting for her are two firemen, there to let her know that the moment she's been dreading has arrived: the enormous wildfire sweeping through Orange County, California, is now dangerously close to her idyllic gated community of Coto de Caza, and it's time to evacuate.

Over the course of the next twenty-four hours, as Audrey wrestles with the possibility of losing her family home, she also recalls her early, easy summer days with Brooks, the charming, passionate, but troubled volunteer firefighter who enchants Audrey--and who is just as enthralled by her. But as secrets from Brooks's dark past come to light, Audrey can't help but wonder if there's danger in the pull she feels--both toward this boy, and toward the fire burning in the distance.

Review: 

Nothing Left to Burn has been high on my wish list ever since I first heard about it, and as the buzz continued to build over these last few months my excitement did as well. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy! 

Now that I've read it I can definitely say it was well worth the wait. Nothing Left to Burn is fiery and enthralling...the kind of book that calls to be read in one sitting. It's about the secrets a person keeps and the lies they tell themselves to protect the ones they love. It's about falling in love - so hopelessly in love - that they begin to loose parts of themselves along the way. It's about growing up and taking responsibility, finding strength at the most unexpected times. Basically, it's the kind of YA contemporary that reminds me just how much I love YA contemporary. 

Nothing Left to Burn is set over a twenty-four hour period. At first I was worried about this characteristic. I wondered if the book would feel complete, if the story lines as well as the characters would be fleshed out. As per usual, however, my worrying was for nothing. Heather does an excellent job of using the twenty-four period to her advantage. I loved the quick nature of the book. The chapters were fast paced and to the point; however, they never felt incomplete. I was always satisfied with what I received. I also loved that she included flashbacks. It helped to drum up intrigue as well as suspense, especially when the hinted at event was broken up into several parts. 

Nothing Left to Burn is told through Audrey's perspective. I found Audrey to be an interesting main character. I can't say I always loved her or fully stood behind her choices, but there was something about her that made her story so completely compelling. I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to know why she loved Brooks, why she seemed to be keeping her friends and family at such a distance, why she felt so guilty, and what exactly happened between her and her best friend's brother. I also loved how real she felt. She wasn't perfect. She was actually far from it, but over the course of the book, she aims to become a better person, to tell the truth, to take responsibility, and I admired that about her. I could even see parts of my high school self in her, and I feel that many others will be able to relate to her as well, especially when it comes to her toxic relationship with Brooks. 

Talking about Brooks, he definitely wasn't the most likable love interest. There wasn't anything swoony about him, and I could  never quite see the appeal to him even in his and Audrey's happy days. He was brooding and dark, and the more I got to know him, the more I wanted Audrey to run. Like with Audrey, however, I was curious to learn more about him, and I will say I appreciated the overall role he played. It offered up a lot of interesting twists as well as introspections. 

Nothing Left to Burn is a slow-burn read. It takes a while to get to the action, or the meat of the novel, but it was so worth it in my opinion. I loved getting to know the characters first, of really getting a feel for the California setting...Heather just did such a great job of building everything up. I also appreciated the focus on wildfires. As someone who doesn't live in an area impacted by them, I don't think too much about them. Therefore, it was eye-opening to see one through Audrey's eyes. It broke my heart to see what Audrey and her friends went through, and it's nutty to think about how much can change with just one fire. 

Overall, Nothing Left to Burn is a unique, carefully crafted contemporary. Even though I finished it days ago, I'm still thinking about it, especially the ending. Gosh, it was twisty and ambiguous, but I don't think it could've been more perfect. I can't wait to read more by Heather! 

4.5 stars!!

Review: Lady Gone Wicked (Wicked Secrets, #2) by Elizabeth Bright

Lady Gone Wicked by Elizabeth Bright

Release Date: February 26, 2018 
Series: Wicked Secrets, #2 
Publisher: Entangled Scandalous 

Genre: Adult, Romance, Historical 

Source: ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

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Nicholas Eastwood is finally about to get everything he ever wanted. As a reward for his service to the Crown, he has been offered the title of marquess. All he has to do is stay scandal-free until the papers are signed. There’s just one problem: His ex-lover, presumed dead, is remarkably alive.

Adelaide Bursnell is determined to right her wrongs. She will be a dutiful daughter and loving sister. Most importantly, she must marry before her scandal catches up to her. Nicholas was once her ruin, but now he is determined to be her salvation. If he can find her a suitable husband, their shared past can stay buried.

But old temptations prove impossible to resist and scandal can never stay secret for long...

Each book in the Wicked Secrets series is STANDALONE:

* Twice As Wicked
* Lady Gone Wicked

Review: 

Last fall I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of Twice as Wicked, the standalone "prequel" to Lady Gone Wicked. While Twice as Wicked primarily focused on the blossoming relationship between Alice and Nathaniel, it also introduced the tumultuous, scandalous love affair between Alice and Nathaniel's respective twins - Adelaide and Nicholas. Therefore, when I caught wind that Lady Gone Wicked would focus on them, I couldn't wait to dive in. I hoped a happy ending was in store! 

The result? I did in fact receive my happily ever after; however, the story wasn't nearly as charming and addictive as its predecessor. 

My first problem involved Adelaide and Nicholas. From what I saw in Twice As Wicked, I figured I would have no problem loving them. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case here. I found both to be rather bland. I knew that Adelaide was supposed to be strong, daring, and quick witted, but I just never truly felt it. She seemed more a woman who couldn't make up her mind. I especially couldn't stand how she strung Nicholas around. Yes, in some ways he did deserve it, but in other ways, she ended up being just as guilty as him. Nicholas I liked slightly more - there was something deliciously rakish about him - but again I just couldn't connect. He seemed very one dimensional, and I wish it would've have been easier to "feel" his feelings rather than just be told them.  

The plot in Lady Gone Wicked mainly focuses on Adelaide and Nicholas' reunion as well as their return to their respective families. At first, I found both story lines to be interesting. The first scene in particular held a lot of promise, and I also liked catching up with previous characters, but the more the book went on, the more I began to loose interest. I wanted more action, more passion, more tension - I wanted to feel, to be excited. Ultimately I wanted it to be more like Twice as Wicked. 

Overall, while Lady Gone Wicked does provide a satisfying conclusion to Adelaide and Nicholas' arc as well as Alice and Nathaniel's, it left something to be desired. Maybe I had too high of hopes considering how much I adored the prequel, but something here just didn't work for me. 

2 stars!!

Review: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Synopsis/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Vanessa knew that dance was in her blood, but she had no idea the world of elite ballet was center stage for the darkest of secrets-until her sister mysteriously disappeared from the world-renowned New York Ballet Academy.

Three years later, Vanessa follows in Margaret's footsteps, lands the role most girls at NYBA would kill for . . . and gets trapped in a sinister spiral of secrets. Back-stabbing bunheads, a fiercely unrelenting choreographer, and the sexy male lead of the troupe-they all want something from Vanessa. And though she revels in the attention, what Vanessa truly craves are answers. Instead, she feels as though she is losing her footing at every turn. Is she doomed to relive her sister's strange fate?

Riveting and sexy, Dance of Shadows twists the cutthroat world of ballet with a psychological thriller, in a dance you won't be able to resist.

Review: 

Yelena Black's Dance of Shadows has been on my TBR for a long time, and I recently decided to give it a chance. The cover was stunning, and I can never resist a boarding school setting, especially when the said school is in New York City. 

Dance of Shadows started off strong. The mystery was interesting, and I was dying to know how it would all end. Was Vanessa's sister willingly missing? Or was there something more sinister at play? What was up with the intimidating teachers? And the biggest question of all - why did all the lead female cast members disappear under mysterious circumstances? These questions are what kept me reading until the end. I also think Yelena did a great job of fleshing out the setting, and I liked that it included a ballet/dance component. 

Unfortunately, the longer the book went on the more I began to lose interest and the more I began to see some major flaws. 

For one, the characters never came to life, in my opinion. I kept waiting and waiting for development to occur, but it never happened. Did I root for Vanessa? Yes. Was she likable? Yes. However, I never felt like I "got" her. I also had a hard time keeping track of her friends. They never had distinctive personalities. 

For two, we have a case of an insta-love. I'm not a complete insta-love hater. Sometimes I think it can work really well in the book; however, here it just got to be a bit too much. Vanessa was gaga over Zep - and I mean GAGA - as soon as she saw him, and honestly I never saw the appeal of him. Zep was a creep. He treated like Vanessa like trash more times than one and only wanted to see her when the time was convenient for him. The second of which is such a huge warning sign, in my opinion, but Vanessa usually justified his actions. 

Overall, Dance of Shadows had a lot of potential; however, it never truly lived up to it. While the ending was shocking, I don't feel all that driven to read the sequel. As horrible as it may be to say, I just don't care about the characters enough to spend more time on their story. So I would recommend this? Not particularly - there's many other boarding school mysteries I would suggest before this. However, I could see fans of ballet and theater possibly enjoying it.

2 stars!!

Dance of Shadows is now available! 

Source: Publisher 

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