Category Archives: Standalone

Psychological Thriller, Standalone

#REVIEW – Varity by Colleen Hoover

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A thrilling, instant bestseller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author. Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. 

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of the night their family was forever altered. 

She decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her. 

Due to extremely mature content, this book is recommended for readers 18+. Sensitive topics that may be triggering to some readers include graphic death/murder, child abuse, graphic sex

What the heck did I just read??? So I haven’t read a Co-Ho book since her Slammed Series. Well…this book, my friends, is nothing like those ones! I’m a huge fan of horror and thriller and anything that can mess with my head, so when I was told that this book is creepy, I was intrigued. But wow…I was NOT in no way shape or freaking form, prepared for that! At all. Like nope. No way. No how was I prepared.

Lowen is a struggling writer, a lot of them are. She just lost her mother and is feeling the impact of that and the weight of the world on her shoulders. One day she ends up having to go to a meeting and something truly awful happens that she witnesses. In walks Jeremy who saves the day by giving her his shirt off his back. Literally.

Lowen arrives at her meeting finally and lo and behold, Jeremy is there. After everything is said and done, Lowen ends up basically moving into Jeremy’s house to finish out the series that his wife can no longer write after being in a tragic accident that has left her immobile.

While Lowen spends her days reading and doing research for this series that she reluctantly agrees to finish, she ends up finding an autobiography from Jeremy’s wife herself. And that’s when the crazy happens.

I don’t want to go into too much detail but wow. Just wow. My mind is reeling. I spent every chapter trying to figure out what the heck was going on and by the end of the book, I was like, WTF that did so not happen. But it left me wondering, what would I do in that situation? How would I react? How would I respond?

This book brought out that old reader in me who could spends days reading books and getting lost in other worlds. That reader hasn’t been around for awhile but thanx to this book, I’ve finally found that reader once again.

Thank you, Colleen, for writing this book. Hands down one of my favourite readers. Ever.

Psychological Thriller, Standalone

#REVIEW – The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

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An Instant Bestseller!
The New York Times USA Today The Globe and Mail The Toronto Star

New York Times bestselling author Tarryn Fisher delivers a pulse-pounding, fast-paced suspense novel that will leave you breathless. A thriller you won’t be able to put down!

Imagine that your husband has two other wives.

You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this unconventional arrangement, you can see your husband only one day a week. But you love him so much you don’t care. Or at least that’s what you’ve told yourself.

But one day, while you’re doing laundry, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket—an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives.

You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are. Then Hannah starts showing up to your coffee dates with telltale bruises, and you realize she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. But you’ve never known him to be violent, ever.

Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you be willing to go to find out?

And who is his mysterious third wife?
This book. Holy moly, balls on a cracker. So I’ve never actually read anything by Tarryn before, even though I’ve been following her for years. This book. Wowzers. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into and I’m so glad I went in blind! If you can do that, I highly recommend it! The main voice of the book is Thursday and we learn that her husband is with two other women. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why this woman would allow such a thing but my questions were slowly answered as I continued to read. Not that the actual reason was any better because if it were me, it would be a big fat nope. I don’t share. Lol! But I don’t want to give too much away because I really feel that you should go in with an open mind. There are so many secrets and twists and turns. Poor Thursday slowly unravels as the chapters go on. It will leave you wondering what’s actually real or not or if it’s all in your head much like main character herself. This definitely won’t be my last book that I read by Tarryn and I look forward to falling down yet another rabbit hole!
Part of a Series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #partofaseries Just One Night (Oh Tequila 6) by CA Harms

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A guy should never, and I do mean never, hook up with his friend’s sister.

It doesn’t matter how hot she is or how many times he’s imagined her in a not-so-innocent way. Nope. Those visuals should always remain hidden deep down in a dark place.

But of course, I just had to drink until I couldn’t see straight and screw everything up. Now, I know what you’re thinking, and I swear it wasn’t my fault. It was that damn tequila.

I never expected to wake up naked only a few feet away from the woman I never should have touched. But man, reality had been so much better than any fantasy I’d ever had.

But it all went downhill fast when she opened the door to leave and came face to face with none other than her brother, who is also one of my best friends.

I’m a dead man, but Jade might actually be worth it.

And to think, all it took to change everything was…

Just One Night.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56985231-just-one-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=aAdZVsfEvh&rank=65

Amazon https://amzn.to/3eFLE5q

Review by Twinsie Dee

I bought this book and this my honest opinion

When the tequila starts flowing you never know what’s going to happen in the frat house and when president Issac gets a little too drunk he wakes up to find a blonde trying to sneak outta his room little did he know that he had just crossed the biggest cardinal rule in brotherhood history don’t sleep with a brothers sister. Jade was just wanting to have fun after being treated like shit in every relationship she’s ever been in including the one she doesn’t have with her parents, having fun is what she needed. Little did they both know the romp in the sheets would ruin both of them for other people and a baby comes into play. Will this get to be too much of a lead weight to the frat president who has done nothing but drink and have sex or will this be the exact wake up call they both needed. Wow oh wow this book was amazing and I’m so gonna miss these characters and this group of friends I didn’t want it to end but I’m so glad that we got some bonuses in the back of each character.

C.A. Harms is an avid romance and mystery reader. She’s always had a love for books, getting lost in writing and storytelling even as a young girl. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She holds an addiction for Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha’s and KitKat when she should really be focusing on water and maybe a fruit or two to make herself feel less guilty, but that feeling quickly passes…thankfully.

She is easy going, fun, and although she may seem like one of the quiet ones at first, you just wait until she gets to know you better…that quietness changes, fast

Standalone, Thriller, YA

#review #yathriller The Lake by Natasha Preston

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Esme and Kayla once were campers at Camp Pine Lake. They’re excited to be back this year as CITs (counselors in training). Esme loves the little girls in her cabin and thinks it’s funny how scared they are of everything–spiders, the surly head counselor, the dark, boys . . . even swimming in the lake! It reminds her a little of how she and Kayla used to be, once. Before . . . it happened.

Because Esme and Kayla did something bad when they were campers. Afterwards, the girls agreed to keep it secret. They’ve moved on–or so they say–and this summer is going to be great. Two months of sun, s’mores, and flirting with the cute boy counselors. But then they get a note. THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS. And the secret they’ve kept buried for so many years is about to resurface.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43785684-the-lake

Amazon https://amzn.to/3c6jGx8

Review by Twinsie Dee

I bought this book and this my honest opinion

Esme and Kayla are returning to their old summer camp this summer as counselors in training it’s the one place they swore they were never going to return to after what happened the last time they were there. But they were here and ready to try and have some fun, but nothing ever stays hidden when you want to keep it buried. Creepy things start happening and the girls are wondering if their secret is coming back to hunt them. Wow Natasha knocked this one outta the park it had me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Cellar and The Cabin. Romance and YA Thriller writer, boy mum, Tom Hardy enthusiast. Always buried in a book and a glass of wine.

New Release, Part of a Series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #seriesstarter #newrelease Season Starter (summer loving 1) by Amabel Daniels

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Jessie

The last time I saw the man—jerk—of my dreams, he fired me. Now, he’s back in town to renovate my bed and breakfast before the tourist season starts.

I might have gotten over my grudge, but I sure haven’t moved on since him. Harrison is the ideal hunk, or he was back when we were young and stupid. My contractor is still sexy, possibly sweet, and easily keeps up with my sarcasm…but he’s a package deal this time. He’s back with a daughter and a chip of his shoulder, neither of which should matter to me. But the more I see him on the job, each time we clash and fall into our thrilling push-and-pull, I have to wonder if there’s something fresh to start with him before the summer kicks off.

Harrison

Of all people, it just had to be Jessie Green buying this old dump. Imagine my shock that the feisty, gorgeous, stubborn girl I fell in love with in high school is the owner of our town’s former brothel.

Her plans for a B&B are a nearly impossible race against time—doable, but it’s quite the hustle. With the tables turned—her hiring me—it’d be easier done if I didn’t have to see her day in and day out, worrying if she can overlook our past, wondering if she tastes as good as she looks, wishing I could have a take two. Hell, even a take one



Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57742057-season-starter

Amazon https://amzn.to/3xQJtUj

Review by Twinsie Dee

I was given this book by the author for an honest review

Holy hawt damn you can feel the sexual tension rolling off the pages as the story gets deeper into the story. Jessie always dreamed about opening a bed and breakfast in the run down mansion in town,  and once she got a lot of money from a relative she wasn’t aware she had she could finally do it. Well once the couple finally decided to sell and the town worm (wormer being his last name perfectly fitting)  so they made a deal if she could get the house fixed up by the time the tourist season started she could buy the house. And she ended up hiring her old crush from high school and damn did he age well but he also now had a kid. Will they get this house done in time or will their sexual tension keep them from getting the job done in time and allowing all Jessie’s money go to waste and letting Wormer turn it into a parking lot. Wow this story was amazing hilarious and hawt I loved every second of it.

 

Amabel Daniels lives in Northwest Ohio with her patient husband, three adventurous daughters, and a collection of too many cats and dogs. Although she holds a Master’s degree in Ecology, her true love is finding a good book. When she isn’t spending time outdoors, she’s busy brewing up her next novel, usually as she lets her mind run off with the addictive words of “what if…”

 

Hockey Player, Part of a Series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #seriesstarter Just Say Yes (Indianapolis Eagles 1) by Samantha Lind

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What will it take for her to Just Say Yes?

Scott Taylor has the perfect life. He gets to fulfill his dream playing professional hockey, has a loving family, and a tight group of friends. But the one thing missing in his life is a partner to come home to. He knows exactly who he wants to fill that position– the only woman he has ever loved. The one who got away, who constantly consumes his every thought. What it would take to get her to Just Say Yes to a second chance?

Becca Phillips is an independent woman who has made her career as an ER nurse a priority in her life. She has a loving family and a best friend by her side, but she can’t seem to get over her first love, Scott. Insecurities led her to break up with him years ago when he started climbing the ranks in professional hockey and, for eight years, Becca has avoided Scott when he returns home each summer. Can she overcome her fears and allow love back into her life? All she has to do is Just Say Yes to the one and only man she has ever loved.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36276177-just-say-yes

Amazon https://amzn.to/324bGbC

Review by Twinsie Dee

I bought this book and this my honest opinion

After winning the Stanley Cup and bringing it home to Alaska for the day Scott Taylor was on top of the world. He was just missing one thing back home the love of his life his high school sweetheart that broke up with him 8 years priers and who he’s never gotten over she was definitely the one who got away and he compared every girl to her. Becca was the one who broke Scott’s heart all those years ago so every summer after hockey season is over she does everything she can to avoid him in the small town that they live in. So this summer she decided that she wasn’t going to avoid him and see what happens because well she regrets breaking things off with him all those years ago and she wants him back in her life. Will these two reconnect for the summer and continue to be in each other’s lives or will the distance and crazy schedules rip them apart again. Wow this is such a great book my first hockey romance book too and definitely not my last it was such a quick read I couldn’t put it down.

Samantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home where she lives with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music.

Audio Book, Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary

#AudioReview – Ryan’s Bed by: Tijan Narrator: Therese Plummer

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Ryan's Bed

I crawled into Ryan Jensen’s bed that first night by accident.

I barely knew him. I thought it was his sister’s bed—her room. It took seconds to realize my error, and I should’ve left…

I didn’t.
I didn’t jump out.
I didn’t get embarrassed.
I relaxed.
And that night, in that moment, it was the only thing I craved.

I asked to stay. He let me, and I slept.

The truth? I never wanted to leave his bed. If I could’ve stayed forever, I would have.
He became my sanctuary.

Because—four hours earlier—my twin sister killed herself.

Goodreads


Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased this Audio.

I enjoy listening Theresa Plummer narrating this story. She does a great job with both male and female voices. I was able to tell which female and which male was talking. She really kept me engaged in the story. Tijan has an amazing way of writing a story that guts you and puts you back together along the way.

Mackenzie finds her twin on the bathroom floor in a pool of her own blood. Her other half is gone and Mackenzie finds herself in a new house, a new town and currently a stranger’s home trying to deal with the biggest loss of her life. She somehow manages to find her way into the wrong room and wrong bed, Ryan’s bed, but to her this bed feels so right.
Mackenzie is trying to deal with the loss of her twin but she hears her and sees her and the only comfort she has is when Ryan is near. She is trying to get through everything day by day and dealing with a new school. I love that she still has spunk and does not back down when mean girls are around.

Ryan is drawn to Mac from the beginning he truly gets what she is going through and helps her the best he can. The chemistry between these two is explosive. Love how understanding, compassionate and loving he is toward Mac.
I like that we were placed in Mac’s head and learned so much about both her and Willow. Mac is strong female although she may not always believe it or fee it she is. I loved her spirit and tenacity. Takes a lot to over come what she did and be able to still standup for herself.

Very well written book for such a hard subject of teen suicide to tackle .

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and Ryan’s Bed among others. She is currently writing to her heart’s content in north Minnesota with an English Cocker Spaniel she adores.

To find what to read next of hers, go to www.tijansbooks.com
WALLSTREET JOURNAL, NEW YORK TIMES, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Non-Fiction, Standalone

#REVIEW – Out of the Shadows: A Memoir by Timea Nagy & Shannon Moroney

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NATIONAL BESTSELLER

An unforgettable story of an ordinary woman in astonishing circumstances who defies the odds.

Timea Nagy was twenty years old when she answered a newspaper ad in Budapest, Hungary, calling for young women to work as babysitters and housekeepers in Canada. Hired by what seemed like a legitimate recruitment agency, Timea left her home believing she would earn good money to send back to her family. What she didn’t know was that she’d been lured by a ring of international human traffickers–and her life would never again be the same.

Upon her arrival in Toronto, she was forced into sex labour in some of the city’s seediest nightclubs, starved and controlled by her agents, and brainwashed to believe she was to blame for her situation. The only way she’d be free was when her debt was paid–but, no matter how hard she worked, that debt seemed only to go up, not down.

Out of the Shadows is a gripping, heartbreaking and eye-opening journey deep into the underworld of human trafficking and the sex trade, told in riveting detail by one brave survivor. At once tragic and powerfully redemptive, Timea Nagy’s story will stay with you long after you’ve read the last page.
I seriously have no words. Living in Ontario, I knew a lot of the streets mentioned, having been to Toronto more times than I count. I knew about the trafficking issues but I had no idea just how bad it was. Timea’s story was beyond brave. She’s fearless and strong even though I’m sure at times, she probably doesn’t feel that way. Even now. What she went through was heartbreaking but how she came out on top at the end, had me emotional. This story, Timea’s story, will forever be burned into my heart as one of the most powerful stories I’ve ever read. Timea, I know you’ll never read this but thank you for telling your story. I’m not a victim/survivor of any sort of trauma but I felt for these girls and boys. All different ages, it just shows that it doesn’t matter what sex you are. And really, age doesn’t matter either. Timea answered a babysitting ad to leave Hungary and come to Toronto, thinking she would be safe and she wasn’t. At all. Just a warning, there are triggers in this book, so please read with caution. While reading, every time something bad happened to Timea, I kept thinking that she couldn’t catch a break. I’m happy she was able to mend some past relationships and that she was able to find happiness of her ownself after years and years of living in darkness. If you’re working with human trafficking victims or going to school having to do with scary and very real issue, I highly recommend reading this book.
Non-Fiction, Standalone

#REVIEW – The Hospital by Barbara O’Hare

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A shocking expose of the appalling abuse and experimentation carried out on vulnerable children at Aston Hall Hospital, Derbyshire, in the 60s and 70s.
These books based on true events are way scarier than the horror movies I watch. Knowing the evil vile things that happened in these books, actually happened to someone in real life, is bothersome to say the least. So when 2020 happened, I went through a kick of reading non-fiction books. While they’re well written, I feel almost weird saying that they’re “good” because honestly, what part of the story is even remotely considered to be perceived as “good”? These stories hit me in a different spot somewhere deep inside me, than romance does. Knowing that some poor child/teen/adult went through these awful things, makes me want to befriend them and tuck them safely into my arms. The Hospital is no different. Barbara wasn’t wanted. You see that right away. Which is horrible by the way. She ends up being sent to “The Hospital” and spends months going through “treatment”. I tried understanding what exactly happened during these treatment sessions as it wasn’t exactly clear at first. But with all the books I’ve read and movies I’ve seen, my assumptions were unfortunately correct. Barbara eventually makes it out of The Hospital but every time I thought something good was about to happen and she finally had her freedom, something worse came about. If you like non-fiction books and need a change, definitely pick this one up.
Friends to Lovers, Part of a Series, Part of a Spin off series, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #partofaseries Finally Us (Next Generation Series 5) by J.M. Walker

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-Vince-

She was perfect.

Her heart.

Her soul.

Everything.

I had been in love with Gigi Rodriguez for as long as I could remember. I had never been shy about my feelings toward her. Everyone knew how I felt. Except for the person who mattered most.

I needed her like I needed my next breath. Our souls called out to each other, entwining together to form a bond I had never felt with another person.

She was passionate.

Strong.

Mine.

Just when I thought I had her in my arms for good, an unknown force threatened to take away the only thing I had ever wanted…

-Gigi-

He was stubborn.

Obsessed.

Dominating.

Vincent Stone Junior was the very reason I danced. Every time I moved, I moved for him. He just didn’t know it yet.

It all started the night of his eighteenth birthday, but school got in the way and I didn’t see much of him for the next three years.

When he came home for good, I knew that he had one mission: To crack down the walls I had built.

I didn’t want to love him.

I didn’t want to need him.

But losing a piece of myself made me realize that I did in fact want those things. He taught me to love myself first and that he would be there, ready and waiting…

For me.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54102534-finally-us?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=L7eSllKw2H&rank=37

Amazon https://amzn.to/3vnwo3x

Review by Twinsie Dee

I was giving this book for a review and this is my honest opinion 

Holy hawt damn… this book wow ur gonna need a cold rag to help cool you down. So Gigi and Vince have known each other their whole life, had feeling for each other but there was a age difference and neither one wanted to  admit their feelings for the other. Well they both gave each other their virginity the night of Vince’s 18th birthday right before he went off to school. 3 years later feels are still there and they are still having fun, will these two finally get their heads outta of their asses and let the other one know how they feel and knock down all the walls that’s surrounding their hearts. Or will they let other people feelings dictate how they live, with constants obstacles trying to get between them will they get their happiness that they both have been wanting for their whole lives. This book was amazing like everything JM writes you will never been disappointed in her words and the sexiness is on point and on fire. 

J.M. Walker is an Amazon author who hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.