Five Survive: a slow burn young adult thriller with surprising twists and turns

Five Survive by Holly Jackson is a young adult thriller which takes place over eight hours with six friends and one sniper threatening their lives. Eighteen year old Red Kenny is on a Spring Break trip with her friends. A road trip in an RV from Philadelphia to the beach. When the RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service and no one around to help. Suddenly, the wheels of the RV are shot out, the friends realize that there is a sniper out in the dark, watching them and knows exactly who they are. Someone in their group has a secret that the sniper is willing to kill for. The friends desperately try to get help as well as discover who had the secret. As the hours pass, the friends discover that they all have secrets buried deep. They have nowhere to run and tensions run high, someone will not survive. 

After reading the author’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy, I looked forward to reading her other thrillers. Five Survive is a slow burn thriller that picks up in the final quarter of the book with dizzying speed. At one point, I questioned whether I cared about these characters or the secret someone was hiding or how the events played out. I considered putting the book away. Oh I am so glad that I didn’t! There were so many twists and turns that I was on the edge of my seat to the very end. Each character seemed sketchy and trying to hide something. Even Red, the narrator, left me questioning her motives. The how and why behind their adventures was shocking and the identity of who dies is unclear even to the final page. If you enjoy thrillers, even a young adult one, I highly, highly recommend Five Survive. 

Five Survive is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Delicate Escape: a slow burn romance with twist and turns suspsense

Delicate Escape is the second book in the Sparrow Falls series by Catherine Cowles. Thea Stewart is running, when she comes to Sparrow Falls, she finally finds the perfect place to leave peacefully off the grid. Slow to trust, she has made a few friends in town and romance is definitely off the table until she meets Shepard “Shep” Colson. Shep has it all: a successful construction company and a great family along with golden boy charm and devastatingly good looks; however, Thea isn’t going to be taken in by smiles and sweet talk. Shep is drawn to the quiet, reserved Thea and when she needs some home repairs done, Shep jumps at the chance to help. As he is rebuilding the walls in her home, he also slowly breaks through her carefully erected walls. As she learns to trust him, she reveals her secrets and Shep is determined to keep her safe. There is a shadow from her past that is determined to tear her life apart. 

Delicate Escape is a great story with a mix of sweet romance, humorous banter and suspense with breathtaking twists and turns. When Thea was introduced in Fragile Sanctuary, I knew she was hiding and her story would be an emotional roller coaster. I wanted to reach through the book and hug Thea and I waited for her to gather the strength to fight back and protect the life she created in Sparrow Falls. I cheered for her throughout the story. In this story, Shep is dealing with the aftermath of book 1 and the guilt of his inadvertent role in the events. He was also a character I wanted to hug. I loved his character and the love he has for his family and friends was wonderful. I also loved his tenderness with Thea and when their love story was sweet, tender and passionate. Overall, I loved this story and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly, highly recommend Delicate Escape. 

Delicate Escape is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

In the Grasp: a second chance sports romance

In the Grasp is the first book in the LA Wolves series by Cadence Keys. Jack Fuller is at the top of his game with a high priority on his personal life remaining private. He can’t stop thinking about the girl who got away. Now, nine years later, she arrives back in his life and Jack is determined to do it right this time around. Paige O’Malley has worked tirelessly to land her dream job a largest newspaper. Her first assignment: to write the most personal expose on Jack, the man who broke her heart. As she tries to remain professional and land her interview, she learns that the spark between them is still as hot as ever. She is forced to decide what is more important: her dream career or the love of her life. 

I love sports romances, so I looked forward to picking up In the Grasp. From the opening chapter, I loved Jack and Paige as readers meet them as seniors in high school, best friends to lovers when something happens that tears them apart. Fast forward and they are both living their dreams except one. From the moment they saw each other again, the drama, the banter, and the steamy romance were in high gear. There were moments of great emotions from both Jack and Paige. I love the grand gestures from both of them! I could not put this book down! I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you love sports romance, you will love Jack and Paige and the world of the LA Wolves. I highly recommend In The Grasp. 

In the Grasp is available in paperback and eBook

What We Leave Behind: a woman must face her past and answer the question what could have been

What We Leave Behind by Rochelle Weinstein is the story of Jessica Parker as she faces life and emotional growth confronting the past and moving forward in her future. At sixteen, she is dealing with the loss of her father as well as the loss of her first love. After an intense summer romance, Jonas Levy, a twenty two year old medical student, has abruptly walked out of her life and Jessica is left with deep wounds. As she grows up and moves on, she eventually becomes a successful music supervisor in Los Angeles. After she marries Marty Tauber, a film producer, she finally seems to have it all until her marriage begins to unravel. When a secret from her past comes to light, Jessica finds herself in a storm of trauma and memories as she faces the past. Will she be able to find peace in order to salvage her marriage and save everything she loves? 

For a story that describes itself that “our lives are a sum total of the choices we make, which inevitably leaves us to wonder: what if?” To ask the question: would we go back and make a different choice if we could? To live what could have been? However, What We Leave Behind fell short. The story dragged with lots happening but it didn’t really add to the benefit of the story. For me, different reveals felt out of place and were more for shock value than an emotional impact. I didn’t care for the main character, Jessica and the events that she has to experience which made the book very hard to pick up and get into. Overall, I did not enjoy What We Leave Behind. I just wasn’t drawn into a story I expected to be an emotional exploration of what if and what could have been. I do not recommend What We Leave Behind. 

What We Leave Behind is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

When the Rain Ends: a mother and daughter learn to navigate one of life's toughest storms together

When the Rain Ends by Mary Ellen Taylor is a story of a mother and daughter who must learn to navigate one of life’s toughest storms together. After the sudden death of her ex-husband, Dani Peterson learns that she is slowly losing her vision which has left her feeling adrift. Life on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is just a painful reminder. Along with Bella, her grief stricken twelve year old daughter, Dani buys an old farm near the Virginia state line. While Bella is not happy with the drastic change, Dani is more determined to rise to the challenge. Soon the summer brings them new challenges, new friends, and the possibility of a new love. Can they learn that every storm can be weather as long as they do it together? Are sunny skies in their future after so much wind and rain? 

When the Rain Ends held so much promise that I was eager to begin reading. It soon became apparent that the book would not live up to the synopsis. This story had so much potential as the topic of grief is prevalent throughout and yet I found it hard to connect with any of the characters. Dani was okay as a mom who was trying to help her daughter with grief while dealing with grief herself. Bella didn’t act like a twelve year old in her behaviors and attitude. The plot was flat and forming. It didn’t hold my attention. In parts, I found myself zoning out. Some of the subplots were underdeveloped and others didn’t fit in the overarching story. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. It could have been a great story about grief and learning to move forward. I do not recommend When the Rain Ends. 

When the Rain Ends is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Lost Baker of Vienna: family history and a search for answers

The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman is a historical novel inspired by the author’s family in the aftermath of the Holocaust and World War II. In Vienna, 1946, Chana Rosensweig survived the horrors of the war, only to find herself, her mother and her younger brother free and yet struggling to make a living and live in safety. Despite the danger, Chana sneaks into the hotel where she works and makes her late father’s recipes late at night. She soon finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black market dealer who offered security and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. In North Carolina, 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig follows the clues left in her late grandfather’s writings to track down her great aunt in Europe and find out the truth to what happened to her. Soon, Zoe has the sense that someone is following her. Is there someone in the shadows looking for her aunt as well? 

In a story about survival, loss, love and the effects of war, The Lost Baker of Vienna speaks of the unbreakable bonds of family and bringing to light the courageous spirit of survival as the World War II refugees begin to rebuild their lives and overcome the overwhelming hardships left behind in a world torn apart by war. I enjoyed that the author focused on the events and experiences in the aftermath of World War II. Often World War II novels focus on the actual war experiences and ignore the aftermath. I felt more drawn to Zoe’s experiences as she is tracing the steps of her great aunt than Chana’s point of view. Overall, I enjoyed both points of view as the web of secrets unraveled. Some parts were interesting and kept me reading while others were predictable. However, I commend the author for giving a voice to those left behind in war and worked to rebuild. If you enjoy historical novels, I recommend The Lost Baker of Vienna. 

The Lost Baker of Vienna will be available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook 

on August 19, 2025. 

True North: a friends to lovers romance with plenty of emotions

True North is the first book in the North Brothers series by Amy Knupp. Cole North has always felt like the odd man out. With a high IQ, he falters when it comes to personal relationships. Years ago, he left his rightful position in the family business and began a successful career in construction instead. Cole is the foreman for Sierra Lowell, owner of Dunn and Lowell, a remodeling company. She is creative, hardworking and likes to think outside the box. She has one rule: do not mix business with pleasure. When a last minute break up leaves her without a date for her sister’s wedding. Cole surprises her and himself when he offers to be her fake date for the night. When their evening turns into a family emergency, Sierra sees a side of Cole she never knew and the line between boss and foreman becomes blurry. Can Cole go from her right hand man to the right man for her? 

True North is friends to lovers romance with lots of sweet moments, plenty of angst and filled with emotions. I enjoyed Sierra and Cole from the beginning and wondered what in Cole’s past left him determined to be a loner for the rest of his life. There is a moment when Cole comes to terms with a past he can’t change and words he cannot take back, I cried. I wasn’t expecting tears in this romance. It was a beautiful scene with great descriptions. I loved Sierra’s confidence, her ability to stand up for herself and call Cole out on his self-defeating behavior. I also loved the banter between Cole and his brothers. I enjoyed the sisterly bond between Sierra and her sister. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy a friends to lovers romance with lots of emotions, I highly recommend True North. 

True North is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook