My Sister's Boyfriend: twists and turns in the aftermath of My Sister's Husband

My Sister’s Boyfriend by Nicola Marsh is a follow up to My Sister’s Husband (2020). In the aftermath of My Sister’s Husband, sisters Lizzie and Brooke have a strained relationship but remain civil for the sake of Hope, their daughter and niece, and their Aunt Alice. They seem to be on a path to a better relationship when Brooke brings home her new boyfriend. There is something off about Noel Harwood, something Lizzie can’t quite vocalize. However, she knows her sister’s life is in danger. Behind the handsome face and a dazzling smile, there is a sinister gleam in his eyes. She wants to protect her; but she knows her warnings would fall on deaf ears. Lizzie needs to be smart and out maneuver Noel. She doesn’t know what his end game is, but he has no idea how far Lizzie will go to protect her family. She nearly lost Brooke once. She can’t lose her now. 

After reading the thrilling story of My Sister’s Husband, I was stoked to hear that Ms Marsh was writing a follow up. I started reading My Sister’s Boyfriend with great anticipation. I should have reread My Sister’s Husband as details were discussed in My Sister’s Boyfriend that had me a little confused but I quickly remembered. On a side note, if you haven’t read My Sister’s Husband, I highly recommend reading it. Not only is it an awesome story; but you will need to know the family history to follow My Sister’s Boyfriend. While it is not my experience with the drama between sisters, Lizzie and Brooke are two women with a lot of emotional baggage and past hurts to overcome. There were a few twists that I was able to predict; however, Noel’s true motive and his end game was a shocking reveal. Once the story hit high gear, it took off and would not stop. I highly recommend My Sister’s Boyfriend. 

My Sister’s Boyfriend is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

My Sister’s Husband is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Crossing the Line: a forbidden sports romance

Crossing the Line by Nicola Marsh is the first book in the Worlds Apart series. Mia Cresswell is tired of being good. Being known as the geek doesn’t equal fun. While at home at her dad’s tennis academy on spring break, Mia is determined to be bad and she wants the hot new Aussie player to help her do it. Kye Sheldon comes from a troubled past. His attendance at the Cresswell Tennis Academy is his last chance and he can’t afford to mess around. However, he meets Mia and he cannot get her off his mind. What starts off as a secret spring break fling becomes something more. Will they be willing to risk it all for love? 

Crossing the Line is a fast paced sports romance. From the opening chapter to the closing scene, I could not put this book down. I loved Mia and Kye together. Kye has a bad boy reputation but he hides a deeply hurting spirit and Mia helps him overcome his personal and professional demons. I’m not a big fan of tennis so I do not know the ins and outs of the sport; however, the scenes involving tennis lingo doesn’t bog down the flow of the story. There are great romantic scenes, spicy love scenes and a heartwarming grand gesture. It was a fast read and great for an afternoon of reading. If you enjoy sports romances, you may enjoy Crossing the Line. 

Crossing the Line is available in paperback and eBook

Not the Marrying Kind: a high stakes game and a marriage of convenience

Not The Marrying Kind by Nicola Marsh is the first book in the Bashful Brides series. LA party planner Poppy Collins has a secret side business. She plans divorce parties as the Divorce Diva. When a new party prospect offers Poppy the chance to save her sister’s company, she can hardly refuse. Beck Blackwood is the Vegas golden boy who has a problem. His investors are worried about his reputation and image. In order to appear more respectable, he needs a wife and fast. With the knowledge of Poppy’s secret, Beck blackmails her into a marriage of convenience. Poppy realizes that she is about to get more than she bargained for; however, she has a few tricks up her sleeves. After all, they are in the city of high stakes. They are playing to win but will they end up playing for keeps? 

A marriage of convenience, a billionaire and a sassy woman with a secret, what could possibly go wrong? Or right? Although I am not a fan of the billionaire romance subgenre, I liked Beck and Poppy from the beginning. They both knew what they wanted and were willing to play the game to get it. However, they didn’t count on falling in love. I loved Poppy’s justification for divorce parties. It made sense to me and the Divorce Diva’s recommendations at the beginning of the chapters were fun. I enjoyed seeing Beck and Poppy soften toward each other. However, the story was over far too quick. Overall, I enjoyed Beck and Poppy’s story. It was not my favorite of the author’s romance books; however, it is still enjoyable. If you enjoy romance, I recommend Not the Marrying Kind. 

Not The Marrying Kind is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Haven: a gothic suspense thriller

The Haven is the second book in the Outer Banks series by Nicola Marsh. The Haven has been a refuge for many; however, for Rylee it has been a sheltered life. While she loves her father, John, and her grandmother, Leah, she wonders about life outside of her home. When an opportunity to work at the Arcania, a wellness retreat near her home, Rylee is excited but Leah isn’t thrilled. Rylee is also on a journey to search for the mother who left suddenly when she was a newborn with long buried family secrets ready to be uncovered. What Leah is hiding is that decades earlier, she arrived at The Haven and got a job at the nearby Arcania. However, horrors she witnessed there sent her running. As Rylee’s fascination with finding her mother and the Arcania grows, Leah believes Rylee is now in harm’s way. How far will Leah go to protect her family? 

OMG! What a story! As I began the book, I was curious how the Haven could be related to the Arcania, the story we see in The Retreat (2023). Although you do not need to read The Retreat first to enjoy The Haven, I would highly recommend it. As Rylee begins to subvert her grandmother’s control and truly begins her search for answers, the gates open and the story begins a twisted tale of suspense, thrills, and turns of events you won’t see coming! I love how Rylee finds her courage and stands up for herself as she demands answers. And the ending! Are there plans for a third book? Oh, I hope so! With the haunting setting and unexplained happenings, this story will draw you in until the final page. I highly recommend The Haven as well as the first book, The Retreat. If you enjoy gothic suspense thrillers, you cannot miss the Outer Banks series! 

The Haven will be available on October 31, 2023 in paperback and eBook

Cupid Season: a fake dating deal with two romance cynics

Cupid Season by Nicola Marsh is a fake dating romance. The one thing Cash and Layla agree on is they both loathe romance. When Cash needs some good PR and fast, his friend suggests he enter a Valentine’s Day competition for the country’s Most Romantic Couple and raise money for charity. There is one problem: he doesn’t have a girlfriend. Enter Layla, Cash’s gardener, who scoffs at Cash’s proposal to be his fake girlfriend for a week. After a betrayal and heartbreak, she has sworn off love and romance. But when a financial issue comes up, she can’t help but to accept his crazy plan. It’s only for a week. They could fake a loving relationship for a week. What happens when faking it becomes all too real? 

Cupid Season is a fast paced, sweet but slow burn romance. I enjoyed Cash and Layla as I share their cynicism when it comes to the hoopla around Valentine’s Day. Even as a happily married woman, I don’t enjoy the pressure and hype around the day. While a week seems like a short time frame, a lot can happen in one week. I loved Cash and Layla’s banter and their sense of competition. I also enjoyed that Cash seems to soften toward Layla first. The story also had great secondary characters that help Cash and Layla see the possibility of the good despite the risk for heartbreak. I thoroughly enjoyed Cupid Season. It was fun, sweet and a nice weekend read. If you enjoy sweet romance, I highly recommend Cupid Season. 

Cupid Season is available in paperback and eBook

The Grumpy Guy: grumpy-sunshine romance

The Grumpy Guy by Nicola Marsh is the first book in the Creative in Love series. Carissa Lewis owns a fairy shop and is as sunshine as her new neighbor is grumpy. She is determined to stay away from the infuriating man even though he is oh-so-gorgeous. Brody Elliot is determined to raise his young daughter, Molly. He holds a lot of guilt over the loss of her mother and is determined to protect his daughter from any heartbreak in the future. When Molly befriends Carissa, he’s wary but can’t seem to stay away and Carissa’s sunshine demeanor is getting harder and harder to fight. Can he find the strength to love again? Will her sunshine attitude clear away the storm clouds around his heart? 

Nicola Marsh is usually known for her psychological thrillers. However, she can write sweet romances. The Grumpy Guy is a sweet sunshine-grumpy romance. At first, the story seems to drag and there is no real connection between Carissa and Brody other than being neighbors. However, as Molly spends more and more time with Carissa, Brody seems to thaw a bit toward Carissa. Carissa has deep scars in her past but she refuses to let those hurts bring her down while Brody has let the past cloud his future. And Molly is a sweet and adorable child. Overall, the happy ever after ending is a bit predictable; however, sometimes one doesn’t read romance for the unpredictability. If you enjoy a sweet romance, I recommend The Grumpy Guy. 

The Grumpy Guy is available in paperback and eBook

The Retreat: You can check in but you may never leave

The Retreat by Nicola Marsh is a “You can stay, but you may never leave” gothic thriller. Arcania is a wellness street in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Its guests enjoy a week of digital detox where all forms of technology are not permitted and relaxation is the goal. The gothic mansion is a welcome haven but for some it is a nightmare. When her mother dies suddenly, Lucy discovers a mysterious Viking tattoo on the bottom of her mother’s foot. The tattoo is linked to Arcania and impulsively Lucy books a week. The staff seems welcoming enough but soon the creepy house and some of its inhabitants are urging Lucy to leave. Cora Medville is the current owner, arrived at the house forty years ago. She falls in love with the house, Harlan, the dashing heir, and finds the sense of belonging she desperately craved. She stayed. There’s a terrifying truth to the house, how far will Lucy go to discover the truth? How far will Cora go to protect its secrets? 

I have known Nicola Marsh for her domestic psychological thrillers. Now she can add gothic thrillers to her repertoire. Wow! What a story! The Retreat is like a slow burn fire which builds into an inferno that makes it hard to pull away. A thriller that pulls readers into a story that can’t quite be trusted. At the beginning of the story, Lucy seemed too meek and mousey to take such a leap to visit Arcania with so little information. But is there more to Lucy than meets the eye? Is she playing everyone? Or is Lucy slowly going crazy? Could Arcania really be haunted? What are Cora's motives and secrets? There were plot points that were guessable; however, I think that could have been by design. Giving the readers a little tidbit before revealing the big shocker of the story. There were twists that I didn’t see coming and left me gasping in surprise as I turned the page. If you enjoy Nicola Marsh’s psychological thrillers or enjoy gothic thrillers, I highly recommend The Retreat. 

The Retreat is available in paperback and eBook

My top 5 favorite books from 2022

The end of the year is here! I usually do a post recapping my year. Well, this year was filled with fun activities and events. But it was also a year filled with books. I decided to look back on the books of 2022. I read many books across multiple genres and had some that have stuck in my mind long after I closed the final chapter. Some books were good. Some were great and some not so great. I chose my top 5 favorites. It was hard to choose five but here they are, in no particular order.

1. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

This young adult novel is a story about a young woman torn between two worlds, two cultures and where she fits in. Daunis Fontaine is feisty and ready to fight for herself and those she loves. It is a book to be read slowly as the author presents complex issues with honesty and without blaming one side or the other. As I mentioned before, it is a young adult novel; however, all readers, young and old, will enjoy and benefit from reading this amazing story. I highly recommend Firekeeper’s Daughter. 

Firekeeper’s Daughter is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

2. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Katherine Center is always good for a great story. This romantic comedy is a laugh out loud funny, witty and snarky conversation between Hannah, the unconventional bodyguard, and Jack, her superstar client. It is a heartfelt story with emotions, struggles and laughter. I enjoyed Hannah and Jack as individuals with their relatable struggles as well as together as a couple. I closed the book with a sigh of happiness and contentment. The Bodyguard is the first book in a long time that made me laugh, cry and cheer. Highly recommended! 

The Bodyguard is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

3. A Limited Run by Karen McQuestion

Recreating a beloved tv show for two million dollars sounds easy peasy, right? There is more to the billionaire’s request than just to recreate this beloved show. This story was gripping and compelling from beginning to end with twists and turns that keeps you guessing about the true motives behind the request. It is filled with suspense and intrigue without being frightening. It is a book that is hard to pin down to a genre. A Limited Run is part psychological thriller, part spy like intrigue and part human interest kind of story. 

A Limited Run is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

4. Did Not Finish by Nicola Marsh

This romantic comedy has it all. It is funny, romantic and oh-so-steamy! I laughed. I grinned. I sighed the way only romance stories make one sigh. I could not put this book down! I enjoyed both Mia and Axel as they start as enemies and when a sudden snowstorm keeps them together, they can’t deny the sparks between them. I even enjoyed the silent but present Mr Darcy, a grumpy cat that will melt your heart. Did Not Finish is a great romantic comedy that will leave you wanting more! 

Did Not Finish is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

5. A Time-Travel Christmas by Karen McQuestion

A Time-Travel Christmas is a beautifully heartwarming novella filled with miracles and Christmas magic. It will give all the warm and fuzzy feelings for Christmas spirit and belief in the impossible. The time travel aspect wasn’t overly complicated, just a touch of Christmas magic. I loved all the characters with their strength, their feistiness and their cool head in the midst of a troubling situation. The little twist at the end adds to the miracle magic of the story. Fast-paced and engrossing, I turned the last page with a smile. 

A Time-Travel Christmas is available in paperback and eBook

There are many, many great books out there! These are just a few of my favorites from 2022. My reading list for 2023 is already full. Can you believe it? You’re probably thinking, “yes, yes I can!” I can’t wait to dive into the books on next year’s reading list and hoping to find more great reads to share with you. As always, thank you for taking the time to read my posts and learn about these wonderful reads this year. I hope you all have a great New Year’s and here's to great reads for 2023! 

Did Not Finish: a enemies-to-lovers romance

Did Not Finish by Nicola Marsh is an enemies-to-lovers romance in the cutthroat world of publishing. Mia is a reviewer for a well-known newspaper. Her book reviews have skyrocketed sales. They even tank sales with her dreaded DNF (did not finish). She has been secretly writing her own books she wishes to publish. When she wins a spot at a writer’s retreat with the bestselling thriller writer, Axel Low, Mia thinks her dreams have come true. Except what she doesn’t know is that he hates her. Axel plans to eviscerate her writing to give her a taste of her own medicine. But fate intervenes and a rare blizzard blows in and the two are stranded together. It doesn’t take long for Axel and Mia to engage in every romantic trope there is but with secrets they need to protect, when the snow melts, who will be left standing? 

I am familiar with Nicola Marsh’s psychological thrillers and always enjoy them. I haven’t had a chance to read her romance books. When I got the chance to read Did Not Finish, I did not hesitate. I always enjoy a good romance. Did Not Finish is a unique romance with dual points of views (POVs). I don’t think I’ve read a romance with dual POVs but it worked. I enjoyed the insights into the motives with Mia as well as Axel. I even enjoyed Mr Darcy, the silent but very present cat who is a character in his own right. As a book reviewer and an aspiring author, I enjoyed the behind the scenes look of the writing and publishing world. I laughed. I grinned. I sighed the way only romance stories make one sigh. I could not put this book down! I highly, highly recommend Did Not Finish! 

Did Not Finish is now available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Ex Between Us: what if your best friend turns on you?

The Ex Between Us by Nicola Marsh is a psychological thriller of two best friends with the deadliest secrets. Abi and Jo have been best friends since junior high school, ever since Abi came to Jo’s rescue from a bully. They went through everything together. They’ve hit their rough spots especially when Abi committed a terrible mistake and betrayed Jo. But she found a way to forgive Abi and they became closer than ever. After Abi’s son goes off to college and Abi tries to find a new life as an empty-nester, a strange series of events start to unravel. Abi and Jo begin to experience terrifying events that lead them to believe someone is out to harm them. And they seem to be escalating. From property destruction to threatening messages, who could be behind it all? Is it someone watching from the shadows? Or is it someone a little closer to home? 

The Ex Between Us is a slow burn thriller that turns into a fiery inferno toward the end. The story will leave the reader guessing with characters who aren’t what they seem. With no shortage of suspects from high school frenemies back in town to the exes that never seem to let go. At one point, Abi has a new man in her life and Jo is not pleased. But is he who he says he is? Like the moving pieces on a chessboard, no one knows who’s playing who. Both Abi and Jo were likable and unlikable at times as the reader tries to figure out who was after who and who was only acting as a friend. The characters’ motives and secrets kept me guessing and I wasn’t sure who was after who until the last third of the book. A great mystery with building suspense and tension. I highly recommend The Ex Between Us. 

The Ex Between Us is available in paperback and eBook

The Scandal: a twisted tale of what happens behind the perfect façade

The Scandal by Nicola Marsh is a psychological thriller where appearances are deceiving. Marisa Thurston has been searching to fill the missing pieces of her life since her twin girls left home for college. Her sprawling mansion used to be home to laughter and the chaos of childhood but not any more and she is desperate to fill the silence. Coffee with her best friends is one thing she looks forward to. Claire, Elly and Marisa are as different as they can be. Each with their own secrets, secrets they are desperate to keep from seeing the light of day. When Jodi, a pregnant girl, turns up at Marisa’s doorstep, Marisa is quick to come to her aid. But Jodi’s arrival seems to push everyone’s secrets and lies to the surface. The father of Jodi’s baby is someone the women know very well. What lengths will someone go to protect their secret? 

Nicola Marsh has made a name for herself as a master of the psychological thriller. When you read one of her thrillers, you can expect twists, turns and red herrings that will keep you guessing and on your toes until the very end. The Scandal is one of her first psychological thrillers with a final twist that left me gasping! I didn’t particularly care for any of the women. These women are friends by association only as they are reluctant to share anything deep with each other. Marisa is the perfect wife for her executive husband but she’s a bit of a prude. At one point, in an internal monologue, she is disgusted that her husband can be ready for sex day or night. I read that like okay? What man isn't? Seriously? Overall, I enjoyed the story. I’ve learned, as I’ve read Ms. Marsh’s other thrillers, that appearances are very deceiving and she will keep you guessing until the very end. I recommend The Scandal! 

The Scandal is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.

The Liar Next Door: a psychological thriller you won't want to put down

The Liar Next Door by Nicola Marsh is a psychological thriller with a web of lies that threatens to tear apart a seemingly close-knit community. Thirty houses surround a square garden that is the perfect playground for the kids. They gather there for holidays and community parties. It is there that Frankie Forbes meets Celeste. Little did she know that Celeste would tear apart their family piece by piece. There were signs and gut feelings that told Frankie that something was wrong from the beginning. She was too nice, too eager to join in and she seemed to know the things Frankie’s daughter liked and disliked. But why couldn’t she trust another mother? Meanwhile, Saylor, newlywed and pregnant, has a secret of her own and she must act quickly as someone is threatening to expose her and ruin her and her family. Secrets have a way of being discovered no matter how hard they are buried and hidden. How does this woman seem to know Frankie’s? Will Saylor be able to protect her secret? 

Who is the liar next door? Nicola Marsh can always be counted on for a great psychological thriller! I read and reviewed My Sister’s Husband last year and loved it. So when the opportunity to read The Liar Next Door came up, I had to read it! Told from the point of views of the three women, the reader is taken on a journey of twists and turns, ups and downs, as the web of lies is slowly untangled. As the story unfolds, there were a few clues that I was able to figure out but when the final stretch of the story begins and the secrets are revealed, there were shockers! From the beginning, Frankie, Celeste and Saylor are women you don’t know if you can trust as they present their point of view. Like a slow burning fuse, the story starts off slowly and gains speed as the women begin to interact until the powder keg explodes, the secrets are revealed and the masks are pulled off. I highly recommend The Liar Next Door. 

The Liar Next Door is available August 23 in eBook and audiobook. 

My Sister's Husband: a story of jealousy, secrets and sisters

 My Sister’s Husband by Nicola Marsh is an intense story of sisters, family secrets and jealousy. The opening line in the prologue states it clearly “family can be toxic” with “secrets, half-truths, mysteries, and outright lies.” The story opens with Brooke coming home to Martino Bay, California for her sister, Freya’s wedding after being gone for 11 years. She is also coming home to see her Aunt Alice the only mother she has ever known and who is in failing health. As soon as she comes home, Brooke realizes there is more going on than she thought. She recognizes Freya’s fiancé, and the decline of Alice’s health doesn’t add up. Brooke decides to figure out what happen to Alice and what led to her rapid decline. Told between three perspectives, Brooke and Freya, and Alice in the past, the reader is taken on a journey with many twists and turns. Will Brooke find out the truth? Will the truth set them free or drive them further apart?

Wow! What a book! From the opening prologue to the last chapter, the story will twist and turn as you try to figure out what happened and what is going on. It is the story of two sets of sisters: Brooke and Freya and Alice and Diana, Brooke, and Freya’s mother. As I read the interactions of the sisters, I am so glad that I do not have that relationship with my own sisters. It was hard to like or relate to these women though I found Brooke more likable especially as the story progressed. There are a few secrets that I guesses at, which turned out to be correct, but just when I thought I had it figured out, Ms. Marsh still had a few twists that I didn’t see coming! My only complaint is with Alice’s perspective, it was hard to determine when the events she talked about happened. Overall, I really enjoyed My Sister’s Husband and I highly recommend it. It is a roller coaster ride that you do not want to miss!

 

My Sister’s Husband is available in paperback and eBook