March 2018 Book List & Review

Another month, another book review post! You can read all book review posts here

I can’t believe we’re half way through March already. This month has been pretty busy, so I haven’t been able to read  as much as I would have liked (but let’s be honest I would read from sun up to sun down if I could haha!) A few of the books I read were from my Book of the Month and a few were reader suggestions. As always, I love hearing what you all are reading, so let me know your book recommendations in the comments below! So let’s get started…

DARK MATTER BY BLAKE CROUCH | This book had been sitting on my bookshelf for the longest time and I’m so glad I got around to reading it. While I had heard a lot of hype surrounding this book I didn’t read many reviews prior to reading it and looking back I’m glad I didn’t because it would have ruined it for me. I’m going to try and review this book without giving anything away! The premise of the story is pretty simple. Can you answer the question “Are you happy with your life?” Jason Dessen finds out if he’s truly happy with his life after he’s abducted and wakes up in a life that isn’t his. Have you ever wondered what your life would have been like if you chose another career path? If you didn’t put your family first? If you went left instead of right? Jason explores all of those questions as he explores this life that isn’t his. Dark Matter is truly thought-provoking and the premise of the book totally drew me in from the get go. Admittedly, some of the science in the book lost me, but overall it was such a good book that left me thinking for days on end.

THE CELLAR BY NATASHA PRESTON | The disappearance of 16-year old Summer Robinson quickly stirs the sleepy little town of Long Thorpe. Summer, or “Lily” as she is known through most of the book, is kidnapped by a man and held in his cellar with three other girls, who are also named after flowers. The story details their time held hostage in the cellar. The description of the book had me really excited to read it, but unfortunately it fell short. The author didn’t really develop any of the characters and as I continued to read it there were so many unanswered questions because of that. The writing itself was poor and she wasn’t consistent with the format of paragraphs and dates when going from past to present. Overall, the book had potential, but it felt like all thriller cliches were put into one book. Bottom line: I wouldn’t recommend it! BONE MUSIC BY CHRISTOPHER RICE | This story follows Trina Pierce, who is kidnapped as an infant after serial killers murder her mother. The serial killers raise her as their own for seven years, until they are caught and she’s returned to her biological father. Unfortunately, her father has motives of his own and sells her story to the media and who label her as the “Burning Girl.” Trina decides to change her name and distance herself from the past and from there the story really gets good. Now living under the alias Charlotte Rowe, she begins visiting a therapist to address issues from her past and that leads to a whole new world of problems after he prescribes a new drug for her anxiety. I don’t want to give too much away, but this complex story line really drew me in from the very start and overall I really liked this book. I always appreciate when thrillers have short chapters because it makes it a fast paced, yet easy read!

THE BROKEN GIRLS BY SIMONE ST. JAMES | I have discovered so many great books and authors since joining Book of the Month last year and this is one of them! When journalist Fiona Sheridan begins digging into her sister’s murder from twenty years earlier her research uncovers more deaths and secrets from Idlewild Hall than anyone could have ever imagined. Idlewild Hall, a boarding school in Vermont, is a place for the girls whom no one wants- including the troublemakers, the illegitimate, and those who are too smart for their own good. This story is told in two perspectives: the four girls who attended the school in the 1950s and Fiona Sheridan who is digging into Ildewild Hall in 2014. I seriously couldn’t put this book down-it was SUCH a page-turner with a few unexpected twists!

STILL ME BY JOJO MOYES | I have been rooting for Louisa Clark since she was first introduced in Me Before You! Louisa is such a quirky character and she’s been through a great deal in her life that I couldn’t help but be excited about her newest adventure to New York in the newest book by JoJo Moyes. Determined to live her life boldly, advice from the beloved Will Traynor, Louisa sets out for New York with a new job as an assistant to Agnes Gopnik and a new outlook on life. While Agnes Gopnik is vastly different from Will Traynor, Louisa still finds herself with her own set of challenges as she learns lessons and secrets that will change her life as she knows it. I love how engaging all of the characters are in this series and although nothing will ever compare to Me Before You, I still devoured this book and was still rooting for Louisa even through her missteps!

THE WEDDING DATE BY JASMINE GUILLORY | Alexa and Drew meet in an unconventional way when they find themselves stuck in an elevator together. As they begin chatting Drew reveals that he is in town for his ex-girlfriends wedding…and he’s dateless. On impulse Drew decides to ask Alexa to be his fake girlfriend for the weekend and Alexa agrees to it. What starts out as a fake relationship blossoms into a real relationship as they both learn how to maneuver long-distance dating and figuring out if they can make it last. This book was such a quick, cute & charming read! I couldn’t believe this was her debut book.

LOOK FOR ME BY LISA GARDNER | I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by Lisa Gardner, so I was thrilled to read her newest book, Look for Me. Detective D.D. Warren arrives to a horrible crime scene that was once a family home. Four of the five family members are dead and one is missing. Was it a coincidence that 16 year-old, Roxy, was away from her home at the time of the murder? Does it mean something more? Survivor-turned-avenger Flora Dane shows up on the case to find out and assist D.D. Warren in a different way. Together the odd pair work to make sense of the clues and figure out if Roxy is the suspect behind the murdered family she left behind. Lisa Gardner’s writing always draws me in from the very beginning and she does an incredible job developing the characters and the plot line. I can never predict what the outcome will be…and I certainly didn’t with this book! *This book is part of a series (which is so good!) but it’s not necessary to read the others to read this one*

I would love to hear what you’re reading right now!

 

I was sent Look for Me & Bone Music for possible review purposes. I will only review books I enjoyed! xx

Leave a Reply

28 Comments

  1. Mei Jorge wrote:

    I need to catch up on my reads! Will definitely consider a few of these for my next one 🙂

    Posted 3.16.18 Reply
  2. kileen wrote:

    I love this post girl!! These all sound pretty interesting but I might have to pick up Bone Music! Thanks for the review!

    Kileen

    Posted 3.17.18 Reply
  3. briana wrote:

    Book reviews are always my favorite posts! Reading is my favorite! Great reviews- need to pick up a few of these

    Briana

    Posted 3.17.18 Reply
  4. Oh I need to read Still Me – I adored Me Before You. Thanks for sharing this gal!

    xo Laura Leigh
    http://www.louellareese.com

    Posted 3.17.18 Reply
  5. I’m trying to read at least one book a month so these are perfect suggestions!

    Posted 3.17.18 Reply
  6. Dawn wrote:

    Uggg these are such good book reviews! I love a good thriller but after having a kid I can’t read one without getting a little paranoid. I hope they make Still Me a movie too!

    Posted 3.17.18 Reply
  7. Liz wrote:

    These are sound amazing! I needed some good book recs!

    Liz

    Posted 3.18.18 Reply
  8. maggie wrote:

    Book of the month is such a clever idea!! Need to join!

    Posted 3.18.18 Reply
  9. Rachel wrote:

    I’ve been trying to get back into reading and have basically been binge-reading the last two weeks! Adding all of these books to my reading list right now.

    Posted 3.18.18 Reply
  10. Megan wrote:

    I’m going to add all of these to my reading list! They all sound great!

    Megan | http://www.pipmegan.com

    Posted 3.18.18 Reply
  11. Kathryn Story wrote:

    I love your book review posts! I read The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle recently and loved it!!

    Posted 3.18.18 Reply
  12. Leslie wrote:

    I love reading your book reviews because we have similar reading interests! I just finished The Good Daughter last night and REALLY liked that one. Had the mystery aspects but also was a good, character driven story as well.

    Posted 3.19.18 Reply
  13. Laura wrote:

    I am so impressed by how much you do read! I definitely need to get in the habit of ending my night with a little reading to help me unwind before bed.

    xo, Laura

    Posted 3.19.18 Reply
  14. I am so bad a reading lately and this totally inspired me. Need to catch up ASAP.

    Cheers,
    CJ

    Posted 3.19.18 Reply
  15. I want to read Still Me asap! Hugs, Kait
    http://www.baskinginburgundy.com

    Posted 3.19.18 Reply
  16. The Broken Girls and Bone Music sound really good. I should add them to my Goodreads. I read Dark Matter a year ago and it was fantastic. One of my faves. Also, here’s a link to my Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3067154-cheryl

    Posted 3.19.18 Reply
  17. Taylor wrote:

    Awesome list!! I’m surprised you wouldn’t recommend The Cellar, I absolutely LOVED it! I was hooked!

    Posted 3.19.18 Reply
  18. Adding all of these to my list ASAP. I love thrillers.

    Posted 3.20.18 Reply
  19. Stesha wrote:

    I really need to make more time to read, these books sound awesome!

    xo
    stesha
    http://www.stesharose.com

    Posted 3.20.18 Reply
  20. Liz wrote:

    So many great recommendations! I’m always looking for a good book!

    liz

    Posted 3.20.18 Reply
  21. Stephanie wrote:

    I’m always looking for new books to read, being the bookworm that I am! Thanks for sharing!

    Posted 3.21.18 Reply
  22. caleyjaderosenberg wrote:

    I LOVE your book reviews friend and would also read 24/7! I loved Still Me too, and going to download a few more of these recommendations x

    Posted 3.21.18 Reply
  23. Amanda wrote:

    Some of these sound really good! I have Still Me on my list- -can’t wait to read it!

    Posted 3.21.18 Reply
  24. Steph wrote:

    Pinned this for later! These all look so good.

    xo,
    Steph
    @trendyinindy || trendyinindy.com

    Posted 3.21.18 Reply
  25. Angelle wrote:

    I love a good reading list. Need to check these out.

    XOXO,
    ANGELLE
    http://WWW.DASHINGDARLIN.COM

    Posted 3.23.18 Reply
  26. I have read Still Me and love it!!

    Posted 3.27.18 Reply
  27. I’m glad you’ve included reviews for The Cellar and Bone Music. These are my next buys but I guess I’ll go for the latter instead. Thank you!

    Posted 3.27.18 Reply

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