My review and feelings of this second instalment are basically the same as the first. Was really hoping it would be better, but the going around in repetitive circles drove me absolutely crazy. ⭐️⭐️ #netgalley #reviewathon

A simple, convenient and predictable storyline with barely fleshed out characters and cheesy dialogue which somewhat redeemed itself with its ending. I read the second book in this series directly following this first book which slightly increased the enjoyment. Maybe it would have made for a more solid story if the contents of the two books had been combined. Thankfully, it was a fairly short, fast read. ⭐️⭐️ #reviewathon #netgalley

Just read how this is based on the author‘s own personal tragedy, her husband‘s 12 hour standoff with the police, his suicide and the impact this tragic event had on her family. My heart goes out to her and her family. Unfortunately, it doesn‘t make me like this novel more. Truth be told, I didn‘t enjoy it and skimmed through large sections without having missed much. A lot of writing about nothing. ⭐️⭐️ #netgalley #reviewathon

I am not a reader of romance novels but I will make an exception for Colleen Hoover. Another tearjerker about a couple‘s struggles with infertility. Her writing is impeccably gut wrenching, soul crushing and left me devastated and completely gutted. Not to be read without a box of Kleenex and not to be read in public, unless you enjoy being stared at while you ugly cry. Don‘t say I didn‘t warn you! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #netgalley #reviewathon

You‘ll think twice about taking the elevator after reading this book! What an absolutely exhilarating, heart pumping, adrenaline rush read! The writing is suspenseful, thrilling and so engrossing. I absolutely could not put this book down. My favourite thriller so far this year. Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #netgalley #stmartinspress #reviewathon

I didn‘t read much on my vacation but I sure did visit a lot of beautiful bookstores! 💕📚🇷🇸

A year after the unexpected deaths of their parents, the five MacAllister siblings reunite at Camp Macaw for the reading of the will. An unusual final request by their father forces them to face a 20 year old tragedy, an unsolved mystery that one of the siblings is involved in. Not the author‘s strongest or my favourite novel of hers but nonetheless an entertaining fast read that had me hooked from the first page. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #netgalley #reviewathon

Traveling home today. I haven‘t done any reading during this family vacation so I‘m more than happy to have the next 8 hours with this book. Another #netgalleyarc that I also have a print copy of - this one was a Goodreads giveaway win. ✈️📚 #reviewathon

Keeping me company on the flight to Frankfurt. I have this as a #netgalleyarc but I love Catherine McKenzie‘s books so I bought myself a print copy. 📚❤️ #reviewathon

Family vacation starts today. On our way to Serbia. First time for the kids and I haven‘t been back in 25 years. I little emotional but very excited to explore and show them this beautiful country. ❤️🇷🇸

Sandrine Salome flees New York and takes refuge with her grandmother, a famous courtesan in Belle Epoque Paris. On her arrival she finds her grandmother‘s beautiful mansion closed and her grandmother adamant Sandrine never visit the home. Drawn to it by a mysterious force, Sandrine soon becomes entangled in a web of passion and centuries old obsession. An absolutely spellbinding, mesmerizing unputdownable story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #reviewathon #netgalley

This one was featured in ‘1000 Books to Read Before You Die‘ and caught my eye. A memoir, told through comics interspersed with prose, of the author‘s last few years with her parents, their health decline and death. Honestly this one hit close to home as my husband and I care for his aging parents and aunt. There was a lot of head nodding on my part, lots of laughs and even a few tears.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Booked2019 #Booked2019summer #comicorgraphicnovel

A nicely written story, part psychological thriller, part family drama. The writing was atmospheric, dark, intensely emotional offering a raw, unflinching look family dysfunction. Although emotionally broken, the characters were likeable and relatable, even though their actions and/or words stirred in me negative emotions. A strong, impressive debut by Megan Collins and I look forward to reading more of her books. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #reviewathon #netgalley

Five strangers, trapped in the small town of Summerville, due to a freak storm, become targets of a deranged killer intent on revenge. Great premise but disappointing execution. The choppy writing, stilted dialogue and overuse of every possible plot and backstory cliché caused a few eye-rolls on my part. The only redeeming part was the unexpected ending. ⭐️⭐️ My oldest #netgalleyarc ? #reviewathon

Hi 🙋‍♀️my name is Sandra and I‘m addicted to requesting #netgalley arcs! This collage actually only represents page 1 of 3. 🤦‍♀️ My review ratio is 72% at the moment and I haven‘t set a goal per say but I‘m hoping the #reviewathon will help me clear up at least some of this backlog. Anyone else participating and up for the challenge? Looking forward to seeing everyones progress over the next 6 weeks!

Once a successful journalist, Alex Dale has lost her career and marriage to addiction. During her research for a freelance article, Alex meets Amy, a comatose woman her age, attacked at the age of 15 and left for dead, her attacker never caught. This was a solidly written debut psychological thriller/mystery. Engaging, intense, emotional read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank goodness for #netgalley #reviewathon for kicking my butt into gear to stop procrastinating.

Continuing with the #24in48 readathon this morning. My time is nothing to brag about but I‘m happy to have finished this book. Absolutely loved it! Often the second book in a series never lives up to the first but with A Torch Against the Night, the author has written another wonderfully crafted, intriguing, intelligent and hugely entertaining instalment to the story of Laia, Elias and Helene. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #muslimauthor #Booked2019 #Booked2019summer

I was running errands all day preparing for our family vacation next week so I didn‘t get that much reading done for #24in48 🙃 Hoping to put in a few more hours before I fall asleep. #atorchagainstthenight

My #tbr for this season‘s @24in48 #24in48readathon 📚📚📚I won‘t be able to read all of them, just keeping my options open. #atorchagainstthenight #areaperatthegates #thelasttimeilied #bringmeback #thewidow #rebelofthesands #thewomaninthewindow #underthebannerofheaven #theressomeoneinsideyourhouse

Book Buzz Fall/Winter 2019 releases Part ll 📚 So many great books to look forward to. #thebrightunknown #thegreatpretender #coldstorage #142ostriches #thegiverofstars #thesacrament #thechestnutman #motherknowsbest #justwatchme #longbrightriver

Book Buzz Fall/Winter 2019 releases Part l 📚 Just because my TBR is long enough to keep me reading for a lifetime doesn‘t mean I can‘t keep looking! #goodgirlslie #theremaking #synapse #harveycomeshome #dearhaitilovealaine #thelasttraintolondon #thebear #scarslikewings #thelasttruepoetsofthesea #imaginaryfriend

Flying back to Montreal on the redeye tonight and hoping to get through a good chunk of this. #unitedclublounge #summerreading #netgalleyarc

The premise of this story is what originally caught my attention and on its own could have been quite compelling. However, the style of writing but in particular the stilted, awkward and unrealistic dialogue made me want to just bang my head against the wall and ultimately made me lose interest in the story and its outcome. If you‘ve never read a psychological thriller, let this not be your first one. ⭐️⭐️ #netgalleyarc

Got to the airport quite a bit earlier then necessary just so that I could hang out in the Maple Leaf Lounge and READ! My dilemma now is which title to choose! 📚⛈✈️

Heading to San Francisco tomorrow with the hubs. He‘s there for business and we‘ll be participating in the AIDS walk on Sunday. We already booked a tour of Alcatraz for Saturday but I‘ll be on my own all of Friday. What are some absolute must see places? Our hotel is in Union Square, any independent and/or used bookstores within walking distance? 🌁🌉💕

I‘d rather be at home reading but when your oldest son and husband are the coach and assistant respectively, AND your youngest son plays on the soccer team as a mom you have to come out and cheer. ☀️📚⚽️ Not sure I like this one; the dialogue between characters is just getting under my skin and not in a good way. Only about 20% in though, hopefully it gets better? #netgalleyarc #soccermom #summereading

During my two days spent exploring Saratoga Springs, I came across this cute used bookstore perfect for cooling off for a few hours on a hot afternoon. ❤️☀️📚 #lyricalballadbookstore

Proud and grateful to live in such a beautiful and amazing country! Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Litsy Canucks! ❤️🇨🇦

The #spring quarter prompts for #Booked2019 are complete.

🌃Night-oriented title - The Night Before
🌨Cli-fi - We Are Unprepared
🏒Indigenous Author - Indian Horse
🎼Features a Musician - Bel Canto
📱Social Media Focus - One of Us is Lying
🥤Food/Beverage on Cover - When Dimple Met Rishi

Didn‘t think I was going to complete the #Booked2019Spring prompts but nothing like a rainy, lazy Sunday to nudge you across the finish line! Absolutely loved this read. I laughed, I cried, and my seventeen year old self connected and commiserated with Dimple and her (well meaning) overbearing parental units. A quick, fun, entertaining read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Booked2019 #foodorbeverageoncover @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

While I found the writing geared more to the younger crowd, the story as a whole touched on a lot of issues facing teenagers and young adults at the moment. Although I found it difficult at the beginning to differentiate the numerous narrators, it was a quick and enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Booked2019 #Booked2019spring #socialmediafocus @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

Told in the alternating voices of two sisters, Laura who has moved back home after a bad breakup and is getting ready for a first date and Rosie, married with child who frantically searches for Laura when she doesn‘t come back from her date. A bit of a slow moving plot but the unexpected twists were more than enough to keep me reading until the end. Enjoyable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Booked2019 #Booked2019spring #nightorientedtitle

Accompanied my husband on his business trip to Saratoga Springs and spent a very lovely morning in Congress Park finishing this for the #Booked2019 #featuresamusician #Booked2019spring prompt. A group of dignitaries, business people and artists are taken hostage by a group of terrorists at the home of the Vice President of an unnamed South American country. Although the character development was on point, not exactly sure how much I liked this.

A young couple leaves the pressures of New York City to live a simpler life off the grid in small town Vermont. As Pia and Ash prepare for the coming storm, they must face not only their fears of impending doom but also the conflicts in their relationship. The environmental/global warming issues were addressed but felt like a mere backdrop to a couple‘s dysfunctional relationship. Barely finished this one. ⭐️ #Booked2019 #Booked2019Spring #cli-fi

The forcible removal of First Nation children and placement in residential schools is a sad and dark part of our history and difficult to read about. Saul, an Ojibway boy placed in a residential school endures beatings and abuse. The only bright light in his life is playing hockey. I wanted to like this more than I did. Too heavy on the hockey and light on the emotional and historical issues. ⭐️⭐️ #booked2019 #booked2019spring #indigenousauthor

Over the past month or so I‘ve received so many wonderful #jb #LitsyLove and #PoutinePenPals cards, letters and bookmarks ❤️ They are like a bright ray of sunshine in my day! ❤️ @PurpleyPumpkin @kelseynicburke @TheBookHippie @MaGoose @teebe @mcctrish @TorieStorieS @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @IndoorDame @Soubhiville @BethM @KarynGood @Smarkies @sherryvdh @BookishTrish @dariazeoli @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @aroc

I little morning reading with my coffee before driving the kids to school. Only about halfway through and enjoying it. The Agent Pendergast books are one of my favourite series so after a few disappointing instalments it‘s nice to see Preston & Child get their groove back. 💕📚☕️

Thanks @Kayla.Adriena for hosting such an amazing #SpringHasSprungGiveAway 🎉🎉🎉 Check out her page for more details!

Not book related but I‘ve been off Litsy for a while and neglected my #jb #LitsyLove and #PoutinePenPal groups and I‘m sorry guys! For the last 6 months I‘ve been planning a surprise 50th Wedding Anniversary party for my in-laws. It‘s been crazy busy, with a house full of out of town guests but in the end we had a great night with family and friends celebrating a wonderful couple and 50 years of love. Now first a nap and then back to reading! 📚💌

My husband‘s cousin is in Stuttgart on business and on his sightseeing today visited the absolutely beautiful Stuttgart Public Library. I just had to share! ❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍 ❤️

Another week means another batch of absolutely beautiful #jb and #LitsyLove cards! Aren‘t they just gorgeous? 💕 Thank you @BookNAround @tracey38 @CBee @whatsthEStorey @Jas16 @Carolyn11215 @Slajaunie @Sarah24 @Bklover 💕

The first quarter of #Booked2019 #winter is complete.

🕵🏻‍♀️ Female Detective - Night Sins
🤖 Fairytale Retelling - Cinder
🏖 My Happy Place - Something in the Water
🎙 Related to a Podcast - Looking for Alaska
🍀 Ireland/Irish Author - A Week in Winter
📚 New to You Author - This is Going to Hurt

I am so thankful for this wonderful #Litsy community! 💕This week‘s #jb and #LitsyLove mail has been so uplifting and beautiful. Thank you @Kdgordon88 for the lovely note, book (which I have been wanting to read for so long) and bookmark (Claude Monet is my absolute favourite!). Thank you also to @CareBear @BookwormAHN @Morr_Books @iread2much @TheBookHippie @robinb @WeeziesBooks @Stacypatrice 💕

Spring is in the air with this week‘s batch of #jb and #LitsyLove mail. 💕 Thank you @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Mynameisacolour @Jee_HookedOnBookz @AmyG @catebutler 💕

Some wonderful #jb and #LitsyLove mail this week. 💕 Thank you @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @DoonTheGoon (the envelope artwork is gorgeous! 😍) @jenniferw88 @Mitch @IndoorDame @MaGoose @phatsallylee 💕 Responses are going out soon! 💌💕

#LitsyLove @alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

1. Cross-stitching, Sudoku, word games, traveling
2. Psychological/suspense thrillers, mysteries, sci-fi, contemporary fiction
3. No pets; I follow cat & dog Instagram accounts and love Litsy posts with animals
4. Litsy TBR is accurate and NOT owned
5. Mugs and decorative plates from places I travel to, postcards
6. I‘m happy to be in this wonderful #LitsyLove group and look forward to getting to know you.

Thank you @CoffeeNBooks for the lovely #jb card. My Amazon order of stationary also came today so I am now officially ready for March Break. The kids are all home, hubby is leaving on a business trip, the fridge and pantry are fully stocked so my only plan for the next 10 glorious days is to sip some good coffee, read, write #jb and #LitsyLove cards and lounge by the tv. Heaven! ☕️📚💌📺💕

This card took its sweet time getting here but I‘m so happy it did! Thank you @erzascarletbookgasm for the beautiful card 💕 #jb #justbecause

My latest #bookoutlet #bookhaul came today. My excuse for the order this time is that my son‘s school sent out their summer reading list and I was just trying to be proactive and organized (books on right side) and the rest I just got in order to qualify for free shipping. Totally legit, right? 😬 #hopeless

These were tough and some could have gone either way. Thanks @Bklover for the #jb shoutout ❤️ Tagging some of my newest followers to play along @dalma_st_paul @AshleyB89 @booksology @BooksandStitches #thisorthat