This year I made a goal to read 24 books. I set out hoping for 2 books a month and so far so good! Usually I'm a sucker for "beach reads." I love anything Elin Hildebrand or Liane Mortiary, books you can read on a beach with a glass of white wine.
Lately though, I've been into these weird marriage thrillers. The perfect couple isn't what it seems, or the crazy husband. I'm addicted. They are a little more intense and a little less white wine. Regardless, they're so dang good.
I'm always posting the books I'm on Instagram and I've had a bunch of people reach out asking if they're good or if I would recommend them! Well friends, here are my reviews of 3 of my 24 books for the year. Plus one more I read right at the end of last year.
LIE TO ME BY J.T. ELLISON // This book reads sort of like Gone Girl, except so much better. There is a "perfectly married" couple, a narrator, a missing girl and a mystery. To be honest, this book took a second to get in to, but three chapters in and I was absolutely hooked. Theres a twist midway through and I never saw it coming. The characters in this book are likable but not too much, just enough that you are intrigued. But the story line causes you to hurt for them, and want the best for them. She's written a bunch of other books and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into them.
THE WIFE BETWEEN US BY GREER HENDRICKS AND SARAH PEKKANEN // My favorite book of 2018 so far. Another twist, two wives, two crazy stories and another "perfect" marriage. I told you theres a theme here! I read this book in two days, it was that good. Instead of instagramming, I was reading. I was super interested in the stories, how they read, how the writer let us get to know the characters. It was so well written, I could visualize everything.
THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR BY SHARI LAPENA // There was a lot of hype for this book. When I posted it, everyone said it was their favorite book ever! I hate to do this, but I have to disagree. While I thought this book was good, it was not great. It took me forever to get through and its a fairly short book. It's very predictable and I guessed it 50 pages in. I didn't actually like any of the characters and read their stories more out of pity than a desire to know more. However, she wrote another one, Stranger in the House and I'll totally read it because I'm a sucker.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS BY B.A PARIS // I bought this book at an airport so my pickings were slim. But in my defense, it was on the new york time best sellers list. Plus, I've had lots of recs for it. It was the first "perfect marriage" book I read. (I finished it very early 2018 so I'm not counting it as my 24). Do not read this book. It deals with a husbands desire to punish and semi-abuse his wife only to get to her sister with downs syndrome. The only reason I continued reading was to make sure everyone got out okay. Even the reviews on Amazon talk about how sick this book is. You will see it everywhere; Target, Amazon, Barnes and Noble. It's currently sitting on the top 20 list everywhere, beware.
Currently Reading: Little Fires Everywhere // Celeste Ng
Coming up on the list:
- A Stranger in the House // Shari Lapena
- The woman in Cabin 10 // Ruth Ware
- We should all be feminists // Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- The Tea Rose (and the series!) // Jennifer Donnelly
- The Nightingale // Kristin Hannah
- Woman in the Window // AJ Finn
Happy Friday friends and happy reading!
I hope you LOVE these books just like I did! I'll try to keep reviewing as I make my way through them!
PS. Send me all your recs!
You may also like It's Always the Husband or The Breakdown (which is also B.A. Paris, but not as sickening as Behind Closed Doors) which fall into the similar category.
ReplyDeleteAnd to the contrary, I absolutely loved Behind Closed Doors - BUT it actually made me sick to my stomach. I just thought it was horrifying, but was a really intriguing read.