Book Club Day!

Hooray, my favorite day of the week and my favorite link-up!

This week I loved all three books that I read-really gripping,funny,light-hearted (well 2 out of the 3),and enjoyable.

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

(from amazon.com)

All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara’s home life was not ideal. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and find closure. But some questions are better left unanswered. After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother—only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her.  What if murder is in your blood? Never Knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand herself, her origins, and her family. That is, if she can survive.  (from her website)

Just like her first novel (Still Missing that I read a couple weeks ago), this one wrapped me in right from the start. I couldn't put it down; definitely a dark and thought-provoking story. It made me even more glad for my Dad :) I like the great,strong,yet flawed main character. I couldn't stop reading because I wanted it to stop being scary however, I wish there had been less loose ends in the end regarding the wedding, and Sara's relationship with her Dad (that raised her)....but go read it, intense and thrilling. I give it a solid A.

After the Party by Lisa Jewell


Eleven years ago, Jem Catterick and Ralph McLeary fell deeply in love. They thought it would be forever, that they’d found their happy ending. As everyone agreed, they were the perfect couple. Then two became four, and an apartment became a house. Romantic nights out became sleepless nights in. And they soon found that life wasn’t quite so simple anymore. But through it all, Jem and Ralph still loved each other. Of course they did. Now Jem is back at work part-time as a talent agent. Ralph, a successful painter, is struggling to come up with new, hopefully groundbreaking, work for his upcoming show. But the unimaginable has happened. Two people who were so right together are starting to drift apart And in the chaos of family life, Jem feels like she’s losing herself, while Ralph, stuck on the sidelines, feels like he’s lost his muse altogether. Something has to change. As they try to find a way back to each other, back to what they once had, they both become momentarily distracted—but maybe it’s not too late to recapture happily ever after…
(from amazon.com)

I thought this was a good story, I liked that it wasn't as trashy and sad as I thought. Dragged on for a bit though. Seems like a good story for married people to read, brings honest and true perspective into a real relationship. I give it a B.

Falling for You by Jill Mansell


Maddy Harvey was a bit of an ugly duckling as a teenager, what with her NHS specs, unfortunate hair and wonky teeth. Thankfully she's blossomed since then. But when she meets Kerr McKinnon one starry summer's night and discovers, days later, who he actually is... well, that's when the problems really start. Because everyone in Ashcombe knows what happened eleven years ago, and as far as her mother's concerned, Marcella would rather tear that family to pieces with her bare hands than see Maddy associate with a McKinnon. It's Romeo and Juliet all over again. Quick, hide those sharp knives and that little bottle of poison...(from her website)

LOVED this (especially after last week's disappointment)!! A speedy, fun, sweet,humorous story. Great characters that I couldn't wait to find out what happens next for them and I didn't want it to end. I was laughing out loud numerous times and feeling all sappy and sad on the next page. I give this book a solid A.

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Happy Reading!
&
Happy Friday!