Review: The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

SYNOPSIS

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This was such a masterful psychological thriller! Full of shocking twists and surprising turns, this superb read was nearly impossible to put down. I was completely and totally engrossed in it. I think it’s my new favorite Jessica R. Patch book.

The suspense and intrigue just kept ramping up the further into the book I got. I thought I had everything figured out, but there were several surprising twists and reveals that left me completely stunned. They blew my mind. As soon as I finished the book, I wanted to immediately start it over again to see all the clues I missed. I don’t want to say too much more, but my goodness, what a shock!

This book tackles some heavy and dark topics with grace. There were some truly disturbing things that happened, but things never got graphic, which I appreciated.

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I highly, highly recommend it. If you’re a fan of dark thrillers with a dash of hope, don’t hesitate to grab a copy. I loved it so much!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Review: Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind by Elisabeth Aimee Brown

SYNOPSIS
If anyone else had been her fairy godmother, Lady Agatha’s birthday party would have gone swimmingly.

It really wasn’t Agatha’s fault that she insulted all those guests. After preparing for years to receive a select list of suitors for her charming, fairy-blessed hand, the last thing she wanted to do was alienate the lot of them … but her godmother’s final gift was, well, difficult to control. Now her father doesn’t care that she didn’t mean to call the visiting foreign prince a pathetic little fungus—the damage has been done.

Prince Limplemoyne would’ve been more offended if he was actually attending the party to court Agatha, but that’s not what brought him to these backwoods, fairy-infested mountains. He just wants to find a godmother powerful enough to free him from the royal life he never asked for. But when a mischievous fairy answers his plea in an unexpected way, he finds himself suddenly stuck with the beautiful, sharp-tongued Lady Agatha. Fairies can’t help them get out of this unwanted alliance—they’ll have to stop bickering long enough to figure it out on their own.

Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind is a no-spice, standalone reimagining of King Thrushbeard, perfect for readers who like both whimsy and comedy in their mutually-annoyed-strangers-to-lovers romance.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This book was so much fun! I was a big fan of Brown’s debut novel, What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball, so this was one of my most anticipated reads this year. It was an absolute blast to read! It’s a King Thrushbeard retelling. I’m not super familiar with that fairy tale, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment one bit. I loved it!

Neither main character was very likable in the beginning, which is usually a big turnoff for me, but it somehow worked really well here. They were awful in the most humorous and entertaining way. Plus, it was great seeing their character growth.

I thought it was really interesting how Agatha got a fairy gift on her birthday up to her 21st. And that 21st Gift was a doozy, lol! It caused all kinds of chaos! I thought Agatha’s fairy godmother was a hoot!

This was a really fun read. It had a lot of depth alongside the humor, too, which I really appreciated. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys no-spice fantasy.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind by Elisabeth Aimee Brown

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind by Elisabeth Aimee Brown. It releases today and I was lucky enough to receive an ARC. It was such a fun read! 

SYNOPSIS

If anyone else had been her fairy godmother, Lady Agatha’s birthday party would have gone swimmingly.

It really wasn’t Agatha’s fault that she insulted all those guests. After preparing for years to receive a select list of suitors for her charming, fairy-blessed hand, the last thing she wanted to do was alienate the lot of them … but her godmother’s final gift was, well, difficult to control. Now her father doesn’t care that she didn’t mean to call the visiting foreign prince a pathetic little fungus—the damage has been done.

Prince Limplemoyne would’ve been more offended if he was actually attending the party to court Agatha, but that’s not what brought him to these backwoods, fairy-infested mountains. He just wants to find a godmother powerful enough to free him from the royal life he never asked for. But when a mischievous fairy answers his plea in an unexpected way, he finds himself suddenly stuck with the beautiful, sharp-tongued Lady Agatha. Fairies can’t help them get out of this unwanted alliance—they’ll have to stop bickering long enough to figure it out on their own.

Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind is a no-spice, standalone reimagining of King Thrushbeard, perfect for readers who like both whimsy and comedy in their mutually-annoyed-strangers-to-lovers romance.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

"If only Melusine hadn't been your fairy godmother," Father says, "then we wouldn't have to worry about it." He stares out the window, glum despite the cheerful dancing of the late-spring leaves outside and the gentle breeze that carries in the scent of apple blossoms and honeysuckle.

Friday 56

This journey would probably be more pleasant if we could converse more, but I'm afraid of what I'll say if I open my mouth too often.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Callers: The Hidden Forest: Book 2 by Kiah Thomas

SYNOPSIS

Return to the world of the Callers in this exciting middle-grade fantasy series that explores the amazing power of summoning objects into being and the ominous consequences of doing so. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan.

The Callers, Book 1, which Printz Honor–winning author Garret Weyr called “beautifully told and engaging and just thrilling,” set the stage for a riveting series that introduced the world of Elipsom and its inhabitants’ unique ability to Call—or summon

In Book 2, a month has passed since Quin fled his home world of Elipsom after revealing the shocking truth about Calling: that the magic ability to conjure something out of thin air actually steals resources from another place. And that other place is Evantra, a nation suffering from exploitation by the Callers. Across the country, rumors are spreading that perhaps Calling isn’t a force for good after all. Even so, Quin’s sister, Davinia, has maintained calm under the pressure of her mother, the Chief Counselor of the Callers, who is determined to keep the status quo and quash anyone who questions the rightness of Calling. But when Davinia is assigned to investigate and plant evidence in a rebellious part of the city, her loyalties begin to waver.

Meanwhile, Quin and his friend Allie are in a race against the clock to heal the Vine, the source of all growing things in Evantra, which has been slowly dying. Their search leads them to a mysterious forest that may have the answers they seek—and the truth about Quin’s past.

Arresting and thought-provoking, this story explores some of the most crucial topics of our time and shows the power of standing up and fighting for a better tomorrow.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I started reading this book immediately after finishing the first one. And, I've gotta say, this sequel was just as entertaining and compelling! I was completely captivated by it!

I enjoyed seeing Quin’s character growth, and I loved seeing him embrace the truth of who he was. I also enjoyed seeing the friendship between him and Allie grow. They’re a great duo! I really enjoyed getting Davinia’s POV. She was wrestling with some things, and I was very curious to see how that would turn out.

This story ends on an even bigger cliffhanger than the first one, so I’m very anxious for the next book. It can’t come out soon enough!

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Achilles (Discarded Heroes: Scions Book 3) by Ronie Kendig

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Achilles (Discarded Heroes: Scions Book 3) by Ronie Kendig releasing May 26.

SYNOPSIS

She needs his skills to survive. He needs her secrets to uncover the truth.

For two years, Dillon Jacobs has refused to accept his father's death. He's chased every lead across multiple continents—burning bridges and risking everything to prove Max Jacobs is still alive.

Cove Galtieri is fighting her own impossible battle. Desperate to clear her father's name of corruption charges that threaten to destroy their family legacy, she's gathering evidence to prove the man who raised her isn’t the monster the world claims.

After Dillon's hunt intersects their paths in Paris, their worlds soon collide again in gunfire and chaos at the Galtieri estate in Italy. But that collision becomes a revelation: Dillon's missing father and Cove's accused father were photographed together in Yemen. The evidence Cove has been gathering contains clues Dillon desperately needs.

Two quests. One conspiracy. A partnership forged in fire.

Every ally could be an enemy. Every clue could be a trap. Racing across international borders—from Italian vineyards to Greek islands to the dangerous ports of Yemen—Dillon and Cove must navigate a deadly game where trust is a luxury they can't afford and love might be the most dangerous weapon of all.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: The Callers by Kiah Thomas

SYNOPSIS

Kenneth Oppel meets Andrew Clements in this riveting middle grade novel that will capture fantasy and fiction lovers alike as it thoughtfully explores the power of summoning, other worlds, and consumerism versus necessity.

Arresting, fast-paced, and thought-provoking, this nonstop middle grade adventure turns familiar magic upside down and inside out.

In the world of Elipsom, the ability to Call, or summon objects, is a coveted, crucial skill, revered among its people as both a powerful tool and an essential way to sustain life. But despite an elite family history, a phenom for an older sister, a best friend who is set to join the Council of Callers, and his mother's steely insistence that he learn to Call, Quin doesn't have the gift—an embarrassment made worse when his mother gets his sister to cheat for him on his Calling exam. But everything changes in a moment of frustration when Quin, instead of summoning an object, makes something disappear. And what's more, he quickly discovers that the objects Callers bring into their world aren't conjured at all but are whisked away from another world and a people who for years have had their lives slowly stolen from them. Now Quin must team up with Allie, a girl who's determined to stop this unfair practice, and decide whether he should remain loyal to his family or betray them—and save the world.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this middle grade fantasy. It was unique, entertaining, and held my full attention. It had a bit of a dystopian feel to it, too, which I thought was done really well.

I really felt for Quin in the beginning. He felt like he was a letdown and a failure to his prestigious family. He didn’t have the ability to “Call” items like the rest of his family did. But I loved watching him grow and discover the truth about himself.

This was a fast-paced and quick read that I really enjoyed. It ended on a cliffhanger, though, so I’m very anxious to start the sequel! I’m curious to see what happens next!

I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Review: Until I Knew Youby Tanya Eavenson

ABOUT THE BOOK

Photographer Jacob Michaels has spent his life running, from foster homes, from emotional attachment, from anything that asks more of him than a fleeting moment through his camera lens, except for Clay Logan, his one true friend and the only person who ever saw past the walls.

Olivia Logan lives in a world of color and quiet, expressing through art what words cannot, and Clay understood her without explanation, offering a steady presence in a world that often feels overwhelming.

But when a hiking trip ends in tragedy and Jacob returns alone, everything changes, and Clay’s final request becomes Jacob’s new reality: take care of Olivia, protect her, don’t walk away.

Now her legal trustee, Jacob steps into a life he never intended. Bound by grief and a promise neither asked for, he and Olivia are drawn into a fragile closeness they don’t know how to navigate.

And perhaps God isn’t finished mending what was never meant to be broken.

Amazon / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

I loved this book so much! It’s a stunning story of faith that left me speechless and teary-eyed. It had such a powerful message of hope amidst grief and learning to trust in God even through the hard spots.

I was instantly invested in the characters' lives and was rooting them on from the very start. I really felt for them in their grief.

I enjoyed getting to know Olivia. And I really appreciated the autism representation. She saw things through a unique lens, which I appreciated seeing. Jacob was a bit harsh in the beginning, but I loved seeing him get to know Olivia better and understand her better. Their character growth was amazing to see. Their journeys were very inspiring.

I didn’t want this book to end. I didn’t want my time with these characters to come to a close. They felt so authentic. I know I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time to come. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys heartfelt, emotional, and faith-filled stories. I loved it! It’s a new favorite story from author Tanya Eavenson.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS