MY RECENT READS + REVIEWS

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been busy reading a few books but unfortunately haven’t had time to review them due to life. So, I figured I’d make a post with a few mini reviews of some of my recent reads!

 

It Starts Like This: a collection of poetry by Shelby Leigh

Shelby Leigh uses poetry to tell the story of a girl learning to overcome and appreciate all aspects of life.  Short, sweet and beautiful poems that take you on a journey through love, loss and healing. I loved a few chapters in this, in particular the ones about love, and the poems that were longer than most. Some poems were more polished than others, but all round It Starts Like This was a simple yet beautiful book of poetry.

 

Adrift by Sarah Darlington

I did a blog tour for Adrift back in May and I loved the story of Ben and Juniper. I am hoping to read the other books in the series, however this book can be read as a standalone. I will be writing a series review once I go back and read the previous 3 books in the Kill Devil Hills series.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

***WARNING: Mentions of self-harm and depression that may trigger readers***

Wow! Impulse was honestly one of the most confronting books I’ve ever read! Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted suicide. Ellen writes this book in verse, which was the initial reason I picked it up and her writing is excellent. In Impulse, Ellen shows how some people will make it and others won’t, some people aren’t strong enough, some people don’t want to fight anymore. Therefore, they all act on their impulse.

The Switch by Joseph Finder

The Switch is a new release from Dutton Books that tells of Michael Tanner, CEO of Tanner Roast and the incident that changed his life. When Tanner exits LAX, he accidentally picks up the wrong laptop belonging to US Senator Susan Robbins, a laptop containing top secret files that should never have been there in the first place.

Joseph Finder’s book was a little difficult to get into but once I was hooked, I couldn’t stop reading and needing to know more about Michael Tanner’s situation. Finder writes his book in such a realistic way that it’s scary as the whole plot is about government and corruption.

I highly suggest checking out each of these authors and the books I’ve mentioned above! I’ll be posting more regularly now my assignments and life is under control.

Think Lovely Thoughts xo

RIGHT BEHIND YOU BY LISA GARDNER

Rating: 5 stars

RELEASE DATE: 31.01.2017

Goodreads Book Description:

Is he a hero?

Eight years ago, Sharlah May Nash’s older brother beat their drunken father to death with a baseball bat in order to save both of their lives. Now thirteen years old, Sharlah has finally moved on. About to be adopted by retired FBI profiler Pierce Quincy and his partner, Rainie Conner, Sharlah loves one thing best about her new family: They are all experts on monsters.

Is he a killer?

Then the call comes in. A double murder at a local gas station, followed by reports of an armed suspect shooting his way through the wilds of Oregon. As Quincy and Rainie race to assist, they are forced to confront mounting evidence: The shooter may very well be Sharlah’s older brother, Telly Ray Nash, and it appears his killing spree has only just begun.

All she knows for sure: He’s back.

As the clock winds down on a massive hunt for Telly, Quincy and Rainie must answer two critical questions: Why after eight years has this young man started killing again? And what does this mean for Sharlah? Once upon a time, Sharlah’s big brother saved her life. Now, she has two questions of her own: Is her brother a hero or a killer? And how much will it cost her new family before they learn the final, shattering truth? Because as Sharlah knows all too well, the biggest danger is the one standing right behind you.

My Review:

Thank you to Dutton Books for sending me an arc of Right Behind You in exchange for an honest review!

I read Lisa Gardner’s book Find Her last year in January and I remember being hooked from the first page, so it’s clear to say that I had high expectations when receiving her next book.

And I was NOT let down! As a matter of fact, I was left utterly speechless and also exhausted from the happenings in this thrilling adventure.

The prologue shows one of Gardner’s classic flashback scenes that display the events leading up to the present storyline. In this case, it’s a flashback of the day that tore Telly and Sharlah apart for the next eight years.

Sharlah is the soon-to-be adopted daughter of Quincy & Rainie, and as a thirteen-year-old girl, she can be quite a handful at times. Raised by parents who dealt with drugs and alcohol until she was four, she’s been moving between numerous families in the foster system ever since.

Telly has also had his equal share of foster families and for him, life was more difficult after brutally beating his father to death at the age of nine.

In Right Behind You, readers hear from both Telly and Sharlah as they narrate their observations of the past and current investigation. I particularly enjoyed hearing Telly’s story as it shines a light on just how difficult life can be for those growing up in the system – especially if they’ve had a rather traumatic early life.

Sharlah’s story was also quite heart-wrenching as readers learn how much she wants to protect her brother, to believe that he’s changed after all those years separated. When Telly goes on the run, Sharlah sets out on her own plans with her trusty ex-police dog, Luka, by her side every step of the way. And I must applaud Sharlah’s incredible display of bravery and wisdom; particularly for a thirteen-year-old who’s brother is on a manic killing spree.

The twists and turns in this book had me grasping onto the edge of my seat in anticipation of what was to come! Gardner’s storytelling is certainly not unrealistic or far-fetched, but it’s enough to make the reader feel as though they too are among this investigation.

The secrets revealed help to unravel more of the characters, their motives/behaviours and they provide more pieces to this mysterious puzzle yet to unfold.

I highly recommend Right Behind You to those who love an intriguing, adrenaline filled, thriller frenzy that will have you stuck to your seat and gasping for air in anticipation.

Think Lovely Thoughts xo