Last Summer by Kerry Lonsdale

Last Summer by Kerry Lonsdale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was absolutely loving this when it started. It was everything I loved, but then it took a different turn.

The beginning was fast paced and had so many jaw dropping moments. Once Ella begins to start unraveling what happened to her everything changed. Everything slowed down. I do know that finding out what happened last summer was important, but it was so much more of that instead of present day stuff going on. The story ended up getting so slow that I just wanted to skip around. I was no longer enjoying it and found so much information that was not needed and that did not bring anything to the story itself. I also did not love how everything was wrapped up and why it all happened. I did not see it coming, and it was just not for me.

Overall, I am still giving this three stars from the beginning. It may be more around 2.5.


View all my reviews

The Gauntlet by Ashley Pagano: Book Tour Spotlight

False Step by Victoria Helen Stone

False Step by Victoria Helen Stone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this one, but there was nothing that set it over the top for me. It was pretty predictable and I was just waiting for some big twist which never happens.

I sit here trying to think of what to write for a review, but I do not really have much to say which happens often when I read a three star book (which is a good rating for me as it means I liked it). I did not love it and I did not hate it. It does deal with infidelity with most of the characters. I do not feel it was very thriller like at all. There is no big reveal or shocking moments. To be honest, not much happened after the first scene of why everything is happening the way it happens.

Overall, it was good though.


View all my reviews

The Risk of Us by Rachel Howard

The Risk of Us by Rachel Howard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was not expecting much going into this story. I am a social worker and I am pretty critical when it comes to stories around Foster Care and the Foster Care system. This is not an easy read, but I do think it is an important read.

This is a real and raw look into adoption and fostering children who have been effected by trauma. The author compares trauma and PTSD between a child in foster care and a soldier. It is a really eye opening statement. I can see why others will not like this, as it is a very taboo subject that we want to ignore. The reality is that our children are facing issues like Maresa everyday. Unfortunately, other children are not as lucky as Maresa to have patient and understanding adoptive parents to push through these chaotic, manic, and at times dangerous situations.

The story focuses more on Maresa and her family than the foster care system itself. I really appreciated that! It does still mention gaps and needs within the system including turnover and policy restrictions though. There were some positive and negative aspects when it came to the system itself.

I was not a huge fan of the ending. This is such a short read with only being less than 200 pages. I would have liked to see more of Maresa after adoption.

The one thing I wish the author would have left out was the political piece. It was a very small section of the story, but it was not needed. I wanted to recommend this book to our foster/adoptive parents, but won’t be able too since this small page of details was added. I am not saying the author does not have a right to her political opinion, I just wish it would not have been added to the story.

Overall, I still loved this and am going to recommend it to my fellow social worker friends.


View all my reviews

The String by Caleb Breakey

The String by Caleb Breakey


I was sent this book for a blog tour. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.

This does start off with a scene involving an animal that was pretty cruel, so be mindful there are triggers for animal abuse from the start. This was not the reason I DNF though. I just could not get into the story. I tried reading both the physical copy and the audiobook. It was just not for me.


View all my reviews

Queen Bee by Dorothea Benton Frank

Queen Bee by Dorothea Benton Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There was something addicting about this story. I could not really pinpoint why, but I was loving it. I stated this one night and I did not want to stop.

I really loved the beginning half of this story especially with Holly and the boys next door. I was not expecting the story with Leslie, but enjoyed that part as well but did find myself drawn more to Holly. I did like the first half of this story better than the second half, but it was all still done well. There was a little bit of everything from romance to villains to female impersonators.

I cannot wait to read more from this author.


View all my reviews