Title: In the Blink of an Eye

Author: Kate Hewitt

Publication Date: July 1, 2024

Genre: Fiction

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Quote: "Maybe every friendship has its course to run, I reflect, no matter how long or short, how straight or twisted."

In the Blink of an Eye by Kate Hewitt is told from three points of view:

Natalie - mother of Freya

Eleanor - mother of Bella & Lizzy

Joanna - mother of Kieran

Natalie and Eleanor are best friends. As are Freya and Bella. We begin with Eleanor wanting to throw a class birthday party for Bella. However, there's one problem, she doesn't want to invite Kieran. Kieran is considered to be the troubled new kid in town. Natalie tells her that she cannot exclude one kid. Eleanor reluctantly agrees to invite Kieran.

Fast forward to the day of the birthday party. So much happens before, during, and after the party. During the party, right before the cake, tragedy strikes. Something terrible happens involving Bella, Freya and Kieran. Who's to blame?

In In the Blink of an Eye, friendships will be stretched to the limit. Marriages will be put to the test. Parents will question how well they know their children. 

Will marriages survive?

Will friendships stay intact?

Is Kieran really the monster some think he is?

What really happened at the birthday party?

Quote: "Some secrets are worth keeping."

I definitely recommend In the Blink of an Eye by Kate Hewitt. Especially, if you enjoy family drama, friendship drama, parenting struggles, and small-town drama. Also, if you like clean books with no to very little foul language, this is a good book for that. I don't recall any foul language. As a reader, I really appreciate that.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review In the Blink of an Eye by Kate Hewitt.

Title: The Taken Child

Author: Maria Frankland

Publication Date: June 25, 2024

Genre: Thriller

My Rating: 3 out of 5

The Taken Child is a camping trip turned tragic. There are so many characters and points of view within the pages of this book. All of them revolve around one person . . . David.

David is a divorced teacher who has custody of his son Toby. Toby's mother Kristy, now sober, lost custody of him because of her love for the bottle.

There's also Catherine, Leonie, Jeanette, Mia - all of which are connected to David in one way or another.

The detectives come into play when there is a murder at the camp, cutting the camping trip short. During all of this, Toby goes missing. Where is Toby? Who has Toby? Did David plan this to keep Toby away from Kristy? Does David really hate Kristy that much?

As always, I don't go into much detail when it comes to thriller reviews. I really couldn't connect with any of the characters in The Taken Child. However, if you like multiple points of view and trying to connect them all together or if you need to check that box off your reading checklist, definitely give this book a go.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Taken Child by Maria Frankland.

Title:  Those We Do Not See

Author:  Angie Gallion

Publication Date:  June 11, 2024

Genre:  Fiction

My Rating:  3 out of 5

Quote:  "You can't be here."

Those We Do Not See by Angie Gallion starts out on July 8th, with a terrible car accident.  An accident Britany Adams caused.  Jason, who is married to someone else is in the car with her.  Brit has an abusive boyfriend by the name of Zack.  Brit and Jason used to date in high school and their long-distance paths lead them away from each other.  When Brit comes to her senses, she makes Jason leave the scene of the accident.  He cannot be there when she calls Zack or when the police arrive.

Meanwhile, in the other car, the driver is dying.  Dee had the day off from work.  Little did she know that on July 8th, her life would be over.  According to the police, the impact wouldn't have killed her.  However, her recalled faulty airbag did. 

From July 8th forward, Brit's life spirals out of control.  She goes from having a steady job, a home, and a boyfriend to having nothing.  We meet several people throughout the days and most of them are just absolutely no good for Brit.  We take a journey right alongside Brit through it all.

This book was a 3-star read for me mainly because of all the unnecessary foul language.  Without that, it would have easily been a 4.5.  If that does not bother you, definitely give Those We Do Not See by Angie Gallion a read.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Those We Do Not See. 

Title:  Saving Rebecca

Author:  Alex Amit

Publication Date:  June 14, 2024

Genre:  Historical Fiction

My Rating:  5 out of 5

Saving Rebecca by Alex Amit starts out in 1941.  It is told through Sarah Bloch.  Sarah is trying to get out of Paris with her daughter Rebecca.  Sarah's husband has gone away to Spain on business.  He had planned for Sarah and Rebecca to join him in a month.  However, Nazi soldiers took over Paris leaving them separated. 

Will Sarah find a way to keep her daughter safe?  What lengths will she go to in order to make sure that happens?  Will she be able to defend against the Nazis who hate her and Rebecca just because they are Jews?

If you like WW2 historical fiction, then I would definitely recommend Saving Rebecca by Alex Amit.  This book had me feeling all the feels.  I'm not going to say much else because you just need to read this book and experience it for yourself.  Saving Rebecca is such an amazing story about a mother's love, hope, unity, and freedom.  Sometimes you just might find a good thing among the wreckage.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Saving Rebecca. 

Title:  Irreplaceable

Author:  Nolon King with Laure Street

Publication Date:  June 4, 2024

Genre: Thriller

My Rating:  3 out of 5

Quote: "Her new home seemed to hold its breath, with secrets on the lip of revelation."

Irreplaceable by Nolon King begins with Will and Nina travelling to North Dakota to celebrate their recent engagement.  They have been together for six months and had fallen for one another immediately.  Little did Nina know that they were going to see Nina's dream house.  The dream house that Will had purchased - unbeknownst to Nina - as a wedding gift.  Did I mention they have only been together for six months? Engaged for only a week? What could possibly go wrong? Not to mention, a dead girlfriend that Nina is unknowingly competing with.

If you like creepy houses and domestic thrillers, then I say give Irreplaceable by Nolon King a go.

Thank you NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Title: Someplace Like Home

Author: Bobi Conn

Publication Date: May 21, 2024

Genre: Fiction

My Rating: 4 out of 5 

Quote: "A long history of sorrow led to my birth."

Someplace Like Home by Bobbi Conn is a fictionalized version of her mother's life.  It is broken up into books.

In Book One, we are introduced to the Caudill Family - Charles, Helen, and their five children Gail, Barbara, Mary, Jenny and William (Billy).  We get to see an overview of what it was like to be a Caudill growing up in Kentucky.

Quote: "So much depends on what you choose next."

In Book Two, we focus on Jenny.  Jenny represents the author's mom.  WHEW!!!  Some of Jenny's life was very hard to read.  I am not going to say much because you need to read it and feel all the feels for yourself.

Quote:  "A parent's legacy is established pretty early in their children's lives."

In Book Three, we get to focus on Charlie.  Charlie is Jenny's daughter.  Again, I'm not going to say much.  However, I will say that Charlie lived through seeing some awful things done to her mom. 

I was drawn into Someplace Like Home immediately from the beginning.  It is very well written, and I felt as if I was part of the family. It made me smile at times and boy; did it make me extremely anger at other times. If you want to get immersed into a book where you are going to feel all the things, I recommend Someplace Like Home.  I will warn you, you will have feelings. 

Quote: "We aren't bound to the past, powerful as it is." 

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Someplace Like Home.

Content warnings:  Domestic Abuse, Drug Abuse, Child Loss

Title:  The Wife at the Window

Author: Cara Reinard

Publication Date:  June 17, 20024

Genre:  Psychological Thriller

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Quote: "She was never supposed to get out."

The Wife at the Window begins with Emerson Wilder standing outside a window, looking at her ex-husband's girlfriend interact with their son. 

Emerson has recently been released from a mental hospital.  Her only goal is to see her son Leo.  A tragic event resulting in the death of her second child, Thea, is what landed her in the hospital.

Is Emerson responsible for Thea's death?

The Wife at the Window follows two points of view -- Emerson and Talia

Talia is Emerson's ex-husband Shep's girlfriend.  Talia and Shep work for the same company.  Talia and Shep do not agree on Emerson having visitation with Leo.  This disagreement ultimately causes destruction in their relationship. 

What lengths will Emerson go to in order to be with her son?

What lengths will Talia go to in order to make sure that never happens?

Quote: "Our connection doesn't cease to exist just because we do."

The Wife at the Window by Cara Reinard is ultimately about a mother who just wants to be with her son, no matter what demons she has to fight in order for that to happen.  This book has a lot of interconnected parts and pieces that fit together like a puzzle.  Everyone we encounter in life is like a puzzle piece.  Be careful who you trust.  Someone just may turn out to be a ghost from the past.  The twist at the end of The Wife at the Window was definitely unexpected.  Cara Reinard did a fantastic job piecing everything together.

There is so much more to this book.  I will not spoil it for you, just know that you will enjoy this book if you're looking for a book with a twist.

There is a content note at the beginning of the book that states, "This novel depicts content that deals with child death and mental health issues."  

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Wife at the Window.