mackenzierm's reviews
1519 reviews

Billie is talented, mouthy, and so tempting. Vaughn can't stop thinking about her and all the ways he could take her down a peg. Billie and Vaughn clash from the moment they meet on Gold Rush Ranch, driving each other crazy and leaving them both wanting more. But at what cost?

Billie is a firecracker and a class act. Her perspective was so much fun to read - she's got some of the best quips. I loved seeing her prove herself to herself and everyone around her as the head trainer at Gold Rush Ranch over the course of this book. Vaughn is an excellent MMC and the perfect match for Billie. Their chemistry was fire and I loved the dynamic they develop together. I love the banter that Elsie writes and that's no different here. 

I loved that Billie's character was so in tune with Double Diablo and really gave him the shot he was deserving. Their bond was so special! Books with animals are far superior to books without animals, no question. 

The ending was perfect, and I absolutely swooned over the grand gesture. This was Elsie's first book, although not the first book I've read by her, but at this point I'll read anything she chooses to write.  

Ruby is on track to become the first in her family to attend college, but a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back into poverty. Eleanor meets William at Howard University where they fall madly in love, but his family doesn't let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor is hoping a baby will make her feel at home with William's family - which is easier said than done. 

THE HOUSE OF EVE is told in the POVs of Ruby and Eleanor, both of whose perspectives, experiences, and narration I enjoyed. The audiobook narration is well done with a separate narrator for each woman, making their stories even easier to differentiate as I listened. Each woman's voice is raw and vulnerable with characterizations that are so fresh and relatable. 

This is an incredible story that allows for reflection on how difficult the fight for reproductive rights has been and to see how the current political climate (particularly in the US) are slowly reversing these hard won rights and freedoms. This is a truly heartbreaking reality, making this story set in the 1950s feel all too realistic and relatable. There are also themes of class privilege as well as racism intermingled within this complex and thought-provoking read.

I would have liked for the two main narratives to cross over a little sooner than they did and in a more tangible way, but I can appreciate why the author chose to do as she did. The author's note at the end of this book is both heartfelt and touching. 

An excellently written and very timely read. 

 Maggie Bird is a former spy for the CIA and has chosen to retire in the seaside village of Purity, Maine, where she's eager to put the past behind her after a mission went horribly wrong. When a body turns up in Maggie's driveway, she knows she hasn't been forgotten by her former foes. Maggie reaches out to her local circle of old friends, the Martini Club, who help her to uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her and why. The acting police chief of Purity, Maine, Jo Thibodeau is puzzled by Maggie's reluctance to share information and is confused as to why Maggie and her friends always seem to be a step ahead of her investigation. 

 

I haven't read a Tess Gerritsen novel in years and saw this one on Kindle Unlimited and decided to give it a try. THE SPY COAST was an interesting read that forays into a retired spy's world through the POV of Maggie. I found her character to be very interesting and loved seeing the world through her eyes, as well as getting a firsthand look at the skills she developed while in the CIA. There are some other POVs sprinkled throughout the novel, namely Diana's, Bella's, and Jo's, which each added some key information and tension to the story. I adored the members of the Martini Club and hope the next book in the series continues with them as a focus. 

 

The plot is compelling, tense, and well-paced, leaving a story that keeps the reader invested from beginning to end. I loved the author's note at the end which gave great context to how this novel came about and the choice of setting. I'll be keeping my eye out for the publishing of book 2! 

Felicia is a volunteer at a local crisis centre in a small Wisconsin town where she answers calls on a suicide prevention hotline. One night, she answers a horrifying call where a teen girl frantically tells her she's been the victim of sexual assault at a house party. Felicia breaks protocol and communicates with the girl on her own, determined to keep the girl safe and her assailants accountable. As Felicia develops a bond with this girl and more facts emerge about the incident, Felicia has to make a difficult choice between moral responsibility and following her instincts.

ONE OF OUR OWN is an audio original thriller that's impeccably done from plot to narration to sound effects. This one checks all the boxes. 

The story starts off with a bang, gripping the listener from the get-go. It's a fast-paced story that you can't help but want to finish in one sitting. The audio is less than 4 hours and is incredibly bingeable while packing an emotional punch. Despite its short length, the story feels complete and is really well done. The characters are intriguing and well developed, although they are not all likeable. 

I'd highly recommend checking the trigger warnings for this audiobook because this one is on the more intense side of delivery and topics, focusing on subjects that can be difficult for some readers but I will say that I think the author handled these topics with delicacy and care.

Ruth is a hardworking and quiet women who lives for her daughter, Catherine. It's just been the two of them against the world. Catherine is ready to spread her wings and move from home and Ruth is prepared to do anything to prevent that from happening. 

GONE TONIGHT is a very intriguing story told in alternating POVs: Ruth (mother) and Catherine (daughter) in dual timelines. Both POVs had me hooked as I tried to navigate through each character's deception and secrets. There's an interesting look at mother-daughter relationships which leaves a lot to be unpacked as the plot progresses. 

I figured out some of the twists before they were revealed but still enjoyed the execution of these plot twists that kept me gripped in suspense from start to finish. The ending was a bit too open-ended for my liking with some interesting insinuations. I think the audiobook narration would have benefited from two narrators to help better differentiate between the two characters' POVs. 

Holly barely survived a traumatic car accident that killed her father when she was 16. Her grandfather took her to the jungles of Peru, where she took an ayahuasca treatment (a plant-based psychedelic) to emotionally recover. Now, twenty years later, Holly is one of the most sought after psychiatrists who is determined to use her expertise in psychedelics to treat patients suffering from addictions. She embarks upon an unproven new protocol that delivers miraculous results. Holly's world is quickly turned upside down when one of her clients goes public with his recovery and another overdoses after accusing Holly of improprieties. With her career on the line, Holly reaches out to her mentor, (and estranged husband) Dr Aaron Laing, for comfort and advice. It soon becomes clear that it is up to Holly alone to figure out what's going on with her clients.

HIGH SOCIETY is a story that I very much enjoyed. It is told primarily in Holly's POV with some short chapters in other characters' POVs. I loved Holly's narrative, while some of her choices crossed a line, I was still thrilled to see her growth and how she worked through some of her own realizations. This is the third book I've read by Kalla and I absolutely love his writing style and that he uses his own medical knowledge and expertise to write about 'hot' topics.

I really liked that this story takes a closer look at mental health, addictions, and how past traumas can continually influence our choices. I thought it was really interesting to learn about psychedelic treatments in conjunction with talk therapy (both one-on-one and in a group) as it is not something I had any knowledge of coming into this story.

HIGH SOCIETY is a highly interesting read with short, pithy chapters that make you want to keep reading. There are several twists that serve to shift the focus as well as up the ante, leaving me with no clue how all the pieces of this story would come together. I was truly surprised by how the story came to the end, in the best way. The ending was really well done, tying up many of the loose ends.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.

Harper is an expert at talking her way out of trouble, breaking out of car trunks, and picking locks. She could run a masterclass on escaping relationships and she's addicted to true crime podcasts which has led her to become the genius behind a micro-column: "how to not get murdered". Harper has moved to Paris to follow her dreams and has talked her way into an arts journalist job as a stepping stone to her ultimate goal of investigative journalist. When one night she meets Noah X, an artist, her whole world is turned upside down, leaving Harper entangled in a web of lies as she vies for the scoop of a lifetime.

THE PARIS AFFAIR is told in Harper's POV. I enjoyed reading through her outlook on her current experiences, the social commentaries she provided, and her inquisitive mind. She's had a rough break-up and since has become more of a cynic about love, which I also think is related to her mother's love experiences to a certain extent as well. I liked that Harper has some self-realization after her breakup that motivates or inspires her to work on herself and do things for herself rather than for others. Sometimes we need to be a bit selfish and I really think this was a big step for her. Harper also discusses how "people aren't brave enough to admit they might have darkness" and I thought this was an interesting statement in the context and explanations that she provided.

I loved the Paris setting which was well described and elaborated upon. The plot of this psychological thriller is twisty and intriguing but doesn't really feel like other novels in its genre. There was a lack of the usual build-up in tension as the story escalates, making it feel less 'thrilling' shall we say. Regardless, I was kept guessing until the end, not fully sure how everything fit together until the big reveal. I was satisfied with the overall plot and how the story came to end.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! Many thanks to the publisher for a paperback ARC as well! All opinions shared are my own.

3.5 stars.

Sage has lived in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon for her entire life. She's learned to love her small world with her misfit animals on her hobby farm and the friendships she's built with the town's inhabitants. Sage's ex-boyfriend is newly engaged and Sage needs a win to convince the town to stop pitying her, as well as put her ex in his place. The Festival of Spunes, the town's annual summer competition, sounds like the perfect opportunity. Now Sage needs to find a partner. Fisher is a hotshot chef in NYC until the loss of his sister leaves him numb with grief and responsible for his teenage niece, Indy. When Fisher loses his Michelin star along with his love of cooking, his boss sends him to Spunes on a summer sabbatical to consult on a restaurant opening. Clashes with the townspeople threaten his chance at redeeming himself, leading him to develop a strategic alliance with Sage in hopes of turning things around. 

SAVOR IT is a cute small town romance, told in dual POV: Sage's and Fisher's. I adored both main characters, as well as the small town setting of Spunes, Oregon and prevalent small town vibes with everyone knowing everyone else's business. I thought it was funny how quickly Fisher got the small town welcome from the women of Spunes and his reaction to these welcomes. 

I enjoyed the dynamic shared between Fisher and Sage, as well as the realness of their thoughts and feelings on their deepest, secret part of themselves. I liked that their relationship seemed to progress in a natural and genuine way and I loved seeing them share their inner selves together. They were both so kind, caring, and understanding towards one another. 

While I enjoyed the romance between Fisher and Sage, I felt like there was a spark missing for me to really want them to BE together. I was ambivalent about their connection and would have been happy with their story ending either way. 

Be warned, Fisher is a chef and there is a focus on his work and creation of his meals which sound LIT. So my message to you, is to have a snack on the side while you read, you'll need it!

 

Orie has spent her life prepping for her happily ever after, and she's wondering when that's ever going to happen. She's recently graduated and feels like her life is nothing quite like she had envisioned. On a whim, Orie applies for Survivor, a show she's loved for many years. She's shocked when she's cast in an experimental romantic edition of the show. The shock deepens when she discovers her high school crush, Remy, has also been cast. Orie is one of ten contestants aiming for a million dollar prize while surviving in the wilderness of the South Pacific.

Let's take a second of appreciation for this beautiful and summery cover.

ATTACHED AT THE HIP was such a fun and cute read. I adored the Survivor meets the Bachelor reality TV show that's created within these pages. The concept of being attached at the hip to a game contestant for three days at a time before exchanging to a new partner was scintillating. The forced proximity fostered an excellent environment for relationships, romantic or otherwise, to develop. I really enjoyed the bonds that Orie forms over the course of the show. The challenges were interesting and cutthroat, although one of these challenges were a little too much for me.

Orie's character is one that I couldn't help be annoyed by from time to time. Her narration reads like that of a teenager, making her feel less mature than her described age of twenty-three. That aside, I did enjoy the personal growth journey she finds herself on over the course of the book, and particularly enjoyed the relationships she develops with Kennedi, Osprey, her sister Lark, and her dad. These were all beautifully done.

The ending of this book was everything I wanted for this book - so heartwarming.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Wednesday Books, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.

Having trouble connecting with what’s happening on audio. May try to pick this back up at another time.