The co-authors of SECRETS OF THE IN-GROUP have crafted a novel that is entertaining and thought provoking. Though it is set in Australia, the themes are universal. I had to chuckle that I recognized so many of the references to TV shows, thanks to PBS and Acorn TV.

Several middle aged women get took together for a book club. After a disastrous attempt to read MOBY DICK, they decide they would learn more with lessons in how to use the internet on a deeper level.This dive into social media and other online knowledge brings both good and bad consequences.

The title is apt since all the women have secrets. They are afraid for these to be revealed.

I am glad Carolyn and Loretta Re have written a book with more mature women as main characters. I am in that age group and appreciate that authors realize there is life and love beyond the bloom of your twenties. I hope they will write more enchanting stories in the near future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Ellie is one of the elite with friends who are billionaires. She has a career as a fashion designer that has thrived to the point she has three houses and a glamorous life. That is all topped off by her personal life: a good looking husband, a stepdaughter, who she makes sure everyone knows is at Stanford, a ten year old daughter and two very active six year old twin boys.
Ellie has decided she is going to go all out for her fortieth birthday with a huge party at her new Palm Springs home. Things don’t go as perfectly as she planned. She worries about her husband and her business in the midst of all the fun and frivolity. Ellie remembers another birthday 24 years ago that didn’t turn out to be “sweet sixteen”.
The author tells the story in alternating chapters from the present and 24 years ago. The reader slowly learns about the past and how it impacts the present. The characters from the past, Mish and Leo, are fully developed and, even if you don’t care for some of their choices, you can feel empathy for the poverty they are stuck in as teenagers.
Author Melissa de la Cruz is best known for YA fiction and I loved her Blue Blood series, even though I am well past that demographic. With THE BIRTHDAY GIRL she returns to adult fiction. Domestic fiction is extremely popular now and Ms. de la Cruz is certainly a pro at writing this genre with twists and turns that make this novel a true page turner. I read this book in a little less than two days and could have done it in one if life hadn’t gotten in the way.
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL is the author’s fiftieth book. I look forward to dipping more into her back list and reading anything she writes in the future. I also hope to try to hunt down some of her novels that have been made into TV shows or movies.

Thanks to Netgalley, Natalie Tsay, and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review ONCE UPON A BAD BOY by Melonie Johnson.
ONCE UPON A BAD BOY is the third in the Sometimes in Love series. It helps if you had read the first two, but this novel works well as a standalone. Some of the characters from the previous books make appearances, but the storyline mainly focuses on Sadie and Bo.
Sadie has worked hard as an actress, despite people thinking her affluent background has helped. She is finally getting a starring role in a money after paying her dues by working on a soap opera. She is stunned when she finds out that her ex, Bo Ibarra, is going to be the stunt coordinator for the film. Bo broke her heart when he broke up with her eleven years ago. She was so hurt by that she left her the past behind, even cutting off visits to her beloved grandmother.
Now she is back in in the area to film. She is so happy to spend time with her grandmother, but worries how she will deal with Bo.
Bo is not really a true bad boy. He does come from a family that has had its struggles financially. Bo’s father worked for Sadie’s family until he was hurt in an accident. Bo is really a good man who has had to make choices to make a life for himself.
Sadie is a young woman who has never really gotten over the devastating end of her youthful relationship with Bo.
Author Melonie Johnson develops the two main characters in an authentic manner and I felt great empathy for them both. Vivid descriptions brought the settings and locations to life.
If you are looking for a romance with a little spice and whole lot of fun, then ONCE UPON A BAD BOY will be perfect for you.

With so many depressing things going on in the world, I have added a lot of romance novels into my to be read pile.
Melonie Johnson is a new to me author and she will now be added to one of my favorites. I was pulled into SMITTEN BY THE BRIT from the very beginning.
Bonnie has been with Gabe for a long time. They have finally become engaged, but no date has been set yet. Everything is blown to smithereens when she comes home to discover Gabe “in the act”. To add insult to injury, the guilty couple is using Bonnie’s quilt from her grandmother. Bonnie runs away to a hotel room provided by a close friend whose father owns the hotel.
Bonnie gets a lucky break to teach in England for the summer, so she can “lick her wounds” and be around to help her good friend, Cassie, who is marrying a charming Scot, Logan, at the end of the summer.
Bonnie and her besties took a trip to Great Britain the year before, which how Cassie met Logan. Bonnie met an interesting Englishman, Theo, who showed up in the United States right before Bonnie left for England to teach. When she gets to England, she is hesitant to get in touch with Theo so soon after she was devastated when her long term relationship exploded.
Theo is on a mission from his mother to find a rich heiress to save their estate and lifestyle. He is attracted to Bonnie, but will he pick saving his family over love?
Author Melonie Johnson develops Bonnie and Theo extremely well. There is just the right amount of sizzle. Even though they are from different backgrounds, they have the same basic outlook on life.
I loved the descriptions of all the preparations for the wedding. It was charming that Cassie was flexible and not a “Bridezilla”
If you are looking a book that is uplifting and charming, SMITTEN BY THE BRIT, is perfect. I will reviewing ONCE UPON A BAD BOY very soon, by this same author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Impulse and Killer Reads for giving me a chance to read THE HANGMAN’S HOLD by Michael Wood in exchange for a review.
Detective Chief Inspector Matilda Darke is still dealing with the death of her husband when she is thrown into an extremely difficult case. Brian Appleby is found hung in his home and it is not suicide. What makes it even more strange is Matilda’s best friend, Adele, had just gone on a date with Brian the night before. Adele thought Brian was a “lovely” man, but it turns out he has a very dark past that he has tried to keep secret. Who would want Brian dead?
After another hanging death, it seems that Matilda and her team have a serial killer who is dubbed the “Hangman”. The people of Sheffield are becoming very scared and those above Matilda are getting angry. The person who seems to be getting the most information is young reporter Danny Hanson thanks to the killer calling him.
Author Michael Wood does a skillful job of developing both the main and secondary characters. A light touch was added in describing Sian’s “snack drawer” that helped the team carry on with their challenging case.
There is a good bit of graphic description used, but that is to be expected with a serial killer story. Many TV series show much more these days.
The author has done a fine job of capturing the voice of the female characters. It is encouraging to see more female protagonists in police procedural tales both in novels and on TV. Although this book takes place in the UK, it is relevant to detective stories everywhere.
THE HANGMAN’S HOLD is the fourth in a series, but I had no trouble following the plot. The author provided just the right amount of back story. The novel ends on a note that seems to promise a fifth book.

I appreciate Avon Publishers sending me a review copy of GUILT by Amanda Robson. The author’s debut novel was OBSESSION, which was also a psychological thriller. I plan to place that novel in my reading pile very soon.
Zara and Miranda Cunningham are non-identical twins. They have always been close, but are roommates even as adults. Miranda is the smart, steady one with a good job at an accounting firm. Zara is more flighty, but finally seems to be using her artistic talents to go back to school and pursue a career. Their mother wants Miranda to be there for Zara who has been unstable and was “cutting”to the point of almost killing herself.
The sisters seem to be doing fairly well until Zara meets Sebastian and falls head over heels for him. Sebastian is handsome and charming, but Miranda has a bad feeling about him from the start. Things become more uncomfortable for her when Sebastian moves into their flat and becomes paired with Miranda at her job. Relations between the two sister unravel until one ends up dead. This is not a spoiler, as the first chapter opens with the aftermath of the murder.
The author writes the novel in a suspenseful, compelling way. Time weaves between the past and present and the three different narrators. The chapters are mostly short, which keeps the reader quickly turning the pages and makes it hard to put the book down.
None of the characters/narrators are truly reliable, which adds to a very twisty storyline. Sebastian is an extremely scary sociopath and it is easy to see how Miranda feels torn about what to do so her fragile sister won’t be hurt by this seemingly reckless man.
Amanda Robson’s background has enabled her to write a novel that is emotional and engaging.

I have been an avid reader since I was five years old. Now that I am retired, I have more time to read and reflect on many wonderful books.

I belong to three book clubs: two face-to-face and one online group. I have been with the online private group for 17 years now and the members are like sisters to me, even though we are scattered across the globe.

My TBR shelves are full and I still hear the “siren song” of new books to buy or borrow from the library. With this blog I hope to share both new books and ones that have collected a little dust. I hope I can connect with fellow bookworms on my journey.