When You Are Mine

 

“When You Are Mine” by Michael Robotham

Published by Scribner

Finished 12/27/21 – 5/5 Stars

 LOVED this book from start to finish!  The characters, the storyline, the suspense – it was all great!  There are dysfunctional families, domestic abuse, stalking, gangsters, and corrupt cops all in one book, with a love story thrown in there as well.  This is the first book in a little while that actually had me planning ahead as to when I’d be able to pick it back up to continue reading.  You could definitely say I was invested from the very beginning.

 This is the story of a young police officer in London who is trying to overcome her father’s reputation as the head of a “criminal empire” and make an honest career for herself.  It seemed like things were finally going her way until one day she is called to an apartment because a neighbor hears screaming next door.  What she finds and the actions she then takes will change her life going forward.  You’ll have to read it to find out what happens.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an advanced copy to read and review.  Please note, the above are my own unbiased, personal opinions.

The Maid

 

“The Maid” by Nita Prose

Published by Balantine Books (release date it 1/4/22)

Finished 12/17/21 – 4/5 stars

I fell in love with Molly from page 1.  She is a hotel maid who takes her job very seriously, taking utmost pride in her work. Cleanliness and proper etiquette are essential to her way of life.  It’s never mentioned, but I believe she’s probably on the autism spectrum, although highly functional.  As the reader, you know what is really going on around her but through her innocence and rose colored glasses, Molly sees nothing but the best in people.  It’s her trust in others that puts her in troubling situations, although she doesn’t see it.  Not until she finds one of the hotel’s guests dead in their room and her quirky behavior makes her one of the prime suspects.  Now she’ll have to figure out who her true friends are and who she can trust to try and clear her name. 

This book is a quick and enjoyable read that I definitely recommend.  Although there is a mystery to be solved, I wouldn’t consider it a mystery novel.  Molly is probably the only one not to see what is going on right under her nose.  But since it’s narrated by her, it’s a mystery to her. So, I recommend it as a good book, just not a good mystery.

 Thank you to NetGalley and Balantine Books for an advanced copy to read and review.  Please note the above are my own unbiased, personal opinions.

Once There Were Wolves

 

“Once There Were Wolves” by Charlotte McConaghy

Published by Flatiron Books

Finished 12/9/21 – 3/5 stars

 

My favorite parts of this book were all related to the wolves.  The descriptions of the animals and scenery were beautiful and well written.  And the storyline in general of reintroducing the wolves into Scottland brings hope for their conservation and environment.  If only it were true.  Maybe one day they will follow the United States’ lead and welcome them back.

The storyline involving the humans was good, just not my favorite parts of the book.  I loved the bond the sisters had even though some of the time it was a little over the top.  Maybe that’s because they’re twins.  Most of the story was fairly predictable, however, the ending did have a couple twists thrown in that I didn’t see coming.  Those were definitely done well but as enjoyable as the ending was, the book in its entirety is still just an average book for me. 

I know many people give this book a higher rating so my opinion is not the norm.  Give it a try and decide for yourself how good of a book it is.