Movie Review: Red, White, & Royal Blue (2023)

Title: Red, White, & Royal Blue

Length: 1h 58m

Released: 2023

Genre: Romantic Comedy, What If
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Amazon Prime

SUMMARY:

When the feud between the son of the American President and Britain's prince threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations, the two are forced into a staged truce that sparks something deeper.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Been meaning to watch this since it was first announced! I adored the book and this cast looks so good. Finally got myself to sit down and watch it. 

There is a feud between the sons of the President of the US and Britain's prince. This feud hits an all-time high at a wedding and now it is a worry that this feud could drive a wedge in UK/US relations. PR steps in and decides that they need to become besties. However, this forced proximity sparks something deeper and much more controvesal. 

This was so much fun. It made me feel nostalgic for the book!! I may have to re-read it ;) 

Amazing cast. They were great. Can Umma be the next president? I loved her in this role. 

Such a fun story! I loved seeing these two go from enemies to lovers.Adoooorabllleeee!!!!

Yes, there is comedy, but there are some serious tones that I felt like they did a good job going over...especially for our prince. His grandfather, the King, knows his secret but in order to protect him and the Crown...he has made Henry keep it a deep, DEEP secret. I just want to squeeze Henry!! I get where the King is coming from though. This is unprecedent and he's scared. He doesn't think the British people will accept Henry if he were to come out as gay. If this was real life....I can see the fear. 

It's been a while since I read the book, but I felt like this movie did a good job respresenting it. I'll have to re-read it and see I guess....for research ;)

But yesssssssss I loved this movie. I can see myself watching it again when I need background noise. 

5 stars from me. 

Book Review: The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig

Author: Lauren Willig

Title: The Masque of the Black Tulip

Series: Pink Carnation #2

Genre: Historical Romance, Mystery, Chick Lit 

Format: paperback

Pages: 464

Published: December 1, 2005

Where I got It: My shelf (Some sort of bookstore - it's been so long)

Summary: 

Modern-day graduate student Eloise achieved the academic coup of the century when she unmasked one of history's greatest spies, the Pink Carnation, who saved England from Napoleon. But now she has a million questions about the Carnation's deadly French nemesis, the Black Tulip. And she's pretty sure that her handsome on-again, off-again crush, Colin Selwick, has the answers somewhere in his archives. When she finally comes across an old codebook, Eloise discovers something juicier than she ever imagined: an unlikely pair who were hot on the trail of the Black Tulip and had every intention of stopping him from killing the Pink Carnation and bringing down England. But what they didn't know was that while they were trying to find the Tulip--and stumbling upon something like love--the Black Tulip was watching them....

Review:

It's been YEARS since I read this little gem. I've been struck with the need to re-read this whole series so I'll be chipping away at this over the next few...whatever it takes. I'm so excited. 

We are back at it with Eloise digging for the truth. She unmasked the Pink Carnation and now she has a million questions about the Carnation's deadly French nemesis....the Black Tulip. Colin surely has the answers in his archives. While digging, she uncovers an unlikely pair who were hot on the trail of the Black Tulip. Miles and Henrietta have known each other since childhood. Miles is her brother's best friend and spy partner. She wants to help! But Miles wants her to stay home and out of danger.

Awww Hen and Miles. I adore this couple soooo much. I forgot how much I loved watching them go from friends to lovers. The chemistry was always there, but they never took that step. Mainly in loyalty to Richard, Hen's brother. 

I do like Eloise and Colin's story and POV, but I much prefer our heroes in history. I'm a sucker for historical romance and historical intrigue. Love old school spies. 

This book held up to the test of time! I loved it just as much as I did when I stumbled upon this series in High School! I remember checking this out from the library. I picked up this and the first book and sped through it. Honestly, I think this cemented my love for historical romances AND spy novels. Eeee!

But yes, still fun. A nice mystery. The Black Tulip and Pink Carnation are amazing foes. 

Miles is a hunk. 

Hen is a spitfire. 

You need to read this series. 

5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Hen

Least Favorite Character(s): Mary (I know - I know - but I hate this young version of her. I kept telling myself, "She gets better someday") 

Movie Review: All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Title: All Quiet on the Western Front

Length: 2h 28m

Released: 2022

Genre: Drama, Historical, War
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

A young German soldier's eagerness to serve his country quickly fades when he witnesses the horrors of combat on the Western Front during World War I.

Trailer

REVIEW:

So I read the book a few years ago and I think I seen the 1930s version of the film when I was super young (or at least clips of it) so I was eager to watch this eventually. 

The story follows Paul and his friends. It is midway through WWI and they are eager to fight. However, they quickly realize war isn't pretty. Especially this war. While Paul and his friends struggle to stay alive and sane, the political world is on fire. Germany is losing the war and running out of bodies to send to the front. They will have to decide what to do.

I couldn't remember much of what happened in the book. There were a couple of things I remembered so I was prepared for some parts. 

You can't help but feel for Paul and his friends. War is hell....especially WWI. It was the dawn of a new age of fighting and they were being led by old folk used to the old style of war so the casualties were staggering. New technologies, new styles of fighting....no rules. This was war was a bloodbath. The film did a great job showing this. This was visually gorgeous. The music filled in the gaps and made this so intense. 

Now they did take away a few scenes of Paul going home at one point. I'm kind of bummed they did that because it shows how Paul is transforming. The beginning...he is a young dumb boy. The middle...he is losing his old self. The ending...he is the hardened soldier. Honestly, they could've compromised and just had him interact with civilians in some way just to show his realization he is not the old Paul anymore. 

However, they did add some political scenes which I did appreciate overall. It showed the bloated elite making decisions and being unsure if they should stop the war and sign the deal. The scene when they are all signing made me cry. That Armistice of Compiègne would seal the fate of Germany. Yes, the war is over which is awesome, but signing the armistice would begin a treaty that would be so harsh on Germany that it will lead to another and even more deadly war. The way they filmed that scene was so haunting and perfect.

This film was hauntingly beautiful. It was really good and I highly recommend it even if you haven't seen the past renditions or read the book.

I'll give this 5 stars. Yes, I was bummed they altered some scenes and removed Paul going home for a few, but the added behind-the-scenes political parts made up for it. Especially that signing scene. Oof. 100% recommend this film.  

Book Review: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie

Title: Murder on the Orient Express

Series: Hercule Poirot #10

Genre: Mystery, Classics

Format: ebook

Pages: 256

Published: January 1, 1934

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A luxurious journey aboard the Orient Express turns into a race against time when a murder is committed. Detective Hercule Poirot interrogates the suspects during a long stop in the mountains of Yugoslavia.

Review:

I read this gem many, many, MANY years ago. I watched the movie when it came out, but again...my brain barely remembers the details. I remember the big reveal (because how could you not) but the details or so forth? Nope. 

Hercule Poirot finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation while aboard the Orient Express. It is a race against time before they reach their final destination. Lots of suspects, lots of motives...

This one is just so clever. I loved the way each chapter played out and seeing Hercule interview each of the suspects was so entertaining. 

I may remember the conclusion, but it is so so so thrilling watching Hercule pull it all together. So many little hints and tips that I caught on knowing the conclusion. 

I enjoy Hercule and his stories so much. They are entertaining and Hercule may not be the most humble of creatures, but he deserves his arrogance. 

What else to say? You don't have to read these books in order and you could read this one and enjoy it. But going back to some older books have made me appreciate Hercule a little more. 

5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Bouc

Least Favorite Character(s): Ratchett

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #23

- Cloak & Dagger #20

Book Review: The Situationship by Abby Jimenez

Author: Abby Jimenez

Title: The Situationship

Series: Part of Your World #3.5

Genre: Romance, Short Story, Novella, Comedy

Format: ebook

Pages: 37

Published: September 24, 2024

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Travel nurse Maddy doesn't have time for a relationship, not even with the ruggedly handsome farmer who she feels a spark of attraction to.

Doug is a walking green flag. After a run in with Maddy thanks to the Wakan town mascot, Kevin Bacon the pig, he can't help but feel the spark too.

Even though she doesn't plan on staying in Minnesota forever, Maddy believes she and Doug can still have a fling… or maybe they’ll just find themselves in a situationship. 

Review:

After the conclusion of the last book I had to read this little novella. 

Maddy doesn't want or have time for a relationship. She doesn't plan on staying in Minnesota forever...just long enough to make sure her friend is settled. However, she meets Doug who is a ruggedly handsome farmer who is the owner of the town's mascot....Keving Bacon the pig. There is a spark there and they can't help themselves. 

After the ending of the last book (as I mentioned), I had to read this. I had to know how and why these two people fell in love. Out of all the characters in all of the books, I didn't think these two would fall for each other. So unlikely! So opposite! So....of course they fell in love. What is wrong with me? It's like I've never read a romance ;)

But yes, it was a funny and fun meet-cute. I love Kevin Bacon. I didn't think I would like this coupling, but I ended up falling in love with them. 

This needed more. I wanted more. But it worked fine with the length. Maybe we'll see them in future books. 

Short and cute. I actually read this twice because I liked it. I'll give it 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Kevin Bacon the pig

Least Favorite Character(s): no one 

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #22

Re-listen: Wild Irish Christmas by Tricia O'Malley

Author: Tricia O'Malley

Narrator: Amy Landon

Title: Wild Irish Christmas

Series: Mystic Cove #9

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Novella

Format: Audiobook 

Published: December 18, 2020

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Lily Walden finds herself inexplicably drawn to the small village of Grace’s Cove where she retreats to heal from a broken relationship as the lonely Christmas holiday looms. Escaping each evening into dreams more vivid than life, Lily nurtures a secret desire to write the fairy tales she lives each night. If only the fae prince of her dreams could rescue her from her haunted past.

Prince Callum, head of a secret faction of Fae protectors, is desperate to find his fated mate as each night she sings their lovesong to him in his dreams. One fateful night, he takes to the seas to find her, only to land catastrophically at the shores of an enchanted cove.

With Prince Callum near death, only Lily can save him in time, forever sealing their fated bond – but first, she must bring herself to believe in her own fairy tale…

Review:

We're back babbbyyy! I decided to have a relisten to this one because....I couldn't remember anything that happened. It's been so long. 

Here we have Prince Callum of the Fae and Lily the human. After an abusive relationship, she needs to break free. She runs to Grace's Cove. She doesn't know why, but it calls for her name. This could be the escape she needs to heal and write her little fantasy stories that she dreams about. Little does she know that her dreams have been real and Callum is real and has been looking for her. He finally gets the clue he needs to find her, but he is attacked and near death until Lily saves him. 

Again....I loved this as much as I did the first time. It's so sweet and they are adorable. Lily deserves all the love the world can give her. Callum is adorable and sweet and perfect. 

I loved seeing old faces along at the pub. This is a cross-over with another of the author's works so that is fun. I read book of that other series...I should push forward and read more once I catch up with this one. Soooo many books....so little time. 

But yes. Still just as sweet as the first time I read it. I wanted more though. I just really loved these characters. 

The narrator? Still amazing. Still perfect for this series. 

5 stars still from me.

Favorite Character(s): Lily and Callum

Least Favorite Character(s): Lily's ex

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #35

Audiobook Review: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Author: Abby Jimenez

Narrator: Christine Lakin & Zachary Webber

Title: Just for the Summer

Series: Part of Your World #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

Format: Audiobook 

Published: April 2, 2024

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.

Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.

It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected--including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?

Review:

This was picked as something to read by my Twitch community BUT I had my eyes on this one as well since I enjoyed the first two of the series. 

Here we follow Emma and Justin. They both have a wild curse where the person they break up with happens to find their true love shortly after. The two meet on Reddit and decide that maybe, JUST maybe, they can break the curse after they "date" and break up. Emma is a traveling nurse and decides to take her next assignment at the hospital near Justin. This is supposed to be a quick and fake summer fling, but they are catching real feelings for each other. However, they have a lot of baggage that could provide some major hurdles for them. 

You really should read the other two books before this one especially since there is a huge connection that is revealed. I do not want to say TOO much because it is a huge twist! I had zero idea. It really took me aback! I didn't see it coming! But this does okay as a standalone overall, but the connections make it just that more special. 

Loved seeing Justin find love. He was such a nice guy in the last book. He deserves all the happiness life has to offer. My heart broke for him learning about what is happening to his family. I feel for them all...even his mom. Life is never black and white.

Oooooh Emma!!! Her backstory and issues broke my heart. I HATE her mother soooo much! I was literally screaming for Emma to stand up and tell her to go away. Booooo!

This was adorable overall. Some humor. Some smexy scenes. Lots and lots of baggage these two had to shift through. Like the other book the author does have a layer of real life mental health or health issues that she gives her characters. I really love it. Yes, you know they will find their HEA but it just feels so real. The author really does a wonderful job of blending everything together that isn't TOO heavy ALL the time or TOO sweet or TOO ridiculously funny. It is simply perfect.

I enjoyed this a lot. I dare say I loved it. 

The narrators are just the cherry on top! They are perfect and bring the story to life. 

In the end, I adored this book just as much as the others. I love our characters and I loved watching them fall in love. It broke my heart seeing them go through all the issues, but it was worth seeing it so they could get to their HEA. 5 stars from me.  

Favorite Character(s): Justin

Least Favorite Character(s): Amber

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #32

- Library Love #18

Audiobook Review: Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Author: Abby Jimenez

Narrator: Kyla Garcia & Zachary Webber

Title: Yours Truly

Series: Part of Your World #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

Format: Audiobook 

Published: April 11, 2023

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

Review:

I was so excited to read Briana's tale after the conclusion of book 1. Briana deserves happiness and love and joy. 

Here we follow Briana and Jacob. Briana's life is falling apart. Her divorce is about to be finalized and her brother needs a new kidney but no one in her family is a match. Her best friend moved far away. And now a new doctor enters the hospital and could be a candidate for the promotion she wants and he seems like a total jerk. She is ready to hate him for life, but Jacob completely flips the table by sending her a letter. The letter shows the real him and what he struggles to say out loud with his social anxiety. Things get more complex when he is donates a kidney for her brother. He wanted to keep it a secret, but it gets leaked that he is the mysterious donor. Briana wants to do something for him, so all he asks is for her to be his fake girlfriend to get through his brother's and ex's wedding. Yep, his brother is marrying his ex. Of course Briana is game! 

This could do well as a standalone, BUT I highly recommend reading book 1 first.

Oh this broke me at the end. I was enjoying this fake romance with happiness and joy. Yes, there are some sad moments especially in regards to Briana's brother who is struggling. The last 15% had me crying big ol' tears. I couldn't relate more to Briana if I tried. Trust is hard. I don't trust easily so seeing some of my insecurities and fears on page....damn. Okay. Those 15% pages of tears made me love the book. I went from...this is pretty good....to....I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK. 

I think what I truly loved about this book (and book 1) is that we get the goofy and humor parts. We get the romance and when-will-they parts. BUT the author really shows the reality of mental illness. It's not just a fun fact about someone in her book. We get to see how it can impact their decision-making and their relationships. We see our lovers work through it and come out the other end with a HEA we all deserve. *chef kiss*

Also, I love the fact that the "villains" of the story at some point you can't help but find some small shred of sympathy or forgiveness or pity or something. You can still dislike them and hate what they did, but twice now I ended up not hating the character(s). This is hard to do and the author did it twice for me. 

The narrators were perfection. I believe I have heard the male voice before, but the female voice was new to me. I loved them both. 

All-in-all, I really adored this book. It started off as good, but that last 15% made me fall in love. The characters. The humor. The romance. The dog. The extra trauma I was given. Loved it all. 5 stars of course. 

 

Favorite Character(s): Briana and Jacob. But the true hero was the doggo

Least Favorite Character(s): Briana's ex. Sure I forgave him a smidge so I don't "hate" him anymore, but he can still bugger off. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #30

- Library Love #15

Audiobook Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Author: Matt Dinniman

Narrator: Jeff Hays

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Genre: Fantasy, SciFi

Format: Audiobook 

Published: September 21, 2020

Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend

Summary: 

The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth—from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds—collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.

The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.

Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over. In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style.

You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big.

You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that "it" factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive in this game—with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it's anything but a game.

Review:

Starting July off with a bang! This was picked for book club. For sure a very different type of story but I was excited that it was picked. 

Here we follow Carl and his ex's cat. The world literally was crashed upon itself and they have been entered into a game show for the universe. 18 levels of a dungeon that they will need to crawl through. They call it Dungeon Crawler World. Carl and his cat companion will need to battle hideous monsters, other crawlers, and fight for viewers so they can get better stuff. Like pants. Will they be able to make through the "tutorial" levels?

This was a lot of fun. Crazy to say that such a dark world is fun, but it was. This was fresh and unique and just wild.

I loved Carl and that cat of his. Had me in stitches when she was able to talk and was given a higher stats. Hilarious. 

The monsters are scary and tough. 

No one is safe. 

Lots of trials and rules. 

We had some humor, but there were real emotional moments. 

The narrator did a fabulous job. I'm glad I went with the narrator because I feel like this story needs the acting and some sound effects. There were a couple but I hope we get some more in the future. 

Issues? Mmmmm.....nothing really. Some lulls but they felt right and needed. Lots and lots of action, but we got a lull at the right spot. 

I'll stamp this with 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Donut and Carl

Least Favorite Character(s): There is a couple (don't wanna spoil it) that are bad. Booo

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #29

Re-listen...Audiobook Review: One Good Dragon Deserves Another by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron 

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: One Good Dragon Deserves Another

(Heartstrikers #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fiction, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Pages: 487 

Published: August 1st 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: After barely escaping the machinations of his terrifying mother, two all knowing seers, and countless bloodthirsty siblings, the last thing Julius wants to see is another dragon. Unfortunately for him, the only thing more dangerous than being a useless Heartstriker is being a useful one, and now that he’s got an in with the Three Sisters, Julius has become a key pawn in Bethesda the Heartstriker’s gamble to put her clan on top.

Refusal to play along with his mother’s plans means death, but there’s more going on than even Bethesda knows, and with Estella back in the game with a vengeance, Heartstriker futures disappearing, and Algonquin’s dragon hunter closing in, the stakes are higher than even a seer can calculate. But when his most powerful family members start dropping like flies, it falls to Julius to defend the clan that never respected him and prove that, sometimes, the world’s worst dragon is the best one to have on your side.

Review:

Re-read book 1 for book club and I couldn't resist doing the rest of the series. Love this series so much!

Julius and Marci barely survived after the last book. Estella is back and is desperate to win at any cost. Julius and Marci will have to use every tool to survive and find a future that can work for everyone.

It was so fun going back to the beginning. Loved seeing everything with knowing eyes. Even though I knew what was going to happen I was still on the edge of my seat. Awwww. 

Julius is so sweet. Sometimes too much, but that is what makes him a bad dragon. 

Marci is adorbs. 

Amelia and Bob are still my favorite dragons. 

Again...I still feel for Estella but she went too far. I wanted more for her, but she made her bed. 

The ending is just so good. You need to read the next book to see if Julius' plan works. I know what happens but I'm itching to start it. 

The narrator is fabulous as always!!

Such a good series. Loved this book even more than when I last read it. 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Bob and Amelia

Least Favorite Character(s): Bethesda

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #27

Book Review: English History

Author: Collins

Title: English History

Genre: Nonfiction

Format: Paperback

Pages: 224

Published: October 4, 2018

Where I got It: My shelf (Gift from friend) 

Summary: 

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of English History.

A concise guide to key events, people and places in English history and how England has come to be what it is today. From prehistoric England, Stonehenge and the Romans to modern times.

Review:

While I was over in the UK last month my lovely friend bought this for me while we were at a museum. She is so sweet!

This is a run down of some big events, people, and etc that influenced the English culture and history.

I'm a huge history nerd so it was fun going through this and seeing English history through an English historians POV. I loved that it was "simplified" so it wasn't overly wordy. We also got some pictures too so that was an added bonus. 

But yes, a quick read but I took my time. I enjoyed re-reading certain sections. I think I'm ready for my English History exam! ;) 

Informative and interesting. Plus pictures are fuuuuun!

5 stars. 

Audiobook Review: The Last Party by AR Torre

Author: AR Torre

Narrator: Amy Bentley, Will Damron, Neil Hellegers, & Ellen Quay

Title: The Last Party

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 20, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Perla Wultz lives with her husband, Grant, and their precious daughter, Sophie, in a gated Pasadena community. Affluent, sociable, and accomplished, Perla plays the part of loving wife and mother to perfection. It seems an ideal life, if not for a decades-old crime that has become Perla’s dark and consuming secret obsession.

Twenty-three years ago, Leewood Folcrum confessed to murdering two young girls during a birthday party. Though he’s been condemned to a life sentence, his crime is not forgotten. Not by Perla, nor by an inquisitive doctoral student interviewing Folcrum for his dissertation. He’s getting the killer to open up—about his motives, his confession, and the truth of what really happened on that horrible night.

As the past and the present entwine, the deceptions behind the infamous murder begin to surface. But who’s deceiving who now? And why? And as an ingeniously twisted plan is set in motion, who will be the next to die?

Review:

I've read a couple of books by this author so I was excited this was selected for book club. 

Everything may seem perfect in the Wultz home. A perfect wife, smart husband, and a beautiful daughter. They are affluent, sociable, and accomplished. However, there is a darkness there. There is a decades-old crime that haunts this family in more ways than one. Years ago, Leewood Folcrum confessed to murder but never gave any motive. Now a doctoral student is interviewing him and trying to get the truth about the motive and what really happened that night.

This was intense. I didn't want to stop listening!!!

What can I even say without giving away huge spoilers? Maybe I'll divide and conquer this review:

The Good

- The characters. OMG they were complex. 

- The writing is amazing. The author really knows how to tell a story. 

- This was a wild ride especially near the end. I had no idea what was going to happen at the end there. A web of lies can ruin a lot of lives. 

- Twists and turns galore. But my original idea and belief was proved right! Yayy!

- The narrators were really good. They really brought everything to life. 

The Bad and the Ugly

- One thing and one thing only.....................it ended. I want to follow these characters further. I worry for one of them. 

Conclusion

This was a great read. Be warned there are some triggers in here since the focus of the past crime was the murder of two young girls. Nothing horribly graphic is discussed, but it can be triggering for some. 

I enjoyed this book a lot. Like I mentioned...I didn't want to stop listening. This author is great. I need to read more by them. I can't wait to discuss this at Book Club. Weeee. 

5 stars. 

- Favorite Character(s): ....Grant? Maybe....I don't know honestly

- Least Favorite Character(s): Perla

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #26

- Cloak & Dagger #13