I was not as captivated by this book as some of Maas others. The story line continued from Crescent City but was slow to develop. Once I got the gist of the plot it did get better but I had trouble following all the side plots which eventually did come together. She does leave me wanting to read the next book in the series and I am looking forward to it the end January 2024.

Good read, makes you think!!

Best book to read ever!!!

Book Review: The Return by Anne Marie Silvey Natalie's journey is a compelling tale of resilience, redemption, and unexpected love. Natalie's life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself pregnant, with no memory of how it happened. This enigmatic beginning sets the stage for a story filled with intrigue, heartache, and ultimately, hope. "The Return" by [Author's Name] delves deep into Natalie's life, portraying her as a young single mother navigating societal judgment and familial betrayal. The narrative begins with Natalie's return home after being sent away in disgrace by her family for reasons unknown to her. The reception she receives is far from warm; instead, she is met with bullying and mistreatment from those who should offer her solace. This sets a poignant backdrop against which her strength of character shines through. Central to the story is Natalie's son, Liam, whose innocence and belief in his father figure, Bryce, add layers of complexity to the plot. Bryce, a wealthy and eccentric man with a keen intellect, becomes intertwined in Natalie's life when he witnesses the injustices she faces. Their initial interaction, where Bryce pretends to be Natalie's partner to shield her from further harm, sets off a chain of events that blend misunderstandings, protective gestures, and budding affection. The author skillfully navigates the dynamics between Natalie and Bryce, crafting a relationship that evolves from mutual assistance to genuine emotional connection. Bryce's character, despite his quirks and wealth, is portrayed with vulnerability and depth, making him a compelling counterpart to Natalie's resilience. The plot unfolds with a series of twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged as Natalie and Bryce navigate their complicated circumstances. Themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and the power of love resonate throughout the narrative, offering a message of hope and second chances. What stands out in "The Return" is the author's ability to weave together a narrative that balances emotional depth with moments of levity and intrigue. The supporting characters, particularly Liam and Natalie's estranged family members, add richness to the story, each contributing to Natalie's journey of self-discovery and healing. Overall, "The Return" is a captivating romance novel that transcends the typical tropes of the genre. It is a story of overcoming adversity, finding unexpected allies, and ultimately, embracing the possibility of love in the most unlikely of circumstances. With its well-drawn characters and heartfelt narrative, this book is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy stories of love, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. Rating: 4/5 stars "The Return" is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, offering readers a memorable and emotionally satisfying journey through the lives of Natalie, Bryce, and Liam.

Very exciting!!! Last part is annoyingly abrupt!!! Just ends suddenly when you are desperate to read more!!! Can’t wait to read the next book!!! Want to find out what happens next!!!??????

We read this for book club. I liked it a lot. It presents some points of view that I had never considered.

“The Unseen Sister” is the second in Andy Maslen’s three-book (so far) DS Kat Ballantyne series. Set in a fictitious city in England, Kat is an early-forties homicide investigator who not only has to prove herself professionally every day, but also has to deal with all the real-life challenges of marriage, motherhood, health and emotions. The overall story in this volume involves Kat investigating the death of a young women whose body was discovered by Kat’s dog-walking friend. Accidental? Murder? If murder, then who is responsible? Along the way, Kat is pulled in different directions by her relationships with her boss and her well-meaning, but naïve and inexperienced assistant. To further complicate matters her son is a typical young teen-ager, and her husband has just taken on a web-design project for a young, extremely good-looking female entrepreneur whose ideas and methods Kat does not appreciate or trust. What else could go wrong? Just wait, there’s more… plenty more… The audiobook version is expertly narrated by Ell Potter. Her accent, while very British, is easy for an American’s ear to follow, and her voice characterizations of the various characters are “spot on.” Maslen is a prolific author, having published well over 30 novels. All three Kat books have a publication date of 2024, which often signals me that there is bound to be a lower quality in the stories as they are too rushed. That is NOT the case for this series; I have been pleasantly surprised.

“The Price of Innocence” is the sixth (of seven) in Lisa Black’s Theresa MacLean series, all of which have been enjoyable, easy reads. Theresa is a forensic analyst in the Cleveland Medical Examiner’s office, and often works hand-in-hand with her cousin, Frank, a Cleveland Police detective. In this episode, Theresa faces many challenges, including being present when a police officer is killed during an investigation, being poisoned by an unknown source and dealing with a budding romantic relationship with a man whose past is not 100% solid. I have also enjoyed Black’s Maggie Gardiner / Jack Renner (six books) and Ellie Carr / Rachael Davies (three books so far) series. As is generally true with series work, it is best to start at the beginning.

It was very funny

A story that deals with death and the living. One character tries to escape her issues by hidding under black makeup. But everyone in the house is suffering after the Mom passes away. Family issues loom large in this book.