Brooke & Binding

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

I was so excited for this book to come out and get my hands on my own copy!

Hollis Shaw has just had the blow of a lifetime – her husband has just died unexpectedly. As a famous food blogger, she has fans all over the world watching her every move, so when she sees an idea online that might help her recover from this tragedy, she jumps right on it. Five friends from five different stages of her life, Hollis has invited them all to her home on Nantucket for the weekend, and has planned every event and every meal to a T; but what she hasn’t planned is some of the drama her five “stars” are bringing along with them.

***

This is such a creative plot and I love the concept!

Elin Hilderbrand is an author I have grown to love, especially on her Nantucket Island/world of characters. These characters go through real-life scenarios while also not feeling too heavy. She really does have a great skill of balancing serious situations with the lightness a “beach read” is expected to contain.

I am giving this book 4 stars because I couldn’t wait to read it, I was not disappointed, and the characters each had a really unique role to play in the story. It was very enjoyable to read and I definitely think Elin has a very special touch to how she handles her stories/characters that I have grown accustomed to.

If you have not read an Elin Hilderbrand novel I would highly recommend! I have read quite a few now and always look forward to the next release! Some reviews are down below 🙂

HAPPY READING 🙂

Winter in Paradise (Paradise #1) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/winter-in-paradise-paradise-1-by-elin-hilderbrand/

What Happens In Paradise (Paradise #2) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/what-happens-in-paradise-paradise-2-by-elin-hilderbrand/

Troubles in Paradise (Paradise #3) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2020/11/02/troubles-in-paradise-paradise-3-by-elin-hilderbrand/

The Perfect Couple review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2020/01/02/the-perfect-couple-by-elin-hilderbrand/

The Hotel Nantucket review:
https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2022/07/06/the-hotel-nantucket-by-elin-hilderbrand/

Genre: Fiction/Chick Lit/Contemporary

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone (Ernest Cunningham, #1) by Benjamin Stevenson

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

The title of this book got me hooked immediately and I was so excited to get it for my birthday! And it was fun to be able to read it alongside my sister last week :-)

The Cunningham family isn’t your average family. With some “difficulties” in their past, and their name being somewhat famous in a negative way, this family union should be an interesting one. Through the eyes of Ernest Cunningham, a “reliable” narrator (his words) we experience an eventful weekend full of murder, mystery, and secrets unveiled both from the present and an important event that occurred 35 years ago. This book is full of whit, drama, mystery, murder, and more and will captivate you from page one.

***

This book was super fun to read! If I had to pick a favorite part? Ernest bringing you on the journey with him by breaking the fourth wall! He is a great narrator and storyteller!

There are lots of characters to know and lots of moving parts for both the present and past drama to keep straight. In the end, Ernest does a great job of laying it all out and making the connections clear which really captivated me.

I am giving this book 4 stars because it was very enjoyable to read and I loved Ernest’s interactions with the reader, but I will say sometimes it did get a bit confusing. He does bring it all together – for the most part – and the very end was super surprising (which I loved!) but I did guess some elements. Also, I could definitely tell Stevenson was talented in the comedy department because he is a comedian!

All in all I am excited to see where book #2 takes us when it comes out this October!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Mystery/Crime/Thriller/Series

The Golden Spoon by Jesse Maxwell

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Here’s why

I read this book with my sister, @maddyreadsalot which was so fun! We are both a lover of the “Great British Bake Off” and a good murder mystery so this checked both those boxes!

Bake Week is a massive baking competition that has won the hearts of the nation season after season. It is housed at Grafton Manor under a massive white tent on the estate. Throughout the course of the week, one baker is eliminated a day until the winner is crowned and gifted “the golden spoon.” But this season, someone gets permanently eliminated. But who? And why?

***

This book took me waaay longer than necessary to finish, but I did enjoy it!

I think this is a fun combination of themes and Maxwell does a good job of satisfying both the mystery and baking elements to it. I do feel like this is more of a cozy mystery than anything, but this book took me on a turn I was not expecting! There was a lot of past history with the contestants (one in particular), that tied into Bake Week in a unique way, which was cool.

I am giving this book 3.5 Stars because it was an enjoyable read, but I wasn’t necessarily suck in the entire time. I do feel like the book had some interesting elements, which kept me engaged, and like I stated previously, I think the combo of these two themes was “cute” more than “scary”! Although there are quite a few characters to keep track of, I felt like Maxwell did a good job of reinforcing who each character was and how they ended up on Bake Week.

If you are looking for an easy, fun, and short read (and are a fan of GBBO, too!) then definitely check out The Golden Spoon today!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Cozy Mystery/Baking/Reality TV

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Here’s why

This is my third novel by Rachel Hawkins and I have enjoyed each of them in their own way, but I feel like this one fleshed out beautifully.

Growing up, Chess and Emily were inseparable. Even through college, they stayed close, but in the recent years their relationship has started to drift; each a successful author but in different ways (and different levels of fame). After a bit of a “dry spell” for both ladies (writing wise), Chess decides to rent a villa in Italy for the summer for them to go on a writing retreat and finish their books; however, she has not picked just any villa. This one has a dark past, and Emily becomes captivated by it.

***

This book is written so well. I loved it, honestly.

We don’t only get to see Emily and Chess’ storyline (from Emily’s perspective), but we get the storyline of one of the characters that was at the villa when the dreaded “event” occurred. A writer herself, her book became very popular and to see the connections between her storyline as well as the two present-day ladies was really cool. I love when an author connects the dots like that and tells the past/present to paint the full picture.

I am giving this book 4.5 stars because I devoured it. I read almost all of it in one sitting and only stopped because I was starting to doze on the couch! I couldn’t give it a full 5 stars because there was one or two elements I wasn’t the biggest fan of, but I wasn’t super upset about them either. Just thought maybe the extra layer wasn’t needed for one and a bit more detail needed for the other. I know Hawkins has said she likes to use other famous stories to frame her own works (she has done that in the past with The Wife Upstairs and Reckless Girls), but I am not sure what this one was supposed to reflect. Maybe it is a mixture of events or people that inspired her, but I am glad I couldn’t put my finger on it since it allowed me to see it for what it was and not be comparing it the entire time.

If you have not read Rachel Hawkins before, I would probably recommend The Villa or The Wife Upstairs before Reckless Girls (since I feel like those were the more successful ones), but give them all a try if you want! They are great and easy reads to dive into!

Reviews are down below!

HAPPY READING 🙂

The Wife Upstairs review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2020/12/30/the-wife-upstairs-by-rachel-hawkins/

Reckless Girls review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2022/02/20/reckless-girls-by-rachel-hawkins/

Genre: Thriller/Supsense/Mystery/Books About Books

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay

My Rating: 2 Stars

Here’s why

This is my first official Alex Finlay novel, but I have been pining after his books for a few years now. I got one for my birthday this past month and was excited to dive in!

When they were teenagers, the kids of Savior House did something unforgivable. Now, as adults they are reaping what they have sown. Somebody is after them, picking them off one by one, or at least attempting to. After the death of one of their own, Jenna, Donnie, Nico, and Artemis have teamed up to figure out who is after them and why. Does this have something to do with what they did all those years ago, or could his be related to something more sinister than they could have imagined?

****

I picked this book up at Barnes and Noble last month and was immediately intrigued; however, I feel like the potential of the novel outshined the actual storytelling.

The characters of the novel each have something to lose and have their own separate secrets they do not want shared/known that’s not related to Savior House. It was interesting to hop from one perspective to another, and I feel like Finlay did a good job of developing each of them as individuals. The issue was that the plot itself fell flat as the main storyline was told. Yes, they all had these struggles, but when the focus was more on trying to stop whoever was after them, it seemed like all that beautiful character development was left behind. He could’ve used it to really make the twist more complex, detailed, or even longer, but he didn’t.

I am giving this book 2 Stars because there was a lot of potential and quick reading moments, but overall it fell flat. There wasn’t much that really was redemptive, except the very ending. I really liked Jenna and her backstory because it added another layer to the main plot, but everyone else just brought baggage. All in all, I know Alex Finlay is really loved and has produced some big hits, so maybe I will give him another go! This one just let me down.

If you have read Alex Finlay and have a recommendation you really enjoyed, please let me know by commenting below or messaging me on instagram!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Thriller/Suspense/Mystery

A Fire Endless (Elements of Cadence, #2) by Rebecca Ross

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Here’s why

This is the second book in the Elements of Cadence duology and I was so happy to see it as a Book of the Month as an add-on!

The isle of Cadence has been divided for a long, long time. Everyone on the island knows the story of how the clan line became, but no one knows – or even wants – the line to be broken which has bread hatred and a lack of trust between the east and the west. However, a blight has begun in the land and is beginning to affect clan members. Will they be able to lay down their swords and find a cure? And how will this affect the relationship between the two lairds?

***

This was such a fun world to return back to.

I think Rebecca Ross has created a fantasy island that feels very light, easy, and enjoyable to experience. Some fantasy worlds are so heavy, super detailed and overwhelming, but Cadence is different. It still is a place that has its secrets, its magic, and struggles, but is not something that I feel like I am lost if I pick it back up after a little while, which is so refreshing for a fantasy novel.

I am giving this book 3.5 Stars because I really enjoyed the duology overall but I did like the first one a little bit more. The characters, the storyline, and the overall conclusion I was happy with, and felt like it’s was a solid read. Again, the writing is unique and easy to dive into, which I love, so I would recommend this duology to anyone who wants to dip their toes into fantasy but don’t want to commit to something multiple books long.

I will link my review for book one down below!

HAPPY READING 🙂

A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence, #1) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2022/09/23/a-river-enchanted-elements-of-cadence-1-by-rebecca-ross/

Genre: Fantasy/Fiction/Romance/Magic

The Twist of a Knife (Hawthorne and Horowitz Investigate #4) by Anthony Horowitz

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Here’s why

ANOTHER HOROWITZ AND HAWTHORNE! I got this book at Christmas but I haven’t had a chance to read it until now.

Anthony and Hawthorne have been a great team in solving three different cases, giving them great material to work with for their three-book series. But now that their book deal is done, Hawthone thinks its a mistake and doesn’t take the news too well. Low and behold, despite the three-book contract, a fourth book has emerged with a new murder mystery at its core. And you won’t believe who the suspect is.

***

I love this duo. I love their banter, their dynamic as a whole, and what they each bring to the story. Any book written by Anthony Horowitz is clear to be a winner in my eyes.

Anthony Horowitz is doing something truly amazing in his newest novels by writing himself as a character and mixing fiction and non-fiction together. He makes the reader guess which characters or details are real and which are fake. (Makes me think of Taylor Jenkins Reid but for the mystery genre).

I am giving this book 4.5 Stars because I really enjoyed it! I think there were elements that I thought worked better than others, but I did not guess the ending, so that is always nice. I did really feel like the evidence was building up against the suspect, but Hawthorne always has the last word. I also enjoyed the theatre aspect of the novel (someone is murdered that is connected to a play Anthony has written that is playing on the West End) because I have a theatre background.

Overall, this book gets me excited for where Anthony Horowitz is wanting to take this series – and these characters – for many more books to come (hopefully!)

HAPPY READING 🙂

The Word is Murder (Hawthorne and Horowitz Investigate #1) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/the-word-is-murder-by-anthony-horowitz/

The Sentence is Death (Hawthorne and Horowitz Investigate #2) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2019/09/03/the-sentence-is-death-by-anthony-horowitz/

A Line to Kill (Hawthorne and Horowitz Investigate #3) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2021/12/28/a-line-to-kill-hawthorne-and-horowitz-mystery-3-by-anthony-horowitz/

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun (Finlay Donovan, #3) by Elle Cosimano

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Here’s why

I am no stranger to Finlay Donovan’s world and it was so fun to read the third installment of this series!

Finlay is no stranger to messes. As a newly single mom of two – and some would say a professional blood strain remover at this point – she has found herself in lots of different scenarios she would never have expected (except maybe in her novels). With a new deadline for her next book approaching, and a Russian mobster on her tail (for reasons withheld for the sake of the series), Finlay and her live-in nanny Vero need to save their booties and what better place to do that than a citizen’s police academy boot camp. With hot cop Nick in charge, Finlay needs to focus not on her budding romance in real life, but the one on the page, as well as try and find EasyClean, a contract killer the Russian mobster, Felik, wants located. Finlay has really gotten herself mixed up in some crazy “potty” in the newest addition to the series.

***

I always love picking up a new book in this series. The way Elle Cosimano writes is so hilarious and creative, you cannot believe all the crazy stuff Finlay and Vero find themselves mixed up in.

Finlay Donovan is such a unique and fun-loving character. She is so relatable in many ways and I think anyone who picks up this series can find a character they can relate to. Vero has some history still unraveling to the reader, especially in this novel, but Finlay is an open book. I feel like each novel their lives keep getting crazier and crazier and I am here for it!

I am giving this book 3.5 Stars because I didn’t like it as much as one of her previous ones in the series, but it still had elements I loved. You really cannot beat Cosimano’s voice in this series, but I feel like this one was a little rushed in the end, especially. I did like the romance element with Finlay and Nick, though!

If you haven’t read this series, yet, I would HIGHLY recommend it! My reviews will be linked down below!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (Finlay Donovan, #1) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2022/02/17/finlay-donovan-is-killing-it-finlay-donovan-1-by-elle-cosimano/

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead (Finlay Donovan, #2) review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2022/03/04/finlay-donovan-knocks-em-dead-finlay-donovan-2-by-elle-cosimano/

Genre: Mystery/Crime/Humor/Suspense

Hell Bent (Alex Stern #2) by Leigh Bardugo

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

I am SO HAPPY that this book exists. I have been waiting for this book to come out since I read Ninth House in 2019.

In this second installment of the Alex Stern series, Alex and a misfit group of characters have one mission: to try and rescue Daniel Arlington aka “Darlington” from Hell. But is that even possible? And is the person they might find still the Darlington they know and love or has he been corrupted by his demonic surroundings? However, trying to get to hell and back unscathed isn’t their only concern. There are professors dying on campus in very strange – abeit potentially magical – ways and Alex knows these aren’t just accidents. Something is awry in New Haven and it’s up to Alex and other familiar characters to crack the clues and dive deep into the history of Lethe for answers.

***

Like I said earlier, I have waited SO LONG to get this book in my hands. And honestly, it did not disappoint (just maybe had one or two elements I wasn’t a big fan of).

I loved diving back into the world of New Haven, with Alex and her dynamics between Dawes, Turner, and yes, even Darlington. The way Bardugo has layered the magic within the “real world” is one of my favorite elements of her writing. I cannot describe the feeling I get when I dive into this series, but I can say I am beyond thrilled that the series is not over and I get a chance to visit again.

I am giving this book 4 Stars because like I said previously, this world is one that has haunted me and captured my attention for YEARS so to be able to read another novel with these characters in this town with this magic is so fun. There was one element in particular that threw me off a bit in the storyline with the introduction of a “different” type of magic, but I can see how she tied in in later in the story, though. That doesn’t necessarily mean I liked it, but hopefully it doesn’t become a massive element in the next novel.

Overall, this book captivated me, enthralled me, and excited me throughout the whole journey. I loved diving more into Alex’s past, the murders that Turner was investigating, the Hell element, and the overall feel that Bardugo’s writing gives me.

I cannot wait to read more! If you haven’t read Ninth House, please check out my review and hopefully I can persuade you to give this series a try!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Ninth House review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2019/12/02/ninth-house-alex-stern-1-by-leigh-bardugo/

Genre: Fantasy/Fiction/Mystery/Contemporary

Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Here’s why

This book was one of my November 2022 Book of the Month selections because initially, I was intrigued by the writing/excerpt given, but then this book took on a deeper meaning.

Eve is not doing okay. She has recently gone through a loss – her husband has passed away by suicide. With no note, and no clue has to why this has happened, she is at a loss. She cannot get out of bed, she doesn’t want to deal with her family or his; her whole world has paused and she doesn’t know how to resume. However, through a series of events, reflecting on their relationship, and meeting some new friends, she feels like someday, maybe she can be happy again.

***

This book hit me at an interesting time.

There was a famous dancer who committed suicide right around the time I started the novel, so I had to set it down a bit and then finish it later. For a debut, Nwabineli really dives deep into the throws of what grief looks like, how someone dealing with loss sees the world, and also how those around them are trying to deal with it at the same time. She also does a great job of bringing hope, reality, and perspective to the world/situation.

I am giving this book 3.5 Stars because she did a good job handling this type of topic, the writing was well done, and I did like some characters, although Eve did bother me at some points. I think I was more so frustrated with her, and there was one or two plot elements that weren’t my favorite, but overall Nwabineli did a great job.

If you are intrigued about the story, or just want to read a well-written novel that brings perspective to the world around you/life, I would definitely recommend Someday, Maybe. But if this topic is hard for you – and it is for me, actually! – I would caution, but not necessarily write it off. Nwabineli doesn’t “paint the scene” so to speak, but nods at what occurred. This book is more focused on the aftermath, the grief, and the healing process.

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Fiction/Contemporary