Book Review: The Death of Us

 

By Becky Gulc

I really enjoyed Abigail Dean's debut novel, Girl A, so I was really happy to pick up another of her books, this time The Death of Us. This novel essentially involves taking a moving and sensitive look at how a shared traumatic experience can alter the course of a relationship.

Here is the synopsis:

It’s the story everyone wants to hear.

That spring night in South London, when Isabel and Edward’s lives were torn apart.

The night Isabel learned that the worst things wait, just outside the door.

The night Edward learned that he was powerless to stop them.

The night they never talk about.

When their attacker is caught, it’s finally time to tell the story of that night.

Not to the world. Or to the man who did it. But to each other. (Courtesy of Abigail's website.)

Isabel and Edward were a young, happy couple when a frightening intrusion into their home changed everything. Unable to navigate the heavy emotional aftermath together, they eventually drifted apart, letting their marriage fade away. They go on to live separate lives and never discuss that night. Then the perpetrator is finally caught and the former couple are brought back into each other’s lives as the trial looms. Will they finally be able to open up about what they went through?

This isn’t an action-packed thriller; it’s more a character-driven exploration of healing and I couldn't get enough of it. I really loved the way Abigail chose to build the narrative. It sweeps back and forth between timelines so smoothly. Isabel’s chapters are presented almost like a deeply personal diary entry directed at the man who altered their lives, which gives her perspective such an intimate, vulnerable feel. Edward’s side of the story grounds us in the present day as they gently brace themselves for the upcoming trial.

My heart really went out to both characters; they are written with such empathy and feel like genuine people you want to reach out and comfort. While the book certainly touches on emotional subjects and might make you reach for a tissue, it never feels overwhelming or bleak. Instead, it’s an incredibly hopeful story about resilience and the enduring nature of love.

I found this to be an absorbing read that shines a warm light on the quiet strength of the people left behind, rather than dwelling on the crime itself. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read whatever Abigail Dean writes next!

More by Abigail Dean:
Day One
Girl A

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Not Another Christmas Movie

It's not even Halloween yet and the winter holiday novels are descending upon us! Today we're excited to kick off the early winter holiday season with Not Another Christmas Movie by Ashley Cowan. This is her debut rom-com and it sounds absolutely delightful. Thanks to Alcove Press, we have THREE copies to give away!

Thirtysomething Annie Meyers is having a rough year. Her situationship with the noncommittal Chris fizzled out, and her best friend’s impending engagement is the final crunch of the candy cane. Her solution: to spend the holiday slugging boxed rosé and ignoring the rest of the world.

That is, until she falls asleep and wakes up in her worst nightmare: a made-for-TV Christmas movie version of her quaint hometown. To make matters worse, Chris is now the town’s hunky widower and owner of a Christmas tree farm. But Annie isn’t trapped alone: Her dorky childhood neighbor, Nick, is here too. Only, he’s not quite as dorky as she remembers.

After some mild panic, Annie and Nick realize their escape hinges on playing into classic rom-com tropes. The plan is simple: Annie will woo Chris—the now “perfect boyfriend”—and Nick, his childhood sweetheart, Bailey.

But after holiday hoedowns, ice-skating dates, and cookie-baking montages, Annie begins to wonder if the real magic of Christmas—and love—is much closer to home. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"[A] clever romp . . . This is sure to leave readers with smiles on their faces."
—Publishers Weekly

“With holiday spirit with a side of spice, Ashley Cowan has crafted a gift of a rom-com. Annie and Nick’s adventure through every holiday movie trope left me laughing, swooning, and cheering for them to just kiss already! The perfect read to cozy up with under the tree, or any time you need a dose of sparkling magic.”
—Holly James, author of The Déjà Glitch

"Delightfully fun, filled with humor and a love story that will put a smile on your face. A perfect holiday rom-com."
—Red Carpet Crash

Credit: William Leschber

Ashley Cowan lives in Simsbury, Connecticut, where she wrangles a circus that includes one husband, three daughters, two rescue cats, and two rescue dogs. A graduate of Roger Williams University, she moved to New York City as a starving artist and then to San Francisco, where she became a moderately hungry artist, acting, writing, directing, and enjoying many burritos before returning to New England.

Ashley is a published playwright, with work featured in the Applause Acting Series: 25 10-Minute Plays for Teens, and her plays have been staged everywhere from San Francisco theaters (and bars moonlighting as theaters) to Texas middle schools and community centers across the tri-state area.

Visit Ashley online:
Website * Instagram * TikTok

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends October 13th at midnight EST.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Looks Perfect

We're excited to celebrate the publication of Jessica Siskin's debut novel, Looks Perfect! The premise sounds intriguing and we are loving the cover too. Thanks to Over the River PR, we have one copy to share with a lucky reader!

What comes between a fashion icon’s perfect image and her genuine self? The perfect stranger―in a sharp and witty novel about identity, performance, and what it takes to make a true connection.

One million people follow Stella Lerner’s every move. And now the buzzy fashion designer is fulfilling her lifelong dream and taking her indie clothing brand global with the help of the industry’s biggest investor. Sounds perfect. Except offline, the optics aren’t so great.

Her relationship with her boyfriend, Alex, is crumbling just as the pressure to curate her image online only builds. Feeling trapped between the picture-perfect life she’s promised her followers and the messy reality she’s facing, Stella anonymously joins a new dating app. Blindr promises deep, private conversations, free from the burden of anyone’s expectations, especially her own. That’s when Stella connects with a stranger called Pineapple who’s intuitive, honest, and empathetic. Stella may be watched by millions, but this man, who’s never even laid eyes on her, makes her feel seen.

What starts as a diversion becomes a journey of radical transformation. As Stella’s search for authenticity intensifies, every chat with Pineapple takes her further down a path she never could’ve imagined.

 “Looks Perfect is the contemporary novel at its best, exploring the ways in which we perceive ourselves being perceived and the cost we pay for it.” 

—Chloé Caldwell, author of Women

“Jessica Siskin brings an insider’s eye to the pressures of image-making and the unexpected places where genuine connection can still be found.” 

—Ali Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Slow Burn

“Smart, observant, and emotionally rich, Looks Perfect feels incredibly of its time.” 

—Esther Chehebar, author of Sisters of Fortune

Jessica Siskin earned her MFA from the New School. She is the founder of Misterkrisp, a popular Instagram-based food art business specializing in custom Rice Krispies Treats and social media content. She is the author of Treat Yourself!, a cookbook featuring her inventive food art and edible creations. Jessica lives in New York City.

Visit Jessica online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends October 11th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: A Date with Death

By Sara Steven

Helena Hart isn’t having the best night. Her date just ditched her, her Halloween costume bombed, and her only sympathetic ear is a dead silent partygoer in a Grim Reaper get-up. But when she falls off a balcony and he catches her with a very real skeletal hand, she realizes he may not be a party guest at all. Before she can process the near-death experience, he vanishes, leaving her to wonder if she hallucinated the whole thing.

Grim isn’t supposed to save souls. He’s supposed to reap them. And while he’s not sure why he spared Helena, he does know that if his superiors find out, he’s as good as dust—which is saying something for a guy who’s mostly bones. But keeping away from Helena is proving harder than expected—especially when she isn’t the least bit afraid of his monstrous form.

Worse, to his horror, Helena makes him feel. And for a reaper, feeling is a fate far more dangerous than death. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

A Date with Death was so much fun! When I think of the Grim Reaper, I think scary. Unapproachable. Run! But that’s not how Grim is portrayed in this story. He might think he’s scary and unapproachable, but Helena doesn’t see that at all when she meets him for the first time. And over the course of the chapters, the reader begins to see a lot more depth to him, too. It was the quintessential opposites attract, with two completely opposite characters who end up liking each other despite their differences. And boy, are there a lot of differences!

Grim doesn’t live in the same world that Helena lives in. He collects souls for a living. Helena lives on earth and is a librarian. What could they possibly have in common? Helena allows Grim to be himself while also re-discovering his own past and how he came to be the Grim Reaper, and he has no filter, the kind of gruff personality that rubs off on the much more quiet Helena. It was a fun dynamic between the two of them. I also loved the secondary characters who make up Grim’s self-made family, even though Grim would never admit to having any kind of family.

There were some fast-paced moments pertaining to keeping Helena safe that had been a wild crazy experience, and some super steamy moments, too, which was completely unexpected but a welcome surprise. Ultimately, I loved how Grim has been deconstructed to make him more endearing, because why shouldn’t a supposed “monster” find love and romance, too? It was a definite five-star experience!

Thanks to Gallery for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Kelly Creagh:
Nevermore
Strange Unearthly Things
Phantom Heart

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Book Review: Big Little Truths

By Melissa Amster

The last time we saw the women of Big Little Lies—Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie—their children were five years old. If someone wasn’t invited to a birthday party, feelings were hurt. But ten years have passed and the kids are in high school, navigating all of the drama that accompanies teendom (goodbye playdates, hello drugs, sex, and alcohol).

When the high school principal receives a threatening package in the mail, word quickly spreads throughout the community and parents are in an uproar. But Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie have other things to worry about. Celeste’s mother-in-law, Mary Louise, is behaving oddly—is it old-age forgetfulness and bluntness or something more sinister? Madeline is facing perhaps the biggest challenge of her life, Jane is at a dangerous fork in her marriage, Bonnie has realized there’s only so much solace in yoga. And Renata? Renata is living her best life—revenge is sweet.

When a stranger begins lurking around the school asking supposedly innocent questions, this tightly connected group of women must finally face the full repercussions of the big little truths they have and haven’t shared with their kids. Because the stakes are now much higher than not being invited to an ice-skating party—and the ice has never been thinner for any of them. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Ever since I heard there would be a sequel to Big Little Lies (reviewed here), I have been wanting to get my hands on a copy. Big Little Truths is just as scandalous and addictive! It does not follow season two of the TV series and I am glad about that. It takes place ten years later, when all the kids are in high school and the moms are facing down their fifties (at least some of them are). 

This novel focuses on being part of a sandwich generation. The women have different issues to deal with this time, but the aftermath of the events from the first book still haunt them. It was a really good read that felt relatable in some ways. I couldn't get enough of it! There are some heavy parts to the story, so be kind to yourself while reading it. 

Throughout the novel, there were many things that surprised me. I thought I was guessing correctly at something and then I would realize I was completely off base. I loved the script-like dialogue between the teenagers, who are divulging everything at a group counseling session. Being the mother of a teenager (along with two adults), I found I could relate even more to the women in this story. 

The novel goes back and forth in time. It took me a while to remember when everything was happening in the present vs. half a year before. Also, because the seasons in Australia are the opposite of those in the US, I had to think even harder about the timing of everything. Not a huge deal, but something to keep in mind when you read it.

If you want to read this as a standalone, there's enough context from the first book to help everything make sense. However, I highly recommend Big Little Lies and you can avoid spoilers by reading it first. It's also a good way to form a bond with the characters. I felt like I was reuniting with old friends this time around.

Overall, an excellent sequel! Maybe Liane can be persuaded to write one for What Alice Forgot someday, as well.

(Trigger warnings below. May contain spoilers.)

Movie casting suggestions (I only kept one from the previous novel and didn't want to go with the casting from the TV series either):

Celeste: Saffron Burrows

Jane: Carey Mulligan

Madeline: Rose Byrne

Bonnie: Adelaide Clemens

Renata: Portia de Rossi

Melody: Rebecca Hall

Ed: Sam Worthington

Marco: Adam Garcia

Mary-Louise: Frances Fisher

Tom: Ben Barnes

Thanks to Crown Publishing for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Liane Moriarty:

The Husband's Secret

Nine Perfect Strangers

Here One Moment

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TW: Grooming minors. Cancer. Mental breakdowns. Assault. Dementia. Drug and alcohol use. Receiving a threat. Death of spouse/parent. Trauma.

Jessica Rao is everywhere we want to be...plus a book giveaway

We're excited to welcome Jessica Rao to CLC today to talk about her debut novel, Nowhere to Go but Everywhere. If you were around in the 1990s, it will make you feel nostalgic. If you weren't, it will give you a taste of what life was like back then. We had fun chatting with Jessica and hope you will enjoy our interview. Thanks to BookSparks, we have one copy to give away!

Jessica Rao is an award-winning journalist and media professional who has held contributor roles at CNBC and Gannett and overseen communications for Fortune 500 companies. 

In addition to her media career, she is the Vice President of the White Plains Library Foundation and she hosts and produces literary events. She lives outside of New York City with her family. Visit Jessica at her website and on Instagram.

Synopsis:
Helena Vinci might like grunge and Camel Lights, but she's not a fan of frat boys or anything else about Albany college life. When she drops out and takes a job waiting tables near the Capitol, her plan is to save up to see "the real world" out west. But soon she finds herself trapped in a new way, torn between two men - a sexy DJ and a fellow slacker with wanderlust - and a third, a politician who promises financial security, but at a price. When and how will Helena learn that you don't have to go on the road to find yourself?

Nowhere to Go but Everywhere is a piercing coming-of-age novel about the perils and pleasures of learning to chart your own path. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"With echoes of The Catcher in the Rye and a distinctly retro sensibility... this stunning debut is not to be missed!"
- Jacqueline Friedland, USA Today bestselling author of Breathing Under Water

"Among the most satisfying coming-of-age novels I've read."
- Art Bell, author of What She's Hiding

"Jessica Rao is the real deal. This book captures the tumult and boundlessness of late adolescent rebellion. I tore through this absolutely winning debut."
- Karen Dukess, USA Today bestselling author of The Last Book Party

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like for you?
It was long and windy -- it took a while to feel that my manuscript was ready and then getting myself organized to send queries another whole challenge.

How is Helena similar to or different from you?
On the surface, we’re pretty similar. We both went to the University at Albany, worked as waitresses, have red hair, wore berets. But our paths diverge on page one. I didn’t drop out, live with two relative-strangers or make the dubious decisions she makes. 

If Nowhere to Go but Here was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I love this question but I have to admit, I had to defer to my 19-year-old daughter and her friends to answer. 
The best answers I got: 
Sadie Sink as Helena
Florence Pugh as Sonya
Drew Starkey as Henry
Jake Gyllenhaal as Charlie
I suggested Jacob Elordi for Thomas, but they thought he was a little too hot. I thought he’d be good!

Which book made you fall in love with reading?
My favorite books as a kid in no particular order: Charlotte’s Web. The Cricket in Times Square. All the Beverly Clearly books. The Peanuts comic books. In middle and early high school, I loved The Catcher in the Rye, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and A Separate Peace.
 
What is your favorite thing about the 1990s?
I liked that we had more head space, more quiet. We weren’t always in touch, always with a device in our hands.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
This is a tough one, but I think Drew Barrymore would do a great job. 

Thanks to Jessica for visiting with us and to BookSparks for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends October 6th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Class Reunion

By Sara Steven

A phone call from jail pulls attorney Lennon Gallagher back into a past she's spent years trying to escape. Complicated doesn't begin to describe the bond between Lennon and the caller, a former law school classmate. Now, Erin stands accused of the very violence Lennon has spent her career fighting against. It's a conflict of interest, but isn't everyone entitled to competent and effective legal defense?

What starts as a plea for help spirals into a murder trial that threatens to incinerate Lennon's professional reputation as well as her upcoming marriage. Guided by her best friend, seasoned lawyer Miranda Quinn, Lennon digs for the truth, only to find a mountain of evidence that points to Erin's guilt. The cost of loyalty is high, and the stakes are even higher as Lennon questions if Erin was ever truly her friend.

But does that make her guilty of murder? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both books that delved into Lennon Gallagher’s life; first with Class Action (reviewed here), and now with Class Reunion. Lennon has a very complicated relationship with Erin, someone who she had once thought of as a good friend, but there has been too much water under the bridge for Lennon to ever fully trust Erin again. Yet given Lennon’s familial past, not to mention the legal issues Erin faces, Lennon feels it is her duty to do whatever she can to help Erin, even if it might mean putting her own career in harm’s way.

The way Lennon’s story is written is easy to follow and kept me interested and focused on the situation at hand. What should be a straight shot into figuring out how to defend Erin, becomes extremely messy and chaotic. It gets to the point that Lennon really isn’t sure if Erin is innocent or not, particularly when Erin brings in a former classmate of theirs who is very antagonistic and a big threat to Lennon. And then when Lennon gets put on trial, the lines become severely blurred. The moments where Lennon had a choice in whether she wanted to engage more with Erin or not, I kept hoping she would make the right choice and back away, but she kept getting deeper and deeper into the mess.

I first learned about Lennon through Olmstead’s Miranda books, and it was really nice to see Miranda make appearances in Class Reunion, along with her husband, and Lennon’s mother, too. It’s my understanding that Miranda has a lot of legal experience and is a mentor for Lennon, so it made sense for Lennon to go to her for assistance and guidance, even if Lennon chooses not to always take Miranda’s advice. Maybe things would have gone differently if she had. But we might not have had as much suspense and intrigue leading up to whether Erin truly is innocent or not, and whether Lennon can climb herself out of the drama and get back to what sustains her the most: helping those who can’t help themselves.

I felt like Class Reunion was a great follow-up to Class Action, a worthy five-star experience!   

Thanks to Gail Ward Olmsted for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Gail Ward Olmsted:
Miranda Writes
Driving on the Left
Landscape of a Marriage

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