Recent Reads

Bad Love by Johnathan Kellerman

Synopsis - It came in a plain brown wrapper, no return address—an audiocassette recording of a horrifying, soul-lacerating scream, followed by the sound of a childlike voice chanting: "Bad love. Bad love. Don't give me the bad love." For Alex Delaware, the tape is the first intimation that he is about to enter a living nightmare. Others soon follow: disquieting laughter echoing over a phone line that suddenly goes dead, and a chilling act of trespass and vandalism. He has become the target of a carefully orchestrated campaign of vague threats and intimidation rapidly building to a crescendo as harassment turns to terror, mischief to madness.

With the help of his friend, LAPD detective Milo Sturgis, Alex uncovers a series of violent deaths that may follow a diabolical pattern. And if he fails to decipher the twisted logic of the stalker’s mind games, Alex will be the next to die.

Thoughts - I read a lot of thrillers.. and this one was just meh. I did not figure out the end but that was pretty much the only plus. I didn't care much for any of the characters. Definitely a pass. 

Bet on It by Jodie Slaughter

Synopsis - The first time Aja Owens encounters the man of her dreams, she’s having a panic attack in the frozen foods section of the Piggly Wiggly. The second time, he’s being introduced to her as her favorite bingo buddy’s semi-estranged grandson. From there, all it takes is one game for her to realize that he’s definitely going to be a problem. And if there’s anything she already has a surplus of, it’s problems.
In Walker Abbott’s mind, there are only two worthwhile things in Greenbelt, South Carolina. The peach cobbler at his old favorite diner and his ailing grandmother. Dragging himself back after more than a decade away, he’s counting down the days until Gram heals and he can get back to his real life. Far away from the trauma inside of those city limits. Just when he thinks his plan is solid, enter Aja to shake everything up.
A hastily made bingo-based sex pact is supposed to keep this…thing between them from getting out of hand. Especially when submitting to their feelings means disrupting their carefully balanced lives. But emotions are just like bingo callers—they refuse to be ignored.

Thoughts - I wanted a change of pace and this Good Reads giveaway win looked like a light, fun read. While not often, I do enjoy a sexy read now and then. But to read something erotic you need to be in a right frame of mind.. plus I spread out the reading over a few months because it can be a bit much. But this was very cringe inducing. I was not prepared for the amount of smuttiness in the book. And it was very awkward. I understand what the book was trying to do, show real people with mental health problems getting their freak on and eventually finding love through it. But it was not for me. This was a DNF. 

Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea

Synopsis - The Girl of Sugar Beach is the most watched documentary in television history—a riveting, true-life mystery that unfolds over twelve weeks and centers on a fascinating question: Did Grace Sebold murder her boyfriend, Julian, while on a Spring Break vacation, or is she a victim of circumstance and poor police work? Grace has spent the last ten years in a St. Lucian prison, and reaches out to filmmaker Sidney Ryan in a last, desperate attempt to prove her innocence.
As Sidney begins researching, she uncovers startling evidence overlooked during the original investigation. Before the series even finishes filming, public outcry leads officials to reopen the case.
Delving into Grace’s past, Sidney peels away layer after layer of deception. But as she edges closer to the real heart of the story, Sidney must decide if finding the truth is worth risking her newfound fame, her career … even her life.

Thoughts - This was my second book by Charlie Donlea. I wasn't a big fan of his first, Suicide House. But I still thought to give him another chance. I guessed the murderer's identity pretty early on, but I was still very interested in continuing to read. It was a quick read and the fact that my guess was right didn't ruin the book for me. It was still enjoyable. And there was a crazy little twist in the end.

                 

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