Waiting On Wednesday ... A Certain Appeal

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

A sparkling contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in the tantalizing world of New York City burlesque, perfect for fans of The Kiss Quotient and The Roommate.

After a betrayal derailed her interior design career, Liz Bennet found a fresh start in New York. Now an executive assistant by day and stage kitten by night, she's discovered a second home with the performers at Meryton, Manhattan's top-tier burlesque venue. Love's the last thing on her mind when she locks eyes with Will Darcy across the crowded club. The spark between them is undeniable--that is, until she overhears the uptight wealth manager call her merely "tolerable."

Bennet is determined to write Darcy off, but once their besties fall head-over-heels, they're thrown into each other's orbit again and again. Each encounter begins to feel more heated than the last, but is their chemistry enough to topple that terrible first impression? What's more, when a charming newcomer arrives on the scene with accusations against Darcy, his claims leave Bennet torn. And when a sudden development leaves Meryton's fate in jeopardy, she will have to decide who to trust in time to salvage her design dreams, her heart, and the stage she shares with her found family... 

I instantly wanted to read this novel.when I heard it was a Pride and Prejudice retelling set in the world of burlesque. It sounds flirty and fun.

The fall release ensures that this will pair nicely with a pumpkin spice latte and a cozy blanket.

Expected release date - November 2, 2021

#PopCultureResolution -The Stepfather

The Stepfather

Director: Joseph Ruben

Length: 89 minutes

Cast: Terry O'Quinn, Shelley Hack, Jill Schoelen

Release Date: January 23, 1987

Synopsis: Jerry Blake (Terry O'Quinn) is a family man, but he happens to have a series of families, with each one on the receiving end of his murderous ways. When Jerry sets his sights on a lovely widow named Susan (Shelley Hack) and her headstrong daughter, Stephanie (Jill Schoelen), it appears that his brutal pattern of killings will continue. However, Stephanie begins to suspect that there's something wrong with the seemingly well-adjusted Jerry, and a violent confrontation is inevitable.

***********************************************

The Stepfather is another 'based on a true crime' selection that made my list this year. It's (very) loosely based on the murders that John List committed but only in the simplest of terms. I was curious enough to add it to my list because I had good things, and it's pretty much a classic.

It's a solid, quick horror that I think will appeal to even those who are not horror fans. It has its horror filled moments but still manages to feel more like a thriller at times. Those who are not a fan of bloody scenes will still want to skip this one though because those are definitely still present.

The movie is at its most memorable when it focuses on Terry O'Quinn's Jerry. It's a fantastically unsettling performance. He manages to make whistling something that can send shivers down your spine. He excels are both the charming face that lures in women and the murderous opposite he eventually shows himself as. It's the performance, for me at least, that stands out in this movie.

The refreshing thing about these types of films is that they are the tightly packed, easily consumable pieces of entertainment. A majority run around the 90 minute range, especially if they are older, and that is because they know their audience. They know what the horror fan wants and that is on display in the screenplay here. It's a fast paced, tightly constructed story that feels even quicker than it actually is. Sometimes this works with the story being told and other times it leaves you wanting more. I did feel like some elements could have been fleshed out more, or expanded on, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is a strong example of what often works in this genre.

The Stepfather ends up being a solid watch with a central performance that is the key to the movie. This has been remade and has inspired plenty of other movies so I may be swayed to check out a few of those as well. As for the big question that I answer at the end of these - was it scary? Well, it depends. The idea of it is certainly scary. The ones that feel a little more plausible always are. There are certainly scary moments in it, but I would classic this as a more of a thriller that keeps you tense. throughout. 

Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine von Radics

 

Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine von Radics

Release Date - April 7, 2015 

Publisher Website - Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 115 pages
My Rating - 5/5

**borrowed from a friend**

Twelve Books/Twelve Friends Selection

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Titled after the poem that burned up on Tumblr and has inspired wedding vows, paintings, songs, YouTube videos, and even tattoos among its fans, Mouthful of Forevers brings the first substantial collection of this gifted young poet’s work to the public.

Clementine von Radics writes of love, loss, and the uncertainties and beauties of life with a ravishing poetic voice and piercing bravura that speak directly not only to the sensibility of her generation, but to anyone who has ever been young.

My Twelve Friends/ Twelve Books reading challenge has certainly been expanding my reading horizons. None have expanded it quite the same way this poetry collection has. 

I do not usually read poetry. It is not that I don't like it but it is not something I instinctively gravitate toward. Out of all the books recommended to me by friends I was most curious about this one because it is not something I typically read. This has showcased that I should definitely search more out because I loved every minute of reading this collection.

This book is filled with beautifully written poems that touch you in various ways. Some are bittersweet reflections on lost loves. Some are gut punches that deal with trauma and heartbreak. Some are wistful and contemplative. All linger and stay with you. I started noting the titles of the poems I enjoyed the most to keep track and it got to the point I was adding all of them to my list. There is easily at least one line from each poem that is worthy of being highlighted. 

There are plenty of poems about one within these pages but there are just as many that cover other topics. There are poems that touch on disability and others that deal with loss. It offers a diverse breadth of topics even though they all deal with topics of the heart.

If you, like me, don't read as much poetry as you should I recommend starting to change that with this collection. I am going to go ahead and assume that if poetry is already a staple for you that you are already familiar with von Radics and their work.

Hollywood Babylon by Kenneth Anger

Hollywood Babylon by Kenneth Anger

Release Date - January 1, 1975 

Publisher Website - Penguin Random House
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 292 pages
My Rating - 2.5/5

**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Originally published in Paris, this is a collection of Hollywood's darkest and best kept secrets from the pen of Kenneth Anger, a former child movie actor who grew up to become one of America's leading underground film-makers.

Hollywood Babylon is sort of treated as a gossip filled must read for those with an interest in the golden age of Hollywood. I had heard it talked about in near mythic terms. Kenneth Anger was synonymous with gossip. It was therefore no surprise that it could not live up to the hype.

I'll start by saying that it is an entertaining read but that it is pretty obvious that not all of it (in fact it appears a large part of it) is not true. It takes events that actually happened and mixes in rumour and innuendo as actual facts. Actual verifiable facts are ignored for snide comments and speculation. I wanted a dishy tell all and instead got something that felt a little incomplete and misleading.

Thr photos interspersed throughout are certainly eye catching and work with the flow of the story. They are used effectively and complement the way in which each chapter leads into the next. The photos are, however, often unlabeled making it harder to identify some of the subjects. This amount of effort also goes into the writing which is rushed and messy at times. 

The stories included are (mostly) worthy of a tell all. It is a testament to how underdeveloped some of the chapters are that it leaves the reader hungry for more and wanting to dive down many rabbit holes. There are some that stay with you, such as the unanswered questions surrounding the death of Virginia Rappe, but others leave only a fleeting impression. 

One positive is that the various sections are short making them easily consumed during a commute or on lunch breaks. The book itself reads very fast because, like the writing, a lot more style is put in place of substance. It makes it so that anyone midly curious could pick this up and finish it rather quickly.

I mainly wanted to read this before starting the You Must Remember This season that revolves around this book. I have to say that the podcast has made a perfect companion piece so far and has only served to increase my enjoyment of the book. 

If you are looking for a quick Hollywood read that has more lies than truth I would maybe recommend this one. I would certainly advise pairing it with a real deep dive into the stories explored in this book. Avoid the hype and you might enjoy it more than I did.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every week. 

BOOKS

Cover For A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King (goodreads)

I featured this book in my 2021 Most Anticipated event and now it finally has a cover. It's fun, flirty, and I love it. It fits the synopsis of the book perfectly.

This Pride and Prejudice set in the world of burlesque inspired novel will certainly look stunning on shelves. 

Cover For Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday (goodreads) 

I love cute holiday season set romance so when a friend brought this book to my attention I immediately had to add it to my reading list.

This is such a cute illustrated cover! It has perfectly captured the holiday season in New York City vibe that this book has in the synopsis.  

MOVIES/TELEVISION

American Horror Story Season 10 Announcement

The official theme/title of American Horror Story's tenth season will be revealed the day this post goes up (Friday). Ryan Murphy broke the news on his social feeds recently.

pic.twitter.com/iC3NSst4BV

— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) March 17, 2021

Based on the clues I expect it will deal with mermaids or sirens of some kind. I know they have filmed a lot of the show in Provincetown so it'll fit with the water/coastal vibes all the teasers have had.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis

Release Date - Feb 23, 2021

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy

Pages - 370 pages
My Rating - 4/5

**received for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Welcome to Amontillado, Ohio, where your last name is worth more than money, and secrets can be kept… for a price.

Tress Montor knows that her family used to mean something—until she didn’t have a family anymore. When her parents disappeared seven years ago while driving her best friend home, Tress lost everything. She might still be a Montor, but the entire town shuns her now that she lives with her drunken, one-eyed grandfather at what locals refer to as the “White Trash Zoo,” – a wild animal attraction featuring a zebra, a chimpanzee, and a panther, among other things.

Felicity Turnado has it all – looks, money, and a secret that she’s kept hidden. She knows that one misstep could send her tumbling from the top of the social ladder, and she’s worked hard to make everyone forget that she was with the Montors the night they disappeared. Felicity has buried what she knows so deeply that she can’t even remember what it is… only that she can’t look at Tress without having a panic attack.

But she’ll have to.

Tress has a plan. A Halloween costume party at an abandoned house provides the ideal situation for Tress to pry the truth from Felicity – brick by brick – as she slowly seals her former best friend into a coal chute. With a drunken party above them, and a loose panther on the prowl, Tress will have her answers – or settle for revenge.

In the first book of this duology, award-winning author Mindy McGinnis draws inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe and masterfully delivers a dark, propulsive mystery in alternating points of view that unravels a friendship... forevermore.

The Initial Insult kicks off a duology that is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's The Cask of Amontillado. It offers a twisted tale of revenge that ends up being quite the page turner.

I have a mixed track record with Mindy McGinnis' books. I have been impressed with her writing style in all of them but some have not quite worked plot wise for me. This one turned out to really work for me. There is something about the tone and the deliberate way the story comes together that worked for me.

I have not read The Cask of Amontillado so I cannot comment on the inspiration element and if it works. The basics of that story does carry over in that one character is encasing their former friend turned frenemy inside a brick wall (in essence burying them alive). This aspect is taunt and provides palpable anxiety as each layer is added. This menacing tone and atmosphere shapes thr novel. It is a novel of revenge and secrets and that only adds to its allure.

Tress is a volatile hot mess. She is unapologetic about everything and hell bent on finding out what happened the night her parents disappeared. She is absolutely going to bring out different reactions in people but I feel that the reader at least understands her motivations. We may not agree with her actions but can understand why she would want to burn everything down. Her anger feeds the tone of the story and makes them work together.

Felicity is just as interesting as Tress is. She is kind of a counter balance to Tress and their characters work off each other. She is hiding her own secrets and has her own issues going on and it makes for a really interesting dynamic between the two girls. I feel you need two headstrong characters for this story to work and the author definitely succeeded. 

Communication, and lack thereof, is a huge part of this story. If Tress and Felicity were different characters and actually talked to each other so much could be cleared up. It makes the tension feel a little more taunt because the reader knows how different things could have been. Thr mystery of what happened to Tress' parents is certainly interesting but it is the dynamic between the girls that is the heartbeat of this story.

The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger while also feeling very satisfying. Things ramp up in the end so you are left wanting to pick up the next book immediately. It manages to close out the first half of the story while keeping you hooked for the second half.

I recommend this one if you like dark, atmospheric stories filled with interesting characters. It is an wildly twisted tale that highlights the one saying of digging two graves if you set out in the path of revenge.

Waiting On Wednesday ... Gilded

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Gilded by Marissa Meyer

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, returns to the fairytale world with this haunting retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.

Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.

Or so everyone believes.

When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain.

Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.

Marrisa Meyer's fairytale retellings are always incredible and I am very excited to learn that she has another one coming out this year! This is based off of the Rumpelstiltskin tale and sounds like a return to the books that made everyone fall in love with her writing.

It's poised to be a big release with a autumn release date that is sure to have everyone adding it to their autumn reading lists and holiday wish lists.  

Expected release date - November 2, 2021

Cover Re-Reveal : The Unplugged Series by Sigal Ehrlich

The Unplugged Duet, a forbidden rockstar romance by Sigal Ehrlich, has a brand-new look! And both books are on sale for a limited time. Check out these new covers and download your copies today!

 

About Unplugged Vol. 1: After surviving the long and excruciating recruitment process, I thought I would end up working for Madonna or the CIA at the very least. Boy, was I wrong. Even in my wildest dreams I couldn't have imagined what I was in for. What my heart was in for. I couldn't have possibly fathomed the lifestyle, the responsibility, how much it would take out of me, the inner battles, and mostly, the emotional whirlwind. I could never have imagined, prepared myself for, or anticipated… Him. It was supposed to be a job. Just a temporary job. Just a few months. Just a short stop before the journey I was about to take to follow my dream. It was supposed to be a lot of things...but not this. Little did I know it would be the one event that would shape me, would change me, would bring on such a shift in the balance of my world. Would bring... Him. Would bring… Them. Both. Into my life. *UNPLUGGED is the first part in a two-part series; it has a cliffhanger-ish ending.

 

About Unplugged Vol. 2: After surviving the long and excruciating slow burn, push—pull that led to us, I thought our relationship would be. . . normal. Or at the very least, “reliable.” Boy, was I wrong. Even in my wildest dreams I couldn't have imagined what I was in for. The intensity of it all. His lifestyle, my new life, the inner battles, and trying not to lose myself through it all. I could never have imagined, prepared myself for, or anticipated… Him, as MY man. It was supposed to be just another relationship. One that would come and go like all the others. A few good months before reality came a knocking. But this? I would have never thought this could happen. Little did I know he would be the person that would shape me, would change me, would bring on such a shift in the balance of my world. Would bring... Him. Would bring… Them. Both. Into my new life.

 

Download the Unplugged Duet today!

Unplugged Vol.1 — 99¢ Amazon | Apple Books | B&N | Kobo

Unplugged Vol.2 — $1.99 Amazon | Apple Books | B&N

Add to Goodreads

About the Author

Sigal Ehrlich is a bestselling author of refreshing, fun, and sweet romance books. She loves books, cold weather, and the occasional bubbly drink. Living as an expat for most of her life, Sigal has been lucky enough to visit many exotic places and meet some unique people from all corners of the world, while experiencing the sweet triumphs and travails of trying to acclimate to new "homes." Currently, Sigal calls the Czech Republic home where she lives with her husband and three kids. 

Connect with Sigal!

Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon | Newsletter

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every week. 

Just a very small post this week as not as much was revealed. I am hoping we'll have more for next week!

MOVIES/TELEVISION

First Look At Lady Gaga and Adam Driver In Gucci

Lady Gaga recently tweeted the first image of her and Adam Driver on set for Gucci. This movie is definitely on my radar as a Murderino but also as a fan of movies. The casting is great and I predict this one might be a big deal around Oscar season.

@Lady Gaga

Her and Adam look amazing and I cannot wait to see a trailer for this! It is currently set to be released in November but expect it to be at many of the film festivals earlier in the fall.

OTHER

SNL's Murder Show Skit

If you binge true crime documentaries and listen to all of the true crime podcasts this song might be about you.

There’s one thing ladies love to do when they’re all alone pic.twitter.com/zprA5Exq70

— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 28, 2021

It's hilarious and I definitely relate.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

 

 

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date - January 5, 2021 

Publisher Website - Raincoast Books
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 290 pages
My Rating - 4/5

**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, Rachel Hawkins's The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.

Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates—a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.

But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie—not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for.

Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past—or his—catches up to her?

With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?

I have only read Jane Eyre once but was sold on the idea of a retelling that modernized that piece of Gothic fiction. Rachel Hawkins did not disappoint with a fizzy, twisty, compulsively readable mystery.

Mystery novels always tend to read fast for me but this one felt even more so. Once the plot picked up speed I needed to know what happened. It kept the pages turning and I think this book was made to be read while on holiday.

Jane is one of those characters that has an edge to her. We know she has secrets almost immediately and she is unapologetically herself. Her voice felt distinct and made her seem like a more fully expanded character.

Eddie and Bea are complex and their dynamic was one of the most interesting elements of the novel. Everyone in this book is the hottest of hot messes and it made all of the characters more interesting. It made them all feel on equal footing with none of them being judged more than the others. 

The atmosphere and mystery work with the characters to create a solid reading experience. The way the plot ramps up the mystery elements and uses it for a satisfying pay off also worked for me. The ending is perfect for a few reasons and served to tie this all together in a way that feels authentic to the story being told.

There is some satire within these pages that is delightfully fun. This book has something to say about a certain brand of upper middle class housewife. It provides some tongue in cheek humour that works against the mystery elements in a clever way.

There are definitely many overt nods to the inspiration to be found (including a take on its most famous line). I predict that there are also harder to spot ones that would be missed by the casual Jane Eyre reader. I have a hunch that those who have read it multiple times may pick up on smaller examples that I missed. This, however, will also be enjoyed by those who have not read Jane Eyre and are into the mystery element of the story.

If you are looking for a fun mystery read that has plenty of twists (and just as many swear words thrown in) I would recommend this one. I had a great time reading it and predict many of you will as well.

Secret Movie Club: Movie #4 and 5

Another Secret Movie Club update! I am going to talk about the fourth and fifth movies to be selected as part of this movie club. These two movie were very different from each other. I have loved how each movie has differed in genre and that there has been some diversity in their choices.

The fourth selection was The Mauritanian. A movie about Mohamedou Ould Slahi and his detention at Guantanamo Bay. It is based off his memoir and offers a starling look at his experience.

This is a fairly paint by numbers version of this genre. It was nothing groundbreaking or original but not a bad movie either. The material is raised by Tahar Rahim's incredible performance. He stands out amongst a powerhouse cast. The details of the things done to Mohamedou Ould Slahi are certainly eye opening and are pretty horrific. They are made all the more vivid by Tahar Rahim's performance. 

I did not know much about this before watching the movie and it was certainly thought provoking  and a movie that is worthy of discussion.

You can check out this movie in theatres and via Premium Video On Demand.

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The fourth movie selection was My Salinger Year. Adapted from Joanna Rakoff’s memoir that is a coming of age story about being a young twenty something, and working for a publishing house.

The appreciated the publishing house elements and the Salinger of it all but had a harder time connecting to the more personal elements of Joanna Rakoff’s journey. I did not connect with the romance, or other elements that were supposed to make the main character more relatable. It felt like a distraction from the other parts of the movie. It made this just an okay movie for me and I found it dragged in some parts.

It is definitely a love letter to books and writing and I think fans of Salinger (and The Catcher in the Rye in particular) will enjoy it.

You can check out My Salinger Year  in theatres and via Premium Video On Demand.

Secret Movie Club: Movie #2 and 3

I have not been the best at giving updates about the Secret Movie Club that I joined. We are five movies in now and I have only talked about one (I'm Your Woman). 

I am going to talk about the second and third movie choices and will have a post next week for the fourth and fifth choices.

The second selection was Herself. A movie about a woman who leaves her abusive husband only to have to deal with a broken housing system. She ends up building her own home and starts to rebuild her life in the process.

Claire Dunne gives a decent performance in an otherwise just okay movie. This felt like a lot of other movies I have seen and doesn't really offer anything new about an important subject matter.

It is worth a watch if it catches your interest but is not one I would consider particularly memorable. 

You can check out Herself on Amazon Prime Video.

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The third movie selection was Minari. A charming movie about a Korean American family pursuing their version of the American dream by starting a farm in Kansas.

The star of the show is the Alan Kim as the adorably precocious David. He is the heart of this movie in so many ways. The scenes between David and his grandmother are some of the funniest and memorable in the movie. Steven Yuen also delivers an incredible performance in a movie with a overall impressive cast.

It is a charming movie that focuses on the family bonds and the experience they share. It feels like a very American story that looks at the triumphs and struggles of chasing your dream.

You can check out Minari in theatres and via Premium Video On Demand.

Waiting On Wednesday ... The Final Girl Support Group

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires.

In horror movies, the final girl is the one who's left standing when the credits roll. The one who fought back, defeated the killer, and avenged her friends. The one who emerges bloodied but victorious. But after the sirens fade and the audience moves on, what happens to her?

Lynnette Tarkington is a real-life final girl who survived a massacre twenty-two years ago, and it has defined every day of her life since. And she's not alone. For more than a decade she's been meeting with five other actual final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, putting their lives back together, piece by piece. That is until one of the women misses a meeting and Lynnette's worst fears are realized--someone knows about the group and is determined to take their lives apart again, piece by piece.

But the thing about these final girls is that they have each other now, and no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never ever give up. 

Summer is a perfect time to read some great thrillers at the beach and the newest from Grady Hendrix sounds like it will be perfect for those long summer days.

We are all aware of the notion of a 'final girls and I love when books play with this trope.

I cannot wait to get my hands on this one to enjoy by my sister's pool!

Expected release date - July 13, 2021

Month TBR and Wrap Up

We're heading in to the spring season which is exciting as I am looking forward to warmer weather. Less exciting is the fact that for many of us it'll be a year since we started working from home and social distancing. 

March is, naturally, bringing up mixed feelings in a lot of people. I am looking forward for, hopefully, a much better year (and month) compared to last year.

Before sharing what I hope to read this month I have to recap February first.

The books that were on my list are:

Vampires Never Get Old by Various Authors (goodreads)

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian (goodreads)

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (goodreads)

Plus I had some ebooks on my list:

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (goodreads)

City of Villains by Estelle Laure (goodreads)

Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce (goodreads)

Lore by Alexandra Bracken (goodreads)

The Birthday List by Deveny Perry (goodreads)

Here is what I managed to read in February:

The Birthday List by Deveny Perry (goodreads)

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian (goodreads)

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (goodreads)

It was a bad reading month. I only managed to read three books. Here is hoping March offers more opportunities to read.

My #PopCultureResolution book for February was The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian. The movie was My Bloody Valentine. I reviewed both the book and movie if you are interested in checking those out.

Here is what I hope to read in March:

Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine Von Radics (goodreads)

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole (goodreads)

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (goodreads)

I also have some ebooks I am hoping to get to:

City of Villains by Estelle Laure (goodreads)

A Better Bad Idea by Laurie Devore (goodreads)

My #PopCultureResolution picks for this month are When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole and The Stepfather. Excited to check both of these out!

Next up is an update on my two reading challenges:

March's pick for my '12 friends, 12 books' reading challenge had to be moved around a bit because I am still waiting for the original pick to be available from my library. I have moved Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine Von Radics up to March and the original pick for March to May. I did read my February pick of The Birthday List and really ended up enjoying it.

As for the reading challenge inspired by The Bachelor I have had no updates. I'll hopefully have some updates either in March or April. 

1. Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

2. If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

3. Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

4. Further to Fall by Catherine Cowles

5. One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

6. Isn't it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

7. My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

8. Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

9. Marriage for One by Ella Maise

10. Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks by Nathan Burgoine

11. Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

12. Open Book by Jessica Simpson

13. Isn't it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

What books are you reading this month? Have you read any of the ones on my list? If so, let me know what you thought in the comments.