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Reviews by Roe P. (Massapequa Park, NY)

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Listen to the Marriage
by John Jay Osborn
Can you listen to your marriage? (6/5/2018)
I enjoyed reading this quick read book..the whole book takes place in the office of a marriage counselor....It was interesting to hear how other marriages come together...but more...how they fall apart...While reading you can put yourself in their places and feel as if you are in the office with this love-torn couple. I found I felt empathy for both of them and wanted them to find happiness wherever that turned out to be...Quick and informative..a good book to read and also learn to communicate ....
Other People's Houses
by Abbi Waxman
A quick fun read (12/5/2017)
This book will take you to an ordinary neighborhood and show you how no one really knows what goes on in other families. I found it quick to read and fun...I found myself wanting to find time to sit and read it so I could discover the workings of the families. I think if you are interested in everyday life...(which we all are) read this one...
The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah
Get ready to stay up late! (12/5/2017)
Ms Hannah really knows how to tell a story. This book has it all...Adventure, Love, Tragedy, Mystery.

It takes place in the 70's in rural Alaska. At times while reading this book you actually feel like you are right there beside the characters. I read through the whole book (approx 430 pages) in a little over one day...Just could not put it down...Scheduled for release in February..do not miss it...
Love and Other Consolation Prizes: A Novel
by Jamie Ford
Tears and Years (7/11/2017)
Jamie Ford has written another winner. I was a fan after Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, and he does not disappoint with his latest. It is based on a true story about a young Asian boy and how he spent his whole life pushing through trials and tribulations. Its about war, and love and family. The chapters alternate between 1903 and the present and by doing so it is easy to find yourself rooting for the main character.... It also serves to demonstrate life back in the old days and you learn facts about the war and the people who were impacted by it as you read along....If you have some extra time spend it reading this thoroughly enjoyable book...
Behind Her Eyes
by Sarah Pinborough
Will the Secrets Die with You (1/23/2017)
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book. It is very different from anything I have read before and the ending is knock out perfect. I found myself being drawn back to it over and over and putting off everyday chores to be able to continue reading it. It all starts with an affair that wil make you wonder ....I give it my highest recommendation....read it and you will see what I mean
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel
by Bryn Greenwood
INDEED UGLY AND WONDERFUL THINGS (5/15/2016)
Indeed, Wavy, the main character in this book does experience every ugly and wonderful thing...At the start of the book she is a young girl of 8, but her life is full of "adult" experiences. She is a troubled child and as she grows up some terrifying experiences are part of her life. This book is sometimes difficult to read because of the horrific things that happen around Wavy...but she is a survivor and beats the odds. A love story, a drama, even a little mystery surrounding her younger brother can be found in Ms. Greenwoods novel. I recommend it and found myself wanting to spend more time reading so I could discover Wavy's future....
The Opposite of Everyone
by Joshilyn Jackson
How we carry our childhood memories forward (11/18/2015)
This book started a little slow for me...but soon picked up when I realized this was the story of a young woman who still carried a burden of an incident that took place when she was a child...Joshilyn Jackson does a terrific job of melding the characters of the story and giving the reader a feeling of friendship with each of them. The story also has humorous moments. After the first few chapters the reader has no choice but to read through in an effort to discover where this journey will take Paula. Give this book the chance it deserves and I promise you will love it as much as I did.
Broken Promise: A Thriller
by Linwood Barclay
Dont start this book if you have chores (6/22/2015)
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Linwood Barclay's new book, Broken Promise. From the moment I read the first chapter..I was hooked. Here is a story that has many back-stories attached, yet it is never complicated or difficult to comprehend. The main character is a down on his luck journalist who is trying to make his way in a new environment for him and his son. Circumstances have forced him to move back home and what he runs into when he gets there is the gist of the novel. It will keep you guessing after each page and make you want to read on. I read this book in two sittings....needless to say...nothing around my house got done till I read the last page of Barclay's entertaining new novel.
Between the Tides
by Susannah Marren
Between the Tides a page turner (4/7/2015)
Between the Tides by Susannah Marren starts off a little slow but quickly races to a dark finish. Lainie is a happy wife and mother of four who is an artist by choice. Suddenly her life is turned around when her husband announces they are moving to a new city. Lainie's new city will take her away from the water and landscapes she loves, to a new place where she finds it difficult to fit in with the other wives of affluent men. During her move her most prized work of art is broken to bits...is this a foretelling of her future. The store is told by her voice and the voice of her old friend (Jess) whom she meets up with in her new neighborhood. A good book that I found to pick up speed as it went along. This is the first novel by Marren and I look forward to her next venture.
The Sweetheart Deal
by Polly Dugan
PROMISES,PROMISES...... (2/1/2015)
Polly Dugan spins a tale about two good friends who make a deal one night after a night out of drinking....long before they can even believe that it will ever come to fruition. 10 years go by, and a tragic accident occurs.....Audrey the mother of three boys loses her husband and Garrett feels an obligation to honor his promise to his best friend Leo. Garrett and Audrey cant imagine what really happens when Garrett takes over responsibility for his best friends family. I enjoyed this book...but found it a little unbelievable and predictable...that is why I scored it lower than Very Good. I do recommend it..but be prepared for some very sad moments...well written and a fast read.
The Paying Guests
by Sarah Waters
Better than I ever expected (1/26/2015)
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters was not what I was expecting when I picked it up...but soon after I started reading I found it to be much better than I thought. Ms. Waters writes a compelling story..but what really sets this book apart is that with her words she sets the stage for you and while reading it is as if you can see every scene in the book...As I read I could envision the characters and I could feel their feelings and hear their thoughts. Ms Waters has an exceptions talent of bring this book to life. Go out and get this wonderful book and enjoy it.!
The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson
Didnt quite do it for me.... (11/12/2014)
I found this book difficult to get into and even well into the book I found I really wasn't caring much about the main character, Maud. The story takes place in the art world of 1909 and the Paris life. I will admit the book did pick up after the first 50-75 pages...but unfortunately just not the kind of book I would recommend.
Descent
by Tim Johnston
Spine-tingling (10/28/2014)
Here is a book for you if you want to get chills while trying to solve the mystery... This books sews together family dynamics and mystery and mayhem. The first part of the book is a little confusing since it is told by many characters at different times in their lives...but you will soon put it together and sit down for a long and enjoyable ride. The characters in this book are very well developed and you end up knowing a lot about all of them...which one you choose to admire or not may surprise you! Read it on a winter day in front of the fireplace and I think you will enjoy the story.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
Women who are heroes (9/30/2014)
I found this book to be a great story with lots of research and geared toward readers who enjoy historical fiction. Two sisters who sacrifice and take risks to save others. At some points I found this book to be a little on the "long-side" but never wanted to stop reading....always needed to get to the end to find out what happens to the characters. If you enjoy stories like Once We Were Brothers (another excellent book)...read this one..you wont be disappointed.
Mimi Malloy, At Last!
by Julia MacDonnell
Mimi Malloy finds herself (2/5/2014)
This book is not the sort of book that will make you feel good...but it will show you how you can learn to live with many misfortunes that come your way. Mimi is entering senior-hood and with her large family of sisters and daughters she reflects on her past and begins to remember some of the incidents in her life that she might have liked to forget. It seems a family member has started a search about their family-tree and they get Mimi involved, much against her wishes. Mimi is a staunch and stubborn Irish woman and sometimes feels like her family is taking over her life... telling her how to live, etc. By the end of the story you will learn just how much her family really means to her. Along the way a new love interest comes along ...We are introduced to many characters, both dead and alive. You will learn about some Irish beliefs that I suspect are still called upon today. There is a family mystery involved and by the end of the story everything is resolved.
The Deepest Secret
by Carla Buckley
What would you do if....... (12/17/2013)
This book will make you wonder what you would do and how far you would go to keep your family safe, happy and together... Mother and son with a rare disease are the main focus of this book, but there are many other characters that you will become very familiar with by the end of this book. Reminded me a little of Jodi Piccoult without the court drama....This book will appeal to almost anyone since during its course the cast of characters encounter many of the problems people face during their life. This story kept me up reading late at night because I couldn't put it down...I can highly recommend this book...but be ready to lose some sleep.
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