Never Lie by Freida McFadden

 Never Lie by Freida McFadden

296 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are searching for the house of their dreams.
But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace four years earlier, a violent winter storm traps them at the estate… with no chance of escape until the blizzard comes to an end.
In search of a book to keep her entertained until the snow abates, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr. Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance.
Tricia plays the tapes one by one, late into the night. With each one, another shocking piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Dr. Adrienne Hale’s web of lies slowly unravels.
And then Tricia reaches the final cassette.
The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth.

Opinion: This was my first book by McFadden. I liked the two different narratives by Tricia and Dr. Hale, as well as the elements of transcripts.  It never got boring. Towards the end, it was hard to put the book down. I didn't like the 'horrifying truth' twist, but it didn't stop me from putting it away either. I was very glad that there were no horror elements in there - since the main character is pretty sure someone is in the house, I was afraid there's gonna be a dramatic, brutal scenario or else.

The Good Sister

 The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth 352 pages

Synopsis: There's only been one time that Rose couldn't stop me from doing the wrong thing and that was a mistake that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life and disrupting her routine can be...dangerous.

When Rose discovers that she cannot get pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father. Simple.

Fern's mission will shake the foundations of the life she has carefully built for herself and stir up dark secrets from the past, in this quirky, rich and shocking story of what families keep hidden.

My Thoughts: This is the second book by this author that I have read and it was also a great book! I enjoyed the twists and they took a while to figure out. I loved reading about a neurodivergent librarian (as I am one) and was able to feel validation of how she perceives the world, in many ways, like me. The book does go into some heavy themes, but the ending is perfect.

The Family Cabin by James Caine

 

The Family Cabin by James Caine

283 pages

There’s a young woman tied up in the basement of our cabin.

It was supposed to be a fun weekend at our family cabin. I was going to surprise my husband, Mike, with a small get together for his 40th birthday.

Something is wrong though. Mike isn’t himself lately. He goes out often, and by himself, leaving me and our young son. Our happy marriage is fading away and I don’t know why.

This weekend is just what's needed to cheer him up. It’s what we need for us.

When I get to the cabin and set up, I hear sounds coming from the basement. That’s when I see her. A young woman tied up and scared.

She cries out for me to help her. Before I can, Mike comes to the cabin early.

Who is she? Why is she here?

What has my husband done?

This was the 2nd book I've read by James Caine and it was very enjoyable. I really enjoyed it because it kept me guessing and I couldn't figure out who was "the bad guy" until it was too late. If you've never read him, his writing style reminds me of Freida McFadden. 

The Cheating Husband by James Caine

 

The Cheating Husband by James Caine

299 pages

He seemed perfect, until I uncovered one of his lies.
He’s already married.

I know I should break it off, but it’s not that simple. He’s been hiding more than just his wife from me.
He is not what he seems.

When I discover who his wife is, everything takes a darker turn.
They are not a normal couple.

I have never read a book by James Caine, but I absolutely loved this book and am wondering why I have never heard of him or his books before. I loved how each chapter featured a point of view and it was up to the reader to judge their character. I never imagined the ending happening the way it did and would recommend trying this author out. I have already started reading another book by James Caine and hope to post more recommendations for others to read of his.

The Ex by Freida McFadden

The Ex by Freida McFadden
348 pages

Cassie thinks she has met the perfect man.

Joel is sweet, handsome, romantic, and best of all, he’s crazy about Cassie. She thinks she’s found the guy she’ll spend the rest of her life with. Have children with. Grow old with.

Yes, she knows about his perfect ex-girlfriend, Francesca. The beautiful, brilliant chef, beloved by all his friends. But she thinks Francesca is out of the picture. She thinks Francesca is gone for good.

What can I say about this book or author? I have been reading her books since before she came known to the library world. I am a true "Frida Readah"! I loved how engaging the plot was and it made me want to read more. I did not expect the twist at the end, but then I never expect the twist.

                                                                           

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Teacher by Freida McFadden - 356 pages

Lesson #1: trust no one

Eve has a good life. She gets up each day, gets a kiss from her husband Nate, and heads off to teach math at the local high school. All is as it should be. Except…

Last year, Caseham High was rocked by a scandal, with one student, Addie, at its center. And this year, Eve is dismayed to find the girl in her class.

Addie can’t be trusted. She lies. She hurts people. She destroys lives. At least, that’s what everyone says.

But nobody knows the real Addie. Nobody knows the secrets that could destroy her. And Addie will do anything to keep it quiet.

This book was SO good, I finished it in one day; could not put it down.  This is the second book of this author's that I have read and I absolutely loved it.  I liked how each chapter was from each character's point of view, and the ending, WOW.  I thought I'd hit the twist, then the last chapter threw in an extra twist.  Definitely will be checking out her other books!

The Amendment by Kiersten Modglin

 The Amendment by Kiersten Modglin - 240 pages

First, there was the arrangement.
A simple, yet salacious fix to the problems looming in their marriage.
But when things took a tragic turn, Peter’s and Ainsley’s lives quickly fell into disarray.

Now, their secrets have been exposed.
They know the truth—about each other and their marriage.
As they struggle to move on from their past and the damage they’ve caused, new problems begin to surface.

Someone they love is hiding a catastrophic secret. The fragile ground they stand on is starting to crumble. Their family is being torn apart at the seams. And, maybe worst of all, a threat from the past is lurking, ready to unveil the things they’d kill to keep hidden.

They thought the nightmare they’d made it through was over, but the worst is just beginning…

Once, they vowed to do anything to make their marriage work.
Now, that vow will push every boundary they have left.

In order to survive, they’ll need to completely trust each other.
But can they?
Last time they did, things went terribly wrong…
This time, it might be worse.
If there’s one thing that’s certain, their secrets are too big to let anyone walk away alive.

This is the second book I have read by Kiersten Modglin and I really like this series. It kept me engaged and guessing to the end. This is the sequel to The Arrangement, but I also feel like you could read this as a stand alone because they only reference a few parts to The Arrangement that are important.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides - 483 pages

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman's act of violence against her husband - and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive. 


This had a great review but I found it rather boring.

CRISS CROSS

CRISS CROSS - JAMES PATTERSON- PGS 501

When a mysterious serial killer known as “M” launches a deranged “investigation”, Alex Cross and his partner must unearth long-forgotten secrets to survive — or risk getting buried themselves.

In a Virginia penitentiary, Alex Cross and his partner, John Sampson, witness the execution of a killer they helped convict. Hours later, they are called to the scene of a copycat crime. A note signed “M” rests on the corpse. “You messed up big time, Dr. Cross.”

Was an innocent man just put to death? Alex soon realizes he may have much to answer for, as “M” lures the detective out of the capital to the sites of multiple homicides, all marked with distressingly familiar details — details that conjure up decades-old cases. Details that conjure up Cross family secrets. Details that make clear that M is after a prize so dear that — were the killer to attain it — Alex’s heart would no longer have reason to beat.