Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

 

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden - 303 pages

Sometimes, enough is enough…

Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction.

Or at least, she did.

These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice.

And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

This one is one of my favorites, it definitely gave me "Serial Mom" Dottie vibes and I loved it!  So very good.

 
When Christmas Comes by Katherine Spencer-337 pages

Liza Merritt is grateful for the many blessings in her life when she returns to Angel Island with her family to celebrate Thanksgiving. Most of all, she's looking forward to a reunion with her dear friend, Claire. But when Liza and her family arrive, she instantly notices that the Inn has fallen in to disrepair. It's a hard truth to face, but big decisions must be made. When Liza's husband has to return to Arizona, her and the children stay behind to come to a decision about whether to sell her precious Inn or not.

In Cape Light village, Emily faces an unexpected challenge. It's one that will test her moral courage and her bond with her adopted daughter, Jane.  Who is this mysterious woman who has come to work at the Inn on Angel Island?  And, when she tries to run away, not once but twice, who is the dashing man who comes to love her and bring her back?

I have followed this series, Angel Island as well as the Cape Light series from the very beginning.  I loved Thomas Kinkade's artwork..the painter of light.  So, I guess in my mind the characters that Katherine Spencer brings to life makes his quaint villages come to life in my mind.  I always look forward to the next installment.

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

The Chain by Adrian McKinty - 357 pages

Rachel Klein's day starts just like any other after she drops her daughter off at the bus stop but soon spirals into a nightmare when her daughter is kidnapped. Rachel gets a call from the kidnappers and finds out she's now part of the chain and has to pay a ransom and kidnap another child or her daughter will be killed.  There is a cinematic quality to the narrative and the pacing is super fast.  Most of the potential plot holes in the scheme of the chain are addressed in a believable manner.  The only disappointment I had was that the ending was a bit telegraphed for the reader.  However it was exciting to see it play out.

Past Tense by Lee Child

Past Tense by Lee Child - 400 pages
Jack Reach Book 23

I was fortunate enough to snag an advance copy eBook through NetGalley.  The book will be released on November 5th. 

This book opens of course with Reacher on his travels across the country with his toothbrush in his pocket and a minimal plan, just a destination.  Chance leads him to a small New England town where his father was raised in a random quest to stop by the family homestead.  In true Jack Reacher fashion he soon involves himself in the affairs of the town and serves as an avenging force to help right both current and past wrongs.  Reacher learns truths about his family that are very startling.  The side plot involving an isolated motel reads like a slowly unrolling horror movie and is very chilling. 

By the time you reach the 23rd book in a series, you pretty much know the formula and aren't there if you aren't on board for it.  This book held my attention more than the past few entries in the series.  I found the action more in the realm of possibility than the others.  Child is falling into the habit of placing Reacher in locations and situations without cell service and in this book it is more organic to the plot than it has been so I wasn't thrown out of the story.   

All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve

All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve - 310 pages

After I found out this was the prequel/sequel to Stella Bain, which I read earlier this year, I wanted to read this.  However, despite the vivid imagery and descriptions, it was not a great book.  Written from the husband's perspective, it details his obsession with two things and the lengths he will go to to get and keep them.  Namely, to court, marry, and be a husband to Etna Bliss and to become the dean of his college.  The story provided within Stella Bain fits into middle of the book's last section and shows how Etna dealt with the outcome of this book.

In my opinion, skip this book and just read Stella Bain if you are interested in the story line.  That book summarizes this one without the bore of this one.