Counting Miracles - Nicholas Sparks

Counting Miracles is the new book from Nicholas Sparks. And it's a really great one!

Tanner Hughes is a retired Army Ranger. He's searching for a family member in Asheboro, North Carolina before he heads out on the road again. His path crosses that of Kaitlyn - a doctor - and her two kids. And there's one more player in this triangle.... 

I was immediately caught up by the first few pages. I settled in for the afternoon. 

Sparks' characters are always so wonderfully drawn. They're someone you'd like to know. And that's what Tanner and Kaitlyn  feel as well. Their interactions are respectful and mindful and I had high hopes for their future.

But the road to happiness is not always smooth sailing. There are some truly antagonists that are awful. I didn't even want to read their chapters, but I did.

And that third person...their life is visited and recounted. (Have a tissue or two ready)

How these lives interact with each other is at times a miracle. Sparks' plot does reference faith.

A satisfying read on so many levels. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Counting Miracles. 

Someone in the Attic - Andrea Mara

Have you ever heard a noise in your house - one you brushed away? And then it returns and...is that?...

That's the premise for Andrea Mara's new novel - Someone in the Attic! Are you hooked like I was? That premise opens so many ways for the book to evolve.  

Julia, her children and ex husband have moved back to Ireland from the US. They're looking for a fresh start for their daughter - the why isn't revealed for quite a while. Some of the the new neighbours a bit odd.

Being back in Ireland gives Julia the opportunity to catch up with old friends. It's great to see them, but it also brings up some uncomfortable history. 

I wondered how Mara was going to tie the myriad of threads all together. Lots of ah ha as you get closer to the final pages.

 

An inventive and addicting read! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Someone in the Attic.

Known to the Victim - K.L. Armstrong

Okay, suspense fans! You need to read Known to the Victim by K.L. Armstrong.

Amy Gibson's mother was murdered by her boyfriend. It took years and a lot of love from her brother Oliver to get Amy where she is now. She is a speaker and hosts a popular true crime podcast that focuses on crimes against women committed by their partners. 

When Oliver is charged with an unthinkable crime, it's Amy's turn to defend him...because there's no way he did what they're saying...right?

This is such an addictive read! Just as you think you're on the path to one answer, the direction changes - and again and again. I loved having no idea as to how things are going to finally finish up.

There are two main characters - Amy and a P.I. named Dean. Both are strong personalities and they slowly earn the respect of the other. 

I honestly couldn't book the book down! I needed to know the answer! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Known to the Victim.

A Man Downstairs - Nicole Lundrigan

If you enjoy suspense novels, you're going to want to pick up Nicole Lundrigan's latest - A Man Downstairs.

Molly Wynters returns home to her small town as her father isn't well. And her mother? She was murdered when Molly was very young. Being back in town raises all kinds of questions for not just Molly - but for all of those who remember...

Lundrigan tells The Man Downstairs in a now and then timeline. I've always enjoyed this style. With each new chapter, a clue, a memory, an action is revealed, making it very hard to put the book down for the night.

There's a large number of characters, most of them aware of the death of Molly's mother. But as an adult now, Molly questions the past and the part that she and others played in her demise. We, as readers, are privy to chapters from other players. Molly's father has lost his speech with his stroke, but he is given a voice with a 'past' chapter. I have to say that the chapters attributed to 'Him' were so very creepy! 

Lundrigan has woven her suspense tale with an exploration of marriage, trust, love, family and loss. This is most definitely a character driven book. 

I was so very sure that I had the right character for the final whodunit. And I was happily wrong! I really appreciate not seeing a twist or turning coming.  

An excellent suspense tale. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking for Lundrigan's next book! Read an excerpt of A Man Downstairs. 

I'm a Fan - Sheena Patel

I really enjoy discovering new authors and reading something new. Sheena Patel's debut novel, I'm a Fan, has won numerous prizes already. This sentence in the publisher's description caught my eye. "I stalk a woman on the internet who is sleeping with the same man as I am."

I'm a Fan is told in a first person stream of consciousness format. The protagonist's thoughts started to build my image of the 'speaker'. Her insecurities, past, wants, needs, anger, desires and more. The man she wants is also sleeping with other women. And so she begins her surveillance. I was caught up in the beginning - but...

Yes, there were buts for me. I was saddened by the fact that she was willing to debase herself in order to have a man who is an ugly, cruel, misogynist. And I was already tired of reading the phrases - 'The man that I am obsessed with' and 'the woman I am obsessed with. That was about page 50 and I realized I wasn't the right reader for this book. I used to 'power through' finishing a book when I wasn't enjoying it. No longer. 

Instead, I encourage you to check out the many five star reviews on Goodreads.

The Spider - Lars Kepler

The Spider is the ninth entry in Lars Kepler's Joona Linna series.

Linna is a Police Detective in Sweden who boasts an unsurpassed solve rate. He sees details that others don't, he's dogged and has faced off with many killers. His sidekick, Saga Bauer has been on leave as a result of their last case. She flouts regulations regularly and puts herself in a sketchy situations. But she too, is a brilliant detective.

This latest case, dubbed The Spider, brings back elements and clues from previous cases that have ties to this new killer. Kepler's crime is dark and unsettling. The path to the final aha moments is clever, devious and can't be predicted. 

Kepler gives the characters personal lives that grow and change with every entry in this series. Like the plotting and atmosphere, there's a lot of darkness woven into the the lead two character's narratives.

Another excellent entry in a great series. Definitely not for the faint at heart! If you like Scandi noir, this is a series for you  See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Spider

Everyone Here is Lying - Shari Lapena

Shari Lapena is one of my fave authors. I don't read the synopsis of Lapena's books before I dive into reading, as I like to be surprised. Everyone Here is Lying has just released and it was a surprise - a very good one!

From the outside - a nice neighbourhood. From the inside, not so much....

Everyone Here is Lying opens with a bang. A nine year old girl goes missing -  seemingly without a trace. The police start their investigation by interviewing family, then friends and then the neighbours. And...you guessed it, there's more than one liar.

But everything is not revealed right away. Lapena slowly and deliciously discloses the secrets of the residents through their own thoughts and the police interviews. 

The two police are characters I would be happy to see again - especially Gully. The neighbours? Not so much. Lapena does a great job building the characters, giving them realistic emotions and actions. 

I have to say I was caught off guard with the unexpected development in part three. What a good twist! A few details ask the reader to suspend disbelief, which I happily did.

If you like their psychology suspense and unreliable characters, you'll enjoy Everyone Here is Lying. See for yourself - read an excerpt. 

The Whispers - Ashley Audrain

Ashley Audrain's debut novel - The Push - was a bestseller. Her new novel - The Whispers - is guaranteed to be one as well. 

Audrain again turns a keen eye on motherhood and marriage - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Whispers takes place in a suburb with a focus on four couples, specifically the mothers, the mothers to be, the mothers that were. The husbands come under close scrutiny as well.

A mother's behaviour opens the book with a bang. From that pivotal moment, the timeline moves from then to now, with more and more of the truth and the hidden being exposed and revealed.

The women all have an idea of what is happening and what did happen. But their own beliefs, opinions and history colours their perception. Audrain keeps the reader on their toes, changing the narrative and conceived notions as we head to the final pages. I had my own opinions and judgements. But were they 

coloured by my own experiences? 

Audrain's characters are so very well drawn. You'll find a favourite, and one to hate, but no one is perfect. Her suburban setting is just as spot on.

The book is so very hard to read at times, and I'd have to walk away and take a break. (There's a couple of cliffhangers that will have you shouting out loud) Other times, I couldn't put the book down. There as so many great lines in The Whispers, but nothing beats that last sentence. 

Just wow - another fantastic book from Audrain. And I think this one's even better than The Push.

"But more than any proof she has, is a feeling. She'd once heard them described as the whispers - the moments that are trying to tell you that something isn't right here." 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Whispers. 

Stateless - Elizabeth Wein

I was drawn to Elizabeth Wein's new novel - Stateless - by the premise. 

1937. Stella North is the only female pilot to participate in an international plane race called the "Circuit of Nations Olympics of the Air". 

A fairly large number of characters are introduced in the first few chapters of the book. The ten pilots, and the supporting crew.  They're all from different countries, so for me it was a bit of a struggle to remember who was who. Stella is the voice behind the book. There wasn't much of a background provided to the main character, instead we get a sense of her through her flying and her thoughts. But I have to say, that I really never connected with Stella.

The airplane bits were quite knowledgeable and detailed. For this reader, probably too much, as I found myself skimming those bits. I was happy to see the mystery introduced. 

The time frame and the European setting of course addresses the political alliances of the time, the jockeying of countries and the possible of another world war.

So, Stateless has all the pieces that would normally have me stuck in a book for hours. But by about page 150, I felt my attention wandering and my interest flagging. And, yes I made the decision to skip to the final pages to see how things turned out. 

Let's go with the wrong reader for a good book. And split it up the middle, with a solid three.

The Magician's Elephant - Kate DiCamillo

Kate DiCamillo is a best selling, award winning children's author who pens the most wonderful books. One of those awesome books is The Magician's Elephant.

"At the end of the century before last, in the market square of the city of Baltese there stood a boy with a hat on his head and a coin in his hand."

But rather than buying the food his guardian has asked him to purchase, ten year old Peter instead spends the coin at the fortuneteller's tent. He needs an answer - where is his younger sister? And the answer? It involves an elephant...

The Magician's Elephant reads like a fairy tale, with all the right ingredients. Once upon a time, magic, problems, journeys, morals and more, all on the way to happily ever after. There's a wonderful otherworldly feel to DiCamillo's prose. The reader can't help be drawn into the tale. There are also some wonderful illustrations from YoKo Tanaka that match the feel and tone of the book. 

While the book is listed as for ages 8-12, I know that adults would enjoy it as well. After all, who doesn't wonder if there's a bit of magic in our world? The Magicians Elephant would also be a great family read and watch!

Read an excerpt here and/or check out the trailer below. Netflix is releasing the animated film on Friday, March 17th. I'll be watching. 

VenCo - Cherie Dimaline

Cherie Dimaline's writing is fantastic, but I have to say her latest - the just released VenCo - is brilliant!

Lucky St. James and her Grandmother Stella are living hand to mouth in a Toronto apartment when they're served an eviction notice. When Lucky finds a small spoon with the word SALEM and the image of a hag stamped on it, their fortunes seem to be looking up. Lucky is offered an interview at VenCo in the US, so it's a road trip for Lucky and Stella.  

The discovery of this spoon is tracked by Meena - a powerful witch in Salem. The spoon has found it's owner, (although she doesn't know it), and after hundreds of years, there are now six witches with spoons. The seventh is all that is needed for the coven to be complete...

Oh, there's so much to love in this tale. Certainly the characters - they're a diverse group with distinct personalities, skills and mindsets. It was easy to paint mental images of every woman as they are all offered a chance to introduce themselves. But the stand out character for me was Gramma Stella. She has and still is, living life on her terms despite what life has dealt to her. She made me by turns laugh and cry. 

And yes, you're right - the hunt is now on for that seventh spoon and witch. The search is intense, with many skills, tactics - and magic, coming into play. Even more worrisome is the person who wants that seventh spoon as well - for very different reasons. 

VenCo is a spellbinding tale that blends suspense, magic, history, and truths. I was caught up in the book from first page to last. And as the last page was turned, I stopped and thought - 'just maybe'... 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of VenCo. 

The Drift - C.J. Tudor

Oh, I have been waiting for C.J. Tudor's new book - The Drift! 

Tudor has a very dark imagination - and I absolutely love it. Her books always keep me on the edge of my chair, rapidly turning pages.

The Drift is told through three different protagonists. 

Hannah wakes up in the school bus that was taking students to a retreat. But it's not on the road any longer. In the middle of a snowstorm, the bus has crashed and hurtled down a hill. They're trapped inside. Oh, and some of the passengers are sick...

Meg wakes up in a cable car that's not moving - in a snow storm. She has no idea how she got there and who the other riders are. Except for one - a cop from her past. At one time they both worked on the Infection Control and Public Unrest squad. (Gotcha wondering, right?) One thing they all agree on is that they were headed for a retreat. Oh, and some of the passengers are sick....

Carter, and a handful of others, live at The Retreat. Their generator dies when a snow storm hits. And puts their lives - and others - in jeopardy.

The Drift is told in rotation, from one location and protagonist to the next and the next. I adore this style of storytelling and literally can't put down a book told in this fashion. Tudor changes tack at critical moments, surprise revelations and dangerous situations, closing out the chapter and moving on to the next. I have to know what's going on so I just keep turning the page.

The plotting is brilliant. I had so many questions! What, if anything, will tie these three scenarios together? Apart from the snowstorm that is. Tudor is delightfully devious in presenting her tale. There was more that once where I went back and re-read a sentence and started to piece things together. And then I got tripped up with the twists Tudor lays out before the reader.

Tudor write such suspense filled books with a side of horror and mystery. The Drift was very, very good for this reader! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Drift.  

(The title is clever as well, with many ways it can be used and interpreted.)  

How to Survive Your Murder - Danielle Valentine

How to Survive Your Murder is new from YA author Danielle Valentine. 

Okay, if you're a fan of slasher and teen horror movies, you're going to want to pick up this one. There are so many references to 90's film culture that I recognized or knew. 

Alice and her sister Claire go to a high school Hallowe'en party held at....wait for it....a cornfield. (What's rule one? Stay out of the cornfield and look out for chainsaws!) Well, Claire ignored that caveat and died. A year has passed and Alice is attending the trial of the killer. She is the lone witness - and the Final Girl. And then there's a Cinderella moment - Alice is knocked out and when she wakes, it is Halloween night a year earlier, the same day Claire was murdered. Alice has until midnight to save her sister and find the real killer.

At first I wasn't totally sold on the Cinderella twist, but I quickly changed my mind and embraced it. There's a lot of leeway afforded to the plot with that twist. But best of all, the ropes keep coming and the choices for whodunit change rapidly. 

Valentine's dialogue and depiction of high school life, relationships, romance, teen culture and more rings true. (At least they do from my experience. ;0) 

And that ending? Did not see that coming! There's a couple of ways it could be interpreted and personally I would have liked a less nebulous finale. But I applaud the last page twist.

With Hallowe'en in the near future, this would be a perfect (and fun) seasonal read! See for yourself - read an excerpt  of How to Survive Your Murder. Just remember - stay out of the corn maze....or basement.....or check your backseat or....

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin

I admit, I didn't even look at the description of Gabrielle Zevin's new novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. I picked it up as one of her past books, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. is a favorite of mine.

So, it was a surprise going in. Video games play a large part of the book and that is immediately introduced. And I thought, this book isn't for me. But then I was drawn in... Zevin's imagined games are fascinating and yes, they beckon to the listener to come in and be a part of them. (I was truly fascinated by the details of designing games and the reasoning behind certain decisions.)

On first meeting the adult characters, I thought - oh, I'm not keen on them at all. And then I realized how 'real' they were. Zevin hasn't sugar coated anything. Each and everyone of them has strengths and weaknesses. And yes, I was talking out loud quite often, questioning the actions, decisions and paths that Zevin sets her players on. They were perfect in their realistic portrayal. All of the emotions you can think of are found in the lives of Sadie, Sam, Marx over the course of decades. The supporting characters are just as well drawn. And I was completely immersed in their lives. Each of the lead three is given a voice and we are privy to their thoughts, emotions and actions.

And where do all those years take the three? Sometimes where I wanted and often where I didn't want to go. But again, Zevin has written "the good, the bad and the ugly' paths for her characters to travel. Just as we do. 

I chose to listen to Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Which really worked for me - I was drawn into the story in a way a print book would not have. The reader was Jennifer Kim and I thought she was a great choice. Her voice suits the plot and style of writing. Her voice is clear, easy on the ears and enunciated well. Her speed of speaking is just right. She captures Zevin's characters and plotting easily, giving movement to her narration. Julian Cihi has a lesser role as a narrator, but again, the voice is perfect for the mental pictures I had drawn of the characters. A wonderful presentation of a book I didn't think I would enjoy. I was so very wrong - I loved it. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt.

Don't wait for tomorrow - pick up a copy of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow today

Never Coming Home - Kate Williams

Time for some YA fiction reading in the hammock! What book came with me?Kate Williams' new novel, Never Coming Home. 

Never Coming Home takes a bit of inspiration from Christie's 'And Then There Were None.' Ten teen influencers are invited to be the inaugural guests of a super secret resort on Unknown Island. Upon landing on the island, each guest feels like something is off with the vibe, the accommodations aren't as luxurious as the photos promised and where are all the staff? 

The ten are a diverse group that don't really know each other, but they've checked out each other online. Who has the most followers? Why this group of ten? What's the connection? Well, the connection is a dark one as each guest has a similar secret. And those secrets are about to see the light of day. 

This premise lends itself to so many ways the book could play out. I loved the social media component. Nothing is ever as it appears on a screen, is it? There is a screen in the lounge on Unknown Island.....and someone is posting. 

And then there were nine.

And the methods of dispatch? Decidedly devious! 

I enjoyed trying to figure out who the culprit was, changing my choice quite often. Williams puts a nice spin on the final whodunit with a surprise twist. I did feel the epilogue was a bit too detailed. Shorter and snappier would have matched the pace of what came before.

Never Coming Home was a fun, escapist read that was hard to put down. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Never Coming Home. 

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting - Clare Pooley

I adored Clare Pooley's first novel, The Authenticity Project. (my review) I was very excited to read her second novel, Iona Iverson's Rules For Commuting. And like the first book, it was a fabulous read and is one of my faves of 2022!

Pooley took inspiration from her own experiences on the train. "I also started to wonder what would have happened if I'd ignored the unwritten rule of commuting and had been brave enough to talk to my fellow commuters. What adventures might those conversations taken me on? And that thought became this book." I loved this premise! The story could go anywhere. 

Iona Iverson rides the train to work every day, sitting in the the same seat along with her dog Lulu (who also has her own seat), which funnily enough, no one ever questions. But Iona's life and many others are destined for change from the opening line...."Until the point when a man starting dying right in front of her on the 08:05, Iona's day had been just like any other." 

I knew from Pooley's first novel, that the plot would be character driven. Oh my, Pooley has again created the most wonderful, eclectic, quirky group of players. They're a mixed bunch - different ages, jobs, social strata, personalities, joys, problems and more. But what they have in common is the train - and Iona.

Each of the train riders is given a voice with their own chapters. They're so well drawn, detailed and relatable. Slowly but surely, with every new chapter, their lives become enmeshed. I came to care for them all and honestly couldn't stop reading. I needed to know what was going to happen with everyone! 

Pooley's writing is so easy to read, flows so easily and is utterly addictive. If you're looking for a warm, feel-good, uplifting, unexpected, just be yourself tale, this is one you'll want to read. After I turned the last page, I wondered - what would happen if someone actually did this?

An absolute five star, must read! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting.

TJ Powar Has Something to Prove - Jesmeen Kaur Deo

TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is Jesmeen Kaur Deo's absolutely brilliant debut novel.

Why/what/who/where and how you ask? Let's start with the who. Deo's lead character is TJ, a popular senior at high school, first string on the soccer team, a leader of the debate team, a friend to all and is Liam's beautiful girlfriend. 

But what does she have to prove? Well, when her cousin Samrin is the target of a hurtful meme, TJ takes a stand. She will let all of her body hair grow, unchecked. "This house believes that TJ Powar can be her hairy self and still be beautiful."

I liked TJ in the first few chapters and I adored her by the last few. She's such a dynamic personality - quick, smart, caring and principled. But she's vulnerable and unsure as well. Do you remember the pressure at high school to conform in so many ways, with physical appearance being right up there at the top? Now, can you see yourself bucking the trend and saying no to hair removal of all kinds. And sticking to it when your life starts to fall apart? 

There's a great cast of supporting players as well. I thought the high school strata was well written and believable. And the same for family, friends and relationships. Matters of the heart are a large part of TJ Powar's story. There are some wonderfully funny bits and on the flip side, some very poignant, true life moments. 

Deo has employed a unique and very apt platform for the plot. Debating. Arguing for and against topics in front of others and being judged. TJ's mental debates with herself are so well written and structured. (I had no idea it was so cutthroat either!)

There's so much food for thought in TJ Powar. I'll leave you with this from TJ's esthetician..."Hair has no gender darling. It's just hair. Do what you want with it, but it does not make you less of a woman. It does not make you less interesting, less worthy, or less deserving Understood?"

This was such a fantastic read and a very easy five stars. I will be eagerly awaiting Deo's next book!

See for yourself - read an excerpt of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove. 

When We Fell Apart - Soon Wiley

When We Fell Apart is Soon Wiley's debut novel. Which, I have to say surprised me. His writing is simply beautiful. 

Min is a young Korean -American man who has taken a job in Korean. He has always felt like he never quite fit into his life. Perhaps moving to Seoul and exploring his heritage will bring a sense of belonging. He meets and begins to date Yu-jin, a young woman also trying to find peace in her life, a place, a belonging. She is an only child and is expected to excel and achieve the goals her parents have laid out before her.

Now, this isn't a spoiler as it's front and center in the publisher's description. Yu-jin dies. Was she murdered? Or was it suicide? This news hits Min extremely hard. He can't understand why or how she died and takes it upon to seek out the answer to those questions.

Wiley tells his story in dual timelines - the present for Min and the time before her death for Yu-jin. Wiley did a fantastic job of bringing Yu-jin to life for me, from memories as a young child to the young woman questioning her life, her goals, her wants, her needs and more. As an observer, we can see the danger just waiting to cross her path. 

Min becomes focused on nothing but the reasons for her death and who is responsible. We come to know him through his thoughts and actions. The mystery of Yu-jin's death consumes him and as he chases answers, and he realizes he didn't know the real Yu-jin at all. My suppositions on whodunit changed often as I read. 

I loved the vibrant descriptions of Seoul, the people, the food, the attractions, the shops, the karaoke bars and more. 

Wiley deftly explores family relationships and their expectations, the search for one's identity, culture, love and more. His prose are eloquent and nuanced, making for thoughtful, introspective reading. See for yourself - read an excerpt of When We Fell Apart.

"In Korea they call it Han. It's a feeling of sorts A kind of collective despair in response to being conquered and oppressed for long periods of time, over generations. To choose you own destiny - that's what an individual, a nation, craves most. Han is a result of that most basic desire being crushed. "

What We Harvest - Ann Fraistat

What We Harvest is Ann Fraistat's debut novel - a YA read entitled What We Harvest. 

For 150 years, the four founding families of the small village of Hollow's End have prospered. Their animals and crops are marveled at by visitors. Wren's family grows 'rainbow' wheat that is delicious in bread. Some even say it has almost magical health benefits. All four families are thriving until…the blight arrives. The last farm to be touched is Wren's family farm. Wren believes it's up to her  to save the farms - as she thinks she caused the blight. There's one other person she can ask to help - her ex boyfriend Derek who is also a descendant of the original four families. The will they, won't they romantic storyline is well done. And - what book doesn't benefit from a loyal dog?

If you’re kind of a fan of zombie movies (raises hand) you’ll enjoy Fraistat's world building. The blight is mercurial, slithering and sliding into everything and everyone. It gave me goosebumps. Wren is great lead character - she’s strong, brave, a bit reckless, but determined save the farms and folks of Hollow's End. What she finds isn’t it at all what she expected. Or  me either. 

There’s lots of action and danger as encounters and skirmishes with the blight increase both in frequency and danger. How can the blight be beaten? Will Wren have to sacrifice herself for the good of the town and it's inhabitants? I do think there was perhaps one too many skirmish for me. It started to feel just a tad repetitive to me. I was eager to get to the resolution.

Isn't the cover gorgeous? And I liked the title's nod to the phrase "You reap what you sow." What We Harvest is a strong debut. I would happily pick up the nest book from this author. See for yourself - read an excerpt of What We Harvest.

The Fear - Natasha Preston

Rainy days are meant for escapist, just plain fun to read titles. And most often I like to lose myself in a YA book on those days. The Fear is Natasha Preston’s latest book. This is a first read of this author for me - and it certainly won’t be my last!

You know all those teen slasher movies? The ones where the adults and teachers are a bit useless and the teens are determined to solve things on their own, even as someone picks off their friends one by one. Preston's plot takes inspiration from that idea, but with her own twist on things. Would you repost a meme that asked you to detail your biggest fear about dying?! I for one wouldn't. But a number of teens in the town of Rock Bay have done just that. 

You know what’s gonna happen next don’t you? You got it - they're being murdered by the fear they posted online. Our lead character Izzy is one of the few that didn’t post what she’s most afraid of. She's a great lead, determined, somewhat innocent and very likable. Rock Bay is a small town, where everyone knows everyone and their business. School politics, friends, frenemies, hookups, sports, the in crowd, relationships and more. And of course there's that mean girls group, the popular ones. There's some 'love' interests as well. Because it wouldn't be a teen read without one - or two. 

Everybody’s under suspicion as Preston waves a delicious 'don’t go in the basement', 'oh my gosh why are you doing that' kind of read. Chances are taken, silly moves are made, but that’s the fun of this kind of book. 

We get chapters written from the killers point of view and they’re labelled Fear. I had my suspicions, but was kept guessing as to who the killer was going to be for most of the book.  Kudos to Preston for a heck of an ending - I did not see that coming. I absolutely loved The Fear - five stars for a fun, addictive tale.  See for yourself - read an excerpt of  The Fear.