The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn

Loved this book! I definitely could have read it in one sitting if I had enough hours in the day for work, children AND reading! I knew I wasn't putting it down again (until the end) around 300 pages in, no matter what. The book is broken up into days. Within each day, there are chapters. Some of the chapters are present time; others are historical events. The story is fast-paced, so even though I was curious about the traumatic event that caused Anna's agoraphobia, I was caught up in the story itself as it unfolded.

When reading psychological thrillers like this, I often think about the potential "curve balls", twists and turns the story will take. There came a point in this story when I realized a significant twist was coming and I already started processing how the proceeding events changed in my mind with this new knowledge. What I couldn't figure out is what was going to happen after this revelation. Was I surprised by the end? Absolutely. One thing I loved about this well-written story is the fact that the reader knows all of the characters involved. There is not a "minor" character who is rarely referred to that ends up being a significant part of the end. Nope. In this book, the reader is introduced to everyone we need to know.

I loved the old movie (black & white) references throughout the book. I loved how movies would be playing in the background while Anna processed what was happening in her life. She lived and breathed these movies - and add that obsession to four bottles of wine.... well, it would mess up any one's line of thought! Anna's drinking made me cringe however!! I kept screaming inside my head, "Anna, put the bottle down!!" Can you say functioning alcoholic? Or, semi-functioning alcoholic?!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good ride!

Wendy's Rating: *****

I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass

This is what I call a "journey book". We read along as two sisters age - and we ponder the changes in their relationship as they go through their separate lives. One is an artist/author and the other dedicates her life to studying and saving mammals, both of sea and land. Both women are independent and opinionated, despite always having a man in their lives. As in real life, you never know what's around the corner for yourself or your family members. There were a few unexpected events in these two women's lives for sure!

I always feel bad when parents have "favorite" children. I have never understood it myself. I certainly can't believe that Louisa & Clem's mother would be so blatant about Clem being her favorite daughter! I think knowledge like that can alter a child's life forever. Although in this case, Louisa comments that it's actually a relief to them both when they overhear their mother telling a friend that Clem is her favorite. That way they could stop thinking about it and move on with their lives and relationship as sisters.

I identified more with Louisa than Clem. She just seemed to want a husband, a home, a family. It took her awhile to get there (with a few missteps and one major roadblock), but she seemed happy in the end. I understood Louisa's shock at Clem's decision to end her life. I didn't see it coming either! Why?? She had people who loved her; who respected her; a job that she loved. I totally understood why Louisa just wanted to know WHY? It would be incredibly hard to live the rest of your life wondering what Clem was thinking. It was also sad that she seemed so distant from her parents after Clem's death. And this seemed like a mutual decision. Another thing I didn't really understand. Clem's death brought her parents closer to each other, but they shut Louisa out of their lives. I would have thought the opposite would have happened.

There are sad events in this novel, but the ending is one of hope. I certainly would have preferred a different ending for those involved, but life throws us curve balls. We have to make the best of the lives we have instead of wallowing in "what could have been".

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

The opening scene of this book is Lo's home being burglarized when she is in her bedroom, awakened from hearing a noise in the house. I spent the rest of the book thinking it might be tied to what happened on the Aurora Borealis. It's an odd way to start the book in my opinion, since it has nothing to do with anything else that happens, but I guess it serves a purpose nonetheless. People question Lo's mental health because of the break-in.

I like how the author explains all the "loose ends". After we find out who the woman in cabin 10 is, for example, I had wondered why she opened the door when Lo knocked on it to borrow the mascara. If she was hiding, then why open the door? Well, it is explained later that Lo just happened to knock the "secret code", unbeknownst to her. That same knock is used later in the book when she knocks on Lo's door. I like it when author's pay attention to the details.

The news reports, emails and the Whodunnit Web Forum interspersed throughout the novel added to the suspense of what happened on the Aurora. I really liked Judah and Lo's treatment of him was frustrating to me! I am so happy that Judah didn't give up on her. She may have simply not responded to him via email/phone because she was distancing herself from him, mad at him, etc. Thankfully, he didn't believe that. I was also relieved that Ben is the one who rose the alarm when Lo "left the ship at Trondheim and didn't return". I was hoping that he was in her corner and believed what she was saying.

I had a hard time remembering who the different passengers/crew were aboard the Aurora. I certainly didn't know who Lo should be trusting and who not to trust. In the end, it all makes sense. People were true to their characters. I liked Carrie, despite her naivety. Rich men can be so persuasive when they have a goal in mind. I was obviously happy that she trusted Lo in the end.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Providence by Caroline Kepnes

There are some similarities between this book and the Twilight series - certainly not in writing style, since this is not a young adult book - but in that it's a love story where one person (Jon/Edward) deeply loves another (Chloe/Bella) but their love cannot be fully consummated because by being together physically, Jon/Edward could potentially kill Chloe/Bella because of their strong emotional feelings.

I was as puzzled by Roger Blair's letter to Jon as he was. In Roger's mind, what did he think would be the result of what he did to Jon in his medically-induced coma? What good could ever come from making sure that someone MUST live in complete isolation, with no ability to share his emotions or physical presence with another human being? We did good work down here, Jon. Did he want Jon to kill all the scumbags on earth? What about all of the innocent people he killed? Roger Blair was truly evil.

I had mixed emotions about Carrig. I wasn't sure if we were supposed to like him or hate him. Certainly when they were all in school, Carrig was an entitled jerk who was a bully. But Chloe seemed to really love him and Carrig seemed to really love her. Chloe had such a kind heart, it was hard not to give Carrig the benefit of the doubt - especially after Chloe got back together with him when they were adults. In all honesty, Carrig was pretty patient for quite awhile with Chloe's "pining after Jon". In the end though, he comes off as a horrible person, but I am not convinced that he deserved that label. I think he really loved Chloe, and he was deeply hurt that Chloe loved Jon more than him despite everything he had done for her.

I wasn't sure where Eggs was in all of this. He was hunting down Jon, but he also had the best understanding (eventually) of what Roger Blair did to Jon. I guess I thought he would be more sympathetic to his plight. In the end though, Jon was killing people and Eggs was a cop after all.

One of my favorite quotes from the novel: "Medicine is an approximate science. Loneliness is a specific monster. And love - love is just specific." I wouldn't call the ending a "happy ending". It's actually quite sad that two people like Chloe & Jon are leading their separate lives alone because of their love for each other. I was thrilled with Roger's death though! And I am glad that Eggs "caught" his serial killer, even though he didn't actually catch him. I didn't want him to lose his incredibly supportive wife!

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Wow, did I love this book! This is one of those books (like Gone Girl) that takes you on a journey that you don't know where it will end. It's difficult to determine who can be trusted and who is dangerous to be around. Whenever you think you know what is going on, ha! There will be a turn in the story that is hard to anticipate. This is also a book that is hard to blog about since any specific comment I make about a character may give a clue to what is really happening - and that would ruin the effect of the journey. Normally, I don't mind including spoilers since I am "discussing" the book, (presumably with people who have read the book), but there are some exceptions and this is one of them. Just read the book!

In general, the main characters are Nellie, Vanessa and Richard. The supporting characters are Nellie's best friend, Sam; Nellie's aunt, Charlotte; Richard's sister, Maureen. Nellie is a preschool teacher who is preparing to marry Richard, who is divorced from his first wife, Vanessa. Past troubles are inferred, including alcoholism, mental illness, infertility and mysterious incidents from their pasts that can only be speculated on as the story unfolds. The story jumps around in time, as different historical facts are uncovered. Even the reported "facts" may not be all they seem though.

This book is a page-turner and a must read! This is very well-written and cleverly plotted. I am very much looking forward to reading the next novel by these two authors.

Wendy's Rating: *****

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

This is a pre-teen to young adult novel. It delivers an important message about staying true to yourself instead of pretending to be someone that you are not, but my 11 year old seemed to miss it. I explained it to him, but he stood resolute in his own interpretation. Hopefully some of what I said will sink in one day though. ;) He does want to read the sequel (written from Stargirl's perspective rather than Leo's), so maybe that will help him understand that nonconformity is okay.

Leo is a typical teenager who attends the local High School. He has a best friend, Kevin. He is not overly popular, but he is not an outcast either. He is just an average kid. When Stargirl (real name Susan) starts attending the High School, after years of homeschooling, she causes a stir because of her uniqueness. She wears different clothing than the norm; she is kind to everyone; she sings Happy Birthday, while playing the ukulele, to each student in the cafeteria on their birthday. She also announces to Leo in public that she thinks he's cute. Leo likes Stargirl - and is certainly intrigued by her - but he has a difficult time with how different she is.

Stargirl briefly becomes accepted by her fellow classmates, mainly because she joins the cheerleading squad and people come to see her perform her "antics" during each game. Then, with an enthusiastic audience (thanks to Stargirl), their team starts winning. Of course all good things must come to an end. Stargirl not only cheered for her own team; she also cheered for the other teams. This does not sit well with anyone, so she is once again ostracized. Stargirl tries to become "normal" by dressing and acting like everyone else, which Leo really wants. This is not successful. She enters a public speaking competition - and wins first place - but no one shows up to congratulate her for her win except her best friend a couple of teachers.

Leo & Stargirl are a couple for awhile, but Leo cannot handle being "shunned" by the rest of the kids at their school. Leo actually chooses his friends over Stargirl and breaks up with her. He doesn't even take her to the school dance. Stargirl goes back to being true to herself, but her family moves after the school dance and Leo never sees her again. I was disappointed in Leo - caving to peer pressure and all. My son was disappointed in Stargirl because she stopped trying to be "normal". Goodness. That is NOT the message the book is trying to convey! This book is a great one to read with your pre-teen. It's a great way to talk about how it's okay to be "different" from everyone else.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Ghost Orchid by Carol Goodman

This is the second book by Carol Goodman that I have read. I really love how she writes her stories! They are considered "literary suspense" and this one certainly qualifies. There are two different stories, one set in 1893 and one in "present day" - or 100 years later. The setting for both stories is the same, on the Bosco estate.

The two stories connect and intertwine in an intriguing way. Both in 1893 and present day, a medium in involved. Of course we don't know if the mediums are fakes or really do "talk to the dead" - or something in-between. It's also difficult to determine who is genuine (character-wise) and who is a con. My tendency was to believe the feelings and dreams of Ellis Brooks, who comes to the Bosco estate to write her first novel. Ellis' mother is a medium herself, so Ellis has experience with her mother's "profession" - which she seems embarrassed by. Ellis is writing about the medium, Corinth Blackwell, who is called to Bosco by the owner of the estate in 1893, Milo Latham. Milo's wife, Aurora, cannot work through her grief after losing three of her four children from illness. Milo wants Corinth to do a seance with Aurora so she can talk to her children and let them go.

That is the main storyline, but there is so much more! We are introduced to all the people who are at Bosco in 1893 and the present. Since Aurora wanted Bosco to always be inhabited by true artists, Bosco was turned into an exclusive artist's colony, with some pretty strict "rules", for artists who are accepted after a stringent application process. So, we get to meet the Latham family and employees in 1893 and we get to meet the caretakers of Bosco and the five artists working on their particular form of art in present day. All of the characters are unique and mysterious and intriguing.

The farther I got into the book, the faster I read and the more nervous I got! It is sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspenseful. As the story unfolds and the connections are unveiled (a little bit at a time) I seriously could not put the book down. I had to read to the end, literally holding my breath for the conclusion. Even after you figure out the connections (sometimes before the characters do), you still don't know how it will end. You fear for the worst and hope for the best. Seriously, I loved this book!

Wendy's Rating: *****