A Young School Teacher Seeks to Unmask a Dangerous Counterfeiter

Abigail Bracey’s life was turned upside down when her father was killed. He had been working for a dangerous counterfeiter. When he told the man he could no longer pass out money for him, he was murdered. A year later, Abigail’s mother died of pneumonia and a broken heart. Abigail is also suffering from a broken heart. The man she planned to marry, Dashiell Lassiter, disappeared on the day they were to announce their intentions to her parents.

All these tragedies have left Abigail embittered. She has lost her faith in God and her only desire is for revenge for her father. When Mr. Welch, with the Secret Service, asks for her help in locating the counterfeiter, Fletcher Pitch, she leaps at the chance. Pitch is looking for his son who is in hiding with his aunt after his mother’s death. The secret service believes she’s in a small town in Nebraska. Abigail will go there as a schoolteacher and try to identify the boy. The Secret Service not only wants to protect the boy, but see a tintype of Pitch so they can identify him.

Although Abigail is eager to go, she’s not pleased to find the agent she will be working with is Dashiel Lassiter. For his part, he still cares for her and doesn’t want to put her in danger.

This is an exciting story capped by a terrible blizzard. The author did a good job making the background come to life. I enjoyed the description of how the teachers must be very correct during school hours.

Abigail and Dashiel are characters you enjoy spending time with. I thought Abigail’s struggle with her faith was realistic and well done. She realized that cutting herself off from everything, including her faith, was making her an embittered old woman before her time.

I received this book from Barbour Books for this review.

Can Being in Witness Protection Keep You Safe?

Five years ago Allison James made the mistake of her life. She married Harrison Armone, scion of a major crime family. At first things seemed perfect, but as Harrison challenged his father for control of the operation life became constrained to the point where she was almost a prisoner. Armone Senior didn’t take his son’s defection well. He shot him and Allison was a witness. She fled and is now in witness protection waiting to testify against her father-in-law.

Before she married Harrison, Allison was in love with Jaxson Stevens. She wanted to finish school, and he left her to pursue his dream of being a US Marshal. Due to an accident, he’s now the marshal assigned to keep her safe. Allison can’t stand the idea that he might be harmed. Does this mean she’s still in love with him?

This story is the perfect blend of romance and suspense. The attraction between Jaxson and Allison is palpable, but danger is all around them. The action moves quickly and keeps you on the edge of your seat while wondering whether Jaxson and Allison will acknowledge their feelings for each other.

This is the fifth novel in the Winchester, Tennessee series. Although some of the characters have been in other books, the author does a good job of threading the backstory through the action so that it can be read as a standalone. If you love suspense laced with romance, this is a good one.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Tracking More Victims of the Serial Killer, Jacob Ness

Outside a small town in the mountains of Georgia, two hikers find bones which turn out to be those of a woman who has been missing for many years. Could this be another of Jacob Ness’ victims. He had ties to Georgia. The FBI forms a task force led by SSA Kimberly Quincey to deal with the find. She includes Detective Sergeant DD Warren, Flora Dane, a survivor of Ness’ sadistic crimes, and Keith Edgar, a computer geek and amateur sleuth.

The small town of Niche is lovely, a perfect tourist destination, but once the team settles in, things seem to be off. While processing the bones from the first find other graves are discovered and suddenly this is a very big operation. The townspeople appear shocked, but could they not have known what was going on?

I love Lisa Gardner’s books with DD Warren and Flora Dane. Kimberly Quincy and Keith are good additions to the team. Although Flora is still struggling with PTSD in the aftermath of her kidnapping, she seems more focused in this book. Keith is interested in her and she’s tempted to reciprocate, but it’s difficult for her. I like the way he gives her space, but is there to help.

The background of the task force is realistic. The author has obviously done research to make the details accurate. The small town is wonderful. It seems so perfect and the townspeople seem helpful, but there’s an eerie sensation that all is not what it seems.

This is my favorite book in the series so far. It works as a standalone, but as part of the series you can see the characters grow. Flora is changing much for the better. I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

Elantra Menaced by Danger in the Borderlands

The sentient towers in the fiefs at the center of Elantra are designed to protect the city from Shadow. Between the fiefs lies the gray borderlands. However, one of the fief lords has allowed a Shadow to cross from his fief into Elantra creating a danger to the city.

Kaylin is a Hawk, a function like a detective. The Hawklord assigns her and her compatriot Severn to enter the borderlands and survey the fiefs to make sure there are no other ways for a Shadow to gain entrance. There they discover an ancient sentient building that once house the Academie and which now seems to be the center of activity.

This is the fifteenth book in The Chronicles of Elantra. It’s a good continuation of the saga, but if you’re new to the series, the opening may be confusing. Many characters are introduced, and it takes awhile to sort out their roles. If you want to get the most from the series, I would suggest starting at the beginning.

Kaylin is my favorite character. She wants to fight the evil in the world and puts herself at risk to do so. She is one of the Chosen, but rather than spend time to get training on how to use her magic, she works in the world stopping to learn magic when she needs it.

If you enjoy world building fantasy, The Chronicles of Elantra are excellent. Elantra is complex, filled with magic, adventure, and interesting characters. The details are designed to make the world real. It’s a long book, but well worth the time to get to know this unusual world.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

A Reporter Seeks to Expose the Hype about the Hope Diamond

In 1910 New York City is a study in contrasts. The very wealthy enjoy balls, expensive shops, and live in extravagant mansions. In contrast, the very poor, many of the immigrants, live in tenements eking out a living often making clothes for the wealthy.

Vera Garland, scion of a wealthy family, is struggling to make a name for herself as a reporter. This is the era when women reporters were relegated to society news. As Vee Swann, Vera strives to expose the abuses of poverty. She’s injured working on one story which puts her on sick leave. In that interval, her beloved father dies. She is devastated and even more so when she learns that a blackmailing editor was responsible for hastening his death.

Vera knows Cartier, has seen the Hope Diamond, and heard the stories with which Cartier markets the jewel. She hatches a plan to take down the editor using the

hype surrounding the diamond.

As usual in M.J. Rose novels, the background is lush and the details accurate. You get a superb view of the contrasts in New York in the early 1900s. Vera is emblematic of her age. She wants to succeed in her profession and doesn’t want to be forced into a marriage that would bar her from the working world.

The Hope Diamond is famous for it’s mysterious past including rumors of bad luck for the owners. Rose deftly uses this background to give Vera a plan to avenge her father’s death. Surprisingly, in the process she finds love.

I received this book from Atria Books for this review.

Danger and Romance in the VR Gaming World

Divya, known as D1V in the gaming world, is a star when it comes to leading her #AngstArmada through the vast virtual universe of Reclaim the Sun. With her friend Rebekah, as producer, she posts videos of her conquests. She has enough fans that she has sponsorships. She’s able to sell the products she receives to help pay the rent and help her mother finish her courses. However, there are trolls out there and they are intent on driving Divya out of the gaming world.

Aaron’s whole desire is to be a game developer. This conflicts with his mother’s plan to have him become a doctor like her. He loves writing games for a local developer, but there are problems in that relationship. He uses time playing Reclaim the Sun to get away from his everyday difficulties. There he meets Divya.

Aaron and Divya are attracted. Through the game they get to know each other and as danger becomes more real, help each other.

This is a great contemporary story that is almost science fiction. It explores topics important to YA readers in today’s world: racism, sexism, and doxing. Whether you’re a gamer, or not, this is a good story with a delightful romance between two geeky teenagers.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

A Guide for Finding and Pursuing What You Want in Life

We all want a fulfilling life, but sometimes it’s hard to decide what that would mean and even harder to find out how to accomplish it. Rha Goddess provides not only a way to find your calling, but a guide to how to achieve your objectives.

The first step in finding your calling is deciding what you want, what your goals are, and how to define your thought processes. The second step is figuring out how to put your plan into action or as Rha says, “Get Paid”. The third part challenges you to “Do Good”. The book is filled with good advice, success stories, and exercises. The exercises are not designed to be quick. Some are suggested to take two weeks. This is not an unreasonable expectation if you’re trying to change your life.

If you’re dissatisfied with where you are in your life, this book will offer motivation and concrete suggestions for how to move past your discomfort with where you are and find fulfillment. It’s an easy book to read, and if pursued consistently can help you change your life for the better.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

The Opioid Crisis Exposes Intrigues in a Dysfunctional Family

Nick Heller, ex-Special Forces now a detective, is devastated to learn that his friend Sean, a man who saved his life, has died from an overdose of an opioid, Oxydone. He is particularly upset to discover that the drug was prescribed by the VA when Sean was a patient.

At the funeral, Nick is approached by Sukie Kimball, daughter of Conrad Kimball who heads Kimball’s pharmaceutical company, responsible for developing and marketing Oxydone. She wants to hire Nick to expose the fact that Kimball Pharma had research evidence that Oxydone was extremely addictive. The information was withheld so the public had no idea about the dangers of the drug.

Nick agrees to take the case which involves finding a hard copy of the report about the drug. It is one way to avenge Sean’s death. Getting into the Kimball mansion won’t be easy, but Sukie has a way. She invites Nick to Conrad’s birthday party as her date. The party becomes the scene of a murder investigation and Nick finds himself teaming with Maggie, an ex-lover now a detective.

With fast action and a well structured plot, this novel provides a good read if you enjoy detective stories. Nick Heller is a character you have to like. He’s a well trained PI who’s not afraid of danger, but he is also loyal to his friends and wants to protect their reputations. The other characters, Sukie and her family, and particularly Maggie are well drawn, but Nick is the center of the action.

I particularly enjoyed the background focusing on the social issue of addiction to pain killers. It’s a significant issue and the author treats it with appropriate seriousness. It makes you think about the issues of profit vs human life and how for some people an opiate is the only solution to dreadful pain.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

An Old Mural Connects Two Women Artists from Different Time Periods

Morgan Christopher is serving time in the North Carolina Women’s Correctional Center for a crime she didn’t commit. It’s hard enough to be in jail, but it has also derailed Morgan’s desire for career as an artist. Then in a surprising twist two visitors come to the prison. Lisa Williams, the daughter of Jesse Jameson Williams a prominent artist, and Andrea Fuller, an attorney. They offer Morgan a chance to get out of prison immediately if she agrees to the terms of Jesse’s will. She will be expected to restore a seventy-year-old mural in two months for Jesse’s museum opening.

The mural was painted in 1939 by Anna Dale. She was encouraged by her mother to enter a government contest to paint murals in post offices. Now her mother is dead and instead of winning a chance to paint a mural in Plainfield, New Jersey where she lives, she is given Edenton, North Carolina. When she arrives, she realizes that the project won’t be easy. The men who run the town wanted the local artist, Martin Drabble, to have the commission. Working in the town is difficult for Anna, and she discovers that the polite Southern atmosphere covers a myriad of secrets and prejudices.

This story works well in two time periods. Both women are talented artists and their stores mesh perfectly to reveal the town secrets: racism, mental illness, abusive family relationships, and injustice, among others. The two women are strong characters faced by difficulties, some brought on by their own actions. The atmosphere is normal and yet there is an under current of tension that keeps the story moving. If you enjoy mysterious stories about strong women, this is a good one.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

Friendship and Danger in London on the Eve of WWII

Nora, Hazel, and Marie have been friends since boarding school. They are still close and meet every Friday evening on the eve of WWII. The three women are unusual for their time. Instead of having the ideal of marriage, they want to work. Nora, a socialite, works for the government in preparedness. Hazel is a match maker although her own marriage has problems. Marie is a secretary in the German Department at the university, a good fit to her fluent German.

Marie’s nationality is the basis for the action in the story. As war approaches, people of German nationality are looked on as dangerous aliens. Marie fears that she will be sent to an interment camp. When the notice of a review panel on her status arrives, the friends rally round to help her.

The story is told in two time periods. In the present, Samantha, Marie’s granddaughter, comes to London to meet Nora. Marie is dead and in her will she wants Samantha to take a package to Nora and deliver the eulogy at her funeral. I thought the inclusion of Samantha was unnecessary. The story worked very well in the WWII time period.

The women were all strong. They acted out of principle and friendship in spite of danger to themselves. The threat of the interment camp for Marie drove the action. I was disappointed that there wasn’t much information about the interment camps. I think it would have added to the book to have a description of how they were run. The author’s note at the end did give more information, and it was interesting, but it didn’t affect the story.

I received this book from Gallery Press for this review.

Fear stalks Stockholm in the Wake of a Serial Killer

Sofia Stefansson, a sometime prostitute, has a new client. Heading to his house, she’s not sure what she’ll encounter. She thinks she’s prepared, but not for what happens. A man enters the house, and brutally kills her client. She escapes, but is severely traumatized.

As more bodies pile up, the police are stymied. At first they think the motivation is political, because the Foreign Minister is a victim. However when the Swedish Secret Service has no success, the Prime Minister turns to ex-Detective Joona Linna who is serving time in a high security prison for events that happened in the previous novel. Joona suspects that the killings are motivated not by terrorism, but by events in the victim’s past.

This is a police procedural that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While the book is long, the plot is well paced so it keeps the momentum of the case going. Joona is an excellent character. He has outstanding observational skills and makes surprising deductions that move the hunt for the killer forward. In addition to Joona, there are other interesting characters: a woman hospitalized with mental issues, a celebrity chef, and his son who is filled with resentment against his father.

This is another excellent Nordic crime drama. It’s dark with plenty of violence. This is the sixth book in the series. I was able to follow the plot and characters, but I think familiarity with the earlier books would have been helpful in understanding Joona’s background. Still, the book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I received this book from Knopf for this review.

Two Sisters, A Dysfunctional Family, and Murder

Virginia is messed up. She drinks too much, takes pills, and avoids her family. She’s the older sister and has always felt second best to Jenny. Jenny, her younger sister, is the beauty queen, her mother’s favorite. Then Jenny quits the pageant circuit and her mother begins to fall apart.

 The family disintegration really begins when Jenny is found murdered and the family secrets threaten to be exposed. The rape and murder of a thirteen-year-old pageant queen is big news, and the family is in the spotlight. The primary suspect is an older man who has followed all of Jenny’s pageants. Because of her own background, Virginia doesn’t believe he’s guilty and sets out to find out what really happened.

In this psychological thriller, the focus in on the sisters. Chapters are told in alternating points of view between Virginia and Jenny. I thought this was a very effective presentation. We get a chance to know both sisters. However, aside from the two girls, I thought there were too many characters. This may have been designed to increase the number of potential suspects, but for me it diluted the suspense.

The plot was easy to follow. The murderer was obvious to me from fairly early in the story. However, that may be because I read a lot of psychological thrillers and this book followed the pattern. The ending does have a twist, but if you already suspected the killer, it doesn’t work as well as it might.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

Building Family in the Wake of Disaster

In this dystopian novel, the world is recovering from a devastating flu epidemic that killed seventy percent of the population. In San Francisco, three people are struggling to put their lives back together. Moira was a famous pop star under the thumb of her father. When the flu hit, she took the opportunity to evade him and start a new life. Krista is a wedding planner who plans to survive in this strange new world. Rob is a single parent trying to care for his daughter Sunny. He has been afraid to tell Sunny that her mother is dead which leads to problems in their relationship.

Although this story is science fiction, the emphasis is on character development. The background of San Francisco is well done and adds realism to the story. The plot is fairly simple because the characters drive the story. The three adults are drawn together trying to help Sunny who is having trouble adjusting because Rob can’t bring himself to tell her the truth about her mother. As the adults try to help the child they create a strong emotional bond.

The theme of this story is creating family. We usually think of the nuclear family, but in the devastating circumstances following the flu pandemic family becomes those who you are close to and form a strong caring relationship. I enjoyed reading a science fiction story where science took a back seat to the emotions of the characters.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Gen X: The Between Generation

Gen Xers, both women and men, grew up in a rapidly changing world, but perhaps it was changing most for women. WWII was over, the men were home, many women were stay-at-home moms, but there were plenty of them to share experiences with in their neighborhoods. Their daughters grew up looking for something more, encouraged to stretch for the stars, have it all.

Now the Gen Xers are middle-aged. Many have more than their parents, but they’re not happy, and they don’t know why. They succeeded, perhaps not as well as they hoped, but they have jobs, they’re married and have children. There are many reasons for this malaise some real, some imagined. Calhoun does an excellent job of researching the causes and presenting her findings.

I think the best part of this book is making people feel that they’re not alone, and they’re not imagining things. Being sandwiched between aging parents and children entering the job market is stressful. The prevalence of communication is new. Growing up many Gen Xers had only television with rabbit ears on the top, or an antennae on the roof. Now they can carry their entertainment around in their purse. Neighborhood coffee klatches may have had problems for their mothers, but social media contacts are a whole new phenomena, not always pleasant.

If you’re a Gen Xer, this is a must read. If you’re in one of the generations on either side, this can be a helpful book for you, too.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Building a Family in the Unlikely World of Space Travel

On a run to pick up agricultural produce from Umbai V, Captain Nia Imani, witnesses the destruction of a spaceship. The only survivor is a young boy, Ahro. He is unable to speak and bears the scars of abuse. He has one talent, he produces haunting melodies from a flute that once belonged to Nia. The crew on Nia’s ship wants to put the boy into care, but Nia can’t bear to do it. She takes the mysterious boy with her and there begins a loving relationship.

The background of the story is pure science fiction with time travel, spaceships that journey through pockets in space, and ultra modern civilizations that contrast with backward agricultural planets. However, the heart of the story is the development of the relationship between Nia and Ahro. The characters are well developed and grow throughout the story. It’s a delight to read a science fiction book with real characters that you can relate to.

The author’s prose is moving and lyrical. It draws you in and keeps you moving through the story. In addition to the story of Nia and Ahro, other characters are developed. The chapters on Fumiko Nakajima, who developed Pelican Station, are engrossing and add another dimension to the story. This is science fiction that makes you think.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

A Medical Examiner Connects a Series of Mysterious Deaths

Dr. Jessie Teska is hoping for a fresh start in the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office. She had to leave her job in LA because of personal problems. However, the new job has some drawbacks. The LA facility was gleaming state-of-the-art. The morgue in San Francisco is dingy and understaffed. Still, it’s a job and Jessie wants to make a good impression.

Jessie’s first case takes her to the Tenderloin with her new boss, Dr. Michael Stone. The body of a man has been shot three times while trying to steal a computer. Jessie finds a piece of the computer’s serial number embedded in the man’s tissue. This is the first mysterious death, and it appears to be tied to the next two. Her boss wants the cases closed, but Jessie needs to find out what’s going on, and steps into a complex criminal conspiracy.

This is a gritty medical mystery told from the point of the medical examiner. I like Jessie’s character. She’s smart and in spite of the difficult working and living conditions she wants to succeed in her new job. The background of San Francisco is perfect for the story. The author did a good job describing the setting. It added significantly to the plot.

I enjoyed this book. The mystery is good and the ending satisfying. However, if you’re squeamish about blood, this may not be your book.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Is an Unfinished Novel the Blueprint for Murder?

Julie Stender, a young woman newly arrived in Copenhagen, is found dead in her apartment with an unusual design carved in her face. Esther di Laurenti, the owner of the building, is shocked by the murder particularly because it mimics the plot of a novel she’s writing. She has only shared the novel with her on-line writer’s group; could one of them be the culprit? Esther, a retired professor, also loves wine, perhaps to excess, and dinner parties. These sometimes get out of control. Could one of these somehow have precipitated Julie’s death?

Jeffe Korner and his partner, Annette Werner are given the case. They’re an odd couple, but they appear to interact well to solve crimes. Jeffe is a rather sad, sensitive character. He’s recovering from a divorce and is still hurting. Annette, in Jeffe’s estimation, is a bulldozer. She’s much bolder and more straightforward than he is.

This is a dark Nordic mystery. The plot is complex with multiple murders and potential suspects entering the narrative. I found the pace a little slow, but other Nordic mysteries have the same tempo. However, the appearance of more bodies and the slowly building solution to the mystery kept me reading.

The translation was well done. It never felt stilted. The setting was perfect for the characters. It created the dark atmosphere appropriate for this twisted story.

If you enjoy a dark police procedural with an interesting background, you may enjoy this book.

I received this book from Scout Press for this review.

Ugliness Beneath Wealthy Victorian New York of the 1910s

Louella and Effie live in the protected environment of wealthy New Yorkers in the Victorian era. Roaming about their wooded neighborhood, they discover gypsies camped in a field. Drawn to the colorful life the girls keep returning.

When the girls discover that their father is guilty of a shocking indiscretion, they act out their unhappiness. Louella becomes wild. Eventually, she is sent away. Effie thinks she’s been sent to the House of Mercy, a nearby home for wayward girls where they are virtually imprisoned and worked to death. Longing to find and rescue her sister, Effie gets herself admitted to the House of Mercy, but finds escape is not so easy.

The story is told from three points of view although the first half of the book is in Effie’s voice. After she enters the House of Mercy, we have chapters by Mable a girls who befriends her, and Jeanne, her mother. I loved Effie’s character. In spite of her poor health, she is plucky and takes on challenges that in some cases are beyond her. Luella is less likable. However, she seemed to have grown into a much more compassionate person at the end.

This is a story that tells of the terrible treatment of women and girls in the Victorian era. It’s hard to believe that religious institutions like the House of Mercy were so merciless and treated the people confined in their care so poorly. The book is well researched, and I found the scenes in the House of Mercy well done and interesting. The author discusses some of her research in the Afterword.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

A Thief Becomes Queen

The kingdom of Seriden is a stratified society: Royals at the top. Legals as the workers, and Nameless at the bottom. The Nameless have no standing and live by theft and grifting. Coin is a Nameless. She’s clever and brave, a very good thief.

The new ruler of Seriden is chosen by the dying ruler saying the name of a person. The royal tattoo is magically transferred to that person and he or she becomes the next ruler. Surprisingly, on the death of the old king, the tattoo appears on Coin’s arm. She shows the tattoo to save her friend, Hat, who has been caught by the guards. No one is eager to proclaim her queen, and she is unsure about her desire to rule, but the rules must be followed. Coin will have tests to pass.

This fantasy will appeal to middle grade girls. Coin is crafty and smart. She’s an admirable thief. She also has courage to face the Royals. I liked her best when she was on the streets, showing her crafty side. She seemed less herself when faced with the challenges of the Royals.

The story is a true fantasy. It’s filled with magic and strange characters. I thought the genesis of the magic was hard to follow. Coin seems to require no practice to use it. There is a basic description of how the magic works, but I would have liked to know more.

If you enjoy fantasy, this is an interesting tale that will probably be followed by a sequel.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Video Game Draws Teens into a Very Dark Reality

Charlie and Peter, high school seniors entranced by computer technology, are chatting and smoking when a prompt comes up saying “I am God” and beckons them to play a game. Charlie isn’t eager, but Peter answers, and they and their friends are caught up in playing the God Game.  

The game is a sophisticated AI program that promises rewards if tasks are completed and punishment if they’re not. The problem is the final punishment could be death. At first the challenges are easy and the rewards, rich. However, as the game progresses, the tasks become darker and the punishments more severe. The teens are caught in something larger than they are and the question becomes how to get out.

The book is aimed at a YA audience, but it can easily be enjoyed by anyone. The background of AI and the religious underpinnings are designed to raise questions and make you think. I enjoyed this part of the book very much. Another aspect of the book that makes you think is the extent to which virtual reality can affect the real world. It’s something that can have frightening implications.

The teenagers experience problems appropriate to their age: getting into college, bullying, and sexuality. However, I though the characters were rather superficial. Perhaps because the story moves at such a rapid pace the author had no time for more in depth character development.

If you enjoy science fiction and fantasy, this is a good read although it is very dark through most of the book.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

A Romance Mingling Dreams and Reality

Mia is married to Harrison. She seems to have it all except the baby she longs for. Miscarriages keep happening. In Hope Springs, Mia and Harrison hope to have the life they’ve dreamed of, but strange things happen. For years Mia dreamed about a man. Suddenly he’s there. She never expected to meet Oliver, and the strange thing is that he’s been dreaming of her.

Trying to figure out why they have dreams of each other, they spend time together. Are they meant for each other? Mia doesn’t think so, she loves Harrison, but it’s hard to understand what the dreams mean. Sometimes dreams seem more real than reality.

At first, this book feels like a typical romance. Two men are interested in the same woman. However, it isn’t that simple. Mia, Harrison, and Oliver are complex characters, and there’s the element of dreams and what they mean.

I liked Mia and Harrison and the life they were trying to build. It seemed cruel to have Oliver suddenly appear. I thought the story would revolve around making choices. What do you do when you love your husband, but you meet someone who may be your soulmate? However, it was more complex than that. I felt the author did a good job of building up to the ending, but it didn’t make it easier to accept.

This is not an easy book to read, but if you like romance that is more edgy than the typical love triangle, it’s well worth the time.

I received this book from Berkley Publishing Group for this review.