NEVER KNOWING by Chevy Stevens

ISBN 978-0-312-59568-5
At the request of St. Martin’s Press, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara did not have an ideal home life. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and to find closure.
  But some questions are better left unanswered.
  After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother — only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: Her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her.
  What if murder is in your blood?
 Never Knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand herself, her origins, and her family. That is, if she can survive….

  My Thoughts and Opinion: For those bloggers who were around, right around this time last year, you may remember there was a lot of buzz about debut author Chevy Stevens and her chilling novel Still Missing. A few months ago I was approached to read and review her newest book and since I was one of the bloggers blown away by her debut novel, I accepted. However, I tend to have a bit of apprehension when the first book is outstanding. Can the second book compare? Or was the author and first book a “one hit wonder”? My opinion…..Chevy Stevens is pure talent…..brilliant!!!!

As in her first novel, the main character Sara, starts each chapter with a session with her psychiatrist but I found in this book that there was much more dialogue and interaction between the characters. Her writing style is fluid and so descriptive, which allowed me to visualize and create vivid imagery. I felt that I was easily transported into the story line. (Vague….due to not wanting to include spoilers) Example: when Sara’s cell phone kept ringing, I realized I was holding my breath waiting for her to answer the phone. Engrossing! A definite page turner! The characters came to life whereas even their emotions were felt. At times terrifying!! The ending, just when I thought it ended, another surprise!! Sara learns “be careful what you wish for”. Am hoping that this time next year, I will be reading her third novel!!! Chevy Stevens delivers again!!

NEVER KNOWING by Chevy Stevens

ISBN 978-0-312-59568-5
At the request of St. Martin’s Press, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara did not have an ideal home life. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and to find closure.
  But some questions are better left unanswered.
  After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother — only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: Her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her.
  What if murder is in your blood?
 Never Knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand herself, her origins, and her family. That is, if she can survive….

  My Thoughts and Opinion: For those bloggers who were around, right around this time last year, you may remember there was a lot of buzz about debut author Chevy Stevens and her chilling novel Still Missing. A few months ago I was approached to read and review her newest book and since I was one of the bloggers blown away by her debut novel, I accepted. However, I tend to have a bit of apprehension when the first book is outstanding. Can the second book compare? Or was the author and first book a “one hit wonder”? My opinion…..Chevy Stevens is pure talent…..brilliant!!!!

As in her first novel, the main character Sara, starts each chapter with a session with her psychiatrist but I found in this book that there was much more dialogue and interaction between the characters. Her writing style is fluid and so descriptive, which allowed me to visualize and create vivid imagery. I felt that I was easily transported into the story line. (Vague….due to not wanting to include spoilers) Example: when Sara’s cell phone kept ringing, I realized I was holding my breath waiting for her to answer the phone. Engrossing! A definite page turner! The characters came to life whereas even their emotions were felt. At times terrifying!! The ending, just when I thought it ended, another surprise!! Sara learns “be careful what you wish for”. Am hoping that this time next year, I will be reading her third novel!!! Chevy Stevens delivers again!!

THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES by Marcus Sakey
Published by Dutton, member of Penguin Group, Inc.

At the request of Kaye Publicity, a HC was sent, at no charge to me, for my honest opinion.

  A man wakes up naked and cold, half-drowned on an abandoned beach. The only sign of life for miles is an empty BMW. Inside the expensive car he finds clothes that fit perfectly, shoes for his tattered feet, a Rolex, and a bank envelope stuffed with cash and an auto registration in the name of Daniel Hayes, resident of Malibu, California.
  None of it is familiar.
  What is he doing here? How did he get into the ocean? Is he Daniel Hayes, and if so, why doesn’t he remember? While he searches for answers, the world searches for him-beginning with the police that kick in the door of his dingy motel, with guns drawn. Lost, alone, and on the run, the man who might be Daniel Hayes flees into the night.
  All he remembers is a woman’s face, so he sets off for the only place he might find her. The fantasy of her becomes his home, his world, his hope. And maybe, just maybe, the way back to himself.
  But that raises the most chilling question of all: What will he find when he gets there?

  My Thoughts and Opinion: I feel that I need to begin this review with a caveat in fairness to the author. It took me longer than usual for me to read this book, not because of the author or plot but because of real life issues that needed to take a priority. If not for that, this novel would most definitely be a can’t put down read. I did have a bit of difficulty focusing in on the characters and plot the first 1/3 of the book but again, my mindset. Once, I was able to focus, the ride was unstoppable. The characters appeared life like, however, I kept going back and forth in my mind as to who was actually the victim or victims. The plot, action packed. (Vague-do not want to include spoilers) What was real? What was the truth? After reading the last paragraph, I literally sat there, stunned, with how it ended. Will there be a sequel? I hope so!!

ISBN-13: 9780316190428
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Desperate and facing homelessness, Meredith receives a call from her old best friend, Constance Flute. Connie’s had recent worries of her own, and the two depart for a summer on Nantucket in an attempt to heal. But the island can’t offer complete escape, and they’re plagued by new and old troubles alike. When Connie’s brother Toby – Meredith’s high school boyfriend – arrives, Meredith must reconcile the differences between the life she is leading and the life she could have had.
  Set against the backdrop of a Nantucket summer, Elin Hilderbrand delivers a suspenseful story of the power of friendship, the pull of love, and the beauty of forgiveness.
 
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I would like to first start with 2 caveats. This was the first book I had read by this author. After posting that it was my current read, I received mixed comments about her previous books, so quite honestly, was a bit skeptical. The second, in fairness to the author, was the length of time it took me to read the book. It had nothing to do with the writing style, it holding my interest, the characters and/or the story line. Matter of fact, quite the opposite. I really enjoyed all of the above. It was because at the present time, I am also caught up in a televised trial that has taken away from my reading time.

  As far as the novel, it is the type of read where you become part of the story. I felt that the author brought the characters to life, whereas I could feel their emotions. I enjoyed the dynamics of the relationships between the characters, including their flaws. At times, I wanted to comfort them and at times, reprimand them. The story covered a 40 year friendship and at certain times of reflection, would alternate between the present with memories of past. The setting of Nantucket was vivid. A moving novel of friendship, love, pain, forgiveness, loss, desperation, life and hope. My favorite quote in the book, which I feel is so true, was on page 313, “God, human beings were resilient, Connie thought. They were resilient!” A perfect summer read!!

THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES by Marcus Sakey
Published by Dutton, member of Penguin Group, Inc.

At the request of Kaye Publicity, a HC was sent, at no charge to me, for my honest opinion.

  A man wakes up naked and cold, half-drowned on an abandoned beach. The only sign of life for miles is an empty BMW. Inside the expensive car he finds clothes that fit perfectly, shoes for his tattered feet, a Rolex, and a bank envelope stuffed with cash and an auto registration in the name of Daniel Hayes, resident of Malibu, California.
  None of it is familiar.
  What is he doing here? How did he get into the ocean? Is he Daniel Hayes, and if so, why doesn’t he remember? While he searches for answers, the world searches for him-beginning with the police that kick in the door of his dingy motel, with guns drawn. Lost, alone, and on the run, the man who might be Daniel Hayes flees into the night.
  All he remembers is a woman’s face, so he sets off for the only place he might find her. The fantasy of her becomes his home, his world, his hope. And maybe, just maybe, the way back to himself.
  But that raises the most chilling question of all: What will he find when he gets there?

  My Thoughts and Opinion: I feel that I need to begin this review with a caveat in fairness to the author. It took me longer than usual for me to read this book, not because of the author or plot but because of real life issues that needed to take a priority. If not for that, this novel would most definitely be a can’t put down read. I did have a bit of difficulty focusing in on the characters and plot the first 1/3 of the book but again, my mindset. Once, I was able to focus, the ride was unstoppable. The characters appeared life like, however, I kept going back and forth in my mind as to who was actually the victim or victims. The plot, action packed. (Vague-do not want to include spoilers) What was real? What was the truth? After reading the last paragraph, I literally sat there, stunned, with how it ended. Will there be a sequel? I hope so!!

ISBN-13: 9780316190428
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Desperate and facing homelessness, Meredith receives a call from her old best friend, Constance Flute. Connie’s had recent worries of her own, and the two depart for a summer on Nantucket in an attempt to heal. But the island can’t offer complete escape, and they’re plagued by new and old troubles alike. When Connie’s brother Toby – Meredith’s high school boyfriend – arrives, Meredith must reconcile the differences between the life she is leading and the life she could have had.
  Set against the backdrop of a Nantucket summer, Elin Hilderbrand delivers a suspenseful story of the power of friendship, the pull of love, and the beauty of forgiveness.
 
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I would like to first start with 2 caveats. This was the first book I had read by this author. After posting that it was my current read, I received mixed comments about her previous books, so quite honestly, was a bit skeptical. The second, in fairness to the author, was the length of time it took me to read the book. It had nothing to do with the writing style, it holding my interest, the characters and/or the story line. Matter of fact, quite the opposite. I really enjoyed all of the above. It was because at the present time, I am also caught up in a televised trial that has taken away from my reading time.

  As far as the novel, it is the type of read where you become part of the story. I felt that the author brought the characters to life, whereas I could feel their emotions. I enjoyed the dynamics of the relationships between the characters, including their flaws. At times, I wanted to comfort them and at times, reprimand them. The story covered a 40 year friendship and at certain times of reflection, would alternate between the present with memories of past. The setting of Nantucket was vivid. A moving novel of friendship, love, pain, forgiveness, loss, desperation, life and hope. My favorite quote in the book, which I feel is so true, was on page 313, “God, human beings were resilient, Connie thought. They were resilient!” A perfect summer read!!

Published by Reagan Arthur Books/Little, Brown and Company

  First, their daughter Lillian arrives, with her two children in tow, to escape her crumbling marriage. Next, their son Stephen and his pregnant wife Jane show up for a weekend visit, which extends indefinitely when Jane ends up on bed rest. When their youngest daughter Rachel appears, fleeing her difficult life in New York, Ginny and William find themselves consumed again by the chaos of parenthood – only this time around, their children are facing adult problems.
  By summer’s end, the family gains new ideas of loyalty and responsibility, exposing the challenges of surviving the modern family – and the old adage, once a parent, always a parent, has never rung so true.

  My Thoughts and Opinion: Having recently started my own chapter of being an empty nester, I was quite interested in the premise of this book. And along that line, I definitely could relate to the parental characters in the novel. It was very easy for me to, what I call being “transported”, into the story line and become part of this family. Which was quite surprising due to the fact that this was the debut novel by this author. There was a situation, where the patriarch character became so frustrated that he finally lost his patience, because his house had been so transformed into a mess. Another plight I could relate to. And how the parents attempted to treat their children as the adults that they were. Except these adult children, never took into consideration that they were giving their parents their responsibilities and problems instead of dealing with them as the adults they were. I felt that there were some family dynamics, and this is only my opinion, that did not resemble real life. The time frame occurred over a few months, and during that time, it was never stated to the parents why their children appeared “back home”. I enjoyed this book due to the story line of the novel, but also felt that it was predictable. No matter what the rating this book gets, like the synopsis states, “once a parent, always a parent”.

Published by Reagan Arthur Books/Little, Brown and Company

  First, their daughter Lillian arrives, with her two children in tow, to escape her crumbling marriage. Next, their son Stephen and his pregnant wife Jane show up for a weekend visit, which extends indefinitely when Jane ends up on bed rest. When their youngest daughter Rachel appears, fleeing her difficult life in New York, Ginny and William find themselves consumed again by the chaos of parenthood – only this time around, their children are facing adult problems.
  By summer’s end, the family gains new ideas of loyalty and responsibility, exposing the challenges of surviving the modern family – and the old adage, once a parent, always a parent, has never rung so true.

  My Thoughts and Opinion: Having recently started my own chapter of being an empty nester, I was quite interested in the premise of this book. And along that line, I definitely could relate to the parental characters in the novel. It was very easy for me to, what I call being “transported”, into the story line and become part of this family. Which was quite surprising due to the fact that this was the debut novel by this author. There was a situation, where the patriarch character became so frustrated that he finally lost his patience, because his house had been so transformed into a mess. Another plight I could relate to. And how the parents attempted to treat their children as the adults that they were. Except these adult children, never took into consideration that they were giving their parents their responsibilities and problems instead of dealing with them as the adults they were. I felt that there were some family dynamics, and this is only my opinion, that did not resemble real life. The time frame occurred over a few months, and during that time, it was never stated to the parents why their children appeared “back home”. I enjoyed this book due to the story line of the novel, but also felt that it was predictable. No matter what the rating this book gets, like the synopsis states, “once a parent, always a parent”.