BITCH, PLEASE! by Megan Munroe

Published by Turner Company
ISBN: 978-1-59652-806-2
At the request of Turner Publishing, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from Amazon): Megan Munroe’s Bitch, Please! delivers a saucy communiqué empowering nice girls to kick passivity to the curb and instead use the strength of inward kindness to shake the foundation of the bitch’s empire. Bitch, Please! provides compelling answers to questions that nice girls often ask, like:
  How do I handle confrontation with the bitch in the next cubicle?
  Why does the bitch always seem to get what she wants?
  If being nice is a good thing, why do I feel like a doormat?
  From practical how-to-succeed scenarios to laugh-out-loud lessons, this humorous yet poignant dialogue has something for every woman. A unique mix of rhetoric, real-life revelations, kitschy quizzes, and food for thought, this is the perfect road map for your journey to create a successful life in a nice-girl fashion.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I don’t read self help/advice books so I really came out of my comfort zone to not only read but review this book too. There were a few reasons why I accepted, the first being, if we are honest with ourselves, we all at one time or another, have a little bit of that trait as part of our personality and living inside of us, maybe some people have more than others. Another reason, and I am guessing that 99% of us will agree that we have someone in our life who we deal with, maybe on a daily basis, be it family, friend, coworker, etc etc. Do we enable these people? Or do we take a stand? Ms. Munroe takes a hard look at what happened to “the nice girl approach” compared to the “entitled diva” that we see on TV and newspapers almost on a daily basis. Ms Munroe uses humor in her descriptions of nice girls vs. bitches.
  This is a manual for every girl and woman of any age and whatever stage of life you are in. It is filled with answers to everyday questions, funny little tests, how to deal with those that believe “nice girls” are “door mats”. My copy has so many bookmarks of quotes that I wanted to share until I realized, I would be close to rewriting the book in this review. I will share a couple with you:
**”Nice is defined as “refined in manners, language” and “virtuous: respectable: decorous.” Words like virtuous and respectable have been lost in today;s generation of young women’; it’s as if we don’t know what it means to have manners at all.” page 5
**”Being a nice girl is a lifestyle dedicated to being aware of our actions, and in turn being willing to bear the consequences or enjoy the benefits of how we choose to behave.  page 71
  My Rating: Since I don’t usually read self help/advice books, I had a difficult time rating it because I felt it was partially a subjective read, so with that being said, I am going to give it a middle of the road rating between a 4-3

——–

BITCH, PLEASE! by Megan Munroe

Published by Turner Company
ISBN: 978-1-59652-806-2
At the request of Turner Publishing, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from Amazon): Megan Munroe’s Bitch, Please! delivers a saucy communiqué empowering nice girls to kick passivity to the curb and instead use the strength of inward kindness to shake the foundation of the bitch’s empire. Bitch, Please! provides compelling answers to questions that nice girls often ask, like:
  How do I handle confrontation with the bitch in the next cubicle?
  Why does the bitch always seem to get what she wants?
  If being nice is a good thing, why do I feel like a doormat?
  From practical how-to-succeed scenarios to laugh-out-loud lessons, this humorous yet poignant dialogue has something for every woman. A unique mix of rhetoric, real-life revelations, kitschy quizzes, and food for thought, this is the perfect road map for your journey to create a successful life in a nice-girl fashion.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I don’t read self help/advice books so I really came out of my comfort zone to not only read but review this book too. There were a few reasons why I accepted, the first being, if we are honest with ourselves, we all at one time or another, have a little bit of that trait as part of our personality and living inside of us, maybe some people have more than others. Another reason, and I am guessing that 99% of us will agree that we have someone in our life who we deal with, maybe on a daily basis, be it family, friend, coworker, etc etc. Do we enable these people? Or do we take a stand? Ms. Munroe takes a hard look at what happened to “the nice girl approach” compared to the “entitled diva” that we see on TV and newspapers almost on a daily basis. Ms Munroe uses humor in her descriptions of nice girls vs. bitches.
  This is a manual for every girl and woman of any age and whatever stage of life you are in. It is filled with answers to everyday questions, funny little tests, how to deal with those that believe “nice girls” are “door mats”. My copy has so many bookmarks of quotes that I wanted to share until I realized, I would be close to rewriting the book in this review. I will share a couple with you:
**”Nice is defined as “refined in manners, language” and “virtuous: respectable: decorous.” Words like virtuous and respectable have been lost in today;s generation of young women’; it’s as if we don’t know what it means to have manners at all.” page 5
**”Being a nice girl is a lifestyle dedicated to being aware of our actions, and in turn being willing to bear the consequences or enjoy the benefits of how we choose to behave.  page 71
  My Rating: Since I don’t usually read self help/advice books, I had a difficult time rating it because I felt it was partially a subjective read, so with that being said, I am going to give it a middle of the road rating between a 4-3

——–

SIXTY-NINE by Pynk

Published by Grand Central Publishing

At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: It’s New Year’s Eve 2008, and best friends Magnolia Butler, Rebe Richardson, and Darla Clark, all born in 1969, are about to turn the dreaded 4-0 in January 2009. Magnolia, a New Year’s Day baby, is childless, and always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Rebe, the mother of a college-aged daughter named Trinity, has just gone through a divorce from a man whose sexual appetite far exceeded her desires and abilities. Darla is also a New Year’s Day baby, still mourning her husband’s death after five years.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I started reading this book thinking it was going to be about three long time friends who are facing the big 4-0 and seeing their individual perspective of what it means to each of them. Both looking into the past and what they are hoping for the future. I truly thought it was a typical chick lit read. And even though it has been a few years that I have passed that milestone, I really thought it was going to be the type of novel whereas you become part of the characters’ lives. It started off that way with chapters alternating between the three ladies and their lives with some sexual undertones that were, understandably part of the story line. However, after reading over 100+ pages, I then realized that the sexual undertones were not just an undercurrent but the main premise of the book. I don’t consider myself a prude by any means but when the story turned to very graphic and erotica descriptive chapters, that I felt took away from the actual concept of friendship and lives, I knew it was time to set this one to the side. I would have continued reading it if it was written with more of a substantive storyline with sexual undercurrents.

 

SIXTY-NINE by Pynk

Published by Grand Central Publishing

At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: It’s New Year’s Eve 2008, and best friends Magnolia Butler, Rebe Richardson, and Darla Clark, all born in 1969, are about to turn the dreaded 4-0 in January 2009. Magnolia, a New Year’s Day baby, is childless, and always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Rebe, the mother of a college-aged daughter named Trinity, has just gone through a divorce from a man whose sexual appetite far exceeded her desires and abilities. Darla is also a New Year’s Day baby, still mourning her husband’s death after five years.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I started reading this book thinking it was going to be about three long time friends who are facing the big 4-0 and seeing their individual perspective of what it means to each of them. Both looking into the past and what they are hoping for the future. I truly thought it was a typical chick lit read. And even though it has been a few years that I have passed that milestone, I really thought it was going to be the type of novel whereas you become part of the characters’ lives. It started off that way with chapters alternating between the three ladies and their lives with some sexual undertones that were, understandably part of the story line. However, after reading over 100+ pages, I then realized that the sexual undertones were not just an undercurrent but the main premise of the book. I don’t consider myself a prude by any means but when the story turned to very graphic and erotica descriptive chapters, that I felt took away from the actual concept of friendship and lives, I knew it was time to set this one to the side. I would have continued reading it if it was written with more of a substantive storyline with sexual undercurrents.

 

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY by Stacy Juba

Published by Mainly Murder Press

ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
  Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
  Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
  Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
  Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relateable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn’t? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed, ow was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!

 

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY by Stacy Juba

Published by Mainly Murder Press

ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
  Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
  Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
  Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
  Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relateable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn’t? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed, ow was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!

 

THESE THINGS HIDDEN by Heather Gudenkauf

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778328797
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night…and failed.
  The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she’s free. But secrets have a way of keeping you imprisoned.
  When Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls’s golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It’s Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.
  But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister.
  Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Could not put this book down!!! One fateful night, five years ago, a secret of a sixteen year old, many lives of those associated with her will change. This story follows four of the women that are most affected by what happened that night at Druid River and how it comes to be that they all have something in common and the one thing that they are trying to protect. The novel alternates chapters with each of the characters’ perspectives of then and now. A heart wrenching novel whereas I was so engrossed it felt that I was transported into the storyline. Each and every character relatable. The suspense was constant but on many different levels and for different reasons (do not want to include spoilers). The ending was shocking. This is the first book I ever read by this author but she is definitely going on my tbr author list.

THESE THINGS HIDDEN by Heather Gudenkauf

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778328797
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night…and failed.
  The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she’s free. But secrets have a way of keeping you imprisoned.
  When Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls’s golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It’s Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.
  But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister.
  Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Could not put this book down!!! One fateful night, five years ago, a secret of a sixteen year old, many lives of those associated with her will change. This story follows four of the women that are most affected by what happened that night at Druid River and how it comes to be that they all have something in common and the one thing that they are trying to protect. The novel alternates chapters with each of the characters’ perspectives of then and now. A heart wrenching novel whereas I was so engrossed it felt that I was transported into the storyline. Each and every character relatable. The suspense was constant but on many different levels and for different reasons (do not want to include spoilers). The ending was shocking. This is the first book I ever read by this author but she is definitely going on my tbr author list.