Before We Were Strangers

Brenda Novak is an author I just recently discovered. I can’t remember exactly how it happened, but the next thing I knew I was on her Facebook page and printing out the list of all her books to read. While on the Facebook page it was asked what book of her’s we were reading and I said I had just found the author, and Brenda herself suggest that this should be the book I started with. So, I put it on hold at the library and when it came in I just had to start it right away (even though I was reading other books). And well the rest is history as within about 3 days I was done with the book and looking forward to the next one of her’s that I could read!!

Synopsis

Slone McBride was 5 years old when her mother disappeared. That night, she was awoken by her mother and father arguing. All of a sudden there was a thump and the house went quiet. Slone’s father states that her mother left and that was the end of that…no real police investigation or anything. When Slone turns 18 she leaves small hometown in Texas and moves to New York were she becomes a model. After Slone suffers a huge loss in New York, the loss of Clyde, her family, mentor, friend, she decides that it is time to return to her hometown and really figure out what happened to her mother – once and for all. Once home, Slone starts to dig up the past and she is not sure what will become of her family in Texas when she does.

Review

I am so glad that I was introduced to this author! I loved every minute of this book and could not put it down. It was fast paced and exciting. You never quite knew one minute to the next what might happen. Brenda as a way of capturing you and not letting you go until you have finished the book. I can’t even imagine what Slone was going through. Throughout the book you felt all the emotions that she felt – you were scared when she was, happy when she was and frustrated when things were not going the right way for her! I found myself cheering for her every step of the way that she would finally figure out what happened to her mother all those years ago! If you have not read any of Brenda Novak’s books, you should, and I can’t wait to pick up my next read written by Brenda!!!

Book Rating:

California Girls

It is only fitting that my first book review is a book by Susan Mallery. There was a time where books were not the center of my life (shocking! I know). I was reading a book here and there, but I missed reading terribly! Then one day, I was browsing at the Library and I stumbled upon Susan Mallery. I checked out a few of her books and devoured each one of them. I was hooked!

Synopsis

California Girls by Susan Mallery is a book about three sisters that get dumped in the same week. Finola, is told by her husband, just before she goes on air at her L.A. morning show, that he is cheating. Zennie’s breakup is no big deal to her and since she is not attached to anyone at the time, decides to be a surrogate for her best friend. Ali, who is set to be married, is broken up with by her fiance’s brother. This book is about the breakups that each sister goes through, and what happens to them after the break-ups; It is about the sisters starting over and rebuilding each of their lives.

Review

I absolutely LOVED this book. As usual, Susan Mallery’s writing captured me from the first page! This was a book that I could not put down, and even though I am in grad school, and probably should be doing about 100 other things, I kept reading and finished this book in less that 48 hours!!! Susan’s writing makes each of the sisters come to life and you feel like you are right there with them in all the bumps and bruises that life hands them. Susan’s writing captures you making you say one more page until poof you are done. I laughed with the sisters. I was frustrated with what the sisters were going through. I rooted for each one of them as they figured out the next steps in their life. I can’t say enough good things about this book. If you are looking for a book that is light-hearted and fun and will capture you from the beginning, then pick up Susan Mallery’s California Girls!!! You won’t be disappointed!