review – Forever Winter

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell – Book Summary

This is a summary based on my understanding of the novel. Please also note that this summary contains spoilers. You may want to read the entire book first before proceeding

2017

Tallulah and Zach didn’t come home after dinner and some unexpected drinks with friends. Tallulah’s mother, Kim, is extremely worried. She knows Tallulah, she’s responsible and is a hands on mother to her baby, Noah.

The last update Kim received from Tallulah was a text, informing her that they bumped into her college friend Scarlett Jacques, and they’ll be going to her place for some drinks.

Kim contacted Scarlet, went to her house called the “Dark Place” and asked details about what happened the night before. Scarlet said they drank, then Tallulah and Zach went home by themselves – saying they’ll just grab a cab. That was the end of it, even when Kim tried asking the other friends who were also there that night.

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell – Book Review

It was supposed to be a simple date between young parents Tallulah & Zach, but they never came back. Their baby was left in the care of Tallulah’s mother, Kim. This happened in 2017. In 2019, a new resident arrived and saw “Dig Here” sign that reopens Tallulah’s case. The investigation starts again and this time, it looks like it is finally going somewhere. Where is Tallulah? And who placed the “dig here” sign?

I knew I would like this book the moment I started reading this. I liked the mystery, the thrill, and the emotion. It doesn’t only revolve around solving the disappearance of Tallulah & Zach – this involves emotion.

I loved how raw Kim’s character is. I loved how Tallulah & Zach aren’t one of those cringey couples, they actually have real & relatable relationship issues.

The main factor that kept me from giving this book 5 stars is Sophie, her personality and her thoughts about Liam. Inappropriate and irrelevant.

Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins – Book Summary

This is a summary based on my understanding of the novel. Please also note that this summary contains spoilers. You may want to read the entire book first before proceeding

It all started when Miriam discovered the dead body of Daniel inside the boat he’s renting. Miriam is a neighbor, she lives on another boat.

The main suspect was Laura Killbride. She spent the night at Daniel’s boat, slept with him then argued with him. Laura got angry because Daniel insulted her – so she bit his neck, drew some blood. Got some of his blood on her shirt as she went home. She also injured herself while trying to get inside her house because she lost her key – she unknowingly left it at Daniel’s boat. Miriam took the key when she found Daniel’s body because she wanted to protect Laura. Miriam thinks Laura is as damaged as her.

Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins – Book Review

When a young man is found gruesomely murdered in a London houseboat, it triggers questions about three women who knew him – Laura, Carla & Miriam.

I found it difficult to read – especially after being bombarded with too much characters even on the first few chapters. Some characters were not properly introduced – and were being called by another name on different chapters. For example, Laura gave the detectives their own nicknames when she talks about them. Then another character talks about the same detectives using their correct names.

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney – Book Review

Adam and Amelia Wright travelled to Scotland during the weekend, in an attempt to improve their marriage. They stayed in Blackwater Chapel – it’s in the middle of nowhere, there is currently a snowstorm, there is no signal, and now the electricity is gone. The entire place is creepy, and the place is haunting them. Why does the bedroom they are staying in looked exactly the same as their bedroom back home? Who is that face Amelia saw on the window? Who rented them this place anyway?

If I could rate beyond 5 stars, I would. This is just amazing.

I think I found my favorite author. This is the first book I’ve read from Alice Feeney – and I sure am reading more because of Rock Paper Scissors.

I know I have rated other books 5 stars before – but this will be 5+ 🙌

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Book Summary

This is a summary based on my understanding of the novel. Please also note that this summary contains spoilers. You may want to read the entire book first before proceeding

Monique Grant works at Vivant, and was surprised to be informed that Evelyn Hugo personally chose her to write about her.

Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood Movie icon back in the 50s and 80s, is now ready to tell the truth. She actually wanted Monique to write her memoir, not just an article. The earnings from that memoir will all be Monique’s. It felt too good to be true, like there really is a catch to all this, but Monique agreed and listened to Evelyn’s story as she narrated her life with her 7 husbands:

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Book Review

Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell her story, and she chose Monique Grant to do the job. She’s now ready to narrate her story from where she began, to how she became a Hollywood Movie Icon, to her decision to leave the show business. She’s now ready to tell what happened with the 7 marriages she had. Who did she love most? Monique is ready to listen to her tale, even though she is wondering herself why, after other reputable journalists out there, did Evelyn choose her?

I gave this 4/5 rating on Goodreads. Really enjoyed the book, I can say it’s worth the hype. I’ve seen this book everywhere and thankfully got convinced into reading it.

I love Evelyn and Harry. I love how the chapters are organized per husband / timeline. Yes, I did cry on 2 scenes of this book. The story is unpredictable: after a few hours of thinking about the story prior to finishing it, after a few guesses about Monique’s role in all of this – I didn’t get it right at all!

Maybe the only factor that kept me from giving it 5 starts is Monique.. she’s too snappy, too sad. Or this is probably just because I didn’t want Evelyn’s story to be interrupted!

✅Recommended
⭐4/5 Stars

Get a copy of the book: Amazon
Also available on: Audible

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty – Book Summary

This is a summary based on my understanding of the novel. Please also note that this summary contains spoilers. You may want to read the entire book first before proceeding

Joy & Stan Delaney, retired couple living together, are a little bored. They used to run a tennis school that got them busy, but they already sold it. Their adult children, Logan, Troy, Amy & Brooke – all already have lives of their own.

One ordinary evening a stranger knocked on their door. They let her in, fed her and let her stay in Amy’s old bedroom. Her name is Savannah, and Joy adored her. Savannah cooked great meals and she’s really a good company for both Joy & Stan.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty – Book Review

Joy Delaney is missing- her husband and the Delaney siblings are all worried. The siblings have reported it to the police, and there is an ongoing investigation. They found it disturbing that a young lady, named Savannah, suddenly knocked on their door and lived with them for a few months. Everyone is just trying to figure out where Joy has gone and if her husband, or their visitor has something to do with her disappearance.

I gave this 1/5 rating on Goodreads. I rarely give 1 star reviews. I found this book too long, too much repetitive scenes narrated from different POVs. Too many unnecessary POVs.. I finished the book, but all the while I was hoping it would end. I thought I was just impatient because I wanted to know what truly happened to Joy Delaney.. but even after it was revealed, I still felt like the succeeding scenes were too dragging. Every time I flip a page I end up asking – wait, another chapter? I was expecting for the acknowledgment page already!

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine – Book Summary

This is a summary based on my understanding of the novel. Please also note that this summary contains spoilers. You may want to read the entire book first before proceeding

Amber Patterson had it all planned, she now have her next target – Daphne Parrish. She is going to take over her life, make her husband fall in love with her.

Daphne has it all – money, friends, handsome and generous husband, Jackson Parrish.

To get closer to Daphne, Amber pretended to have a sister that also had Cystic Fibrosis, just like Daphne. Amber and Daphne “accidentally” met at the gym, found out they both lost sisters to CF, and the next thing she knew, Amber is now being invited to Daphne’s home to be a part of Julie’s Smile, a foundation to help those with CF.