Book Review: Dear Wife by, Kimberly Belle

Dear Wife, by Kimberly Belle

Summary: This book is about a man who returned from a trip to find out his wife is missing. This book is also about a woman escaping from an abusive marriage and creating a new identity. Is it the same woman? Is it not?

Thoughts: This book was a quick read for me because it was captivating and interesting. I was enthralled by the idea of the woman, Beth escaping her abusive husband, running away, and creating a new life for herself. Come to realize the abusive husband is the DETECTIVE looking for his wife who went missing. Overall, this story was pretty interesting.

Criticisms: I didn’t realize this book focused a lot on abusive partnerships. I didn't like that at all. Typically, I tend to steer away from books that involve domestic abuse, because….it’s triggering and sad to read about. Also, I wish the author did a better job explaining the plot twist. It was kind of like reading 100 pages, a short 1 page plot twist, and then another 100 pages of reading. I’m exaggerating of course, but that’s how it felt in my opinion.

Rating: 3.8/5

Book Review: Regretting You by, Colleen Hoover

Regretting You by, Colleen Hoover

Summary: I suppose I am back on the Colleen Hoover wagon with yet another book of hers. This story is about a girl named Clara and her mom, Morgan figuring out that someone they both loved, deceived them in a way and how they are navigating that. Being a 16 year old girl, Clara blames her mom for what is happening in her life and in turn it’s causing their relationship to become strained. Morgan, is trying her best to be Clara’s mother, but at the same time is young herself and doesn’t know exactly how to reach her daughter. This is the typical story of a teenager rebelling against her mom and everything that goes along with that. There are a few other plots sprinkled in as well- like affairs, betrayals, first loves, etc. but nothing to write home about.

Thoughts: This type of book is exactly why I steer clear from reading romance novels. This is the run of the mill romance story with a predictable ending. It was written fairly well, but again, not my style. Why did I choose to read it you may ask. Because Colleen Hoover’s writing is captivating and once you pick up one of her books, it’s hard to put down.

Criticisms: In most of the other Colleen Hoover books I’ve read, there was some kind of plot twist at the end. I feel like the plot twist came at the beginning and then we saw how that situation was handled throughout the rest of the book. I didn’t like this because that’s what made the book predictable in my opinion. Regardless, a quick and easy read.

Rating: 2.5/5

Book Review: Confessions by, Kanae Minato

Confessions by, Kanae Minato

Summary: I’m not even sure where to start with this book. If I could sum this book up in three words they would be: page turner, psycho, and repression. This book is about a teacher who announces to her class that she’s quitting mid school year and won’t be a teacher anymore. BUT, there’s so much more to this story than that. The teacher’s daughter dies suspiciously at the school and the teacher thinks a few of her students were involved. Each chapter of the book is from a different person in the class’ perspective and it all ties together at the end. Without giving too much of this story away, this book is a revenge story between the teacher and her students.

Thoughts: Typically I don’t read too many translated books, but I saw a review for this one and decided to give it a try. The style of writing is interesting. It’s quite possible that the translation doesn’t explore the author’s true meanings behind situations, or that there aren’t specific words in English for the Japanese sayings, but nonetheless this story was interesting.

Criticisms: This is a perfect example of a revenge story. There were some points that were extremely fictitious, and others where it would be crazy if it happened in real life. Another qualm I have is that there were a few parts in the story that were the slightest bit difficult to follow along to and piece together what was going on.

Rating: 3.8/5

xoxo,e