THE RUIN - DERVLA MCTIERNAN

 

It's been twenty years since Cormac Reilly discovered the body of Hilaria Blake in her crumbling Georgian home. But he's never forgotten the two children she left behind...

When Aisling Conroy's boyfriend Jack is found in the freezing black waters of the river Corrib, the police tell her it was suicide. A surgical resident, she throws herself into study and work, trying to forget - until Jack's sister Maude shows up. Maude suspects foul play, and she is determined to prove it.

DI Cormac Reilly is the detective assigned with the re-investigation of an 'accidental' overdose twenty years ago - of Jack and Maude's drug- and alcohol-addled mother. Cormac is under increasing pressure to charge Maude for murder when his colleague Danny uncovers a piece of evidence that will change everything...

I was so excited to read this one but again, I was left pretty disappointed. I loved the writing style and the plot but for some reason I found myself getting pretty bored and skipping pages/chapters. I can't even tell you how this one ended which is saying a lot. I will say, I'm not sure it has anything to do with the book because I know this is the first novel in the DI Cormac series. Maybe I'll give another book in the series a shot.

Who wants to Marry a Duke?

A sexy and distracting rake is tamed by a scholarly heroine with a penchant for the sciences in this dazzling and witty tale of Regency London.

A past kiss with adorably bookish Miss Olivia Norley should be barely a memory for Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock. After all, there are countless debutantes for a handsome rakehell to charm beyond a young lady whose singular passion is chemistry—of the laboratory type. But Thorn has not forgotten—or forgiven—the shocking blackmail scheme sparked by that single kiss, or the damage caused to both their names. Now Thorn’s half-brother, Grey, has hired the brilliant Miss Norley for her scientific expertise in solving a troubling family mystery. And the once-burned Thorn, suspicious of her true motives, vows to follow her every move . . . 

I don't know, I feel like it has been such a struggle this past month reading. Of course, I love, love Historical Fiction and 'Who wants to Marry a Duke' wasn't terrible. It was just, okay. I found myself skipping pages to get to the end of the story. Normally, I find Historical romances to have so much romance, adventure, mystery,action etc. and the plot just left me wanting more. The romance scenes were great but even the main couple didn't have that great chemistry. I received a few new books for my birthday so I'm hoping they'll be good!

She is busy building her empire

 

The value of a secret depends upon whom you’re trying to keep it from.

The Secret She Keeps by Michael Robotham

Agatha is pregnant and works part-time stocking shelves at a grocery store in a ritzy London suburb, counting down the days until her baby is due. As the hours of her shifts creep by in increasing discomfort, the one thing she looks forward to at work is catching a glimpse of Meghan, the effortlessly chic customer whose elegant lifestyle dazzles her. Meghan has it all: two perfect children, a handsome husband, a happy marriage, a stylish group of friends, and she writes perfectly droll confessional posts on her popular parenting blog—posts that Agatha reads with devotion each night as she waits for her absent boyfriend, the father of her baby, to maybe return her calls.

When Agatha learns that Meghan is pregnant again, and that their due dates fall within the same month, she finally musters up the courage to speak to her, thrilled that they now have the ordeal of childbearing in common. Little does Meghan know that the mundane exchange she has with a grocery store employee during a hurried afternoon shopping trip is about to change the course of her not-so-perfect life forever…

Loved this book! Right from the get go, I knew this was going to be a great thriller and keep me engrossed throughout.  400+ pages and I flew through this one relativity quick - a total page turner. I loved the alternating chapters with Agatha and Meghan's perspectives. This is my first book from Michael Robotham and I will definitely be purchasing more. Agatha is a complete psycho and super creepy. I was pretty happy with the ending although I do wish Agatha would have gotten her ass beat. 100% recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller/page turner!

 

I hope your apple pie is freakin’ worth it.

I had such high hopes for this one but I was left so disappointed. 

Synopsis:

1932. After the Great War took both her beloved brother and her fiancé, Violet Speedwell has become a "surplus woman," one of a generation doomed to a life of spinsterhood after the war killed so many young men. Yet Violet cannot reconcile herself to a life spent caring for her grieving, embittered mother. After countless meals of boiled eggs and dry toast, she saves enough to move out of her mother's place and into the town of Winchester, home to one of England's grandest cathedrals. There, Violet is drawn into a society of broderers--women who embroider kneelers for the Cathedral, carrying on a centuries-long tradition of bringing comfort to worshippers. 

As with all of Tracy Chevalier's books, the writing was excellent. I just found the plot to be boring - particularly revolving around the embroidery and bell ringing. I could never warm up to the main character, Violet and the entire romance/love interest of the novel revolved around an affair which was super off-putting. Overall, super disappointed as I really thought this would be a book/plot I would enjoy.

I'm back bitches

“When a women wants a cup of tea, usually she has to make it for herself, and forthe others around her. There is no better taste than a cup of tea someone has made for you.” 

I know, I know. It's been too long. I will say, my love for reading hasn't gone. So here I am and it's my goal this year to document and review all the books I've read 💓

I can't possibly go back through all the books for 3+ years but there were some great ones and some bad ones.

Currently reading, 'A single thread' by Tracy Chevalier. I've loved so many of her books including 'Virgin Blue' and 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'. So far, I'm on the fence. It has definitely been slow. I have always loved, loved historical fiction so I'm holding out hope!

I've also bought quite a few new reads I'm excited about this month so stay tuned!

March Wrap up

Books read in March:

The Royal We
Girls in the Garden
The Color of Lies

It's definitely been a struggle this month - only 3 books read! Both The Royal We and The Color of Lie's were difficult to get through - it honestly became a chore to pick up both every night. Girls in the Garden was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading more of Lisa Jewell's novels.

Currently reading - The Spring Girls by Anna Todd

I just began reading The Spring Girls so don't have much of an opinion to give but so far I'm loving the plot and the writing style of Anna Todd.

Watching - Buddy vs Duff, Castle Rock

I watched a little bit of everything in March but I have to say, my favorite is definitely Castle Rock. Absolutely love the storyline that keeps you constantly guessing. On a side note, Celtics were hard to watch. Let's hope they're not a first round exit in the playoffs.

Eating 

What can I say here? As usual, a total fail. I'm hoping April I'll finally get off my ass and get things done.

Next Month

Hoping to read more books this month. For some reason, March didn't do it for me (aside from Girls in the Garden). I feel like lately it's been a fight to find something I enjoy. Out of everything in April, I'm super excited that Game of Thrones is coming back! Best.show.ever. Have a lot of things to complete and accomplish in my personal life as well. Let's hope April is better than March was.