Review: The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole

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The A.I. Who Loved Me had a very interesting synopsis that I had to read it twice when I originally saw it.  Trinity Jordan is living a somewhat normal, working from home, life until she meets Li Wei. He is introduced to her as her neighbor’s very attractive nephew, who isn’t very social and a little odd. She soon realizes that he isn’t human at all.

I think I would have enjoyed this book a little more if I had listened to the audible. This feels like a book that sounds better to read aloud. And apparently, it was written to be an Audible original with varying voices for almost every character. I think that would have been a more entertaining experience and I would have enjoyed myself a little more.

With the production, it fell a little flat for me and it was hard for me truly to immerse myself into the book. It was original and had diversity, but something still was missing for me.

Final Thoughts

 The A.I. Who Loved Me has an interesting premise; however, the book dragged on and didn’t deliver. 

Review: Make a Scene by Mimi Grace

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Make a Scene was an adorable, widely entertaining story. I truly had a great time. 

It centers on Retta and Duncan. After Retta’s ex-boyfriend gets engaged to her cousin, she refuses to attend the wedding solo. She plans to introduce her family to her amazing, faithful, and handsome boyfriend. The only problem is- he doesn’t exist. She enlists the help of Duncan, the owner of a boxing gym next to Retta’s business, to pretend as her fake boyfriend. 

Like mentioned before, I enjoyed this book. I thought it had a nice flow and I felt invested in the story and into the characters. It was such a refreshing and light story that felt familiar. But in a good way. This was particularly true in regards to Retta’s grandmother. She reminded me so much of my grandmother, and I loved her scenes with both Retta and Duncan. Any speaking of Retta and Duncan- I loved them together. 

I think what I loved most about them was the buildup. They developed this solid friendship from practically their first meeting and it never felt awkward. It felt natural and easy. It worked very well and they were just adorable and lively. The chemistry just leaps off the page. 

Another thing that it was a pleasure to see a constant friendship in this book. Both Retta and Duncan have strong friendships with other people and it was nice to see them throughout the book. Unfortunately, in some books, friendships disappear but theirs stayed present.  

Final Thoughts

Make a Scene had the perfect mix between romance and friendship and delivered an entertaining and adorable story.

Review: This Is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf

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This Is How I Lied truly kept me guessing. Hooked from the prologue, I found this book from the start one that piqued my interest instantaneously. I found the progression of the plot a simmering pace but a fulfilling experience that not only keeps you guessing but motivates your curiosity to keep turning the pages.

The book introduces us to Eve. Twenty years prior, she was found deceased by her best friend Maggie and younger sister Nola. Maggie and Eve were best friends who like other teens went through the trials and tribulations of teenage life. While Eve was going through an abusive relationship emotionally and physically, Maggie had her own secret relationship that had dire consequences if came to light. When Eve found out Maggie’s secret, desperation and fear drove their friendship to a place of no return.

Sadly, there were many suspects that included her abusive boyfriend but there were no solid leads to close the case so it went dormant. Years later, a couple boys were playing near the crime scene and discovered a key piece of evidence that could shed new light on the case. Following her dad’s footsteps in law enforcement, Maggie, a detective in the same precinct, decides to pick up the pieces where her dad left off and reexamine the case. As the past collides with the present, secrets are revealed and new information surfaces that change everything. Let’s just say that Karma found a way to come back around.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. The alternating point of view perspective really allows the reader to get into the moment and relive and experience the past and the present. This gave us great insight into their lives and piece together what happened, whodunit, and why. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as a thriller but it had thrilling moments of building suspense that pique your interest. The twists in the plot will be enough to keep you reading. I’d recommend checking this one out.

Review: The Summer Villa by Melissa Hill

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The Summer Villa by Melissa Hill was just the book to whisk me away to one of the most beautiful places on earth, Italy. We are introduced to three women who became friends one summer and upon their reunion discover some secrets that affect all of their lives.

Told from their experience that summer alternating with their current life, we meet three women who desperately needed some time to get away from their lives. An unlikely trio, they developed a beautiful friendship one summer in Italy that had continued once they returned to their lives. They experienced highs and lows but ultimately supported and had each others back no matter what.

Kim was brought up with everything handed to her. Upon the realization of her mother setting her up to get married for status, she wanted her own life. Bold and adventurous, she finds herself on the coast of Italy at the Villa Dolce Vita. Life couldn’t get any better. After a chance meeting with a friend, she is introduced to a new life that she never imagined could be possible.

Collette, is one that you really want to root for. She has a big heart and you want to see her happy. Gifted this trip, she absorbs all that life has to offer. She gets swept away from one of the locals but finds her heart at the fork in the road.

Annie was the party girl. On the surface was one way but deep down, she wanted more but life kept throwing her the same thing. With dreams of opening up her own salon, she is also gifted not just this trip of a lifetime but a chance to start the life she’s always wanted. Little did she know that the decisions that she made on her trip would change her life forever.

Fast forward, years later, they have an opportunity to reunite when Kim renovates the villa where it all began. Once arriving on shore, the memories hit all the women and remind them of what was. Blending their current lives with reminiscing with the past, one night changed everything when secrets from their past made them confront their destinies.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. What I loved was seeing three different women find strength through their obstacles. I don’t want to share the future because I want you to appreciate where the character’s journey takes them. This is the perfect read that puts us right in a place that is beautiful full of promise and life. Each woman represents someone you can relate to and connect with. A wonderful plot that wraps up real nicely, characters that you can invest and get lost in, and just overall an enjoyable read that you can sit back and relax. Add this one to the tbr.

Review: Loving Well in a Broken World: Discover the Hidden Power of Empathy by Lauren Casper

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Book Summary:

How can we love our neighbors amid so much division and hurt?

Loving your neighbor as yourself would be easy if your neighbors were all people you understood, people you agreed with, people like you. But what about playground bullies, colleagues, refugees, online adversaries? They’re all our neighbors, and Jesus said to love them. Every one. But how?

Lauren Casper believes the key is the lost art of empathy, stepping into other people’s shoes and asking what if?—what if it were my child? What if it were me? Casper helps us discover how to

· identify our blind spots and tune our hearts to the stories around us;

· seek and extend forgiveness with grace and humility; and

· engage in diverse and meaningful relationships.

Following these steps will enable us to connect in simple but life-altering ways, to respond to conflict with grace, bring about needed change, and shine God’s unconditional love into a dark world.

Review:

What a book so fitting for our current social climate. It touched upon many different areas searching for resolutions to many of our indifference. Placing yourself in their perspective and drawing to a place of empathy really can be binding rather than dividing. I felt Loving Well in a Broken World embraced what the author intended. I found her thoughts and commentary enlightening and many of the call to actions and empathetic suggestions resonated with my own decision of how I treat and interact with other people. I found the interjections of her family and personal experiences interesting especially the dynamics of her family. The decision to adopt two children who had different ethnic backgrounds is such a wonderful thing to do. It also added another perspective that was interesting to read how it shaped her relationships. Sprinkles of her faith and scriptures in between, this was a nice read that will leave you feeling good.

Review: The Quiet Girl by S.F. Kosa

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I don’t even know where to begin with this book. The Quiet Girl by S.F. Kosa was just simply, page turn worthy on another level. I had no idea before the book that the author was a clinical psychologist. She truly brought her expertise and knowledge into creating a brilliant character-driven suspense novel that truly takes you on an emotional, plot twisted ride that truly was a fun one. If this was her debut in this genre, I can’t wait to find out what book she comes out with next similar.

The book took on a dual narrative that I thought was very clever in developing the plot. It was more about how the events unfolded and what we learn as a reader through both independent storylines that merge through the plot twists and turns. There may be a moment in the book that becomes uncertain but it deliberately shifts the plot and once you get there, there’s no turning back. There isn’t a moment that I felt like I wanted to put it down. I had to pace myself because I felt like the book was so intricate from the woven details that taking it slow absorbed the maximum satisfaction with the unraveling as it progressed.

We are introduced to Alex, a tech executive, and Mina, a romance novelist who hasn’t been together that long. They were married in under a year and found themselves in a disagreement. Mina decides to seek some time alone to retreat at their cottage and without a trace she’s gone. With the intention of trying to work things out, upon seeing her wedding rings, he’s left him with many answered questions and uncertainty.

After a few days go by with no signs of her returning, he decided to go to the police. They look at it from the perspective as maybe she decided to have some time away to herself. Since nothing major happened in their neck of the woods and considering the time they’ve known each other, there wasn’t any evidence that seemed to indicate some bad occurred. With the instance to look at the case, you know the spouse is always the one that becomes the first suspect.

Feeling frustrated, he decided to investigate on his own and almost gave up. No new leads or indicators in any directions until one day he received a lead that made him question everything that he thought he knew about his life with his wife and her. What was in the dark comes to light. As the dual plot unravels, secrets are revealed and twists in the plot made it impossible to want to put it down.

Overall, there isn’t anything about the book that I didn’t enjoy. I truly believe having that clinical psychologist experience enables us to get into the heads of these characters and experience every moment and emotions with them. The duality of the of the plot was creative and interesting for the unraveling of the suspense. It pushes you to want to know more because it piques the interest of the reader to make you want to know what happens. There is so much more to the book that I want you to experience without giving it away. Take your time and enjoy every moment of this one. I’d recommend adding this to your tbr list!