en-US Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:06:11 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9370860355 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:06:11 -0700 /review/show/7531076558 The Book Review Café wants to read Children of Ever After by Avery Yearwood
]]> Review7522958263 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 08:03:31 -0700 /review/show/7522958263 The Book Review Café gave 4 stars to Mother of the Accused (Kindle Edition) by Leanne Treese
bookshelves: crime, legal-thriller, my-tbr-shelf, new-authors-to-me, womens-fiction
Nothing in life is ever clear cut, guilt and innocence, truth and lies, they all live in the grey spaces between. Mother Of The Accused by Leanne Treese is a compelling, emotional story that asks how well we truly know the ones we love, and what it really means to stand by them when the unthinkable happens.

Meredith Morgan’s world is torn apart when her son Zach is accused of an unspeakable crime, and Leanne Treese captures the anguish, the fear, and the desperate hope of a mother unwilling to give up on her child. As evidence piles up and friendships fall away, Meredith clings to loyalty even as doubt creeps in, making for a story that is as heartbreaking as it is gripping.

This is a beautifully written, emotionally charged novel about love, loyalty, betrayal, and the painful reality of believing in someone even when your heart is no longer sure you should.

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]]> Review7522976878 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 08:40:21 -0700 /review/show/7522976878 The Book Review Café gave 4 stars to We Live Here Now (Hardcover) by Sarah Pinborough
We Live Here Now is a chilling, slow-burn thriller that creeps under your skin and stays there. Some scenes are seriously unsettling, but they add a real, palpable sense of dread that ramps up the tension beautifully. Sarah Pinborough masterfully blurs the lines between psychological suspense and horror, weaving in just enough weirdness to keep you constantly second-guessing what’s real. Every time I thought I had a handle on the story, she twisted the narrative again � and each reveal felt perfectly timed to keep me hooked. It’s dark, uncomfortable at times, and refreshingly unpredictable, which is a massive plus for any psychological thriller fan. Highly recommend if you love your thrillers with a side of eerie unease and clever, layered plotting. ]]> ReadStatus9358299853 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 08:31:36 -0700 /review/show/7522958263 The Book Review Café is currently reading Mother of the Accused by Leanne Treese
]]> Review7460041626 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:12:00 -0700 /review/show/7460041626 The Book Review Café gave 5 stars to Three Mothers (Kindle Edition) by Hannah Beckerman
bookshelves: grief-and-bereavement, mental-health, my-tbr-shelf, psychological-thrillers, womens-fiction, crime, 5-star-reads
Three Mothers had me gripped from the first page. It’s a powerful, emotionally charged story exploring the ripple effects of a tragedy through the eyes of three very different women. When Isla Richardson is killed in a hit-and-run, her mother Abby, best friend Nicole, and another mother, Jenna, each respond in ways that create rich tension and emotional depth.

Hannah Beckerman masterfully weaves their perspectives and a shifting timeline to gradually reveal hidden truths. The story is deeply character-driven, Abby’s raw grief, Nicole’s tested loyalty, and Jenna’s fierce protectiveness are complex and believable.

This isn’t just about a crime; it’s a thoughtful exploration of love, loyalty, and the murky grey areas between right and wrong. It’s Five stars from me. gripping, thought-provoking, and deeply human. Three Mothers will stay with you long after the final page.

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]]> Review7513305441 Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:46:56 -0700 /review/show/7513305441 The Book Review Café gave 4 stars to The Girl with the Suitcase: A captivating historical novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author (Kindle Edition) by Lesley Pearse
bookshelves: crime, historical-fiction, netgalley, womens-fiction
The Girl with the Suitcase is a compelling wartime tale of identity and reinvention, based on Mary, a young woman who seizes a new life after being mistaken for someone else. Lesley Pearse captures the danger and hope of 1940s London with her usual flair for emotional storytelling. While the plot is more straightforward than some of her earlier, more layered novels like Rosie or Faith, it still delivers strong characters and a rewarding emotional journey. Longtime fans may find it lighter in tone, but it remains a satisfying, heartfelt read.
]]> Review7503535384 Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:51:26 -0700 /review/show/7503535384 The Book Review Café gave 5 stars to The Story Shop (Puffin Island #3) by Christie Barlow
bookshelves: book-series, netgalley, romance-fiction, womens-fiction, 5-star-reads
I absolutely adore the Puffin Island series, each book has been the ultimate feel good read, and perfect for escaping life’s troubles. In her latest offering, The Story Shop, Christie Barlow once again delivers the warmth, charm, and heart that make her stories so irresistible. With her signature warmth and gentle humour, she crafts a story that feels like curling up under a blanket with a hot drink on a rainy day: comforting, endearing, and just a little bit magical.

It’s always a joy to revisit Puffin Island, it feels like meeting up with old friends. The familiar faces, the cozy charm, and the deep sense of community create a comforting sense of belonging. With each visit, the characters grow richer, their stories more meaningful, making every trip back feel like arriving at your favourite holiday spot.

At its heart is Jack Hartwell, a travel writer who stumbles into the island’s bookshop during a storm and meets Amelia Brown, a book lover with a whimsical challenge. What follows is a slow burning romance wrapped in self-discovery, quirky book club adventures, and the magic of connection. As always, Christie Barlow brings each character to life, infusing them with warmth, quirks, and just enough charm to make you wish they lived next door.

The Story Shop is a gorgeous, feel good read that celebrates the quiet magic of everyday life, losing yourself in a book, opening your heart, stepping outside your comfort zone, and finding connection when you least expect it. This story completely stole my heart. It’s the kind of book that wraps around you like a cosy blanket and stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Christie Barlow has truly outdone herself, The Story Shop is beautifully written, uplifting tale that will leave fans feeling deeply satisfied and desperately waiting for their next visit to Puffin Island. It’s definitely my favourite book in the series so far.

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]]> Review7503142262 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 04:01:10 -0700 /review/show/7503142262 The Book Review Café gave 5 stars to Chasing Shadows (Detective Erika Foster #9) by Robert Bryndza
bookshelves: 5-star-reads, book-series, crime, netgalley, police-procedure, psychological-thrillers
Anyone who follows The Book Review Café knows I’m a huge fan of Robert Bryndza’s Erika Foster series, so you can imagine my excitement when Chasing Shadows landed in my hands. And WOW, it did not disappoint. This one grabs you instantly, and honestly, it’s a contender for the best book in the series yet. Robert Bryndza delivers everything fans have come to love and more: tension, twists, and emotional depth, all packed into one of those rare, read-in-one-sitting thrillers that refuses to let you go.

A routine 999 call turns dark when a body is found in a spotless flat, no evidence, no clues. But for Erika Foster, the real shock is recognising the face of the man who killed her husband ten years ago. Only his ID says he’s someone else, and his record is spotless.

Cut off from the case and running out of allies, Erika digs deeper on her own. What she uncovers is a dark web of secrets, lies, and betrayal, forcing her to confront the past she’s never been able to let go. It’s her most personal case yet, and the most devastating.

Robert Bryndza has truly outdone himself. Chasing Shadows is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that blends gripping police work with the raw intensity of a psychological drama. The tension is sharp, the twists are masterfully delivered, and the pacing is relentless. There are no wasted chapters here, just expertly crafted suspense. What truly sets this story apart is its emotional weight. Erika isn’t just solving a case, she’s confronting the deepest wounds of her past, and Bryndza captures her grief, resilience, and vulnerability with care.

Chasing Shadows is Robert Bryndza at his absolute best, dark, twisty, and emotionally gripping. Erika Foster has never felt more real, or more haunted. I absolutely loved every minute of it. Whether you’re a devoted fan or a newcomer, this is one you won’t want to miss.

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]]> ReadStatus9330502223 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 07:56:43 -0700 /review/show/7503535384 The Book Review Café started reading The Story Shop by Christie Barlow
]]> Review7503142262 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 04:11:48 -0700 /review/show/7503142262 The Book Review Café gave 5 stars to Chasing Shadows (Detective Erika Foster #9) by Robert Bryndza
bookshelves: 5-star-reads, book-series, crime, netgalley, police-procedure, psychological-thrillers
Anyone who follows The Book Review Café knows I’m a huge fan of Robert Bryndza’s Erika Foster series, so you can imagine my excitement when Chasing Shadows landed in my hands. And WOW, it did not disappoint. This one grabs you instantly, and honestly, it’s a contender for the best book in the series yet. Robert Bryndza delivers everything fans have come to love and more: tension, twists, and emotional depth, all packed into one of those rare, read-in-one-sitting thrillers that refuses to let you go.

A routine 999 call turns dark when a body is found in a spotless flat, no evidence, no clues. But for Erika Foster, the real shock is recognising the face of the man who killed her husband ten years ago. Only his ID says he’s someone else, and his record is spotless.

Cut off from the case and running out of allies, Erika digs deeper on her own. What she uncovers is a dark web of secrets, lies, and betrayal, forcing her to confront the past she’s never been able to let go. It’s her most personal case yet, and the most devastating.

Robert Bryndza has truly outdone himself. Chasing Shadows is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that blends gripping police work with the raw intensity of a psychological drama. The tension is sharp, the twists are masterfully delivered, and the pacing is relentless. There are no wasted chapters here, just expertly crafted suspense. What truly sets this story apart is its emotional weight. Erika isn’t just solving a case, she’s confronting the deepest wounds of her past, and Bryndza captures her grief, resilience, and vulnerability with care.

Chasing Shadows is Robert Bryndza at his absolute best, dark, twisty, and emotionally gripping. Erika Foster has never felt more real, or more haunted. I absolutely loved every minute of it. Whether you’re a devoted fan or a newcomer, this is one you won’t want to miss.

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