I cannot believe I actually had the time to read last month. Actually I can because every chance I got, I just picked up my book to read. I will say this month was a bit challenging because the first book I decided to read was whack and had no plot line… anyhow… let me give you my end of month review.

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Six friends rent a secluded cabin in the woods for the weekend. But all is not well after their welcome dinner. After night fall, someone is going after them and exposing their secrets.

When I say the power it took within me to finish this book. I wanted to DNF this book so bad; but quitters end up in ditches. Or whatever the saying is. This book had nothing to do with six people sleeping in a cabin. It did have to deal with six friends and a genetic test that happened to take a vacation in a said secluded cabin. The novel should have just revolved around one to three characters, their genetic testing, and the thriller plot. So much could have been nulled out. And the SMUT in this was just F grade. Fanfiction smut. Not needed and super cringy. Would not recommend this book to anyone at all. The subplots and the plot itself make no sense at all.

The reason for the 2 stars even though this book made me struggle so hard: Henry’s story. I needed more of Henry and his story!! . This whole book should have been about Henry’s story. I wish his plot line wasn’t a sub plot. It could have been a whole different book and not revolve around six people and why they were all linked together because of a test. I feel like it would have been better if Henry’s story was built around the motive of genetic testing and then grow into finding out who killed his mother and who his biological family is. Then it could have tied in to find out who Mako was and who was in Mako’s life. Again not the writer, just my opinion on how I just wanted more from Henry’s Character because his was the only one that seemed to have character development through out this novel.

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

The day after Christmas, Amber Reynolds finds herself in the hospital in a coma. Helplessly, Amber tries to piece together what really happened in the days leading up to her accident. Is all what it seems to be? Is her husband, Paul, really to blame? Does her sister, Clare, also have a secret love affair?
Karma… this book is about Karma. The plot build up was a bit slow. But by the end of it! Let me tell you. I would have not seen all of that coming. Amber’s character is an interesting one from the start. The fact that this story is being told by Amber while she is in limbo makes you understand her perspective a lot deeper in the end. The way that Amber portrays her relationship with her sister, Clare, is well told. To me, their relationship makes this story line worth reading over and over again. It’s a too good to be true sibling story. The plot twist at the end and the revenge plots; yes, I said plots, were jaw dropping. It was written in such an twisted evil way that it makes you think of how wicked someone can be just so that they can get what they want out of life. Other than the slow build up, I HIGHLY recommend this book. All I can say is, what goes around comes back around.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Avery Kylie Grambs was your regular high school girl; rebellious and a dreamer. Until one day, one of the famous Hawthorne brothers showed up at her school and tells her she is needed at the will reading of the late Tobias Hawthorne. At the reading, she and the rest of the Hawthorne family find out that she is now the heir to the Hawthorne fortune. This left everyone questioning why a no-name girl was left what was their birthright. Slowly the Hawthorne boys – Jameson, Grayson, Nash, and Xander – join forces with Avery to solve riddles to find out why Avery was chosen to take hold of the Hawthorne Estate.

This book is too cute!!! I like the story line between Avery and the boys. (TLDR: To be honest, I wish there was more involvement from Nash. He really is an interesting character and one of the most laid back. I feel like the oldest sibling has to be like that, but it would be cool to know his background story.) I absolutely love the connection between Avery and Jameson. Avery’s character comes off so hard hearted and a realist, but deep down inside she’s a sweet girl that just wants better for herself. So of course she’s telling herself that this is all too good to be true. I feel like Jameson levels her out in that sense because he’s silly and a jokester. But when it comes down to it, he really does care, he really loves his family, and will do anything for them. I could literally write a lot more and share my thoughts about this book (::cough cough:: I’m going to need me more Nash plot, please) because to me it was so, so good and the riddles in this book are fun to solve also. Although a bit predictable, the ending does have a good start for what the reader should expect in to the second book, The Hawthorne Legacy. I highly recommend this book if you would like an easy read and also if you’re interested in riddles and cute love lines.

I’m going to say this with lots of love… but life of regret starting the year with Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six. I wish I would have picked another read. But I made it up with my last two books of the month so I half heartedly believe I had a good reading month. Here’s to the second month that we are in. I am excited to see what books I pick up this month to read and rant about. I hope all of you had a Happy January reading month.

Don’t forget that happiness is in the little things you do to make this world a better place. Be kind to yourself and be kind to others. Look out for yourself and one another.

Until my next post. – C