Review/ The Widow by Fiona Barton

The Widow by Fiona Barton is a debut novel that I have been hearing all the buzz about lately and every time I have been in Chapters the girls are always pitching me this book because they know that I enjoyed Gone Girl and Girl on the Train so when I noticed that chapters was offering 2x the points when you purchased the book and it happened to be on sale so I figured it was time to pick it up.

What can I say for this book except for the fact that I think there was more twist and turns then any book I have recently read. I really enjoy books like that because you are lead to think one thing and then question everything else. I hate when you know what happens half way through and this has you sitting on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I should say that we know what has happened and they are basically trying to find a way to proof that it was done. That is the thing that I thought was interesting about the book. Its easy to point the finger at someone but you have to have the proof to put them away.

One thing I have to say is that even though the storyline is disturbing the author kept all the graphic material out. Which I have to say I appreciate as a mother. We all know from the premise of the book that a little girl is taken from her yard but we know really know how she died and I am okay with not knowing that just as long as she is found so that a family can be put to rest.

I really tried to hold myself back from trying to read it in one sitting and honestly it was hard because so much was happening that you wanted to stay and read to find out what was going to happen. It was a page turner.

The story is told in various view points such as the widow, reporter, detective, and there is alot of flipping back from 2006 to 2010 so you really have to keep on eye on who is talking in that chapter and what year it is. At first I found it to be a little distracting and trying to keep the story straight but once I kept track of the speaker and dates it was a little easier. I think it would have made it a little easier to read had it begun in 2006 and worked its way to 2010. That is just my personal thought.

Over all it was an interesting read but I have to say that its not really a Gone Girl or Girl on the Train kind of book that it was hyped to be like. So if you are expecting that you might be disappointed.

If We Were Having Tea… #24

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If we were having tea… I would tell you that this is the first weekend we had no hockey or any other family commitments.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that I ended up buying a new pair of sneakers yesterday. I really needed new ones since the last pair I had were from my first BEA trip in 2010. They have gotten plenty of love, three trips to NYC (and when I go to NYC I literally walk everywhere) plus a trip to Europe (walked alot there) and so much more.

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If we were having tea… I would tell you that I am going back to taking advantage of the library now that the weather is nicer. I picked up these two books to read this week:


 

 

 

 

 

 

If we were having tea... I would tell you that I think the weather is starting to finally be spring like which I can’t wait for because I am tired of the cold, rain and blah weather. I need some sun and warmth.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that this week is Michael’s 13th birthday. Its hard to believe that he is already 13. Where did the time go?

If we were having tea… I would tell you that I am in the midst of spring cleaning. Friday I managed to purge a ton of books (you can see that list next week) and I started cleaning the bedroom. I already donated two full bags of clothes that no longer fit myself or Michael. Feels good to tackle that task.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that it was great seeing you again this week and that I can’t wait until next week.

Book Spotlight/ YouTuber’s Books

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For the past two weeks I have been sharing my reviews on some Youtuber’s who wrote books (that I had on hand) and I thought today as I wrap my my posts I would share with you some more youtuber’s books that I don’t currently own.






This is on my radar.

This is also on my radar.


Michael is interested in this one.

This has been on my radar since first hearing about it.


I just found out that another vlogger I follow Estee Lalonde is in the process of writing a book called Bloom. She is a Canadian Vlogger currently living in London, England.

I think I managed to cover alot of the YouTuber’s with books and as I was doing this post I didn’t realize how many actually had books out or coming out. It seems like its almost every other day when another youtuber is announcing a book deal.

What do you think of this trend? Has anyone of the books this past two weeks interest you?

Book Spotlight/ YouTuber’s Books I Never Got to Read

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Its been such a few two weeks sharing with you all the YouTuber’s books I have read recently and the books that are either out or are coming out shortly from some more Youtubers that I don’t currently have in my possession but I hope that I will soon as there is some I would like to read.

Since its hard to read and review every single book for this YouTuber’s two week special in such a short time frame, I thought I would share with you four books from YouTuber’s that I didn’t get the chance to read but I will be getting to them shortly.

From internet stars Elle and Blair Fowler comes a scintillating new novel that takes readers Beneath the Glitter of the glitzy L.A. social scene.

Welcome to a place where dreams are made. And where nothing–and no one–is ever what it seems.

After their make-up and fashion videos went viral on YouTube, sisters Sophia and Ava London are thrust into the exclusive life of the Los Angeles elite. Here fabulous parties, air kisses, paparazzi and hot guys all come with the scene. Sophia finds herself torn between a gorgeous bartender and a millionaire playboy, and Ava starts dating an A-list actor. But as they’re about to discover, the life they’ve always dreamed of comes with a cost.
Beneath the glitter of the Hollywood social scene lies a world of ruthless ambition, vicious gossip…and betrayal. Someone close to them, someone they trust, is working in the shadows to bring the London sisters falling down. And once the betrayal is complete, Sophia and Ava find themselves knee-deep in a scandal that could take away everything they care about, including the one thing that matters most–each other.

Step behind the velvet ropes of Fashion Week and enter an exclusive world of opulent parties, hot guys, designer style…and new lies.

In Hollywood, there’s no such thing as bad press, especially when you’re Sophia and Ava London. Despite their very public scandal, the London sisters are hotter than ever. Sophia’s finally in the perfect relationship with the perfect guy…even if can’t she get the memory of Giovanni out of her head. And Ava’s taking a break from dating to focus on her career–while a new love interest is trying to disrupt her carefully laid plans. Best of all, Sophia and Ava have just been given a chance to create their own fashion line for New York Fashion Week. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity… but only if their ruthless rivals don’t destroy them first.

The same unseen enemies who tried to ruin them back in L.A. are in New York to finish the job. And a new competitor is hiding in the shadows of the runway, waiting for a chance to steal everything Sophia and Ava have worked so hard for. In the cutthroat world of high fashion, it’s impossible to know who your real friends are. At least Sophia and Ava can count on each other–but will it be enough to keep them from losing it all?

From internet sensations Elle and Blair Fowler comesWhere Beauty Lies, the dazzling sequel to Beneath the Glitter
A riotously funny collection of boozy misadventures from the creator of the YouTube series, “You Deserve a Drink”

Mamrie Hart is a drinking star with a Youtube problem. As host of the bawdy cult-hit, “You Deserve a Drink,” Hart has been entertaining viewers with her signature concoction of tasty libations and raunchy puns since 2011. Finally, Hart has compiled her best drinking stories—and worst hangovers—into one hilarious volume. From the spring break where she and her girlfriends avoided tan lines by staying at an all-male gay nudist resort, to the bachelorette party where she accidentally hired a sixty year old meth head to teach the group pole dancing, to the time she lit herself on fire during a Flaming Lips concert, Hart accompanies each story with an original cocktail recipe, ensuring that You Deserve a Drink is as useful as it is entertaining.

Today, Carrie Hope Fletcher is living her dream as an actress and YouTube star. But not long ago, she was trying to survive the many perils of the Teen Age . . .

  • The Rumor Mill: The more a rumor is spread, the farther it gets from the truth. It’s like a giant taffy pull.
  • The Disgusting Business of Falling in Love: I’ve never known something to be so gleefully wonderful and soul-crushingly exhausting.
  • The Twitter-Sphere: If the Internet is starting to crush your soul . . . close the laptop!
  • Bears: Self-explanatory.

Thankfully, she made it through! And although memories of her struggles, woes, and foibles stick around (as Soul Shrapnel, if you will), they look a little different today, thanks to The Amazing Goggles of Hindsight.

So, in All I Know Now, Carrie shares, well, exactly that—heartfelt advice and hopeful thoughts on growing up. She just did it herself. She has the stuffed animals to prove it!

Have you read any of these books? Do they interest you? Do you think we will see more books from YouTubers?

If We Were Having Tea… #23

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If we were having tea… I would tell you that our hockey season is officially over. I wish we would have ended it on a better note. Our last tournament game was brutal. One of our players got a one game suspension that she will have to serve in the fall should she choose to play. Once again refs turn a blind eye to the other team and nail us for everything. Which is not fair!

If we were having tea… I would tell you that I wish Hockey Quebec would impose the same rules with each association because this is getting ridiculous where we follow the rules and every other association doesn’t.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that I have to admit I am happy we ended our season because I was turning into that hockey parent that I didn’t want to become. I just think that it was way to much hockey in March and it got the best of me.

If we were having tea... I would tell you that I heard we are suppose to get some much nicer weather this upcoming week which is much needed because I am looking forward to being able to get out more.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that next week is Michael’s birthday and he will officially be a teenager. Its hard to believe how fast the time is going.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that I found out this week that BEA will be back in NYC in 2017 and I am going to make sure I get to that because I love NYC and what better reason to go then when BEA is happening 🙂

If we were having tea… I would tell you that it was great seeing you again this week and that I can’t wait until next week. I am late in getting this up as well because this morning Michael finished all her volunteer hours he needed for school this morning at the arena and then he had a confirmation retreat this afternoon that I skipped and stayed home to relax and unwind from this crazy hockey weekend. I hope you have a good week.