Welcome to my last book review of the month. I have a number of other posts I want to share—everything from new Cabinet of Curiosities posts to writing updates—but time hasn’t been kind to me lately. I hope to be able to get back on track soon, but in the interim, I hope these reviews pique your curiosity.
THE RESORT
by M.J. Hardy
This is a quick read (I blew through it in two sittings), and as the title suggests, great escapist fiction. Three couples, a single man, and a single woman have the seemingly good fortunate of winning all-expense paid trips to a luxury resort on a tropical island.
This is luxury with a capital “L.”
The setting is exquisite—sun-soaked accommodations, turquoise pools, white sand beaches, gourmet meals, boating excursions, and opulent spa treatments. Just reading those passages put me in a tranquil frame of mind. But there’s also a creeping, steadily building sense of what’s coming—because all this pampering and too-good-to-be-true opulence has to lead somewhere, right?
The characters are an assortment of people who either take up lodging in your heart or leave you loathing them. I wasn’t sure where the book was headed, but found the ending a surprise, and also a delight. This is a popcorn read that would make a fantastic Lifetime movie. Definitely a fun, escapist read!
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THE SAFE PLACE
by Anna Downes
Emily Proudman is a failed actress who loses her temp job and her apartment, only to have paradise fall into her lap. Her ex-boss, Scott, offers her a job as a housekeeper/companion to his wife and young daughter who live alone on an isolated French estate. Emily is flown, all expenses paid to the property, given her own car, a private house, and a credit card, but there are a few rules—the main being she is never to enter the “family house” where her boss’s wife, Nina, lives with their daughter, Aurelia.
Emily soon discovers Aurelia has a number of ailments, including sun sensitivity, and though she is capable of vocalizing (giggles, shrieks, screams), never speaks. The estate is luxurious and everything Emily hoped it would be. She enjoys plenty of poolside days sipping wine with Nina, who quickly becomes a friend. But there is something off kilter about the situation—about Nina and Scott themselves—and the more time Emily spends poking around the estate, the more she realizes Emily and Scott are hiding something. Scott is rarely there, and when he does arrive, Nina seems anxious.
While a bit slow at the beginning, the novel picks up speed once Emily arrives at the estate and is introduced to Nina and Aurelia. The setting is superb—sun-soaked, but remote. Empty rooms and an underlying odor of rot are used to create a sense of foreboding beneath the bliss.
Chapters alternate between Emily and Scott in third person POV, and an unnamed narrator in first person—though it quickly becomes apparent who that individual is. Through this narrator, the reader gradually sees the past unfold. By the time it connects with the present, the stage is set for all plot threads to tie together for the final reveal. Emily is a good protagonist, and for the most part the story is entertaining.
I was slightly disappointed by the twist—I was hoping for something less predictable—and I felt the ending could have been stronger with a tighter wrap to Emily’s story. Overall, however, I found this a diverting read and worthy of four stars.
Both of these sound like they could be good reads. I’m not a fan of the predictable ending, so I’d be more inclined to check out the first one.
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They were both good reads, Pete, but of the two the first was definitely my preference. 🙂
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Thanks for the reviews Mae.. sound like good holiday reading.. xx
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Thanks for visiting to check out the reviews, Sally. They definitely kept me entertained! 🙂
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The Resort sounds like a good suspense story. It seems like The Safe Place could be a good one with less predictable ending. Great reviews as usual, Mae! 🙂
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The Resort was awesome, Miriam! I did really enjoy The Safe Place, I just wish the ending had been different. Both books had phenomenal settings but the second fell a wee bit short at the end for me.
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Both books sound great with attractive covers. Great review, Mae!
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These sound great! Both covers are so inviting. Thanks for sharing your reviews, Mae. Happy Tuesday!
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Happy Tuesday, Jill! I felt like I had escaped to holiday destinations with both reads. They were wonderful, and the stories inside lived up to the gorgeous covers.
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I have the Last Resort wiring on my ereader and look forward to getting to it after your review. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mae! 💕🙂
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I can’t wait to see what you think of it, Harmony. It’s great escapist reading!
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My list is full!
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HaHa! There is no such thing as a full list in the life of a bibliophile.
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Always amazed by how much you manage to read.
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It’s a disease, LOL!
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Both sound excellent, Mae. I have to say that I wouldn’t normally pick up The Resort, but your review intrigues me. It’s sounds like it has beautiful descriptions too.
Lovely reviews as always. ❤️
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The descriptions were unbelievable, Mischenko. I felt like I was there, soaking in all that gorgeous sun and tropical surroundings. I picked it up for .99c. It might still be on sale.
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I like the settings of both of these. With The Resort it’s like that old saying – if things seem too good to be true – you know. I have an idea who the first person narrator might be in The Safe Place, but I’m hoping that’s not the twist. If so, I can see how you might be disappointed. Great reviews, Mae!
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Teri, I kept waiting for the shoe to drop in The Resort. When I did it was not what I expected, but I loved it.
I hate to say anything about The Safe Place for fear of spoilers, but it’s obvious pretty quick who the first person narrator is.
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Time has been getting away from me too. Where is it going? 😊. The Resort sounds like a perfect beach or by the pool read. Excellent reviews!
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Tessa, I may have to read The Resort over again once we open our pool. It’s definitely the perfect read for pool or beach!
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Good reviews, MC. I love your epithet “popcorn read.” Gotta remember that one! Frankly, since I am now reading Cloud Cuckoo Land, I could use a popcorn read!
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I had to look Cloud Cuckoo Land up on Amazon. I would definitely need a popcorn read after something like that. I normally fall into that pattern after a “heavy” read! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing these excellent reviews, Mae. I always get uncomfortable when a twist doesn’t work as well as it could. Thanks again.
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Yeah, I wish the ending had been different, John. The book was really good, but I wanted something more/different from the ending.
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That can cause some angst for sure.
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Nice reviews Mae and both the books sound good. Right now my hands are full and reading is slow! Thanks for sharing.
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I hear you, Balroop. I am so backed up on my reading, it’s pitiful. Every time I finish a book, I have to be so selective what I choose next because there are so many waiting, clamoring for my attention. 🙂
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Hmm, you used the word “delightful” for the ending of The Resort. Not what I’d normally use for a thriller:) Makes me wonder exactly what happens on that island.
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It was quite the surprise, Judi, and not at all how I expected things to play out. Loved it!
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That had to be fun after the second book was so predictable.
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Sounds like these are perfect summer reads, I shall keep them in mind. Thanks, Mae!
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I’m always glad to share good reviews, Peachy. Both books were great and wonderful spring/summer reads.
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I’m tempted by The Resort, it sounds like a fun read. The second has a thriller-type cover with the slowing sinking title, but I’m not much for slow buildups, I get bored, lol
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It’s weird, Jacquie. I actually found the first three-fourths of The Safe Place more intriguing then the close. As for The Resort, it was .99c when I grabbed it and may still be on sale. I really loved that one.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these, Mae. I am very intrigued by The Resort! If you read it in two sittings, it says a lot.
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I couldn’t put it down, Jan. And the setting made me feel like I was there. Highly recommended, especially at the sale price of .99c.
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Good reviews, Mae. Both books sound like perfect reads on a sunny vacation!
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They were indeed, Priscilla. Thanks for reading!
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Thank you for sharing your reviews, Mae. I’m intrigued by The Resort and will probably add it to my kindle. 😊
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Gwen, when I picked it up (not that long ago) it was on sale for .99c. I didn’t check, but it may still be on sale. Definitely worth the price. It’s a book I’d read again for sheer escapist fun!
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Great reviews, Mae 🙂 The Resort sounds like a fun read.
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I loved it, Denise. It was great escapist fiction!
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🙂
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Both sounds like interesting reads, and I really like the luggage colors on the first book cover. Thanks, Mae!
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They were both good, Flossie, but the first had that extra something that made it unputdownable! 🙂
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Not sure how I missed your post yesterday, but anyhow… I finished The Resort in one afternoon. Couldn’t put it down. I’ll post my review next week.
The safe place sounds like an interesting read as well.
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In one afternoon? Wow! I’m so glad you were that caught up in it. I can’t wait to see your review, Joan.
The Safe Place was good, too. I borrowed that one through Libby.
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Thanks for the reviews and recommendations, Mae. Both of these reads seem to promise some soaking up of the sunshine, though The Safe Place clearly has a creepy vibe. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I just might dive into The Resort if its not too romancy. 🙂
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I wouldn’t call The Resort romancy, and when I picked it up it was on sale for .99c. It thoroughly sucked me, but for a “creepy vibe” you’re definitely right that The Safe Place carried that. I read it for free from my local library using the Libby app. I love that they make ebooks available at zero cost!
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Thanks for clarifying, Mae. 😀
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Hi Mae, these both sounds like good reads. Your rating of the second is lower but the story line is more appealing to me. I know what you mean about no time. I’m having that problem myself.
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Even though the second one was a star lower, Robbie, it was an exceptional read. I especially loved the first three-quarters of the book. The ending would probably work for most people, I was just hoping for something slightly different. I don’t regret spending time within the pages.
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Both of these sound good, but I’m drawn more to The Safe Place. Your review is excellent.
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Both were excellent reads, Jacqui. You can’t go wrong with either!
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These both sound pretty good. You make me wish it was summer now, since these for sure feel like good summer reads. 🙂
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Betsy, I’m right there with you wishing for summer. Both of these books would have made fabulous beach/pool reads!
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You’re just getting ahead of the game, Mae. Way to live! 🙂
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🦩🍹😎
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😛
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Great reviews, Mae. Thanks for sharing. the sun-soaked settings definitely appeal:)
Take special care.
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I love sun-soaked settings this time of year, Sandra. 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting and checking out the reviews. You take care, too! ❤️
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Reblogged this on Nelsapy.
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