Dive Smack by: Demetra Brodsky Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY

Praise for DIVE SMACK

“A tense psychological drama with a voice that pulls you in and a twist you won’t see coming, Dive Smack is an instant Hitchcockian classic!” —Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten

“A twisty, witty thriller readers will love puzzling through to the very end. A visceral, delightful debut.” —Carrie Mesrobian, author of William C. Morris award finalist Sex & Violence

“This riveting debut will plunge readers into an accelerating coil of twists and turns as if in free fall, plummeting them from a precipice as they cling to the dwindling hope of safe entry into the mysterious darkness below.” —S.A. Bodeen, author of The Compound

“Brodsky’s debut combines an engaging school story, filled with best friend shenanigans, first love, and a fascinating look at competitive diving, with a tense psychological mystery.” —Booklist

“In an impressive debut, Brodsky injects her teen drama with ambiguity, and a subtle hint of paranormal phenomena, leaving readers to guess at what’s really going on. Strong characters and a compelling mystery make this a real page-turner.” —Publishers Weekly

“A taut thriller with a twist ending that will blow your mind.” —Kim Liggett, Bram Stoker Award-Winning Author of The Last Harvest

“Complex, thrilling, and with a pitch-perfect narrative voice, Dive Smack will leave you on the edge of your seat and unable to put this one down.” —C. Desir, author of Bleed Like Me

“Heartbreaking, human and heroic, Dive Smack is a Perfect 10!” —Karen LaFace, 1992 USA Olympic Springboard Diver

“A taut roller coaster of a thriller chock full of dark family secrets, twisty lies, and finally, the redeeming power of truth.” —Michelle Zink, author of This Wicked Game

 

SYNOPSIS

 

Theo Mackey only remembers one thing for certain about the fire that destroyed his home: he lit the match.

Sure, it was an accident. But the blaze killed his mom and set his dad on a path to self-destruction. Everything else about that fateful night is full of gaping holes in Theo’s mind, for good reason. Maybe it’s better that way. As captain of the Ellis Hollow Diving Team, with straight A’s and solid friends, he’s only one semester away from securing a scholarship, and leaving his past behind.

But when a family history project gets assigned at school, new memories come rushing to the surface, memories that make him question what he really knows about his family, the night of the fire, and if he can trust anyone—including himself.

A 2018 JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION

MY REVIEW:

At first, I felt as if this book was a bit young for me.  The characters are in High School and the beginning explained a bit about the sport of diving.  I was concerned that I was not going to like this because of my age in relation to the characters.  However, I was pleasantly surprised at how absorbed into the story and the mysteriousness of it I became.

Demetra does a great job of making the reader feel as if they with Theo as he tries to figure out what is going on with him and what has happened in the past.  Guilt plays a big part in this story but she does a good job of explaining that in order to get rid of guilt, you must speak of it.  It does contain suspenseful moments, action and what seemed to be science fiction type situations.

I am reviewing this book as if I were it’s intended audience and it was a great read!  I gave this book 4 crowns.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Demetra Brodsky is an award-winning graphic designer & art director turned writer. She has a B.F.A. from The Massachusetts College of Art and Design and lives in Southern California with her family of four and two lovable rescue dogs where she is always trying to make more time for the beach. Dive Smack is dedicated to Pumpkin, the monarch butterfly she once saved from the brink of death. Once you read the book, you’ll understand why.

PHOTO CONTENT FROM DEMETRA BRODSKY

WEBSITE: https://www.demetrabrodsky.com/
TWITTER:  @demetrabrodsky
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15852879.Demetra_Brodsky
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/demetrabrodsky
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/demebrodsky

GIVEAWAY INFO:

—Giveaway is open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

 

5 Winners will receive a Copy of DIVE SMACK by Demetra Brodsky

ENDS: JULY 12, 2018

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e849f7751396/

Thank you to Demetra Brodsky, TOR Teen and JeanBookNerd for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.  

 Check out the rest of the blog tour schedule at http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2018/05/dive-smack-by-demetra-brodsky.html

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All We Ever Wanted by: Emily Giffin

  Publication Date:  June 26, 2018

Description from the publishers through Netgalley:

In the riveting new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love and Something Borrowed, three very different people must choose between their family and their values.

“A gripping, thought-provoking journey.”—Jodi Picoult

Nina Browning is living the good life after marrying into Nashville’s elite. More recently, her husband made a fortune selling his tech business, and their adored son has been accepted to Princeton. Yet sometimes the middle-class small-town girl in Nina wonders if she’s strayed from the person she once was.

Tom Volpe is a single dad working multiple jobs while struggling to raise his headstrong daughter, Lyla. His road has been lonely, long, and hard, but he finally starts to relax after Lyla earns a scholarship to Windsor Academy, Nashville’s most prestigious private school.

Amid so much wealth and privilege, Lyla doesn’t always fit in—and her overprotective father doesn’t help—but in most ways, she’s a typical teenaged girl, happy and thriving.

Then, one photograph, snapped in a drunken moment at a party, changes everything. As the image spreads like wildfire, the Windsor community is instantly polarized, buzzing with controversy and assigning blame.

At the heart of the lies and scandal, Tom, Nina, and Lyla are forced together—all questioning their closest relationships, asking themselves who they really are, and searching for the courage to live a life of true meaning.

My Review:

I really enjoyed this story and the character development in it.  Not all of the characters learn from their mistakes but I quickly came to like Tom and Nina.  Raising children is one of the hardest jobs in the world, if not the hardest, and this book brings that to light.

No matter how or where your child has grown up, there are situations beyond the control of a parent.  The teens in this story are proof of that.  Lyla wants to belong and Finch is entitled and Polly is scared and insecure.  This sounds a lot like most of the teenagers I know.

This was well written and the content kept me interested.  I liked that this was told from multiple perspectives.  It wasn’t a YA book nor was it solely an adult read.

I gave this book 4 crowns.

 I received this e-ARC from the Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lying In Wait by: Liz Nugent

Description from the Publisher through Netgalley:

From the international bestselling author of Unraveling Oliver, an “unputdownable psychological thriller with an ending that lingers long after turning the final page” (The Irish Times) about a Dublin family whose dark secrets and twisted relationships are suddenly revealed.

My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it.

On the surface, Lydia Fitzsimons has the perfect life—wife of a respected, successful judge, mother to a beloved son, mistress of a beautiful house in Dublin. That beautiful house, however, holds a secret. And when Lydia’s son, Laurence, discovers its secret, wheels are set in motion that lead to an increasingly claustrophobic and devastatingly dark climax.

My Review:

I really don’t know how to feel about this book.  I wasn’t too invested in the characters as no one was 100% likable or honest.  The story line was so screwed up, it was a bit of a turn off.  It was a quick read but I am not sure if I would consider it an enjoyable read.  It was depressing and a bit aggravating.  I don’t think I would recommend this book.

I gave this book 2 crowns.

    I received this e-arc from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Life Gives You Lululemons by: Lauren Weisberger

 Publication date: June 5. 2018

Description from the publishers through Netgalley:

HE SET HER UP. THEY’LL BRING HIM DOWN.

Welcome to Greenwich, Connecticut, where the lawns and the women are perfectly manicured, the Tito’s and sodas are extra strong, and everyone has something to say about the infamous new neighbor.

Let’s be clear: Emily Charlton does not do the suburbs. After leaving Miranda Priestly, she’s been working in Hollywood as an image consultant to the stars, but recently, Emily’s lost a few clients. She’s hopeless with social media. The new guard is nipping at her heels. She needs a big opportunity, and she needs it now.

When Karolina Hartwell, a gorgeous former supermodel, is arrested for a DUI, her fall from grace is merciless. Her senator-husband leaves her, her Beltway friends disappear, and the tabloids pounce.

In Karolina, Emily finds her comeback opportunity. But she quickly learns Greenwich is a world apart and that this comeback needs a team approach.

So it is that Emily, the scorned Karolina, and their mutual friend Miriam, a powerful attorney turned stay-at-home suburban mom, band together to not only navigate the social land mines of suburban Greenwich but win back the hearts of the American public. Along the way, an indispensable ally emerges in one Miranda Priestly.

With her signature wit, Lauren Weisberger offers an alluring look into a sexy, over-the-top world—and proves it’s style and substance together that gets the job done.

My Review:

I have read the first two books in this series a very long time ago.  I have also seen the movie.  I can’t remember my feelings about the books but I enjoyed the movie.  When I saw that this was the third book in the series, I just had to get back into that world.

I have to admit that I had a hard time with this book.  Emily as a feature character, annoyed me to no end.  She was a whiny bitch who had no regard for anyone until the end of the book.  The other two women, Karolina and Miriam were almost as obnoxious to me.  The main story line of Karolina’s major issue was decent but I don’t know if it was worth reading 352 pages of it.  God, that sounds so harsh but I honestly believe there are many books that are currently out there right now or will soon be released that will be a much better read.

I am not knocking this book entirely,  I enjoyed some parts for what they were worth, just not the book as a whole.  I wouldn’t have made this the 3rd book in the Devil Wears Prada series.  It is clearly a spin-off.

I gave this book 3 crowns.

 I received an E-ARC of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Best Beach Ever by: Wendy Wax

Description from the publisher through Netgalley:

Hoping for smooth sailing the ladies of Ten Beach Road confront choppy seas…

Forced to rent out or lose their beloved Bella Flora after the loss of their renovation-turned-reality-TV show Do Over, Maddie, Nikki, Avery, Kyra, and Bitsy move into cottages at the Sunshine Hotel and Beach Club believing the worst is over. Only to discover just how uncertain their futures really are.

Maddie struggles with the challenges of dating a rock star whose career has come roaring back to life while Nikki faces the daunting realities of mothering twins at forty-seven. Avery buries herself in a tiny home build in an attempt to dodge commitment issues, and Kyra battles to protect her son from the Hollywood world she once dreamed of joining. And Bitsy is about to find out whether the rewards of seeking revenge will outweigh the risks.

Luckily, when the going gets tough, the ladies of Ten Beach Road know that their friendship–tried and tested–can chase away the darkest clouds and let the sun shine in…

My Review:

My girls are back!!!  Reading this series is like catching up with a group of your nearest and dearest friends.  This is book #6 in the series and if you haven’t started it yet, what are you waiting for?!

I loved this latest installment of the girls of Ten Beach Road.  Each woman brings her own charm and shenanigans to the story.  Each woman is easy to relate to and genuine.  This story brought to light hidden fears for each woman and it showed their strengths too.

As always, I gave this book 5 crowns.

I received an E-ARC of this book from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

How Hard Can It Be? by: Allison Pearson

 Publication Date: June 5, 2018

Description:

Allison Pearson’s brilliant debut novel, I Don’t Know How She Does It, was a New York Times bestseller with four million copies sold around the world.  Seven years later, Kate Reddy is facing her 50th birthday. Her children have turned into impossible teenagers; her mother and in-laws are in precarious health; and her husband is having a midlife crisis that leaves her desperate to restart her career after years away from the workplace. Once again, Kate is scrambling to keep all the balls in the air in a juggling act that an early review from the U.K. Express hailed as “sparkling, funny, and poignant…a triumphant return for Pearson.”

Will Kate reclaim her rightful place at the very hedge fund she founded, or will she strangle in her new “shaping” underwear? Will she rekindle an old flame, or will her house burn to the ground when a rowdy mob shows up for her daughter’s surprise (to her parents) Christmas party? Surely it will all work out in the end. After all, how hard can it be?

My Review:

I did not read Allison Pearson’s first book about Kate Reddy so I was unfamiliar with this character.  That being said, you can read this book without having read the first one as it does hold up as a stand alone.  In this sequel, Kate is approaching her 50th birthday and needs to return to work to support her family.  She has two children, one in her teens the other, almost there, and a husband who is taking time off from working to better himself.

Kate is going through peri-menopause and is finding that it isn’t easy to return to work after having raised a family for the past 7 years.  There were so laugh-out-loud moments in this book.  Even though I am not near the age of Kate, I could put myself in her shoes.  I am wondering however, if I were around that age, would I have found this book to work a bit better for me.  I am not saying that this wasn’t a good book, I am simply feeling that I was not the correct target audience for it.  It was a bit drawn out and I was getting a bit bored but I powered through.  If I were to pick up Allison’s first book on Kate Reddy, I may relate to that a bit more.

I recommend this book for anyone in their mid to late 40’s+.  I think that if you like a contemporary read with humor and realistic situations, you would enjoy this.  For me, a late 30 year old already in the workforce with children,  I couldn’t relate as much.

I gave this book 3 crowns.

I received an unsolicited ARC of this book from St. Martin’s press in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you, St. Martin’s Press.

Beach House Reunion By: Mary Alice Monroe

Publication Date: May 22, 2018

Description from the publishers through Netgalley:

Whisking you back to the shores of her bestselling Beach House series, Mary Alice Monroe weaves together a tale of the struggles and triumphs of the historic Rutledge family of Charleston, South Carolina. Beautifully wrought and rich with keen insight, this is an illuminating tale of new beginnings, resilience, and one family’s enduring love.

Cara Rutledge returns to her Southern home on the idyllic Isle of Palms. Everything is comfortingly the same, yet each detail is rife with painful memories. Only through reconnecting with family, friends, and the rhythms of the lowcountry can Cara release the hold of the past and open herself to the possibility of a new love, career, and hope for the future.

Meanwhile, her niece Linnea, a recent college graduate who doesn’t know where her life will take her, leaves her historic home in Charleston, with all its entitlement and expectations, and heads to her aunt’s beach house. On the island, she is part of the freer, natural ocean lifestyle she loves, rejoining the turtle team, learning to surf, and falling in love. Remembering the lessons of her beloved grandmother, Lovie, the original “turtle lady,” Linnea rediscovers a meaningful purpose to her life and finds the courage she needs to break from tradition.

In this heartwarming novel, three generations of the Rutledge family gather together to find the strength, love, and commitment to break destructive family patterns and to forge new bonds that will endure long beyond one summer reunion.

My Review:

This is book #5 in the Beach House series by Mary Alice Monroe and I have a confession; I have only read book #1 and that was probably a decade ago and book #4.  However, I love this series and the characters in them.

I was instantly transported to the Isle of Palms with the nicest neighbors and a great group of people.  I loved the dynamic between Cara and her niece.  Their relationship was something really special to read about.  I highly recommend this series from start to finish even though I didn’t read all of the books.

I gave this book 5 crowns.

 I received this e-ARC from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.