Book Review-Colleen Hoover's Verity

Desperate for money and low on options, writer Lowen Ashleigh takes a business meeting that will change her life. She is offered a contract to finish a book series by famed author Verity Crawford, who has suffered an accident, but who is still alive. Verity’s husband, Jeremy, invites Lowen to stay in their home, so that she may sort through Verity’s office and writing notes. Verity cannot speak or move, but she is still living in their home, confined to the master bedroom, where she is cared for by Jeremy and day nurses.

Lowen is hesitant to stay in the Crawford home, but as she is low on cash and being evicted from her apartment, the offer comes at an opportune time. She spends her days studying Verity’s notes and her nights growing closer to the handsome and charismatic Jeremy. As time passes, Lowen begins to suspect that Verity’s accident and resulting trauma may not be what it seems.

This was my first Colleen Hoover novel. I work at a bookstore and I’ve witnessed such an enthusiasm for Hoover’s books, that I needed to understand the hype for myself. All of Hoover’s other novels are shelved under romance, while Verity is considered a mystery. I tend to prefer mystery to romance, so I thought Verity would be the best choice for my first Hoover novel. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think Verity leans more romance than mystery. It has a lot of steamy scenes, much more than an average mystery novel. Yes, it does have heavy elements of mystery and suspense, but quite often, more that I thought necessary, it dove back into romance. I’m not a prude and I don’t mind romance, but I have to confess that I wanted Hoover to get back to the mystery/suspense elements of the story.

I can see why Hoover is popular. Verity is a quick-paced, intriguing read with strong characters and great twists. I read it on a flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii, never putting it down to rest my eyes: a true page-turner. I loved the unsettling vibe of a strangers house and the intrigue of a “too good to be true” offer from the family of a prominent author. The concept for Verity was appealing and had me hooked from the first chapter. The ending is quite surprising and diabolical!

I enjoyed Verity enough that I am interested in stepping outside of my book comfort zone and reading one of Hoover’s romance novels. My stepdaughter read Hoover’s It Ends with Us and loved it. I might try that one next!

Book Review: Deb Rogers' Florida Woman

Thank you to a rep from HarperCollins for bringing a galley of Deb Rogers’ novel, Florida Woman, to the bookstore where I work. I was lucky to attend a talk with the rep and her description of Florida Woman made me borrow it from our store’s galley collection and bump it to the top of my shelf.

During a bizarre event at a restaurant, Jaime, unwittingly turns herself into a “Florida Woman” meme and lands in jail. As part of a parole/restitution/rehabilitation scheme, her lawyer finds an opportunity for Jaime to work off the remainder of her sentence at a macaque sanctuary. Jaime will live in the sanctuary, located deep in the wilds of Florida, and work with the founders, a trio of women who have an usual outlook on life. Although remote and rustic, Jaime initially embraces the opportunity, thinking that anything is better than jail. However, as the founders become comfortable with Jaime’s presence, their behavior becomes increasingly disturbing and cultish, leading Jaime to wonder if she has put herself in a dangerous situation.

Florida Woman is a strange and wonderful ride. It takes the idea of “Florida man/woman” and flips it, turning this regional stereotype into an unlikely hero. Rogers has a sharp and dark sense of humor. Her writing reminds me Carl Hiaasen, not only for the Florida setting, but for the bizarre, off-beat characters and style of humor. Rogers keeps the tension and sense of danger throughout and I could not have predicted the journey that Jaime takes. The ending perfectly ties with the title and theme. Florida Woman is a really fun and quirky summer read.

Book Review- Taylor Jenkins Reid's Malibu Rising

Primarily set in the 1970’s and 80’s, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel, Malibu Rising, is the story of a four siblings living in Malibu. Their father, Mick Riva, is a famous singer, who left his family when his children were young. His ex-wife struggles financially, surviving by running her parent’s fish restaurant. When their mother dies from cancer, Nina, the eldest Riva child and barely an adult, takes over the family restaurant and care of her younger siblings. Nina’s fortune changes when she is discovered surfing and becomes a model. Her financial windfall is further enhanced by her marriage to a tennis star. As they become adults, Nina’s siblings follow her lead : Jay is a surf pro and Hud is a sports photographer, while youngest sibling, Kit, is also an accomplished surfer. The Riva siblings lives change after throwing one wild, unforgettable party in 1983, where secrets are revealed and irrevocable decisions are made.

Malibu Rising is my third Reid novel ( I also read Daisy Jones & The Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo), and this has, by far, been my favorite. The Riva family, especially Nina and Kit, are fabulous characters. I love the Malibu setting and surf culture aesthetic. I was delighted by the overlap of characters from Reid’s previous stories. Mick Riva is a connecting presence and one of Evelyn Hugo’s husbands! The overlap does not mean that you need to read Reid’s novels in order of publication, the books are independent stories. However, the connections are a fun Easter egg for fans.

Reid is excellent at writing historical fiction set in California during the 60’s/70’s/80’s. I mentioned this in a previous review, but it bears mentioning again: I’m from California, but I was born in 1977, so I feel that Reid’s novels transport me to my parent’s time growing up in Los Angeles. I love this time capsule aspect to her writing. She’s a fabulous storyteller, but I’m equally attracted to her themes and settings.

I bought Malibu Rising for my recent vacation to Los Angeles and it couldn’t have been a more perfect pick. I’m looking forward to Reid’s next book, Carrie Soto is Back, which also promises to link characters. In Malibu Rising, Nina Riva’s husband cheats on her with fellow tennis champion, Carrie Soto. I can’t wait for this drama to continue!