Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman, 320 Pages

While I found some of the information in this book interesting, I honestly found a lot of it appalling. I understand that the contestants sign up for the show, and "know what they're in for", I don't believe that they sign up with the intention of being publicly humiliated and manipulated by the producers and overall production company. Many interviews from past and current employees of both The Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise painted the production company in such a horrible light, and openly talked horribly about the "cast". Most of the book discusses how producers often manipulate cast members into drinking and then corner them for a one-on-one "in the moment" interview to get what they need for ratings. Like I said, I know that these are consenting adults, and maybe I'm naive for watching the show and thinking the behind-the-scenes wasn't that bad. I'm not a huge fan of The Bachelor or Bachelorette, and I'm especially not now. 

Don't Trust Me by Joss Stirling, 400 Pages

I didn't love this book. It had the potential to be fantastic, but the author wrote such an unlikeable character (in my opinion) that I struggled to finish it. I will say, I didn't see the ending coming, which helped with my overall opinion of the book, but this is not one that I would recommend to patrons. The main character suffers from ADHD, and I don't feel like they painted her or her mental illness in a good light. 

Jessica and Michael return from an unfortunately bad vacation with their relationship on the verge of crumbling. Jessica returns to work only to no trace of the company, as if it never existed. This doesn't help her situation with Michael, who didn't believe her job was real in the first place, instead chalking it up to another one of her fantasies he swears she comes up with. To make matters worse, their apartment is ransacked, and the only thing's stolen are items that belong to Michael's late-wife, Emma. All signs point to Jessica, and he quickly places the blame on her. But, things quickly take a turn for the worse when Jessica finds a dead body, and things begin to unravel around her. 

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, 356 Pages

This was another fast-paced thriller that I enjoyed. I did find it pretty predictable in some aspects, but it didn't ruin the book for me. 

Ten years ago, Laurel Mack's life was turning upside down when her 15 year old daughter, Ellie, went missing. Laurel's life has basically been at a standstill since, never giving up hope that Ellie will some day come home. Her marriage imploded due to the stress of losing their daughter, and Laurel has been alone ever since, until she meets Floyd in a cafe. They are soon inseparable and taking major steps in their relationship, which includes meeting Floyd's daughter Poppy, who is shockingly similar to Laurel's missing daughter at that age. Now Laurel is forced to face the past again, and unanswered questions she long ago buried are back at the surface. 

Hardcore Twenty-four by Janet Evanovich, 320 page

I think I've read everything Janet Evanovich has published since the first Stephanie Plum book "One for the Money."

We're now on book 24 in the series and not much has changed in Stephanie's life.  Since about book eight, I typically read and then complain that it wasn't that good.  Guess what?  I liked this one.

The same formula and all the regular zany characters are here but I enjoyed this one more than most.  Thanks Janet.

Artemis by Andy Weir, 305 pages

I am a huge fan of Andy Weir's first book, "The Martian" and was excited to get the chance to listen to his second book, "Artemis."

Artemis is the name of a colony on the moon.  It's a great place to visit but can be an uncomfortable place to live if you are not a gazillionaire and main character Jazz Bashara is doing pretty much anything she can to make some serious cash.  And that gets her in serious trouble.

I enjoyed this sci-fi action romp adventure, but had to mostly ignore lots of technical information that literally went in one ear and out the other.  I ultimately liked this book, but had to make myself stick with it at first knowing I'd get to parts I could comprehend and enjoy.

Mairzy Doats by Glory Fagan, 206 pages

"Mairzy Doats" is a semi-autobiographical fiction book written by local author and librarian Glory Fagan.  It begins from the perspective of a character who has been dead for 20 years but is still around.  She is reflecting back on her life and a good bit of it was spent in St. Joseph.  I got a little thrill every time a St. Joseph location was mentioned and I knew exactly where it was or is.

This is a really delightful read.  I was a little worried about it, because I had no idea how to pronounce the title.  Don't worry, fair reader.  Even before the story starts we learn the title is from a novelty song written in the 40s and to pronounce it "mares eat oats."  Ahh, that allowed me to sit back and enjoy the story about Dazy who lived life fully and with love.

Listen to your heart by Kasie West, 329 pages

I have adored this author ever since I received one of her books in a book box last year. Lucky for me she tends to publish 2 books a year. This particular book is a cute, quick, summer read. I may have snorted at one point in this book. It has some hilarious scenes. I applaud the author for not going with the stereotypical story line that she could have with this book but instead does an interesting spin on it. It's hard to describe without giving spoilers. This is definitely the teen equivalent of a beach read. With a lake setting it made me wish I lived on the lake. 

The Punishment She Deserves by Elizabeth George, 692 pages

Elizabeth George gives us another enigmatic title and fabulous story to go along with it in the 20th installment of her Inspector Lynley series set in England.

Does the title refer to Sergeant Barbara Havers, whose job is on the line?  Could it be her boss, Isabelle Ardery, who continues to struggle with addiction?  Or is it one of the many women in the seemingly quiet little historic town of Ludlow where Havers and Ardery are sent to follow-up on the apparent suicide of a church man while in police custody?

Read or listen to this great mystery and then lets talk.

The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy, 336 Pages

This was a very fast paced, suspenseful read. I found a lot of the main characters extremely irritating, but it was a great read and I didn't see the ending coming at all, which is always a plus! This also was a good read for me, because there were a lot of stigmas that society puts on new mothers, such as shaming them for formula feeding as opposed to breastfeeding, the lack of maternity leave in the US, etc. 

The May Mothers are a group of mom's who all gave birth in the month of May. They meet a couple times a week to discuss the anxiety, fears, and happiness that come with being a new mom, all in the refuge of women who completely understand. One of the mom's suggests they meet at a bar on July 4th, insisting on a much needed, baby-free night for all the mother's. Things are going great, until they discover that one of the babies has gone missing from his crib. Everyone's lives are flipped upside down, especially the oddly-reserved Winnie, who's son Midas was the one who was taken. Secrets are revealed and a few of the mother's are forced to deal with things they had hoped would stay hidden in the past, all in hopes that Baby Midas will be found safe. 

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, 346 pages

This was a fast paced, twisty thriller, that I really enjoyed! I've tried to type up a brief recap multiple times, but there are so many twists and turns in this book that I'm worried I'm going to give away something I shouldn't. All I will say is, anything you assume you have figured out is probably wrong. READ THIS BOOK!