Book Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

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The Escape Game  by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss  opens on the set of a reality television show called "The Escape Room" where one of the season four contestants, Alicia Angelos, is found in a coffin on set ... dead. Fast forward to season five where Sierra Angelos, the murder victim's younger sister and suspected killer, has been brought back to the show and paired up with Beck, Adi, and Carter. Sierra wants to find justice for her sister, but when Sierra and her teammates start uncovering clues about the true killer, they must figure out how to survive the game. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for approving my request and providing me with a digital copy of The Escape Game  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was immediately drawn to the title and cover of the young adult novel. Throw in the plot being about an escape room, and I was completely sold on the story before even reading it. The story is told from the perspective of fou...
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Book Review: The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

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NetGalley ARC Book Review of The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is about the friendship between Emily and Chess.  Friends since elementary school, their friendship has become strained now that they're in their thirties.  When a trip to Italy is suggested by Chess, Emily leaps at the chance to get away and work on their relationship.  However, the villa they rent has a dark past.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy of The Villa by Rachel Hawkins.  I haven't read any of the author's works before, but I have heard glowing reviews of her novels.  I was ecstatic when I was approved to receive a copy of Hawkins' latest novel in exchange for my honest review.

Told from two different perspectives and times, The Villa by Rachel Hawkins was an interesting read with things that I loved and disliked.  I loved the two different storylines told in the present by Emily and in the past by Mari.  However, there were times I had trouble switching back and forth between the storylines, but that was on me and not the author.  Both timelines were great, but I think I enjoyed the one set in the present the best.

There were twists and turns galore, and I didn't see the ending coming.  I won't give it away, but there was one thing that happened in the past that caused something to happen in the present.  I hated that it happened, but then a twist came in to play that caused me to have an "Oh . . . my . . . god" moment.  You'll have to read the book for yourself to see exactly what I'm talking about.

Like most books, there are likable and unlikable characters.  With a few of the unlikable characters, I do understand that their history made them who they were, but I still didn't care for them.  The characters that I did like were the two main characters.

Five out of five stars is what I gave The Villa by Rachel Hawkins.  I'll definitely read the authors other books.

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