Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.


Review : This was such a cute Christmas story for Merry's christmas present her brother and mom give her a subscription to a dating site and there she meets Jay and they get along very well. And they want to meet but they both work . Merry has issues with her boss 
but she's a temp so she will be leaving the job soon . Jay and Merry decide to meet but Merry doesn't show cause Jay is actually Jason and is her boss and she knows he would be disappointed but she couldn't stay away from him and she knows she has to tell him . Jason started having feelings for one of his temps Mary who is actually Merry and he ends up kissing her when they go out to dinner together . Merry decides to finally meet Jay so at the christmas party she talks to Jason tries to give him hints it's her but he sees a woman with a dress he thinks is Mary and Merry leaves but Jason catches up to her and tells her he thought he was messing with him but she wasn't so she goes home . Merry's brother messages Jay and tells him to come to there house . Merry and Jason talk and kiss it was such a cute story.

Quotes :

Have you ever noticed?, He asked suppressing a smile , how the reflection shows in the smooth surface of the elevator door ?

What an odd question. 
Not really.
His mouth quirked again .
What makes you ask ? As soon as she phrased the question ,Merry knew the answer. 
If you're going to make faces at me behind my back, Mary , you might want to make certain that your reflection doesn't show on the doors.


I kissed her.”
His words were met with silence and then, “How was it?”
“On a scale of one to ten, it was about a hundred.

“Merry Christmas. His would be without the Merry for sure.”

Dec 24-28

Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there’s only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead.

At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can’t help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there’s even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard—never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises—and their greatest wishes may yet come true.

Review:
this book is about Ashley and dash they are both going to Seattle and they can't get a flight so they decide to ride together and it doesn't go very well they end up fighting a lot and they they end up stopping and ashley wants to take a puppy to her mother but dash doesn't want to have a puppy with them so they end up fighting and she gets out of the car and he leaves her then a biker gang shows up and then dash is back and then they start getting along the only part of the story I didn't like was the FBI part it didn't seem to make sense but other than that I really liked this story . They stop at a hotel and they end kissing and then the FBI finds then cause they think she is some kind of criminal which she isn't and she is finally released and her and dash go to her mom's which was cute I really liked this book

December 18-23

In a festive annual tradition, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber returns with another original holiday novel full of romance and cheer. This time around, a plucky young woman clashes with a real-life Scrooge—her grouchy, arrogant, annoyingly handsome neighbor—and tries to get even the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.


Review : this book was a perfect Christmas read for me this book is about Julia and her grumpy neighbor to get this job Julia needs to write a popular blog so her best friend suggests that she kill him with kindness so up until Christmas she kills him with kindness until they start to get along and more than she though she actually likes the guy but then he finds out the blog and is hurt and mad and won't talk to her . she ends up inviting his grandfather over for Christmas dinner and he ends up having to go to the hospital so Julia comes along and they make up this book just is a perfect Christmas read. 

quotes :

Kill him with kindness

He rarely allowed anyone to get close, and for good reason. It seemed every time he did, he regretted it.


“He took your newspaper; he didn’t threaten to bury you in concrete.”


Cain Maddox, you have a sense of humor.

Merry Christmas, Cain.” He held her gaze and then muttered, “Bah humbug.

Think you’re wrong about that,” Bernie said with a thoughtful look. “He’s attracted to you, but knowing my grandson, he’s fighting it tooth and nail

That boy hasn’t got a romantic bone in his body. He probably thought he was giving you a compliment.”

If he didn’t kiss her soon, she was going to reach for his lapels and jerk him close and do it herself. Just when she was about to stand on the tips of her toes and kiss him, Cain leaned down and captured her mouth. His kiss was exactly how she’d imagined. Her entire body swayed toward him and he wrapped his arms around her in a hold that half lifted her from the ground. Julia’s arms slipped around his neck as she gave herself over to him. The kiss was intense and deep: a mingling of passion, need, want, desire, and longing. It went on for what seemed like several moments. When they broke apart, they both swayed as if their entire world had made a shift…and for Julia it had. This was above and beyond anything she could ever have predicted. Cain pressed his forehead against hers. “I knew you’d taste like heaven.” His words felt like warm honey. “You’re going to be addictive, aren’t you?” he murmured. “I…I don’t know…maybe…I’d like it if I were.” With everything in her, she hoped what he said was true. “One taste will never be enough.” She grazed her lips over his in a near kiss, enjoying the freedom to tease him. His arms remained around her. Her own were tucked about his waist. “You still going to buy me coffee in the morning?” “My word is good.” “Mine, too.” 

Congratulations, sweetheart.” Sweetheart? She froze, her breath trapped in her lungs. “Did you just call me sweetheart?” “Did I?

You get a puppy but want to wait on a baby?” Bernie shook his head. “You sure you know what you’re doing, boy?”

By:  Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen

ISBN: 9781250130921

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: 01/09/2018

Format: Hardcover

My Rating:  5 Stars + + +

OMG! THE WIFE BETWEEN US by creative, talented duo, Sarah Pekkanen, (journalist and author of seven previous novels—all of which Hendricks edited) and Greer Hendricks (a former Simon & Schuster editor -authorial debut), is worthy of all the "hype" surrounding the most-anticipated psychological suspense thriller novel of 2018, and "then some." 

From the stunning front cover, the first page—to the explosive, shocking conclusion. MIND-BENDING! Unreliable Narrator. 

The authors cleverly unravel the characters' intimate secrets and deception, until the raw truth revealed. Divided into Prologue, Part One, Two, Three, and the Epilogue. Do not miss a thing. The summary is spot-on. Do not assume anything. Get ready for a wild roller-coaster ride.

The truth between the lies. 

Between the wives, there is a man named Richard. A charming, good-looking, successful hedge fund manager. We soon realize this man is not as he seems. You suspect he is a controlling, abusive, narcissist and a psycho, through the eyes of one woman. This woman must be the angry ex-wife.

Vanessa was married to Richard. We are not sure what happened to their marriage. She has lost all her material possessions and works as a sales associate at Saks on the designer-label third floor. She depends on commissions. 

Richard got the house in Westchester and the Manhattan apartment. The cars, stocks, savings. She never put up a fight. She entered the marriage with nothing. She had not borne him children. She had been deceitful. She had not been a good wife. 

She is thankful she has a few suitcases filled with more exceptional clothing from her former lifestyle since she needs to look the part. She resides with her aunt bohemian artist, Charlotte. Her husband died years before. She had accepted a small lump sum payment she would use to help her aunt. 

Vanessa is hiding something from her past in Florida. (sounds like South Florida- Miami- important for us Floridians). A mysterious past which led her to New York. 

"My husband kept me off-balance for years. He tried to erase me." The bride and groom cake topper. 

Currently, Vanessa is stalking a younger woman. Does this younger version of her former self-remind her of how her life began the downward spiral. The one, leaving her now single. Now her old friends, come into the store, and she waits on them. They pity her. 

Richard had kicked her out of the Westchester house. However was she happy, or sad about this decision? Who had controlled the demise of this marriage? Was she relieved to escape this man? Fortunate to be alive? 

She envisions him in the Mercedes with his new younger woman. The woman he left her for. It started before their divorce. She now drinks and takes pills to dull the pain. 

The other woman is Nellie. Vanessa has to stop her before she marries Richard. When she discovered they were engaged, she almost flipped. However, there is more here than meets the eye. 

Vanessa comes across as off balance; however, there are two sides to a coin. She and Richard were unsuccessful in their attempts to have a baby, even with fertility drugs.

Readers learn about another younger woman’s relationship and how she met Richard. A young preschool teacher on a flight. Richard the caring and charming man sweeps her off her feet. Richard wants children. 

Vanessa wonders if the new bride has plans to quit work and devote herself to Richard as she had done. She is obsessed. 

There is also Maureen, Richard’s older sister. After his parents died when he was a teen, Maureen raised him. Does she know how crazy her brother is? 

“But as long as he is with her – the woman who blithely stepped up to become the new Mrs. Richard Thompson while I pretended to be oblivious – I will never have peace.”

Nellie loves her pre-school teaching job and works nights as a waitress with a fun-loving roommate Sam. She is unsure she wants to get married. Unsure she wants to leave the city life for the suburbs and a man who seems controlling, but he loves her, right?

Again, ASSUME nothing . . . Does Venessa want to protect her replacement from Richard, warn her, or is she just jealous? Don’t shoot the messenger. 

Intense, twisty, mind-blowing suspense. THE WIFE BETWEEN US is like a game of cat-and-mouse. Which person is manipulating the other? A tug of war. However, no one has the real facts. The reveal is brilliant. 

The fun part is trying to figure out this triangle. The secrets and motives from Florida and all the missing pieces – worth the wait! As twisty, riveting, spellbinding, and addictive as Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train. I liked it better. 

Sarah Pekkanen (one of my all-time favorite authors-have read all her books) and her talented editor for many years Greer Hendricks (impressive bio) — what a remarkable team!. Can only imagine the fun these two have writing together. No wonder TWBU has been picked up for the next blockbuster movie. I want a front row seat. 

Plus, think of all the deliciously good books to come in the future.Hear they are busy working on their second book (not a sequel). 

Firstly, when you view the cover and its title you think, “the wife between us.” Who could this person be? Could it be a husband and a soon to be bride with an ex-wife or a current wife between the couple? Or, could it be a wife- to- be, and an ex-wife #1 with the ex-wife #2 between them? Or all sorts of wild scenarios. Will there be a wife #3 and why don’t they all meet to compare notes? 

Trust me; there is nothing predictable here. Cleverly crafted (the editor/author), highly creative minds have outsmarted the reader.

When you get to this point in the book, you will question: “What in the heck? What did I miss? Rewinding the pages. However, you did not miss anything. Hang on; the plot soon to be revealed. Do not put the book down. No way you can. Unputdownable.

The secrets and lies of dating, marriage, divorce. Don’t settle for sloppy seconds. For fans of B.A. Paris Behind Closed Doors. Another book I am looking forward to reading: The Woman in the Window, Readers are receiving the "best" of the literary world's experience.

A special thank you (a big huge & kiss), to Goodreads giveaway and St. Martin's Press for an advanced digital reading copy. I have pre-ordered the audiobook (this should be fantastic, performed by Julia Whelan (I adore), Listen to Clip and pre-ordered the hardcover for my library!

What a way to start 2018! Have a feeling this is going to be a year for the thriller novels turned movie. 

‘Girl on the Train’ Team Takes on ‘The Wife Between Us’ Hollywood Reporter 

Looking forward to Sarah Pekkanen's The Ever After: A Novel Coming June 5, 2018, enthralling domestic drama, perfect for fans of Big Little Lies.

JDCMustReadBooks 

BTW, I was wife #2, saved wife #1, and did I want to protect wife#3? Heck No. Figure it out on your own. Good riddance