Tag: Hadley Books

Someone Else’s Shoes

March 1, 2023

Friendships, Unexpected situations and relationships are the three things that come to my mind after reading “Someone Else’s Shoes” written by Jojo Moyes, when a mistake has taken place leads to unexpected journey and friendships.

Nisha was facing getting kicked out of her penthouse and an unexpected divorce that will resort to her being completely broke and stranded with no place to live. Sam is facing getting fired from her job and dealing with a husband who is depressed. When a slight mix-up with gym bag, results with these two lives colliding and taking them on a journey they soon won’t forget.

Jojo Moyes did a great job with the storyline of both women and the ups and downs of their individual journeys. I also appreciate the character growth and relationship building throughout this story. And how two women from two different lives can come together for a common goal with a blossoming friendship.

Big Little Lies

January 30, 2023

Lies, Secrets and Drama are the three words that came to my mind after reading “Big Little Lies” written by Liane Moriarty. A captivating story of Desperate Housewives meets a murder-mystery thriller.

When Jane moves to Sydney Northern Beaches and enrolls her young son Ziggy into a private school there, she soon finds herself in the middle of all of the drama and secrets of the school moms. All the while maybe holding onto the biggest secret of all to herself. And when the school fundraiser threatens to expose her secret, not every comes out alive.

Liane Moriarty is my new favorite for drama and thrillers. She does a great job creating characters that you As a big fan of Desperate Housewives type of show, Big Little Lies and Liane Moriarty does not disappoint.

The Stand In

November 17, 2022

Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity? What would you do if given the opportunity to fill in for that celebrity twin of yours?

That is exactly what happened in “The Stand In” written by Lily Chu. When Gracie Reed got the opportunity at right time in her life. Right when she was debating whether she was going to quit her job because of her boss or whether to suck it up because she needs the money to get her ailing mother into the top nursing home in town. She was ambushed by the talented Chinese actress Wei Fangli on a walk and asked to step in for her at events while she is filming a movie in Canada.

Will Gracie be able to full fill her duty without being recognized or caught? What will happen between her and Wei Fangli right hand man and friend Sam Yao? And what will happen to the relationship between Wei and Gracie when Gracie finds out they maybe closer than they might have original thought?

“The Stand In” is that guilty rom com of a story that will leave you with your own question of “what if I was given an opportunity of a life time by my own celebrity look alike?”

Episode 31: Memorial and Demi Lovato

March 29, 2021

Summary

My review on “Memorial” by Bryan Washington. Including my thoughts and opinion on the Demi Lovato documentary “Dancing with The Devil” part 1 & part 2 — This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bridget-hadley/support

Transcription

One to Watch

February 18, 2021

Love, Diversity and Reality Television are 3 themes that come to my mind after reading “One to Watch” A book about viewing love in all different forms. A love story that we did not think we needed but we really did!

Bea was riding a high on instant social media fame with her blog about overweight fashion. When the executive producer of the hit reality television show “Main Squeeze” about finding love on nation TV approached her about being the lead on the upcoming season. At first Bea is very hesitant because she did not know how people would perceive her and she did not want to become a laughingstock of national television.   However, when Lauren the executive producer, convinces her that it will help grow her platform. Bea is in!

This book takes us through the trials and tribulations of Bea’s journey of love. This book just like the reality is full of crying, love and above all drama! Will Bea finally be able to believe in the process and she be able to find love?

Diversity was the biggest topic in this book and is the biggest problem in the Batchelor Nation franchise as well. Even though the franchise have made steps in the right direction with casting the leads Rachel Lindsay, Tayshia Adams, the first black bachelor Matt James and two incredibly great diverse casts on contestants. On the heels on the events that have occurred in the franchise this past week, it shows the franchise has a long way to go! As a long-time fan of the franchise I look forward to seeing the progress take place!

The Bright Lands

September 28, 2020

Acceptance, Secrets and Family are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “The Bright Lands” by John Fram. A horror thriller about the secrets with deathly consequences that are being held by beloved members of a small town.

Dylan Whitley is the star quarterback and beloved member of the small town of Bentley, Texas. After leading his team to the state championships, Dylan goes missing the week before the big game. Now Joel Whitley a disgrace member of the town and Dylan’s older brother must return to his hometown after running away 10 years prior to help find his younger brother. Leading Joel to relive aspects of his past to bring about the truth of× the present.

Between the secrets, horror, and thriller aspects of this story, it keeps the reader captivated from beginning to end just wanting to see what happens next. With an ending that will have you speechless! At the same time begging for more!

In his debut novel John Fram does an amazing job by inserting real life aspects into this horror/thriller/ mystery novel. It gets the reader having deeper thoughts about the atmosphere that small towns can leave on such young minds. The expectations that smalls town create on their members and at time the corrupt nature and lasting effects they can leave as well.

I would recommend “The Bright Lands” to anyone who enjoys Thrillers with horror aspects, that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Chicks Man

September 7, 2020

Love, law and family are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Chicks Man” by J.D Hollyfield. A romance a lifetime in the making that will could have deathly consequences.

Levi Dent the small town high school football star come lawyer and Hannah Matthews the ambitions girl with big dreams of following in her daddies footsteps at the family law firm but with one small problem she will always be seen has the little sister of Kipley Matthews (especially in she crush Levi Dent’s eyes). However, that is all about to change after chance encounter at Kipley’s wedding, they become inseparable and keep their hands off each other.

Now will the new secret romance brewing, they are forced to work together at the family’s law firm and on the firm’s biggest case to date. All the whiling trying to keep their romance hidden from Hannah’s family. When an unexpected guest shows up at the law firm and threatens everything Hannah and Levi have worked towards both on a personal and professional level. It will even cost someone their lives!

 

I went into this book not expecting much but a predictable office romcom. Besides a twist that will have you captivated in certain parts and a tight nit family dynamic. It was just as I predicted. I felt that there was lack of character development in certain parts. A romance that based of the physical need and lust more than anything else. A young woman finally fulfilling her child dream crush of dating her brothers’ best friend. With the occasional serial killer vibes mixed it. Overall the story was sweet, and the twist was suspenseful and emotional! However, due to the lack of connection I felt for these main characters I could not quite 5 star rate this one. I hope to attempt another book by the same author in the future.

 

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

August 31, 2020

Magic, war and betrayal are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Children of Virtue and Vengeance” written by Tomi Adeyemi. A whirlwind sequel to the magical novel “Children of Blood and Bone”. A jaw-dropping and at times heartbreaking magical journey that will leave you on a cliff-hanger and wanting more!

THE MAGIC IS BACK IN THE LAND OF ORISHA!! However, it does not go as well as Zelie had pictured it. The ritual went array and the magic got into the hands of the Monarchy and left them as powerful as ever!! Now it is up to Zelie, Tzain, Amari to battle the monarchy of the Queen and Inan himself to take back the throne and bring the land of Orisha back to the home they fell in love with! However, it is not as simple as one might think. When differences in opinion get in the way and fights within each tribe ensue promises are broken, lives are loss, truths are revealed, and things may never be the same again!!
Tomi Adeyemi has done it again!! She has brought her readers back to the wonderful land of Orisha for another action packed, magical fantasy!! By the fantastic descriptions and the well-written beloved characters the reader gets transported right into the novel! You will be scared, you will scream, cry, and feel every emotion throughout this novel. Also with Tomi Adeyemi’s ability to leave the book on a cliff hanger, you will be begging for more!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoy being sucked into a land of fantasy and with battles that keep you at the edge of your seat up to the very end!!

28 Summers

August 20, 2020

Author: Elin Hildebrand                                         Publishing date: June 2020

Love, relationships and fate are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading 28 Summers by Elin Hildebrand. Have you ever wanted a “Same Time Next Year”?  A person that you only get together with once a year with no strings attached! Well this Elin Hildebrand novel is just that! A fantasy love story of 28 years all wrapped in just little over 400 pages!28 Summers Pic

This story follows Mallory Blessing as she inherits a cottage on Nantucket from her late Aunt Greta. On her first Labor Day on the island Mallory reluctantly hosts her brothers Bachelor party. A party that although goes downhill the second it starts brings the most unlikely of a person into Mallory’s life. By the name of Jake McCloud. From that every first weekend, they become inseparable. They make a plan for Jake to visit Nantucket every year without anyone else knowing. This continues through relationships, marriages, children and when Jake’s wife goes into politics through elections as well. You might ask yourself, what is holding them back from making it official and public? Do they get caught?

Elin Hildebrand takes the reader on a journey of forbidden love, heartbreaks, life’s highs and lows and does not hold back. She makes you fall in love with these characters. You begin to root for them, all the while yelling at them for the decisions that are being made. It is just that type of book! It is a fantastic novel that will leave you wanting more for sure! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good love story and quick beach read.

 

Big Summer

July 30, 2020

Author: Jennifer Weiner                                                                 Publishing date: 5/5/2020

A drama packed, revenge filled, mystery are the 3 words that come to mind after reading “Big Summer” by Jennifer Weiner. A novel that is filled with every twist and turn imagine. That will have the reader on the edge of their seats from first page to the very end.

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Daphne Berg is an up and coming Instagram Influencer, after a video of her went viral and a huge fight with her best friend Drue. Now after 6 years of not speaking, Drue shockingly asks Daphne to be a part of her wedding. Never mind it being the event of the year! However, when tragedy strikes on the morning of the wedding, it is up Daphne to get to the bottom of things and find out the truth.

This book takes the reader along side Drue as she deals with friendships, shocking revelations, and tries to heal, all whiling trying to deal with this tragedy that has rocked the Cape. It a great summertime mystery, beach read. A book that will blow your typical chick flick out of the water!!