DRB Reviews...The Unwedding by Ally Condie

Oh my goodness, I finally finished my latest kindle read.  Since I read my kindle mostly at night, I found with going back to work this September, that I would often fall asleep with only a couple pages read.  So it has taken me so much longer to finish this book and post my review!

I have mixed feelings about Condie's The Unwedding.

I really liked the start of this book, so I did become hooked early on in the story, but I almost put it down and didn't finish. I became indifferent when I reached the middle, not really sure if I liked the book or not, and seriously asked myself if I should put it down or keep going.  One of the characters kind of saved me, his name was Ravi, and he made me keep going. I liked the development of his character and enjoyed his personality. I didn't fall in love with the main character Ellery though, and I felt I should have. She had some rough cards handed to her, and because of them I almost felt guilty for not liking her.  

Two things happened, I found the story to be almost boring, but there was something edging me on to finish because in the end I really wanted to understand all the loose ends that unravelled as the story was being told. With that being said, perhaps there were too many "stories" happening at the same time? I didn't really dig my teeth into any of them.

Truth be told, I wanted to know who dunnit and why and I did like the ending. As I was discovering some answers of the thickened plot, sadly I found they fell flat. So even though there was some disappointment with this book, I still finished reading the book and didn't hate it.  I think I am simply indifferent. But, could I see this book set as a movie on screen? Yes, and I think it would rock!

www.dawnrodger.ca
#theunwedding
#dawnrodger
#newbookreview
#newbookblog
#allycondie
​#reesesbookclub

 DRB Reviews...The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley

My Aunt introduced me to this book from The Seven Sisters Book Series. She lent me the first in the series called The Seven Sisters, and I fell in love with the story. Since then, she bought The Storm Sister for me as a gift and has lent me the rest of the series from her library. I added The Storm Sister to my alphabet challenge as letter S for 2025!

Riley is an incredible historical fiction writer. If you want to get lost in time, full of rich historical depth, this is the series for you. The Storm Sister did not disappoint. It really catered to me personally being that I am a musician. The main character Ally goes on a journey of self discovery, seeking the answers to where she came from. Ally is an extremely talented flutist, and she learns that her roots were once inspired by the very famous Edvard Grieg and his beautiful piece Peer Gynt Suite. 

I was wisked away with this book. The only downside is that it is 485 pages and the size of this book stopped me numerous times to pick up and read it. Finally, I gained the courage to attack it and I was not disappointed. If you love historical fiction, Riley won't disappoint you. Riley has a way of creating a visceral past that you can feel in the present. 

​www.dawnrodger.ca
#dawnrodger
#drbreviews
#newbookreview
#newblogpost
#lucindariley
#thestormsister
#thesevensistersbookseries

DRB Reviews...The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

I love a good cold case, and I love solving mysteries...but Clark has something special here. She wrote a gripping story. The Ghostwriter is like a vintage full-bodied wine, that keeps getting better with each year it is allowed to ferment. This story fermented over many years, and when it was time to uncork and reveal, the truth bubbled up to the service ready to breathe.

The Ghostwriter was a captivating story that I was completely lost in. If I were to rate this book out of five stars, I would give it a six. I honestly haven't read a book in a very long time that simply told a good story; The Ghostwriter was an incredible story. 

I chose this book as my Book of the Month selection intrigued by the concept of having a ghostwriter write a book for someone. A ghostwriter really has to understand a person's point of view to write a book on their behalf. They have to understand how they felt, understand the context, the time period and all parties involved, completely immersing themselves. It is a huge undertaking. Clark did not spare any details and made the occupation of a ghostwriter come alive in the pages. It was visceral.

Having read three of my favourite reads of 2025 just in the past month, it is a battle to choose just one favourtie, but I can wholeheartedly say The Ghostwriter has exceeded all my wildest expectations and it is Dawn Rodger's book of the year thus far. Congratulations Julie Clark! 

www.dawnrodger.ca
#newblogpost
#newbookreview
#julieclark
#theghostwriter
#dawnrodger
#coldcase
​#bookofthemonth

DRB Reviews...She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena

I have been waiting to receive this pre-ordered new release all summer! When it arrived, I dropped everything to read it. Any book I was currently reading got shoved to the side. Chores? What were those? Thank goodness I was on vacation and could dedicate the time. 

I read this book in just over twenty-four hours. It was such a straight-forward easy read, but was stuffed with juicy details. I was hooked from the prologue. I love how Lapena always has a way of making me fall head-over-heels in love for her characters, and then as she slowly begins releasing new information about them, everything unravels and I find myself hating characters that at first, were so becoming.

This book was gripping, and had me turning the page faster than my poor eyes could read; I caught myself a few times, realizing I was holding my breath. There is nothing better than a good detective story; especially when the detective uncovers a darkness, a stain or poison that lies underneath the 'perfect' image.

I own every single book written by Lapena. I am proud to have her entire collection in my personal library and to support a Canadian author. She is hands down one of my favourite authors of all time, and "She Didn't See It Coming" is at the top of my list for favourites of 2025! What a delicious read!

www.dawnrodger.ca
#dawnrodger
#newbookrelease
#newblogpost
#sharilapena
#shedidntseeitcoming
#canadianauthors
#newbookreview
​#drbreviews

DRB Reviews...Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

I desperately needed a break from thrillers so I bought Remarkably Bright Creatures as an ebook for my kindle. It sounded like a refreshing change for my night time reading. (I read hard copy books by day and my kindle at night.) I fell in love with this story so much, that my kindle reading became my day time book of choice. I literally carried my kindle with me everywhere I went to squeeze in any spare time I had to read this book.

By far, my FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR!  I don't say this lightly. I read a lot and there are very few books I dislike. Van Pelt nailed this out of the park. Her characters felt so real, broken and perfectly human. My heart is so warm and fuzzy after reading this story a swear it grew a few sizes bigger. (Which is saying a lot, because any one who knows me already is aware my heart is way too big for my body!)

I am an animal lover as well; all animals are close to my heart. I adored the respect for animal life in this story, and how the story highlighted the importance of human and animal relationships.  We can build such meaningful bonds with the creatures we share the earth with. What captured me the most about this story, was how we can grow and gain from loss and grief; we can heal and find glorious happiness again.

Van Pelt, what a beautiful story. I am so grateful to have escaped into Remarkably Bright Creatures. My only complaint? Now that the book is finished, I don't know what to do with myself. I clasped my kindle against my heart and held it there for a minute when I finished...breathless. And yes, I had a few tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.

www.dawnrodger.ca
#remarkablybrightcreatures
#shelbyvanpelt
#newbookreview
#newblogpost
#bookoftheyear
#dawnrodger

DRB Reviews...Zodiac by Robert Graysmith

Zodiac is my letter Z for my 2025 Alphabet Reading Challenge. It is an incredible book; full of precise detailed facts and research. It is no wonder it is a National Bestseller. But, I had to stop reading half way through. It is a deeply comprehensive book. My copy is a pocket book version and the print is small. (No excuses, I simply had a hard time getting through it.) I really want to complete my Alphabet Challenge this year, and I thought stopping "half way through" is cheating. So, I decided to "finish" the book by watching the documentary on Netflix. (Note: This post isn't a true fictional movie based on a fictional book, but I do love documentaries and non-fiction books too, and deserves a spotlight on DRB Reviews. The category was close enough;)

I became obsessed with true crime novels as a teenager but somehow Zodiac was never on my reading list. I don't read a lot of true crime now, but I do love Cold Case documentaries. Did you know that we still do not know who the Zodiac killer is? There have been numerous suspects and theories, but there is still a lack of evidence to definitely prove who the killer was. This is unbelievable to me that someone could commit these terrible acts and not get caught. 

Technology astounds me and is improving at rapid rates everyday. I believe we will have definitive proof of the killer one day. I love the re-enactments of the story line, the real-life videos and recordings and the eye-witness accounts and interviews; these all make the story come to life in a way a book simply can't. 

In comparison, both the documentary and the book could stand alone but the documentary VS the non-fiction book in this case are a team, and make the experience more enriching and fulfilling.

www.dawnrodger.ca
#newblogpost
#newbookreview
#dawnrodger
#zodiac
#Netlfix
#truecrime
​#robertgraysmith

DRB Reviews...The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

I don't watch a lot of television, but when I sit down to watch a movie, I always search first for 'movies based on books'. I find these movies to be rich in story telling and always prove to be good.  I have been reading a lot of books lately that were adapted into movies and decided I should add these as a NEW item to DRB Reviews!

Firstly, I think The Woman in Black is one of the most deliciously scary gothic novels ever written. It is terrifyingly spooky, yet simple. I read it in one sitting late at night, which was a poor decision as I went to bed in gripping fear. lol Hill did not disappoint. I bought a used copy of The Woman in Black at a thrift store for $2. So completely worth it!

Since I am on vacation, I decided to take some time and watch the movie. I chose to watch the movie version released in 2012 starring Daniel Radcliffe. I loved the setting of this film, it was perfectly dark. I thought Daniel Radcliffe was a perfect match to play Arthur Kipps, the main character; he was portrayed exactly as I imagined him. Daniel represented Arthur's character with a sweetness and humility that I enjoyed. What I didn't enjoy was the ending, it was completely different than the beginning of the book. This is important because the beginning of the book  gave a comfort that hugged me tight in the darkest parts of the book. The movie really captured the modern psychotic, and it was almost too scary. I detested the ending of the movie. 

Truth be told, the book is the winner over the movie in this review.
www.dawnrodger.ca
#thewomaninblack
#susanhillauthor
#drbreviews
#dawnrodger
#newbookreview
#newblogpost
​#moviereview 

DRB Reviews...The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

My favourite author has pulled through once again with her latest thriller! I was unsure at first, that this book would score big as a stand alone. This is because each of Ware's books are so unique, and "The Woman in Suite 11" was a sequel to  "The Woman in Cabin 10"; I wasn't sure if it could hit home in the same way as her other novels, but it definitely did.

Firstly, thank you Ware for making this paperback with trimmed edges. I outright detest deckle edges; and most new releases are published this way for a more rustic, authentic look. I much prefer the clean lines of trimmed edges. Putting the frivolous aside, "The Woman in Suite 11" was a great read. It was wonderful to learn "What happened to Carrie?" and to be with the main characters again from "The Woman in Cabin 10".

I fell in love with Lo as a mom; Ware built an incredible bond between Lo and her sons, and their relationship oozed out onto the pages; it was so heart-warming. My only wish was that the "action" of the thriller began earlier in the novel, it seemed to hit closer to the end, and then all crashed forward quickly.

I was so excited to have the opportunity to hear Ware speak live in Toronto at her author talk and bought myself a ticket to attend the event; but sadly at the last minute, I decided I could not go due to a surgery that left me healing at home rather than at the theatre. 

Even though I am grateful for the sequel, I am once again ready for a new and different thriller penned by Ware. "It Girl" is my absolute most favourite of Ware's, and I can't wait for her next new release. I can proudly say I own a copy of every one of her books in my personal library.  Can't wait to watch the movie adaptation of "The Woman in Cabin 10" which will be coming out on Netflix later this year.

www.dawnroger.ca
#ruthware
#newblogpost
#newbookreview
#dawnrodger

DRB Reviews…She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
​
I finally finished my first Mary Kubica novel. I bought this ebook for my kindle while waiting at the airport on my last vacation. Our vacation was so wonderful I never had the time to read it!

Kubica shocked me. I really did not expect so many twists in the story line. I read every night before sleep and was really enjoying it; but then like out of nowhere I got caught off guard with the first twist. Once that hit me, I couldn’t put it down and my kindle “night time” read became my daytime read. I just had to keep reading, had to get to the end. 

I have read several thrillers in a row now that have chilled me to the bone; and this one is included. I am perfectly scared now, almost deliciously so. I think I need a break from psychological thrillers lol. Moving on to something lighter.

www.dawnrodger.ca
#dawnrodger
#marykubica
#shesnotsorry
#newblogpost
#newbookreview

Dawn Rodger Books Reviews...Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

I took a pause on my alphabet challenge to dive into the new summer releases that have been rolling in to my mailbox.  I used my Christmas Indigo gift card to pre-order books by several of my favourite authors; and luckily the releases are lined up with my summer vacation.

Jewell nailed this one. Not only is "Don't Let Him In" an incredible thriller, this one is so based in truth it is scary.  I have lived this truth. Many woman have had the experience of living with psychopaths, sociopaths or bigamists.  This story was so real, it reminded me of the story of Ted Bundy.  It also reminded me very much of my very own novel called "Scattered Garbage." 

In the acknowledgements, Jewell thanks "the utterly TERRIBLE MEN in this world for helping to bring [her main character] Simon Smith to life." She continues to acknowledge that "He could easily exist in this world. He does exist in this world." and I completely agree with her.  It was refreshing to read a book that was so based in truth; it made the story line all that more convincing and alluring. 

Be aware of these men; the love-bombers and gaslighters. They promise the world and make you feel like a queen. But it is all so fake. My best advice is "don't let him in." If you loved "Don't Let Him In" my suggestion is to read "Scattered Garbage" next, the story lines are similar and it is also based in truth.
www.dawnrodger.ca
#dawnrodger
#lisajewell
#don'tlethimin
#newbookreview
#newbookrelease
#drbreviews