Heather Balog

I thought that the premise that an awful event which occurred in youth could impact their entire lives was plausible given their youth and the fear telling allowed for some twists which kept me reading and ultimately surprised me. I do agree with some readers that there were things which did not add to the story and could have been removed. The characters didn't have any filters as teenagers nor did they yet as adults, so expect a lot of explicit language and sex. Again, what seems to be becoming more and more common these days is a sad lack of proofreading. There were numerous typographical/syntax errors. In spite of all that...the plot was good, the characters had complications that were frequently negative. It was a long slow read, but with lots to reveal about the trials of teenage life, and the attraction of a growing mystery whose solution is kept well-hidden till the end. Overall, a fairly good read.… (mehr)

A short cozy mystery from the author of "The Bad Mommy Diaries". It stars Amy, a frazzled mom of four, facing homeschooling of her three younger children - 1st through 9th graders. The husband is also home, sequestered in Amy's home office. Then the college freshman comes home in tears after having to leaving school and her main squeeze. Amy observes the neighbor doing clandestine activity in his back yard and her imagination runs off in so many different directions. Was it murder? If so, whose?

The story is short, sweet and hilarious. It was a perfect diversion during these difficult COVID-19 days of sheltering in place.… (mehr)

Some people love this book. I expect they are enjoying the side of it that's "average but plucky wife and mother saves all!"- and that's one valid way to read it.

Unfortunately, Amy Maxwell met many of the qualities for which I dislike much "chick lit": she is a total doormat. Everyone treats her badly- husband, sister, kids- and she sucks it up and tries ever-harder to meet their ridiculous standards, when there isn't a chance; if she came close, they'd move the goalposts. And does she ever, EVER stand up for herself? Of course not. She accepts that everything her sister says to her will include an insult; she accepts that her husband is too lazy to even find his own pants, let alone parent their FOUR kids, AND is only affectionate at all to her when he wants sex. The kids are awful, but mostly in age-appropriate ways rather than out of nastiness.

With all this, Amy has no life of her own. And when she tries to return to college, everyone doubles up on her.

I just could not find this funny. It's too sad.

The mystery was eventful but contrived. The end result, after she more or less saves the day, mostly by accident- means that her husband treated her decently for a bit less than a week, and her sister showered her with gifts but kept up the negging. Again, sad.

Also- whether it's Balog or her editors- the writing regularly used the wrong words. Interest was "peaked" not "piqued"; breath was regularly "baited" not "bated", etc. Common enough online, but not exactly professional in an actual published book, in my opinion.

If you like this sort of thing, it's fine if you do not read deeper than the surface.… (mehr)