Book Review: Murder at the High School Reunion (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #5)

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Murder at the High School Reunion (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #5)  by Lee Hollis  opens with Maya and Sandra taking on a case of a former high school classmate and mean girl, Tawny,  right before their twenty-fifth high school reunion. When Maya and Sandra get stuck on their case, they enlist the help of another former high school classmate and friend turned actress, Alyssa. Soon after, they all attend the reunion, and Tawny is murdered after making a scene with her soon to be ex. When Alyssa becomes a suspect, Maya and Sandra must prove the innocence of their friend. I received an Advanced Readers Copy ARC of this book from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. Being approved to read Murder at the High School Reunion (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #5) by Lee Hollis made my day, and I wasn't disappointed in the least. As soon as I started reading the book, it drew me in, and it felt like I was with an old friend, in the form of a story. I absolutely loved that the...
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Book Review: The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

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book review the villa 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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