The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

On Chris Bohjalian's Instagram there is a post where a reader asked him why he always wears a suit and tie to an author event and his response was that it was a way of showing respect and thanks to his readers. I was touched by his post and thought it showed a tremendous amount of class. In return, I would like to thank Chris Bohjalian for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of The Flight Attendant.

In The Flight Attendant, we have a flawed, self-sabotaging unreliable narrator—Cassandra Bowden is a flight attendant with a taste for adventure and alcohol.  Being a binge drinker, Cassie suffers from self-loathing and the odd blackout. Waking up in a hotel room in Dubai after a one night stand with a dead body is beyond blacking out. Could she have actually killed him? Afraid to involve the authorities, Cassie starts lying to cover up any speculation that she could be involved. With each lie she tells, she increasingly looks more guilty. How far will she go before the truth comes out that she was with the passenger who was found dead in his hotel room?    

Each of Bohjalian's novels is vastly different from the last, yet equally as rich in character development and plot, and this book is no exception. He weaves an engaging tale of regret, murder, and mystery through strong female characters. I highly recommend picking up this character-driven thriller/mystery, you won't be disappointed.

CHRIS BOHJALIAN is the author of twenty books, including The Guest Room; The Sandcastle Girls; Skeletons at the Feast; The Double Bind; and Midwives which was not only a number one New York Times bestseller, but an Oprah’s Book Club selection.

Bohjalian's work has been translated into more than thirty languages, and three novels have become movies (Secrets of Eden, Midwives, and Past the Bleachers) and The Flight Attendant has been optioned for a televisions series.

Chris lives in Vermont with his wife.

Healthy Healing: A Guide to Working Out Grief Using the Power of Exercise and Endorphins by Michelle Steinke-Baumgard

A special thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After losing her husband in a tragic plane crash, Michelle Steinke-Baumgard faced the darkest moment of her life.  Widowed, with two young children, Michelle confronted her grief head on by choosing to strengthen her body, mind, and spirit.  In doing so, Michelle rediscovered happiness through fitness and wellness.  

Please don't let the title sway you into thinking that you have had to experience a loss to benefit from Michelle Steinke-Baumgard's book.  She addresses the physical, mental, and emotional effects of grief juxtaposed against healthy eating and exercise in a 12-week plan that anyone can use.

Steinke-Baumgard dispels a lot of the myths not only surrounding grief, but also with diet and exercise.  There is no one-size-fits-all in grieving, healthy living, or wellness—Michelle tackles these myths with knowledge and personal experience.  Her approach is kind, motivational, and above all, honest.  She has a huge following from her One Fit Widow community where she provides the same support, candor, and honesty to her followers (you can check her out on social media).  Michelle is a wonderful writer and I have been following her for a while now.

If you are even remotely considering changing your lifestyle, and/or are struggling with grief, pick up this book.  Not only will your body thank you, but in times of loss, your heart and soul will thank you.  Michelle, you are a wonderful role model, woman, and coach—thank you for sharing your personal story of loss, your fitness journey, and your knowledge.  

The Address by Fiona Davis

A special thank you to Penguin Random House First to Read and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fiona Davis' novel takes readers to the historic Dakota —the famous home of John Lennon from 1973 to his murder outside the building in 1980.

The story opens in England with Sara Smythe, a head housekeeper at an elegant hotel.  She is offered a job by Theodore Camden after she saves one of his children from falling out a window.  Wanting a better life, she accepts the job which is to be the managerette of the Dakota, an upscale apartment building in New York City.

Fast forward to 1985 New York City, where Bailey Camden has just completed a stint in rehab and is trying to get her life back on track.  She is hired by her cousin, Melinda, to redecorate her apartment in the Dakota and is hopeful that this opportunity will relaunch her career.  Davis joins the two storylines with the Dakota when Bailey finds Sara's belongings in a trunk in the basement of the decrepit building.  

As a reader, the best parts of the story were in the past.  Even though the 80s are by far my favourite decade, um hello, best music ever, I simply couldn't connect with Bailey and just wanted to stay with Sara.  Davis fell victim of the duelling storylines and I feel of late that this style has been done too much and as an avid reader, this type of narrative is old hat.