Kaira Sturdivant Rouda

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25/5).

Second book in The Kingsley Series. Paige is back as the President of Kingsley Global Enterprises. She needs to watch her back, estranged husband Ted and his brother John have joined forces and are out to get her, not to mention her father-in-law is not too happy with her. But the Kingsley women band together for this wild ride at a five star retreat for the executives.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and Dynasty vibes for sure. Greed, murder, backstabbing, opulent lifestyle is the center of this book. In other words, just another day in the life of the Kingsley family. No one is what they seem. Told in multiple voices, it kept the he said, she said going throughout and was so easy to get the full feel of each character. Characters you love to hate, some you cheered for while others got their just rewards. Full of twists and turns it’ll keep your head spinning trying to keep up. Not a stand-alone, you should read the first one (Beneath The Surface) to get the full background of the family dynamics. This second book was so much more entertaining than the first and I am now fully vested! I can’t wait for the next installment to see what happens in this family next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC due out May 21, 2024. This is my honest opinion.… (meer)

Under the Palms by Kaira Rouda is a very highly recommended tale of family treachery, greed, betrayal, and scheming all set during a weekend retreat at a luxurious Laguna Beach resort. Oh my! Under the Palms is delicious, lethal, soap-operatic fun and once you start reading, it is impossible to stop.

Paige Kingsley, the current president of Kingsley Global Enterprises, was put in charge of the family business by CEO and family Patriarch, Richard. Sons John, the eldest, and Ted, Paige's husband, still have plans to take over the family business. Paige has planned a weekend corporate/family retreat and team building time at the exclusive Twin Palms Resort in Laguna Beach. The family is there plus several surprises, which means the secrets and scheming are going into overtime.

Let the cut-throat competition of power games, and intrigued begin! The entire novel is pure entertainment with nonstop action and so much scheming, twists, humor, and dark secrets you will not be able to stop reading. It is also a whodunit mystery as a murder takes place- just another one for this bunch.

There is not one likable, trustworthy character in this glorious soapy, engrossing narrative featuring one very dysfunctional family. They are all complex, cunning, calculating, clever characters and immanently scheming all the time. You will follow the maladjusted family through chapters that present the point-of-view of Paige, Richard, John, Ted, Serena (ex-wife of Richard), Sibley (estranged daughter), Krystle (John's girlfriend), and blurbs from the gossip site OC Scoop.

Although it is the second in a series, I read it not knowing that and still followed the plot and enjoyed it tremendously. This novel is excellent fun! Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/05/under-palms.html… (meer)

Paul and Mia Strom are determined to have the Best Day Ever. Despite Paul’s lurid past, and even shadier current dealings. Despite Mia’s slowly failing health. Despite the dishonesty (on both their parts) that is like a loose thread, about to unravel them both if either of them picks at it.

A seemingly enviable upper-middle class family struggles with a madman at the helm, manipulating and controlling everyone and everything around him to meet his self-serving agenda.

How far has Paul gone in his pursuit of the perfect life, and can Mia face all this head-on?

Best Day Ever is in the vein of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl in its exploration of perfect-on-the-surface-marriage, and is creepy in a style similar to Caroline Kepnes You. The story is largely told from Paul’s perspective (until the Prologue), and he is not a likable guy. He’s entirely interesting, but a disgusting chauvinist pig. A certifiable narcissist. You know something bad is going to happen. But what? And to whom? And man, did I keep my fingers crossed for someone to toss this guy off a bridge.

The writing is impactful. The characters, particularly Paul, well fleshed out. I hadn’t meant to get so completely wrapped up in this book, but as soon as a few chapters in, I had to know what happens. I’m not entirely satisfied with the ending, but a perfect ending is rare. Everyone will have some feeling about what should have happened, and even if I didn’t get what I was after, the fact that Best Day Ever is well-written enough for me to have a feeling one way or another says everything about how good a story it is.

*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an advance reader copy (ARC).… (meer)

John and Kate are divorced and started a company together and have a daughter together. They have just brought the company through a successful IPO when John's new wife whisks him away for a few days. There is animosity between Kate and the new wife, Tish, who is only 4 years older than John and Kate's daughter.

This was a twisty thriller, but a tad predictable in spots. It alternated between the POV of John, Tish, Kate and Ashlyn (the daughter). The chapters were short and it was a really quick read. I enjoyed the twists, even though it was a bit predictable.… (meer)