Review: Terminal City by Linda Fairstein

Title: Terminal City
Series: Alexandra Cooper #6
Author: Linda Fairstein
Published: January 1, 2014
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin Books, USA)
Hardcover: 400 pgs

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Linda Fairstein is well-known for illuminating the dark histories in many of New York’s forgotten corners—and sometimes in the city’s most popular landmarks. In Terminal City, Fairstein turns her attention to one of New York's most iconic structures—Grand Central Terminal.
Grand Central Terminal is the very center of the city. It’s also the sixth most visited tourist attraction in the world. From the world’s largest Tiffany clock decorating the Forty-Second Street entrance to using electric trains since the early 1900s, Grand Central has been a symbol of beauty and innovation in New York City for more than one hundred years.
But "the world’s loveliest station” is hiding more than just an underground train system, and in Terminal City Alex Cooper and Mike Chapman must contend with Grand Central’s dark secrets as well as their own changing relationship.

This is the first novel that I've ever listened to, rather than read. While I love the feel of turning an actual, physical page, I kind of had no choice once I started driving to work every day. If you ever have the chance and the time, listen to this book rather than read it. It goes by so fast and almost makes you feel like you're watching a movie in your mind!

But, I digress. Let me start by saying that this book was an incredible read. One that I actually talked about to everyone around me as I was reading it! There is action, suspense, mystery, murder...I mean, how can you really go wrong?

Alex Cooper is an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. She is investigating a series of murders that have been happening all around the city -- trying to find a connection between each of them. She is such an incredibly smart, kick-ass female character. I loved trying to solve the mystery right alongside her.

My favorite part of this novel (which will likely come as no surprise since I'm such a nerd) are all the facts and tidbits you learn about NYC and Grand Central Terminal. As a born and raised New Yorker, I never really gave much thought to the details about this transportation hub. As far as I was concerned, Grand Central Terminal was just another stop on my train ride. Another place I had to push through thousands of people just to get through. But Linda Fairstein has given me an entirely new appreciation for the building -- for its architecture, its design, and its history. Seriously, you will learn some really cool things about this landmark!

Overall, this novel is an amazingly written page-turner. I didn't know what was going to happen and I could barely put the book down without picking it back up again! Definitely worth your read!

5 out of 5 stars!

What'd you think of this book? Let me know!!!

Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Isla and the Happily Ever After
by Stephanie Perkins
Expected publication:
August 14th 2014 by Dutton

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From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

How many of us have been waiting impatiently for this book? Well the wait is almost over. And having read both Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, I knew I was going to get sucked into this book. You first meet Isla in Anna's book. She's the one that was caught staring at Josh by Anna. And let's be honest, how often can we keep our eyes off the ones we have feelings for? It takes a lot of self control. But Stephanie wrote this story with lots of reality and with the beautiful image of what love is.

I must point out something else before I get into the story. What I love about Stephanie's books is they all have a little bit of something that's consider controversial or topics difficult to capture accurately. In Anna's book, she touches the "cheating" subject. In Lola's book, she was being raised by two dads. But she wrote it with such elegance, you almost forget that she has gay parents, In this book, you meet Isla's older sister who happens to be bisexual and you meet her best friend who has autism. Every details of these characters were written perfectly and with great taste. I truly enjoyed every character in this book.

In this book, Isla finally gets the guy that she's been in love with for three years now. You get to see how they cautiously approach each other and how delicate a relationship can be. Stephanie takes you on a whirl spin on how they relationship began and how they deal with obstacles thrown at them. You also get to see how a new relationship can affect friendships. I think Isla handled everything with delicacy and tried her best to do what's right for both her friendship and her relationship with Josh. Stephanie also takes you on a trip around Paris and other surrounding countries. And describes it's beauty very vividly. This book has a little bit of everything.

The wait is worth it. This book will dazzle you. You're going to love that you get to really get into Josh's head and see his true talent. And Isla's character was also someone many people will be able to connect with. I loved reading about their love and struggles. I really hope she decides to write another book for us under this series. I think Meredith (another character) deserves a book. Let's all try and convince Stephanie to write her book. I truly enjoyed reading this book. Isla and the Happily Ever After gets a 4.5 stars and its a definite Good Choice for Reading!!

Review: Covet by Tracey Garvis- Graves

Covet by Tracey Garvis-Graves
Amazon † B&N † Author Site
Expected publication:
September 17th 2013
by Dutton Adult

From the author of the New York Times bestseller On the Island.

What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?

Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he’s offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire’s concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can’t weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.

Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they’re spending hours together.

Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn't take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she’ll never cross.

          Review: 

     This book is one of those books that just makes you think. Even days after I finished reading this book, I was still thinking about it. There's no way getting around it. I have put this book down and just started thinking. I thought about things such as, "Can someone be in love with two people at the same time?" "Can a man and a woman be friends without having any kind of emotional or physically involvement?" Another question that popped in my head was, "Can a marriage survive when one of the partners have checked out?" Those questions popped in my head a few times during the course of reading this book. Tracey touches such a sore subject in this new novel "Covet". This book was so realistically written, I dare you not to connect to it somehow. Even if it's not in our own marriage but someone else, how many of us know someone who turned away from their spouse to seek comfort somewhere else? Where do you draw the line?

     In Covet you meet a woman so desperately in love with her husband, a woman that thrives on being the best supportive wife she can be. But sadly her husband has checked out. He's no longer involved emotionally in their marriage what so ever. The stress of the recession and the downfall of the economy has affected this marriage like it has many others. But what can a wife do when she needs her husband's comfort but he's just not there. Should she stick around or let it go? 

     While Claire's husband Chris is looking past his wife, another man is looking at right her. Daniel is a cop that is lonely. He's really a good guy, but he seeks friendship in a woman whose so vulnerable. You have to ask yourself, "Where is this friendship heading to?" As I continued to read the story, sadly I was rooting for them. Even though Claire was married and I knew Chris is going through a lot of stress, I wanted Claire to be happy. And I wanted Daniel to be happy too. I wanted everyone in this book happy. But I felt a bit guilty for that because I didn't dislike Chris either. This book had me filled so with many different emotions, I just couldn't get a grip until I completely finished it. 

     Covet grabbed me and didn't let me go. I think Tracey handle the situation in this book beautifully. I give her kudos for that. This book will have you thinking about relationships and friendships. This is my second read by Tracey and I loved it. I think her work is amazing. I can't wait to see what she has coming up for us next. I give Covet a 4.5 stars and a definite Good Choice for Reading.