This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
Ever do things back to front? I do…and did…when I read book 3 of Lucinda E. Clarke’s psychological thrillers before I read book 2: A Year in the Life of Andrea Coe. But here’s the good news: each book in Clarke’s series is so well written that each can be fully enjoyed as a stand-alone. That said, don’t be surprised if you find yourself curious about what happened in the previous book and definitely wanting to know what happens in the next.
Now the last name of this Andrea Coe character could easily be “Cold”. She is definitely that: cold, calculating, manipulative…the last person one would want as a friend. She epitomizes that saying, “with friends like that, you don’t need enemies!” There are times in this story when I wanted to jolt the overly trusting and soon to be wealthy Leah Brand into awareness. How could she not see through all the syrupy “Darlings” and pretenses of caring that Andrea lavished on her, all the while plotting to steal her pending fortune? In true psychological thriller style, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see if Andrea’s plan would succeed. Did it? That’s for you to find out. No spoilers here.
Just as I felt when I read book 3, A Year in the Life of Deirdre Flynn, I thoroughly enjoyed Clarke’s ability to breathe life into each of her characters. None were far-fetched. Whether you were watching the sassy typical teenager Belinda mouthing off, or her confused step-mother Leah trying to do the right thing by everyone, or those nasty plotters, the narcissistic Mason, dishonest Leo, and devious Andrea, you could easily see, hear and read their innermost thoughts. In short, through revealing dialogue, realistic characterization, and well-thought-out plotting, Lucinda E. Clarke is offering you another book you should add to your bucket list. Do it!
