June Book Reviews
contributed by Brace Books
The following book reviews appeared in the print issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine. Get full access to all online articles, videos, and content by becoming a paid subscriber. We offer free and paid subscription plans. Find rack locations to pick up your free print copy here, or subscribe here to get online access plus exclusive content.
The Haunted Studio (The Hayley Mysteries, book 1)
by Hayley LeBlanc
Hayley is a 13-year-old actress who plays the main character, Sadie, in the TV show called Sadie Solves It. Her best friends, Aubrey and Cody, play Sadie’s best friends on the show. The show has been renewed for its second season, and everyone is pumped to begin filming the new season. There’s one big change: Since their first season was so successful, the network has moved the show to Stage Five at Silver Screen Studios in the heart of Hollywood. It’s a big change from where the show was shot last year.
On the first day of filming the second season, Hayley and friends are introduced to the ghost of Stage Five. They can’t decide what they think about that. Hayley is certain that ghosts don’t exist. Aubrey thinks that maybe they are real. Cody is undecided. Later that day, the ghost is sighted, disrupting the scene they are shooting.
The next day, the lights begin flickering while Hayley is in “Hair and Makeup.” They keep flickering, then go out completely. It’s super-scary. The kids decide that three instances of ghostly behavior are just too coincidental. They decide to investigate.
Paul, the show’s creator, is frustrated with all the delays that are being caused by the ghostly behavior. He shares with the kids that if they continue to experience delays in filming, the network could decide to cancel the show. The kids start to wonder … Who could be trying to convince them that Stage Five is haunted? Why would someone want to do that?
The following day, a giant lamp falls from the ceiling, almost landing right on Hayley. Then there’s an electrical fire on Stage Five that shuts down filming for several days. Can Hayley and her friends solve this mystery? This is a great new series for young readers!
Review by Lorrie Layton
The Perfect Divorce
By Jeneva Rose
The Perfect Divorce is a sequel to (can you guess it?) The Perfect Marriage. So, if you haven’t read Marriage yet, be sure to grab it first. If you have never read Jeneva Rose before, this is the duology to start with. While her other books are just as good, these two solidify that Jeneva is an absolute queen when it comes to thrillers and twists and “I didn’t see that coming!”
This is going to be a hard review to write without giving too much away from the first book, just in case you haven’t read it yet! We join the remaining characters, 11 years after Sarah Morgan had to defend her then husband, Adam, against the murder of his mistress. Sarah has since moved on from Adam to bigger and better things, including a new husband, children and even a new career. When she finds out her second husband might not be so much better after all, and events from the past seem to be repeating themselves, she also discovers new evidence in the case against her ex-husband that might change everyone’s lives!
Does Sarah know the truth about what really happened so many years ago? Does she know what happened to her new husband’s one-night fling? Will the truth ever surface and those wronged be exonerated?
I’m a critical thinker and can normally figure out the ending to a story pretty early on, but Jeneva Rose keeps me guessing until the very last page and then hits me with a few more surprises before stabbing me with a runaway ending! If you are looking for a keep you up all night, can’t put it down until you know how it ends story, these books are for you!
Reviewed by Tara Anson
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