The male protagonist in this book is Steffen James, a bear shifter who had played professional baseball until a devastating injury finished his career. Although as such he healed within a matter of weeks, all the doctors he had seen immediately after the injury pronounced that he would never recover enough to play again. To protect his shifter identity, he was forced to walk away from his career, but he coached a little league team which included Aiden as one of the players. He and April had dated throughout high school, but he broke it off with her when he left for college, which had broken her heart. Since he coached her nephew’s team, they were bound to run into each other. The pointless friend, turns out the be the pointless sister, gets in a car accident while driving Katie’s car. The police think a hit was taken out on Katie and someone is trying to kill her. (The find traces of poison in her dishes.) Katie demands to see her husband. He tells Katie that Louisa is obsessed with Dan. (Just like her.) Katie promises to figure it out, some way/somehow. There are two things I want to write about that brought my rating from a 4 to a 3. But first, I want to talk about the things I loved. Second chances, near misses, or bulls-eyes is up for debate in this newly crafted piece made out of love. Alternatively titled ‘The Lakehouse Murders,’ the Lifetime film was seemingly filmed around April and May 2021. Are you wondering where this gripping thriller movie was shot? If yes, you might want to know that it could have been filmed in Ottawa, Ontario. Let’s dive into the specific details! Ottawa, Ontario

Add in family drama, a potential new boyfriend, threats, and life changing secrets it was a decent story. I loved the description on NetGalley, the lovely cover, the promise of something light and funny. It started good, the first chapter and then I waited for the promised laugh - out - loud. Unfortunately, it never came. Moreover, in recent years, there has been a lot of demand for true crime movies. The reason for this is reported to be related to a general fascination for knowing what drives criminals. According to a forensic psychologist, Dr. Paul G. Mattiuzzi, “murder is a most fundamental taboo” and a “most fundamental human impulse.” So the urge to know more about it comes naturally to content consumers. As long as cinema exists, this curiosity in humans will always be projected in the form of movies. Hence, despite ‘Deadly Ex Next Door’ not originating from true accounts, it resonates deeply with viewers. Deadly Ex Next Door CastI really thought this book would be a 4 or 5 star review for me because I found the plot and writing engaging and interesting. I don't know if I am being overly sensitive regarding the topic of abortion with all the political bullshit going on right now, but the scene where Kellan (the brother) bad mouths the mother of his child left me feeling fairly pissed off. At first, I wasn't loving this book. Though the writing style immediately gripped me, the romance was slowly losing my interest. There was barely any interaction with the "ex," whom I thought was the love interest for a good chunk of the book. As the story progressed, I began to hate the "ex" more and more, finding him to be the most insufferable, flattest love interest of all time. Turns out, I was looking in the wrong place because he was NOT the story's major love interest. When I say I gasped!!!! Platt played me successfully, and I totally should've seen it coming. I had theories, but I second-guessed myself for most of the book. Turns out, my favorite male character of the book is the love interest! Platt wrote the romance in such an interesting way, that I thought for sure Megan and David would end up together. However, when the MC began to realize her feelings for David, I squealed with joy. The seeds had been there all along and it made perfect sense. I absolutely LOVED the last 25% of the book--including the resolution. It was a such a fantastic "switcheroo," and turned the story into a beautiful "friends to lover" romance, rather than a "second chance" romance like I immediately thought. (I went in blind!). I think the writing was really quite pompous and I couldn’t get behind the constant shaming of Morgan’s physical appearance. There was a strange level of emphasis on that in every scene Morgan was in that I thought was completely unnecessary. and then her sudden realisation one day confused me further. like HOW can you tell me that she’s had feelings all these while? like there was no indication whatsoever except for that they were terrifyingly in tune—which i found it super adorable.

After burst pipes destroy Esme’s city-centre flat, she temporarily relocates to a delightful and small cottage in a village on the edge of town. The change is a big one, but Esme soon settles in and, as the art gallery she co-owns with her business partner, David, continues to thrive, life is sweet. The Hunters seem to be a continuing thread throughout the books. Each book brings the mystery closer to being solved. While Steff and April finally work things out between them, the story continues. stars - I didn’t connect to any of the characters and i had to force myself to continue reading if I’m honest. Definitely not a book to read if you’re trying to get out of a reading slump…

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What is it with Elliot? He dosnt want to lose Morgan but cant force himself to release Esme. Why oh why Esme still thinking the possible of reconcile? Did she not thinking Eliot will do the same thing to her too? Double red flagss Grrr..

Turns out, I was wrong for assuming he was the main love interest! I was appreciative of the fact that Esme and Elliot were not endgame, and I liked who the love interest ended up being. However, I think in her attempt to create a twist, I didn't really feel like there was a progressive build-up of chemistry between Esme and David, and so their romance fell a little flat. I think I would have appreciated a more progressive shift in their dynamic. Steff and April have history. High school sweethearts, planning for a future together, when it all falls apart. Steff leaves her to persue his dream of becoming a pro baseball player. April is devastated. Decides to leave their small Colorado town for the bright lights of big city L.A. I enjoyed reading this. I found that I was eager for the book to end - not because I wasn't enjoying it but because I needed to know how it all ended. A great read that I'd recommend for fans of Jo Platt. The FMC and MMC character voices were nearly indistinguishable from each other. For the majority of the book it very much reads like the author's musings instead of unique internal dialogue. I didn't hate the plot and the last act intrigued me enough that I will be reading the next book. She Swifty Seek’s (this movie’s Google) Louisa’s name and looks at her social media accounts and talks to herself about how crazy Louisa is. (Added in post with terrible voice over.) Then Katie finds the camera in her house. She sneaks over to Louisa’s house (like on her tippy toes) and finds a laptop in the bedroom dresser. The laptop contains footage of Louisa setting up the cameras, she is the hooded figure. It also has footage of the night of the murder that would be Dan’s alibi.

Ottawa, Ontario

despite all these, i have to say that the writing style gripped me—all narrative, no POVs, easy for me to read in one setting without being tired or restless or needing a break. After Katie falls off her bike, Dan and Louisa finally meet. It is pretty uneventful except that Katie is rushed to the hospital from her bike fall. Katie scolds Dan for not being more friendly to Louisa. The ending I liked but it was rushed and we should have seen more instances that led up to that ending rather than just in the last 30% of the book.

The read was immersive in how infuriating it was, but I don’t think that is what the author intended. I spent so much of the book completely peeved at the main characters, whilst also being so bored that there was literally nothing happening in the story. I loved the small-town vibes I got from the charm of the secondary characters, but that was about the only thing I loved about the atmosphere. Finally, the third thing I genuinely adored was the friend brigade surrounding Esme. Her supports were decent and good people. I really liked how they rallied around her when she needed "a shoulder to cry on." Katie Gatewood’s love for her husband Dan is put to the test when Dan’s obsessed ex-girlfriend Louisa moves into the house next door, intending to drive the happy couple apart by any means necessary.Every so often I really enjoy reading a Roxie Ray book. If I read too many I get really fed up as: The plots are always the same. He left her, treat her really badly, she had his child etc. Plot mistakes are very common, like in this book, he rushed to sit in the passenger seat, then drove like crazy???? Erm 🫤 She says they were apart for 15 years, he says 18 years!!! The women always forgive their men, as the men always fight against mating for life and are really horrible to the women. If you can get past that lot, it’s well worth reading. An ex moves in next door to get close to the one who got away. She sets her traps and of course the clueless husband and wife team just idiotically walk right into them. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! We are recapping/reviewing It's a Wonderful Lifetime Christmas Movies this month. This week we talk about Planes, Trains, and Christmas trees! ⁠⁠⁠Will we "Pour it up" or "Put a Cork in it"??? About the Characters: The characters in this book were incredibly diverse and very colorful. Some of them were quirky and cute, while others came across as annoyingly toadish. While reading, there were multiple times when I came to realize that the most wonderful characters (who had fooled me into believing their innate goodness) were just downright not so, and the most peculiar characters (who I was getting weirdo vibes from) were the most charming.