I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh 384 pages, Hardcover and ebook Published May 2016, Berkeley Source: From the publisher for review, NetGalley
About

In a split second, Jenna Gray's world descends into a nightmare. Her only hope of moving on is to walk away from everything she knows to start afresh. Desperate to escape, Jenna moves to a remote cottage on the Welsh coast, but she is haunted by her fears, her grief and her memories of a cruel November night that changed her life forever.

Slowly, Jenna begins to glimpse the potential for happiness in her future. But her past is about to catch up with her, and the consequences will be devastating . . . 

My Review

Wow. 
I really liked the way this story was told. It is a bit hard to get into it without giving away the big reveal, but just know that it had me completely believing something else and not understanding why there was so much fear and suspense. It had me nervous reading and not totally getting why that was. 
It is a good mix of family drama and loss, police procedural and thriller. Really quite good. Can't wait to read her next book.

About the Author

Clare Mackintosh spent twelve years in the police force, including time on CID, and as a public order commander. She left the police in 2011 to work as a freelance journalist and social media consultant, and now writes full time.

Clare’s debut novel, I Let You Go, was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller for 12 weeks, and was the fastest selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It was selected for both the Richard and Judy Book Club and ITV’s Loose Women’s ‘Loose Books’, and has been translated into almost 30 languages. It has sold more than 500,000 copies to date.

Clare’s next book, I See You, will be published in July 2016.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Current Playlist: The Killers

I have been listening to The Killers non stop since seeing them in concert in Vegas. Runaways is on constant repeat in my head. 
I had seen them before and have enjoyed their music since their first album came out. I had stopped listening though more in a response to both my sisters becoming completely obsessed with them and Brandon Flowers.  Ha.
Anyway, here are some of my favorites of The Killers. Enjoy!
Happy Dancing! (Just try not to) ________________________________________

Current Read: Armada by Ernest Cline

I really enjoyed listening to Ready Player One that I went out and purchased the paperback of Armada. Another fun book filled with 80's sci fi references.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Out for a Hike

The weather has been pretty amazing lately. 
It has been perfect for being outside and enjoying the many parks here in the Bay Area. So many trails to explore. One of my goals is to walk/run at least 10 miles each week and hiking through the parks around here makes it so much easier to do than just running the streets in my neighborhood.
I have been trying to get 3-4 miles in three times a week. Going out in the morning after dropping the little girl off at school. Some days I run, other days I walk. Sometimes I do both. Next month the real training begins for my half in July.  Now I just need to remember to take some allergy meds before going out. I am suffering right now. Can't stop sneezing. Click on the banner above and see what other readers are doing this week! Thanks, Joy.
Happy Hiking! _________________________________________

Current Read: Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen

This month's audiobook: Book 10 in Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles series. 

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

This running thing

I really hated running for most of my life. Up until a couple years ago I was unable to run more than a couple minutes. I would wheeze, my heart rate would skyrocket, my lungs would burn. I started running in small increments in Stroller Strides classes and then got timed on a mile in my first Body Back session. I was able to run that last mile at the end of the 8 weeks without walking! Now, instead of my goal being just able to complete- it is to improve my time. When running just a mile (and being timed) - I can do a 10:12 pace but am toast after. If running more miles my pace is closer to 12'. Last year I agreed to run a half marathon with a friend. I managed to finish with a stress fracture in my shin and said that would probably be my last long run. Well, since then I have participated in a 5k, 10k and 15k. I have a 12k and another half this summer and one in the fall with my sister and her family. It seems I have become addicted to these runs and the awesome medals and the fun of doing it with a friend.  I am not a fast runner, in fact, I can't even run the whole time for these long runs. I take plenty of walking breaks to make sure I finish.  I don't care about my time just that I get it done. It is a great feeling when you cross the finish and an even better feeling when you can stuff yourself silly with a great meal after and not feel guilty. :) Click on the banner above and see what other readers are doing this week! Thanks, Joy. Happy Running! _________________________________________

Spring Break

Spring Break has come to an end. It has been an amazing week. 
After a workout on Sunday. The family and I headed north to Bodega Bay for a couple nights. We stopped in Santa Rosa for some beer and lunch at Russian River Brewing Company before heading West to the coast.

We absolutely love staying at the Bodega Bay Lodge. Big room, fireplace, views of the ocean. Their restaurant is yummy, there is a pool and hot tub and it is walking distance to the beach. Perfect for all of us. It was a bit windy on the beach, but the little girl sill had fun.
After a day at home, the hubby and I flew off to Las Vegas where we met my sister for a couple nights. The little girl went to stay with her grandparents. She was very excited about that.

My sister and I went to The Killers concert the first night there after a really great sushi dinner and a long walk over to the new Arena. Thursday we slept in then wandered the Strip. Both days, by the way, according to my FitBit, we had over 20,000 steps!

So, dinner that night was quite an experience. We went to é by José Andrés, a tiny 8-9 seat restaurant within a restaurant. We had 20 courses of some amazing Spanish cuisine. It was so good and fun to do at least once in your lifetime. 
I have to say, Vegas at 40- so much more fun than at 20. Spending our money on awesome meals instead of gambling and cheap booze was so much more entertaining. And we went to bed before midnight and weren't drunk in the morning. Nice. 

Back home now and the laundry is calling to me. 
Happy Travels! _________________________________________

Somewhere Out There by Amy Hatvany

Somewhere Out There by Amy Hatvany Paperback and eBook, 368 pages Published March 2016 by Washington Square Press
Source: Provided by the publisher for review, NetGalley
This is a story of a young mom who finds it very hard to take care of her two young daughters. They are on their own, living out of a car trying to survive. Jennifer must steal to provide food for her girls but she gets caught. She then must make a very difficult decision and learn to live with it. 
Thirty years later, her daughters, Natalie and Brooke, discover each other. The story then chronicles their new relationship and their search for answers and their mother. 
The book starts off very sad. It was hard for me to read through the tears. I was a little worried that it would be too difficult to read but there is a bit of hope and happiness throughout the rest of the book.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Current Playlist: WorkOut Mix

 I realized while running the other day that I lose track on my audiobook. I was paying more attention to where I was going and making sure I didn't trip over anything, than to the story. So, I put together an hourlong workout mix for my running days.
There are some expletives in some of these, so don't blare with the kids around. :)
Forgot to link this up to #readersworkout! Be sure to check out the weekly even over at Joy's Book Blog.

Happy Running! _________________________________________

Current Read: Somewhere Out There by Amy Hatvany

Somewhere Out There by Amy Hatvany
Happy Reading! _________________________________________