The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner

 Ridiculous premise saved by Ms. Weiner's excellent writing.

4 stars.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

 Audio.  9 CDs.

Read by Stephanie Racine.

Family members are being killed, but by whom?  And why?  

The story seemed a little long, but I'm glad I stuck with it.  The twist at the end was really surprising.

4 stars.  (Added a half for the British accents.)

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman

A girl gives birth in a hotel room during the prom.  Story of how this affects her life and that of the baby's father.

This book started okay.  The premise was fairly interesting and Ms. Lippman develops her characters.  Unfortunately, none of the characters are likable.  All the women love and protect this man who doesn't deserve it.  All of them are wrong in their opinion of him.

Then the ending takes a bizarre turn and wraps things up quickly without making much sense (to me).

2 stars

Fire With Fire by Candice Fox

 Ms. Fox has written a half dozen or so novels with James Patterson.  I have enjoyed the books she's written with him, more so than his other co-authors.

This novel by Ms. Fox alone, was pretty good.  The plot premise was interesting, but it was a bit wordy at times.

A young rookie cop gets fired before she even gets a chance.  She teams up with Charlie Hoskins, an old-timer, to find a missing child before her parents blow up the police lab.

3.5 stars.

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

 Jennette's mother pushes her into the world of acting to fulfill her (mom's) dreams.  Along the way there is bizarre/abusive behavior by Mom who appears to be a narcissist.  Mom encourages anorexia so J can play younger roles.  When her mother dies, J is released from many of Mom's nooses, and is currently in therapy.

Overall, a shocking and sad story, but somehow also made humorous by the author.

5 stars.

Cross Down by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois

 Told from the point of view of John Sampson, this reads like old-time Patterson.  

John, et al, keep a rouge general from waging a coup on the White House.

4 stars.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

 The title had me worried, but this was a real page turner.  A woman dies by falling off a cliff.  But did she jump, or was she pushed?  (Dr. Winkle?  VINkle!  It is hard to tell, the injuries would have been the same.)

5 stars!