Book Review: Girl’s Night Out by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

 

Girl’s Night Out by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
Reading Level: Thriller
Release Date: July 7, 2018
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Pages: 336

Summary: For estranged friends Ashley, Natalie, and Lauren, it’s time to heal the old wounds between them. Where better to repair those severed ties than on a girls’ getaway to the beautiful paradise of Tulum, Mexico? But even after they’re reunited, no one is being completely honest about the past or the secrets they’re hiding. When Ashley disappears on their girls’ night out, Natalie and Lauren have to try to piece together their hazy memories to figure out what could have happened to her, while also reconciling their feelings of guilt over their last moments together.

Was Ashley with the man she’d met only days before? Did she pack up and leave? Was she kidnapped? Or worse—could Natalie or Lauren have snapped under the weight of her own lies?

As the clock ticks, hour by hour, Natalie and Lauren’s search rushes headlong into growing suspicion and dread. Maybe their secrets run deeper and more dangerous than one of them is willing—or too afraid—to admit.

My Review: I started reading Girl’s Night Out on the plane ride back from my vacation. It was just Ashley, Natalie, Lauren and I floating up in the sky. I was so enthralled, that I couldn’t stop reading.

Unfortunately my eyes betrayed me by getting sleepy. They cannot be trusted. *sighs* Anywho, I always envied girl groups who have this sister dynamic and have known each other for a ridiculous amount of years. But, after this twisted story, I must say I am thankful for the few drama free friends in my life.

These girls had deep rooted issues with one another and poor Ashley seemed to be the common denominator. Don’t get me wrong, I loved all of their personalities. Even when they drove me insane and I wanted to jump in the book and yell at them. Each woman was unique in her own way and I loved how Liz and Lisa did a superb job in differentiating their traits.

Behavior wise, it reminded me how gossiping and being fake can take you so far. We’ve all been through some female drama throughout our lives, so it was definitely relatable on that aspect. Haters are going to hate no matter what you do or say.

The plot was thrilling and exciting, I was breezing through the chapters because I had so many unanswered questions! And, I’m not one for tears while I read, but Girl’s Night Out got me. This was the first time a book made me cry. The emotional moments were so raw that I couldn’t help but not feel moved. I was so invested in the characters and story that I felt like I was in it.

Overall, I have nothing but great things to say about Girl’s Night Out. It’s one of those reads that hits your heart and ruins your life in a good way. And, if you pay close attention to the wisdom in this novel, you will take life changing advice away from it.

An absolutely delightful and addictive release from Liz and Lisa, you ladies have a special place in my heart and I look forward to reading more works from you two!

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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For more info on Liz and Lisa, follow their sites:

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Author Chit Chat: A.J. Banner

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Did you ever want to get to know the author behind these amazing books we read? Well, look no further! On today’s Author Chit Chat, it’s my honor to introduce A.J. Banner. You guys might know her from her previous books, The Twilight Wife and The Good Neighbors.

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Her recent release, After Nightfall, has been receiving positive reviews and I can’t wait to read it myself! Everything from the cover to the summary sounds like a delicious treat! Let’s all give Anjali a warm welcome…

1) Congrats on your release! What inspired you to write After Nightfall?

“Lauren is flirting with my fiancé over the dinner I spent hours preparing.” The first line dropped from the sky, and I knew someone had to die by the end of the evening. The story unfolded from there, expanding into a psychological thriller wrapped in a whodunit. When I figured out that Lauren would die from a cliff fall, I did some research, which further inspired me to write particular scenes. Did you know that if you fall from a height, even if you try to remain upright, you will probably sustain a head injury? This is because the head is heavier than the rest of the body. Eventually, you will tip over and fall head first. I know it’s a morbid thought, but it helped me to make the story more vivid and realistic. Thank you for the congratulations, by the way!

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2) When you first saw the cover for After Nightfall, what were your initial thoughts?

My first thought was, wow!! My eyes almost popped out of my head. But seriously, I loved the color scheme, the moodiness, and the evocative scarf on the beach, which is important to the story. I absolutely adore the cover! The letters are embossed on the hardcover edition, giving the book a wonderful texture.

3) If you could re-name your book title, what would you choose?

I wouldn’t rename the book! “After Nightfall” is haunting and has multiple meanings. The characters sneak around after nightfall, and the death occurs in the night—from a cliff fall. My publisher came up with the title, and I think it’s absolutely perfect for this book!

4) Did you always want to be a writer, or did you have other aspirations as well?

I wanted to be a writer from the time I could pick up a crayon, but when I grew up, I explored various other professions, which gave me valuable life experience. I majored in psychology and anthropology in college, worked for a veterinarian (I love animals), analyzed stock trades, and I even volunteered for Jane Goodall’s ChimpanZoo program, observing chimpanzees in captivity with a goal of improving their habitats. I also studied classical piano for several years.

5) Name one quirky thing about yourself that not many people know about.

Every time I eat spicy food, which I love (I’m vegetarian), I get the hiccups! Never fails.

6) Last but not least, do you have anything you’d like to say to your current and future readers?

Thank you for giving my books a chance, for taking time out of your busy lives to read my work. I appreciate you so much. I love hearing from readers, so please drop me a line on Instagram, Facebook, or through my website. I’ve found, to my delight, that readers are incredibly generous and supportive and many of them have become my dear friends!

THANK YOU ANJALI FOR THIS GREAT INTERVIEW!

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For more info on A.J. Banner, visit her sites:

Website
Instagram
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GoodReads

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