Book Smart Kate

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 Spice: 🌶️🌶️

by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (Aug 13, 2024) From the moment I read the description, I knew this was a must-read—and it did not disappoint!

June, a NYC wine bar owner, is happily planning her wedding to Kyle, ready to start a new chapter a decade after her first husband, Josh, tragically drowned on their honeymoon. For years, she struggled to accept his death, especially since his body was never found. But everything changes when, during an engagement photo shoot, she spots Josh in a park. Is she losing her mind, or could he actually be alive? Her suspicions deepen when she stumbles upon a winery website in Napa, featuring an owner who looks exactly like her “late” husband, now going by a different name. Determined to uncover the truth, June heads to Napa, risking everything to confront the past—even if it threatens her future.

This book was such a gripping read! The story unfolds through two timelines: June’s present-day search for answers and Josh’s mother’s perspective from the past. This dual narrative tracks closer and closer, building suspense until their stories collide. The thriller’s backdrop of winemaking feels both refreshing and familiar, adding a unique twist. I was kept guessing the entire time, convinced I had figured it out several times—only to be completely blindsided by the actual reveal in both storylines. That “NO WAY!” moment right before the truth is unveiled was thrilling!

I listened to the audiobook on @everand_us, which features three narrators: one for each of the main female characters and another voicing the male roles. The performances were excellent, adding depth and emotion to the story.