MY THOUGHTS:
This is my second novel by Jess Lourey. I look forward to more.

This book is excellent. It reminds me in many ways like a cross between The Stepford Wives and Rosemary's Baby. Not a demon baby at all though. Just something about the characters and setting. The way the people of Lilydale act. The way the women behave. The way the men are the big bad bosses dominating every aspect of lives.

This story is full of a lot. So much is going on and there are quite a few characters. But it's easy to keep them apart. It's easy to know who to trust and who not to trust. There is a lot. Kidnapping, arson, incest, drinking, insurance fraud. It's a lot to take in but it makes the story so much better. There is no graphic scenes to follow so remember that.

This is the story of a young woman who falls in love with a younger man. Who is mugged and stabbed. A pregnant young woman who wants to feel safe again. It's the story of Joanie and Deck. Two young people starting out in life in his hometown. The safest place in Minnesota. Or is it?

This book had me hooked from the beginning. It's told from the start of Joanie's new life in Lillydale and in her life after her baby is born. What she goes through. How she manages. What she has to do. How her best friend betrays her yet regrets it later. How she befriends the women in this town and starts accepting the things she has no control over. What a mother will do to survive. To keep her child safe.

This is a very well written book. You will despise some of the characters. You will love some. But you will root for Joanie. That is just one you can't help. Joanie is a journalist who needs to find her story. Her story that will launch her career. Her story that will keep her safe.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #JessLourey, #Thomas&Mercer for this ARC. This is my review as I see this book.

5/5 stars and a very big recommendation. Enjoy!

Fast paced book and I really enjoyed it. Good story line and I think people are gonna love it. I would definitely read again and recommend

First read of 2021 is this new thriller/suspense Bloodline by Jess Lourey. I could not put it down. OMGee this book was crazy and I did not see it coming.

This novel was based on real events. Poor Joan Harken thinks she is getting away from the scary big city life after her mugging and going to a quaint little town. She has no idea what she has gotten herself into. Imagine a town that seems perfect to everyone looking in only to find there is some seriously shady stuff going on behind closed downs. I mean, can you even guess what kind of people are being kept hidden in this town and the lengths the Mill Street crew will go to in order to keep their secret safe?!

The men in this story ticked me off, but so did the complicit women. Read it.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the #gifted #arc.

After journalist Joan Harken gets mugged, her boyfriend Deck finally convinces her to move from Minneapolis to Lilydale, Minn. Deck’s father is mayor and head of the country draft board. So for Joan’s safety and Deck’s ability to avoid military service in Vietnam, they move back to Deck’s hometown.

The year is 1968, Joan is pregnant, but will the town be acceptant of pregnancy pre-marriage? And will this unique community be in favor of Joan continuing her career?

Joan quickly discovers that Lilydale, Minn. has secrets. And one of the most notable being the disappearance of a boy on his first day of kindergarten 24 years ago. So when a young man shows up in town claiming to be just that boy, Paulie Aandeg, the reporter in Joan comes to life. And since her father-in-law saw to it she got a small job at the local newspaper, Joan is assigned the story.

She soon discovers even more strange facts about the town, including unusual smallpox vaccination scars.

This is a mystery, a town with secrets, and a fast-paced story that will hold your attention to the last page.

What Concerned Me
Though the true disappearance of a kindergarten child on the first day of school, prompted this book, the fictional part created by author Jess Lourey, concerned me. Even though the setting is the 1960s where attitudes were much different, and the availability of technology not what it is today, I still needed to suspend disbelief.

What I Liked Best
The writing was terrific and the story captured my attention quickly. Characters were developed enough to feel appropriate and believable.

As I mentioned earlier, there were places I thought really? But the pace and suspense made it easier to overlook things that I questioned.

This is the first book I’ve read by Jess Lourey, but she will now be on my watch list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARCI was free to post my opinion.

EXCERPT: I'm sitting on one leg as I grip Deck's hand, perched in the Chevelle's passenger seat, hurtling toward my new home, a place I've never been. My cat is curled on my lap, and with my free hand I'm caressing the itchy stab wounds through my pantyhose. Leftovers from the mugging. They're angry red scabs, halfway to healed. They hadn't been deep, and if not for them, and for Deck's reaction, the mugging would have already faded into the shadows of my mind. Why dwell on what you can't change?

Deck'd been shocked, though, horrified, swore that strangers didn't assault women in his hometown. Lilydale was peaceful, friendly. Everyone knew everyone, looked out for one another. The world outside might scream and swirl like a tornado, but Lilydale floated in a bubble, outside of time, as safe as a smile. The town even had a newspaper, Deck said. The Lilydale Gazette . I might finally get my byline.

'Yes,' I'd said, finally convinced. 'Yes, please.'

It wasn't just the byline. After a childhood of moving from one city to another, the idea of settling down with Deck, of belonging, well it suddenly sounded all right.

ABOUT 'BLOODLINE': In a tale inspired by real events, pregnant journalist Joan Harken is cautiously excited to follow her fiancé back to his Minnesota hometown. After spending a childhood on the move and chasing the screams and swirls of news-rich city life, she’s eager to settle down. Lilydale’s motto, “Come Home Forever,” couldn’t be more inviting.

And yet, something is off in the picture-perfect village.

The friendliness borders on intrusive. Joan can’t shake the feeling that every move she makes is being tracked. An archaic organization still seems to hold the town in thrall. So does the sinister secret of a little boy who vanished decades ago. And unless Joan is imagining things, a frighteningly familiar figure from her past is on watch in the shadows.

Her fiancé tells her she’s being paranoid. He might be right. Then again, she might have moved to the deadliest small town on earth.

MY THOUGHTS: Stepford Wives meets Rosemary's Baby. Bloodline is even set in the same year, 1968, that Rosemary's Baby was released. But despite a blending that ought to have been full of menace and suspense, I felt not even the inkling of a chill, not one single goosebump. And this is a story that deserves to have that effect on its readers.

The plot has all the right ingredients. A picture perfect town with incredibly 'nice', if somewhat nosy, residents. A twenty year old missing child mystery. Joan's constant feeling of being watched. The fact that people know so much about her that she hasn't told them, including what she has been doing. The townsfolk referring to her baby as 'their' baby. And another missing child. This should have been downright creepy. But it just wasn't. It was all a little pedestrian and predictable.

If you are not familiar with Stepford Wives or Rosemary's Baby, this might well work for you.

And what's with Joan's boyfriend's name? Deck? Really?

⭐⭐.9

#Bloodline #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Jess Lourey lives in Minneapolis with her family and foster cats (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). She writes about secrets, and is the author of nonfiction, YA adventure, magical realism, and crime fiction.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas and Mercer, via Netgalley, for providing a digital ARC of Bloodline by Jess Lourey for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

A thank you to NetGalley for sharing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of those books that I'm a little uncomfortable reviewing because I feel it's unfair to judge based on my enjoyment factor - I'm don't really fall into the intended audience. Having really enjoyed Unspeakable Things, I ignored its comparison to Rosemary's Baby and The Stepford Wives despite truly disliking both and based solely on the fact that I really enjoyed Unspeakable Things. It was fine for me at the get-go, but as the story progressed, it proved downhill from there for me. It's just not my thing. I'm obviously in the minority here as so many other reviewers are singing it's praises and I can't honestly say that it's a bad book, there's certainly intrigue and if you do like the abovementioned titles, I think that this will be right up your alley and I'm still willing to give Lourey's next book a try.

I was hooked right from the start! Even before the actual book begins there was a short piece from the author outlining the real-life case that inspired this story. It gave me literal chills! The story then began with a prologue that was so suspenseful and intriguing that you could not have pried this book out of my hands. The tension continued all the way to the end and nearer the end during the final “confrontation” the suspense was so extreme that I had to flip to the end and peek at the resolution because it was killing me! My stomach was in knots and I felt truly stressed.

One of the reasons I was so worried about the outcome was because of the cat, Slow Henry. I couldn’t bear for him to be hurt or abandoned. Slight spoiler ahead: Nothing bad happens to the cat and he is just fine at the end. Of course I was worried about Joan too but there’s something about pets in books that tugs at my heart. I won’t spoil anything else for you so if you want to know if Joan is fine at the end you will have to read for yourself. Just know that you will not be able to put this book down, especially near the end. Give yourself the time and space to devote to it because it will get its hooks in you!

Lilydale and its cadre of perfect “Stepford Wives” is one of the creepiest, most ominous little towns I have encountered. Everyone is so nice, everyone is so perfect you just know there is some weird, terrifying underbelly to this picture perfect community. The setting in the 60’s made this especially interesting. The sexism, misogyny, and conservatism where a nightmare all on their own but add in a pregnant, ambitious woman and things get ugly and infuriating. If you are a feminist this will make your blood boil and reminds us just how much the previous generation had to endure to help clear the path for us. It gives me a deep appreciation for these women who dared to use heir voices and insisted on having careers.

For much of the story I was baffled by what might be going on. There were a few times when I was sure of something only to have that destroyed. I suspected the main themes of the outline, it is titled “bloodline” after all but I never could have anticipated or guessed the final explanation. This one kept me on my toes and had me biting my nails all the way through.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

After reading Unspeakable Things last year, I needed to get my hands of Bloodline! ⁣
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And OH MY GOODNESS- this story was insanely dark and disturbing. It was unputdownable, all of the anxiety and fear that Joan felt, constantly looking over her shoulder, made me so anxious for her. ⁣
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The very twisted first chapter of this story draws you in and you desperately need to know what happens. Although, you have an idea fairly soon of what’s going on, it’s written so well that you have to keep going to see how it plays out. Is there anyone that Joan can trust?!⁣
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Joan’s mom passed away, she meets Deck not long after, falls head over heels, so when he finds out she’s accidentally pregnant, he wants to move her with him back to his small home town. Joan is naive and in love and ready, until something seems “off” about Lilydale. Children have gone missing, everyone knows everything about everyone, it’s the 1960s and there are no cell phones or internet. The hair was standing up on my arms at times.⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
Thank you @jesslourey for an ARC for my honest review!⁣
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#books #bookstagram #bookcommunity #thrillers #bloodline #netgalley

A creepy tightly wound and woven story of small town life taken to the extreme. I'm glad it was set in the past as it would be completely unbelievable in modern times and honestly was a bit of a stretch as it was but I still enjoyed it. It was a fast read and I finished in a day.

Bloodline takes the concept of Minnesota Nice and turns it on its ear! When Joan moves with her boyfriend and their unborn child to his MN hometown, she finds just how imposing a small town can be. So much so that her neighbors feel ownership of her baby-to-be. But, as Joan starts asking questions and not getting straight answers, she realizes this isn't just a case of friendly neighbors. There is something sinister and wrong in Lilydale. This book is a hot dish horror! Nosey neighbors, horrible casseroles, and a women fighting for herself and the life of her child from the nicest scariest people ever! Great read!

I love that Jess Lourey fictionalizes true crimes and her ability to capture the “small town” atmosphere is superb. I felt creeped out from the moment I met the neighbors!!! That sense of dread grew and grew as I kept reading. So hard to put down.

4.25 Stars

At 28 years old, Joan Harken is a journalist trying to earn her byline. When asked to relocate with her fiancé to his hometown, Joan believes she will be able to put down roots in the quaint town of Lilydale. However, when Joan starts to feel like she is always being monitored and the town’s secrets start to emerge, she must do her part to protect herself and her unborn baby.

“You have to understand how a small town works. We’re family here. You don’t keep secrets from family.”

Narrated from Joan’s POV, the plot unfolds at a steady pace as Joan reconciles obligations to her fiance’s family and the influencers in town. As one to always tell stories, Joan’s mind is abuzz with scenarios, but as her choices become slimmer her reality becomes a nightmare and the tension builds.

“But for one surreal moment, I think everyone is frozen, staring at me in the booth like I’m a bug under glass.”

Throughout this story, I certainly sympathized with Joan’s plight and wondered what her next move would be. The sensation of always being watched was also effectively conveyed. Plus, the theme of select members of society being in control was eerie, especially given their reasoning. Though there were some parts that slightly lagged, I was intrigued and definitely liked the level of depravity.

Bloodline is a thriller with a high creep factor and sure to keep the reader engrossed.

3..75 stars

After an unsavory experience in the city, Joan Harken was ready to get away from it all. Moving to her fiancé’s hometown in the idyllic small town of Lilydale seemed like a perfect decision. But behind the gleaming veneer of utopia, laid a dark secret that Joan determined to uncover. She must figure it all out before it’s too late.

This book had an interesting premise with the small-town secrets and the time period. However, at times I found it too slow and other times all over the place. I liked Joan and enjoyed seeing the unconventional way her mind worked.

Bloodline is a story of family and control. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a mystery/thriller in a small-town setting.

I was a little disappointed with this book. The premise and summary seemed super interesting but honestly I just couldn't hang on to the characters enough to care about reading more.

I really wanted to love this one but I just didn’t. It was weird and didn’t sit right with me. I can’t say why without spoiling. I just wish it didn’t go the route that it did.

Thank you to Netgalley, Jess, and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Bloodline.

This book was nuts. I was basically hooked from page 1. This is my first Jess Lourey book, but I'm going to check out some of her other titles, as I really enjoyed the writing.

Bloodline is inspired by true events, but aside from that I would draw comparisons to Stepford Wives and Get Out.

After a mugging, Joan gives in to her husbands desire to leave the city and relocate to his hometown, a little place called Lilydale. Determined to give it a fair chance, Joan starts to adjust to this new slower and quiet lifestyle. Immediately she starts to feel as though something is amiss and her new job at the local paper only adds to her unease when a missing child (the town's only apparent crime in 20+ years) allegedly comes home.

From there, chaos ensues.

I thought the plot was great, the twists and turns were good (albeit some are predictable given the subject matter and genre). Personally, I found Joan to be a very relatable character, but I could see where some women/mother's might not be able to completely connect to her. The rest of the cast is what you would expect...do I trust them or no? Are they bad or no? I can't tell if I like them or not?

One of my favorite things that this book did was take the small town fear and the domestic fear and keep us guessing at which one was the actual problem (if either). The weaving of these two created such an isolating and lonely feeling.

"Remember the good, only the good. Don't borrow trouble from the past."

The Story: After a mugging accident, pregnant journalist Joan Harken agrees to follow her fiancee, Deck Schidmt, back to his hometown in Minnesota - a picture-postcard small town called Lilydale. Everything seems a little too perfect and everyone seems to be a little too friendly. Joan can't help but feels that she is being watched. She soon discovers that this perfect little town is not so perfect after all. They are hiding something and it's about the mysterious disappearance of a six year-old boy decades ago.


My thoughts: What caught my attention about this book is that it was inspired by a true event that happened in 1944. So I had to go down the rabbit hole and wow, it was heartbreaking case. I think that the author did an excellent job in blending her creativity with the real event, giving us one gripping and suspense-filled thriller!

I definitely get The Stepford Wives, Rosemary's Baby and Get Out vibes in this story. It was really creepy! You know how much I love small town setting with dark secrets kind of plot.

I kept forgetting that this book was set in the late 60s and wondered why the townsfolk never uses cellphone and why are the men worried about going to Vietnam? Silly me! Anyway, the 60s setting was well-portrayed in this story which I really enjoyed.

After all the intense story build-up, I have to say that the ending did feel a bit rushed. But overall, this was one enjoyable and chilling thriller, and I am looking forward to reading more of this author's works!

Pub. Date: Jan 1, 2021

***Thank you Thomas & Mercer, author Jess Lourey and NetGalley for this gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review.***

BLOODLINE is a perfect thriller for anyone who was a fan of Rosemary's Baby. The moment I started reading this book, I could feel that something was just not right in Joan Harken's life. From the subtle mention of her life growing up with her mom, moving from town to town, to her sudden mugging and then moving to the quintessential small town of Lilydale, it just seemed like something was off. As the reader I felt unsettled and a little creeped out at certain points of the book, which is exactly what I want from a thriller! I loved the few instances where the story jumped to the future and then back to the present, giving the reader just a small peak into what was yet to come. There were a few surprise moments thrown in that had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously biting my nails. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and liked how the story ended too. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good thriller!

Lilydale seems like the perfect town but is it? It's 1968 when Joan and her fiance Deck move back from the city and while everything seems just very nice, Joan, a journalist, quickly discovers it isn't. Deck's father is the mayor and he's got enough influence to get her a job and Deck a deferment. And he's got something else going to but I'm not going to tell you. It's not until a young man claiming to be a boy who disappeared 24 years ago turns up that things get going. Joan's efforts to cover the story bring her into conflict with pretty much everyone. Although set in 1968 (and with some nice touches such as the color of Joan's appliances), this conveys as a more "modern" novel. It will definitely remind you of Rosemary's Baby with undertones of the Stepford Wives. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters, a tight plot, and a growing creepiness make this a good read.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an e-book arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.25 stars
This book was creepy as all get out! This book has a slow build up, which had me questioning the mental state of the main character at the beginning of the story. As Joan uncovers more and more about the residents of this small town, she finds there might be something strange going on in the town. This leads her to find out more than she ever thought possible including her past! I loved the 1968 setting, characters, and plot. This story has a lot of echoes of such movies/books like : "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Stepford Wives." but that in no way took away from the joy of reading this book. This book had me wanting to read the whole thing in one sitting! The ending was very satisfying and creepy! Overall, I enjoyed the ride this book took me on and would highly recommend it to those who have ever thought of living in the perfect small town. I look forward to reading more books by this author!