I wasn’t thrilled with this book and its plot. It was a little offensive and constant political talk was annoying and over the top. I thought it had potential to be a great story but the constant racial talk just made me feel like I was watching the national news.

There should be more to like about Perfect Little Lives by twins Amber and Danielle Brown. It's a thriller about sex, murder, family and wealth. That being said the book has some major positive points. Although written by two authors the book has a single point of view and their writing styles are perfectly seamless. This thriller is refreshing because it has an authentic take on how real people live. The main character has flaws and is self-aware about them. She also holds down a regular job and is working hard to make ends meet. Simone is likeable. The book also portrays the main character's, Simone, sex life in an original way. By original I mean realistic. There's no sweeping off the feet or heaving breasts, it's just two people meeting each others or their own needs. More of this please!

Where this book fell short for me was the thriller aspect. I found it very easy to solve early in the book which is always disappointing for me. Because the murder took place ten years ago a lot of the information is rehashed and very new information is revealed to the reader as an a-ha moment. The book felt more character driven to me then a thriller. It is heavy on characters ranging from Simone's workplace to her past. I found the ending disappointing. It didn't seem to suit this strong character, I wanted more for her.

I would read this book if a friend lent it to me but would not recommend buying it. Unfortunately this was not the page turner as I was expecting it to be after reading this first chapter.

This was gifted by the publisher and Netgalley for my honest review.

Another thriller from the sister, duo Amber and Daniel Brown. We are following the aftermath of Simone’s life. Her mother was murdered, and her father went to jail for it. Simones life was completely altered with this one event. She went from having money and living a good life to all the sudden barely getting by. Now, 10 years later, she’s given up on regaining the old life she had, and she’s just focused on living life to her best. She writes book reviews and has a good boyfriend, a journalist who is trying to create a documentary all about the murder of her mother, just won’t leave her alone, though this prompt Symonne, to really dive deep into what happened to her mother did her dad actually kill her and if she actually happy living a Mundane in life?

This is the second book from the authors and I’ve read both books now. I really want to love these thrillers, but I just think that they aren’t meant for me. The writing style is a little bit different than other books that I’ve read and for me, it’s not in a good way. I can see how other people would really enjoy it, but I find it hard relating to some of the references and terminology that these sisters use. I know that that’s because of my own lack of knowledge but it makes it hard to digest when they don’t try to explain it to you. Overall, I think this book will definitely have a target audience. It just wasn’t me .

Sadly, I did not finish this book. I believe it was the mood I was in when I attempted it, if I'm being honest. The sentences were long as were the paragraphs and I didn't have the attention span for this. It didn't start out with something eye catching I suppose. However, in a quiet environment, I'm sure it's easy to settle into.

Perfect Little Lives is an adult fiction/thriller/mystery by Amber and Danielle Brown. I would also say it has a bit of romance to it as well.

Simone was raised in an affluent neighborhood in NJ, when she is 13, her mother is brutally murdered and her father is arrested and convicted of the crime. Ten years later, Simone, living in NYC, is still working toward exonerating her father as she believes he did not commit the crime. She runs into old friend Hunter one day, he was Simone’s neighbor and best friend growing up. Seeing Hunter propels her even deeper into finding her mother’s real killer.

The very first page of the book was a turn off for me. Simone is getting ready for a date and is plucking her nipple hair. I could have done without knowing that. There are some slow moving chapters, but the twists and turns come later in the book.

Things I liked:
-Character of Simone was well written. Simone is a smart, independent, strong, resilient woman.
-Short chapters that keep you reading more.
-Good use of red herrings that make you question who you think the murderer is.

Things I disliked:
-Slow pace in the beginning.
-Despite the red herrings, I was able to predict who committed the crime early on.
-Some crude language.
-No closure on what happened to the killer.

With some editing, this book could be a lot better. There are some ‘before’ chapters but they are spaced far apart and only a few. I think a few more ‘before’ chapters would help the story. I would have also liked to see the ending reconciled a little better. We see Simone in the future, but what happened to the killer? Did they get arrested? We don’t get to find out.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in return for my honest review.

ON ASHER LANE, SOME SECRETS ARE WORTH KILLING FOR…

Cue the shock factor...

Perfect Little Lives, will keep your head spinning and your spine tingling.

I read and LOVED "Someone Had To Do It" last year and loved it. Having two authors within one book you get the best of two minds that bring so much more to the table. Amber and Danielle Brown both have the ability to weave a story together that will keep you on your toes the entire time. There is so much detail within this book that everything felt so incredibly real.

Following along with Simone as she tries to uncover the truth of the fateful night her mother was murdered pulled me in so many emotional directions. I felt for Simone, I LOVED Simone, and I was rooting for her the entire time.

This story is so much bigger than the binding that holds it. I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book.

This is a must read for all and I am beyond honored to have read and reviewed Perfect Little Lives, prior to the big release on December 5, 2023! Big Thank You to HTP, Netgalley, and Amber and Danielle Brown!!

Before I spoil it for anyone, check out this teaser!

Simone’s mother was murdered when she was thirteen. When her father was convicted, everything changed. Overnight, Simone went from living in a wealthy white neighborhood to scraping by.

Ten years later, Simone has given up on her dreams and lives a quiet life, writing book reviews and getting serious with her boyfriend. But with a true crime documentarian hounding her for a scoop and a surprise encounter with her childhood next-door neighbor, Hunter, the past seems set on haunting her. And after Hunter reveals that his father and her mother had a years-long affair, Simone is determined to find out who really killed her mother.

Simone is convinced that all evidence points to Hunter’s father, a renowned judge who had everything to lose if his affair—and his nascent love child—came to light. Playing the game from all sides, Simone enlists Hunter’s help in her investigation into his family—whether he realizes it or not. But is she so desperate for closure that she'll risk imploding her carefully rebuilt life?

I love domestic thrillers and was very excited to read this book based on the summary. This one was not for me. It seemed the book was written more for shock value than anything else. I recommend passing on this one. I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange, for my honest review.

At thirteen, Simone's entire world was upended when her mother was murdered and her father convicted. Ten years later, she barely scraps by, writing book reviews and working a passionless job. Simone fights to evade the questions of a documentarian who hounds her for the inside scoop. A chance encounter with Hunter, her childhood neighbor, rushes the past to the forefront, and the secrets of Asher Lane haunt her. When Hunter explains that his dad and Simone's mother had a years-long affair, she is determined to find the truth behind her mother's murder, even if she has to play Hunter to get it. As Simone uncovers more evidence, she is convinced that Hunter's father is to blame. The prominent judge would have a lot to lose if the truth behind his illicit affair and secret love child came to light. Playing the game from all sides, Simone uses Hunter to find the truth, whether he knows it or not. Can Simone make sense of her mother's murder, or will her investigation implode and leave her father in jail forever?


Review:

Let's start with the positives.

The mystery elements are highly intriguing. As we follow Simone and her investigation, we are in the trenches with her. We feel her loss closely and intimately. Due to the writers' abilities, we are tossed into the plot alongside her. Simone is relatable and exciting. Like Brandi from Someone Had to Do It, Simone is written with such tenacity and finesse that we feel all her emotions and rage. From her disappointment with the police investigation to her fury centered around the treatment of black people, Amber and Danielle Brown craft a nuanced character with whom we become intimately familiar.

One of the most popular tropes in current mystery and thriller books is the addition of a podcast element. As a play off the trope, Amber and Danielle Brown, instead, use the documentarian, Pia, as an objective viewer of the case. Simone is, rightfully so, close to the subject and, therefore, cannot offer an unbiased opinion. While she is sympathetic, and we root for her, we often wonder how much of what she is saying is reliable. Therefore, the Brown sisters include Pia as a buffer, almost a sounding board for Simone's theories. I enjoyed this addition and believe it added a fun twist and the traditional podcast element.

Much like Someone Had to Do It, Perfect Little Lives is a heavy mystery with insightful commentary. In their previous novel, the Brown sisters discuss the male gaze and the treatment of black people at the hands of the cops. Similarly, in their new release, they focus heavily on the role that racism and unconscious bias play within the confines of a police investigation. In one scene, Hunter explains to his mother that the word "black" is preferable to "African-American." As a teacher, I much appreciated this brief commentary. While I teach in a predominantly white school, we have black students. I have told other teachers and students not to use the term "African-American" as it is an inaccurate and incomplete description. In response to similar conversations, Simone questions, "At what point does ignorance stop being a viable excuse?" and I find her sentiment glaringly poignant. As black people, I am sure the Brown sisters have heard countless excuses for racist terms and ideas, mainly unconscious bias. However, it is 2023. There is absolutely no excuse for racism and racist behaviors, whether out of perceived "ignorance" or unfounded beliefs. Many articles, blogs, and videos discuss unconscious bias and how to address and change these ideas properly. Amid George Floyd's murder, Emmanuel Acho released "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man," a series of YouTube videos discussing micro and macro aggressions against black people. I believe the Brown sisters are doing the same. They argue that "there is no one to protect black women, especially in a county where the black men are being mass incarcerated and murdered in plain sight by the people designated to serve and protect." As LBJ said, "You do not take a person who, for years, has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring him up to the starting line of a race and then say, "you are free to compete with all the others," and still justly believe that you have been completely fair." It is this same sentiment that the Brown sisters are arguing. It is inarguable that the justice system does not treat black and white people fairly. While they write an incredibly taut mystery, the goal is to relay the inadequacies of the justice system and the harm that unconscious racism can have. I highly recommend watching Acho's series and adequately adjusting your beliefs and actions to address these ideas.


Now, let's move on to my complaints about the novel, of which there are only a few.

As in their previous book, the Brown sisters include many smut and sex scenes. While I have no problem reading sex scenes, I have a problem when they don't contribute to the novel. How many times can I read about Simone looking for an imprint in sweatpants? They didn't seem to serve a purpose, and that's my problem with them. It's a minor complaint, but the scenes are frequent and without purpose.

Secondly, I called the murderer from early on in the novel. While my sleuthing skills did not ruin the book, I like to be kept on my toes and shocked by the final twist. I don't necessarily believe that the Brown sisters' goal was to shock the reader as much as to use the mystery as a conduit for commentary on racism. I'm not mad that I called the plot because I still enjoyed reading the novel.

Lastly, and this is my biggest and most significant complaint. Right at the novel's end, there is a three-month time jump. If you have been following along with my reviews for any time, you know this is a massive issue for me. Time jumps feel lazy and inadequate after spending time with the characters. In the novel, we discover who murdered Simone's mom, and then there is a time jump. We don't know the outcome of the investigation or if the police even catch the murderer. Not only does it feel lazy, but it does not provide the sense of closure that we have been wanting and Simone has been needing.


Overall, I enjoyed my time reading and loved the commentary within the novel. Like Someone Had to Do It, I was anticipating another five-star read. However, the time jump changed my opinion. The Brown sisters are an incredible duo, and I plan to read everything they publish. However, I give this novel four out of five stars. It's a great book, but the time jump bothers me.

This is not a book i can recommend to my students, there is too much graphic sexual content that doesn't help the story

Simone grew up in an affluent area, being the only black family on the block, they were not welcomed with open arms (which is very sad, especially for this day and age.) When her mother is brutally murdered and her father has been in prison 10 years for the crime, Simone's only goal is to uncover who really killed her mother all those years ago. I skipped ahead a few chapters, and found I did not miss a single thing happening in the plot. I liked Simone as a character, she is independent, clever and empowered. She was also naive and biased in her search for the killer. I finished this book to see how it ended for Simone, but I figured out who the killer was before page 150.

I don't think I have been this disappointed in a book as I was with Perfect Little Lives. I love some spice wound into the plot, and this book has PLENTY of hot scenes. HOWEVER, the sex scenes were clunky and felt unnecessary. They actually divert from the plot and have no real rhyme or reason for the placement in the book.

I think this would have been a much better read if 60 or so pages were omitted.

I was not familiar with the authors, but was invited to review the title and even though I'm pretty over domestic thrillers, I was willing to give it a try because the blurb sounded intriguing enough. Unfortunately from the very first pages this one was not a good fit for me. It felt like the whole thing was being written for shock value rather than storytelling intentionality - like reality TV or Jerry Springer in book form. Neither are formats or topics that I enjoy. This wasn't a good fit for me and I stopped reading very early on as a result.

"Perfect Little Lives" by Amber and Danielle Brown weaves a complex and gripping narrative that delves deep into the heart of a decades-old mystery, exploring the devastating impact of secrets, betrayal, and the unrelenting pursuit of truth. Set against the backdrop of Asher Lane, a neighborhood hiding more secrets than its picturesque facade suggests, the novel unravels the intricate web of deception that has haunted its residents for years.

At the center of the story is Simone, a woman burdened by the weight of her mother's unsolved murder and the subsequent upheaval of her life. Simone's journey from a life of privilege to one of struggle and survival is a poignant testament to the far-reaching consequences of crime. Ten years after her mother's tragic death, Simone's search for closure is reignited by an encounter with her childhood neighbor, Hunter, who holds a key to the past she thought she had left behind.

As Simone delves into the chilling revelations of her mother's affair with Hunter's father, a prominent judge, the narrative takes readers on a thrilling ride through a labyrinth of lies, manipulation, and hidden motives. With the tenacity of a true crime documentarian and the determination of a woman seeking justice, Simone pulls Hunter into her quest to uncover the truth.

The story delves into the complex dynamics of family, friendship, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. Amber and Danielle Brown skillfully craft a story that explores the devastating impact of betrayal and deceit on the lives of those involved. The novel masterfully captures the emotional turmoil of its characters, their struggles to confront their past, and the high stakes of their quest for closure.

Through intricate storytelling and a skillful portrayal of Asher Lane's inhabitants, The book immerses us in a world where appearances can be deceiving, and the quest for truth comes at a cost. As the layers of secrets are peeled back and the past resurfaces, the novel invites readers to question the lengths they would go to for justice and the unsettling realization that the pursuit of truth can unravel even the most carefully constructed lives.

Having recently read and loved Amber & Danielle Brown's debut, I knew I needed to get my hands on their sophomore novel! Perfect Little Lives has more of a serious tone than the soapy gossip girl-esque Someone Had to Do It - dealing with Simone, who is trying to get her father out of jail where he has been for a decade on allegations of murdering her mother - something Simone never believed.

Told with diary entries from the past and a present day perspective from Simone, this book discusses important topics with an interesting conclusion in a fast and enjoyable format - another winner from this duo!

Perfect Little Lives by Amber and Danielle Brown

Publishing Date: December 5th 2023

 

Perfect Little Lives is about Simone a 20 something woman who is living life trying to keep who she really is a secret. A daughter of a man who was convicted of her moms murder and thrown in jail.  When running into her childhood best friend back from Asher lane changes everything. Trying her best to prove her dad didn’t do it, secrets from Asher lane come to the surface. Will Simone find out who murdered her mom and why? Will her dad finally have freedom?

This book took me a while to get through.  Although I thought this book was beautifully written I felt like it dragged out and there were details that just didn’t need to be added. The ending was predictable and I felt as if the male characters weren’t developed as much as they could be. Simones character was captivated perfectly. She was a basket case in a wonderful way and I truly sympathized with her need for closure and her desire to find out what really happened to her mom. This book had so much potential but for me it didn’t keep me engaged as much as I wanted. I would give this one 2 and ½ stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin trade publishing for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was not what I was expecting at all and I refused to finish reading it. From the very first page I found it crude and offensive. There were so many dick references in the first few chapters that I couldn’t even get into the story. I’m not a prude.. but references to plucking nipple hair, sex on your period and “popping a squat” over a guys face were just too much for me. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital copy

This book is about forgiveness, closure and the fight for what is right. Simone’s mom was murdered 10years ago in a grisly manner and her father is serving time for it. However, Simone knows her dad is innocent and she is determined to prove it and get him out of jail. When a chance encounter with an old friend reopens old wounds, Simone begins to hunt for her mother’s killer and her father’s freedom.

This was not the book for me. I knew from the first chapter, but wanted to read the whole thing to find out what happened to Simone’s mom. Unfortunately the payoff wasn’t worth the read for me. Parts of the book really dragged on and the sex scenes seemed random and didn’t add to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this! I finished this in one sitting! This was a page turner from the beginning! Makes you think hard about secrets! This book had me hooked and the title was right on!

This book was a hard one. A child loosing their mother is terrible. Finding her body and being told she was murdered is horrific. Watching them arrest your dad with no evidence leaving you an orphaned is unacceptable. This was Simone’s life. It wasn’t always this bad. Before this tragedy she had her best friend. The neighbor from next door. A few years older and always out to protect her from mean kids and being out of place in a rich white neighborhood. Her dad is serving life and now that she’s an adult she’s trying desperately to prove he didn’t do this! One day she accidentally runs in to her hero from childhood, her best friend! And the things she finds out puts every relationship she has from work to friends and family to the ultimate test. Will any of them survive her vigilance to get justice for her father. And finally have the closure she thinks she desperately needs? You should read this and find out! I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin for allowing me access to this EARC!

"Perfect Little Lives" is an absolutely stunning and captivating read, showcasing a fantastic narrative voice that skillfully weaves an enthralling story. The book's ability to maintain a high level of tension, even when the main question is answered relatively early on, speaks volumes about its brilliant storytelling.

The characters in the novel are deeply human, flawed, and capable of significant mistakes that inflict harm upon each other. However, they are also bound together by an intense loyalty and an unwavering pursuit of justice that stems from familial devotion. The cast is compellingly portrayed, making the reader emotionally invested in their journey.

While the book's strength lies in its character-driven narrative, it can also be its drawback. The apparent revelation of the culprit before the first act concludes might frustrate some readers. Yet, this decision could be seen as a reflection of social commentary and commentary on societal assumptions, rather than a pacing or plotting error. Despite this, the novel remains a compelling and thought-provoking read.

The story delves into social commentary with a somewhat heavy-handed reveal of workplace conflict. Although there is an attempt to introduce another supposed reveal, it might not hold the impact the author intended due to its predictability. Nevertheless, the skillful plotting that treats something expected as a twist, rather than resorting to incoherent surprises, is commendable and showcases the author's respect for the readers.

"Perfect Little Lives" is undeniably compulsively readable, fueled by righteous fury that simmers beneath the surface. This gripping novel should not be missed, as it leaves a lasting impact on the reader's mind and heart.#PerfectLittleLives #NetGalley