Review | The Guest List

For the first time ever, Abby Mitchell feels that the world is her Oyster. Her first book has found a publisher, a daring new surgery promises to take away the birthmark that mars her lovely face; and there’s a new man in her life, a man who sees beyond her flaw… into her heart.

Best of all, though, is that Abby has been reunited with her sister Mallory. Separated as girls after their parents died in a double tragedy, Abby always dreamed that, one day, they would be together again.

But while two loving sisters make up for lost time, danger hides in the shadows. Now, Abby and Mallory have planned a sumptuous party–unaware that their gathering will include and uninvited guest who will do anything to keep the past hidden. . .

* from Amazon

Hott Review:

I read Fren Michael’s The Guest List when it was first released – I actually still have the hardcover on my shelves – but, though I remembered the story and wanted to read it again, I’d forgotten the title. It irks me that the title and synopsis link to a culmination of events at the end of the story instead of the STORY that is Abby Mitchell’s life.
What I liked: I was enthralled, both times I read The Guest List, with how Abby was constantly caught in the middle. Being a part of her life felt like she was caught in a raging river and the shores were only quicksand. There was no way for her to escape. No way for her to win. Yet, Abby persevered. She thrived. She became a wonderful and kind-hearted adult… still caught in that same river.
The book as a whole wasn’t suspenseful. Just filled with people around Abby dying. The only actual suspense was in the last fifty or so pages.
What I didn’t like: The Guest List feels terribly sad at times. Since I don’t enjoy reading or feeling that sadness, it was sometimes difficult to finish.

More…

Author:	Fern Michaels
Source:	I purchased The Guest List from Amazon on March 28, 2014. ($3 deal)
Publisher & Date:	February 1st 2009 by Zebra (first published 2000)
Genre:	Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Drama
ISBN:	1420108441 (ISBN13: 9781420108446)
Pages:	320
Grade:	B+
Ages:	16+
Steam:	There is a bit of steam, a couple of paragraphs, but generally it’s just obscure references.
Setting:

Author Bio:

As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.

Websites & Links:

* from Goodreads

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** Many of the books I review are Advance Review Copies. These books are loaned to me for my review. I am in no way compensated for my time nor am I asked to give anything but my honest review. If you have further questions, please, review my FTC Disclaimer on my homepage.