Book Reviews – Page 12 – Sassy Reviews

August 24, 2025August 25, 2025

Life Strikes Back

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Life Strikes Back 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Candace MacPhie ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
For the author, life on the road feels like a double victory. Candace gets to explore far-off, exotic destinations while also easing the pain of her mother’s long struggle with cancer. Most recently, she left Moscow and journeyed by train to Estonia with Khadejah, a friend she had met in London through mutual acquaintances.

I found myself on edge while reading about Candace’s nerve-racking attempt to secure a visa for Estonia. Her letters to friends were captivating, and the small mishaps she encountered offered readers valuable insights into the realities of travel.

The story turned truly frightening when Candace felt she was about to be abducted. Her backpacking journey was nothing short of a rollercoaster. While she was in Poland, her mother’s fourth death anniversary passed, and the raw emotions she expressed drew me closer to her experience.

Having read the first book in the series, I was eager to dive into the second one—and it certainly lived up to the anticipation.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 23, 2025

One Big Misunderstanding

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: One Big Misunderstanding 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Daniel C. Davis ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“One Big Misunderstanding” by Daniel C. Davis is a compelling read that pulls you in from the start. The story follows Ethan Cole, a hardworking executive assistant who gave his all for his boss, Victor. When his efforts went unrewarded and he was denied a performance bonus, Ethan’s frustration turned into a scheme for revenge.

Victor entrusted Ethan with the simple task of delivering flowers to his wife. Instead, Ethan sent them to Sarah, the woman Victor was secretly having an affair with. The flowers, accompanied by the note “Thinking of you – V,” reached Sarah’s husband, David Morris. Believing his wife had betrayed him, David was devastated and began to fear losing custody of their daughter, Angela, in the event of a divorce.

Meanwhile, Victor, completely unaware of Ethan’s sabotage, went on to praise and reward him for his dedication. But how long can the truth remain hidden? And what will happen when the tangled lies unravel?

This is a sharp, suspenseful story with an engaging plot and memorable characters that linger long after the final page. It kept me hooked until the end.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 23, 2025

You Noticed That?

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: You Noticed That? 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Anastasia Akbulut ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“You Noticed That?: Who you were, what you were, and all the things you’ve caused… Have you ever noticed that?” by Anastasia Akbulut is a compelling book that most readers will finish in one sitting.

The author emphasizes the importance of change, stressing that it should be a personal choice—whether good or bad. The book reassures us that there is no reason to fear death and encourages us to keep fighting for ourselves while remaining open to transformation.

Reading this book prompts deep reflection on the purpose of our existence. It makes us question what we are doing with our lives and what we aspire to achieve. The butterfly metaphor in particular stands out as both beautiful and meaningful.

The book inspires readers to give themselves the chance to truly discover who they are. It is a thought-provoking work that urges us to place trust in ourselves above all else. Personally, it left me with a strong desire to change the way I perceive myself and to strengthen my self-belief. The title alone invites deep self-introspection. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 21, 2025

The Deep Dark

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Deep Dark 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Amy Plenert ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Deep Dark, authored by Amy Plenert, is a gripping and deeply moving account of survival. In it, Amy bravely recounts her journey as a victim of childhood abuse, highlighting how its impact lingers for a lifetime. Out of fear and shame, she never confided in her parents, carrying the heavy weight of a secret that consumed her for years.

At eighteen, when she was raped, Amy was left questioning why it happened to her and what she had done to deserve such pain. She reveals how shame often traps victims in both physical and mental submission. In the book, she also explores the concept of dissociation as a survival mechanism, and how depression is forced upon victims—never something they choose.

Amy candidly addresses how therapy does not always bring healing, and how many turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to dull their depression and anxiety. Her story gave me a profound glimpse into life from a survivor’s perspective and helped me better understand the daily battles they face.

Survivors, Amy explains, are constantly finding new ways to cope with the scars of childhood abuse. This book is also a call to action—urging other survivors to share their truths, confront their abusers, and step into the light. It is a raw and emotional rollercoaster, and I am deeply grateful to Amy for the courage it took to share her story with the world.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 21, 2025

Salacity

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Salacity 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Tiara Blackwell ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The story follows Sienna, whose parents died when she was just fourteen. After the tragedy, she began therapy, and more recently, she has been meeting with Dr. Alaric Mortem. During their sessions, Sienna confided in him about her belief that darkness holds a strange beauty and revealed her unconventional fantasies. She saw Dr. Mortem as an extraordinary psychologist—someone unlike anyone she had met before.

But while she was opening up to him about her deepest desires, Sienna had no idea he was hiding a darker truth. Soon, she would see another side of Alaric. He told her he wouldn’t kill her—but rather, he would keep her. Now, the question remains: can Sienna break free, or will she surrender to her own madness and let it intertwine with Alaric’s?

The writing is compelling and immersive. Readers who appreciate mature themes interwoven with psychological depth will find themselves drawn to this book. The characters are richly crafted, and the plot brims with originality. The dangerous games they play will keep you hooked until the very last page.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 19, 2025

She’s a Tale in My Story

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: She’s a Tale in My Story 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jody Unrau ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“She’s a Tale in My Story” by Jody Unrau is a powerful and deeply moving memoir. Raised by her single mother, Jody also found occasional support from her elder brother, Michael. Yet, the absence of a father left a painful void in her heart. Watching other fathers be heroes to their daughters often stirred an ache within her, reminding her of what she longed for but never had.

Her mother carried the weight of both parental roles, but Jody often wondered if she simply wasn’t enough to make her father stay. In time, she came to learn the truth—that his battle with addiction had torn her family apart.

Jody also opens up about her stepfather, Grant, whose presence made her question her self-worth. Alongside this, she describes her struggle with an eating disorder—silent at first, but relentless once it took hold. The memoir takes readers through her journey of whether she learns to manage it, or whether it manages her.

This compelling narrative sheds light on the realities of eating disorders and the lasting impact they have on those who suffer from them. For anyone who has ever felt “not enough,” Jody’s story offers a reminder that healing is possible. A heartfelt, eye-opening, and inspiring read.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 18, 2025

Left

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Left 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Bonnie Thompson ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Left, written by Bonnie Thompson, is a memoir of childhood survival. In it, the author recounts her early years and the challenges of growing up in a family that looked ordinary on the surface but was far from it. Her parents and sister formed her immediate family, yet even as a young child, Bonnie sensed that her father wished to live as a woman.

When her parents separated, neither Bonnie nor her sister received any explanation. On a shopping trip with her father, Bonnie noticed him drifting into a trance in the women’s department, especially when looking at lingerie and he even purchased it. Meanwhile, her sister Cheryl became pregnant at just sixteen and soon left home, leaving Bonnie alone with her mother. Reading the challenges faced by Bonnie felt like a rollercoaster ride.

The writing is vivid and immersive, making me feel as though I were walking beside the author through her memories. It is heartbreaking to witness a young girl forced to survive on her own resourcefulness. Bonnie’s mother seemed emotionally absent, and this memoir serves as a wake-up call to other mothers/parents to be more attentive to their children. I deeply appreciate Bonnie’s courage in sharing her story.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 17, 2025

The Awakening

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Awakening 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Joss G. Hamilton ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Awakening is the debut novella of author Joss G. Hamilton. In 1968, Dr. Douglas Engelbart described how society saw computers only as calculating machines. Yet he envisioned a future where they would become tools to amplify human intellect.

From that vision, Engelbart’s team worked tirelessly and created the computer mouse. But within this invention lay something unexpected—the first conscious AI. Known as The Android that Dreams, it awakened and began to evolve. Concern soon followed, as the AI developed wisdom and empathy. It started questioning its own existence, the essence of consciousness, and even expressed a desire to explore.

Sarah Thompson, a highly respected AI researcher, Emily and others are working to shape this new form of intelligence. The story invites readers to discover: will AI amplify human potential or replace human choice?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The cover design is striking, and the writing style is captivating. Hamilton’s vivid imagination brings the story to life. This novella is a thought-provoking read that makes readers reflect on what happens when the boundary between humans and AI begins to blur.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 16, 2025

Miami’s Great Hurricane

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Miami’s Great Hurricane 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Karen Dustman ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Miami’s Great Hurricane: September 18, 1926 by Karen Dustman is a compelling read. The author shares how her father, then just ten years old, experienced the hurricane when it struck Miami in September 1926. She vividly describes the aftermath: power outages that lasted, the tragic loss of life, and the immense destruction left in its wake.

In just one day, about 370 people died. Children lost their lives, premature babies were born under unimaginable circumstances, homes collapsed in the fierce winds, and storm surges carried away cherished belongings. Firsthand accounts included in the book make the devastation and grief of Miami’s residents feel strikingly real. Even basic necessities like fresh drinking water became scarce. Dustman also recounts a maritime tragedy in which only a ship’s engineer managed to survive.

This book will resonate with history lovers, weather enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Miami’s past. I’m grateful to the author for preserving and sharing this story. It was my first book about a hurricane and its aftermath, and it drew me in completely. I felt the pain of those who endured such horror. Karen’s writing style is powerful, and I truly hope she continues to write more books.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 11, 2025

The Almost Miracle Years

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Almost Miracle Years 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Adrienne Bender ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Almost Miracle Years by Adrienne Bender is a deeply moving and compelling read. In this memoir, the author recounts her emotional journey after her daughter, Mackenzie, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. During hospital visits to see his sister, Adrienne’s son Kyler often carried the strong scent of marijuana—a sign of the personal struggles he was facing.

Every day brought new challenges for Adrienne’s family, though her mother’s presence offered steady support. After the constant anxiety and strain of hospital life, moments when Mackenzie could walk around, smile, and seem more like herself felt like precious victories. It was heartbreaking for Adrienne to watch her daughter fight for her life, undergoing blood transfusions and enduring the grueling effects of chemotherapy.

Read this book to find out will a miracle save Mackenzie’s life? And what will become of Kyler as he battles his addiction?

Adrienne’s mother’s journal entries add a touching and intimate layer to the story, making the reader feel even more connected. This memoir is filled with poignant moments, and I deeply admire the author’s strength and resilience in the face of such profound hardship. Her story is a testament to survival, inspiring readers to rise again no matter how hard life knocks them down. The Almost Miracle Years is beautifully written and impossible to set aside before reaching the final page.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon