I‘m only reading this book. Simon & Schuster sent me a physical ARC of this book when I was in their influencer program but I never read it. I‘m listening to it on audio right now. I‘m not enjoying this book. I don‘t think it‘s for me but I‘ll keep reading it. If I can‘t get into it then I‘ll DNF it.
#weekendreads
I started this book when I went for a walk to the park today. I just listened to the first chapter. I don‘t know what to think about this book. The weather was nice and I enjoyed my walk but I really wish I could‘ve taken my dog Toppy with me. I was planning to take her once the weather got nice again. It felt weird not having her there with me. I cried when I got home. Well at least I got to take her for a walk before she passed away.
I thought June went by in an instant, but looking back on the month, it feels ages since I read these early books. Time is weird.
I can't decide what my favorite was for June. Kill For Me Kill For You is a contender. So are The Helsinki Affair, The Vacation, and The Royal Librarian. 🤔
pickThis exceptionally well-crafted spy thriller follows Amanda Cole, deputy station chief in Rome, as she becomes embroiled in an investigation to uncover the truth behind an assassination. Her work is complicated by the realization that her father, a former CIA field agent turned PR hack, has secrets from his final assignment in Helsinki. This novel was engrossing, suspenseful & hard to put down--I will definitely look for other books by this author
Joining in again to see if this will help me with my #TBR.please tag me @TheAromaofBooks - I may join in to #bookspinbingo as well.
pickThemes: Espionage Thriller, Russian spies, CIA, Family
About halfway through this book I started thinking, “this is a good, not great read”, but now having finished it I realized you have to be in the right headspace for this book. There are a lot of characters, multiple POVs and storylines - it wasn‘t an easy/breezy read. BUT, if you can keep everyone and the stories straight, it‘s a clever and thrilling read 👍
pickAt first I thought this was more a book needed in order to introduce us to characters bound to become part of a long running spy series. That still may be true, but I was invested in the outcome of this 1980s/current day thriller. I liked that Amanda‘s story was not entwined in a romance (may happen if there‘s a book 2) because sometimes I just need a romance break.
so-soThis is my first spy thriller and I learned it‘s not my jam. While the story is detailed and well written, I found it somewhat anti-climatic. I guess I‘m used to too many psychotic twists as I predicted a lot of the book.
pickI liked this. It is a family drama, which is a bit over done these days, but there is enough actual spy stuff to keep me interested.
panThis espionage thriller was missing the thrills for me. Action didn't pick up until 87 percent in, and the ending had way too many loose ends. ⭐️⭐️
Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/11/09/the-helsinki-affair-book-review/
#BOTM delivery to brighten my Monday. The Ward and Evison were already on my November to-get list so was thrilled to see those as options. And very excited to try the spy novel!
I almost forgot that it was the last day of the month! 😱 Book of the Month posted their November books earlier today and here is what I picked! I actually had to do a little bit of research this time because most of these books I didn't know anything about! But I'm pretty happy with my choices! 💕📚
What is everyone else choosing?
I‘m sharing a book I just received in the mail today from Simon & Schuster. This book sounds interesting. I haven‘t read very many spy thrillers.
Book Summary: CIA agent Amanda Cole is thrust into an international conspiracy involving high-profile assassinations and Russian blackmail. It‘s the case of her lifetime, but solving it might require her to betray another spy—who just so happens to be her father.
On Sale: 11/14/23
The Helsinki Affair | 
