Last week I wanted to read, and I wanted to read a real book. Don’t get me wrong, I still download books to my Kindle, and I still enjoy reading them, but sometimes you just want to enjoy the feel of a real book in your hands, right? But it was a cold and rainy day and a trip to the library just wasn’t in the cards, and then I remembered my stash of books from Book Expo America.

BEA was the topic of last week’s blogpost, but I didn’t mention the stack of advance reader copies of books that I brought home from the event. I read several as soon as I returned, but in the busyness of everyday life, the others were forgotten. I know…shame on me! Anyway, in my quest for a real book to read and get wrapped up in, I remembered the box from BEA and started digging. And boy did I strike gold!

NEED TO KNOW by Karen Cleveland is the kind of novel that grabs you from the first page, and never lets go. It’s powerfully written, captures your heart, and makes you ask the question “What would I do if that were me?”

The protagonist in the story is a CIA analyst, as Karen herself was before writing this book, her debut novel. The crux of the story is Vivian Miller’s struggle to balance the love for her family with the love of her country, and the twists and turns will have you feeling like you’re on a roller coaster ride, but you won’t want to get off.

I’m not going to tell you more for fear of spoiling this addictive thriller, but I will share some facts. The actual book released in January of 2018 and has over 900 great reviews. On top of that, a movie is in the works with Charlize Theron producing and staring as Vivian.

Keep in mind that I’m addicted to romance novels, but this book captured my attention in a way that thrillers usually don’t. Even today, a week after I read the last page, the storyline haunts me enough that I may have to read it one more time.

NEED TO KNOW…don’t miss it!

Until we read again, 📚

Blessings…

Dana L. ❤️