September Reading Challenge Discussion

September’s Reading Challenge was to read a book with either a character who works in the medical field or features a medical setting.

The first book I selected is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. The novel is set in a secure forensic unit, the Grove. Newly hired psychotherapist Theo Faber is hoping to achieve a breakthrough with Alicia Berenson, who has not said one word in the six years since she shot and killed her husband, Gabriel. I loved this brilliant mystery but I am going to keep my comments to a minimum since I don’t want to give away any plot points.

The novel is a bit of a slow burner initially, but once it picks up speed, it never slows down. The majority of the story is narrated in first person from Theo’s perspective and he is an interesting character with quite the backstory. But the most fascinating and informative chapters are Alicia’s diary entries which provide intriguing insight into the months leading up to Gabriel’s murder.

The Silent Patient is a very compelling mystery that concludes with a shocking and completely unexpected plot twist. An outstanding debut from Alex Michaelides and I absolutely cannot wait to read future works by him.

Please click HERE to learn more about The Silent Patient.

I inadvertently read another mystery which also fits this month’s reading challenge and since I liked it so much, I have to give it a shout out!

If You Knew Her by Emily Elgar mostly takes place in an intensive care ward. Nurse Alice Marlowe becomes personally involved in uncovering the truth about the events that put new patient Cassie Jensen in a coma. At the same time, another patient, Frank, is more aware than doctors believe. Since he is in very close proximity to Cassie, he picks up on information that could be very damaging if it were ever to be revealed.

If You Knew Her unfolds from Alice’s and Frank’s points of view in the present and Cassie’s perspective in the month’s leading up her coma. The novel is quite engrossing right from the first page. Emily Elgar skillfully utilizes some very clever red herrings so readers are left guessing whodunit and why right up to the mystery’s twist-filled conclusion.

I am so glad I decided to read this fantastic debut and I cannot wait to read her next novel, Grace Is Gone, which releases early next year.

Please click HERE to learn more about If You Knew Her.

The next book I chose for this month’s challenge is Relationship Material by Jenya Keefe. And oh, my, I loved this novel soooo much!!

Evan Doyle has an absolutely heartbreaking past, and he sticks to a strict set of rules to cope with his continued anxiety. Yet when he meets Mal Umbertini he finds it impossible to resist their sizzling hot attraction. But can Evan convince Mal to agree to his terms for their no strings fling?

Mal also has a bit of a troubled history but he has mostly worked through his issues. He is only attracted to Evan but Mal is a relationship kind of man. Can he keep his emotions separate from their friends with benefits arrangement? And how will Mal handle the guidelines Evan needs to keep his anxiety in check?

Relationship Material is a poignant and heartfelt romance that features some very difficult subject matter. While Mal and Evan’s relationship has a bit of a push/pull aspect to it, the reasons for why Evan pulls away ring true. The men work through their conflict quickly and maturely. Jenya Keefe’s debut is a sexy and surprisingly sweet romance that I absolutely loved and highly recommend.

Please click HERE to learn more about Relationship Material.

Did you enjoy the book you selected for this month’s challenge?

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Check out October’s challenge HERE.