From international bestselling author Ivy Smoak comes a heart-stopping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end…To most people, suburbia is synonymous with good school districts, manicured lawns, and friendly neighbors. But you can never really tell what’s hiding behind those white picket fences and smiling faces.I mean, we all have secrets. The kid down the … secrets. The kid down the street steals lawn gnomes. The woman on the corner is having an affair. And me? I’m a murderer. At least…that’s what everyone thinks.
Because that’s the other thing about the suburbs. Rumors spread like wildfire. Handsome detectives start poking around. Houses explode. You know…the usual.
Yes, I have secrets. But so does everyone else. Welcome to suburbia. I’m one of the smiling faces waving from my front porch. Don’t you trust me?
This is a standalone thriller with an unforgettable twist.
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What readers are saying…
★★★★★ “Whoa! What the ever lovin’ Hades did I just read?!!”
★★★★★ “Twisted and unique.”
★★★★★ “This just became my all time favorite book.”
★★★★★ “Ivy Smoak is an evil genius.”
★★★★★ “OMG! This one had me floored, literally.”
★★★★★ “5 AMAZING STARS!”
★★★★★ “I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.”
★★★★★ “Too delicious to pass up.”
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Sweet Like a Psycho by Ivy Smoak is the second book in The Secrets of Suburbia series, the first book is’ The Truth in My lies’, but this can be a standalone book. Violet and her son Zeke live in the woods due to the town believing she is a Psycho and she just doesn’t want to deal with the rumors. Becoming used to living like this she settles into the life she knows now. But then Detective Tucker starts coming around asking questions. Tucker is strangely drawn to Violet and wants to clear her name.
This was a good drama romance.
Whoa! What the ever lovin’ Hades did I just read?!! I thought the last dark psychological romance I read had astounded my mind, but this book obliterated it! I’m stunned. Dumbfounded. Words fail me. It’s not creepy, evil and depraved, but it’s a mind scramble, all the same. Maybe all the more so for the moments of sweetness, tenderness and humor thrown in, and the compassion it evokes in the reader.
Smoak is quite the clever conniver as she leads us down the path, lulls us into a perfectly nice sense of security with an explanation guaranteed to garner the greatest amount of sympathy possible and then sweeps the rug right out from under us. She leave us with dozens of unanswered questions, although I wouldn’t say this is a cliffhanger because Violet and Tucker’s romance is secured and there is a resolution to their situation, but I’m dying for anything more to find out what the future holds for these characters!
Not only do we have a hunky police detective with a big heart, but an adorable little boy with a love for reptiles. The really intriguing element, however, is the heroine who is the town pariah with OCD tendencies, yet the tough cop sees clear to the heart of her. Smoak does touch on some issues that may be difficult for some readers, so those who are more easily disturbed may want to proceed with caution.
I have no idea what’s next from this author, but I’ll be stalking closely so I don’t miss anything. I usually like light-hearted romance with lots of laughs and tugs at the heartstrings, but writing like this is just too delicious to pass up. Brava, Ms. Smoak. Five giant “What the heck?!” stars!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Not a fan of this book. It kept my interest but didn’t like the end.
Initially I was hooked on the characters and where the story was going. I couldnt put it down and read it so quickly. But I was so dissapointed in the ending!! Its left with more questions than answers!!
Like did they get their names cleared? Probably not once they found the evidence and what happened to the woman that ran into the wood? Also who started the fire!!??
Very frustrating as it had such a strong storyline that just fizzled out to nowhere. Such a shame!
This book was not what I expected but still enjoyed the read.
This is the second book in The Secrets of Suburbia series and a book I was not putting down until I found out somethings. Wow what a story! I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Title: Sweet Like a Psycho
Author: Ivy Smoak
Format: Ebook
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Standalone: Not Really – but ends at a stopping point
Part of a Series: Yes Book 2 of the Secrets of Suburbia series
POV: Violet and Tucker
Steam Level: Slow burn to fade-to-black
4/5
Ivy Smoak knows how to write an engrossing and engaging book. I figured out one secret but the rest were unexpected. To me this is a sign of a great mystery. You really rooted for Violet and Tucker. Sweet Like a Psycho took a turn at the end that will leave you wanting more – to make you want to see what will happen. However it is also a logical stopping point. Sweet Like a Psycho is book two in the Secrets of Suburbia series but you don’t need to have read book 1 The Truth In My Lies. This book starts at the end of The Truth In My Lies but only the names of the main characters are mentioned and a brief investigation to what was happening at the end (which also stops at a turning point in the book). I generally hate cliffhangers but I feel like Ivy Smoak does it well and I hope to find out what happens.
I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I was so into this book, I could not put it down. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to find out what happens next. Violet is crazy and has every right to be. Then when Detective Tucker Reed shows up at her door, everything goes haywire.
Violet is known as the crazy lady who lives up on the hill in the woods. She lives in the suburbs. She never leaves the house and she don’t like crowds. Rumors are flying all over town that she killed her step father, mother and her boyfriend. An explosion in the neighborhood sends Detective Tucker Reed to her door. Someone saw a woman running into the woods towards Violet’s house. The detective was wanting to see if Violet seen anything. Violet has secrets of her own and the last thing she needs is detectiveS snooping around her property. Tucker is starting to like Violet and starts going to her house more. Will Violet tell Tucker the truth about what happened to her family? Will Violet and Tucker have a life together, despite all the rumors?
This is my first book by Ivy Smoak and it won’t be the last. This book has mystery, intrigue and twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I loved this book and I highly recommend this book.
I had to take sugarless coffee for a perfect read. This story’s my sugar!
Everyone says Violet is strange and weird. She knows what they say about the woman in the old house, but as long as she and her son Zeke can live in relative peace, she doesn’t really care. But then a house in her suburb explodes and suddenly a detective, Tucker, starts investigating her, the strange lady in the woods. Will it end badly the way it did for Adeline (The Truth in My Lies)?
Whew, I gotta tell you, this Secrets of Suburbia series is crazy twisty! Violet is such an endearing character, I couldn’t help but feel for her. I knew there was something crazy in her past that she was hiding from, I just didn’t realize it was quite so bad and when it came out…dang. But the best part of the whole story was the ending. Talk about nuts. I hope there’s more to come in this twisted series, because it’s fantastic so far.
First off, I will say that the title was perfect for this book. Second, I loved that we got both Violet and Tucker’s point of views. It really made the crazy messed up story even more better. This book will keep you up late with all the twist and turns this book has. It appears to be this quiet and normal suburban neighborhood but it is anything but that. This town knows how to spread rumors that’s for sure. With this I’m not sure who I feel more sorry for Violet or her son Zeke? Both are getting bullied by rumors. Zeke can’t go to school without getting picked on or called Zeke the Freak. My heart broke for him. He was so young and kids can be so mean. Violet does what she can to protect him from the town and the rumors but he’s already heard them. Tucker comes into their lives after a explosion in the neighborhood. Him being a detective, he is determined to find out what happened and why. He’s new to town and has heard rumors about Violet from his best friend and the neighborhood she lives in. He tries his best to get to know her and find out for sure if they are real or not. Violet does her best to fight him off but the more time she spends with him, she finds herself falling for him. My heart seriously broke for Violet. She lost her dad at a young age. Then her mom meets a new guy,she goes crazy and can’t protect her daughter anymore. Then in a day, Violet’s whole world falls apart and then she is the most talked about and stared at in the town. Rumors fly about that night but nobody but Violet knows what truly happens. This book kept my attention all through the entire book. It was hard to put down cause I had to know what happened next and what really happened that night. It was a crazy head spin honestly but there were also times of sweet and funny moments. Those were when she was with Tucker or Tucker was with her son. I seriously loved reading this book and need more!!!
This book is twisty, dark with a touch of sweet. From the moment I opened it until the end I was consumed with many questions and intrigue.
The story took me on a dark confusing journey. I’m usually pretty good at piecing things together and figuring out the conclusion long before the story is over. I couldn’t do that with this book and I loved it!
Violet is a complex, interesting and peculiar woman. I couldn’t figure her out until pieces were revealed. I felt like I shouldn’t be cheering for her, but found myself doing exactly that. Tucker is just as complex and I was torn for him. I really like him, in a what am I thinking, kind of way.
The writing was smooth and flowed easily. I loved that I couldn’t put things together and was confused as to where the story was going. However, it unfolded very nicely.
This is a great suspense read that left me very surprised. That last paragraph had me gasping and my eyes were wide. I truly enjoyed this book.
WHOOOOOO man. This series. It’s so good! If you like twists and turns and suspense and the unexpected READ THIS. (This book can stand alone but linked to The Truth in My Lies.)
Violet lives as a recluse with her son Zeke. There’s some really nasty rumors about her in town and she’s over the harassment. Something happens nearby which brings Detective Tucker Reed to her doorstep. That’s where the rollercoaster plummets into the first drop and it doesn’t let up until the end. There’s too much I can’t talk about without spoiling anything.
You want to read this. You want to get wrapped up in these pages and shout WTF at your book or device. Trust me.
RECOMMEND.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
To most people, suburbia is synonymous with good school districts, manicured lawns, and friendly neighbors. But you can never really tell what’s hididng behind those white picket fences and smiling faces. I mean we all have secrets. The kid down the street steals lawn gnomes. The woman on the corner is having an affair. And me? I’m a murderer. At least…that’s what everyone thinks. Because that’s the other thing about the suburbs. Rumors spread like wildfire. Handosme detectives start poking around. Houses explode. You know…the ususal. Yes, I have secrets. But so does everyone else. Welcome to suburbia. I’m one of the smiling faces waving from my front porch. Don’t you trust me?
If your looking for a twisted but unique read then you do not want to miss Sweet Like A Psycho. Ivy Smoak delivered a story that will have you reading from the first page to the last without laying the book down. If you have read Truth In My Lies, then your are going to see some familiar people. If you haven’t do not fret this book was made to be a standalone. However I will say that Truth In My Lies is equally amazing and one you will want to go back and read. Violet is one of the most interesting characters I have ever read. I don’t want to give any of the story away from this book. Iwent tinot it basically blind and I think that is the best way for you guys to do it too. It is a must read in my book and one you do not want to miss.
Talk about twisty tales and living in the rumor mill. This starts out with the ending of another twisty tale (which took me a bit to realize lol. As I read on I said wait a minute, and read the last chapter of The Truth in My Lies. Bam! Literally, all came back lol), and leads you into another beauties interesting and twisted past. Side note, you don’t need to read the other book to read the one, but you should, because it was really good! After a house explodes, there are police everywhere, and after a tip, Detective Tucker Reed takes off after a suspect. He stops at the house on the hill and meets Violet, who he thinks might be his suspect, though secretly hopes not. He feels drawn to her, and keeps going back to prove her innocence and get to know her better. Violet, on the other hand, has some OCD issues and hides from the world and the cruel people and rumors surrounding her. She lives for her son only and wants no one else around. But little by little, though it’s not easy at first, Tucker & Violet spend more time together and get to know each other more. And soon, secrets come out. But can they handle them?? You have to read this to find out!!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. The second book in the Secrets of Suburbia series is not my favorite. The book is good, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t the page-turner I’ve come to expect from Ivy Smoak. I did love the scene with the lizard in Tucker’s pocket; it was so funny!
Another mind twist from Ivy! Had me on the edge of my Kindle until the very end.
Sweet Like A Psycho is the second novel in A Secret of Suburbia series. It can be read as a standalone, as I haven’t read the first book The Truth In My Lies. I will be grabbing it soon for sure. This story was intriquing, full of suspense, that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen. The twist and turns kept me guessing till the end. The characters were likeable. Violet lives in the woods, and the town thinks she’s a psycho. Her adorable little boy Zeke is so smart, and funny. Detective Tucker is on a case and it brought him right up to Vi’s door. If you like romantic suspenseful reads then this book is for you.
Sweet like a Psycho is another Romantic Suspense book by Ivy Smoak. This book loosely follows The Truth in my Lies in that it starts where the 1st book ends in the same town and with the same event happening. However, that is all the connection. From then on its all new people so it could be read as a standalone if you haven’t read the 1st book.
Violet lives in an old fixer upper house on the top of the hill outside of town with her son. She is rumored to be crazy and odd and her son is picked on at school. She pines over an old love. She has many secrets and wants to keep them that way, secrets.
Tucker is investigating the crime that was the event that happened at the beginning of the book (and the end of the first book.) He thinks Violet is a suspect at first but then is intrigued by her and starts to uncover her secrets. Along the way, he falls for her.
This is a twisty, turny book that is a fun, easy read and will keep your attention right up to the end. I loved it as will you! 5 AMAZING STARS!
This was a great read, twisted and unique just like I like them and though this for me didn’t have quite the impact of its predecessor in this loosely connected series it was still a really enjoyable experience.
So first loved the title it really caught my attention and I would have wanted to read it for that reason alone.
I also thought the cover on this one was especially eye-catching.
This was a standalone read that is very loosely connected to “The Truth in our lies”.
I say connected but basically, all that means is this starts at the end of that book and it is set in the same town and neighbourhood.
I myself would have prefered if this was more connected to the other but that’s just my own personal preference.
This was about totally different characters and if I had to describe where this fits in terms of genres I would say this was a romantic suspense / Psychological thriller.
More slanted towards the psychological as this was all about the intrigue and the romantic scenes were more PG 13.
Told in dual POV this story featured Violet who lives out in the woods with her son Zeke and cop Tucker.
The whole town whispers about Violet finding her strange and unusual.
She definitely has secrets and when a local detective Tucker starts to dig into her past believing her connected to a case and then later starts to fall for her refusing to let her push him away well let’s just hope for his sake the rumours concerning Violets tendencies are just that fiction.
This also dealt with OCD and compulsions which was also really fascinating.
This really was such an easy read that kept me entertained throughout.
An observation from my camp I really didn’t like the friend Damien he was such a judgemental idiot and thought Tucker should have told him to shut his trap.
Lastly, I adored that finale.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Sweet Like a Psycho.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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