56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard @cathryanhoward @BlackstoneAudio @NetGalley #mystery #thriller

Kaceey’s Review:

Are you ready to revisit lockdown?

I most assuredly didn’t think I was. This book sat tucked away on my shelf for months. But now, as we all begin moving forward searching for a smidge of normalcy, I felt it would be safe to finally pick this one up.

Now I’m asking myself… This was so darn good! What took me so long!‍🤦🏻‍♀️

Oliver and Ciara only recently met, having gone on just a few dates when the forming clouds of Covid began sweeping across the entire globe. 

Once the Irish government ordered its citizens into lockdown for two weeks, the new couple decide to face it together and spend the lockdown at Olivers’ place. 

Naturally, the two are apprehensive about making such a hasty and bold commitment. After all, they barely know one another. Can Oliver win over Ciara during this time? Or will she discover what secret he’s desperate to hide?

This book was so ingenious! I just loved the writing and dare say this could be my favorite Catherine Ryan Howard novel to date. I was instantly drawn into the storyline, and though it was nothing like I expected…it worked superbly!

I realize there are some readers that may still be hesitant to read about a time we all want desperately to forget. But trust me here…it’s just the backdrop for this brilliant book. There is so much more to this suspenseful storyline. 

A buddy read with Susanne that surprised both of us and we couldn’t stop talking about its originality.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing.

Susanne’s Review:

You know those books that sit on your shelf for over a year and you almost dread reading them for one reason or another, then once you pick them up you’re pleasantly surprised? 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard was one of those books.

It’s a “Covid” book. Written about those days in Lockdown. Just the idea of reading it seemed unappealing (I’m not even sure why I requested it). Lucky for me, the synopsis was wholly different from the book itself and I found the book to be entertaining, interesting, and wholly refreshing.  

56 Days Ago, Ciara and Oliver met at a market in Dublin.  At that moment, a spark was lit. 

First, these two shared a cup of coffee, then drinks, and then during Covid Lockdown, they moved in together. It seems like an opportunity to get to know each other better and forge an incredible bond. 

What happens next, however, is wholly unexpected. To say that I was shocked is an understatement. The how and the why is totally wild, and completely mind-bending.  While I expected this one to be a tad difficult to read, it didn’t induce any anxiety whatsoever.  A fantastic mystery/suspense that kept me glued to the edge of my seat.

This was a highly entertaining read with Kaceey!

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley for the arc.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.