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Still vulnerable after the recent death of her mother, 26-year-old Bailey Browne travels to the Caribbean in an effort to soothe her grieving heart.  While there, she meets Logan Abbott, a gorgeous Tulane graduate ten years her senior.  Their whirlwind island romance feels like a dream, a fairy tale.  A few weeks later, Bailey's still caught up in the surreal wonder of it all.  Except now she's Logan's wife.  She's left her home in Nebraska, along with her working-class background, to live in his luxurious home on a sprawling horse farm in southern Louisiana.  Bailey can hardly believe her Cinderella-like luck.  

Bailey hasn't been in Wholesome—Logan's tiny hometown—long before she starts to hear the whispers.  She's so smitten with her groom that she refuses to believe the vicious gossip, rumors about what really happened to his first wife.  Sure, she's a little unnerved by the similarities between herself and True Abbott, especially their quick marriages to the same enigmatic man, but Logan can't be responsible for True's disappearance three years ago.  Or the more recent missing women.  Can he?  As the doubts creep in, Bailey realizes how foolish she's been, how little she actually knows the man who has swept her off her feet so completely.  Logan insists he, and his family, have been misjudged and falsely accused in the Wholesome court of public opinion.  Bailey wants to believe him, but can she take that risk?  Especially considering what happened to Logan's first wife?  Trapped in a difficult—possibly deadly—situation, she must decide whom to believe, before it's too late ...

Thrillers that mess with my mind, making me wonder what's real and what's not, are my favorite kind.  The First Wife by Erica Spindler had the potential to be one of these taut mind-benders (which is why I picked it up) but in the end, the novel fell flat for me.  The plot, although not super original, did offer enough twists to keep me reading.  Still, I was able to piece together what happened to True way too early, which made the rest of the book both predictable and tedious.  Coupled with the often cheesy dialogue between the two main characters and an overall depressing story line, The First Wife just didn't impress me much.  I finished it, but can't really recommend it.  Ah, well.

(Readalikes:  Nothing's coming to mind.  You?)

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Benjamin Hyrum White, a Utah seminary teacher, wrote 10 Questions to Answer After Serving a Mission to help RMs make the most of post-mission life.  "Blueprints for success as a missionary on the mission are not too different than the blueprints for success when you return home (2)," he assures.  White encourages RMs to continue to practice the good habits they established over the last 18 months - 2 years by studying their scriptures, attending church meetings (including Institute classes), engaging in temple work as often as possible, keeping the law of chastity, serving others through callings, etc.  Further, he insists that while it may seem selfish, this is the time for RMs to focus on what comes next in their lives.  By pursuing an education, faithfully serving in their wards, and dating with the intent of marrying in the temple, they are, in fact, preparing themselves for "lifetime service in the kingdom of God" (15).  

Using a quick, easy-to-read format, White proposes ten questions RMs should ask themselves.  These include, "How Will I Adjust From Preach My Gospel to Live My Gospel?"; "How Will I Accomplish My Educational Pursuits?"; and "How Will I Endure to the End through the Grace of Jesus Christ?".  In each section, White explores the different topics using scripture, quotes from General Authorities, and personal experiences.  At the end of each chapter is a list of resources (talks, websites, books, etc.) for further study.  Although 10 Questions to Answer After Serving a Mission remains short and to-the-point, it covers a lot of ground, always focusing on what is most important (hint: it's not video games).  Written with a sensitive, upbeat tone, the book should help RMs feel both inspired and reassured.  It's a thin book, which can be read quickly and easily; however, a slow savoring would be most beneficial.  Frequent typos and other editing errors, which I find often in books from this publisher, distracted from the volume's message.  Still, it's a useful, unintimidating resource that will help returning missionaries remain close to the Gospel while navigating the day-to-day practicalities of moving on with their post-mission goals.  

(Readalikes:  10 Questions to Answer While Preparing for a Mission by Benjamin Hyrum White)

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Despite three positive test results, Molly Sullivan still can't believe she's pregnant.  It's not that the 30-year-old doesn't want to be a mother.  She does.  Just not now.  Especially when the baby's father, Scott Berkus, has only been a casual, on-again-off-again boyfriend.  Things get even more complicated when Scott sinks to one knee at a New Year's Eve party and—very publicly—asks Molly to marry him.  It's a perfect proposal that couldn't have come at a better time considering the secret Molly carries inside her.  She should be deliriously happy.  So, why is Scott's question making her feel unsure?  Shouldn't she be jumping at the chance to wed her gorgeous, wealthy boyfriend, despite her reservations about his slovenly ways and old-fashioned ideas about marriage and parenting?  She can't turn him down when it means facing an uncertain future as a struggling single mom.  Or can she?  With so many things hanging in the balance—her beautiful home, a job she loves, and the little person growing inside her—Molly has to make the right decision.  But which path is the best one for her and her unborn child?

All of us have probably found ourselves at a crossroads in life, pondering choices as befuddling as Molly's.  When we come to these junctions, how helpful would it be to be able to get a peek down each road, just to see what that path has in store for us?  All the Difference, a debut novel by Leah Ferguson, gives us that chance, if only in a fictional sense.  In alternating "Yes" and "No" chapters, the author describes what happens to Molly, based on her answer to Scott's question.  It's a fun device that gives a familiar story an interesting twist.  The back-and-forth does get a little confusing, but overall, I enjoyed the format.  The characters, on the other hand, drove me crazy.  Bottom line:  Both Molly and Scott are too selfish and immature for marriage and/or parenthood.  Scott's as cliché as they come.  With no redeeming qualities whatsoever, he's too flat to feel real.  Molly's not much more likable.  She's sympathetic in some ways, but also whiny and self-centered.  Maybe it's because I was the full-time mother of three children by the time I was 30, but a lot of her actions/reactions made me roll my eyes.  So, yeah, I wasn't too wild about either Molly or Scott.  So, while I liked this novel's unique format, I ended up not loving the characters or the story.  In the end, it was just an okay read for me.

(Readalikes:  Reminded me a little of Pivot Point by Kasie West)

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