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The McKays #1
To Kill For
Families can be murder ... do you trust yours?
Money and a handsome fiancé from a good family. What more could a girl want?
Jamie McKay appears to have the perfect life, but things suddenly start to go horribly wrong. A sudden death and a run-in with a would-be killer leave her alone, afraid and a long way from home.
Kat McKay, long estranged from her family, returns to the small town she hasn't been back to since she walked away as a teenager. Determined to find out what happened to her niece, she must face the demons from her past and enlist the help of the man she left behind.
Can the McKays survive the explosive results?
Money and a handsome fiancé from a good family. What more could a girl want?
Jamie McKay appears to have the perfect life, but things suddenly start to go horribly wrong. A sudden death and a run-in with a would-be killer leave her alone, afraid and a long way from home.
Kat McKay, long estranged from her family, returns to the small town she hasn't been back to since she walked away as a teenager. Determined to find out what happened to her niece, she must face the demons from her past and enlist the help of the man she left behind.
Can the McKays survive the explosive results?
485 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2014
1882 people are currently reading
3197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
July 11, 2015
Dangling
The characters are more like stereotypes than real people, the plot predictable, as it jumps from one scene to another. It's not so bad, just rather amateurish, in need of editing to smooth it out. The aggravating thing to me was the ending - or non-ending. Of course, many books leave things to the reader's imagination, but this seemed designed to make one buy the next installment, stopping in mid-conversation. Whatever, I'll never know, since I won't be buying the next one.
The characters are more like stereotypes than real people, the plot predictable, as it jumps from one scene to another. It's not so bad, just rather amateurish, in need of editing to smooth it out. The aggravating thing to me was the ending - or non-ending. Of course, many books leave things to the reader's imagination, but this seemed designed to make one buy the next installment, stopping in mid-conversation. Whatever, I'll never know, since I won't be buying the next one.
July 7, 2017
I enjoyed this story right off. It is a well crafted mystery with well developed characters. The multiple points of view were not confusing. The surprise twists were well placed and plausable. An easy five star!
April 19, 2014
Page Turner
A quick intriguing read. At times somewhat predictable but the ending left you wanting more. This is the second book I have read from this author and I'm going now to search for more!
A quick intriguing read. At times somewhat predictable but the ending left you wanting more. This is the second book I have read from this author and I'm going now to search for more!
August 19, 2014
Didn't really like this book. The characters Ted and Jamie felt weak and not real. I got to the bit , this is when I got a bit annoyed as I found it totally unbelievable that Jamie would do this and do what he told her to do. It was totally out of character with how she had been written so far and not how I believe a real person would react in such circumstances.
I ended up skim reading and finished it in a couple of hours. Don't bother reading it.
I ended up skim reading and finished it in a couple of hours. Don't bother reading it.
July 28, 2021
enough content for 200 more pages, but thank goodness the author didn't take that opportunity! trite, predictable, poor inconsistent characterisation. easily see why it was a kindle freebie. Took a lot longer to read than normal as i couldn't face pursuing such an obvious plotline. in fact it was a synopsis with little colour, but then only pastel.
August 6, 2015
To Kill For was a good novel in many ways: interesting plot, engaging characters, few editorial errors. It was also a very irritating book in two specific ways: very disjointed changes of scene and introduction of new characters, and an abrupt and unsatisfying ending.
January 6, 2015
Incomplete
This is the first Carella book I've read and it didn't inspire me to read another. Although there was some character development, the story ends leaving you hanging.. too many unanswered questions. There should have been another chapter.
This is the first Carella book I've read and it didn't inspire me to read another. Although there was some character development, the story ends leaving you hanging.. too many unanswered questions. There should have been another chapter.
August 12, 2015
Utterly unbelievable nonsense - only finished it because I'm not a quitter.
November 6, 2015
...Heroine?
I'm rating this book 1.5. I'm still waiting for Jamie's back bone to show up. Thankfully this was a short read (and free). I will not be continuing with the series.
I'm rating this book 1.5. I'm still waiting for Jamie's back bone to show up. Thankfully this was a short read (and free). I will not be continuing with the series.
August 15, 2019
The McKays are a wealthy southern family. Jake, their son, is adopted and Jamie, their biological daughter, is six months younger than Jake. Shortly after she turns twenty one she becomes engaged to Ted, a young man from a similar background and her parents believe he would be an appropriate husband. Jake has a semi-antagonistic relationship with his father and resultantly is involved with a young woman of whom his parents do not approve. He truly cares for Jamie and learns that Ted is not faithful to her. Ted is found dead and Jake uses his girlfriend as an alibi. Jamie goes to have a talk with the woman and leaves distraught after learning Ted also had a relationship with her. Jamie disappears on her way home from this meeting. Eighteen months later, following the death of the McKay parents, their aunt, Kat, returns to town and begins a search for Jamie. Going any further would lead to spoilers. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-Galley for an honest review. This is good reading for those who enjoy chick lit.
May 5, 2017
Color me surprised..this book ends on a cliffhanger!!! Why oh why do authors feel the need to do this bullshit! I'm glad I got this book for free because I would have been extra pissed if I would have paid for it!!
Rant now semi over...
This book had me feeling all kinds of things but most of all frustration and anger. Anger because Jamie was quite frankly the stupidest creature I've ever read about! She was so fucking compliant I swear I just wanted to smack some backbone into her! Damn that girl was pathetic! I felt frustrated because Jake seemed like a good guy, yeah he had his daddy issues, still he cared deeply for his sister, so instead of doing right by her and warning her about Ted's whoring ass, he used it to his advantage and inadvertently sparked the whole chain of events that just fucked up his sister's life.
I know this series is focusing on Kat and Finn but this first book was mainly about Jamie, Jake and crazy Carrie. Obviously there's a huge secret that Kat is hiding from Finn but of course right when we're on the edge of our seats, ready to find out...BOOM..the book ends! Since I absolutely fucking hate cliffhangers, I will put the rest of this series on my TBR list for some other time, where I can purchase the bundle and read them straight through. For now..deuces!!
Rant now semi over...
This book had me feeling all kinds of things but most of all frustration and anger. Anger because Jamie was quite frankly the stupidest creature I've ever read about! She was so fucking compliant I swear I just wanted to smack some backbone into her! Damn that girl was pathetic! I felt frustrated because Jake seemed like a good guy, yeah he had his daddy issues, still he cared deeply for his sister, so instead of doing right by her and warning her about Ted's whoring ass, he used it to his advantage and inadvertently sparked the whole chain of events that just fucked up his sister's life.
I know this series is focusing on Kat and Finn but this first book was mainly about Jamie, Jake and crazy Carrie. Obviously there's a huge secret that Kat is hiding from Finn but of course right when we're on the edge of our seats, ready to find out...BOOM..the book ends! Since I absolutely fucking hate cliffhangers, I will put the rest of this series on my TBR list for some other time, where I can purchase the bundle and read them straight through. For now..deuces!!
August 21, 2022
I struggled with this book at the start simply because the only likeable character was Jamie, and the fact that the plot did an exceptionally good job of proving the old saying "you can't pick your family".
However the story became infinitely better paced & more interesting in the second half of the novel with the introduction of new characters and the story revolving around trying to find where Jamie had disappeared to.
The characters seemed to have more depth in the latter half like the author was just getting into her stride. With a lovely little hook at the end of the novel it has ensured I want to read the follow on book to find out the big secret.
At the end of the novel there is a link to get the next book in the series for free by nominating to go on the author's mailing list. BONUS!!
However the story became infinitely better paced & more interesting in the second half of the novel with the introduction of new characters and the story revolving around trying to find where Jamie had disappeared to.
The characters seemed to have more depth in the latter half like the author was just getting into her stride. With a lovely little hook at the end of the novel it has ensured I want to read the follow on book to find out the big secret.
At the end of the novel there is a link to get the next book in the series for free by nominating to go on the author's mailing list. BONUS!!
July 15, 2014
Jamie McKay comes from a rich successful family and is celebrating her 21st birthday and unknowing to her Ted her boyfriend proposes, her family knew but she feels cornered into accepting which she does despite having mixed feelings about it but as usual she won’t let her family down.
Murder, violence and amnesia follow on in this story and money and status is the motive.
The ending felt like there was to be more (a follow on maybe)
Great story, characters worked well together and a bit of romance thrown in towards the end.
Murder, violence and amnesia follow on in this story and money and status is the motive.
The ending felt like there was to be more (a follow on maybe)
Great story, characters worked well together and a bit of romance thrown in towards the end.
October 19, 2019
4.5 stars
Though the book was short on the nook, about 153 pages, a lot has happened in the book. The first part of the book was with the family, and to be honest, I didn't think Ted was the one who was gonna be killed, then with Jamie disappearing later on (which pretty much what the summary kinda talked about).
Then the other half of the book was when Kat came along to find Jamie. Also, I thought that Carrie was only going to be a minor character, but no, she plays a big part in the book.
Though the book was short on the nook, about 153 pages, a lot has happened in the book. The first part of the book was with the family, and to be honest, I didn't think Ted was the one who was gonna be killed, then with Jamie disappearing later on (which pretty much what the summary kinda talked about).
Then the other half of the book was when Kat came along to find Jamie. Also, I thought that Carrie was only going to be a minor character, but no, she plays a big part in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2017
Greed is a killer
Lies, false pretenses, greed and jealousy all covered in this book. You did not have to figure out who were the protagonists, it was laid out for you as it happened. So much unhappiness in one family but the story unfolded at a good pace except for the ending.
Lies, false pretenses, greed and jealousy all covered in this book. You did not have to figure out who were the protagonists, it was laid out for you as it happened. So much unhappiness in one family but the story unfolded at a good pace except for the ending.
November 2, 2017
This book is terrible. The plot is predictable the characters are one-dimensional and stereotypical. I only finished it because it was blessedly short. I can't believe this is one in a series. Don't waste your time.
January 18, 2015
Exciting book
This book is a very good read. The characters are exciting and the story is action pack to the very end.I
This book is a very good read. The characters are exciting and the story is action pack to the very end.I
July 5, 2017
I was really disappointed with the direction the writer decided to take. I thought the main character would develop some grit and solve the mystery of her fiance's death herself.
August 31, 2022
Coming off the back of Titus Andronicus I was hoping for a very good book to get stuck into. Unfortunately this wasn't it. The McKays are a very wealthy and they feel entitled family with two grown up children, Jamie and Jake (the latter was adopted and ignored by both parents since). It's Jamie's 21st birthday celebrations and Ted Coleman her boyfriend kneels down in front of everyone and asks her to marry him. She really does hesitate but she knows what is expected of her and says yes. Coleman is an old wealthy family too, ah but apparently not, Ted only wants to marry her because he knows his family's firm is about to go bankrupt in 3mths and he needs Jamie's inheritance to stop it. Really Jamie needs to grow a backbone, she is so subservient to her parents, can't find a way to become independent and to to university. She annoyed me from the first few pages, as did the money grabbing Ted who had a girlfriend in Carla who he sees on a regular basis for a bit of rumpypumpy.
One day Jake, remember the unwanted unloved brother, well he also has a girlfriend Carrie who he also only wants for a bit of rumpypumpy too. So, big sigh at this point, I really can't be bothered to write this review it's just not that interesting. The book that is. Anyway Jake is with Carrie and sees Ted's car overtaking and heading off somewhere in a hurry, this is the bit where he discovers Carla and sneaks up to get pictures of their no clothes gymnastics on his phone. Why don't people close their curtains when it gets dark?? He shows the clips to Carrie and they decide to blackmail Ted as Jake has no money. Jake approaches Ted and show him the pictures and then kills him, I am not sure if he actually meant to, as what would be the point of killing the person you want to blackmail. A murder investigation begins by some pretty inept officers.
Then well I can't remember how Jamie knows that Jake kills Ted but she runs away and Carrie follows her and hits her over the head with a tire arm, whatever that is. She leaves her for dead.
So now two families are grieving. We never hear what happened to the Coleman's business. Jamie's parents now die too, grief they are two more from a very unlucky family. Jamie is at the will reading and discovers that the money and firm aren't left to him but to Jamie and if she doesn't turn up (only Jake and Carrie know she is dead), their aunt Kat who is an ex-cop running a private investigation business will take over the running of the firm. Jake and Carrie murdered for nothing.
It goes on now to Kat seeing a newsreel and sees Jamie working the streets. She sets off for somewhere I can't remember and finds the source of the newsreel and meets up with her old beau whose name I also can't remember (I really was paying attention at this point in the book wasn't I), and they set off to find Jamie. They do but she has amnesia from 4-5yrs before after the beating from Carrie and her tire arm. Eventually she goes home with Kat and one day suddenly by looking at Carrie knows she hit her and left her for dead. I was so bored at this point that I scrolled to the end and it looks as if Carrie and Jake go to prison and Kat goes off to be with her old boyfriend. Presumably the not fully recovered Jamie is now left to run the business. I hope this author hasn't written any more of his saga, oh hang on I've just realised it's number 1. I think I'll just leave it there.
One day Jake, remember the unwanted unloved brother, well he also has a girlfriend Carrie who he also only wants for a bit of rumpypumpy too. So, big sigh at this point, I really can't be bothered to write this review it's just not that interesting. The book that is. Anyway Jake is with Carrie and sees Ted's car overtaking and heading off somewhere in a hurry, this is the bit where he discovers Carla and sneaks up to get pictures of their no clothes gymnastics on his phone. Why don't people close their curtains when it gets dark?? He shows the clips to Carrie and they decide to blackmail Ted as Jake has no money. Jake approaches Ted and show him the pictures and then kills him, I am not sure if he actually meant to, as what would be the point of killing the person you want to blackmail. A murder investigation begins by some pretty inept officers.
Then well I can't remember how Jamie knows that Jake kills Ted but she runs away and Carrie follows her and hits her over the head with a tire arm, whatever that is. She leaves her for dead.
So now two families are grieving. We never hear what happened to the Coleman's business. Jamie's parents now die too, grief they are two more from a very unlucky family. Jamie is at the will reading and discovers that the money and firm aren't left to him but to Jamie and if she doesn't turn up (only Jake and Carrie know she is dead), their aunt Kat who is an ex-cop running a private investigation business will take over the running of the firm. Jake and Carrie murdered for nothing.
It goes on now to Kat seeing a newsreel and sees Jamie working the streets. She sets off for somewhere I can't remember and finds the source of the newsreel and meets up with her old beau whose name I also can't remember (I really was paying attention at this point in the book wasn't I), and they set off to find Jamie. They do but she has amnesia from 4-5yrs before after the beating from Carrie and her tire arm. Eventually she goes home with Kat and one day suddenly by looking at Carrie knows she hit her and left her for dead. I was so bored at this point that I scrolled to the end and it looks as if Carrie and Jake go to prison and Kat goes off to be with her old boyfriend. Presumably the not fully recovered Jamie is now left to run the business. I hope this author hasn't written any more of his saga, oh hang on I've just realised it's number 1. I think I'll just leave it there.
May 14, 2025
A story that was sometimes nice, but most of the time somewhat disturbing. A family with lots of wealth, but not much love for each other when they needed it. Difficult relationships causing mistrust and poor reasons for critical decisions. A marriage essentially arranged by parents, disregarding the wishes of their daughter. A protective brother who finds out terrible things about the fiancé and accidentally kills him. These events really get the ball rolling in the first part of the story. Another bad character is brought in again and married for the wrong reasons. Good grief.
And then the best person in the family is severely beaten and left for dead, but when her parents are killed in a terrible accident, it becomes critical to find her. Thus begins the second part of the story, as a talented aunt returns to lead the search, but finds an old flame that she must ask for help. This is perhaps the best part of the story as they work together to find the young woman who is missing. And when she is found, more problems are created. What a complicated story!
And then the best person in the family is severely beaten and left for dead, but when her parents are killed in a terrible accident, it becomes critical to find her. Thus begins the second part of the story, as a talented aunt returns to lead the search, but finds an old flame that she must ask for help. This is perhaps the best part of the story as they work together to find the young woman who is missing. And when she is found, more problems are created. What a complicated story!
July 28, 2018
It's a fairly easy read and pretty short but I did enjoy it. Some parts are fairly cliché but there are some good twists. It usually takes me a few months to finish my nighttime books as I only usually read a few chapters at a time but I finished this in under a fortnight.
I was quickly invested in the storyline and characters. Only negative, it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger with something that's been teased early on in the book.
Kudos to the author though. I'll definitely be buying the next one. A first for me with Bookbub!
The Goodread reviews aren't the best but if you need a break from your usual genre or just want to try something new and not too long I would recommend giving it a go! 😊
I was quickly invested in the storyline and characters. Only negative, it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger with something that's been teased early on in the book.
Kudos to the author though. I'll definitely be buying the next one. A first for me with Bookbub!
The Goodread reviews aren't the best but if you need a break from your usual genre or just want to try something new and not too long I would recommend giving it a go! 😊
May 14, 2017
5/13/17
TO KILL FOR
A.J. Carella
Ok, so at the party and he asked her to marry him, I saw that coming. Didn't see it coming when I found the reason, nor did I see it coming when the murder happened. Saw it coming when he told his girlfriend, saw it ocming when she replied. Didn't see it when she was attacked and lost her memory nor when I found out who she was.
This is a whole mystery full of cliffhangers and twists and turns and it was very entertaining and totally held my interest. But the best, the very best, was the end, the very end. Bet ya don't know, huh? Did you see it coming, I didn't.
I recommend this to anyone who likes a mystery, enjoy it.
'
TO KILL FOR
A.J. Carella
Ok, so at the party and he asked her to marry him, I saw that coming. Didn't see it coming when I found the reason, nor did I see it coming when the murder happened. Saw it coming when he told his girlfriend, saw it ocming when she replied. Didn't see it when she was attacked and lost her memory nor when I found out who she was.
This is a whole mystery full of cliffhangers and twists and turns and it was very entertaining and totally held my interest. But the best, the very best, was the end, the very end. Bet ya don't know, huh? Did you see it coming, I didn't.
I recommend this to anyone who likes a mystery, enjoy it.
'
March 1, 2018
Goodreads says this book has 485 pages, but the ebook I downloaded only had 214, so I have no idea what happened. This book is incomplete, several typos, page 211 is missing (???) did anyone even proofread this thing?!
That being said, this book is not worth your time or money. It was slightly interesting but randomly introducing new characters without providing any backstory and constantly switch the POV was distracting. Especially since the POV would switch and it would take several pages to even figure out who’s POV you were currently reading. I was really disappointed with this book. The story had such good potential but it just didn’t pan out in the end :(
That being said, this book is not worth your time or money. It was slightly interesting but randomly introducing new characters without providing any backstory and constantly switch the POV was distracting. Especially since the POV would switch and it would take several pages to even figure out who’s POV you were currently reading. I was really disappointed with this book. The story had such good potential but it just didn’t pan out in the end :(
August 27, 2018
Strange
The first part was great and had me interested about the plot. Then suddenly there were about a million perspective shifts in one chapter, a way too sudden timeskip, and lots of little errors that hadn't been edited out. It got back on track close to the end, although a lot of areas where I wanted to know more were cut short and there were some chapters that didn't seem to advance the plot at all. Having said that, I went on to download the next book for free so I'm not giving up on this author yet.
The first part was great and had me interested about the plot. Then suddenly there were about a million perspective shifts in one chapter, a way too sudden timeskip, and lots of little errors that hadn't been edited out. It got back on track close to the end, although a lot of areas where I wanted to know more were cut short and there were some chapters that didn't seem to advance the plot at all. Having said that, I went on to download the next book for free so I'm not giving up on this author yet.
May 29, 2022
A really good book!
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed learning about the characters and seeing their development throughout. There were times that I was surprised by the way they turned out in the end. The best thing about this book is unlike the last one that I read by this author, there weren’t as many errors. So reading it was very easy and I didn’t have to stop and figure out what was trying to be said.
I definitely received this book and will most likely the rest of the series in the future.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed learning about the characters and seeing their development throughout. There were times that I was surprised by the way they turned out in the end. The best thing about this book is unlike the last one that I read by this author, there weren’t as many errors. So reading it was very easy and I didn’t have to stop and figure out what was trying to be said.
I definitely received this book and will most likely the rest of the series in the future.
May 16, 2024
Jamie and her brother Jake McKay come from a wealthy southern family. Jamie is engaged to Ted who comes from a wealthy family and Jamie’s parents approve of their marriage. Jake has a hostile relationship with his father and disapproves of his girlfriend. Ted was unfaithful to Jamie and is found dead and Jake may be a suspect after finding out his girlfriend had an affair with Ted. Jamie disappears after the death of her parents a year and a half later and their aunt Kat who is a police officer in Los Angeles returns to help locate Jamie. I really enjoyed this thrilling crime fiction novel.
July 9, 2017
I liked it so much, I moved on to the next book, but then I had to if I wanted to find out what happens between Finn and Kat. The dynamics between these family members is very well written. However, they seem to be able to adjust a bit too quickly considering the tragedies they endure, but then, the family does have a history of avoiding dealing with their feelings and hiding the pain which brings about its own tragedies.
August 18, 2017
I believed a recommendation from another author who said this writer was really good. I wonder if he has read the book?
It's a light drama with fights, killings, romantic conflict episodes and the like. The story was broken up, it went from Part I to Part II and I didn't know who the people were; it was like I had walked into a house full of strangers. It was eventually sorted, but not without a lot of questions in my mind.
Don't waste your time with this one; it isn't worth it.
It's a light drama with fights, killings, romantic conflict episodes and the like. The story was broken up, it went from Part I to Part II and I didn't know who the people were; it was like I had walked into a house full of strangers. It was eventually sorted, but not without a lot of questions in my mind.
Don't waste your time with this one; it isn't worth it.
April 15, 2019
Good premise
While I felt the premise of this book was great. I didn't Care for the execution. There was no mystery and it seemed to be all over the place. We knew too much information too fast leaving nothing really to look forward to at the end. We were unnecessarily inside too many characters heads throughout the book. The book would have been much better had the author stuck to just two characters POV. But judge for yourself.
While I felt the premise of this book was great. I didn't Care for the execution. There was no mystery and it seemed to be all over the place. We knew too much information too fast leaving nothing really to look forward to at the end. We were unnecessarily inside too many characters heads throughout the book. The book would have been much better had the author stuck to just two characters POV. But judge for yourself.
May 8, 2017
I was enjoying this a lot until I reached the end. When I buy a novel, I expect the story to tie up all the questions that are brought up, disclose all the secrets brought up, and not leave me hanging there with my mouth open. If the writer had done that, I would have most likey bought more of her books. But the trust is gone for good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews