Victoria Helen Stone, or shall I say Victoria Dahl—I absolutely loved Jane Doe and I am pleading for you to write a sequel. I need Jane in my Victoria Helen Stone, or shall I say Victoria Dahl—I absolutely loved Jane Doe and I am pleading for you to write a sequel. I need Jane in my life, and now that I'm done with this novel, I don't know how I will be able to cope without her. Jane, my imaginary bff, is a sociopath, hellbent on revenge. Jane moves back to the United States, specifically to Minneapolis, after living a very profitable life in Malaysia for years. Jane has gone rogue, working at an insurance company as a temp assistant for the firm, so she can get to know Steven Hepsworth. Steven is super religious, controlling, and a chauvinist asshole who preys on the weak and timid. Jane has played mind games before—she's a master manipulator and an expert at playing on the emotions of men. Jane is ready for revenge and ready to destroy Steven at all costs. Why is Jane so determined to ruin Steven?
I can't really dive any deeper into the story, and trust me, you don't want to know anymore because the best thing about this story are the secrets behind the characters. Jane is seriously my imaginary bff and I can't wait for you to see why. She's ruthless, sarcastic, hilarious, and devious. If you think Gone Girl was intense, you haven't met Jane Doe. I devoured this book; sneaking some reading at work, on the subway, at home, you name it! I just couldn't get enough of Jane and her antics. I promise you all, I'm not a sociopath, but I am so intrigued in the inner workings of people who suffer from this personality trait. Jane exhibits all signs of sociopath behavior, but she's quite lovable as a character—you are rooting for her to win!
Jane Doe is sexy, smart, and truly the dark psychological thriller that I've been looking for. With this tale, you get an original, truly immersive story, while also comedy and thrills that you didn't see coming. I urge you to pick up Jane Doe when it's released August 1st. Thank you Amazon Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Cecilia Wilborg is the IT woman in her elite suburban Norwegian town. With two beautiful daughters, a loving husband, and financial stability and succCecilia Wilborg is the IT woman in her elite suburban Norwegian town. With two beautiful daughters, a loving husband, and financial stability and success, Cecilia has the life that many people dream about. Cecilia, however privileged she may be, seems frustrated and anxious for more out of life. Her drinking has continually increased as weeks pass, while her animosity towards others continues to grow. Why is Cecilia so unlikable and cold? Is the pressure of being the perfect wife, mother, and interior designer finally getting to her?
One day, after her two daughters are done swimming in the community pool, Cecilia is asked to take a local boy home because his parents forgot to pick him up. Cecilia is less than thrilled, to say the least, at the idea of having to drive a strange kid home. When she arrives to the boy's family home, it's abandoned and completely empty. Cecilia can't let this boy stay in a dilapidated house, so after the boy insists, she allows him to spend the night. Unbeknownst to the boy, this request opens a lot of skeletons in Cecilia's closet—some that she may not necessarily be ready for.
The Boy at the Door is the scandi-thriller that I've been waiting for! If you know anything about me; nordic noir and scandi-thrillers really aren't my thing. I'm not a big fan of Nesbo, and no other Scandinavian reads have really hit home for me. The Boy at the Door breaks the mold in this genre for me; for three main (there are more, but I don't want to spoil anything for you) reasons: 1. Cecilia is unlikable, unrelatable, but determined to get her way. I really enjoyed reading The Boy at the Door, while hating Cecilia immensely. Is that bad to say?! As time grew on, she became more relatable and honest with who she is as a person, and it triggered me emotionally. When I picked up the novel, I literally thought she was scum, but by the end of The Boy at the Door, I was rooting for her. It's a hard feat for an author to completely change your opinion about a main character, while making the story progress naturally. 2. Red herrings and storylines were immersive and captivating. While you read The Boy at the Door, there are several red herrings, loop holes in the story, and plot developments that may seem too convenient to be real, which at first stunned me by it's sheer unbelievable tone, but as the story progresses, you'll be shocked at how it wraps up. 3. The story is original, but follows a popularly formatted thriller process. If you follow my reviews, you'll see that there's a similar format to which I like my thrillers. I enjoy a narrative that is relatable, but original in its tone and familiarity. Cecilia's picture-perfect life is one of many that most people can relate to—either by similarity or by television and movies—but, the secrets that unfold are truly devious and mind-boggling. You will be completely shocked by the time you turn the final page. UGH I wish I can spill more tea! If you want to talk more about this book, message me here or on my Instagram at @scared_str8, because I CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT THIS BOOK.
The Boy at the Door will be released on July 24th, and I urge you to pick this story up if you're interested in a scandi-thriller that breaks the mold. Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review....more
A Little Life is nothing short of extraordinary. Please bare with me on this review, because it'll be long, probably not proofed correctly, and emA Little Life is nothing short of extraordinary. Please bare with me on this review, because it'll be long, probably not proofed correctly, and emotional for me. Never in my life have I been so personally touched by a fiction novel. A Little Life centers around four best friends: Willem, JB, Malcolm, and Jude—taking you from their first apartments in New York, and progressing decades later. The four friends are all struggling in their own rite, but have big dreams of success and ambition. Willem is working at restaurants, trying to break into acting; Jude has dreams of being a powerful attorney, JB is dedicated to his art, and Malcolm wants to succeed as an architect. We are invited on the journey of their lives, but I'm not too sure that everyone will be able to handle it.
As with any group of friends, as time progresses; their friendships will evolve and change. I can't go more into that sentence about friendships, but I can say that as the friendships change, they all eventually band toward being a support system for Jude. Jude's past continues to haunt him—his horrendous struggles growing up should never be something anyone should ever have to go through. Jude compensates his personal struggles and depression by excelling at the law firm that he works for, and by self-harm. A Little Life is a beautifully told story, but it is dark and I'll have to place a disclaimer for you: self-harm, rape, domestic abuse, and drug addiction are covered throughout the story, and just when you think the topic has subsided, it grows. That being said, let's get to my thoughts. There will be some spoilers, but I will make sure to cover them when possible.
My thoughts: I have never read anything like A Little Life in my entire life. I fell in love with these men, in ways that I never thought would be possible (since it's a fiction novel and these characters don't exist). A Little Life is raw, dark, and beautifully told. The story is broken into seven parts, and it's an epic novel to dedicate time to pick up. While reading Part One: Lispenard Street, and half of Part Two: The Postman, I was contemplating putting this story down, and picking up something else that is at a faster pace. A Little Life is the slowest burn you'll ever meet, but once it gets started (think like page 250- yikes!), you're captured under Hanya Yanagihara's spell. I began to feel like JB, Malcolm, (and especially) Willem, and Jude were people I cared about—they were people I loved. It's so weird to admit that out loud, but that's ultimately how I felt.
Spoilers for those who read the story, because I realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyy want to talk about this until the end of time:
(view spoiler)[As the story continues, Jude's depression and self-harm continues to grow, and the reader finds out more about his past. I cried hearing about Jude's sexual assaults, his physical abuse, and his childhood in general. No one should ever have to experience anything like that in their life. There's so many moments that had me on the edge of my seat: JB's meth addiction, Jude's life with the POS Brother Luke, and Harold's adoption of Jude, but I loved when Willem and Jude became a couple. It's the most touching moment of the story, and something that resonated with me completely. I had hope for them and for a possible happy outcome of the story. Their Happy Yearsmade me happy!. A Little Life is not about having a "happy ending", but rather tell the truth about pain and suffering. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried reading about Willem and Malcolm's death, and I sobbed at Jude's suicide. I wanted them all to succeed, but that isn't how the world works. (hide spoiler)]
I'm getting a little emotional even writing this review, but I want to thank you Hanya Yanagihara. Thank you for tastefully covering the issues gay men deal with in a hetero-normative society so beautifully tragic (we are still going through the ringer, folks!). Thank you for speaking to issues people experience, or know people who experience without shame, and without fantasy. Thank you for setting up the beautiful story in Parts One and Two, just to make sure I'd stick it out until the end. Thank you for showing me Willem and Jude's love and doing it so tastefully. And lastly, thank you for writing A Little Life, I'll never forget Jude, Willem, JB, Malcolm, and Harold, and I'll never forget A Little Life....more
Sharon Bolton's latest release, The Craftsman is her best yet. I am so ready for you all to get hooked by her newest tale—witchcraftALL THE STARS!
Sharon Bolton's latest release, The Craftsman is her best yet. I am so ready for you all to get hooked by her newest tale—witchcraft, serial killers, children being buried alive—WHAT?! The story starts off in 1999, where serial killer Larry Glassbrook is being laid to rest. After spending 30 years in prison for the murder of three local teenagers back in 1969, Larry's notoriety has not weathered since his arrest. The small town Sabden has never been the same since Larry's havoc with the townsfolk began, but after Larry is buried, the town is put through turmoil once again. Florence Lovelady, the police investigator who was responsible for Larry's arrest, has returned to the town and has been noticing a copycat criminal appearing out of nowhere. This new culprit is repeating the steps that Larry took with his victims, but has now aimed the direction at Florence. Florence is in danger, but who's the person wanting her gone?
I can't stress enough how fully developed the story is in The Craftsman. Bolton's use of witchcraft is masterfully portrayed in the story, without turning to the side of ridiculousness—it's authentic, real, and emotionally driven. The story alternates between 1999 and 1969, so the mystery appears to have subsided because we think we know what happens, but there's a larger force at play here and it'll leave you stunned. While the story does develop into a witchcraft-induced mystery, the bigger theme of family and guardianship will ultimately immerse you into a world you may not know anything about.
The Craftsman is one of my favorite reads that I've read this year, and definitely Bolton's best. If you have ever enjoyed anything that Sharon Bolton's written in the past, you would be a fool to not pick up this story. Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The Craftsman will be released on October 16, 2018—just in time for Halloween....more
Caroline Kepnes is one of those authors that I have been sleeping on for awhile, and I don't know why! Seriously folks, what the heck was wrong with mCaroline Kepnes is one of those authors that I have been sleeping on for awhile, and I don't know why! Seriously folks, what the heck was wrong with me for waiting this long to pick up the exceptional YOU?! I always knew that I was eventually going to read something by Ms. Kepnes, but after spying on YOU at the bookstore (wink wink just like the story), I just knew it was time to read it. I'm so glad that I picked it up, because now that I know it's becoming a series, I will gladly watch and complain about how this doesn't live up to Kepnes's novel.
When strikingly beautiful Guinevere Beck (nicknamed Beck) stumbles into this local bookstore managed by Joe Goldberg, an immediate connection has been made. The connection is more than just chemistry, it's fate. However, this connection appears to be only one-sided. Joe is enamored by Beck and begins to cyber-stalk her through social media. In all fairness, I did some "research" on my current boyfriend before going on the first date too... After awhile, Joe begins to monitor and track everything Beck is doing through her cyber connections with people—email, Twitter, and Facebook become a goldmine of information for Joe to capture and catalog. Joe soon loses all control and obsessively tries to infuse himself into Beck's life and there's nothing anybody can do to stop him. As Joe and Beck begin to form some sort of relationship, Joe's behavior goes from creepy to totally irrational, and the lines of conscience behavior are blurred to say the least.
Alright alright alright, you have probably already read YOU and don't care to know my opinion about it, but too bad because I'm giving it anyway. The factors that make YOU stand out from the typical over-saturated psychological thriller genre are how Kepnes portrays sexuality and human behavior with her characters. Why am I secretly rooting for the villain? Why am I angry at the victim? And can the two characters switch roles? The lines are so blurred because of their human interaction and behaviors, that by diving into the psyche of Kepnes's characters, you really begin to have strong emotional responses to their behavior. YOU is not a romance novel by any means, but I will say it's slightly erotic. Embarrassingly, I was uncomfortably turned on at points which was unexpected and kind of creepy. YOU is scary in the most unique, disturbing, and original way possible. It caught me off-guard from beginning to end, so good luck trying to figure this one out.
YOU successfully blurs the lines between right and wrong, and villain and hero, through it's powerful writing and depiction of sexuality and human interaction. This is been one of the most interesting stories I've read this year, if not ever. I immediately ordered the follow up on Amazon once finishing this story.
You can find me on Instagram at @scared_str8...more
This book is going to be the most difficult book to review in 2018, I can call this out now. Wow, I am at a loss for words at the moment. How do you rThis book is going to be the most difficult book to review in 2018, I can call this out now. Wow, I am at a loss for words at the moment. How do you review a book that you're still questioning about a day later? The Cabin at the End of the World is my first attempt in venturing into Paul Tremblay's world of horror and psychological suspense. The story's arc is your typical home invasion horror (one of my favorite movies The Strangers comes to mind), mixed with the confusion and chaos reminiscent in the movie 10 Cloverfield Lane. Eric, Andrew, and their daughter Wen are all vacationing at a remote cabin in rural New Hampshire; enjoying the beautiful lake, peace and tranquility, and each other. Wen is out front collecting grasshoppers for her terrarium, while Eric and Andrew are lounging on the deck in the backyard. While Wen is out front, she is approached by a stranger who goes by the name Leonard. Leonard is young, friendly, and approachable—immediately convincing Wen that he's safe to talk to. While they are talking, Leonard apologizes for what's to come to her family. Immediately, several people walk toward the house carrying makeshift weapons and demand to talk to Wen's parents. As Wen runs into the house, Eric and Andrew lock the doors and threaten to call the police. Leonard and his group demand to talk to the family because they believe that they can save the world. As their time together progresses, we are left with questions about humanity, the hostility of paranoia, and the feats of survival.
The Cabin at the End of the World is like an ignited explosive in your hands; counting down while you're left to figure out how to stop it from detonating. Once you pick up the book, the story immediately carries you to a world of chaos with no moment to relax. The story does not answer all your questions; especially by the end you'll still be scratching your heads. However, I love how this book actually makes you think afterwards. What I loved about The Cabin at the End of the World most was that it followed it's own rules. Although the book is not perfect and does have flaws (OK so I gave it 5 stars, sue me because I loved it), we have a unique plot that you are literally thrown in the middle of. It was very refreshing that the family dynamic was not your typical nuclear family that has been driven down the readers throats time and time again. We don't find out most of the causes and effects before and after this story takes place, but we really don't need to. The Cabin at the End of the World is a thought-provoking, heart-pumping thriller that takes you to the depths of your imagination, while also scaring the HELL out of you.
Thank you William Morrow Books and Astoria Bookshop for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review....more
In a world where Orange is the New Black, Dexter, and The Luckiest Girl Alive collide; Jar of Hearts showcases the true reality of people who have beeIn a world where Orange is the New Black, Dexter, and The Luckiest Girl Alive collide; Jar of Hearts showcases the true reality of people who have been decimated by the manipulation of others. It is creepy, emotional, and heart wrentchingly poetic.
Georgina Shaw (Geo) has accepted a plea deal for her involvement in the murder of Angela Wong, her childhood best friend, in exchange for testimony in taking down one of the most prolific serial killers in the modern media today. At 30 years old, Geo is a Vice President at Shipp Pharmaceuticals, a family run conglomerate in which she is engaged to the heir of the throne. Geo has the best representation money can buy, yet chooses to acknowledge her negligence and lack of conscience in a crime that was unsolved for over fourteen years. After providing her testimony, Geo is sentenced to five years in prison. While Geo is in prison, she learns how to survive in a world where people can't justify right and wrong and where people coincide together after being shunned by society. As Geo serves her sentence, it is reported that the serial killer who was sentenced after her testimony was given, has escaped prison and is on the loose. Geo is released five years later, and left to pick up the pieces after her entire world was obliterated in a matter of minutes.
Geo returns back home, where she is shunned and degraded, and tries to bring a sense of normalcy back to her life. With her old life in shambles and her fortune dwindling away, Geo has to start over from scratch. When wind gets out that similar murders have been taking place around the metropolitan area, Geo is on guard. Is this the making of a vengeful figure from her past? Is the serial killer back to finish what he started? Is Geo in danger?
I really enjoyed Jar of Hearts—probably even more than I thought I would because the synopsis really doesn't do the book justice. With such a multifaceted story arc, Jar of Hearts provides us a full detailed storyline that doesn't even begin to cover what I'm even reviewing about. You think I spilled the tea too much, think again! This story arc is strong and detailed, without ever deterring too far away from the central theme. We also get an in-depth look into America's prison system—literally being flies on the wall while Geo is serving out her sentence. Not only does Jar of Hearts provide you a different spin on the crime-fiction genre, it also plays up on our emotions as humans. I constantly battled between disliking and loving Geo and I think it was the first time ever that I battled with the protagonist in such a profound way. We see how the innocence of others can be molded and influenced by the actions of others—where a history of a person's past can still influence them in the future. Jar of Hearts is one of the more emotionally-driven stories that I've ever picked up.
Thank you Minotaur Books for providing my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Jar of Hearts is released June 12, 2018!...more
In the Vines is a disturbingly creepy story set in New England, with Mary Olivia Pentecost (Mop) and he2018 is the year for gothic noir suspense.
In the Vines is a disturbingly creepy story set in New England, with Mary Olivia Pentecost (Mop) and her Aunt Liv Vandonbeer playing center stage. Mary Olivia and her family are one of the most wealthy families in America, dating their genealogical power back to the inception of the United States. Mop has a strong and very loving relationship with her family, but her closest relative is her "Aunty" Liv. Liv resides by herself in her own estate, rather than at the Rye estate with Mop, her parents, and her paternal aunt. Mop has established a life of her own with her Aunty Liv—falling in love with the neighbor's son Manny and basically looking at her aunt as a second mother. Aunty Liv is very close with Mop's mother, Johanna, and they have a trifecta of strength together.
This family is far from perfect, but with wealth comes power. The family ties of both the Vandonbeer and Pentecost crests are stronger than any obstacle that comes their way. As Mop gets older, she realizes the power of her family name and the secrets they hold dear. With a family surrounded by secrets and betrayals, the only way they can survive with the power and fortune that they share, is by venturing through it together.
I really didn't want to give you a more detailed synopsis of In the Vines because the story is told in such a peculiar, original way. The mystery behind In the Vines is why this book is so powerful and intriguing to me. I guarantee that you will be surprised in how this story plays out—the synopsis doesn't give you even a hint of what to expect. We start the story in the present, with Mop dealing with a situation (to put lightly), and we continue on with the story by transitioning between time frames and point of views. In the Vines starts off with a modern-day Grey Gardens vibe, but will knock the socks right off of you if unprepared. It's a graphic, chilling, and refreshingly honest read about how family dynamics, no matter how rich or poor they can be, are the most challenging.
In the Vines starts off with mystery and confusion. You really don't know what the hell is going on, and that's the point. The intrigue of the first half of the story left me guarded, confused, and in anticipation for what's to come. Once the main story arc arrives at it's climax, everything falls into place. Overall, In the Vines is an original, mysterious, gothic, fun read that delivers.
Thank you Amazon Publishing for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. In the Vines will be released on July 17 so make sure to put this on your TBR list. I'm serious. ...more
EPIC—Literally the first word that comes to mind after finishing up Christopher Rice's masterpiece, Bone Music. Charlotte doesn't have the cookie-EPIC—Literally the first word that comes to mind after finishing up Christopher Rice's masterpiece, Bone Music. Charlotte doesn't have the cookie-cutter life that many would be able to relate to. When she was seven years old, her parents were arrested after they were discovered to be a pair of serial killers, who in fact murdered Charlotte's birth mother. Charlotte's "parents tried to mold her into their prodigy with little success. Once she was rescued, Charlotte was reunited with her biological father and sent to live with him after spending years under the psychological deviousness of her captors. Charlotte's father realizes that Charlotte's story will break the mold for Hollywood success and exploits her shortcomings in a series of fiction novels and movie deals. Charlotte is reliving her past everyday in the public eye, with even more evil and public humiliation than before. Charlotte successfully emancipates from her father and changes her life around for the better. Fast-forward to the present day, Charlotte spends her days in rural Arizona, where she enjoys solitude and tranquility after growing up in the public eye. However, Charlotte's life ends up being completely thrown for a loop when she is secretly dosed with an experimental drug, allowing her to have shocking superhuman strength and healing properties. Think Jessica Jones, but more realistic. Charlotte's life will never be the same again—especially now that she's being hunted by those who want to control her newfound abilities. Once burned by her past, Charlotte will now use her extraordinary powers to prevent anyone falling victim to the torment she once possessed ever again.
OK everyone, I have to be honest here when it comes to Bone Music and the amazing Christopher Rice. My boyfriend is a big fan of Mr. Rice's work and for years he was begging me to try and pick up one of his books. My excuses always were, "maybe another time", "don't you read classic literature?", "well Gillian Flynn didn't provide a quote so IDK." It wasn't until I started seeing this book everywhere that it sparked my interest. Of course when I picked it up, the boyfriend was all "told ya so!" about it, but whatever!
Bone Music is seriously one of the best books I've ever read in my life. I can feel it, I know it, I'm living it. It's the book you need to read this year. I cannot stop talking about this book! At 450 pages, the story is so multifaceted, yet fast-paced. I never once felt overwhelmed by the length of the story nor the depth of Rice's writing (but seriously the depth in which the story is written is amazing). We learn about a plethora of characters and their personalities, without it ever being too much to handle. Seriously though, am I the only one fangirling over Dylan? #bae Not only is the characterization for Bone Music so wonderfully painted, we are also provided an original story that is not only believable, but refreshing. With a touch of sci-fi/supernatural, the story never falls into fantasy fanfare. If there's one review to take seriously from me this year, it would be this one. I know if you're following me on Instagram @scared_str8, you'll know that for 2017 that book was Unsub. GUYS THIS IS MY NEW WORSHIP BOOK FOR 2018! #micdrop ...more
First and foremost, I'm happy to say that RUTH WARE IS BACK! I've been a fan of Ruth Ware since Day 1. In a Dark, Dark Wood was such a good debut lighFirst and foremost, I'm happy to say that RUTH WARE IS BACK! I've been a fan of Ruth Ware since Day 1. In a Dark, Dark Wood was such a good debut light-mystery novel and The Woman in Cabin 10 was one of my favorite mystery novels of all time. After my disappointment with The Lying Game, I still was hopeful for The Death of Mrs. Westaway. Ruth Ware went back to her roots with The Death of Mrs. Westaway and created a robust, multifaceted, and fascinating story. Seriously guys, I read this 360+ page book in one sitting!
Harriet (Hal) Westaway is a young twenty-something year old tarot card reader in Brighton, England. She is struggling to pay the bills; barely making rent while her business is providing dismal financial stability. With loan sharks out to enforce their illegal and exploitative payment plans, Hal is looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. Her mother died years ago, and she has no family to lean on—she is utterly alone. As Hal checks her mail, she receives notice that her grandmother, Hester Mary Westaway, has recently passed away and has left Hal an inheritance of some kind. Hal believes this to be a clerical error of some kind because her grandparents have been dead for years. Desperate, Hal decides that she can fraudulently try and claim this inheritance as her own—she's been conning innocent people for years as a tarot card reader and this will just be another gig for her.
When Hal arrives to the Westaway family home, she quickly finds herself immersed in a rich family history that quickly starts to crumble. Something is wrong with this family, but Hal just can't seem to grasp what is so concerning. In a world of family dynamics, betrayal, and greed; The Death of Mrs. Westaway delivers a realistic mystery crime-fiction novel that will keep you hooked from page one.
I know it's lame to compare author's works to each other, but in order to show the reasoning behind my five-star rating for The Death of Mrs. Westaway, I'm going to have to tell you how this story differs from Ware's other works. At its core, The Death of Mrs. Westaway provides a lot more atmospheric undertones than anything she's ever produced. Its gothic atmosphere provides a higher level of suspense that I have yet to see in anything else. This story is a lot more dense than In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10; you can really see the progress Ruth Ware has made in her writing and she continually fine tunes it in this story. For about a good 30% of the book, we have the characterization of Hal set perfectly. At first, I immediately felt that this was going to be a slow burn novel, but I was wrong because everything comes full circle. We see Hal's desperation come to life and her willingness to deceive to survive. Hal is not the typical alcoholic unreliable narrator that we have come to grow tired of in every suspense novel that has been published since 2015. Hal is entertaining and honestly refreshing. When we meet the secondary characters, they are all unique and interesting in their own way. Each character in The Death of Mrs. Westaway is fully developed and multi-dimensional.
After reading the synopsis, throw everything you think about Ruth Ware novels out the window. The Death of Mrs. Westaway will keep you guessing until the very end (seriously, I thought the story was winding down and was completely thrown off by the end). Thank you Scout Press/Gallery Books for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The Death of Mrs. Westaway will be released May 29, 2018.
One for sorrow Two for joy Three for a girl Four for a boy Five for silver Six for gold Seven for a secret Never to be told....more
Who would have thought my first 5 star review of 2018 would be this throwback by Ms. Marisha Pessl?! Night Film is original, captivating, and so iWho would have thought my first 5 star review of 2018 would be this throwback by Ms. Marisha Pessl?! Night Film is original, captivating, and so intelligently produced. It is one of the most astounding reads I've ever read in my life. The story starts off with the death and apparent suicide of young twenty-something Ashley Cordova, the daughter of infamous producer and director Stanislas Cordova. Stanislas Cordova is infamous in his own rite; creating a cult fanbase with a series of dark, twisted movies that were eventually blacklisted from ever seeing mainstream production. Scott McGrath, disgraced journalist who has battled Stanislas Cordova in the past has decided to see if he can do some research and see if there's anything he can find out about the mysterious death of Ashley. With little background on the Cordova family to go on, Scott must venture in uncharted territory with unspeakable means of gaining access to this uber-wealthy and secretive family. With a spin of the supernatural, Scott begins to notice that there's been an abundance of strange coincidences happening around him. While Scott is trying to find answers, is someone trying to find him?
Alright everyone, that's all you get for my synopsis review of the story because I can't divulge anymore without spoilers. For 2018, I decided to commit to reading books that have been unread and sitting on my shelf for an extended period of time. I didn't know that Night Film would be the book I've been waiting for my entire life. Listen, I'm apprehensive over any book over 500 pages, but I figured I'd try it out and if I was bored, I'd just DNF it. Boy, I was sooooo wrong! Marisa Pessl has created a masterpiece that I don't think I could ever forget. Not only does she tell the story with beautifully and tactfully crafted pieces of imagery that highlight the plot masterfully as you read, she paints a story that is so original that kept me guessing up until the very last page! How can that happen? Ms. Pessl, call me! We need to discuss this book more. As a New Yorker, I found Pessl's research on various checkpoints in the story depicted perfectly. Without giving too much into the story, I'll provide an example. There's a store called Enchantments featured and this store is described 100% perfectly—I should know as I'm a customer there! Ms. Pessl did her research while crafting this story and it doesn't go unnoticed to me.
Overall opinion: If you want to have a taste of horror, but you are also a crime-fiction junkie, then pick up this book!Night Film is not a beach read, it will take some dedicated time to get through as it is pretty dense, but it is so worth it. I felt as if I was latched into the story. I wanted to be there and help goddammit! If you're a fan of The X-Files or The Twilight Zone then I highly recommend picking this up NOW....more
Since Goodreads LOST my review, I guess I will have to rewrite this. 2018 and we can have lambs growing in plastic bag embryos, but I lose my review..Since Goodreads LOST my review, I guess I will have to rewrite this. 2018 and we can have lambs growing in plastic bag embryos, but I lose my review... alright.
The Social Affair is a quick, engagingly dark read that I was so happy to start reading for my TBR January 2018 list! When I saw all the buzz on social media about this book, I knew that I had to get my hands on it before I was the last stooge reading it #fomo (fear of missing out). Britney King's unorthodox storytelling in this novel is so deeply captivating to me—I was hooked from the very first page. We start off with a prologue, a whole bunch of chaos, and we are left to pick up the pieces. We open with Izzy Lewis, barista and server at a local coffee shop. Izzy pseudo-manages her boss Sharon's business, while also whipping up frappuccinos and artisan sandwiches to customers. Izzy is just continuing on with her day-to-day when she is hypnotized by the perfect couple—Grant and Josie Dunn. The Dunns are waiting on-line for their order, but Izzy is completely and totally spellbound by this couple. After they leave the shop, Izzy does what any normal millennial would do in this case, "research" (hehe) them on social media. The social media outlet of choice in this novel is Instalook. Izzy ends up finding Josie's account and is drawn in by her "perfect life". Josie has the relationship, the lifestyle, and the #goals of Izzy's dreams. Izzy has been depressed ever since her husband Joshua passed away, but this new couple is giving her hope to move on. As Izzy investigates further (I love using polite synonyms for stalking), she quickly becomes immersed in the Dunn's lives.
Josie Dunn has the family, the money, the husband, the body—she has it all! Josie is a stay-at-home wife and mother to renowned plastic surgeon Grant, daughter Avery, and son James. The family is literally #lifegoals. When Josie isn't catching up with the Girls Tribe, she is posting about her perfect American Dream life on Instalook. The family also belongs to this new church called New Hope. New Hope is a new congregation that has formed by the Dunn family and their friends and it offers a new perspective on life. While New Hope possibly had good intentions, the rules and guidelines formed after its inception would be deemed by many as radical. Josie has the life that people only fantasize about, but is it worth losing her freedom for?
Ok Ms. King, we need to chat. This book was seriously so intoxicating. So intoxicating in fact, that I'm re-writing this review and actually can remember most of the points that I made in my initial review (Bye Goodreads). I really enjoyed how the story opens as an action-packed thriller and as time goes on it turns more psychological. We really don't know who to trust at first. Do I like Izzy? Do I like Grant? Do I like Josie? Heck, do I like Beth?! Who do I root for? I think it's really entertaining when you learn bits and pieces of a puzzle without deterring far from the story and The Social Affair does that well. We get right into the meat and potatoes, skip the salad! Well, unless that's what you'd rather have, but I digress. As the story progressed, things were so not what they seemed and I felt like I was a fly on the wall in these peoples's lives. I think as a reader, if you enjoyed BA Paris's Behind Closed Doors, Roz Nay's Our Little Secret or the television show Black Mirror, then you will love this book. We get an original domestic thriller, some psychological aspects, and a philosophical lesson on how social media has completely taken over our lives....more
When the Real Housewives and Big Little Lies collide—Jessica Knoll's The Favorite Sister is a perfect concoction of both reality television and femaleWhen the Real Housewives and Big Little Lies collide—Jessica Knoll's The Favorite Sister is a perfect concoction of both reality television and female dynamics.
When I heard Jessica Knoll was coming out with a second novel that exploited the reality television genre in the same vein of the Real Housewives, I was immediately sold. How can I get a copy? What do I need to do? Who's going to be Bethenny Frankel in her book?! I'd do almost anything to get my hands on a copy, no joke. The story involves five wealthy women in New York City who are all featured in the hit reality television show called Goal Diggers. Goal Diggers is a show that strives to show millennial women successfully undertaking careers, while pushing gender norms aside. This cast is uninterested in having children and being stay-at-home mothers; they'd rather break the Forbes 100 list. In this dynamic group, we have Brett Courtney—a twenty-seven year old lesbian woman who is unafraid of what people may say about her body image and runs a yoga studio called SPOKE. She is tattooed and voluptuous, and she makes no apologies for it. Stephanie Simmons can be deemed the token black woman character on the cast, but she is so much more than that. She is a successful author, businesswoman, and wife; who has just released her empowering memoir that is breaking sales records. Lauren Bunn has launched her innovative dating app that is growing in popularity each day, but her drunken antics have caught tabloid attention that overshadows all the success that she has gained. Jen Greenberg, daughter of philanthropist and socialite Yvette Greenberg, has become the voice for dieting and health food options, claiming that her food line not only encourages a healthy body and mind, but also is a catalyst for success. Lastly, we meet Kelly Courtney, Brett's sister and cofounder of SPOKE. Kelly is the newest cast member for the upcoming season and really doesn't fit the mold of the initial concept of the series. She has a twelve year old daughter and is a single mother with modest flair. Goal Diggers is set to begin filming, but nobody would have guessed that it would end in murder.
I don't want to get any further into the plot than just introducing you to the cast and providing the main theme of the story. The story develops much further than that little blurb, but I felt that you really need a cheat sheet for the main five characters because we are quickly introduced to all five of them (and at least 3-4 secondary characters) immediately. Take the blurb about the cast and carry it with you while you read, I wish I had one! The beginning of The Favorite Sister was rough, I have to tell you. We are thrown way too much about the cast early on, with long chapters that don't provide us a break to digest what we just read. We don't really go anywhere in the first part of this novel because there's too much catch up for us to get to. The novel is broken into several parts, and each part is more enjoyable than its predecessor. Once I got to the halfway mark, I was hooked! As you get to the core of the story, we learn about the exploitation of reality television, we see the dynamics between family and friends, we see how society has forced feminism and women empowerment into a women-eat-women world, and we see fame and notoriety being used as a drug and the lengths people will go for that drug. One thing that I found so profound in The Favorite Sister was the theme of casual racism in every day life. We see a portrayal of how society uses casual racism in dating, business, and overall privilege. I did not expect this novel to even touch any of those topics, and for that I'm grateful. I believe that these thematic elements of the story will resonate with more readers than Ms. Knoll probably imagined. I loved that this story touched on all these different themes without feeling overloaded on plot. The plot is clearly defined as you go on and the story really doesn't deter from that.
The Favorite Sister is NOT a thriller or a suspense novel in ANY CAPACITY and if anyone tells you otherwise, they're lying. The Favorite Sister really is a drama that may also feel like a tragedy at times. Ugh I can keep talking more about the story, but I think I drove the point home. It's time to pick up this book on May 15, 2018. Will I be buying a hard cover for my collection? Absolutely.
Thank you Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Stillhouse Lake was only the beginning. Gwen Proctor has been betrayed and trapped with her two children, Lanny and Connor. Gwen's husband—serial killStillhouse Lake was only the beginning. Gwen Proctor has been betrayed and trapped with her two children, Lanny and Connor. Gwen's husband—serial killer Melvin Royal has planned his revenge on his ex wife. Melvin's master scheme has been meticulously planned for years—including a cyber security spider web, dark net trafficking, and an operative set of cult-like followers. Killman Creek takes Gwen and company to the darkest levels of modern day crime. Melvin Royal isn't the only criminal at play this time, but who else? This time around is Melvin Royal only a pawn in a much bigger, sinister, evil chess game—but who's leading the game?
When I first read Stillhouse Lake, I was completely addicted. I fell in love with Gwen, her children, and her allies. I was rooting for them! I immediately ran to Amazon and pressed "buy now" without question. It was like it was a reflex or something involuntary. Excited to pick up Killman Creek, I began immediately and was excited to see what was next for the Proctors. This book differs from Stillhouse Lake in many ways and I want to break it down for you because this read is not going to be for everybody, but I hope everybody who read Stillhouse Lake reads this!
When reading Stillhouse Lake, we are greeted to a backstory and only get bits and pieces of the story, leading up to suspenseful chapters and moments that could tingle up your spin. With Killman Creek, forget it because that will not happen. This read is not so much suspense, but more of an action-packed thriller. That's not to say it isn't worthy of a five star rating! I was so hooked right from the beginning. Killman Creek basically starts with chaos and continues its action until the very end. If you liked Stillhouse Lake, Killman Creek blows it out of the water! ...more
Mister Tender's Girl is one sick, twisted, WILD RIDE! Wow... I feel like I just got off of a roller coaster and my brain is still rattling. I needMister Tender's Girl is one sick, twisted, WILD RIDE! Wow... I feel like I just got off of a roller coaster and my brain is still rattling. I need to take deep breaths while I write this because I'm still gasping.
Alice, what did the penguin always tell you?
Alice Hill is fourteen years old when she was horribly attacked by two of her classmates and left for death. Melinda and Sylvia Glassin both claim that they repeatedly stabbed Alice because it was a sacrifice to Mister Tender, a fictional character in a popular graphic novel series created by Alice's father. Alice, her mother, and her brother Thomas all leave their home in England and forge to the United States. After bouts of depression, drug abuse, and failed attempts to overcome the grief of her attack, Alice moves to Manchester, New Hampshire and changes her name. Alice Hill is now Alice Gray—resident coffee shop owner and fitness enthusiast. Alice's typical day includes working at her coffee shop, boxing sessions at the gym, and intense panic attacks about her past at night. As her time in Manchester develops, Alice is noticing subtle hints around her that seem off-balance. Alice quickly learns that someone is watching her and it might not be someone who just wants to talk.
Mister Tender's Girl is so original it's not even funny. I haven't read a thriller like this one that completely kept me guessing until the end. Not going to lie though, I was initially drawn into this story by the cover as it has such a beautifully/creepily crafted design to it. I swear these eyes on the cover follow me everywhere! This book is a detail-oriented, no plot left unhinged kind of story that will draw you in immediately from the beginning. Carter Wilson expertly exposes the vulnerabilities of this novel's primary and secondary characters without going off-topic. I was so engulfed into this story, snagging little moments throughout my day to read this story—whether it be on the subway, before my day in the office, checking the tree at Rockefeller Center (DON'T JUDGE ME!), or late up at night. I thoroughly enjoyed Wilson's creative approach in drawing out the plot without giving too much information. Each chapter gave me snippets of the foundation to a major puzzle that needed more information before it could be solved. There was never a "ah-hah!" moment until the very end for me here, and that is really important to me if you want to maintain my interest.
Mister Tender's Girl will be released February 2018 and I thank Source Books for providing this advanced copy for my honest review. I can't wait to hear what you think about this one!
Now then, if you get the sudden urge to start trusting someone, be smart and do away with it....more
Beyonce. Oprah. Meg Gardiner. All three iconic legends, but only one of the three has soooo successfully entertained me to the brick of super fandom. Beyonce. Oprah. Meg Gardiner. All three iconic legends, but only one of the three has soooo successfully entertained me to the brick of super fandom. Ladies and gents, it's Ms. Gardiner, bitch.
After I read UNSUB this past fall, I knew that I immediately had to click onto Amazon and pre-order Into the Black Nowhere. I knew it was being released on January 23rd, but I just couldn't wait any longer. I would check Amazon's order menu in hopes that they screwed up and issued me a copy before the publication date. Sadly, no negligent workers were looking out for my mental sanity. January 23rd rings in and I ran down to check the mail and was ecstatic to find this beauty in my pile of mail. I was in the midst of another read, but was (im)patiently waiting to start round 2.
Caitlin Hendrix is back, in Virginia with a whole new clique, and serving you FBI realness. Ms. Hendrix was recruited to join the team after her successful capture of The Prophet in UNSUB and immediately jumps into a new case located in Solace, which is a somewhat neighboring suburb for Austin, TX. Several twenty-something year old women have been declared missing by county police and the FBI is called in due to the pattern and nature of these instances. All the women are physically similar and the disappearances have all happened on a Saturday night. Police and FBI are unsure how to advance, until a body of one of the women shows up—dead.
Meg Gardiner, Meg Gardiner, Meg Gardiner. Sorry, I thought by saying your name three times it might actually give me the opportunity to meet you and thank you for this series. I just simply devoured this book—I can't describe it any other way. Writing, as always, was top-notch for even the most greedy thriller and suspense junkie. Into the Black Nowhere differs from UNSUB and I feel like as an honest reader and reviewer, I have to let you know before you pick up this book. It is not going to have the same format nor plot development as it's predecessor. Sorry, it just isn't as intense as UNSUB, it just isn't. We rarely get to hear any further developments of Caitlin's private life with Sean and when we do, it's irrelevant for the most part. However, we do get an original crime-fiction thriller that hasn't been seen before. Ms. Gardiner's stories are based on real-life serial killers and in this story we are given a fan fiction of the Ted Bundy's hysteria, but we are given more that just a new interpretation of a story we've all heard. We see a cat and mouse game gone awry; we see a new kind of suspense this time—dare I say more realistic? This is the type of read that you want to make sure all doors are closed, shower curtains double checked, and windows locked. Although the two books are vastly different in their story telling, they are also given the same Meg Gardiner UMPH that you are expecting. This series is the Game of Thrones of crime-fiction. Ms. Gardiner gives zero f's about who lives and who dies and that plot twist always makes for the juiciest story. Expect red herrings. Expect to be scared. Expect to pre-order Book 3 whenever we find out more information about it! ...more
There comes a point in every bibliophile's life where you find a book that is so unsettling, dark, and scary that it completely changes your perspectiThere comes a point in every bibliophile's life where you find a book that is so unsettling, dark, and scary that it completely changes your perspective on how you view a normal thriller/horror read and how you view a masterpiece in action. Ladies and gentlemen, UNSUB is this masterpiece! Wow... I hope I can give this review any justice, but let's see.
UNSUB initiates the story with father and police officer Mack Hendrix running a mission to capture San Francisco's deranged serial killer, nicknamed The Prophet. The Prophet has been known to leave riddles to justify the murder and torture of people and has never been caught. Hmm... sounds like the Zodiac killer? Flash-forward to the present day, 20 years after Mack's investigation has gone cold, young Caitlin Hendrix has followed in her father's footsteps and has begun to pick up the pieces. After coming across a murder that is eerily similar to the plethora of murders done by The Prophet, the Bay Area police initiate a once-cold, now super-hot investigation for him. Caitlin's life is completely engulfed in The Prophet's sinister and wicked games, but can she crack the code and stop this sick and twisted madman before it's too late?
As Caitlin gets closer and closer to the case, questions arise that need answers. Is this a copycat case? How and why has The Prophet returned after decades of tranquility? What do these riddles and clues mean? This killer tortures his victims before killing them, calls/contacts the victims' families repeatedly to taunt and torment them, and speaks with the press—he has no conscience. What can Caitlin do that hasn't already been done? Time is against her this time around and she needs to solve this case before it consumes her.
UNSUB is my first read by Meg Gardiner and I'm telling you now, Ms. Gardiner I AM AT YOUR MERCY. #queen #slay. I have never been so frightened by a book before—so frightened that I had trouble walking around my residence yesterday and ran to bed and shut the door! UNSUB is the type of book that not only resonates with any thriller book junkie, but will have a lasting impact on you. People are comparing this book to the tv series Criminal Minds, but I've never watched it. I can see people comparing this novel to The Saw Series, because it's not only a crime-fiction horror, but also one big puzzle that you need to solve while reading. Forget about my 2017 favorite reads, UNSUB is the most intelligently written crime fiction novel I've ever read....more
In a genre that has been over-saturated with B-List Gone Girl and Girl on the Train Kmart brand variations, The Girlfriend soars passed the competIn a genre that has been over-saturated with B-List Gone Girl and Girl on the Train Kmart brand variations, The Girlfriend soars passed the competition. Seriously everyone, this book is going to be a sleeper hit in the mystery genre for 2018. I was not only thoroughly surprised by the plot, but I was engrossed with the characters, the heartbreak, and just everything!
The story mainly focuses on the mysterious attempted suicide of Abe—a caregiver in London who has fallen down a flight of stairs and is in a vegetative state. Police are adamant on ruling this as an attempted suicide, but after contacting Abe's estranged sister Mags, they get more than what they bargained for. Mags is a successful attorney who has moved to Las Vegas; defending criminals and con-artists for a living. Mags is skeptical to believe that Abe would try to take his own life and once she meets his fiancé Jody, she further questions the validity of the police report. As Mags begins to investigate the mysterious loopholes in the investigation, she starts seeing the secrets behind the life her brother has left behind. NO MORE STORY TIME. NO SPOILERS. GO IN BLIND!
It's 2018 and are we tired of the whole "Girl gimmick yet? Well I for one, am not with The Girlfriend. As I started reading the story, I felt a level of familiarity with the plot; insert a mysterious crime that the protagonist believes to be incorrect; insert a deviously antagonistic character that throws a wrench into the whole investigation. However, The Girlfriend is so so SO MUCH MORE. Not only does the story take an original and provocative change of pace as you read along, the story also provides a level of sympathy for the main characters that you wouldn't expect. We first meet a group of characters who don't appear to be likable in any capacity, but as the story develops, you fall victim of falling in love with them. You sympathize with them, you feel their burden, and you root for them. This story is deemed as a suspense-mystery, but it also is a tragedy; a tragedy of acceptance, of love, and of heartbreak. The Girlfriend is a powerful read, and I don't think I'll ever forget it.
Thank you Source Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review. It was honestly my pleasure! ...more
"Because sometimes it’s easier to start over with a clean slate than to drag the baggage of your past with you wherever you go."
We Are the Ants i "Because sometimes it’s easier to start over with a clean slate than to drag the baggage of your past with you wherever you go."
We Are the Ants is not just a book surrounding Henry Denton’s difficulty in school due to bullying and his dilemma on whether or not the world is deemed necessary to save from unforeseen disaster. We Are the Ants is a book about life and the mechanisms to cope with the hurdles and pain people go through to just get by. This book truly resonated with me because as Henry, I was a kid in school who was bullied a lot throughout my high school years- not only for my sexuality, but for other reasons as Henry is in this book. Coping with the suicide of his boyfriend Jesse, Henry struggles to pick up the pieces as his hope for humanity and himself are dying out.
We Are the Ants is a book that recently got on my radar due to the glowing reviews that I’ve read via Goodreads, but I didn’t hear much press about it. I was hesitant to pick this one up as it is not a thriller and my attention span for anything that isn’t tends to diminish. The first chapter throws a lot of in-your-face semi-corny themes in the very beginning, and I considered that a scare tactic. Once you can get passed that first chapter, I promise you this book will change your life.
Every single character in this book is flawed-realistically and apologetically. Whether it’s Henry’s alcoholic mother, his grandmother with Alzheimer’s, his brother Charlie who gets his girlfriend pregnant, his friend Audrey who takes blame for the death of Henry’s boyfriend, Marcus the popular joke who has a secret, or Diego who won’t let the past dictate his future.
Safe to say that I’m giving this book 5 stars. If I could give a representative star for every star in the universe for this book, I would. We Are the Ants is truly a remarkable book. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
"The universe may forget us, but it doesn’t matter. Because we are the ants, and we’ll keep marching on."...more
Captivating, spellbinding, and a whirlwind of chaos. Those are the first things that pop into my head after reading J.T. Ellison's Lie to Me . SeCaptivating, spellbinding, and a whirlwind of chaos. Those are the first things that pop into my head after reading J.T. Ellison's Lie to Me . Seriously, one of the best books I've read this year! Lie to Me sets the stage with Ethan and Sutton Montclair residing in their home in Franklin, Tennessee. Ethan finds a note from his beloved wife basically telling him she's left him and to not look for her. Confused, desperate, and unsure, Ethan begins a search of his own. As the police investigate, lies begin to unravel and secrets begin to be uncovered. Someone's lying, but who?
This was my first book by J.T. Ellison and it will definitely not be my last. I just want to note that I am soooo happy that Mira Books did not compare this to Gone Girl. However, this book kept me guessing until almost the very end. I really encourage you to pick this one up if you are looking for something original, but sinister. ...more