While this is classed as a thriller, it doesn’t feel super tense until closer to the end. The first half of the book is a slow start, but by halfway IWhile this is classed as a thriller, it doesn’t feel super tense until closer to the end. The first half of the book is a slow start, but by halfway I was hooked. I appreciate the theme of putting victims of murder back into the spotlight rather than glorifying the killers. I enjoyed the mixed media throughout the book and the flashbacks to the college scenes with the trio of best friends. I found this to be a really sad story, especially with all the secrets between Abby and Chelsea. I thought the ending wrapped up nicely and I wasn’t left with a bunch of unanswered questions. ...more
I wanted to love this one! And I think I would have if the FMC hadn’t grated on my nerves so bad. I mean… this woman was a train wreck.
Ryan was swoonwI wanted to love this one! And I think I would have if the FMC hadn’t grated on my nerves so bad. I mean… this woman was a train wreck.
Ryan was swoonworthy. Loved that man. He was sweet, considerate, just a big cinnamon roll of a man. Harper on the other hand was messy, and jumped to way too many conclusions.
This entire book was basically one big third act breakup and I just couldn’t get into it because of that. I need Harper to speak to people and not be so high strung and neurotic....more
This book was easily bingeable with some unexpected twists and turns. I loved the setting and really enjoyed that the dead woman had her own POV, I2.5
This book was easily bingeable with some unexpected twists and turns. I loved the setting and really enjoyed that the dead woman had her own POV, I don’t see that often in books. Unfortunately, something about the way Hepworth writes mental illness gives me the ick. Between this and her last one, I am not sure I’ll be continuing to read her work. ...more
This book was so slow, and sad, and depressing. But man... by the end I just loved it. So much better than Dear Edward in my opinion. The first book wThis book was so slow, and sad, and depressing. But man... by the end I just loved it. So much better than Dear Edward in my opinion. The first book was a little boring and a pain to get through, but once the teens became adults it picked up a lot and I was hooked. These characters are so complex and well written. William really made the book for me. His story was so tragic. I just wanted to give him a big hug. I wanted him to ask for help. I wanted him to be seen. Julia and Rose were just awful. I couldn't understand the way they were able to completely dissociate and pretend their family members didn't exist for decades. Julia especially frustrated me with the decisions she made regarding William and their daughter. Sylvie and the twins were amazing. I was rooting for Sylvie to get her big love story.
There are some content warnings so be sure to check those out. I absolutely recommend this book if you're in the mood for a slow burn, character driven homage to Little Women....more
This is my new favorite by Alex Finlay! It’s so bingeable — I read it in a day. It’s action packed and played like a movie in my head.
I love a dual tiThis is my new favorite by Alex Finlay! It’s so bingeable — I read it in a day. It’s action packed and played like a movie in my head.
I love a dual timeline and this one did not disappoint. I was slightly more interested in the past timeline and super invested in what had happened to the missing girls. I really liked reading about the kids’ bond while living at the group home. It made their reunion in the present timeline more interesting.
The characters were well developed. There was such a sadness to each of them that manifested in different ways. I definitely recommend this one, especially if you’re already a fan of Finlay’s work. This book is quite different from his first two but is, in my opinion, the best. ...more
Maame might end up being one of my favorites of 2023! It’s hilarious, sad, heartwarming. It’s almost like a coming-of-age, except Maddie’s 25.
Things Maame might end up being one of my favorites of 2023! It’s hilarious, sad, heartwarming. It’s almost like a coming-of-age, except Maddie’s 25.
Things I especially loved: • Maddie’s relationship with her father. It was complex but hopeful. Maddie bore the brunt of taking care of her ill father but she never treated it like a burden. • Maddie’s inner voice. She is so funny! • Maddie’s relationship with her nickname, Maame. As she grew and changed throughout the story, there were times she both loved and hated the nickname her mother gave her. • Maddie’s mother. She frustrated me to no end, but I appreciated her by the end of the book. • Ghanaian traditions and language (Twi) sprinkled throughout the book. • Maddie’s tendency to google everything. I love that the author added in so many google responses in the book. Many of them made me laugh out loud.
Maddie is such a complex character and naive in many ways, so it was a fun and interesting journey reading about her self discovery. There were many times I wished I could reach into the pages and give her a big hug....more
I wanted to jump inside the Milwaukee Christmas Market and live there.
This book will give you all the Christmas wThis was an adorable holiday romance!
I wanted to jump inside the Milwaukee Christmas Market and live there.
This book will give you all the Christmas warm fuzzies with a little bit of magic and a whole lot of hallmark vibe.
What I loved most: • The Julemarked/time warp/magic aspects were very well done. • The alternating timelines made for a lot of great build up, as well as helping the reader understand how much time had gone by since the two MCs first met and how their feelings slowly came to be. • The friendships between Astra and her group. I loved their bond.
This is such a sweet story that will make you hungry for a Kringle. Definitely add this to your holiday TBR!...more
Some of the tropes in this book were frustrating, but it did keep me on the edge of my seat and I enjoyed it for the most part. The gaslighting and naSome of the tropes in this book were frustrating, but it did keep me on the edge of my seat and I enjoyed it for the most part. The gaslighting and naive MC made me cringe all the time, but I loved the book within a movie script within a book.
I loved everything about this book! It was the perfect mix of sweet/sad/heartfelt. I cried more than once.
I really enjoy stories with alternate lives I loved everything about this book! It was the perfect mix of sweet/sad/heartfelt. I cried more than once.
I really enjoy stories with alternate lives and this was basically a hallmark movie. I loved the characters and the glimpses into the lives Lolly could have had. Lolly grew up a lot throughout the book. She was holding a lot on her shoulders. It was nice to see her finally be able to let some of that go.
The ending is SWOONWORTHY. I had a feeling about where it was going and I was so pleased with the way it turned out. I absolutely recommend this one if you’re in the mood for something emotional....more
It took me a little bit to get into METROPOLIS, but once it got going I couldn’t stop turning the pages! Told through a few different characters havinIt took me a little bit to get into METROPOLIS, but once it got going I couldn’t stop turning the pages! Told through a few different characters having to do with the Metropolis Storage facility, this is a story of intersecting lives with a touch of mystery.
Some of the characters were hard to like and some were just so lovable. I liked getting their different viewpoints of each scenario that played out. There was some mystery as well, which added to the intrigue and it’s what kept me hooked.
There are a lot of social issues presented in the book, such as homelessness, deportation/ICE, and the advantages/disadvantages between social classes. It was so interesting to see how each character used their unit in the building and how they came to be there.
Serge is a character who will hold a special place in my heart. The reader doesn’t get to know him as much as you’d like, yet his story is the most intriguing and mysterious. I was a little teary-eyed for him by the end.
Ultimately this is one that’ll stick with you because there is a lot to digest and reflect on when you’ve finished....more
This book was not for me. It’s a slow burn, like super slow, until maybe 75%. That first 75% was torture. It was all whiny housewives and drama.
Now, lThis book was not for me. It’s a slow burn, like super slow, until maybe 75%. That first 75% was torture. It was all whiny housewives and drama.
Now, let me preface with the fact that I’m down for unlikeable characters. This book has maybe one likable character (Jen’s son, Kasey). But the three female MCs were some of the most weak minded, obnoxious, cliche women I’ve read about. These three lifelong friends are just mean girls ready to stab one another in the backs at every chance they get. They’re all jealous of each other. They’re all constantly drunk. It wasn’t even fun train-wreck drama, it was honestly a chore to get through.
Then there’s Will. Other than the constant talk about his super hotness, there’s really nothing about him that stands apart from the other neighborhood guys so I’m not sure why he caused such a stir among this neighborhood/friend group. He seemed weird to me from the get go.
I don’t understand the motivations for anything that happened in this book. I don’t want to spoil it, so I won’t say too much, but it all just seemed so unbelievable to me. And the twist at the end? It was honestly laughable. I have no idea why Will did the things he did. It was never explained.
Also there’s some major ick factor going on with the end. It seemed to only be there for shock value because I can’t even figure out why that storyline was happening or where it was meant to go.
The writing wasn’t great either. “You have such a beautiful torso” - I mean, who says that??
After reading this one and seeing similar thoughts about her first book (which I have not read), I just don’t think this author’s work is for me. ...more
This wasn’t my favorite Ruth Ware, but I enjoyed it. It was a tad too long though, and the middle seemed to drag so it felt like it took me way too loThis wasn’t my favorite Ruth Ware, but I enjoyed it. It was a tad too long though, and the middle seemed to drag so it felt like it took me way too long to get through it. I did figure out who the killer was pretty early, but that didn’t take away ahh enjoyment for me.
I liked the “before” scenes best. April was such an interesting character. She was actually kind of a terrible person but people couldn’t help being drawn to her. I loved reading about all the interactions with the friend group.
I did think that the reveal/ending was pretty out there. I wasn’t really a fan of how it all played out, especially the reason for April being murdered. It could have gone so many other, better ways. So that probably brought my rating down a little from a four. I’m still a big fan of Ware and will likely read anything she writes. ...more
This is my second Abbi Waxman and I just love the characters she writes! This book was a little on the slower side but I ended up enjoying it and now This is my second Abbi Waxman and I just love the characters she writes! This book was a little on the slower side but I ended up enjoying it and now I need to go back and read Nina Hill since she’s a character in this one.
What I liked: • Mental health rep • Quirky, lovable characters I wanted to root for • Found family (one of my favorite tropes) • Fun random facts throughout the book • Realistic look at self confidence (and the lack of it) and how it plays into our relationships
What I struggled with: • POV switch was a bit choppy at times. • Some of the dialogue was very “teen” sounding - I had to remind myself that these people were adults sometimes
This book handles mental health really well and I think paints a good picture of what it’s like to struggle with things like PTSD and social anxiety, as well as self consciousness. I loved the found family aspect, especially for Laura who never fit in in with her own family. I really enjoyed both Bob and Laura’s journey to find themselves and each other. It’s just a really sweet, lighthearted read that’ll make you feel good. And sometimes that’s just what I need as a reader!
This historical gothic horror was so creepy and tense! It’s a very slow burn but the buildup was worth it. The Hacienda is being compared to Mexican GThis historical gothic horror was so creepy and tense! It’s a very slow burn but the buildup was worth it. The Hacienda is being compared to Mexican Gothic and I can definitely get behind that. Like MG, the book features a super chilling haunted house but the scenes in The Hacienda were a lot more intense and gory.
I loved the MC, Beatriz. She was strong willed with the perfect amount of sass. All of the characters were so well developed and had secrets which added to the suspense of the story.
I thought the ending was satisfying. It could have gone a different way and I would have been happy, but I loved how it all played out in the end.
I definitely recommend this one for supernatural horror fans, just be prepared for a SLOW burn!...more