This had slight pacing issues. I struggled a bit to keep the siblings straight. They all had month names and it felt very similar. I was about halfwayThis had slight pacing issues. I struggled a bit to keep the siblings straight. They all had month names and it felt very similar. I was about halfway through the book before I was able to easily differentiate between them. I like how the author handled the story. There's a lot of superficiality and shallowness in the characters and their lifestyles. I liked that the followers were collectively given a voice because Influencers don't exist in a vacuum. This really played on the worst aspects of this style of parasitic relationship.
The story touches on racism, colorism, sexism, LGBTQIA+ stuff (can't be specific because spoilers!) without talking at the reader. Some of the 'isms mentioned above are handled so subtly that I imagine this may have been missed by some readers. Those readers may have felt surprised by some aspects of the characters. I say this in response to a few reviews that I've read of this. There is somewhat of a mystery, as in who set the fire and why but it's mostly in the backgroud. Primarily this is an exploration of unhealthy family relationships.
I watched Sister Wives for about a decade. I stepped away from it before Covid and started watching again when the 3rd wife left the marriage. I watched those kids grow up. They seem nice on TV but most of them are extremely conservative. Still, I felt sad when one of the now adult kids died as a result of mental illness. What is the impact of growing up on TV? The parents signed up for this exploitation but the kids did not. I've seen horrifying footage from Influencers who focus on their kids for content. I really only see viral videos. I primarily follow book, crochet, knitting or history videos with the occasional sewing Influencer. Oh and that pretty Black Forager lady, she's hilarious. I digress but none of the Influencers I follow really show their kids if they have any. I prefer that honestly. This was really from the POV of the kids of viral old school Influencers. This was great. I'd definitely read more by this author....more
Emmie has moved with her boyfriend Charlie to his family home. The house belongs to Charlie's parents and he grew up in the area. Soon Emmie begins toEmmie has moved with her boyfriend Charlie to his family home. The house belongs to Charlie's parents and he grew up in the area. Soon Emmie begins to find odd things in the basement that Charlie denies any knowledge of but his denials don't fit the evidence. This audiobook is narrated by Naomi Frederick. Naomi does an excellent job helping Emmie's character feel relatable and enhances the shock value of the reveals.
This has an interesting back story and eerie plot elements that increase the 'WTF is going on here' atmosphere exponentially. Unfortunately this suffers from pacing issues and Emmie's behavior feels illogical in places. The reveals really are the best part of this and while they are shocking it's not enough to save this story.
Thank you to Kathryn Croft, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This was fast paced and interesting. This in a surface way deals with the nuanced issue of the intersectionality of privilege in the US. Honestly its This was fast paced and interesting. This in a surface way deals with the nuanced issue of the intersectionality of privilege in the US. Honestly its the best part of the story as its very background and not preachy. Otherwise the basic story is just your average domestic thriller....more
I liked this but didn't love it. I found the story engaging and it kept my interest for the most part. I think this had pacing issues as I felt frustrI liked this but didn't love it. I found the story engaging and it kept my interest for the most part. I think this had pacing issues as I felt frustrated with it towards the middle but the ending was solid....more
This has dual time lines about a decade apart set on a remote Island near Sweden. The characters are from Sweden in both time lines. In the 2012 time This has dual time lines about a decade apart set on a remote Island near Sweden. The characters are from Sweden in both time lines. In the 2012 time line 4 friends are on an annual girls trip. In the 2022 time line a bachelorette get-away trip with yoga and healthy eating is the focus at an posh, remote, and exclusive 'experience' style locale. The story line primarily focuses on the bachelorette timeline with flashbacks to the 2012 girl's trip.
This is a locked door mystery set at a remote location. Tessa is our annoying while relatable though slightly cringe worthy heroine. She's the style of protagonist I think of 'hot mess'. I also like the 'infinitely unlikable', and, the 'everything in it's place, all rules followed' style protagonists as well. Tessa's is a bit like the average career on the rocks, obsessively nosy and boundary violating main characters that readers of this genre love and hate, and sometimes, love to hate...more
I reviewed the first novel in this cozy mystery series for NetGalley last year. It remains one of my top 5 cozy mystery reads. I just loved the set upI reviewed the first novel in this cozy mystery series for NetGalley last year. It remains one of my top 5 cozy mystery reads. I just loved the set up and humor. This second installment follows the same pattern established in the first novel as far as storytelling style and interspersed piercing of the fourth wall. All of the charm of the first novel is on display in this novel as well. In fact, this picks up right from the final chapter of the first novel and ends with the set up of what will, I presume, be the third novel in this series. It's smoothly and entertainingly played.
This time Eleanor is at her best friend, actress Emma Wood's, wedding. Emma and her fiancé fellow actor Fred Winters, starred in a movie adaptation of Eleanor's first novel, When In Rome. On the set of the movie, the actors fell in love and the wedding is somewhat of a wrap party for the film. It's a destination wedding set on Catalina Island. This is a fun, dynamic and light cozy novel. I like that's it's a cozy mystery about an author of a famous cozy mystery series being turned into a movie. The story basis is clever and the author is able to make it work. This features some of the cast from the first book. There's Eleanor's sister, her love interest, her blackmailing ex, her blackmailing ex's ex-wife and a surprise appearance I won't spoil. I did not guess the reveal and I enjoyed the mystery. However, this felt a bit off on pacing towards the end. Still, I quite enjoyed this and am looking forward to Eleanor's next adventure. I love that each book ends with the setup and title of the next novel in the series. This was a delightful cozy. I just loved it.
This audiobook is narrated by Elizabeth Evans who also narrated the first novel in this series. Elizabeth is a wonderful narrator. She truly brings Eleanor to life and I adore how she handles the narration when she speaks directly to the reader. What a charming and talented narrator.
Thank you to Catherine Mack, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is largely a political thriller and the story felt both familiar and relatable. The main characters are a reporter and the yo3.5 Stars Rounded Up
This is largely a political thriller and the story felt both familiar and relatable. The main characters are a reporter and the youngest Senator to sit in Congress who was once a professional football player. I wasn't deeply invested in the characters in the beginning of the novel as they felt somewhat two dimensional. Despite that, the story itself was interesting. I think this suffered mostly from pacing issues at the beginning. When consuming a thriller, I prioritize my interest being piqued and for the action to move relatively quickly over character development or growth. Once the story got interesting, about 30% in, I was invested. I think this is a first novel and some minor faults are expected.
The mystery itself was delightfully twisted and I truly enjoyed the political focus of the story. The romance plot felt a bit thin and unnecessary. This had great bones and I think as this author continues in her craft the pacing issues at the start of the novel will naturally work themselves out. I want to stress that my initial impatience with the beginning of this novel was rewarded with how the story grew and ultimately resolved itself. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This audiobook is narrated by Imani Jade Powers. Imani's narration was sheer perfection. I enjoyed how easily I was able to keep the characters separated based on her inflection and tone. The narration really elevated this novel.
Thank you to Maya Golden Bethany, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own. ...more
This was not very good. It's mostly a family drama between the brothers and their parents.
This is dark and deeply dysfunctional. I did not enjoy this aThis was not very good. It's mostly a family drama between the brothers and their parents.
This is dark and deeply dysfunctional. I did not enjoy this at all.
That said, this is a good exploration of inherited trauma in families. As well as an example of an extremely toxic family dynamic....more
This felt very New York and extremely relevant as it really focuses on current politics. The mystery itself is a slow build and almost felt secondary This felt very New York and extremely relevant as it really focuses on current politics. The mystery itself is a slow build and almost felt secondary to the story itself. This story serves kind of like a snapshot of the city. The wealthy, the poor, the working class, white supremacist mindset alongside social justice activist mindset and everything in between. It felt preachy and tried to walk a middle line of both sides are ridiculous rhetoric. It's written by a white man and that is reflected in the text. I've heard it compared to Bonfire of the Vanities which I never read though I did see the movie in the late 80's as a kid. Parts of this are literally just partisan rants. It kinda reminded me of the scene in Do The Right Thing where each character is on the screen alone repeating racial stereotypes and other offensive nonsense. This is the predominant focus of the novel. Honestly it was well written and the characters were well developed. None the less I did not like this. It felt too preachy and I'm not interested in whatever lesson or viewpoint this author was trying to convey. I just wanted a decent thriller. The reveals weren't bad, just late, the focus on this novel was to capture the social divisions of the moment.
This audiobook is narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. The narration for this story was excellent. As this deals with class, race, etc and suffers from a bit of repetition, I felt that the narration really elevated this novel. I'd definitely recommend this on audiobook.
Thank you to Chris Pavone, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is set on Martha's Vineyard adding a touch of small town vibes to this mystery. I found the story line thin in places but 3.25 Stars Rounded Down
This is set on Martha's Vineyard adding a touch of small town vibes to this mystery. I found the story line thin in places but overall compelling enough to keep me interested. This is somewhat of a domestic thriller. Brynn is an author with 2 books published who currently owes a first draft on her 3rd romance novel. She's a new mom who is healing from a c-section, getting very little sleep, even less help, breastfeeding and has a fussy newborn. Her husband, Ross, is of little help but its unclear why they don't simply hire help. As they seem to be living in a tax bracket that could afford someone to clean, cook, have groceries delivered at the least, not to mention a night nurse/nanny at least a couple of days a week. Brynn also seems to be struggling with a bit of postpartum depression. In fact this goes quite deep into the impact of new motherhood and postpartum issues. It's extremely relatable and the best written aspect of the novel.
In this midst of this already overwhelming situation, a work associate of Ross's family business turns up dead. As Brynn is trying to process why neither her husband nor best friend made her aware of this shocking news, Ross is arrested for this associates murder. Brynn felt a touch ingénue-ish which I found annoying. At times it felt like an author would have more of an imagination when it came to elements of the mystery. I will say that the story wasn't exactly as I expected and I did not guess all of the reveals.
This audiobook was a fun way to spend an afternoon. The narrator of this audiobook is Abigail Reno. Abigail offers a realistic voice portrayal of an exhausted and overwhelmed new mother. Her tone and inflection really convey exhaustion combined with trepidation. In this case the narration helped Brynn feel more realistic.
Thank you to Julia Spiro, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more