A bingeworthy popcorn thriller that I couldn't put down!
'Affair thrillers' are a tale as old as time (that I can't get enough of) and this was a prettA bingeworthy popcorn thriller that I couldn't put down!
'Affair thrillers' are a tale as old as time (that I can't get enough of) and this was a pretty good one. I was kept guessing and trying to figure out what's truth because while some things appear to add up, there's also the sense that there's more than meets the eye...
The author did a good job in building suspense and creating mystery, though some of the dialogue felt a bit stilted sometimes. I definitely didn't see Part 2 coming and thought it was very clever! However, the climax was disappointing and very contrived. Like I just expected more after all that.
Still, this was a riveting thriller that I enjoyed sinking my teeth into and I look forward to reading the author's other works.
Thank you Xpresso Book Tours for the Netgalley ARC....more
✨ "Whatever that movie was, whether a false memory or a dream, I had to let it go. Not every question gets an answer. Some stories don't have endings.✨ "Whatever that movie was, whether a false memory or a dream, I had to let it go. Not every question gets an answer. Some stories don't have endings."
What a creative and compelling horror collection! It's rare that an anthology has all hits for me but this was an exception.
I enjoyed all 11 tales except maybe for Little House In The Sea, which felt underwhelming against its counterparts. The varying art styles were a visual feast and really enhanced the reading experience. I particularly loved the retelling of The Green Ribbon and found it to be the most beautifully illustrated. Some stories also had subtle social commentary masterfully weaved in.
✨ "Was I obsessed with her or she with me? It was hard to tell."
3.5⭐
Faith Gardner always delivers. This was a gripping read from the start and I was k✨ "Was I obsessed with her or she with me? It was hard to tell."
3.5⭐
Faith Gardner always delivers. This was a gripping read from the start and I was kept guessing throughout.
Just like with the author's previous works, I enjoyed the writing - it's easy to read, engaging but also raw, reflective, relatable, realistic and brimming with heart. I also loved all the characters, especially Jolene's dad (so jealous) and Suzanne (what a riot!). Wish we got more of them.
Happy to say I guessed whodunit wrongly, but the revelation didn't blow my mind like I'd hoped. However, the book has lots more going for it and I enjoyed its other aspects (e.g. the relationships and the exploration of trauma) more than the main thriller storyline.
Still, *that* twist was brilliant and I definitely did not see it coming!!! Also love it when books don't take themselves too seriously but still hit well.
Can't wait to see what the author comes up with next because I know it'll be good!
More favourite quotes:
✨ "In the end, I've accepted I occupy a strange space where I'm not quite sane and not quite insane, not quite sober, not quite an addict. I'm just a professional dropout. I've got commitment issues. I'm nearly thirty years old and I'm ten miles wide and one inch deep. And know what? That's all right. The world keeps moving and so do I."
✨ "I want to pack my shit up and run away. I want to get so wasted I forget myself a little while. I want to be anywhere but here and anyone but me."
✨ "Being alone is the bare-naked truth... We're born alone and we die alone. Company is temporary."
Thank you Xpresso Book Tours for the Netgalley ARC....more
✨ "I just want to say, a thing can be crystal clear with hindsight, but just about as clear as mud when you're actually living it."
Not your usual crim✨ "I just want to say, a thing can be crystal clear with hindsight, but just about as clear as mud when you're actually living it."
Not your usual crime thriller! The missing girl trope has been done to death, yet this book not only executes it well but also puts an unconventional spin on it. I definitely wasn't expecting the revelations only halfway into the novel but...!
I loved the social commentary, the exploration of grief and loss, the fact that everything about this happens way too much in real life, and how this story is about the things we will do + the distance we will go for our loved ones. And of course, the ending and perfect last scene ...more
Lol seriously? The celeb author is the only reason this book would be sellable or get picked up by anyone. There areSo dull and disappointing, period.
Lol seriously? The celeb author is the only reason this book would be sellable or get picked up by anyone. There are chunks of text and zero pictures, which feels like information overload for a children's book. Super boring and no appeal at all, be it for adults or kids.
✨ "Sometimes hardship brings out the worst in people."
A fun popcorn thriller whose ending gave me goosebumps! This was a page-turner that was eas3.5⭐️
✨ "Sometimes hardship brings out the worst in people."
A fun popcorn thriller whose ending gave me goosebumps! This was a page-turner that was easy to dive into and which kept me guessing. The anonymous chapters were highly entertaining.
I enjoyed the classic whodunit format of isolated setting + people getting bumped off one by one + the killer being among the group. Simple yet riveting.
The reveal definitely took me by surprise, but I found the motive and climax (such a short scene!) underwhelming. Hats off to the last chapter!
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the Netgalley ARC....more
Ehhh kind of dull and didn't engage me. I liked the premise but the execution was kind of garbled and none of the characters stood out. Everything felEhhh kind of dull and didn't engage me. I liked the premise but the execution was kind of garbled and none of the characters stood out. Everything felt touch-and-go, from the sibling relationship to the vampires, and I wish everything was more fleshed out.
To be fair, this is geared towards young readers so I'm not the target audience for this book.
Thank you to West 44 Books for the Netgalley ARC....more
Such a riveting sci-fi survival thriller! Despite being a quick read, it was filled with action, excitement and even emotion. I also enjoyed the v3.5⭐
Such a riveting sci-fi survival thriller! Despite being a quick read, it was filled with action, excitement and even emotion. I also enjoyed the vivid worldbuilding and was trying to visualise it all. Most of all, I loved the book's central message of finding beauty and hope even in the darkest of times, and to live every moment.
Tomorrow isn't a promise. It isn't guaranteed. We should live for today.
Protagonist Halley is forced to relive prom night over and over again until she figures out why and whaGroundhog Day, but make it a YA novel-in-verse.
Protagonist Halley is forced to relive prom night over and over again until she figures out why and what she must do.
This was an easy read with an interesting concept, though I feel like the author could have gone much deeper. The storytelling felt a bit choppy at times but the plot was engaging and the characters were interesting enough. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
Thank you to West 44 Books for the Netgalley ARC....more
A heartfelt coming-of-age story that's beautifully told in verse. I really like how the book is centered on Cara and her journey of self-discovery, whA heartfelt coming-of-age story that's beautifully told in verse. I really like how the book is centered on Cara and her journey of self-discovery, while still highlighting important themes such as identity, family, grief, adolescence and more. The disability representation is insightful and I appreciate Cara's very authentic POV as someone living with cerebral palsy (and teenage angst).
An engaging read that I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to West 44 Books for the Netgalley ARC....more
A cute read with an unexpected ending. I loved the wholesome message and themes of this picture book. The illustrations were lively and very pleasant.A cute read with an unexpected ending. I loved the wholesome message and themes of this picture book. The illustrations were lively and very pleasant. Anyone who has ever misplaced their belongings (aka everyone) can definitely relate.
Thank you NorthSouth Books for the Netgalley ARC....more
Ehhh this had promise but was ultimately just okay, not the page-turner I was hoping for. It's a survival thriller with tension and action, but yet noEhhh this had promise but was ultimately just okay, not the page-turner I was hoping for. It's a survival thriller with tension and action, but yet nothing stood out for me.
The pacing felt inconsistent and the romance wasn't convincing. I also felt like some themes such as assault and trauma were glossed over, and the ending was rushed.
Nevertheless, I thought Miley and Mary were well-written characters who displayed strength and resilience in different forms. I was surprised to learn that the book was inspired by true events and think the author did a good job in telling her own story.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for the Netgalley ARC....more
A dazzling one-sitting read that will have you spellbound, whether through its captivating artwork or com✨ "What if I'm not an edges-only kinda girl?"
A dazzling one-sitting read that will have you spellbound, whether through its captivating artwork or compelling plot.
I'm a cynic myself so this graphic novel really spoke to me. I love how it interweaves culture and tradition into a modern love story while also exploring themes of identity, family and friendship. Don't forget the love triangle and will-they-won't-they romance, which I was completely invested in.
I see a little myself in both Valentina and Bernice, which is a testament to how well-written the characters are. Valentina's grandma was a real hoot!
The illustrations are seriously gorgeous and super lush. I also love how the colour palette helps to tell the story and mood. Just beautiful!
This is a wonderful read with so much to offer and learn from. I highly recommend it (get a hard copy from the library like I did for optimal reading experience)!
Thank you to First Second Books for the Netgalley ARC....more
I was expecting a tense, high-stakes heist thriller but this was a complete dud that went nowhere and as drThe Havana Run? More like The Havana Crawl.
I was expecting a tense, high-stakes heist thriller but this was a complete dud that went nowhere and as dry as the Cuban landscape it was set in. So dreadfully dull! The two main characters were flat and totally unlikeable, while the plot felt messy and unpleasant to follow.
The only saving grace for me was Carmen, hence 2 stars.
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories for the Netgalley ARC....more
Short, sweet and contemplative! The story could do with more punch and emotion, but I love how so much of it was up to perspective and interpretation,Short, sweet and contemplative! The story could do with more punch and emotion, but I love how so much of it was up to perspective and interpretation, which felt like a parallel commentary about real life. I can see myself rereading this.
And the ending! Pure perfection!!!
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories for the Netgalley ARC....more
A highly readable novel-in-verse that sees its flawed protagonist navigating family, friendship, love and more.
Although I think this book is more suiA highly readable novel-in-verse that sees its flawed protagonist navigating family, friendship, love and more.
Although I think this book is more suited for a younger audience, I appreciate how it explores various themes such as love for the written word, love in its different forms, family dynamics and others issues that teens will be able to relate to.
It was an easy read even though the plot was not the most compelling and the romance was weak. I would also have preferred a stronger and more complex conflict, but I liked all the parallels and how everything came together in the end.
I've read a few books by the author and look forward to more from her.
Thank you West 44 Books for the Netgalley ARC....more
Cherlynn | cherreading
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