Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars - This is fine. I think I would have liked it better if I hadn't recently read a bunch of Trollope (who is the masteSomewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars - This is fine. I think I would have liked it better if I hadn't recently read a bunch of Trollope (who is the master of a storytelling voice in 3rd person omniscient) and a book from SA Cosby (who is the master of depicting rural racialized violence), but if you're into a historical, small town police procedural, this is pretty well executed...more
Woof, this was Not For Me. Aside from the trope set, the writing was good, but the book's attitude seemed to be low key pedo apologist?? Did I just miWoof, this was Not For Me. Aside from the trope set, the writing was good, but the book's attitude seemed to be low key pedo apologist?? Did I just miss some layer of commentary there? ...more
3.5 stars- While this retreads on ground from the first book too much for my liking, I cannot deny how readable and rompy this was. Fun but not as goo3.5 stars- While this retreads on ground from the first book too much for my liking, I cannot deny how readable and rompy this was. Fun but not as good as the first...more
Ugh, SA Cosby is just a freaking master. His writing, themes, and characters are just next level. The pacing was slightly off for me, but this is righUgh, SA Cosby is just a freaking master. His writing, themes, and characters are just next level. The pacing was slightly off for me, but this is right on the cusp of 4.5...more
This was a perfectly fine domestic suspense type story, but it was diminished in my overall impression by how distastefully the backstory/motivations This was a perfectly fine domestic suspense type story, but it was diminished in my overall impression by how distastefully the backstory/motivations were handled...more
If I think of this as a thriller, it's a 2 star. If I think of it as general fiction with a crime element that tackles the complexities of internationIf I think of this as a thriller, it's a 2 star. If I think of it as general fiction with a crime element that tackles the complexities of international adoption and what it means to be a Chinese woman in America, it's a 4 star. So I'll settle at 3 stars and recommend it as general fiction, not a mystery or thriller...more
2.5 stars - The elements of this were up my alley and the writing was good, but it just didn't come together. I was bored for a good chunk of my readi2.5 stars - The elements of this were up my alley and the writing was good, but it just didn't come together. I was bored for a good chunk of my reading experience, and I really wish there had only been one timeline. I'd recommend Reckless Girls over this one any day...more
DNF @ 65 pages - I like the characters and writing, but I just can't deal with this particular plot that is so focused on graphic sexual violenceDNF @ 65 pages - I like the characters and writing, but I just can't deal with this particular plot that is so focused on graphic sexual violence...more
DNF @ 54 pages - the writing style was way too quirky YA contemporary for me and I was wary on continuing with another book from this author centered DNF @ 54 pages - the writing style was way too quirky YA contemporary for me and I was wary on continuing with another book from this author centered on autism given some of the questions I had in Miracle Creek about how that was represented...more
For such a long book, I wish this had been a little fresher in terms of the mystery pay off. That said, I did really enjoy the characters and setting,For such a long book, I wish this had been a little fresher in terms of the mystery pay off. That said, I did really enjoy the characters and setting, and I was pretty engaged even as things meandering for the first half. Also - book within a book is a favorite trope for me, so that also kept me turning the pages...more
When I think about this at all, it falls apart and is pretty derivative. Still, I cannot deny the bingeability of the way this author tells these kindWhen I think about this at all, it falls apart and is pretty derivative. Still, I cannot deny the bingeability of the way this author tells these kinds of stories, so I had a good enough time to give it a B grade...more
3.5 stars - This is very well written but... at the end of the day, it's a pretty typical domestic suspense type plot and that's just rarely something3.5 stars - This is very well written but... at the end of the day, it's a pretty typical domestic suspense type plot and that's just rarely something I can really get into...more
This was perfectly fine; I'm just not into this trope set. If you're looking for a fast paced, well executed domestic suspense, this is for youThis was perfectly fine; I'm just not into this trope set. If you're looking for a fast paced, well executed domestic suspense, this is for you...more
Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars - Considering this was a cozy, I really enjoyed this. The characters felt a little half baked to me, but I enjoyed tSomewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars - Considering this was a cozy, I really enjoyed this. The characters felt a little half baked to me, but I enjoyed the found family aspects and the humorous tone clicked for me...more
2.5 stars - This is fine if you are a "look for the twist behind every corner" kind of thriller reader and you can deal with the author's writing styl2.5 stars - This is fine if you are a "look for the twist behind every corner" kind of thriller reader and you can deal with the author's writing style...more
4.5 stars - This actually did what I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU thought it did. This could have benefited from an edit in the middle of the book, but4.5 stars - This actually did what I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU thought it did. This could have benefited from an edit in the middle of the book, but overall, both entertaining and thought provoking...more
So far the books I have liked best from this author have a possibly haunted house and secrets from the past within that house. This delivered those elSo far the books I have liked best from this author have a possibly haunted house and secrets from the past within that house. This delivered those elements while remaining solidly a mystery thriller, and I found it very entertaining. I do think it was way too long for how much plot there is and the ending jumped the shark, but I had a good time, and that's really what I'm looking for with this kind of story...more
I'd give the plot 3.5 stars and the writing & characterization 4 stars. In the plot, without getting into spoilers, I will say that I can definitely fI'd give the plot 3.5 stars and the writing & characterization 4 stars. In the plot, without getting into spoilers, I will say that I can definitely feel the influence of the author's YA thriller experience and that kept the twists from feeling super fresh to me, though it was well executed. I do really like KAM's writing style and particularly the way she built the Naomi and Liv characters. This happily kept me turning pages and I look forward to reading more from this author...more
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