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adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I figured out who the murderer was gonna be in chapter 2, before the murder even happened. The main character is insufferable, judgy, and has an extremely negative outlook on every aspect of the world around her. She can be unnecessarily mean and I don’t really understand how the people around her can stand her. The writing style felt uncomfortable and there were too many mistakes. I didn’t want to keep reading and really had to force myself - around 70% the story actually started flowing a bit, which is why I finally finished it. But I won’t pick up another book in this series.
Some “live tweets” I typed out whilst reading (spoilers ahead, but they’re without context so I doubt it’s actually spoiling anything):
“It took three tries to lock the door behind me. My heart raced in a constricted chest.
Forget this.”
- you’re going on a date, not jumping out of a plane
“A mantra Dr Margolis had taught me dropped into my mind. Deep breath in, slow breath out.”
- really, that’s the mantra he had to _teach_ you?
“Besides, as my grandmother used to say, what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.”
- ah yes such a specific saying, only Jen Dawson’s grandma could’ve figured it out
everything is SO exaggerated STOP IT. a man stands up quickly and smoothly and suddenly he’s a threat for mf usain bolt????
“I unloaded the tray. A grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. Seriously? How about a hot fudge brownie sundae? Whatever. My stomach would take it, either way.”
- ungrateful ass
“I’m fine, and I was there for you when Frankie disappeared in Afghanistan.”
Tears pooled in Brittany’s eyes. “Aletha was your friend, and you cared for her, but I don’t see the comparison. Frankie was going to be my husband. He disappeared two weeks before he was due to come home. Three weeks before the wedding.” She stood. “I’ll be here whenever you need me.”
I’d stepped over the line. What’s wrong with me? “Britt, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m an—”
“Ass. Yes, I know.” She opened the door. “I’ll stop by when I get off work.”
- fucking bitch????
“Wow! Best sweet tea I’ve ever tasted.”
Vangie beamed. “It’s my mama’s secret recipe. All I can say is, two different kinds of tea all mixed up with lots of sugar.”
And a warning label: for best results serve with insulin.”
- what a rude unnecessary comment
the “tour” at the Your Life contest was like two rooms and two short questions??????
“His gentle finger under my chin turned my head back toward him.”
- SO. MUCH. PHYSICAL CONTACT. WITHOUT CONSENT.
“Tim kept an eye on Marcus and Russell as they strolled toward the Mustang. “He claims he’s had no contact with Aletha since he went to prison, but I don’t believe him. I can’t prove it, but I’m positive he’s seen or at least talked to her since then. Since the contest, even.”
- tim literally talked about marcus’ letter and now suddenly he has no proof?
“Only a newbie reporter could come up with something that lame.”
- 99% of the time this woman is awake she’s busy judging
“In fact, I still didn’t know why she beat up Timmy Hardwick when he stole my finger paints the first day of kindergarten.”
- … you’re literally stating the reason?
“I fiddled with the radio, but found nothing but pitchmen, preachers, and top forty playlists. Having my fingernails pulled out with pliers would offer more entertainment value.”
- why so RUDE
“Russell groaned and I turned toward him. His hands and eyes twitched. Was it a nightmare about me?”
- NOT. EVERYTHING. IS. ABOUT. YOU.
“How had he hidden this arrogant side so well?”
- he literally didn’t
“Brittany stood and stretched. “I think I’ll go down to the cafeteria for some coffee. Anyone else want any?”
Every hand rose, so Eric sent Leonard along to help carry the cups back. A polite thing to do, but I suspected his true motive involved privacy.”
- literally where is this suddenly coming from??
Some “live tweets” I typed out whilst reading (spoilers ahead, but they’re without context so I doubt it’s actually spoiling anything):
“It took three tries to lock the door behind me. My heart raced in a constricted chest.
Forget this.”
- you’re going on a date, not jumping out of a plane
“A mantra Dr Margolis had taught me dropped into my mind. Deep breath in, slow breath out.”
- really, that’s the mantra he had to _teach_ you?
“Besides, as my grandmother used to say, what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.”
- ah yes such a specific saying, only Jen Dawson’s grandma could’ve figured it out
everything is SO exaggerated STOP IT. a man stands up quickly and smoothly and suddenly he’s a threat for mf usain bolt????
“I unloaded the tray. A grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. Seriously? How about a hot fudge brownie sundae? Whatever. My stomach would take it, either way.”
- ungrateful ass
“I’m fine, and I was there for you when Frankie disappeared in Afghanistan.”
Tears pooled in Brittany’s eyes. “Aletha was your friend, and you cared for her, but I don’t see the comparison. Frankie was going to be my husband. He disappeared two weeks before he was due to come home. Three weeks before the wedding.” She stood. “I’ll be here whenever you need me.”
I’d stepped over the line. What’s wrong with me? “Britt, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m an—”
“Ass. Yes, I know.” She opened the door. “I’ll stop by when I get off work.”
- fucking bitch????
“Wow! Best sweet tea I’ve ever tasted.”
Vangie beamed. “It’s my mama’s secret recipe. All I can say is, two different kinds of tea all mixed up with lots of sugar.”
And a warning label: for best results serve with insulin.”
- what a rude unnecessary comment
the “tour” at the Your Life contest was like two rooms and two short questions??????
“His gentle finger under my chin turned my head back toward him.”
- SO. MUCH. PHYSICAL CONTACT. WITHOUT CONSENT.
“Tim kept an eye on Marcus and Russell as they strolled toward the Mustang. “He claims he’s had no contact with Aletha since he went to prison, but I don’t believe him. I can’t prove it, but I’m positive he’s seen or at least talked to her since then. Since the contest, even.”
- tim literally talked about marcus’ letter and now suddenly he has no proof?
“Only a newbie reporter could come up with something that lame.”
- 99% of the time this woman is awake she’s busy judging
“In fact, I still didn’t know why she beat up Timmy Hardwick when he stole my finger paints the first day of kindergarten.”
- … you’re literally stating the reason?
“I fiddled with the radio, but found nothing but pitchmen, preachers, and top forty playlists. Having my fingernails pulled out with pliers would offer more entertainment value.”
- why so RUDE
“Russell groaned and I turned toward him. His hands and eyes twitched. Was it a nightmare about me?”
- NOT. EVERYTHING. IS. ABOUT. YOU.
“How had he hidden this arrogant side so well?”
- he literally didn’t
“Brittany stood and stretched. “I think I’ll go down to the cafeteria for some coffee. Anyone else want any?”
Every hand rose, so Eric sent Leonard along to help carry the cups back. A polite thing to do, but I suspected his true motive involved privacy.”
- literally where is this suddenly coming from??
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was very enjoyable! A cozy murder mystery story about a crime author trying to solve an actual crime. I really loved all of the side characters in this book, especially Jen's friends. One thing though... I suspected the murder from the very beginning, so I wasn't very surprised at the end.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I saw the ending coming a mile away, but it was cozy and suspenseful enough to keep me engaged.
Summary of me reading this book: RUSSELL, RUSSELL, ITS FUCKING RUSSELL!!!!!!!!!!!! And then reading the ending like this
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jen is a mystery writer and struggling with writers block. She loves to write her novel in her friends bookshop, but when that friend is killed and Jen's pen is found at the crime scene, will she be able to clear her name and solve the murder?
I can't pinpoint exactly why I didn't really enjoy this book, like it's fine but mostly unremarkable. There were a lot of kind pointless characters and I didn't find it particularly easy to follow who was who; especially when most of them turned out to be mostly irrelevant.
I also found the plot to be somewhat predictable - at least partially. There were no big shocks for me and it felt slightly formulaic at times rather than an individual book. Like it had all the hallmarks of a classic mystery - the protaonist ends up in a deadly scenario at least once, suspicion on the protagonist from the police, suspicion on the love interest, etc etc.
All of this to say I didn't enjoy it, I just kinda feel meh about it. I was expecting a lovely cosy mystery and tbh this just missed the mark for me.
I can't pinpoint exactly why I didn't really enjoy this book, like it's fine but mostly unremarkable. There were a lot of kind pointless characters and I didn't find it particularly easy to follow who was who; especially when most of them turned out to be mostly irrelevant.
I also found the plot to be somewhat predictable - at least partially. There were no big shocks for me and it felt slightly formulaic at times rather than an individual book. Like it had all the hallmarks of a classic mystery - the protaonist ends up in a deadly scenario at least once, suspicion on the protagonist from the police, suspicion on the love interest, etc etc.
All of this to say I didn't enjoy it, I just kinda feel meh about it. I was expecting a lovely cosy mystery and tbh this just missed the mark for me.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A very fun book. I had a hunch halfway through but was happy it was more nuanced than I thought. Definitely recommend it as a fun murder mystery!
(I just wish less of the story was spoiled on the back, there could've been more suspense)
(I just wish less of the story was spoiled on the back, there could've been more suspense)