Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Thorn In My Side by C.J. Skuse

3 reviews

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

That cliff hanger is just unfair. How can you do this to me knowing there’s one book left. Torture. 
Not fully 5* because, like the second book, it felt like a little bit of a filler for the big finale. However, loved Rhiannon’s character development this time. 
It’s a shame most of these plots/scenes are not safe for TV because I would love to see how they would continue the series.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is book 4 in the 5 book Sweetpea series about sociopathic narcissist (her own diagnosis) serial killer and survivor of Priory Gardens crèche massacre Rhiannon Lewis, and the book I like least in the series.

It seems like she is getting a bit of a break in this one. She has found true love and acceptance in Rafael and his big family under the guise of her new alter ego Ophelia, there is a wedding and a honeymoon, and all could be well, if those pesky bad men weren't almost begging to be taken out by their sheer awfulness. Nevertheless, she manages only two kills and one of them causes a rift in her new family. 

There is a lot of reflection going on and she misses Ivy but Rafael is always by her side. There are quite a few twists and turns in this one but most of them happen towards the end of the book where there is a cliffhanger that is followed by another cliffhanger.

I am so glad that NetGalley has granted me early access to the final book because I'm not sure I would be able to cope otherwise!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I am just 👏🏽 obsessed 👏🏽 with this series!! I read the first two books (SWEETPEA & IN BLOOM) back in the prime bookstagram era of 2020 and it’s been a while since the third, so I was so excited to jump back into Rhiannon’s twisted mind and this did not disappoint!

Violent, twisted + hilarious, with the trademark dark humour + witty (very British) sarcasm, this was so damn captivating and I could not put it down. Our MC Rhiannon is as foul mouthed, blunt and sardonic as always, but we are seeing some growth and her priceless ‘kill lists’ are just as entertaining as book one. I feel like I shouldn’t enjoy these books as much as I do (she is a serial killer after all) but they are just brilliant. 

My one complaint… that ending should be illegal. What in the emotional rollercoaster crash was that!? WHEN IS BOOK FIVE? 😭 Aside from the torturous cliffhanger, this was such a fun, fast paced + thrilling fourth instalment and this unique series is one of my all time favourites. 

If you love dark thrillers, have a questionable sense of humour + enjoy the anxiety of watching Joe Goldberg kill people who annoy him + then get nail-bitingly close to being caught, you need to grab a copy of these books immediately! You’re welcome, in advance 🫶🏽

Expand filter menu Content Warnings