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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This book started out like it would be a dark, gripping thriller but quickly lost its direction (IMO). The plot kept circling without progressing. Even at 66%, nothing meaningful had happened. The secret societies are supposed to be central, yet their purpose is so unclear. They donate to charity and do good things, but then they’re stealing, drugging people, hosting chaotic parties and orgies, and it seems there were alumnis still involved with the society and the students even after they had graduated up to the extent of having their own children in the society and while not actively working in the campus, they still meet up with younger girls in the society. It just didn't make sense to me. I don’t understand how that makes them “good” and the story never clarifies what they’re really about.
Amelia is frustratingly passive. Even though she’s written as curious and observant, she never actively investigates her brother’s disappearance or the other mysteries. She just drifts along. The romance between Amelia and Logan also didn’t work for me. Their connection felt rushed and overhyped given how little had happened between them. It didn’t feel believable, especially since Amelia was so cautious around him at first.
The setting wasn’t helpful either. It takes place at a university, but the descriptions are vague and disjointed. I felt lost, I usually read fantasy without needing a map, but here I needed one just to picture the scenes.
Then the ending happened. The reveal that Hailey is psychotic might have worked if it had tied more directly into the secret society plot, especially if she was linked to the other society they mentioned or been built up gradually with appearances in questionable places. Instead, it appeared suddenly and didn’t fit with anything that came before. It felt disconnected from the rest of the story. I know they set her up as being suspicious but it wasn't tied in well. Those other society ended up not contributing anything to the story.
If I took a shot every time "... your groupies.." was used in this book, I’d be in a coma by now.
This book had potential, but it fell flat for me. The characters felt underdeveloped, the plot was scattered, and the suspense never landed. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more at eighteen, but right now, it just didn’t work for me. I feel like i was being generous for giving it 2stars
Amelia is frustratingly passive. Even though she’s written as curious and observant, she never actively investigates her brother’s disappearance or the other mysteries. She just drifts along. The romance between Amelia and Logan also didn’t work for me. Their connection felt rushed and overhyped given how little had happened between them. It didn’t feel believable, especially since Amelia was so cautious around him at first.
The setting wasn’t helpful either. It takes place at a university, but the descriptions are vague and disjointed. I felt lost, I usually read fantasy without needing a map, but here I needed one just to picture the scenes.
Then the ending happened. The reveal that Hailey is psychotic might have worked if it had tied more directly into the secret society plot, especially if she was linked to the other society they mentioned or been built up gradually with appearances in questionable places. Instead, it appeared suddenly and didn’t fit with anything that came before. It felt disconnected from the rest of the story. I know they set her up as being suspicious but it wasn't tied in well. Those other society ended up not contributing anything to the story.
If I took a shot every time "... your groupies.." was used in this book, I’d be in a coma by now.
This book had potential, but it fell flat for me. The characters felt underdeveloped, the plot was scattered, and the suspense never landed. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more at eighteen, but right now, it just didn’t work for me. I feel like i was being generous for giving it 2stars
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It lacked depth, the motivations for actions were unbelievable
This book was amazing. I always count on Claire to get me out of a reading slump.
After finishing the prologue I was writing every single thing to decipher everything that’s going on.
And I was so right with who I thought was behind everything.
Logan & Amelia were a power couple and I loved that Mae made Logan work for her to trust her.
Also, I’m pretty sure this is my first suspense romance book that I’ve read and I absolutely LOVED IT!!
I’m ready to jump into Twisted Circles.
Btw, this is a 100% standalone
After finishing the prologue I was writing every single thing to decipher everything that’s going on.
And I was so right with who I thought was behind everything.
Logan & Amelia were a power couple and I loved that Mae made Logan work for her to trust her.
Also, I’m pretty sure this is my first suspense romance book that I’ve read and I absolutely LOVED IT!!
I’m ready to jump into Twisted Circles.
Btw, this is a 100% standalone
I don’t even have real words, just vibes and whiplash. So let me start by saying: Logan is EVERYTHING.
Morally gray? Check.
Obsessed with Amelia in a “you breathe, I breathe” way? Check.
Hot enough to melt an entire Ivy League campus? Triple check.
And Amelia?? That girl survives more in one semester than I have in my entire adult life. She dives headfirst into a missing girl mystery while trying to navigate secret societies that aren’t even trying to pretend they’re secret. The deeper she digs, the more I screamed, gasped, and wanted to highlight entire pages with a “what the actual hell” sticky note.
I won’t spoil the ending, but just know:
I was NOT prepared.
I needed a seatbelt.
And a therapist.
And possibly a priest.
Also… “Fitz Mitts.” If you know, you know 🫣
I REALLY enjoyed this book. It was so similar to the Devils Night series for me! I do feel like the ending was a bit rushed, I could read about 5 more books on this story alone. But I gobbled it up in less than 24 hours, as I usually do with Claire’s books!
I wanted to like this bc I normally like Claire Contreras. Her spice is always problematic in a spicy way but this book felt more plot driven but the plot wasn’t exciting, the dialogue was so simple, and I just didn’t find myself caring about any parts of the book
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated