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funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just a fun time. The ending was a bit too neat for me, but the lead up kept me guessing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Murder
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall I did not enjoy this book. I feel like it was incorrectly marketed as a thriller when it was mostly a romance with a little bit of mystery thrown in. I honestly didn't like any of the characters other than Lucy's grandmother since everyone else was pretty awful and a little messed up. The stakes felt incredibly low, the ending was rushed, and by the time I got there I didn't care too much. I like the idea of a book with a podcast style segment within it...I just wish it was written into a better story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Alcohol
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s all so superficial. And not very mysterious at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Yes! FINALLY! This book is EXACTLY what I needed. I've been in a three-star slump since the year began. Most of my ratings have been a 3-star with very minimal 4 stars and no 5-star. I was SICK OF IT!
I saw this recommendation on an Instagram thriller page I follow and they labeled it a "popcorn thriller" (those fast-paced ones you can just binge in one setting). And it most definitely delivered. It feels so good to read a good book again!
I'm starting to see a lot of thrillers adapt the podcast elements and you know what I'm not mad at it (even though I think it might start to get a little oversaturated). I love mixed media in books no matter what kind and this most certainly didn't disappoint.
Our FMC Lucy isn't the most likable person, but you get used to her (I don't need my characters to be likable, especially in thrillers). I didn't mind her point of view. I was surprised to see that this is the author's first attempt at a thriller because I think she did well.
I was already invested, but I say the story really had me reeling in the second half cuz by that point I was so sucked into the small town and the story that I was itching to know what happened. Although trivial I did enjoy the subplot of dark romance we got in the book (note: there's a lot of cheating in this book if you don't like that, but I kid you not it makes sense for the story). I feel like you can tell a little through the writing that this author is a romance girly. Also, not gonna lie, this book is a little funny at times. I really liked the grandma; she brought most of the humor. The other characters were fine. Ben was kind of bland to me.
Overall, I had a good time! I do think the author did a fine job at her first attempt at a thriller. However, there are certain things (the parents, Savvy, how she even met Matt, Nina, etc) that I wished she delved into more because the last 15% did feel a bit rushed. The ending was fine. I was just expecting more. And the twist, it was fine for her first attempt. I did guess, but it's not a bad thing cuz although this thriller wasn't a masterpiece by any means, I still enjoyed myself and had fun and I think that's all I can ask for considering I've just been getting back-to-back 3-star books. This was one good, I recommend!
Note: I also recommend the audio. It was good.
Spice:🌶️.5/5 (yes there is spice in this book)
I saw this recommendation on an Instagram thriller page I follow and they labeled it a "popcorn thriller" (those fast-paced ones you can just binge in one setting). And it most definitely delivered. It feels so good to read a good book again!
I'm starting to see a lot of thrillers adapt the podcast elements and you know what I'm not mad at it (even though I think it might start to get a little oversaturated). I love mixed media in books no matter what kind and this most certainly didn't disappoint.
Our FMC Lucy isn't the most likable person, but you get used to her (I don't need my characters to be likable, especially in thrillers). I didn't mind her point of view. I was surprised to see that this is the author's first attempt at a thriller because I think she did well.
I was already invested, but I say the story really had me reeling in the second half cuz by that point I was so sucked into the small town and the story that I was itching to know what happened. Although trivial I did enjoy the subplot of dark romance we got in the book (note: there's a lot of cheating in this book if you don't like that, but I kid you not it makes sense for the story). I feel like you can tell a little through the writing that this author is a romance girly. Also, not gonna lie, this book is a little funny at times. I really liked the grandma; she brought most of the humor. The other characters were fine. Ben was kind of bland to me.
Overall, I had a good time! I do think the author did a fine job at her first attempt at a thriller. However, there are certain things (the parents, Savvy, how she even met Matt, Nina, etc) that I wished she delved into more because the last 15% did feel a bit rushed. The ending was fine. I was just expecting more. And the twist, it was fine for her first attempt. I did guess, but it's not a bad thing cuz although this thriller wasn't a masterpiece by any means, I still enjoyed myself and had fun and I think that's all I can ask for considering I've just been getting back-to-back 3-star books. This was one good, I recommend!
Note: I also recommend the audio. It was good.
Spice:🌶️.5/5 (yes there is spice in this book)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it was good, the twist at the end was one i didn’t see coming. felt like everyone was an unreliable narrator, except for ben (since his reasons are more for his own benefit). rip savvy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I keep forgetting that books about podcasts are better as audiobooks so I wish I‘d listened to it instead of reading, but I still loved it. It’s fast-paced, twisty, funny & keeps you guessing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Vomit
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice and twisty in term of plot BUT ultimately found it depressing. Also… this is a very sexy book with a lot of random and aggressive sex between all the main characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this one! The production of the podcast interjected throughout the story made this audiobook feel more like a movie or tv show but it was really well done! I didn’t guess the end which earned it a 4.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship