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__whatsrachelreading__'s reviews
244 reviews
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
3.0
3.5/5
Noemi is living a pretty good and very wealthy life until her father sends/bribes her to check on her cousin Catalina. After, Catalina marries and moves in with her husband, she begins sending bizarre letters causing her family to panic. As Noemi arrives at the home, she discovers odd behavior and is unable to see her cousin because she has "tuberculosis". As Noemi grows fearful for her cousin and now herself she begins to unravel the mysteries of the house and the utter terror that follows.
The book was interesting and unlike anything I have read before. The atmosphere of the book was wonderful. It was slow paced and I felt the character development was lacking. I didn't feel a connection to Noemi and I felt there could be more with her. It seemed to get interesting about 2/3 of the way through the book. The ending was underwhelming and sort of anti-climatic. It just seemed unrealistic? Just not what I was expecting in a horror book. Again, many people who love the gothic horror genre love this. The writing was very detailed sometimes to a fault and was a bit repetitive. I definitely did not hate this book and am excited to read her next novel!
Noemi is living a pretty good and very wealthy life until her father sends/bribes her to check on her cousin Catalina. After, Catalina marries and moves in with her husband, she begins sending bizarre letters causing her family to panic. As Noemi arrives at the home, she discovers odd behavior and is unable to see her cousin because she has "tuberculosis". As Noemi grows fearful for her cousin and now herself she begins to unravel the mysteries of the house and the utter terror that follows.
The book was interesting and unlike anything I have read before. The atmosphere of the book was wonderful. It was slow paced and I felt the character development was lacking. I didn't feel a connection to Noemi and I felt there could be more with her. It seemed to get interesting about 2/3 of the way through the book. The ending was underwhelming and sort of anti-climatic. It just seemed unrealistic? Just not what I was expecting in a horror book. Again, many people who love the gothic horror genre love this. The writing was very detailed sometimes to a fault and was a bit repetitive. I definitely did not hate this book and am excited to read her next novel!
Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
4.0
Second First Impressions is such a sweet, fluffy book. Ruthie and Teddy are very cute and have a slow burn romance. I love the quirky banter, the secondary characters (Rentata!) and the romance that develops. I wish the plot was expanded and the ending didn’t feel as rushed but I still enjoyed it!
The Hunting Wives by May Cobb
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I loved this book. Such a fast read. I loved the shock factor, the writing, the wives, all of it. It was a thriller and a guilty pleasure book. I definitely thought The Hunting Wives was truly a unique thriller. Yes, the “small town girl dies”, mystery is there but it’s so much more. I loved to hate Sophie and wanted to shake her throughout the entire book. I truly disliked every action by the wives but couldn’t stop reading. It was wild and I truly loved the horrible, self absorbed, awful wives. So, if you want a thriller with over the top, scandalous characters and a good twist, I definitely recommend.
I loved this book. Such a fast read. I loved the shock factor, the writing, the wives, all of it. It was a thriller and a guilty pleasure book. I definitely thought The Hunting Wives was truly a unique thriller. Yes, the “small town girl dies”, mystery is there but it’s so much more. I loved to hate Sophie and wanted to shake her throughout the entire book. I truly disliked every action by the wives but couldn’t stop reading. It was wild and I truly loved the horrible, self absorbed, awful wives. So, if you want a thriller with over the top, scandalous characters and a good twist, I definitely recommend.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
Well. That was an easy 5/5 for me.
Nesta has been one of my favorite characters so I was obviously excited for her story. SJM took Nesta's character to place where her guilt and grief turned into deep self-hatred. She was self-destructive and purposefully ruined relationships. Her transformation was slow and frustrating at times but necessary. Nesta's transformation was my favorite part of this book because it felt real.
"So Nesta had become a wolf. Armed herself with invisible teeth and claws, and learned to strike faster, deeper, more lethally."
Also, Cassian and Nesta are perfect. He was exactly what Nesta needed during this time.
A Court of Silver Flames did what SJM usually does with her books, leaves me wanting the next one ASAP. It is 800 pages and it could have been twice as long. The introduction of new characters and the amazing friendships and bonds was not something I was expecting but love every part of it. And the potential for their future storylines. It was amazing. I devoured it. I loved the house. The Valkyries. Gwyn. Emerie...I could literally ramble on.
Also. Azriel is everything.
#bookstagram #acosf #sjm #bookreview #acourtofsilverflames #sarahjmaas
Nesta has been one of my favorite characters so I was obviously excited for her story. SJM took Nesta's character to place where her guilt and grief turned into deep self-hatred. She was self-destructive and purposefully ruined relationships. Her transformation was slow and frustrating at times but necessary. Nesta's transformation was my favorite part of this book because it felt real.
"So Nesta had become a wolf. Armed herself with invisible teeth and claws, and learned to strike faster, deeper, more lethally."
Also, Cassian and Nesta are perfect. He was exactly what Nesta needed during this time.
A Court of Silver Flames did what SJM usually does with her books, leaves me wanting the next one ASAP. It is 800 pages and it could have been twice as long. The introduction of new characters and the amazing friendships and bonds was not something I was expecting but love every part of it. And the potential for their future storylines. It was amazing. I devoured it. I loved the house. The Valkyries. Gwyn. Emerie...I could literally ramble on.
Also. Azriel is everything.
#bookstagram #acosf #sjm #bookreview #acourtofsilverflames #sarahjmaas
The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams
4.0
After being with her boyfriend for ten years, Annie is left with the realization that she has literally been left at the alter. After confronting this devastation, she quickly realizes she needs to make some changes within herself. One of those changes involves an old friend named Patrick. Patrick reminds her of a simpler, more freeing time so she takes the plunge and brings Patrick along on her solo honeymoon.
The Lucky Escape is a feel good rom-com while also going more in depth and showing the growth process of Annie. She makes mistakes, says things she regrets, and is extremely indecisive. This is not an awful thing but it made me not connect with Annie as I would have liked to. Her journey is her own. Ultimately it helped her get to a place where she was happy with herself.
Overall, it is a great read and I finished it in one sitting. It is well written with many great characters. It has the humor but also a journey to Annie’s self-love, wherever that takes her.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advanced copy for an honest review.
The Lucky Escape is a feel good rom-com while also going more in depth and showing the growth process of Annie. She makes mistakes, says things she regrets, and is extremely indecisive. This is not an awful thing but it made me not connect with Annie as I would have liked to. Her journey is her own. Ultimately it helped her get to a place where she was happy with herself.
Overall, it is a great read and I finished it in one sitting. It is well written with many great characters. It has the humor but also a journey to Annie’s self-love, wherever that takes her.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advanced copy for an honest review.
Dirty Headlines by L.J. Shen
5.0
I absolutely loved this one. This is the perfect enemies-to-lovers, sexy office romance. The banter was fabulous. Celian is sexy and rich and was the perfect one night stand for Judith until she meets him as her boss. Judith is an amazing heroine and is the perfect match for Celian the asshole. The banter is amazing even with the nicknames! Love!
Vicious by L.J. Shen
5.0
My first of many LJ Shen books I've read. I loved it and was hooked. It is so difficult to walk that line of the anti hero but still completely love it. I loved how Shen slowly reveals the past history between Barron (Vicious) Spencer and Emilia. It keeps you guessing and not wanting to put it down. Which I didn't. For how "vicious" he is to Emilia, LJ Shen makes him one of my favorite unlikeable at times character. L
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
5.0
“We're just strangers passing each other, your anxieties briefly brushing against mine as the fibers of our coats touch momentarily on a crowded sidewalk somewhere. We never really know what to do to each other, with each other, for each other.” -Fredik Backman
The story starts with a failed bank robbery that leads to a hostage situation in an apartment. We have the bank robber, two police officers leading the investigation, and the worst hostages ever. Throughout the story we see each characters struggles, connections, and anxieties.
Anxious People has many characters, told in multiple perspectives with many slight time jumps. These are things I generally dislike in a book but Backman had me liking each character and caring about their stories. There were several times where the dialog between characters were underwhelming with corny humor, e.g. the interviews. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend as a feel-good, thought provoking novel that can almost read as a self help book.
The story starts with a failed bank robbery that leads to a hostage situation in an apartment. We have the bank robber, two police officers leading the investigation, and the worst hostages ever. Throughout the story we see each characters struggles, connections, and anxieties.
Anxious People has many characters, told in multiple perspectives with many slight time jumps. These are things I generally dislike in a book but Backman had me liking each character and caring about their stories. There were several times where the dialog between characters were underwhelming with corny humor, e.g. the interviews. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend as a feel-good, thought provoking novel that can almost read as a self help book.