_beccareads's reviews
66 reviews

The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent

challenging dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Katy Brent does it again! If you enjoyed How to Kill Men and Get Away With It, then you will LOVE this.

Honestly, her writing style is just incredible. I especially love her nods to the daily struggles of being a woman, from not being taken seriously and being written off as hysterical, to the realisation that the bar is so low that a man not sleeping with someone who is black out drunk makes them a nice guy. She’s found the perfect balance between covering dark/emotional and important topics, with her witty one liners that have you laughing out loud.

This book had me completely hooked from page one, I was at the edge of my seat and racing to find out what really happened to Molly Monroe. Fast paced, and filled with lots and twists and turns, everyone should add this gripping story to their tbr.

The only reason I couldn’t give this 5 stars is because I feel ROBBEEED! Why, oh why, do we not hear about Mollys background until the last two chapters!!! I feel like this is a huge piece of character development that simply, was needed earlier on. Then, the big final twist, WHAT?! Sorry, we definitely need some more on this, it felt abrupt and honestly it deserved more, no, Posey deserved more.

A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Ooft I’ve got a feeling this may be a slightly controversial review, but I honestly couldn’t give this more than 3 stars.

The romance was great, I love Rune and Poppy, I think they are really cute together and to be honest, reading their story reminded me of what it felt like when I fell in love for the first time. That’s the great thing about young love, it feels so all-consuming, and I think Tillie perfectly captured that.

I think my main disappointment was I went into this book with a lot of high hopes, I’ve seen all of the videos of people literally sobbing, and if you know me, you know I’m a sucker for a book that breaks my heart and makes me sob, and well, it just didn’t happen for me. 

I think this was probably because the plot twist just happened way too soon, and then it kinda… dragged. By the time we’d got to the end I think I’d recovered from the heartbreak and it just made the ending disappointing for me.

Overall this was a cute read, but it wasn’t my favourite romance. 

Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing by Jessa Hastings

dark emotional funny sad tense 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

5.0

Screaming, crying, throwing up x

This book, this universe, these characters!!! I love everything about it. It’s no secret that I’m a Christian and Daisy fan so this was just *chefs kiss*, I loved reading more about their story, their love and honestly Christian babe you have my heart, we love a transparent, communicative king x

I honestly didn’t think I could love a couple more, then in waltzes Julian Haites and Magnolia Parks. I honestly preferred Julian’s narration of their relationship because it just feels so much more honest, I’m not sure Magnolia is an entirely reliable narrator so to hear it from inside Julian’s mind was just incredible. Julian has to be the most complicated character in this universe and I just love him so much, I want to wrap him up, steal him away from his life and let him lead the normal life he deserves. 

Now, the ending of this book was so emotional for me, I was sobbing and giving my friend Sarah live updates. I really felt for them all, and I think it was a pivotal moment in Julian’s character development where we really get to see how deeply he feels for Magnolia. 

I honestly can’t wait for the next book, and to see what happens next! If you’ve not started this series yet please TAKE THIS AS YOUR SIGN!

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

challenging emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

I honestly have no idea what I’ve just read, I’m actually kinda mad that I forced myself to finish this book, and I really had to force myself - it was pretty painful at times.

I know so many people love this book and they rave about it, so I’m kinda left feeling like did I miss something or am I just not smart enough for this book?

Don’t get me wrong, it covers a lot of really important issues, but it just felt really forced. Chucking in lots of complicated prose won’t naturally make a story more beautiful, they’re not synonymous. 

Overall this book left me feeling really confused, and frustrated because I feel like it could’ve been a really beautiful story, if it just focused on telling the story.

Send Nudes by Saba Sams

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

This book felt like I was sitting around with friends, chatting absolute shite and sharing stories of what it’s like to be a woman. It felt really intimate and raw, and it was a great quick read.

I sometimes struggle with short stories as they usually lack the ability to pique my interest but Saba somehow had me hooked, but also not yearning for more at the end.

This is one of those books that I would recommend to any woman as it feels like something we could all relate to in some kind of way, and it’s the perfect short book to get you out of a slump.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-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

5.0

Ashley Poston has to be one of the most incredible authors, the way she depicts love and grief is just so real. How she manages to write about the type of love that people long for, whilst also making me reevaluate my own life and unpack my own grief will never cease to amaze me.

It’s been six months since the worst day of Clementines life, six months since her beloved aunt who chased the moon, passed away. She’s finally moving into her magical apartment that she’s inherited when she finds a handsome stranger sitting in her kitchen, the strangest part about it, he’s seven years in the past. Unable to explain the truth to him she lets him stay in the apartment with her as she moves between seven years ago and the present, where she finds herself falling for him - hard and fast. It’s simply the right person… at the wrong time.

Everything about this book was just perfect, the characters, the romance, the concept and how brilliantly it was executed - I just want to wrap myself up in this story. Honestly it really has become one of my top 3 reads… ever? I’m moving to New York to find me a chef and I’ll be getting a lemon tattoo imminently. 🍋

The Possession of Mr Cave by Matt Haig

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a truly disturbing and chaotic book, reading it was uncomfortable but… I want to read it again.

Antique dealer Mr Cave has lost almost everyone he loves - his mother took her own life, his wife murdered and his son died in a tragic accident, which only leaves him with his teenage daughter Bryony. Bryony is the golden child, the one he’s always obsessed over, but the recent loss of his son has taken his protectiveness to the next extreme, especially as he realises she’s not so little anymore and boys start to show an interest in her.

I am completely in love with Matts writing style - as I got further and further into the book, and it became more chaotic, it was clear that this was a reflection of Mr Caves reality slowly unraveling, making reading the book a completely immersive experience. 

Honestly, this book was incredible, Matt Haig really knows how to write a dark story. I truly felt uncomfortable at points, with my heart racing wondering what on earth Mr Cave was going to do next. The twists throughout were so well thought out and I really didn’t see them coming, but there’s a couple of reasons why this didn’t get 5 stars for me.

1. There’s a few things that were left unanswered/weren’t delved into enough for my liking
2. The story really is up for interpretation and I don’t feel strongly enough about any potential route

Overall, this was an incredible read and a complete page turner. I loved how the style of writing completely immersed me into Mr Caves point of view, I felt every emotion he did and my anxiety was through the roof! I just wish we got a few more answers.

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

challenging emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ash and Edi, have been best friends forever. But now, Edi's is sadly dying, and Ash is by her side in a hospice, taking care of her during her final moments.

This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of friendship, saying goodbye, love and dealing with the hole in your life that loss leaves. 

What really got me was how real it all felt. Ash, at times, pulled some head-scratching moves, came off a tad self-centred, and left me bewildered on occasion. But you know what? That's grief for you.

Grief, it's like this heavy cloud that just covers everything. It's messy and it's all-consuming and Ash's journey through loving and grieving for Edi simultaneously isn’t perfect, how could it be? She makes mistakes, she learns lessons and she suffers through it and thats what hit me right in the feels. I was laughing, bawling, and pondering the meaning of life, all in just a few pages.

This book captured my heart. If you've walked the path of loss, it strangely feels like a comforting companion. It reminds you that grief is this painful journey, but that grief is just love with no place to go. 

They say it’s better to have loved and lost, than never loved at all and this book just nails that sentiment.

Cat Lady by Dawn O'Porter

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-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

5.0

This was truly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. 

Mia seems to have it all figured out, the perfect house, a good husband, a great job, and her loyal companion, Pigeon - but slowly everything starts to unravel, and Mia’s life is flipped upside down.

This book was a real emotional rollercoaster for me, it had me laughing out loud, sobbing  and in awe of how a bout of bad luck can end with things turning out to be more incredible than you ever could’ve imagined.

I’m not sure I quite have the words to explain how it made me feel, but its books like this that remind me why I love the contemporary genre so much. This book is a beautiful reminder that, we all have a multitude of rules that we play, and it’s oh so easy to neglect the cat lady we all have hiding inside, but we should let her out, and live our lives the way we want to.

Overall, this book is incredible - it’s easily one of the best books I’ve ever read and it’s going to be my go to recommendation for a long time.

Do No Harm by Jack Jordan

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What an incredible thriller! In a genre where plotlines can often feel a little far-fetched, this one was absolutely believable, and that's what made it so much more enjoyable.

Renowned surgeon Dr. Anna Jones finds herself in a traumatic dilemma while preparing for surgery on an up-and-coming political figure. Her son has been kidnapped, and the only way she can hope to see him again is by committing the ultimate crime - and getting away with it.

Told from the multiple perspectives of Rachel, Anna, and Margot, this book had me utterly captivated. Every element weaved together seamlessly, leaving me eager to discover what would happen next, especially if and how Anna would reunite with her little boy.

Jack masterfully crafts a tense dynamic that had me on the edge of my seat, nervously biting my nails and racing through pages. If you're in search of a gripping thriller with a unique yet entirely plausible plot, then this is the book for you.