april_reads's reviews
231 reviews

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

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dark mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

They Never Learn is a fast-paced thriller packed with twists, including a revelation midway through that completely caught me off guard.

The story follows Scarlett, a professor at a college campus, who secretly targets men who have “behaved badly,” murdering them and staging their deaths as suicides. 
Parallel to this, we meet Carley, a student at the same college who is struggling to fit in while exploring her sexual identity and grappling with her complicated relationships with men.

I found this book highly engaging, even if the ending felt a bit far-fetched. That said, it was ultimately satisfying and tied up the story well. I’d definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, thrilling read. However, be sure to check trigger warnings before diving in!
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The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene

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mysterious medium-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

3.75

The Lake of Lost Girls is a twisty mystery that will keep you guessing the killer’s identity until the very end.
The story alternates between the present day and the 1990s, when four young women went missing from a small college campus. A new podcast has reignited interest in the disappearances, and one of the victims' sisters, along with a determined reporter, is set on finally uncovering the truth.

While I’d be lying if I said the ending took me completely by surprise, I wasn’t 100% certain about my guess, which kept the tension alive. This is a fairly easy read and isn’t overly graphic, making it accessible for a wide audience. That said, I felt the book could have benefited from deeper character development, and the writing style was a bit basic.

Overall, the story itself is compelling, and I’d recommend this book to fans of true crime podcasts and those who enjoy a good mystery.
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All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

All the Colors of the Dark is an impressive blend of mystery, thriller, coming-of-age, young love, and found family, all seamlessly woven into one compelling story.
The narrative centers on Patch and Saint, two friends bound by a lifelong connection. When Patch goes missing, Saint refuses to give up, doing whatever it takes to bring him home. After his rescue, Patch becomes consumed with finding Grace, a girl he was held captive with, setting the stage for a poignant and suspenseful journey.
While the book is slow-paced and perhaps a touch longer than necessary, the payoff is undeniably worth it. All the Colors of the Dark is a richly layered tale that will linger with you long after the final page.
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The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The Return of Ellie Black is a captivating thriller and mystery that truly lives up to the hype.

Two years after her kidnapping, Ellie Black is discovered wandering a highway in a bloodstained shirt, visibly traumatized. Local Detective Chelsey Calhoun takes on the case, but Ellie remains uncooperative. Haunted by the loss of her own sister to violence in her youth, Chelsey is unwavering in her determination to solve the crime and locate the other missing girls.

The book is impeccably paced, and for the most part, the twists are well-crafted and unpredictable. While it falls just shy of five stars due to the final twist, which I found somewhat unrealistic, this minor flaw doesn't detract from the overall experience. Don't let this stop you from picking up the book—it is a fantastic read!
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One Last Gift by Emily Stone

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

One Last Gift was my final “Christmas” read of the year, and without a doubt, it was the best holiday book I read this season.

This heartfelt story revolves around Cassie, Tom, and Sam. Cassie and Tom, siblings who lost their parents at a young age, share an incredibly close bond. Cassie has harbored a crush on her brother's best friend, Sam, but after he breaks her heart, she decides to distance herself from him as much as possible.

A cherished family tradition is Tom’s annual Christmas scavenger hunt, which he creates for Cassie to find her gift. This ritual has always been a highlight of her holiday season.
However, when tragedy strikes and Tom dies suddenly at Christmastime, Cassie discovers that he had already planned her scavenger hunt before his passing. This final gift becomes a poignant journey for her, even as Sam spirals into grief and guilt.

While the story is undeniably sad, it’s also infused with hope, love, and resilience. It beautifully captures the complexities of loss and healing, making it an incredibly touching and endearing read. I highly recommend One Last Gift to anyone looking for a story that balances heartbreak with warmth and joy.
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Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

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4.0

I enjoyed this book. I especially liked following Edward’s story through to a sort of full circle moment.

I do feel like it was slow to get to the meat of the book. The beginning was good , the end was great , but the middle was meh for me.
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

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5.0

This is my first book by this author. It was recommended by friend who is also an avid reader. All I can say is wow!! This was a WILD ride. It is very rare that I am blindsided by a plot twist in a book but this book complete blindsided me. Also just a note that I listened to this book and the narrator was phenomenal. Loved this book and can’t wait to read more by this author!
The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

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5.0

My 2nd book by this author and it did not disappoint. This was a great mystery/thriller but at the same time was so heartbreaking. I was very surprised to find myself crying during parts of this book. I enjoyed every character and loved how the twists and turns were presented.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan

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5.0

This was a really good book. I was pretty surprised at the twist halfway through but I thought it was really well done. I loved how much detail she went into to try to explain what it means to be transgender and the issues that come with it.

Originally I hated the ending of this book but it dawned on me I’d completely missed the point she was making. In the end she died because she was a girl , not cause she was transgender. In this year where women dominated music, the box office etc it was a stark reminder that we still have so far to go.

This book will stick with me.

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

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2.0

I kept thinking maybe this book would redeem itself but it just got worse and worse. The ending???? Nope, nope, nope.