beautynbks's reviews
261 reviews

The Serial Killer's Wife by Alice Hunter

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Abby Jimenez does not miss. 

Nice Girls by Catherine Dang

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
Did not finish book.

Baggage Claimed by Alexandra Warren

emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

Waiting for Friday Night by Synithia Williams

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

We Were Kings by Court Stevens

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

One Big Happy Family?

This locked-door mystery is anything but family-friendly! The Bishop sisters are a whirlwind of secrets and drama, each with their own scandalous baggage. ️

Throw in a hurricane, a suspicious death, and a cast of characters with more to hide than a magician’s hat and you've got a recipe for nonstop twists!

This book will keep you guessing until the very end, but be warned - the chaos can get a little overwhelming at times.  ‍

Overall, a fun escape for mystery lovers who enjoy a good dose of family dysfunction but it lost its steam towards the end!  





Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

3.0

A dead preschool teacher and the only witnesses are her four year old students. 

This book is weird. I took a chance on this one for sure. Some of the students reportedly had Renfield Syndrome. Read it and find out what that means  The mothers in this book were annoying. They reminded of how I imagine the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or New Jersey. 

In my opinion, initially the mothers were more concerned with appearances and gossip instead of what was going on with their children. I didn’t enjoy the woe is me and I’m a mother on top of it narrative. I understand that motherhood is a thankless job but these women were awful. 

I didn’t enjoy the ending but I will say it was interesting to read about these preschoolers. The only reason this book wasn’t trashed is because January Lavoy was the narrator.