Take a photo of a barcode or cover
booksbytheglass's reviews
877 reviews
The Last Session by Julia Bartz
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
this one was wild & very off the wall, which normally I appreciate the creativity, but this just didn’t make any sense half the time 🫠
one of my pet peeves in mystery books is when the author tries to force connections that don’t make sense 🥴 and boy was the main character reaching… from purposefully stalking a patient on a wild goose chase, to putting herself in harms way just to figure out what the cult is, and of course, figuring that everyone is there to help her instead of you know unaliving her 🤡
while I appreciate how fast paced this story was, the underlying spiritual story was… a bit much for me. I love a good cult plot line, but this went a bit further and tried to tie reincarnation into it all. and while it sounds like a promising premise, it relied on the reader suspending disbelief and making connections to the characters that weren’t really there…
and can we talk about how despite all odds (and science), these idiotic characters were able to survive? even when they should have died in a literal collapsed cave with no food or safe water?
thank you to netgalley and atria for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 2 stars
wine pairing: white burgundy blend
one of my pet peeves in mystery books is when the author tries to force connections that don’t make sense 🥴 and boy was the main character reaching… from purposefully stalking a patient on a wild goose chase, to putting herself in harms way just to figure out what the cult is, and of course, figuring that everyone is there to help her instead of you know unaliving her 🤡
while I appreciate how fast paced this story was, the underlying spiritual story was… a bit much for me. I love a good cult plot line, but this went a bit further and tried to tie reincarnation into it all. and while it sounds like a promising premise, it relied on the reader suspending disbelief and making connections to the characters that weren’t really there…
and can we talk about how despite all odds (and science), these idiotic characters were able to survive? even when they should have died in a literal collapsed cave with no food or safe water?
thank you to netgalley and atria for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 2 stars
wine pairing: white burgundy blend
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
DNF @ 25% - I really wanted to like this one, especially after a lot of glowing reviews surrounding the mystery of it. however, mom/young kid drama is not for me… I really had a hard time getting through this, from how the world has no tolerance for women and yet expect them to be mothers. having two kids who act out and don’t listen is actually my nightmare, and I enjoy reading to escape drama and reality (especially as I work with kids daily). the writing style also was too telling rather than showing for me.
Fifty Fifty: A Novel by Steve Cavanagh
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this is my first book from the eddie flynn series, and it certainly won’t be my last! the way that eddie is such a fun and likable character while also proving his worth in the courtroom with tricky cases 🙂↕️ we have to stan
in this case, eddie is representing sofia, one of two sisters accused of unaliving their father, while newcomer brooks is representing alexandra, the other daughter. and the back and forth between the two of them was SO well done!!
what didn’t quite work for me was the in between chapters titled “she” - describing one of the sisters in their attempt to get away with murder. from the beginning, the red herrings and ultimate conclusion seemed fairly obvious to me, and I was a bit disappointed in how it all played out…
but the pacing of the book was so fast that I flew through it in a single day! I got so attached to both eddie and brooks’ teams - and I’m looking forward to reading more in the series!
thank you to atria books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: barbara d’asti red blend
in this case, eddie is representing sofia, one of two sisters accused of unaliving their father, while newcomer brooks is representing alexandra, the other daughter. and the back and forth between the two of them was SO well done!!
what didn’t quite work for me was the in between chapters titled “she” - describing one of the sisters in their attempt to get away with murder. from the beginning, the red herrings and ultimate conclusion seemed fairly obvious to me, and I was a bit disappointed in how it all played out…
but the pacing of the book was so fast that I flew through it in a single day! I got so attached to both eddie and brooks’ teams - and I’m looking forward to reading more in the series!
thank you to atria books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: barbara d’asti red blend
Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I would risk it all for stacy willingham & anything she writes!! she just knows how to get those plot twists in there with just enough hints to keep the reader guessing - and a bingeable, fast-paced, addicting story!
in this one, the plot focuses on claire, returning home after her mother injures herself and gets re-invested in her sister’s cold case 😶 and let me tell you, there’s something about cold cases that always gets my blood pumping!! it’s the unsolved mysteries girlie in me 💀
the vibes around the small town & galloway farms were a mix of THE LAST HOUSEWIFE and THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS - and just the right amounts of “off” to get the reader invested and wary of everyone 😳 and boy did I love second guessing every single character!!
while I did guess about half of the plot twists, I found myself enjoying the ride and reveals more than anything! some of the moments were definitely telling rather than showing, especially in the diary entries, but it didn’t distract from the overall writing by much!
a huge thank you to stacy and minotaur for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! the begging worked!!! 🤭
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: piedmont moscato
in this one, the plot focuses on claire, returning home after her mother injures herself and gets re-invested in her sister’s cold case 😶 and let me tell you, there’s something about cold cases that always gets my blood pumping!! it’s the unsolved mysteries girlie in me 💀
the vibes around the small town & galloway farms were a mix of THE LAST HOUSEWIFE and THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS - and just the right amounts of “off” to get the reader invested and wary of everyone 😳 and boy did I love second guessing every single character!!
while I did guess about half of the plot twists, I found myself enjoying the ride and reveals more than anything! some of the moments were definitely telling rather than showing, especially in the diary entries, but it didn’t distract from the overall writing by much!
a huge thank you to stacy and minotaur for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! the begging worked!!! 🤭
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: piedmont moscato
The Family Experiment by John Marrs
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
every single new book in this universe (which is disturbingly less sci-fi and more possible in present day) is a BANGER! it’s so eerily futuristic but I can totally see it happening because clearly this world doesn’t learn from fiction 👀
ANYWAY
following THE ONE, THE PASSENGERS, and THE MARRIAGE ACT, this one focuses on having children in the metaverse, specifically targeting those who have lost children or are unable to biologically have children. and for some odd reason, all of this is tied into a game show to see which parents are most deserving of having a children 😶
john marrs knows how to find the darkness in humanity and put it on paper for all to see! for a futuristic sci-fi book, the characters in this one were so lifelike and human, following the same path of our emotions and decisions (and sometimes our downfall).
and while I did guess the main plot twist almost right away, I LOVED seeing how it all played out! I just wished it would have paid off a little later in the book instead of a slow burn reveal - as well as having a greater impact on the overall story…
while it’s not required to read the others in this series before reading this one, I highly recommend it as events and technology from the other books are mentioned frequently
another winner from john marrs!!!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: new zealand sauvignon blanc
ANYWAY
following THE ONE, THE PASSENGERS, and THE MARRIAGE ACT, this one focuses on having children in the metaverse, specifically targeting those who have lost children or are unable to biologically have children. and for some odd reason, all of this is tied into a game show to see which parents are most deserving of having a children 😶
john marrs knows how to find the darkness in humanity and put it on paper for all to see! for a futuristic sci-fi book, the characters in this one were so lifelike and human, following the same path of our emotions and decisions (and sometimes our downfall).
and while I did guess the main plot twist almost right away, I LOVED seeing how it all played out! I just wished it would have paid off a little later in the book instead of a slow burn reveal - as well as having a greater impact on the overall story…
while it’s not required to read the others in this series before reading this one, I highly recommend it as events and technology from the other books are mentioned frequently
another winner from john marrs!!!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: new zealand sauvignon blanc
You Killed Me First by John Marrs
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ok this one was so wild!! john marrs always writes the most heart-pounding stories, and I was so here for every twist and turn!
each of the three women were absolutely so unique from each other, and it was a hoot to read each of their POVs! margot was so irritating and deserved everything coming to her, but I will say that anna and liv had their own secrets that had me GASPING!
it was a slower paced thriller, which usually is not my jam, but the ending paid off so satisfyingly! the main plot twist was so fun and quirky, and the epilogue had me GAGGED!
there were so many moments that were a bit far-fetched, but there’s something about having no reliable narrators that makes the mystery so much more interesting!
I almost wanted more chapters from the “men” of the story too as they had to be as gagged as I was when they learned the truth about their wives 🫢
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: sonoma coast oak-aged chardonnay
each of the three women were absolutely so unique from each other, and it was a hoot to read each of their POVs! margot was so irritating and deserved everything coming to her, but I will say that anna and liv had their own secrets that had me GASPING!
it was a slower paced thriller, which usually is not my jam, but the ending paid off so satisfyingly! the main plot twist was so fun and quirky, and the epilogue had me GAGGED!
there were so many moments that were a bit far-fetched, but there’s something about having no reliable narrators that makes the mystery so much more interesting!
I almost wanted more chapters from the “men” of the story too as they had to be as gagged as I was when they learned the truth about their wives 🫢
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: sonoma coast oak-aged chardonnay
Count My Lies by Sophie Stava
dark
mysterious
fast-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
I fear I’ve read too many similar thrillers to really be invested in this one… along the same lines of THE HOUSEMAID, THE LAST MRS PARRISH, and THE WIFE BETWEEN US, it features a nanny who befriends a couple with not-so-honorable intentions (only for everything to be topsy turvy of course)…
I did really enjoy the characterization of the two main women, sloane and violet, and seeing how similar they were in their bones. it was refreshing to get honesty among two liars, and I loved how they both knew it all along from the beginning!
although the story itself was repetitive and way too similar to other books, it was a quick-paced bingeable one! and under 300 pages, it was an easy read!
the ending was very satisfying and a bit neat for a thriller - and while it definitely wasn’t my favorite, it was entertaining to say the least…
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley pinot noir
I did really enjoy the characterization of the two main women, sloane and violet, and seeing how similar they were in their bones. it was refreshing to get honesty among two liars, and I loved how they both knew it all along from the beginning!
although the story itself was repetitive and way too similar to other books, it was a quick-paced bingeable one! and under 300 pages, it was an easy read!
the ending was very satisfying and a bit neat for a thriller - and while it definitely wasn’t my favorite, it was entertaining to say the least…
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley pinot noir
Someone Knows: A Novel by Vi Keeland
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
holy shirtballs this book threw me for a loop!!! as someone who reads a lot of thrillers, it’s very satisfying when an author fools me with an ending or plot twist - and I’m very pleased that vi keeland was able to do both!!
while the premise of heavy trauma relates similarly to MY DARK VANESSA and FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, the plot itself goes way beyond! the concept of using people as a conduit for trauma was a recurring theme that was done rather nicely - and led into the mystery elements of who knows what really happened to elizabeth twenty years ago 👀
the pacing of the story was well done, focusing on elizabeth’s anxious-driven chase to find out who is mentally torturing her as well as chapters of an anonymous book writer. the chapters broke up the daily grind of elizabeth’s life and gave more detail into her past - while giving the reader more clues about who is truly behind it all!
and it is not over until the very last page!! the last chapter had me SO GAGGED y’all 👀 while I guessed the first plot twist moments before it happened (and I was so pleased), the rest had me along for a roller coaster ride!!
a huge thank you to atria for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: walla walla valley pinot noir
🚩🚩🚩 TW: physical abuse, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, grooming, r!pe, assault, death of a parent, death of a child, stalking 🚩🚩🚩
while the premise of heavy trauma relates similarly to MY DARK VANESSA and FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, the plot itself goes way beyond! the concept of using people as a conduit for trauma was a recurring theme that was done rather nicely - and led into the mystery elements of who knows what really happened to elizabeth twenty years ago 👀
the pacing of the story was well done, focusing on elizabeth’s anxious-driven chase to find out who is mentally torturing her as well as chapters of an anonymous book writer. the chapters broke up the daily grind of elizabeth’s life and gave more detail into her past - while giving the reader more clues about who is truly behind it all!
and it is not over until the very last page!! the last chapter had me SO GAGGED y’all 👀 while I guessed the first plot twist moments before it happened (and I was so pleased), the rest had me along for a roller coaster ride!!
a huge thank you to atria for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: walla walla valley pinot noir
🚩🚩🚩 TW: physical abuse, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, grooming, r!pe, assault, death of a parent, death of a child, stalking 🚩🚩🚩
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse
Moderate: Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Death of parent
Minor: Child death
Saltwater by Katy Hays
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rich people are WILD 🤯 I’m a sucker for a family drama turned murder mystery, so I knew I was all in from the very first chapter!!
alternating between the 1990s and present day, the lingate family is full of secrets, including what really happened to sarah on capri - and what is happening now to the family as they reunite on the same island… and let me tell you, the backdrop of capri and the lilian islands was GORGEOUS 💛 I absolutely ate up every description & felt like I was truly there
the alternating POVs between sarah in the 90s, helen (her daughter) in present day, and lorna (the family assistant) in present day, made sense in theory - but there were some chapters that just felt jarring to me 🤷🏼♀️ I did enjoy seeing all of the events play out through their respective eyes though
and while I figured the family’s own secrets would be the death of them (literally and figuratively), the ending still shocked me 😮💨 it ended on a very satisfying note
helen was the only factor that didn’t always work for me… a product of her own family, she wasn’t the most likable or willing to do what it takes in the end (which I get it’s your family but they might have unalived your mom so 👀)
a huge thank you to netgalley and ballantine for the advanced copy in exchange for a honest review!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: barbara d’asti red blendo
alternating between the 1990s and present day, the lingate family is full of secrets, including what really happened to sarah on capri - and what is happening now to the family as they reunite on the same island… and let me tell you, the backdrop of capri and the lilian islands was GORGEOUS 💛 I absolutely ate up every description & felt like I was truly there
the alternating POVs between sarah in the 90s, helen (her daughter) in present day, and lorna (the family assistant) in present day, made sense in theory - but there were some chapters that just felt jarring to me 🤷🏼♀️ I did enjoy seeing all of the events play out through their respective eyes though
and while I figured the family’s own secrets would be the death of them (literally and figuratively), the ending still shocked me 😮💨 it ended on a very satisfying note
helen was the only factor that didn’t always work for me… a product of her own family, she wasn’t the most likable or willing to do what it takes in the end (which I get it’s your family but they might have unalived your mom so 👀)
a huge thank you to netgalley and ballantine for the advanced copy in exchange for a honest review!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: barbara d’asti red blendo
Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
DNF (or more accurately not right now) @ 30% - I do fear this one was very cringe for me, and I have heard it gets a lot better so I’ll pick this up again someday, but it was just not for me at the moment. I wanted to love it as I love a good ol reader insert story, but the writing just read like a bad fanfiction and the FMC was so irritating and just leaning into “I’m evil and you’re my minions” and not adapting to the fantasy culture…