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booksbytheglass's reviews
883 reviews
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was extremely nervous when riley sager’s latest was getting mid reviews early on, but I should have known better than to think my spooky king was going to let me down 🫡
this gave the same spooky paranormal vibes as HOME BEFORE DARK, but this time following a young boy’s disappearance and possible murder thirty years ago… with a strong cast of characters, I was so hooked and invested in the mystery from the beginning!!!
and with the added flashbacks in third person POVs sprinkled throughout the present day narrative by ethan marsh, the missing boy billy’s old friend, I was completely thrown for a loop! everyone in this story was such an unreliable and biased narrator, and I was just along for the ride!
the story itself switched directions and motives so many times I lost count, but while it may seem jarring and disjointed for other readers, I enjoyed the multi-layered mystery!! I’m such a sucker for a red herring 😮💨
another success by sager in the books!!! now onto to finish his backlist!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: beaujolais nouveau blend
this gave the same spooky paranormal vibes as HOME BEFORE DARK, but this time following a young boy’s disappearance and possible murder thirty years ago… with a strong cast of characters, I was so hooked and invested in the mystery from the beginning!!!
and with the added flashbacks in third person POVs sprinkled throughout the present day narrative by ethan marsh, the missing boy billy’s old friend, I was completely thrown for a loop! everyone in this story was such an unreliable and biased narrator, and I was just along for the ride!
the story itself switched directions and motives so many times I lost count, but while it may seem jarring and disjointed for other readers, I enjoyed the multi-layered mystery!! I’m such a sucker for a red herring 😮💨
another success by sager in the books!!! now onto to finish his backlist!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: beaujolais nouveau blend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
The Haters by Robyn Harding
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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
3.5
another stunning mystery by robyn harding!!! after the psychological thriller of THE DROWNING WOMAN, I was very excited to see what she would write next - and this one hit really close to home!!
while I’m firmly in the reviews are for readers camp, I’m also in the don’t tag the author in bad reviews camp - so this plot surrounding an author who gets one-star review bombed and doxxed over false accusations was heart wrenching!! it takes a lot for an author to put their heart and soul out there 🥹
this plot opened up a lot of discussions and a look in the author’s side of a bad review gone wrong 😳 and just when I thought I had it figured out, there was another curveball that threw me in the opposite direction! eventually, I was able to guess the culprit, but it was a satisfying payoff!
I would have liked to see the book within a book narrative pay off a little bit more - instead of just including chapters from camyrn’s book to show her writing material. after the false accusations that she was writing from personal experience, I was curious to see where her source material came from and how her characters’ stories ended…
thank you to netgalley and grand central for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: australian malbec (iykyk)
while I’m firmly in the reviews are for readers camp, I’m also in the don’t tag the author in bad reviews camp - so this plot surrounding an author who gets one-star review bombed and doxxed over false accusations was heart wrenching!! it takes a lot for an author to put their heart and soul out there 🥹
this plot opened up a lot of discussions and a look in the author’s side of a bad review gone wrong 😳 and just when I thought I had it figured out, there was another curveball that threw me in the opposite direction! eventually, I was able to guess the culprit, but it was a satisfying payoff!
I would have liked to see the book within a book narrative pay off a little bit more - instead of just including chapters from camyrn’s book to show her writing material. after the false accusations that she was writing from personal experience, I was curious to see where her source material came from and how her characters’ stories ended…
thank you to netgalley and grand central for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: australian malbec (iykyk)
Too Good to Be True by Carola Lovering
challenging
mysterious
slow-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
I have conflicting thoughts on this one!!! in pure carola lovering fashion, this genre isn’t really a mystery but isn’t completely lit fiction either … its more of a drama highlighting the darkness inside people!!! which is terrifying enough sometimes 👀
following a husband and his two (yes two) wives, the story whips the reader back and forth between past and present day, as well as diary entries and first person POVs - and let me tell you, not a single narrator is reliable 🤯
the pacing was very slow in the beginning, and for someone who despises the cheating trope, I was not at all invested 😕 BUT I was happy to report that the middle was not what I was expecting at all! the plot twist completely fooled me (and had me gasping)
the ending was a bit anticlimactic for me, especially knowing the true story (or is it??? 👀) by the end, but I did enjoy the plot more once the pacing picked up! for me, this was just an okay read…
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: california sauvignon blanc
following a husband and his two (yes two) wives, the story whips the reader back and forth between past and present day, as well as diary entries and first person POVs - and let me tell you, not a single narrator is reliable 🤯
the pacing was very slow in the beginning, and for someone who despises the cheating trope, I was not at all invested 😕 BUT I was happy to report that the middle was not what I was expecting at all! the plot twist completely fooled me (and had me gasping)
the ending was a bit anticlimactic for me, especially knowing the true story (or is it??? 👀) by the end, but I did enjoy the plot more once the pacing picked up! for me, this was just an okay read…
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: california sauvignon blanc
The Long Game by Elena Armas
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
it took me over a month to read this one because I kept starting and getting angry at the two MCs and then putting it aside for a week 😭 but I will say, the second half of the book was wayyyy better than the first half
I love a good small town romance when it’s done right (not a la hallmark vibes) - and I think this one was a bit too cheesy for me 😔 even though you know I love a british MMC my goodness
my biggest pet peeve was the enemies to lovers plot (I know, who the heck am I) - mostly due to the fact that it went from clear “I will end you and expose your darkest secrets” to “oh maybe I’m obsessed with you” without any real tension or come to terms in between
and both adalyn and cameron were so both damn stubborn that the book would be cut down to approximately 10 chapters if they just had a come to jesus moment way earlier in the plot
I did really enjoy the ending, and the plot twist with the miami flames and adalyn’s father made me angry on behalf of the entire town 🥲 but overall, this was a cute but forgettable romance to me! (sorry delaney)
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: walla walla valley pinot noir
I love a good small town romance when it’s done right (not a la hallmark vibes) - and I think this one was a bit too cheesy for me 😔 even though you know I love a british MMC my goodness
my biggest pet peeve was the enemies to lovers plot (I know, who the heck am I) - mostly due to the fact that it went from clear “I will end you and expose your darkest secrets” to “oh maybe I’m obsessed with you” without any real tension or come to terms in between
and both adalyn and cameron were so both damn stubborn that the book would be cut down to approximately 10 chapters if they just had a come to jesus moment way earlier in the plot
I did really enjoy the ending, and the plot twist with the miami flames and adalyn’s father made me angry on behalf of the entire town 🥲 but overall, this was a cute but forgettable romance to me! (sorry delaney)
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: walla walla valley pinot noir
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
challenging
lighthearted
fast-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
2.5
another ali hazelwood miss for me 😭😭😭 I’m either all in or all out for her novels, and for this one, it left me with a feeling of “oh that’s it?” 🫠
before the story even starts, ali does point out that it’s more of a hate sex erotica rather than a romance, which is not usually my groove, but her characters are so quirky and lovable I was in for it anyway! however, there was absolutely nothing lovable about rue and mr. killgore I’m sad to say
I’m just not a fan of the trope where the characters pretend not to care for each other because it’s “easier” or “they don’t do relationships” - and maybe this is touching on my own personal relationship trauma a bit 😅 BUT I’m all for honesty in relationships and when you’re holding something back, it’s just unfair to both parties involved
and other than good spicy scenes, I didn’t see the connection between rue and eli at all 🙃 and while the majority of that blame is on rue being introverted and anti-social solely based on the fact that she hates people, it still takes two to tango!!! and rue was a limp noodle dance partner!!!!
in romance, I do crave that solid foundation between the two MCs while creating a likable storyline surrounding the side characters and environment - and this one threw all of that out the window 😅 if you’re in it for the science and spice, I’d say it’s worth it - but otherwise, pick up another one of ali’s books instead…
thank you to berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 2.5 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley chardonnay
before the story even starts, ali does point out that it’s more of a hate sex erotica rather than a romance, which is not usually my groove, but her characters are so quirky and lovable I was in for it anyway! however, there was absolutely nothing lovable about rue and mr. killgore I’m sad to say
I’m just not a fan of the trope where the characters pretend not to care for each other because it’s “easier” or “they don’t do relationships” - and maybe this is touching on my own personal relationship trauma a bit 😅 BUT I’m all for honesty in relationships and when you’re holding something back, it’s just unfair to both parties involved
and other than good spicy scenes, I didn’t see the connection between rue and eli at all 🙃 and while the majority of that blame is on rue being introverted and anti-social solely based on the fact that she hates people, it still takes two to tango!!! and rue was a limp noodle dance partner!!!!
in romance, I do crave that solid foundation between the two MCs while creating a likable storyline surrounding the side characters and environment - and this one threw all of that out the window 😅 if you’re in it for the science and spice, I’d say it’s worth it - but otherwise, pick up another one of ali’s books instead…
thank you to berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 2.5 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley chardonnay
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katherine center can DO NO WRONG!!! 🥳 I love everything she writes between her fluffy banter to her sweet grand gesture moments!!
the biggest red flag (and elephant?) in the room for me was the attitude of the main characters… both charlie and emma were … not nice? I love a good enemies to lovers don’t get me wrong, but there’s a difference between banter and straight up slaughter of character 😅😕 if someone said the things to me that charlie said to emma or emma said to her sister, I would simply not stick around for the explanation…
that being said, I did enjoy the exploration of grief and trauma through the stage of grief that is anger. as someone who has experienced all five stages, anger is definitely the one where people alienate themselves from you, and I can definitely appreciate how charlie and emma both took that in a different direction
this was a surface light book and dare I say, I wanted more! I wanted more about emma’s caretaker moments with her father, more with charlie’s ex-wife and their guinea pig babies, more with emma and sylvie’s strained sisterhood due to their childhood trauma… but I am also a 100% contemporary emo romance girlie so that just might be a personal preference
TLDR: I liked it a lot, but it didn’t hit as hard as katherine center’s other books tend to do…
thank you to netgalley and st martins press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: brut champagne
the biggest red flag (and elephant?) in the room for me was the attitude of the main characters… both charlie and emma were … not nice? I love a good enemies to lovers don’t get me wrong, but there’s a difference between banter and straight up slaughter of character 😅😕 if someone said the things to me that charlie said to emma or emma said to her sister, I would simply not stick around for the explanation…
that being said, I did enjoy the exploration of grief and trauma through the stage of grief that is anger. as someone who has experienced all five stages, anger is definitely the one where people alienate themselves from you, and I can definitely appreciate how charlie and emma both took that in a different direction
this was a surface light book and dare I say, I wanted more! I wanted more about emma’s caretaker moments with her father, more with charlie’s ex-wife and their guinea pig babies, more with emma and sylvie’s strained sisterhood due to their childhood trauma… but I am also a 100% contemporary emo romance girlie so that just might be a personal preference
TLDR: I liked it a lot, but it didn’t hit as hard as katherine center’s other books tend to do…
thank you to netgalley and st martins press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: brut champagne
Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this is 100% a “what happens next” romance for everyone wondering if rowan and neil stay together after their book, TODAY TONIGHT AND TOMORROW! and … I didn’t really think it was needed… 😅
I feel like I have an unpopular opinion here, but I’m firmly a team don’t ruin a good thing girlie!! some stories just don’t need a sequel because they were so wonderful on their own - and I definitely felt that about rowan and neil! their enemies to lovers story was so raw and open for a YA type novel that I didn’t have a doubt they would work it out in the future!
the continuation of their story follows them through their first year of college and dealing with the struggles of a long-distance relationship. and while I absolutely loved the realness of the positives AND negatives of a long-distance relationship, I just felt like nothing really happened to further their relationship.
I did enjoy the exploration of how college and independence changes people (such as adapting new passions, making friends, struggling the work-life balance), and my favorite parts were with neil coming to terms with his relationship with his father and himself simultaneously!!
for a YA novel, this was very character forward and emotionally heavy - and while I did enjoy it, the whole thing felt unnecessary to me 🤷🏼♀️
a big thank you to netgalley and simon and schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: california brut sparkling wine
I feel like I have an unpopular opinion here, but I’m firmly a team don’t ruin a good thing girlie!! some stories just don’t need a sequel because they were so wonderful on their own - and I definitely felt that about rowan and neil! their enemies to lovers story was so raw and open for a YA type novel that I didn’t have a doubt they would work it out in the future!
the continuation of their story follows them through their first year of college and dealing with the struggles of a long-distance relationship. and while I absolutely loved the realness of the positives AND negatives of a long-distance relationship, I just felt like nothing really happened to further their relationship.
I did enjoy the exploration of how college and independence changes people (such as adapting new passions, making friends, struggling the work-life balance), and my favorite parts were with neil coming to terms with his relationship with his father and himself simultaneously!!
for a YA novel, this was very character forward and emotionally heavy - and while I did enjoy it, the whole thing felt unnecessary to me 🤷🏼♀️
a big thank you to netgalley and simon and schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: california brut sparkling wine
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ashley poston knows the strings of my heart and yanks them every single time 😭❤️ every time I think she can’t possibly write a book as good as her last, she surpasses herself again and again!!!!
I once again completely relate to FMC elsy, who feels like she’s being left behind in life with nowhere to turn to. on a solo trip to a remote cabin (which she normally takes with her bookish friends but they’re all too busy this year 🥲), she gets stranded in a small town that turns out to be … the small town of her favorite book series… which is seriously every romance reader’s dream I swear 😮💨😮💨
while the cast of characters is quite large and overwhelming, seeing elsy’s joy at meeting her heroes was worth every bit of confusion 🥹 she kept it wayyyy cooler than I would be let’s just say
and while I absolutely knew this was a budding romance between her and bookshop owner anders (because who doesn’t love an enemies to friends to lovers come ON), my heart shattered into a million little pieces at the last 20% oh my goodness just when I thought ashley couldn’t make me cry AGAIN 😭😭
and while the characters broke my heart and put the pieces back together again, I completely love the message ashley sent about finding your own adventure and destiny 🥹🩷 it is such an important concept and I loved seeing how elsy was able to find her true love within herself first
plus can we talk about those cameos?? I screamed so hard because I fully live in a delulu world that this could happen to me too it’s fine
will this follow the trends of the dead romantics and the seven year slip and become my book of the year? TBD
thank you a million times over to berkley and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: niagara on the lake vidal ice wine
I once again completely relate to FMC elsy, who feels like she’s being left behind in life with nowhere to turn to. on a solo trip to a remote cabin (which she normally takes with her bookish friends but they’re all too busy this year 🥲), she gets stranded in a small town that turns out to be … the small town of her favorite book series… which is seriously every romance reader’s dream I swear 😮💨😮💨
while the cast of characters is quite large and overwhelming, seeing elsy’s joy at meeting her heroes was worth every bit of confusion 🥹 she kept it wayyyy cooler than I would be let’s just say
and while I absolutely knew this was a budding romance between her and bookshop owner anders (because who doesn’t love an enemies to friends to lovers come ON), my heart shattered into a million little pieces at the last 20% oh my goodness just when I thought ashley couldn’t make me cry AGAIN 😭😭
and while the characters broke my heart and put the pieces back together again, I completely love the message ashley sent about finding your own adventure and destiny 🥹🩷 it is such an important concept and I loved seeing how elsy was able to find her true love within herself first
plus can we talk about those cameos?? I screamed so hard because I fully live in a delulu world that this could happen to me too it’s fine
will this follow the trends of the dead romantics and the seven year slip and become my book of the year? TBD
thank you a million times over to berkley and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: niagara on the lake vidal ice wine
Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
charlie donlea’s books are SO ADDICTING! if it wasn’t for work, I would have binged this one in a day 🫡
the writing style is the perfect blend between suspense and procedural style mystery, combining multiple POVs and timelines to create an entire picture just at the last minute. and it worked so well here!!
following medical student sloane after she discovers via 23 and me that she’s actually a missing baby (literally what!!!), the plot surrounds the mystery behind what happened to sloane as a baby and her parents and how it may be connected to other crimes in the area at that time… and let me tell you, my brain was fried trying to keep it all straight!!
the suspense of the mob family was exactly what I loved about THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, but in a smaller capacity! the characters in the family ranged from sweet and welcoming to actually deranged and I enjoyed the ride of seeing where everyone fell!
even though the book itself was only around 300 pages, it still dragged for me and felt like it could have been a bit more concise at parts. nonetheless, another great binge!!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: willamette valley pinot noir
the writing style is the perfect blend between suspense and procedural style mystery, combining multiple POVs and timelines to create an entire picture just at the last minute. and it worked so well here!!
following medical student sloane after she discovers via 23 and me that she’s actually a missing baby (literally what!!!), the plot surrounds the mystery behind what happened to sloane as a baby and her parents and how it may be connected to other crimes in the area at that time… and let me tell you, my brain was fried trying to keep it all straight!!
the suspense of the mob family was exactly what I loved about THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, but in a smaller capacity! the characters in the family ranged from sweet and welcoming to actually deranged and I enjoyed the ride of seeing where everyone fell!
even though the book itself was only around 300 pages, it still dragged for me and felt like it could have been a bit more concise at parts. nonetheless, another great binge!!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: willamette valley pinot noir
Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this is my first kristan higgins book, and I swear it will not be my last 🫡 I went through every single emotion reading this story!!! I bawled my eyes out, my heart broke for the characters, I squealed in happiness, I laughed out loud, and I actually sat there and hugged the book when it was done (like a psycho I know)
needless to say, this was easily a five star read for me!!!
lark is going through a crisis in her life as she was let go from her long term job and has absolutely no idea what to do about her love life. and honestly me too lark 🥹 I love stories that make you relate to the feelings and thoughts of the character!!!
I wasn’t expecting my heart to be ripped to pieces as we found out more about lark’s backstory but THAT’S OKAY 😭😭😭 it was so beautifully written!!! I loved all of the side characters and having insert POVs of joy and ellie (lark’s mom and second mom) was such a nice touch to really give the family a full circle moment!
this was such a beautiful tribute to those working constantly in the medical field too 🤍 their work never goes unnoticed, but stories like these really bring their lives and emotions to the forefront too. I loved watching lark blossom in her new team!!!!
I could spend hours just raving about this story and how it touched me, but y’all should just pick it up and read it instead… a HUGE thank you to berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: niagara on the lake riesling
needless to say, this was easily a five star read for me!!!
lark is going through a crisis in her life as she was let go from her long term job and has absolutely no idea what to do about her love life. and honestly me too lark 🥹 I love stories that make you relate to the feelings and thoughts of the character!!!
I wasn’t expecting my heart to be ripped to pieces as we found out more about lark’s backstory but THAT’S OKAY 😭😭😭 it was so beautifully written!!! I loved all of the side characters and having insert POVs of joy and ellie (lark’s mom and second mom) was such a nice touch to really give the family a full circle moment!
this was such a beautiful tribute to those working constantly in the medical field too 🤍 their work never goes unnoticed, but stories like these really bring their lives and emotions to the forefront too. I loved watching lark blossom in her new team!!!!
I could spend hours just raving about this story and how it touched me, but y’all should just pick it up and read it instead… a HUGE thank you to berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: niagara on the lake riesling
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Terminal illness, Car accident
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts