booksthrilljessica's reviews
465 reviews

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

4.0

I’ve been following this story in the news since it first broke, eagerly awaiting an autobiography to gain a deeper understanding of what truly happened. The writing style captivated me, shedding light on circumstances that made my heart ache for the family. I especially appreciated hearing from one of the older children, offering their perspective on how things went from good to bad and what contributed to Ruby's downfall. I also respected how the book kept the names and experiences of the younger children private, focusing instead on Shari’s journey and insights. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in true crime and uncovering the real stories behind these tragic events.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston

3.0

This historical mystery transports readers to a world that spans both the physical and the spiritual realms. Hecate Cavendish discovers there’s more to her than just a brilliant mind and a passion for ancient texts. She finds out that she can communicate with lost spirits, and it’s now her responsibility to help them. However, as a woman in the 1800s, she faces numerous limitations. Hecate must navigate not only the challenges of her newfound abilities but also the societal constraints placed upon her. Along the way, she will experience love, heartbreak, adventure, and mystery. But can she uncover the true purpose of her gifts before it is too late?

I was really excited about this story based on the synopsis, but unfortunately, I felt the narrative fell flat at times. There were a lot of unnecessary descriptions that pulled me out of the story and left me feeling disconnected from the characters and their development. I also hoped the love interest or a slow-burning romance would emerge earlier in the book, with more focus on that relationship rather than the overemphasis on Hecate’s connection with her father.

*Thank you to Paula Brackston, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger

3.0

Adele is struggling to pick up the pieces after her husband’s devastating betrayal. Not only has he swindled their company and deceived their friends and neighbors, but he’s also drained the family’s finances, leaving Adele to face an uncertain future. In a desperate attempt to secure a better life for herself and her two children, she must resort to bold and extreme measures. But what she uncovers in the process will push her beyond what she ever thought she’d be willing to do.

Enter Maverick Dillan, a daring YouTuber known for his extreme stunts. His next big project? A high-stakes game of hide and seek on a deserted island, with a massive cash prize at stake. However, Maverick’s past game, which ended in tragedy, looms over him. Can he shake the ghosts of that disaster, or will it mark the end of his career?

The premise of this book immediately hooked me, and I was intrigued by the concept of the abandoned building and the inspiration Unger drew from her own family trip. However, I did feel that the novel contained too many subplots that didn’t quite come together. I wished the story had focused more on the deserted island and the game show, with additional attention to the backstory of the main character and more exploration of her husband’s role in the narrative. However, the ending twists were expertly executed, delivering a sense of justice and wrapping up the story in a satisfying, neatly tied bow.

*Thank you to Lisa Unger, Harlequin Trade Publishing  and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

5.0

I am completely obsessed with this book! Tamsyn, the royal whipping girl, has come to accept the life she’s been dealt. But when The Beast, or Border King, demands to marry a Penterran princess, Tamsyn is thrust into a marriage with a man who stirs up a whirlwind of emotions within her. This forced marriage is the ultimate enemies-to-lovers tale. Jordan’s writing style pulled me into this world, and I never wanted to leave. I adored all the characters, whether they were villains or heroes, and the dynamic they brought to the story. Even though the spice was minimal, the love story between Fell and Tamsyn was both steamy and heartbreaking. And the ending… wow, I need more of this world and story right now!

*Thank you to Sophie Jordan, Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce

4.0

This was perfectly creepy! When Mina, a newly graduated child psychologist, is approached by a journalist during one of her grief counseling sessions, she can’t help but be intrigued by his offer. Sam has just wrapped up an interview with a teenage girl from a small town who believes a witch is watching her through the walls and he needs help from Mina to understand if Alice is truly being haunted. While others think the girl can communicate with the dead, Sam and Mina decide to uncover the truth behind what’s happening to Alice. Both have their own hidden motives, while they want to help Alice, they also hope that she might be the key to reconnecting with their lost loved ones.

I loved the eerie atmosphere of this book and wished it was longer. I do think it could have explored certain elements more deeply. More background on the town and its people would have helped set up the ending better. Additionally, it was difficult to connect with some characters since they were introduced abruptly without much development. If you enjoy the vibe of a haunted, isolated town with a touch of Midsommar, you’re in for a real treat.

*Thank you to Daisy Pearce, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

4.0

This book had me completely hooked. Grady Green, a down and out writer who is still reeling from his wife’s disappearance, is struggling to revive his career with little success. When his publicist suggests a peaceful writing retreat on a remote Scottish island, Grady jumps at the chance for some much-needed isolation. But once he arrives, he begins to sense that something sinister is at play. I absolutely loved the mystery and the gothic atmosphere in this book, especially how Feeney hints at an underlying lie that keeps the reader guessing. While the ending was a bit underwhelming, I still really enjoyed the book overall.

Wars of Suns and Shadows by Scarlett Larsson

3.0

In a world divided between Lightcasters and Darksomes, Prudence must hide her gift to survive. After the tragic death of her parents when she was young, she understands that concealing her darkness is essential to protecting herself and her younger sister. But when the ruthless Lightcaster, Kenric, captures her, Prudence finds herself at the mercy of the enemy. She must now make choices that will not only determine her fate but also that of her sister. As the story unfolds, Prudence discovers there is more to her powers than she realized, and she must infiltrate the elusive rebellion to secure something the leader of the Lightcasters desires in order to save herself and her sister.

I was left with many questions after reading this book. The story seemed to jump abruptly from one event to the next with little transition, which made it hard to follow at times. I also felt there was a lack of depth in some key scenes, like the dungeon and prison scenes, which could have been explored further. It also struck me as unrealistic that the rebels accepted her so easily with barely any questions. I was also confused about Kenric’s motivations. Why is he so cruel to Prudence but then saves her and sends her to a different prison? Additionally, I didn’t get a clear sense of who exactly is in charge of the Lightcasters. With minimal backstory and world-building, I felt there was a missed opportunity to dive deeper into the world and the characters’ relationships, which felt a bit underdeveloped.However, I do think this was a great concept with an original take on magical powers set in a dystopian world.

Unbound by Brittany Gossin

3.5

This story is told from multiple POVs, featuring a diverse group of characters, including a princess, a dragon shifter, and three thieves, one of whom is a blood witch. Each character is on a quest to find the same item, the Crimson Shard, but for different reasons. The plot splits into two distinct storylines: in one, the thieves are desperately seeking the Shard for their own personal gain, while in the other, a princess and a dragon shifter develop a slow-burn romance, all while searching for the Shard to stop a plague threatening dragon shifters. Throughout their journeys, these characters not only seek the Shard but to also explore who they truly are and what they mean to one another. I wasn't as invested in the thieves' storyline and found myself craving more of Keagan and Avalon's story. I really connected with these characters' enemies to lovers storyline and wanted to see more of their journey. I would have also loved more world-building to better understand where the characters are coming from and what drives their motivations. This was my first Gossin book, and I'm excited to read more in the future!

*Thank you to Brittany Gossin for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The Savage Queen: A thrilling and passionate fae romance by Ashley Metzler

5.0

Metzler has done it once again! In this sequel, we follow Aisling as she grapples with the betrayal of not only her family but also the man she trusted most, her husband, the fae king. As Aisling embarks on a new, epic journey to uncover the origin of her powers, she realizes that the connection to her husband, Lir, is not something she can easily sever. While I do wish there was more spice in the story, we do get a taste of the slow burn I had been anticipating for. But the big question is…. will they unleash the devastating sequence of events foretold in their journey together, or can they avoid the inevitable destruction of everything they've known? 

I absolutely love the depth Metzler gives to each character, allowing them to truly shine and tell their own stories. The world-building is so immersive that it feels like I’ve stepped right into the world she’s created. I can't wait to see where the next book takes these characters!

*Thank you to Ashley Metzler, Second Sky and Netgalley for the ARC and copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The Mortal Queen by Ashley Metzler

5.0

This is a book I’ll never stop recommending! It had me in a choke hold from start to finish. Metzler has a rare and incredible gift for writing, making this story absolutely captivating. In the first book, we meet Aisling, a mortal princess who is set to marry, only to discover that her fiancé is actually her mortal enemy. She soon learns that her own family has used her as nothing more than a pawn in their alliance with the Sidhe. Now, she must navigate a world filled with those she’s been taught to believe will do anything to deceive and destroy mortals. The story is beautifully interwoven with folklore, making the world building flawless. I fell in love with these characters and the way they interacted with each other which added so much depth to the story. As Aisling adjusts to her new life and husband, she realizes that she may not be who she thought she was. Making her embark on a journey.  A quest that is both physical and mental, to uncover who her true enemies are and ultimately, to discover who she really is. The audio book was just as captivating with narration done by Samantha Norbury, who made all the characters come to life and made the folklore pronunciations flawless. I can't get over how much I love this book and Metzler's writing style. I can’t wait to continue with the rest of the series!

*Thank you to Ashley Metzler, Second Sky, Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for the ARC and ALC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.