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1121 reviews
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
5.0
welp, that's my first Riley Sager book and I think it's safe to say it won't be my last
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
just imagine a meme where the person is saying "mind blown" with the most gobsmacked wtf is even going on expression on their face and that's me at the end of this book
I just .... I mean. I get it, I see where you're going with this, but also, I mean, really? That's what you're going to do?
Lots of twisty twists and even when you think you know exactly where it's going, you really don't (although you might for the most part but believe me you don't fully) (and it's so worth it)
super atmospheric, super creepy, super near-impossible to put down, super here for this
just imagine a meme where the person is saying "mind blown" with the most gobsmacked wtf is even going on expression on their face and that's me at the end of this book
I just .... I mean. I get it, I see where you're going with this, but also, I mean, really? That's what you're going to do?
Lots of twisty twists and even when you think you know exactly where it's going, you really don't (although you might for the most part but believe me you don't fully) (and it's so worth it)
super atmospheric, super creepy, super near-impossible to put down, super here for this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Child death, Blood, Confinement, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Grief, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Murder, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Homophobia, Abortion, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
WOOF THIS WAS NO JOKE but in the absolute best way.
If you could take the entire ethos of the saying, “What’s your damage, Heather?” and then make it even more twisted and then put the girls into a college setting living in an unauthorized off campus housing right next to a v questionable frat house, then you’d have this book.
Willingham takes all the worst parts of female friendships and ratchets up the tension in disturbingly believable ways - I loved (hated) watching all of the drama unfold and genuinely was blown away by how everything came together at the end.
This makes 3 wins for Stacy Willingham (also really liked All the Dangerous Things and Flicker in the Dark) and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
Thank you to Edelweiss, Minotaur Books, & Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
WOOF THIS WAS NO JOKE but in the absolute best way.
If you could take the entire ethos of the saying, “What’s your damage, Heather?” and then make it even more twisted and then put the girls into a college setting living in an unauthorized off campus housing right next to a v questionable frat house, then you’d have this book.
Willingham takes all the worst parts of female friendships and ratchets up the tension in disturbingly believable ways - I loved (hated) watching all of the drama unfold and genuinely was blown away by how everything came together at the end.
This makes 3 wins for Stacy Willingham (also really liked All the Dangerous Things and Flicker in the Dark) and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Child death, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Stalking, Drug use, Murder, Blood, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
“The Mummy meets Death on the Nile” could not be more Lindsey booknip if it tried and THIS WAS SO CLOSE but there’s one thing that kept pulling me out of the story over and over and over and over again and it’s this:
I absolutely cannot stand when plot points that don’t make sense are allowed to continue without being genuinely questioned by the MC because them being in the dark it’s what’s needed to move the plot along. Drives me beyond bonkers and there was a lot of that + “I can’t tell you” in here.
Okay, that being said - once I set that aside and just leaned into the suspense of disbelief, this was a pretty fun book with lots of interesting history and plenty of delicious tension between the two main characters.
Also, the cliffhanger …..??? what does it MEANNNNN
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
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
3.25
Thank you to Edelweiss, Wednesday Books, & Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
“The Mummy meets Death on the Nile” could not be more Lindsey booknip if it tried and THIS WAS SO CLOSE but there’s one thing that kept pulling me out of the story over and over and over and over again and it’s this:
I absolutely cannot stand when plot points that don’t make sense are allowed to continue without being genuinely questioned by the MC because them being in the dark it’s what’s needed to move the plot along. Drives me beyond bonkers and there was a lot of that + “I can’t tell you” in here.
Okay, that being said - once I set that aside and just leaned into the suspense of disbelief, this was a pretty fun book with lots of interesting history and plenty of delicious tension between the two main characters.
Also, the cliffhanger …..??? what does it MEANNNNN
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cultural appropriation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Racism
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
Here for this, honestly. I want it as a movie ASAP because this setting absolutely screams “I should be a film.” Not to mention how much fun you could have with all the hijinks these two pull on one another and the TENSIOOONNNNNN, oh man. Yes. Let’s do it.
Seriously, though, I loved the heck out of this. I loved having both of their POVs, and even though miscommunication is really and truly not my favorite thing, I could just about get behind this one and I had so much fun with the overall premise I didn’t even care.
These two had off the charts chemistry, and it was the perfect amount of “enemies to lovers” which is more like “annoyances to grudging respect to friends to lovers” which is even more of my favorite than enemies to lovers.
love it love it love it love it can’t wait to reread via audio!
(also I'm obsessed with Poor Mandy)
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
GAH isn’t it so nice to just KNOW in the depths of your soul that you can read any book an author writes and it’s going to be “like a lot” at minimum but most likely LOVE?
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
Here for this, honestly. I want it as a movie ASAP because this setting absolutely screams “I should be a film.” Not to mention how much fun you could have with all the hijinks these two pull on one another and the TENSIOOONNNNNN, oh man. Yes. Let’s do it.
Seriously, though, I loved the heck out of this. I loved having both of their POVs, and even though miscommunication is really and truly not my favorite thing, I could just about get behind this one and I had so much fun with the overall premise I didn’t even care.
These two had off the charts chemistry, and it was the perfect amount of “enemies to lovers” which is more like “annoyances to grudging respect to friends to lovers” which is even more of my favorite than enemies to lovers.
love it love it love it love it can’t wait to reread via audio!
(also I'm obsessed with Poor Mandy)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
What We Could Have Been by Jess Sinclair, Jess Sinclair, Tracy Gardner
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
The dialogue wasn’t as smooth as I would like it to be, and the fact that her second chance romance is already engaged means there’s gonna be some kind of heartache, break up, or cheating or a combination of all three and I’m really not feeling it.
I’ve heard this is a beautiful & heartwarming book, but I couldn’t get into enough to find out.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
The dialogue wasn’t as smooth as I would like it to be, and the fact that her second chance romance is already engaged means there’s gonna be some kind of heartache, break up, or cheating or a combination of all three and I’m really not feeling it.
I’ve heard this is a beautiful & heartwarming book, but I couldn’t get into enough to find out.
One Puzzling Afternoon by Emily Critchley
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
I was really surprised at the depth of emotion this book brought out in me - I was expecting the mystery aspect but for whatever reason the synopsis gave me the impression this was going to be more lighthearted than super serious, and that was not the case.
This was an absolutely heartbreaking look at how dementia affects families - but most importantly, it brings you into the mind of someone with dementia in a way that is very real and very respectful. I have known two family members that suffered from dementia and the ease in which they become something you need to protect, cocoon, god forbid, even at times - “deal with” - is really brought home in this book in a way that is unfortunately all too relatable.
I thought the premise was very good and the execution of the present day timeline near flawless - the past timeline had a couple of things that took me out of the story at times, but honestly it was just a really good (albeit very sad) adult debut from Emily Critchley.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you to Edelweiss, Sourcebooks Landmark, & Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
I was really surprised at the depth of emotion this book brought out in me - I was expecting the mystery aspect but for whatever reason the synopsis gave me the impression this was going to be more lighthearted than super serious, and that was not the case.
This was an absolutely heartbreaking look at how dementia affects families - but most importantly, it brings you into the mind of someone with dementia in a way that is very real and very respectful. I have known two family members that suffered from dementia and the ease in which they become something you need to protect, cocoon, god forbid, even at times - “deal with” - is really brought home in this book in a way that is unfortunately all too relatable.
I thought the premise was very good and the execution of the present day timeline near flawless - the past timeline had a couple of things that took me out of the story at times, but honestly it was just a really good (albeit very sad) adult debut from Emily Critchley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Abortion, Pedophilia, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Murder, and Adult/minor relationship
A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
My completely subjective order of JK books, ranked from my fav onwards:
Look, here’s the thing. Do you like historical fiction novels? Do you like them set in WWII (or maybe in the 1950s)? Do you like female protagonists, often with a group of close knit friends? Then you should pick up a Julia Kelly book. I don’t make the rules, y’all.
As you can see from my ratings, A Traitor in Whitehall wasn’t necessarily my favorite - but I think that’s because I struggle with mystery novels set during WWI / WWII. Very much a “it’s me, not you” (but for reals). I did like the main character well enough, but I do think there’s a fair bit of disbelief that must be suspended for some of the liberties she was allowed in her sleuthing (not that there were not HIGHLY capable female spies during WWII, but that’s not what this is).
All of that being said, as of writing this review I see that A Traitor in Whitehall is listed as “The Parisian Orphan #1,” and I can definitively say that I’ll be reading the second book when it’s published!
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, & Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
My completely subjective order of JK books, ranked from my fav onwards:
- The Light Over London
- The Lost English Girl
- The Light Over London
- A Traitor In Whitehall
- The Last Dance of the Debutante
- The Last Garden in England
Look, here’s the thing. Do you like historical fiction novels? Do you like them set in WWII (or maybe in the 1950s)? Do you like female protagonists, often with a group of close knit friends? Then you should pick up a Julia Kelly book. I don’t make the rules, y’all.
As you can see from my ratings, A Traitor in Whitehall wasn’t necessarily my favorite - but I think that’s because I struggle with mystery novels set during WWI / WWII. Very much a “it’s me, not you” (but for reals). I did like the main character well enough, but I do think there’s a fair bit of disbelief that must be suspended for some of the liberties she was allowed in her sleuthing (not that there were not HIGHLY capable female spies during WWII, but that’s not what this is).
All of that being said, as of writing this review I see that A Traitor in Whitehall is listed as “The Parisian Orphan #1,” and I can definitively say that I’ll be reading the second book when it’s published!
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Murder, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Death, Sexism, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Took too long to get anywhere and I just couldn't stay invested.
The Ski Trip by Sarah Clarke
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦 ✨
Predictable (and not in a fun way), with wooden two dimensional characters. Not enough interest to continue.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Thank you to NetGalley, HQ Digital, & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦 ✨
Predictable (and not in a fun way), with wooden two dimensional characters. Not enough interest to continue.
The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦 ✨
A lot of info dumping of very serious topics contained in a flimsy fictional narrative - I’d rather read a history book to get this information.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, & Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦 ✨
A lot of info dumping of very serious topics contained in a flimsy fictional narrative - I’d rather read a history book to get this information.