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caitlynischeckedout's reviews
93 reviews
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
3.0
I don’t know how to feel. The concept was so strong and I listened on audiobook, which I think did a great job of bringing the characters to life. I don’t know that I felt like anyone had any character development though. The backstories were interesting and gave you a bit of insight as to why the characters are the way that they are, but I don’t think it was enough. I still don’t think I truly understand Ayoola or Korede’s motivations.
I also think it would’ve been stronger with a different ending. The book has strong themes of sisterhood and family and abuse, but to me the ending just enforces that, which maybe is the point? That Korede is so affected by her past she can’t grow from it? I just felt kind of disappointed she stood by her sister after everything. Especially considering I don’t feel like Ayoola ever really showed that she cared about Korede the same way. She was selfish and didn’t even leave the one guy alone she knew Korede liked. She didn’t care if she pulled Korede into trouble with her.
I’m not sure, it for sure has some powerful lines but it didn’t wow me by the end.
I’m not sure, it for sure has some powerful lines but it didn’t wow me by the end.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
5.0
What can I say? I love an Emily Henry romance. And books about books and authors.
The concept of this one was especially fun to me, I loved that Gus and January decided to switch genres as they’re both experiencing writer’s block and under immense pressure to put out the next big hit. Their field trips to teach each other about their respective genres were also fun and heart wrenching. I do think the cult storyline maybe needed a bit more to fully flesh it out? I see what it was trying to do there but I almost wonder if that was too heavy of a subject to work into this lighthearted romance. I still enjoyed the discussions about it and what Gus had to say compared to his own childhood and think it made sense, I just feel like something was still missing there.
The banter was immaculate of course, and I loveddd the book club and Gus’ family- that was such a fun interlude. I really enjoyed all the characters and the depth they had to them, and then working through their family issues really hit hard for me. I especially liked the way they wrapped up January’s storyline about her dad, her working through her grief and loss and what her dad had to say- ugh. So good.
Another hit for me- keep ‘em coming!
The concept of this one was especially fun to me, I loved that Gus and January decided to switch genres as they’re both experiencing writer’s block and under immense pressure to put out the next big hit. Their field trips to teach each other about their respective genres were also fun and heart wrenching. I do think the cult storyline maybe needed a bit more to fully flesh it out? I see what it was trying to do there but I almost wonder if that was too heavy of a subject to work into this lighthearted romance. I still enjoyed the discussions about it and what Gus had to say compared to his own childhood and think it made sense, I just feel like something was still missing there.
The banter was immaculate of course, and I loveddd the book club and Gus’ family- that was such a fun interlude. I really enjoyed all the characters and the depth they had to them, and then working through their family issues really hit hard for me. I especially liked the way they wrapped up January’s storyline about her dad, her working through her grief and loss and what her dad had to say- ugh. So good.
Another hit for me- keep ‘em coming!
The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding
4.0
This one gripped me the entire time, the two POVs kept you on your toes, wondering what the other person was up to the entire time. The characters themselves, Lee and Hazel, definitely made some interesting decisions along the way but they also both had been through a lot so I could see how that could influence them.
I did think there should’ve been a bit more of a wrap up of Lee’s history since it was given to us. That storyline is pretty much left in the dust and just explains how she got to this point, but I almost think it would’ve been more satisfying to loop it in somehow, if we could all take one more twist squeezed in here haha!
This is an action-packed thriller, and it kept my attention the whole way through. I actually really liked the ending,it reminded me of that one criminal minds episode where the two women kill to avenge their daughters and end up on the beach at the end. I found it satisfying after all the drama and craziness the two went through.
I did think there should’ve been a bit more of a wrap up of Lee’s history since it was given to us. That storyline is pretty much left in the dust and just explains how she got to this point, but I almost think it would’ve been more satisfying to loop it in somehow, if we could all take one more twist squeezed in here haha!
This is an action-packed thriller, and it kept my attention the whole way through. I actually really liked the ending,
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
5.0
So so good- I love McGuire’s writing style and the way she builds the world around you. The worlds she creates are so unique and I eat that ish up.
Jack and Jill are such fun characters and I love the differences and similarities between them. Getting a backstory to each of the characters fleshes them all out even more and already I’m anxious to read the next one!
Jack and Jill are such fun characters and I love the differences and similarities between them. Getting a backstory to each of the characters fleshes them all out even more and already I’m anxious to read the next one!
The September House by Carissa Orlando
3.5
I loved the nonchalant way the main character accepted the ghosts and the way she refused to give up her home, the one thing she’d always wanted in life. I thought the author did a good job at blending this nonchalance into the reveals of why exactly Margaret may have reacted this way- things in her past that influenced her to kind of roll with things as they came, to not give any spoilers away.
I also like a good horror where you’re not really sure what’s real and what’s not, and Margaret being so sleep deprived really cemented this fact in. She had to keep doing things over and over, trying to cope with the house and the ghosts, and thus did repeat a lot of the same thoughts and actions, but I felt this fit the theme of the book well.
It was a bit gory, especially at the ending. For me personally I could’ve done with a little less description of the injuries and gore, and I did skim past that a little cause it was gross haha.
I also hated her daughter. Oh my god. The way she treated her mother was so frustrating, and she was always yelling out her personal business and talking down to her in front of others. If she really wanted to help she could’ve cooled her jets a little. I don’t really feel she redeemed herself at the end, I still did not like her. I’m with you Margaret, no one deserves to live like that.
I also like a good horror where you’re not really sure what’s real and what’s not, and Margaret being so sleep deprived really cemented this fact in. She had to keep doing things over and over, trying to cope with the house and the ghosts, and thus did repeat a lot of the same thoughts and actions, but I felt this fit the theme of the book well.
It was a bit gory, especially at the ending. For me personally I could’ve done with a little less description of the injuries and gore, and I did skim past that a little cause it was gross haha.
I also hated her daughter. Oh my god. The way she treated her mother was so frustrating, and she was always yelling out her personal business and talking down to her in front of others. If she really wanted to help she could’ve cooled her jets a little. I don’t really feel she redeemed herself at the end, I still did not like her. I’m with you Margaret, no one deserves to live like that.
Bunny by Mona Awad
5.0
This was a unique horror experience, but so fun. I loved that the whole thing felt like a fever dream and that you couldn’t really tell what was real and what wasn’t. I thought the reveals were so well done, and such an interesting take on the plot. The characters were annoying and unlikeable, but I loved that about them. I think it really added to the Heathers vibe I was hoping for going into this. I think the best experience is when you don’t really know what you’re getting into with this one, so you’re surprised at each twist in the plot and where it takes you. Super weird but super fun.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
5.0
This was so much fun to read! Though I think it could’ve been fleshed out more with more length, I know the other stories in the series follow more characters and have prequels and sequels so that didn’t detract as much from the story as I think it would’ve had I not known that. I loved the diversity of the characters and their worlds and I’m so excited to see where we go next! The prose is lyrical and fun and the world really seems to come alive as you read it. So excited to continue on in this series!
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
2.5
I think I read this one way too far after the hype train had left the station.
It started off so interesting, Anna is stuck in her house due to agoraphobia and she witnesses a murder that no one else saw, and in fact the murdered woman can’t be who she said she was as another woman appears claiming to have her identity. Intriguing!
After that it goes downhill. Anna is a very frustrating character to follow. She’s constantly mixing her medications with copious amounts of alcohol, yelling at people, and then wonders why no one will believe her. I did find the gaslighting of the police frustrating on her behalf, but I don’t think I would believe her either with the way she presents herself. I think I would’ve liked it better had she pulled herself together once she realized she wasn’t believed, but instead she keeps telling herself to do exactly that, and then never does it! Instead she just sits around playing chess, giving other people advice online, and getting blackout drunk all the time.
The random sex scene was also totally worthless and jarring imo. Not even sure why it had to exist.
I did think the plot twist with her family was interesting, but not enough to make up for all the rest. The old film references also got old after awhile. Maybe if I knew them I would find them a better addition, but I just ended up skimming all those parts in the hopes to find some more action. The killer wasn’t my favorite. It definitely was creepy, I’ll give it that.
This one definitely won’t be sticking with me, it went on way too long for what it had to say.
It started off so interesting, Anna is stuck in her house due to agoraphobia and she witnesses a murder that no one else saw, and in fact the murdered woman can’t be who she said she was as another woman appears claiming to have her identity. Intriguing!
After that it goes downhill. Anna is a very frustrating character to follow. She’s constantly mixing her medications with copious amounts of alcohol, yelling at people, and then wonders why no one will believe her. I did find the gaslighting of the police frustrating on her behalf, but I don’t think I would believe her either with the way she presents herself. I think I would’ve liked it better had she pulled herself together once she realized she wasn’t believed, but instead she keeps telling herself to do exactly that, and then never does it! Instead she just sits around playing chess, giving other people advice online, and getting blackout drunk all the time.
The random sex scene was also totally worthless and jarring imo. Not even sure why it had to exist.
I did think the plot twist with her family was interesting, but not enough to make up for all the rest. The old film references also got old after awhile. Maybe if I knew them I would find them a better addition, but I just ended up skimming all those parts in the hopes to find some more action. The killer wasn’t my favorite. It definitely was creepy, I’ll give it that.
This one definitely won’t be sticking with me, it went on way too long for what it had to say.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
3.5
This book was… Interesting. It’s got that slow burn, creeping dread kind of horror that I did like, but it definitely felt like it took forever to get anywhere. I love Moreno-Garcia’s writing and the poetic way she describes scenes, but I do think sometimes she over explains the plot. Like when there was a nightmare, she’s quick to tell you that the truth and fiction are crossing, but I think I would’ve liked it more had I not known truly what was real and what was not.
The “monster” was a fascinating take and added to the trapped feeling of the story, but with how many times Noemí did get out of the house, I couldn’t help but think “why isn’t she going for help?” She knew that something was wrong but just kept letting herself get trapped there, despite us being told over and over that Noemí is strong and independent.
The romance subplot was interesting and I couldn’t help but care for his character and didn’t want him to die, but also I’m not sure it seems realistic that he *did* get out after he just explained to us that no one could. That left the story feeling a bit unfinished to me.
Overall it’s a fascinating horror and I did like the concepts, but it just didn’t quite land for me.
The “monster” was a fascinating take and added to the trapped feeling of the story, but with how many times Noemí did get out of the house, I couldn’t help but think “why isn’t she going for help?” She knew that something was wrong but just kept letting herself get trapped there, despite us being told over and over that Noemí is strong and independent.
The romance subplot was interesting and I couldn’t help but care for his character and didn’t want him to die, but also I’m not sure it seems realistic that he *did* get out after he just explained to us that no one could. That left the story feeling a bit unfinished to me.
Overall it’s a fascinating horror and I did like the concepts, but it just didn’t quite land for me.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
4.5
The good:
This was a fascinating read- I loved the time travel aspect and the characters were beautifully done. I loved all their personalities and that there was a diversity to how they all reacted to being in the current world. I also found the concept of ‘here’ and ‘there’ really interesting. I couldn’t put this story down, I was so interested to see where it was going to go next, and the plot twist really got me.
The bad so to speak:
I did find it a bit hard to understand at times, even with the infodumping paragraphs interspersed. I almost feel like this is a book you’d have to read a few times to fully grasp the concepts, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I did find myself rereading scenes to make sure I knew what was happening. The chapters are also super long, I think a few moments maybe would’ve landed better if there were a few more breaks in between. The plot moved slowly for most of the book with a burst of action right at the end. I think I would’ve preferred a tied up ending, which maybe doesn’t fit with the cyclical nature of time travel, but I think it would’ve felt more satisfying after the journey you went on.
Overall I really enjoyed this and I can definitely see myself rereading this again to see if I pick up on anything I missed along the way!
This was a fascinating read- I loved the time travel aspect and the characters were beautifully done. I loved all their personalities and that there was a diversity to how they all reacted to being in the current world. I also found the concept of ‘here’ and ‘there’ really interesting. I couldn’t put this story down, I was so interested to see where it was going to go next, and the plot twist really got me.
The bad so to speak:
I did find it a bit hard to understand at times, even with the infodumping paragraphs interspersed. I almost feel like this is a book you’d have to read a few times to fully grasp the concepts, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I did find myself rereading scenes to make sure I knew what was happening. The chapters are also super long, I think a few moments maybe would’ve landed better if there were a few more breaks in between. The plot moved slowly for most of the book with a burst of action right at the end. I think I would’ve preferred a tied up ending, which maybe doesn’t fit with the cyclical nature of time travel, but I think it would’ve felt more satisfying after the journey you went on.
Overall I really enjoyed this and I can definitely see myself rereading this again to see if I pick up on anything I missed along the way!