Take a photo of a barcode or cover
chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gilmore Girls + Only Murders in the Building
Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of Mother-Daughter Murder Night {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
βYou have to love yourself the most. No one else can do that for you.β
For a debut novel, I was impressed with the story that Nina Simon created. I hope Simon decides to write something else around the Rubicon ladies because Iβm all for three generations of women coming together to solve a mystery and protect their town.
Mother-Daughter Murder Night falls into the slow burn category for me - there were places where the pacing felt too slow and struggled to hold my attention. Still, others had me flipping the pages quickly because I needed to know what was happening. But it was still an entertaining read!
Lana was undoubtedly my favorite character. She was quirky, witty, and fiercely protective of her daughter/granddaughter (even if she didnβt show it in the best ways). Nina Simon captured the often precarious nature of mother-daughter relationships perfectly! It had me laughing in all the right places as I pictured the three Rubicon women staring one another down because each was too stubborn to admit that the other was correct.
π Seaside Town
π Environmental Protection Themes
π Classic Whodunnit
π«£ Mother-Daughter Dynamics
I recommend reading Mother-Daughter Murder Night if you enjoy reading the Finlay Donovan series.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of Mother-Daughter Murder Night {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
βYou have to love yourself the most. No one else can do that for you.β
For a debut novel, I was impressed with the story that Nina Simon created. I hope Simon decides to write something else around the Rubicon ladies because Iβm all for three generations of women coming together to solve a mystery and protect their town.
Mother-Daughter Murder Night falls into the slow burn category for me - there were places where the pacing felt too slow and struggled to hold my attention. Still, others had me flipping the pages quickly because I needed to know what was happening. But it was still an entertaining read!
Lana was undoubtedly my favorite character. She was quirky, witty, and fiercely protective of her daughter/granddaughter (even if she didnβt show it in the best ways). Nina Simon captured the often precarious nature of mother-daughter relationships perfectly! It had me laughing in all the right places as I pictured the three Rubicon women staring one another down because each was too stubborn to admit that the other was correct.
π Seaside Town
π Environmental Protection Themes
π Classic Whodunnit
π«£ Mother-Daughter Dynamics
I recommend reading Mother-Daughter Murder Night if you enjoy reading the Finlay Donovan series.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
On Location πΈ
Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for the gifted copy of this book {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Enemies to Lovers/Workplace Romance
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: βββ.5
Pub Date:
Star Rating: βββ
I usually enjoy Sarah Echavarre-Smith's books, but this was not my cup of tea.
For starters, the miscommunication trope was so strong right from the start. There wasn't a third-act break-up because of miscommunication - it was just prevalent from the beginning. Oh, and yes, there was a third-act break-up, too. I couldn't understand why Alia constantly treated Drew the way she did; she was either hot or cold with him, and there was no in-between. At times, the chemistry between them was off the charts, and then it was non-existent in the next scene. I wanted more depth from them as individual people and as a couple.
Some very steamy scenes are sprinkled throughout the book, and while a bit of π₯ doesn't bother me, a few of these pages left me cringing.
1οΈβ£ One sleeping bag
π π½ββοΈ Miscommunication
π₯ TV Nature Documentary
π Lacked character depth
If you're looking for a Sarah Echavarre-Smith book to read, I recommend Simmer Down. It's full of spice (both in the bedroom and the kitchen π).
--
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for the gifted copy of this book {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Enemies to Lovers/Workplace Romance
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: βββ.5
Pub Date:
Star Rating: βββ
I usually enjoy Sarah Echavarre-Smith's books, but this was not my cup of tea.
For starters, the miscommunication trope was so strong right from the start. There wasn't a third-act break-up because of miscommunication - it was just prevalent from the beginning. Oh, and yes, there was a third-act break-up, too. I couldn't understand why Alia constantly treated Drew the way she did; she was either hot or cold with him, and there was no in-between. At times, the chemistry between them was off the charts, and then it was non-existent in the next scene. I wanted more depth from them as individual people and as a couple.
Some very steamy scenes are sprinkled throughout the book, and while a bit of π₯ doesn't bother me, a few of these pages left me cringing.
1οΈβ£ One sleeping bag
π π½ββοΈ Miscommunication
π₯ TV Nature Documentary
π Lacked character depth
If you're looking for a Sarah Echavarre-Smith book to read, I recommend Simmer Down. It's full of spice (both in the bedroom and the kitchen π).
--
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cold War Historical Fiction with a little bit of everything! β¨
Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of this book {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Time: 1946 & 1954
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 6.27.2023
Star Rating: βββ.5
I started reading The Beach Summerly earlier in the summer but ended up putting it down for several reasons - I made it to page 100 and felt like not much had happened; I was struggling to keep track of characters or find anything about the story that caught my attention. However, I recently decided to try the audiobook because I typically love Beatriz Williams' books and didn't want to miss out on her newest novel.
While I still feel that not much occurred until the last 20% of The Beach at Summerly, I found the storyline more entertaining because of the audio. The narrator did a great job of bringing the story to life.
The Beach at Summerly may not be my favorite book from Beatriz Williams, but it did have a little something for everyone within the pages, and I especially loved seeing Sumner Fox again.
π΅π½ββοΈ Espionage during the Cold War
π Slower paced
π Romance
π Mystery
π£οΈ One POV
βπΌ Dual timeline
If you've been wanting to read a Beatriz Williams book, I highly recommend reading The Golden Hour (it's one of my favorites from her).
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of this book {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Time: 1946 & 1954
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 6.27.2023
Star Rating: βββ.5
I started reading The Beach Summerly earlier in the summer but ended up putting it down for several reasons - I made it to page 100 and felt like not much had happened; I was struggling to keep track of characters or find anything about the story that caught my attention. However, I recently decided to try the audiobook because I typically love Beatriz Williams' books and didn't want to miss out on her newest novel.
While I still feel that not much occurred until the last 20% of The Beach at Summerly, I found the storyline more entertaining because of the audio. The narrator did a great job of bringing the story to life.
The Beach at Summerly may not be my favorite book from Beatriz Williams, but it did have a little something for everyone within the pages, and I especially loved seeing Sumner Fox again.
π΅π½ββοΈ Espionage during the Cold War
π Slower paced
π Romance
π Mystery
π£οΈ One POV
βπΌ Dual timeline
If you've been wanting to read a Beatriz Williams book, I highly recommend reading The Golden Hour (it's one of my favorites from her).
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Summer Sisters π
Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: π
Pub Date: 1.1.1998
Star Rating: ββββ
"Remember this, Precious Child⦠nothing matters but the moment. There might be no tomorrow, and even if there is, nobody gives a damn."
Well, I finally read my first Judy Blume book!
When I started Summer Sisters, I wasn't sure what to expect. Was it a YA? Was it a summer romance? A story about two best friends? In a way, it was a little bit of everything, and it kept my attention.
I sat down to read a few pages and flew through the first 100. It was a quick read that captured what it's like to be young on the cusp of adulthood. The Summer Sisters took me back to summers with my childhood best friend as we attempted to navigate growing pains, friendships, boys, our parents, and just what it means to be us. There's never been a time quite like that one.
Summer Sisters concludes in the "present day" as one of the two MCs is getting married. I didn't expect the ending we were given, but it made sense.
π«ΆπΌ Best friends
β΅οΈ Martha's Vineyard Setting
π¨ Quick read
π£οΈ Several POV's
I recommend reading Summer Sisters if you're looking for a quick read to finish your summer reading series!
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: π
Pub Date: 1.1.1998
Star Rating: ββββ
"Remember this, Precious Child⦠nothing matters but the moment. There might be no tomorrow, and even if there is, nobody gives a damn."
Well, I finally read my first Judy Blume book!
When I started Summer Sisters, I wasn't sure what to expect. Was it a YA? Was it a summer romance? A story about two best friends? In a way, it was a little bit of everything, and it kept my attention.
I sat down to read a few pages and flew through the first 100. It was a quick read that captured what it's like to be young on the cusp of adulthood. The Summer Sisters took me back to summers with my childhood best friend as we attempted to navigate growing pains, friendships, boys, our parents, and just what it means to be us. There's never been a time quite like that one.
Summer Sisters concludes in the "present day" as one of the two MCs is getting married. I didn't expect the ending we were given, but it made sense.
π«ΆπΌ Best friends
β΅οΈ Martha's Vineyard Setting
π¨ Quick read
π£οΈ Several POV's
I recommend reading Summer Sisters if you're looking for a quick read to finish your summer reading series!
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Welcome to Tom Lake πΏ
Thank you, Harper Books, for the gifted book! {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Historical + Romane
Format: π§π
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 8.1.2023
Star Rating: βββββ
Thank you, Harper Books, for the gifted book! {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Historical + Romane
Format: π§π
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 8.1.2023
Star Rating: βββββ
βItβs about falling so wildly in love with himβthe way one will at twenty-fourβthat it felt like jumping off a roof at midnight. There was no way to foresee the mess it would come to in the end, nor did it occur to me to care.β
Reading Tom Lake felt like sitting down with an old friend, on her front porch, and hearing her story for the first time. The book made me feel like I was right there with Lara and her three girls as she told them how they inevitably came to be.
It was beautiful and hypnotic, and, if Iβm being honest, I wasnβt ready for it to end. Some pieces left me in tears because of how much the words resonated with my heart.
Thereβs no one quite like Meryl Streep, and having the opportunity to hear her narrate Tom Lake brought the whole thing to life for me.
π₯° Storytelling at its finest
ππΌ Slow, even paced perfection
π Mother + her daughters
π Set around the play Our Town
π«ΆπΌ Meryl Streep narrates the audio
I recommend reading Tom Lake if you enjoyed reading The Dutch House - both are phenomenal storytelling experiences.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Lions of Fifth Avenue
Thank you, Dutton Books, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: NYC, 1913 & 1993
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 8.4.2020
Star Rating: ββββ
"Leave it to a librarian to point out the alliteration in my life's tragedies."
The Lions of Fifth Avenue might be my new favorite Fiona Davis story - it grabbed my attention from the first chapter; I was fully invested in the lives of not one but all of the characters within the pages. It was fascinating to read along as everything about the history (and future) was revealed.
Both Sadie and Laura were the female protagonists that I desperately needed to read about. They were both willing to stand up for themselves and do what needed to be done for the library's good.
Speaking of the library, Fiona Davis painted such vivid descriptions throughout The Lions of Fifth Avenue that I was transported right into the New York Public Library walls. By the end of the book, I was itching to visit!
βπΌAlternating POV
π½ New York Public Library
π°οΈ Dual Timelines
πͺπΌ Strong Female Protagonists
β- suicide
I recommend reading The Lions of Fifth Avenue if you're looking for a bit of adventure with your historical fiction and love a good library setting!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Thank you, Dutton Books, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: NYC, 1913 & 1993
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 8.4.2020
Star Rating: ββββ
"Leave it to a librarian to point out the alliteration in my life's tragedies."
The Lions of Fifth Avenue might be my new favorite Fiona Davis story - it grabbed my attention from the first chapter; I was fully invested in the lives of not one but all of the characters within the pages. It was fascinating to read along as everything about the history (and future) was revealed.
Both Sadie and Laura were the female protagonists that I desperately needed to read about. They were both willing to stand up for themselves and do what needed to be done for the library's good.
Speaking of the library, Fiona Davis painted such vivid descriptions throughout The Lions of Fifth Avenue that I was transported right into the New York Public Library walls. By the end of the book, I was itching to visit!
βπΌAlternating POV
π½ New York Public Library
π°οΈ Dual Timelines
πͺπΌ Strong Female Protagonists
β- suicide
I recommend reading The Lions of Fifth Avenue if you're looking for a bit of adventure with your historical fiction and love a good library setting!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Get ready for a trip down memory lane β¨
Thank you, Dutton Books, for the gifted copy of Who We Are Now {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: π§π
Audiobook Narration:ββββ
Pub Date: 8.8.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
Thank you, Dutton Books, for the gifted copy of Who We Are Now {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: π§π
Audiobook Narration:ββββ
Pub Date: 8.8.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
"She felt like a punch in her gut that someday, they would be too old for this. They would have to grow up, get married, stop having sleepovers, and sharing a bed with their friends. Maybe they would enjoy it, maybe there would be some appeal to that phase of her life that remained unseen⦠but it certainly wouldn't be this - this kind of cramped, close love that you could physically curl into."
Lauryn Chamberlain is so talented at capturing the junctures of life and then writing about them in a precise and nostalgic-filled way. While my post-graduate life didn't pan out exactly as it did with Rachel, Nate, Dev, and Clarissa, I still found the book relatable.
Who We Are Now opens during the character's last night of college and flawlessly captured what that moment was for me - the excitement of achieving so momentous and the sense that life would never quite be this way again. It was a trip down memory lane for me.
The rest of Who We Are now follows each character through their post-graduate years - their triumphs, heartbreaks, and missteps and the story ends when the characters are my age, which brought the whole story full circle.
π©π½βπ Post-graduate nostalgia
π½ Set in NYC
π£οΈ 4 perspectives over 15 years
β³ Slower paced
Who We Are Now is perfect for those of us looking for a little reminder that life is a journey and that sometimes, your found family is all you need.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Sexual assault
emotional
fast-paced
The River Runs South π
Thank you, Alcove Press, for the gifted copy of this beautiful book {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: π
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: βββββ
βIt gets easier, you know. To say that someone you loved died and not feel physical pain when you say the words.β
What a phenomenal debut novel! Audio Ingram knows how to tell a story that simultaneously tugs on your heart and motivates you to be more proactive (with relationships and the world). I didnβt anticipate loving this book as much as I did, but it grabbed hold of me from the first page until the end.
Throughout the book, the reader encounters themes of loss, grief, motherhood, family, learning to love again, and environmental stewardship. There were also delicious-sounding meals at every turn of the page and beautiful descriptions of small-town coastal living. Itβs the first book, in a while, thatβs kept me reading until the late hours - not because I had to know how it ended, but because I lost myself in the story.
π₯Ή Learning to live after loss
π£οΈ One POV
β¨ Debut novel
π Small coastal town in Alabama
I canβt recommend The River Runs South enough, and I hope you add it to your reading list. Itβs the perfect book to end your summer with. π
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Thank you, Alcove Press, for the gifted copy of this beautiful book {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: π
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: βββββ
βIt gets easier, you know. To say that someone you loved died and not feel physical pain when you say the words.β
What a phenomenal debut novel! Audio Ingram knows how to tell a story that simultaneously tugs on your heart and motivates you to be more proactive (with relationships and the world). I didnβt anticipate loving this book as much as I did, but it grabbed hold of me from the first page until the end.
Throughout the book, the reader encounters themes of loss, grief, motherhood, family, learning to love again, and environmental stewardship. There were also delicious-sounding meals at every turn of the page and beautiful descriptions of small-town coastal living. Itβs the first book, in a while, thatβs kept me reading until the late hours - not because I had to know how it ended, but because I lost myself in the story.
π₯Ή Learning to live after loss
π£οΈ One POV
β¨ Debut novel
π Small coastal town in Alabama
I canβt recommend The River Runs South enough, and I hope you add it to your reading list. Itβs the perfect book to end your summer with. π
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
A love story worth reading π
Thank you, Del Rey Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The Hundred Loves of Juliet {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Retelling
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 8.1.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
"There's no love worth having if it doesn't break your heart when it's over."
I was unsure going in because I'm hyper-critical of romance stories, but The Hundred Loves of Juliet stole my heart. It's a love story for the ages. There wasn't a need for any unnecessary frills because the love between Sebastian and Helene (Romeo and Juliet) carried the whole book.
Not only is this book about the love of Sebastian and Helene and how it spans centuries, but it is also full of hope and what it means to love someone, even if you know you'll lose them in the end. It was such a pure story that reminded me of how special a romance book can be.
The Hundred Loves of Juliet is told through flashbacks/other stories written by Helene, and I was utterly enamored from start to finish. It was such a unique take on the genre. I was thrilled to make it to the end of the book without crying, but then I read the author's note, and that's where the tears came in. If you decide to read this one (and you should), read that note at the end.
β€οΈ Retelling of Romeo & Juliet
βπΌ Dual POV
π°οΈ Multiple timelines (easy to follow)
πͺ Closed-door romance
π Read that author's note
I recommend reading The Hundred Loves of Juliet if you are willing to suspend reality and fall in love with one epic love story.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Thank you, Del Rey Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The Hundred Loves of Juliet {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Retelling
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 8.1.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
"There's no love worth having if it doesn't break your heart when it's over."
I was unsure going in because I'm hyper-critical of romance stories, but The Hundred Loves of Juliet stole my heart. It's a love story for the ages. There wasn't a need for any unnecessary frills because the love between Sebastian and Helene (Romeo and Juliet) carried the whole book.
Not only is this book about the love of Sebastian and Helene and how it spans centuries, but it is also full of hope and what it means to love someone, even if you know you'll lose them in the end. It was such a pure story that reminded me of how special a romance book can be.
The Hundred Loves of Juliet is told through flashbacks/other stories written by Helene, and I was utterly enamored from start to finish. It was such a unique take on the genre. I was thrilled to make it to the end of the book without crying, but then I read the author's note, and that's where the tears came in. If you decide to read this one (and you should), read that note at the end.
β€οΈ Retelling of Romeo & Juliet
βπΌ Dual POV
π°οΈ Multiple timelines (easy to follow)
πͺ Closed-door romance
π Read that author's note
I recommend reading The Hundred Loves of Juliet if you are willing to suspend reality and fall in love with one epic love story.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
What in the world did I just read??
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of The Last One {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Trope: Locked Room
Format: π
Pub Date: 8.8.2023
Star Rating: βββ
Alright, so in full transparency, I am still unsure about what I read and whether or not it was worth it, but here are my thoughts on this twisty, locked-room mystery set on the high seas.
The first 25-30% of The Last One was pure thriller perfection. It had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, trying to figure out what was happening. Was Cat the only passenger left on the ship? How did she sleep through all of the other passengers disappearing? Also, what will the author do with the rest of this book (because there was a chunk left)? But, I was fascinated by the story. So, I kept going.
Then there was a twist - and wait... what? This makes no sense. So, what Iβm understanding is this is all... wow! Okay, well, letβs see where it goes. I adjusted and fell back into step with the story, eager to learn more.
Another twist? Well, this is twistier than the new Twister movie - but wait, again. Excuse me? Unfortunately, I didnβt quite recover with this twist because it was just too much for me. It was utterly unbelievable, and I felt bamboozled.
Then, that ending - does this mean there will be a second book? Or is the ending more depressing? I donβt know.
For me, The Last One had a lot of potential, but it just flopped. The author took on one too many outrageous turns that left me unable to follow the story. Itβs one of those I truly wanted to love, but it didnβt do anything for me. Was it memorable? Absolutely.
I recommend reading The Last One if you enjoyed reading The Family Game by Catherine Steadman.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of The Last One {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Trope: Locked Room
Format: π
Pub Date: 8.8.2023
Star Rating: βββ
Alright, so in full transparency, I am still unsure about what I read and whether or not it was worth it, but here are my thoughts on this twisty, locked-room mystery set on the high seas.
The first 25-30% of The Last One was pure thriller perfection. It had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, trying to figure out what was happening. Was Cat the only passenger left on the ship? How did she sleep through all of the other passengers disappearing? Also, what will the author do with the rest of this book (because there was a chunk left)? But, I was fascinated by the story. So, I kept going.
Then there was a twist - and wait... what? This makes no sense. So, what Iβm understanding is this is all... wow! Okay, well, letβs see where it goes. I adjusted and fell back into step with the story, eager to learn more.
Another twist? Well, this is twistier than the new Twister movie - but wait, again. Excuse me? Unfortunately, I didnβt quite recover with this twist because it was just too much for me. It was utterly unbelievable, and I felt bamboozled.
Then, that ending - does this mean there will be a second book? Or is the ending more depressing? I donβt know.
For me, The Last One had a lot of potential, but it just flopped. The author took on one too many outrageous turns that left me unable to follow the story. Itβs one of those I truly wanted to love, but it didnβt do anything for me. Was it memorable? Absolutely.
I recommend reading The Last One if you enjoyed reading The Family Game by Catherine Steadman.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner