chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)

Other Birds

Sarah Addison Allen

4.5

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Thank you, St Martin's Press, for the gifted copy of Other Birds 🕊 {partner}

Genre: Magical Realism
Trope: Found Family
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 8.30.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5

"There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don't sing. Maybe they don't fly. Maybe they don't fit in. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather be an other bird than just the same old thing."

I adored this story! It was just what I needed to read - there is always something that draws me into a found family story. I don't have a big family, so I try to create my own with the people I am closest to in life. So, in these types of books, I can always find a little bit of myself nestled throughout the pages.

All of the book's characters felt unique and brought their own uniqueness to the storyline. I don't think I could pick just one I loved, but I enjoyed reading Lizbeth's story. I had her chapters all figured out in my mind, and what ended up happening was much different than what I anticipated (and I certainly liked Allen's version more).

Nestled throughout the pages of Other Birds are countless lessons on loving the ones you're with, appreciating your own quirkiness, letting go, and loving despite never being loved in return.

🥰 Found family
✨ Full of small-town southern charm
👻 Ghost chapters were my favorite (shocking, I know)
🤍 Zoey & Pigeon

Other Birds is one of those books that sticks with you and holds a special place in your heart. I recommend reading Other Birds if you enjoyed reading any of Heather Webber's books.

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Content Warnings

Killers of a Certain Age

Deanna Raybourn

4.5

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for the gifted copy of Killers of a Certain Age 🔪 {partner}

Genre: Mystery
Trope: Espionage
Format: 📖🎧
Pub Date: 9.6.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5

"Only women are ever called persnickety; men get to be 'detail-oriented."

Are you looking for a new action-packed story with kick-ass women and a little espionage? Then you'll want to add Killers of a Certain Age to your fall reading list!

This book was an absolute hoot; it was fun, adventurous, and a quick read. Plus, I adored all the quirky but lovable characters. They had me laughing and then holding my breath as I read along in their attempt to decipher who was trying to kill them.

While it should be obvious, Killers of a Certain Age does lean heavily on the spy stuff, but honestly, that's what makes it so fun. So lean into it and enjoy the ride!

There is some back story about Billie, but not much regarding the other character's pasts. So, I'm crossing my fingers that this means there will be a series coming focusing on the histories of the other three ladies. If so, I can't wait to read on with Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie.

🥳 An absolute hoot full of adventure
💨 Quick read; I stayed up way too late to finish
🤩 Ending leaves it open for more books
👀 Espionage
🥰 Lovable, quirky characters

I recommend reading Killers of a Certain Age if you enjoy the Thursday Murder Club, Finlay Donovan books, or Golden Girls!

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These Silent Woods

Kimi Cunningham Grant

4.5

emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

These Silent Woods 🪵

Genre: Fiction
Trope: Adventure/Survival
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 11.16.2021
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5

"The thing about grace is that you don't deserve it. You can't earn it. You can only accept it. Or not."

I've had these Silent Woods on my shelf since last December, and I kept thinking I would read it around spooky season because it's a creepy thriller, right? Wrong! I think this book is often misinterpreted as a thriller by most people; instead, it's a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading about a father's love for his child.

This novel was full of mystery, adventure, family, grief, and survival. For being such a short book (coming in at 288 pages), the author packs So much into the story, but it never feels overwhelming.

These Silent Woods was perfectly atmospheric with intricate descriptions of the land. Again, I'm disappointed that it took me this long to read.

🎧 Audiobook narrator
👨‍👧About the love, a father has for his child
📖 Mystery, adventure, and family
💗 Characters that surprise you
🌫 Atmospheric

Read These Silent Woods if you enjoyed reading The Great Alone or When Ghosts Come Home.

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Unlikely Animals

Annie Hartnett

4.5

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of Unlikely Animals. 🦊{partner}

Genre: Fiction
Trope: All of them!
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 4.12.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5

"That's why we like living with animals so much; they exhibit their joy so outwardly, remind us how to be better alive."

I'm mentally kicking myself for leaving this unread on my shelf since April! I love a book with a combination of genres, and that's precisely what Annie Hartnett has provided in Unlikely Animals. This book has a little something for everyone: drama, fantasy, magic, humor, quirky/lovable characters, talking headstones, family dynamics, and lessons on letting go and grief.

While Unlikely Animals did deal with some heavy topics, it never seemed unbearable. Despite the story's heaviness, it showed all the ways that a community can come together to learn and grow.

And that narrator? Gosh, I love a book that's told in the third person omniscient. It has an entirely different vibe, and I always end up enjoying the book. Then the audiobook narrator reminded me of the angel from It's a Wonderful Life, and, of course, I enjoyed that too.

🤩Genre Mash-up
🤍 Heavy topics but maintained a lighthearted feel
☺️ Community coming together
🗣 Third person omniscient narrator
🐻 Full of fun, quirky animals with lots of personalities

I loved Annie Hartnett's writing style, and I can't wait to read more from her 💗

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Content Warnings

The Bodyguard

Katherine Center

3.5

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Complicated

Thank you, St. Martin Press, for the gifted copy of The Bodyguard {partner}

Genre: Romance
Trope: Fake Dating
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 7.19.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆.5

"Maybe love isn't a judgment you render - but a chance you take. Maybe it's something you choose to do over and over. For yourself and everyone else."

If you're looking for a quick, light-hearted read to add to your September reading list, I recommend checking out The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. The story gave me The Proposal (Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds) and Miss Congeniality (again, Sandra Bullock) vibes.

I loved the relationship between the two MCs, Hannah, and Jack. They seemed instantly connected, and everything was (relatively) easy for them. I even liked Jack's brother - maybe a second book is in the works for Hank 🥰

My only complaint about The Bodyguard is that I didn't love Hannah… For being someone "who doesn't cry a lot," she sure did a lot of crying. Also, for a female bodyguard, she seemed to be extraordinarily cutesy (not stylish but personality) and uncoordinated - she didn't need to be these things to be lovable. Hannah could've been a kick-ass bodyguard who knew what she wanted, and I would've loved her more.

🎥 The Proposal & Miss Congeniality vibes
🤩 Quick, fun & light read
🔧 Convenient relationship fixes
🥰 Relationship & banter between Hannah & Jack

While this wasn't my favorite book from Katherine Center, it was still enjoyable!

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I'm Glad My Mom Died

Jennette McCurdy

4.0

emotional sad medium-paced

Audiobook Review || Thank you, Libro.FM, for the gifted audiobook through the #alclisteningsquad

Genre: Non-Fiction
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 8.9.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆

"I feel like the world is divided into two types of people: people who know loss and people who don't."

This book is absolutely a "bookstagram made me do it". I grew up in the generation before iCarly, so while I was familiar with the show, I didn't know anything about the plot or the characters/actors. But, I kept seeing people raving about this book, and ALL the bookstores seemed to have sold out overnight.

Listening to I'm Glad My Mom Died was even more heartbreaking as the author herself narrated it. Hearing her recount how her family failed her over the years and the graphic details of how she abused her body absolutely gutted me.

As I listened to McCurdy share the details of all the terrible things her mom did to her, I also heard her describe how her grandmother spoke to her mom. Both women needed help but didn't live in a time when mental health was as much of a priority as it is today. I am glad that Jeanette was able to find help and some sense of peace with her mental health, and I hope she can continue on her path to health.

🗣 Author narrated audiobook
🎬 Raw look at Hollywood life for a child star
😄 Sprinkled with humor
❤️‍🩹 Shares her healing process through therapy

❌ There is an abundance of triggers throughout this book, including graphic details of eating disorders, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and sexual abuse.

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Content Warnings

The Man Who Died Twice

Richard Osman

5.0

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-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: Complicated

The Man Who Died Twice 🦊

Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 9.16.2021
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

“You are simply a little lost. And if one is never lost in life, then clearly one has never traveled anywhere interesting.”

This book and these characters 🥰 I swear they get better with every book in the series. I’ve become so attached to all of them that there is no way I can pick just one to love. Yes, there are a lot of characters to get used to at first, but Richard Osman does such an extraordinary job in creating them that it takes no time to figure out who is who.

The Man Who Died Twice picks up right where The Thursday Murder Club ended, and we’re back in the swing of things with this group of expert sleuths.

This book hit a little differently than the first one; it felt heavier and more poignant. There’s a conversation between two characters (Ibrahim & Donna) that I read again because it seemed so applicable to how I was currently feeling. It felt like just the book I needed in my life.

But that is the beauty of this series. Yes, the characters are trying to solve a murder and find missing diamonds, but they also impart their wisdom along the way. I always end up closing the last page and feeling like I must let go of a hug from my favorite person.

🥰 same lovable characters with a few new ones mixed in!
🕵🏽‍♀️🦉 Mystery & Wisdom
🎧 Audiobook
🤣 Laugh-out-Loud (@GreatJoy69)

The books in the Thursday Murder Club series are not standalone. While the author does an excellent job of reminding his readers what transpired in the last book, you must read them in order, or you will miss out on some magnificent character development.

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Stay Awake

Megan Goldin

4.0

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thank you, St. Martin Press, for the gifted copy of Stay Awake 👀 {partner}

Genre: Thriller
Trope: Memory Loss
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 8.9.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆

“There is no such thing as being an observer. Doing nothing is doing something. Being passive has consequences.”

Stay Awake was one of my most anticipated thrillers of the summer, but did it live up to my expectations? Yes, and no.

Here are a few things that didn’t work for me - I felt as if Liv were way too relaxed about her memory being gone. If I woke up with writing all over my body telling me to stay awake and not trust anyone, I don’t think I’d find myself wandering into my place of work pretending to attend meetings. The writing style sometimes felt choppy or difficult to follow, and the ending seemed rushed after all the lead-up.

I think that Megan Goldin did an outstanding job highlighting why stalking cases are so hard to investigate and prosecute; many perceived threats are easy to explain, thus making the threat seem less imminent to outsiders. It often leaves the stalking victim looking paranoid.

The cleverly placed red herrings throughout Stay Awake kept me guessing, and just when I thought I’d had it all figured out, the author led me in another direction. So, this, paired with the short chapters, kept me hooked and reading until the very end.

✌🏼Dual Perspective, Dual Timeline
👀 Red Herrings
💨 Rushed ending that felt too easy
📖 Short chapters that keep you reading

❌ stalking

Read Stay Awake if you enjoyed reading The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian or Watching You by Lisa Jewell.

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Content Warnings

Then She Was Gone

Lisa Jewell

5.0

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Then She Was Gone 🍃

Genre: Mystery
Trope: Missing Child
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 4.17.2018
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

"If she could rewind the timeline, untwist it and roll it back the other way like a ball of wool, she'd see the knots in the yarn, the warning signs. Looking at it backward, it was obvious all along."

Then She Was Gone was raw, emotional, and unsettling storytelling at its finest, and I believe this may be my favorite from Lisa Jewell. It's been a few weeks since I finished reading this one, and I still think about the story; it has stuck with me more than I anticipated.

When I finished the last page, I had to sit there for a moment and think about what I'd read and how utterly heartbreaking it all was. I felt like I had the whole story figured out and knew the direction LJ was leading me, but I was so very wrong.

It's hard for me to describe my feelings without giving everything away, but I'll leave you with this — one character in this book deserved so much more from their precious life.

😔 A story that will stick with you long after you're finished
😰 Raw and unsettling
👥 Multiple perspectives
😬 Edge of your seat reading
✨ New favorite from Lisa Jewell

❌- there is some reasonably disturbing content in this book. If you have questions, please DM me.

Read Then She Was Gone if you enjoyed reading Verity from Colleen Hoover or Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier.

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Content Warnings

Carrie Soto Is Back

Taylor Jenkins Reid

3.75

inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of Carrie Soto is Back. {partner} 🎾

Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 8.30.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆

"We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men."

I adore Taylor Jenkins Reid and will read whatever she writes and continue to do so until she decides to retire from writing. Unfortunately, after reflecting on the book for that last week, I've decided that Carrie Soto is Back was not the book for me. It's not quite a 3.5 star, so I'm settling for 4.

TJR has this incredible talent of creating unlikeable characters and making me fall for them (which I adore in an author because it usually means stellar character development). But I never fell in love with Carrie Soto. She was (in my opinion) a one-dimensional character that never gained any traction in my heart.

And, Holy Batman, tennis. I love tennis - I played when I was younger, but this was such a tennis-heavy book that I felt like I was playing alongside Carrie. I learned a lot, but it was a bit laborious.

I listened to the entire book because I started listening through LibroFM and then kept listening even though my book had arrived. I LOVE full-cast audiobooks, but this one didn't introduce an entire cast until the 27% mark 🤷🏽‍♀️

The one aspect that I did love about Carrie Soto is the evolution of Carrie's relationship with her father. It was perfect and left me in tears toward the end.

🎾 Tennis, tennis, tennis, and some more tennis
1️⃣ One-dimensional character
🗣 Audiobook has full-cast after 27% mark
💞 The evolution of Carrie and her relationship with her father

Again, I will always read JTR books, so don't take this as me gatekeeping you from this novel. I'd love it if you read it so we could discuss it further!

Read Carrie Soto is Back if you enjoyed reading Malibu Rising for the unlikeable characters or the Beartown series for the sports-centered storyline.
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