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chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
challenging
slow-paced
UMM…. 👀
Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted copy of Don’t Sleep with the Dead{partner}
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 4.8.2025
Pages: 112
Star Rating: ☆☆
I will keep this review short because, honestly, I’m not entirely sure what I just read—but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I picked this up thinking it would be something like The Great Gatsby, but what I found was a story that veered into grotesque territory, almost giving off a horror vibe. It completely distracted me from the plot, the characters, and Nick’s search for answers.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆
The audiobook is narrated by Greg Barnett, a voice actor new to me. While his performance was entertaining, his pacing was a little hard to keep up with.
At the end of the day, this one is a hard pass for me, but I know some readers really enjoyed it. If you’re intrigued, I’d saygive it a shot and see for yourself!
______
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emotional
slow-paced
Historical Fiction Review 📖
Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of this book {partner}
Genre: Historical
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 4.2.2024
Pages: 368
Star Rating: ☆☆☆ .5
“Sometimes doing the right thing is more important than doing what’s safest.”
After having All We Were Promised sitting on my bookshelf for WAY too long, I finally decided to make it my March pick for Historical Fiction — and I’m so glad I did!
This novel offers a perspective we don’t often see in historical fiction: the pre-Civil War abolition movement in a Northern state. From the very first page, I was hooked by the unique story told through the voices of Charlotte, Eve, and Nell. Their personal struggles, different backgrounds, and evolving relationships made for a rich, compelling narrative that kept me turning the pages, learning, and reflecting all the way through.
That being said, one aspect of the book held me back from fully enjoying it: while the story is set in 1837 Philadelphia, it felt surprisingly modern in tone. The “old world” atmosphere I expected seemed to take a backseat to a more contemporary style, which distracted me from the historical setting and made some moments feel less believable.
It was an interesting read, but the modern undertones kept me from fully immersing myself in the time period.
Read if you enjoy:
🧐 Pre-Civil War History
🗣️ Multiple POV
🥹 Emotional Reads
______
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adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
What's the last book you read that completely took you by surprise?
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of Departure 37 {partner}
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 8.5.2025
Pages: 400
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
I first discovered Scott Carson with his captivating novel Lost Man's Lane and was instantly hooked by his storytelling magic. So when Departure 37 hit the shelves, I couldn't wait to dive in!
Now, if you know me, you know horror isn't usually my go-to genre. It often starts strong but then spirals into the absurd. But here's the twist: while Departure 37 is categorized as horror, I'd argue it's so much more. It's a unique blend of science fiction, historical fiction, and mystery that kept me on my toes from start to finish.
I'll admit the first 20% of the book was a bit of a struggle. There were tons of technical details about science and air travel that almost made me want to give up. But I'm SO glad I didn't. Once I powered through, the story picked up, and the technical talk faded, leaving room for some truly memorable characters and an unpredictable plot that left me reeling in the best way possible.
Read if you enjoy:
✌🏼 Dual Timeline
🗣️ Multiple POV
✈️ History
👏🏼 Well-developed Characters
🧐 Though Provoking Stories
I recommend reading Departure 37 if you enjoyed reading 11/22/1963 by Stephen King.
______
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fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
It's so nice to be back in the world of Backman!
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of My Friends {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 5.6.2025
Pages: 448
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Fredrik Backman has an extraordinary gift for making his characters feel as real as those in our lives. Every time I finish one of his books, I feel like I've just spent time with people I know intimately—like family or lifelong friends. His ability to find beauty in the most ordinary moments is nothing short of magical, and it's a powerful reminder not to take a single second of life for granted.
My Friends is no exception. I was completely captivated by Louise's journey—both the literal and emotional one—as she unravels the mystery behind one of her favorite artists, C.JAT. Her hopes of uncovering the truth as to the life of the artist before he created her favorite piece of art was both heartwarming and inspiring. There's something unique about how this story unfolds, especially compared to other road trip tales I've read. While many take place in the usual cars, My Friendsveers off the beaten path, with its characters traveling by car and train (but never by plane!). This gave the story a wonderfully different vibe, one I found refreshing and thought-provoking.
However, what stayed with me was the breathtaking ways this book explores life itself. I was tabbing every single page with something profound that I wanted to remember for a later date.
CW: assault, domestic violence, alcohol abuse
Read if you enjoy:
📖Character-driven stories
🥰 Life lessons
🫶🏼 Found family
🎨 Art
I highly recommend adding My Friends to your summer reading list!
______
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dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Eight years later, in Black Harbor
Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted copy of The Unlucky Ones {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 3.25.2025
Pages: 304
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
Hannah Morrissey has a true talent for bringing the gritty, haunting world of Black Harbor to life. It's not a city we're used to seeing through a rose-colored lens—Morrissey paints a visceral picture of a place teetering on the edge of despair. The streets are dark, the air heavy with the toll of the opioid epidemic, and the atmosphere feels like it's spiraling toward destruction.
But here's the thing—while the setting is compelling, I struggled to connect with the characters and their relationships. Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't get into it. I get that Hazel has a complicated past that shapes her actions, but to me, it felt like The Unlucky Ones was a bit of a rinse-and-repeat with her character.
Then, there is a lack of connection between the characters and their relationships. Hazel's past explains many of her actions, but for me, her character arc in The Unlucky Ones felt repetitive. Kole is undeniably a stand-up guy, and I respect his loyalty to her, but I just didn't get the chemistry between them. There wasn't enough fire in their relationship to make me truly invested or believe in a future for them.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆
The audiobook is narrated by Angela Dawe (who has also narrated the Finlay Donovan series) and Robb Moreira (who has narrated the dramatized version of Fourth Wing. I enjoyed Dawe's narration, but Moreira's was not my cup of tea. It felt too forced and choppy, which made it even harder for me to get into the story.
Read if you enjoy:
📝 Atmospheric
🖤 Romantic Suspense
🗣️ Dual Narration
While this is book four in the Black Harbor series, you only need to read book 1 (Hello, Transcriber), and then you can read The Unlucky Ones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Drug use
dark
mysterious
medium-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
Grab your bowl of popcorn and dive on into The Thrashers.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 5.6.2025
Pages: 352
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
"Either you're in, or you're out."
I was in the mood for a gripping mystery, and Julie Soto definitely delivered! Initially, I wasn't sure how I'd feel, especially with many characters introduced right from the start. But over time, the story evened out, and I got a good sense of who everyone was. I found it helpful that the story is told from Jodi Dillon's perspective, with additional details shared through journal entries.
The mystery kept me intrigued, with just enough suspense to keep me guessing. The supernatural elements added an eerie charm that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
One thing I did struggle with, though, was the way some heavier topics—like suicide, alcohol abuse, stalking, and bullying—were handled. It didn't seem like there was enough emphasis on the importance of reaching out for support or finding help. These are sensitive issues, and it's crucial to approach them with care and respect, especially in a young adult novel where the primary audience is teenagers. Books like these have the power to offer valuable messages, and I believe it's essential to ensure these topics are addressed thoughtfully.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
Two talented narrators bring The Thrashers to life: Eva Kaminsky, known for her work on Horror Movie and The Book of V, and Jesse Vilinsky, who has narrated Local Woman Missing, One Two Three, and Florence Adler Swims Forever. Their unique voices add depth and emotion to the story, making it an immersive experience for listeners.
Read if you enjoy:
📖 Slow burn
🤯 Jaw-dropping epilogue
👻 Paranormal aspect
🎓 High school setting
I recommend reading The Thrashers if you liked Pretty Little Liars, 13 Reasons Why, and A Good Girls Guide to Murder.
______
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide, Stalking
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hello, Transcriber
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 11.30.2001
Pages: 304
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
I think Hello, Transcriber is the first mystery I’ve read from the perspective of a police transcriber, and honestly, I never even thought about how fascinating that POV could be! It gave such a unique backdrop to the crimes being committed, pulling me in from the start and making it nearly impossible to put the book down.
My only issue? I didn’t quite connect with the FMC. I get that she was unhappy and felt lost, but I struggled to get past how she kept sabotaging her own life. It made it hard to root for her when every choice she made seemed to lead her further down a self-destructive path.
I picked up Hello, Transcriber as a way to dive into the author’s next book, The Unlucky Ones. Can’t wait to let you know my thoughts on that one soon!
_____
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medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Would you let a stranger pick 20 dates for you?
Thank you, Ballantine Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Back After This {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 2.25.2025
Pages: 320
Star Rating: ☆☆☆ .5
While Back After This is presented as a romance, I didn't quite get that vibe from the story. For me, it felt more like a journey of Cecily discovering her voice and figuring out what she wanted from life. She's spent so much time living for others and not enough thinking about herself. The romance with Will was a nice touch, but honestly, their relationship didn't give me those "warm and fuzzy" feelings I was expecting.
One aspect of the book that stood out was the recurring theme of the FMC going on dates chosen for her by someone else—a concept I've seen pop up in a few recent reads. It's a unique idea, but it only works if the person picking the dates understands who you are. Take Eliza, the influencer picking Cecily's dates—she was incredibly frustrating! Her main concern was how Cecily's actions would impact her ratings, which made the whole dating subplot feel more like a chore than a fun journey.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
Fun fact: Back After This is narrated by the author, Linda Holmes! I honestly didn't realize that until about halfway through the book. Holmes has also narrated her previous book, Evie Drake Starts Over (which was a Read with Jenna pick).
Read if you enjoy:
📺 Dating shows
🚪 Closed door romance
🫶🏼 Workaholic FMC finding herself
🎙️ Podcasts
🗣️ Single POV
I recommend reading this one if you enjoy the ins and outs of podcasts!
_
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emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Yes
Oh, my heart. This book 🥹
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 2.27.2025
Pages: 352
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
"It's impossible to have bravery without fear. Bravery is picking up the fear and carrying it alongside you rather than allowing it to block the path."
It's one of my biggest pet peeves when a book is compared to one of my all-time favorites and doesn't live up to the hype. But Our Infinite Fates? It totally gave me those Addie LaRue vibes I was craving, while still remaining its own magical, thought-provoking, and moving story.
I'll be honest—I was ready to call it a solid four-star read, but those last two hours? They sealed the deal and bumped it up to one of my favorites of the year. The way everything came together was something I never saw coming—it completely blew my mind!
I loved how the story unfolded across multiple timelines, giving me a deeper understanding of the characters' lives spanning hundreds of years. Even though each life ended tragically, seeing how their souls were connected through time was mesmerizing. It left me feeling so emotional, reflecting on how these deep, timeless connections can shape us.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The audiobook is narrated by Sofia Oxenham, who did a marvelous job with the narration. At first, I was slightly disappointed that we weren't given a dual narration audio, BUT the more I listened, the more I understood the reason.
Read if you enjoy:
🗣️ Single POV
🔀 Multiple Timelines
☺️ Slow Burn
🌏 World Travels
📖 Interwoven History
If fantasy and star-crossed lovers are your thing, then you will absolutely want to add this book to your reading list. It was truly a *chef's kiss* read for me, and I am so glad I read it.
______
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