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csmoke85's reviews
197 reviews
Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a wonderful magical read! Loved the journey the characters took me on, the haunted shop, and forbidden romance.
A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group | Ballantine, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The main characters in this book, Fox and Haze, meet under odd circumstances and find they both serials killers with all the best intentions. They fall deep in love, and have a baby named Bibi. Now they struggle giving up the old life, or has it been given up?
This book has interesting twist and turns, coupled with related real world experiences. The one I find most relatable is Haze’s experience with mom life and feeling mom guilt. The story really dives into what it feels like to become a parent, and lose the loss of autonomy you might of once felt. Also, how hard it can be to find a friend as adult. All of this while the Fox and Haze struggle with their need to fill the blood lust they had that fueled the chemistry in their marriage. I couldn’t predict the end, but it was well written and enjoyable. This was a wonderful read, and I would recommend this book to others.
The main characters in this book, Fox and Haze, meet under odd circumstances and find they both serials killers with all the best intentions. They fall deep in love, and have a baby named Bibi. Now they struggle giving up the old life, or has it been given up?
This book has interesting twist and turns, coupled with related real world experiences. The one I find most relatable is Haze’s experience with mom life and feeling mom guilt. The story really dives into what it feels like to become a parent, and lose the loss of autonomy you might of once felt. Also, how hard it can be to find a friend as adult. All of this while the Fox and Haze struggle with their need to fill the blood lust they had that fueled the chemistry in their marriage. I couldn’t predict the end, but it was well written and enjoyable. This was a wonderful read, and I would recommend this book to others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, and Murder
Burn the Negative by Josh Winning
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Such a good short read! Ali Hazelwood has captivated me since I read Bride last read, a done it again with this story. Can’t wait to read more from her this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.0
A touching memoir about Strayed’s loss of her mother in law. This story left me thinking about the losses I have had in my life and about how if I will spend will final days. Particularly, how many pairs of pants will I own? Will I own more than 100 pairs like her mother law?
Wonderful short read to start my 2025 reading.
Wonderful short read to start my 2025 reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Excellent dark read with lots of twist and turns. I can’t always get into detective like stories but I loved this one. Highly entertaining and I looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Mirror Me by Lisa Williamson Rosenberg
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
mysterious
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
5.0
A big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen this book.
WOW! This book was phenomenal.
A quick recap how the story starts. Author Grady Green is waiting for his wife to return home. He is about to find out if he is a NY Times bestseller. On her drive home to meet him, she finds a person lying in the road, and things go wrong from here.
This story had lots of twists of and turns. It was enjoyable to follow, and not confusing, but had me on my toes wanting to know what happens next. A great plot, and ending. This is one of best thriller/suspense books I have read in quite some time, definitely a must read!!!
WOW! This book was phenomenal.
A quick recap how the story starts. Author Grady Green is waiting for his wife to return home. He is about to find out if he is a NY Times bestseller. On her drive home to meet him, she finds a person lying in the road, and things go wrong from here.
This story had lots of twists of and turns. It was enjoyable to follow, and not confusing, but had me on my toes wanting to know what happens next. A great plot, and ending. This is one of best thriller/suspense books I have read in quite some time, definitely a must read!!!
Bestial Mouths by Brenda S. Tolian
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I would like to thank NetGalley, RDS Publishing and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the opportunity to read this book.
Through the poetry in this book, I felt like I was in the roots of this magical, raw, feminine charged existence. Beautifully written and often moving. The author does well to take us through a journey in these primordial almost tribalistic words of verse. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend to other fellow poetry lovers.
Through the poetry in this book, I felt like I was in the roots of this magical, raw, feminine charged existence. Beautifully written and often moving. The author does well to take us through a journey in these primordial almost tribalistic words of verse. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend to other fellow poetry lovers.
The Wickedest by Caleb Femi
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrah, Straus, Giroux Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
It took me a bit to get into the writing style in this book. I wasn’t really sure what The Wickedest was an underground scene or an upper class club? Maybe it’s a bit of both? Still, plenty of highlight worthy writing and flow in this book. I could this as being incredible read out loud as the writers thoughts and feelings really come through in this read. You can tell the author was passionate about the scene that The Wickedest invoked in themselves and others around them. This was an enjoyable read, and I like how the book was formatted.
It took me a bit to get into the writing style in this book. I wasn’t really sure what The Wickedest was an underground scene or an upper class club? Maybe it’s a bit of both? Still, plenty of highlight worthy writing and flow in this book. I could this as being incredible read out loud as the writers thoughts and feelings really come through in this read. You can tell the author was passionate about the scene that The Wickedest invoked in themselves and others around them. This was an enjoyable read, and I like how the book was formatted.