designsbymeghen's reviews
244 reviews

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

3.0

I can’t help but laugh at the way Hoover writes these characters. Specifically for the women, it’s like what turns them on most are when men do the absolute bare minimum in making them feel safe and loved. And while that may sound like I’m making fun of it, I found myself nodding along in agreement half the time 😅 the other half of the time I was rolling my eyes. Atlas is fantastic. This almost reads like a fantasy novel in how smoothly running each of their businesses is. Overall, I’m glad I read this one. I feel like I have the proper closure after reading, It Ends with Us. 

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir

2.0

I started off thinking, I’m reading about a hypochondriac. Then it got good creepy. Then I hated the ending. The cats 😿

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

5.0

I absolutely loved this book; I can’t believe I haven’t read it before. I cried multiple times throughout this story because there are so many thoughtful, heartbreaking moments. Charlie is the kind of emotional character you can’t help but fall in love with. There are so many relationships in this story that I love. This story is a “must-read” for anyone, especially young people. There are so many tough topics talked about in this book that feel approachable because it’s written innocently from the eyes of a young person: depression, relationships, suicide, trauma, emotional intelligence, sexual assault, and on and on. 

Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra

3.0

Talk about a psychological thriller! This is the most “in your head” book I’ve read all year. Trusting yourself can be challenging, especially when everyone around you tells you you’re wrong. I recommend reading this late at night when you’re home alone for extra spookiness. 

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

3.0

This is honestly such a remarkable tale. The odds of this family surviving the holocaust is astronomical. I had a little trouble keeping straight who was related to who and how, but at the end of the day it didn’t affect the storytelling a whole lot. The audiobook was very well done. I’m so envious of Addy’s ability to learn new languages. 

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

3.5

The beginning almost made me not want to continue because the characters felt very superficial. But I’m glad I stuck with it. After reading the author’s note at the end, I was surprised to find this story was based on her mother’s real-life experiences. It’s honestly such a necessary story that explores the depth and complications of many relationships. It’s never an easy choice to leave someone you love, even when they are abusive. But at the end of the day, your safety should be your number one priority. On a lighter note > Oh to have two hot, successful men pining over you. 

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

3.5

Foley definitely appears to have great disdain for entitled rich people, lol, but don’t we all? I really enjoyed the setting of this story: small-town folk in a beautiful wild landscape. The element of dark folklore added a suspenseful level of mystery. There were quite a few twisty elements to the overall character development. 

Sundial by Catriona Ward

4.0

Ward has a mind for creepy, twisty writing and I mean that in the best way possible. This story is mostly full of heartache and the terrifying things that can happen when children are exposed to too much trauma. It brings up a lot of anxiety about raising children and how easy it can be to mess them up. 

The Ascent by Ronald Malfi

2.5

Took a bit for me to get into this one. I almost DNF but I didn’t have anything else lined up lol. Eventually the pace picked up and I was transported to a beautiful and scary ice world. I just kept thinking, how did no one here bring a camera? Accidents. Tension. Peacocking. Pretty much what you would expect with a story full of male characters. 

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

4.0

I couldn’t put this one down. Slaughter has a way of truly tormenting her characters and getting under your skin. I really loved both of the sister’s characters in this story. They’re complicated, tormented, and badasses. Slaughter is able to write the same scene from two characters perspectives away that reveals so much empathy and unexpected. The pace slowed a little for me at the end, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book.