Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ernareads's reviews
80 reviews
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Wasn't in the right mood
The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-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
4.75
You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
What a pathetic ending. It got me all worked up but the ending suck. I should have DNF it the first time when I felt the plot flat.
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Kidnapping
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve somewhat low expectations for this book. It was one of those books going around on booktok, and I’ve been disappointed a couple of times by some of the recommendations. Anyway, it obviously blew my mind, I would say it is one of my favorite books of this year? First of all, it was pretty graphic in the middle. Do read the trigger warnings before diving in. I've tried my best to identify the right triggers... so do check.
The characters are well written, well for me at least. The manipulations at play were really well written. The way Paul isolated Claire away from her family members. The way Paul was always in control at every step. Domestic abuse is usually tied to physical abuse. However here we can see that despite Claire being ‘well treated’ by her husband, she was indeed in a domestic abuse relationship. She wasn’t abused physically, she was abused psychologically and emotionally.
Also, we can also see how it affects the victim’s family members. The aftermath of the case, the devastation, the breakdown of relationships. One of the parents became obsessed with the case, the other one tried to ‘move on’. People grieve differently, and marriages break because of that. Sam was obsessed with his daughter’s disappearance, Helen on the other hand, still grieving for her, but had to move ahead in order to take care of her other living daughters: Lydia and Claire.
Probably 50% into the books, it got too graphic. I just skimmed through it, but it was rather interesting how Paul was also involved in abusing the victims. I wonder how he got involved. How did he first start committing these gruesome crimes? Did his father introduce him to these crimes? I will probably read this book again to better understand Paul’s involvement. The history between Paul and his father was briefly mentioned, and I really think it would be great to further elaborate their relationship. As for Paul’s mother, she was innocent. She was in fact looking for Julia during one of the searches for Julia’s disappearance. [Paul’s father was a psychopath and obviously a sadistic person. Was Paul being introduced to these violents and became like his father, or was he born a psychopath?]
As the chapters come to an end, we can see how Claire managed to piece the puzzles together. Claire was written as a frail woman, someone who depended on others. In order to uncover the truth, she had to go out of her comfort zone and dig into her husband’s private life. For once in her life, she had to think for herself, and she had to take action on her own. For a while, all these decisions are made for her by her husband. Another red flag in her marriage.
In conclusion, the book was well written: the plot, the twists at the end, and the characters.
Also, we can also see how it affects the victim’s family members. The aftermath of the case, the devastation, the breakdown of relationships. One of the parents became obsessed with the case, the other one tried to ‘move on’. People grieve differently, and marriages break because of that. Sam was obsessed with his daughter’s disappearance, Helen on the other hand, still grieving for her, but had to move ahead in order to take care of her other living daughters: Lydia and Claire.
Probably 50% into the books, it got too graphic. I just skimmed through it, but it was rather interesting how Paul was also involved in abusing the victims. I wonder how he got involved. How did he first start committing these gruesome crimes? Did his father introduce him to these crimes? I will probably read this book again to better understand Paul’s involvement. The history between Paul and his father was briefly mentioned, and I really think it would be great to further elaborate their relationship. As for Paul’s mother, she was innocent. She was in fact looking for Julia during one of the searches for Julia’s disappearance. [Paul’s father was a psychopath and obviously a sadistic person. Was Paul being introduced to these violents and became like his father, or was he born a psychopath?]
As the chapters come to an end, we can see how Claire managed to piece the puzzles together. Claire was written as a frail woman, someone who depended on others. In order to uncover the truth, she had to go out of her comfort zone and dig into her husband’s private life. For once in her life, she had to think for herself, and she had to take action on her own. For a while, all these decisions are made for her by her husband. Another red flag in her marriage.
In conclusion, the book was well written: the plot, the twists at the end, and the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder
The Caller by Chris Carter
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Totally enjoyed reading this. The plot was unexpected. I've listed down the potential suspects, but damn, it wasn't any of them. Yeap, it was someone that didn't cross my mind, not even once.
Something that I would like to point out, despite being a series, you can start off with any book in the series. I started off with 'An Evil Mind' and I had no trouble following the plot. Why? Because there will always be a brief mention about Hunter's background as well as Gracia & other main characters.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book because of Mr. J's POV. Mr. J wasn't someone who I expected. His POVs were my favourite 😅
Something that I would like to point out, despite being a series, you can start off with any book in the series. I started off with 'An Evil Mind' and I had no trouble following the plot. Why? Because there will always be a brief mention about Hunter's background as well as Gracia & other main characters.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book because of Mr. J's POV. Mr. J wasn't someone who I expected. His POVs were my favourite 😅
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Giving off the fluffy, cozy vibes 💕.
For a certain extent, I could relate to Takako and her uncle. I'm in my late 20s and I'm lost. I've yet to find where I truly belong, and that is scary and depressing at the same time. Books like these gave me comfort and warm. Such a great read and quick too! I finished it in one sitting 🌸
For a certain extent, I could relate to Takako and her uncle. I'm in my late 20s and I'm lost. I've yet to find where I truly belong, and that is scary and depressing at the same time. Books like these gave me comfort and warm. Such a great read and quick too! I finished it in one sitting 🌸
I Am Death by Chris Carter
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Where do I start? Damn, this book top the other books that I have read by Chris Carter. It was such a tense and heartbreaking read. And damn, I didn't saw the twist coming.
Oh God, squirm. I was so upset and angry for him. I understood why he ended up as his captor in the end, but the girls... Alison... didn't deserved that. She ran from her abusive father to being killed. Reading squire's POV really broke my heart to pieces.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder