grettypop's reviews
669 reviews

Pines by Blake Crouch

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I mean.... anxiety in a book. At no point did I see where this story was going. I couldn't tell what was real, who was where, what year it was... All of it was just a giant mindfuck. And I've loved every second of it!

Blake Crouch has a fucked up mind, but it is brilliant. This book had me angry, scared, confused, giddy.. And finally, when all was revealed, I was shook. 

Fantastic start to a promising series! 

Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense fast-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

4.0

This book is best consumed as a physical book, where you can mark up all the pages and really take notes/guess on who, what, where how. This book had twists I didn't see coming, and I honestly read it in two sittings. Loved the way the story was told, through 6 episodes and other email/text correspondence in between.
Great read, would definitely recommend if you like a good whodunit.

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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? Yes

5.0

I absolutely adored this book. Kennedy Ryan never misses, but this was probably my favorite book by her thus far.

Romance, but make the fmc her own love interest. And yes, there is a male lead in there, but this isn't about him. This story is about self-love, healing, getting through a really tough time, and learning to make the most of what you have.

I laughed, cried, giggled, and screamed through this book. No one makes you feel in your feels quite like Kennedy Ryan! 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

4.0

My 3rd time re-reading this, this time in kindle format. This book still holds up and gives me the same excitement as it did before.

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

slow-paced

2.0

I liked the premise of the book, but it left me feeling very underwhelmed. We never dive into what really happened with Dave. It's hinted at, but never get any details. The motivations and storyline felt very predictable. I guessed who the killer was pretty early on (because there were only like 8 characters total). And this book was very clearly written by a man for men. The female characters were extremely simple and two-dimensional.

Overall, I didn't feel like this needed to be as long as it was for the amount of plot that happened.

Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

medium-paced

3.0

A good read, but not great by any means. Guessed the person behind it all halfway through the novel, and the storyline felt very predictable. If we're discussing addiction, loss, etc, I would've liked a deeper dive into it. Also one of the FMCs had a daughter who was mentioned for 2 lines only.... Not sure what the purpose was there?

It's a good read for one, but very forgettable.

House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard

adventurous challenging funny mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

Nico is my new favorite book boyfriend.... The love... The tension!! How obsessed he is with her... He is reminding me of Will Herondale (and that might just be because this feels like a period piece).

I loved the story, I loved the characters.

My only critique is the secondary characters don't get much "air time", and we don't really get to know them. So if/when something happens to them, it's not as impactful. I would've loved more time with the rest of the crew, but it might be remedied as the series goes on.

The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

medium-paced

2.75

2.75 stars

I enjoyed the premise of the book, but the execution was poor. If we're going to delve into the mental issues and psyche behind a serial killer and a victim, I would've liked an actual thorough, deep dive. You also get a one or two page POV from his previous victims.... but that's all the details that are given.

I would've liked more clarity. What was his motivation? What triggered the start? Why? How did he pick his victims? And many more questions I would spoil the book with. 

It was a quick, easy read. Just 300 pages. But I would've preferred an extra 100 pages in there with more details.

Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence by Kristen R. Ghodsee

4.0

Final Girls by Riley Sager

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0