jeannette_r's reviews
65 reviews

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

adventurous 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? N/A

4.0

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Thriller readers, this one is for you. Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson needs to move on up your TBR, yesterday.

Poe Webb hosts a podcast where she invites people to confess their crimes to her, anonymously or not. Criminals practically line up for the chance to share their story, which is why Poe has structured a certain set of rules and a soft vetting process for her guests, but it doesn't stop one guest from causing Poe to rethink the events of her own dark past. 

The way Wilson structures the story will keep you entrapped in the pages until the very end. I loved this book and now I can't wait to get my hands on more from Carter Wilson! 

I received this ARC from Books Are Awesome!, Parker, CO. Official release date is January 14th, 2025.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder

Minor: Gun violence, Alcohol

Reckless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

*possible spoilers* 

Don't get me wrong, I love a good enemies-to-lovers or in this series' case (so far) lovers-to-enemies-back-to-lovers 🤔 but I felt this second book wasn't as good as the first. The first had a lot more action and this one didn't progress the storyline much (at least not as much as you would expect). I still thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm very much looking forward to the third, especially with THAT ending ... Like whyyy?!? 

The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.0

The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz is a modern day thriller about a woman who struggles to convince the public that her famous husband is a dangerous threat to the lives of their newborn twins. 

Despite a rather slow start, the story picks up 1/3 of way in, however, parts of the storyline were rushed and other parts were undeveloped. I did find myself rooting for Dawn in the last half after rolling my eyes at some of her actions and reading the story from Wyatt's perspective. 

I think the book was too short to have 5 parts and would instead benefit from a prologue and epilogue. As a fan of thrillers, I personally enjoy the ones that have a capturing prologue - I think a version of chapter 24 would make for a great prologue. 
The final chapter, chapter 26, would have been a good epilogue.

I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who is looking for an "on the edge of your seat" thriller, but I also wouldn't say it was a bad read. 

I received this ARC from Books Are Awesome!, Parker, CO. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Blood

Powerful by Lauren Roberts

emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.0

This novellas about Adena was so cute! I enjoyed her story 

The Dare by Natasha Preston

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

*SPOILERS* 

It took me a couple chapters to get into this book but I was quickly invested and then found myself rooting for Marley. The ending got me though...I was NOT expecting that and tbh, I'm kind of mad about it. I guess the romance in me really wanted to see her with Rhett. He became a favorite and then the author just pulled the rug out from under me 😂 
I'm looking forward to another book by Natasha Preston. 

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous challenging emotional funny sad medium-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? N/A

4.0

Nightbane by Alex Aster

adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

What Did You Do? by Jeneane O'Riley

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25