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jkjoy_books's reviews
1615 reviews
My Perfect Marriage by A.J. Campbell
5.0
I have just finished an exhilarating rollercoaster of a novel that left my pulse racing. “How Can I Trust You?” surrounds married couple and business partners Ashley and Danny. While attending a friend’s daughter’s birthday party, a murder occurs, setting off a multi-layered mystery. As the plot unfurled, I found myself drawn in to solve the case alongside protagonist Ashley. This thriller truly delivers with its endless twists and turns. Just when I believed I uncovered the truth, the author introduced yet another unexpected twist. “How Can I Trust You?” is a superbly crafted page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the very last page. I highly recommend it if you enjoy a good page-turner.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn
3.5
Blackburn’s latest novel offers a very promising backdrop of intrigue and romance. Landry is an appealing protagonist who finds refuge behind the resort’s gates as she rebuilds her life. Her budding relationship with Cal allows both of the characters to open their hearts after their past hurts. However, the plot falters several times. The suspicious fire that destroys Landry’s pottery workshop fails to deliver on the anticipated danger, leaving the source of the threat ambiguous. Cal’s hesitation to embrace a new relationship, while understandable, leads to a tepid romantic tension. Although Blackburn skillfully weaves together the strands of small-town charm, second chances, and mystery, but never quite fully delivers the depth that would mimic the described idealized setting of Gossamer Falls. Readers who appreciate romance with a slight touch of suspense will find this a very pleasant diversion.
I want to thank Revell and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
I want to thank Revell and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Nowhere to Hide by Keri Beevis
5.0
This thriller had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! Callie’s whirlwind romance with the handsome Duncan quickly turns into a nightmare when his charming exterior hides a dangerously controlling man. The build-up of tension as Callie realizes she needs to escape is excruciating. Just when she thinks she has found a safe hiding place, the suspense ramps up even further, making me wonder if Duncan has tracked her down or if the danger is coming from someone else. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the very last page.
This fast-paced psychological thriller sucks you in and doesn’t let go. With a compelling lead character and a villain that made my skin crawl, this book hits all the marks for an exceptional read. A must for any thriller fan or reader who likes stories with strong female protagonists. Keri’s books improve with every book she writes. In my opinion, this is the best of all she has done so far. This one should be on top of your TBR pile! I highly recommend reading it. Five big stars!
Thank you to Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
My Dark Self by Jessica Huntley
5.0
Jessica Huntley’s My Dark Self portrays a captivating first-person narrative of Josslyn, a 28-year-old introvert living upstairs in the veterinary she owns. Josslyn has a voice inside her head named Alicia who although seems like any other everyday person on the face of it, is very deadly. As the story develops, it becomes obvious that Alicia is a psychopath to take over Josslyn’s body and life.
What is to come is a psychological battle between Josslyn and Alicia, and Josslyn’s attempts to find out more about this inner demon. This dark, very entertaining thriller is brought to life by the complex lead and supporting characters and keeps the complex concept very grounded. On its way to a spectacular end, the chilling, violent scenes of my Dark Self are offset by the lighter moments. Thriller lovers will be hooked by this high-velocity thriller. I rate this a solid 5 on 5 stars.
Thank you to the author and Booksirens for allowing me to read and review this book.
Replaced by Nolon King, Nolon King, Lauren Street
4.0
This thriller got me hooked right from the first page. Though the suspense was moderate, the plot developed interestingly and I even became an armchair detective, trying to guess who had taken over the role of Jessica. I feel that there should have been more thrills and suspense during the journey to build up the tension. Further, I would have wished for the character-building to have gone a little bit deeper. However, the book was an easy and fast read with an interesting angle of a girl trying to be somebody else. In terms of improvement, I would recommend penetrating deeper into the atmosphere of suspense and elaborating more on the secondary characters. Nevertheless, I was impressed by the story.
Thank you to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Listen, Do You Want to Know a Secret: A Swinging Sixties Mystery by Teresa Trent, Teresa Trent
4.0
In “Listen, Do You Want to Know a Secret” Dot has a new job at the KDUD Radio station, her boss Holden Ramsey, is a terrible flirt, but he’s also engaged to a beautiful socialite. When Dot finds out he’s hiding involvements with other women, these secrets lead to a grisly murder.
I enjoyed Trent’s second book in the Swinging Sixties Mystery series “If I Had A Hammer”. I loved going back to the ’60s again, Trent completely immerses you within that era of history. I was very much impressed by the writing and the characters of this story. The reader will find a lot of mayhem and murder to keep themselves amused throughout, plus a little bit of amateur sleuthing and mystery-solving. This was an interesting and yet fascinating read, hence, I would recommend it to all mystery lovers!
Thank you to Partners In Crime Book Tours, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
The Mistress by Valerie Keogh
5.0
The Mistress is a psychological thriller that follows Hannah Parker, a very manipulative woman who makes it her life’s mission to pursue the married men and break up their families. After her latest husband discovers her duplicitous nature, Hannah sets her sights on Mark Shepherd, an old flame who is now very happily married with children.
Keogh does an excellent job capturing the calculating mindset and rationalizations of a very destructive narcissist. Hannah feels fully entitled to steal other women’s husbands, lying and scheming without any remorse. She is superficial, vain, and also lacks empathy, seeing the people around her as objects to acquire and then control.
The book is very gripping as Hannah intricately plans how she will insert herself into Mark’s life, trying to make him fall for her again. She is so convinced of her own charm and the weakness of the men that she believes with some effort, she can make any man leave his wife. It’s chilling to see the ease with which she breaks the many boundaries, spins the falsehoods, and tears the people’s lives apart.
The Mistress explores the provocative territory around the temptation, infidelity, and the complex psychology that drives the other woman. Hannah has depth as an unlikable, even sociopathic character, showcasing the ability some have to rationalize the harmful behavior. While despicable, she makes for a very fascinating character study. Fans of Gone Girl and also other domestic suspense stories with alarming antiheroines will swiftly turn the pages. Keogh delivers a tense, immersive portrayal of the obsession and homewrecking.
Keogh does an excellent job capturing the calculating mindset and rationalizations of a very destructive narcissist. Hannah feels fully entitled to steal other women’s husbands, lying and scheming without any remorse. She is superficial, vain, and also lacks empathy, seeing the people around her as objects to acquire and then control.
The book is very gripping as Hannah intricately plans how she will insert herself into Mark’s life, trying to make him fall for her again. She is so convinced of her own charm and the weakness of the men that she believes with some effort, she can make any man leave his wife. It’s chilling to see the ease with which she breaks the many boundaries, spins the falsehoods, and tears the people’s lives apart.
The Mistress explores the provocative territory around the temptation, infidelity, and the complex psychology that drives the other woman. Hannah has depth as an unlikable, even sociopathic character, showcasing the ability some have to rationalize the harmful behavior. While despicable, she makes for a very fascinating character study. Fans of Gone Girl and also other domestic suspense stories with alarming antiheroines will swiftly turn the pages. Keogh delivers a tense, immersive portrayal of the obsession and homewrecking.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
The Other Wife by Danielle Ramsay
4.0
The pain which the leading character is supposed to suffer from is what makes the story catchy and fascinating. I saw the development of the plot quite soon, however, the author has managed to amaze me, and I liked the story. The reader is blinded by obscurity. The cliffhanger was awesome and I was indeed on the edge of my seat. I read the whole book in no time. This book will sit well on the shelf of those who love the similar, though captivating mysteries.
Thank you to Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.