karessa_proctor's reviews
133 reviews

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

- A mix between lighthearted romcom and introspective women's fiction.
- The main focus is romantic relationships but I really liked how love between family and friends was highlighted and the author made sure to make the reader know they were important. 

- Docking 1 star because I wish that there was more actual romance and Miles was so worried about making the wrong choices but like… literally did… and that was hard to get over even when you find out the full story

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

- LOVED this book. It kept me hooked the entire time because I kept being like “it was him, no it was him, no it was him” and I just needed to get to the bottom of it 
- You get so focused on the main storyline that the other twists leave you shook 
- it’s super fast paced, easy to follow along, and leaves you constantly second guessing 
- The epilogue had me gagged 
- I give it a 4.5/5 because our main character just pissed me off sometimes lol

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

I listened to the audiobook at they did a wonderful job. The background music and sounds added so much to this story. I loved how complex the characters were. You loved them and hated them but you surely wanted to know more. The writing made it really easy to invest in them. The writing also made it easy to invest in the overall plot, you wanted to know what happened next badly. 

I hated that the ending parts (in my opinion) tried to make it seem like Josie’s mother and husband were somehow also victims of Josie. I mean on a literal level yes, she killed him therefore making him a victim but two things can be true at once. Her husband could have been a good father but at the end of the day he cheated on his wife with a mother and then statutorily raped and groomed her daughter. He’s a nasty pedo… period. Josie could have been controlling and cruel but at the end of the day that man was gross and deserved to be in jail. He was the adult and she was the child. I think in some ways this books sets a weird narrative that it’s possible for the child to be at fault. Then her mother was clearly a narcissistic and neglectful person. Josie as an adult was evil and delusional but Josie as a child was a victim. 

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

dark lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.5

- The red herring was red herring. Did not see the twist coming. 
- As always with her books, it’s quick, engaging, and easy to read. 
-Not taking it too seriously makes it more enjoyable. It’s bonkers in a good way. 
- Docking points for a few reason: at times the writing is repetitive, some plot holes/inconsistencies, and I didn’t LOVE the ending like I usually do with her books. 

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

- Enjoyed the fast pacing due to the short chapters 
- Was a bit predictable but it was still entertaining 
- Did not fully feel like thriller but there were moments of suspense 
- As an older sister myself… I get it 

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

funny lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

- I loved this book so much. While I was not expecting it to be THAT kinda book (spice and trauma), it was well written.
- The characters are written with love and care. I found myself getting sad when I reached the last 50 pages because I would no longer have the characters. 
- Their banter was everything 
- I laughed, I cried, I yearned. This book had it all. 
- Putting 4.75 stars here but really it’s a 9.2/10. Docking 0.8 points because the ending felt really rushed and (Spolier) Grant never addressed why he took the job in the first place with her 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Suicide, Suicide attempt

The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

The first half of this book (Part 1) is a lot of building. The latter half (Part 2-4) is the suspenseful typical Freida McFadden read (in a good way). Honestly, I could read 17 more housemaid books but stopping it here feels right. There were around 5 times that I gasped out loud. I only saw one thing coming but the rest… shook. Another easy, exciting, one sitting read. 

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

This girl has never minded her business a day in her life… nevertheless I am glad we got more of Mille’s story! The ending of part 1 had me gagged. It’s another quick thriller that you can finish in one sitting. On its own it’s great but certainly not as good as the first book. While just a few parts to be a bit slow, that’s just in comparison to engaging the vast majority of it is. As a social worker myself, Millie sweetie this might not be the path for you. 

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Eve we were rooting for you! We were all rooting for you how dare you!! This book is a thrilling, easy, quick read full of scandal and shocking moments. You get hooked from the start. Of course the last few pages have a shocking twist about Eve and “Jay”. Taking a small amount of points away for some plot hole reasons and that I hated so many characters for being unlikable. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Physical abuse

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.75

After finishing the book in one sitting… I will certainly be purchasing the other two in the series. This book had me literally on the edge of my seat, gasping, and hooked. I saw  parts of the twist coming but I didn’t know it was going to be THAT crazy. I figured Andrew was just simply too good to be true. 

This book had me asking if the author was mentally well? In the best way… who thinks of things like this? Either way this are and left no crumbs.