kayrenee521's reviews
69 reviews

A Pity Party Is Still a Party: A Feel-Good Guide to Feeling Bad by Chelsea Harvey Garner
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.

I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell

mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.5

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

challenging dark inspiring sad 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? Yes

5.0

Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara

emotional mysterious sad medium-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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Bitter is the Heart by Mina Hardy

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Abortion and Death of parent

The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

dark emotional mysterious tense 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

8 year old Bella lives with her mommy and daddo  and they are her world. She however also has “other mommy “ an entity that lives in her closet and asks Bella every day if she can go into her heart. When her parents realize other mommy isn’t an imaginary friend and is in fact a real threat to their daughter they must take action to protect her. 
Pros: This book is very atmospheric and I like how it tackles the challenges of motherhood, especially when you’re not sure you’re doing a good job. It was a fast easy read. 
Cons: Bella is suppose to be 8, but she comes across as a much younger child ( maybe 5). The entire book is from her point of view and although that’s a novelty that works with some books I think this one could have benefited from alternative chapters from her mom Ursula. The style of writing was also very off. Every other sentence was mommy said or daddo said. I also felt the ending was very rushed and honestly confusing. I’m still not sure what happened. This is a solid 3 star, interesting but nothing terribly special. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the E galley. #netgalley #incidentsaroundthehouse #othermommy

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship

Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch by Emily C. Hughes

funny informative medium-paced

4.0

A Very Nervous Person's Guide to Horror Movies by Mathias Clasen

funny informative medium-paced

3.5

Definitely not a very nervous person by this book’s definition as I’ve watched plenty of horror movies since  childhood both alone and in a group. Still this was an entertaining and engaging read that delves into the many reasons someone might be apprehensive about horror films. 

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

emotional mysterious 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

3.0

10-year-old Ethan’s life is changed forever when his neighbor and best friend Billy is taking from their tent during a backyard sleepover. 30 years later Ethan is back in his childhood home and strange things are happening in the neighborhood. Is whoever took Billy back? What do the neighbors know? and why does Ethan keep having the same nightmare about that night?

What I liked: I loved the supporting characters, especially Henry the current 10 year-old neighbor, who is a little strange and prefers his books to most people. I also liked how I didn’t see the ending coming at one point in the book it seemed like anyone in the neighborhood could be a suspect.

What I didn’t like: the supernatural elements seemed silly and far-fetched to me. They seem to exist only  as red herrings against what actually happened. I’m not sure what the point of the Hawthorne in Institute was supposed to be except to be a spooky place for children to explore.

That being said this is still a solid mystery from Riley Sager. Not his absolute best work but a fun weekend read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for review..