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kelsiandherbookshelf's reviews
280 reviews
Summer Rental by Rektok Ross
Rektok Ross, author of SKI WEEKEND, is back at it again with another YA thriller! Her second novel, SUMMER RENTAL, is perfectly described as a ‘Mean Girls meets Scream, heart pounding thriller’.
“This was supposed to be the party weekend of our lives … instead we are trapped on an island in the middle of a hurricane … three of our best friends are missing and someone is dead”.
I was first introduced to Rektok Ross when I read SKI WEEKEND and was so excited when I saw SUMMER RENTAL! Both of these books are great reads; I especially enjoy reading Rektok Ross’ YA characters; just as in SKI WEEKEND, the high school friend group in SUMMER RENTAL is diverse and they each have relatable family backgrounds, regardless of the age of the reader.
Man v. Nature is one of my favorite themes for thrillers. Rektok Ross explored a snow storm in SKI WEEKEND and a hurricane in SUMMER RENTAL. Each of these nature elements create an added layer of opposition among the characters. Man v. Nature further develops the plot and the reader is both invested in the character storylines AND the aftermath of the storm- - - SUMMER RENTAL’s hurricane is not the only deadly force on the island!
5.0
Rektok Ross, author of SKI WEEKEND, is back at it again with another YA thriller! Her second novel, SUMMER RENTAL, is perfectly described as a ‘Mean Girls meets Scream, heart pounding thriller’.
“This was supposed to be the party weekend of our lives … instead we are trapped on an island in the middle of a hurricane … three of our best friends are missing and someone is dead”.
I was first introduced to Rektok Ross when I read SKI WEEKEND and was so excited when I saw SUMMER RENTAL! Both of these books are great reads; I especially enjoy reading Rektok Ross’ YA characters; just as in SKI WEEKEND, the high school friend group in SUMMER RENTAL is diverse and they each have relatable family backgrounds, regardless of the age of the reader.
Man v. Nature is one of my favorite themes for thrillers. Rektok Ross explored a snow storm in SKI WEEKEND and a hurricane in SUMMER RENTAL. Each of these nature elements create an added layer of opposition among the characters. Man v. Nature further develops the plot and the reader is both invested in the character storylines AND the aftermath of the storm- - - SUMMER RENTAL’s hurricane is not the only deadly force on the island!
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
4.0
I love when I read a thriller and am so sure I have it all figured out just to be terribly wrong by the end! If you like red herrings and unpredictable endings, this one is for you!
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
5.0
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a love song for Black History, the Black Renaissance, Black entrepreneurship, and the Black family. This captivating and layered romance novel by Tia Williams narrates a spell bound love between Ricki Wilde and Ezra Walker during a mystical February leap year; their paths even cross with Tia’s beloved Eva Mercy and Shane Hall!
This ode to sacrifice is a five star read and is the epitome of true love.
This ode to sacrifice is a five star read and is the epitome of true love.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
5.0
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a love song for Black History, the Black Renaissance, Black entrepreneurship, and the Black family. This captivating and layered romance novel by Tia Williams narrates a spell bound love between Ricki Wilde and Ezra Walker during a mystical February leap year; their paths even cross with Tia’s beloved Eva Mercy and Shane Hall!
This ode to sacrifice is a five star read and is the epitome of true love.
This ode to sacrifice is a five star read and is the epitome of true love.
People to Follow by Olivia Worley
5.0
A true thriller!
Olivia Worley wove socially conscious and relevant themes of influencers culture, feminism, and financial privilege into this storyline without distracting from the thriller nature of this novel. Each character and chapter revealed more and more secrets adding layers to the mystery, keeping the reader invested and guessing! The end was sarcastically satisfying and allows the reader to grapple with their own idea of justice and fairness
Olivia Worley wove socially conscious and relevant themes of influencers culture, feminism, and financial privilege into this storyline without distracting from the thriller nature of this novel. Each character and chapter revealed more and more secrets adding layers to the mystery, keeping the reader invested and guessing! The end was sarcastically satisfying and allows the reader to grapple with their own idea of justice and fairness
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
5.0
There are trigger warnings for abuse/ domestic violence and rape in this book.
When I first selected this book to read on audible, based on the cover, I was expecting a light and steamy romance. There is definitely steam but Long Shot is far from a light read. There are extremely heavy topics and Kennedy Ryan writes with such an emotional intensity that I felt I was right there with the characters; I felt Iris’s unimaginable pain, Caleb’s uncontrollable rage, and August’s deep longing for reciprocated love. The raw depiction of Iris and Caleb’s relationship shed such an important light on the many stigmas surrounding domestic violence - - - child custody, financial manipulation, and fear of death. This aspect of the story was informative and very well written.
There were also moments of levity; I enjoyed reading Iris as a sports fanatic- seeing women in that profession also dismantled stereotypes and the incorporation and homage to Louisiana and voodoo culture tied in perfectly to the plot.
The chemistry between Iris and August was a steamy emotional rollercoaster and the bonus extended epilogue was the perfect ending!
When I first selected this book to read on audible, based on the cover, I was expecting a light and steamy romance. There is definitely steam but Long Shot is far from a light read. There are extremely heavy topics and Kennedy Ryan writes with such an emotional intensity that I felt I was right there with the characters; I felt Iris’s unimaginable pain, Caleb’s uncontrollable rage, and August’s deep longing for reciprocated love. The raw depiction of Iris and Caleb’s relationship shed such an important light on the many stigmas surrounding domestic violence - - - child custody, financial manipulation, and fear of death. This aspect of the story was informative and very well written.
There were also moments of levity; I enjoyed reading Iris as a sports fanatic- seeing women in that profession also dismantled stereotypes and the incorporation and homage to Louisiana and voodoo culture tied in perfectly to the plot.
The chemistry between Iris and August was a steamy emotional rollercoaster and the bonus extended epilogue was the perfect ending!
Shadows and Whispers by K.C. Mills
5.0
I absolutely love when I read a book that is unique; with so many books available, it’s hard to read a book that doesn’t have similar characters you haven’t already met before or storylines that aren’t parallel to the many books that are already on your bookshelf! Shadows and Whispers is truly unique; modern Black aristocratic families practicing arranged marriages is definitely a storyline I haven’t read but am so glad I did. I especially appreciate the sensitivity with mental health, therapy, and medication.
If you would like a modern escape into a society of elite and wealthy Black families, who have secrets bigger than their bank accounts, this 5 star read is for you!
If you would like a modern escape into a society of elite and wealthy Black families, who have secrets bigger than their bank accounts, this 5 star read is for you!