kendall_reads8's reviews
1378 reviews

The Bench: A Parable About Life, Death, and Beyond by Francesca Flood, Francesca Flood

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

Read this book, it's amazing.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was my second try to listen to this book.  This time I got through it but that child's voice was too much for me.  I would have enjoyed it more without the child.

That being said, I did enjoy the creepiness of the story.  It was a bit twisted but aren't all good horror books?  My favorite character was Daddo.  It was easy to see his love for his daughter and I really liked how he talked to her like a small human and not a child.

The ending I was not expecting, I actually never saw it coming.  Overall this was a fun listen.  Perfect for spooky season.

Second Chance Killer by Bradley Cornish

challenging tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I knew this was a faith based thriller going in so that didn't surprise me but just how long and repetitive it was did.  It started out strong and had me hooked, then about halfway or so it lost me.  There was way too much going on and it got confusing.  I managed to finish it and I am glad it had a happy ending.  Damon seemed like a nice guy.  My rating is for the story and all the formatting mess did not factor in at all though it did make the book harder to read.  Maybe I will look for the audiobook and give it a chance.

Thank you netgalley for giving me a copy of the book.  This is my honest voluntary review.

Transcending Darkness: A Girl's Journey Out of the Holocaust by Estelle Glaser Laughlin

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

Estelle is a Holocaust survivor and this is her story.  She was just a small girl when her family was taken to the camps.  In her story she tells all, good, bad and very, very ugly.  This book touched my heart in so many ways.  Reading what loving parents sacrifice to keep their child alive.  There were many times it was hard to listen to and yes, it did make me cry.  I will never be able to wrap my head around the cruelty and pure hate shown to others just because of religion, color, whatever.  These Nazi's were monsters!  Yet through it all a little girl endures and becomes a survivor.  Estelle also teaches us what real forgiveness looks like.  Absolutely wonderful read that must be read.

Thank you to the author and BookSprout for this audiobook to read and give my honest review.

The Forest Witch by Colleen Delaney

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.5

The Forest Witch is short and very sweet!  I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  

Cate and John are adorable and I was smiling through the whole book.  It was steamy but in a very tasteful way.  I wish there was a bit more backstory on the characters and more explanation of soulmates.  You know, the hows and why's but that didn't take away from the story at all.  I am just curious.  The texts from their family members made me chuckle.  

My favorite line in the book is when Cate and John were walking through the forest on a well used trail and she thought "It was like a love letter to the woods, written by the feet that carried enamored eyes and swelling hearts." That really touched me.  

If you want a short, sweet, tastefully steamy read, definitely pick up The Forest Witch.  

Thank you to the author and BookSprout for allowing me to read and give my honest review.

Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin

adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride!  Mr. Margolin is one of my favorite authors and reading this book reminds me why.  Full of twists and turns that keep you guessing.  The characters are so relatable and down to earth, quirky, nasty and everything in between.  Of course Guido was my favorite, I always root for the underdog and how can I not love a character that thinks he is a reincarnation of a long dead artist?  I hope to see lawyer Charlie and his partner in future books.  Thank you to the publisher who gave me a copy of the book via netgalley.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Murder

The Haunted House of Hillman: by Frank F. Weber, Frank F. Weber

4.0

This is my first book by Mr. Weber, certainly won't be my last!  I am a true crime addict so of course this pulled me right in since it is based on a real case.  This book shows us just how unraveled people can be.  The story is told in alternating points of view, another of my favorite things.  The characters are easy to relate to, well, not the killer, but everyone else.  Overall this is a well written, well developed suspense  story that keeps you guessing, has a twinge of creepy and was a nice way to escape for awhile.  Thank you to the author and BookSirens for a free copy to read in exchange for an honest review. 

Through the Mist by Lindsay Jayne Ashford

3.0

Hmmm, this was an interesting read. I didn't love it and I didn't detest it. I found it slow moving in the beginning. I kept reading hoping it would get better but for me it was just okay. I did enjoy the atmosphere of the book. I could close my eyes and picture myself there. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of the book to review.

The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters by Susan Page

3.0

I found this book interesting yet a bit long winded.  I have always admitted Ms. Walters, I sure learned so much more about her, not all wonderful but that's part of being human.  This is a woman who fought her way to the top yet never let herself enjoy it.  Much of the book made me sad, sometimes mad, but a good read.