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lielaaa's reviews
68 reviews
Salem's Cipher, Volume 1 by Jess Lourey
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC! #SalemsCipher #NetGalley
I would have to say that Jess Lourey is becoming a new favorite author of mine! I really enjoyed her book The Quarry Girls. When it came to Salem's Cipher, it fell a bit flat!
I found the plot's notion to be appealing. It seems to have the potential to be rather fascinating. It seems a little unrealistic. You may like the conspiracy idea if you can put aside your doubts and embrace it.
My issue is that although the execution was well-intentioned, it fell short. The novel had short chapters and a fast pace, but the narrative line took precedence over character development. In my opinion, there was a lack of character development. I really enjoyed the theme of the story but it was just too drawn out!
I would have to say that Jess Lourey is becoming a new favorite author of mine! I really enjoyed her book The Quarry Girls. When it came to Salem's Cipher, it fell a bit flat!
I found the plot's notion to be appealing. It seems to have the potential to be rather fascinating. It seems a little unrealistic. You may like the conspiracy idea if you can put aside your doubts and embrace it.
My issue is that although the execution was well-intentioned, it fell short. The novel had short chapters and a fast pace, but the narrative line took precedence over character development. In my opinion, there was a lack of character development. I really enjoyed the theme of the story but it was just too drawn out!
Dear Hanna by Zoje Stage
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC of #DearHanna #Netgalley
I recently read Babyteeth and shortly after Zoje Stage announced a sequel of the book Dear Hanna!! I applied for this so fast lol. Unfortunately, I was expecting more!! Hanna has matured a lot more since our last visit with her in Babytheeth. She is now a fully grown adult in her 20's. When BabyTeeth ended she was placed in an in-patient facility where she received a lot of support and developed personally. The storyline wasn't what I was hoping for! I was waiting for her to push boundaries and take a few more steps to the dark side lol. I was expecting complete mayhem but it never materialized. This book is great but it could have been better knowing what Hanna did in BabyTeeth!
I recently read Babyteeth and shortly after Zoje Stage announced a sequel of the book Dear Hanna!! I applied for this so fast lol. Unfortunately, I was expecting more!! Hanna has matured a lot more since our last visit with her in Babytheeth. She is now a fully grown adult in her 20's. When BabyTeeth ended she was placed in an in-patient facility where she received a lot of support and developed personally. The storyline wasn't what I was hoping for! I was waiting for her to push boundaries and take a few more steps to the dark side lol. I was expecting complete mayhem but it never materialized. This book is great but it could have been better knowing what Hanna did in BabyTeeth!
I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! #netgalley #ineedyoutoreadthis
This thriller was a little sluggish at first but overall, I thought it was really fulfilling! I was guessing right up to the very end of this entertaining and fascinating book!
Alex's relocation to NYC was supposed to be a new beginning and a fresh start. However, she is confined to a uninteresting career as a pharmaceutical copywriter. When she comes upon an opening for a writer to take over the well-known Dear Constance column, everything changes. However, there is a sinister reason why they require a replacement. Francis Keene, the original author of the column, was slain at her beach house when she was by herself. The murder remains unsolved and has shocked Francis's whole fan base.
On a whim, Alex chooses to apply, and before she realizes it, she gets the job. Alex soon finds her secret lifestyle exposed, and she starts getting threatening messages. Her focus is on figuring out who killed Francis and who is writing these messages. Can Alex survive to tell the tale?
What I liked:
It was such a suspenseful read! I was not prepared for what transpired. Attempting to put things together sparked my curiosity quite a few times.
- The way it was written! I adore this author's style and the way they construct a narrative. The idea of an assistance column struck me as a novel approach to the thriller subgenre.
Overall this was 4/5 stars and was a great read!
This thriller was a little sluggish at first but overall, I thought it was really fulfilling! I was guessing right up to the very end of this entertaining and fascinating book!
Alex's relocation to NYC was supposed to be a new beginning and a fresh start. However, she is confined to a uninteresting career as a pharmaceutical copywriter. When she comes upon an opening for a writer to take over the well-known Dear Constance column, everything changes. However, there is a sinister reason why they require a replacement. Francis Keene, the original author of the column, was slain at her beach house when she was by herself. The murder remains unsolved and has shocked Francis's whole fan base.
On a whim, Alex chooses to apply, and before she realizes it, she gets the job. Alex soon finds her secret lifestyle exposed, and she starts getting threatening messages. Her focus is on figuring out who killed Francis and who is writing these messages. Can Alex survive to tell the tale?
What I liked:
It was such a suspenseful read! I was not prepared for what transpired. Attempting to put things together sparked my curiosity quite a few times.
- The way it was written! I adore this author's style and the way they construct a narrative. The idea of an assistance column struck me as a novel approach to the thriller subgenre.
Overall this was 4/5 stars and was a great read!
Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this ARC! #NetGalley #Likemotherlikedaughter
The bond between Cleo and her mother Kat is not entirely healthy. Cleo has been making an effort to set herself apart from Kat, who is overprotective and controlling. However, Cleo goes above and beyond to discover what happened to her mother once Kat vanishes.
Relationships and how things aren't always as they appear are topics covered in this book. Although I was completely engrossed in Kat's story throughout, I felt that the conclusion was a little disappointing. This book is wonderful if you appreciate whodunit mysteries.
The bond between Cleo and her mother Kat is not entirely healthy. Cleo has been making an effort to set herself apart from Kat, who is overprotective and controlling. However, Cleo goes above and beyond to discover what happened to her mother once Kat vanishes.
Relationships and how things aren't always as they appear are topics covered in this book. Although I was completely engrossed in Kat's story throughout, I felt that the conclusion was a little disappointing. This book is wonderful if you appreciate whodunit mysteries.
Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley & Dynamite Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
I'm a few days late but this book was SO GOOD! It was released on 3/22/24! If you love abduction stories, this one is for you!
This book is fantastic! I read this book in one sitting since it had so many heart-pounding and nail-biting moments.
The storyline was amazing and believable and the plot was well-paced throughout the book.
Miley came off as realistic and not overly dramatic in her attempts to flee and bide her time. Given how much I like this book, I give it 4 stars because the conclusion left me wanting more! Not to give anything away, but it was dull. I was anticipating more drama towards the end. However, I must give our MC credit for what she accomplished; after reading it, you'll understand what I mean!
I'm a few days late but this book was SO GOOD! It was released on 3/22/24! If you love abduction stories, this one is for you!
This book is fantastic! I read this book in one sitting since it had so many heart-pounding and nail-biting moments.
The storyline was amazing and believable and the plot was well-paced throughout the book.
Miley came off as realistic and not overly dramatic in her attempts to flee and bide her time. Given how much I like this book, I give it 4 stars because the conclusion left me wanting more! Not to give anything away, but it was dull. I was anticipating more drama towards the end. However, I must give our MC credit for what she accomplished; after reading it, you'll understand what I mean!
Imaginary Strangers by Minka Kent
4.0
Thank you to #NetGalley and #Thomas&Mercer for the advanced digital copy to read and review! #imaginarystrangers
This is my first book from this author and it won't be my last! The apprehension about what could happen next, and the urge to know every agonizing detail are all well balanced in this book Imaginary Strangers.
The protagonist, Camille, is a sociopath and has many secrets of her past. It was interesting to read a character that is not normal. I felt every part of her troubled history as a reader since it seemed to be seething beneath the surface and affecting her present. It never turned off, which maintained the suspense in this intricate and intensely dramatic tale. I couldn't put this book down! If there is a second book, I'm all for it!
This is my first book from this author and it won't be my last! The apprehension about what could happen next, and the urge to know every agonizing detail are all well balanced in this book Imaginary Strangers.
The protagonist, Camille, is a sociopath and has many secrets of her past. It was interesting to read a character that is not normal. I felt every part of her troubled history as a reader since it seemed to be seething beneath the surface and affecting her present. It never turned off, which maintained the suspense in this intricate and intensely dramatic tale. I couldn't put this book down! If there is a second book, I'm all for it!