manicmoodreaderr's Reviews (150)

The Fragility of Light: A Young Woman's Descent into Madness and Fight for Recovery

Heather S. Lonczak

2.0

dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Attached At The Hip

Christine Riccio

4.0

adventurous challenging funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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: Yes

Listen for the Lie

Amy Tintera

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad 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

Real Life and Other Fictions

Susan Coll

4.0

adventurous challenging funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

When She Was Me: A Novel

Marlee Bush

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

Thank you to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Marlee Bush for the complementary copy of this book! All opinions are truthful and my own!

Easily 5 stars.

Let me start out by saying that I was absolutely absorbed into this book. It was so intriguing from the very beginning that I literally only put it down when I was forced to.

Twin sisters Cassie and Lenora are living in a cabin in the middle of nowhere after fleeing from a traumatic night. The entire book, you’re left to imagine what happened that night with only bits and pieces of knowledge about what actually happened. After their campsite fell under new management, a family stayed in the cabin next to theirs. Their teenage daughter, Tilly, came up missing. Two days later, her body was found. Lenora, who has had some pretty severe anxiety since the previously mentioned traumatic event, struggles to piece together what is real and what she’s imagining. Cassie, who is less together than she seems, is struggling with thoughts about her sister and what she’s capable of.

Throughout the book, there are chapters that flash back in time giving you an interesting perspective into a past you won’t expect. As the suspense drags you to the edge of your chair, the ending really slaps you in the face (in the best way possible).

I did not see the plot twists of this book coming, truly. I was convinced I knew who the killer was immediately, but boy was I wrong.

This is my first five star read of the year and I truly cannot wait to see what else Marlee Bush writes and publishes. Her way of storytelling is exciting, fresh and extremely engaging. She’s definitely on my list of authors to watch for!!