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nebulous07's reviews
297 reviews
The Publicist by Natalie Tambini
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Publicist was thrilling, dark and twisted with an air of mystery and glamour. I recommend reading the nail-biting book The Nail Salon before diving into this one.
DCI Sue Fisher is back and still reeling from the previous case. Her relationship with Mike is becoming static, her son Tom has withdrawn and not himself, and she is driven to find the truth regarding the disappearance of Sam Stevens, a famous actor. Sam's Publicist, Lola, like Sue, is forced to find out what happened with Sam and is keen on keeping up to date with the progress of the investigation. As Sue and Lola's paths cross, things become unexpected and complicated.
Leave it to the author to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is well-done, and the chapters leave you wanting more. Natalie Tambini also tackles multiple issues in this book, such as abuse, anorexia, adoption, abandonment and suicide. My sole contention with this read is that the last 85% of the book was abrupt and rushed. I would have loved it if the author fleshed out the scenes a tad more in line with the underlying suspense beautifully created throughout the book.
Thank you, NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
DCI Sue Fisher is back and still reeling from the previous case. Her relationship with Mike is becoming static, her son Tom has withdrawn and not himself, and she is driven to find the truth regarding the disappearance of Sam Stevens, a famous actor. Sam's Publicist, Lola, like Sue, is forced to find out what happened with Sam and is keen on keeping up to date with the progress of the investigation. As Sue and Lola's paths cross, things become unexpected and complicated.
Leave it to the author to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is well-done, and the chapters leave you wanting more. Natalie Tambini also tackles multiple issues in this book, such as abuse, anorexia, adoption, abandonment and suicide. My sole contention with this read is that the last 85% of the book was abrupt and rushed. I would have loved it if the author fleshed out the scenes a tad more in line with the underlying suspense beautifully created throughout the book.
Thank you, NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit
Judgement by Edie Baylis
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
An epic and thrilling conclusion to the Allegiance series!
Judgement is book five, and Sam Reynold and Seb Stoker are on the brink of getting their happy ending. But leave it to estranged and jealous family members and enemies, throwing one last punch to derail this union. The writing style hooked me from page one, and Edie Baylis does a fantastic job of tying multiple characters together in a high-stake plot. Family and loyalty are the key themes of the gangland romance, and the development between the Reynolds and Stokers is well-written. While this book qualifies as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the previous books to better understand relationships and motives. Overall, I devoured this book in two sittings; the ending was endearing and heartwarming. Readers be warned that some scenes are graphic, which is expected in a gangland thriller.
Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for giving me an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Judgement is book five, and Sam Reynold and Seb Stoker are on the brink of getting their happy ending. But leave it to estranged and jealous family members and enemies, throwing one last punch to derail this union. The writing style hooked me from page one, and Edie Baylis does a fantastic job of tying multiple characters together in a high-stake plot. Family and loyalty are the key themes of the gangland romance, and the development between the Reynolds and Stokers is well-written. While this book qualifies as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the previous books to better understand relationships and motives. Overall, I devoured this book in two sittings; the ending was endearing and heartwarming. Readers be warned that some scenes are graphic, which is expected in a gangland thriller.
Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for giving me an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Sexual assault
Close Enough to Hurt: A Novel by Katherine A. Olson
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
5.0
Katherine A. Olsen's Close Enough to Hurt was captivating, fast-paced, and engaging. The undercurrent of the high stakes and the chemistry between Dylan and Daniel kept me hooked throughout the book. The element of Dylan's unconventional business and her thirst for revenge was explored exceptionally well. I appreciate how the book delves into trauma's lasting impacts and the many ways people cope with it. Dylan and Daniel's slow-burn romance mesmerised me, but their partnership was also an absolute treat to read. I was rooting for them from the beginning, and the ending was well-deserved and heartwarming. Look no further if you're looking for a dark revenge read with a dash of romance and suspense.
Thank you, NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books, for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Thank you, NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books, for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-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
5.0
The Brutal Prince is my first Sophie Lark book, and I devoured it!
The Brutal Prince is the first book of the Brutal Birthright series. I was intrigued by the mix of a mafia romance, a marriage of convenience topped up by the enemies-to-lovers element. The author delivered on every single aspect, and as the pages turned, I was rooting for the key leads, Callum and Aida. The protagonists couldn't be more opposite, and their exchanges are fiery, sassy and snarkiness when it comes to steamy scenes....oh my! Sophie doesn't hold back, and the visual art complements the passion and intensity. The evolution of hate to love and the undercurrent of stakes had me engaged throughout, and the ending, while slightly rushed, was heartwarming. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
The Brutal Prince is the first book of the Brutal Birthright series. I was intrigued by the mix of a mafia romance, a marriage of convenience topped up by the enemies-to-lovers element. The author delivered on every single aspect, and as the pages turned, I was rooting for the key leads, Callum and Aida. The protagonists couldn't be more opposite, and their exchanges are fiery, sassy and snarkiness when it comes to steamy scenes....oh my! Sophie doesn't hold back, and the visual art complements the passion and intensity. The evolution of hate to love and the undercurrent of stakes had me engaged throughout, and the ending, while slightly rushed, was heartwarming. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
The Love Proposal by Camilla Isley
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
The Love Proposal was a cute, romantic and feel-good read. I wondered how the author provided a redemptive arc for Summer, given her past and her decisions, but as the pages turned, I grew fond of her. Camilla Isley does a beautiful job of shedding light on the protagonist's vulnerability, and slowly but surely, I was rooting for Summer to get her happy ending. Archie was one of my favourite characters, and I was curious to see how he would get over his allergy to commitment and settling down. Summer and Archie complement one another exceptionally well, and their banter, flirting, and steaminess are well-presented. It was wonderful to be reunited with the previous characters of the series, and I know I will miss them immensely! I loved the refreshing take on happily ever after, and the epilogue tugged my heartstrings. I cannot wait to read more books from this author!
Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for inviting me to this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for inviting me to this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
You Can Die by Rebecca Zanetti
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
You Can Die is the third book of the Laurel Snow series, and I feel I made a mistake of not reading books one and two (it is on my TBR). It qualifies as a stand-alone, as Zanetti gives you enough breadcrumbs to connect the dots. One of the biggest wins for this book is how concise and clean the writing is. Rebecca Zanetti and her team have done a fantastic job of four murder cases with a common link. As a character, Laurel Snow is intriguing, brave and committed to her job as an FBI agent and being with Huck Rivers. The moments of vulnerability and romance between the key protagonists are passionate and well-written. The cat-and-mouse game between Laurel and Abigail (her step-sister) hooked me. In terms of the element of whodunit? I could connect the dots almost at the halfway mark. But how the puzzle pieces came together kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending was endearing, and I can't wait for the next book. Till then, I'm backtracking to books one and two. If you wish to understand the characters comprehensively, I strongly suggest following the order of the series.
Thank you, NetGalley & Kensington Books, for giving me this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Thank you, NetGalley & Kensington Books, for giving me this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
The Anniversary by Stephanie Bishop
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Anniversary is intriguing, complex and overwhelming.
I'll start with overwhelming. The writing style took me ages to get into as I needed to revise my expectations (more centred around the mystery and circumstances that led to Patrick (J.B's husband) disappearing. For the first 50%, I felt like a headless chook trying to decipher if it was J.B. or Lucie (the protagonist's personal name), as the lines between fiction and non-fiction are blurred. However, the emotional response of numbness, wanting to escape and dissociativeness shone through.
When I hit the 60% mark, the book had my full attention as it was intriguing and complex. However, I've realised that this book is targeted at readers who appreciate the art of writing and love unreliable narration. I would advise readers to adjust their expectations as this story is about a woman spiralling about her choices and decisions before the anniversary cruise. In conclusion, it is a well-written psychological thriller with a hit-and-miss in keeping the readers wholly engaged.
Thank you, NetGalley & Grove Atlantic, for providing this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
I'll start with overwhelming. The writing style took me ages to get into as I needed to revise my expectations (more centred around the mystery and circumstances that led to Patrick (J.B's husband) disappearing. For the first 50%, I felt like a headless chook trying to decipher if it was J.B. or Lucie (the protagonist's personal name), as the lines between fiction and non-fiction are blurred. However, the emotional response of numbness, wanting to escape and dissociativeness shone through.
When I hit the 60% mark, the book had my full attention as it was intriguing and complex. However, I've realised that this book is targeted at readers who appreciate the art of writing and love unreliable narration. I would advise readers to adjust their expectations as this story is about a woman spiralling about her choices and decisions before the anniversary cruise. In conclusion, it is a well-written psychological thriller with a hit-and-miss in keeping the readers wholly engaged.
Thank you, NetGalley & Grove Atlantic, for providing this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi is thought-provoking, unnerving and surprising.
It follows the journey of Anisa, a Pakistani immigrant based in London who feels something is missing in her life. Her values oscillate time and again. We begin the book by reading about Anisa as a girlfriend to Adam, a talented linguist. When Adam speaks better Urdu than Anisa, she compels him to reveal the secret of him being so advanced in a language within a few weeks. Fast forward to The Centre, an immersive, holistic and secretive school that makes Anisa feel weird and unsettled despite the excellent food.
The mysterious working of the place is all revealed with continuous encounters with the school's manager. I appreciated the rabbit hole the protagonist goes through in figuring out this relationship. I must admit the reveal was completely unexpected and jaw-dropping. The suspense and horror elements are etched throughout the pages, and Siddiqi's narration is well executed. The protagonist is relatable and etched in contradictions, fiercely self-absorbed and selfless, contemplating the working of the class system while standing to benefit from the existing structure. However, the ending was too vague, and I yearned for something more tangible.
If you're looking for something mysterious to read, pick this book up on 11th July.
Thank you, NetGalley & Zando Projects, and Gillian Flynn Books, for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
It follows the journey of Anisa, a Pakistani immigrant based in London who feels something is missing in her life. Her values oscillate time and again. We begin the book by reading about Anisa as a girlfriend to Adam, a talented linguist. When Adam speaks better Urdu than Anisa, she compels him to reveal the secret of him being so advanced in a language within a few weeks. Fast forward to The Centre, an immersive, holistic and secretive school that makes Anisa feel weird and unsettled despite the excellent food.
The mysterious working of the place is all revealed with continuous encounters with the school's manager. I appreciated the rabbit hole the protagonist goes through in figuring out this relationship. I must admit the reveal was completely unexpected and jaw-dropping. The suspense and horror elements are etched throughout the pages, and Siddiqi's narration is well executed. The protagonist is relatable and etched in contradictions, fiercely self-absorbed and selfless, contemplating the working of the class system while standing to benefit from the existing structure. However, the ending was too vague, and I yearned for something more tangible.
If you're looking for something mysterious to read, pick this book up on 11th July.
Thank you, NetGalley & Zando Projects, and Gillian Flynn Books, for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Was It Good For You? by Kathryn Freeman
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Was It Good For You? is delightful, blanket-hugging and endearing. Sophie excels with her spreadsheets, each tab monitoring different aspects of her life. When she is set up with Dr Michael, who appears dishevelled and distracted on their first date, she scores him a 2/10. An accidental send to all contacts means everyone has access to her spreadsheet. After coming to gripes and acing accountability, Sophie reaches out to Michael, who counters that he can prove the ineffectiveness of quantitative measures with ten dates.
One of the biggest wins of this book is its reliability. Technology surely helps us become more productive and effective, but does it fully enable us to discover the power of time, connection and taking in our environment? At first, I was reserved with Sophie but with every page; she grew on her. Her character growth and development were simply remarkable as she holds space for Michael's views, to truly digest his words and try something new. Dr Michael Adams is one of my favourite protagonists of 2023. He was a quiet and humble man who challenged Sophie's synonyms of quiet (timid, aloof and distant) with a dry sense of humour and his wisdom made my heart soar. The progression of their relationship was delightful and magical. Though it appeared repetitive, Sophie not letting go of her spreadsheet and Michael's insecurities show the power of words and how old habits truly die hard. The supporting characters, be it Sophie's city friends and the seniors, were wonderful additions.
Do not skip this book if you're looking for a gradual romance etched with wisdom, vulnerability and challenging your comfort zone.
Thank you, NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
One of the biggest wins of this book is its reliability. Technology surely helps us become more productive and effective, but does it fully enable us to discover the power of time, connection and taking in our environment? At first, I was reserved with Sophie but with every page; she grew on her. Her character growth and development were simply remarkable as she holds space for Michael's views, to truly digest his words and try something new. Dr Michael Adams is one of my favourite protagonists of 2023. He was a quiet and humble man who challenged Sophie's synonyms of quiet (timid, aloof and distant) with a dry sense of humour and his wisdom made my heart soar. The progression of their relationship was delightful and magical. Though it appeared repetitive, Sophie not letting go of her spreadsheet and Michael's insecurities show the power of words and how old habits truly die hard. The supporting characters, be it Sophie's city friends and the seniors, were wonderful additions.
Do not skip this book if you're looking for a gradual romance etched with wisdom, vulnerability and challenging your comfort zone.
Thank you, NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
The Love Quest by Camilla Isley
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.0
A cute, quick read with the right amount of adventure, romance and banter!
This is my first Camilla Isley book, and I devoured it in three hours. We meet Winter Knowles, a talented photographer who is one of the crew members of Dr Logan Spencer's expedition to discover a lost city of gold in Thailand. Talk about a horrible first impression; the protagonists despise and vex one another. Until the depths of the jungle bring them closer with nail-biting action and fighting for survival. While this is a fast-paced read, Camilla's storytelling is well-paced. Seeing the characters grow organically was terrific; the dialogues and references were refreshing, and the ending clicked well. The love scenes (fade to black) provide a dash of passion, and the supporting characters complement the plot. I can't wait to read book three, where it's Summer's turn to find her happy ending.
Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for the invitation to review this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
This is my first Camilla Isley book, and I devoured it in three hours. We meet Winter Knowles, a talented photographer who is one of the crew members of Dr Logan Spencer's expedition to discover a lost city of gold in Thailand. Talk about a horrible first impression; the protagonists despise and vex one another. Until the depths of the jungle bring them closer with nail-biting action and fighting for survival. While this is a fast-paced read, Camilla's storytelling is well-paced. Seeing the characters grow organically was terrific; the dialogues and references were refreshing, and the ending clicked well. The love scenes (fade to black) provide a dash of passion, and the supporting characters complement the plot. I can't wait to read book three, where it's Summer's turn to find her happy ending.
Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for the invitation to review this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.