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noellesmagicallibrary's reviews
269 reviews
She Left by Stacie Grey
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A homemade bomb explodes under a cabin killing 5 teenagers. The case is easy to solve — a classmate had a motive and a rather suspicious hobby.
Now it’s 20 years later. The only survivor of that night is invited to a secluded rental house by a reporter. She meets 9 other people who all have a connection to the victims. Apparently, there’s been some doubt about who was the killer and the possibility of an accomplice. Is the person behind the murder in the house right now?
Well done! The locked-room aspect worked well and the answer to the mystery wasn’t obvious. The narrator is easy to listen to, even at 1.75 speed —I was able to finish in 2 sittings.
Two little negatives:
There are a lot of characters to keep track off and that was a little difficult in the beginning. And, I’m not a big fan of an FBI main character. It needs to be done really really well. Our MC is OK, not spectacular.
Now it’s 20 years later. The only survivor of that night is invited to a secluded rental house by a reporter. She meets 9 other people who all have a connection to the victims. Apparently, there’s been some doubt about who was the killer and the possibility of an accomplice. Is the person behind the murder in the house right now?
Well done! The locked-room aspect worked well and the answer to the mystery wasn’t obvious. The narrator is easy to listen to, even at 1.75 speed —I was able to finish in 2 sittings.
Two little negatives:
There are a lot of characters to keep track off and that was a little difficult in the beginning. And, I’m not a big fan of an FBI main character. It needs to be done really really well. Our MC is OK, not spectacular.
Evil Eye by Etaf Rum
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I loved A Women Is No Man so much that I was a little worried Evil Eye wouldn’t be as great. It’s amazing.
Etaf Rumi is a magnificent writer— one of my favorites. This book deals with depression and divorce. The story is heavy but it’s hopeful. I love how she writes her female characters and the presence of Palestinian culture.
Etaf Rumi is a magnificent writer— one of my favorites. This book deals with depression and divorce. The story is heavy but it’s hopeful. I love how she writes her female characters and the presence of Palestinian culture.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Book 1: The Crucible by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Robert Hack
dark
medium-paced
5.0
What a departure from the Sabrina I grew up with. I loved The Chilling Adventures— it’s dark and wonderful.
Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m not digging it.
I’m not in love with Lincoln or Violet which makes it difficult to listen to them. Unfortunately I think a lot of my dislike is because of the narrator 😣 The cringey lines might be more tolerable if I read them in my own voice.
I typically love books with witches and magic so it makes me really sad that I don’t like this one. Better off to DNF and start something new than keep pushing on for the next 3ish hours.
I’m not in love with Lincoln or Violet which makes it difficult to listen to them. Unfortunately I think a lot of my dislike is because of the narrator 😣 The cringey lines might be more tolerable if I read them in my own voice.
I typically love books with witches and magic so it makes me really sad that I don’t like this one. Better off to DNF and start something new than keep pushing on for the next 3ish hours.
A Thousand Sunsets by Kayla Martin
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I do not usually like to read romance books yet I am in love with this book. What an incredible debut!
Kayla Martin made my stone-cold, millennial heart sing. (cue Julie Styles as Kat Stratford dancing on a table). I need to read more about the Murphy family.
This is a story about finding the right person at the wrong time. Who here hasn't dreamed about finding your dream person while on a family vacation?
On this year's Murphy family vacation to the Thousand Islands, the cousins meet a new life guard Zach and Sidney falls hard. To be fair, so does Zach. This will be a short-lived romance though. Sidney is only on vacation for a week and then she's moving across country.
I think I will forever be obsessed with Zach and Sidney.
He is a life guard who dreams of opening an Italian restaurant in honor of his late mother.
She is a recent collage grad who is about to live on her own for the first time. This summer she is invoking "Cali Sidney" -- meaning she'll be more adventurous. You know, like skinny dipping with the hot life guard.
So if you're looking for a sweet and spicy summer romance that will give you all the big family vacation nostalgia feels... then A Thousand Sunsets is for you!
What to expect (from the author herself)
✨Vacation romance
✨ Bi main characters
✨ Dual POV
✨ Cinnamon roll MMC
✨ Shy bookworm FMC
✨ Right person, Wrong time
✨ Meddling family members
✨ Last names as nicknames
Kayla Martin made my stone-cold, millennial heart sing. (cue Julie Styles as Kat Stratford dancing on a table). I need to read more about the Murphy family.
This is a story about finding the right person at the wrong time. Who here hasn't dreamed about finding your dream person while on a family vacation?
On this year's Murphy family vacation to the Thousand Islands, the cousins meet a new life guard Zach and Sidney falls hard. To be fair, so does Zach. This will be a short-lived romance though. Sidney is only on vacation for a week and then she's moving across country.
I think I will forever be obsessed with Zach and Sidney.
He is a life guard who dreams of opening an Italian restaurant in honor of his late mother.
She is a recent collage grad who is about to live on her own for the first time. This summer she is invoking "Cali Sidney" -- meaning she'll be more adventurous. You know, like skinny dipping with the hot life guard.
So if you're looking for a sweet and spicy summer romance that will give you all the big family vacation nostalgia feels... then A Thousand Sunsets is for you!
What to expect (from the author herself)
✨Vacation romance
✨ Bi main characters
✨ Dual POV
✨ Cinnamon roll MMC
✨ Shy bookworm FMC
✨ Right person, Wrong time
✨ Meddling family members
✨ Last names as nicknames
Crave by Maria Llovet
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
A dark (and erotic) commentary on the negative side of social media. A new app called Crave mysteriously appears on everyone’s phone at this particular college. You tell Crave something you desire and if it’s feasible, Crave gives you instructions on how to achieve it.
Basically everyone on that campus is horny as hell because they are all hooking up. Honestly, some of the sex scenes were a little bit extra— I think this just isn’t my type of graphic. I don’t usually go for a story like this but the premise sounded interesting.
Basically everyone on that campus is horny as hell because they are all hooking up. Honestly, some of the sex scenes were a little bit extra— I think this just isn’t my type of graphic. I don’t usually go for a story like this but the premise sounded interesting.
Where Monsters Lie by Kyle Starks
4.5
Delightfully disturbing. This is dark but fun. Definitely going to read more in the series.
I don’t think I read the synopsis before hand, the cover and title piqued my curiosity. There’s basically a small village where serial killers live together in between their killing sprees. I wish these first few issues were longer — I wanted to see more of Richard and Daniel Dawson.
I’m shocked I didn’t pick up on Connor’s girlfriend being the daughter of that serial killer. It seems like an obvious set up in hindsight but I guess I wasn’t giving that story line too much attention
I don’t think I read the synopsis before hand, the cover and title piqued my curiosity. There’s basically a small village where serial killers live together in between their killing sprees. I wish these first few issues were longer — I wanted to see more of Richard and Daniel Dawson.
Phoenix Rising: Initiation: The Trybrid Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Nagy
3.0
A younger me would have probably really liked this book, but 35 year old me isn't as sure. It reminds me of The Mortal Instruments series (which I also liked when I first read it over 15 years ago but probably wouldn't love as much today). There's a lot, I mean A LOT, going on in this story. So many different characters, it was difficult to keep it all straight in the beginning. Then add in regeneration, past lives, soul mates, guardian angels, faeries, technological war. Like I said, it's a lot.
My biggest problem, the one that made me go "oh nooo", was the multiple mentions of Cassandra getting "summer ready" and avoiding carbs. No. No thank you. We don't need any one thinking they need to avoid eating a brownie to look hot in a swim suit.
My biggest problem, the one that made me go "oh nooo", was the multiple mentions of Cassandra getting "summer ready" and avoiding carbs. No. No thank you. We don't need any one thinking they need to avoid eating a brownie to look hot in a swim suit.
The Pram by Joe Hill
dark
fast-paced
4.0
The Pram focuses on life after a miscarriage. Willy has a lot of resentment about the loss of his child but he's been holding those emotions in. After moving to a new home he discovers a bridle path in the woods that leads to the local store. It's along this path, while pushing a rusty old pram full of groceries, that he releases all of his negative emotions.
Now he's hearing a baby crying. His baby.
Not one of my favorite of his novellas but still a hit. It got really creepy a few times, especially at the very end. The fact that the Willy (the dad) is the main character, instead of the woman/mom, makes the story a little more interesting.
Now he's hearing a baby crying. His baby.
Not one of my favorite of his novellas but still a hit. It got really creepy a few times, especially at the very end. The fact that the Willy (the dad) is the main character, instead of the woman/mom, makes the story a little more interesting.
November 9 by Colleen Hoover
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I know a lot of people love her book but Colleen Hoover is just not for me.
At the surface, it's a fun concept and I like following these two characters over the years. But I feel like I'm reading a ridiculous soap opera with characters who have equally ridiculous names. Fallon? no. Not the name I would pick for my female protagonist.
At the surface, it's a fun concept and I like following these two characters over the years. But I feel like I'm reading a ridiculous soap opera with characters who have equally ridiculous names. Fallon? no. Not the name I would pick for my female protagonist.