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1104 reviews
Fire by John Boyne
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Elements series by John Boyne is a collection of four novellas – Water, Earth, Fire, and Air (Release Date: 1st May 2025) – each representing the four elements found in nature. Fire is #3.
Dr Freya Petrus is a thirty-six-year-old gifted, renowned surgeon specialising in burn victims. She saves lives on a daily basis. But Freya is plagued by the traumatic abuse she suffered the summer she was twelve years old. This is Freya’s story.
I mentioned Earth being dark, but Fire was even more depraved and distressing. Right from the first deeply disturbing line though I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened next and how it ended. This was my favourite instalment of the series as it was the only one I would label a psychological thriller. The twists were mind-blowing. Also, the way it connected to Water and Earth … I’m still reeling!
Just as Evan was introduced in Water, Freya had a small role in Earth. This book doesn’t specify how much time has passed between the previous book and this one, but I estimate three to five years. The only thing that did surprise me is that this character had no connection to the island like Willow and Evan did. Just like the first two books, there was the current timeline, and the past one, in this case, to that fateful summer. In this instalment all the elements were inserted into the writing in subtle, skilful ways.
Be advised that the content warnings listed in spoiler tags below contain major spoilers for this novella, and the series overall. I only include them because the crimes perpetrated in this book will be very triggering for some readers.
Dr Freya Petrus is a thirty-six-year-old gifted, renowned surgeon specialising in burn victims. She saves lives on a daily basis. But Freya is plagued by the traumatic abuse she suffered the summer she was twelve years old. This is Freya’s story.
I mentioned Earth being dark, but Fire was even more depraved and distressing. Right from the first deeply disturbing line though I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened next and how it ended. This was my favourite instalment of the series as it was the only one I would label a psychological thriller. The twists were mind-blowing. Also, the way it connected to Water and Earth … I’m still reeling!
Just as Evan was introduced in Water, Freya had a small role in Earth. This book doesn’t specify how much time has passed between the previous book and this one, but I estimate three to five years. The only thing that did surprise me is that this character had no connection to the island like Willow and Evan did. Just like the first two books, there was the current timeline, and the past one, in this case, to that fateful summer. In this instalment all the elements were inserted into the writing in subtle, skilful ways.
Be advised that the content warnings listed in spoiler tags below contain major spoilers for this novella, and the series overall. I only include them because the crimes perpetrated in this book will be very triggering for some readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, Torture, and Kidnapping
Earth by John Boyne
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Elements series by John Boyne is a collection of four novellas – Water, Earth, Fire, and Air (Release Date: 1st May 2025) – each representing the four elements found in nature. Earth is #2.
It’s the first day of a sensational trial. Famous footballer Evan Keogh stands accused of filming his fellow teammate and friend, Robbie Wolverton, having sex with a teenage girl. They claim it was consensual, she says it wasn’t. This is Evan’s story.
#1 Water contained some dark themes – Earth is progressively darker and bleaker. The prose was John Boyne’s usual high standard – immersive, poetic and lyrical, and I loved the way he utilised earth and water in his writing. The directions the plot took were twists I did not see coming. Evan’s character played a peripheral role in Water. He had grown up on the never-named island Willow (the main character in Water) fled to, located somewhere off the Galway coast of Ireland, and Earth answered some burning questions I had regarding his appearance in the first instalment. Five years have passed since the events of that one, and in the current timeline Evan is twenty-two, with flashbacks to the intervening years, aged 17-22.
Be advised that the content warnings listed below contain major spoilers for this novella, and the series overall. I only include them because the crimes perpetrated in this book will be very triggering for some readers.
It’s the first day of a sensational trial. Famous footballer Evan Keogh stands accused of filming his fellow teammate and friend, Robbie Wolverton, having sex with a teenage girl. They claim it was consensual, she says it wasn’t. This is Evan’s story.
#1 Water contained some dark themes – Earth is progressively darker and bleaker. The prose was John Boyne’s usual high standard – immersive, poetic and lyrical, and I loved the way he utilised earth and water in his writing. The directions the plot took were twists I did not see coming. Evan’s character played a peripheral role in Water. He had grown up on the never-named island Willow (the main character in Water) fled to, located somewhere off the Galway coast of Ireland, and Earth answered some burning questions I had regarding his appearance in the first instalment. Five years have passed since the events of that one, and in the current timeline Evan is twenty-two, with flashbacks to the intervening years, aged 17-22.
Be advised that the content warnings listed below contain major spoilers for this novella, and the series overall. I only include them because the crimes perpetrated in this book will be very triggering for some readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, and Rape
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Mesmerising and Eloquent!
The year is 1958, and it’s Memorial Day in Jewel, Black Earth County when the body of wealthy landowner and farmer, Jimmy Quinn, is found floating in the Alabaster River. His death is the catalyst for a chain of events that the people of Jewel will never forget.
The River We Remember was a character-driven, atmospheric, slow-burn contemporary drama. There were so many powerful, sentimental moments that resonated and evoked an emotional response within me. These compassionate, flawed, wounded characters occupied space in my head and refused to budge. The POV’s featured in this novel were good people who were torn apart inside by adversity, abuse, judgment, and racism all the while hiding crippling emotional pain, traumatic backstories, devastating secrets, and stories of injustice. Each narrator – the sheriff, the retired sheriff and current part-time deputy, the town newsman, a female lawyer, a single mother who runs the local diner, and her fourteen-year-old son – offered varied and distinctive perspectives. The six POV characters were all scarred and impacted by war – some were veteran soldiers and others had lost loved ones.
The mystery sub-plot was very satisfying, and the last 20% was exciting and tense. It also served the purpose of laying bare this town’s extreme inequality and permeating darkness. The man killed was widely loathed in Jewel, but because he was white a lot of the townsfolk still considered him superior to a Dakota Sioux Native American, even though the latter was a peaceful, helpful, contributing, kind-hearted member of the community.
William Kent Krueger is a gifted writer and as always delivered beautiful, tender, and moving prose. I was completely able to visualise Jewel and Black Earth County, and the Alabaster River was a character in itself and enhanced the mood and tone of the novel. The author included very serious subject matter but handled it with grace and sensitivity and used graphic description sparingly. The River We Remember is a haunting yet hopeful story that I have no hesitation in recommending.
The year is 1958, and it’s Memorial Day in Jewel, Black Earth County when the body of wealthy landowner and farmer, Jimmy Quinn, is found floating in the Alabaster River. His death is the catalyst for a chain of events that the people of Jewel will never forget.
The River We Remember was a character-driven, atmospheric, slow-burn contemporary drama. There were so many powerful, sentimental moments that resonated and evoked an emotional response within me. These compassionate, flawed, wounded characters occupied space in my head and refused to budge. The POV’s featured in this novel were good people who were torn apart inside by adversity, abuse, judgment, and racism all the while hiding crippling emotional pain, traumatic backstories, devastating secrets, and stories of injustice. Each narrator – the sheriff, the retired sheriff and current part-time deputy, the town newsman, a female lawyer, a single mother who runs the local diner, and her fourteen-year-old son – offered varied and distinctive perspectives. The six POV characters were all scarred and impacted by war – some were veteran soldiers and others had lost loved ones.
The mystery sub-plot was very satisfying, and the last 20% was exciting and tense. It also served the purpose of laying bare this town’s extreme inequality and permeating darkness. The man killed was widely loathed in Jewel, but because he was white a lot of the townsfolk still considered him superior to a Dakota Sioux Native American, even though the latter was a peaceful, helpful, contributing, kind-hearted member of the community.
William Kent Krueger is a gifted writer and as always delivered beautiful, tender, and moving prose. I was completely able to visualise Jewel and Black Earth County, and the Alabaster River was a character in itself and enhanced the mood and tone of the novel. The author included very serious subject matter but handled it with grace and sensitivity and used graphic description sparingly. The River We Remember is a haunting yet hopeful story that I have no hesitation in recommending.
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
DNF@21% No rating!
Is not included in my reading stats since I didn’t finish.
This one’s very dated (which I normally wouldn’t judge it on) but to the point that some of the dialogue and writing makes no sense. On top of that, it’s very slow. And, there’s already been animal cruelty/death, which again I’d overlook if I was enjoying the story, but I’m not. I still remain a Stephen King fan but based on what I’ve read, this one isn’t his best. Onwards and upwards!
Is not included in my reading stats since I didn’t finish.
This one’s very dated (which I normally wouldn’t judge it on) but to the point that some of the dialogue and writing makes no sense. On top of that, it’s very slow. And, there’s already been animal cruelty/death, which again I’d overlook if I was enjoying the story, but I’m not. I still remain a Stephen King fan but based on what I’ve read, this one isn’t his best. Onwards and upwards!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
Nowhere near as good as I was expecting!
A man wakes from a coma. He has no memory of who he is. He soon realises he’s the sole survivor of a space mission, on board a ship called Hail Mary, positioned in another solar system. As his memories return in fragments, he understands that saving earth rests squarely on his shoulders.
I enjoyed the first 10% but from that point on most of the book dragged. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, there was a good twist at the 83% mark, and the ending was brilliant and emotional. Also, Andy Weircreated a unique and imaginative alien race.
But when does a novel become more non-fiction than fiction? The answer to this question is Project Hail Mary. In-depth math and science were prioritised over the actual story. Pages of textbook-like explanations when a paragraph would have sufficed made for very slow, less exciting, boring reading. It’s a shame because otherwise the writing was excellent – dialogue, thoughts, behaviour, actions – were all spot on.
I have no complaints regarding the audiobook – Ray Porter’sperformance was incredible. He nailed every accent and emotion, his computer voice was awesome, the humour he injected into his reading was delightful, and the sound effects were a clever addition.
I just wish it had of been the five-star read for me that it has been for most everyone else.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Random House UK Cornerstone, and Andy Weir for the e-ARC.
A man wakes from a coma. He has no memory of who he is. He soon realises he’s the sole survivor of a space mission, on board a ship called Hail Mary, positioned in another solar system. As his memories return in fragments, he understands that saving earth rests squarely on his shoulders.
I enjoyed the first 10% but from that point on most of the book dragged. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, there was a good twist at the 83% mark, and the ending was brilliant and emotional. Also, Andy Weircreated a unique and imaginative alien race.
But when does a novel become more non-fiction than fiction? The answer to this question is Project Hail Mary. In-depth math and science were prioritised over the actual story. Pages of textbook-like explanations when a paragraph would have sufficed made for very slow, less exciting, boring reading. It’s a shame because otherwise the writing was excellent – dialogue, thoughts, behaviour, actions – were all spot on.
I have no complaints regarding the audiobook – Ray Porter’sperformance was incredible. He nailed every accent and emotion, his computer voice was awesome, the humour he injected into his reading was delightful, and the sound effects were a clever addition.
I just wish it had of been the five-star read for me that it has been for most everyone else.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Random House UK Cornerstone, and Andy Weir for the e-ARC.
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Five Stars! Six Stars! Ten Stars! Twenty Stars!
It was the tiniest of infractions, the equivalent of a school yard kick, but in this small Florida town in 1950 it was enough to get twelve-year-old Robert Stephens arrested and brought before a racist judge, in a corrupt system. Charged with assaulting the son of a wealthy white planter, Robert is harshly sentenced to spend six months at the Gracetown Boys Reformatory, a ‘school’ rumoured to be so terrible that some boys don’t survive.
The Reformatory was a literary fiction epic masterpiece combining a mix of genres – historical, horror, gothic horror, thriller, paranormal, spiritual – to create a phenomenal, unforgettable, terrifying, hard-hitting, heartbreaking, powerful, fast-paced, race-against-the-clock, magical, compelling, read. The scope of this story, depth of research, and attention to detail was astounding. Tananarive Due expertly crafted immersive setting descriptions, imagery, and sensory detail to fit what the POV character was experiencing at the time. The first 31% of the book took place over a 24-hour period which included ‘the incident’, Robert’s arrest, and his first day at the Reformatory so we got to experience every horrific moment, and injustice alongside him.
The two main narrators were Robert of course, and his seventeen-old-sister Gloria, desperately fighting to free her brother, while unwittingly drawing unwanted attention, and placing her own life in danger. Gloria’s chapters were a reprieve from the horrors within the walls of the Reformatory, even though they were still bleak and harsh. Both characters were resilient, brave, strong, and empathetic. Robert cared about, and wanted to help all the boys, living or dead. I was on the edge of my seat hoping against hope that Robert and Gloria would be reunited by the end and there would be retribution and punishment for the evil characters.
Then there were the Haints, (a Southern expression for ghosts or restless spirits) dead children whose lives were cut short so violently, brutally, and suddenly that their traumatised souls remained trapped in the Reformatory, bound to haunt its rooms and grounds forever, unable to move on. Robert and Gloria were both born with the gift of premonitions and visions, although Gloria tried to suppress/ignore hers. Robert’s unique ability allowed him to communicate with the Haints, making me ache for their situation. Through Robert, the spirits were able to share their memories of who they had been in life, what they had endured, and how they had died, so that someone would remember them.
Even though the Gracetown Boys Reformatory, and the town of Gracetown were fictional, the torture, cruelty, and abuse that was inflicted upon children in real life institutions by soulless evil psychopaths throughout history unfortunately was not. The same applies to the racism, ignorance, simplemindedness, and police brutality that existed in Gracetown.
Listing the many trigger warnings and while completely agreeing that the content of this novel will be too triggering for some readers, at the same time I’m determined not to put people off, as the story of these unforgettable characters is 100% worth your time. The Reformatory is my top read of 2025 so far, will definitely make my top list for this year, and I’ve just added it to my Goodreads profile as one of my favourite reads of all time.
It was the tiniest of infractions, the equivalent of a school yard kick, but in this small Florida town in 1950 it was enough to get twelve-year-old Robert Stephens arrested and brought before a racist judge, in a corrupt system. Charged with assaulting the son of a wealthy white planter, Robert is harshly sentenced to spend six months at the Gracetown Boys Reformatory, a ‘school’ rumoured to be so terrible that some boys don’t survive.
The Reformatory was a literary fiction epic masterpiece combining a mix of genres – historical, horror, gothic horror, thriller, paranormal, spiritual – to create a phenomenal, unforgettable, terrifying, hard-hitting, heartbreaking, powerful, fast-paced, race-against-the-clock, magical, compelling, read. The scope of this story, depth of research, and attention to detail was astounding. Tananarive Due expertly crafted immersive setting descriptions, imagery, and sensory detail to fit what the POV character was experiencing at the time. The first 31% of the book took place over a 24-hour period which included ‘the incident’, Robert’s arrest, and his first day at the Reformatory so we got to experience every horrific moment, and injustice alongside him.
The two main narrators were Robert of course, and his seventeen-old-sister Gloria, desperately fighting to free her brother, while unwittingly drawing unwanted attention, and placing her own life in danger. Gloria’s chapters were a reprieve from the horrors within the walls of the Reformatory, even though they were still bleak and harsh. Both characters were resilient, brave, strong, and empathetic. Robert cared about, and wanted to help all the boys, living or dead. I was on the edge of my seat hoping against hope that Robert and Gloria would be reunited by the end and there would be retribution and punishment for the evil characters.
Then there were the Haints, (a Southern expression for ghosts or restless spirits) dead children whose lives were cut short so violently, brutally, and suddenly that their traumatised souls remained trapped in the Reformatory, bound to haunt its rooms and grounds forever, unable to move on. Robert and Gloria were both born with the gift of premonitions and visions, although Gloria tried to suppress/ignore hers. Robert’s unique ability allowed him to communicate with the Haints, making me ache for their situation. Through Robert, the spirits were able to share their memories of who they had been in life, what they had endured, and how they had died, so that someone would remember them.
Even though the Gracetown Boys Reformatory, and the town of Gracetown were fictional, the torture, cruelty, and abuse that was inflicted upon children in real life institutions by soulless evil psychopaths throughout history unfortunately was not. The same applies to the racism, ignorance, simplemindedness, and police brutality that existed in Gracetown.
Listing the many trigger warnings and while completely agreeing that the content of this novel will be too triggering for some readers, at the same time I’m determined not to put people off, as the story of these unforgettable characters is 100% worth your time. The Reformatory is my top read of 2025 so far, will definitely make my top list for this year, and I’ve just added it to my Goodreads profile as one of my favourite reads of all time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Rape, and Sexual violence
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
4.5.
Josiah and Yasmen Wade were so much in love they thought nothing could ever break their bond. They were wrong!
Because when two separate heartbreaking tragedies struck their family, instead of being able to lean on each other, they were unable to find their way back to one another. It has been a year since their divorce when the novel opens, and both Josiah and Yasmen have made peace with the demise of their relationship, a necessity since they are parents to two children, Deja (13) and Kassim (10) and a dog, Otis, and co-owners of a restaurant, Grits.
But there are still moments between them – sparks of hope. Can Josiah and Yasmen rediscover and rekindle the love they once shared?
Beautifully and poetically written with gorgeous prose, Before I Let Go contained deep themes centred around loss and grief, therapy, forgiveness and healing. Keep those tissues handy because you’re going to need them. A unique second-chance romance involving a divorced couple overcoming pain and relationship mistakes and reconnecting. It was a slow-burn, eventual open-door relationship, and Josiah and Yasmen’s physical attraction was hot and steamy in and out of the bedroom. And their emotional connection was off the charts as well. Other romantic tropes were, destined to be together and forced proximity/sharing a hotel room.
I adored Yasmen’s friends – Hendrix and Soledad – and the sisterly friendship they shared. The author excelled at writing moody teenagers as well. Kids too, I loved Kassim’s sweet, sensitive maturity. And there was also a gorgeous dog. I enjoyed the setting of Skyland – an affluent, trendy, quaint neighbourhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Every character in this book stood out to me. I loved the community spirit, events, small town traditions, and holiday celebrations – Screen on the Green at the park, Food trucks in the square, Thanksgiving dinner at the Grants, and the annual New Years Eve party at Grits. And there were so many descriptions of delicious food – there is even some recipes at the back of the book – yum!
Before I Let Go was the start of a series, and since this book was released in 2022, the second instalment, This Could Be Us, is already out. Yippee! I’ve set my tbr for this month (and so far I’ve been sticking to it) but will definitely add it for February. I’ve perused the book blurb, and it sounds amazing. If you haven’t already, add this contemporary romance series to your bookshelf. You won’t regret it!
Josiah and Yasmen Wade were so much in love they thought nothing could ever break their bond. They were wrong!
Because when two separate heartbreaking tragedies struck their family, instead of being able to lean on each other, they were unable to find their way back to one another. It has been a year since their divorce when the novel opens, and both Josiah and Yasmen have made peace with the demise of their relationship, a necessity since they are parents to two children, Deja (13) and Kassim (10) and a dog, Otis, and co-owners of a restaurant, Grits.
But there are still moments between them – sparks of hope. Can Josiah and Yasmen rediscover and rekindle the love they once shared?
Beautifully and poetically written with gorgeous prose, Before I Let Go contained deep themes centred around loss and grief, therapy, forgiveness and healing. Keep those tissues handy because you’re going to need them. A unique second-chance romance involving a divorced couple overcoming pain and relationship mistakes and reconnecting. It was a slow-burn, eventual open-door relationship, and Josiah and Yasmen’s physical attraction was hot and steamy in and out of the bedroom. And their emotional connection was off the charts as well. Other romantic tropes were, destined to be together and forced proximity/sharing a hotel room.
I adored Yasmen’s friends – Hendrix and Soledad – and the sisterly friendship they shared. The author excelled at writing moody teenagers as well. Kids too, I loved Kassim’s sweet, sensitive maturity. And there was also a gorgeous dog. I enjoyed the setting of Skyland – an affluent, trendy, quaint neighbourhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Every character in this book stood out to me. I loved the community spirit, events, small town traditions, and holiday celebrations – Screen on the Green at the park, Food trucks in the square, Thanksgiving dinner at the Grants, and the annual New Years Eve party at Grits. And there were so many descriptions of delicious food – there is even some recipes at the back of the book – yum!
Before I Let Go was the start of a series, and since this book was released in 2022, the second instalment, This Could Be Us, is already out. Yippee! I’ve set my tbr for this month (and so far I’ve been sticking to it) but will definitely add it for February. I’ve perused the book blurb, and it sounds amazing. If you haven’t already, add this contemporary romance series to your bookshelf. You won’t regret it!
The Perfect Plan by Caitlin Weaver
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.5
This surrogacy was not The Perfect Plan!
And this was not a spoiler, it was abundantly clear in the first few pages. So, we have Fabiola, who is married with three children, and her best friend Liz who is unable to conceive due to medical issues. Liz is married to Peter, Fabiola’s oldest friend since middle school. Fabiola’s more-than-twenty-year infatuation and codependency over Peter is all kinds of icky and wrong, made even worse by the fact that Fabiola’s married to someone else, and her friendship with Liz. It was the ultimate betrayal! No one involved was doing this for the right reasons. Anyway, because Fabiola thinks motherhood is the ultimate, since she enjoyed being pregnant with her own kids, and because she would do anything for Peter, and way down the list of reasons, because she wants to give the gift of a child to her friend Liz, Fabiola offers to be their surrogate. As you can imagine, it’s a train wreck. Red flags all over the place.
This one was fairly predictable, especially if you happened to read the book blurb, which fortunately I didn’t until after I’d finished reading, so please avoid it if you can as it gave so much away. Having said this, there were still some surprising twists that I didn’t foresee. Predictable or not I excitedly anticipated where this was going, was never bored, and was always eager to pick up where I left off. This author is known for writing novels that deal with real-life, relatable social issues, and The Perfect Plan was no exception, there were some heavy and emotional moments. However, I did find this one tended towards family and friendship drama/soap opera, more so than her previous books, and I was 100% here for the deception. Fabiola’s life unraveled fast.
I was in two minds regarding Fabiola. At times she came across as naïve, selfish and self-centred, and her obsession with Peter was very unhealthy. But she was a good mother, she was juggling a lot, she was surrounded by people whose love and supportiveness was inconsistent or withheld, and she was just trying to do the best she could. This one was narrated solely by Fabiola, which again was different to Caitlin Weaver’s other two books which utilised multiple POV’s. I was completely invested in Fabiola’s storyline and predicament, so much so that when Part Two flashed across my screen I was momentarily worried that we were going to shift to another character’s perspective and I didn’t want that, so was relieved when it didn’t. I loved that this one was set in New York, rather than the suburbs – as it offered up a different take on lifestyle, work/home balance, and parenting in the city.
The Perfect Plan was my third read by Caitlin Weaver in the past six months, and I’ve rated them all 4.5 ⭐️. I admire how fast she writes and releases these books – no complaints from me. Caitlin Weaver is now an auto- read/acquire/buy author for me.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Caitlin Weaver for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 15 January 2025.
And this was not a spoiler, it was abundantly clear in the first few pages. So, we have Fabiola, who is married with three children, and her best friend Liz who is unable to conceive due to medical issues. Liz is married to Peter, Fabiola’s oldest friend since middle school. Fabiola’s more-than-twenty-year infatuation and codependency over Peter is all kinds of icky and wrong, made even worse by the fact that Fabiola’s married to someone else, and her friendship with Liz. It was the ultimate betrayal! No one involved was doing this for the right reasons. Anyway, because Fabiola thinks motherhood is the ultimate, since she enjoyed being pregnant with her own kids, and because she would do anything for Peter, and way down the list of reasons, because she wants to give the gift of a child to her friend Liz, Fabiola offers to be their surrogate. As you can imagine, it’s a train wreck. Red flags all over the place.
This one was fairly predictable, especially if you happened to read the book blurb, which fortunately I didn’t until after I’d finished reading, so please avoid it if you can as it gave so much away. Having said this, there were still some surprising twists that I didn’t foresee. Predictable or not I excitedly anticipated where this was going, was never bored, and was always eager to pick up where I left off. This author is known for writing novels that deal with real-life, relatable social issues, and The Perfect Plan was no exception, there were some heavy and emotional moments. However, I did find this one tended towards family and friendship drama/soap opera, more so than her previous books, and I was 100% here for the deception. Fabiola’s life unraveled fast.
I was in two minds regarding Fabiola. At times she came across as naïve, selfish and self-centred, and her obsession with Peter was very unhealthy. But she was a good mother, she was juggling a lot, she was surrounded by people whose love and supportiveness was inconsistent or withheld, and she was just trying to do the best she could. This one was narrated solely by Fabiola, which again was different to Caitlin Weaver’s other two books which utilised multiple POV’s. I was completely invested in Fabiola’s storyline and predicament, so much so that when Part Two flashed across my screen I was momentarily worried that we were going to shift to another character’s perspective and I didn’t want that, so was relieved when it didn’t. I loved that this one was set in New York, rather than the suburbs – as it offered up a different take on lifestyle, work/home balance, and parenting in the city.
The Perfect Plan was my third read by Caitlin Weaver in the past six months, and I’ve rated them all 4.5 ⭐️. I admire how fast she writes and releases these books – no complaints from me. Caitlin Weaver is now an auto- read/acquire/buy author for me.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Caitlin Weaver for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 15 January 2025.
Making A Killing by Cara Hunter
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Rounded Up to 3.5.
Before I proceed, I need to warn you that this review contains major spoilers for the first book in the series, Close to Home, so if you plan to read that one stop reading now! I’m not using spoiler tags since there are no spoilers (teasers only) for this book.
In Making a Killing the seventh instalment of the series, six years has passed since #6 Hope to Die. Which I’ve just realised means that the events of books 1-6 took place over a mere two years. Yikes! No wonder Adam and co. are so traumatised.
Just like the summer of 2016 when eight-year-old Daisy Mason disappeared, the summer of 2024 is a scorcher! Love those parallels.
Deep in the woods of Hescombe a woman walking her dog stumbles upon a grisly discovery. A shallow grave containing the body of a woman – estimated time of death, a few weeks ago. Stuck to the duct tape binding the body is a single hair, soon identified as belonging to Daisy Mason.
But Daisy’s case was closed eight years ago. DI Adam Fawley was the SIO. Yes, Daisy’s body was never found, but the person responsible was convicted based on strong forensic evidence and is currently serving a life sentence. Did they get it wrong?
Could Daisy Mason (who would be sixteen years old now) still be alive?
For those who are worried that they have little recall of the events of Close to Home, because like me they read that one years ago, never fear, you will be able to follow this one just fine. Adam Fawley (now a DCI), and his core team, are some of my favourite characters, and it was great to see them return. And I loved Adam’s six-year-old daughter Lily (who was only a baby in the last book), and their father/daughter relationship. So sweet! The notion of ‘The Shadow Self’, first conceived by psychologist Carl Jung, popularised in recent years by Keila Shaheen’s bestselling self-help book, The Shadow Work Journal, was an effective way of offering a voyeuristic POV of a certain character. I enjoyed the tie-in to Cara Hunter’s standalone novel, Murder in the Family, and the Infamous Netflix series from that book. The title of this one was also genius.
Unfortunately, the novel was a super slow burn, and the crime plot failed to hook me and hold my attention. It took me ages to get into the swing of the investigation, and the pace never really picked up – in fact the second half dragged more than the first. I never resorted to skim reading, but I did keep glancing down at the percentage willing the plot to move faster. Because of this I had a lot of time to think about the mystery and had nearly every twist worked out prior to its reveal. And, with the exception of one that really got me, the remainder I didn’t guess were average. If I’m being honest, I was never sold on the idea of a continuation of the Daisy Mason case, and was surprised to learn that it was something readers were asking for, as I was more than satisfied with the conclusion of Close to Home.
There were CID detectives assigned to the cases in this novel coming out of the woodwork. I counted fifteen, and I think I may have missed some. I know we were dealing with two police teams, hence the influx of characters, and they were all interesting and well fleshed-out, but it was still a lot. There was a handy character summary included by the author at the start, which I appreciated, but it didn’t include the Gloucester characters which would’ve been helpful. I kept losing my concentration trying to nail down which pair of investigators were in each scene. Not to mention that there were plenty of other characters – victims, witnesses, suspects – centred around the crimes to keep track of as well.
I love Cara Hunter, will continue to read this author, and the other six books in the Adam Fawley series were all five-star reads for me, but this instalment wasn’t my favourite. It should also be noted that most of the early reviews for Making a Killing are 5-stars, meaning my opinion is very much in the minority.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Harper Collins UK, and Cara Hunter for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 27th February 2025.
P.S. I may have squealed when Cara Hunter mentioned The Scold’s Bridle by Minette Walters. I predict an upcoming reread.
Before I proceed, I need to warn you that this review contains major spoilers for the first book in the series, Close to Home, so if you plan to read that one stop reading now! I’m not using spoiler tags since there are no spoilers (teasers only) for this book.
In Making a Killing the seventh instalment of the series, six years has passed since #6 Hope to Die. Which I’ve just realised means that the events of books 1-6 took place over a mere two years. Yikes! No wonder Adam and co. are so traumatised.
Just like the summer of 2016 when eight-year-old Daisy Mason disappeared, the summer of 2024 is a scorcher! Love those parallels.
Deep in the woods of Hescombe a woman walking her dog stumbles upon a grisly discovery. A shallow grave containing the body of a woman – estimated time of death, a few weeks ago. Stuck to the duct tape binding the body is a single hair, soon identified as belonging to Daisy Mason.
But Daisy’s case was closed eight years ago. DI Adam Fawley was the SIO. Yes, Daisy’s body was never found, but the person responsible was convicted based on strong forensic evidence and is currently serving a life sentence. Did they get it wrong?
Could Daisy Mason (who would be sixteen years old now) still be alive?
For those who are worried that they have little recall of the events of Close to Home, because like me they read that one years ago, never fear, you will be able to follow this one just fine. Adam Fawley (now a DCI), and his core team, are some of my favourite characters, and it was great to see them return. And I loved Adam’s six-year-old daughter Lily (who was only a baby in the last book), and their father/daughter relationship. So sweet! The notion of ‘The Shadow Self’, first conceived by psychologist Carl Jung, popularised in recent years by Keila Shaheen’s bestselling self-help book, The Shadow Work Journal, was an effective way of offering a voyeuristic POV of a certain character. I enjoyed the tie-in to Cara Hunter’s standalone novel, Murder in the Family, and the Infamous Netflix series from that book. The title of this one was also genius.
Unfortunately, the novel was a super slow burn, and the crime plot failed to hook me and hold my attention. It took me ages to get into the swing of the investigation, and the pace never really picked up – in fact the second half dragged more than the first. I never resorted to skim reading, but I did keep glancing down at the percentage willing the plot to move faster. Because of this I had a lot of time to think about the mystery and had nearly every twist worked out prior to its reveal. And, with the exception of one that really got me, the remainder I didn’t guess were average. If I’m being honest, I was never sold on the idea of a continuation of the Daisy Mason case, and was surprised to learn that it was something readers were asking for, as I was more than satisfied with the conclusion of Close to Home.
There were CID detectives assigned to the cases in this novel coming out of the woodwork. I counted fifteen, and I think I may have missed some. I know we were dealing with two police teams, hence the influx of characters, and they were all interesting and well fleshed-out, but it was still a lot. There was a handy character summary included by the author at the start, which I appreciated, but it didn’t include the Gloucester characters which would’ve been helpful. I kept losing my concentration trying to nail down which pair of investigators were in each scene. Not to mention that there were plenty of other characters – victims, witnesses, suspects – centred around the crimes to keep track of as well.
I love Cara Hunter, will continue to read this author, and the other six books in the Adam Fawley series were all five-star reads for me, but this instalment wasn’t my favourite. It should also be noted that most of the early reviews for Making a Killing are 5-stars, meaning my opinion is very much in the minority.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Harper Collins UK, and Cara Hunter for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 27th February 2025.
P.S. I may have squealed when Cara Hunter mentioned The Scold’s Bridle by Minette Walters. I predict an upcoming reread.
Other People's Houses: The gripping, twisty new thriller by Clare Mackintosh
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Other People’s Houses was Unputdownable!
DC Ffion Morgan – Tourist season is in full swing in Cwm Coed when the body of a real estate agent – in town for a team-building weekend – is found floating in a kayak. Was her death the result of an accidental drowning? Or murder?
DS Leo Brady – Meanwhile, over the border in Cheshire Leo is dealing with a spate of burglaries in an upscale street known as The Hill.
Once again, Ffion and Leo both have their work cut out for them.
And what is the connection to the ten-year-old case of a married couple murdered in their own home? Presently the subject of a successful podcast #WithoutConviction, currently on its fourth season.
Just like the two previous books in this addictive series, I have no hesitation rating Other People’s Houses five stars. What a book! The mystery plot was multi-layered and as much as I tried to puzzle everything out, I was unsuccessful. There was a gasp-out loud-on-my-part twist three quarters of the way through that turned everything on its head, and the final reveal and the resulting fallout was pulse-pounding, action-packed, fast-paced and emotional. This instalment took place over a week, Sunday to Sunday, with some flashback reveals toward the end, and an epilogue/wrap-up of the remaining cliffhangers set a week later.
As you would expect, Ffion and Leo were the main narrators, and I relished spending more time in both their heads. Such great characters with amazing chemistry. Leo‘s snobby and manipulative ex-wife Allie (mother to his seven-year-old son Harris) was the third frequent narrator, with a connection to The Hill. Well, at least she was trying to form a connection, desperately and unsuccessfully inserting herself into the lives of the elite and sophisticated women of The Hill to elevate her social status. A unique way to give readers the inside track regarding the behaviour and secrets of The Hill families. Then there were the social media posts with fans of the podcast #WithoutConviction speculating on the cold case – a scandalous and welcome addition. My third favourite character, George, returned, along with a massive revelation from her past. Dave (Ffion’s dog) also featured prominently and was even given his own story arc.
In regards, to the crime/mystery plot, Other People’s Housescould be read as a standalone but given the abundance of recurring characters and their backstories if I were you, I would start at the beginning with The Last Party. Besides, Ffion and Leo’s meet cute, and slow-burn relationship is a must read. I’m crossing my fingers Clare Mackintoshintends to continue this series. There was nothing in the acknowledgements to indicate that this was the last book. And given that there were some things hinted at that weren’t addressed in this instalment, and because it ended on a tantalising note, I’m hoping there’s still more to come.
I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Little Brown Book Group UK, and Clare Mackintosh for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 27th February 2025.
DC Ffion Morgan – Tourist season is in full swing in Cwm Coed when the body of a real estate agent – in town for a team-building weekend – is found floating in a kayak. Was her death the result of an accidental drowning? Or murder?
DS Leo Brady – Meanwhile, over the border in Cheshire Leo is dealing with a spate of burglaries in an upscale street known as The Hill.
Once again, Ffion and Leo both have their work cut out for them.
And what is the connection to the ten-year-old case of a married couple murdered in their own home? Presently the subject of a successful podcast #WithoutConviction, currently on its fourth season.
Just like the two previous books in this addictive series, I have no hesitation rating Other People’s Houses five stars. What a book! The mystery plot was multi-layered and as much as I tried to puzzle everything out, I was unsuccessful. There was a gasp-out loud-on-my-part twist three quarters of the way through that turned everything on its head, and the final reveal and the resulting fallout was pulse-pounding, action-packed, fast-paced and emotional. This instalment took place over a week, Sunday to Sunday, with some flashback reveals toward the end, and an epilogue/wrap-up of the remaining cliffhangers set a week later.
As you would expect, Ffion and Leo were the main narrators, and I relished spending more time in both their heads. Such great characters with amazing chemistry. Leo‘s snobby and manipulative ex-wife Allie (mother to his seven-year-old son Harris) was the third frequent narrator, with a connection to The Hill. Well, at least she was trying to form a connection, desperately and unsuccessfully inserting herself into the lives of the elite and sophisticated women of The Hill to elevate her social status. A unique way to give readers the inside track regarding the behaviour and secrets of The Hill families. Then there were the social media posts with fans of the podcast #WithoutConviction speculating on the cold case – a scandalous and welcome addition. My third favourite character, George, returned, along with a massive revelation from her past. Dave (Ffion’s dog) also featured prominently and was even given his own story arc.
In regards, to the crime/mystery plot, Other People’s Housescould be read as a standalone but given the abundance of recurring characters and their backstories if I were you, I would start at the beginning with The Last Party. Besides, Ffion and Leo’s meet cute, and slow-burn relationship is a must read. I’m crossing my fingers Clare Mackintoshintends to continue this series. There was nothing in the acknowledgements to indicate that this was the last book. And given that there were some things hinted at that weren’t addressed in this instalment, and because it ended on a tantalising note, I’m hoping there’s still more to come.
I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Little Brown Book Group UK, and Clare Mackintosh for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 27th February 2025.