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redhead_reader's reviews
800 reviews
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I stayed up way too late to finish this book last night.
I loved the setting: a gothic estate in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. You know it’s gonna be toxic when money, a palatial estate, and bitter family members are involved, especially when the Heiress’s heir is adopted.
The story moves along really fast. It’s told through the POV of Jules and Camden with some mixed media thrown in of letters and newspaper articles; however, I did drop it down in stars because I thought there wasn’t a great separating in character voice.
It didn’t really feel like much of a mystery, it kind of tells you what’s going to happen along the way so you’re not really left to guess anything. There is a bit of a bigger reveal but I already kind of suspected something like that so I wasn’t really shocked when it was revealed.
Despite that, the book is still really entertaining and I love that it’s got a little teaser from The Villa in there too. If you loved Rachel Hawkins’ other books, you’re going to love this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the copy of this eARC.
I loved the setting: a gothic estate in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. You know it’s gonna be toxic when money, a palatial estate, and bitter family members are involved, especially when the Heiress’s heir is adopted.
The story moves along really fast. It’s told through the POV of Jules and Camden with some mixed media thrown in of letters and newspaper articles; however, I did drop it down in stars because I thought there wasn’t a great separating in character voice.
It didn’t really feel like much of a mystery, it kind of tells you what’s going to happen along the way so you’re not really left to guess anything. There is a bit of a bigger reveal but I already kind of suspected something like that so I wasn’t really shocked when it was revealed.
Despite that, the book is still really entertaining and I love that it’s got a little teaser from The Villa in there too. If you loved Rachel Hawkins’ other books, you’re going to love this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the copy of this eARC.
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was a great Christmas thriller!
I did figure out the main twists so I wasn’t really shocked by anything but I still really enjoyed the story and want to read more Christmas thrillers like this next year!
Definitely add this one to your holiday TBR next season
I did figure out the main twists so I wasn’t really shocked by anything but I still really enjoyed the story and want to read more Christmas thrillers like this next year!
Definitely add this one to your holiday TBR next season
The Last Word by Gerri Lewis
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I couldn’t get past the names of the characters: winter snow, Henry harmless, the twins Abby and Gabby. I’m sure there’s more. It honestly felt like a book I wrote in middle school with characters I named Kerry Yoki and Terry Yaki.
It was a DNF befor the first 10% of the book had been read.
It was a DNF befor the first 10% of the book had been read.
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
All of the stars. This book was perfection.
I loved it so much. I think it was my favorite read of 2023.
This was my second Adrienne Young book, Spells for Forgetting was my first (which I also loved), and she has easily become an auto-buy author and I’m eagerly looking forward to reading her other books.
Her prose is some of the most beautiful, atmospheric writing I’ve ever read.
This book feels like a breezy summer’s day at the golden hour. I can’t really explain it. I already know I’m going to have the biggest book hangover from this one.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the copy of this eARC!
I loved it so much. I think it was my favorite read of 2023.
This was my second Adrienne Young book, Spells for Forgetting was my first (which I also loved), and she has easily become an auto-buy author and I’m eagerly looking forward to reading her other books.
Her prose is some of the most beautiful, atmospheric writing I’ve ever read.
This book feels like a breezy summer’s day at the golden hour. I can’t really explain it. I already know I’m going to have the biggest book hangover from this one.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the copy of this eARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicide
The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
f you’re looking for a Hallmark Christmas romance, look no further!
I loved this story. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it.
The ending felt a bit rushed (but aren’t all of these Hallmark Christmas style stories?), and I could have done without the epilogue, but it checked all the holiday romance boxes and I recommend it to anyone that’s looking for a heartwarming holiday romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this eARC.
I loved this story. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it.
The ending felt a bit rushed (but aren’t all of these Hallmark Christmas style stories?), and I could have done without the epilogue, but it checked all the holiday romance boxes and I recommend it to anyone that’s looking for a heartwarming holiday romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this eARC.
Highlands Christmas by Amy Quick Parrish
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This cute atmospheric novella had so much potential! I loved the Scottish setting and all the cozy Christmas vibes!
I feel like it needed to be a full novel, rather than just a novella. It felt way too rushed. There were plot holes and points where it felt a bit too cheesy/unbelievable. I think with a full length novel, a lot of that could have been avoided. There were also a couple times when I couldn’t believe the FMC could be that dumb.
Overall I thought it was cute but poorly executed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this eARC!
I feel like it needed to be a full novel, rather than just a novella. It felt way too rushed. There were plot holes and points where it felt a bit too cheesy/unbelievable. I think with a full length novel, a lot of that could have been avoided. There were also a couple times when I couldn’t believe the FMC could be that dumb.
Overall I thought it was cute but poorly executed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this eARC!
One Day in December by Josie Silver
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
A Pie to Die For by Gretchen Rue
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
I adored this cozy mystery. It was such a warm and delightful read! It was more just like a cozy read with some murder and mystery sprinkled in. I feel like 75% of it was just pure foodie coziness and 25% was the murder mystery. This may deter some readers but I honestly couldn’t get enough. It would have been a 5 star read but I felt like the ending felt rushed/a bit lackluster.
I’m glad Este’s recipes were included at the end of the book because she made so many foods that sounded delicious.
I love this little island and it’s inhabitants and can’t wait to read more books by Gretchen Rue!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the copy of this eARC!
I’m glad Este’s recipes were included at the end of the book because she made so many foods that sounded delicious.
I love this little island and it’s inhabitants and can’t wait to read more books by Gretchen Rue!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the copy of this eARC!
Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.0