sarah_amy's reviews
52 reviews

The Ex by Freida McFadden

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

Not as gripping as some of McFadden's other novels, and not as big of a jaw-dropping twist (and some were a little predictable), but still had me curious as to where it was going that I had to finish it in a couple of days (the standard time frame for any of her books!). One of the twists still threw me enough that I'll have to go back and read it with that in mind. Brilliant writing as always. More of a suspense/mystery & romance than your usual McFadden thriller.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, Suicide, Bullying, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Blood, and Child death

The Essence of Buddhism: An Introduction to Its Philosophy and Practice by Traleg Kyabgon

informative inspiring slow-paced

2.25

This was a tough slog and hard to rate. Went in thinking it would give me the very basics of Buddhism in plain language, but it was quite academic and read more like a textbook. I might have been able to grasp more if I read it rather than listened to the audiobook. I did get a good start on understanding Buddhism to an extent, particularly near the beginning, before it became too complex. This book would be better suited for people who already have a solid foundational understanding of Buddhism and wish to get an in-depth overview of it. Had I gone in with more knowledge of Buddhism, I would have given this a much higher rating as there is no doubt it is very informative.

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich

adventurous funny mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

*Please note this review is based on the abridged version!

Found the plot difficult to follow as this was the abridged version (it's the only one I could find digitally & hard copied seem to be expensive collectors items!), so I felt I was thrown into the middle of a story. However, love the personalities of some of the main players such as Stephanie herself, grandma, the mother, Joseph, etc and the antics and situations they find them in (especially at funerals!). Hope I have better luck finding full versions of the rest of the series. Was disappointed I didn't get the whole experience with this one.

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

adventurous funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A bit slow sometimes, but the characters grew on me. Have heard promising things about this series and the hilarity to come! Enjoying Stephanie fumbling her way to becoming a bounty hunter. Her family is hilarious. Had a good, chilling plot point among the comedy. Still havent quite made up my mind whether I'll continue the whole series, but it holds some promise.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

challenging dark mysterious fast-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

4.0

McFadden's books are too good that I power through them in no time! I strongly disliked most of these characters but they are somehow still written sympathetically enough to want the best for them, which also seems to be a common thread in these novels.
Each chapter had me wondering who to support until the end, as every perspective was written believably. Didn't enjoy the red herring 'twist' so much. Felt a little unbelievable. However, the one in the epilogue had me gasping! Thus the cycle continues...
Another fantastic read. Haven't come across a Freida McFadden book I haven't loved yet!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Cursing, Bullying, Violence, Abandonment, Sexism, Sexual content, Body shaming, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Stalking

Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Alcohol, and Mental illness

**TW for anyone with taphophobia - fear of being buried alive**

Paint It All Red by S.T. Abby

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

'Horror romance. That's a genre, right?'

Engaging series and well written, but torture justice is not my kind of genre I've discovered.
As I've said throughout the series, enjoyed the criminology and the complications of the FBI & secret, wanted vigilante relationship. I liked how it had me questioning the morals and justice of the whole situation Lana was in and what really was 'right.' Good characters, though was more fond of some of the side characters such as Hadley more appealing. I wish Lana and Logan's attraction had a little more substance outside of 'I don't know why and it shouldn't work, but I'm instantly attracted to you and now we need to be together forever.' 

***MAJOR SPOILER***

Hard eyerolled at the end where Lana was given a criminal to torture once a year on her's and Logan's anniversary to 'subdue the monster within.' That just felt cheesy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Medical content, Child abuse, Cursing, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Violence, Drug abuse, Grief, Torture, Vomit, Gore, Gun violence, Bullying, Car accident, Homophobia, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia

All the Lies by S.T. Abby

dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.5

Enjoyed the criminology and the complications of an FBI agent & secret vigilante-will-he-find-out relationship.

Didn't enjoy the vengeful, angry, tantrum sex at the end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Body horror, Grief, Homophobia, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Torture, Violence, and Murder

Scarlet Angel by S.T. Abby

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Enjoying this series more the further on I read. Love a thriller, though this one has surprised me as steamy romance & violent revenge are two plots I'd not normally be interested in. Loving the cat-and-mouse complications of this good cop/secret vengeful vigilante relationship & am waiting in anticipation for how that is eventually going to go down if and when it is discovered...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual harassment, Grief, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Vomit

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Confinement

Minor: Suicide

Sidetracked by S.T. Abby

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The plot is thickening. Appreciating the criminology of it, as well as the complexities it brings to the relationship. I'm glad it's not just torturing bad guys or 'a hot guy and girl who have lots of sex because they find each other hot.' However, I'm still finding the relationship a bit possessive and lacking in substance outside of wanting to protect one another and finding each other attractive. I hope there's opportunity for them to actually know each other a bit more, and it looks like it's opening up that possibility.
Good cliffhanger.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Murder, Rape, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, and Stalking

Moderate: Medical content, Emotional abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Infertility

Minor: Mental illness, Gun violence, Vomit, and Self harm

The Risk by S.T. Abby

dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.0

Feels too early to give a high rating and it's such a short novel. Intrigued enough to read the next one. Quite graphic on the violence in the name of justice, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Fair bit of spice. Looking forward to seeing more substance in the relationship than just sex (not that I mind it, but only if it digs deeper than the surface 'because they're hot') and getting into the complexities of the situation they're in.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Blood, Rape, Gore, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Torture, Physical abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Body horror, and Bullying

Minor: Vomit