sarah_j90's reviews
34 reviews

I Know You Do by Georgette Deloriad

dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

2.5

I have no idea what this book was supposed to be, to be honest. I was really looking forward to reading something about a highly controversial topic, but it just never hit. It was like the author wanted to write something that would make people stop and think, question everything but then tried to spin so many different storylines into the book that she never gave enough attention and detail to any. In terms of the right to die storyline it was almost like she wanted to explore it but then got scared and never gave it the full story it deserved and don't even get me started on the last chapter with the warning... *spoiler below* 
***
***
***
It was all a fucking dream?!? SERIOUSLY?!? Surely everyone knows by now that that is the worst ending you can give anything!!!

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious sad 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

I am OBSESSED with the Thursday Murder club!! When I tell you that Joyce, Elizabeth, Rob and Ibrahim live rent free in my brain, I mean they are rooted there!!! The way they interact with each other and other characters has me laughing out loud in parts. 
This one turned on the emotion with the heartbreaking story line between Elizabeth and Stephen 💔 
I can't wait to see where the gang go next. 

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

adventurous funny mysterious 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

I love Richard Osman! The Thursday Murder Club was brilliant so I was really excited to read this one. The way Richard Osman writes is so clever, he gets the suspense and the storyline, covers it from all angles and adds in the humour and most relatable characters I have read. 
The book follows Amy who is a bodyguard for Rosie, a famous author of unsaid age who loves drama, alcohol and a joint! Steve is Amy's father in law, an ex police officer who likes his own company and his simple routine when Amy talks him into flying around the world in private jets, shooting drug dealers and solving murders. 
It's a funny, light-hearted cosy murder mystery that was quick and easy to read and I bloody loved it!! 

The Body in the Lake by Neil Richards, Matthew Costello

lighthearted mysterious slow-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

3.0

I listen to these audio books at night when I just need something quick and easy to listen to. They are cosy murder mystery books and whilst there isn't much excitement or mystery, they are really easy to listen to and follow no matter how tired I am, and I love Neil Dudgeon so his narration just makes it even better.

Snowblind by Neil Richards, Matthew Costello

lighthearted mysterious slow-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

3.0

I like how easy it is to pick up and put down these books. They're short and easy and give me something to listen to at night when I can't be bothered to think to much!! This was a good one with a cheeky little twist i didn't see coming.

Run Away by Harlan Coben

mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.5

Sweet lord above this was a labour of love. This is the first Harlan Coben book I've read and honestly probably the last! It took me so long to get through this book because it was so easy to put down and not pick back up again!! I don't know whether that's because of my mindset or the book itself but I didn't find this book particularly enjoyable. I didn't think there was any big twists or shocks or anything surprising and the end felt so rushed, like we slogged through 300 odd pages just for everything to be hastily wrapped up in the last few pages!! 

Call Him Daddy by Katie A Perez

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

Holy mother of Anne Summers!!! If you're looking for a book that is all spice and literally nothing else then this is the book for you. It starts on page 1 and carries on all through the book. It's a forbidden, age gap relationship and it is hot as hell 🥵 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Eyes on Me by Sara Cate

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.5

This is the second book in the series and I found it really underwhelming. The whole time I was reading it I never felt captivated or connected with it. I don't know whether that's because of things I've got going on at the moment or the book itself. The last quarter of the book felt like a slog to be honest and I just wanted to get it over with. I've rounded it up to 3 stars purely because as I said I don't know whether it was just my personal circumstances that ruined the experience. 

The Bad Seeds by C.J. Skuse

dark emotional funny 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

I love this series. Rhiannon is my all time favourite serial killer (what a weird thing to say 🤣🤔), and I have been rooting for her since book one. I mean it's hard to dislike a killer who reaps revenge on sex offenders! This series has made me laugh out loud, cry and curl my toes from so descriptions and I'm so gutted it's over. The relationship between Rhiannon and Raf is in my top 5 book couples and I'm chuffed they got their happy ending!! 
Also we have to give a mention to the relationship we saw blossom between Nnedi and Rhiannon, I LOVED that little gem 😍 and also Billy ... I love you 🤣🤣 
Everyone should read this series because it's amazing and fab one to binge read now they're all out. In my opinion the TV show is dreadful and has so many plot holes compared to the books so I advise avoiding it personally!! 

Paint It All Red by S.T. Abby

dark 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? Yes

4.75

Well here it is Lanas endgame and the big reveal for who is really responsible for kick starting the horrors that we're inflicted on Lana and her family. Now when I tell you I gasped when I found out who it was!!! I don't know why I hadn't managed to piece it all together before because really it was right in front of our faces the whole series, and yet S.T.Abby wrote so well that it still shook me!!! I LOVE that Lana and Logan and Jake and Hadley all got their happy endings and quite literally all walked off into the sunset together. However, my only criticism is that this book felt rushed, especially the ending. 
After a rocky start I really enjoyed this series and am really pleased I stuck with it.