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servingupstories's reviews
134 reviews
Life of Melody by Mari Costa
3.0
A wholesome read about two queer magical beings (fairy godfather & beast) co-parenting an abandoned baby within the human world and becoming a sweet found family.
Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner
2.0
This book was the slowest damn thing I read in awhile. The pacing was way off and I don’t see why it was 400 pages when nothing really started happening until the last 30% or so. It was hardly “thrilling” either.
The POVs I don’t think were executed all that well. None too distinct from the others and I ended up being so irritated by the end with how chapters with them would end with “I gotta tell you something” then the next chapter another character being told what they know. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. It got repetitive real quick. And these POVs just didn’t make sense to me with how they were done. Also, Helen was an idiot LOL.
The most annoying bit for me was the info dumping in the end explaining it all. Would have been much better sprinkled through out.
I hate to just outline everything that didn’t work for me in this book but I don’t know much else to say about it.
The POVs I don’t think were executed all that well. None too distinct from the others and I ended up being so irritated by the end with how chapters with them would end with “I gotta tell you something” then the next chapter another character being told what they know. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. It got repetitive real quick. And these POVs just didn’t make sense to me with how they were done. Also, Helen was an idiot LOL.
The most annoying bit for me was the info dumping in the end explaining it all. Would have been much better sprinkled through out.
I hate to just outline everything that didn’t work for me in this book but I don’t know much else to say about it.
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
2.0
This book has an interesting premise being that the narrator is the daughter of a serial killer, however, that’s the most original thing about it. And boy is it slooooooooooow - only really maintained my interest in the beginning and last 60 or so pages when the reveals came rolling in which were mostly predictable 40 pages into this story. It was fun to see how it came together through.
other notes:
- very much over the pill popping/drinking unreliable narrator in thrillers!!!! plz stop
This one is a pass for me. I was really hoping to love it and I thought it was okay but the longer I sat with my thoughts the more I was annoyed.
other notes:
- very much over the pill popping/drinking unreliable narrator in thrillers!!!! plz stop
This one is a pass for me. I was really hoping to love it and I thought it was okay but the longer I sat with my thoughts the more I was annoyed.
The Shadows by Alex North
3.0
More like a 3.5 stars for this one! I prefer The Whisper Man to this one but it was still enjoyable for me.
The atmosphere was delightfully creepy and there was a few moments I didn't want to put my Kindle down in the darkness of my bedroom at night for the (irrational) fear someone would be there behind it LOL. There was also the return of the mail slot in this book like in The Whisper Man that I always find unsettling.
POTENTIAL SPOILER OF SOMETHING I ENJOYED:
I did think the added POV of Detective Amanda was unnecessary and didn't add anything to the story and the build up to the reveal was great but when I got to the actual reveal it was not as creepy/shocking as anticipated. Overall, would still recommend this!
The atmosphere was delightfully creepy and there was a few moments I didn't want to put my Kindle down in the darkness of my bedroom at night for the (irrational) fear someone would be there behind it LOL. There was also the return of the mail slot in this book like in The Whisper Man that I always find unsettling.
POTENTIAL SPOILER OF SOMETHING I ENJOYED:
Spoiler
I also really loved that this book did not take the route of anything being easily explained by the supernatural and was grounded in real world explanations. Paranormal explanations usually don't work for me. :)I did think the added POV of Detective Amanda was unnecessary and didn't add anything to the story and the build up to the reveal was great but when I got to the actual reveal it was not as creepy/shocking as anticipated. Overall, would still recommend this!
Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett
4.0
Beneath the Stairs is an atmospheric, spine chilling debut thriller from Jennifer Fawcett, who is now on my radar for any future works of hers for giving me the real spooks from this one.
This story centers around an octagon house deep in the woods that is said to be cursed. Through multiple timelines and POVs you start to uncover the secrets this home holds and some you’re left to kind of interpret yourself in the end - which I loved and thought was impressive given this was a debut.
Fawcett incorporates several layers to this story that are interwoven seamlessly together and build suspense slowly, in a way that had me holding my breath nearly any time the characters stepped foot in this house. The writing - stunning and eerie in a way I have not experienced. Each night I was awake reading on my Kindle I simultaneously battled my desire to keep reading and the desire to bury my Kindle back under my pillow due to the uneasiness I felt reading it in the dark. I snuggled my partner more than ever the week of reading this one.
This story centers around an octagon house deep in the woods that is said to be cursed. Through multiple timelines and POVs you start to uncover the secrets this home holds and some you’re left to kind of interpret yourself in the end - which I loved and thought was impressive given this was a debut.
Fawcett incorporates several layers to this story that are interwoven seamlessly together and build suspense slowly, in a way that had me holding my breath nearly any time the characters stepped foot in this house. The writing - stunning and eerie in a way I have not experienced. Each night I was awake reading on my Kindle I simultaneously battled my desire to keep reading and the desire to bury my Kindle back under my pillow due to the uneasiness I felt reading it in the dark. I snuggled my partner more than ever the week of reading this one.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
4.0
This book was exactly what I needed right now.
I will say it somewhat drags the first bit (like 1/3 maybe) but after that I found myself completely driven to read all the way to the end - despite the fact I was at work and should have been uh working :>
The sex scene was fire but still unclear on how a whole boob went in his mouth but ok.
I will say it somewhat drags the first bit (like 1/3 maybe) but after that I found myself completely driven to read all the way to the end - despite the fact I was at work and should have been uh working :>
The sex scene was fire but still unclear on how a whole boob went in his mouth but ok.
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
3.0
I feel like it would be weird to say I liked this book. The entire time reading this book I felt uneasy and disgusted, however, I was almost compelled in reading it at the same time - unable to look away from the horror by a twisted fascination of sorts. It's not a book I would casually recommend as it'll stay with you long after reading it I feel like, as something a bit heavy in your gut.
recommended for those looking to be unsettled, challenged and confronted with true horror
content warnings: Cannibalism, Animal Cruelty/Death, Gore, Rape (discussed) [PLEASE prepare yourself going into this one]
*side notes on the animal cruelty/death note:
recommended for those looking to be unsettled, challenged and confronted with true horror
content warnings: Cannibalism, Animal Cruelty/Death, Gore, Rape (discussed) [PLEASE prepare yourself going into this one]
*side notes on the animal cruelty/death note:
Spoiler
There is a chapter in this book (Part II, Ch. 6) which was particularly difficult for me to read involving the death of puppies. It's not vital to the story I would say so if you're sensitive to this I would say just skip this chapter. It's literally two pages and you won't find yourself crying in your office at work like I was. (lol honestly it was more horrifying to me than the discussions of eating humans in this book)
The Good Lie by A.R. Torre
2.0
This is decent in the “it kept my attention” sort of way but uh—— I have so many questions??? But most importantly ~why~