shannon_conn's reviews
143 reviews

Anna O by Matthew Blake

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

A Lovely Lie by Jaime Lynn Hendricks

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

4 stars...I really enjoyed this book. The characters draw you to the story and make you want to figure out what the truth is. 
This book follows Zoey, the daughter of Pepper. Pepper was best friends with Scarlett in high school and dating Vince. Now, we follow Zoey, as she tries to uncover what happened that night in high school with Pepper, Scarlett, Vince, Vince's best friend Chris, Chris's girlfriend Chloe, and their classmate Julian. 
This story takes you on a ride with many twists and turns to uncover the full truth and finally settle this Lovely Lie.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

4.5

The Second Mrs. Strom by Kaira Rouda

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Like It Never Was by Faith Gardner

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

4 stars
 Get ready to question reality and everything you know in this fast paced, mind bending, psychological thriller. 
 This book follows Jolene, a woman with a sordid past that just may come back to haunt her as she moves to a new town to try to get her life together. 
 This book will have you second guessing what you read, wondering if the main character really is "crazy" or if someone really is messing with her, and what happens when guilt takes over. 
 This is my first book by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Some of the sentence structure and writing threw me off a little. however,  I was able to overlook that. Thank you to Netgalley,  Mirror House Press, and the author for the eARC of this book! 

It Will Only Hurt for a Moment by Delilah S. Dawson

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

I have heard nothing but great things about this authors other novel, Bloom, so I was excited to get to read this one. However, this book did not do it for me like I'd hoped. This book has great commentary and themes relating to what it's like to be a woman in today's society along with in the past, how (unfortunately) women will likely always be treated as lesser than. how women are seen as crazy or need medication and therapy because they have feelings or disagree with a man. Overall, the themes of this book really did resonate with me and that women are not property or things to be told what to do, are not "crazy" for being opinionated, and God forbid are not what a man is entitled to. I did, however. think this book was way too long andabruptly ended without clearing up some questions about certain characters.  I do think that I would read from this author again though. as maybe this just wasn't for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Publishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Unmissing by Minka Kent

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

4.5

4.5 stars ⭐ 
 This book was so good!! Such a crazy/twisty thriller that will have you flipping pages so fast you need to know what happens next. 
 This book follows two main POVs, Lydia, a woman taken for 10 years whom was Luca's first wife, and Merritt, Luca's current wife. 10 years after Lydia was taken and held captive in a cabin, she returns to the doorstep of her husband and his new wife, Merritt. 
 This was such a quick, twisty, intriguing thriller that I highly recommend on Kindle Unlimited.  I will be checking out more from this author in the future! 
 

The Bitter Truth by Shanora Williams

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.5

This book follows several perspectives, couple Jolene (a first Lady with inheritance money and her own company) and her husband Dominic (governor),  and Brynn (a woman whom had relations with Dominic in the past). 
 This book follows these individuals as Dominic gets sent threats in the mail stating they "know what he did" in the past and how their stories all come together in a twisted thriller. This is a tale of secrets, lies, revenge, and what people will do for power and with power. 

There are several trigger warnings in this book including misogyny,  rape, DV, emotional violence,  disordered eating, mental health, bullying, suicide, and racism. Please check these before reading this book. 

Shanora wrote a book so intriguing I read it in one sitting. Shanora is definitely an auto-read author for me as I've loved the other books I've read from her as well. 
 If you want a book with karma, revenge, rich people drama, secrets, twists, and fast paced then this is for you! Thank you to Netgalley,  Shanora Williams, and Kensington Publishing Corp. for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

This was only my second Frieda book, but it was a fast and good twisty time. I have read similar books before, but this one did keep me on my toes and was such a quick read that I finished in one day. I will be picking up more F.M. books in the future!

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander

adventurous emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

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

3.0