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she_loves_to_read's Reviews (81)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Whispers Of The Dead is packed full to the brim with action, gangs, crime, murder, forensic science, police procedure, kidnap, wrongful convictions, prostitution, child abuse, gritty, emotion, tension, suspense, drug use/abuse/selling, care systems, , loyalty, family, PTSD, friendship, camaraderie, brutality, violence, justice, mystery, kindness and twists and turns galore.
I absolutely love Lin's writing style, which is atmospheric, descriptive, engrossing, and has a natural fluidity and pace to it. Giving her storyline and characters a real sense of relevancy, depth, and authenticity.
Despite being a complex storyline, Lin's immense research and talent as a storyteller is prevalent throughout, and both storylines run perfectly alongside each other. Tying up and culminating in a brilliant conclusion.
I really enjoyed the dynamics between all of the characters. But particularly those between Rhona and DS McNab both personally and professionally. With the character of Marnie really pulled at my heartstrings.
Despute this being book #18 in the series, it can definitely also be read as a standalone, too.
A brilliant crime/thriller/forensic story. Perfect for the fans of Rebus style fiction.
I absolutely love Lin's writing style, which is atmospheric, descriptive, engrossing, and has a natural fluidity and pace to it. Giving her storyline and characters a real sense of relevancy, depth, and authenticity.
Despite being a complex storyline, Lin's immense research and talent as a storyteller is prevalent throughout, and both storylines run perfectly alongside each other. Tying up and culminating in a brilliant conclusion.
I really enjoyed the dynamics between all of the characters. But particularly those between Rhona and DS McNab both personally and professionally. With the character of Marnie really pulled at my heartstrings.
Despute this being book #18 in the series, it can definitely also be read as a standalone, too.
A brilliant crime/thriller/forensic story. Perfect for the fans of Rebus style fiction.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Something More left me wanting something more. But in the best way possible. I didn't want it to end!
The story follows Jessie, a Palestinian-Canadian teenager, as she navigates her first year of high school, a fresh diagnosis of autism, family dynamics and drama, friendships, puberty, peer pressure, mean girls and of course first crushes, relationships and more importantly first loves.
What follows is an emotional, heart-wrenching, heartwarming, empowering, hopeful, inspirational, refreshing, and unique storyline that immerses into Jessie's highs, lows, heart and mind as she explores her personality, identity and more importantly her voice.
All of Jackie's characters are perfectly constructed, written, executed, and slot perfectly into Jessie's journey.
I absolutely adore Jessie, who is endearing, feisty, funny, relatable, tenacious, loving, caring, strong, and incredibly authentic.
Jackie draws on her own experiences as a Palestinian-Canadian autistic female, which adds untold depth and layers to her story and its authenticity.
We definitely need more voices like Jackie's, not just in the literary environment but in the world in general.
As a neurodivergent mum of neurodivergent daughters, it was so empowering to read Jessie's story, which is and will be an important one to particularly the female neurodivergent community both young and old.
It's the best YA book I've read in the past year and possibly longer.
The story follows Jessie, a Palestinian-Canadian teenager, as she navigates her first year of high school, a fresh diagnosis of autism, family dynamics and drama, friendships, puberty, peer pressure, mean girls and of course first crushes, relationships and more importantly first loves.
What follows is an emotional, heart-wrenching, heartwarming, empowering, hopeful, inspirational, refreshing, and unique storyline that immerses into Jessie's highs, lows, heart and mind as she explores her personality, identity and more importantly her voice.
All of Jackie's characters are perfectly constructed, written, executed, and slot perfectly into Jessie's journey.
I absolutely adore Jessie, who is endearing, feisty, funny, relatable, tenacious, loving, caring, strong, and incredibly authentic.
Jackie draws on her own experiences as a Palestinian-Canadian autistic female, which adds untold depth and layers to her story and its authenticity.
We definitely need more voices like Jackie's, not just in the literary environment but in the world in general.
As a neurodivergent mum of neurodivergent daughters, it was so empowering to read Jessie's story, which is and will be an important one to particularly the female neurodivergent community both young and old.
It's the best YA book I've read in the past year and possibly longer.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2024 has been a bumper year for discovering auto-buy authors and having recently raced through Firewatching. I can safely say that he has easily secured a spot on my list!
Split over a 7 day period, we are introduced to cold case reviewer DS Adam Tyler and his team as they play a particularly deadly game of cat, mouse, arson, and murder. When an investigation is triggered after a particularly gruesome discovery inside the walla of a property undergoing refurbishment.
What then follows is a meticulously planned, skillfully written, and perfectly executed story that effortlessly draws you in, chews you up, and spits you out the other side with a desperate need to dive into the next book.
The characters and sub-plots running through it are realistic, relatable, and cleverly written. I love the main protagonists of Adam, who is a complex but loveable character with an interesting and developing back story that I can't wait to discover.
It has literally everything you could want in a crime/police thriller. It's tense, grisly, atmospheric, gritty, gripping, action-packed, emotional, vengeance, murder, secrets, lies, abuse, red herrings, twists, turns and brilliantly nail biting, breath holding twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
It would make for a massively successful crime drama any of the major channels.
In case you haven't yet guessed, I'm a big fan and would urge you to discover Russ's writing. I already have books 2 and 3 ready to read.
Split over a 7 day period, we are introduced to cold case reviewer DS Adam Tyler and his team as they play a particularly deadly game of cat, mouse, arson, and murder. When an investigation is triggered after a particularly gruesome discovery inside the walla of a property undergoing refurbishment.
What then follows is a meticulously planned, skillfully written, and perfectly executed story that effortlessly draws you in, chews you up, and spits you out the other side with a desperate need to dive into the next book.
The characters and sub-plots running through it are realistic, relatable, and cleverly written. I love the main protagonists of Adam, who is a complex but loveable character with an interesting and developing back story that I can't wait to discover.
It has literally everything you could want in a crime/police thriller. It's tense, grisly, atmospheric, gritty, gripping, action-packed, emotional, vengeance, murder, secrets, lies, abuse, red herrings, twists, turns and brilliantly nail biting, breath holding twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
It would make for a massively successful crime drama any of the major channels.
In case you haven't yet guessed, I'm a big fan and would urge you to discover Russ's writing. I already have books 2 and 3 ready to read.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Junction of Earth and Sky is a beautifully written coming of age story of family bonds, love, friendship, unimaginable loss, emotional, heartbreak, survival, grief, sexuality, identity, unconditional love, change and finding your place in the world.
The story spans six decades starting in amongst the hardships, trauma, and resultant chaos of WW2. Starting with Alice, a young girl who tragically loses everything she loves and holds dear. Who then faces an uncertain and frightening future as a single mother of a child conceived under tragic and distressing circumstances. We follow Alice as she starts a new life across the pond in the US. Giving birth to a son who, despite her best efforts, grows up to be a troublesome and violent alcoholic.
After a one night stand turns into an abusive relationship. Alive becomes the main carer for her granddaughter, Marnie, and sets about trying to right her perceived wrongs by trying to change the cycle of generational trauma, addiction, and a multitude of abuse.
Told from the POV of both Alice and Marnie, Susan takes her readers on a tumultuous journey of rights, wrongs, learning, heartache, seeking, and finding comfort and closure. Whilst being brave enough to chase your hopes and dreams inspire of adversity, with the love, belief, and support from unexpected places.
It's a strong and inspiring debut from a very talented writer. One whom I look forward to reading more from.
The story spans six decades starting in amongst the hardships, trauma, and resultant chaos of WW2. Starting with Alice, a young girl who tragically loses everything she loves and holds dear. Who then faces an uncertain and frightening future as a single mother of a child conceived under tragic and distressing circumstances. We follow Alice as she starts a new life across the pond in the US. Giving birth to a son who, despite her best efforts, grows up to be a troublesome and violent alcoholic.
After a one night stand turns into an abusive relationship. Alive becomes the main carer for her granddaughter, Marnie, and sets about trying to right her perceived wrongs by trying to change the cycle of generational trauma, addiction, and a multitude of abuse.
Told from the POV of both Alice and Marnie, Susan takes her readers on a tumultuous journey of rights, wrongs, learning, heartache, seeking, and finding comfort and closure. Whilst being brave enough to chase your hopes and dreams inspire of adversity, with the love, belief, and support from unexpected places.
It's a strong and inspiring debut from a very talented writer. One whom I look forward to reading more from.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The irrepressible rule taking, risk taking, and unique Cassie Raven is back with a new 'guest' at the mortuary and a questionable cause of death to investigate.
I'm finding this one difficult to review because I don't want to spoil it. But I definitely want to shout from the rooftops about how good it is.
This thriller is one that is quite unique in that it is mostly based in and around the main character, Cassie, mortuary technician. The mortuary and the local police force that she works both with and alongside. Using her unique intuition (with the help of her guests), people skills, knowledge, and tenacity in order to try to solve unanswered questions, and provide clarity, closure, and peace to those who have gone and those left behind.
With a plotline loosely based around Amy Winehouse's life. It highlights and explores the pressure and price of fame. Dysfunctional family dynamics, secrets, bullying, love, quilt, loyalty, and the effects that social media and internet sleuths have on investigations on death and disappearances. Including the role that mortuaries have in a deceased person's journey.
It's raw, it's gritty, emotional, tense, and packed with brilliantly written and executed characters, twists, turns, bombshells, inspiration, love, relevant societal issues , friendship, police procedure, and has THE BIGGEST bombshell ending that I would never ever have guessed. Which is a testament to what an excellent and talented writer A.K. is!!
I absolutely LOVED it!! An easy 5 star read for me.
I've read the first book in the series ( I loved that too!), and I also have books 2 and 3 on my tbr. Which i am going to make it my mission to read SOON!
A.K. is most definitely an auto-buy author for me.
I'm finding this one difficult to review because I don't want to spoil it. But I definitely want to shout from the rooftops about how good it is.
This thriller is one that is quite unique in that it is mostly based in and around the main character, Cassie, mortuary technician. The mortuary and the local police force that she works both with and alongside. Using her unique intuition (with the help of her guests), people skills, knowledge, and tenacity in order to try to solve unanswered questions, and provide clarity, closure, and peace to those who have gone and those left behind.
With a plotline loosely based around Amy Winehouse's life. It highlights and explores the pressure and price of fame. Dysfunctional family dynamics, secrets, bullying, love, quilt, loyalty, and the effects that social media and internet sleuths have on investigations on death and disappearances. Including the role that mortuaries have in a deceased person's journey.
It's raw, it's gritty, emotional, tense, and packed with brilliantly written and executed characters, twists, turns, bombshells, inspiration, love, relevant societal issues , friendship, police procedure, and has THE BIGGEST bombshell ending that I would never ever have guessed. Which is a testament to what an excellent and talented writer A.K. is!!
I absolutely LOVED it!! An easy 5 star read for me.
I've read the first book in the series ( I loved that too!), and I also have books 2 and 3 on my tbr. Which i am going to make it my mission to read SOON!
A.K. is most definitely an auto-buy author for me.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm really enjoying being a part of the Isabel Ashdown blogathon hosted by the fabulous team at Compulsive Readers. With the aim being to read 6 of her books over 6 months in order to highlight her brilliant work and celebrate the release of her latest novel, One Girl One Summer. Which is released today.
DS Ali Samson is back with another suspense filled and action-packed story featuring the residents of Highcap on the Dorset coast.
With a compelling, page turning chapter setting off a devastating chain of events when a private plane crashes into a family run holiday park. Killing and maiming anyone unfortunate enough to get caught in its path. Unwittingly acting as a catalyst for crimes to be unearthed, long buried secrets to surface, family relationships to be tested, unexpected revelations yo shock a community to its core, old wounds to be healed and love to be found or rekindled.
Throw in twists and turns that leave you guessing. Family dysfunction, generational trauma, multiple pov, strong female leads, relatable and well developed characters. Realistic and relevant societal issues explored. A pace to match perfectly. Sub-plots that tie in seamlessly and a nail biting but perfect ending. You have a 5 🌟 psychological fiction/thriller story deserving of a place on any bookworms tbr!
Isabel is now an auto-buy author of mine, and I can't wait for next months instalment, 33 Women.
DS Ali Samson is back with another suspense filled and action-packed story featuring the residents of Highcap on the Dorset coast.
With a compelling, page turning chapter setting off a devastating chain of events when a private plane crashes into a family run holiday park. Killing and maiming anyone unfortunate enough to get caught in its path. Unwittingly acting as a catalyst for crimes to be unearthed, long buried secrets to surface, family relationships to be tested, unexpected revelations yo shock a community to its core, old wounds to be healed and love to be found or rekindled.
Throw in twists and turns that leave you guessing. Family dysfunction, generational trauma, multiple pov, strong female leads, relatable and well developed characters. Realistic and relevant societal issues explored. A pace to match perfectly. Sub-plots that tie in seamlessly and a nail biting but perfect ending. You have a 5 🌟 psychological fiction/thriller story deserving of a place on any bookworms tbr!
Isabel is now an auto-buy author of mine, and I can't wait for next months instalment, 33 Women.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Abiola has done it again! Written THE perfect romance story.
The Love Dare is a brilliantly thought out, plotted, and written romance. Perfect for a long, hot summer.
The story follows Eva as she prepares to spend her last summer at home before embarking on her first solo journey away from home, studying law at university.
With a long, hot, parent free summer of fun mapped out. A big birthday celebration in the pipeline. A carnival to attend and a potential romance bubbling away in the background. Eva is ready to jump in head first to try and run from the niggling doubts that she has about her future and the expectations, hopes and dreams that are placed on her by those around her.
But as is always the case, things barely ever go to plan.
Throw in an unexpected and expensive accident. The ultimate dare, support, and friendship from an unlikely source, and a budding romance with her total opposite can Eva seek the courage she needs in order to speak her truth and take control of her future?
I really love Abiola's writing style, which is full of emotion, realism, and relatability from start to finish. Making it easy to become totally invested in Eva and Saint's story.
It's an inspiring, feel-good, emotional story of love, hope, authentic connections, coming of age, staying true to yourself, and always reacing for your dreams. And one that I would recommend to romance readers across the board. Not just young adults.
The Love Dare is a brilliantly thought out, plotted, and written romance. Perfect for a long, hot summer.
The story follows Eva as she prepares to spend her last summer at home before embarking on her first solo journey away from home, studying law at university.
With a long, hot, parent free summer of fun mapped out. A big birthday celebration in the pipeline. A carnival to attend and a potential romance bubbling away in the background. Eva is ready to jump in head first to try and run from the niggling doubts that she has about her future and the expectations, hopes and dreams that are placed on her by those around her.
But as is always the case, things barely ever go to plan.
Throw in an unexpected and expensive accident. The ultimate dare, support, and friendship from an unlikely source, and a budding romance with her total opposite can Eva seek the courage she needs in order to speak her truth and take control of her future?
I really love Abiola's writing style, which is full of emotion, realism, and relatability from start to finish. Making it easy to become totally invested in Eva and Saint's story.
It's an inspiring, feel-good, emotional story of love, hope, authentic connections, coming of age, staying true to yourself, and always reacing for your dreams. And one that I would recommend to romance readers across the board. Not just young adults.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sharp Glas is a tense, dark, and complex story exploring the cause and effect of how obsession and revenge can infiltrate the very core of people's minds, judgement, behaviour, and lives of those who are unlucky enough to get sucked into it's deadly path.
The idea behind the plotline has real substance and potential. With Sarah doing a good job of keeping her readers guessing as to who was telling the truth, what their motives were and what their hopes for a resolution are.
However, I did struggle with the slow pace, which seemed at odds with regards to the high stakes, psychologically driven plotline.
The story jumped around a lot between the past and present, and there was a lot a lot of unnecessary repetition for me personally.
Something I did like was the way in which Sarah wrote and portrayed her characters. Especially the main protagonists of Grace and Dan.
It's a story that you really need to concentrate on, and I did wonder if I would be able to finish it at first. But Sarah was obviously doing something right because I did become invested enough to find out how the story concluded.
All in all, a mixed bag from me. Buy that's the nature of all stories. No two people ever read the same one, and I know there are plenty of you there who will love it.
The idea behind the plotline has real substance and potential. With Sarah doing a good job of keeping her readers guessing as to who was telling the truth, what their motives were and what their hopes for a resolution are.
However, I did struggle with the slow pace, which seemed at odds with regards to the high stakes, psychologically driven plotline.
The story jumped around a lot between the past and present, and there was a lot a lot of unnecessary repetition for me personally.
Something I did like was the way in which Sarah wrote and portrayed her characters. Especially the main protagonists of Grace and Dan.
It's a story that you really need to concentrate on, and I did wonder if I would be able to finish it at first. But Sarah was obviously doing something right because I did become invested enough to find out how the story concluded.
All in all, a mixed bag from me. Buy that's the nature of all stories. No two people ever read the same one, and I know there are plenty of you there who will love it.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Forget Me Not is a story that you definitely won't forget in a hurry!
Taking place over an intense, gripping, emotional, heart-stopping, and action-packed 6 days. M.J.'s fluid fluid, engaging, and all-encompassing writing had me hooked from the first page and left me wanting more after leaving Di Helen Grace's future in the force on a cliffhanger.
It has everything that you need in a high stakes, cat, and mouse game, race against time thriller. Characters you love like Helen, DS Charlie Brooks, and teenage abducted Naomi. Who are badass, strong, independent, and awe-inspiring women. But also those you love to hate, like DC Paul Jennings and PC Dave Reynolds, who are the epitome of what the police force need to eradicate from their ranks.
I absolutely love M.J.'s writing style. It has the perfect pace with everything you need packed into short, punchy chapters with the plot and action building and building with every sentence. Making you unintentionally read faster and faster. Desperate to find out what happens next. If my very rude life didn't encroach on my time. I would have devoured it in one sitting!
Although it's a part of the Helen Grace series, it can be read alone. But I can guarantee that once you've read one, you'll want to read them all!
This was my first book by M.J. But it most certainly won't be my last. With M.J. winning a spot on my auto-buy/favourite author list.
Taking place over an intense, gripping, emotional, heart-stopping, and action-packed 6 days. M.J.'s fluid fluid, engaging, and all-encompassing writing had me hooked from the first page and left me wanting more after leaving Di Helen Grace's future in the force on a cliffhanger.
It has everything that you need in a high stakes, cat, and mouse game, race against time thriller. Characters you love like Helen, DS Charlie Brooks, and teenage abducted Naomi. Who are badass, strong, independent, and awe-inspiring women. But also those you love to hate, like DC Paul Jennings and PC Dave Reynolds, who are the epitome of what the police force need to eradicate from their ranks.
I absolutely love M.J.'s writing style. It has the perfect pace with everything you need packed into short, punchy chapters with the plot and action building and building with every sentence. Making you unintentionally read faster and faster. Desperate to find out what happens next. If my very rude life didn't encroach on my time. I would have devoured it in one sitting!
Although it's a part of the Helen Grace series, it can be read alone. But I can guarantee that once you've read one, you'll want to read them all!
This was my first book by M.J. But it most certainly won't be my last. With M.J. winning a spot on my auto-buy/favourite author list.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Today marks the start of the Isabel Ashdown blogathon hosted by Compulsive Readers. Consisting of 6 books in total. One of which will be reviewed each month.
First up is Homecoming. A compelling, engaging, thought-provoking, tense, twisty, action-packed, thrilling, and suspense filled tale of deceit, lies, affairs, privilege, revenge, love, sisterhood, strength, community, belonging, secrets, bravery, loyalty, family, loss, abuse, and more importantly, finding the truth, healing and justice.
The prologue brilliantly sets the tone of the story, quickly drawing in its reader and capturing their attention in a vice like grip.
What follows is an intricate and very clever plot that seamlessly weaves its way into your heart, head, and imagination without skipping a beat.
Isabel effortlessly and expertly peels back the complex layers of all of the secrets that are buried within The Starlings community. Engaging her readers with plenty of red herrings, deviations, strong, relatable, and realistic characters. Some you will and other you'll love to hate. Providing you with the benefit of multiple POV's. All whilst building up a whole raft of potential outcomes/endings and a suspect list to match.
Throw in the beautiful setting of Devon and an unexpected but perfect ending and you are left with a psychological thriller that you would be a fool not to add to your tbr!
If Homecoming is a sign of what is to come. I can't wait to get stuck into the next book, One Girl One Summer.
Make sure to keep an eye out for my review on the 18th of July.
First up is Homecoming. A compelling, engaging, thought-provoking, tense, twisty, action-packed, thrilling, and suspense filled tale of deceit, lies, affairs, privilege, revenge, love, sisterhood, strength, community, belonging, secrets, bravery, loyalty, family, loss, abuse, and more importantly, finding the truth, healing and justice.
The prologue brilliantly sets the tone of the story, quickly drawing in its reader and capturing their attention in a vice like grip.
What follows is an intricate and very clever plot that seamlessly weaves its way into your heart, head, and imagination without skipping a beat.
Isabel effortlessly and expertly peels back the complex layers of all of the secrets that are buried within The Starlings community. Engaging her readers with plenty of red herrings, deviations, strong, relatable, and realistic characters. Some you will and other you'll love to hate. Providing you with the benefit of multiple POV's. All whilst building up a whole raft of potential outcomes/endings and a suspect list to match.
Throw in the beautiful setting of Devon and an unexpected but perfect ending and you are left with a psychological thriller that you would be a fool not to add to your tbr!
If Homecoming is a sign of what is to come. I can't wait to get stuck into the next book, One Girl One Summer.
Make sure to keep an eye out for my review on the 18th of July.