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thebookclubdiaries's reviews
48 reviews
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
5.0
My first Lisa Jewell book and definitely not my last! I was captivated and somewhat confused at times by the three separate points of view in this story but that just added to the suspense!
The book is very atmospheric and as the story progressed and the characters/POVs intertwined the family history and secrets unravel. I connected with the characters and raced through the book to find out what was going to happen!
Creepy, tense and a real page turner! If you’re a fan of a disturbing family mystery novel, this is a must read!
The book is very atmospheric and as the story progressed and the characters/POVs intertwined the family history and secrets unravel. I connected with the characters and raced through the book to find out what was going to happen!
Creepy, tense and a real page turner! If you’re a fan of a disturbing family mystery novel, this is a must read!
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
5.0
This is so much more than a romance novel! It was funny, heart warming and captivating. Minnie Cooper (yes that’s her name!) suffers from bad luck after being born one minute after Quinn, who stole her name and her prize money which impacts her whole life! I connected with Minnie and Quinn’s characters immediately and often I found myself laughing out loud at some points in the story.
I was captivated by the love/hate relationship and obvious connection that Minnie and Quinn had, but more so the relationships they had with their mothers. I felt this was an amazing addition to the story and I really connected with this, Sophie has a way of adding small but very meaningful points which felt so real and emotional. It was also amazing reading such a special story in a COVID-free world!
I was almost surprised how much I loved this book, I usually find the romance genre very predictable but this surpassed all expectations and is a book to remember. I have recommend this book to everyone and it will most likely end up being a re-read for me to cleanse my palette from the crime/thrillers and easy 5 star read!
I was captivated by the love/hate relationship and obvious connection that Minnie and Quinn had, but more so the relationships they had with their mothers. I felt this was an amazing addition to the story and I really connected with this, Sophie has a way of adding small but very meaningful points which felt so real and emotional. It was also amazing reading such a special story in a COVID-free world!
I was almost surprised how much I loved this book, I usually find the romance genre very predictable but this surpassed all expectations and is a book to remember. I have recommend this book to everyone and it will most likely end up being a re-read for me to cleanse my palette from the crime/thrillers and easy 5 star read!
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
4.0
3.5 stars, I enjoyed this book but it was very predictable. Advertised as a modern day take on Jane Eyre I was very intrigued by this book, it was a thrilling read and I enjoyed it but I was forever guessing the plot correctly and some points of this story were too obvious.
Overall, I enjoyed it but it just missed the mark a bit for me!
Overall, I enjoyed it but it just missed the mark a bit for me!
The Catch by T.M. Logan
5.0
This was a thrilling fast paced read. Ed has the perfect family, daughter and now he’s forced to welcome Abbie’s boyfriend into his perfect world. Immediately Ed has suspicions of his son-in-law to be, Ryan but are his suspicions correct or is he just being an over protective father?
I felt the first half of this book was a bit slow and I was growing impatient to the inevitable fall of Ed’s world! The story was strongly written and the characters backgrounds and personalities were so descriptive I was fully engrossed in the story and anticipating what was going to happen based on this!
T.M. Logan did not disappoint and I would definitely recommend this book, 4 stars based on the slow first half of the book!
I felt the first half of this book was a bit slow and I was growing impatient to the inevitable fall of Ed’s world! The story was strongly written and the characters backgrounds and personalities were so descriptive I was fully engrossed in the story and anticipating what was going to happen based on this!
T.M. Logan did not disappoint and I would definitely recommend this book, 4 stars based on the slow first half of the book!
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
5.0
I was gifted this book and it blew me away. I pick it up when I feel a bit low and I’m forever grateful to the friend who kindly gifted it to me. The beautiful illustrations add to the emotional wording and story of this book I don’t know how anyone can pick this up and not instantly feel happier.
Everyone should have this and I will continue to pass on the gift!
Everyone should have this and I will continue to pass on the gift!
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
5.0
A solid 5 stars! This was an unexpected and memorable read. I had very little idea what this story was about before I picked it up. It’s a mesmerising story with such a beautiful descriptive nod to nature. The theme of loneliness and coming of age is so strong throughout the first half of the book, I felt for Kaya as she struggles for survival and acceptance. As the story progressed it got darker and I felt myself becoming more and more intrigued by Kaya and the rest of the characters.
Despite the negativity around this book and author I think it is a must read and an easy 5 star rating from me.
Despite the negativity around this book and author I think it is a must read and an easy 5 star rating from me.
The Chalet by Catherine Cooper
4.0
The Chalet is a spine tingling thriller set in a snowy France skiing complex. The story follows two timelines, one in 1998 and one in the present. I felt the story got off to a really tense start and it was obvious there was some sort of connection to the past and present. The characters were a bit hit and miss and I didn’t really feel a connection with any of them. The story felt tense throughout and although predictable at times I was absolutely shocked at the end! I really thought I’d figured it out!
Overall I enjoyed this, it was very atmospheric and in all honesty has probably put me off a skiing trip haha. The only let down for me were the characters however if you like a thrilling read I would recommend.
Overall I enjoyed this, it was very atmospheric and in all honesty has probably put me off a skiing trip haha. The only let down for me were the characters however if you like a thrilling read I would recommend.
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
3.0
I read this book as part of a book club, initially I was so excited as it was a book I’d definitely pick up! I was gripped by the first part of the book, I felt the tense and panic from the main character when she realises her child has been taken and I was desperate to know what she would choose to do. However it quickly felt apart and the story felt all over the place and extremely far fetched towards the end.
I struggled to get through the end of the book towards the end, it became too predictable and I rolled my eyes at some of the decisions the characters made more times that actually agreed with them!
Overall it was a good read but I didn’t enjoy this nearly as much as I thought I would.
I struggled to get through the end of the book towards the end, it became too predictable and I rolled my eyes at some of the decisions the characters made more times that actually agreed with them!
Overall it was a good read but I didn’t enjoy this nearly as much as I thought I would.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
4.0
I wanted to give this book a 5 star rating but certain things missed the mark for me. Whilst I enjoyed the characters, I also found there were too many to keep up with and at points certain characters and their decisions bothered me. The concept of the book was brilliant, I enjoyed the elderly characters different personalities and the retirement home setting. Osman brings so many stereotypes and characteristics into the story and it works really well.
That being said, I was getting a bit bored half way through the book and I kept putting it down not really wanting to pick it back up. I felt like it was too long and it started to jump around a little too much, what I initially enjoyed about the short chapters started to wear thin. Once it started to tie together and the story was coming to an end I really started enjoying it again.
I would definitely recommend and I will be reading the next one when it comes out!
That being said, I was getting a bit bored half way through the book and I kept putting it down not really wanting to pick it back up. I felt like it was too long and it started to jump around a little too much, what I initially enjoyed about the short chapters started to wear thin. Once it started to tie together and the story was coming to an end I really started enjoying it again.
I would definitely recommend and I will be reading the next one when it comes out!
What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
5.0
I love John Marrs, What Lies Beneath Us is an amazing psychological thriller involving a (hugely messed up) mother and daughter relationship. Maggie’s daughter Nina keeps her locked in the attic for unforgivable events from the past. From the first chapter it was twisty, exciting and tense! I had so many questions throughout the book and I couldn’t put it down because I just needed answers!
John Marrs does not disappoint if you love a thriller, you gotta read this!
John Marrs does not disappoint if you love a thriller, you gotta read this!