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woahshereads's reviews
141 reviews
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
2.0
I think there are far better serial killer books out there that I don’t know I would recommend this one for readers seeking out this genre. However, I did enjoy that this book came from the view of the convicted serial killers daughter and was set 12 years after the initial killings - this created a unique perspective and was an alluring way to attract interest. I also thought the author did a great job with the details of her life growing up and where these characters are now. It was really easy to imagine & bring the words into view.
But unfortunately, I felt that the storytelling was slow and boring for what I was expecting. As anticipated, Chloe Davis has not yet healed from her childhood trauma of being the daughter of a notorious serial killer. Yet she herself is a drugged up psychologist who is seems to be paranoid still that her past will creep up to her and those around her will begin to unravel her complicated past. Although she wants no one to know of her past, she moved no less than an hour away from her childhood home, she hasn’t changed her name or appearance, she was engaged to a man who is quite literally the opposite of her & she gives an interview that exposes her more than anything else. The details just don’t add up here.
Continuing with details, I felt as if there were too many “fluffier” details to fill the space that often left the story as seemingly repetitive & again boring. It became obvious that her dad was not the actual killer 12 years ago but I will admit I struggled to convince myself it was her brother or fiancé over one another. I knew it had to be one of them but the twist and mysterious story in that regard was well done. I just felt that up until the near end of the book, the writing wasn’t enough to keep me engaged.
But unfortunately, I felt that the storytelling was slow and boring for what I was expecting. As anticipated, Chloe Davis has not yet healed from her childhood trauma of being the daughter of a notorious serial killer. Yet she herself is a drugged up psychologist who is seems to be paranoid still that her past will creep up to her and those around her will begin to unravel her complicated past. Although she wants no one to know of her past, she moved no less than an hour away from her childhood home, she hasn’t changed her name or appearance, she was engaged to a man who is quite literally the opposite of her & she gives an interview that exposes her more than anything else. The details just don’t add up here.
Continuing with details, I felt as if there were too many “fluffier” details to fill the space that often left the story as seemingly repetitive & again boring. It became obvious that her dad was not the actual killer 12 years ago but I will admit I struggled to convince myself it was her brother or fiancé over one another. I knew it had to be one of them but the twist and mysterious story in that regard was well done. I just felt that up until the near end of the book, the writing wasn’t enough to keep me engaged.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
2.0
Once again, I feel as if Lucey Foley’s writing falls flat. I just finished The Guest List (also rated 2 ⭐️) & I had higher hopes going into this one but yet again I found myself disappointed. I think my main problem with her writing is that her stories start right in the middle of the “mystery” itself so there is no built up tension or wonder going into the reading. You don’t get a chance to connect with any of the characters and as a result, you don’t care who did it or what happens to them. About 53% of the way through I had to ask myself if I really cared to finish it & I as I am not one to DNF - I powered through. But it was a struggle.
For this book, I found myself not caring so much for Ben or Jess & honestly most if not all of the other characters. The book was melodramatic with a slight anticipation for “what happens next” but, spoiler alert, nothing ever does. Jess does nothing to aid the search for her missing brother aside from asking her rude “neighbors” a single consistent question “when did you last seem him?” & she never probes any further because she doesn’t want to overstep? Call attention to herself?! HELLO YOUR BROTHER IS MYSTERIOUSLY MISSING, THERE IS BLOOD AND BLEACH IN HIS APARTMENT AND ALL OF HIS NEIGHBORS ARE BEING VAGUE ASSHOLES?! Yeah, seems likely.
So after nothing happens for about 80% of the book, the neighbors suddenly start to feel uneasy about her presence after she’s done nothing to reveal the truth and nothing to suggest she knows what happened to her brother which results in an ending so quick and abrupt and, just as I felt for The Guest List, was underwhelming & not surprising or shocking at all; especially for something often advertised as a mystery/thriller & highly praised on BookTok.
Overall, I don’t think Lucey Foley is the mystery author for me moving forward.
For this book, I found myself not caring so much for Ben or Jess & honestly most if not all of the other characters. The book was melodramatic with a slight anticipation for “what happens next” but, spoiler alert, nothing ever does. Jess does nothing to aid the search for her missing brother aside from asking her rude “neighbors” a single consistent question “when did you last seem him?” & she never probes any further because she doesn’t want to overstep? Call attention to herself?! HELLO YOUR BROTHER IS MYSTERIOUSLY MISSING, THERE IS BLOOD AND BLEACH IN HIS APARTMENT AND ALL OF HIS NEIGHBORS ARE BEING VAGUE ASSHOLES?! Yeah, seems likely.
So after nothing happens for about 80% of the book, the neighbors suddenly start to feel uneasy about her presence after she’s done nothing to reveal the truth and nothing to suggest she knows what happened to her brother which results in an ending so quick and abrupt and, just as I felt for The Guest List, was underwhelming & not surprising or shocking at all; especially for something often advertised as a mystery/thriller & highly praised on BookTok.
Overall, I don’t think Lucey Foley is the mystery author for me moving forward.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
2.0
I saw this book all over TikTok & it was readily available at my library so I decided to give it a go! Overall, I enjoyed listening to this book & thought the different narrators for each POV was genius. With so many, I felt that it really helped me keep track of which storyline I was following. The setting of this book was magical. I could easily concoct an image in my head of this moody environment and thought it was the perfect place for two miserable rich people to get married. The plot had so much potential and the dynamic between each character was set up so well. But, the play out of this story just fell flat in so many ways.
Personally, Aiofe, Hannah, Johno & Olivia were the only characters with any sort of substance but were also the only characters who got shit justice at the end. Aiofe reveals it was her sister who was on the video so she kills the groom. Hannah’s husband cheats on her and is in love with the newly widowed Jules. Johno has taken the fall for every wrong doing of Will & then ends up taking the fall for Aiofe’s murder (is she any better than Will in the end then?), and Olivia is a teenage hot mess who went through something no one should have too. By the time you find out Will is the victim - you just don’t care! It wasn’t a shock to anyone that he ended up with a knife to the chest, in fact you find yourself thinking “how has anyone not left this asshole high and dry yet?!”.
Overall, I am just disappointed with how this all played out. If we knew it was Will in the beginning and then got to hear more in depth about each characters dark personal history that tied them to Will, this review would have been ending on a different note (think like Only Murders in the Building style). But the long built up version that felt like it was 100 pages too long about nothing but “frat boy” drama just wasn’t it.
Personally, Aiofe, Hannah, Johno & Olivia were the only characters with any sort of substance but were also the only characters who got shit justice at the end. Aiofe reveals it was her sister who was on the video so she kills the groom. Hannah’s husband cheats on her and is in love with the newly widowed Jules. Johno has taken the fall for every wrong doing of Will & then ends up taking the fall for Aiofe’s murder (is she any better than Will in the end then?), and Olivia is a teenage hot mess who went through something no one should have too. By the time you find out Will is the victim - you just don’t care! It wasn’t a shock to anyone that he ended up with a knife to the chest, in fact you find yourself thinking “how has anyone not left this asshole high and dry yet?!”.
Overall, I am just disappointed with how this all played out. If we knew it was Will in the beginning and then got to hear more in depth about each characters dark personal history that tied them to Will, this review would have been ending on a different note (think like Only Murders in the Building style). But the long built up version that felt like it was 100 pages too long about nothing but “frat boy” drama just wasn’t it.
You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose
1.5
This book was pretty bad.. i thought the end was the only redeemable part of this book but even that felt forced & as though it was written COMPLETELY different than the rest of the book.
For starters, right from the beginning this book was CRINGEY. Every single thing that came out of either of the characters mouths made me want to retreat into myself. They are highly attracted to each other at first sight but there is this weird sexual tension where Grace is flirting and Calvin is actually obsessed with her - to the point where it is creepy and uncomfortable. The writing felt like I was reading a middle school diary that you never want anyone to see.
Even worse than Grace & Calvin, every other character in this small Wyoming town seems to WANT to have this mysterious alluring background but in reality we never learn anything about these characters other than they know the truth about how Calvin’s parents died (which at first seemed like it was such a big part of the story but in the end it was just thrown in there to try and give these characters some depth) & that they are also all obsessed with Calvin? I literally don’t think the author could have tried to harder to make these characters less interesting.
In the end, yes Calvin was in fact behind this missing girl (shocker) & Grace was also a serial killer for literally no reason whatsoever. She goes from town to town killing new people she meets. I’m sorry, are we supposed to like Grace? It seems that these two main characters probably had more in common than either of them knew but Grace is judging Calvin for his trophies? & then she goes home to this seemingly perfect life and family. I also want to say that I listened to the audio version of this book & I think the male character tried really hard to give off this sexual, attractive & interesting person but every time this person narrated a chapter my skin crawled..
For starters, right from the beginning this book was CRINGEY. Every single thing that came out of either of the characters mouths made me want to retreat into myself. They are highly attracted to each other at first sight but there is this weird sexual tension where Grace is flirting and Calvin is actually obsessed with her - to the point where it is creepy and uncomfortable. The writing felt like I was reading a middle school diary that you never want anyone to see.
Even worse than Grace & Calvin, every other character in this small Wyoming town seems to WANT to have this mysterious alluring background but in reality we never learn anything about these characters other than they know the truth about how Calvin’s parents died (which at first seemed like it was such a big part of the story but in the end it was just thrown in there to try and give these characters some depth) & that they are also all obsessed with Calvin? I literally don’t think the author could have tried to harder to make these characters less interesting.
In the end, yes Calvin was in fact behind this missing girl (shocker) & Grace was also a serial killer for literally no reason whatsoever. She goes from town to town killing new people she meets. I’m sorry, are we supposed to like Grace? It seems that these two main characters probably had more in common than either of them knew but Grace is judging Calvin for his trophies? & then she goes home to this seemingly perfect life and family. I also want to say that I listened to the audio version of this book & I think the male character tried really hard to give off this sexual, attractive & interesting person but every time this person narrated a chapter my skin crawled..
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
4.5
I had high hopes going into this book because I loved A Part of Your World and following Alexis & Daniel’s story. I was really nervous this sequel wouldn’t be able to live up to the hype or fill the shoes it’s predecessor left but I LOVED it just as much. I loved that it was in the same world, same atmosphere with even some cameo scenes from previous characters that made reading it all too familiar. I have some small “Ickes” but that’s to be expected.
First, PROTECT JACOB AT ALL COSTS. I think I was in love with him too. This story didn’t feel like the typical romance kind with soulmate, fun, sexy vibes. It was a slow burn & it had depth to it that I haven’t seen too much. Jacob’s struggle with anxiety felt all too real and I thought it was really well represented and expressed in this book. I can see how it seems to dissipate when he is around Briana BUT it did feel like it happened too easy and should have also been a slow process where over time she helps him manage it in the long run, not a few weeks. The letters and journaling hold a special place in my heart. My husband and I dated distantly for 2 years and we also wrote letters and journaled to each other throughout that time so - I loved this part dearly.
Also, Briana girl I struggled with her. She frustrated me SO MUCH. There was so much miscommunication in this book, I felt like I was watching two friends argue and fight over nothing. Too many times did these two come together and say what the other wanted to hear but it was like they weren’t practicing active listening!! These two FINALLY have sex but it is so abrupt and quick I had to check my pages and make sure I wasn’t missing one. If you’re looking for spice and slow burn to relief, this isn’t it.
Overall, there were so many inner monologues I did find myself skimming over sentences a lot more than usual & in the end it wasn’t imperative that I did. I also HATED Amy & do not feel like what they did would have been redeemable so quickly in the real world. Like no way is anyone going to be okay with that so quickly?! That relationship felt like it was important for Jacob’s character and background & I get that it had to be different than Briana’s best friend situation but a sibling?! We couldn’t come up with anything else?! About 80% through the book I had a bad feeling that something tragic was going to happen & I was going to be left in tears but that was not the case at all. I was disappointed that I didn’t cry at all during this book (it’s a known fact that I cry at EVERYTHING) but regardless I really enjoyed following Briana & Jacob’s love story!!
First, PROTECT JACOB AT ALL COSTS. I think I was in love with him too. This story didn’t feel like the typical romance kind with soulmate, fun, sexy vibes. It was a slow burn & it had depth to it that I haven’t seen too much. Jacob’s struggle with anxiety felt all too real and I thought it was really well represented and expressed in this book. I can see how it seems to dissipate when he is around Briana BUT it did feel like it happened too easy and should have also been a slow process where over time she helps him manage it in the long run, not a few weeks. The letters and journaling hold a special place in my heart. My husband and I dated distantly for 2 years and we also wrote letters and journaled to each other throughout that time so - I loved this part dearly.
Also, Briana girl I struggled with her. She frustrated me SO MUCH. There was so much miscommunication in this book, I felt like I was watching two friends argue and fight over nothing. Too many times did these two come together and say what the other wanted to hear but it was like they weren’t practicing active listening!! These two FINALLY have sex but it is so abrupt and quick I had to check my pages and make sure I wasn’t missing one. If you’re looking for spice and slow burn to relief, this isn’t it.
Overall, there were so many inner monologues I did find myself skimming over sentences a lot more than usual & in the end it wasn’t imperative that I did. I also HATED Amy & do not feel like what they did would have been redeemable so quickly in the real world. Like no way is anyone going to be okay with that so quickly?! That relationship felt like it was important for Jacob’s character and background & I get that it had to be different than Briana’s best friend situation but a sibling?! We couldn’t come up with anything else?! About 80% through the book I had a bad feeling that something tragic was going to happen & I was going to be left in tears but that was not the case at all. I was disappointed that I didn’t cry at all during this book (it’s a known fact that I cry at EVERYTHING) but regardless I really enjoyed following Briana & Jacob’s love story!!
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
4.0
First, I want to say that I ADORED this book & I truly felt that Rebecca did an impeccable job bringing this story to life. At times I felt like I was right there alongside the characters while the scene played out. It was very easy for me to imagine Oath, Avalon Bluff & the front lines. I was captivated the entire time and see the charm in this book. However, there are a few things I hope we see more of in book 2, Divine Vows.
One of those being a better understanding of the world before the mortals took over & the history of the gods altogether. We see the relationship between Dacre and Enva before the war and the reasoning behind Dacre’s rage but what about the apparent other 3 Gods who should be awake?? Unless I missed something - which is entirely possible because I absolutely pay devoured this book in 2 days but otherwise, are they choosing not to participate in the war for reason’s unbeknownst to the reader?
Second, I NEED MORE MAGIC. Beyond the basic character development of the Enva & Dacre & the typewriters, there is no magic in this world/story & I was a bit let down by that. I hope in the second book, there is a bit more to be revealed in this regard.
Third, the enemies to lovers trope and overall connection to Iris wasn’t there for me. I will say, the spin that is has on enemies to lovers in which Iris doesn’t know she’s falling FOR her enemy is unique to me but in the end, it takes her a total of about 5 seconds after she finds out it is Roman to forgive him. There is no tension afterwards, there are no awkward moments, no arguments, etc. I also felt like I connected with Roman’s character more than Iris, which I am still conflicted about. Both characters are known to bottle up their feelings to the outside world but I felt like that came through better in Roman’s situations than Iris’ and even in the end with them being married. Roman went through so much trouble to make it happen even in the midst of an evacuation and I just felt that Iris didn’t have as much of a strong reaction as I was expecting. I mean, Roman was bawling his eyes out!!
I am a bit skeptical that this is only going to be a duology with so much left open to conclude/explain but, nonetheless I still loved this book & already pre-ordered the second. I do feel like Iris is about to GO AWFFFF in book 2 to get Roman back and stick it to her brother - which while I am at it.. I feel like just throwing I’m in the end like that was dirttttty & his reasoning for only saving Iris is just wrong especially when he was creeping about at their wedding!! Anyway, I really hope Iris does a 180 and finds herself being the badass that she is.
One of those being a better understanding of the world before the mortals took over & the history of the gods altogether. We see the relationship between Dacre and Enva before the war and the reasoning behind Dacre’s rage but what about the apparent other 3 Gods who should be awake?? Unless I missed something - which is entirely possible because I absolutely pay devoured this book in 2 days but otherwise, are they choosing not to participate in the war for reason’s unbeknownst to the reader?
Second, I NEED MORE MAGIC. Beyond the basic character development of the Enva & Dacre & the typewriters, there is no magic in this world/story & I was a bit let down by that. I hope in the second book, there is a bit more to be revealed in this regard.
Third, the enemies to lovers trope and overall connection to Iris wasn’t there for me. I will say, the spin that is has on enemies to lovers in which Iris doesn’t know she’s falling FOR her enemy is unique to me but in the end, it takes her a total of about 5 seconds after she finds out it is Roman to forgive him. There is no tension afterwards, there are no awkward moments, no arguments, etc. I also felt like I connected with Roman’s character more than Iris, which I am still conflicted about. Both characters are known to bottle up their feelings to the outside world but I felt like that came through better in Roman’s situations than Iris’ and even in the end with them being married. Roman went through so much trouble to make it happen even in the midst of an evacuation and I just felt that Iris didn’t have as much of a strong reaction as I was expecting. I mean, Roman was bawling his eyes out!!
I am a bit skeptical that this is only going to be a duology with so much left open to conclude/explain but, nonetheless I still loved this book & already pre-ordered the second. I do feel like Iris is about to GO AWFFFF in book 2 to get Roman back and stick it to her brother - which while I am at it.. I feel like just throwing I’m in the end like that was dirttttty & his reasoning for only saving Iris is just wrong especially when he was creeping about at their wedding!! Anyway, I really hope Iris does a 180 and finds herself being the badass that she is.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
5.0
Madeline Miller writes a classic story for the modern reader.
This book has long been on my list to read and I finally picked it up this summer while my husband and I were on our honeymoon in London (shout-out to the cutest book shop, Word on the Water). As I was checking out, the owner had said this was one of his favorite books he has read in a long time. I knew the hype had to be worth it, if I have been hearing nothing but great things from Europe and the US. For me, it lived up to the hype. After reading the first two chapters, I had already thought “yep, this is probably going to be a 5-star read”.
The writing & story telling felt so poetic yet so easy to understand and follow. I found myself devouring the pages but at a slow and steady pace because I did not want this story to end. I fell in and out of love with Achilles but I admired how in those moments of my doubt, Patroclus would find his way back to him. These characters had such a deep understanding and love for one another that nothing could come between them. In life and in their death. This story was so beautiful, it’s hard to put it into words.
When I had told friends I was reading this book, their first response was “get the tissues ready”. I am not immune to crying, in fact I probably cry more than most people while readying. But I was surprised that I found myself near the end of the book wondering “what are people talking about?!”.
“In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood, like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun”
^^ this last passage of the book is what got me. In the end, not even Thetis, Achilles goddess mother, who despise Patroclus throughout this entire story, was the one to grant them their peace together in the underworld. I could not have imagined a better ending.
I am so excited to pick up Circe as that was the second reaction people have had when telling them I was reading “The Song of Achilles”… “okay but have you read Circe?!”
I am expecting nothing less than a similar experience reading this.
This book has long been on my list to read and I finally picked it up this summer while my husband and I were on our honeymoon in London (shout-out to the cutest book shop, Word on the Water). As I was checking out, the owner had said this was one of his favorite books he has read in a long time. I knew the hype had to be worth it, if I have been hearing nothing but great things from Europe and the US. For me, it lived up to the hype. After reading the first two chapters, I had already thought “yep, this is probably going to be a 5-star read”.
The writing & story telling felt so poetic yet so easy to understand and follow. I found myself devouring the pages but at a slow and steady pace because I did not want this story to end. I fell in and out of love with Achilles but I admired how in those moments of my doubt, Patroclus would find his way back to him. These characters had such a deep understanding and love for one another that nothing could come between them. In life and in their death. This story was so beautiful, it’s hard to put it into words.
When I had told friends I was reading this book, their first response was “get the tissues ready”. I am not immune to crying, in fact I probably cry more than most people while readying. But I was surprised that I found myself near the end of the book wondering “what are people talking about?!”.
“In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood, like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun”
^^ this last passage of the book is what got me. In the end, not even Thetis, Achilles goddess mother, who despise Patroclus throughout this entire story, was the one to grant them their peace together in the underworld. I could not have imagined a better ending.
I am so excited to pick up Circe as that was the second reaction people have had when telling them I was reading “The Song of Achilles”… “okay but have you read Circe?!”
I am expecting nothing less than a similar experience reading this.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
3.5
I enjoyed this book but I kept waiting for a captivating twist or an emotional confrontation to engage me & it never came. Although I loved following these characters journey and watching their lives unfold into adulthood and beyond, the timeline and plot jumping I felt was what caused the lack of emotion in this book. It’s a tough story to read if you put yourself in Desiree’s shoes but beyond that I didn’t feel any particular way. & I was so expecting to cry at the end of this book (because believe me, I cry in almost every book I read) but I didn’t find myself emotional at all.
I can’t speak upon the colorism and trans subjects of this story and I think that is a personal barrier I am working on to overcome so that I am able to have more of an educated review or opinion for books with such a strong message in these subjects. But overall I felt the book, regardless of one’s exposure to such matters, just lacked emotion for a book that felt like it should be packed with it.
I can’t speak upon the colorism and trans subjects of this story and I think that is a personal barrier I am working on to overcome so that I am able to have more of an educated review or opinion for books with such a strong message in these subjects. But overall I felt the book, regardless of one’s exposure to such matters, just lacked emotion for a book that felt like it should be packed with it.
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
4.0
I think I liked this one just as much if not slightly more than The Housemaid. The writing and plot and concept is pretty much exactly like the first but I felt the twist and ending were better and written/presented better to the reader this time around.
Of course, I think, with these “types” of books, you cannot over analyze the small details that would definitely have taken place in an investigation. I think as an overarching storyline, both of these books took you on a JOURNEY. I will say, in the second book I did not find myself feeling any particular way towards Millie other than she was completely and utterly lost in life & it never really felt otherwise, even at the end. The book definitely ends with room for a third book to continue these “jobs” but I’m more sure how the story could get any more creative.
All in all, I enjoyed these reads and I DEVOURED them. Would definitely recommend for some filler books between genres or series!!
Of course, I think, with these “types” of books, you cannot over analyze the small details that would definitely have taken place in an investigation. I think as an overarching storyline, both of these books took you on a JOURNEY. I will say, in the second book I did not find myself feeling any particular way towards Millie other than she was completely and utterly lost in life & it never really felt otherwise, even at the end. The book definitely ends with room for a third book to continue these “jobs” but I’m more sure how the story could get any more creative.
All in all, I enjoyed these reads and I DEVOURED them. Would definitely recommend for some filler books between genres or series!!