.... seriously? thats it? Hold on, let me try to find an attic or a cupboard where I can throw this book into, and hopefully I get a better story cause we go on this journey only to get nowhere and the main character never actually learned anything but now the trauma of committing so many crimes. I felt the same reading this like reading The Midnight Library, the premise of What If? but at least at the of that book we gained something here we just keep meeting husbands and then whoops end of the story cause main character burned down the house for whatever reason cause who knows if the attic is just gonna return again in their new place cause we never learned why the attic does this just yeah it does this.
Going into this book, I thought it would be basically a Hallmark Movie. I was sort of right, given this was basically cheesy like the Hallmark Christmas movies, but add in the stereotypes of the gay best friend who is very flamboyantly gay. I will admit I did chuckle at some parts, but also cringed at some of the parts, cause lets remember the characters are older than 30 but fight like they are in high school. Let's just say everyone needs therapy of some sort. If you want a Bravo Reality TV in a book, this is the book for you.
3.5 star
Was waiting for the climax, and it happened literally 75% into the book, and the ending felt so rushed and made no sense. Justice for Lily cause she is the innocent bean in this book who doesnt deserve this and probably gonna end needing a bunch of therapy to process.
Was waiting for the climax, and it happened literally 75% into the book, and the ending felt so rushed and made no sense. Justice for Lily cause she is the innocent bean in this book who doesnt deserve this and probably gonna end needing a bunch of therapy to process.
2.5 star rounded up
Oh boy, where do I even start with this book? The majority of the time, I was just sitting here thinking, "Girl, stop it and go to some sort of therapy or talk to someone cause you have issues that you are ignoring that you are projecting onto your sister." Honestly, the plot was boring and confusing a quarter of the time, and the ending was very confusing. The whole scene with the Sugar Plum Fairy "dying" (and yet she said that you could live forever???) could have been written out, and the ending would have had the same effect.
Oh boy, where do I even start with this book? The majority of the time, I was just sitting here thinking, "Girl, stop it and go to some sort of therapy or talk to someone cause you have issues that you are ignoring that you are projecting onto your sister." Honestly, the plot was boring and confusing a quarter of the time, and the ending was very confusing. The whole scene with the Sugar Plum Fairy "dying" (and yet she said that you could live forever???) could have been written out, and the ending would have had the same effect.
I would highly recommend that you listen to Jennette reading [b:I'm Glad My Mom Died|59364173|I'm Glad My Mom Died|Jennette McCurdy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649286799l/59364173._SY75_.jpg|93537110]. You can feel her turmoil while growing up and trying to fix the damage later on in life.
I listened to Brave New World on audiobook, and while I can see why it’s a classic, I wasn’t completely blown away by it. The world-building is fascinating and definitely makes you think about technology and control in society, but the pacing was slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The writing felt a bit dated and heavy-handed at times, which made it harder to fully enjoy. That said, it’s a thought-provoking read with important themes, just not my favorite dystopian novel.
Title is a bit misleading considering the fact the “wife” part is more like fiancé but I digress…
This book pacing was a chore and made me feel frustrated at the characters seeing all the clues and red flags then straight up ignoring and disregard them? Seriously, the man kept taking off his glasses and nobody bat an eyelash?!? Or notice that the man is wearing color contacts. Then we get to the end and it’s just plot twist after plot twist as the knots get undone one by one and we randomly get oh btw all the kids are half siblings fyi lol like what-. I was not entirely a fan of this book, did some moments get me yes but I was not entirely hooked to the story.
Thanks again to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity for to give a honest review of this book.
This book pacing was a chore and made me feel frustrated at the characters seeing all the clues and red flags then straight up ignoring and disregard them? Seriously, the man kept taking off his glasses and nobody bat an eyelash?!? Or notice that the man is wearing color contacts. Then we get to the end and it’s just plot twist after plot twist as the knots get undone one by one and we randomly get oh btw all the kids are half siblings fyi lol like what-. I was not entirely a fan of this book, did some moments get me yes but I was not entirely hooked to the story.
Thanks again to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity for to give a honest review of this book.
A cozy closed "room" mystery. At least that's what I am assuming it is as this story felt like I was dredging on until the end when it finally picked up steam and threw everything at you at once like oh here is the solution but also let's add all of these other things that need to be explained and end it so randomly.
SPOILERS DOWN BELOW
But also felt like the whole plot was pointless in the end like it didn't even matter if Emory solved the mystery cause all of the humans were going to die regardless
SPOILERS DOWN BELOW
But also felt like the whole plot was pointless in the end like it didn't even matter if Emory solved the mystery cause all of the humans were going to die regardless
I wanted to like this after so many years of being on my TBR list. Probably should have stayed on TBR
excuse me while I cry in my glass of emotion. it took me everything I got to get through the last few pages...
Hello? Nev? I would like to report a Catfish. In my honest opinion, I was not a fan of this book. A thriller book this is not; more of a mystery plot you would see in the everyday crime mystery show you see on TV. You know those shows you watch when you are waiting for your laundry to be done. If I wasn’t listening to this as an audiobook I would have DNF’d this book. The armchair detectives subplot was so weird and random listening to it. This would have been a fun buddy cop story but sadly it was not. I was never hooked, I would pass on this book (no offense to the author)
Thanks again to NetGalley & RBmedia for the opportunity to give me a honest review of this book.
3.75/5 rounded up to 4 stars.
This is my first Freida McFadden novel and i'm interested in reading her other novels....and thats totally not because theres a whole bunch now being sold at Costco when they brought back books for the holiday season.
I was getting annoyed at the main character ignoring all the red flags of her husband but turns out she is a big ass red flag herself. Everyone in the story is a red flag, besides Luke who was innocent this whole time but he is now painted as the one who killed his girlfriend but the cops didnt think to interview all of her patients?!?! Unreliable narrator, this was thinking back.
This is my first Freida McFadden novel and i'm interested in reading her other novels....and thats totally not because theres a whole bunch now being sold at Costco when they brought back books for the holiday season.
I was getting annoyed at the main character ignoring all the red flags of her husband but turns out she is a big ass red flag herself. Everyone in the story is a red flag,
3.5 stars
Nothing really to write home about but a very important message that everyone middle school age should know.
Nothing really to write home about but a very important message that everyone middle school age should know.
I was tempted to remove a star solely because of the bs ending of lol plot twist, one of the characters is not actually dead but instead became better off, like? The woman was psychotic, and nobody else batted an eye at it. I literally said “WHAT THE F—K” at the end; it shouldn’t have been written that way.
The majority of the story was just bs drama that you can get from any other book or Lifetime movie, a chore to try to get through the book without wanting to shut off my Kindle. A character ignores the red flags staring in front of her and then becomes so deluded that she thinks someone else is the problem. I was literally rooting for the dramatic couple to perish I will give the author that but for a book about a bookclub, the bookclub really played a minor role in the book as you could just replace the bookclub with any other social gathering (i.e. a woman’s club, knitting circle, gardening etc etc) and it would still wouldn’t make a difference.
Thanks again to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to give an honest review of this book.
The majority of the story was just bs drama that you can get from any other book or Lifetime movie, a chore to try to get through the book without wanting to shut off my Kindle. A character ignores the red flags staring in front of her and then becomes so deluded that she thinks someone else is the problem. I was literally rooting for the dramatic couple to perish I will give the author that but for a book about a bookclub, the bookclub really played a minor role in the book as you could just replace the bookclub with any other social gathering (i.e. a woman’s club, knitting circle, gardening etc etc) and it would still wouldn’t make a difference.
Thanks again to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to give an honest review of this book.
This book had me confused, intrigued, annoyed, and impressed all at the same time, which honestly feels on brand for this story.
The concept? Genuinely cool. The body-hopping, time loop, and murder mystery mashup kept my brain engaged and made me want to keep reading just to see how all the pieces fit together. When things clicked, they really clicked, and I’ll give the author credit for pulling off something this ambitious.
That being said… this book can feel like a chore at times. The constant resetting, new perspectives, and information overload got exhausting, and there were moments where I had to stop and remind myself who I was supposed to be following again. Some twists felt clever, others felt like twists for the sake of twisting.
The concept? Genuinely cool. The body-hopping, time loop, and murder mystery mashup kept my brain engaged and made me want to keep reading just to see how all the pieces fit together. When things clicked, they really clicked, and I’ll give the author credit for pulling off something this ambitious.
That being said… this book can feel like a chore at times. The constant resetting, new perspectives, and information overload got exhausting, and there were moments where I had to stop and remind myself who I was supposed to be following again. Some twists felt clever, others felt like twists for the sake of twisting.
I originally picked up this book because of the fact I am a fan of the musical: Six, you know, the musical about all the wives of Henry VIII in which they retold their stories about being married to the King of England. Yeah maybe it is best that I don’t pick books solely on 1 thing cause this time it burned me.
From the description of the book you would assume that the prostitute would have a bigger role in the story but literally not even around 50% of the book she is gone and also spoiler she swings both ways cause *checks notes from quick research of sexuality in medieval times* lesbianism was barely ever mentioned during that time period cause you know male rules and women are to be submissive blah blah blahs but there should have been more involvement between them if Anne was just gonna leave her back at her home. Why did she even go through this whole character arc when it just was gonna be ditched?
I really wanted to like this book because the premise honestly sounds interesting on paper. Anne Boleyn waking up after her beheading and going on some revenge journey sounds like it should have been dramatic, chaotic, and honestly a bit unhinged in a fun way. Instead it felt like the story kept pausing itself to dump backstory or historical details that just slowed everything down. It kept feeling like okay now the story is about to actually start and then it just… didn’t. By the time things started moving I was already mentally checked out.
The pacing was a chore show more at times and made the revenge aspect feel more like a side quest rather than the main focus. I expected more tension, more urgency, more consequences, but a lot of the plot felt strangely low stakes, considering the whole point is that she literally came back from being executed. There were moments where the tone felt unsure of what it wanted to be, serious historical fiction or something more weird and bold, and it never fully committed to either direction.
Some of the character decisions also felt frustrating or underdeveloped, which made it harder to stay invested. It felt like certain relationships or plot points were introduced as if they were going to matter a lot and then they either disappeared or wrapped up too quickly. It just left me wondering what the point was supposed to be.
Overall this just did not work for me. The concept had potential but the execution did not keep me hooked and by the end I was mostly just relieved to be finished.
Thanks again to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity for to give a honest review of this book. show less
From the description of the book you would assume that the prostitute would have a bigger role in the story but literally not even around 50% of the book she is gone and also spoiler she swings both ways cause *checks notes from quick research of sexuality in medieval times* lesbianism was barely ever mentioned during that time period cause you know male rules and women are to be submissive blah blah blahs but there should have been more involvement between them if Anne was just gonna leave her back at her home. Why did she even go through this whole character arc when it just was gonna be ditched?
I really wanted to like this book because the premise honestly sounds interesting on paper. Anne Boleyn waking up after her beheading and going on some revenge journey sounds like it should have been dramatic, chaotic, and honestly a bit unhinged in a fun way. Instead it felt like the story kept pausing itself to dump backstory or historical details that just slowed everything down. It kept feeling like okay now the story is about to actually start and then it just… didn’t. By the time things started moving I was already mentally checked out.
The pacing was a chore show more at times and made the revenge aspect feel more like a side quest rather than the main focus. I expected more tension, more urgency, more consequences, but a lot of the plot felt strangely low stakes, considering the whole point is that she literally came back from being executed. There were moments where the tone felt unsure of what it wanted to be, serious historical fiction or something more weird and bold, and it never fully committed to either direction.
Some of the character decisions also felt frustrating or underdeveloped, which made it harder to stay invested. It felt like certain relationships or plot points were introduced as if they were going to matter a lot and then they either disappeared or wrapped up too quickly. It just left me wondering what the point was supposed to be.
Overall this just did not work for me. The concept had potential but the execution did not keep me hooked and by the end I was mostly just relieved to be finished.
Thanks again to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity for to give a honest review of this book. show less
A soft 4 stars, [b:Kill for Me, Kill for You|176451879|Kill for Me, Kill for You|Steve Cavanagh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687105490l/176451879._SY75_.jpg|144402374] is a twisted, dark thriller with a premise straight out of Strangers on a Train, a strangers' agreement to kill for each other. [a:Steve Cavanagh|9813415|Steve Cavanagh|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] crams in plenty of tension, clever reveals, and morally murky characters that kept me turning the pages, especially in the second half. The multiple POVs create intrigue, and the themes of grief, revenge, and justice have an impact. That said, the beginning lagged some and a few of the twists pushed credibility, with a rushed conclusion that felt empty.
Not Suzanne Collins making me teary-eyed at 35000ft in the air while reading how Snow hates everyone from 12 and needed to "mysteriously" kill Haymitch's entire family and girlfriend. I can never look at gumdrops the same ever again. I love you like all-fire.
Also the origin stories of everyone from the main trilogy and seeing how they were before and after the capitol
Also the origin stories of everyone from the main trilogy and seeing how they were before and after the capitol
Forewarning: This book is a slow burn at least for me it was a slow burn as it took forever for something to happen as it was here is the plot now here is some dialogue backstory and some other things that are not really important right now but oh wait here we go to the climax buckle up cause we are about to throw every plot twist at you.
Also, the trope of the final girl hunting their killer was definitely not here as spoiler: that final girl was the cause of all this cause the main characters Dad is a complete heartless pyscho and I agree that everyone completely fucked up in their handling cause how can you let someone to have all the info of their kid AND correspond with someone who turned out to be the new serial killer in a backwards logic way of getting back at your original killer when the killer literally guides you to their son to fulfill both their crazy desires.
This book made me so mad at the Dad like yes I know he’s a serial killer but 1 trying to get the main character Ben/Adam to follow in his backwards game and belief and continue the serial killings but also 2 to literally have the nerve to call him (which how the heck did he know that he was in the tunnels at that point) and say yeah that girl you thought you killed is actually alive and I gave her clues to try to find you but also she killed a bunch of similar people and her own dad copies good luck have fun I hope you die quickly :) :) :) like??? Throw him into solitary confinement and throw away show more the damn keys. Ben/Adam is gonna need a whole lot of more therapy.
I will consider picking up a hardcopy when it comes out on March 24, 2026
Thanks again to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to give an honest review of this book. show less
Also, the trope of the final girl hunting their killer was definitely not here as spoiler: that final girl was the cause of all this cause the main characters Dad is a complete heartless pyscho and I agree that everyone completely fucked up in their handling cause how can you let someone to have all the info of their kid AND correspond with someone who turned out to be the new serial killer in a backwards logic way of getting back at your original killer when the killer literally guides you to their son to fulfill both their crazy desires.
This book made me so mad at the Dad like yes I know he’s a serial killer but 1 trying to get the main character Ben/Adam to follow in his backwards game and belief and continue the serial killings but also 2 to literally have the nerve to call him (which how the heck did he know that he was in the tunnels at that point) and say yeah that girl you thought you killed is actually alive and I gave her clues to try to find you but also she killed a bunch of similar people and her own dad copies good luck have fun I hope you die quickly :) :) :) like??? Throw him into solitary confinement and throw away show more the damn keys. Ben/Adam is gonna need a whole lot of more therapy.
I will consider picking up a hardcopy when it comes out on March 24, 2026
Thanks again to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to give an honest review of this book. show less
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: An Enemies-to-Lovers Christmas Romance and a Cozy Mystery Set in the English Countryside. by Ally Carter
3.5/5 Stars
A romcom book that plays out like one of those hallmark movies but add a "murder" mystery plot and a series of twists and turns that I could have been conned into thinking this could have been a mystery book if it wasn't listed as a romance book with very mild spice (if any).
A romcom book that plays out like one of those hallmark movies but add a "murder" mystery plot and a series of twists and turns that I could have been conned into thinking this could have been a mystery book if it wasn't listed as a romance book with very mild spice (if any).
This book feels like a mix of Big Brother, Big Brother UK, Love Island, and Survivor; all the best parts of competition reality shows rolled into one. It asks: how far would you go, knowing the world is watching, to win the luxury items you’ve always wanted? What compromises would you make to get to the very end and finally claim that Prada bag, or whatever prize you’ve been dreaming of?
In a dystopian reality game show, unnamed but presumably the same as the book’s title, The Compound, we follow Lily, one of twenty contestants. Lily starts off as the archetypal girl longing for a better life, timid and anxious, but gradually begins to prove herself as the game intensifies. What unfolds is a brutal mix of psychological warfare and survival.
The pacing mirrors the rhythm of a reality TV season: slow and deliberate at first, then accelerating to a breakneck speed as the stakes rise. By the finale, I was literally at the edge of my seat, questioning how far each contestant would be willing to go to get what they wanted.
A solid 4.75/5, rounded up to a well-deserved ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
In a dystopian reality game show, unnamed but presumably the same as the book’s title, The Compound, we follow Lily, one of twenty contestants. Lily starts off as the archetypal girl longing for a better life, timid and anxious, but gradually begins to prove herself as the game intensifies. What unfolds is a brutal mix of psychological warfare and survival.
The pacing mirrors the rhythm of a reality TV season: slow and deliberate at first, then accelerating to a breakneck speed as the stakes rise. By the finale, I was literally at the edge of my seat, questioning how far each contestant would be willing to go to get what they wanted.
A solid 4.75/5, rounded up to a well-deserved ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
I'm sorry, who gave this book the right to make me cry multiple times?!? I am sitting here just processing what I just read and wanting more of Harriette and Nolan, cause you can't just end the story there. I want to know more.
Like hello Nolan tell her about the fact you just met her aunt that she adored so much! And the cat is spy for her so that yall werent alone and you werent meant to be together cause yall are linked and also does Nolan still have that magic
Also me reading all the sex scenes thinking of this perfect reaction pic from drag race
image:
Also me reading all the sex scenes thinking of this perfect reaction pic from drag race
image:
Okay, so I actually owned this book before I read [b:Good Spirits|222279220|Good Spirits (Ghosted, #1)|B.K. Borison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1733841226l/222279220._SY75_.jpg|226900522], but I was saving it for feburary cause you know... LOVE SEASON. Tell me why I am kicking my feet like a giddy schoolgirl (I have no better words to describe this) ,reading this book. Now, I am not one for romance, but apparently, B.K. Borison got me hooked on her books cause this was an amazing read. From the characters (Go Women in Male-Dominant fields) to the setting (okay, I am biased cause I went to undergrad in Maryland and went to Baltimore a few times) to the plot, it had me wanting more and more from Lucie and Aiden. I also give props to Borison for including same sex couples and not just for the hell of it, but giving the perspective of a chosen family, especially when raising a preteen. I cannot wait to read [b:And Now, Back to You|217513554|And Now, Back to You (Heartstrings, #2)|B.K. Borison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1748482477l/217513554._SY75_.jpg|237205238] and see Jackson's journey after the taste of his character in this book.
I really don't know how to start this review cause I been flip-flopping on what I should rate or write. I was enjoying the playful banter between Luc and Oliver and both not wanting to admit that their fake relationship has real feelings for each other. HOWEVER, towards the last 20% of the book could have been a. longer or b. taken completely out cause what do you mean yall literally have WooHoo one night then only a few hours later oops sorry I want to break up and now we must go on this whole journey of running after the person and getting rejected again that lasts only a few minutes....just like every time they break up. Also trend alert I am seeing in books nowadays Characters who should probably be in therapy cause theres a lot of stuff that need to be unpacked and proccessed. Oh, and the whole dad plotline was very not needed cause it literally did not go anywhere cause he only cared cause he thought he had cancer when everytime he tried to have a relationship with Luc it ended in diaster cause deep down the father did not give one singular fuck. Will I read [b:Husband Material|58323892|Husband Material (London Calling, #2)|Alexis Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638550537l/58323892._SY75_.jpg|89515514] that is up for debate as I still have [b:10 Things That Never Happened|83137176|10 Things That Never Happened (Material World, #1)|Alexis show more Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681506443l/83137176._SY75_.jpg|89517110] to read from Alexis Hall. show less