Thank you to Berkley Publishing and May Cobb for my copy of this book. It’s about Cassidy, a woman who moves to LA to recover from heartbreak. When a Thank you to Berkley Publishing and May Cobb for my copy of this book. It’s about Cassidy, a woman who moves to LA to recover from heartbreak. When a friend finds her a job as a personal assistant to a famous couple, Cassidy is thrilled. Marisol and Nate seem like the perfect couple, and all Cassidy has to do a run errands and help out, and in return she has access to luxury. But as she gets to know the couple, Cassidy’s attraction to Nate grows. And it seems like he has the same feelings as she does. Marisol and Nate are constantly fighting, and and soon Cassidy realizes she has been hired for a totally different reason than she originally thought.
Thoughts: This was such a fun and dramatic story. It was so juicy and just a lot of fun. I think this is more of a popcorn thriller, as I was able to consume it quickly. I didn’t enjoy any of the characters at all, but they were they type I loved to hate. It had a lot of dialogue and each character had their own flaws and quirks. I thought there was a good twist, and this was a fun beach read, perfect to take on any vacation. ...more
IF YOURE GOING TO READ THIS BOOK, STOP READING NOW.
I have a whole review for this but I’m too mad to post it. I listened to this on aSPOILERS SPOILERS
IF YOURE GOING TO READ THIS BOOK, STOP READING NOW.
I have a whole review for this but I’m too mad to post it. I listened to this on audio which was great, BUT OMG. This audiobook has one narrators for everyone but one character. Hmmm, I wonder who the murderer is….
The audio ruined this book for me. Why would only one character be narrated by someone else? It’s so obvious that this character is important and clearly the killer. There were lots of red herrings and the story was interesting, but if you listen to this on audio it’s literally pointless. Story- 4 stars, audio- 1 star.
Thank you to Delacorte Press and Cynthia Murphy for my copy of The Midnight Game. This premise was EVERYTHING! It was about a group of people who meetThank you to Delacorte Press and Cynthia Murphy for my copy of The Midnight Game. This premise was EVERYTHING! It was about a group of people who meet on “Deddit” and are trying to learn about creepy games not to play. One of those is The Midnight Game. What are the rules? Do not turn on the lights. Do not go to sleep. Do not leave the building. Otherwise, the Midnight Man will get you. Once you start you have to finish, and these strangers are in for wild ride.
Thoughts: I loved the play on the creepy pasta/reddit culture. This was such a fun premise and I got behind it immediately. The “games you shouldn’t play” subdeddit was a great way to break up the chapters and I was here for it. The characters were a bit flat for me, but this book was easy to consume quickly and a lot of fun. 4-stars....more
Thank you so much to Knopf Publishing and Kimberly McCreight for my copy of this book! It was about Cleo, a girl who does not get along with her motheThank you so much to Knopf Publishing and Kimberly McCreight for my copy of this book! It was about Cleo, a girl who does not get along with her mother, Kat. One night when she is meant to arrive for dinner, she shows up late and finds food burning on the stove and a bloody shoe left behind. What happened to her mother?
Cleo is used to her mom being perfect, but Kat has been lying to everyone. She works as a fixer, and deals with problems that won’t go away. In the days leading up to her disappearance, things start to pile up and Kat begins to realize that she can’t fix everything, especially when someone starts threatening her and the people she loves.
Thoughts: Kimberly McCreight’s writing is addictive and easy to tear through. The book started off with a bang and kept my attention the whole time. I thought the relationship between Cleo and Kat and Cleo and Aiden were both really well done and unique. The secrets in this book just kept coming and layer after layer were slowly unraveled.
This book was about how our past always comes back to haunt us. It was about an emotional relationship between a mother and daughter and all the different nuances that come into play in our lives. I loved that the chapters were mixed with diary entries and therapy sessions, and though the ending was fairly obvious, I enjoyed the story! 4.5 stars! ...more
Thank you so much to Josh Winning and Putnam for my copy of this book. This was a fun summer camp thriller about people who need to escape the public Thank you so much to Josh Winning and Putnam for my copy of this book. This was a fun summer camp thriller about people who need to escape the public eye and detach from their social media. Camp Castaway is where Willow goes to recover from a bad tweet and getting canceled. She meets other people who need to leave behind their mistakes and fade into oblivion, but no technology means no way to call for help. When a woman comes screaming out of Willow’s wardrobe, she is spooked. Then one of the campers go missing, and campers start to literally lose their heads.
Thoughts: This was a super fun and campy thriller/horror book. I love the way Josh Winning writes and this book was extra fun on audio because of Willow’s internal voice. I love a killer at a summer camp, and read this book quickly. The short chapters made it so easy to consume, and it was cheesy and over the top in the best way. Yes, you have to suspend belief. Yes, it was a little too much, but I still loved it. 4.5 stars! ...more
Thank you so much to Del Rey and Josh Malerman for this chilling horror book. It was about Bela, a girl who loves her family more than anything. She lThank you so much to Del Rey and Josh Malerman for this chilling horror book. It was about Bela, a girl who loves her family more than anything. She loves her Mommy, Daddo, Grandma, and even Other Mommy, a tall hairy creature that lives in her closet and asks her every day “Can I go inside your heart?” Terrifying things start happening around around the house, and Other Mommy is getting tired of asking the same question over and over.
Bela realizes that Other Mommy is going to make her pay, and only the bonds of her family can keep her safe. But there are cracks in her family she never knew about, and as secrets start to unravel, Bela has to decide if she wants to give Other Mommy an answer or run for her life.
Thoughts: This book was SO CREEPY! I loved that it was from Bela’s perspective, and Malerman did such a good job of writing from her point of view. This story is so great because of what it doesn’t say. It leaves the horror up to the reader’s imagination, and you feel that something is waiting for you in the dark. You can feel the build of dread as this family tries to do everything they can to escape Other Mommy.
The story was about childhood trauma and family dynamics and innocence. Malerman explores the way our childhood affects our adult lives, and the things we carry with us. I thought the juxtaposition of Bela with the party her family throws and all the guests was especially well done. I couldn’t put it down for a minute and I want to go back and read some of Josh Malerman’s past books! 5-stars! ...more
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Sarah Pekkanen for my copy of this book. It was about a nanny who fell (pushed?) to her death, and it was Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Sarah Pekkanen for my copy of this book. It was about a nanny who fell (pushed?) to her death, and it was witnessed by a nine year old girl who hasn’t said a word since. She now collects sharp objects, and is assigned a lawyer to help find out what really happened- who is a victim and who may be a murderer.
Rose is a child who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny in the midst of her parents divorce. Stella is a best interest attorney who is appointed to represent children in custody cases. But from the moment she enters the Barclay estate, she realizes that the case is more twisted than she though. The house is plastic- there isn’t a piece of glass to be found. As Stella gets closer to uncovering the secrets hidden there, she needs to figure out who needs protecting, and who they should be protected from.
Thoughts: The idea of a little girl who won’t talk was both creepy and interesting. It was hard to know if she was evil or not, and my opinion changed throughout the book. Each character had a motive to murder and their own unique personality that captured my interest. This book was so easy to binge and I couldn’t put it down.
I thought Stella’s history was an important part of the story and was woven in really well. Her story was a good mirror to Rose’s story, and it was nice to have a likable main character. I wasn’t as invested in the story as I am in others, but it was a fun and quick read for me. 4.5 stars for this one!...more
Thank you so much to Emma Bamford, Netgalley, and Gallery Books for my copy of this book. It was about Maddy, a ghost writer who is commissioned to wrThank you so much to Emma Bamford, Netgalley, and Gallery Books for my copy of this book. It was about Maddy, a ghost writer who is commissioned to write a memoir for a famous plastic surgeon, Angela. She travels to her home in the remote Scottish highlands, and is asked to stay there while writing to be fully immersed. She is sharing the estate with Angela's partner Scott, and finds herself drawn to him.
Strange things start going on, including strangers lurking outside, handprints on the windows, and Scott's mood swings. When she returns to London to start promoting the book, she finds out that Scott jumped to his death, and Maddy thinks things are much more dark and complicated than she originally thought.
Thoughts: I am so sad that this was a DNF for me. It was just such a slow story that I couldn't get into it. I got around 40% of the way into this story and still felt that nothing was happening. I think I'll try to come back to it in the future, but I'm putting it down for now. ...more
Thank you so much to Natasha Preston and Delacorte Press for my copy of this book. This book was about Marley and her friends senior year of high schoThank you so much to Natasha Preston and Delacorte Press for my copy of this book. This book was about Marley and her friends senior year of high school. As is the tradition, the seniors embark on a series of dares, more troublesome than the last. But when Marley and her friends accept a dangerous dare, something awful happens and they have to live with the consequences. And now someone knows, and they’re threatening to tell everyone.
Thoughts: Classic YA page turner. This book was full of teen drama, unlikable characters, and a plot that was hard to believe. I think this book would be perfect for me in high school. There were a few twists that were thrown in and my main issue was all the plot holes. Why is there a family who has a bunch of secrets about everybody and forces them to do dares? Why are these kids so easily involved with murder? Why do Marley’s friends not care about killing a person? How can they so easily get all of this done? I read it fast, there were short chapters, but it didn’t make much sense. 2 stars ...more
I’m sorry WHAT. This book was literally nothing like I thought it would be, in the very best way. Thank you so much to Catherine Steadman and Random HI’m sorry WHAT. This book was literally nothing like I thought it would be, in the very best way. Thank you so much to Catherine Steadman and Random House for my copy of this book. It was about Nina, a woman who has just lost her father. Still grieving, she finds out that she has inherited a house in the British Virgin Islands that she had no idea existed. Nina has so many questions about how her father had money for this property and what the purpose of it really was.
Then there's Maria, a nanny to the super rich. She takes a job that will have a huge payout, but the family never shows. Maria starts to enjoy herself, waiting for the family and enjoying their beautiful house. There is just one rule- don’t go into the basement. But why? And how long can she really stay away?
Thoughts: This book is nothing like I could have ever imagined. The story was so fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. Nina was a strong character, and I really liked Maria as well. The premise was a true mystery, and I had no idea where the story was going. I can’t honestly say much without spoiling it, but this book was WILD. It almost had an element of horror to it, besides being a unique thriller.
If you enjoyed her book The Family Game, you will love this book as well. The ending was a bit far fetched, and there were some things just happened to work out, but it was such a fun read. If you liked the movie The Game, this book is perfect for you. 4.5 stars! ...more
What in tarnation. Thank you to Berkley for this wild book. It was about Hannah, a girl who becomes obsessed with a true crime case. She learns about What in tarnation. Thank you to Berkley for this wild book. It was about Hannah, a girl who becomes obsessed with a true crime case. She learns about the four murders that handsome lawyer William commits, and deep dives into the case. She joins forums online, talks to everyone she knows about the case, and starts to write him letters as an outlet for her rage. She is very surprised when he writes back, and seems normal.
The letters become more frequent, and Hannah becomes more obsessed. When she loses her job, she decides to drive to where the trial is held to support him. She becomes enamored with his family, following them around and trying to figure out if William is innocent or guilty. But then a fifth woman is killed, and Hannah realizes there is more going on than meets the eye.
Thoughts: This book was deranged. I understand being obsessed with true crime and the way our society turns horrific crime into entertainment. We have all sorts of shows and podcasts dedicated to consuming other people’s tragedy. Hannah embodied this unhealthy obsession, and took it much further. This story was compelling and I couldn’t stop reading it. I had to know what was going to happen next, and if Hannah was really as delusional as she seemed to be.
The author did a good job of describing “those women” who fall in love with serial killers and have an unhealthy obsession. I couldn’t stand Hannah, and found her the most delusional character of them all. That’s saying a lot compared to a rich privileged family and a man in prison for killing multiple women. The ending was odd and strange and unsatisfying, but somehow fit the rest of this story. 3-stars...more
Thank you to Random House and Lauren Ling Brown for this debut. It was about Maya, a girl head back to her alma mater to see her sister graduate. But Thank you to Random House and Lauren Ling Brown for this debut. It was about Maya, a girl head back to her alma mater to see her sister graduate. But when Naomi turns up dead, the weekend becomes something Maya could have never imagined. Maya knows there is more to the story, especially after she finds out Naomi was in a secret society that Maya warned her against joining. The more she uncovers, the more Maya realizes that Naomi was digging up the past and secrets that went along with it. After all, Naomi wasn’t the first girl found dead at Princeton.
Thoughts: This book had the perfect setting. I love an academic thriller, and the setting of Princeton and the eating clubs and secret societies was a great backdrop for this story. I liked the contrasting characters of Maya and Naomi with the rich and privileged students who attended Princeton with them. I thought there were some good points about race and culture and belonging.
I think that some of the chapters ended at really weird points that didn’t make much sense. The story was a bit far fetched and I found there to be some loose ends that were never tied up. This was wonderful for a debut, and I think the author will be one to watch. 4 stars for this interesting story! ...more
Thank you so much to Charlie Donlea and Kensington Books of my copy of Long Time Gone. This book is about Sloan, a woman in her first year of a patholThank you so much to Charlie Donlea and Kensington Books of my copy of Long Time Gone. This book is about Sloan, a woman in her first year of a pathology residency on genealogy. As part of her residency, she submits her DNA to a site and finds out she is actually Baby Charlotte, a baby that disappeared along with her parents almost 30 years ago. Sloan decides she needs to go back to the place she was born and meet her relatives, while at the same time, work with the Sheriff to find out what happened to her birth parents. Sloan begins to find out that many other suspicious things happened back in July 1995, and they may all be connected.
Thoughts: I love the way that Charlie Donlea writes. This story had an amazing plot and I loved the way the genealogy part of Sloan’s job tied into the plot. The idea of someone finding out they are actually a missing child is intriguing, and adding in the powerful family was a great background. I also love that Donlea brought in characters from some of his other books.
The pace wasn’t always fast, and I found myself getting bogged down by the pathology scenes at times. I felt the reveal was a bit much, but still enjoyed the plot and the path the book took. I think this book will be a fan favorite, and if you like Donlea’s past books, you will love this one! 4 stars ...more
Thank you so much to Saga Press and Stephan Graham Jones for this wonderful book! It was about Tolly Driver, a boy living in Lamesa Texas in 1989. He Thank you so much to Saga Press and Stephan Graham Jones for this wonderful book! It was about Tolly Driver, a boy living in Lamesa Texas in 1989. He is a normal kid full of hopes and dreams and friendships, and also happens to be cursed with bloodlust for revenge. After something happens at a party, Tolly is infected with the need to become a slasher and right how he was wronged. His normal life is about to be turned upside down, and he isn’t sure if he can stop it.
Thoughts: This book was about being an outsider. I loved that the perspective is from the mind of a killer, who also has humanity and is trying to figure out who and what he is. I loved the way this book is written, almost like a letter or confession to whoever finds it. The story pays homage to the horror genre, and uses emotion and humanity to create a nostalgic and heartwarming story about a teenager murdering his classmates. You know, tale as old as time.
Jones is a phenomenal writer and I could see how much of himself he poured into Tolly as a character. His relationship with Amber and the way she kept him anchored to humanity was beautiful, and I thought lots of themes were explored well. The way the book talks about being an outsider, dealing with tragedy, and the nuance of friendship, all while delivering the shock and gore of a horror novel. 4.5 stars! ...more
Thank you so much to Paul Tremblay and William Morrow for my copy of this book. It was about a film that never came out, due to the curse surrounding Thank you so much to Paul Tremblay and William Morrow for my copy of this book. It was about a film that never came out, due to the curse surrounding the movie and multiple deaths associated with the film. Only three scenes were ever released and only one star remains- The Thin Kid. Nevertheless, the movie has a cult following and is being rebooted. The Thin Kid is asked to collaborate with the director to make sure the reboot is as close to the original as it could be, but being back on a set is brining back memories of things that happened in the past. As he starts to remember the strange events of the past, they begin to blur with the present and the future of the film.
Thoughts: THIS BOOK WAS DISTURBING. Like, super disturbing. It was nothing like I thought it would be, and firmly in the horror category. I thought it would be similar to Burn the Negative by Josh Winning, but it was a time warp that jumped around to different parts of the Thin Kid’s life. I get what the author was trying to do, but there were so many things that left me bothered. Where did the mask come from? What was the whole point of the teens doing everything to the Thin Kid? What were any of the character’s motivations?
The author wanted to look at the monster’s in us, and who people really are inside. I thought the script mixed in with the chapters was a great way to break up the story. While the dread did build during the story, it was slow going. I wished that the curse would have been in the story more, as well as an explanation about the four main characters and more about who they were. 3-stars for this one. ...more
Thank you so much to Dutton and Riley Sager for my copy of Middle of the Night. Riley is one of my favorite authors, so I was beyond excited to get myThank you so much to Dutton and Riley Sager for my copy of Middle of the Night. Riley is one of my favorite authors, so I was beyond excited to get my hands on this one. It’s about Ethan and his best friend Billy, and the summer Billy is taken from a tent in Ethan’s backyard in the middle of the night. The tent is cut open and no one hears from Billy again. Now years later, Ethan is back in his parents house after his life is turned upside down. Ethan has both terrifying dreams of the night Billy disappeared, as well as insomnia, and now signs of Billy’s presence start showing up in Ethan’s backyard. Is this just a joke? Or has Billy somehow returned to Hemlock circle?
Thoughts: This book was much anticipated and the cover grabbed my attention right away. I love the idea of someone going missing in the middle of the night, and all the mystery surrounding it. I loved the setting of the mysterious institute that may or may not be a cult. It’s more of a mystery than thriller, and the multiple perspectives make for a slow burn.
Unfortunately this book wasn’t my favorite of Sager’s. First of all, it was repetitive and a bit boring. Ethan didn’t have much of a personality, and the way his insomnia is described is confusing. The supernatural elements were not interesting and felt obvious on where they were going. All the reveals were predictable, and there were too many thrown in. Lots of things didn’t make sense (they didn’t search the grounds? He just happened to call when the police found something?). It seemed like a lot of ideas were thrown together to make a book that felt disjointed and predictable. Sadly, 3 stars for this one. ...more
Thank you so much to Penguin Audio and Danielle Vega for my copy of this book. It was about Casey, a girl fresh from rehab who’s parents apparently leThank you so much to Penguin Audio and Danielle Vega for my copy of this book. It was about Casey, a girl fresh from rehab who’s parents apparently let her go to an all night rave immediately. No worries, it’s just in the underground tunnels under the New York City subway. And it’s okay, she’s with her friends Shana, who essentially forced her to take drugs, and Julie, who is found murdered in the tunnels.
Thoughts: It wasn’t for me. The premise was ridiculous. The group was all drugged and irresponsible, and somehow locked in the sewers even though everyone else got out. There was something hunting them, but maybe not because they were hallucinating. There was some rehab backstory, but it wasn’t interesting or very relevant. The plot was very disjointed with random things thrown together and very slow. The monster made no sense and there wasn’t much sense of foreboding. I could go on, but I think I will just say it’s not for me at all. 1-star...more
I can’t even find the words to describe how much I loved this book. It was about Eve and her partner Charlie, who just purchased an old home to repairI can’t even find the words to describe how much I loved this book. It was about Eve and her partner Charlie, who just purchased an old home to repair and flip in a beautiful neighborhood. One day a man knocks on the door, telling Eve that he and his family are driving through town and he used to live in their house. He asks if he can show his family around, and Eve lets them in. The only problem is, as soon as she does, weird things start happening.
First the family’s daughter goes missing. Then someone appears in the basement, and Eve starts not being able to trust her eyes. But the worst part is, the family won’t leave. Then Charlie doesn’t come home, and Eve isn’t sure what to make of this family. Something is wrong with them, with the house, and possibly with her.
Thoughts: OH MY GOSH THIS BOOK! First of all, I love that it was based on a Reddit thread (creepy pasta?) because OMG the creep. This book is the ultimate descent into madness. I hate the idea of people not leaving my house, and this story was the most eerie version of that. This family was so “normal” that it was obvious that something was off. The story was so well composed and the author threw in just enough details to completely freak me out. There were some truly grotesque images that I wish I could unhear, and there were points where I had to put the book down because it was too close to bedtime.
I physically couldn’t put this book down, and told several while I was reading it that they needed it ASAP because of the way it captured my attention. This is my favorite book of the year so far, and I’m SO happy it’s going to be turned into a Netflix series. This book will have you questioning everything, except how amazing it is. FIVE STARS! ...more
Thank you so much to Random House and Laura McHugh for my copy of this book. It was about sisters Amelia and Kylee, who are trying to find out what haThank you so much to Random House and Laura McHugh for my copy of this book. It was about sisters Amelia and Kylee, who are trying to find out what happened to their cousin Grace six years after she vanished while babysitting them. She left behind a bloody mess, but the sisters were found unharmed. Grace was just about to leave her small town and be the first in her family to go to college, but her disappearance came as a warning to anyone trying to get out and do better. Now as Kylee and Amelia get ready to graduate high school, they start to really look into what happened to their cousin. When human remains are found, secrets start to come out.
Thoughts: This book was sad and triggering and claustrophobic. The tiny town of Beaumont felt oppressive and the reader feels just as trapped as Kylee and Amelia. The description of a small town with limited opportunity was so well written and sucked me into the story. I felt for everyone, and wished they all could get out and have a better life.
There were SO many triggers in this book, but the one I want to mention is child sexual abuse. It made me really squeamish, so keep that in mind if you’re going to pick up this book. The ending wasn’t what I expected at all, and though it was resolved, it also felt heartbreaking and tragic as a conclusion. 3-stars for this one. ...more
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