I was excited to dive into this fast paced psychological thriller with lots of my favorite elements: an isolated location, a locked ro3.75 rounded up
I was excited to dive into this fast paced psychological thriller with lots of my favorite elements: an isolated location, a locked room mystery to solve and a dreary wintry setting.
This might be my favorite thriller of Leah Konen’s! I had a great time with this one. It was fast paced, and kept me guessing the whole time. This book follows Kerry, an author with writer’s block who takes a position as a temporary caretaker for a hotel in the middle of nowhere. With no one around and no distractions, Kerry is hoping to finish her book before her deadline. However, things are definitely not as they seem at the hotel and she soon finds herself pulled into the drama of this mysterious place. There were many twists and turns and I liked seeing Kerry (who is also a struggling alcoholic) second guessing herself and struggle with the possibility that she is hallucinating or whether the strange things she has witnessed are actually true. In my opinion this was not a retelling of The Shining but more of a female perspective. It does give Shining vibes.
Thank you NetGalley & Penquin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own....more
I was obsessed with this book! I want to pack my bags & move to Maple Hollow with its cozy, witchy vibes..its cute coffee shop Witches Brew café , apoI was obsessed with this book! I want to pack my bags & move to Maple Hollow with its cozy, witchy vibes..its cute coffee shop Witches Brew café , apothecary, the town and its residents ( which is a mix of witches, vampires, ghosts and humans) it absolutely enthralling. The magic of Maple Hollow is real!!!
This story is told in dual POV, with cute and funny banter throughout. I caught myself laughing out loud several times. The story centers around two women, Harlow, a human, and Jordyn, a witch. Jordyn is dealing with heartbreak, while Harlow is struggling to find her place in life. They meet in the small town they both live in and become close friends. As they get to know each other, Harlow notices that Jordyn is sometimes distant and distracted, leading her to overthink their friendship. As they work together to investigate a death, they continue to learn more about each other. However, when the reason behind Jordyn's odd behavior is revealed, Harlow is left second-guessing everything.
This is a perfect, cozy, magical read for Fall. If you are looking for Halloween town vibes and murder mystery with all the spooky monsters this is the book for you!...more
Absolutely loved all the stories; who doesn’t have an 8 ball memory lol. These were so fun & creepy to read. I definitely want to reCreepy , Fun Read
Absolutely loved all the stories; who doesn’t have an 8 ball memory lol. These were so fun & creepy to read. I definitely want to read more by this author.
Merged review:
Creepy , Fun Read
Absolutely loved all the stories; who doesn’t have an 8 ball memory lol. These were so fun & creepy to read. I definitely want to read more by this author....more
Sarah Adler is a new author for me and Happy Medium was the perfect introduction to her writing. Gretchen Acorn is a self-proclaimed fake medium and aSarah Adler is a new author for me and Happy Medium was the perfect introduction to her writing. Gretchen Acorn is a self-proclaimed fake medium and a complete fraud. It's not entirely her fault, she is the daughter of a con man..... When Gretchen Acorn, is hired by her wealthiest client to take a trip to a local goat farm and get rid a ghost, she never expects to meet Everett (a real ghost). Everett tells her that Charlie, the farm's owner, cannot sell his property or he will be cursed, of course, Charlie does not believe Gretchen or her psychic abilities. How can she convince Charlie she is telling the truth? This was a charming Fall read. I enjoyed the connection & chemistry between Charlie & Gretchen. I felt their growth personally and together. The unsung hero for me was Everett! He was a hoot & I loved his antics. This book was a perfect mix of romance & humor. I read & listened to the audiobook which was expertly read by Mara Wilson. The ending of this book was chef's kiss...more
This was a beautifully written book, a perfect blend of psychological suspense, paranormal and speculative horror made it one of the most or4.5 stars
This was a beautifully written book, a perfect blend of psychological suspense, paranormal and speculative horror made it one of the most original ghost stories l've read in a long time. The Haunting of Velkwood is about a neighborhood that suddenly disappeared behind a veil that no one can pass through. Well, almost no one... Years down the line, the three sole survivors of the night return to the now quarantined area, in search of answers and closure. I enjoyed the eerie atmosphere of this book. With the underlying theme of facing the past you may not want to in order to move forward. Velkwood weaved so many elements throughout its pages.... mystery, horror, friendship, family dynamics and the thought provoking question..can you every truly go home? I couldn't put this book down, it sucked me in from page one and I loved every minute of it. This is truly a gem in the world of haunted houses......more
The Ravenous Dead is the second book in Coates' Gravekeeper series. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. The characters are so well developed that I fThe Ravenous Dead is the second book in Coates' Gravekeeper series. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. The characters are so well developed that I feel like I know them and am invested in their stories. I especially love Zoe; she makes me laugh out loud with some of the quips she throws at her friends. Keira is a woman with no past, that she can remember. She has landed in the town of Blighty and realized she can see ghosts. She's found a job as the caretaker of a graveyard. There she can help the ghosts find the thing that is keeping them from moving on. When she is suddenly tormented by a dark shade who seems to be consuming other ghosts before they can pass on. She and her friends Zoe & Mason try to put all the pieces together of who is terrorizing their town. I'm dying to know more about Keira's past. Who is she, really, and why are people still looking for her? The author is keeping the details under wraps for now, so I'll have to wait and see what the next book reveals....more
This book is a commentary on social media and influencers. I dont think I would consider this a thriller, mostly drama and some suspense.
Evie has liveThis book is a commentary on social media and influencers. I dont think I would consider this a thriller, mostly drama and some suspense.
Evie has lived most of her life in front of the camera. Her mom is the classic “mon-fluencer” living out her dreams through her daughter and addicted to the social popularity and money. Evie is looking for a way out.
To save anyone else the same experience, this book was repetitive and very predictable.
The audiobook was 13 hrs long which in my opinion was WAY to long and drawn out......more
The three Petridi sisters are cursed and to use their magic they must sacrifice a memory. The characters were easI loved this whimsical, witchy book!
The three Petridi sisters are cursed and to use their magic they must sacrifice a memory. The characters were easy to like, the plot is incredibly engaging and was such a fun read.
Calliope Petridi has spent her life sacrificing her memories to protect the Dark Oak, an enchanted tree in the Forgotten Forest that is somehow tied to their very magic. When bad things start happening around town, she can only come to one conclusion. The enchantments are failing, and when they do, something dark and dangerous will be unleashed. To save their magic, and also each other, the Petridi sisters will have to discover the story of their lineage, the history behind their curse, and what memories they will have to sacrifice in order to break it. The romances that materalize throughout the story I loved, the banter was funny & enjoyed the interactions.
One highlight to the book I thoroughly enjoyed were the recipes, such a fun addition...more
Brynn is our main character who is newly single, she has found comfort in her fave tv show, Carson's Cove. It's the one steady thing in her otherwise Brynn is our main character who is newly single, she has found comfort in her fave tv show, Carson's Cove. It's the one steady thing in her otherwise topsy turvy life right now. One evening while watching the show Brynn & her roommate Josh find themselves magically transported into the heart of the show and have transformed into the shows MC's Sloan & Fletch.
As they navigate their new world and try to get back home I just didnt feel the romance or the chemistry. Brynn spent more time with side characters than she did with Josh, and while they had some deep moments, I couldn't feel their connection at all.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but by the end I definitely liked it more than I anticipated. Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb is a whirlwind of nostalgic bliss.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!...more
I can't say enough good things about this book. I almost quit reading it two times but something pushed me to finish it and I am so glad I did. This sI can't say enough good things about this book. I almost quit reading it two times but something pushed me to finish it and I am so glad I did. This story of family, love, betrayal, forgiveness and moving on was extraordinary.
KWH is one of my fave authors and as I continue to work my way through her backlist I am overwhelmed by the emotions her books evoke. ...more
"Sometimes we get right where we need to be by ending up exactly where we started."
Feels Like Falling is the story of Gray and Diana, two fr4.5 stars
"Sometimes we get right where we need to be by ending up exactly where we started."
Feels Like Falling is the story of Gray and Diana, two friends from very different backgrounds. The novel explores themes of second chances, forgiveness, and the families we choose as well as the ones we are born into. It also looks at how friendship can help us heal.
I loved that friendship was such a paramount element of the story. This was such an easy, enjoyable read but I did tear up quite a few times, especially towards the end.
I definitely recommend this one if you love reading books where women support one another.
KWH has quickly become a favorite author of mine and I am enjoying reading her backlist....more
So, I probably have the outlier opinion here but this was just ok for me, the language was pretentious at times. I went into this one blind, never havSo, I probably have the outlier opinion here but this was just ok for me, the language was pretentious at times. I went into this one blind, never have read anything from this author but it sounded like a great little spooky read. I thought the premise was cool, I love anything that involves a friend group but eventually everything sort of fell flat for me except the eerie atmosphere & just left me with a lot of questions.
This just wasn’t my cup of tea but I would say definitely give it a try if you want to read a short novella.
I’ve read other books by Mary Kay Andrews and enjoyed them.
This book had too many people, too many plot lines, and made too little sense. The cover maI’ve read other books by Mary Kay Andrews and enjoyed them.
This book had too many people, too many plot lines, and made too little sense. The cover makes it look like it's a beach read, but it's actually a mix of murder mystery with new adult with romance.. maybe?
This was a perfect light-hearted summer read. It had a nice mix of comedy & romance, wrapped up in a perfect summer setting.
This bo4.5 rounded down -
This was a perfect light-hearted summer read. It had a nice mix of comedy & romance, wrapped up in a perfect summer setting.
This book was SO good!! The witty banter was perfection and had me laughing out loud so many times throughout. I felt a connection to the characters, the storyline and had such a fun time reading this one.
If you need a book to read on vacation or to finish out your summer TBR I highly recommend this one....more
I can't believe this was a debut novel.! It was so suspenseful & full of drama that I couldnt put it down.
Told from mutiple POV's,this satirical noveI can't believe this was a debut novel.! It was so suspenseful & full of drama that I couldnt put it down.
Told from mutiple POV's,this satirical novel tells the story of some of the wealthy parents at an elite elementary school in Miami Beach, Florida. The story centers around the PTA moms and the lengths they go to to gain power within the social circle.
If you like your books with a lots of drama, sarcasm and a whole lot of rich people behaving badly, you should give this a shot! I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed reading this book, it was SO much fun!
Another amazing thriller from Freida! She never disappoints . This one had some major twists which really surprised me. I’ve Freida Never Disappoints
Another amazing thriller from Freida! She never disappoints . This one had some major twists which really surprised me. I’ve read a lot of her books and this is one of my faves...more
This book is third in the series, but I read it as a stand-alone. I did feel like I was missing some pieces or some of the background information. CasThis book is third in the series, but I read it as a stand-alone. I did feel like I was missing some pieces or some of the background information. Casey is pregnant with her and Eric’s first child, but unfortunately the remaining days before she gives birth are pretty tough for her. A female resident at Haven’s Rock is drugged and nearly assaulted, and then another woman is murdered. Despite her physical limitations Casey is on top of the investigation until the very end. This book was definitely suspenseful and kept me engaged. Worth the read if you’re into thrillers but I would suggest reading the other books in the series.
Thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ebook arc in exchange for my honest review....more
I fell in love with this book from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried but felt incredibly happy reading this book. This is my first book by KWH and I fell in love with this book from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried but felt incredibly happy reading this book. This is my first book by KWH and I love her writing style and how well crafted this story was. I loved the dual timelines, the characters, the small town feel, as well as the touch of mystery & romance woven into this story. I love reading about a place I’ve been too & even though it’s been awhile the vibes of Beaufort, NC were definitely an intricate part of the book . The characters were amazing but Becks was a true standout , the growth the character of Keaton went through was incredibly inspiring as well as the friendships she developed. I love stories where journal entries and/or letters are incorporated, and this one did not disappoint. I couldn’t put this book down it as full of emotions, family mysteries, drama & romance. It was the perfect Summer read!
Read if you enjoy; • Historical/ contemporary fiction *Quirky seaside towns *Southern charm *Single dad romance
⚠️CW: Loss of a parent, Cancer, Alzheimer's, mentions of infidelity, suicide....more