Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.87k reviews by:
bernluvsbooks
This dark & disturbing psychological thriller is not for the faint of heart!
I found You Were Made for This to be both enthralling and difficult to read. I don't think I have ever read a book where every character was so psychologically damaged, wretched and despicable. The story is told in 3 alternating point of views and there was no respite - not one of them had any redeeming qualities. Page after page, things went from bad to worse.
The book was like a train wreck that I couldn't pull myself away from. I literally read pages with a feeling of revulsion in the pit of the stomach. Yet, I continued turning the pages. Drawn to the sadistic world these people had created for themselves.
There wasn't much backstory here and I feel like that was deliberate. I don't think we are meant to fully understand why Merry, Sam and Frank are they way they are. Sacks drops hints here and there into the story and we know they were damaged in their childhoods but that's not the emphasis for this story. The story is deeply rooted in the tragic present. In the tangled web that is their current lives. There is almost a sadistic dependency on each other between Merry & Frank and Merry & Sam. So much hate intertwined with their dark need for each other. It's as if they fed off each other - for better or worse. Unfortunately, these relationships were nothing but destructive, taking the one good thing between them and ultimately destroying it.
My momma heart could not bare to see how baby Connor was treated by these people. That poor innocent child did not stand a chance with these cruel sociopaths. The parts involving the baby left me feeling repulsed, angered and heartbroken.
The fact that Michelle Sachs was able to evoke so many emotions from me make this an unforgettable read. I was pulled in from the onset and the story never let up. The last line - it will haunt me for a long time to come.
Thank you to Michelle Sacks, Little Brown and Company, and Netgalley for the copy to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
I found You Were Made for This to be both enthralling and difficult to read. I don't think I have ever read a book where every character was so psychologically damaged, wretched and despicable. The story is told in 3 alternating point of views and there was no respite - not one of them had any redeeming qualities. Page after page, things went from bad to worse.
The book was like a train wreck that I couldn't pull myself away from. I literally read pages with a feeling of revulsion in the pit of the stomach. Yet, I continued turning the pages. Drawn to the sadistic world these people had created for themselves.
There wasn't much backstory here and I feel like that was deliberate. I don't think we are meant to fully understand why Merry, Sam and Frank are they way they are. Sacks drops hints here and there into the story and we know they were damaged in their childhoods but that's not the emphasis for this story. The story is deeply rooted in the tragic present. In the tangled web that is their current lives. There is almost a sadistic dependency on each other between Merry & Frank and Merry & Sam. So much hate intertwined with their dark need for each other. It's as if they fed off each other - for better or worse. Unfortunately, these relationships were nothing but destructive, taking the one good thing between them and ultimately destroying it.
My momma heart could not bare to see how baby Connor was treated by these people. That poor innocent child did not stand a chance with these cruel sociopaths. The parts involving the baby left me feeling repulsed, angered and heartbroken.
The fact that Michelle Sachs was able to evoke so many emotions from me make this an unforgettable read. I was pulled in from the onset and the story never let up. The last line - it will haunt me for a long time to come.
Thank you to Michelle Sacks, Little Brown and Company, and Netgalley for the copy to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
🐵 WOW! This book left me in a tailspin, wanting more! Book 3 ASAP please J.D. Barker! 🐒
🐵
Where do I begin? There was A LOT going on here but it's important to note that you can NOT dive in if you haven't read Book 1 - The Fourth Monkey. These books are highly intertwined and the storyline flows through each of them. You definitely need the backstory from the first book, in order to fully appreciate this one.
🙈
In Fifth to Die Detective Porter is still obsessed with pursuing serial killer Anson Bishop, even when it means putting his career and possibly his life on the line. Porter's team is faced with a new case - missing girls. The first girl is found frozen in a lake, wearing another missing girls clothes. Can these missing girls be connected to 4MK?
🙉
Porter decides to continue chasing Bishop unbeknownst to the rest of his team. Porter essentially goes rogue and things get complicated - very complicated. Bishop has an intricate network of associates adding to the twists & turns. Everyone continues to be several steps behind him as they work to put the puzzle pieces together. I honestly enjoy how his mind works - he is a brilliant sociopath!
🙊
Overall, this was a solid continuation to the 4MK storyline. It definitely leaves you wanting the conclusion but also fills in some essential gaps.
Thank you to NetGalley, J.D. Barker and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
🐵
Where do I begin? There was A LOT going on here but it's important to note that you can NOT dive in if you haven't read Book 1 - The Fourth Monkey. These books are highly intertwined and the storyline flows through each of them. You definitely need the backstory from the first book, in order to fully appreciate this one.
🙈
In Fifth to Die Detective Porter is still obsessed with pursuing serial killer Anson Bishop, even when it means putting his career and possibly his life on the line. Porter's team is faced with a new case - missing girls. The first girl is found frozen in a lake, wearing another missing girls clothes. Can these missing girls be connected to 4MK?
🙉
Porter decides to continue chasing Bishop unbeknownst to the rest of his team. Porter essentially goes rogue and things get complicated - very complicated. Bishop has an intricate network of associates adding to the twists & turns. Everyone continues to be several steps behind him as they work to put the puzzle pieces together. I honestly enjoy how his mind works - he is a brilliant sociopath!
🙊
Overall, this was a solid continuation to the 4MK storyline. It definitely leaves you wanting the conclusion but also fills in some essential gaps.
Thank you to NetGalley, J.D. Barker and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Picture this: Someone is watching you, he knows your every move, every plan you make and every word you speak. He refuses to be ignored, taunting you with terrifying messages in an attempt to obligate you do his bidding! Scary right?
😱 That's the premise behind this absolutely chilling thriller! John Nicholl really knows how to get a reader's pulse racing. ☠️🔪
In Anonymity we meet Mia, an author and mom with a 4yr. old daughter. Mia receives terrifying taunting emails that immediately put her on edge. The sender, although anonymous, knows personal details about Mia no stranger should know - unless they are watching her. As the internet stalker's threats intensify, Mia begins to unravel. At the advice of her sister she turns to longtime family friend DI Gravel for help.
Gravel is at a low point in his life. Having recently lost his wife and still on medical leave as he recovers from a heart attack, he spends his days drinking and smoking in excess. Knowing he needs to work to be able to move forward he decides to help Mia. Though Gravel is typically uncouth and rough around the edges I felt real pity for him in this book. There was so much hurt, heartbreak and raw emotion in his scenes. It really left me reeling.
Nicholl reveals the stalker early on in this one. I'm not typically a fan of this strategy but it works here. The main arc here is not about guessing who the stalker is. It's about the sickening cat and mouse game he plays with Mia. As outside observers we know exactly what is happening but it's a nail biting, tense ride. Instead of distracting from the thriller, it adds a heightened layer of trepidation. It was like watching a slasher movie where you find yourself yelling at the screen for characters not to go in a room or run the other way because you know what awaits them.
The plot escalated to an ending that I did NOT expect (maybe because I went into this one blind!). Nicholl knows how to create a spine tingling story. This one gripped me from beginning to end and left me feeling a bit heartbroken.
Thank you to John Nicholl, Bloodhound Books and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for my unbiased, honest opinion.
😱 That's the premise behind this absolutely chilling thriller! John Nicholl really knows how to get a reader's pulse racing. ☠️🔪
In Anonymity we meet Mia, an author and mom with a 4yr. old daughter. Mia receives terrifying taunting emails that immediately put her on edge. The sender, although anonymous, knows personal details about Mia no stranger should know - unless they are watching her. As the internet stalker's threats intensify, Mia begins to unravel. At the advice of her sister she turns to longtime family friend DI Gravel for help.
Gravel is at a low point in his life. Having recently lost his wife and still on medical leave as he recovers from a heart attack, he spends his days drinking and smoking in excess. Knowing he needs to work to be able to move forward he decides to help Mia. Though Gravel is typically uncouth and rough around the edges I felt real pity for him in this book. There was so much hurt, heartbreak and raw emotion in his scenes. It really left me reeling.
Nicholl reveals the stalker early on in this one. I'm not typically a fan of this strategy but it works here. The main arc here is not about guessing who the stalker is. It's about the sickening cat and mouse game he plays with Mia. As outside observers we know exactly what is happening but it's a nail biting, tense ride. Instead of distracting from the thriller, it adds a heightened layer of trepidation. It was like watching a slasher movie where you find yourself yelling at the screen for characters not to go in a room or run the other way because you know what awaits them.
The plot escalated to an ending that I did NOT expect (maybe because I went into this one blind!). Nicholl knows how to create a spine tingling story. This one gripped me from beginning to end and left me feeling a bit heartbroken.
Thank you to John Nicholl, Bloodhound Books and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for my unbiased, honest opinion.
You Were Always Mine = 3.5 stars! This was an intriguing, slow building family drama centered around a unique and engaging mystery that will appeal to many readers
Jessica and Evan Chamberlain separated after 15 years of marriage. Still, when she receives an unexpected phone call about an accident involving her husband her world begins to spin off its axis. Evan was a workaholic, more committed to his practice than his family. Recently he had become even more distracted, secretive and obsessed with his work. The book chronicles Jessica's quest to uncover the truth regarding her husband's death and the secrets it unearthed.
I have to admit that I am not generally a fan of slow building plots. I am admittedly a very impatient reader much of the time. While You Were Always Mine definitely captured and kept my attention, the opening scene and last 15% of the book was by far the most action packed and therefore the best parts of the book for me. The rest of the book dragged a bit for me but as I said, I like a faster pace. I also had most of the book figured out in regards to who the "villain" was, early on.
I did appreciate the backstory about adoption and how it highlighted both the darker aspects of it and the complex and varied emotions involved by all parties. I would have liked some more time spent on these darker elements but I guess that would have made it more of a mystery-thriller versus a family drama which was not the author's intent.
All in all, You Were Always Mine was an emotionally charged, character driven novel sure to appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas.
Jessica and Evan Chamberlain separated after 15 years of marriage. Still, when she receives an unexpected phone call about an accident involving her husband her world begins to spin off its axis. Evan was a workaholic, more committed to his practice than his family. Recently he had become even more distracted, secretive and obsessed with his work. The book chronicles Jessica's quest to uncover the truth regarding her husband's death and the secrets it unearthed.
I have to admit that I am not generally a fan of slow building plots. I am admittedly a very impatient reader much of the time. While You Were Always Mine definitely captured and kept my attention, the opening scene and last 15% of the book was by far the most action packed and therefore the best parts of the book for me. The rest of the book dragged a bit for me but as I said, I like a faster pace. I also had most of the book figured out in regards to who the "villain" was, early on.
I did appreciate the backstory about adoption and how it highlighted both the darker aspects of it and the complex and varied emotions involved by all parties. I would have liked some more time spent on these darker elements but I guess that would have made it more of a mystery-thriller versus a family drama which was not the author's intent.
All in all, You Were Always Mine was an emotionally charged, character driven novel sure to appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas.
The Craftsman is a chilling, atmospheric read involving magic, witches, power, evil & missing children. Did that grab your attention? It absolutely grabbed mine too!
1969 - Florence Lovelady is a young police officer struggling to be accepted by her fellow officers in Lancashire. There are several missing children in Pendle Hill and Florence working the case, finds the body of 13 year old Patsy Wood buried alive. Local funeral director and master carpenter Larry Glassbrook is arrested and sentenced to prison for the heinous crimes.
1999 - 30 years later Florence returns to Lancashire for Larry's funeral. Facing nightmarish memories and old demons Florence revisits the 1969 crimes. She finds herself questioning the old case when she uncovers a recently placed effigy, complete with her missing finger in the grounds of Glassbrook's family home. Could they have gotten it all wrong thirty years ago?
Uncovering the truth becomes a life or death mission for Florence. One seeped in mystical mystery and treachery at the hands of powerful, sadistic villains who will stop at nothing to achieve their dark desires.
The Craftsman was a dark, chilling and atmospheric mystery. This was my first Sharon Bolton read but it definitely won't be my last. Thank you to Sharon Bolton, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an arc of this amazing read!
1969 - Florence Lovelady is a young police officer struggling to be accepted by her fellow officers in Lancashire. There are several missing children in Pendle Hill and Florence working the case, finds the body of 13 year old Patsy Wood buried alive. Local funeral director and master carpenter Larry Glassbrook is arrested and sentenced to prison for the heinous crimes.
1999 - 30 years later Florence returns to Lancashire for Larry's funeral. Facing nightmarish memories and old demons Florence revisits the 1969 crimes. She finds herself questioning the old case when she uncovers a recently placed effigy, complete with her missing finger in the grounds of Glassbrook's family home. Could they have gotten it all wrong thirty years ago?
Uncovering the truth becomes a life or death mission for Florence. One seeped in mystical mystery and treachery at the hands of powerful, sadistic villains who will stop at nothing to achieve their dark desires.
The Craftsman was a dark, chilling and atmospheric mystery. This was my first Sharon Bolton read but it definitely won't be my last. Thank you to Sharon Bolton, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an arc of this amazing read!
🕵️4 Death Defying Stars for The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker⚰️
The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker is an intriguing YA thriller with a paranormal twist. Eleanor Parker wakes up in the local river - cold, half-dressed, water spraying from her mouth and no idea how she got there. From the start, you can't help but become engrossed in Eleanor's search for the truth. How did she end up in the river? Why does she have no memory of it?
"The memories are still just out of reach but there are two things of which I'm certain. I didn't fall into the river - I was drowned in it and, somehow, despite the fact I'm still here, I died last night."
I'm pretty good at suspending my disbelief and stretching my imagination which is a requirement in order to enjoy a read like this. If you can do that - this book is quite an enjoyable whodunnit. Eleanor was an extremely likable lead character. She was an average teenager with all the problems and drama that come with that age. Except of course that she is technically undead!
I have to admit that I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The supernatural element was interesting and we never fully quite know what to make of it all. I liked that Wilkinson left it open to the reader's interpretation.
"If a person believes in something, really believes, then it doesn't matter what others say."
The mystery was well paced and I didn't have it figured out - WIN! The whole vibe of the book was unique and enjoyable. This is one that will definitely keep you turning the pages.
Thank you to Kerry Wilkinson, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker is an intriguing YA thriller with a paranormal twist. Eleanor Parker wakes up in the local river - cold, half-dressed, water spraying from her mouth and no idea how she got there. From the start, you can't help but become engrossed in Eleanor's search for the truth. How did she end up in the river? Why does she have no memory of it?
"The memories are still just out of reach but there are two things of which I'm certain. I didn't fall into the river - I was drowned in it and, somehow, despite the fact I'm still here, I died last night."
I'm pretty good at suspending my disbelief and stretching my imagination which is a requirement in order to enjoy a read like this. If you can do that - this book is quite an enjoyable whodunnit. Eleanor was an extremely likable lead character. She was an average teenager with all the problems and drama that come with that age. Except of course that she is technically undead!
I have to admit that I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The supernatural element was interesting and we never fully quite know what to make of it all. I liked that Wilkinson left it open to the reader's interpretation.
"If a person believes in something, really believes, then it doesn't matter what others say."
The mystery was well paced and I didn't have it figured out - WIN! The whole vibe of the book was unique and enjoyable. This is one that will definitely keep you turning the pages.
Thank you to Kerry Wilkinson, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
Someone I Used to Know offers an honest & difficult look at the traumatic effects on life & family after sexual assault
It's really difficult to review a book like this. Rape is NOT an easy topic to think about, discuss or read about. It's also not an easy topic to write about Patty Blount has my respect and due credit for this book. Sexual violence permeates our culture at alarming rates so it is a topic we need to be aware of. Did you know that every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted? Meanwhile only 6 out of every 1,000 perpetrators ends up in prison. It's fact - I looked it up.
Someone I Used to Know by Patty Blount gives voice to the idea that today's culture reinforces the normalization of sexual violence. I didn't agree with everything presented in the book but I definitely appreciate that she wasn't afraid to tell this story and encourage readers to think about rape and the idea of rape culture.
In, Someone I Used to Know , Ashley is a high school freshman who is raped by a senior football player. He is a boy she had a crush on. A boy she kissed and spent time with. A boy she trusted. It was all part of a football team scavenger hunt. The boys literally preyed on girls for points. It was viewed as a "boys will be boys" game.
The story is told through various points-of-view and goes back and forth between the present and the past. It was easy to follow and it offers us different insight at various stages of the book.
A few things I really liked:
1. Ashley grew from a terrified victim, barely surviving to a warrior. I applauded her growth even when I didn't agree with everything she did. So many instances of sexual violence go unreported because the victims are made to feel as if they were to blame. I applauded Blout's firm stance on this - the victims are NOT to blame no matter what they wore, where they were, or even if they said yes previously. This is a message everyone needs to hear!
"Justice is achieved when those who aren't injured feel as indignant as those who are."
2. I appreciated Ashley's brother Derek's story. He was a great example of what so many people think when confronted with the reality of sexual violence. Their strife was very real and emotional. We saw him go from being so angry he blamed her ("Why didn't you just stay home?") to being a voice for the cause himself. While that may not have been a totally realistic change, I felt that the emotions he went through - blaming himself, feeling like he should have done something, battling his own feelings of inadequacy over not being her hero - those were very real.
3. The depiction of the family turmoil was brutally honest. When Ashley was raped - it affected her whole family. How could it not? Her struggles became their struggles. There was so much anger in each of them. My heart ached for all of them.
"Forgiveness is rarely this once-and-done thing. It's an ongoing battle, a struggle to remember that love is worth more than pain, and that fighting for it matters more than a grudge."
4. Even though the story itself ended on a positive note I appreciated that it didn't sugar coat things and pretend everything was going to be happily ever after. Blount acknowledges that it is a never ending process but one that does get easier with support.
"Every last bit of the pain and shame and guilt and grief I've carried since my freshman year drips from soul, collecting in a reservoir. They're not gone for good though, and I know they'll leak out sometimes. But my dam is stronger now. Higher walls. Reinforced not with concrete and steel, but with unbreakable family ties."
5. Support - Therapists, support groups, family, friends! I applaud that those were all a big part of the the story and not just for Ashley but for her family as well. I think that's an important message. It's so easy for survivors to feel alone. Support is essential.
I'll be honest, some might find the book a bit preachy but this is a topic that needs to be discussed. As a YA book geared for teens I think it does a wonderful job of sending out the right message about life after sexual violence. It's a difficult process, an ongoing battle and one that can be wrought with ups and downs. Sexual violence is a traumatic experience and many people end up with trauma and PTSD symptoms. They have to learn to rebuild their sense of control to be able to move on from their traumatic experience over time.
Thank you to Patty Blount, SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Someone I Used to Know in exchange for my sharing my honest review.
It's really difficult to review a book like this. Rape is NOT an easy topic to think about, discuss or read about. It's also not an easy topic to write about Patty Blount has my respect and due credit for this book. Sexual violence permeates our culture at alarming rates so it is a topic we need to be aware of. Did you know that every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted? Meanwhile only 6 out of every 1,000 perpetrators ends up in prison. It's fact - I looked it up.
Someone I Used to Know by Patty Blount gives voice to the idea that today's culture reinforces the normalization of sexual violence. I didn't agree with everything presented in the book but I definitely appreciate that she wasn't afraid to tell this story and encourage readers to think about rape and the idea of rape culture.
In, Someone I Used to Know , Ashley is a high school freshman who is raped by a senior football player. He is a boy she had a crush on. A boy she kissed and spent time with. A boy she trusted. It was all part of a football team scavenger hunt. The boys literally preyed on girls for points. It was viewed as a "boys will be boys" game.
The story is told through various points-of-view and goes back and forth between the present and the past. It was easy to follow and it offers us different insight at various stages of the book.
A few things I really liked:
1. Ashley grew from a terrified victim, barely surviving to a warrior. I applauded her growth even when I didn't agree with everything she did. So many instances of sexual violence go unreported because the victims are made to feel as if they were to blame. I applauded Blout's firm stance on this - the victims are NOT to blame no matter what they wore, where they were, or even if they said yes previously. This is a message everyone needs to hear!
"Justice is achieved when those who aren't injured feel as indignant as those who are."
2. I appreciated Ashley's brother Derek's story. He was a great example of what so many people think when confronted with the reality of sexual violence. Their strife was very real and emotional. We saw him go from being so angry he blamed her ("Why didn't you just stay home?") to being a voice for the cause himself. While that may not have been a totally realistic change, I felt that the emotions he went through - blaming himself, feeling like he should have done something, battling his own feelings of inadequacy over not being her hero - those were very real.
3. The depiction of the family turmoil was brutally honest. When Ashley was raped - it affected her whole family. How could it not? Her struggles became their struggles. There was so much anger in each of them. My heart ached for all of them.
"Forgiveness is rarely this once-and-done thing. It's an ongoing battle, a struggle to remember that love is worth more than pain, and that fighting for it matters more than a grudge."
4. Even though the story itself ended on a positive note I appreciated that it didn't sugar coat things and pretend everything was going to be happily ever after. Blount acknowledges that it is a never ending process but one that does get easier with support.
"Every last bit of the pain and shame and guilt and grief I've carried since my freshman year drips from soul, collecting in a reservoir. They're not gone for good though, and I know they'll leak out sometimes. But my dam is stronger now. Higher walls. Reinforced not with concrete and steel, but with unbreakable family ties."
5. Support - Therapists, support groups, family, friends! I applaud that those were all a big part of the the story and not just for Ashley but for her family as well. I think that's an important message. It's so easy for survivors to feel alone. Support is essential.
I'll be honest, some might find the book a bit preachy but this is a topic that needs to be discussed. As a YA book geared for teens I think it does a wonderful job of sending out the right message about life after sexual violence. It's a difficult process, an ongoing battle and one that can be wrought with ups and downs. Sexual violence is a traumatic experience and many people end up with trauma and PTSD symptoms. They have to learn to rebuild their sense of control to be able to move on from their traumatic experience over time.
Thank you to Patty Blount, SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Someone I Used to Know in exchange for my sharing my honest review.
4 Friends to Lovers never gets old stars for My Favorite Half-Night Stand!
Christina Lauren create genuinely endearing characters and write with such witty snark, humor and laugh out loud moments that I can't get enough! In My Favorite Half-Night Stand we meet Millie and her male BFF Reid as they explore the triumphs and pitfalls of friendship and online dating.
Millie is intelligent, witty and presumably "one of the guys" amongst her close group of male friends. One of the things I enjoyed most about her was her career. As an avid fan of shows like Criminal Minds I loved that she was a criminology professor and into female serial killers. Although you might imagine that isn't the best ice breaker on a first date.
Millie is guarded and emotionally stunted. Her childhood experiences taught her to bottle up her emotions, compartmentalize them and hide them away. None of this bodes well for her adult relationships. She desires to let her walls down and finally share her true self with someone but she simply doesn't know how.
Reid is the opposite of Millie. He is fully in touch with his feelings and not afraid to show them. Amongst their groups of friends he is known as the sensitive one. You know the saying "opposites attract"? Well it's alive and well here.
Millie and Reid have a special bond. She's as much "herself" as she allows herself to be with anyone with him. Reid is her rock. He is always there for her. So when one night of passionate, drunken sex threatens to change things, Millie freaks. She isn't ready to lose her best friend over sex. No matter how great it was. Or is she?
With a big gala looming over the single group of friends. They decide to turn to online dating. Millie pens the group's profiles, writing hers superficially. It's no surprise hers leads her to receive various inappropriate pictures and lewd offers. She decides to put herself out there and pens a new one bearing her middle name, Catherine, in secret. Surprise - her new profile is a match with none other than Reid!
Written exchanges take place between "Catherine" and Reid. Under the guise of this new persona Millie is able to share more of herself with Reid than she ever has in person. Unfortunately, as the two correspond via the online dating app, things continue to heat up between them in real life causing them to question everything. Are they meant to be more than friends? How will Reid feel when he finds out the truth about Millie/Catherine? Is Millie capable of sharing her emotions and truly letting Reid into her heart?
This was a fun read that I absolutely devoured as I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was rooting for Millie and Reid the entire time. It was fun to see the twist of dynamics here with the guy being the sensitive one and the woman being closed off. There were so many hilarious texts and one-liners between the friends that made me laugh out loud. In short, this was a sweet, sexy & funny read. Pick it up, lose yourself in it.
Thank you Christina Lauren, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this book! I look forward to whatever you pen next - I'll definitely be reading.
Christina Lauren create genuinely endearing characters and write with such witty snark, humor and laugh out loud moments that I can't get enough! In My Favorite Half-Night Stand we meet Millie and her male BFF Reid as they explore the triumphs and pitfalls of friendship and online dating.
Millie is intelligent, witty and presumably "one of the guys" amongst her close group of male friends. One of the things I enjoyed most about her was her career. As an avid fan of shows like Criminal Minds I loved that she was a criminology professor and into female serial killers. Although you might imagine that isn't the best ice breaker on a first date.
Millie is guarded and emotionally stunted. Her childhood experiences taught her to bottle up her emotions, compartmentalize them and hide them away. None of this bodes well for her adult relationships. She desires to let her walls down and finally share her true self with someone but she simply doesn't know how.
Reid is the opposite of Millie. He is fully in touch with his feelings and not afraid to show them. Amongst their groups of friends he is known as the sensitive one. You know the saying "opposites attract"? Well it's alive and well here.
Millie and Reid have a special bond. She's as much "herself" as she allows herself to be with anyone with him. Reid is her rock. He is always there for her. So when one night of passionate, drunken sex threatens to change things, Millie freaks. She isn't ready to lose her best friend over sex. No matter how great it was. Or is she?
With a big gala looming over the single group of friends. They decide to turn to online dating. Millie pens the group's profiles, writing hers superficially. It's no surprise hers leads her to receive various inappropriate pictures and lewd offers. She decides to put herself out there and pens a new one bearing her middle name, Catherine, in secret. Surprise - her new profile is a match with none other than Reid!
Written exchanges take place between "Catherine" and Reid. Under the guise of this new persona Millie is able to share more of herself with Reid than she ever has in person. Unfortunately, as the two correspond via the online dating app, things continue to heat up between them in real life causing them to question everything. Are they meant to be more than friends? How will Reid feel when he finds out the truth about Millie/Catherine? Is Millie capable of sharing her emotions and truly letting Reid into her heart?
This was a fun read that I absolutely devoured as I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was rooting for Millie and Reid the entire time. It was fun to see the twist of dynamics here with the guy being the sensitive one and the woman being closed off. There were so many hilarious texts and one-liners between the friends that made me laugh out loud. In short, this was a sweet, sexy & funny read. Pick it up, lose yourself in it.
Thank you Christina Lauren, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this book! I look forward to whatever you pen next - I'll definitely be reading.
A wonderful homage to BOOK LOVERS everywhere!
What a treat this was for my bibliophile heart! It's not a book in the usual sense as there is not one story arc or developed plot. Rather it's a celebration of book lover scenarios. There is much here to warm your heart and find relatable. I found myself smiling at each illustration, thinking of the time when I had felt the same, did the same, etc. Each page in this unique book has a special way of making readers feel understood.
Thank you Debbie Tung for sharing this amazing celebration of what it means to be a book lover!
Special thanks to Debbie Tung, Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this book.
What a treat this was for my bibliophile heart! It's not a book in the usual sense as there is not one story arc or developed plot. Rather it's a celebration of book lover scenarios. There is much here to warm your heart and find relatable. I found myself smiling at each illustration, thinking of the time when I had felt the same, did the same, etc. Each page in this unique book has a special way of making readers feel understood.
Thank you Debbie Tung for sharing this amazing celebration of what it means to be a book lover!
Special thanks to Debbie Tung, Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this book.
"When Sadie lost Mattie, it drove her to leave her home in Cold Creek, to take on the loneliness and pain of all those miles, just to find her little sister's murderer and make the world right again, even, possibly, at the expense of herself."
Sadie was everything I hoped she would be and more! She is the kind of character that tays with you long after you have finished reading the book.
Sadie has had a hard life but nothing affects her more deeply than the murder of her sister. It was a horrific crime and it seems no one will answer for it. Sadie simply cannot accept that. She has nothing left to live for - except seeking her own brand of justice for her sister.
Sadie ultimately ghosts. She walks away from the life she knows, seeking revenge, armed with a switchblade and fueled by sheer determination. Sadie's story is harsh and simply heart crushing. She is the kind of character that you wish you could reach inside of the book and save. Except Sadie didn't want saving. She was beyond that.
The story is told from alternating viewpoints - that of Sadie and radio personality, West McCray. West McCray is called in to help find Sadie by her neighbor, who was essentially looking out for her and Mattie. He decides to follow the clues as part of his podcast in the hopes that the trail of crumbs will lead him to Sadie.
This book was so well crafted. Summers does an amazing job of pulling the reader into Sadie's world. We feel her grief and her anger. We see the effects of her pain. We can't help but love her for it because we know Sadie needs and deserves our love. The love she never felt from her mother. The love she has craved all her life and had freely given to her sister.
This is not a happy story. It speaks of child abuse, murder, substance abuse, parental neglect and more. This story broke me and yet I feel better for having read it. Sadie is one of those rare characters that will live on in my heart.
Sadie was everything I hoped she would be and more! She is the kind of character that tays with you long after you have finished reading the book.
Sadie has had a hard life but nothing affects her more deeply than the murder of her sister. It was a horrific crime and it seems no one will answer for it. Sadie simply cannot accept that. She has nothing left to live for - except seeking her own brand of justice for her sister.
Sadie ultimately ghosts. She walks away from the life she knows, seeking revenge, armed with a switchblade and fueled by sheer determination. Sadie's story is harsh and simply heart crushing. She is the kind of character that you wish you could reach inside of the book and save. Except Sadie didn't want saving. She was beyond that.
The story is told from alternating viewpoints - that of Sadie and radio personality, West McCray. West McCray is called in to help find Sadie by her neighbor, who was essentially looking out for her and Mattie. He decides to follow the clues as part of his podcast in the hopes that the trail of crumbs will lead him to Sadie.
This book was so well crafted. Summers does an amazing job of pulling the reader into Sadie's world. We feel her grief and her anger. We see the effects of her pain. We can't help but love her for it because we know Sadie needs and deserves our love. The love she never felt from her mother. The love she has craved all her life and had freely given to her sister.
This is not a happy story. It speaks of child abuse, murder, substance abuse, parental neglect and more. This story broke me and yet I feel better for having read it. Sadie is one of those rare characters that will live on in my heart.