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This Little Dark Place proved to be different from what I expected. I enjoyed the letter format of the book - that always interests me. Yet, there was something missing for me here that kept me from getting completely into the book.
The book jumps around in timelines and that proved confusing as there were little to no transitions to help guide you at times. Unfortunately, I did not find this one very twisty - I had it figured out early on and was not at all surprised by the ending. Personally, I expected more though I did enjoy the 2nd half of the book better - I read that part in 1 sitting.
A good debut - I just wasn't blown away by it. I'd definitely still see what Hatch writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Serpent's Tail Books for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
The book jumps around in timelines and that proved confusing as there were little to no transitions to help guide you at times. Unfortunately, I did not find this one very twisty - I had it figured out early on and was not at all surprised by the ending. Personally, I expected more though I did enjoy the 2nd half of the book better - I read that part in 1 sitting.
A good debut - I just wasn't blown away by it. I'd definitely still see what Hatch writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Serpent's Tail Books for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
5 Sick and Twisted Mother-Daughter Relationship Stars
Rose Gold spent nearly 2 decades of her life believing she suffered from a chromosomal abnormality that kept her debilitated. She suffered from chronic pain, debilitating dizziness that kept her bound to a wheelchair, unexplained nausea that necessitated a feeding tube and hair loss that prompted a shaved head. Rose Gold was completely dependent on her mother, Patty, who was her sole caretaker. Unfortunately, as Rose Gold grew older she also realized that her mother was responsible for her illness.
With the help of Rose Gold’s testimony, Patty was convicted put behind bars for 5 years. Rose Gold tries to move on her life, on her own for the first time ever without her mother controlling her every move.
Upon her release, Patty is ready to pick up where she left off with her darling Rose Gold and her new grandson. Even better, Rose Gold welcomes her with open arms...or does she???
Oh, what a tangled web of secrets and deceit these two women weave! This story was twisted and I enjoyed every bit of it. It was a perfect case study for the age old "nature vs nurture" debate. Did these women ever stand a chance at normalcy given their upbringings or were they straight out of the pages of a book entitled "How to Raise a Sociopath"?
This was a dark tale of revenge and retribution. Munchausen by Proxy plays a small part here but don't be fooled - this is not a simple story of a cruel mother and her victim daughter. The real star is the dysfunctional and toxic relationship between this mother-daughter duo. Ultimately, this is a tale that will have you trying to figure out who is the the real monster as you quickly see that nothing is as clear cut as it seems.
I loved the sinister psychological journey this book took me on. I binged it in one day - unable to tear myself away from the disturbing tale.
Thank you to Stephanie Wrobel, Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and Edelweiss for providing me with advance copies of this book due out on March 17, 2020.
Rose Gold spent nearly 2 decades of her life believing she suffered from a chromosomal abnormality that kept her debilitated. She suffered from chronic pain, debilitating dizziness that kept her bound to a wheelchair, unexplained nausea that necessitated a feeding tube and hair loss that prompted a shaved head. Rose Gold was completely dependent on her mother, Patty, who was her sole caretaker. Unfortunately, as Rose Gold grew older she also realized that her mother was responsible for her illness.
With the help of Rose Gold’s testimony, Patty was convicted put behind bars for 5 years. Rose Gold tries to move on her life, on her own for the first time ever without her mother controlling her every move.
Upon her release, Patty is ready to pick up where she left off with her darling Rose Gold and her new grandson. Even better, Rose Gold welcomes her with open arms...or does she???
Oh, what a tangled web of secrets and deceit these two women weave! This story was twisted and I enjoyed every bit of it. It was a perfect case study for the age old "nature vs nurture" debate. Did these women ever stand a chance at normalcy given their upbringings or were they straight out of the pages of a book entitled "How to Raise a Sociopath"?
This was a dark tale of revenge and retribution. Munchausen by Proxy plays a small part here but don't be fooled - this is not a simple story of a cruel mother and her victim daughter. The real star is the dysfunctional and toxic relationship between this mother-daughter duo. Ultimately, this is a tale that will have you trying to figure out who is the the real monster as you quickly see that nothing is as clear cut as it seems.
I loved the sinister psychological journey this book took me on. I binged it in one day - unable to tear myself away from the disturbing tale.
Thank you to Stephanie Wrobel, Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and Edelweiss for providing me with advance copies of this book due out on March 17, 2020.
This YA Paranormal Romance by Christina Lauren was definitely a different type of book for these authors. I am a huge fan of their books so I went in hoping I would enjoy it even if it was different from what I usually read by them. Initially, it took me back to the days when I read books like Twilight, Fallen, Hush Hush and Shiver. I was intrigued, wanting to figure out what happened to Lucy and see what would become of her relationship with Colin.
It might be my age showing but it simply wasn’t as easy to become invested in a forbidden love between a teenager and a ghost as I would have been all those years ago. I found their connection unhealthy and a bit disturbing. That’s also what kept me reading despite the fact that I had serious issues with Colin’s obsession with near-death experiences. Does this mean I have officially reached old lady status? Say it isn't so!
This one fell short for me mostly because I felt there was just so much left unexplored. It felt like they added all these bits of backstory and then never fully explored/resolved them. I mean - a whole school that is just “accepting” of ghosts randomly showing up and becoming involved with students? How? Why? What is it about this place? Ultimately, I found myself turning the last page, thinking - “That’s it? What the heck did I just read?"
It might be my age showing but it simply wasn’t as easy to become invested in a forbidden love between a teenager and a ghost as I would have been all those years ago. I found their connection unhealthy and a bit disturbing. That’s also what kept me reading despite the fact that I had serious issues with Colin’s obsession with near-death experiences. Does this mean I have officially reached old lady status? Say it isn't so!
This one fell short for me mostly because I felt there was just so much left unexplored. It felt like they added all these bits of backstory and then never fully explored/resolved them. I mean - a whole school that is just “accepting” of ghosts randomly showing up and becoming involved with students? How? Why? What is it about this place? Ultimately, I found myself turning the last page, thinking - “That’s it? What the heck did I just read?"
3.5 Chilling and Creepy Mommy Dearest Stars
In honor of St. Paddy’s Day I joined in on a backlist buddy read of this thriller set in Dublin, Ireland. It starts off strong with a murder at the forefront. You will find yourself compulsively turning the pages, unable to stop reading about the disturbing dynamics within the Fitzsimons family.
The middle dragged a bit for me causing me to skim here and there though I was worried I'd miss something so I found myself going back to make sure at times.
In honor of St. Paddy’s Day I joined in on a backlist buddy read of this thriller set in Dublin, Ireland. It starts off strong with a murder at the forefront. You will find yourself compulsively turning the pages, unable to stop reading about the disturbing dynamics within the Fitzsimons family.
The middle dragged a bit for me causing me to skim here and there though I was worried I'd miss something so I found myself going back to make sure at times.
4 The sequel you never knew you needed stars!
It was just wonderful to delve into Jonah & Calla’s world as a bona fide couple. To witness their love, their struggles and their growth both as people and in their relationship. It was like catching up with old friends and then living with them as they came into their own in their relationship - we had front row seats to it all. Pass me the popcorn because I was 100% in for this.
Tucker is so good at weaving in amazing side characters! From crotchety old men and overbearing older women neighbors to goats, raccoons and wolf dogs with heart. I loved them all! The eclectic members of this community were so fun and had so much heart. It's hard not to fall for them.
It was just wonderful to delve into Jonah & Calla’s world as a bona fide couple. To witness their love, their struggles and their growth both as people and in their relationship. It was like catching up with old friends and then living with them as they came into their own in their relationship - we had front row seats to it all. Pass me the popcorn because I was 100% in for this.
Tucker is so good at weaving in amazing side characters! From crotchety old men and overbearing older women neighbors to goats, raccoons and wolf dogs with heart. I loved them all! The eclectic members of this community were so fun and had so much heart. It's hard not to fall for them.
An emotional memoir that I had to keep reminding myself was not a work of fiction.
This was a quick, easy read because it was written in such a way that it almost felt like reading someone's diary. You know that feeling of uncovering someone's deepest, darkest secrets - you can't stop reading because you simply have to know how it all plays out? That's exactly how I felt reading Wild Game.
I found myself shaking my head in disbelief often or wanting to grab the adults in Adrienne's life and give them a good shake to wake them the hell up - especially her mother, Malabar. What a dysfunctional relationship! I could not believe how manipulative, self-centered and selfish she was. She thought of no one but herself and it was appalling how no one around noticed and were instead so enraptured by her.
Adrienne Brodeur's retelling of her painful youth and how it crippled her decision making and left her damaged was brutally honest. Brodeur's memoir shines a positive light on self love and healing. I applaude Adrienne for finally seeing her mother for what she was and for having the strength to live a more self aware, positive and healthy life.
This was a quick, easy read because it was written in such a way that it almost felt like reading someone's diary. You know that feeling of uncovering someone's deepest, darkest secrets - you can't stop reading because you simply have to know how it all plays out? That's exactly how I felt reading Wild Game.
I found myself shaking my head in disbelief often or wanting to grab the adults in Adrienne's life and give them a good shake to wake them the hell up - especially her mother, Malabar. What a dysfunctional relationship! I could not believe how manipulative, self-centered and selfish she was. She thought of no one but herself and it was appalling how no one around noticed and were instead so enraptured by her.
Adrienne Brodeur's retelling of her painful youth and how it crippled her decision making and left her damaged was brutally honest. Brodeur's memoir shines a positive light on self love and healing. I applaude Adrienne for finally seeing her mother for what she was and for having the strength to live a more self aware, positive and healthy life.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This one gets all the hearts/stars! What a story!
This novel is set in Apartheid South Africa during the turbulent times of the Soweto Uprising. The time and setting play as pivotal a role in the unfolding of the story as the characters do. You are immersed in the prejudice, racism, tragedy and heartbreaking challenges of the time period.
Beauty is a mother desperate to find and save her daughter, Nomsa, who has become caught up in the protests at Soweto. Robin is a young white girl who loses her parents in a tragic way.
With no other family she goes to live with her carefree aunt Edith. Edith, a flight attendant, is unable to care for her niece on a day to day basis. She hires Beauty to help her in an unorthodox plan that benefits everyone but also put them in danger if found out.
The relationship between Beauty and Robin was breathtaking. I found myself immersed in their story - feeling so much emotion. The secondary characters in their lives really brought so much richness to the novel. This book had me felling so much emotion. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I gasped out loud. All I can really say is that you haven't read Bianca Marais' books - read them! This is not my usual genre and I am so glad I went outside of my comfort zone for this gem. This will undoubtedly be one of my favorite books of 2020!
This novel is set in Apartheid South Africa during the turbulent times of the Soweto Uprising. The time and setting play as pivotal a role in the unfolding of the story as the characters do. You are immersed in the prejudice, racism, tragedy and heartbreaking challenges of the time period.
Beauty is a mother desperate to find and save her daughter, Nomsa, who has become caught up in the protests at Soweto. Robin is a young white girl who loses her parents in a tragic way.
With no other family she goes to live with her carefree aunt Edith. Edith, a flight attendant, is unable to care for her niece on a day to day basis. She hires Beauty to help her in an unorthodox plan that benefits everyone but also put them in danger if found out.
The relationship between Beauty and Robin was breathtaking. I found myself immersed in their story - feeling so much emotion. The secondary characters in their lives really brought so much richness to the novel. This book had me felling so much emotion. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I gasped out loud. All I can really say is that you haven't read Bianca Marais' books - read them! This is not my usual genre and I am so glad I went outside of my comfort zone for this gem. This will undoubtedly be one of my favorite books of 2020!