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booklistqueen's Reviews (634)
A con of a lifetime. But who is conning whom?
Nina Ross has the chance for the con of a lifetime. With her Irish boyfriend Lachlan, she travels to Lake Tahoe to scam Vanessa Liebling, a wealthy heiress, out of millions. But it's not all about the money for Nina, though she desperately needs it to pay for her mother's illness. Revenge is also on the table; revenge against the Liebling family who never considered her good enough for their son and drove her family out of town. As both Nina and Vanessa's past is revealed, you begin to wonder, Who is conning whom?
I loved the interplay between Nina and Vanessa, as the same events are retold from each perspective to change your perception of the story. Although important, the retelling of each woman's life did drag at times, yet the intrigue between the women kept me invested enough in the story to keep pushing forward.
Unfortunately, the ending lost some of its suspense. I feel like Brown could have extended the last quarter of the book, building more to a grand finale. As it was, the backstory took so long that the ending twist was adequate instead of excellent. I wouldn't consider Pretty Things to be particularly exceptional, but good enough when you just want a standard thriller. A solid three stars for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Nina Ross has the chance for the con of a lifetime. With her Irish boyfriend Lachlan, she travels to Lake Tahoe to scam Vanessa Liebling, a wealthy heiress, out of millions. But it's not all about the money for Nina, though she desperately needs it to pay for her mother's illness. Revenge is also on the table; revenge against the Liebling family who never considered her good enough for their son and drove her family out of town. As both Nina and Vanessa's past is revealed, you begin to wonder, Who is conning whom?
I loved the interplay between Nina and Vanessa, as the same events are retold from each perspective to change your perception of the story. Although important, the retelling of each woman's life did drag at times, yet the intrigue between the women kept me invested enough in the story to keep pushing forward.
Unfortunately, the ending lost some of its suspense. I feel like Brown could have extended the last quarter of the book, building more to a grand finale. As it was, the backstory took so long that the ending twist was adequate instead of excellent. I wouldn't consider Pretty Things to be particularly exceptional, but good enough when you just want a standard thriller. A solid three stars for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Typical made for tv movie style romance
With a book deal and a new show, home remodeling and design experts Melissa and Rusty Tripp are about to hit it big, if they don't kill each other first. It's up to their assistants Carey and James to keep things on track, and maybe find some love along the way. The writing duo Christina Lauren have developed a big following with their romance stories, so their newest book will be highly talked about this spring. Having read it, it's exactly what you'd expect - a quick light-hearted romance that's ready to be made into a tv movie. Character development is kept at a minimum while romantic tension is kept at a maximum. Not exactly my usual fare (I will admit I skimmed over all the sex scenes), but sometimes it's nice to read something that doesn't make you think much.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
With a book deal and a new show, home remodeling and design experts Melissa and Rusty Tripp are about to hit it big, if they don't kill each other first. It's up to their assistants Carey and James to keep things on track, and maybe find some love along the way. The writing duo Christina Lauren have developed a big following with their romance stories, so their newest book will be highly talked about this spring. Having read it, it's exactly what you'd expect - a quick light-hearted romance that's ready to be made into a tv movie. Character development is kept at a minimum while romantic tension is kept at a maximum. Not exactly my usual fare (I will admit I skimmed over all the sex scenes), but sometimes it's nice to read something that doesn't make you think much.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Entrancing Historical Fiction/Western
At the close of the Civil War, vivacious fiddler Simon falls in love with beautiful Irish lass Doris. Though they meet for just a moment, Simon swears that he will one day find her again. With a few small nods to her previous bestseller News of the World, Jiles lures you into her lyrical Western. Although Simon’s journey has its ups and downs, Jiles’s storytelling keeps an even tone throughout, giving you a nice peaceful read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from William Morrow Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
At the close of the Civil War, vivacious fiddler Simon falls in love with beautiful Irish lass Doris. Though they meet for just a moment, Simon swears that he will one day find her again. With a few small nods to her previous bestseller News of the World, Jiles lures you into her lyrical Western. Although Simon’s journey has its ups and downs, Jiles’s storytelling keeps an even tone throughout, giving you a nice peaceful read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from William Morrow Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Typical YA Fantasy ... now for adults!
Divergent author Veronica Roth tries her hand at adult fiction. A decade ago, five ordinary teenagers saved the world from an immense evil called the Dark One and turned them into celebrities. Now, the death of one of them reveals that the Dark One isn’t truly gone.
When I picked up this book, I was hoping for a more grown-up satirical look at YA Fantasy. Setting the story ten years after the Chosen Ones saved the world, Roth does an excellent job showing how complicated adult life is for these childhood heroes. Especially for the main protagonist, Sloane, who struggles with PTSD and has let her relationship with Matt, a fellow Chosen One, coast along.
However, when I thought she was being satirical, Roth was really just setting up a typical fantasy story. Sloane, Matt, and Esther end up getting thrown into an alternate universe full of magic where they must fight the Dark One again. From there, the story didn’t feel original and many of the action scenes were hard to follow. Roth attempts to bring in more thoughtful themes – the fine line between hero and villain – but fails to nuance them enough.
In all, I was unimpressed with her latest book, and I would only suggest diehard fantasy fans pick it up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Divergent author Veronica Roth tries her hand at adult fiction. A decade ago, five ordinary teenagers saved the world from an immense evil called the Dark One and turned them into celebrities. Now, the death of one of them reveals that the Dark One isn’t truly gone.
When I picked up this book, I was hoping for a more grown-up satirical look at YA Fantasy. Setting the story ten years after the Chosen Ones saved the world, Roth does an excellent job showing how complicated adult life is for these childhood heroes. Especially for the main protagonist, Sloane, who struggles with PTSD and has let her relationship with Matt, a fellow Chosen One, coast along.
However, when I thought she was being satirical, Roth was really just setting up a typical fantasy story. Sloane, Matt, and Esther end up getting thrown into an alternate universe full of magic where they must fight the Dark One again. From there, the story didn’t feel original and many of the action scenes were hard to follow. Roth attempts to bring in more thoughtful themes – the fine line between hero and villain – but fails to nuance them enough.
In all, I was unimpressed with her latest book, and I would only suggest diehard fantasy fans pick it up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life
Great ideas with a side of shameless self-promotion
You can achieve any goal if you just think like a rocket scientist. Former rocket scientist turned law professor, Ozan Varol shares his habits and strategies to make the impossible actually doable. With fascinating anecdotes from the history of science and NASA, Varol makes keen observations about how you can change your mindset and approach problems in new ways.
Just don’t expect too much self-help advice in this one. The book fails to bring the subject back down to earth, leaving you unsure how to apply the principles in your own life. For that, you’ll have to visit his website, as he reminds you at the end of every chapter (though he fails to mention that you have to sign up for his newsletter). Despite the shameless self-promotion, the insights from the book still made this one of my favorites I've read recently.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Public Affairs. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
You can achieve any goal if you just think like a rocket scientist. Former rocket scientist turned law professor, Ozan Varol shares his habits and strategies to make the impossible actually doable. With fascinating anecdotes from the history of science and NASA, Varol makes keen observations about how you can change your mindset and approach problems in new ways.
Just don’t expect too much self-help advice in this one. The book fails to bring the subject back down to earth, leaving you unsure how to apply the principles in your own life. For that, you’ll have to visit his website, as he reminds you at the end of every chapter (though he fails to mention that you have to sign up for his newsletter). Despite the shameless self-promotion, the insights from the book still made this one of my favorites I've read recently.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Public Affairs. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life
If your mind tends to spin in circles, this is the book for you...
The ultimate bookworm, Anne Bogel, of the book blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and the podcast What Should I Read Next?, knows a thing or two about making big decisions. In her new book, she explains that indecision and negative thought patterns don’t have to be your life. You can stop overthinking it and start living the life you most want. At this stressful time, it’s more important than ever to try to calm our thoughts. Bogel’s advice is solid and a great place to start if you tend to overthink things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The ultimate bookworm, Anne Bogel, of the book blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and the podcast What Should I Read Next?, knows a thing or two about making big decisions. In her new book, she explains that indecision and negative thought patterns don’t have to be your life. You can stop overthinking it and start living the life you most want. At this stressful time, it’s more important than ever to try to calm our thoughts. Bogel’s advice is solid and a great place to start if you tend to overthink things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Summer 2020's Top Thriller
As a child, Olivia disappeared one night while sleepwalking, only to be found safe days later. After years of enduring fame, Olivia moved away and changed her name. With the 20th Anniversary of her miracle rescue coming up, she starts sleepwalking again, only to wake up to the dead body of someone she used to know. An edge-of-your-seat thriller, I couldn't get enough of this mystery. With well-rounded characters and surprises that just keep coming, it's on my shortlist for one of the best books of the summer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As a child, Olivia disappeared one night while sleepwalking, only to be found safe days later. After years of enduring fame, Olivia moved away and changed her name. With the 20th Anniversary of her miracle rescue coming up, she starts sleepwalking again, only to wake up to the dead body of someone she used to know. An edge-of-your-seat thriller, I couldn't get enough of this mystery. With well-rounded characters and surprises that just keep coming, it's on my shortlist for one of the best books of the summer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.