booksthrilljessica's Reviews (537)

I have to start by saying I really loved the writing style and the smooth flow of this book. The storyline felt very character driven, and the development of the main characters, especially Blaze, was beautifully done. That said, I found myself wanting more. More depth, more world building, more complexity beyond the central plot.

The story primarily focuses on Blaze, a character both feared and hated, who is suddenly thrust into a battle to become a future ruler. While her journey to harness her powers is compelling, the lack of subplots or broader world development made the story feel a bit one dimensional for me.

Overall, it’s an engaging read with strong character focus, and I think it would especially resonate with younger readers or those new to fantasy.

*Thank you to Lauryn Hamilton Murray, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Where infidelity collides with Strangers on a Train! This book was an intriguing and suspenseful read that kept me hooked. And just when you thought staying in an Airbnb couldn’t get more unsettling...

When two families agree to swap homes for a vacation, murder is the last thing on their minds, but that’s exactly where things head. 

I truly enjoyed the subtle layer of mystery simmering beneath the surface of both relationships. I also feel that the plot unraveled with just the right mix of tension and twists that kept me reading in one sitting. 

This was such a great fast paced and enjoyable summer read… just maybe don’t bring it along to your vacation rental!

*Thank you to Miranda Rijks and Booksprout for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I realize this may not align with most of the glowing reviews, but this book simply wasn't for me. I found Beth to be an insufferable character from being selfish, destructive, to lacking any real remorse for her actions or how they affected others. She managed to ruin the lives of nearly every person who loved her. Beth’s behavior, across all timelines, felt emotionally stunted, almost like that of a teenager, which made it hard to connect with her on any meaningful level.

The shifting timelines also disrupted the flow for me. The transitions between present day Beth and past Beth’s whining felt redundant, making it difficult to stay engaged. 

I also felt extremely sorry and frustrated for Frank, all he wanted was to love Beth. But she treated him terribly and used him, I feel in every possible way, which was heartbreaking and infuriating to read.

I also wouldn't categorize this novel as a mystery or thriller. However, if you're a fan of Where the Crawdads Sing or The Favorites, this book might resonate with you more than it did with me.

*Thank you to Clare Leslie Hall, Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This story is layered with emotion which creates an intense journey, steeped in mystery and tragedy. I was especially drawn to how Dunne built suspense through early foreshadowing and the dynamic relationships that were not just between the parents, but also among their children. That said, I found it difficult to feel any sympathy for Lia Higgins and her family. As the story unfolds and we learn more about the events that shaped Lia and her children’s behavior, it becomes clearer why they commit such disturbing acts. Despite understanding their trauma, I found it impossible to truly root for Lia. I hoped for a better outcome for Alex, and I was left wishing her fate had been different.

*Thank you to Michelle Dunne, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book took me on an amazing emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish. When Jo takes her son, Sam, to the local swimming pool, the last thing she expects is for him to vanish without a trace. She’s certain he was there…. she’s not imagining things…. but somehow, everyone around her insists Sam was never with her to begin with. Where is he? What really happened? And who’s telling the truth?

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that nearly everyone has something to hide. Secrets and lies  surround every character, and the suspense is addictive. I loved the way each chapter answered just enough to keep me going, only to end with even more questions. The layers of mystery and deception kept me guessing what truly happened to Sam right until the end, and I absolutely loved every minute of it.

*Thank you to Liz Lawler and Bookouture for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

For Olivia, family secrets run deeper, and darker, than she was prepared for. But when her estranged father, long shrouded in mystery, reaches out with a final request for her to ghostwrite his last book, she must decide whether unearthing his secrets is worth exposing her own.

While I understand the premise of Olivia being a ghostwriter was meant to emphasize her need for anonymity, it ended up feeling a bit disconnected from the rest of the story. I think the narrative might have been stronger if she had simply been portrayed as a writer, without the vague explanations about why her identity had to remain hidden.

That said, I really enjoyed the concept that Olivia had to  unravel the mystery that has haunted her to finally move on in her personal life. And through her process of  writing her father’s book, Olivia is forced to confront the truth about her family and what really happened to the aunt and uncle she never knew, and whether her father is the killer everyone believes him to be. 

*Thank you to Julie Clark, Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book seriously creeped me out an there were moments that downright grossed me out (IYKYK), but I couldn’t get enough of the eerie, gothic atmosphere. It offers a unique and unsettling exploration of mental illness and the treatment of women during a time when simply being “difficult” could get you labeled as insane by the men.

As twin sisters Sarah and Lucy strive to hang on to their codependent relationship and equally struggle with mental illness, they also find themselves entangled with a sinister force that begins to consume Sarah, and soon sets its sights on Lucy. There’s a subtle vampire undertone that seemed to reel me into the story wondering what was actually happening. And the aspect that these sisters are willing to go to great lengths in order to protect one another was dark.

That said, there were definitely moments that had me thinking, what the actual hell is happening? The plot started to drift in unexpected directions, which made parts of the story feel a bit disjointed. Still, it’s an atmospheric and unsettling read for fans of dark gothic fiction.

*Thank you to Johanna van Veen, Tantor Audio and Netgalley for the ALC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Absolutely incredible! I dare say, this might be even better than Th1rt3en… yes,  yes I do! I was hooked from the very beginning to the last page. I was convinced I had figured out which sister was behind it all, picking up on the subtle clues Cavanagh cleverly scattered throughout. But that final twist? Completely blindsided me and in the best diabolical way.

Eddie is quickly becoming one of my favorite fictional detectives. With his shady past and his determination to stay on the right path makes him such a relatable character. The dynamics between the characters were expertly done, and the mysterious “She” chapters added an extra layer of intrigue that kept me guessing and changing my mind on which sister was the killer. I will forever recommend this book, it was so brilliantly written and brilliantly executed!

*Thank you to Steve Cavanagh, Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

My children and I had a great time reading this book together. I especially appreciated all the clever references to the horror genre and the creative character names, though most of those went over my kids’ heads. We also really enjoyed the mystery that Theodora and her friends are intent to solve, which was both interesting and laced with just the right amount of humor.

*Thank you to Jordan Kopy, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book was a packed full of creative games and true crime facts. I really enjoyed all the different types of  games and activities, all cleverly tied to true crime. Definitely a must for fans of true crime and adult activity books.

*Thank you to Lana Barnes, Zeitgeist and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.