booksthrilljessica's Reviews (537)

Since this book is divided into three distinct parts, I’ll review it accordingly.

Part 1: I was hooked from the very beginning. As Sloan is thrust into a life or death situation, she’s forced to reevaluate everything and confront what truly matters. Her struggle to let go of her old life and fight for a new one was compelling and emotionally charged. I was fully invested in her journey and loved how the story explored the outcome of her trauma and need for survival.

Part 2: Unfortunately, this section completely lost me. While I understand that Roberts was aiming to develop Sloan’s character and provide context, the pacing slowed to a crawl. The focus on her daily walks and home renovations felt repetitive and unnecessary. It disrupted the tension and momentum built in the first part and made it hard to stay engaged.

Part 3: Wait….that’s it? After such a long build up, the confrontation with the killers felt rushed and underwhelming. I wish this part of the story had been introduced earlier and allowed to unfold with more suspense. A slower, more psychological cat and mouse game between Sloan and Clara could’ve made the ending fantastic, giving it more of a Silence of the Lambs vibe. The potential was there for a powerful clash of wills, but it didn’t fully deliver like I was expecting.

Overall, I really enjoyed the beginning and ending, but the middle dragged for me. Still, if you enjoy a slow-burn story with a dramatic, fast-paced conclusion, this might be right up your alley.

*Thank you to Nora Roberts, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I was really looking forward to this book, especially with the expectation that it would center around the lives of “Three women, judged and vilified by strangers.” Unfortunately, I found it difficult to get into the storyline. The characters came across as overly whiny, and their development felt shallow and struggled to connect with any of them on a meaningful level. The plot also veered off course from what seemed like a simple prank gone wrong, making it hard to stay engaged with the core storyline.

That said, if you're someone who enjoys books with multiple side plots and a variety of character arcs, this might be a better fit for you. It just didn’t land for me the way I hoped it would.

*Thank you to Alafair Burke, Knopf and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book dives deep into the classic question of nature vs. nurture as young girls are faced with the unthinkable when seduced by an authority figure. When Ren returns to her hometown for a new teaching job, she’s forced to confront the trauma of her sister’s death, an event that happened in high school but still haunts her. As eerily familiar circumstances begin to unfold, Ren becomes determined to stop history from repeating itself. But the real tension lies in whether she’s truly seeing her co-teacher for who he is, or if her guilt and need for redemption are clouding her judgment.

Fans of Freida McFadden will likely enjoy this one as it carries similar vibes to The Teacher, but with an added haunting and atmospheric edge. That said, I found myself wanting more depth especially in terms of character development and world building. And I just felt I wanted more, particularly amongst the girls on the volleyball team and their dynamics with the coach, but it never fully explored that aspect. 

Still, if you're in the mood for a quick and thought provoking mystery with a dark twist, this book will definitely scratch that itch.

*Thank you to Marlee Bush, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The synopsis of this audiobook immediately drew me in, and it definitely delivered on its promise. While I found the ending somewhat predictable, it was still an entertaining and engaging read. I especially enjoyed the dual timeline, which added an intriguing layer of mystery and suspense as the lives of the two trad wives slowly intertwined.

That said, I couldn’t help but notice an underlying political tone and what felt like a one sided portrayal of trad wives. Though it didn’t take away from my overall storyline, I had hoped for a contrasting character or perspective to show that not all women in this lifestyle are victims or forced into their choices.

What truly made this book stand out for me was Lauryn Allman’s narration. She brought these characters to life in vivid, sometimes chilling, ways that made them feel truly diabolical. Overall, this was a fun and fast paced read.

*Thank you to Liane Child, Lauryn Allman, HarperAudio Adult | HQ Digital and Netgalley for the ALC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book, especially the dynamic between the two “sisters,” whose subtle tension and guarded secrets added a compelling layer to the story. The slow build up of angst between them created a unique and tense atmosphere, leaving the reader wondering… which of them will come out on top?

That said, the pacing did feel slow, with limited new developments to push the story forward. I found myself wanting for a deeper dive into the girls’ backstories. Especially Cassie’s, to better understand what shaped her into who she has become and why. Similarly, more insight into Taylor’s parents, perhaps through flashbacks, could have added emotional depth to her character. While the overall concept of the story was strong, I struggled to fully connect with the characters due to the lack of background and development. I just wanted more development in the storyline.

*Thank you to Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

In this epic second installment, we are reunited with characters that I quickly fell in love with from the first book. Tate, who recently discovered she is not just a vampire but an Untish, continues to evolve in fascinating ways. Aether, once the brooding bad boy, has now fully stepped into the role of the fierce and loyal book boyfriend, who is willing to do anything for Tate. Then there’s Chance (I am still rooting for you), now cast as the villain, a role shaped largely by the shadow of his evil father. Each character has undergone such a powerful journey of transformation since book one, though not all for the better… 

As a reader, I appreciated this fresh perspective on my favorite characters. I loved how this shift in their character seamlessly opened doors to new journeys, expanded their world, and added new characters.

Parcha’s unique take on the realms of vampires, and fae is both refreshing and reels the reader in. Her writing is both captivating and artfully written. I’m eagerly looking forward to what awaits these characters in book 3, and I’m especially holding out hope for a redemption arc for poor Chance.

*Thank you to Rebecca Parfha for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book was just not for me. It was a poorly revised version of House of Usher. I found it hard to stay interested in the story.

I feel like this review needs to be split into two parts.

First, the positives, I genuinely loved the humor and the sheer hilarity brought on by the innocent, orphaned turtle. It added such a charming, whimsical touch to the story. I'm also a sucker for a bumbling detective who somehow manages to solve the case before anyone else, and that element was executed well here. Another aspect I appreciated was the focus on an often overlooked demographic of the elderly. It's refreshing to see stories told through their perspectives.

Now, onto the down side. I found myself constantly frustrated with the main characters. Amber, for instance, spends so much time complaining and playing the victim it’s exhausting, especially coming from a middle aged woman who seems to have no interest in getting her life together. Even when she's handed a once in a lifetime opportunity to live rent free and have a job provided by a grandmother she’s never met, she still manages to grumble about it. Then there’s Jade, the grandmother, whose steamroller personality pushes everyone into doing her bidding through guilt and manipulation. And finally, the narcissistic mother, who takes every opportunity to berate both her daughter and her own mother, with no real explanation or depth to her behavior.

I truly wanted to love this book, the premise was unique and had so much potential but I struggled to feel any real connection to the characters, which made it hard to fully engage with the story.

*Thank you to Tamara Berry, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

A tale of enemies to lovers, found family, and betrayal, this story follows Vaasa, who, after the tragic loss of both her parents, is thrust into an arranged marriage by her cruel and ruthless brother. But everything begins to change when she crosses paths with the mysteriously charming Reid, forcing her into a series of choices that could alter not only her future but the fate of those around her.

For me, this book landed somewhere in the middle. I enjoyed the plot and the typical tropes of a romantasy, but it felt like it was simply ticking the boxes rather than offering something fresh or unique. While it was an enjoyable read, it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression. 

*Thank you to Rebecca Robinson, Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

In this third and final installment of the Aisling trilogy, we once again join our beloved characters for one last epic journey. I absolutely adored the first two books and these characters truly captured my heart. That said, I found the beginning of this book quite confusing. It dives heavily into what seems to be a complex mythology or lore, which felt more forced into the narrative that it became difficult to follow and harder to connect with the characters in the way I had before.

I also found myself struggling to connect with Aisling. Still, I remain deeply moved by her overall journey throughout the series as she struggles to find her independence, self-worth, and inner strength, all while discovering her found family and true love. Despite my mixed feelings about this final installment, I will always cherish this series and wholeheartedly recommend it.

*Thank you to Ashley Metzler, Second Sky and Netgalley for the audiobook copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.