booksthrilljessica's Reviews (537)

In this latest mystery adventure, our anonymous author returns. But this time she is not on an isolated island, but aboard a secluded women's only cruise ship. Packed with the same wit and sharp humor that made the first installment so addictive, this story had me hooked from start to finish.

Eva Kaminsky’s narration stands out as she brings to life each character with such nuance and charm, it feels like you’re right there in the middle of the action.

I adored the Agatha Christie inspired setup with a cast of suspects, each with a motive, and a mystery that only our clever protagonist can solve. But this time, she’s not just playing sidekick, she’s at the helm with her unique way of sleuthing.

A fast paced, delightfully entertaining listen that will have you laughing, guessing, and eagerly trying to piece together the puzzle. Highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with a modern twist.

*Thank you to Kemper Donovan, RBmedia | Recorded Books and Netgalley for the audiobook copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

A tale woven with generational curses and ones that can only be broken once in a lifetime. This is an enemy to lovers' romance that has been prophesied and avoided for centuries. Now, it falls to Calliope to uncover the secrets her ancestors tried to bury and discover what it truly means to save her cherished town of Gold Springs… and to become the Cursebreaker.

I absolutely adored this story and its unforgettable characters. Set in a charming small town where magic is kept secret, the romance between Calliope and Lucien will completely sweep you off your feet. With just the right amount of spice for a cozy magical romance, Lucien is the shadowy daddy you didn’t know you needed. I also appreciated how Randall seamlessly wove in complex family dynamics, adding even more depth to an already captivating story.

*Thank you to Breanne Randall, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I was really excited to read this book, the synopsis made it sound like it would center around a TV show with former child stars dealing with addiction, which I thought would be a powerful and interesting storyline. Unfortunately, the book didn’t deliver on that in the way I thought it would. This part of the plot ended up being barely mentioned, which left me feeling a bit misled.

The pacing also felt off. It seemed like a big chunk of the story was missing in the middle, and it rushed straight to the ending without much buildup or depth. I also struggled to connect with the characters. There wasn’t much development or backstory, aside from the "Her (Then)" chapters, so I never really felt invested in them. That said, it was a quick and easy read that kept me engaged in the mystery. I did find myself wanting to know what would happen next, which kept me interested.

⚠️ One thing I think is really important to mention is that the book is filled with heavy and potentially triggering content. Themes such as suicide, self harm, bulling, and sexual assault weren’t clearly flagged ahead of time. And they made up a large, if not the entire, portion of the story. If you’re sensitive to these certain topics, I’d recommend reading with caution.

*Thank you to Lucinda Berry, Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Equal parts mystery and thriller, this novel delivers all the eerie elements I crave in a story. Set on a remote island with a haunted house, and an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the last page. While I was initially unsure about the teenage protagonists, it quickly became clear that their age added a compelling layer to the narrative's intensity and emotional depth.

Barker masterfully weaves together some of my favorite horror tropes…. creepy teens, witchcraft, local lore, isolated location, and an ominous house all with a seamlessness that feels fresh rather than forced. I especially enjoyed how the main character, Billy, is forced to confront multiple moral dilemmas that help deepen the storyline beyond its terrifying surface.

I devoured this book in one sitting, completely hooked by the mystery of what was real, who could be trusted, and how far these characters would go to satisfy one terrifying demand… to please Emerson. If you're looking for a gripping, creepy read that pulls you into a dark, atmospheric world then you won't want to miss this one.

*Thank you to J.D. Barker, Hampton Creek Press / Simon & Schuster | Hampton Creek Press, RBmedia | Recorded Books and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I read the first installment over a year ago, and diving into the second book left me feeling pretty lost. There was little to no recap of the previous book, making it hard to understand where Sarah was in her life or how she got to this point in the story. Once I finally found my footing and adjusted to the book’s new direction, I encountered another hurdle… the audiobook narrators. Whether it was their delivery or the way the characters were written, I just couldn’t connect with Bob or Deputy Marcus.

As the story progressed, I found myself more interested in the side plots, particularly the case of a missing woman, than in the main storyline. These subplots actually pulled me in more than Sarah’s relationship to Bob or the main mystery between their divorce. That said, I did appreciate the continued tension and distrust between Sarah and her husband, a thread carried over effectively from the first book. And despite the bumpy road getting there, I really enjoyed the ending, and the final twist was layered and cleverly executed.

Overall, while there were parts that stood out and a satisfying conclusion, this sequel was a bit of a struggle to fully engage with.

This book is an emotional and thrilling journey filled with love, loss, mystery, and unexpected twists. At the center is River Santos, a young woman who suddenly inherits a large sum of money from an anonymous source. Reeling from her mother’s mysterious disappearance and the recent fire that claimed her father’s life, River is left to navigate her grief and uncertainty with only her best friend, and exvNoah by her side. Still holding onto hope that her mother might return, River refuses to touch the money until they can share it together.

However, things take a turn when Logan, her brooding and unexpectedly charming coworker, begins to take an interest in her. As their connection deepens, River begins to uncover secrets that make her question everything she thought she knew. Who can she trust? What really happened to her parents? And is she ready for the truth?

This story swept me up in its emotional depth, intriguing romance, and layered mystery. From heartbreaking loss to a swoon worthy bad boy romance, it all builds toward a jaw dropping twist. A standout YA mystery with strong storytelling and well developed characters, definitely worth the read.

*Thank you to Sloan Harlow, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Calling this book a wild ride doesn't quite do it justice. It kicks off in a psychiatric unit, where a woman who looks uncannily like Thea, a social worker, is admitted with no memory of who she is. From there, things escalate from strange to utterly unhinged as Thea sets out to find her now missing patient. Her search leads her deep into the heart of a cult riddled with religious symbolism and manipulation, preying on the vulnerable and lost.

If you're fascinated by the psychological twists of cults and the mental and emotional manipulation they inflict, then this book will draw you in. While it reminded me of Midsommar, it eventually veered more into Twin Flame or Mother of God territory with less atmospheric horror and more of a chaotic spiritual delusion.

I’m torn about how to rate this one. There were moments I genuinely loved, especially the intense and unsettling situations Thea finds herself in. However, I struggled with her character development. She’s introduced as a strong, capable woman who recognizes the cult for what it is and yet somehow still ends up utterly consumed by it. That disconnect ultimately frustrated me. And while the cult’s madness had potential, it felt too scattered and overly obsessed with sex to fully land.

*Thank you to Julia Bartz, Atria Books  and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book was beautifully written and evoked a similar concept and vibe as The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. At the core this is a poignant tale of two souls destined to find each other across countless lifetimes. Each one that ends in tragedy before they can reach adulthood. 

This story explores a love that defies time, gender, and circumstance, bound by something deeper and eternal.

Watching their love unfold again and again, only to be met with inevitable heartbreak, was extremely moving. However, I did find the structure that shifted between multiple timelines a bit distracting at times. Personally, I would have preferred a more traditional timeline approach that built steadily toward the revelation of how their tragic cycle began. And I would have loved to have spent more time within fewer timelines allowing for a deeper emotional connection to their journey.

The origin timeline, in particular, felt rushed and underdeveloped, with only a brief four minute glimpse that didn’t quite do justice to its significance. While the story did drag in places and felt repetitive at times, it still stirred strong emotions and offered a powerful love story and their infinite fates.

If you're drawn to stories about soulmates who find each other life after life, this one will pull at your heartstrings.

*Thank you to Laura Steven, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

In the spirit of the great mystery writers of the past and their brilliantly crafted detectives, this novel brings the legendary Queens of Crime to life, placing them at the heart of a gripping investigation into a missing woman. As a longtime admirer of these pioneering women in crime fiction, I was intrigued by the premise, and the book absolutely delivered.

It serves as a fitting homage to their legacy, highlighting not only their literary talents but also their resilience in a male dominated era. The story beautifully explores themes of sisterhood and the persistent underestimation of women’s intellect by men. I especially enjoyed the clever twist of having the Queens infiltrate the renowned Detection Club, exposing the corruption of its male members.

What stood out most to me was the return to the classic elements of mystery, a slow burning plot, meticulous clues, and the iconic final gathering where all suspects are assembled to unmask the killer. This book is both a celebration of golden-age detective mystery and the powerful group to the women who shaped it.

*Thank you to Marie Benedict, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.