booksthrilljessica's Reviews (537)

Set in grim Victorian era Britain, Meg (the butcher’s daughter) endures a life of relentless suffering. After her father’s death, Meg’s forced to work in the home of a disturbing surgeon with ties to her past. But behind the walls of this house lie dark, unsettling secrets. When Meg finally escapes the surgeon’s clutches, she's not only fighting for her own life, but also for the life growing inside her. Her journey leads her to a brothel, where she faces yet another harsh reality. Just how much can one woman endure before she breaks?

I was genuinely excited to read this gritty origin story of Mrs. Lovett, hoping for a raw, haunting build up to the world of Sweeney Todd. Unfortunately, the first 60% moved painfully slow, bogged down by excessive backstory with little action. The real grit and grime promised in the blurb didn’t arrive until the final stretch of the book. And while Meg’s experiences are undeniably tragic and formative, the pacing and emotional depth left something to be desired. It had strong potential but felt stretched out and did not hold my attention.

*Thank you to Corinne Leigh Clark, David Demchuk , RBmedia | Recorded Books and Netgalley for the ALC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

An outstanding read from start to finish! With revenge, mystery, hauntings and Final Destination vibes, this story throws you into a friend group everyone wants to be part of, that is until someone ends up dead.

The twisted dynamics amongst the Thrashers, a teenage friend group, feels all too real. At times shifting from loyal to downright toxic. Jodi, the quiet outsider with a conscience, never stands out. But when a new girl Emily forces her way into the group, she soon winds up dead. Will Jodi do the right thing, or protect the group’s dangerous secrets?

I loved how Soto weaves in a chilling possibility that Emily’s ghost may still be out for vengeance. The characters are wonderfully written, each bringing their own energy and drama to the group. The tension, secrets, and dark undercurrents made this story impossible to put down.

⚠️ Trigger warning: suicide, toxic/abusive parenting.

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

This book had everything….vampires, dragons, fae, magic… I was hooked from the start! Tate’s journey from a grieving outcast to a total badass was epic! The character development and bonds, especially the bond between the four best friends, was powerful and emotional. Even more so as their bond was tested and reshaped throughout the book.

As Tate learns the hard way that actions have consequences, she is forced to join the very unit that caused her mother’s death. But in doing so she begins to uncover a world far more complex than she ever imagined and that there just might be more beings other than vampires and humans. This all is set off when she loses her closest friend and it sends her reeling into a pit of  despair. But with everything on the line, she must soon embrace who she really is or parish while trying. And then enters Aether… a mysteriously infuriating, magnetic, and impossible to ignore hunk of a man.

I’m obsessed with the tension, the love triangles, and the perfectly spicy scenes that added to the emotional weight of the story. I also loved the slow burn history between Tate and her childhood friend Chance. This story was so beautifully written and with a cliffhanger that left me gasping. Intense, emotional, and unforgettable!

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

The premise of this book immediately grabbed my attention and I couldn’t wait to dive in! As I started reading, I expected it might follow a trajectory similar to the tragic events in Norway at a youth summer camp, which added to the intrigue, but this was not the case.

The story centers on five missing college students and is told mostly through the perspectives of their parents and law enforcement. While this angle was unique, it felt stifled. The extremely short, sometimes choppy chapters made it difficult to connect with the characters or fully invest in the unfolding mystery. Or to feel empathy or understanding for them as it seemed to be all over the place.

It also felt strange that the narrative leaned so heavily on the parents' POVs, especially since the students were hinted to be hiding something major. Yet that really wasn’t explored until the final chapters. The ending, while full of potential, came off as rushed and cliché. 

That said, it’s a fast and easy read, and if you're a fan of twisty plots and red herrings, this might be one to check out.

*Thank you to Alex Finlay, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Rue wakes with no memory of who she is or where she came from. And when she’s mistaken for Emma, a woman who looks exactly like her, Rua is thrust into a life that isn’t her own. With Emma’s mother threatening to have her committed to an asylum, Rua is desperate to uncover the truth and return to her real life, wherever that may be. But things get even interestingly complicated when she meets Finn, a charming yet infuriating man she feels an undeniable, yet mysterious connection to. 

This historical romance, dabbed with elements of fantasy, was a thoroughly enjoyable read. While the plot unfolds at a slower pace, I found this fitting for the genre. It allows the reader to sink into the setting and gives characters room to grow. That said, I do wish the magical and mythological aspects had been introduced earlier and explored more in depth. I was far more interested in Rua’s journey of self discovery than the tensions with the gossiping woman of high society. The slow burn between Rua and Finn was deliciously played out, and their chemistry was compelling. I only wish we had more scenes of them together beyond the final moments. 

*Thank you to Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez, Alcove Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Germain delivers once again in the second installment of the Compelling Fates Saga. Lessia is still reeling from the heartbreak of Loche Discovering her secrets, but she knows the fight is far from over. Now, her journey takes a more epic turn. But this time, she’s not just fighting for her own freedom, but for countless others as well. 

Teaming up with some unexpected allies and familiar faces, Lessia must rise against King Rioner. But amidst the chaos, she finds an unexpected connection with the darkly captivating Death Whisperer, Merrick. A twist that adds an even more depth to her already emotional path. 

Poor Lessia can’t seem to catch a break. Just when it seems she’s overcome one heartache, she’s thrust into an even more dangerous world beyond the kingdom’s walls. She remains a fierce and hauntingly brave heroine who pulls at your heartstrings, and yes, the spice is a perfect addition. 

Germain ends this book with another stunning cliffhanger that perfectly sets the stage for book three. I cannot wait to see where the story goes next! 

*Thank you to Sophia St. Germain for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book had me screaming, jumping out of my seat, and desperately craving more! Rue and Gidion are the definition of enemies to lovers perfection. Their journey, both toward each other and toward discovering themselves, is a beautifully tragic love story that left me completely hooked.

That ending? It has me in a chokehold. I’m seriously hoping there’s another book coming, because I need more of their story.

I really wanted to connect with this book, but unfortunately, I struggled to feel invested in the story. I felt like I was dropped into Àn’yīng’s journey without enough background or emotional buildup to truly understand or empathize with her.

While the writing itself was beautiful, I found there was a noticeable distance between Àn’yīng’s emotions and the reader. Her feelings were often told rather than felt, more descriptive than immersive, which made it difficult for me to form a strong connection to her character. 

*Thank you to Amélie Wen Zhao, Random House Children's | Delacorte Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Inspired by the real life tragedy of the 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping, this gripping novel reimagines the terrifying story of ten children abducted in broad daylight and buried alive. Told through multiple perspectives, it will have you holding your breath, desperate to find out what happens next and whether these children will ever make it home.

We follow Sage and her sister, two young girls determined to survive and reunite with their mother. Jessa, the bus driver with a troubled past, is thrust into a nightmare she never could have prepared for and must decide whether she has the courage to protect the kids in her care. Sheena, a frantic mother juggling fear, a dementia stricken father, and the moral weight of a ransom demand, faces an impossible choice. And Ted, driven by revenge, must confront just how far he's willing to go. Especially when his partner's ruthlessness threatens everything.

This novel closely mirrors the events of Chowchilla but offers fictional twists that elevate the suspense and emotional impact. It’s harrowing to imagine what those children endured, but Ihli gives readers a powerful, if terrifying, journey with a satisfying and redemptive ending.

Absolutely loved this book! It was tense, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. This is a must read for fans of true crime.

*Thank you to Noelle W. Ihli, Dynamite Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I picked this book up for my 7-year-old, who loves fact-filled reads and material packed with interesting information. While the content itself was great and full of fascinating facts, the structure just didn’t work for my younger reader. The bullet-point format felt more like an encyclopedia, which quickly lost his interest after just a few pages.

This might be a better fit for older kids who enjoy nonfiction and don’t mind a more reference-style layout. It’s informative, but not particularly engaging for younger, more narrative-driven readers.

*Thank you to the authors, Octopus Publishing US | Cassell and Netgalley for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.