booksthrilljessica's Reviews (537)

The beginning of this book was a bit of a struggle, the characters felt a little too immature for high schoolers. But once the sleepover kicked off, the story took a turn for the better and really pulled me in. I appreciated the subtle nuances of society's pressure of being the “perfect girl” and how doing what’s expected isn’t always the right thing.

I also enjoyed unraveling the mystery of the missing girls and how it all connected back to Jessa and the mysterious killer. The classic tropes of a dark, isolated night and people being picked off one by one were well executed. The big question remains… will Jessa finally break free from the perfect image she’s been forced into?

*Thank you to Tracy Banghart, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The book started strong and really gave me The Last Thing He Told Me vibes. But after the seven year time jump from the hostage situation involving Cam’s husband, the story lost momentum for me. The detective’s POV didn’t work for me. It felt more like filler than something that added depth. Still, if you can push through, the twist at the end is worth it, especially if you enjoy a satisfying HEA and a bit of well deserved karma for the villains.

Wow, John Marrs has done it again! This was a top tier thriller that had me completely hooked from start to finish. I loved how certain chapters focused on a distinct personalities of an unknown character that kept me guessing about who was out for revenge and who might actually be the killer.

The friend group gave off major Real Housewives energy, which made the story even more fun. And the addition of a new woman into the mix added the perfect layer of tension and intrigue. The twists were brilliantly executed, weaving the subplots together in a way that felt seamless and satisfying.

I know some readers might not be fans of Margot, but my advice? Stick with her. Try to understand her before passing judgment….she just might surprise you.

Unfortunately, this book just didn’t land for me. The pacing felt slow and overly drawn out, which made it hard to stay engaged. While I understand that certain heavy topics like child loss and parental abandonment played a role in the story, I was caught off guard by their presence since they weren’t mentioned in the blurb. For my own mental well being, those elements made it difficult to fully connect with the characters or the narrative.

I also went into this expecting more focus on Norma’s journey to find her birth family. Instead, much of the story centers on her everyday life, with little mention of her past until suddenly, after the death of her “adoptive” parents, she remembers everything. While there’s certainly heartbreak throughout, I just felt the execution lacked the emotional depth or engagement I was hoping for.

This book struck the perfect balance of creepy, intrigue, and twists that I love in a thriller. Set in a world where sci-fi seamlessly blends with thriller, Coile delivered chills while keeping me constantly guessing about William’s next move. I also was constantly wondering what secrets Henry and Lily might be hiding. I was especially hooked by the concept of a robot developing disturbingly human traits, which gave off serious Smart House vibes… if Smart House had a body count and a dark mystery at its core. I was completely captivated right up to the final page. And that ending? Totally twisty and unexpected.

I saw this book getting a lot of highly rated reviews in a Facebook group, so I decided to give it a try. The premise definitely grabbed my attention as we are introduced to Mary B. Addison, who was convicted as a child for the murder of a baby. And after serving time in what she calls “baby jail,”  Mary’s now living in a group home, trying to piece her life back together. But the big question that resurfaces throughout the story is….did she really do it?

While the concept was compelling, I struggled with the execution. The writing style and the interactions between Mary and the other characters in the group home just didn’t resonate with me. I understand that the author likely wanted to reflect a gritty, realistic environment, but I found it hard to connect with any of the characters, including Mary. I think we were supposed to feel sympathy for her, but that emotional connection never landed for me.

One thing that really threw me off was Mary’s unwavering loyalty to her mother, even as she faces becoming a mother herself. It felt unrealistic and frustrating. And as for the ending... it honestly felt like a letdown. After following Mary’s journey, the way things wrapped up made me question if sticking with her story was worth it. A strong premise, but unfortunately, it just didn’t hit the mark for me.

I didn’t really enjoy this book. The premise, especially the setting in Malaya during WWII, initially drew me in because of the praise and intriguing synopsis. I was eager to start reading what I hoped would be an emotionally powerful and informative story. Unfortunately, instead of offering a deeply moving narrative or meaningful insight, it felt like the book leaned more into shock value. The events portrayed were undeniably horrific and deserve to be shared, but the way they were presented, without any warning, left me feeling blindsided. Personally, the lack of content warnings, especially around topics like CSA and child/pregnancy loss, made it difficult for me to stay connected to the story. These are important issues to address, undeniably, but I wish the book had given readers a heads up.

*Thank you to Vanessa Chan, Simon Element l Simon & Schuster  for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

What a phenomenal journey this book took me on! From the very first page, I was completely immersed in the world of Drusilla Valerius (Dru) a fierce and complex heroine who’s thrown headfirst into the deadly Valorem Blood Trials. These trials aren’t just a fight against deadly evils, but a battle to discover her own identity. Dru’s path to self-discovery is both thrilling and emotional, and thrust her into the arms of her ex, Marcus Scaevola.

Deoradhan’s world-building and character development are absolutely amazing. The attention to detail and emotional depth pulled me right into the story. I couldn’t get enough of the enemies to lovers trope and the slow burn romance between Dru and Marcus was everything I hoped for.

Dru is the kind of fierce female lead I love, strong, independent, and fully capable of fighting her own battles without relying on the male lead to save her. And Marcus? He’s the brooding protector type who would go to any lengths for Dru, even while carrying a secret that could unravel the trust they’ve fought so hard to rebuild.

An intense, beautifully written fantasy with adventure, lust, and high stakes. I couldn't put it down!

*Thank you to M.K. Deoradhan for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book was absolutely gripping and incredibly well done. I was hooked on the idea that every character, including the narrator Theo, was hiding something. And it was only a matter of time before everything unravels as they find out each other's secrets. I'm a sucker for a murder mystery set in a remote, wintry cabin where no one can leave and Marshall sets this up perfectly! The writing was sharp and clever. I often found myself confidently guessing the characters' secrets more than once, only to be proven wrong each time, which made the twists even more enjoyable.

I’m conflicted about my review of this book. While I really appreciated the documentary style approach, I felt that those chapters were the only parts of the story that truly moved the plot forward. That being said, I did enjoy the behind the scenes look at the cutthroat world of ice skating.

Katarina and Heath have shared a deep connection since childhood, competing for the affection of others, which they ultimately find through ice dancing. However, Katarina’s sheer determination and willpower begin to strain the bond she shares with the one person she truly loves and trusts. At times, I felt the story dragged, with a desire to see more from the characters in a quicker timeframe. I did, however, enjoy the evolving dynamics between them and the other ice skaters over time.

I do wish the book had introduced more characters to enrich the love story or delved deeper into the intricacies of the skating world. If you enjoy a romance tested by challenges with a satisfying, happy ending, this book will be a great fit for you.

*Thank you to Layne Farg, Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.