bookswithlydscl's Reviews (639)

A Masked Murderer

Beth Byers

4.0

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The Night Hawks

Elly Griffiths

2.5

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This one just didnt click for me.

The Lantern Men

Elly Griffiths

3.5

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This one didn't click as well as the previous instalment. still enjoyable but not my favourite.

The Stone Circle

Elly Griffiths

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

really enjoyed this one overall

The Hike

Lucy Clarke

3.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

an enjoyable but infuriating read. love a destination thriller, love that this was a different setting to your normal plush Caribbean getaway but the character's decisions at times were just so ridiculous that it drove me mad. But still it was a great read whilst I was travelling.

In The Family Way

Laney Katz Becker

4.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Billed as "For fans of Lessons in Chemistry or The Help", "In The Family Way" is a moving and thoughtful look at motherhood, what it is to be a woman and what secrets lie behind closed doors.

Set in 1960s suburban America, we are introduced to a group of women who are carving out their path in life bound by the strictures of patriarchal society. They are all well realised and are brave, compassionate, foolish and flawed all at the same time.

Whilst the tone of the writing is generally light-hearted don't let it fool you, this story deals with difficult topics including domestic violence, sexual assault, underage pregnancy and abortion. It doesn't shy away from the facts and the reality of life for many women during this period so some readers may struggle during the middle third because of that (I know I certainly did). But, as I found, it is worth sticking through those sections as the final third is a wonderful wrap up for all of our characters.

This is a thought provoking, insightful and well written story that draws you in and doesn't let go and comes highly recommended.