debbilynn42's Reviews (654)

I chose to read Syl's POV then Viola's POV, though it was an interesting option to read their parts in either order. Personally I found there to be too much repetition between the two POVs and not enough individual characterization. I would have appreciated more individual experiences for each girl to round out their motivations and decisions instead of repeating back the same scenes with barely any added internal character. 

I found the scenes between Steve and Viola to sound more like a choppy interview rather than natural dialogue. It seemed too structured and their questions and answers alternating took me out of the narrative. The conversation between Annie and Syl flowed better and I was more immersed in their discussion. 

Because of the amount of repetition between the two POVs, I found the second recounting of events (for me, from Viola's POV) to be unnecessary which is a bummer because I wanted to love the dual POVs. I wonder if I'd feel the same way if I'd switched the sequence and did Syl second? 

Overall, I found the book anticlimactic and dull without a surprising twist or lasting story to recall back to. This wasn't a book for me.

Thanks to Skyscape and NetGalley for the ARC of this edition for my review.

Ten years ago, Chloe and Phoebe were roommates during an Australian study abroad trip. Now 10 years later, Chloe is the trip reunion and everyone is being interviewed about what happened the night Phoebe disappeared. Everyone has their secrets they've kept over the years, and what will it reveal about the real events a decade earlier.

I really enjoyed this thriller! The dual timelines & POVs (Phoebe then, Chloe now) were woven together very well, slowly revealing more about each student and what happened on their trip. There were both predictable bits and some surprises, so overall a great read as I was able to stay engaged throughout. 

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.

This read like an erotica nestled within an erotica, without much else to have me cheering on the couple. The motivations for Micah's choices at the end didn't make sense to me especially when earlier in the book we hear about her financial struggles. This made her character arc very inconsistent, and Aidan encouraging it quite irresponsible. I just wasn't a fan of how much the scenes were just re-written into fanfic for us to read again from both their perspectives. I get it, they're writing and thinking about one another. I don't need to re-read what they wrote, I need to see actual connection between the two of them. Aidan supporting her work alone doesn't seem like enough reason for her to ignore her concerns after her past relationship experience and the epilogue was especially rushed. 

Overall, this was not the book for me. 

Thanks to Harlequin books and NetGalley for the ARC of this title for my review.

I almost didn't read this book based on the content warnings, but in the end I'm glad that I gave it a try and pushed through. 

I spent a lot of the book noting the ways each character masked themselves around others in contrast to the contexts in which they were genuine to their true selves. They each were on a journey to be honest with others, but first had to learn to be honest with themselves.