emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)

Take 2 unreliable narrators, lock them in an apartment together during COVID, and see what happens. That's essentially the premise of this book and I absolutely LOVE it. Suspense builds throughout as we alternate between the past and modern day, following the growth of the relationship between Ciara and Oliver and a murder investigation. Admittedly, I guessed all of the twists in it, but that didn't make it less enjoyable. If you don't think that a COVID thriller is "too soon", give this one a shot.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This is a really powerful story focusing on tough themes themes of islamophobia and homophobia. I truly felt for Zara as she faced this hatred daily, an unfortunately realistic portrayal. And I appreciated the discussion of anger - letting it fuel you in a productive manner rather than in sheer rage. This book also discusses the inane intricacies of the US's immigration policies in relation to Zara and her family in a way that's completely approachable. Overall this is a perfect book for a budding social justice warrior that'll leave you craving frozen yogurt.

AB;AIGDJAI;GKVDASG IT'S SO GOOD. I ran out of fingers to count the number of times I was literally screaming and texting my friends about this book. As a STEM babe, I felt everything Olive did. The impostor syndrome, the stress of grad school, you name it! Add in the hottie mchottie Adam who's just so delightfully surly and it's sheer perfection. So check your contact expiration dates and bake up some butterscotch cookies now, because you're not going to want to put this book down.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

A cinematic scifi book with a female lead that isn't 700 pages? Yes please! I found Walli to be so compelling as she risked her life for the greater good, all while maintaining her charm and winning smile. At times it slowed down a bit, but it's difficult to have a plot that's always in crisis. I found the space elements and descriptions to be realistic, but I'm not an aerospace engineer.

But all things considered - do I want to go back to boring scifis with cis white men in the spotlight? I would prefer not.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I'm torn with how I feel about this. It's a perfectly fine thriller, but there's nothing that made me go WOW! I guessed the campus killer's identity immediately and I felt that some of the treatment of Charlie was cliche and almost offensive. But I loved how the chapters really made me feel like I was in a movie - definitely intentional on Riley Sager's part. And there was 1 twist that I didn't see coming that redeemed the book for me a bit.

Overall it's fine, nothing *too* special, but I wouldn't chalk it up as a waste of time.

Fair warning - this is more of a contemporary than a romance, though I'll happily accept the classification as a romantic comedy. Just know that there won't be much steam and PLEASE don't let that /bar/ you from reading, because this book is so /hole/-some (yes, the donut puns are coming... brace for impact)

I loved following Jas as she tried to modernize the store, traverse the dangerous waters of LA dating, and navigate a tumultuous job market, all while maintaining a sharp wit that had me reeling. I know that I'll be on the hunt for a donut after this /matcha/ made in heaven of a book.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This is a slow burn speculative thriller that will leave you going "Wait what?" at every chapter. While it is a bit slow to start, once we begin following Nella through her journey in the publishing industry and competition with Hazel, it definitely heats up. This book definitely served up the gaslighty vibes of When No One Is Watching (another book I loved), before just going WAY out into left field. The thing about speculative fiction though is that there's always a grain of possibility there and I could imagine the plot of this book actually taking place. Overall I loved it, but it may not be for everyone.

I can't help it, I love these books! The ren faire atmosphere just screams 'love is in the air' to me. I found Stacey to be so relatable as she searches for her purpose in life and Daniel was just adorable. I'd watch HGTV with him any day. The conflicts in this book were so unique and the ending was sheer perfection. Overall a great light novel that stays true to the series.

This book is beautifully infuriating. We have gang violence, flagrant and systemic racism, abuses of power, just everything... This is absolutely a must read. Starr's struggle of being torn between two worlds was so relatable and her visceral grief over Khalil's murder shook me to my core. This is truly a story about a community coming together in the wake of tragedy, even when the murder trial unfortunately ends in the way you'd expect. Angie Thomas does an amazing job with her characters and their individual stories. I can't wait to read more from her.

Y'all, Pride & Prejudice is just better with murder. There, I said it! But I'm a sucker for a Pride & Prejudice retelling and this one did not disappoint. The feminism in this is just peak Jane Austen and Tirzah Price manages to make something wholly original without sacrificing the original text. But personally I'm not the hugest historical fiction fan, so it tended to drag for me in the noncanonical moments. But overall a fun mystery perfect for Janeites.