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gimmebooksjoanna's Reviews (326)
This is the first novel I have read by Slater, and let me tell you now, I'll without a shadow of a doubt be seeking out her other work.
The Silent Ones had be gripped from the off. It begins with telling the story of what triggers the events of the rest of the book. It's clever though. It doesn't tell us who's responsible. It simply describes two young girls who we later discover are Brianne and Maddy.
As the book unfolds you get a gut feeling about who you can and can't trust. The majority of the book is written from Juliet's point of view (Maddy's mother) however we do see parts from other family members viewpoints. It's very clear we're dealing with a dysfunctional family plagued with secrets.
In terms of my gut reaction to who you could and couldn't trust, I was more or less bang on, apart from the big reveal. I didn't see that coming at all.
This book was an easy 5* for me. It was a pacey read and had everything you want in a pyschological thriller. I didn't feel like there were any gaps in the story, and I was totally immersed in trying to find out what happened.
The Silent Ones had be gripped from the off. It begins with telling the story of what triggers the events of the rest of the book. It's clever though. It doesn't tell us who's responsible. It simply describes two young girls who we later discover are Brianne and Maddy.
As the book unfolds you get a gut feeling about who you can and can't trust. The majority of the book is written from Juliet's point of view (Maddy's mother) however we do see parts from other family members viewpoints. It's very clear we're dealing with a dysfunctional family plagued with secrets.
In terms of my gut reaction to who you could and couldn't trust, I was more or less bang on, apart from the big reveal. I didn't see that coming at all.
This book was an easy 5* for me. It was a pacey read and had everything you want in a pyschological thriller. I didn't feel like there were any gaps in the story, and I was totally immersed in trying to find out what happened.
This was a pretty pacey, quick read which had I not been distracted by our weird world, would have been read far quicker.
I loved it. Like, every page of it. I didn't guess what the 'extraordinary event' mentioned on the blurb was. But my word, it blew me away, this whole book did. It's so beautifully written and by the end of the book I was so invested in the characters.
Without giving away too much of the plotline, the last part of the book revisits the characters five years after the event that changes their lives, and I was filled with so much warmth, getting the closure that is often missing with books. Finding out what became of them. I was sat with a smile on my face and it almost brought nearly brought a happy tear to my eye.
The narration being from the points of view of different characters was easy to follow as they all had their own unique voice, particularly Elvis, who I just adored. The blossoming of his relationship with other characters throughout is really just so heart warming.
The emotion I could feel throughout was so real and I could completely put myself in the shoes of each storyteller.
There's not much more I can say on this book without ruining it. But really all you need to know is, I loved it.
I loved it. Like, every page of it. I didn't guess what the 'extraordinary event' mentioned on the blurb was. But my word, it blew me away, this whole book did. It's so beautifully written and by the end of the book I was so invested in the characters.
Without giving away too much of the plotline, the last part of the book revisits the characters five years after the event that changes their lives, and I was filled with so much warmth, getting the closure that is often missing with books. Finding out what became of them. I was sat with a smile on my face and it almost brought nearly brought a happy tear to my eye.
The narration being from the points of view of different characters was easy to follow as they all had their own unique voice, particularly Elvis, who I just adored. The blossoming of his relationship with other characters throughout is really just so heart warming.
The emotion I could feel throughout was so real and I could completely put myself in the shoes of each storyteller.
There's not much more I can say on this book without ruining it. But really all you need to know is, I loved it.
Synopsis
Jenni is ex army and now a high school math teacher. One day a pupil, Destiny, comes to her in some serious trouble, and with seemingly no other alternative, Jenni takes her in order to protect her.
What did I think?
This book was brilliant. It was original with plenty of twists that I didn't see coming.
It's told from the point of view of three key characters, but the majority of the narrative flits between Jenni and Destiny. This allows you to gain a great understanding on how both parties perceive the events that unfold.
I really don't want to say more because I would hate to spoil this debut novel from Kate Bradley but I'll leave you with these key thoughts:
- It didn't have an unrealistic ending!
- The narrative switched seamlessly between characters
- If you love suspense and thrillers, read this now
- The only reason I knocked half a star off is because I felt it lagged ever so slightly in the middle. I feel like the story could have been told in perhaps 50 pages less.
- I will definitely read subsequent novels from Bradley
Jenni is ex army and now a high school math teacher. One day a pupil, Destiny, comes to her in some serious trouble, and with seemingly no other alternative, Jenni takes her in order to protect her.
What did I think?
This book was brilliant. It was original with plenty of twists that I didn't see coming.
It's told from the point of view of three key characters, but the majority of the narrative flits between Jenni and Destiny. This allows you to gain a great understanding on how both parties perceive the events that unfold.
I really don't want to say more because I would hate to spoil this debut novel from Kate Bradley but I'll leave you with these key thoughts:
- It didn't have an unrealistic ending!
- The narrative switched seamlessly between characters
- If you love suspense and thrillers, read this now
- The only reason I knocked half a star off is because I felt it lagged ever so slightly in the middle. I feel like the story could have been told in perhaps 50 pages less.
- I will definitely read subsequent novels from Bradley
Legend has it that if you have the patience to fold 1000 paper cranes, miracles can happen…
Ichario has held on to a secret for many many years. Along with that secret, he holds guilt that has torn him up inside. He’s now ready to share this secret with his Granddaughter…
We are transported back to minutes before the bombing in Hiroshima, we experience the unfolding of events as he recalls them and find out how he survived along with what caused his life time of guilt.
What did I think?
I once again find myself realising that in spite of my proclamations that I don’t enjoy learning about history, I do enjoy it – I just prefer it where there’s a human interest story attached. And boy, was there a human interest story here!
The Last Paper Crane is quite possibly the most beautiful book that I’ve ever read, in both the tangible product, and the words inside them. It is perfect. Written in a series of free verse, haiku and standard prose it was engaging and emotive. I felt invested in the characters and enjoyed the switch in the writing style as a way to determine whereabouts in time we are with the story.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in a day and maybe we can blame Covid-19 and self-isolation but I really want to say it’s because this book was simply wonderful. I cried at the end – it was such a release of emotion.
Don’t miss this book. I don’t think anything else I read this year will match up. It’s sublime.
Ichario has held on to a secret for many many years. Along with that secret, he holds guilt that has torn him up inside. He’s now ready to share this secret with his Granddaughter…
We are transported back to minutes before the bombing in Hiroshima, we experience the unfolding of events as he recalls them and find out how he survived along with what caused his life time of guilt.
What did I think?
I once again find myself realising that in spite of my proclamations that I don’t enjoy learning about history, I do enjoy it – I just prefer it where there’s a human interest story attached. And boy, was there a human interest story here!
The Last Paper Crane is quite possibly the most beautiful book that I’ve ever read, in both the tangible product, and the words inside them. It is perfect. Written in a series of free verse, haiku and standard prose it was engaging and emotive. I felt invested in the characters and enjoyed the switch in the writing style as a way to determine whereabouts in time we are with the story.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in a day and maybe we can blame Covid-19 and self-isolation but I really want to say it’s because this book was simply wonderful. I cried at the end – it was such a release of emotion.
Don’t miss this book. I don’t think anything else I read this year will match up. It’s sublime.
Well this book was just so bloody adorable and heart warming! It's a short read - just 132 pages and they were just lovely!
It was particularly poignant in the current situation we find ourselves in; there were a lot of parallels.
I loved this book. So very sweet and felt just like one of Aesop's fables which I just loved as a child.
If you want a quick, quirky read with a thought provoking message, this definitely fits the bill!
It was particularly poignant in the current situation we find ourselves in; there were a lot of parallels.
I loved this book. So very sweet and felt just like one of Aesop's fables which I just loved as a child.
If you want a quick, quirky read with a thought provoking message, this definitely fits the bill!
Synopsis
Forty-something Nell has just moved back to London from America, following the breakdown of her relationship with her fiancé, Ethan and business going bust.
She's got to start over.
All her friends have moved on though. They're happily married homeowners with kids and they've just got their shit together.
Desperate for work and a roof over he head, she finds herself renting a room off Edward, and writing obituaries.
When she interviews Cricket so she can write her late husband's obituary, Nell finds herself striking up a friendship with Cricket. They help each other through the crossroads they both find themselves at.
What did I think?
This is a tough one. I didn't not enjoy it. It was a nice light hearted read which is relatable in so many ways (even in my thirties). We've all been there where we've felt that everyone else has their life so much more in order than we do.
I really enjoyed the parts of the book and wish that there had been more focus on Nell's podcast - I would have loved to have heard more about that and known what she was talking about and putting in them.
I feel like there was a lot going on in this book and whilst there were some really nice bits - I enjoyed her daily gratitude list and I LOVED her relationship with Cricket, there were so many clichés. Johnny, Annabel and Edward to name a few.
This book could have been a 5*. If only it had just focussed more on the podcast and taken away some of the stuff that's so typical and samey of chick lit.
Forty-something Nell has just moved back to London from America, following the breakdown of her relationship with her fiancé, Ethan and business going bust.
She's got to start over.
All her friends have moved on though. They're happily married homeowners with kids and they've just got their shit together.
Desperate for work and a roof over he head, she finds herself renting a room off Edward, and writing obituaries.
When she interviews Cricket so she can write her late husband's obituary, Nell finds herself striking up a friendship with Cricket. They help each other through the crossroads they both find themselves at.
What did I think?
This is a tough one. I didn't not enjoy it. It was a nice light hearted read which is relatable in so many ways (even in my thirties). We've all been there where we've felt that everyone else has their life so much more in order than we do.
I really enjoyed the parts of the book and wish that there had been more focus on Nell's podcast - I would have loved to have heard more about that and known what she was talking about and putting in them.
I feel like there was a lot going on in this book and whilst there were some really nice bits - I enjoyed her daily gratitude list and I LOVED her relationship with Cricket, there were so many clichés. Johnny, Annabel and Edward to name a few.
This book could have been a 5*. If only it had just focussed more on the podcast and taken away some of the stuff that's so typical and samey of chick lit.
This book was brilliant! This isn't the first K L Slater book I've had the opportunity to read from NetGalley and once again I've been absolutely absorbed in the book.
The Apartment is a story full of twists and turns as we follow the story of Freya and Skye as they come across a once in a lifetime opportunity to move into Adden House in Kensington.
But things aren't as they seem as strange things start to happen and Freya finds herself constantly on her guard and with a knot in her stomach.
For a thriller, this was unique and different, although I feel I guessed the twist a little earlier on than I usually do but that didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book. It was a really quick, pacey and engaging read with short chapters (which always makes a book go faster!) and I will definitely read more from Slater again.
The Apartment is a story full of twists and turns as we follow the story of Freya and Skye as they come across a once in a lifetime opportunity to move into Adden House in Kensington.
But things aren't as they seem as strange things start to happen and Freya finds herself constantly on her guard and with a knot in her stomach.
For a thriller, this was unique and different, although I feel I guessed the twist a little earlier on than I usually do but that didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book. It was a really quick, pacey and engaging read with short chapters (which always makes a book go faster!) and I will definitely read more from Slater again.