heater43's Reviews (1.19k)

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Book Review: The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten

I was really excited to read The Bachelorette Party, especially since I loved Camilla Sten’s The Village—a haunting, atmospheric thriller that stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Naturally, I went into this one with high expectations, and while it delivered in many ways, there were a few aspects that didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

What The Bachelorette Party absolutely nails is pacing. This is a fast, compulsive read that kept me turning pages late into the night. The setup—a remote villa, a group of women with complicated histories, secrets bubbling beneath the surface—was right in my thriller sweet spot. Sten does a great job building tension, and her writing style is sharp and immersive, pulling you right into the heart of the drama.

As the layers peeled back, I found myself fully engrossed in the unraveling dynamics between the characters. The flashbacks and shifting perspectives were used effectively to deepen the suspense and keep me guessing. There were some solid twists, and even when I started to suspect where things were heading, I still enjoyed watching it all unfold.

That said, I wasn’t totally sold on the ending. Without giving spoilers, it felt a little abrupt and left me wanting more resolution. I understand the intention behind it, but I personally prefer conclusions that feel a bit more grounded or emotionally satisfying. That’s the only reason this was a 4-star read instead of a 5 for me.

Still, Camilla Sten proves once again that she knows how to craft a tense, bingeable thriller. Her writing remains a highlight, and I’ll definitely keep reading whatever she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)

This was such an emotional, thought-provoking read. The author’s writing is absolutely beautiful—raw, honest, and deeply human. She captures how complicated love can be and the heartbreaking choices people sometimes have to make.

Emily, the main character, married young and truly tried to make things work. You can feel how much she wanted her life to turn out differently. Watching her navigate the weight of loyalty, disappointment, and desire was both frustrating and compelling. There were moments I wanted to shake her, moments I wanted to hug her—but I was always rooting for her.

Love isn’t simple, and this book doesn’t pretend it is. The story is layered and messy in the best way, and I appreciated how the author didn’t offer easy answers.

It stayed with me long after I finished the last page.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy 

Unworld is the kind of novel that doesn’t wait for you to settle in—it throws you headfirst into the middle of other people’s lives and challenges you to find your footing. And honestly? That’s what made it so compelling. Jason Greene’s writing is utterly immersive—clean, confident, and emotionally precise. He doesn’t rely on flashy plot devices or spoon-fed exposition. Instead, he trusts the reader to dive in and absorb the tension, the trauma, and the raw humanity of his characters.

I loved how the story unfolded through fragments and interactions, how we’re given glimpses into the lives of people who feel painfully real. There’s a quiet intensity to Greene’s prose that reminded me of literary fiction at its finest—every sentence feels deliberate, but never forced.

What stood out most for me was the internal monologue. It felt natural and intimate, like we weren’t just observing the characters—we were living inside their heads. Their fears, regrets, obsessions, and fleeting hopes all came through in subtle, powerful ways. I found myself rereading passages just to sit with the rhythm of his thoughts.

While it may not be for everyone (the pacing and structure might feel untraditional), Unworld is a book that rewards patience and attention. It’s unsettling and grounded at the same time, and I’ll be thinking about its quiet weight for a while.

Highly recommend for readers who love layered, introspective, character-driven fiction with a literary edge.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this phenomenal book!

This story pulled me in from the very first page and never let go. Gregory Funaro’s writing is so immersive and vivid—I felt like I was right there beside the characters, experiencing every twist, emotion, and eerie moment with them. The pacing was spot-on, the atmosphere was rich, and the characters were deeply real. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending it to every thriller lover I know.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of Dear Future Me by Deborah O’Connor.

This one was a slow burn—but I genuinely enjoyed the story. The concept hooked me right away: a mysterious app allows people to send messages to their future selves, but what happens when your future self warns you to stay away from someone you’re falling for? That setup alone gave me chills!

O’Connor builds tension gradually, layering in suspense, emotional weight, and a bit of romantic intrigue. While the pacing was slower than expected, I appreciated the deeper character work and the ethical questions the story raises. If you like speculative thrillers with a psychological twist, this one’s worth checking out!

This one gave me serious small-town-with-big-secrets vibes — and I was hooked. Bone Creek by Paula Gleeson is a slow-burn mystery with just the right amount of tension and character drama. Addie and her husband move to Bone Creek hoping for a reset, but of course, the town has other plans… especially once people start dying. 😬

I loved how atmospheric this book was — the setting felt like another character, and I could totally picture the creeping dread in every scene. Addie’s backstory hit me emotionally, and watching her lean back into her journalism instincts as things unraveled was so satisfying.

There were moments where the pacing dragged a little for me, but the payoffs were worth it. And the twists? Totally worked — grounded and believable but still got me.

If you’re into mysteries with layered characters, small-town tension, and an eerie, slow-building reveal, this one’s worth picking up.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!

This book wrecked my nerves in the best way possible. I don’t think I took a full breath the entire time I was reading it. Fifty Fifty is the definition of a perfect whodunit: two sisters, one murdered father, and an unrelenting courtroom drama where both women point the finger at each other. Cavanagh masterfully plays with perception and tension—just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist dropped and flipped everything upside down.

The pacing is razor sharp, the courtroom scenes are brilliantly written, and the psychological manipulation will have your anxiety spiking (in a good way!). I pride myself on guessing twists, but this one? No chance. Absolutely unputdownable.

A legal thriller that messes with your mind and keeps you questioning everyone’s truth—HIGHLY recommend if you love a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat mystery with zero filler.