lit_vibrations's Reviews (365)

A story of siblinghood, grief, guilt, and the supernatural. The author takes us on a powerful journey with Harriet Adu as she experiences grief following the death of her brother. Harriet knows it’s her fault even though it’s really not but in her mind it is. 

Soon she’ll learn the tongue is a powerful thing and you should be careful what you wish for. The morning she had an argument with her brother Tunde and wished he was dead was also the same day she lost him. The situation was a tragic coincidence yet Harriet can’t let go of the fact she feels she’s to blame. 

This book had a great premise and I loved the direction it was headed with the magical realism spin. But I think that’s where the book began to veer off from its original point. I would’ve liked more backstory on the underground city Harriet, Luke, and Nikka ventured into. Was it a real place or something they imagined. This was the only part of the book that didn’t make complete sense to me. 

The pool seemed to be a symbolic place for Harriet since it’s where she usually felt free. When she had a supernatural encounter in the pool and sees a glimpse of Tunde’s ghost Harriet questions the impossible. That part made me wonder if maybe certain things began to manifest around her because she spoke them into existence. 

Overall, this was a great speculative novel certain elements gave off a Don’t Look Under the Bed meets Us theme. The author did well providing vivid depictions of the scenes and characters. Special thanks to the author, @levinequerido, & @hearourvoicestours for my gifted copy‼️

This was a wild short story!!! From the moment Andrew crossed paths with the love of his life Vicky the book turned into pure madness. It was very fast-paced so you can literally read it in one sitting. 

If Andrew becoming angry because he didn’t know who Vicky was on the phone with at the grocery store wasn’t crazy. What he did to his mother a few hours later took the cake. 😂 Then the fact he lied to his mom about finally being off the market took me out cause boy when this happen. 

Vicky was a nurse practitioner by the way and Andrew was a part-time college student who worked as a grocery store bagger full-time. The audacity of him to think she was in love with him. 😂 The further you get into the story the more delusional and deranged Andrew becomes. 

If you’re looking for a good laugh definitely recommend you give this one a read!!!

I enjoyed this book way more than I expected‼️ It’s book 3 in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries and I plan to go back and read the other two. It was such a cute little murder mystery lol I know that sounds crazy. 

But that’s the vibe we get from Spice Isle Bakery’s co-owner Lyndsay Murray baker by day detective by night (not really lol). When someone close to her loses a friend during the Brooklyn annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival and suspects foul play Lyndsay doesn’t hesitate to jump on the case. Didn’t seem like local authorities were gonna crack the case open without her help.

What made this one fun and adventurous was the constant guessing game, having a baker solve a murder lol, and how the mystery was well-drawn out. There were so many possible suspects that could have wanted Camille dead for one reason or another. So, when the killer was finally revealed I thought their motive could’ve been better. 

Nonetheless the character development was great. Loved the close relationship between the Murray family. Seems like there could’ve been some chemistry between Detective Bryce Jackson and Lyndsay but neither acted upon it so I’m wondering if we’ll get a book 4. 

Overall, this was a cozy read the pacing was fair I was able to read it pretty quickly. The authors writing was very descriptive and vivid really brought the book to life also loved the recipes thrown in. Special thanks to the author & @minotaur_books for my gifted copy‼️

An amazing book that you can’t judge by the cover‼️ Mr. Jimmy (James) was the neighborhood hero down in Ham, Mississippi. He left his old life behind and moved into an unknown community seeking redemption. But what he found was a town riddled with poverty and neighbors that were all in need one way or another.

James was a person that didn’t wait for someone to say they needed help. He gave and did things just because it was the right thing to do. Plus he had the money. You might think James was doing all these things as a way to make himself feel better for the past mistakes he made. But in actuality this was just in his character. 

What caused James to move to Ham, Mississippi was rather interesting considering his character’s age. I wouldn’t expect him to take the route he’d gone I mean he had MONEY so the Lady Nymph situation was odd. I think his wife’s reaction to everything was expected but a little extreme. I don’t think what he did was immediately forgivable buuuuuut Rebecca could’ve been more understanding to what he was dealing with. Nothing in life happens by chance so I found it crazy she walked away so easily without looking at it from his perspective.

Overall, this was such a lighthearted comforting read. The author explored themes surrounding marriage, poverty, rediscovering yourself, and giving back to those in need. The characters weren’t as layered as I’d like but most are memorable. I really enjoyed the fact we had an older MC working through his flaws and shortcomings. The plot moves a bit slow but it allows readers to really savor and enjoy the story. Special thanks to the author & @beaufortbooks for my gifted copy‼️

This one was off to a great start the beginning really pulls you and peaks your interest in how life will go for Kat after losing her memory. For the first half I just knew her sister Jude had something to do with the car accident and she was trying to cover it up. The deeper we get into the novel even Kat questions Jude’s intentions and behavior. Kat develops a bit of paranoia whenever she’s around Jude so this is where things got good.

Now what blew it for me was everything involving King Bash and this group he was developing. I honestly didn’t get any of that and enjoyed the book way better when I thought Jude was on some shady ish 😂 it was giving this good twin evil twin vibe. Once the secrets begin to unravel so does the flow of the book. 

The chapters were short which worked well. But the timelines jump back and forth so much some parts were confusing. The author did great building up the suspense and tension though. The reader never really knows if Jude is being truthful with Kat so you’re left guessing until the last few chapters. 

Overall, this was an interesting read it just didn’t hit the mark like I wanted. The book cover was creepy which made me want to read it. The plot took some unexpected turns so I think some readers might like the book. Special thanks to the author & @henryholtbooks for my gifted copy‼️

It was written so good you’d think it was based off a true story. This book deserves all the stars‼️ If you don’t have it buy it and if you already own it READ IT . . . I used audio as I read along with the physical and it was such an amazing experience highly recommend this way. 

The dual timelines were well-paced and woven together perfectly. We journey between the past and present generations of Ailey Garfield’s ancestral lineage in Chicasetta, Georgia. There were so many hidden family secrets, unforeseen linkages, injustices, traumatizing and heartbreaking moments that created this remarkable story. 

The author showcases the importance of knowing one’s family history. Painting such a vivid picture both good and horrific with her words it’s hard not to envision all the characters and the situations they encountered. The family tree was very helpful with keeping up with them all.

Memorable Characters:

Ailey

Lydia

Uncle Root

Dr. Oludara

Most disliked characters:

Samuel

Victor

Gandee

Rebecca

Abdul

The plot was definitely unpredictable and crafted in such a way that made you want to know more. I still have questions about Coco since she was one character I felt the author didn’t shed enough light on. Coco mentioned her family not paying her much attention growing up. So, it’s almost as though the author made her character nonexistent until certain parts. We get so much more backstory on Ailey and Lydia but not much on the pain or trauma Coco experienced when they were all abused by Gandee. I wanted so bad for one of them to speak up. 

Overall, the book was worth the read and if nothing more the author knows how to evoke a reader’s emotions. The dialogue was engaging and continued to build with each chapter. We get themes surrounding family history, addiction, gender, self-discovery, racism, bondage, and education. If this book isn’t on your TBR I highly recommend you add it‼️

This book was nothing short of amazing‼️ When I say it will have your thoughts and emotions all over the place literally. The author explored such a powerful topic that will leave many readers feeling uneasy about whose side they should be on. Not gone lie I was a bit bias the entire time and always sided with Katherine. I just felt like she had more to lose in the situation and I’d probably react the same as she did. 

But it was such a realistic drama packed with twists, secrets, suspense, and intrigue that will have you immersed in the story from beginning to end. We get multiple plots woven into this single narrative while never straying away from the overall plot of the novel. Every character felt like a real person from their personal actions, distinct motives, and their personalities. Everything felt so authentic and believable. 

Patrick’s mother did entirely too much especially with her racial remarks. His ass didn’t do enough to step in and stand up for his wife. I get why Katherine had mixed feelings about sharing custody with Tess. Once all the secrets started pouring out it made me take a deeper look at the circumstances at hand. How would you feel knowing the child you gave birth to wasn’t biologically yours and the man you married had sex with the woman who is the biological mother? That alone drove a deeper wedge in any relationship or agreement that could’ve been made between Katherine, Patrick, and Tess. 

Overall, the book was perfect and a beautifully-written reflection on an inevitable situation. There are quite a few trigger warnings involving rape, stillbirth, abortion, fertility issues, race, and betrayal. This is a book I highly recommend everyone to read‼️It’s full of surprising twists and emotional challenges that truly make it unforgettable. 

A book that had soooo much potential but fell a bit short in the last few chapters. First I’ll begin with this book was weird asf and initially gave off a Hide and Seek type vibe or so I thought. I was with all that but as I got deeper into the novel I realized Vera’s father was just a very deranged man.

He was a serial killer nonetheless but it was the fact he allowed his behavior to rub off on Vera that I found odd. The peephole in her room floor was an open window to the basement where his crimes were committed. Whhhhy would you want your child to watch you torture and commit murder?

I believe her mother knew exactly what he’d been doing yet she was silent to his actions. After Vera decides to follow in her father’s footsteps and “help” her friend Brandon. Only then does he finally see the error of his ways. Once her father got arrested and confessed to all the murders even the one he didn’t commit Daphne blames Vera for it coming to light. 

Maybe if she had been more attentive and shielded Vera from her father’s dark side their relationship would’ve turned out differently. But Daphne had never been the best mother and throughout the book she seemed to be jealous of the relationship Vera had with her dad. So, when Daphne was on her death bed and called for Vera to come home I was surprised she went back. 

Overall, I thought the premise was interesting but the way the author threw in that supernatural twist with the house my feelings changed. It really made me not like the book as much because the twist didn’t make sense. The entire book you’re on edge then you get hit with this random twist and it throws it all off. So, I say read at your own will you might actually enjoy it more than I did ‼️ 

We have four bestfriends dealing with personal struggles, broken relationships, finding love again, learning where they stand in the lives of those around them, and navigating through a society that refuses to cut them any slack. 

Ivy did her best to hold Michael down during his 16 year prison sentence. But eventually like any normal human being she got tired and wanted more for herself and her sons. Then we have Deja in a similar situation but she chose not to stay loyal to Rashid during his prison sentence and did what was best for her. Yet Deja’s being ridiculed and called fake for wanting better only to find herself now dissatisfied with the life she chose.

Coco on the other hand kept finding herself attracted and attached to emotionally unavailable men. That is until Ziggy comes into her life trying to give her all that she deserves. Now she’s unsure of how to deal with the pressure of a man that’s got it all together. Last but not least we have Nikki the infamous hood queen herself. Envied by a few but loved by many she was a self-made, I do and say what I want type of woman. When her sister Deja is torn between her marriage and past life Nikki doesn’t hesitate to throw in her two cents. 

I enjoyed reading this book I felt like each woman’s situation was authentic and portrayed in a way that made it seem all too real. Being single and having a desire to be loved is hard. But being a single woman and a single mother at the same time makes life just a little bit harder. The situation Ivy’s son ends up in proves that no matter how hard you try to shield your children from the dangers of the world some things are inevitable. 

Overall, Tracy did not disappoint with this one I was engaged from beginning to end. But I felt the subplot involving the kids was necessary yet a bit much for the direction I thought the book was headed. The men in this book were so UGGGH especially Michael and Bobby. Bobby was the biggest buster of them all. His behavior had jealousy and insecurity written all over it. Do I think this book is worth reading? DEFINITELY recommend‼️ Buuuut it doesn’t surpass how I felt after reading Hold You Down. 

Okay first let me add a thriller this was not‼️ It gave lots of suspense and was a good mystery but I didn’t get thriller from this. Maybe I don’t know what a thriller really is 😂 but this wasn’t it in my opinion. To truly be a thriller in my eyes it should have me on the edge of my seat rapidly turning pages craving more. 

Now I did enjoy the book it had a nice twist and loved how the letters were incorporated to reveal some of the family secrets. But I really wanted a little bit more from this; something to really wow me. All we get is a dysfunctional family full of drama, a woman who has a long list of secrets, an adopted son who could careless about the family or the money he inherited, and a wife who’s intentions weren’t as pure as they seemed. One thing I can say is not one character had an issue with killing anybody. There was really a “you get in my way I’ll kill you” type thing going.

Ruby was definitely something else the title should’ve been How the Heiress Got Away With Murder. Killing the first husband I definitely understood but the reasoning for the others not so much. The twist involving Jules was definitely clever but did create a little confusion in the last chapters.

Overall, the book was pretty good a few hit and misses here and there but well-written enough to keep you interested. If it weren’t for the letters Ruby wrote I probably would’ve lost interest before I hit the halfway mark. It was fast-paced, the character development was meh didn’t really connect with any of them, but the drama and secrets kept me going.  Special thanks to the author & @stmartinpress for my gifted copy‼️