lit_vibrations's Reviews (365)

This is my second book by the author and while I wasn’t completely blown away the build up was great. Chloe was a special kind of person naive, gullible, a psychologist who obviously couldn’t read people, and ignores red flags. She’s getting married soon to a man she basically met yesterday. When things from her past start happening again she can’t help but think someone’s out to get her and that someone just might be her husband. 

The author twisted the plot so well that when we find out who’s behind everything you’re literally like WTF. It’s always the person you least expect that does the craziest things. I could not give this 5 stars because of the ending. But if you enjoyed Where The Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose you’ll like this book. 

Rating: 4/5⭐️

Special thanks to @stmartinpress & @macmillian.audio #MacAudio2024 for my advanced listening copy‼️

This book started off so perfect it was creepy and gave all the right vibes for a ghost story. However, the last 20-30% of it fell flat and changed my rating. Nicola spent the past year or two visiting different spiritualist and mediums trying to connect with her deceased husband. His last words before dying were “I’ll be waiting for you.” 

When she’s connected with a parapsychologist it doesn’t take long for Nicola to get more than what she asked for. The whole time I just knew her husband’s spirit had become something demonic or she connected with someone evil that wasn’t him. Probably would’ve made the book better had she stuck with the husband narrative. I felt the plot twist was meh it was unexpected but not surprising. If you looking for a book with a haunted-house, seances, lost loved ones, and a sinister spirit out for blood you found it. 

Rating: 4/5⭐️

Special thanks to the author, @netgalley #SterlingAndStonePublishing for my gifted e-ARC‼️

A book that said so much yet nothing at all. We’ve all heard the creepy and eerie stories about Lake Lanier and the horrific events that lead to the lake’s creation. So, I kinda expected the author to overly deliver in every aspect. Buuuuuut that wasn’t quite the case with this. It was entertaining nonetheless but horror wise I wanted more . . . . SCARE ME lol make me feel something . . . anything‼️

The girls Taylor was hanging with . . .didn’t like them. I knew from the beginning they’d be the cause of her downfall somehow.

When Taylor started hearing and seeing things at camp that would’ve been my queue to leave. Like sir can you call my parents and see how long the judge said I’d be in jail 😂 ghosts and a possible serial killer on the loose I’ll take my chances in the big house‼️

Campers disappearing but nobody seems worried because they left a note 😐 A NOTE? 

The basketball game SCRATCH IT OUT. 

Taylor having flashbacks of the past was the most interesting part to me it helped us understand why she kept seeing the little girl and what was here before the lake. 

The plot twist was not what I was expecting although I had assumptions. Things would’ve flowed better if we stuck to the plot and focused more on the lake because I could’ve done without the serial killer. 

Overall, the book was meh it had potential but fell short for me. There’s a lot of horror, trauma, and pain surrounding this lake and the drowned town beneath it. So, there are so many ways the author could’ve developed this story. The pacing was really quick though and again I was entertained so I think it’s still a decent read and some may enjoy it more than I did. 

Special thanks to @coloredpagesbt 
@fiercereads @blackhistorymaven for my #gifted copy and @macmillian.audio for my gifted ALC #MacAudio2024‼️

I went into this one completely blind I picked the book because I loved the cover. I’m actually not disappointed that I read this since it turned out to be a great book. Exploring heavy themes surrounding ancestry, enslavement, racial tensions, and haunting family secrets.

The novel follows Noni Reid an ambitious young girl with a bright future in costume designing whose life is turned upside down when she’s forced to move to Magnolia, Virginia because her mother got a new job. Moving wasn’t the issue giving up her internship and living in a house built on Tangleroot plantation by one of her ancestors was apart of the problem. 

Throughout the book we follow Noni as she journeys to uncover her family history, the house she lives in, and insights into the life of the late Sophronia Dearborn. Capturing the pure innocence and curiosity of a young woman the author provides intricate details about the harsh realities Noni will soon discover.  

The book has a slow build but as the story develops it gets juicier. Those buried secrets do 👏🏽 it 👏🏽 every time cause them family roots were definitely tangled‼️ All I’m going to say is I don’t care how long it’s been it would’ve took God himself to get me off Lana Jean cause I would’ve turned her every way but loose for what she did. I mean THE DISRESPECT whew my blood pressure 😂. Also Noni’s mother had a whole lot of audacity knowing the secret she was keeping and her father that’s another story . . . 

Overall, this was a decent coming-of-age YA novel. The authors intense research conjured such a powerfully authentic story. Her writing was straightforward, engaging, and the message she was trying to convey was made clear. It’s important to know your family history‼️How can you know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been.

Special thanks to the author, @henryholtbooks for my gifted copy & @macmillan.audio for my ALC‼️

Drawing readers into a world where murder is a means for control and disagreeing can get you killed the author’s imagination went wild with this one. This book was weirdly interesting I was left confused and intrigued at the same time. I still have so many unanswered questions like why did they choose to live like this. In the beginning it wasn’t made clear what “Moving On” meant but after a few chapters I realized what they were doing. 

This town did some odd things like women competing in foot races for marriage. Being punished to the well and nearly beaten to death. But the Moving On was their craziest ceremony which was a purge type of event and Osira was against all of the towns customs. When her father’s name is called to move on but he runs away she begins snooping and searching for forbidden knowledge surrounding Curdle Creek’s sinister history. Soon Osira finds herself punished to the well and transported into the past. 

The town was like a dictatorship society stripped of all common sense and everyone was in purgatory. The author was very detailed except when it came to world building. I wanted more when Osira time traveled to the past, into the Underworld for judgement, and England before time traveling again. The author did great capturing the emotions of all the characters but I still wanted more of an understanding of what was happening and why.

Overall, the book was okay idk about that ending but if you’re a fan of Hunger Games, Kindred, or LoveCraft Country you’ll enjoy this book‼️

Special thanks to the author & @simonteen for my gifted copy‼️

What’s 4+4? Cause I know I wasn’t the only one who devoured this book in twenty-four seconds‼️ The author jumped in straight to the point when a teen is ready to take that next step and become sexually active there are a million thoughts going through their minds. Sometimes parents have no idea and in some cases they do but how do you approach your child with the TALK? No matter what you think you cannot prevent it so the best thing you can do is educate them. 

Neon and Aria have been dating for a while and now it’s senior year they’re ready to take the next step in their relationship. . . SEX! They have the whole thing mapped out yet Neon can’t get past being nervous. Luckily he has his family to lean on for advice even if some of it is unwanted. I loved his sister’s advice because a woman is not just a body!!! The convo with his mom at breakfast was hilarious. Although Neon and Aria have contemplated on this happening the biggest thing is what will happen to them afterwards since she will be heading off to college soon. 

With this book it might take many of us back to that exact moment. What we were thinking, your emotions in that moment, were you actually ready, educated, and prepared for it, and how things would go after you took that step. It’s actually a scary moment for many because once it’s done you can’t take it back. 

I truly love everything about this book it was heartwarming, funny,  engaging, and sheds light on a sensitive subject. It was also a major plus getting the full perspective from a guy in this situation. For the pacing to move so quickly I actually felt complete after reading this. The characters were well fleshed out and we get enough backstory on both MC’s to understand what they’re going through. Definitely a book I’d recommend‼️

I enjoyed this one for the most part but the slow burn was REAL‼️ If it weren’t for the audio which wasn’t the best I probably would’ve DNF’d. But I pushed through for the sake of my buddy read and actually enjoyed the 2nd half of the book. Yes, the 2nd half lol it took that long to pull me in.

As the plot gradually builds you’ll become more invested the only downside is it’s ending by the time it gets good at least that’s how it felt to me. There was also a bit of confusion for me with the timelines. I was probably around Chapter 20-25 when I realized Dawit and David were the same person. David was made immortal centuries ago and continued creating families all throughout history. But I guess being immortal gave him a pass since he’d eventually outlive them all anyway. 

For centuries his true identity was kept safe until his current wife Jessica starts investigating a nursing home for a new book. Feeling threatened by her research team’s possible discovery David commits murder and a few freak accidents open the door for all secrets to be revealed. This also made Jessica more attentive to David’s odd behavior since she ignored all the red flags in the beginning. 

I actually didn’t have a favorite character in this. Their daughter Kira probably annoyed me the most especially when Jessica was trying to escape and she wouldn’t stop with the questions. Like lil girl pleeeeeease hush before I take you back. 😂 Then David and his unconvincing ritual would’ve had me shook because you wanna do what to me sir? He and Jessica were both stubborn characters and she never listened just took a little evidence and ran with it. 

Overall, this was an okay read but be warned this dark fantasy/thriller may not be for everyone. The character development was decent, the premise was very intriguing but I don’t see myself finishing the series. I was engaged but not blown away to want more. However, I love Due’s writing so I do plan to read more from her backlist. If this has been on your TBR give it a read but have audio on standby. 

Special thanks to @mtvbooks & @simonteen for my gifted copy‼️

I fell so in love with this book it’s soooo cute and adorable. It’s a YA novel that will keep you engaged because Zeke had me laughing at his affection for Imogen. Not that it wasn’t cute but if doing to much was a person it would def be him. The boy was so in love and over the top with it. Imagine a guy applying all the right pressure to get your attention but he’s not the guy you want. I thought this was going to be a friends-to-lovers thing but it came with a twist because they almost went from friends-to-enemies. 

Zeke and Imogen have been friends for so long that everyone around them thinks they’d make the perfect couple. With that extra pressure from friends and family Zeke thinks it’s only right to make Imogen his girl. But Imogen wasn’t sure if dating Zeke was something she wanted to do. So, she kissed him AGAIN confirming nothing’s there. But Zeke took that kiss to heart and was ready for marriage. 

I loved everything about this book. The authors message posing the question can a guy and a girl be friends without catching feelings. In our MC’s case I would say yes and no lol Zeke proved that love will make you do some crazy things. The rumors, him being warned to fall back, Imogen’s 16th bday party, and what he said to her parents crossed a line that no real friend should but a childish boy madly in love would. 

Overall, this was a great read highly recommend if you’re looking for something quick, cute, and fluffy but has messy drama. The author touched on themes involving a sick parent, financial struggles, entitlement, the complexity of teenage relationships, dealing with rejection, losing your virginity, first loves, and so much more. It was a must I add this to my top fav YA books of the year‼️

Special thanks to the author & @blackstonepublishing for my gifted listening copy‼️

I loved the cover of this book so much I had to buy it and after finally reading it I was not disappointed. This was a fast-paced believe nothing and question everything twisted thriller that had me hooked from beginning to end.

It started off a bit sad with our characters losing their mother. Then took a major turn when Beth heard her mother’s final words “Don’t trust.” Immediately we’re thrown into a web of lies and go down the rabbit hole trying to uncover the truth behind a VHS tape dated back to 1999.

All fingers were pointed at their dad who was covered in blood on the tape and asking their mother for help to hide the body. But as we get deeper our suspicions shift from person to person then you realize the truth was hidden in plain sight. Idk how but I knew from the beginning who the killer would be it was just something about their character. 

Overall, this was a pretty good read that will make you question why people do the things they do. And why they choose to protect and look past the wrongdoings of the ones they love. The way the narrative changed up and went in a different direction made this a really good twisted thriller. The writing style was convincing and kept me guessing for the most part. I also loved how well the author plotted everything out and gave us multiple perspectives from each character. If you’re looking for a good family thriller this is the perfect read for October. 

Special thanks to the author & @thedialpress for my gifted e-ARC‼️

This was such an amazing collection of poetry that proves only few words are needed to deliver a meaningful message. Magic Enuff delves into the magic and power of Black womanhood, physical abuse from a loved one, celebrating Black boy joy, Black life and how society treats us, and the horrific situations witnessed within the Black community. 

There are poems many will find relatable and others that will pull you in because you know someone with a shared experience. A lot of the poems are short and sweet and I found myself rereading them to gain a deeper understanding of the message the author was trying to convey. As the book title suggests, we may go through trials, experience hardships, broken relationships, or even continued acts of oppression but at the end of it all we are still magic enuff. “A͟ B͟l͟a͟c͟k͟ w͟o͟m͟a͟n͟ i͟s͟ n͟o͟ p͟i͟c͟n͟i͟c͟.”

Favorite Poems:

•Only Read From Exodus (for Tyre Nichols)

•This Woman

•Black Boys 

•Conversations I Never Had With My Father

•The Whole Sick Mess

•My Ex-Husband

•I DREAMT THE KKK WAS IN MY LIVING ROOM 

•A Sonnet

•Route to Freedom

Overall, I loved this and the fact she’s from my city and the book makes references to it. I’m happy to have a copy on my shelf and definitely recommend if you’re into poetry.