literatelyalibrarian's Reviews (594)

I am an absolute sucker for a small town that has secrets on secrets on secrets, and this one did not disappoint! I love Kate's storytelling and the way that she perfectly weaves the past and present. I can't wait to read more from this author - I see she has YA and MG titles and I want to check them all out!

And I just need to let it be known that I absolutely adored this narrator and will definitely pick up other books that she does!

Big thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the audio arc!

I FREAKING KNEW THIS WAS GONNA BE CASS. The story gave me such strong vibes of the Slenderman stabbing from back in 2014 and I totally freaking called it!

I AM OBSESSED. This is definitely one of my new favorite romances of all time. I loved our main character; she was a strong lead who wasn't afraid to show her softer side. I love the way that our two love interests balanced each other out. It was quirky and serious and fun and just an all-around good time. 10/10 would recommend!!

I was pretty disappointed by this book. It was by no means bad, and there were some parts that made me cringe with the descriptions of some of the horror elements, but overall, it was a story that was fast paced but one that is ultimately forgettable. And I so wanted to love it because I usually love haunted house stories!

This book was so stinking cute - I absolutely adore Louisa, Willow, Noah, and Easton - they are such a fun cast of characters! It was fun to meet Louisa's parents in this story and her editor from New York. I am obsessed with the little town of Button and Eryn Scott's stories.

This book is stunning and Carmen's writing is so lyrical. I listened to the audiobook for this, and I'm so glad I did, as Carmen is the one narrating. She didn't hold back anything when it came to how she was feeling, what she went through, etc. and I respect that so much.

Often we hear that the scariest monsters and the real ones and this definitely drives that idea home. My heart breaks for Carmen and what she went through, but the woman she has become through those hardships is an incredible one.

I wish I was more eloquent, but I want it to be known if you can get your hands on this book please do so!! 

This book was not inherently bad or boring, but it is forgettable. It kept me wanting to listen to find out who the killer on the mountain was, and once it was revealed there was no surprise of who it was or why they were killing. This is a book that in just a few days' time will probably completely slip from my mind. 

 “Ordinary is impossible. It’s more realistic to believe that we are all exceptional, that I, too, am singular, unique, that there has never been nor ever will be another me.”

This book blew me away and I honestly didn't expect to love it as much as I did. To me, this story falls into a similar vein as Our Wives Under the Sea which was one of my favorite reads of 2022. It's a slow, mundane story that follows the lives of a young married couple when they are told that Junior, the husband, will be going into space.

The tension that was being built up throughout this novel was incredible. We get these subtle hints of what is truly going on that all lead up to the climax of the story. It seems like an oxymoron, but I believe a great way to describe this book would be simply complex. There is so much nuance just under the surface and a lot to take away with context clues. Just UGH perfection.

I loved that in the end, Henrietta sent a replacement of herself for her husband. The whole time she had been dreaming of leaving and exploring the world. After Junior comes back, there's an immediate sort of complex that happens in Hen's mind because he is now more traveled than her. She told Terrance that if she ever left Junior it would be with a blank letter with his name on the front and that's exactly what she did. The biggest thing I'm curious about is how long do we think it'll take the real Junior to notice that Henrietta isn't Henrietta, but also - will he even care? She would essentially be the perfect wife for him now and not have thoughts of her own, so it would be great for him. Much to think about!!