reading_under_covers's Reviews (1.61k)

When an heiress goes missing, her best friend races to unravel the secrets behind her disappearance using clues left behind in an explosive manuscript…

LADYKILLER by Katherine Wood is a destination (Greece) thriller that oozes wealth and sex. Unfortunately, this one didn’t do a whole lot for me.

In terms of the good, I enjoyed getting multiple perspectives - the heiress Gia, and her best friend Abby - and I loved that Gia’s perspective came from a manuscript she was writing.

However, I didn’t love the story - it offered up a lot of nothing (unless you enjoy watching grown adults have affairs to get a rise out of their partners? and mysteries that have far more questions than answers?), and also culminated in some relationships that felt rushed.

Three stars because I thought the writing was there, but the story just did not jive with me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: July 9

Thanks to Libro.fm and Simon & Schuster audio for an ALC of this one in exchange for a review!

I’m definitely in the minority when it comes to my thoughts on this one, but while I loved the beginning and ending (both sucked me in so much!!), the entire middle of this book droned on and on a bit for me.

I didn’t love being in Tolly’s head (and maybe the narrator was a bit to blame there?!), and it was hard for me to feel much sympathy for him as a character and the story he was telling.

I’ll be interested to hear what more readers think of this one, but it just never fully clicked with me and missed the mark before the end could swoop in and save the day.

Publication Date: July 16

Misha is a longtime Hollywood screenwriter who just got nominated for an Oscar, but when he gets called in to a producer meeting and is asked to kill off his gay characters, he refuses and is threatened in return. 

BURY YOUR GAYS by Chuck Tingle is such a fantastic look at Hollywood from a queer perspective and a closer look at what all of the recent strikes have been about in regards to AI and consent!

To say I ate this book up would be an UNDERSTATEMENT. As someone with close ties to the world of film, I found a lot of the horror in this book to hit sooo close to home and the fight for queer stories to feature joy, a never ending journey.

The monsters in this story were spooky and I loved the use of screenplays and past timelines to build up Misha’s story!

Add this one to your tbrs nooooow!

Publication Date: July 9

“No one can prepare you for the period of time in your mid- to late twenties when your social life is literally only other people’s milestones.”

While every millennial’s experience is going to differ, I found myself connecting to so many moments in this book!

Reasons behind seeking religion as a teen and making friends as an adult were two big sections for me where I couldn’t help but think, “did I write this?!”

Also, loved loved loved this ending for Kate!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER by Kerryn Mayne is ultimately about a woman who very much sticks to herself and her routines while blocking out a traumatic event that happened to her years and years ago.

I found this story to be just fine (very similar in vein to ELEANOR OLIPHANT), and was hoping it would have more Molly the Maid vibes, but, unfortunately, I found the mystery to be lacking and the suspense non-existent.

While this book was an interesting character study into Lenny Marks and the beginning quarter of this novel set her up quite nicely, I did find myself rather bored with it by the end.

I can see others enjoying this one, but it wasn’t for me!

Publication Date: July 9

Thanks to Delacorte Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was absolutely wild!

We're told the story through alternating POVs of our main characters in the present timeline alongside past Deddit threads involving some major creepypasta, which made this book so easy to binge!

The hints dropped throughout the threads had me wide-eyed and nail-bitey and really racketed up the tension,

Definitely a book that was not wise to read before bedtime!

This one is out today!

10 years ago, Jolene nearly killed her classmate Elizabeth in a prank gone wrong, but no one knows she was the reason behind the accident. She’s been running from the guilt ever since, and when Elizabeth ends up rekindling their friendship in present day, Jolene has to sort out the voice in her head from reality to determine if her guilt really will be the end of her.

LIKE IT NEVER WAS by Faith Gardner can easily be defined as a popcorn thriller with its short chapters, wild wtf moments, and overall page-turning effects.

I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!

The characters were incredibly interesting and there were some truly gross moments (bordering on horror).

This story truly surprised me in the best way and I’m finding it difficult to find the right words!

Anyways, a very unique reading experience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: July 2

This book was all the drama and horses that I was hoping for!

Definitely a bit ridiculous and outlandish, but I ATE THAT UP.

Oh my goodness, I loved this so much!

The themes and topics in this book spoke to me so much and it has further confirmed the fact that I will read anything Rachel Harrison writes.