reading_under_covers's Reviews (1.61k)

This book absolutely wrecked me. It was beautiful, intricate, and I loved the way the author jumped around in time.

I could easily have seen this being a 5-star read if it was a bit shorter!

As was expected, a very cute read! (with acknowledgements that made me sob).

Told from alternating perspectives of mother Julia and assassin Ren, BEFORE SHE FINDS ME has both women questioning the people around them and the secrets they may be hiding.

This was my first read by Heather Chavez and won’t be my last! I loved getting in the heads of Julia and Ren, two equally badass women, as they both sought answers leading to the same mystery.

The cat and mouse game was *chef’s kiss* and I had a hard time putting this book down!

I was a bit underwhelmed by the reveal at the end and jolted by the opening scene (trigger warning for mass shooting), but overall really enjoyed reading this one.

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

Publication Date: June 27

Dnf at 8%.

I think the story itself has potential, but I can’t see past the casual racism and sexism that’s already reared it’s head 😬 

Major trigger warnings in this one!

I find my rating hovering between three and four stars because our main character Elise does some really silly things in this book (that I guess can be blamed on her trauma??) that made me question her profession. 

That point aside, Wendy Walker once again delivers a fast-paced, hard to put down story, with a nice twist thrown into the mix.

Ten years ago, Bex, Leo, Oscar, and Richard headed to Ravencliffe, an eerie hotel with a haunted history, to film a Blair Witch Project type movie. Only three of them survive that night and their home movie skyrockets. Now, the three remaining friends are brought back to Ravencliffe for a reunion show and odd things start happening, leading Bex to believe that someone knows more than they’ll admit.

THE HOTEL by Louise Mumford was a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery!

I was immediately hooked by the opening chapter and found Bex to be such an easy character to root for! I loved the alternating timelines between present day and ten years prior and the way they were interwoven.

The hotel and its location were so creepy and ghosty and just provided the perfect setting for these characters to go exploring.

Such a quick, spooky, and heartfelt read for all thriller and mystery fans!

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

Publication Date: June 22

I loooved the story, but felt a lot of the scientific explanations were a bit of a bore. Would have easily been a five star read if the story wasn’t so full of the long explanations.

Hey, hi, hello, not me ready to make this book my entire personality for the foreseeable future 🫡 

This book had me staying up too late and sobbing too hard. These characters already mean so much to me and that makes November feel too far away 🥲 

Twelve years ago, Abby Hartmann disappeared amongst the victims of an active serial killer. Now, that convicted killer has been sentenced to death, and Abby’s once best friends, Bree and Chelsea, find themselves coming together for answers and to remind everyone of Abby’s name.

DON’T FORGET THE GIRL by Rebecca McKanna is a de-freakin-but!! For being a mystery, this book really packed an emotional punch and reminds the reader of the importance of remembering the victims.

Told through three POVs: Bree, Chelsea, and Abby from the past - their stories weave together in a beautiful way, creating tension while also showcasing the friendship these girls had. McKanna also popped in news, podcast, and interview transcripts, which I really enjoy in books that boast an investigative nature like this one does!

This one was difficult to read at times because of the delicate subject matter, but McKanna handled it with grace and really built some characters to fall in love with.

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

Publication Date: June 20