Kathleen Haagenson

I wanted to love this so much. The writing was excellent, the premise intriguing and the beginning kicked off with a bang but it swiftly went downhill.

Felicity Lloyd is a glaciologist who's working on the remote Antarctic island of South Georgia. She chose this job because it provided safety and isolation from her past mainly Freddie a man who after his recent prison release relentlessly pursues her. And he won't stop until he reaches her.

Meanwhile, in Cambridge Joe, a psychologist is frantically working to uncover the truth about Felicity and Freddie's relationship. What he discovers is the key to setting Felicity free of her past and protecting her future. It's a mad race to get to Felicity before Freddie does. Will he make it in time to help her?

Every plot twist in this book disappointed me. Mainly because one of the major plot twists utilized a specific type of trope that was mishandled and dealt with poorly. I saw Bolton setting up for this twist and immediately knew what she was angling at. And when we get to the big revelation boy did I feel let down. While I can't speak to the representation of this particular trope being adequate I felt it tacky to use it as a twist in a story.

And, as if using this common trope as a plot twist wasn't enough they had another character essentially “out” the person to their co-workers before they even spoke to the character about it. Yikes!

Wait it gets worse there was an exploration of an inappropriate and unethical relationship as a romantic subplot which is just wrong on so many levels.

Felicity's handling of the Freddie situation became questionable when instead of discussing with her co-workers at the station that she had a stalker situation and filling them in on what was happening they would have definitely helped her. Instead, she chooses to flee into the wild to camp out alone during a dangerous snowstorm. Completely illogical.

And Freddie why are you chasing a person halfway across the country to “just talk”? Sir, you are fracking bizarre.

Things got even worse in the end. There was another shocking twist! Come to find out they're chasing the wrong person. The resolution to this twist is resolved within a paragraph while 95% of the story was written with a particular person being the culprit. The way this was done was anti-climactic for me, especially after the great effort they took in chasing down their person of interest.

Looking back at this review it's so vague but I didn't want to spoil anything in case someone wanted to check it out.

This story was a mess and not in an entertaining intriguing family drama way but a pathetic I want the time I wasted reading this book that I should've DNFed mess.

The majority of this book is focused on Rachel suspecting her husband of having an affair with his brother Wills fiancé Ali. She has multiple opportunities to confront them about it but fails to do so. Instead she spend a great portion of the book ruminating about the situation and hating Ali without any concrete proof of the affair. It was maddening!

Then she worked herself in a tizzy about a one night stand she had with her best friend Noah 20 years ago and went on about if Jake and Noah's wife her best friend Paige knew it would implode their relationships and create problems. Maybe I'm dumb but I didn't get why this was such an awful situation it happened 20 years ago and y'all moved on married other people and built families with them. It's water under the bridge at this point.

And then Noah claiming there's a possibility that her son Josh is his. And then stupid Rachel oh no he might be. Despite her being confident on the dates back when she found out she was pregnant now she has doubts. GTFO.

The twist was slightly predictable when you sat and thought about it. It all made sense except of course to oblivious Rachel.

And the ending was ridiculous and unnecessary. It felt like a last ditch effort to create drama just for the sake of it.

This book was full of contrived drama drawn and stretched out to build a story. But it's not a very good one. The characters are either unlikeable or completely daft. And the story itself was so tenuous and weak it barely had a leg to stand on. Not a fan.

This book was utterly amazing. So well written with a cast of complex characters full of secrets, jealousies, passion, lust and unrequited love.

The inclusion of Shakespeare's work in this story enrich the tale as we see art imitating life as the friend group begins to reenact the drama and tragedies that are well known in his works.

I'm blown away by this novel and enjoyed it immensely.

This domestic thriller sneaks up on you and delivers a powerful punch. This story is set in two locations Chicago and a small town outside of Chicago near Lake Michigan. And it's told in two alternating POV's on the same timeline.

In Quinn's POV, we follow her discovery that her roommate Esther is missing. In her absence, she discovers a mysterious letter addressed to My Dearest and thinks maybe she doesn't know Esther as well as she believed.

In Alex's POV, we witness a dishwasher who works in a cafe develop a crush on a beautiful and mysterious patron that he later nicknames Pearl because of the pearl bracelet she always fidgets with.

We don't know how these two storylines are connected but are drawn deeper into each narrative as reveals are slowly unraveled until these two stories collide in a climactic finish.

What I enjoyed about this story is the slow buildup of suspense that's present in both viewpoints. The pacing was superb. The transition to each viewpoint at key moments in the story creates tension compelling you to turn the page.

And while this is a slow-burn thriller with little reveals spaced out throughout the book I felt Kubica added other key details and layers within the backstories of the characters that aided in maintaining interest. At least for me anyway.

And the ending wow the ending was totally unexpected. Every single prediction I had was wrong. And as I looked back I saw the subtle hints that linked back to the epic conclusion. Hints that I paid no attention to because I didn't see the relevance to the story. Brilliantly done!

Excited about reading my next Mary Kubica!

What a cute and super sweet romance. I'll admit I'm the beginning I wasn't feeling they had much chemistry and wasn't fully on board.

However Jay really stepped up and pursued Bebe. I also love how they communicated with each other and were honest about their feelings and misgivings. There wasn't any silly miscommunication and going around in circles.

And I adored how he cared about her daughter Hope and cheerfully and respectfully stepped up being the father she never had.

Adorable holiday romance

I love a strong, fierce female lead and Kenna is that bitch. While she made some questionable choices throughout the book it doesn't change the fact that she's unwaveringly loyal, courageous, and smart.

Additionally, the world building was epic and I love how everything came together in the end.

However, I'm quite anxious because it ended on a cliffhanger and I need to know how it all plays out because I see a lot of shifting loyalties to come and it promises to be very interesting.

A super fun romantasy with a fun twist on gender roles with the FMC being the assertive dominant one and the MMC being the less assertive and sensitive one. A fresh take on vampires without the romanticization and the massive age gap. 

This was a highly intriguing read following the production of the famous dance of Salome set in 50's Hollywood.

We see this story from multiple viewpoints including the actress set to play Salome the disgruntled extra Nancy whose anger over not being cast as Salome eats away at her and Salome who's dance leads to a deadly outcome.

Garcia does a brilliant job showcasing the reality of 1950's Hollywood including the blatant racism and discrimination BIPOC and women entertainers faced in the entertainment industry.

Additionally she provided a rich story about Salome and the various machinations that led her to that fateful dance and climactic moment.

3.5 ⭐️

What a rich and intricately written story. While I confess I kinda jumped into this series before reading the An Ember In the Ashes series which is the prequel to these events and was a little confused at the beginning. I quickly overcame those obstacles and really dived into this story.

These characters are so dynamic and complex which I love. And I also rather enjoyed the world-building it's so cultural, rich and diverse. Now I have to go back and read the previous series so I can better understand all that's taking place because wow was this a wild ride.

4.5 ⭐️

An atmospheric read with beautiful prose exploring the grief of a young woman who's lost her twin brother in a freak accident yet still feels a bond drawing her to him. The character development was a little weak and the resolution felt rushed and thrown together. Also the plot dragged especially in the middle. 

An absolutely brilliant account of the not only the Alex Murdaugh trial but the history of the Murdaugh dynasty and how years of abuse of power, privilege and entitlement escalated to the crimes that led to their ruin.

This was a stunning and well crafted story. I loved the descriptive prose and use of analogies. They brought the setting to life making it feel so rich and palpable.

While this isn't a romance book Isabel does a lovely job of creating romantic tension. The longing and angst between Nena and Nestor is all consuming. I found their love story compelling and their chemistry electric.

Then there's the monsters in this story. The creatures that stalk the night and once attacked Nena and the Anglo settlers that preyed upon the ranchos in a desperate attempt to claim their land as their own.

Both are scary albeit for different reasons however the threat to their livelihood remains the same. Isabel wove these elements together seamlessly. Every element fit and served the purpose of expanding the underlying themes of this novel.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work in the future!!

4.5 ⭐️

For my full review check out my blog post: https://www.kathleenhaagenson.com/vampires-of-el-norte-by-isabel-canas/

I can confirm Isabel Cañas is one of my new favorite authors. I enjoyed this book even more than Vampires of E Norte.

Her prose per usual is exquisite and crafts an atmosphere so rich in detail and emotion you're immediately immersed into the story.

She also knows how to create dynamic and resilient characters that are multi-faceted and real. I loved Beatriz and her determination and perseverance to fight back against the forces in the hacienda threatening her despite the lack of support from others around her.

Anxiously looking forward to her next novel!

Despite me finding Kit to be a bit dramatic and over the top I really enjoyed this book.

I appreciated the gothic vibes and overall mysterious atmosphere created within the Hope mansion. It felt like it was burdened with the weight of untold secrets and a monstrous history.

Kit while at times annoying was an interesting character and her dogged fixation on unearthing the truth led to the shocking discovery at the end.

I also liked that suspicion was cast on all the characters at some point making it hard to see the twists that occurred at the end.

All in all a really good read.

4.5 ⭐️

An eerie, atmospheric mystery thriller that's full of suspense and mysterious events that leave you wondering if it's a trick of the imagination or if a paranormal element is to blame.

Ailsa Calder is a journalist who has partially inherited her childhood home following her mother's death, a Scottish manor known as The Manse which is nestled in a small town in the Highlands. Due to the peculiar disappearance of her father twenty-seven years ago and the fact that he is co-owner of the Manse, she has to file a presumption of death to sell the manor and move on with her life.

So, Ailsa and her half-sister make a trip of it planning to spend a few months there giving her enough time to settle her affairs while also reconnecting with her half-sister. However, the Manse has other plans. Upon arrival, a series of strange events begin to unfold pulling Ailsa to the edge of her sanity calling her to question everything she thinks she knows.

This story uncoils itself slowly with each event and revelation building on the other til it reaches its climactic finish.

While I found the pacing to be a tad slow in the beginning I learned to appreciate it because its purpose was to build solid, complex characters while crafting an atmosphere of suspense and mystery.

I was able to connect deeply with the characters so much so that I felt the confusion and panic that Ailsa experienced with each bizarre incident. This left me completely unaware of the final reveal and I was properly shocked.

I also found Ailsa to be a strong female character. She was vocal in expressing her suspicions and quickly sought to uncover the truth. No waiting around and pretending that things weren't happening or acting aloof. She was on it from the get-go. I appreciated her fastidiousness and astute observations.

I appreciated the complexities of Ailsa's relationship with her half-sister and how they began to learn to reconnect with each other and move forward letting go of the past. I also found the uncertainty that Ailsa was experiencing regarding the direction of her life. How it humanized her and made her more relatable and added another layer of ambiguity to the overall story. Will she or won't she?

This was a perfectly lovely read that I enjoyed my only disappointment was not having the plot take the turn that I was expecting it to take. Which is why I didn't rate it higher. However, the ending was perfect for this story and the twist isn't what you imagine it to be at all.

3.5 stars.

Wow!

When I say I want to read a good domestic thriller this is what I want!

The writing style was equal parts slick and witty as well as shocking and jaw dropping.

The characters were unlikeable and trifling. Like y'all these people are horrible with zero redeemable qualities.

BUT this story was diabolical. Absolutely amazing. The twists were perfection. The bar has been set for domestic thrillers I need them all to come with this same sinister and psychotic energy that because I felt all the thrills with this one.

From the opening sentence, this book had me in a chokehold. It was an amazing and spooky experience full of foreboding and dread. The gothic atmosphere also helped to create the ideal backdrop for this sinister tale.

The characters are dynamic and well-developed. And I really appreciated the sense of found family and love they had towards one another. My favorite character by far was Van Helsing he was the one who set the wheels into motion with his wisdom and quick thinking. The group wouldn't have gone far without his input.

I loved all the vampire lore that was in this book and how villainous Dracula was. The description of him smelling like decay and having long fingernails with a pale appearance was so ghastly. Quite different from the modern-day vampires we've romanticized and lust after.

And the pacing came full circle. We started with a rather shocking beginning as Jonathan Harker traveled to Transylvania to meet Count Dracula and the hellish discoveries that were made during his stay. Then we transition to a slower pace as we witness the unfolding of Dracula's diabolical plan to overtake London for his devilish enterprise.

Towards the end, the pace picks up again as the characters race to meet Dracula for the final showdown. Even though the story slowed considerably in the middle the mysterious circumstances that occurred were enough to keep me entranced.

While I'm still kicking myself that I haven't read this classic masterpiece sooner I'm glad that I chose it now. It was the perfect read to kickstart the spooky season. A must-read for those that love vampires.

Check out my full review on my blog: https://www.kathleenhaagenson.com/dracula-by-bram-stoker/

I love a good slow burn thriller and while this was definitely a slow burn which I enjoyed I'm not sure how I liked it.

On one hand I enjoyed how everything came together, the interesting relationship dynamics and how everyone seemingly unraveled into this madness.

While it was clear to me who really killed Julian from early on I didn't see the other little twists that were revealed at the end.

That being said I don't really like the narrative given to Grace the whole fat and ugly narrative was a little tired for me and came off as lazy and unimaginative.

Like you couldn't develop this character in a more complex way that didn't just rely on her appearance and lack of attractiveness? This fell flat for me. And while I enjoyed the plot, the writing style and the suspense I just can't reconcile with how weak and flimsy this narrative is.

3.5 ⭐️

While the story was super fast-paced and intriguing there were elements that weren't altogether believable and came off so convenient or I felt didn't need to be included.

Additionally it felt like the ending was rushed and anticlimactic. Like we just breezed through everything and lickety split everything is taken care of with little to no conflict or pushback. That was a bit of a letdown.

Lastly not a fan of the pseudo romance and the massive miscommunication on Kathryn's part that monopolized a great portion of the story.

3.5 ⭐️

This was a good domestic thriller with a time loop element.

I enjoyed this story and Jen's determination to save her son from his future actions by unlocking the truth about what ultimately led to these things taking place.

The origin of what led up to her son Todd's trouble lead back to an unexpected source with plenty of twists and reveals along the way.

The only thing I didn't like was how the author sometimes repeated seemingly basic words in an effort to add emphasis to them. It was overdone and became really annoying.

Aside from that I had a good time with this one.

A cute holiday romance similar to The Holiday movie where two women swap houses for the holidays for a much needed reset for their lives and discover the truth about who they are while falling in love in the process.

The romances were cozy and cute with Clover and Beth. Wing my favorite romance with the most chemistry in my opinion. But Bee and Knox were cute as well.

I like how everything came together in the end giving me all the happy holiday vibes.

I am enamored with this story it reads like a fairy tale and is lyrical and full of purple prose.

This story is hauntingly beautiful and explores a marriage built on smoke and mirrors and a fragile friendship made up of fairy tales and youth.

We see how secrets when left to fester can either tear you apart from those you love or forge a new intimacy and depth built on trust, honesty and accepting the darkness that exists within each of us.

Such an enchanting book!

What a fun little holiday romance to kick off the Christmas season! I enjoyed this sweet romance between Kira and Bennett.

I liked that Kira wanted to keep her independence and was adamant on establishing herself so she wouldn't need to lean on others. That was admirable.

And Bennet was such an adorable man. Helpful to a fault and so generous with his love and affection.

They made an excellent pair.

4.5 ⭐️

This was such a cozy cute fall-themed romance. I loved the small town vibes and the appreciated the little mystery that was included.

Looking forward to checking out the other books in this series!