Maria

Okay, when I picked this book up I had a feeling that I would like it but little did I know that I would end up absolutely LOVING IT! This is my first Alice Feeney book and I am officially obsessed. Her books get a lot of hype on social media and now I can see that it is all very well deserved. I mean the author knows how to write an amazing thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and packed quite a punch in under three hundred pages! This is one of those “read it easily in one sitting” type of books and the only reason why I wasn't able to do that was because of mom life but if not for that, I would have stayed up all night reading this book from beginning to end, without a doubt. It had everything I want in my thriller novels and more. Alice Feeney is definitely an auto-buy author for me after this book and I can't wait to read all of her older books.

To begin with, Rock Paper Scissors is about a couple who go away on a trip to save their marriage to a secluded chapel that's been renovated into a house. However, both spouses have been keeping endless amounts of secrets from each other and this whole trip might be a lot more than they ever bargained for. I haven't read a book with a plot like this and for me it felt very unique and I was definitely invested all the way through. I really liked how the book jumped between the different perspectives and also between the letters that the wife had written over all these years to her husband. It was easy to follow and I flied through the short chapters, finishing the book in what felt like the blink of an eye. I also thought that the pacing was masterfully done in my opinion and every short chapter ended on a little cliffhanger, so it made you want to keep reading to find out what exactly that cliffhanger meant and what will happen next. And that ending- OH MY GOD! It was twist after twist after twist and I was there for it. I didn't see most of the twists coming, especially the bigger ones and it definitely left me feeling exhilarated and also in awe.

Secondly, the characterization is also absolutely amazing in this. Even though the chapters were really short, each and every one packed a punch and transported us into the very soul of that character. I was absolutely enamored and at the same time disgusted and terrified reading about what was going on in these characters' minds, as sick and twisted as they absolutely were. However, as flawed and horrible as these characters were, they really laid it all out in the open for us to see and this made them relatable because we really got a sense of how they go to be this way and what led them to act a certain way in a particular instance. I absolutely loved/hated all of them with a passion and this book will stay with me for a long time to come. That is certain.

Finally, the writing was my favorite kind, short and precise, without being choppy or not flowing well. Part of the reason it was so easy to race through this book for me was the writing style, it just flowed so smoothly and effortlessly and I didn't have to reread parts to get a better understanding as to what was happening or what the author wanted to convey. I also loved all the in-depth thoughts that were going through the characters' psyches and even that was masterfully put into words and made me feel for the characters, even relate to them on so many human levels. I just can't say enough good things about this book.

In conclusion, if you are a thriller lover and haven't picked this book up yet- what are you waiting for? Read it right now! Not only is it absolutely addicting and impossible to put down but it will leave you breathless and hanging on each and every word. What a great novel to start the month off with, definitely a very strong start out of the gate! Absolutely obsessed!

Wow! Considering the fact that I put this book on my Amazon wishlist on a whim, I am still in awe and trying to process the fact that this book is as good as it is. It blew me away in every sense of the word and I had a really hard time putting it down, which means I would have probably finished it in one sitting if that was at all possible with my schedule. I loved every single thing about this book, from the complex and intricate characters that also have dark pasts, to the plot that kept taking turn after turn and kept me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath the entire time! All I can say is- WOW!

To begin with, Cross Her Heart is the first book in the Bree Taggert series and it follows a homicide detective, Bree, as she is called back to her hometown to investigate the sudden death of her sister, Erin. As far as plots go, this one isn't the most unique but the execution is one of the best I have ever seen in a book. It's a pretty overdone premise and yet in this book it feels so unique, so different because there are so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. It's one of those books where you start to suspect everybody and start doubting yourself after every chapter and I honestly love that, it makes the reveal all that much more exciting in my opinion. There wasn't a moment in this book where I was bored either, the pacing was on point and I appreciated the short chapters, where something exciting happened in almost every single one. Definitely not a dull moment in this book.

Further on, the characterization in this novel is top notch, at least in my opinion. I loved how read the characters felt, how they practically jumped off the page at me. They all had their own intricate and complicated pasts and those pasts really affected them in the present day and made them who they are, which is the same in real life, with real people. They also had their own complex personalities and were on their own life journeys. There were both minuses and pluses to each character and I've never been able to relate more to every single one. Bree Taggert is definitely one of my all time favorite heroines and I can't wait to read all the other books in the series and get blown away.

In conclusion, if you are looking to start a new detective/murder series look no further. I haven't heard or seen many people talk about this book and that needs to change because it was terrific. It even elicited such strong emotions from me that I actually cried whilst reading it, which never happens to me. After I finished this book, I felt like I had to say goodbye to good friends. Once I realized this was a series, I was ecstatic because it made me realize that I don't have to say goodbye quite yet. Please read this book, you won't regret it! One of my all-time favorites!

Finally, I book that blew it out of the water for me! I feel like I've been reading so many mediocre books lately and I am ecstatic that I finally got to this one! When I say that this book had me hooked from page one, I am not exaggerating. I was invested in the plot and all the characters and this book is definitely making it into one of my all-time favorite thrillers of all time! I mean, there were times when this book read more like a mystery but it was thrilling from beginning to end and it was the perfect combo for me.

To begin with, Local Woman Missing is about a woman who goes missing and then a short time after, another woman and her daughter go missing from the same neighborhood. There are dual timelines from different characters' perspectives and I honestly enjoyed seeing the story unfold from all their eyes equally. Usually, I favor one perspective over another but in this case I was so invested in the story that I didn't mind the constant perspective and timeline changeup. The plot was so unique in my opinion, that I was addicted and couldn't put the book down for the life of me. I would have finished this book in one sitting if mom life didn't intervene. I have heard people say that it reads like a true crime novel but I wouldn't know because I've never read one before. However, after loving this book so much, I will definitely check that genre out in the future. The plot was done so masterfully and moved at the perfect pace, I just can't say enough good things about this amazing book!

Further on, the characterization was top notch in this book as well. All the characters were delved into and their psyches laid out for us to see and judge for ourselves. If you love thrillers with full of unlikeable characters, where you have no idea who to trust and who might be the bad guy, then you need to check this book out because it's right up your alley. I spent the whole book being suspicious of every single character in turn, only to find out that I was completely wrong, like not even close. I loved the complexity of the characters and how they changed all throughout the story and how there were so many layers to each and everyone of them.

Finally, the writing style was my favorite kind, simple and to the point but also flowing and not choppy. It really got the story across well and I could see it in my mind as I was reading. It also added to the excitement of the book because I didn't have to go back and reread any sections because of odd wording or sentence structure. No, in this case I devoured this book pretty quickly, considering I have two little children at home, a husband, three dogs and a household to keep up with.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good missing person mystery that is also thrilling at times. My heart was beating out of my chest for the majority of this novel and it was downright exhilarating. This is one of the best books I have read this year so far and also one of my favorite thrillers of all time. I will be checking out Mary Kubica's other books, that's for sure because her thrillers just really do it for me and I can't wait!

I remember going to Half Priced Books and whilst looking through the clearance section I spotted this book for next to nothing. I am not exactly sure what prompted me to pick this book up, it's just that I've heard the author mentioned in the past and was merely curious. I haven't read historical fiction in a very long time and was wondering if I would like it these days, if I gave it a chance. Well, the verdict is in, historical fiction as a genre is really just not for me. That's not to say that this book wasn't good, it really was, it just wasn't my cup of tea and I will not be continuing with the series, nor will I be picking up anymore historical fiction in the near future. However, if you are a fan of historical fiction you might really enjoy this so give it a chance.

To begin with, Life After Life is about a girl named Ursula and her life, from birth and all the way through World War II. However, what's unique about Ursula is that she can get as many chances at life as she needs to finally get it right. I wasn't sure what I felt about this plot and since I am a person who doesn't like fantasy all that much, I wasn't the most excited about the fantastical part of her dying and coming back to the same life over and over again. However, I thought it was done well, even if it got a little redundant and I never really found out what happened in the end. I am not a fan of open-ended endings in books and this one had exactly that. The middle dragged on a bit and I felt miserable reading about all the horrors of war because it affects me a lot deeper than most. If you enjoy reading about all the terrors of war, you will probably like this book.

Secondly, the characterization is where this book shined. The main character, Ursula, it was a treat reading from her point of view because she always had that naive, creatively wondrous outlook on life and it added the much needed humor to an otherwise very serious and depressing story. The other characters got a bit mixed up for me because there were tons but a few did stand out and had their own little quirks and ways of looking at the world. If you want intense character development in your novels, you should definitely pick up this book.

Finally, the writing was beautiful, albeit a bit too drawn out for my liking. I thought that the book could have been reduced down to three hundred pages and that would have been a lot easier to stomach in my opinion. However, because the book is very atmospheric and paints a very vivid picture in my mind, I fell into a deep depression whilst reading this book and the ending didn't snap me out of it whatsoever. In all, if you like a very high amount of description in your books and like to see everything, exactly as it's happening at every moment, then you will really enjoy this.

In conclusion, even though I kind of enjoyed my time reading this book, I also felt extremely depressed and down for the duration of it. I was hoping the ending would lift my spirits back up but it didn't really succeed in doing that since it was so open-ended and I didn't get the answers I was so desperately hoping for. Fans of historical fiction who are not affected by human suffering and horrors of war deeply in their books, give this one a shot, I think you will really enjoy it!

I have watched the show based on this book so long ago and then rewatched it because it's one of my all-time favorites that I almost forgot that it's based on a book. I accidentally spotted the first in the series at the Half-Priced Books store and decided to finally pick it up. Even though I knew it would be hard to compete with the show because it was just amazingly done and I loved every second of it, I still had high hopes going into it. And I can say, I definitely felt good about it. Even though it didn't “wow” me or blow me away, I still thoroughly enjoyed my time reading it and will be continuing with the rest of the series for sure.

To begin with, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, which is the first book in a series about a serial killer with a weird twist to him, introduces us to Dexter Morgan, a model citizen by day and serial killer by night. However, there's one major difference that makes his stand out from all the other killers out there, he only kills people who deserve to die. I think that this unique take on something that's been done so many times before is absolutely genius. This book probably has one of my all-time favorite premises, which is why I just can't get enough. The novel moved at just the right pace and I lived for those short chapters, all of them ending with a cliffhanger. I almost wish I would have read the books first because I know I would have given this one five stars instead of four. The show just really hit a note for me and the plot differences that made it into the show, in my opinion, made the story even more intriguing and memorable.

Secondly, the characterization I would say is even better than the plot, although it definitely stems from it and the author masterfully brought this complex, albeit ordinary character to life. I love how we really get to see the inner depths of Dexter's very soul and we get to experience life through him. Even though he is far from perfect and has many faults considering who he is, there is just something so human about a being trying to blend in and not stand out as the black sheep of society. He is so relatable and lovable and one of those main characters that you can't help but root for, regardless of what's right. And let's just say that I am beyond happy that they are bringing the show back too, I can't wait to watch it!

Finally, I don't really have anything bad to say about the writing style either. It was precise and to the point and not one bit choppy. Even though it was a little on the simplistic side, it really talks to the way Dexter is, logical and extremely rational in the way that he approaches life and things that come his way. Also, the writer did a good job of diving into his psyche and the writing definitely gets his complex mind across and paints him as a living, breathing human being, which obviously he is not.

In conclusion, I really liked this first book in the Dexter series and will be reading the rest of them as well. Even though it wasn't as good as the show, I think that fans of serial killer thrillers will really enjoy this one. It's definitely great and did not disappoint!

I brought this book so long ago and I am glad I finally randomly picked it from my wheel of all the physical books on my TBR shelf! It was so different from anything I have read recently and I loved being transferred to the way the world was back then, where women were considered second rate citizens and definitely didn't have the freedoms that men possessed. It definitely read like a YA novel but it had a lot of gruesome imagery, so don't pick it up if that's not something you can stomach. Also, the main character and even the supporting characters really stood out in this novel and I can't wait to get to the other books in the series.

To begin with, Stalking Jack the Ripper is about a serial killer who kills prostitutes and then removes some of their organs. Audrey Wadsworth, who has a passion for forensic medicine and studies cadavers in her uncle's laboratory, is on a mission to catch this killer before anymore women get gruesomely murdered or someone innocent takes the fall. I haven't read many books with a plot such as this and it felt fresh and creative to me. There were moments when it felt a little slow but the romantic relationship between the two main characters made that a lot more bearable. I thought that the ending more than made up for the slow pacing in the beginning though and even though I guessed who the killer was earlier on, there were other reveals that I didn't see coming. In general it was a very solid plot and kept me going.

Secondly, the characterization was my favorite thing about this novel. All the main characters and even the secondary ones were unique and quirky in their own ways and it made for a very enjoyable progression of their relationships with each other and the dialogue and banter between them had me cracking up at certain points throughout. The heroine is definitely one of my all-time favorites and I will be continuing her story in the future. I can't wait to see where her relationship with Thomas takes them and how it grows and progresses.

Finally, the writing style is simple and to the point, without feeling too oversimplified. It read like a Young Adult novel and I flew threw the chapters, so I didn't mind that one bit. I also thought that there was just enough description to set the scene and understand what was happening, without going overboard and feeling bored. Also the short chapters are my favorite, so this book also has that going for it. We really got a good look into what was going on in the characters' minds and this really painted a complete picture of who the character was as a whole, as an individual.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed my experience reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys serial killer type thrillers, even those who might not usually like YA ones. I say you should give this one a shot because it definitely packs a punch and might surprise you with its maturity, the way that it did me.

I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time and I'm really glad I finally got to it! It's not a short book and even though it wasn't particularly my cup of tea, I still enjoyed my time reading it. It's my first Grisham novel and even though this one wasn't my favorite I am still excited to check out some of his other, more popular works in hope that I'll like those more. This book made me realize that maybe legal thrillers aren't my thing but the majority of this book didn't even feel like a thriller to be honest. It was just too action packed for my liking, even though it was done masterfully and the story is definitely unique and draws you in from the first page.

To begin with, The Firm is about a lawyer, fresh out of law school, Mitchell McDeere, who accepts a job with an exclusive little law firm that promises to pay him handsomely and comes with a lot of other perks. However, soon after he settles into his new and improved life, he realizes that the firm isn't what it looks like on the surface and there are a lot of secrets lurking beneath. I think that this premise was outstanding and I've never read any story even remotely resembling this one. For me though, there was just too much law jargon that completely went over my head and it got pretty difficult to keep all the characters straight after about the halfway mark. I think that the story was too drawn out and it was just a lot of things happening and I felt lost more than once. At times the pacing felt on point and seemed to move the story along at a great pace and then there were times when nothing seemed to be progressing and it felt like the story was dragging completely. The whole plot just felt too all over the place for me and even though the first half read and felt kind of like a thriller, albeit a little slow, the second half took a very unexpected turn and turned into something akin to an action movie.

Secondly, the characterization was my favorite part of this book. I liked that the characters felt somewhat real and we got a good sense of what they were like and their inner personalities. I also enjoyed watching the relationships between the characters grow and change and the dialogue oftentimes made me laugh because it felt so heartfelt and genuine. I do wish we got a little bit more though and really got to see who the characters are on the inside. In general though, it was not bad.

Finally, the writing style was one I can get behind, even if it's not my favorite of all time. It was able to paint a clear picture as to what was happening in the story and I had a pretty easy time following along, I think just the novel not being my cup of tea is what took away from the writing style for me and me not quite enjoying the plot to its full extent.

In conclusion, even though I am glad I gave this book a shot, it was not for me. I like domestic thrillers more and ones that focus a little more on character development and don't have as many action packed scenes. I enjoy the occasional one but in this novel, after the halfway mark, it was one after another after another without any breaks whatsoever. If you enjoy action movies or stories that completely change genres halfway through this might be for you though. I am willing to give Grisham's novels another chance though, so here's hoping I like another one of his works more than I enjoyed this one.

This is my second book by Shari Lapena and I have to say, I am definitely impressed. Lapena definitely has a gift for manipulation in her books because in this one, I kept changing my mind about who the killer was until the very end. And when I finally found out who it was, I realized I'd been looking in the wrong place all this time. I am sure that if I went back and reread the book, knowing what I know now, I'd be able to pinpoint bits and pieces, little clues that were there to lead you to the answer as to who the killer really was all this time. I am definitely planning on reading all her other works and have one on my shelf already.

To begin with, Not a Happy Family is about a rich, prestigious family and all the secrets that go on inside it. When the parents, Sheila and Fred Mercer, get brutally murdered on Easter Sunday, after their grownup children leave Easter dinner at their house, the police suspects one of the three children did it because they all stood to gain a lot from their horrible parents lives. I thought that the premise of this book was very intriguing and I was definitely interested right off the bat. However, I wasn't always on the edge of my seat because the book dragged for me at some points and I wish it would have progressed a bit quicker. I do love me a good domestic thriller and this one's definitely above average. Also, I didn't care for the ending all that much because it was a bit open ended and left me wanting more.

Secondly, the characterization in this book was above average as well. There are times when in certain thrillers that are full of action, the characters get a bit overlooked and we don't get a good sense of who they really are at their core but in this case we definitely got a good look into them and what makes them tick. They were definitely all very unlikable but if done correctly I don't mind that and I thought it was executed pretty well here. I feel like we started discovering their psyches but didn't quite get to see into their very soul and I would have liked a bit more on that front. However, in all I really thought the characterization was done well and some thought had been put into it, no question about that.

Finally, the writing style is classic Shari Lapena and even though it definitely stands out and make for a very quick and easy reading experience, sometimes it feels a bit too simple for me. I would like a little more description when it comes to her setting the scenes and depicting how her characters look at certain points in the story. I can, however, appreciate how accessible her writing style is to many different kinds of people and I am certain that even beginners of the genre will not find it hard to get hooked into her books.

In conclusion, this book was above average for me in terms of where it stands to all the other thrillers I have read but it definitely wasn't one that completely took my breath away and knocked my socks off. I enjoyed the plot, characters and writing style but feel that certain aspects of each were lacking for me. With that being said, I would definitely recommend this book to thriller lovers and even beginners because it's a quick read and it definitely has some good twists and turns that you won't see coming.

I can't really put into words what exactly I thought about this book. On one hand, I didn't hate and it kept me entertained at certain points but on the other, I also found it to be extremely hard for me to get through. This isn't my usual thriller genre and I initially requested this arc from Netgalley because I have read Mexican Gothic by the same author in the past and liked that one. Well, let me just tell you, this one is nothing like Mexican Gothic was and I realize it's not the same genre but personally for me, this one was just really not my cup of tea. Like at all.

First of all, Velvet Was the Night is about a woman, named Maite, who gets tangled up with some dangerous groups of people when she agrees to housesit for her neighbor, Leonora. This plot really was not my thing and I found all the political talk to be very tedious and boring to me. I enjoyed the romantic aspects of the plot but that's about it. There was definitely enough excitement but it was more on the action side of things and it was just too much for me. I prefer suspense and thrills in my books leading up to the climactic buildup over nonstop action and violence. Definitely will not be reading any books based heavily in the political sphere ever again.

Secondly, the characters were okay. They were not jumping out of the book at me and yet they also weren't the most boring characters I have come across in books. We definitely got to know Maite well but not as in-depth as I would have preferred. Maybe the whole plot was so far out of any realm of reality for me that it made the characters harder to relate to. This is the reason domestic thrillers are my absolute favorite trop probably. The relations between the characters in this novel was the strongest part of the characterization in my opinion.

Finally, the writing style was done well enough. It was easy to read and understand what was happening as it occurred but at the same time it didn't flow effortlessly either. It was just okay. I do appreciate it for not being too choppy, that would have made it getting through the book that much harder.

In conclusion, while this book didn't blow me away, it didn't completely disappoint me either. I have ventured out of my comfort zone and have understood that books based heavily in politics and the government are just not for me. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys action and adventure over personal development of characters. This book definitely felt a lot like watching an action film and for this reason I can definitely appreciate it for what it is.

I really went into this book blind and I am so glad I did because it did not disappoint, at least for the most part. I read this book as a buddy read with a good bookstagram friend Tierney, after she so kindly gifted me a copy off my Amazon wishlist for my 30th birthday this year! I can't wait to talk about it with her. I am starting to realize that while I enjoy spooky mansion mysteries/thrillers, they are definitely not my favorite and I think for that reason this book ended up being a four star for me and not a five star. I thought it had a very unique plot and the ending was fire, but the first half of the book dragged for me and it took quite a while to get going and into the swing of things.

To begin with, Girls of Brackenhill is about a woman, Hannah, who seems to have everything going for her in life- a fiancé, a good job, a seemingly perfect life. That is, until she is called back to the Brackenhill castle, where she spent a few summers as a child, because her aunt has died and she's the only family left. Hannah thought she escaped Brackenhill and the weird pull off this odd place, a place where her sister disappeared long ago. However, it seems there are a lot more secrets buried in Brackenhill than she could have ever imagined. I really liked this plot and the premise. It kept me interested, even if the first half of the book was a little slow going for me and it took me a while to really get invested in the story. However, the ending of the book was amazing and the pacing was extremely on point and that almost made up for the first half. I loved that there were so many things entwined in the plot and how those things came together in the end, and not in a perfect bow at all. Overall, this was great.

In continuation, the characterization in this book is great. I loved seeing what was going on in Hannah's head and her psyche and then also getting flashbacks to the past and seeing how her psyche got to where it is at presently. This book was a great example of flawed people doing very messed up things, even if at first glance they didn't seem all that extremely flawed. Moretti was not afraid to dive deep into the darkest recesses of the human mind and it made the characters so much more relatable for that very reason. I also loved the complicated relationships all the characters had developed with each other because they felt very accurate, the most intimate relationships are usually the messiest of all. I will definitely be picking up Moretti's other books soon and have a few saved on my Scribd app already.

Finally, the writing style was pretty good in my opinion. It painted a very vivid picture of this creepy Brackenhill castle and all the weird and creepy things that seem to be going on in there. I was able to picture myself in the scene as it was happening and that definitely spiked my anxiety a bit as well. It was only a bit more intricate than I usually prefer my writing style to be but that didn't bother me much and I was able to get through the book without a problem anyways.

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this book because it's a very well done castle suspense/mystery trope. There aren't many things I would change about this novel, aside from speeding the pace up in the first half of the book. But even with that, I think it's a book that all my thriller/mystery/suspense lovers would devour in a few sittings. And the short chapters definitely don't hurt either.

And just like that, I have found another favorite author! This book was so different from anything I've read before and it was definitely my first ever “smart-house thriller”. I have also understood that I will be reading more in this trope soon, because I absolutely loved it. There were so many twists and turns and even after I thought the twists and turns were all revealed and everything was finished, I was mistaken because then the biggest reveal of all came. I wasn't sure what I was going to give this book but the ending especially blew me away and I couldn't stop reading late into the night for the life of me. I will be reading this author's backlist and pre-ordering all his future works as well.

To begin with, The Girl Before is about this minimalist-style house that is only rented to tenants the architect approves before hand. The girl, Jane, moves into the unique building and starts discovering terrifying things about the place and what happened to the previous girl who lived here, Emma. I thought this was a very unique premise and I loved how it was delivered. The ending was extremely fast paced and exhilarating but there wasn't a moment when I found myself bored either, because things were revealed constantly, even minor things. Most chapters ended on a cliffhanger and I loved that, especially considering the chapters were rather short and went between the previous tenant, Emma, and what was happening in the present day with Jane now living there instead. The plot had so many different layers and I really enjoyed pealing them one by one, absolutely extraordinary.

Secondly, the characterization was amazing as well. We really got to see into the psyches of these two characters, Emma in the past, and Jane in the present. We really delved deep into their minds and got to know exactly what happened inside that unique structure and what caused them to end up in that exact moment. They were flawed and complicated and even though I felt like I understood them, somewhat, ultimately what they did surprised me because oftentimes people are too complicated to be easily predictable. That made the story even more believable and absolutely memorable to me.

Finally, the writing was great. There were times when I would have wished more dialogue was used instead of us just being given a description of who said what and what the other person answered but ultimately I had no problem getting used to that style and it was almost a breath of fresh air and definitely something different and exciting. I am all for venturing out and trying new things and I am glad I gave this book a chance and have discovered a hidden gem of an author in the process. Can't wait to read more of his work!

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to everyone who loves thrillers, especially the unconventional ones that don't follow a specific formula but play to the beat of their own drum. This was by far one of the most unique thrillers I have read so far and I have no doubt it will stand out in my mind for a long time to come. I applaud an author trying something different, a new approach to a very standard concept, something that's been around for a long time.

Honestly, I freaking loved this book and the story! This was my first pandemic thriller and I thought that it might be too soon but the story sounded really good and I just couldn't wait to read it. Talk about a rollercoaster ride! About halfway through I was certain I knew who the killer is and all the reveals and what not and it turns out I knew almost absolutely nothing. This book might tempt you to assume about what's coming up and what has really happened and let me give you some advice, fight that temptation. I wasn't sure I was going to like the ending because everything seemed pretty laid out in front of us and already fully revealed and boy was I wrong. The twists and turns kept coming until the very end and I was there for it all.

To begin with, 56 Days is about a couple who meet a few days before lockdown begins due to Covid-19 and they are instantly smitten with each other so they decide to move in together for the duration of lockdown in order to maintain their blossoming relationship. However, a short time after, one person in the relationship is found murdered. What really happened? Man, this plot was twisty and stressful as all else. Having lived through lockdown not too long ago with two little kids, the stress that caused at the time is still pretty fresh in my mind so I had to hold my breath as I was reading this. It definitely brought up a lot of emotions and I wasn't sure I would be able to stomach the time period of this thriller and yet I was completely hooked from the very beginning. There were so many twists and turns and the plot had so many different layers that were revealed all throughout the book that I just couldn't put it down. If it wasn't for my dog tragically dying last weekend, I would have probably finished it in two days. Something very different, that is for sure.

Secondly, the characterization was pretty good and I don't have many complaints about it. The characters were very dynamic and I enjoyed reading about how their relationships to each other developed and changed all throughout the book as well. They were very complex characters with flaws and their own agendas and I was here for it. This book is definitely not afraid to go there, it gets pretty dark and has plenty of trigger warnings that you should look up if you're worried it might affect you in a negative way.

Finally, the writing style is probably the only reason I gave this book four stars and not five. Because let me be completely honest, the writing style is definitely not my favorite. It feels like an endless continuation of run-on sentences and felt very choppy to me as I was reading it. Once I got used to it, it wasn't much of an issue anymore but it never felt smooth and wasn't a joy to read. The plot and the characters made up for that though. Also, the book skips around a lot and it was confusing keeping track of what we were reading about and when at times and we would get the same scene from the two different characters' perspectives and even though at times it helped to understand what actually happened, sometimes it felt rather redundant and the full length of the retelling didn't feel completely necessary.

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this book to all my fellow thriller lovers who don't mind reading a thriller that takes place during Covid-19, more specifically in lockdown. It will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat and if you're not afraid of the writing being a bit choppy and wordy, it's easy to get past that fact and get fully immersed in the story. Definitely a treat!

Yes! I didn't think it would be possible for Riley Sager to disappoint me and so far I have been right! This book is probably my first closed “stuck-in-a-car” kind of trope and even though originally I wasn't sure I was going to like it, I really ended up loving how Sager executed the whole premise. I am starting to get more and more certain that I know what the big reveal is going to be or who the bad guy really is and let me just say, when it comes to Sager's books I literally know nothing. I was really taken by surprise and the ending left me stunned and shaking my head in awe. I mean, talk about a quality author. Forever a Riley Sager fan.

To begin with, Survive the Night is about a girl named Charlie, who is grieving over the murder of her best friend/roommate by a killer fittingly named “The Campus Killer”. She wants to get as far away from her university campus as possible so she accepts a ride share with a stranger, who ends up having a lot more secrets that she could have ever imagined. I seriously loved this plot, it had so many different levels and I never grew bored of it because it was super fast paced and exhilarating as I felt as though I was riding in that car along with the two characters. I didn't think the car-trip trope would be my thing but I absolutely devoured this book and it was seriously, suspense-central all throughout. I can see similarities between this book and No Exit but for me I think this one is everything that I wished No Exit was. The suspense lasted a lot longer and many questions we had to wait for the whole book to be done in order to find answers for. I liked that way more.

Secondly, the characterization was amazing, as always. The main heroine, Charlie is very complicated and flawed and yet she changes and develops into a different person as the book progresses, in accordance with the experience she is going through and I think that is very realistic. She definitely felt very real to me and I loved her little quirks, like her obsession with movies, having had that same obsession myself. I also really enjoyed all the movie references and seeing different things that were unique to each and every character, which made them all separate individuals who stood out in their own ways.

Finally, the writing style is exceptional, as it always is in my opinion when it comes to Riley Sager. Perfect writing style for a thriller, straight and to the point without being choppy or cutting out important aspects like setting the scene and painting us a picture of the action as it is happening. While with some books I have a hard time getting through the writing, Riley Sager never disappoints me in that area or any other area for that matter. It's just so smooth and flowing, like a breath of fresh air.

In conclusion, I would recommend this novel to any thriller lover out there or even someone who likes a very fast-paced and suspenseful read. I have heard mixed reviews about this book so far but in my opinion it was amazing and I don't think you'll be disappointed if you give it a try. I still love Lock Every Door the best but this one might now be my second favorite. Can't wait to see what else Sager comes up with!

Yes! And another home-run by Holly Jackson! Even though this book in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series wasn't my favorite it was still phenomenal and I couldn't put it down for the life of me. I read this book late into the night for all three days that I was reading it because it was fantastic. I loved how Pip changes as a main character in this one and the only thing that was a bit of a letdown was that I guessed the bad guy really early into the book and that never happens to me so the ending wasn't as exciting as I'd wanted it to be. Otherwise, it was an amazing sequel in my favorite YA thriller/mystery series of all time! Not disappointed!

To begin with, Good Girl, Bad Blood, the second book in the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, follows Pip, who solved a cold case in the previous novel and has sworn off her detective days for good. However, when her close friend's brother goes missing and the police don't do anything to find him, Pip is thrown back into playing detective, only this time a person's life is literally at stake. I loved the plot of this one and I thought it was a very creative way to go from the first book to the second one so I have no complains there. It was very suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. However, the ending wasn't as exciting and thrilling as it could have been because the bad guy was rather obvious to me a few chapters into the book and I was hoping that I was wrong so I could be blown away by something I did not see coming. I didn't guess all the nuances of the ending though, so there was still plenty I was surprised by. Can't wait to see what she does with the series next!

Secondly, the characterization is superb in this one specifically. Pip goes on such a transitional and life-changing journey in this book and the events of it that I really grew very attached to her and she feels especially real to me. I love that she has molded from everything that has happened to her because that's what happens in real life to us. She is also witty and as daring as can be and one of my all-time favorite heroines of all time. I should add that the side characters in this book are also very quirky and memorable and they all complement each other brilliantly. I just love their friend group, wish I could have had a friend group like this back when I was in high school.

Finally, the writing was even better than in the first one. Even though it was a YA genre, it definitely did not read like a YA and that made for a very entertaining read that I absolutely raced through. It was simple and straightforward and yet felt somewhat sophisticated and fluid at the same time. The pages just kept turning in my hands and it was a joy reading this novel. Bravo!

In conclusion, I am a lover of adult thriller novels and yet I absolutely loved this YA mystery series so far! Take that however you will but it is definitely by far my favorite YA series of all time, at least so far. I haven't read many yet but the ones I have read did not hit the spot like this one has. I would recommend to anyone who wants to get lost in a mystery where each chapter is full of twists and turns and the action is also not lacking at all. Also, the quirky and lovable heroine doesn't hurt either.

And Michaelides does it again! I read his debut novel, The Silent Patient at the beginning of this year and it blew me completely away, especially the big reveal at the end. The Maidens I ,of course, had to pick up as soon as it came in the mail because I was so excited and had preordered it months ago. Although it didn't blow me away as much as The Silent Patient did, I really loved the majority of it and it was a very thrilling ride with impeccable pacing and a very beautiful atmosphere which comes across unforgettably in the writing style. I definitely will be recommending this book and Michaelides is definitely an auto buy author for me, without any hint of hesitation.

To begin with, The Maidens is following a group therapist, Mariana, who is dealing with the loss of her beloved husband, as she is brought into the world of Cambridge University by her niece Zoe, who's best friend and roommate has been brutally murdered. Determined to get to the bottom of who the killer is, she suspects strongly it is the charismatic Greek Tragedy professor who is kind of like a celebrity on campus and she sets out to prove this. The plot was great and I have no complaints at all, especially because the pacing of this novel was impeccable and I loved all the twists and turns coming every which way. This is the first novel in a while, where I literally trusted NO ONE and was suspicious of everyone! It was definitely a roller coast of emotions and it didn't let up until the very last page. The only thing I didn't really like was the big reveal at the end and the ending itself felt a little rushed and I wish there was more of it but besides that this book was perfection.

Secondly, the characterization in this novel was amazing. I was a psych major in college so all the psychological stuff was mind-blowing to me and I especially loved the main character, Mariana, because she was so flawed and yet so intricate and good at the core. I have come to the conclusion that I actually prefer a reliable narrator as opposed to an unreliable one but I can definitely enjoy both as long as they are done well. I loved seeing into her psyche and also getting a look into the killer's psyche, in the form of journal entries. We really got to dive deep into the characters and I got a really good sense of why they are the way that they are and a complete backstory, which I absolutely love in thrillers.

Finally, the writing style is probably my favorite thing about Michaelides' books. It is so simple and to the point and yet everything is phrased so beautifully and the atmosphere comes across without lengthy paragraphs and run-on sentences. A lot of times I find the atmosphere setup to be tedious but in this instance I enjoyed every second of it, being able to be immersed fully in this beautiful setting and all its surroundings. What a breath of fresh air!

In conclusion, this was another home run for Michaelides, even though it's not as good as The Silent Patient in my opinion. If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced and engrossing thriller, this is definitely for you and you should pick it up! It was also a relatively quick read and an easy book to get through, which is exactly what I needed at this time.

I have been dreading reading this arc just because I've never read anything by this author before and with good reason because I was greatly disappointed. I was really excited to receive this arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review because it was categorized as a mystery thriller and those are my favorite. However, this novel is farther from being a mystery thriller that I can even imagine. The first ninety percent read like a family/romance/drama and the last ten percent had a slight resemblance to a thriller but just barely. I was hoping to find a new favorite thriller novel, but this was definitely not it.

To begin with, The Guilt Trip is about a woman named Rachel and her husband, Jack, who are invited for a weekend to Jack's brother's wedding. However, as things get underway, Rachel starts being suspicious of her brother-in-law's bride and starts to suspect that she may not be exactly who she says she is. The plot was just eh, very mediocre. It wasn't anything too out there and yet I do enjoy the closed location trope, if it's done well but, in this case, it was not executed well in my opinion. The first ninety percent of the book read like a romance drama, and I was frustrated because that's not what I signed up to read. For this reason, it stretched for far too long and what should have been a quick read, became a bit longer one.

Secondly, the characterization was okay, as was everything else in this novel. The characters felt bland and none of them stood out to me and felt even remotely real. I didn't really care what happened to them and only kept reading because I find it my duty to finish a book to its very end and give my brutally honest opinion of it. I wish we would have seen more into the characters' psyches, aside from just the romance aspects that they had to other characters in the story. The uninteresting characters made for a rather difficult time getting through the whole story.

Finally, the writing style was okay, if maybe slightly above average for my tastes and preferences. I like the simple writing style; however, it might have been a bit too oversimplified. I am happy to say that it didn't make the story any harder to read, which is a good thing. However, it also didn't add anything to the story either, which could have helped immensely in making me feel as if I was immersed in the story and actually living it myself.

In conclusion, I would not recommend this book to thriller lovers because it's very hard to call this even somewhat close to what a thriller is. Maybe fans of romance dramas would enjoy it or someone who is looking for a rather easy and very forgettable read but otherwise I wouldn't waste my time. I will check out some of the author's other works in the future because I would like to give her work another chance and would like to find a book of hers that would resonate better with me and be more my taste.

Ummmm.......wooahhhh! I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did! I have been in a reading slump lately because of life things and decided to pick up the last Riley Sager book that I have not read yet and all I can say is that I was not disappointed. I am pretty sure I've said it before but this cements the fact that Riley Sager is one of my favorite thriller authors of all time. I mean, come on! Even though this book isn't my favorite of his, the fact that I still gave it five stars and ended with a stupid shocked look on my face should say wonders. For the first time I thought I knew who the bad guy was and what the big reveal would be and Riley Sager does it again, humbly reminding me that I know absolutely nothing. Well done, Sir, well done.

To begin with, The Last Time I Lied is about a girl named Emma, who went to a summer camp fifteen years ago but after her three camp roommates disappeared and were never seen again, she is struggling to deal with what might have happened to them. In the present day, she is called back to the same camp to work at as an art teacher and she takes the job with hope that it will help her to find some closure only to find out that she's in well over her head and that closure isn't all she might find. This is my first camp thriller and I have to say, this one was absolutely amazing. Not that I'm all that surprised, it is Riley Sager after all. But the atmosphere, along with all the little mysteries leading up to the big reveal, they just absolutely knocked my socks off. I have never been to summer camp and this book makes me simultaneously want to attend to see what I have been missing and also makes me want to stay away at all costs. And let me tell you, you might think you know where this book is heading but you have no idea, none whatsoever.

Secondly, the characters jumped off the page and I really got to know them intimately, even the secondary characters that I usually don't care for at all. They were all dark people doing dark and messed up things and I'm always there for that in Sager's novels, because it doesn't get anymore human than that. It's like the author takes the worst traits of human beings possible and makes extraordinary novels out of them, that is a rare gift I haven't encountered in many novels before. This novel is almost just as character based as it is action based and I am here for it.

Finally, the writing didn't disappoint, as I didn't think it would. As much of a reading slump as I am in right now, this book was just what I needed to reignite my love of reading and a lot of it had to do with the effortless way that Riley Sager gets the story across by weaving beautifully orchestrated sentences together that don't overwhelm or underwhelm. They are the perfect combination and make for a killer novel, all the aspects coming together to paint a masterpiece of a story.

In conclusion, if you love thrillers and you haven't read this one, you are missing out! If you want to be transported through time and space and attend a summer camp, this novel is for you. I seriously can't wait to see what other things Riley Sager might have up his sleeve and have already preordered his latest novel that hasn't come out yet. I am a relatively new reader and yet I have read all of his books, that should tell you something because they are just that good.

Wow! Reading this book was an experience like nothing I've ever had before. When I first started this book, even though I was extremely intrigued, I worried that the fantasy components of this novel would put me off from finishing this book or maybe even liking it. I am not the biggest lover of fantasy so you can understand why I would have this fear. While I was reading it, I kept asking myself if it was too much for me and if it was rooted in enough reality for me to continue it and love it as well. And I just have to say- it totally blew me away and knocked my socks off. When I finished it, even though I knew this book was way outside of my comfort zone, I knew that I couldn't give it anything less than five stars because it was extraordinary from beginning to end.

First of all, House of Hollow is about these three sisters, who have gone missing when they were children and have returned later to the same place where they went missing from. Years later, when the oldest Hollow sister goes missing again, the other two team up to find her and unravel a whole chest of secrets that may have been better left locked away. If this isn't the definition of an amazing, creative and extremely unique plot, I don't know what is. It was so different from anything I've ever read and was full of twists and turns and countless layer after layer that kept being unraveled all the way through. If you want something that will captivate you with a very action packed and twisty plot, this novel is definitely for you. And even though I guessed a few reveals right, there were so many others that I couldn't even begin to fathom or comprehend the answers for.

Secondly, the characterization in this mostly action driven novel was beyond amazing. We went on a journey with these characters and I felt myself transforming and changing right along with them as all the things kept happening. But what's even more beautiful is the relationships that the characters have with each other and how those transform and change all throughout the book. I really grew attached to these characters and even though they were flawed through and through, I couldn't help but root for them in the end regardless. I will definitely be checking out Sutherland's future works because this novel was like an earthquake that shook me to my core and I will never be the same.

Finally, the writing style was simple, yet had a sophisticated tone to it. It wasn't just super straight forward or oversimplified and yet I understood things as they were happening very vividly and fully, the first time reading the paragraphs. This is definitely a very atmospheric read and even though sometimes that can be a little too much for my liking, I thought that it was masterfully done in this story. It painted the setting vividly and I never grew tired of reading about all these amazing places and imagining them in my mind.

In conclusion, this novel was so far outside of my comfort zone and yet I am beyond happy that I gave it a chance and picked it up. I would recommend it to lovers of fantasy and even those that love a good mystery, as wicked and twisted as that mystery may be. And even as a thriller lover, I absolutely loved every second of this book, so maybe other thriller fans would love it too! Give it a shot, you never know if you might love it, just like I did!

Wow, even though it took me a few months to get to the next Stillhouse Lake book because I was afraid that it wouldn't live up to the previous two, I am happy to say that that was not the case and that I loved every minute of this one as well! I honestly have nothing bad to say about this series and it says a lot that this is probably the longest I have stuck to a series in a very long time. Usually I read the first book and then my mind wonders elsewhere and I just end up not caring enough to get to the next book in a series. However, with this series that's different because I have grown attached to the characters and I love revisiting them over and over again. I am really glad that I have two more books to read in this series because I am not ready to say goodbye quite yet.

First of all, Wolfhunter River is the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series and it follows Gwen, who used to be married to a serial killer and didn't even realize it until a drunk driver drove into her garage and made a hole in it which revealed everything he was up to in there. In this one, Gwen is trying to live a normal life with her family in Stillhouse Lake, when she gets a call from a woman she doesn't know who asks for her help. When Gwen doesn't go to Wolfhunter River to help the woman, she gets another call from the woman's daughter, who tells her that her mom is dead and that she is being arrested for her murder. And Gwen is thrown into the middle of the action as she not only has to keep herself and her family alive but also this young girl that she's never met before. Honestly, I didn't think this series could remain as new and exciting but I was wrong. This plot was just as full of twists and turns as the previous two and I couldn't get through it fast enough. If you love a book that is full of action but also has really amazing character development, this book is definitely for you and you should check it out as soon as possible!

Secondly, the characterization in this series is what makes me come back book after book. I have grown so attached to the main characters and even the supporting characters that it will be very hard for me to say goodbye when I finish the series. I love that they are so immensely flawed and imperfect and yet fight to survive against all odds. They have been through hell and back again and yet they haven't let that harden them to the point of not letting anybody else in. It's hard to put into words but if you read the series I dare you not to fall in love with the main characters because in my eyes that would be very hard to do.

Finally, the writing style is still the kind that sucks you in and spits you out once you're done with the whole book. I usually hate long chapters but in this case I didn't mind it at all because the writing flowed so smoothly and I was transported into the story itself. The pages felt like they were turning themselves because I couldn't put the book down and had to know how the story would end. It was simple sentence structure and yet it didn't feel overly simplified either, which sometimes makes for a lot of repeats. No, this book delivered on every front, including this one.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book and series to EVERYONE! It doesn't get enough love for sure and I would love to see more people fall in love with it like I have from the very first book. It has something for everyone- action, romance, mystery....and thrill after thrill! Please pick this book up, you will not be disappointed!

And Gillian Flynn delivers once again! I have been meaning to read all her other works after having read Gone Girl years ago and loving it immensely but I have not been able to get to it until now and I can say that Gillian remains one of my favorite quality thriller writers for sure. She definitely has no problem going to the darkest recesses of human nature and does it unapologetically, which is an absolute must in my favorite thrillers. I now can't wait to read Dark Places and it will be picked up sooner rather than later even though it's buried in the back of my TBR shelf, I'll just have to dig it out.

First of all, Sharp Objects is a story about a journalist, Camille, who is fresh out of a psychiatric hospital, who gets an assignment to do a piece on an unsolved murder and a missing girl but the assignment is back in her little hometown, from which she desperately wanted to escape her whole life. What she uncovers is a lot more than she had originally bargained for and it might even affect her in ways she never could have imagined. I just love Gillian Flynn's story plots! They are brilliant and have so many layers to them which definitely makes for a very well developed story. This one is so different from her other novel that I have read before and yet it's almost just as good in my opinion, even though Gone Girl will forever hold a special place in my heart. The only reason that it's not a five star for me is because there was a brief section of the book where I felt the story dragged a little bit and I wanted to get to the good stuff but it was very short lived and then the rest of the story delivered and packed quite a punch. I mean, talk about dark and twisted tales!

Second of all, the characters are remarkable and as dark and twisted as come. The characterization was very thorough and I really got a good sense into who these messed up people are and also what drives them to act this way. I think people in general are very complicated individuals and they had so many layers to them in this book which made them so much more real and terrifying to me. It made the reveal at the end so believable because the picture we got of them all throughout the book was entirely complete and showed them for who they really were, underneath any facades or roles that they were playing in their daily lives. It wasn't a long book but the plot and the characters were extremely well developed and kept me interested to keep going.

Third of all, the writing style in this novel was a good one. It's just a tiny bit short of being my favorite straight forward style but it's unique and gets the story across beautifully, showing Gillian Flynn has definitely perfected her skill at this point. It wasn't hard to understand but took a little bit to flow as I was reading it in my own head. However, after a few pages I was hooked and the words flowed effortlessly off the page and into my mind.

In conclusion, I am glad I finally got to Gillian Flynn's other works because this was a terrific thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and only dragged a very minimal amount. I would recommend it to to all my thriller lovers because even though it's quite short, it is packed to the brim with things that you never saw coming. Highly recommend!

I picked up this book totally on a whim because it was gifted to me during a recent RAOK (Random Act of Kindness giveaway) and it was calling my name after I finished my last read, which was extremely disappointing and which I had the hardest time getting through. Some people were saying that they liked this one and it was a shorter read so I decided to give this a try and am so glad I did! It was everything I needed to get my reading mojo back- action, fast pace, quickly flowing writing...etc. Teresa Driscoll is not an author I have heard much about before, even on Bookstagram, and after this book I will definitely be checking out all her other books because this one was a winner in my eyes!

To begin with, I Am Watching You is about a woman, Ella, who witnesses an exchange between two young girls and two boys who just got out of prison on a train and even though she is concerned, she decides not to inform anyone or go to the police because she reasons that it's not business. However, when one of the young girls goes missing, she is forced to reevaluate her decision and try to find out the truth. I really liked this plot, it wasn't the most unique premise but it was enacted beautifully and moved at a very nice pace, so I was not bored and couldn't stop reading. This is a great fast-paced, quick and exhilarating thriller and if that's what you're looking for I don't think you will be disappointed.

Further on, the characterization was not bad by any means. We got a good look into the witness', Ella's, psyche and her love for running her own flower shop and making flower arrangements really came through loud and clear. The other characters were also shown deeply but not as deeply as Ella. It's usually hard to get a sense of who the characters are as people in quick, fast paced thrillers so I was pleasantly surprised. They didn't quite jump of the page but I was very curious to find out what would happen to them and the route their lives would take. Very nice!

Finally, the writing style was one I was able to enjoy once I got used to it and got into the book a little bit. It's not my usual writing style of preference but I came to really like it. That is definitely partially why I am excited to check out Driscoll's other books. The writing flowed really well and got across what was happening without being too oversimplified or too lengthy. Some of the phrases and terms used were not ones I was familiar with but it was easy to understand what was being talked about in the context of the story. Definitely a very unique yet enjoyable style!

In conclusion, this book took me pleasantly by surprise even though I had no idea what to expect whatsoever going into it. I would recommend this to all of my thriller lovers who are looking for a quick read that is easy to get into and follow through to the end. Would definitely recommend, can't beat a simply stable and good thriller!

Uhhhhh.......this book. I was so excited when a good friend of mine off Bookstagram gifted it to me because I have been seeing it around and wanted to read it myself. Well, let's just say that I have not had a harder time before getting through a book than I did with this one. After a few chapters in, I understood that the only way that I would be able to finish this book was to buy the audiobook and follow along and that's exactly what I did. Even though the audiobook was pretty well done and it made it more tolerable to get through it, it still didn't get me invested in the story and took everything I had in me not to dnf it.

First of all, The Sanatorium is about a detective who is on leave, Elin, as she takes a trip to see her long estranged brother who has recently gotten engaged to his girlfriend at a sanatorium that has recently been converted into a hotel and at which his new fiancé works. Things start happening and Elin is thrown back into detective mode as lives are taken and secrets come out. The plot sounded so good when I read the synopsis, especially because I enjoy these closed setting “who-dun-its” but it really lacked in the execution for me. All the aspects together really made for an extremely “slow-burn” novel that didn't really excite me, even when things were happening. That's never really happened to me in a novel before, especially with one that I was so excited to read in the first place.

Secondly, the characterization was mediocre. It wasn't anything special. For some reason I could not relate to the main heroine whatsoever, even though I have things in common with her, like suffering from panic attacks and having a lot of anxiety to deal with day to day. She just came across as too weak and I really wanted her to grow and come out of her shell but she didn't really do that, even at the end. All the characters had their own backgrounds and such and usually that would help in getting me to care about them and what happened to them but in this instance it did not penetrate beneath my skin and get any kind of emotion or feeling out of me. This is definitely a first for me.

Finally, the writing style is what I had the hardest time with whilst reading this novel. I just didn't vibe with it, at all. It felt somewhat choppy and the descriptions were a bit drawn out and repeated over and over again in somewhat various forms. As I wanted the story to progress and evolve, I would get a bunch more descriptions and what Elin was feeling over and over again. This novel was pretty long in my opinion but it could have been shortened considerable and that would have made for a much more thriller-y and heart pounding vibe.

In conclusion, I will not be recommending this novel to anyone because it didn't move me at all. I felt very distanced from the story and the characters the whole time and it didn't evoke any feelings within me. If you have the novel already, you can read it but if you're thinking about buying this, I would say pass. I wish I would have known how difficult it would be for me to finish this book beforehand.

Wow, I have forgotten what it's like to read a book that moves you and touches you on such a deep level that you sob like a baby and yet can't stop reading the book late into the night. I have had this book saved for a while on my Scribd app and am so grateful to my bookstagram friend for asking me if I wanted to buddy read this with her. I love buddy reads so I jumped on the bandwagon. And wow, this is one heck of an amazing book! I laughed, I cried, I lost many hours of sleep but it was all definitely worth it because this book will be hard to forget and it will always be a part of me.

First of, The Night Olivia Fell is about a teenager named Olivia, who is found brain dead and pregnant on the water's edge and put on life support to keep her baby alive and well enough to be born. Olivia's mom, Abi, has devoted her life to her daughter and is in a desperate journey to find out what exactly happened to her daughter and how they got to this point. The plot of this book was a heart wrenching one, it's definitely not for the light hearted and it's the furthest away from a breezy thriller then you can ever get. I loved the development of the story and the pace was perfect, there wasn't a second in which I was bored. I also loved the two dual timelines, of Olivia following up to her fall and then of her mom, Abi, desperately investigating and trying to figure out the truth as to why and how her daughter fell. Being a mom myself, it was hard to stomach this heartbreaking story but there was so much more to it, there was joy, hope and the human being's extraordinary ability to weather any storm life throws their way. So memorable, I will never forget it for as long as I live.

Secondly, the characterization was superb, beyond even. The characters, even the minor ones, had intricate personalities and felt like real people I know in real life. They had strengths and weaknesses and were wholly human, through and through. I felt like they could jump out of the book at me and I wouldn't have been surprised. I also loved Abi's and Olivia's relationship as mother and daughter because it illustrated just how beautiful and yet complicated and painful that relationship can be. This is by far the best depiction of this I have ever come across in a book so far. The characters also developed so much throughout the book that it was amazing to see and I felt like I was progressing and learning and growing along with them.

Thirdly, the writing style was just what I needed to propel me through this book at super fast speed for me. It was precise and to the point but wasn't overly simplistic but didn't stretch on either. Many meaningful points were gotten across and they all touched at my heart and will remain there. I don't often cry while reading books, especially thrillers, but this one made me sob like a baby because it was so much more then just a plain mystery or thriller, it was a story with many meaningful life truths and themes that one can always learn from.

In conclusion, this book is by far one of the best I have read ever in my life. I will be recommending this to anyone who wants a superbly meaningful and profound story and also likes mystery aspects to their books as well. I will be reading all of McDonald's works, she has made it onto my list of favorite authors and I can't believe I didn't give her books a chance earlier.

I never understood before what people meant when they would say that a book is a “fun time” but now I actually do. This book was a freaking funtastic time and I had a lot of enjoyment reading it because it was over the top and yet it also didn't see too out there. I am glad I got this in my Book of the Month pick because it was something light and I haven't read a fun domestic thriller in a very long time. It was kind of like a palette cleaner and I flew through it, glad I decided to pick it up when I did because that's just what I needed.

First of all, The Hunting Wives is a novel about a married woman named Sophie, who moves with her little family to a small town, where she used to go to school a very long time ago. Initially she wanted to get away from the craziness of a big city setting but as she finds herself growing restless in her new surroundings, she is enveloped into an exclusive group of women who call themselves “The Hunting Wives”. Having nothing better to do, these women spend their days- drinking, shooting and doing downright awful things to spice up their lives. I really liked the plot of this book, I haven't read many novels with such a plot yet. Even though I enjoy domestic thrillers, I haven't read that many with a big group of flawed friends yet. The pacing was great and even though the climax wasn't quite as climactic as I was hoping for, I had no problem keeping an interest in this book and read the book in a few days.

Secondly, the characterization was above average. I wouldn't say that I got to see into the souls of these characters but I definitely got an idea of who they are as people and what kinds of lives they lead. Because the book was so atmospheric and you got a glimpse into the lives of the rich and privileged, it really made the book all the more realistic and helped the characters pop a bit off the page. I wish we would have gotten a deeper look into their backgrounds, even the main character's (Sophie's), but nonetheless I could kind of see why they did what they did and their thought processes behind those actions. In all, I really enjoyed following their stories and the relationships they formed with each other inside of the exclusive group.

Thirdly, the writing style is one I have absolutely no problems with. It was precise and to the point and really helped deliver the thriller to me. It got the scenes across effectively and kept me reading, unable to put the book down in many instances. I will be reading May Cobb's future works because this one was a much needed breath of fresh air.

In conclusion, I am glad I picked up this book finally because it was exactly what I needed at this point in my life. I was in a reading slump last month and needed a quick pick-me-up, that wasn't too heavy and this book did just that. I would recommend it to all of my thriller lovers who are looking for a quick read that will also give them a hell of a fun and crazy time!

Woah, okay! I wasn't sure at all what to expect from this novel, mostly because it's beloved on bookstagram and I haven't seen many bad reviews about this novel whatsoever and I gotta say, it did not disappoint. It was one hell of a rollercoaster ride and even when I felt like it was over, it revealed another humongous drop and it became clear that it wasn't. The shock factor is definitely at an all-time high with this one and it doesn't really take a break, like at all.

To begin with, No Exit is about a woman, Darby, who is driving home a long way to see her mother ,from college, because her mother is sick. However, she gets caught in a snowstorm and pulls over at a remote rest stop, where she finds a child locked in a cage, in a van. A lot of things happen after this and it's hard to ever be bored with this book because the pacing is on the faster side and the plot just keeps you guessing because nothing is as it seems in this story. I enjoyed the plot immensely, however it was a bit too much for me at times and I wish it would have slowed down sometimes, even if for just a second. I usually love fast paced thrillers, but this one felt a bit too fast paced for me and I felt like I didn't have even a moment to catch my breath because the action just kept coming. It definitely feels more like an action thriller than a mystery thriller, so if that's what you prefer I don't think you would be disappointed whatsoever.

Further on, the characterization was pretty spot on all throughout the book. Even though it was super fast paced, the author was still able to take us into the minds of the main characters and show us how they see the world. I would have liked to see a bit more into their souls but what we were given was amazing, especially given how much action was packed into this novel. I liked that all the characters had backgrounds and flaws and they all seemed like potentially real people to me. I felt like I could relate to certain aspects of most of the characters, which at least made me slightly care what would happen to them.

Finally, the writing style was precise and to the point, exactly as it should be in my opinion, especially in an action thriller. I was able to picture things as they were happening and could even get a sense of the setting surrounding them, so it was definitely a very atmospheric read and I enjoyed almost everything about it.

In conclusion, if you want a super fast paced, action thriller, then this one is definitely for you. For my personal preference it was a little too action packed and didn't have enough of the mystery aspect to it. I did, however, have no problems getting through this book because it's also packed with some intricately flawed characters and the writing just flows without any effort on the reader's part. Glad I finally got to this one!