Amy

Comfort re-read, just as good as it was 20 years ago.

Perfect.

Holy good god Britney, she has survived SO MUCH. Heartbreaking and rage inducing.

Felt like a middle grade novel, writing and plot wise, and not because of the topic. Terrible representation of the realities of foster care as well.

2.5...this draggggged for me. Nope.

4.5 - So well done on audio but didn't quite stick the landing.

This was quite good! Hoping it becomes a series

Covered some important topics but never went in depth on many of them. Heavy on facts, not as much commentary, which made this a rather boring reading experience for me. More religious themes than anticipated.

One dimensional characters, awkward and unrealistic dialogue.

3.75 - loved the GBBO inspired setting; but in some places the editing choices (or lack thereof?) were rather annoying.

Very fun.

3.75

Meh. If you've ever listened to a true crime podcast in your life you'll know exactly what is happening here by the end of the prologue.

Oof. I felt that TOO MUCH but what a great book. 4.5

I LOVE this series! So well done on audio.

2.5

I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I did Texas Gothic, which I loved. The Splendor Falls drags in places and I have to echo what a few other reviewers have said, way too much focus on the dog. Way, way too much. Having said that, however, I look forward to reading future books by the author.

3.5

A somewhat generous 3.

3.5...this was better than most in the genre, but I think this type of book just isn't for me anymore. I enjoy a puzzle being solved in a classic mystery or even procedural, but this “troubled family with endless secrets” trope is not my jam.

Gorgeously written but I do not recommend unless you feel like sobbing uncontrollably through the last 100 or so pages. This is why I do not read WWII books, important though it may be to recall the absolute horrors of this war. Quinn sugarcoats nothing yet still manages to infuse the whole story with a lightness that is hard to describe. The first half dragged a bit, 4.5.

4.5

2.5

More vibes than plot here but what a perfect book to read in the thick of autumn. First half is pretty slow but once things pick up it's quite a moody little mystery. A+ magical realism, makes me want to go watch Veronica Mars again (iykyk).

What the what. I borrowed this book book from the library because it is read by one of my favorite audiobook narrators and I generally enjoy the regency romance genre. However, this was batshit bonkers. Just ridiculous. I almost got permanently stuck in an eye roll Liz Lemon style listening to this. Skip it.