Lisa
This was a page turner. Very real, scary, and intense. It was very vivid and easy to picture the zoo, and I think this would be great as a short film or movie.
Loved the idea of the trials and rides in this book and how they related to personal struggles in Blake's life
Really wanted to like this one. I knew going into it that the action wasn't the main plot point; but I just didn't expect for it to end so soon. The home-invasion part was really good, but then most of the book was an investigation on proving the main character wasn't crazy for witnessing the events. The plot twist of the husband being dead got me, but that was it.I didn't like how none of the characters had names, and were just referred to as Mother, Daughter, Son, Husband, Father-in-Law, etc. A lot of this book was just slow and repetitive and boring. If the stakes were higher and we spent more time in the invasion, I would have liked it much more.
I knew it was political going into it, and that was definitely my least favorite part of the book and some of that went over my head. I liked the “am I crazy or is someone making me crazy” trope and this book reminded me of Verity mixed with Before I Go to Sleep. One twist got me good: I knew Whit was shady but I never would have expected Athena to be an FBI agent trying to bust Whit. I guess the red herring of her sabotaging Sloane worked on me! There were a few little minor twists that I didn't like as much I didn't like Rosemary's chapters at all and I did not care who was after her. That part could have been left off Good popcorn thriller!
This went on far too long, I think it would've had a bigger impact as a short story. I went into this blind and the reveal of the group being Satanists not Jesus followers was very effective. Following that, the reveal that Lucifer was her father was neat but expected. I also like how she was able to harm others by her mind powersOther than that, this book dragged, and all of that stuff happens fairly early throughout the middle of the book. The writing was good, just too drawn out.
I loved the beginning. It was so funny and smart and gave me The Good Place vibes. But I kept waiting the whole book for Peyote's path to cross with the Harrison family since we kept bouncing around reading multiple character POVs. Nothing really happened until the end, and even then it wasn't much. I didn't like Cal's side story about the farm. I think this book was too different and too smart for me because I really don't understand what happened. I'm so disappointed from how strong the beginning was!
Loved the style and hearing about 3 different women in Aiden's life. This reminded me a lot of Room. The only thing was that there was a lot of buildup and the big ending scene felt a little lackluster and rushed.
Beginning was good (except for similar reading characters) but then it felt repetitive. The reveal was too early and very anticlimactic. I hated how Avery was written. She felt like an old woman, not a 9 year old girl. It almost felt like the setup of an Orphan-like twist. The kidnapper's motive was dumb and she was such a random character, so there was no payoff.
Favorites were End of Liner and Copy Shop. I really liked the concept of these stories.
First quarter was good but it got really confusing. Not sure if I'm not smart enough to understand what happened, or if it was really just out of left field.
At first I thought the character exploration was interesting. It reminded me of Elon Hilderbrand in a way. However, nothing happened and I found myself just trying to finish
Love the cover, being stuck in the 90s and the mixed media. I wanted a little more thrill out of this though, it felt like I was missing something.
I am so disappointed. This is definitely my least favorite Emily Henry. I found it to be way too slow and very cheesy. I did not feel any emotion or connection to the characters at all. I didn't like the flashback chapters because I felt confused where they fit in in the story and they just felt disjointed. I think I would have rather done half the book as a part one “before” and the second when they reunite. Almost put it down at the halfway point but pushed through. People we Meet on Vacation will always be my favorite.
This book was a dream. Everything I love about a book: a list, small town, book about books, sister relationship, family dynamic, enemies-to-lovers, slow burn. Nora was such a relatable character and I absolutely loved the banter between her and Charlie. I loved Libby's character and her relationship with Nora as well as the flashbacks to their childhood with their mother. I loved the references to other books. I loved the character development and how every character was lovable. My favorite part was the small town feel. This book felt very Schitt's Creek with the small town vibes and my only critique is that I would have shortened some parts of it and put in more of the setting. The beginning was strong, but once we meet up with Charlie it all kind of moved to a back burner. Still didn't stop me from bawling my eyes out at the end.
This book was absolute perfection. The characters, the setting, the romance, the writing. I usually find romance novels cheesy and super unrelatable, and often find myself rolling my eyes. I loved every character in this book and they all felt so real. Their flaws and emotions made them so loveable. It really reminded me of my childhood and vacationing to the lake. I loved the nostalgia. I want a movie to see it in action, but worried it won't live up to the movie in my head while reading. This will forever be such a cherished book to me. I cannot believe this is a debut novel, this is the next Emily Henry. Phenomenal.
I thought this was really fun and bingeable. Rating got bumped down because some parts were super far-fetched (especially the ending) and only one twist grandpa being involvedsurprised me. But overall a solid YA thriller. It felt fun and fresh and not super juvenile. A rare find for me.
The beginning was great but the last 1/4 was not as good. Maybe I'd like it better on a second read. The beginning felt like a mix of hunger games and knives out. I love Greek mythology but I wish that the monster was a human/serial killer instead of a Minotaur. I also wish the theme park aspect was a little better. That's what I was most excited for!