After her grandmother passes, Lena searches for financial comfort since her mother is medically unwell. She receives a letter offering more t3.5stars
After her grandmother passes, Lena searches for financial comfort since her mother is medically unwell. She receives a letter offering more than enough to provide the comfort she needs if she moves to Lakewood and submits herself to the Lakewood Project. Accepting, Lena finds herself as part of a human experiment group.
I enjoyed this debut young adult novel. It was a quick and easy read with a dark atmosphere. Lena's race and socioeconomic status were rightfully featured as doormat for the government's testing purposes. I kept wondering what was going to happen to Lena and the others that were part of the experiment group. There are a lot of unanswered questions for the greater half of the novel that build the readers suspense.
But at times it felt repetitive, and I just wanted the story to get on with it and progress. For example, the experiment group would do something they were told and the observers would watch what happened; this seemed to cycle around regularly for several chapters. The ending felt rushed for me. I didn't feel complete closure for the full character of Lena. It skipped over a lot of the emotional and intellectual depth that was disclosed at the beginning.
Various though-provoking topics and questions surfaced throughout the story as a result of Lena's background. What boundaries do humans have, and how do we set those boundaries? What are we willing to do to ensure the survival of our family and health insurance for ourselves and/or our loved ones? How do we justify the monetary value placed on someone else's life?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. Opinions are my own....more
Shayna goes to Paris after her sister is found dead. She reads a message in their secret twin language that she is really alive, so decWaste of time.
Shayna goes to Paris after her sister is found dead. She reads a message in their secret twin language that she is really alive, so decides to retrace the steps of her sisters last days to try and find her.
The story was underdeveloped and mystery was short lived. Ending predictable and it was slow to get there. There is little to no build up for the suspense; I was continuously bored and just wanted to just flip to the last few pages because everything in between was so pointless. The whole thing was just a poor quality mystery/suspense novel. The prose was absolutely ridiculous.
The main character, Shayna, is a pre-med student who is described as very intelligent in the beginning. Her character doesn't seem to maintain this intellectual trait throughout the mystery though.
Total disappointment. I kept reading hoping there might be a major surprise and revelation in the end but there wasn't. It was under 300 pages though, so I suffered through.
Not for me. When I came to rate this I was thinking about any redeeming qualities, but I couldn't really think of anything I liked except that it was over....more
In the first chapter, a scared woman that Morgan has never seen calls her by name and tells her to take care of her baby before jumping in front of a In the first chapter, a scared woman that Morgan has never seen calls her by name and tells her to take care of her baby before jumping in front of a train. What was the woman running from and why did she entrust her baby to Morgan? How did she know her name?
Chapters alternate between Morgan, in the present, and the baby's mother, Nicole, in the past. Nicole's situation as a new mother spotlights the reality of postpartum depression for women.
"Was this what motherhood felt like for everyone? A constant state of fear and panic?"
The overall situation and how things end up transpiring definitely seems implausible if you really think about it, but the suspense was so absorbing that I got caught up in all of it. Things were happening to Nicole that didn't add up, and I wanted to know the truth. The ending was a little over the top, but I was still turning those pages as fast as I could.
3.5 stars. This was a short and fast-paced read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance read copy. Opinions are my own....more
Audrey posts her move from New York to DC on her social media account for her millions of followers to view, like, and comment on. After her move, sheAudrey posts her move from New York to DC on her social media account for her millions of followers to view, like, and comment on. After her move, she notices someone is commenting very specific things on her posts that only someone following her would know. She starts hearing things outside her apartment. Things escalate. Who is following her? Wait, doesn't she want followers....?
Chapters alternate between Audrey, Cat, and Him. Audrey has the most chapters in the novel, and was certainly a naive and self-centered main character that I often rolled my eyes at. Her best friend, Cat, is an attorney in DC and is socially opposite of Audrey. "Him" is the stalker.
Suspense throughout the story involves “Him�. Trying to unearth the identity of the stalker “Him� is the guiding light behind the tension of the novel. (The relationship between Cat and Aubrey, their past relationships with boys, their time in college together, and the banter between them was a yawn for me.)
There is a good twist in the end, but the questions and purpose buried beneath the conclusion spotlighted the main objective. It's in the conclusion that the true essence of the novel is encapsulated, which made me really like it. Measuring accountability regarding social media is a subject of speculation that drives the novel home.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy. Opinions are my own....more
This is a light thriller. The first part, which is Part 1 for Brienne, moved slower than the rest of the novel. This first part last from 1%-41% (on aThis is a light thriller. The first part, which is Part 1 for Brienne, moved slower than the rest of the novel. This first part last from 1%-41% (on a Kindle) and caused the beginning to drag. It's her repeating constantly how she is scared and how she wants to confront the person who took her identity but never acts upon it...other than that she only talks about how she thinks her roommate is cute. So, that made it repetitive and draining. Also, there were several obvious clues dropped during that time that gave away the twist.
I liked the story okay, but I really had to suspend belief for the majority of it. There was quite a lot that was hard to believe. It is an easy read and okay if you are looking for something lighter and don't mind suspending belief....more
I went into this knowing little about it, which I think is the best way to go into most thrillers. There are twists along the way, and many of the chaI went into this knowing little about it, which I think is the best way to go into most thrillers. There are twists along the way, and many of the characters are unlikable. The beginning, when Marin's son goes missing, was very climactic. But shortly after the abduction scene, the remainder of the story mostly focuses on love affairs rather than the kidnapping and it lost much of its suspense for me at that point.
All that to say, go into this knowing the foundation is laid for a child abduction mystery...but then quickly detours and centers around adult love affairs. Though it heavily focuses on Marin's marriage, it is still a thriller because of the plot twists, tension between characters, and the anticipation that leads up to the ending.
It is definitely a quick and easy read. It didn't take me long to finish, and I liked it. But it isn't at the top of my list and is not one that I had to think hard about, nothing mind-blowing, or something I thought long about after. I can't say that I was completely shocked by the big twist at the end of the story. It was a good book, but not the whole package.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. Opinions are my own....more
3.5 stars Missing posters are hung around Atlantic city for a missing girl. Clara, a psychic, sees the missing girls face and feels as if she can help 3.5 stars Missing posters are hung around Atlantic city for a missing girl. Clara, a psychic, sees the missing girls face and feels as if she can help find her. Clara meets Lily while she working and begs her to help. But Lily has her own dark past. Will they find the missing girl or become victims themselves?
Chapters alternate between two main characters, Clara and Lily. Occasionally, a chapter will be from one of the bodies of the murdered victims (Jane Doe's). The writing style is opulent and the setting is well-developed because of the overgrown writing.
The story is heartbreaking. The victims voices are strong and reflect an image of their whole person as they lay dead in swamp blanketed in their afflictions. "It seems both cheap and dear, the price of freedom- twenty minutes with a man."
The progression was slow. I would read a bit and then put it down. It took a while to get from point A to point B; the goal being to find the missing women. For example, the evolution of Lily and Clara's relationship took center stage at one point for an extended period of time. If you like your mysteries fast paced, this probably isn't for you. If you like thought-provoking dialogue and contemplative situations, then you will probably enjoy this.
Something you might or might not be into: One of the main characters, Clara, sees visions throughout the novel. Her visions are a common occurrence and help piece together what happened to the women who were murdered.
There are several triggers in this novel including sexual torture, rape, and drug use.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions are my own....more
"Sins of our flesh become sins of hers through the Eating, praise be." After committing a crime, 14-year-old May is condemned to be a sin eater. Sh"Sins of our flesh become sins of hers through the Eating, praise be." After committing a crime, 14-year-old May is condemned to be a sin eater. She begins to follow the elder sin eater to learn her new job. While learning, a deer heart is placed at someone's Eating although the dead didn't confess to the sin that matches that food. May decides to discover the truth of the murder mystery, but she finds secrets, witchcraft, and lies along the way and her world is quickly and quietly turned upside down. "My soul carries the sins of this town. I'll carry them with me until I die."
Throughout the story, May examines her new purpose and evaluates her freedoms. She internally ponders the meaning of her identity: does the role of a sin eater define her? "I wish you could show folk your insides the way you show your face. Then they'd know I'm not wicked at all." I really enjoyed taking this journey with May. She was a very unique character, and it was both bleak and fun to be inside of her head.
Overall Thoughts: The 16th century setting was phenomenal. It was eerie, dark, and I was easily transported there. The ending was fantastic. I thought I had the mystery all figured out, but I was wrong! Of course, there are a couple of things you might figure out along the way, but the final twist at the end totally caught me off guard. The last two sentences were very emotional and I teared up. The character is unique and her burden as a sin-eater is interesting to follow. I love how May names the people that she encounters; she is a quirky character and I loved her. My only complaint is that in the middle it started to get repetitive with May going to someone's house who was dying, listening to their sins, and then eating the foods to carry on their sins for them. This made the pacing in the middle get a bit slow.
There are several old English words, so you might consider reading this on a Kindle to translate the words that are unfamiliar.
I recommend it to historical fiction lovers who don't mind imaginative elements. May was awesome and I miss her already. 4.5 stars This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley and Edelweiss for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
“Boady, the men who beat and murdered those people for all those years, do you think they simply disappeared because someone passed a law?�
An Afri“Boady, the men who beat and murdered those people for all those years, do you think they simply disappeared because someone passed a law?�
An African-American woman, Lida Poe, goes missing in the small town of Jessup, Missouri in the 70’s. The town is painted in racism and composed of prejudice beliefs. Growing up in Jessup, teenage Boady Sanden considers himself an average young man and doesn’t realize the segregation and discrimination until he befriends his new neighbors and sees the reaction from certain town members. Boady begins to recognize his own racial thoughts while he and his new friend, Thomas, get pulled into the middle of the Lida Poe murder case. Was there more to her murder case than what was being disclosed?
“You’ll never change what a person thinks in their head or what they feel in their heart by passing a law. If a man doesn’t want to look at who he is deep down, he’s not going to much care what the law says about it.�
I really loved the setting of the novel and watching Boady purge the racial stigmas that he had grown up hearing and believing. The friendship he creates with Thomas, his neighbor, was my favorite part of the novel. While the book obviously centers on overcoming prejudices in the 1970’s, the target for the reader is identifying and conquering our own prejudices, even including predispositions, whatever those might be.
The focus of the story isn’t the murder of Lida Poe, but her murder is used in the growth of the plot and character development. The story centers around Boady and his surroundings; like his peers in school who are blinded by racism and let those feelings drive their actions. The mystery of the murder is easy to figure out. But again, that is used as a backdrop to accelerate events.
**There is a lot of racial slander in this novel. Violence and hate crimes occur.**
I would rate this somewhere between 4-5 stars. It is not a solid 5 star book for me, but it is truly more than 4 stars.... I rounded up because of this. There are some great highlights along the way.
More: Pictured below is the face of young Emmett Till who is mentioned in the book a few times during the dialogue. Beaten, drowned, and then burned alive, [image]...more
The chapters are short and writing style is absorbing. It's a quick and easy read (under 300 pages). The chapters alternate between 3 characters, and The chapters are short and writing style is absorbing. It's a quick and easy read (under 300 pages). The chapters alternate between 3 characters, and are woven together towards the end as the mystery unravels.
I found myself suspending belief shortly into the story. But towards the middle and afterwards, I found so much unrealistic. I don't mind suspending belief to help carry a story here or there, but the main story itself seemed too over the top. The reality was not there. There is a small paranormal aspect that did not fit in well with the rest, and I did not understand what it had to do with the movement of the story or the finality of the plot.
3 stars because I liked it okay. It was a good-ish read. It's nothing that had me thinking about it after I was done, no big jaw-dropping moments, and probably nothing I will recommend as an omg you will not believe this thriller. It was fast paced, but not thrilling for me. It's a good read for vacation or by the pool.
Thank you to Random House-Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own....more
"If they didn't talk about the monsters in this world, then they wouldn't be ready for them when they jumped out from under the bed."
Chapters alte"If they didn't talk about the monsters in this world, then they wouldn't be ready for them when they jumped out from under the bed."
Chapters alternate between The Widow, Kate, and The Wife, Abby. Within the few first chapters, Kate's husband goes missing without a trace. She then finds out he quit his job months earlier without telling her and lied about the trip he was supposed to be on. Where is he? Why did he lie? What is he hiding?"...are some monsters better left hidden." Abby's chapters start off slower in the beginning. But then a something happens on the island she lives on and she notices that her husband starts to act different. Does he have something to do with Kate's husband's disappearance? What is he hiding?
As a reader, I kept trying to piece the connection together between the two of them (Kate and Abby). I had so many guesses. But when it hits you, it hits you HARD! O-m-g.
"What now? she thought. What the fuck now?"
The suspense was incredible and I could not put it down. This is not your average mystery/thriller; there is a powerful message buried in the end that surpasses just a thriller....and I recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own....more
"If it wasn't for you, I said, leaning in to whisper the words in his ear, I'd be dead."
A lot of twists and turns in The Other Mrs. takes readers on "If it wasn't for you, I said, leaning in to whisper the words in his ear, I'd be dead."
A lot of twists and turns in The Other Mrs. takes readers on a thrilling ride. Within the first three chapters, Sadie and her family move into her husband's sister's house in Maine to take guardianship of her husband's niece because his sister committed suicide. (Yes, they move into the house his sister killed herself in.) Sadie thinks about how her husband was having an affair back in Chicago and is grateful for the move, but then uneasiness creeps into her life as events begin to unfold. She wakes up in the morning to find the word "DIE" written on her car. They find out the neighbor has been murdered, a case is opened, and Sadie is on edge. ALL WITHIN THE FIRST 3 CHAPTERS!
I kept trying to figure this one out, but there were so many twists it really made me keep guessing. Did Sadie just black out?! What is up with her son's behavior? Did Sadie's husband murder their neighbor Morgan? Did Camille? Was he cheating again or was it Morgan's suspicious husband who killed her? Who the heck is Mouse...which girl is it?!?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
3.5 stars "By late morning, a mother and fathers faith that their child will turn up any moment has given way to terror." While on vacation on Sa3.5 stars "By late morning, a mother and fathers faith that their child will turn up any moment has given way to terror." While on vacation on Saint X, the body of young Alison is found dead. Several years later, her younger sister Claire is determined to find out what really happened to her sister Alison.
The first 36 pages are truly hard to get through because of the descriptions. These pages focus on what the island was like during the family's vacation on Saint X, and it was a tedious 36 pages that felt like 360 pages. But, if you can get through that...it gets better and the story takes off, though it does still contain countless descriptions and stories within stories throughout the novel. I started to get into the night Alison was killed, and continued reading. I was invested regardless of the wordy paragraphs and side-stories. I had to know what happened to Alison, how all the stories being revealed were connected, and find out the truth.
"She was what all the dead are: whatever the living make them."
The characters are what boosted this rating above a 3 star for me. If you decide to read this, I encourage you not to skim...though you might be tempted because of the extraneous elements. The insights and voices of the characters are worthwhile and perceptive. Most of the characters were not likable, yet their observations were penetrating, intuitive, and emotionally charged.
"Are the things out the van window poverty, or just people living their lives?"
Thank you to Celadon books for an advanced read copy. Opinions are my own....more
I really loved this one! I found both narrators so hard to trust, and as lies began to unfold the thrill of what was to come had me rapidly turning thI really loved this one! I found both narrators so hard to trust, and as lies began to unfold the thrill of what was to come had me rapidly turning the pages. Nearly every chapter revealed a new lie or added a new element to one of the characters that seemed to put a twist on things.
Who deserves a second chance? Does forgiveness come with limitations or should it be unconditional? Should mitigating factors be considered when speculating harmful behavior? The story starts out with Rose picking up her mom, Patty, from prison. Patty, imprisoned for aggravated child abuse of Rose, has caused a strain on their relationship and Rose's future to be thwarted. But, is Patty the only one to blame? Where do they go from here now that she is out from prison? And, is Rose willing to look past the years of abuse her from mother...?
The relationship between Rose and Patty is emotionally draining at times. Both characters are messy, and their story is not one that I would describe as a happy one. Rose's life in particular unveils the superficial mask that society often has, and we see her frequently hurt by others around her. Patty's background comes in bits and pieces, but also demonstrates a past reflecting a lifetime of pain.
I am not an expert on Munchausens syndrome, so I can't attest to the validity of this illness as it is presented in one of the characters. If you work in the medical field, you might find fault within this presentation and might take this into consideration.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. Opinions are my own....more
The plot synopsis provided for this novel is extremely accurate, so I will just be reviewing my likes, dislikes, and other thoughts.
I enjoyed the charThe plot synopsis provided for this novel is extremely accurate, so I will just be reviewing my likes, dislikes, and other thoughts.
I enjoyed the character of Rose: a yoga doing, meditating, mantra chanting, spunky step-grandmother. Her character was interesting, unique, and easy to relate to. Rose was simply awesome, and I love her! I also fell in love with her sister, Marion, and loved Marion’s character. On the other hand, most of the events that unfold are far-fetched, so you must read with an open mind. Too add to that statement, sometimes the action occurring in the scenes was hard to follow. I had to go back and re-read the page or paragraph and still didn’t comprehend the directional imagery occurring, meaning that some scenes I had a difficult time picturing in my mind because of enigmatic descriptions.
This book is filled with humor, but also serious topics. The humor lies within Rose herself; her take on things not as a senile old lady, but as person with a flamboyant and tickled personality. Though Rose’s humor will cause you to giggle, the sensitive situation that can occur in care units and nursing homes creates an atmosphere of unease and mystery for the reader.
The central theme focuses on ageism and the labyrinth of navigating the waters extended family. While at times I was concerned with Rose and her circumstances, other times I felt detached. It was entertaining, but not a spellbinding page turner. For me, the unique characters are what made this so enjoyable. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Neverra Barr for a copy. Opinions are my own.
Quotes to help you get to know Rose:
“The city of Charlotte must have and ordinance requiring homeowners to plant twenty percent of their land in Azaleas, Rose thinks."
“…I cannot tell you home much I have been craving a pair of good old cotton underpants.�
““We’ve all got it coming,� clint Eastwood says from some neglected corner of her cerebral cortex." ...more
This is a fast-paced thriller and I really enjoyed it. The beginning starts off strong with hard evidence proving Geo helped, in some way, with the muThis is a fast-paced thriller and I really enjoyed it. The beginning starts off strong with hard evidence proving Geo helped, in some way, with the murder her best friend. How would you be able to explain helping cover up the murder of your best friend fourteen years ago in high school after a party? With your boyfriend? Buried in your backyard? The body dismembered? The whole time I was trying to decide if I liked Geo or not, and what the motive was.
“It wasn’t just Angela who died that night. Part of Geo did, too, and she’s long suspected it was the best part of her.�
“Back and forth and back again, the saw tore her best friend open. She heard the moment when saw hit bone. It made a scraping sound.�
There are jail scenes, court room excitement, and teenage drama that all add up to a tangled network of secrets that lead to the truth of Angela’s murder. The truth isn’t fully revealed until the end; so, the reader must piece the entire story together page by page.
Since the murder of Geo’s best friend, Angela, happened in high school, all the flashbacks occur during their time as teenagers in high school. The attitudes, relationships, and choices made while teenagers were definitely reflective of their youth and development.
There were a few twists during the last half that made that portion more of a page turner. As you are getting to the end, more information is revealed that creates for a sobering ending. Although I was able to figure some things out, I wasn’t able predict everything. However, there were some things I felt seem far-fetched.
Within the first 30 or so pages there is a rape scene, and it will not be the last. There is a lot of sex and details regarding sex. Abusive relationships is also a notably detailed....more
I found this to a page-turner, for sure. I can’t say I was completely satisfied with the twists and turns since there weren’t but one or two until theI found this to a page-turner, for sure. I can’t say I was completely satisfied with the twists and turns since there weren’t but one or two until the end; however, I am not sure if the end would be classified as a twist or as termination. The reason why it’s a page turner is because it’s a very easy read, and the element of thrill is really drawn out the entire novel.
A lot of the thrill is clouded with sex and romance, so you must keep reading in order to unearth anything worth anticipating about the main mystery regarding Verity.
The first two pages start off super strong with blood everywhere and someone’s skull getting smashed. But it only lasts two pages and doesn’t have anything to do with the rest of the story.
I liked it, but I wouldn't read it again knowing what I know now. A good book for a sick day or rainy day in bed. I enjoyed the perspective of Verity, and wish more would have been from her than Lowen who is the narrator and main character....more
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