en-US Sun, 02 Mar 2025 21:11:09 -0800 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 212421066
From the author of Reese’s Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller Wrong Place Wrong Time comes an addictive thriller about a new mother’s world upended when her husband commits a terrifying crime. How well does she truly know the man she loves? And what danger does she face if her entire life has been built on a lie?

It is June 21st, the longest day of the year, and new mother Camilla’s life is about to change forever. After months of maternity leave, she will drop her infant daughter off at daycare for the first time and return to her job as a literary agent. Finally. But, when she wakes, her husband Luke isn’t there, and in his place is a cryptic note.

Then it starts. Breaking news: there's a hostage situation developing in London. The police arrive, and tell her Luke is involved. But he isn't a hostage. Her husband—doting father, eternal optimist—is the gunman.

What she does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind that morning says...

Famous Last Words is the story of a crime, a marriage, and more secrets than Camilla ever could have imagined. This novel cements Gillian McAllister’s reputation as “the best at putting her characters in impossible situations and making her readers not only contemplate but feel what it would be like to find themselves in those situations.�� (Emily Henry)]]> 336 Gillian McAllister 0063338424 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.73 2025
author: Gillian McAllister
name: Evie
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2025
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/03/02
shelves: currently-reading
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]]> 8525590
When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?]]> 358 Lauren DeStefano 1442409053 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.81 2011
author: Lauren DeStefano
name: Evie
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2011
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/03/02
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 215003781
In 1943, when a frail old white woman shows up in Red Clay, Alabama, at the home of a Black former slave—on the morning following his funeral—his family hardly knows what to expect after she utters the words “�� a lifetime ago, my family owned yours.�� Adelaide Parker has a story to tell—one of ambition, betrayal, violence, and redemption—that shaped both the fate of her family and that of the late Felix H. Parker.

But there are gaps in her knowledge, and she’s come to Red Clay seeking answers from a family with whom she shares a name and a history that neither knows in full. In an epic saga that takes us from Red Clay to Paris, to the Côte d’Azur and New Orleans, human frailties are pushed to their limits as secrets are exposed and the line between good and evil becomes ever more difficult to discern. Red Clay is a tale that deftly lays bare the ugliness of slavery, the uncertainty of the final months of the Civil War, the optimism of Reconstruction, and the pain and frustration of Jim Crow.

With a vivid sense of place and a cast of memorable characters, Charles B. Fancher draws upon his own family history to weave a riveting tale of triumph over adversity, set against a backdrop of societal change and racial animus that reverberates in contemporary America. Through seasons of joy and unspeakable pain, Fancher delivers rich moments as allies become enemies, and enemies—to their great surprise—find new respect for each other.]]> 336 Charles B. Fancher Evie 5 4.43
author: Charles B. Fancher
name: Evie
average rating: 4.43
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/02
date added: 2025/03/02
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]]> 215815771 Rule One: Travel can only occur to a point within your lifetime.
Rule Two: You can only travel for ninety seconds.
Rule Three: You can only observe.
The rules cannot be broken.

In this riveting science fiction novel from acclaimed author Philip Fracassi, a scientist has unlocked the mysteries of time travel. This is not the story you think you know. And the rules are only the beginning.

Scientist Beth Darlow has discovered the unimaginable. She's built a machine that allows human consciousness to travel through time—to any point in the traveler's lifetime—and relive moments of their life. An impossible breakthrough, but it's not perfect: the traveler has no way to interact with the past. They can only observe.

After Beth's husband, Colson, the co-creator of the machine, dies in a tragic car accident, Beth is left to raise Isabella—their only daughter—and continue the work they started. Mired in grief and threatened by her ruthless CEO, Beth pushes herself to the limit to prove the value of her technology.

Then the impossible happens. Simply viewing personal history should not alter the present, but with each new observation she makes, her own timeline begins to warp.

As her reality constantly shifts, Beth must solve the puzzles of her past, even if it means forsaking her future.]]> 325 Philip Fracassi 0316572527 Evie 5 3.89 2025
author: Philip Fracassi
name: Evie
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/02
date added: 2025/03/02
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]]> 13086970 335 Jennifer Hillier 1451664540 Evie 0 to-read 3.84 2012
author: Jennifer Hillier
name: Evie
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 213243957 A riveting, eerie novel about two families caught up in a centuries-old curse.

Sarah Toomey is afraid she's losing her mind. Ever since her mother’s death, she's found herself acting upon strange urges, losing track of time, and coming to in odd places. There’s a dark force that seems to be haunting her, and leaving death in its wake.

Yvonne Howard has reinvented herself. After years of unhappiness as a guard in a women’s prison she’s finally pursuing her passion for cooking. But when an ex-inmate reaches out and asks her to investigate the inmate’s brother’s death, then ends up killed herself, Yvonne is pulled into the same dangerous world Sarah is inhabiting—a world of chaos, death, and a curse that dates back to the Civil War.]]> 288 Charlotte Carter 0593467280 Evie 5 3.77
author: Charlotte Carter
name: Evie
average rating: 3.77
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/19
date added: 2025/02/19
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]]> 217387739 From the bestselling author of If Something Happens to Me, comes one of the year’s most anticipated thrillers.

In the glow of their children’s exciting first year of college at a small private school in Northern California, five families plan on a night of dinner and cocktails for the opening festivities of Parents Weekend. As the parents stay out way past their bedtimes, their kids—five residents of Campisi Hall—never show up at dinner.

At first, everyone thinks that they’re just being college students, irresponsibly forgetting about the gathering or skipping out to go to a party. But as the hours click by and another night falls with not so much as a text from the students, panic ensues. Soon, the campus police call in reinforcements. Search parties are formed. Reporters swarm the small enclave. Rumors swirl and questions arise.

Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella—The Five, as the podcasters, bloggers, and TikTok sleuths call them—come from five very different families. What led them out on that fateful night? Could it be the sins of their mothers and fathers come to cause them peril or a threat to the friend group from within?

Told through multiple points of view in past and present—and marking the return of FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller from Every Last Fear and The Night Shift—Parents Weekend explores the weight of expectation, family dysfunction, and those exhilarating first days we all remember in the dorms when our friends become our family.]]> 320 Alex Finlay 1250360722 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.66 2025
author: Alex Finlay
name: Evie
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/15
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 32330132 Bestselling author Danielle Paige puts a dark spin on fairy godmothers in a new YA series for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Maleficent.

For centuries, the enchanted members of the Entente have worked in tandem with the Three Fates—the Present, the Past, and the Future—to maintain destiny across the Thirteen Queendoms. But when Queen Magrit learns of her untimely demise from Hecate, Fate of the Future, Magrit burns Hecate at the stake and decrees death to all Entente in order to live forever.

But some survive, including sixteen-year-old Farrow, who hatches a dangerous plan to seek revenge. Along the way, she finds herself falling for the one person who could ruin everything. With life and love hanging in the balance, she must decide who to trust and what’s most important: living in the past or forging a new future.

Bestselling author Danielle Paige launches a brand-new fairy godmother origin story full of intrigue, magic, and romance.]]> 384 Danielle Paige 152663645X Evie 0 3.69 2023
author: Danielle Paige
name: Evie
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at: 2025/02/15
date added: 2025/02/15
shelves:
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]]> 216497102 From a blistering new voice in dark literary fiction, an unsettling portrait of loneliness, obsession, and identity which asks: if a stranger was left alone in your house, how well could they truly get to know you—enough to fall in love with you?

Alice and Tom are made for each other. Deeply connected, they share a flat in London, go to galleries together, enjoy the same books and wine. They even share a toothbrush. It’s all picture perfect.

Except Alice and Tom have never met.

Alice has been cleaning Tom’s apartment every Wednesday for a year. With every smudge wiped from his coffee cup, every multivitamin counted in the jar, Alice spirals deeper into infatuation, imagining a love so powerful it might erase a lifetime of self-hatred and loneliness.

But as Alice prepares for the moment when she and Tom will finally meet face-to-face, she discovers that love might not be the cure she thought it was. Instead, their coming together sets off a chain of events that shatters everything Alice thought she knew and burns her world to the ground.

Told in Alice’s compelling, deliciously acidic voice, Creep is a literary study of unreliability and unlikability. Exploring alienation and loneliness, class and race, it's a skilled debut with resonance in the way that we view women, mental health, and the lost in society.]]> 256 Emma van Straaten 0063411016 Evie 4 3.55 2025
author: Emma van Straaten
name: Evie
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/13
date added: 2025/02/13
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]]> 220161389 A real-life Latin American haunted mansion. A murky labyrinth of family secrets. A young, aristocratic woman desperate to escape her past. This haunting debut gothic horror novel is perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic and The Shining.

In 1923 Soacha, Colombia, La Casona—an opulent mansion perched above the legendary Salto del Tequendama waterfall—was once home to Antonia and her family, who settle in despite their constant nightmares and the house’s malevolent spirit. But tragedy strikes when Antonia’s mother takes a fatal fall into El Salto and her father, consumed by grief, attempts to burn the house down with Antonia still inside.

Three years later, haunted by disturbing dreams and cryptic journal entries from her late mother, Antonia is drawn back to her childhood home when it is converted into a luxurious hotel. As Antonia confronts her fragmented memories and the dark history of the estate, she wrestles with unsettling questions she can no longer Was her mother’s death by her own hands, or was it by someone else’s?

In a riveting quest for answers, Antonia must navigate the shadows of La Casona, unearthing its darkest secrets and confronting a legacy that threatens to swallow her whole.]]> 256 Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro 1668062577 Evie 4 3.77 2025
author: Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro
name: Evie
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/08
date added: 2025/02/08
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]]> 211004133 The Shape of Water meets Mexican Gothic in this sapphic monster romance novella wrapped in gothic fantasy trappings

The old keeper of the keys is dead, and the creature who ate her is the volatile Lady of the Capricious House⁠―Anatema, an enormous humanoid spider with a taste for laudanum and human brides.

Dália, the old keeper’s protégée, must take up her duties, locking and unlocking the little drawers in which Anatema keeps her memories. And if she can unravel the crime that led to her predecessor's death, Dália might just be able to survive long enough to grow into her new role.

But there’s a gaping hole in Dália’s plan that she refuses to see: Anatema cannot resist a beautiful woman, and she eventually devours every single bride that crosses her path.]]> 128 Hache Pueyo 1250376637 Evie 5 3.90 2022
author: Hache Pueyo
name: Evie
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/06
date added: 2025/02/06
shelves:
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]]> 214152402 A moving story about two very different sisters, and a love letter to childhood, growing up, and the power of imagination—from the bestselling author of Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead and Interesting Facts About Space.

Sigrid hates working at the Dollar Pal but having always resisted the idea of growing up into the trappings of adulthood, she did not graduate high school, preferring to roam the streets of her small town with her best friend Greta, the only person in the world who ever understood her. Her older sister Margit is baffled and frustrated by Sigrid’s inability to conform to the expectations of polite society.

But Sigrid’s detachment veils a deeper turmoil and sensitivity. She’s haunted by the pains of her past—from pretending her parents were swamp monsters when they shook the floorboards with their violent arguments to grappling with losing Greta’s friendship to the opioid epidemic ravaging their town. As Margit sets out to understand Sigrid and the secrets she has hidden, both sisters, in their own time and way, discover that reigniting their shared childhood imagination is the only way forward.

What unfolds is an unforgettable story of two sisters finding their way back to each other, and a celebration of that transcendent, unshakable bond.]]> 256 Emily R. Austin 1668058146 Evie 5 4.08 2025
author: Emily R. Austin
name: Evie
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/06
date added: 2025/02/06
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]]> 214151513 A riveting literary page-turner that explores the extremes to which a family will go to protect their own—for fans of Miranda Cowley Heller and Laura Dave.

No one is more surprised than Hailey Gelman when she comes under suspicion for the murder of her soon-to-be ex-husband Jonah. Hailey—nicknamed Sunshine by her mother for her bright outlook and ever-present smile—is the peacemaker who has always tried to do what her family expects of her.

The months leading up to Jonah’s death have been fraught, including a bitter separation and a messy custody battle over their young daughter, Maya. When Hailey files a motion to relocate to Florida so she can be near her family, the divorce begins to escalate, drawing in all the members of Hailey’s family, who are determined to help her however they can.

Most invested is Sherry, Hailey’s mother who wants nothing more than to be close to her family. Then there’s Nate, Hailey’s devoted and protective older brother, as well as the patriarch, Solomon, who is keeping a secret of his own that threatens the stability and security Sherry has worked so hard to maintain. As the divorce spirals dangerously out of control, they are all forced to consider just how far they will go for each other.

Part gripping mystery, part compassionate family drama, We Would Never explores what people are capable of when they feel cornered, and how, in the absence of forgiveness, love and hate can intertwine and turn deadly.]]> 368 Tova Mirvis 1668061627 Evie 4 3.44 2025
author: Tova Mirvis
name: Evie
average rating: 3.44
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/04
date added: 2025/02/04
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]]> 207294198 The author of the “moving head-spinner of a novel�� (John Connolly) The Other Side of Night returns with a taut thriller following a desperate single father as he searches for the anonymous employer who hired him as a hitman.

Peyton Collard was a good man once, but his life changed after a horrific car accident. Divorced, drunk, and severely damaged, Peyton is offered a life-changing sum of money to kill an evil man. But as he goes on a vigilante journey that leaves a trail of bodies across California, Peyton wonders about the identity of his anonymous patron.

Soon, his questions become an obsession, and he embarks on a tense and potentially deadly investigation to discover the truth about the murders he’s committed.]]> 368 Adam Hamdy 1668031523 Evie 5 3.57 2024
author: Adam Hamdy
name: Evie
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/23
date added: 2025/01/23
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]]> 218362004 A young man who has improbably escaped death twice reveals his secret in a spine-tingling short story by New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill.

Martin Lorensen is a twenty-three-year-old counselor for disturbed teenagers. He’s bright, compassionate, attractive, and outgoing. He’s also—and this is the most interesting thing—not dead. Martin has improbably survived not one but two deadly disasters that claimed dozens of lives. The kid is riding one hell of a lucky streak. Two federal agents think there is something darker at play. Now that they’ve arranged to interview Martin, they want answers. Martin is ready to share everything he knows. One thing is for certain: when it comes to escaping death, luck doesn’t figure into it at all.]]> 29 Joe Hill 1662527942 Evie 5 4.23 2024
author: Joe Hill
name: Evie
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/23
date added: 2025/01/23
shelves:
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]]> 205064715 In this Southern gothic horror debut, a young Black woman abandons her life in 1960s Chicago for a position with a mysterious family in New Orleans, only to discover the dark truth. They’re under a curse, and they think she can break it.

In the fall of 1962, twenty-seven-year-old Jemma Barker is desperate to escape her life in Chicago—and the spirits she has always been able to see. When she receives an unexpected job offer from the Duchon family in New Orleans, she accepts, thinking it is her chance to start over.��

But Jemma discovers that the Duchon family isn’t what it seems. Light enough to pass as white, the Black family members look down on brown-skinned Jemma. Their tenuous hold on reality extends to all the members of their eccentric clan, from haughty grandmother Honorine to beautiful yet inscrutable cousin Fosette.��And soon the shocking truth comes The Duchons are under a curse. And they think Jemma has the power to break it.

As Jemma wrestles with the gift she’s run from all her life, she unravels deeper and more disturbing secrets about the mysterious Duchons. Secrets that stretch back over a century. Secrets that bind her to their fate if she fails.]]> 384 Del Sandeen 0593639529 Evie 5 3.62 2024
author: Del Sandeen
name: Evie
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/23
date added: 2025/01/23
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]]> 212294435 A murderess becomes the guardian of two very unusual girls in this mesmerizing gothic novel from acclaimed author Camilla Bruce.

Clara Woods is a killer—and perfectly fine with it, too. So what if she takes a couple of lives to make her own��a little bit better? At the bottom of her garden is a flowerbed, long overgrown, where her late husband rests in peace—or so she always thought.

Then the girls arrive.

Lily and Violet are her nieces,��recently orphaned after their affluent parents died on an ill-fated anniversary trip. In accordance with their parents' will, the sisters are to go to their closest relative—who just so happens to be Clara.��Despite having no interest in children, Clara agrees to take them, hoping to get her hands on some of the girls' assets—not just to bolster her dwindling fortune, but also to establish what she hopes will be her legacy: a line of diamond jewelry.

There's only one problem. Violet can see the dead man at the bottom of the garden. She can see all of Clara's ghosts…and��call them back into existence. Soon Clara is plagued by her victims��and at war with the gifted girls in her care. Lily and Violet have become a liability—and know far more than they should…]]> 368 Camilla Bruce 059372495X Evie 4 3.51 2025
author: Camilla Bruce
name: Evie
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/23
date added: 2025/01/23
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]]> 219378529
Sabrina, the self-proclaimed queen of the West Village, feels destined for greatness. While her three best friends have each settled into their careers, she’s still working odd jobs to stay afloat. She dreams of channeling her immense creative potential into…something. So she decides to do what no twenty-something has ever done before—start a podcast.

She has a knack for giving good advice (even if she can’t follow it herself), and as her show gains a following, she gets a taste of the internet stardom she’s always dreamed of. Meanwhile, her offline life is falling apart: her dad won’t help her pay rent for much longer; her elusive finance bro crush is always just out of reach; even her best friends can’t stand by her increasingly chaotic and narcissistic behavior, especially when she uses their real personal issues as juicy material for the show.

Will her newfound fans see the cracks in her Instagram-worthy facade? Or is she so delusional that this just might work?

Told with the same unique blend of wit, theatrical style, and acute emotional honesty that make her TikTok videos so wildly popular, Sabrina Brier’s That Friend explores painfully relatable relationship dynamics, and what it means to be young and fabulous in New York City. Her most ambitious project yet, Sabrina’s audio debut is a celebration of female friendship and an unforgettable listening experience.]]> Sabrina Brier 179717746X Evie 4 3.31
author: Sabrina Brier
name: Evie
average rating: 3.31
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/23
date added: 2025/01/23
shelves:
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]]> 212806636 A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this epic saga of love, faith, and defiance from the bestselling author of Sam.

Heir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian—an enigmatic and volatile man—spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. Isolated and afraid, Marguerite befriends her guardian’s servant and the two develop an intense attraction. But when their relationship is discovered, they are brutally punished and abandoned on a small island with no hope for rescue.

Once a child of privilege who dressed in gowns and laced pearls in her hair, Marguerite finds herself at the mercy of nature. As the weather turns, blanketing the island in ice, she discovers a faith she’d never before needed.

Inspired by the real life of a sixteenth-century heroine, Isola is the timeless story of a woman fighting for survival.]]> 368 Allegra Goodman 0593730089 Evie 5 4.02 2025
author: Allegra Goodman
name: Evie
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/23
date added: 2025/01/23
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]]> 204232555
However, Ell finds that being royalty comes with its own problems. Bayard’s sister, the princess, has gone missing. The king is preparing for war against the fae. And Maxim, Bayard’s treacherous (and handsome) best friend, appears to know Ell is lying.

If Ell wants to keep this life she’s stolen, she’s going to have to roll up her sleeves and rescue herself.]]> 384 Christine Calella Evie 5
It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a YA fairytale retelling this much. I tend to gravitate toward the darker versions of classic tales, and Calella’s take on the Cinderella story offers a compelling dark underbelly. I wouldn’t say it’s very dark, but certain aspects—like the abuse Ell suffers from her stepmother and stepsisters, and the cruelty depicted throughout—set a more serious tone for this book.

Then there's Ell’s character study. She is not the fearful, amiable Cinderella we are used to. She’s strong-willed, thirsts for vengeance, and is desperate to change her circumstances. She’s not above lying and manipulating to get her way. I wouldn’t go as far as to call her morally gray, but she’s definitely a realistically depicted character who is done being the doormat of the household. I absolutely LOVED this aspect of the book.

I also loved how Christine Calella made everything make sense. I’ve always wondered—why the slipper? If the prince truly fell in love at the ball, why can’t he simply recognize the girl by her face? Everything is explained in a unique and believable way!

Liar's Kingdom is a YA retelling that is just as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, with underlying themes of abuse, forgiveness, and how certain people don’t deserve it. I was emotionally invested in the story and thoroughly enjoyed Ell's strong, hot-headed character.]]> 3.99 2025
author: Christine Calella
name: Evie
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/11
date added: 2025/01/14
shelves:
review:
Ever wonder what happens after the fairytales you’ve read reach their happy endings? Do the characters truly live happily ever after? Liar's Kingdom is a fresh and satisfying retelling of Cinderella, featuring a fierce heroine at the forefront and a uniquely imagined fantasy world at its core. The story picks up right where Cinderella’s tale ends—at the moment when the prince finds the match for the crystal slipper. The only problem is... while the shoe fits, the girl is not at all the one who attended the ball.

It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a YA fairytale retelling this much. I tend to gravitate toward the darker versions of classic tales, and Calella’s take on the Cinderella story offers a compelling dark underbelly. I wouldn’t say it’s very dark, but certain aspects—like the abuse Ell suffers from her stepmother and stepsisters, and the cruelty depicted throughout—set a more serious tone for this book.

Then there's Ell’s character study. She is not the fearful, amiable Cinderella we are used to. She’s strong-willed, thirsts for vengeance, and is desperate to change her circumstances. She’s not above lying and manipulating to get her way. I wouldn’t go as far as to call her morally gray, but she’s definitely a realistically depicted character who is done being the doormat of the household. I absolutely LOVED this aspect of the book.

I also loved how Christine Calella made everything make sense. I’ve always wondered—why the slipper? If the prince truly fell in love at the ball, why can’t he simply recognize the girl by her face? Everything is explained in a unique and believable way!

Liar's Kingdom is a YA retelling that is just as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, with underlying themes of abuse, forgiveness, and how certain people don’t deserve it. I was emotionally invested in the story and thoroughly enjoyed Ell's strong, hot-headed character.
]]> 211004908 Practical Magic meets Gone Girl in Ava Morgyn's next dark, spellbinding novel about a woman who is more than a witch - she's a hunter. Piers Corbin has always had an affinity for poisonous things - plants and men. From the pokeweed berries she consumed at age five that led to the accidental death of a stranger, to the husband whose dark proclivities have become�� concerning, poison has been at the heart of her story. But when she fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her volatile marriage and goes to stay with her estranged great aunt in the mountains, she realizes her predilection is more than a hunger - it’s a birthright. Piers comes from a long line of poison eaters - Bane Witches �� women who ingest deadly plants and use their magic to rid the world of evil men. Piers sets out to earn her place in her family’s gritty but distinguished legacy, all while working at her Aunt Myrtle’s cafe and perpetuating a flirtation with the local, well-meaning sheriff to allay his suspicions on the body count she’s been leaving in her wake. But soon she catches the attention of someone else, a serial killer operating in the area. And that only means one thing - it’s time to feed. In Ava Morgyn’s dark, thrilling novel, The Bane Witch, a very little poison can do a world of good.]]> 384 Ava Morgyn 1250835453 Evie 5
Throughout her life, Piers had been drawn to deadly and dangerous things—from berries and mushrooms steeped in poison to vicious, controlling men. In fact, she married a man just like that, and when we meet Piers for the first time, she's putting a complex escape plan into action: she fakes her own death and leaves her old life behind. Determined to start fresh, she hitches a ride to the small mountain town of Syracuse, hoping to find her aunt Myrtle and a place to stay. But wherever Piers goes, trouble seems to follow. And the truth she's about to uncover about herself and her past will change her life forever. She is, after all, a poison eater—a Bane witch—and a descendant of a long line of man-killing, powerful women. (Don't worry, though, they only kill the ones who deserve it.)

Words cannot express how much I absolutely loved this book. Every sentence, every powerful passage, every rage-soaked page. Ava Morgyn delivered a magical and atmospheric female rage story that hit all the marks for me. From Piers' incredible character arc to the underlying message of female empowerment, everything about this book spoke to me. Reminiscent of Practical Magic and Female of the Species, The Bane Witch is a beautifully written and memorable tale of found family, sisterhood, legacy, and vengeance.

Piers is probably one of my favorite literary characters ever. Her growth and journey of self-discovery were immensely satisfying to witness. She struggles to accept her legacy and grapples with feelings of guilt, questioning the moral aspects of what she's born to do. In the end, though, it is clear that the only way to bring justice is to be both the judge and the executioner. It isn't ideal, it isn't socially acceptable, it's 100% criminal in the eyes of the law, but it is oftentimes necessary.]]> 4.09 2025
author: Ava Morgyn
name: Evie
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/10
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves:
review:
"A very little poison can do a world of good."

Throughout her life, Piers had been drawn to deadly and dangerous things—from berries and mushrooms steeped in poison to vicious, controlling men. In fact, she married a man just like that, and when we meet Piers for the first time, she's putting a complex escape plan into action: she fakes her own death and leaves her old life behind. Determined to start fresh, she hitches a ride to the small mountain town of Syracuse, hoping to find her aunt Myrtle and a place to stay. But wherever Piers goes, trouble seems to follow. And the truth she's about to uncover about herself and her past will change her life forever. She is, after all, a poison eater—a Bane witch—and a descendant of a long line of man-killing, powerful women. (Don't worry, though, they only kill the ones who deserve it.)

Words cannot express how much I absolutely loved this book. Every sentence, every powerful passage, every rage-soaked page. Ava Morgyn delivered a magical and atmospheric female rage story that hit all the marks for me. From Piers' incredible character arc to the underlying message of female empowerment, everything about this book spoke to me. Reminiscent of Practical Magic and Female of the Species, The Bane Witch is a beautifully written and memorable tale of found family, sisterhood, legacy, and vengeance.

Piers is probably one of my favorite literary characters ever. Her growth and journey of self-discovery were immensely satisfying to witness. She struggles to accept her legacy and grapples with feelings of guilt, questioning the moral aspects of what she's born to do. In the end, though, it is clear that the only way to bring justice is to be both the judge and the executioner. It isn't ideal, it isn't socially acceptable, it's 100% criminal in the eyes of the law, but it is oftentimes necessary.
]]> 195945937 Hell of a Book.

For best friends with vastly different fortunes, what’s left to hash out other than a forced confession at gunpoint? All that the destitute, sickly, and grieving Will demands is that monstrously successful Barry admit to draining all the luck right out of him. Like blood. As the standoff escalates, the truth is not the only thing ready to come out.

Jason Mott’s 'Best of Luck' is part of Creature Feature, a collection of devilishly creepy stories that tingle the spine and twist the mind. They can be read or listened to in one petrifying sitting.]]> 29 Jason Mott 1662516711 Evie 5 3.74 2023
author: Jason Mott
name: Evie
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/06
date added: 2025/01/06
shelves:
review:

]]> 210906882 From Eric LaRocca—Bram Stoker Award–nominated and Splatterpunk Award–winning author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke—c�dz���� At Dark, I Become Loathsome, a grim yet gentle, horrifying yet hopeful, intense tale of death, trauma, and love.

“If you’re reading this, you’ve likely thought that the world would be a better place without you.��

A single line of text, glowing in the darkness of the internet. Written by Ashley Lutin, who has often thought the same—and worse—in the years since his wife died and his young son disappeared. But the peace of the grave is not for him—it’s for those he can help. Ashley has constructed a peculiar ritual for those whose desire to die is at war with their yearning to live a better life.

Struggling to overcome his own endless grief, one night Ashley finds connection with Jinx—a potential candidate for Ashley’s next ritual—who spins a tale both revolting and fascinating. Thus begins a relationship that traps the two men in an ever-tightening spiral of painful revelations, where long-hidden secrets are dragged, kicking and screaming, into the light.

Only through pain can we find healing. Only through death can we find new life.]]> 178 Eric LaRocca Evie 5 3.36 2025
author: Eric LaRocca
name: Evie
average rating: 3.36
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/05
date added: 2025/01/05
shelves:
review:

]]> 195945776 The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. Marcus grew up believing his father killed his mother—then blamed it on the boogeyman under the bed. Always leave the lights on, his father warned, or the boogeyman will get you. Marcus still heeds the superstition, especially when he invites his new girlfriend over.

Is Marcus haunted by a creature or has he just inherited his father’s murderous delusions? The night will tell.

Grady Hendrix’s 'Ankle Snatcher' is part of Creature Feature, a collection of devilishly creepy stories that tingle the spine and twist the mind. They can be read or listened to in one petrifying sitting.]]> 29 Grady Hendrix 166251705X Evie 5 3.71 2023
author: Grady Hendrix
name: Evie
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/04
date added: 2025/01/04
shelves:
review:

]]> 215003810
She thought she had the perfect life �� until she met a stranger in paradise.

Laura Phillips always wanted to travel the world but was too afraid to go it alone. So when her new boyfriend, Dave, invites her on a romantic getaway to the remote island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, she jumps at the chance.

As soon as they arrive at the Pink Sands resort, Laura and Dave are handed cocktails garnished with umbrellas and led to a luxurious suite. It’s a lovers�� paradise. But when they head down to the pristine beach, Laura notices an oddity among the sunbathing couples: a woman vacationing alone. Intrigued, Laura befriends the woman, Diana, and as they spend time together, Laura finds herself telling Diana secrets she’s never shared with anyone.

But when Diana unexpectedly disappears, Laura suddenly realizes how little she knows about this mysterious woman.

The police suspect Diana may be in danger, and soon Laura herself becomes embroiled in the investigation. Her worries swiftly turn into obsession: Who is Diana? Where did she go? Is she dead? Murdered? As Laura races to find out what happened—and prove her own innocence—she quickly realizes that nothing in this sun-soaked paradise is what it seems, and it’s impossible to know who she can trust. What started out as a dream getaway is turning into a terrifying nightmare …]]> 256 Sandra Chwialkowska Evie 4 3.06 2025
author: Sandra Chwialkowska
name: Evie
average rating: 3.06
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/04
date added: 2025/01/04
shelves:
review:

]]> 204640265 From Vulture's "master of horror" Clay McLeod Chapman, a relentless and emotionally charged social horror novel about a family on the run from a demonic possession epidemic that spreads through media, for fans of The Last of Us and When Evil Lurks

Noah Fairchild has been losing his formerly polite Southern parents to far-right cable news for years, so when his mother leaves him a voicemail warning him that the “Great Reawakening�� is here, he assumes it’s related to one of the many conspiracy theories she believes in. But when his own phone calls go unanswered, Noah makes the long drive from Brooklyn to Richmond, Virginia. There, he discovers his childhood home in shambles, a fridge full of spoiled food, and his parents locked in a terrifying trance-like state in front of the TV. Panicked, Noah attempts to snap them out of it and get medical help.

Then Noah’s mother brutally attacks him.

But Noah isn’t the only person to be attacked by a loved one. Families across the country are tearing each other apart-–literally-–as people succumb to a form of possession that gets worse the more time they spend watching particular channels, using certain apps, or visiting certain websites. In Noah’s Richmond-based family, only he and his young nephew Marcus are unaffected. Together, they must race back to the safe haven of Brooklyn��-but can they make it before they fall prey to the violent hordes?

This ambitious, searing novel from "one of horror's modern masters" holds a mirror to our divided nation, and will shake readers to the core.]]> 384 Clay McLeod Chapman Evie 5 3.40 2025
author: Clay McLeod Chapman
name: Evie
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/04
date added: 2025/01/04
shelves:
review:

]]> 61440438 NSK Neustadt Laureate and New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith delivers a thrilling cross-genre follow-up to the acclaimed Hearts Unbroken.

Deftly leading readers to the literary crossroads of contemporary realism and haunting mystery, Cynthia Leitich Smith revisits the world of her American Indian Youth Literature Award winner Hearts Unbroken. Halloween is near, and Hughie Wolfe is volunteering at a new rural attraction: Harvest House. He’s excited to take part in the fun, spooky show—until he learns that an actor playing the vengeful spirit of an “Indian maiden,�� a ghost inspired by local legend, will headline. Folklore aside, unusual things have been happening at night at the crossroads near Harvest House. A creepy man is stalking teenage girls and young women, particularly Indigenous women; dogs are fretful and on edge; and wild animals are behaving strangely. While Hughie weighs how and when to speak up about the bigoted legend, he and his friends begin to investigate the crossroads and whether it might be haunted after all. As Moon rises on All Hallow’s Eve, will they be able to protect themselves and their community? Gripping and evocative, Harvest House showcases a versatile storyteller at her spooky, unsettling best.]]> 320 Cynthia Leitich Smith 153621860X Evie 5
Hughie is vocal about the harm and hurt caused by these stereotypes and bravely addresses his concerns with his teacher. For example, the teacher is eager to feature the ghost of an Indigenous American girl as part of the haunted house setup, unaware of how harmful this stereotype is. The “haunted Indian burial ground�� trope is one of the most overused and harmful stereotypes in literature and movies. For further insight, I highly recommend Nick Medina’s “Indian Burial Ground�� and his interviews exploring this issue.

But I digress. The mystery at the heart of this story is compelling. Decades ago, a young Indigenous woman went missing at the crossroads. More recently, another young woman was attacked there. Strange phenomena, often involving oddly behaving animals, also occur at this exact spot.

As the story unfolds, we follow Hughie’s journey to uncover the mystery of the crossroads, interspersed with first-person glimpses from Celeste, the spirit of a girl who disappeared there years ago. The family dynamics are beautifully depicted—I especially appreciated the bond Hughie shares with his relatives.

Overall, this is a well-plotted and meaningful read. It’s not a horror story but rather a contemporary YA novel with elements of mystery.]]> 3.64 2023
author: Cynthia Leitich Smith
name: Evie
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/30
date added: 2025/01/01
shelves:
review:
“Harvest House�� follows Hughie Wolfe as he investigates mysterious and unsettling events unfolding at the crossroads near the haunted house attraction where he is volunteering. The haunted house event is a fundraiser, and Hughie gets involved after the fall school play is canceled. While helping his teacher curate and prepare the attractions, Hughie confronts multiple microaggressions against Indigenous people, often stemming from ignorance and a dismissive “it’s not that big of a deal�� attitude.

Hughie is vocal about the harm and hurt caused by these stereotypes and bravely addresses his concerns with his teacher. For example, the teacher is eager to feature the ghost of an Indigenous American girl as part of the haunted house setup, unaware of how harmful this stereotype is. The “haunted Indian burial ground�� trope is one of the most overused and harmful stereotypes in literature and movies. For further insight, I highly recommend Nick Medina’s “Indian Burial Ground�� and his interviews exploring this issue.

But I digress. The mystery at the heart of this story is compelling. Decades ago, a young Indigenous woman went missing at the crossroads. More recently, another young woman was attacked there. Strange phenomena, often involving oddly behaving animals, also occur at this exact spot.

As the story unfolds, we follow Hughie’s journey to uncover the mystery of the crossroads, interspersed with first-person glimpses from Celeste, the spirit of a girl who disappeared there years ago. The family dynamics are beautifully depicted—I especially appreciated the bond Hughie shares with his relatives.

Overall, this is a well-plotted and meaningful read. It’s not a horror story but rather a contemporary YA novel with elements of mystery.
]]> 216971219 A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.

Five high school friends are bonded by an oath to protect one another no matter what.

Then, on a camping trip in the middle of the forest, they find something a mysterious staircase to nowhere.

One friend walks up—and never comes back down. Then the staircase disappears.

Twenty years later, the staircase has reappeared. Now the group returns to find the lost boy—and what lies beyond the staircase in the woods. . . .]]> 400 Chuck Wendig 0593156560 Evie 5 3.90 2025
author: Chuck Wendig
name: Evie
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/01
date added: 2025/01/01
shelves:
review:
Thanks for that ending, Chuck.
]]> 195945770 The Cabin at the End of the World and The Beast You Are.

Journalist Heidi Cohen is in Cape Cod investigating the sources of recurring toxic algae blooms along the coast. A local named Jimmy has his own theory for her. Every year the fetid growth gets worse—but it’s been going on longer than anyone knows. Decades ago, something happened to Jimmy that he’s never forgotten. Is Heidi ready for the real story?

Paul Tremblay’s 'In Bloom' is part of Creature Feature, a collection of devilishly creepy stories that tingle the spine and twist the mind. They can be read or listened to in one petrifying sitting.]]> 35 Paul Tremblay 1662516908 Evie 5 3.05 2023
author: Paul Tremblay
name: Evie
average rating: 3.05
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/25
date added: 2024/12/25
shelves:
review:

]]> 199698485 When a teenager vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp, two worlds collide

Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.

As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.]]> 490 Liz Moore Evie 0 currently-reading 4.16 2024
author: Liz Moore
name: Evie
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/23
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 1661957
She can't tell anybody about what she does they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant.]]> 210 Lisa McMann 1416953574 Evie 3 3.77 2008
author: Lisa McMann
name: Evie
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 2024/12/23
date added: 2024/12/23
shelves:
review:

]]> 123829966 The legend of Bigfoot gets a bone-chilling update in this scary story about a young girl and her scout troop who are willing to brave the woods to find her missing friend when no one else will. Perfect for fans of Daka Hermon and Claribel A. Ortega!

The wilderness is in Jenna’s blood. Her Pap was the first Black park ranger at Sturbridge Reservation, and she practically knows the Owlet Survival Handbook by heart. But she’s never encountered a creature like the one that took her best friend Reese. Her parents don’t believe her; the police are worthless, following the wrong leads; and the media isn’t connecting the dots between Reese’s disappearance and a string of other attacks. Determined to save her friend, Jenna joins a new local scout troop, and ventures back into the woods.

When the troop stumbles across suspicious huge human-like footprints near the camp, scratch marks on trees, and ominous sounds from the woods, Jenna worries that whatever took Reese is back to take her too. Can she trust her new scout leader? And will her new friend Norrie—who makes her laugh and reminds her so much of Reese—believe her?

After the unthinkable happens, the scouts, armed with their wits and toiletries, band together to fight the monster and survive the night.]]> 240 Ally Russell 0593646975 Evie 4 4.05 2024
author: Ally Russell
name: Evie
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/23
date added: 2024/12/23
shelves:
review:

]]> 195945795
Willy and Marianne’s farmhouse in Maine has acres of meadow and fresh air, and a lonesome bridle path in the forest along which Willy daydreams and ambles. When he’s loaned a decrepit old baby stroller to cart his groceries home, the rickety squeak of the wheels comforts him. So do the sweet coos of a baby Willy knows can’t be real. Can it? In this twisted thicket, wishes come true—with a price.

Joe Hill’s The Pram is part of Creature Feature, a collection of devilishly creepy stories that tingle the spine and twist the mind. They can be read or listened to in one petrifying sitting.]]> 58 Joe Hill 1662516894 Evie 5 3.75 2023
author: Joe Hill
name: Evie
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/22
date added: 2024/12/22
shelves:
review:
Hands down, one of the spookiest, eeriest, creepiest horror shorts I’ve read!
]]> 204820050
Love, be it wild or tender, often defies logic. In fact, at times, the only rationale behind the instant connection of two souls is plain magic.

Bibiña Aranda, runaway bride, wakes up in the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao still wearing her wedding dress, draped in the loving arms of a naked man whose name she doesn’t know. She and the man with no clothes, Indar Zubieta, attempt to explain to the authorities how they got there. It’s a story of love at first sight and experience beyond compare, one that involves a dreamlike journey through the museum.

But the lovers�� transcendent night bears no resemblance to the crude one Detective Larramendi attempts to reconstruct. And no amount of fantastical descriptions can convince the irritated inspector of the truth.

Allende’s dreamy short story has the power to transport readers in any language, leaving them to ponder the wonders of love long after the story’s over.]]> 25 Isabel Allende 1662522622 Evie 5 3.47 2024
author: Isabel Allende
name: Evie
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/20
date added: 2024/12/20
shelves:
review:

]]> 207297957
Matt Rife is well aware that he’s both the most loved and the most controversial comic in America today. And honestly, he thinks that’s your problem.

Matt reveals (without apology, of course) what led him to becoming comedy’s biggest lightning rod before he reached thirty, in a story full of bold and hysterical takes on everything from Justin Bieber tramp stamps and rap battles with ex-cons to Matt’s struggles with depression and his many brushes with failure before finally hitting it big.

Born in trashy backwoods Ohio, Matt was saved by his foul-mouthed but loving grandpa Steve, who fostered his passion for standup. He started hitting comedy clubs before he could even drink, cutting his teeth in front of crowds who dared him to succeed. Matt honed a brand of razor-sharp, brutally honest standup that took no prisoners—and took him to the most famous stages of Atlanta and LA before he graduated high school. Along the way, he broke the hearts of MILFs everywhere, finally hit puberty at the ripe age of twenty-two, and never, ever backed down.

Full of Matt opening up, at his unfiltered best, about his life for the very first time, this book will give his millions of fans everything they want and more—and might even get his insecure enemies to change their minds.]]> 272 Matt Rife 1668060418 Evie 3 3.84
author: Matt Rife
name: Evie
average rating: 3.84
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/12/20
date added: 2024/12/20
shelves:
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]]> 199346768 Most fairytales end with a wedding and a happily-ever-after—but this is no fairytale. The updated and official translation of Under the Oak Tree, the #1 webnovel on MANTA.

Lady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rarely allowed outside her family’s sprawling castle for fear that her stutter will tarnish their noble name. When she is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, Maxi doesn’t dare hope for happiness, let alone love. Her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin, and Riftan leaves without a word the morning after their vows are exchanged.

Now, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. To Maxi’s surprise, despite rumors that he was offered marriage to Princess Agnes, a beautiful and renowned sorceress, Riftan still wants Maxi for his wife. And when he comes to claim her, his longing becomes a desire that bewilders Maxi, even as she is overcome by the scorching heat that Riftan’s presence ignites within her. As she learns to navigate the intricacies of her new life, Maxi will find herself and her courage, and discover that she is anything but powerless.

This volume collects chapters 1-76 of the original webnovel by Suji Kim.]]> 496 Suji Kim 0593871197 Evie 2 3.71 2024
author: Suji Kim
name: Evie
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2024/12/20
date added: 2024/12/20
shelves:
review:
Using SA for shock value and then letting it go unchallenged and unaddressed was kind of
]]> 205481844 72 Laurence Whistler 1771966394 Evie 4 3.17
author: Laurence Whistler
name: Evie
average rating: 3.17
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/20
date added: 2024/12/20
shelves:
review:

]]> 58724802 Things We Do in the Dark is a brilliant new thriller from Jennifer Hillier, the award-winning author of the breakout novels Little Secrets and Jar of Hearts. Paris Peralta is suspected of killing her celebrity husband, and her long-hidden past now threatens to destroy her future.

When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she'll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.

Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she's unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.

Because the only thing worse than a murder charge are two murder charges.]]> 352 Jennifer Hillier 1250763169 Evie 4 3.93 2022
author: Jennifer Hillier
name: Evie
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/19
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves:
review:

]]> 203363313 54 Marie Aitchison Evie 5 3.47
author: Marie Aitchison
name: Evie
average rating: 3.47
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/01
date added: 2024/12/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 207294117
Settling back into his childhood home and doing some renovations in the backyard to make the house feel like his own, Matt, a young up-and-coming chef and restaurateur, stumbles upon a locked crate he’s never seen before. Curious, he picks the padlock and makes a discovery so gruesome it will forever haunt him�� Faced with this deep dark family secret, Matt must decide whether to keep what he knows buried in the past, go to the police, or take matters into his own hands.

Meanwhile Matt’s girlfriend, Sam, has always suspected that her mother was murdered by the Beacon Hill Butcher—two years after the supposed Butcher was gunned down. As she pursues leads that will prove her right, Sam heads right into the path of Matt’s terrible secret.]]> 352 Jennifer Hillier 1668063212 Evie 5 4.06 2014
author: Jennifer Hillier
name: Evie
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/28
date added: 2024/11/28
shelves:
review:

]]> 24447531 A terrifying e-novella from the bestselling author of Within These Walls, Brother, and The Bird Eater!New York, 1977. The sweltering height of the Summer of Sam. The entire city is gripped with fear, but all Nell Sullivan worries about is whether or not she’ll ever make a friend. The self-proclaimed “Plain Jane�� does her best to fit in with the girls at work, but Nell’s brother, Barrett, assures her that she’ll never be like them. When Nell manages to finally garner some much-yearned-for attention, the unthinkable happens to her newfound friend. The office pool blames Son of Sam, but Nell knows the awful truth…because doing the devil’s work is easy when there’s already a serial killer on the loose.]]> 149 Ania Ahlborn Evie 5 3.47 2015
author: Ania Ahlborn
name: Evie
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/25
date added: 2024/11/25
shelves:
review:

]]> 203019740 From the New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End comes a soaring thriller and an epic love story that spans decades.

1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Mohammed Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.

When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy with one eye, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.

Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.

A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession, and the blinding light of hope.]]> 608 Chris Whitaker 0593798872 Evie 5 4.24 2024
author: Chris Whitaker
name: Evie
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/25
date added: 2024/11/25
shelves:
review:

]]> 207294741 A group of students encounter a supernatural terror while on a road trip through Appalachia in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the “unforgettable and scary�� (Harlan Coben) Chasing the Boogeyman. 1983: Three students from a small college embark on a week-long road trip to film a documentary on roadside memorials for their American Studies class. The project starts out as a fun adventure with long stretches of empty road and nightly campfires where they begin to open up with one another. But as they venture deeper into the Appalachian backwoods, the atmosphere begins to darken. They notice more and more of the memorials feature a strange, unsettling symbol hinting at a sinister secret. Paranoia sets in when it appears they are being followed. Their vehicle is tampered with overnight and some of the locals appear to be anything but welcoming. Before long, the students can’t help but wonder if these roadside deaths were really random accidents…or is something terrifying at work here?]]> 480 Richard Chizmar 1668009196 Evie 5 3.75 2024
author: Richard Chizmar
name: Evie
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/25
date added: 2024/11/25
shelves:
review:

]]> 205481852 75 L.P. Hartley 1771966386 Evie 5 3.41
author: L.P. Hartley
name: Evie
average rating: 3.41
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/23
date added: 2024/11/23
shelves:
review:

]]> 203578889
It's been months since horror author Penelope Skinner threw a book at Neil Storm. But he was so infuriating, with his sparkling green eyes and his bestselling horror novels that claimed to break Native stereotypes. And now she’s a publishing pariah and hasn’t been able to write a word since. So when her friend invites her on a too-good-to-be-true writers retreat in a supposedly haunted Scottish castle, she seizes the opportunity. Of course, some things really are too good to be true.

Neil wants nothing less than to be trapped in a castle with the frustratingly adorable woman who threw a book at him. She drew blood! Worse still, she unleashed a serious case of self-doubt! Neil is terrified to write another bestselling “book without a soul,�� as Pen called it. All Neil wants is to find inspiration, while completely avoiding her.

But as the retreat begins, Pen and Neil are stunned to find themselves trapped in a real-life ghost story. Even more horrifying, they’re stuck together and a truly shocking (extremely hot) almost-kiss has left them rethinking their feelings, and�� maybe they shouldn’t have been enemies at all? But if they can’t stop the ghosts pursuing them, they may never have the chance to find out.

Full of spooky chills and even more sexy thrills, If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens is the funny, fast-paced romp romance readers have been waiting for!]]> 320 Colby Wilkens 1250292905 Evie 0 2.73 2024
author: Colby Wilkens
name: Evie
average rating: 2.73
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at: 2024/11/13
date added: 2024/11/13
shelves:
review:

]]> 10595576 A rash of bizarre murders swept the country��
Senseless. Brutal. Seemingly unconnected.
A cop walked into a nursing home and unloaded his weapons on elderly and staff alike.
A mass of school shootings.
Prison riots of unprecedented brutality.
Mind-boggling acts of violence in every state.

4 D A Y S A G O
The murders increased ten-fold��

3 D A Y S A G O
The President addressed the nation and begged for calm and peace��

2 D A Y S A G O
The killers began to mobilize��

Y E S T E R D A Y
All the power went out��

T O N I G H T
They’re reading the names of those to be killed on the Emergency Broadcast System. You are listening over the battery-powered radio on your kitchen table, and they’ve just read yours.

Your name is Jack Colclough. You have a wife, a daughter, and a young son. You live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. People are coming to your house to kill you and your family. You don’t know why, but you don’t have time to think about that any more.

You only have time to��.

R U N

This 80,000-word novel also contains a bonus interview with Blake, and excerpts from his other work.]]> 331 Blake Crouch Evie 4 3.80 2011
author: Blake Crouch
name: Evie
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/10
date added: 2024/11/10
shelves:
review:

]]> 199927770
mother is a work rooted in an intimate an Indigenous child is adopted out of her tribe and raised by a non-Indian family. As an adult finding her way back to her origins, our unnamed narrator begins to put the pieces of her birth family's history together through the stories told to her by her mother, father, sister, and brother, all of whom remained on the reservation where she was born. Through oral histories, family lore, and imagined pasts and futures, a collage of their community builds, raising profound questions about adoption, inheritance, and Indigenous identity in America.

Through poetic vignettes whose unconventional forms mirror the nonlinear, patchwork process of constructing a sense of self, m.s. RedCherries has crafted an indelible and utterly original work about the winding roads that lead us home.]]> 144 M.S. RedCherries 0143137832 Evie 5 4.24
author: M.S. RedCherries
name: Evie
average rating: 4.24
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/10
date added: 2024/11/10
shelves:
review:

]]> 215768198
The Fae are real—this is a fact that Aisling Morrow has believed with varying degrees of certainty since she was a child. Her late mother’s accounts of their beauty still linger in her mind, but always with the caveat: Do not involve yourself uninvited with matters of the Fae. Aisling has no plans to do so—until she discovers an arcane prophecy which names her the Red Woman, destined to turn the tides of war in the realm of Wyldraíocht by ensuring the fall of the Unseelie Court.

On a quest to understand her role, Aisling ventures into Wyldraíocht. Except Fae prophecies aren’t so easily interpreted, and she is soon ensnared in a dangerous web of political machinations, opposing religions, and dark magic—at the center of which stands the fierce and vengeful Unseelie King.

King Kael Ardhen, a vessel for raw power bestowed upon him by an eldritch god, is consumed by his own unbridled rage—a rage which he would not hesitate to turn on the human woman prophesied to destroy his court. Yet something about the way Aisling calls to his shadows draws him in, at once both granting him control over his violent magic and inviting him to relinquish control over his guarded heart.

As unsettling truths about the world her mother so loved challenge Aisling’s convictions and call into question the true purpose of the Red Woman, the Veil between realms grows ever weaker with the echoes of war. Soon, the crueler sorts of Fae will no longer be confined to Wyldraíocht. With time running out to protect those she loves, Aisling finds herself at the crossroads of fate and choice—and the ultimate price of peace may demand more than she is willing to pay.]]> 506 Fern A. Ellis Evie 0 currently-reading 4.14 2024
author: Fern A. Ellis
name: Evie
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/05
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 204316865 A Hitchcock fanatic with an agenda invites old friends for a weekend stay at his secluded themed hotel in this fiendishly clever, suspenseful new novel.

Alfred Smettle is not your average Hitchcock fan. He is the founder, owner, and manager of The Hitchcock Hotel, a sprawling Victorian house in the White Mountains dedicated to the Master of Suspense. There, Alfred offers his guests round-the-clock film screenings, movie props and memorabilia in every room, plus an aviary with fifty crows.

To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, he invites his former best friends from his college Film Club for a reunion. He hasn’t spoken to any of them in sixteen years, not after what happened.

But who better than them to appreciate Alfred’s creation? And to help him finish it.

After all, no Hitchcock set is complete without a body.]]> 352 Stephanie Wrobel 059354711X Evie 5 3.57 2024
author: Stephanie Wrobel
name: Evie
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/04
date added: 2024/11/04
shelves:
review:

]]> 205064706 A mother must fight for her daughter’s life in this fierce and haunting tale of witchcraft and revenge from the author of A Haunting in the Arctic.

Clem gets a call that is every mother’s worst nightmare. Her nineteen-year-old daughter Erin is unconscious in the hospital after a hiking trip with her friends on the remote Orkney Islands that met a horrifying end, leaving her boyfriend dead and her best friend missing. When Erin wakes, she doesn’t recognize her mother. And she doesn’t answer to her name, but insists she is someone named Nyx.

Clem travels the site of her daughter’s accident, determined to find out what happened to her. The answer may lie in a dark secret in the history of the Orkneys: a woman wrongly accused of witchcraft and murder four centuries ago. Clem begins to wonder if Erin’s strange behavior is a symptom of a broken mind, or the effects of an ancient curse?]]> 365 C.J. Cooke 059381696X Evie 5 3.74 2024
author: C.J. Cooke
name: Evie
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/29
date added: 2024/10/29
shelves:
review:

]]> 220450038
The New York Times bestselling author of The Next Mrs. Parrish delivers another spellbinding story of betrayal and deceit in this audiobook original, Everybody Is a Liar.

When Julie Buckley, a successful mystery writer, suspects her husband of cheating, she turns to her best friend, Darby, for advice. When Darby suggests couples therapy, Julie and Oliver find themselves discussing Oliver’s betrayal with their new therapist, Liza. Liza is competent and reassuring, and her advice and Oliver’s openness to change seem to be helping the couple rebuild their relationship.

But when murder strikes in this small Connecticut town, Liza begins to worry there is a connection between Oliver and another one of her patients and the confidences they have shared with her become the key to solving the murder. As Liza digs deeper, she comes to believe that everybody is a liar.]]> Liv Constantine Evie 5 3.62
author: Liv Constantine
name: Evie
average rating: 3.62
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/23
date added: 2024/10/23
shelves:
review:

]]> 206180583 In this highly atmospheric thriller from the Bram Stoker Award–nominated author of The Violence, a young woman hopes to reinvent herself at an isolated artists�� colony . . . only to be drawn into its dark, twisted past.

Sarah Carpenter is starting over.

She’s on the run—leaving behind her unsupportive, narcissistic ex-boyfriend and alcoholic, abusive mother—and headed for a new beginning at Tranquil Falls, a secluded artists�� colony on the grounds of a closed hotel. There, with no cell signal or internet to distract her, she hopes to rediscover her love for pottery and put the broken pieces of her life back together.

But when Sarah uncovers the body of a young woman while digging a hole for a pit kiln, things start to fall apart. Her fellow artists begin to act in troubling ways. The eccentric fiber artist knits an endless scarf. The musician plays the same carousel song over and over until his fingers bleed. The calligrapher grins with ink-stained teeth. Not to mention the haunting dreams Sarah has night after night.

When she discovers glass shards in her clay, Sarah wonders if someone is out to get her—or if she’s losing her grip on reality out here in the wilds, where the pounding of the waterfall never, ever fades. As she investigates the beautiful valley and the crumbling resort looming over them all, she unearths a chilling past that refuses to remain buried . . .]]> 368 Delilah S. Dawson 059315665X Evie 0 currently-reading 3.63 2024
author: Delilah S. Dawson
name: Evie
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/23
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 151221365 Kill Creek author and Kansas native Scott Thomas takes a hatchet to the idyllic tropes of the American heartland.

In The Door in the Field, Thomas follows a quarrelsome construction worker named Rayland Allen, whose bad day becomes a far worse night when drinks at an off-the-books establishment deep in the woods set Ray down an unforeseeably bloody path.

In The Boy in the Woods, Thomas follows young Eddie Reicher, who lingers a day too long at summer camp as unholy terror creeps in. Something evil has infected the counselors. And Eddie will have to do everything he can―even kill―if he hopes to survive the night.

In One Half of a Child’s Face, Thomas follows the recently divorced Sienna Franklin. Spying on her son and ex-husband, she notices an odd painting hanging on the wall of an adjacent apartment. Over the course of the next few days, Sienna will watch with growing horror as the children in the apartment building begin to gather before the painting as if called to it.

With this collection, Thomas digs his hands into the soil of the American heartland and establishes himself as the master of Midwestern Gothic.]]> 440 Scott Thomas 1950301710 Evie 5 It's been a long time since I've read a gothic novella (or a novel) that felt this fresh, gritty and compelling.

Midwestern Gothic is a collection of 4 novellas set in Blantonville, Kansas, which also happens to be the setting of Kill Creek. I mention that as a fun tidbit for those who enjoy books set in one location and expanding on one fictional universe. Personally, I love those.

The four stories we get here are: The Door in the Field, The Boy in the Woods, One Half of a Child's Face and Wear Your Secret Like a Stone. All of them have something very different to offer and each one packs a strong punch in its own way. From a night out with the boss gone completely wrong in the most unhinged way, to a summer camp nightmare and a censorship story that leads one retail worker on a terrifying journey to unearth the town's dark past, I have devoured each meaty, dark, unsettling piece like my life depended on it.

Scott's writing is what really did it for me. He has a way with words that is beautiful and scary at the same time, and it really grabs you by the throat. If I had to name my favorite story, I would likely say The Boy in the Woods, for I love a good campy slasher that doesn't shy away from gory descriptions. I had so much fun with that one! But honestly, there is something here for everyone. From cosmic horror, folk tales, campfire thrills to the darkness of human psyche. With beautifully fleshed out, complex characters and thick gothic atmosphere, this is one of the best books I've read this year. ]]> 3.92 2024
author: Scott Thomas
name: Evie
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/10/22
shelves:
review:
I have officially discovered a new favorite author to obsess over.
It's been a long time since I've read a gothic novella (or a novel) that felt this fresh, gritty and compelling.

Midwestern Gothic is a collection of 4 novellas set in Blantonville, Kansas, which also happens to be the setting of Kill Creek. I mention that as a fun tidbit for those who enjoy books set in one location and expanding on one fictional universe. Personally, I love those.

The four stories we get here are: The Door in the Field, The Boy in the Woods, One Half of a Child's Face and Wear Your Secret Like a Stone. All of them have something very different to offer and each one packs a strong punch in its own way. From a night out with the boss gone completely wrong in the most unhinged way, to a summer camp nightmare and a censorship story that leads one retail worker on a terrifying journey to unearth the town's dark past, I have devoured each meaty, dark, unsettling piece like my life depended on it.

Scott's writing is what really did it for me. He has a way with words that is beautiful and scary at the same time, and it really grabs you by the throat. If I had to name my favorite story, I would likely say The Boy in the Woods, for I love a good campy slasher that doesn't shy away from gory descriptions. I had so much fun with that one! But honestly, there is something here for everyone. From cosmic horror, folk tales, campfire thrills to the darkness of human psyche. With beautifully fleshed out, complex characters and thick gothic atmosphere, this is one of the best books I've read this year.
]]> 208430624
There’s only one thing that dulls the pressure: alcohol. Vodka, beer, peppermint schnapps—alcohol smooths the sharp edges of Bella’s life. And what’s the big deal? Everyone drinks. Besides, Bella can stop whenever she wants. But after she gets blackout drunk at a Thanksgiving party and wakes up in the hospital, it’s time to face reality. And for Bella, reality means rehab.]]> 464 Kathleen Glasgow 0525708081 Evie 0 currently-reading 4.32 2024
author: Kathleen Glasgow
name: Evie
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/09
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 203579112
When Mina encounters a stranger near her home, she fears the worst - for she knows the figure is not what it seems. Soon, people she has encountered start to disappear.

Mina knows the Watchers' power is growing. She flees for her life, but when she reports her fears she finds her sanity questioned. Can she convince people that the Watchers are real, and ready to strike - or will she suffer the fate she has dreaded since she first encountered those malevolent beings?

A chilling modern twist on the Gothic horror novel, perfect for fans of Kealan Patrick Burke, T. Kingfisher and classic horror.]]> 320 A.M. Shine 180454793X Evie 5 3.90 2024
author: A.M. Shine
name: Evie
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/09
date added: 2024/10/09
shelves:
review:
First book was excellent and one of my favorite books last year. The second book is much different in that it’s not contained to one specific locations and no rule following will keep you safe. There is no safe, there is just pure terror of the monster following you out into the open and hunting you. I thought this was brilliant! Can’t wait for book #3!
]]> 199797559 The national bestselling author of #HorrorBookTok sensation The Troop returns with a heart-pounding novel of terror about a young woman searching for her missing friend and uncovering a shocking truth.

On a sunny morning in June, Margaret Carpenter wakes up to find a new iPhone on her doorstep. She switches it on to find a text from her best friend, Charity Atwater. The problem is, Charity’s been missing for over a month. Most people in town—even the police—think she’s dead.

Margaret and Charity have been lifelong friends. They share everything, know the most intimate details about one another…but Charity carries a secret that even she is unaware of. A secret engraved into her DNA helix. For Charity is also known Subject Six, the crown jewel of Project Athena—a clandestine and unorthodox gene manipulation experiment, the brainchild of tech titan Rudyard Crate. And when Charity’s gene sequencing actualizes during a traumatic event at a high school party, it sets in motion a chain of events that will end in tragedy, bloodshed, and death.

And now Charity wants Margaret to know her story—the real story. In a narrative that takes place over one feverish day, Margaret follows a series of increasingly dreadful breadcrumbs as she forges deeper into the mystery of her best friend—a person she never truly knew at all…]]> 384 Nick Cutter 1668020971 Evie 5
Margaret wakes up one day to find a package with a brand new iPhone on her doorstep. There is a text message from her best friend, Charity, on the phone. The thing is, Charity has been missing for a long time now and she’s presumed dead. She’s also the center product of a gene manipulating experiment and when her gene sequencing gets triggered by a traumatic event at school, all hell breaks loose.

With echos of The Fly and Frankenstein, Cutter’s latest addition to the horror genre is dizzyingly terrifying, gross, disturbing and downright repugnant in parts. It’s not for everyone, heck it’s probably not for most, but Cutters constant readers will definitely enjoy this one. I liked the Troop, I liked the Deep even more and I loved The Handyman’s Method, but the Queen seems like a step up from all of these. He got the complexities and challenges of teenage relationships just right, and he got the scientific bug parts even better.

Now, about the audiobook.
The cast did a great job bringing the characters to life with their voices. The text messages (Pikachu) sounds grew more sinister with every ping. And I loved the articles and newspaper snippets included at the end. They wrapped up the story so well and made for a satisfying look-back at the crazy events.

Overall, if you are not squeamish and you are looking for a scary book to add to your spooky seasonal reading, you shouldn’t skip this one. It’s not just a horror story either, but an in-depth look at human psyche, grief and more.

]]> 3.57 2024
author: Nick Cutter
name: Evie
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/17
date added: 2024/09/30
shelves:
review:
Set to release October 31st 2024, The Queen is a brutal fever nightmare that unfolds over the span of one day. Body horror, sci fi elements, a coming of age story - this horror novel has it all. Gene manipulation gone wrong, mad scientist playing god and two lifelong friends at the center of it all.

Margaret wakes up one day to find a package with a brand new iPhone on her doorstep. There is a text message from her best friend, Charity, on the phone. The thing is, Charity has been missing for a long time now and she’s presumed dead. She’s also the center product of a gene manipulating experiment and when her gene sequencing gets triggered by a traumatic event at school, all hell breaks loose.

With echos of The Fly and Frankenstein, Cutter’s latest addition to the horror genre is dizzyingly terrifying, gross, disturbing and downright repugnant in parts. It’s not for everyone, heck it’s probably not for most, but Cutters constant readers will definitely enjoy this one. I liked the Troop, I liked the Deep even more and I loved The Handyman’s Method, but the Queen seems like a step up from all of these. He got the complexities and challenges of teenage relationships just right, and he got the scientific bug parts even better.

Now, about the audiobook.
The cast did a great job bringing the characters to life with their voices. The text messages (Pikachu) sounds grew more sinister with every ping. And I loved the articles and newspaper snippets included at the end. They wrapped up the story so well and made for a satisfying look-back at the crazy events.

Overall, if you are not squeamish and you are looking for a scary book to add to your spooky seasonal reading, you shouldn’t skip this one. It’s not just a horror story either, but an in-depth look at human psyche, grief and more.


]]> 62562898 464 Amie Kaufman 0593479289 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.88 2023
author: Amie Kaufman
name: Evie
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/28
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 207293713 An all-girls school is struck with mysterious cases of screaming hysteria in this chilling dark academia thriller haunted by a deeply buried history clawing to the light.

For over a hundred years, girls have fought to attend St. Bernadette’s, with its reputation for shaping only the best and brightest young women.

Unfortunately, there is also the screaming.

When a student begins to scream in the middle of class, a chain reaction starts that impacts the entire school. By the end of the day, seventeen girls are affected—along with St. Bernadette’s stellar reputation.

Khadijah’s got her own scars to tend to, and watching her friends succumb to hysteria only rips apart wounds she’d rather keep closed. But when her sister falls to the screams, Khad knows she’s the only one who can save her.

Rachel has always been far too occupied trying to reconcile her overbearing mother’s expectations with her own secret ambitions to pay attention to school antics. But just as Rachel finds her voice, it turns into screams.

Together, the two girls find themselves digging deeper into the school’s dark history, hunting for the truth. Little do they know that a specter lurks in the darkness, watching, waiting, and hungry for its next victim…]]> 352 Hanna Alkaf 1534494588 Evie 5 3.62 2024
author: Hanna Alkaf
name: Evie
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/28
date added: 2024/09/28
shelves:
review:

]]> 23666091
Once the Fog started rising, the earth was covered with a deadly white mist until nothing remained but the mountaintops. Now humanity clings to its highest peaks, called the Rooftop, where the wealthy Five Families rule over the lower slopes and floating junkyards.

Thirteen-year-old Chess and his friends Hazel, Bea, and Swedish sail their rickety air raft over the deadly Fog, scavenging the ruins for anything they can sell to survive. But now survival isn't enough. They must risk everything to get to the miraculous city of Port Oro, the only place where their beloved Mrs. E can be cured of fogsickness. Yet the ruthless Lord Kodoc is hot on their trail, for Chess has a precious secret, one that Kodoc is desperate to use against him. Now Chess will face any danger to protect his friends, even if it means confronting what he fears the most.]]> 336 Joel N. Ross 0062352962 Evie 4 2015, adventure, middle-grade
I went into this book thinking this will be something along the lines of The Maze Runner, only instead of the maze we'd have the fog. I thought the majority of the plot would be spent in the fog, but though the lead character is a fog diver, he spends very little time actually diving in the fog (we're talking maybe 10 pages total). I kind of had this idea that this book would be about exploring the fog, fighting the dangers lurking inside it, maybe getting trapped down in the fog covered areas and racing against time, trying to stay alive. I don't really know what I imagined exactly *shrugs*, but it definitely wasn't what I got. The majority of the plot plays out while the characters are flying around on their air-raft, trying to escape mutineers and lord Kodoc, or get from one point to another.

Chess is a freak. He was born in a cage, down in the fog, and he has one fog-filled eye to always remind him of the fact. The fog is actually not just some meteorological anomaly, it's a cloud of nanites, designed to fix the smog covering the Earth. These nanites were meant to heal the Earth and keep it clean, but they took the cleaning process to a whole new level,deciding that the human race is the source and cause of pollution, and, therefore, humans have to be kept out. The fog attacked humans, killing millions and driving the rest of them up to the highest peaks of Earth, where they were forced to live above the fog level. Chess and his crew are scavengers, searching the fog for anything that could be salvaged and then sold (usually for food and clothing). Chess is, of course, the diver. He is the one who goes all the way down to look for anything valuable. His nanite-filled freak-eye somehow protects him from the fog-sickness.

As it turns out, his "freakiness" is no accident. He was "made" this way by lord Kodoc, who wanted someone he could use to find the machines that control the fog. Because, if you control the fog, you control the world. And now Kodoc is after Chess.

This was a good story that moved along at a nice, even pace. I thought Chess was an interesting character and the supporting cast was strong,too. I liked the diversity and how each of them was so unique. Chess is only 12, which supports my theory that this is most likely a middle grade novel (GR doesn't specify the age level, I initially made the assumption that this was a YA novel, but the writing is more fitting for Middle Grade crowd).

It's most definitely an entertaining story, filled with good-natured humor (lots of little pop culture anecdotes that will make you chuckle), amusing dialogues, fast-moving action and mostly unexpected twists. I think it's a great book for young boys, particularly those who happen to be reluctant readers. The writing is easy to absorb, mostly dialogue-based and it should keep them captivated. It was a little bit too immature for me, but I still enjoyed it quite a lot.

]]> 4.27 2015
author: Joel N. Ross
name: Evie
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2014/11/24
date added: 2024/09/28
shelves: 2015, adventure, middle-grade
review:
First off, I have to say that I expected something entirely different from what The Fog Diver ultimately turned out to be.

I went into this book thinking this will be something along the lines of The Maze Runner, only instead of the maze we'd have the fog. I thought the majority of the plot would be spent in the fog, but though the lead character is a fog diver, he spends very little time actually diving in the fog (we're talking maybe 10 pages total). I kind of had this idea that this book would be about exploring the fog, fighting the dangers lurking inside it, maybe getting trapped down in the fog covered areas and racing against time, trying to stay alive. I don't really know what I imagined exactly *shrugs*, but it definitely wasn't what I got. The majority of the plot plays out while the characters are flying around on their air-raft, trying to escape mutineers and lord Kodoc, or get from one point to another.

Chess is a freak. He was born in a cage, down in the fog, and he has one fog-filled eye to always remind him of the fact. The fog is actually not just some meteorological anomaly, it's a cloud of nanites, designed to fix the smog covering the Earth. These nanites were meant to heal the Earth and keep it clean, but they took the cleaning process to a whole new level,deciding that the human race is the source and cause of pollution, and, therefore, humans have to be kept out. The fog attacked humans, killing millions and driving the rest of them up to the highest peaks of Earth, where they were forced to live above the fog level. Chess and his crew are scavengers, searching the fog for anything that could be salvaged and then sold (usually for food and clothing). Chess is, of course, the diver. He is the one who goes all the way down to look for anything valuable. His nanite-filled freak-eye somehow protects him from the fog-sickness.

As it turns out, his "freakiness" is no accident. He was "made" this way by lord Kodoc, who wanted someone he could use to find the machines that control the fog. Because, if you control the fog, you control the world. And now Kodoc is after Chess.

This was a good story that moved along at a nice, even pace. I thought Chess was an interesting character and the supporting cast was strong,too. I liked the diversity and how each of them was so unique. Chess is only 12, which supports my theory that this is most likely a middle grade novel (GR doesn't specify the age level, I initially made the assumption that this was a YA novel, but the writing is more fitting for Middle Grade crowd).

It's most definitely an entertaining story, filled with good-natured humor (lots of little pop culture anecdotes that will make you chuckle), amusing dialogues, fast-moving action and mostly unexpected twists. I think it's a great book for young boys, particularly those who happen to be reluctant readers. The writing is easy to absorb, mostly dialogue-based and it should keep them captivated. It was a little bit too immature for me, but I still enjoyed it quite a lot.


]]> 207294178 A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child in this richly imagined and empowering story of motherhood, magic, and legacy in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and La Hacienda.

If you call to the witches, they will come.

1943, El Paso, teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.

In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.]]> 288 Luis Jaramillo 1668033216 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.49 2024
author: Luis Jaramillo
name: Evie
average rating: 3.49
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/24
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 202775007 A young woman gets her dream job working for a famous designer—and discovers the dark side of the glamorous world of fashion—in this gorgeously sinister novel of supernatural suspense.

Fashion-obsessed Samara finally has the life she’s always dreamed of: a high-powered job with legendary designer Antonio Mota. A new home in sunny California, far away from those drab Jersey winters. And an intriguing love interest, Brandon, a wealthy investor in Mota’s fashion line.

But it’s not long before Samara’s dream life begins to turn into a living nightmare, as Mota’s big fashion show approaches and the pressure on Samara turns crushing. Perhaps that’s why Samara begins hearing voices in the dark in her room at night—and seeing strange things that can’t be explained away by stress and anxiety, or by the number of drinks she consumes every night.

And it may not only be Samara’s unraveling psyche, because she soon discovers hints that her new city—and the house of Mota—may have been built on a foundation of secrets and lies. Now Samara must uncover what hideous truths lurk in the shadows of this illusory world of glamor and beauty, before those shadows claim her…]]> 240 Lilliam Rivera 0593600479 Evie 5 3.18 2024
author: Lilliam Rivera
name: Evie
average rating: 3.18
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/24
date added: 2024/09/24
shelves:
review:

]]> 59475768 Three girls, one supernatural killer on the loose . . .

Zara Jones believes in magic because the alternative is too painful to consider—that her murdered sister is gone forever and there is nothing she can do about it. Rather than grieving and moving on, Zara decides she will do whatever it takes to claw her sister back from the grave—even trading in the occult.

Jude Wolf may be the daughter of a billionaire, but she is also undeniably cursed. After a deal with a demon went horribly wrong, her soul has been slowly turning necrotic. It’s a miserable existence marred by pain, sickness, and monstrous things that taunt her in the night. Now that she’s glimpsed what’s beyond the veil, Jude’s desperate to find someone to undo the damage she’s done to herself.

Enter Emer Byrne, an orphaned witch with a dark past and a deadly power, a.k.a. the solution to both Zara’s and Jude’s problems. Though Emer lives a hardscrabble life, she gives away her most valuable asset—her invocations—to women in desperate situations who are willing to sacrifice a piece of their soul in exchange for a scrap of power. Zara and Jude are willing, but they first have to find Emer.

When Emer’s clients start turning up dead all over London, a vital clue leads Zara and Jude right to her. If a serial killer is targeting her clients, Emer wants to know why—and to stop them. She strikes a tenuous alliance with Zara and Jude to hunt a killer before they are next on his list, even if she can’t give them in return what Zara and Jude want most: a sister and a soul.]]> 400 Krystal Sutherland 0593532260 Evie 5 4.08 2024
author: Krystal Sutherland
name: Evie
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/22
date added: 2024/09/22
shelves:
review:

]]> 181736590
And then notes start appearing at their dilapidated old home, about the secrets the house is keeping. The clues lead Paige to a diary concealed in the walls that belonged to one of the missing girls. Could this be the key to solving a quarter-of-a-century mystery, or will this make Paige the next target?!]]> 340 Cynthia Murphy 0702318523 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.82 2024
author: Cynthia Murphy
name: Evie
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/17
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 17787397 A Natural History of Dragons, combining adventure with the inquisitive spirit of the Victorian Age.

You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart—no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon's presence, even for the briefest of moments—even at the risk of one's life—is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .

All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world's preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.

Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.]]> 335 Marie Brennan 1429956313 Evie 5
Lady Trent's uncanny narrative voice is what truly made this book for me (well, that and the gorgeously depicted dragons, of course!). She is clever, intelligent, witty, curious and passionate. She's a real lady - polite, cultured and well-rounded - but she can also be quite sharp-tongued if needed. If she really wants something, she will find a way to get it, but at the same time, she is smart enough to pick her battles. She's determined, but not senselessly defiant. Through her eyes, we get to see the mountains of Vystrana in their whole glory. Her descriptions are rich and tangible and they breathe life into every scene, character and place. I'm not sure if I can say that I fell in love with Lady Trent's character - she is not a heroine that you simply "like", but rather one you look up to, admire and respect. A wise old lady who is kind enough to share her amazing adventures with us. And her voice is strikingly authentic!

While the title might suggest a book filled with dry facts and boring passages, this story is, in fact, filled with interesting thoughts, reflections and emotionally affecting recollections that keep you captivated all the way through. There are many adventures and mysteries within the pages of this book. As I mentioned before, the story mimics an actual memoir and it certainly reads as one. The writing style, hand-drawn sketches of dragons (which, by the way, are absolutely gorgeous!), even the realistic Preface written by Lady Trent - it all makes you feel that what you're holding in your hands is, in fact, an authentic memoir of a famous dragon naturalist, magically transported here from a world where dragons are (very) real. The slow pacing of the story will only add to that feeling. Not everyone will love it. If you're allergic to memoir-style books, you will probably not enjoy it very much. If you're looking for epic battles, magic and larger-than-life heroes fighting evil villains - this is not where you'll find all that. But if you appreciate good storytelling, characters that are so realistically drawn you think of them as historical figures, and alternative world settings that are just as believable as they are astonishing, you are in for a treat!

I loved this novel. I loved this world. And I loved this journey.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves dragons (the realistic, dangerous kind, not the "How To Train a Dragon"-kind) and intelligent adventure/exploration stories. With vivid settings, breath-taking description of dragons and deliciously evocative prose, it's a feast for imagination. I can hardly wait to read next one of Marie Brennan's phenomenal novels!]]> 3.93 2013
author: Marie Brennan
name: Evie
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2013/02/18
date added: 2024/09/17
shelves:
review:
A Natural History Of Dragons is a beautifully written book, constructed with remarkable care for details and executed with passion and precision. The novel assumes the style of a memoir and leads the reader on a fascinating journey into the world filled with dragons. Everything - from the phenomenal Victorian/Regency Era atmosphere, coruscating dialogues, unforgettable visuals and - most of all - extraordinary (and perhaps a little bit eccentric) heroine - is to die for!

Lady Trent's uncanny narrative voice is what truly made this book for me (well, that and the gorgeously depicted dragons, of course!). She is clever, intelligent, witty, curious and passionate. She's a real lady - polite, cultured and well-rounded - but she can also be quite sharp-tongued if needed. If she really wants something, she will find a way to get it, but at the same time, she is smart enough to pick her battles. She's determined, but not senselessly defiant. Through her eyes, we get to see the mountains of Vystrana in their whole glory. Her descriptions are rich and tangible and they breathe life into every scene, character and place. I'm not sure if I can say that I fell in love with Lady Trent's character - she is not a heroine that you simply "like", but rather one you look up to, admire and respect. A wise old lady who is kind enough to share her amazing adventures with us. And her voice is strikingly authentic!

While the title might suggest a book filled with dry facts and boring passages, this story is, in fact, filled with interesting thoughts, reflections and emotionally affecting recollections that keep you captivated all the way through. There are many adventures and mysteries within the pages of this book. As I mentioned before, the story mimics an actual memoir and it certainly reads as one. The writing style, hand-drawn sketches of dragons (which, by the way, are absolutely gorgeous!), even the realistic Preface written by Lady Trent - it all makes you feel that what you're holding in your hands is, in fact, an authentic memoir of a famous dragon naturalist, magically transported here from a world where dragons are (very) real. The slow pacing of the story will only add to that feeling. Not everyone will love it. If you're allergic to memoir-style books, you will probably not enjoy it very much. If you're looking for epic battles, magic and larger-than-life heroes fighting evil villains - this is not where you'll find all that. But if you appreciate good storytelling, characters that are so realistically drawn you think of them as historical figures, and alternative world settings that are just as believable as they are astonishing, you are in for a treat!

I loved this novel. I loved this world. And I loved this journey.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves dragons (the realistic, dangerous kind, not the "How To Train a Dragon"-kind) and intelligent adventure/exploration stories. With vivid settings, breath-taking description of dragons and deliciously evocative prose, it's a feast for imagination. I can hardly wait to read next one of Marie Brennan's phenomenal novels!
]]> 199263513 From Bram Stoker Award‑nominated author Craig DiLouie comes a darkly humorous horror novel that sees a famous 80s slasher director set out to shoot the most terrifying horror movie ever made using an occult camera that might be (and probably is) demonic.

Horror isn’t horror unless it’s real.

Max Maury should be on top of the world. He’s a famous horror director. Actors love him. Hollywood needs him. He’s making money hand over fist. But it’s the 80s, and he’s directing cheap slashers for audiences who only crave more blood, not real art. Not real horror. And Max’s slimy producer refuses to fund any of his new ideas.

Sally Priest dreams of being the Final Girl. She knows she’s got what it takes to score the lead role, even if she’s only been cast in small parts so far. When Sally meets Max at his latest wrap party, she sets out to impress him and prove her scream queen prowess.

But when Max discovers an old camera that filmed a very real Hollywood horror, he knows that he has to use this camera for his next movie. The only problem is that it came with a cryptic warning and sometimes wails.

By the time Max discovers the true evil lying within, he’s already dead set on finishing the scariest movie ever put to film, and like it or not, it’s Sally’s time to shine as the Final Girl.]]> 393 Craig DiLouie 0316569313 Evie 4 3.29 2024
author: Craig DiLouie
name: Evie
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/14
date added: 2024/09/14
shelves:
review:

]]> 198281740
“What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…��

When retired math teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.]]> 324 Matt Haig 0593489276 Evie 4 3.45 2024
author: Matt Haig
name: Evie
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/11
date added: 2024/09/11
shelves:
review:

]]> 207299448
Though the authorities rule Liam's death accidental, Nora and her estranged brother, Sam, believe otherwise. As they form an uneasy alliance to unpack the mystery, they start putting together the pieces of their father’s past and uncover a family secret that changes everything.

With Laura Dave’s “signature blend of pulse-pounding suspense�� (PEOPLE) and “trademark emotional heft�� (The New York Post), The Night We Lost Him is a “propulsive�� (Oprah Daily) must-read, with a heartbreaking final twist you’ll never see coming.]]> 298 Laura Dave 1668002930 Evie 5 3.56 2024
author: Laura Dave
name: Evie
average rating: 3.56
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/07
date added: 2024/09/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 199798497 The author of the “clever, atmospheric, and creepy�� (Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author) The Golden Spoon returns with a sly and addictive new mystery about an advice columnist searching for answers about her predecessor’s murder.

Alex Marks’s move to New York City is supposed to be a fresh start. She plans to lay low with her mundane copywriting job but the news of the murder of her childhood hero, Francis Keen, throws her for a loop. Beloved staff writer and the woman behind the famous advice column, Dear Constance , Keen’s death is a shock to her countless fans and readers.

When Alex sees an advertisement searching for her replacement, she impulsively applies, never expecting to actually get the job. But almost immediately, she begins to receive strange letters at the office and soon, Alex wonders why the murderer has never been found. Worse, she can’t help but question if her new boss and editor-in-chief, Howard Dimitri, was involved with Keen’s death.

As she starts her own investigation, the dark secrets of her own past rise to the surface and soon, Alex finds herself trapped in a dangerous and potentially deadly mystery. Will she solve the murder and save her own skin? Or will Alex face a similar fate?]]> 304 Jessa Maxwell 1668008033 Evie 5 3.41 2024
author: Jessa Maxwell
name: Evie
average rating: 3.41
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/07
date added: 2024/09/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 203164421 Psychological horror meets cyber noir in this delicious one-sitting read �� a haunted house story in which the haunting is by AI.

Henry is a brilliant engineer who, after untold hours spent in his home lab, has achieved the breakthrough of his career �� he’s created an artificially intelligent consciousness. He calls the half-formed robot William.

No one knows about William. Henry’s agoraphobia keeps him inside the house, and his fixation on his project keeps him up in the attic, away from everyone, including his pregnant wife, Lily.

When Lily’s coworkers show up, wanting to finally meet Henry and see the new house �� the smartest of smart homes �� Henry decides to introduce them to William, and things go from strange to much worse. Soon Henry and Lily discover the security upgrades intended to keep danger out of the house are even better at locking it in.]]> 224 Mason Coile 0593719603 Evie 5 3.52 2024
author: Mason Coile
name: Evie
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/02
date added: 2024/09/02
shelves:
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]]> 199262864
To add insult to injury, there’s a wedding at Broken Point scheduled during her stay. Ellery remembers how it felt to be on the cusp of everything new and wonderful, with a loved and certain future glimmering just ahead. Now she isn’t certain of anything except her love for her kids and a growing realization that this place, although beautiful, is unsettling.]]> 339 Ally Condie 1538757583 Evie 4 3.16 2024
author: Ally Condie
name: Evie
average rating: 3.16
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/31
date added: 2024/08/31
shelves:
review:

]]> 199797698 A group of wealthy Manhattanites escapes to an astrology-themed retreat, where simmering resentments and long-held secrets lead to a shocking death.

Margot needs a minute. She’s been working eighty-hour weeks as a newly minted partner at her law firm. She’s disconnected from her brother, the only family she has left. And she’s still not pregnant after years of trying.

Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat promises rest, relaxation, and wisdom for Margot and her friends. With Instagram-worthy views and nightly astrology readings in an impeccably restored waterfront Victorian house, this getaway should be nothing but idyllic fun. For Margot’s brother, Adam, it’s the perfect opportunity to rekindle the romance that fuels his writing, but his wife, Aimee, hides the darkness of her past with a beautiful social media feed. Their friend, Farah, is a successful doctor who cannot admit she’s losing control. But no one holds a greater secret than their astrologer host, Rini. She has a plan for all her guests, and one won’t be leaving Stars Harbor alive.]]> 307 Carinn Jade 1668045966 Evie 3 3.47 2024
author: Carinn Jade
name: Evie
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/31
date added: 2024/08/31
shelves:
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]]> 27362503
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up �� she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating�� rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan �� her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.]]> 386 Colleen Hoover 1668021048 Evie 3 4.11 2016
author: Colleen Hoover
name: Evie
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/31
date added: 2024/08/31
shelves:
review:

]]> 203579244 370 C.J. Leede 1250857929 Evie 0 currently-reading 4.07 2024
author: C.J. Leede
name: Evie
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/08/31
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 199798457
One peaceful morning, in the small, Puget Sound town of Point Orchards, the lifeless body of Dr. Erin Landry is found hanging from a tree on the property of prodigal son and failed writer, Elijah Leith. Sheriff Jim Godbout’s initial investigation points to an obvious suicide, but upon closer inspection, there seem to be clues of foul play when he discovers that the circumstances of the beautiful doctor’s death were ripped straight from the pages of Elijah Leith’s own novel.

Out of money and motivation, thirty-three-year-old Elijah returns to his empty childhood home to lick the wounds of his futile writing career. Hungry for purpose, he throws himself into restoring the ramshackle cabin his father left behind and rekindling his relationship with Nakita, the extraordinary girl from the nearby reservation whom he betrayed but was never able to forget.

As the town of Point Orchards turns against him, Elijah must fight for his innocence against an unexpected foe who is close and cunning enough to flawlessly frame him for murder in this scintillating literary thriller that seeks to uncover a case of love, loss, and revenge.]]> 288 Sarah Crouch 166803509X Evie 4 3.48 2024
author: Sarah Crouch
name: Evie
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/07
date added: 2024/07/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 165938560 A deserted shipwreck off the coast of Iceland holds terrors and dark secrets in this chilling horror novel from the author of The Lighthouse Witches.

The year is 1901, and Nicky is attacked, then wakes on board the Ormen, a whaling ship embarked on what could be its last voyage. With land still weeks away, it's just her, the freezing ocean, and the crew - and they're all owed something only she can give them...

Now, over one hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed up on the forbidding, remote coast of Iceland. It's scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels an inexplicable pull to document its last days, even though those who have ventured onto the wreck before her have met uncanny ends.

Onboard the boat, Dominique will uncover a dark past riddled with lies, cruelty, and murder--and her discovery will change everything. Because she'll soon realize she's not alone. Something has walked the floors of the Ormen for almost a century. Something that craves revenge.]]> 340 C.J. Cooke 059355020X Evie 5 3.64 2023
author: C.J. Cooke
name: Evie
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/07
date added: 2024/07/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 201242757 From legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary new collection of twelve short stories, many never-before-published, and some of his best EVER.

“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,�� writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,�� and in You Like It Darker, readers will feel that exhilaration too, again and again.

“Two Talented Bastids�� explores the long-hidden secret of how the eponymous gentlemen got their skills. In “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,�� a brief and unprecedented psychic flash upends dozens of lives, Danny’s most catastrophically. In “Rattlesnakes,�� a sequel to Cujo, a grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives an unexpected inheritance—with major strings attached. In “The Dreamers,�� a taciturn Vietnam vet answers a job ad and learns that there are some corners of the universe best left unexplored. “The Answer Man�� asks if prescience is good luck or bad and reminds us that a life marked by unbearable tragedy can still be meaningful.

King’s ability to surprise, amaze, and bring us both terror and solace remains unsurpassed. Each of these stories holds its own thrills, joys, and mysteries; each feels iconic. You like it darker? You got it.]]> 512 Stephen King 1668037718 Evie 5 4.16 2024
author: Stephen King
name: Evie
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/07
date added: 2024/07/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 199026522 In the latest jaw-dropping thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager, a man must contend with the long-ago disappearance of his childhood best friend—and the dark secrets lurking just beyond the safe confines of his picture-perfect neighborhood.

The worst thing to ever happen on Hemlock Circle occurred in Ethan Marsh’s backyard. One July night, ten-year-old Ethan and his best friend and neighbor, Billy, fell asleep in a tent set up on a manicured lawn in a quiet, quaint New Jersey cul de sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up alone. During the night, someone had sliced the tent open with a knife and taken Billy. He was never seen again.

Thirty years later, Ethan has reluctantly returned to his childhood home. Plagued by bad dreams and insomnia, he begins to notice strange things happening in the middle of the night. Someone seems to be roaming the cul de sac at odd hours, and signs of Billy’s presence keep appearing in Ethan’s backyard. Is someone playing a cruel prank? Or has Billy, long thought to be dead, somehow returned to Hemlock Circle?

The mysterious occurrences prompt Ethan to investigate what really happened that night, a quest that reunites him with former friends and neighbors and leads him into the woods that surround Hemlock Circle. Woods where Billy claimed monsters roamed and where a mysterious institute does clandestine research on a crumbling estate.

The closer Ethan gets to the truth, the more he realizes that no place—be it quiet forest or suburban street—is completely safe. And that the past has a way of haunting the present.]]> 367 Riley Sager 0593472373 Evie 4 3.66 2024
author: Riley Sager
name: Evie
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/07
date added: 2024/07/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 199798006
As a young, queer couple who flip houses, Charlie and Eve can’t believe the killer deal they’ve just gotten on an old house in a picturesque neighborhood. As they’re working in the house one day, there’s a knock on the door. A man stands there with his family, claiming to have lived there years before and asking if it would be alright if he showed his kids around. People pleaser to a fault, Eve lets them in.

As soon as the strangers enter their home, inexplicable things start happening, including the family’s youngest child going missing and a ghostly presence materializing in the basement. Even more weird, the family can’t seem to take the hint that their visit should be over. And when Charlie suddenly vanishes, Eve slowly loses her grip on reality. Something is terribly wrong with the house and with the visiting family—or is Eve just imagining things?

This unputdownable and spine-tingling novel “is like quicksand: the further you delve into its pages, the more immobilized you become by a spiral of terror. We Used to Live Here will haunt you even after you have finished it�� (Agustina Bazterrica, author of Tender Is the Flesh).]]> 312 Marcus Kliewer 1982198788 Evie 5 3.67 2024
author: Marcus Kliewer
name: Evie
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/07
date added: 2024/07/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 127280429 SISTERS, SECRETS, LOVE, AND MURDER... Sally Hepworth’s new novel has it all.

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.]]> 359 Sally Hepworth 125028452X Evie 5 3.98 2024
author: Sally Hepworth
name: Evie
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/04/17
date added: 2024/04/17
shelves:
review:

]]> 25489025
Celebrated by critics around the world, The Vegetarian is a darkly allegorical, Kafka-esque tale of power, obsession, and one woman’s struggle to break free from the violence both without and within her.]]> 188 Han Kang 0553448188 Evie 5 3.61 2007
author: Han Kang
name: Evie
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 2024/04/16
date added: 2024/04/16
shelves:
review:

]]> 194020321
After their mother passes, three estranged siblings reunite to sort out her estate. Beth, the oldest, never left home. She stayed with her mom, caring for her until the very end. Nicole, the middle child, has been kept at arm’s length due to her ongoing battle with a serious drug addiction. Michael, the youngest, lives out of state and hasn’t been back to their small Wisconsin town since their father ran out on them seven years before.

While going through their parent’s belongings, the siblings stumble upon a collection of home videos and decide to revisit those happier memories. However, the nostalgia is cut short when one of the VHS tapes reveals a night back in 1999 that none of them have any recollection of. On screen, their father appears covered in blood. What follows is a dead body and a pact between their parents to get rid of it, before the video abruptly ends.

Beth, Nicole, and Michael must now decide whether to leave the past in the past or uncover the dark secret their mother took to her grave.]]> 256 Jeneva Rose Evie 5 3.77 2024
author: Jeneva Rose
name: Evie
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/04/16
date added: 2024/04/16
shelves:
review:

]]> 193781998 An exuberant debut, The Husbands delights in how do we navigate life, love, and choice in a world of never-ending options?

When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There’s only one problem—she’s not married. She’s never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they’ve been together for years.

As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can’t remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a lightbulb and abruptly disappears. In his place, a new man emerges, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a lightbulb, how do you know you’ve taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually��living?]]> 352 Holly Gramazio 0385550618 Evie 5 3.50 2024
author: Holly Gramazio
name: Evie
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/04/14
date added: 2024/04/14
shelves:
review:

]]> 63247365
“Emotional, relatable and binge-worthy." –Tessa Bailey

“I’ll read anything she writes. An absolute star." –Emily Henry

“I was hooked on the very first page. Don't miss this one!" �� Carley Fortune

Two writers with a complicated history end up working on the same TV show. Can they write themselves a new ending? A sexy and emotional enemies-to-lovers romance guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings and give you a book hangover from brilliant new voice Yulin Kuang

Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the thirteen years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever.

Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers�� room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels, and if she can hide her imposter syndrome and overcome her writer’s block, surely the rest of her life will fall into place too. LA is the fresh start she needs. After all, no one knows her there. Except��

Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past, including building a life across the country. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects that he just can’t pass up.

Grant’s exactly as Helen remembers him—charming, funny, popular, and lovable in ways that she’s never been. And Helen’s exactly as Grant remembers too—brilliant, beautiful, closed off. But working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all.

When secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. And yet�� the key to making peace with their past—and themselves—might just lie in holding on to each other in the present.]]> 384 Yulin Kuang Evie 5 3.61 2024
author: Yulin Kuang
name: Evie
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/04/14
date added: 2024/04/14
shelves:
review:

]]> 65213277 New York Times bestselling author B. A. Paris captivated psychological thriller readers everywhere with Behind Closed Doors. Now she invites you into another home full of heart-pounding secrets, in The Guest.

Some secrets never leave.

Iris and Gabriel have just arrived home from a make-or-break holiday. But a shock awaits them. One of their closest friends, Laure, is in their house. The atmosphere quickly becomes tense as she oversteps again and sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris' clothes, even rearranging the furniture.

Laure has walked out on her husband—and their good friend—Pierre, over his confession of an affair and a secret child. Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive of their friends, but as Laure's mood becomes increasingly unpredictable, her presence takes its toll.

Iris and Gabriel's only respite comes in the form of a couple new to town. But with them comes their gardener, who has a checkered past. Soon, secrets from all their pasts will unravel, some more dangerous than they could have known.]]> 308 B.A. Paris 1250289424 Evie 4 3.53 2024
author: B.A. Paris
name: Evie
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/09
date added: 2024/04/09
shelves:
review:

]]> 61884780
Having a mom like Izzy meant Mia had to grow up fast. No extracurriculars, no inviting friends over, and definitely no dating. The most important Tell no one of Izzy’s hunger �� the kind only blood can satisfy.

But Mia is in her twenties now and longs for a life of her own. One where she doesn’t have to worry about anyone discovering their terrible secret, or breathing down her neck. When Mia meets rebellious musician Jade she dares to hope she’s found a way to leave her home �� and her mom �� behind.

It just might be Mia’s only chance of getting out alive.]]> 278 Liz Kerin 1250835674 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.88 2023
author: Liz Kerin
name: Evie
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/01
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 199757490 A chilling horror novel about a haunting told from the perspective of a young girl whose troubled family is targeted by an entity she calls “Other Mommy,�� from the New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box
��
To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s��Mommy,��Daddo,��and Grandma Ruth.��But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day: “Can I go inside your heart?”����
��
When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the same question, over and over . . . Bela understands that unless she says yes, soon her family must pay.��
��
Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe but other incidents show cracks in her parents' marriage. The safety Bela relies on is on the brink of unraveling.����
��
But Other Mommy needs an answer.��
��
Incidents Around the House is a chilling, wholly unique tale of true horror told by the child Bela. A story about a family as haunted as their home.]]> 367 Josh Malerman 0593723120 Evie 5 3.61 2024
author: Josh Malerman
name: Evie
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/04/01
date added: 2024/04/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 154462576 New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale

January 1918. Laura Iven was a revered field nurse until she was wounded and discharged from the medical corps, leaving behind a brother still fighting in Flanders. Now home in Halifax, Canada, she receives word of Freddie’s death in combat, along with his personal effects—but something doesn’t make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital. Soon after arriving, she hears whispers about haunted trenches, and a strange hotelier whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could Freddie have escaped the battlefield, only to fall prey to something—or someone—else?

November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped in an overturned pillbox with a wounded enemy soldier, a German by the name of Hans Winter. Against all odds, the two men form an alliance and succeed in clawing their way out. Unable to bear the thought of returning to the killing fields, especially on opposite sides, they take refuge with a mysterious man who seems to have the power to make the hellscape of the trenches disappear.

As shells rain down on Flanders, and ghosts move among those yet living, Laura’s and Freddie’s deepest traumas are reawakened. Now they must decide whether their world is worth salvaging—or better left behind entirely.]]> 325 Katherine Arden 0593128257 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.97 2024
author: Katherine Arden
name: Evie
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/22
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 176451879
One dark evening on New York City’s Upper West Side, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realize they have much in common, especially loneliness and an intense desire for revenge against the men who destroyed their families. As they talk into the night, they come up with the perfect if you kill for me, I’ll kill for you.

In another part of the city, Ruth is home alone when the beautiful brownstone she shares with her husband, Scott, is invaded. She’s attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes, who disappears into the night. Will she ever be able to feel safe again while the blue-eyed stranger is out there?

Intricate, heart-racing, and from an author who “is the real deal�� (Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Kill for Me, Kill for You will keep you breathless until the final page.]]> 340 Steve Cavanagh 1668049341 Evie 5 4.14 2023
author: Steve Cavanagh
name: Evie
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/22
date added: 2024/03/22
shelves:
review:
An edge-of-your-seat thriller with some completely unexpected twists and a perfectly unsettling ending. This was a dark and captivating story, masterfully plotted and executed. I am not going to have to go back and read Steve’s previous books. If they’re anywhere near as good as this one, I am going to binge read the life out of them.
]]> 174156090 The New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies delivers another chilling supernatural thriller filled with murder, romance, and a decades long mystery that haunts a small Florida town.

The perfect blend of Natasha Preston, Krystal Sutherland, and Delia Owens, with a paranormal twist.

Mount Orange, Florida, is famous for two things: Cerulean freshwater springs, ideal for free divers who aren't afraid of lurking gators. And the gruesome cold case murder of best friends, Bailey and Celeste, twenty years ago.

Bailey and Celeste's murders cast a permanent darkness over sunny Mount Orange. Tru has always lived in that shadow. Now she's supposed to head to FSU in the fall with her boyfriend, but those unsolved murders -- and the death of her own sister -- invade her every thought. It’s only in the shadowy deep of Hidden Glen Springs that she can breathe.

When a strange girl named Rio rolls into town, hell-bent on figuring out who killed Bailey and Celeste, Tru can't resist entangling herself in the thrill of solving the decades old mystery any more than she can resist her familiar, aching attraction to Rio.

As the summer heat ignites, so does the spark between Tru and Rio...along with their other-worldy connection to Bailey and Celeste. But when someone begins stalking them, the girls become convinced the killer is back in town. And if they keep digging into the past, Tru and Rio know this time, it could be their blood that makes the springs run red.]]> 384 Ginny Myers Sain 0593625455 Evie 5 3.78 2024
author: Ginny Myers Sain
name: Evie
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/22
date added: 2024/03/22
shelves:
review:

]]> 22318389 32 Dev Petty 0385378661 Evie 5
I Don't Want To Be A Frog is about a Frog that is not particularly thrilled with who he is. Frog says: "Let me ask you something... If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be? Probably NOT a Frog, right? Exactly."

Frog would rather be a Cat. Warm and fuzzy! Or a Rabbit. Or better yet, an Owl! Even being a Pig seems like a more appealing option, even if he'd have to eat garbage. He just doesn't want to be a Frog, Frogs are wet and slimy, and they always eat bugs.

But he can't be a Cat. He doesn't have ears so he can't be a Rabbit either. And he doesn't look wise enough to be an Owl. And let's face it, he couldn't really eat garbage.
But you know what? Being a Frog isn't all that bad after all. At least wolves don't eat Frogs! Why? Because they don't like wet, slimy things filled with bugs! Ha!

Dev Petty's newest children's book is simply fantastic. It's clever, witty, fun, and - above all - smart. It will teach your kid about identity. Your child will learn that even though he or she may sometimes wish to be someone else entirely, it's important to realize that we are who we are - unique, special, different from everyone else - and accepting this will bring you happiness.

I absolutely love the message this adorable little book carries. Self-acceptance and low self-esteem is something many children struggle with, and I believe it's important to teach your child to love and be proud of who he/she is (and the earlier the better). This book will help parents do just that, all the while having fun and enjoying the vibrant, gorgeously rendered illustrations by Mike Boldt (a truly talented graphic designer!). It's one of my absolute favorite children's books and it will definitely have a special place on my daughter's shelf.

Merged review:



A frog with an identity crisis. Imagine that!
I Don't Want To Be A Frog is about a Frog that is not particularly thrilled with who he is. Frog says: "Let me ask you something... If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be? Probably NOT a Frog, right? Exactly."

Frog would rather be a Cat. Warm and fuzzy! Or a Rabbit. Or better yet, an Owl! Even being a Pig seems like a more appealing option, even if he'd have to eat garbage. He just doesn't want to be a Frog, Frogs are wet and slimy, and they always eat bugs.

But he can't be a Cat. He doesn't have ears so he can't be a Rabbit either. And he doesn't look wise enough to be an Owl. And let's face it, he couldn't really eat garbage.
But you know what? Being a Frog isn't all that bad after all. At least wolves don't eat Frogs! Why? Because they don't like wet, slimy things filled with bugs! Ha!

Dev Petty's newest children's book is simply fantastic. It's clever, witty, fun, and - above all - smart. It will teach your kid about identity. Your child will learn that even though he or she may sometimes wish to be someone else entirely, it's important to realize that we are who we are - unique, special, different from everyone else - and accepting this will bring happiness.

I absolutely love the message this adorable little book carries. Self-acceptance and low self-esteem are things many children struggle with, and I believe it's important to teach your child to love and be proud of who he/she is. This book will help parents do just that, all the while having fun and enjoying the vibrant, gorgeously rendered illustrations by Mike Boldt (a truly talented graphic designer!). It's one of my absolute favorite children's books and it will definitely have a special place on my daughter's shelf.

Merged review:

A frog with an identity crisis. Imagine that!

I Don't Want To Be A Frog is about a Frog that is not particularly thrilled with who he is. Frog says: "Let me ask you something... If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be? Probably NOT a Frog, right? Exactly."

Frog would rather be a Cat. Warm and fuzzy! Or a Rabbit. Or better yet, an Owl! Even being a Pig seems like a more appealing option, even if he'd have to eat garbage. He just doesn't want to be a Frog, Frogs are wet and slimy, and they always eat bugs.

But he can't be a Cat. He doesn't have ears so he can't be a Rabbit either. And he doesn't look wise enough to be an Owl. And let's face it, he couldn't really eat garbage.
But you know what? Being a Frog isn't all that bad after all. At least wolves don't eat Frogs! Why? Because they don't like wet, slimy things filled with bugs! Ha!

Dev Petty's newest children's book is simply fantastic. It's clever, witty, fun, and - above all - smart. It will teach your kid about identity. Your child will learn that even though he or she may sometimes wish to be someone else entirely, it's important to realize that we are who we are - unique, special, different from everyone else - and accepting this will bring you happiness.

I absolutely love the message this adorable little book carries. Self-acceptance and low self-esteem is something many children struggle with, and I believe it's important to teach your child to love and be proud of who he/she is (and the earlier the better). This book will help parents do just that, all the while having fun and enjoying the vibrant, gorgeously rendered illustrations by Mike Boldt (a truly talented graphic designer!). It's one of my absolute favorite children's books and it will definitely have a special place on my daughter's shelf.]]> 4.04 2015
author: Dev Petty
name: Evie
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2014/08/25
date added: 2024/03/21
shelves:
review:
A frog with an identity crisis. Imagine that!

I Don't Want To Be A Frog is about a Frog that is not particularly thrilled with who he is. Frog says: "Let me ask you something... If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be? Probably NOT a Frog, right? Exactly."

Frog would rather be a Cat. Warm and fuzzy! Or a Rabbit. Or better yet, an Owl! Even being a Pig seems like a more appealing option, even if he'd have to eat garbage. He just doesn't want to be a Frog, Frogs are wet and slimy, and they always eat bugs.

But he can't be a Cat. He doesn't have ears so he can't be a Rabbit either. And he doesn't look wise enough to be an Owl. And let's face it, he couldn't really eat garbage.
But you know what? Being a Frog isn't all that bad after all. At least wolves don't eat Frogs! Why? Because they don't like wet, slimy things filled with bugs! Ha!

Dev Petty's newest children's book is simply fantastic. It's clever, witty, fun, and - above all - smart. It will teach your kid about identity. Your child will learn that even though he or she may sometimes wish to be someone else entirely, it's important to realize that we are who we are - unique, special, different from everyone else - and accepting this will bring you happiness.

I absolutely love the message this adorable little book carries. Self-acceptance and low self-esteem is something many children struggle with, and I believe it's important to teach your child to love and be proud of who he/she is (and the earlier the better). This book will help parents do just that, all the while having fun and enjoying the vibrant, gorgeously rendered illustrations by Mike Boldt (a truly talented graphic designer!). It's one of my absolute favorite children's books and it will definitely have a special place on my daughter's shelf.

Merged review:



A frog with an identity crisis. Imagine that!
I Don't Want To Be A Frog is about a Frog that is not particularly thrilled with who he is. Frog says: "Let me ask you something... If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be? Probably NOT a Frog, right? Exactly."

Frog would rather be a Cat. Warm and fuzzy! Or a Rabbit. Or better yet, an Owl! Even being a Pig seems like a more appealing option, even if he'd have to eat garbage. He just doesn't want to be a Frog, Frogs are wet and slimy, and they always eat bugs.

But he can't be a Cat. He doesn't have ears so he can't be a Rabbit either. And he doesn't look wise enough to be an Owl. And let's face it, he couldn't really eat garbage.
But you know what? Being a Frog isn't all that bad after all. At least wolves don't eat Frogs! Why? Because they don't like wet, slimy things filled with bugs! Ha!

Dev Petty's newest children's book is simply fantastic. It's clever, witty, fun, and - above all - smart. It will teach your kid about identity. Your child will learn that even though he or she may sometimes wish to be someone else entirely, it's important to realize that we are who we are - unique, special, different from everyone else - and accepting this will bring happiness.

I absolutely love the message this adorable little book carries. Self-acceptance and low self-esteem are things many children struggle with, and I believe it's important to teach your child to love and be proud of who he/she is. This book will help parents do just that, all the while having fun and enjoying the vibrant, gorgeously rendered illustrations by Mike Boldt (a truly talented graphic designer!). It's one of my absolute favorite children's books and it will definitely have a special place on my daughter's shelf.

Merged review:

A frog with an identity crisis. Imagine that!

I Don't Want To Be A Frog is about a Frog that is not particularly thrilled with who he is. Frog says: "Let me ask you something... If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be? Probably NOT a Frog, right? Exactly."

Frog would rather be a Cat. Warm and fuzzy! Or a Rabbit. Or better yet, an Owl! Even being a Pig seems like a more appealing option, even if he'd have to eat garbage. He just doesn't want to be a Frog, Frogs are wet and slimy, and they always eat bugs.

But he can't be a Cat. He doesn't have ears so he can't be a Rabbit either. And he doesn't look wise enough to be an Owl. And let's face it, he couldn't really eat garbage.
But you know what? Being a Frog isn't all that bad after all. At least wolves don't eat Frogs! Why? Because they don't like wet, slimy things filled with bugs! Ha!

Dev Petty's newest children's book is simply fantastic. It's clever, witty, fun, and - above all - smart. It will teach your kid about identity. Your child will learn that even though he or she may sometimes wish to be someone else entirely, it's important to realize that we are who we are - unique, special, different from everyone else - and accepting this will bring you happiness.

I absolutely love the message this adorable little book carries. Self-acceptance and low self-esteem is something many children struggle with, and I believe it's important to teach your child to love and be proud of who he/she is (and the earlier the better). This book will help parents do just that, all the while having fun and enjoying the vibrant, gorgeously rendered illustrations by Mike Boldt (a truly talented graphic designer!). It's one of my absolute favorite children's books and it will definitely have a special place on my daughter's shelf.
]]> 196700456 Their name? The objectors.

Their job? To break off weddings as hired.

Their dilemma? They might just be in love with each other.

When Sophie Steinbeck finds out just before her nuptials that her fiancé has cheated yet again, she desperately wants to call it off. But because her future father-in-law is her dad’s cutthroat boss, she doesn’t want to be the one to do it. Her savior comes in the form of a professional objector, whose purpose is to show up at weddings and proclaim the words no couple (usually) wants to hear at their ceremony: “I object!��

During anti-wedding festivities that night, Sophie learns more about Max the Objector’s job. It makes perfect sense to her: he saves people from wasting their lives, from hurting each other. He’s a modern-day hero. And Sophie wants in.

The two love cynics start working together, going from wedding to wedding, and Sophie’s having more fun than she’s had in ages. She looks forward to every nerve-racking ceremony saving the lovesick souls of the betrothed masses. As Sophie and Max spend more time together, however, they realize that their physical chemistry is off the charts, leading them to dabble in a little hookup session or two—but it’s totally fine, because they definitely do not have feelings for each other. Love doesn’t exist, after all.

And then everything changes. A groom-to-be hires Sophie to object, but his fiancée is the woman who broke Max’s heart. As Max wrestles with whether he can be a party to his ex’s getting hurt, Sophie grapples with the sudden realization that she may have fallen hard for her partner in crime.]]> 304 Lynn Painter 0593638018 Evie 3
That being said, I feel like this fell a little flat for me. It was a quick and easy read, with some great banter and undeniably hot shmexy scenes, but the characters weren’t developed enough for me to actually connect with them or care about their fates. I think this would make a fun romcom movie, but I guess I expected a little more from the book itself.

Max is an objector who gets hired by either the groom or the bride to show up at their wedding to object, cause a stir, sow some doubts and inevitably lead to a break up. It’s all very dramatic to me and I honestly can’t fathom how anyone would think it’s a good idea to put off the break up to the very last second, but I know, I know, it’s a romcom, not a literary fiction firmly rooted in reality.

Max is hired to object at Sophie’s wedding to save her from marrying her cheating fiance. Shortly after that they partner up to save Max’s friend from a similar fate and that’s when their friendship (with benefits) starts. They both claim they don’t believe in love and they’re not interested in a relationship, but are also inevitably drawn to one another (who could have seen that coming? *insert eyeroll*). They are happily humping away while denying their own feelings until they are asked to be the objectors at Max’s ex fiancé’s wedding and things go (briefly) sideaways. I found this attempt at creating a conflict very backhanded and lazy, and honestly everything magically falling back into place just made me roll my eyes so hard.

Overall, points for banter and chemistry, but I sincerely wish there was a bit more plot to this story. A little bit meaning and maybe a dash of common sense would be nice as well. The way the characters were portrayed made them seem very shallow. Cute, pretty and funny, but also very one-dimensional and way too perfect to be believable.

But hey, what do I know? I’m not a rom-com consumer by design. ]]> 3.73 2024
author: Lynn Painter
name: Evie
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/03/20
date added: 2024/03/20
shelves:
review:
This review comes at you from a non-romcom reader, which means I have read a handful of romance books or romcoms so far, and therefore am not what you’d call an expert.

That being said, I feel like this fell a little flat for me. It was a quick and easy read, with some great banter and undeniably hot shmexy scenes, but the characters weren’t developed enough for me to actually connect with them or care about their fates. I think this would make a fun romcom movie, but I guess I expected a little more from the book itself.

Max is an objector who gets hired by either the groom or the bride to show up at their wedding to object, cause a stir, sow some doubts and inevitably lead to a break up. It’s all very dramatic to me and I honestly can’t fathom how anyone would think it’s a good idea to put off the break up to the very last second, but I know, I know, it’s a romcom, not a literary fiction firmly rooted in reality.

Max is hired to object at Sophie’s wedding to save her from marrying her cheating fiance. Shortly after that they partner up to save Max’s friend from a similar fate and that’s when their friendship (with benefits) starts. They both claim they don’t believe in love and they’re not interested in a relationship, but are also inevitably drawn to one another (who could have seen that coming? *insert eyeroll*). They are happily humping away while denying their own feelings until they are asked to be the objectors at Max’s ex fiancé’s wedding and things go (briefly) sideaways. I found this attempt at creating a conflict very backhanded and lazy, and honestly everything magically falling back into place just made me roll my eyes so hard.

Overall, points for banter and chemistry, but I sincerely wish there was a bit more plot to this story. A little bit meaning and maybe a dash of common sense would be nice as well. The way the characters were portrayed made them seem very shallow. Cute, pretty and funny, but also very one-dimensional and way too perfect to be believable.

But hey, what do I know? I’m not a rom-com consumer by design.
]]> 176443178
From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes the romance that will define a generation.

Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a name: Jake.

But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.

Told with her signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, Rebecca Serle has finally set her sights on romantic love. The result is a gripping, emotional, passionate, and (yes) heartbreaking novel about what it means to be single, what it means to find love, and ultimately how we define each of them for ourselves. Expiration Dates is the one fans have been waiting for.]]> 272 Rebecca Serle 1982166827 Evie 5 3.58 2024
author: Rebecca Serle
name: Evie
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/20
date added: 2024/03/20
shelves:
review:

]]> 202514148
From the acclaimed author of An Unthinkable Thing and Hideaway, a breath-stopping novel of suspense about a woman tormented by memories of the past and threatened by long-held secrets in the present.

Molly Wynters has moved back to her small hometown to care for her father, recently felled by a stroke and no longer able to communicate. She is ready to make a fresh start with her son after her divorce, but is haunted by both old events and new realities in her childhood home.

What Molly recalls of her young life with her father is full of love and care, even though a violent trauma defined her when she was a young girl, she witnessed her mother’s murder, and her testimony �� “There was a man downstairs�� �� sent a teenager to prison. This tragic episode is still very much alive in the culture of the town, and the more Molly remembers, the more she fears that what she said on the stand all those years ago might not have been the whole truth.

After Molly, a trained therapist, volunteers for a local helpline, the threats begin. At first they seem random, but soon Molly realizes that she is a target, and even those closest to her seem suspicious, especially as unsuspected links between them emerge. More than one life was destroyed on that horrific long-ago day, and now someone intends to hold Molly accountable.

With its gripping descent into the shadowy corners of the human psyche A Man Downstairs is both an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride and a masterful exploration of the fragile nature of memory.]]> 432 Nicole Lundrigan 0735242720 Evie 5 3.60 2024
author: Nicole Lundrigan
name: Evie
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/20
date added: 2024/03/20
shelves:
review:

]]> 62121610
Everything changes after Brink meets Jess Price, a woman serving thirty years in prison for murder who hasn't spoken a word since her arrest five years before. When Price draws a perplexing puzzle, her psychiatrist believes it will explain her crime and calls Brink to solve it. What begins as a desire to crack an alluring cipher quickly morphs into an obsession with Price herself. She soon reveals that there is something more urgent, and more dangerous, behind her silence, thrusting Brink into a hunt for the truth.

The quest takes Brink through a series of interlocking enigmas, but the heart of the mystery is the God Puzzle, a cryptic ancient prayer circle created by the thirteenth-century Jewish mystic Abraham Abulafia. As Brink navigates a maze of clues, and his emotional entanglement with Price becomes more intense, he realizes that there are powerful forces at work that he cannot escape.

Ranging from an upstate New York women's prison to nineteenth-century Prague to the secret rooms of the Pierpont Morgan Library, The Puzzle Master is a tantalizing, addictive thriller in which humankind, technology, and the future of the universe itself are at stake.]]> 362 Danielle Trussoni 0593595297 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.23 2023
author: Danielle Trussoni
name: Evie
average rating: 3.23
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/05
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 195641259
My water isn’t supposed to break while there’s a storm raging, when my husband isn’t on the island, and as the power flickers out. Darkness covers the cabin as I cling to my belly. I never imagined it happening like this.

Trained as a midwife, I know I can deliver my daughter.

* * *

I look at her, and I see her �� I’ve always known her.

She’s perfect. Sweat and tears streak down my face as I kiss her over and over again. Reaching for my bag of midwifery supplies, I wipe her nose and press her tiny body to my chest.

I fall asleep with her in my arms.

* * *

When I wake, my husband is home, the lights are back on �� but the baby he’s holding �� it’s not mine.

I’m not crazy.

I gave birth to a girl, and that baby in his arms is a boy.

He’s not my baby.

Please note this is a revised edition of The Midwife’s Mistake. It contains themes of baby loss that some readers may find upsetting.]]> 120 Anya Mora Evie 2
Sorry to say, the short story didn’t work for me. ]]> 3.73 2022
author: Anya Mora
name: Evie
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2024/03/04
date added: 2024/03/04
shelves:
review:
I didn’t click with this novella, sadly. This was a great and promising premise, which I think had the potential to be a truly harrowing psychological thriller if expanded into a full novel, but the last 20% fell very flat. The tension and guessing game was concluded in the most frustratingly boring way - everybody just fesses up and admits to wrongdoing. I’m not sure what was the point. With a little bit more effort this really could have been a great book.

Sorry to say, the short story didn’t work for me.
]]> 176443873
With a rollicking pace and shocking twists and turns, The Split captivatingly explores how little we know the ones we love—and how one small choice can change everything.]]> 288 Kit Frick 1668022478 Evie 4 3.36 2024
author: Kit Frick
name: Evie
average rating: 3.36
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/02
date added: 2024/03/02
shelves:
review:

]]> 61884783 Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.

Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future... a family.

Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent's and the children within. Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides.

Others turn up dead.

Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives �� and perhaps their eternal souls �� are at risk.

The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass, in Boys in the Valley, a brilliant coming-of-age tale from award-winning author Philip Fracassi.]]> 335 Philip Fracassi 1250879035 Evie 5 4.11 2023
author: Philip Fracassi
name: Evie
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/02
date added: 2024/03/02
shelves:
review:

]]> 176443748 After her private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother’s name in this psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Taking of Jake Livingston and Ace of Spades.

Sunny Behre has four siblings, but only one is a murderer.

With the death of Sunny’s mother, matriarch of the wealthy Behre family, Sunny’s once picture-perfect life is thrown into turmoil. Her mother had groomed her to be the family’s next leader, so Sunny is confused when the only instructions her mother leaves is a mysterious note: “Take care of Dom.��

The problem is, her youngest brother, Dom, has always been a near-stranger to Sunny…and seemingly a dangerous one, if found guilty of his second-degree murder charge. Still, Sunny is determined to fulfill her mother’s dying wish. But when a classmate is gruesomely murdered, and Sunny finds her brother with blood on his hands, her mother’s simple request becomes a lot more complicated. Dom swears he’s innocent, and although Sunny isn’t sure she believes him, she takes it upon herself to look into the murder—made all the more urgent by the discovery of another body. And another.

As Sunny and Dom work together to track down the culprit, Sunny realizes her other siblings have their own dark secrets. Soon she may have to choose: preserve the family she’s always loved or protect the brother she barely knows—and risk losing everything her mother worked so hard to build.]]> 408 Liselle Sambury 166590352X Evie 5 2024-reads, ya-horror
The story centers around a rich, Black family - the Behres - who run a prestigious private school for underprivileged students (the Behre Academy). Sunny is one of 5 siblings, and after her mother's unexpected death, she is the one designated to be the family's new leader. The last instruction left my Sunny's mom read: "Take care of Dom". Dom, the youngest one of the Behre siblings, seems to be a magnet for all sorts of trouble (or the cause of them?). The rest of the Behres keep distance from him and there is an air of coldness and mistrust between them. It really doesn't help that he is the main suspect in his girlfriend's murder case, and, upon his return home, more mysterious deaths occur at the academy - all related somehow to the Behre family.

The plot line of this story is WILD. Between all the twists and turns, the gruesome murders, the absolutely chilling atmosphere, vaguely supernatural threats and old creepy legends, this book had my head spinning. I was not at all prepared for the conclusion of the story, but it was the most perfect ending I could have imagined. Steeped in darkness and lore, with dark academia vibes and talk of curses and sacrifices, this book really draws you in and keeps you there. On top of that, it's quite a multi-faceted read, with underlying themes of social injustice, status, prejudice, law enforcement bias and the imbalance of struggle to succeed rooted in skin color. There's darkness and rage inside this book, and more than just one kind. There's pain, loss and determination, too. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Behres with all the complexities and challenges of their relationships - both parental and sibling ones.

Don't miss this one!


]]> 3.86 2024
author: Liselle Sambury
name: Evie
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/01
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: 2024-reads, ya-horror
review:
Wow, wow, wow! I don't even know where to begin with this one! It was intense and twisty and so completely unexpected and shocking at the end! This was my first book by Liselle Sambury - I admit, I was drawn in by the amazingly creepy cover - but it won't be my last. I now want to go back and read her entire bibliography back to back!

The story centers around a rich, Black family - the Behres - who run a prestigious private school for underprivileged students (the Behre Academy). Sunny is one of 5 siblings, and after her mother's unexpected death, she is the one designated to be the family's new leader. The last instruction left my Sunny's mom read: "Take care of Dom". Dom, the youngest one of the Behre siblings, seems to be a magnet for all sorts of trouble (or the cause of them?). The rest of the Behres keep distance from him and there is an air of coldness and mistrust between them. It really doesn't help that he is the main suspect in his girlfriend's murder case, and, upon his return home, more mysterious deaths occur at the academy - all related somehow to the Behre family.

The plot line of this story is WILD. Between all the twists and turns, the gruesome murders, the absolutely chilling atmosphere, vaguely supernatural threats and old creepy legends, this book had my head spinning. I was not at all prepared for the conclusion of the story, but it was the most perfect ending I could have imagined. Steeped in darkness and lore, with dark academia vibes and talk of curses and sacrifices, this book really draws you in and keeps you there. On top of that, it's quite a multi-faceted read, with underlying themes of social injustice, status, prejudice, law enforcement bias and the imbalance of struggle to succeed rooted in skin color. There's darkness and rage inside this book, and more than just one kind. There's pain, loss and determination, too. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Behres with all the complexities and challenges of their relationships - both parental and sibling ones.

Don't miss this one!



]]> 60460704
Adelaide Henry carries an enormous steamer trunk with her wherever she goes. It’s locked at all times. Because when the trunk opens, people around Adelaide start to disappear.

The year is 1915, and Adelaide is in trouble. Her secret sin killed her parents, forcing her to flee California in a hellfire rush and make her way to Montana as a homesteader. Dragging the trunk with her at every stop, she will become one of the “lone women�� taking advantage of the government’s offer of free land for those who can tame it—except that Adelaide isn’t alone. And the secret she’s tried so desperately to lock away might be the only thing that will help her survive the harsh territory.

Crafted by a modern master of magical suspense, Lone Women blends shimmering prose, an unforgettable cast of adventurers who find horror and sisterhood in a brutal landscape, and a portrait of early-twentieth-century America like you’ve never seen. And at its heart is the gripping story of a woman desperate to bury her past—or redeem it.]]> 275 Victor LaValle 052551208X Evie 5
Lone Women is a mesmerizing and completely enthralling frontier horror novel that masterfully weaves together historical aspects (early 20th century American settlers) with dark secrets of the supernatural/monstrous kind, all the while shining an important spotlight on struggles and challenges of women and people of color. I can't tell you how marvelous it was to read this epically written and deftly plotted story centered around a Black woman in the unforgiving and brutal world of the American Old West.

It's year 1915 and Adelaide Henry - a 31-year old Black woman - lives with her family on their farm in California. They live an isolated life, not wanting to risk revealing their dark, twisted secret to the rest of the community. When Adelaide's parents are brutally slaughtered, she finds herself on the run. Her hope and really the only option is to try and start a new life in Montana, where lone women are legally allowed to own farms, under the condition that the land will be cultivated within 5 years. Travelling only with a small bag and a mysterious steamer trunk (what's in the trunk?!), Adelaide makes her way across treacherous lands, arriving in Montana to find unexpected friends, new enemies and even more troubles, for the secrets we try so hard to leave behind have a way of following us wherever we go.

This was an immensely satisfying novel to read. Brutal, bloody, fierce, atmospheric and deeply unsettling. The suspense! The tension that just kept building! The setting! I loved everything. I soaked up every page and every word. If you consider yourself a horror reader, this one is a must. ]]> 3.68 2023
author: Victor LaValle
name: Evie
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/03/22
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves:
review:
A Western horror story I absolutely needed in my life with a phenomenal diverse cast at the center.

Lone Women is a mesmerizing and completely enthralling frontier horror novel that masterfully weaves together historical aspects (early 20th century American settlers) with dark secrets of the supernatural/monstrous kind, all the while shining an important spotlight on struggles and challenges of women and people of color. I can't tell you how marvelous it was to read this epically written and deftly plotted story centered around a Black woman in the unforgiving and brutal world of the American Old West.

It's year 1915 and Adelaide Henry - a 31-year old Black woman - lives with her family on their farm in California. They live an isolated life, not wanting to risk revealing their dark, twisted secret to the rest of the community. When Adelaide's parents are brutally slaughtered, she finds herself on the run. Her hope and really the only option is to try and start a new life in Montana, where lone women are legally allowed to own farms, under the condition that the land will be cultivated within 5 years. Travelling only with a small bag and a mysterious steamer trunk (what's in the trunk?!), Adelaide makes her way across treacherous lands, arriving in Montana to find unexpected friends, new enemies and even more troubles, for the secrets we try so hard to leave behind have a way of following us wherever we go.

This was an immensely satisfying novel to read. Brutal, bloody, fierce, atmospheric and deeply unsettling. The suspense! The tension that just kept building! The setting! I loved everything. I soaked up every page and every word. If you consider yourself a horror reader, this one is a must.
]]> 195790861 To fix the world they first must break it further.

Humanity is a dying breed, utterly reliant on artificial labor and service. When a domesticated robot gets a nasty little idea downloaded into their core programming, they murder their owner. The robot then discovers they can also do something else they never did before: run away. After fleeing the household, they enter a wider world they never knew existed, where the age-old hierarchy of humans at the top is disintegrating, and a robot ecosystem devoted to human wellbeing is finding a new purpose.]]> 376 Adrian Tchaikovsky 1250290287 Evie 0 currently-reading 3.99 2024
author: Adrian Tchaikovsky
name: Evie
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/02/27
shelves: currently-reading
review:

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