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148 reviews
The Lost by Natasha Preston
3.5
The Lost, by Natasha Preston, is a fast-paced YA mystery/thriller, with short chapters.
Natasha Preston is one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors. She started as a Wattpad author and you can kinda tell in this book. It's still well written, as usual, but you do see the Wattpad influence, in my opinion.
The story was gripping right from the start. I always wanted to see what was gonna happen. The twisted games the kidnappers played and the "Saw" vibes kept me hooked. However, I did figure out the plot twist right away, so this book doesn't rank very high on the list.
The ending though... As usual, it left me wanting more! Natasha Preston sure knows how to write endings, that's what I've always loved about her books. Forget the classic, happily ever after ending!
I didn't care much for the characters. I felt like they were too two dimensional.
Also, the story is fast-paced so it's kind of expected, but I still felt like the relationships were growing very fast. I guess it's realistic for the circumstances. If I were in it maybe I'd become attached to the people with me just as fast, but from a reader's perspective, it felt rushed.
Now, although it may not be her best work, I still enjoyed reading it! It's not my favorite but I've read far worse. I'll forever recommend her ❤️
Natasha Preston is one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors. She started as a Wattpad author and you can kinda tell in this book. It's still well written, as usual, but you do see the Wattpad influence, in my opinion.
The story was gripping right from the start. I always wanted to see what was gonna happen. The twisted games the kidnappers played and the "Saw" vibes kept me hooked. However, I did figure out the plot twist right away, so this book doesn't rank very high on the list.
The ending though... As usual, it left me wanting more! Natasha Preston sure knows how to write endings, that's what I've always loved about her books. Forget the classic, happily ever after ending!
I didn't care much for the characters. I felt like they were too two dimensional.
Also, the story is fast-paced so it's kind of expected, but I still felt like the relationships were growing very fast. I guess it's realistic for the circumstances. If I were in it maybe I'd become attached to the people with me just as fast, but from a reader's perspective, it felt rushed.
Now, although it may not be her best work, I still enjoyed reading it! It's not my favorite but I've read far worse. I'll forever recommend her ❤️
Rules of Convenience by H. L. Munn
4.75
✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨ SPOILER FREE
⭐ 4.75/5
Rules of Convenience, by @fromthelibraryof_xo , is a contemporary romance, with short chapters.
It's Helen's debut novel, and what a debut it is! She's coming in strong! 💪🏻
I didn't read the synopsis so I went in kinda blind. Of course, I was aware of the big tropes but that's about it! At first I was worried it was gonna be quite uneventful but I became interested in the characters, their relationship, and then the pace picked up. Things started happening and I was INVESTED.
Amelia, Riley, and pretty much everyone in the book, feel like real people. They're so well written I felt like I actually knew them. One thing that bothered me a liiiiittle bit (hence the .25 off the rating) is that Riley's temper felt a little too much from time to time. Maybe a little too possessive to my liking. But that's very subjective and a personal ick!
Bear in mind that it's a closed door romance, so for us SJM (and others) readers, it's a big tease! (Chapter 31, that's you I'm talking about 👀) Still very enjoyable nonetheless!
I love how the chapters' titles are a quote from the chapter itself (especially chapter 33 #Suits). I also love it when books have other media in them, and Helen listened! She included text messages and I love them. Some made me laugh out loud, like when Amelia tries to leave the group chat but is added back in right away 🤣
I don't like miscommunication tropes in general but I liked how it was portrayed here and I'm glad it didn't last for chapters on end! Very well executed! 👏🏻
I'm very curious to see what happens next! Book 2 couldn't come faster 😍
Good job Helen, I'm very proud of you ❤️
Bonus point for the cover 😍 how pretty is it??
Thank you so much @sunnybabepr and of course @fromthelibraryof_xo for the eARC
⭐ 4.75/5
Rules of Convenience, by @fromthelibraryof_xo , is a contemporary romance, with short chapters.
It's Helen's debut novel, and what a debut it is! She's coming in strong! 💪🏻
I didn't read the synopsis so I went in kinda blind. Of course, I was aware of the big tropes but that's about it! At first I was worried it was gonna be quite uneventful but I became interested in the characters, their relationship, and then the pace picked up. Things started happening and I was INVESTED.
Amelia, Riley, and pretty much everyone in the book, feel like real people. They're so well written I felt like I actually knew them. One thing that bothered me a liiiiittle bit (hence the .25 off the rating) is that Riley's temper felt a little too much from time to time. Maybe a little too possessive to my liking. But that's very subjective and a personal ick!
Bear in mind that it's a closed door romance, so for us SJM (and others) readers, it's a big tease! (Chapter 31, that's you I'm talking about 👀) Still very enjoyable nonetheless!
I love how the chapters' titles are a quote from the chapter itself (especially chapter 33 #Suits). I also love it when books have other media in them, and Helen listened! She included text messages and I love them. Some made me laugh out loud, like when Amelia tries to leave the group chat but is added back in right away 🤣
I don't like miscommunication tropes in general but I liked how it was portrayed here and I'm glad it didn't last for chapters on end! Very well executed! 👏🏻
I'm very curious to see what happens next! Book 2 couldn't come faster 😍
Good job Helen, I'm very proud of you ❤️
Bonus point for the cover 😍 how pretty is it??
Thank you so much @sunnybabepr and of course @fromthelibraryof_xo for the eARC
Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
4.0
Kill Joy by @hojay92 is a fast-paced novella. It's a prequel to the A Good Girl's Guide To Murder series.
I absolutely loved the series, so reading this novella was a must.
It's not suuuuuper related to the story, in the sense that it's not directly following the same plot. It's a fun little novella with a few hints and foreshadowing. After reading it, you actually understand how and why Pip decided to cover Andie's murder. So even if you haven't read the series yet, you get more into her head and it gives you more insights.
It's really fun to read after you've read the series because you actually get the little Easter eggs.
I just love Holly Jackson's writing. I could literally read anything from her. I love that she always adds different media to her books, like journal entries, interviews, or in this case, paper clues. It makes the reading experience even better, in my opinion. It's just fun! I love it ❤️
I absolutely loved the series, so reading this novella was a must.
It's not suuuuuper related to the story, in the sense that it's not directly following the same plot. It's a fun little novella with a few hints and foreshadowing. After reading it, you actually understand how and why Pip decided to cover Andie's murder. So even if you haven't read the series yet, you get more into her head and it gives you more insights.
It's really fun to read after you've read the series because you actually get the little Easter eggs.
I just love Holly Jackson's writing. I could literally read anything from her. I love that she always adds different media to her books, like journal entries, interviews, or in this case, paper clues. It makes the reading experience even better, in my opinion. It's just fun! I love it ❤️
Beach Read by Emily Henry
3.75
Beach Read by Emily Henry is a medium-paced romance.
I haven't read much romance yet, but I enjoyed this one!
It reads very easily. It's lighthearted and perfect for when you're reading for 24h straight and don't want anything too complicated 🤪
I liked the funny statements and the comebacks January always has.
The reason why I took a couple stars off is because I did find it predictable. It's a classic happily ever after romance after all! BUT I still found it cute and heartwarming.
I really liked how Emily Henry tackled the subject of grief and the characters' growth from their difficult past.
It's a slow burn so, yes, at times, it seemed really slow and I really wanted everything to move faster. I found the chapters dragged on from time to time.
I was also conflicted because it felt like the relationship happened quite fast, but still with a slow burn at the same time?
It is very romantic, we can't take that away from this book! I even had to read some parts to my boyfriend!
I'm really curious to read more from her now! What's your favorite Emily Henry book?
I haven't read much romance yet, but I enjoyed this one!
It reads very easily. It's lighthearted and perfect for when you're reading for 24h straight and don't want anything too complicated 🤪
I liked the funny statements and the comebacks January always has.
The reason why I took a couple stars off is because I did find it predictable. It's a classic happily ever after romance after all! BUT I still found it cute and heartwarming.
I really liked how Emily Henry tackled the subject of grief and the characters' growth from their difficult past.
It's a slow burn so, yes, at times, it seemed really slow and I really wanted everything to move faster. I found the chapters dragged on from time to time.
I was also conflicted because it felt like the relationship happened quite fast, but still with a slow burn at the same time?
It is very romantic, we can't take that away from this book! I even had to read some parts to my boyfriend!
I'm really curious to read more from her now! What's your favorite Emily Henry book?
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham
5.0
Family Style by @thiendog is a non-fiction graphic novel.
This book was very different from what I usually read. First of all: it's a graphic novel! I think it's the first one I ever read. It's a memoir, relating how his parents tried their hardest to immigrate and live the American dream, and offer him and his brother a better life.
You follow not only Thien's parents' journey, but also his own, growing up in a foreign country, where you try to learn a new language and culture to fit in.
It's very endearing to actually see the emotions and the characters grow.
Grab your tissues because it's emotional, and also mouth watering 🤤. Each chapter is a food or drink, to represent his life changing. And yes, you'll want to eat everything.
I grabbed this book on BookOutlet because I thought the cover was really cute and my grandfather is Vietnamese, hence my absolute love for Vietnamese food and culture. It's only when reading it that I realised it was signed! 🥹 It's my first signed copy and I'm really glad it's this one 🥰
This book was very different from what I usually read. First of all: it's a graphic novel! I think it's the first one I ever read. It's a memoir, relating how his parents tried their hardest to immigrate and live the American dream, and offer him and his brother a better life.
You follow not only Thien's parents' journey, but also his own, growing up in a foreign country, where you try to learn a new language and culture to fit in.
It's very endearing to actually see the emotions and the characters grow.
Grab your tissues because it's emotional, and also mouth watering 🤤. Each chapter is a food or drink, to represent his life changing. And yes, you'll want to eat everything.
I grabbed this book on BookOutlet because I thought the cover was really cute and my grandfather is Vietnamese, hence my absolute love for Vietnamese food and culture. It's only when reading it that I realised it was signed! 🥹 It's my first signed copy and I'm really glad it's this one 🥰