daringreader13's reviews
1258 reviews

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

0.25

0.25 out of 5 stars

Wow. I knew I wasn’t going to love this book early on. But I thought it would be a solid 3 stars.

However- between the implausibility of the “twists”, the lack of research done regarding social media influencers (which I can say as a social media manager- so much of this isn’t plausible nor would these people that clearly have nothing in common content wise be brought together), and just the total unbelievabity of the story in general makes this the first and only 1 star read of the year.

First off- I HATED Paisley with a passion. Her lack of personality combined with the fact that she’s “not like other girls” gives her no reason to root for her to live. But then to killed on the last page because you’re telling me they wouldn’t have pulled away from the island as soon as the two people said 7 victims and I’m supposed to believe that? Absolutely not. It’s just not plausible.

Secondly- so many “twists” that didn’t make sense. The whole Robert situation was too convient and the Harper thing makes no sense.

Third off- Harper pissed me off almost as much as the author putting only Booktokers in quotes in her acknowledgment section as if you didn’t write an entire book focusing on social media influencers that you need to make it seem made up? But here are all the reasons Harper’s “cover” never worked for me- 1. Eleven books for a three day trip? I am a mood reader and I would NEVER bring that many books for a three day trip that you’re supposed to be running around an island/hotel/park. It just isn’t plausible. 2. 350+ books as her goodreads goal every year? Sounds like a reach. The average booktok, booktube, Bookstagram reading goal tends to be 100. So 350+ a year, every year is unlikely. 3. You’re telling me she has 500,000 followers and still reads 350+ books a year? Do you know how much time, planning, filming, editing, and community engagement goes into 500k followers on any channel? It’s just not logical. 4. Her personality switch gave me whiplash as it just didn’t work. You’re telling me she couldn’t look at Ava’s dead body but she can kill multiple people? Absolutely not.

Fourth off- a beauty guru, a true crime, a lifestyle blogger/dancer, video game player, a cinephile, and a booktoker all going for one opening of a hotel/park/island doesn’t make sense! When I’m pulling influencers to reach out about doing something like this, they all fall into the same category of content. Plus there is a required here’s what you have to post. Not just letting them run around and do whatever. Added to that- Paisley states she is posting 5 videos in a day. Not stories- posting them. The logic of that is absent. If you post that often in a day, not only will the algorithm not like you, but you’re telling me she’s getting 5 videos out 30 days a month but her three day trip is supposed to produce a month of content/podcasts? How? Like none of what was supposed to happen could have been content for her? So what 150 videos is she supposed to have filmed?

Overall, this book reminds me why I gave up on Natasha Preston and I’m glad I got this from the library and didn’t buy it. Because this book, while it made me want to finish it to understand the absolute dumpster fire of a story, it honestly shouldn’t have been published without WAYYYYYY more research going into it. If you ever see me contemplating buying or reading another of her books, send Robert after me.

Content Warnings

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

If you aren’t good with body horror, creepy dolls/puppets, or possession- this book won’t be for you.

However if you’re good with that, you’ll probably love it like I did but also be ready to sleep with a light on and burn any puppet you ever see… speaking for a friend obviously 😂

The only thing that left me wondering is the note in the acknowledgment. About the funeral in the fellowship hall and any tips for the police? What am I missing there?

Content Warnings