This was such a phenomenal, classic murder mystery. I was truly surprised until the last page. I pieced together the parts of the puzzle a4.5/5 stars.
This was such a phenomenal, classic murder mystery. I was truly surprised until the last page. I pieced together the parts of the puzzle at what felt like the exact right time. I didn't figure it out too early on and lose the sense of suspense, and I wasn't completely blindsided by the reveal. It was the perfect combination of figuring it out yourself and revealing of a plot twist. Speaking of plot twists, that final plot twist: damn.
I definitely think this is an accessible adult murder mystery that has the potential to appeal to a wide range of readers: from those that are more experienced thriller consumers to those just getting into the genre to those looking for something atmospheric to those looking for something not too terrifying.
One of favorite adult mysteries that I've read....more
I had always been interested in checking out this series. I meaEDIT: Uping my rating from a 4/5 to a 5/5 stars.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this.
I had always been interested in checking out this series. I mean, motorcycles gangs, summer romance, secrets, it has so many things going for it. But, I did not expect to consume this book has rapidly as I did.
I loved the romance. I felt that it was fairly healthy, considering a lot of the relationships that typically fall into this genre. It was sweet and respectful and passionate and appropriate, with just a hint of that badboy/alpha male trope thrown into the mix. Oz is truly the epitome of my favorite kinds of love interests. He's brooding and a badboy, but the absolute sweetest to his family and loved ones. He is loyal and trustworthy, protective and passionate. I could not get enough of this romance. I ate this shit up. I also love a book with a good mystery aspect to it, which this absolutely had. I did not expect the secrets that came to light in the end, and they totally caught me off guard.
One thing that did bother me was the conversation surrounding women in the motorcycle club world. I felt that it came across very sexist with a heavy dose of women objectification. The constant reference of "old ladies" and prohibition of women into the club just sort of rubbed me the wrong way. I just continually got the sense that the women were constantly the inferior voice in this way of life, and I wanted there to be more equality. However being that it is about a brotherhood bike gang, I can see how this would be an accurate portrayal (even if I don't agree with it).
I have already placed a hold on the second book in this companion series, and I am eagerly awaiting for it to become available....more
EDIT: Uping my rating again to a 5/5 stars. Uping rating to a 4.5/5 stars. 3.75/5 stars.
I went into this not really knowing what to expect, but I was aEDIT: Uping my rating again to a 5/5 stars. Uping rating to a 4.5/5 stars. 3.75/5 stars.
I went into this not really knowing what to expect, but I was actually pleasantly surprised.
I would say this is a great “gateway” book for people trying to dip their toes into the adult thriller/mystery genre. It has a lot of the same elements that adult thrillers rely on—an unlikeable female protagonist, an epic chase, a mystery you're trying to solve, and even some of the sex and drugs influences often seen in adult novels. However, it’s YA. So, all of those elements are very watered down, in comparison. It really followed the same general arc and flow of an adult mystery, just more suitable for a younger audience.
I also really appreciated the discussion surrounding girls and sex and the slut narrative. I think the novel does a good job of establishing that teenage girls who like sex and want to explore that side of themselves aren’t inadvertently also sluts. It comments on the double standard of why boy and girl teenagers are seen and judged differently when it comes to sexual activity. Furthermore, the main character changes and checks her own perception of what it means to be a “slut.” Thus, the novel comments on both slut shaming other girls and slut shaming oneself, based on what others are saying. Finally, a really clear and important definition and conversation around rape and consent are also included in the sexual narrative of this story.
Overall, this novel had both a compelling mystery plot line and a commentary on the “slut” narrative. I thought the two were interwoven together very seamlessly without one overshadowing the other. I am definitely looking forward to what this author writes next....more
This book was so dang entertaining. The hate-to-love trope is one of my absolute favorite things to read when it comes to romance, and thi4.5/5 stars.
This book was so dang entertaining. The hate-to-love trope is one of my absolute favorite things to read when it comes to romance, and this did not disappoint. I loved the games, the pranks, the bickering. It was the perfect recipe for disaster. Lucy makes a comment at the beginning of the novel about the fine line between hate and love and the visceral feelings that accompany such emotions, and I think those feelings were so well captured on the page. I just really love seeing how two people who so desperately cannot stand one another break down the barriers between hate and love. It's so juicy!
I also really enjoyed that this book took place in a publishing house. Books and the publishing industry don't play a huge role in the overall plot, but I loved the setting nonetheless. Furthermore these characters are in their late-20s. I find it so difficult to find books about people in their 20s (granted these characters have established professionally lives that I can't relate to yet, BUT I feel that the 20s are grossly underrepresented). It just seems that so many adult books focus on topics of marriage, children divorce, mid-life crises, and you don't see this fun witty, biting humor that is much more present in the NA books I've read. I don't know, maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but this was just so much fun.
I cannot wait to see what else Sally Thorne has up her sleeve....more
This is my first ever Katie Cotugno book, and I absolutely adored it.
I'm always a sucker for a good mystery book. While this isn't technically a mysteThis is my first ever Katie Cotugno book, and I absolutely adored it.
I'm always a sucker for a good mystery book. While this isn't technically a mystery, there is a mysterious aspect as to why the main love interest decided to up and leave our main character's life. I loved the dual time line because it just added to and compounded on this mystery. The chapters are told in alternating timelines: one when our main character is 16 and falling in love for the first time, and a second 2 years later after the love interest has left her alone to raise a child. The whole book is culminating to the event: why did Sawyer leave? I just found it so gripping. It made me flipping pages like a madwoman trying to figure out the mystery.
I loved the exploration of forgiveness and second chances and what to do if someone suddenly shows back up in your life looking for those things. I just connected so deeply to these characters and to their struggles. I really felt for them and for the hard decisions they had to make.
Such a swoon worthy romance that has quickly become one of my favorite contemporaries of all time. ...more
UPDATE: This is 5/5 stars. I don’t know who I was trying to kid 😂
4.5/5 stars.
I just absolutely love the way these two ladies tell a romance. They are UPDATE: This is 5/5 stars. I don’t know who I was trying to kid 😂
4.5/5 stars.
I just absolutely love the way these two ladies tell a romance. They are always so much fun and romantic and just a world-wind experience. They are never entirely feasible or translate to reality perfectly, but they are the perfect kind of binge-worthy romance.
I love that their stories are always equal parts fun and wild as they are serious and heartbreaking. I never feel like the characters aren't working towards a final goal together. It's never an easy ride or piece-of-cake romance, which is why they so perfectly pull at your heartstrings. What was so fun about this one was the romance trope that was used. Christina Lauren always chooses the best, and my favorite, romance tropes. This one utilizes the fake lovers trope, and it does it so well. I was completely gripped by the entire premise and felt the execution was flawless.
I did want just a little more emotion out of the story. I felt like it wasn't quite on the level of their Wild Seasons series, which we all know is an absolute favorite. I think what could have really brought it there would to have had Calvin's POV as well. I know this would have interfered with the twist of their relationship, but I think his voice overall would have added a lot.
Regardless, I still loved this novel. I can't wait to read more from them because I've just enjoyed everything so much, so far....more
This was every bit as chilling and thrilling and mysterious and gruesome as I expected an4.5/5 stars.
I am such a huge fan of Karin Slaughter's works.
This was every bit as chilling and thrilling and mysterious and gruesome as I expected and was promised it would be. I love her twisty and complex and shocking narratives. In this one in particular, I loved the sister/familial relationship of the main characters. Charlie is a fantastic narrator, who is so unflinchingly relatable. Just like with her novel that I've read, Pretty Girls, I was constantly shocked and surprised by the twist and turns the story takes. Just when you think all the pieces fit together and make sense, you're blindsided by something you didn't see coming. However in contrast to Pretty Girls, I was able to figure out this mystery and was suspicious of the guilty character pretty early on. This character isn't given a ton of page time though, so I was constantly second-guessing myself. It was a very smart way to introduce this character and then reintroduce them later.
Furthermore, there was a main character who struggled with mobility. I find that it is incredibly rare to see diversity in adult thrillers, especially diversity that isn't mental health and isn't perpetuating the murderer's motives. I really enjoyed reading about this character's perseverance and how they worked to overcome their own limitations and the limitations of a small-minded small town. Additionally, there is another side character who is transgender. I am not a own voices reviewer for either of these diverse groups; thus, I cannot speak to the accuracy of the representation.
Similarly to Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter comes with trigger warnings for rape, murder, and sexual violence, additionally there is a school shooting present in the novel.
I've immensely enjoyed the two works I have read from this author thus far, and I am eager to dive into more novels by her....more
Just like all the other previous books in this series, I absolutely loved this installment.
I loved the female protagonist, London. She was incredibly Just like all the other previous books in this series, I absolutely loved this installment.
I loved the female protagonist, London. She was incredibly independent, definitely the most independent of the four leading ladies. She is completely comfortable in her own skin and completely comfortable being single. I loved that we had a female protagonist who wasn't looking for love or felt they needed love to be validated or whatnot. She embraced and took advantage of the single life. Furthermore, the male protagonist was the one who was struggling with being single. He was the one who didn't feel comfortable being alone and facing his demons. I felt like it was a nice change of roles from the typical male/female leads.
Additionally, I loved that this book explored second love. So often, we read about characters falling into epic love for the first time. However, both of these main characters had very serious relationships in the past and were dramatically affected by what they went through. I loved the conversation surrounding learning to trust and love again, learning to move on from one relationship and feel comfortable in the next. It was such a refreshing storyline. It felt very realistic and very representative of what a lot of people go through emotionally when they open themselves up to the possibility of love again after being hurt. It was just such a touching and real story.
I will definitely be looking out for future works by these two ladies because I have nothing but positive things to say about this series. It's an absolute favorite....more
This was such an incredible series conclusion. One of the absolute best that I've read in quite some time.
I listened to this via audiobook while follThis was such an incredible series conclusion. One of the absolute best that I've read in quite some time.
I listened to this via audiobook while following along in the physical book. I found that there were some sketchbook/drawing entries that were (obviously) excluded from the audio in the other books, and this made sure I did not miss anything. I also really enjoyed seeing how the audiobook translated all the various plays on text and word placing that Amie and Jay did within the novel.
As a conclusion, this was one of my favorites. I really enjoyed the final two main perspectives that were added in this installment. Each book follows a newly introduced "couple;" and this time around, we meet Asha and Rhys. I absolutely loved the new storyline with these two. We finally got a look into the Kerenza colony that we had been hearing so much about for the past two books. They also had the amazing dynamic of being ex-lovers with criminal pasts. They were such an amazing addition to the crew. I have really enjoyed all the perspectives and characters. Amie and Jay did a great job of creating six distinct, well-rounded characters that were all lovable.
I would highly recommend this trilogy. I cannot wait to see what these two co-author next. They have teased a future book together in the next few years, and you bet I'll be picking that sucker up immediately....more
This was such a fantastic and satisfying conclusion to this series.
I really enjoyed everything about this installment. I thought the characters and rThis was such a fantastic and satisfying conclusion to this series.
I really enjoyed everything about this installment. I thought the characters and relationships were on point. I thought there was fantastic action and suspense. Especially because I listened to the audiobook. The narrator did such an amazing job speeding up her voice to sound stressed to infuse those action moments with more intensity than I think the text would have done alone. I think there were also some really interesting pair ups between our nine main characters. They were continually split into different groups throughout the novel for different situations. So, we weren't always seeing the same few characters working together within this group. It felt more realistic that the best for the task were be chosen, rather than whoever the readers wanted to see together the most. Also, I loved the resolution we got after the final battle. There was a clear picture of what each character would be doing and how they would be assisting in this new world. Nothing felt left to the imagination or unresolved, and I really appreciated that. We had spent so much time with these characters that I really really enjoyed having a lengthy resolution portion following the battle.
I'm trying to read these in chronically order, which would mean that I need to read the graphic novels next, but I am so excited to see what happens two years later in that epilogue. It's been hard to resist picking it up and finding out for myself.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic series and definitely meant to be consumed via audio. If you have access to the audiobooks, that is the only way I would recommend to experience this series because I just felt it added so much to the story. The books became increasingly more complex, with beautiful science fiction adaptions of fairytale tropes woven in. It was brilliant how Meyer was able to take these medieval stories and make them futuristic. I loved finding all the little nuggets and nods to the original stories throughout the novels. The characters are all so distinct and well developed and intriguing. I just can't say enough good things about this series. I'm so glad I decided to give it a second chance just to read Winter. It was incredibly worth it. ...more
Jordan (thejordanjournals)
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