Loved this one! Complex, unique, and unputdownable. From chapter 1 I was completely intrigued and totally enthralled. I had absolutely no idea what waLoved this one! Complex, unique, and unputdownable. From chapter 1 I was completely intrigued and totally enthralled. I had absolutely no idea what was going on and couldn't have guessed where the story would take me! I held on tight and enjoyed every second of the ride!
If you're looking for a surprising and binge-worthy book, look no further!...more
This book started off soooo good and I absolutely loved the premise. Five elite short story writers were gathered together for a month-long retreat wiThis book started off soooo good and I absolutely loved the premise. Five elite short story writers were gathered together for a month-long retreat with the famous and slightly reclusive Rosa Vello. Once at the retreat, they were completely isolated from the outside world and tasked with a fierce competition to draft a book that Rosa would get published with a $1M advance. I was totally enthralled and hooked!
While Al started grating on me shortly into the novel, I didn't let it deter me from enjoying this novel. I loved the creepy vibes, Rosa's totally wild sense of "humor," and the cutthroat aspect of the competition. Some of story ideas really piqued my interest, although admittedly, I was pretty bored by the plotline Al decided to pursue. Typically, I love a story within a story but "The Great Commission" didn't quite do it for me.
Around halfway in, this novel takes a drastic turn that I can't say was unexpected, but I can say was totally over the top. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it felt more realistic and hadn't been so out there. I think the X-rated LSD trip with Al in the basement really sent this book off the rails for me and I was a little disappointed things got so...out there!
All in all, this was entertaining but not one that will stick with me.
Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the copy....more
It's entirely possible I've just read too many of these neighborhood dramas lately but ultimately, this book fell flat for me. While the storylines weIt's entirely possible I've just read too many of these neighborhood dramas lately but ultimately, this book fell flat for me. While the storylines were interesting, I never connected with the characters and I felt a little bogged down by just how many there were.
Abe's conduct disorder diagnosis and how his family navigated that was definitely interesting. I questioned how authorities wouldn't have been involved after the exacto knife stabbing incident, but all that aside, it was definitely one unique aspect of an otherwise familiar premise.
I also loved the book club aspect and the use of emails to switch up the dialogues. Being in a (virtual) bookclub myself, I really resonated with this part and could have used more book club scenes.
Ultimately, with the exception of Abe, this one felt redundant. Even one of the big twists has just been done too many times. It was a good read and I was entertained, but it definitely won't stick with me....more
I'm generally not one to start a new detective series because they sort of all feel the same and honestly, I just don't like the commitment! However, I'm generally not one to start a new detective series because they sort of all feel the same and honestly, I just don't like the commitment! However, I picked this one up before I realized it was the start of a series and it's safe to say I'm hooked. I loved the setting, the mystery, and buildup. It totally surprised me and I was way off base on who was the killer. The romance was just enough and I liked the "Gray's Anatomy" feel where they started off as a one-night stand and then ended up working together.
All in all, this book was stellar and I'm excited to see where DC Morgan goes next!...more
After loving The Ties That Tether last year, I was really looking forward to The Sweetest Remedy. However, it fell a little flat for me and I never goAfter loving The Ties That Tether last year, I was really looking forward to The Sweetest Remedy. However, it fell a little flat for me and I never got very invested in the characters or the story.
About 5 minutes into the book I knew where it was going and what would happen. Did it pan out essentially the way I predicted? Yes, yes it did. While that's not always a bad thing, it definitely didn't do this book any favors and I found myself upping the audio speed fairly frequently.
The emotions in this book were from one extreme to another and often didn't feel authentic to me. Where some of Hannah's relatives immediately accepted her and embraced her as a sister and best friends, others were more hesitant or downright hostile. It seemed unlikely that any newly identified half sibling would instantaneously be best friends with the result of their deceased father's affair so the siblings that immediately befriended Hannah felt fairly unrealistic. Also, the siblings that were incredibly cruel to her seemed to fall at the other, also fairly unrealistic, extreme. I'm not sure how I would react in the same situation, but the way the entire thing panned out was unique and far fetched to say the least. That being said, it certainly did make for an entertaining situation.
I didn't connect to the love story in this novel and felt that Hannah meeting him in San Francisco before reconnecting in Nigeria was unnecessary and quite eye roll worthy.
All in all, this book just didn't grasp me like The Ties That Tether. I will probably give this author another go, but this isn't a novel that will stick with me....more
Once in a great while you come across a book that you just can't get enough of. You hate to put it down, can't wait to pick it up, and think about it Once in a great while you come across a book that you just can't get enough of. You hate to put it down, can't wait to pick it up, and think about it when you're trapped in real life and can't escape to its pages. A feeling of dread comes over you as the chapters and pages seem to disappear -- the end threatening you at every turn.
This is one of those books for me. There really just aren't enough stars!
I loved that there was a love story but it didn't overwhelm the plot. I loved that it featured unique and quirky characters, incredibly strong and fearless women, and pushed the message that smart is more important than pretty. Elizabeth was so true to who she was - something that is hard today and would have been even harder in the 1950s.
I absolutely adored the motherhood storyline and related SO HARD to those early newborn days when it feels like the world has ended and a tiny human has taken over. Elizabeth's relationship with her daughter was so special and I loved how her character grew as she took on and totally excelled at a role she never thought she wanted.
This book will stick with me for a long time and be one that I continually recommend. I'm not one for re-reading novels, but I just may have to with this one!!
Going into this novel, I was a little overwhelmed by the fact that the audio was SEVENTEEN hours long. In my opinion, most books have no business beinGoing into this novel, I was a little overwhelmed by the fact that the audio was SEVENTEEN hours long. In my opinion, most books have no business being 400 pages or longer, and while this one is no exception, it was really well done and super entertaining.
Hannah wasn't a particularly likeable character for me. She felt meek and naive, her decision-making was lacking, and it frustrated me how careless she was with her pregnancy. Part of my distaste for Hannah was likely with the narrator as well. I've done other audiobooks with Imogen Clark and strongly disliked them, due in large part to the narration. While ultimately I thought the narration was pretty good for It Girl, it was a little overacted at times and often a bit grating.
By 70% into this novel, I think I had suspected every single character as April's murderer. I had a hunch early on that I kept second guessing and I am pleased to report that I was wrong (always love when a mystery can surprise!!).
Much of the novel includes flashbacks to before April was murdered and I always love a good acidemia setting. I felt like there were some flaws with the setting, for example, why would a wealthy student like April be placed with a roommate when most of the on campus housing was singles? That aside, I loved the college location and enjoyed reminiscing about my own times back in university playing games in friend's dorm rooms and venturing out to the local pubs instead of going to the library.
I have to say, Ware is an expert at the reveal. I absolutely love that she didn't do an information dump on us during the last chapter. It's one of my biggest pet peeves when the killer is revealed and then they go on a chapter long monologue tying up all the loose ends. The reveal in this novel was uniquely done and worked so well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm not sure it'll particularly stick with me and it definitely could've been 100 pages shorter, however, it held my interest and I love that I was surprised.
Thank you to Gallery and NetGalley for a copy of this novel....more
I would describe this book as Crazy Rich Asians meets People Like Her and let me tell you - I AM HERE FOR IT!
This will definitely be making my top fivI would describe this book as Crazy Rich Asians meets People Like Her and let me tell you - I AM HERE FOR IT!
This will definitely be making my top five of 2022. Once I got invested in the story, I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.
What happened to Kaavi? Did Amaya kill her? Will Amaya win Spencer back?
I absolutely loved the drama, the setting in Sri Lanka, the over-the-top wedding, and the influencer aspect. I was totally enthralled with the gossiping Aunties, the descriptions of the fabulous outfits and delicious foods, and the whirlwind romance between the perfect Kaavi and her prince charming Spencer. Everyone had secrets and I always love that the more perfect a person seems, the more flawed they seem to be.
The parts about the friendship breakup and how emotionally taxing it was on Amaya and Kaavi really hit home. We always read about romantic breakups, but often, a friendship breakup is even worse and more traumatic. I really felt for Amaya and her heartache at watching her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend fall in love and plan their wedding.
Pieces of the story were a bit predictable for me but how everything played out was fantastic and I was constantly questioning my gut.
My only gripe with this book is the cover - "She'll wish she never RSVP'd" - UGH EDITORS WTH! Amaya DIDN'T RSVP! **face palm** LOL!!
This was my first book by Jayatissa and it absolutely will not be my last!...more
I loved the descriptions and setting in this book and it would make for an incredible adaption to the big screen!
Cecily is given the opportunity of a I loved the descriptions and setting in this book and it would make for an incredible adaption to the big screen!
Cecily is given the opportunity of a lifetime when the world's most famous alpinist offers her an exclusive interview.... IF she can summit a mountain with him over 8k feet. Once at the camp, strange deaths start happening and Cecily can't shake the feeling that they aren't just related to the extreme conditions or dangers associated with the mountain. Will Cecily be able to overcome her fears and summit the mountain in order to get the interview? Or, more importantly, will she make it off the mountain alive?
The pace of this novel was fairly slow going. At first, I felt like "wow!" when almost immediately Cecily and the team were whisked off to base camp. However, the pace for base camp and the lead up to the summit felt a little drawn out and extremely detailed.
This book got quite technical and into the nitty gritty of alpining. It was very clear McCulloch has mountaineering experience and I thought it was very cool that she's actually climbed the mountain in the book. However, if you're not into mountain climbing, this may prove to be a hindrance to your enjoyment of the book.
The first three quarters of the novel were certainly good and well written but I didn't really get invested until the final quarter of the book when the pace really picked up and the suspense was truly peaked.
All in all this was an enjoyable read but not exactly my style. I do look forward to reading more from this author though!...more
Chelsey (a_novel_idea11)
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