Book Reviews

I didn’t love. It wasn’t bad but didn’t live up to the hype for me. I listened and while I didn’t mind the narrator at all – the speaking pattern of the main character became grating after the first half. Felt like the author got to the last few chapters and needed to throw in some random curve balls. Skip.

The good kind of trash. This BRAD should be on your radar. Very spicy.

Stayed up too late reading. It got darker as it went on. Not terribly graphic and nothing with children. (There are vague references to a previous sexual assault early on). It’s good, but unsettling. I can’t say much more without spoiling. Rich people behaving badly. A juicy read that sneaks up on you a little. Lots of points for the character development and way it gets under your skin a little.

This was good. It’s my favorite genre -stylish thriller. Not violent. The wish fulfillment of rich characters. It’s set in Sweden for the most of it, which was new and fun for me. Already bought the second one. Bought the hardback because it was the cheapest, but I gave it to my neighbor when I was finished so it didn’t feel like such a waste.

Wow. Such an abstract concept with such actionable solutions. Scientific proof that telling yourself not to let it get to you or to calm down is making the problem worse. Love this book.

Binging the shit out of this one though. Complex and suspenseful without being overly violent. Unique story.

I listened to this rather than read it and didn’t care for it. Overwrought with metaphors and idioms. The writing generally reminded me of when my son wants to play chase, but doesn’t say he wants to play, so just sing songs ‘you can’t catch me’. Every 10th sentence had to be dark and ominous as if you were going to forget THIS IS A THRILLER. DANGER AHEAD. It may have not felt so overplayed had I read it and listened but even for airport thriller standards, wasn’t it for me.

By far the best non-fiction book I have read this year. Highly engaging.

Disappointing. It felt like it was going to be predictable but still thrilling, but then it felt like in the last 15% the author changed their mind and wanted some crazy twists so threw in a bunch that didn’t make any sense and destroyed all the character development.

At first I enjoyed this. It’s very Desperate Housewives, but it just got so ridiculous. I felt like I was wasting my time.

I cannot with this book. I picked this up because I briefly heard someone reference it on a podcast (context: when you outsource it’s a good thing) and it was available now in the Libby app, but I have not had such a negative visceral response to a book since Girl Wash Your Face. GTFO with ‘your unique you-ness.’ In the year of 2021 we should be on the lookout for the documentary expose of anyone who talks like this. This is genderless Boss Babe bullshit.

This is the most batshit crazy book I have ever read. I thought it was a spicy book, and it was, but it’s also a thriller. It is more than I bargained for in every sense of the word. I did finish it, so that’s an immediate 5 points out of 10. And I did read it quickly, but partly because I needed it to be over? But I also wanted to find out wtf was happening. Guys idk 6.9/10? But you didn’t get this rec from me.

Latest smut. Have to assume this was a @beachreadsandbubbly rec. Was worth my time.

Rec from @beachreadsandbubbly and maybe one of the better BRADS (Beach Reads After Dark) I’ve read this year. Medium spice, but mostly because it’s a slow burn. And bonus points for a non humiliating cover.

In the acknowledgements Colleen said she never wanted to write this book and I get that. It’s a fast and easy read, but it’s a bit of a nothing burger. Especially compared to It Ends With Us. I don’t regret the purchase, but just know it’s really more of a fleshed out epilogue.

Whoa. I liked the last Lucinda Berry book so much I steamrolled right into another one even though the description seemed pretty dark. And now I am fully traumatized. She’s an incredible writer – especially complicated female characters, which made this story absolutely gut wrenching. TW – everything but sexual assault. I don’t even know how to rate this because it’s an original story and very well written, but I am HAUNTED by it and not sure if I want to wish that on anyone. All I can say is if you start it – you need to finish it.

This was really good. A woman disappears and reappears 10 years later. Story is told by the missing woman leading up to her disappearance and by the new wife and the missing woman’s teenage daughter. I could tell by reading it, it was written by a woman. The characters are so nuanced and believable. Cult stuff, but no major triggers.

I don’t like reviews that give too much away. I read this book in less than a week (pretty fast for me) so I would say it was gripping and entertaining. However. It is so ridiculous it veers into lazy storytelling. So is it good? That depends. If you base it on pure entertainment – yes. If you base it on a good story – no. No major triggers.

This is as unhinged as The Cut article. It’s a giant tabloid – so just know that going into it. But the author is an old British man and his accent and ability to convey the author’s extreme pettiness is exquisite. Great book to listen to while you fall asleep because there’s not really a plot – it’s just juicy gossip. I think like 15% of it is actually true.

I devoured this book in a few days. It may be one of the first pure romance (zero spice) books that I have read, but it was just so endearing. Such a comfort read. I didn’t want it to end. A @beachreadsandbubbly rec.

Between a fundamental misunderstanding of financial crimes and a truly dim main character – this book was not it for me. I love a con artist novel, but even the self referential idea of a female con artist feels sexist here. Like a person who does crimes AND is a woman? GASP! Anyone who knows more than 20 women knows at least one talented grifter.