Search
Search results
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Day Of The Accident in Books
Dec 6, 2018
Full review can be found on my blog: www.diaryofdifference.com
When Maggie wakes up from a coma, her whole life has changed. The nurse tells her that she has been in an accident, her little daughter is dead, and her husband sold the house and left her.
Maggie doesn’t remember a thing.
With no home, no family, and no memory, she has to find a way and discover what happened that day.
A thriller that will uncover the greatest of secrets everyone could have. A nail-biter, this one, I tell you.
The character of Maggie was so well formed, that love between a mother and her little daughter is expressed in such a lovely and caring way. A book that will be definitely hard to read for all the parents out there, but a very good one.
I especially loved the part with the letters – it was such a unique way to present …
… present what?
I am not telling you. Go and read it, duhh!
The scenes are so vivid and realistic and the little Virginia Woolf Easter eggs thrown across the pages of this book were so precious. Thrilling story and plot that keeps you on your toes. I haven’t read anything this good in a while!
If you are looking for a book to keep you up at night – this is the one.
If you are looking for the great plot twist – there isn’t only one plot twist…
I highly recommend it to all of the mystery lovers that are reading my review.
A masterpiece.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Maggie wakes up from a coma, her whole life has changed. The nurse tells her that she has been in an accident, her little daughter is dead, and her husband sold the house and left her.
Maggie doesn’t remember a thing.
With no home, no family, and no memory, she has to find a way and discover what happened that day.
A thriller that will uncover the greatest of secrets everyone could have. A nail-biter, this one, I tell you.
The character of Maggie was so well formed, that love between a mother and her little daughter is expressed in such a lovely and caring way. A book that will be definitely hard to read for all the parents out there, but a very good one.
I especially loved the part with the letters – it was such a unique way to present …
… present what?
I am not telling you. Go and read it, duhh!
The scenes are so vivid and realistic and the little Virginia Woolf Easter eggs thrown across the pages of this book were so precious. Thrilling story and plot that keeps you on your toes. I haven’t read anything this good in a while!
If you are looking for a book to keep you up at night – this is the one.
If you are looking for the great plot twist – there isn’t only one plot twist…
I highly recommend it to all of the mystery lovers that are reading my review.
A masterpiece.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Summerland in Books
Mar 19, 2020
It's high school graduation on Nantucket. But this usual time of celebration turns to tragedy when--on graduation night--a terrible car crashes kills one local student, Penny Alistair, and leaves her twin brother, Hobson, in a coma. Penny's boyfriend, Jake, and her friend, Demeter, are not hurt, at least physically. But the crash shakes the island and leaves everyone wondering exactly what happened. Why was Penny driving Jake's Jeep that night? What caused her to drive so quickly and recklessly?
I enjoy every Elin Hilderbrand book I read, and I liked this one, though it wasn't one of my all-time favorites. I didn't find myself greatly attached to any one character, or really pulled deeply into the plot. Honestly, while many of Hilderbrand's books have a dark or sad side, this one was really depressing at times, even though there was a layer of hope as well. It hit very close to home, as I am a mother of twins, so maybe that was part of it. I was a little heartbroken, and my heart went out to Zoe, the mother of Penny and Alistair.
As with all Hilderbrand books, the story is interesting, and she weaves a detailed and intricate tale of island life. There's more than just an accident, with intersecting webs of characters. I liked the parallels and ties between the high school children and their parents. It was an engaging story, with a lot of serious subjects.
I'm glad I read this one, but if you're just starting out with Hilderbrand, there are other books I'd recommend first. 3+ stars.
I enjoy every Elin Hilderbrand book I read, and I liked this one, though it wasn't one of my all-time favorites. I didn't find myself greatly attached to any one character, or really pulled deeply into the plot. Honestly, while many of Hilderbrand's books have a dark or sad side, this one was really depressing at times, even though there was a layer of hope as well. It hit very close to home, as I am a mother of twins, so maybe that was part of it. I was a little heartbroken, and my heart went out to Zoe, the mother of Penny and Alistair.
As with all Hilderbrand books, the story is interesting, and she weaves a detailed and intricate tale of island life. There's more than just an accident, with intersecting webs of characters. I liked the parallels and ties between the high school children and their parents. It was an engaging story, with a lot of serious subjects.
I'm glad I read this one, but if you're just starting out with Hilderbrand, there are other books I'd recommend first. 3+ stars.
Merissa (11704 KP) rated I Let You Fall in Books
Sep 6, 2022
A well-paced, interesting story that had me gripped.
I LET YOU FALL is a standalone story about a young woman in a coma and the adventure she has.
You'd think that nothing would be happening, right? Wrong! You get two lots of story here - one with Eve's 'spirit' or whatever you want to call it, plus Eve's body and whatever consciousness and understanding that is left.
I have to say, I found the beginning slightly confusing. It said about it being after the accident but it wasn't exactly clear what was happening, so I wasn't sure if that is actually what had sent her to the hospital in the first place. Stick with it though, as it does make sense in the end. Another part I found confusing was when Luca left. How could Eve see so much misery and upset when the nurse was happy to give the news she gave?
Anyway, they are minor things. The story as a whole was a brilliant read that kept my focus all the way through. I loved reading the two different sides as they tried to understand what was happening around them. The ending is left wide open for you to imagine your own love story.
A well-paced, interesting story that had me gripped. I thoroughly enjoyed this and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
You'd think that nothing would be happening, right? Wrong! You get two lots of story here - one with Eve's 'spirit' or whatever you want to call it, plus Eve's body and whatever consciousness and understanding that is left.
I have to say, I found the beginning slightly confusing. It said about it being after the accident but it wasn't exactly clear what was happening, so I wasn't sure if that is actually what had sent her to the hospital in the first place. Stick with it though, as it does make sense in the end. Another part I found confusing was when Luca left. How could Eve see so much misery and upset when the nurse was happy to give the news she gave?
Anyway, they are minor things. The story as a whole was a brilliant read that kept my focus all the way through. I loved reading the two different sides as they tried to understand what was happening around them. The ending is left wide open for you to imagine your own love story.
A well-paced, interesting story that had me gripped. I thoroughly enjoyed this and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Amy Christmas (170 KP) rated My Sister, the Serial Killer in Books
Feb 4, 2019
Short and sweet (1 more)
Characters are well built and easy to connect with
The ending (1 more)
Lack of retribution
Infuriatingly good
Contains spoilers, click to show
I loved this book, in fact I read it in one sitting I just couldn't let the anger it infused in me settle.
Korede is our main character, she's a nurse and her sister is a narcissistic selfish serial killer. The book opens with Korede cleaning up one of her Ayoolas messes.
At first you might be mistaken thinking that Ayoola is just nïave, you'd be wrong. We come to learn that she knows exactly what she's doing and it is killing Korede, the big sister that will forever love her little sister, even if it pains the reader.
Korede is fine with her sisters killing it's seems though the last one unsettled something within her,raising a question that must be answered; should she tell the police?
Most with siblings might say no because they're family, this is at first the stance Korede takes. However when Ayoola, possibly trying to make up for inconveniencing her sister via a dead body visits her at work and settles her eyes on Tade.
I loved Tade to begin with. Slowly you learn he's just as much of an arsehole as the next berating Korede for being mean to her sister, even when Korede warns him she's dangerous.
While all of this is going on Korede confides all her secrets to a coma patient it calms her, but when he wakes up who knows what he's remembered.
In the end the question of whether to turn Ayoola in or not returns, and this is where the story went downhill for me, as Korede herself allows Ayoola to manipulate her, only to bring home a new man the next day.
Will I read it again?
Maybe, who's to know?
Korede is our main character, she's a nurse and her sister is a narcissistic selfish serial killer. The book opens with Korede cleaning up one of her Ayoolas messes.
At first you might be mistaken thinking that Ayoola is just nïave, you'd be wrong. We come to learn that she knows exactly what she's doing and it is killing Korede, the big sister that will forever love her little sister, even if it pains the reader.
Korede is fine with her sisters killing it's seems though the last one unsettled something within her,raising a question that must be answered; should she tell the police?
Most with siblings might say no because they're family, this is at first the stance Korede takes. However when Ayoola, possibly trying to make up for inconveniencing her sister via a dead body visits her at work and settles her eyes on Tade.
I loved Tade to begin with. Slowly you learn he's just as much of an arsehole as the next berating Korede for being mean to her sister, even when Korede warns him she's dangerous.
While all of this is going on Korede confides all her secrets to a coma patient it calms her, but when he wakes up who knows what he's remembered.
In the end the question of whether to turn Ayoola in or not returns, and this is where the story went downhill for me, as Korede herself allows Ayoola to manipulate her, only to bring home a new man the next day.
Will I read it again?
Maybe, who's to know?
Merissa (11704 KP) rated The Impact Zone (Ryder Bay #2) in Books
Mar 1, 2019
The Impact Zone (Ryder Bay #2) by Jordan Ford
The Impact Zone is the second book in the Ryder Bay series, and whilst I enjoyed my foray back to Ryder Bay, I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the first book... and I don't really know why!
Skylar is still in a coma, and Savannah is drowning in responsibilities. You find out more about Aiden and their break up through Savannah's eyes, including how she becomes friends with Harley. Savannah is a genuinely nice person, and very mature for her age as life experiences haven't always been easy. Griffin is the perfect match for her, but he isn't sure if he will stay in Ryder Bay or not, due to his own story.
With Aiden, Harley, and even Jed, playing a part in this story, I couldn't help but relax and enjoy as the story moved along. This did feel like a transitional book though, and I think that's why I didn't enjoy it as much. Griffin and Savannah get their HFN, but you are left with a major event happening right at the end, which may impact on just who Savannah is exactly.
I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to continue the series, AND see how the characters continue to change and grow. I really want them to all be happy, but with some of the darker characters still in play, this isn't guaranteed! Excellent writing once again, and I'm left wanting more.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Skylar is still in a coma, and Savannah is drowning in responsibilities. You find out more about Aiden and their break up through Savannah's eyes, including how she becomes friends with Harley. Savannah is a genuinely nice person, and very mature for her age as life experiences haven't always been easy. Griffin is the perfect match for her, but he isn't sure if he will stay in Ryder Bay or not, due to his own story.
With Aiden, Harley, and even Jed, playing a part in this story, I couldn't help but relax and enjoy as the story moved along. This did feel like a transitional book though, and I think that's why I didn't enjoy it as much. Griffin and Savannah get their HFN, but you are left with a major event happening right at the end, which may impact on just who Savannah is exactly.
I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to continue the series, AND see how the characters continue to change and grow. I really want them to all be happy, but with some of the darker characters still in play, this isn't guaranteed! Excellent writing once again, and I'm left wanting more.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Sometimes I Lie in Books
Mar 15, 2018
<b><i>Nothing happens by accident.</b></i>
After being in a bit of a reading slump for a week or so, this is exactly the kind of book I needed to read to get my life back in order. This book is fast-paced, twisty & turny and overall fun to read. Thank you, Feeney, for getting me out of my slump with this terrific mystery thriller!
This is most definitely, one of the <i>best</i> thrillers I’ve read in such a long time. The writing style is superb, the characters are so well developed and complex (in a good way!!) and the twists in the plot come out of nowhere (again, in a good way)!
I loved each and every character in this. No one is originally as they seem and as the plot builds and builds around them, each person grows more and more complex. We suspect all of them for different things, so sure we’re right, and then all of a sudden, a new revelation appears and we’re shocked back into not knowing what the hell is going on. That's what’s so great about this novel, you think you’ve got it, you think you know what will happen next, but don’t be so naive! Just you wait and see what Feeney pulls out of the bag next.
As for the plot, I thought this was wonderfully unique. Having the perspective of Amber in a coma, telling us her story, was an incredible way to keep us “in the know” without actually knowing anything!
This is a seriously dark, but superbly written and executed novel. Any psychological thriller lovers out there? Well, you <i>must</i> pick this up in 2017!
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
After being in a bit of a reading slump for a week or so, this is exactly the kind of book I needed to read to get my life back in order. This book is fast-paced, twisty & turny and overall fun to read. Thank you, Feeney, for getting me out of my slump with this terrific mystery thriller!
This is most definitely, one of the <i>best</i> thrillers I’ve read in such a long time. The writing style is superb, the characters are so well developed and complex (in a good way!!) and the twists in the plot come out of nowhere (again, in a good way)!
I loved each and every character in this. No one is originally as they seem and as the plot builds and builds around them, each person grows more and more complex. We suspect all of them for different things, so sure we’re right, and then all of a sudden, a new revelation appears and we’re shocked back into not knowing what the hell is going on. That's what’s so great about this novel, you think you’ve got it, you think you know what will happen next, but don’t be so naive! Just you wait and see what Feeney pulls out of the bag next.
As for the plot, I thought this was wonderfully unique. Having the perspective of Amber in a coma, telling us her story, was an incredible way to keep us “in the know” without actually knowing anything!
This is a seriously dark, but superbly written and executed novel. Any psychological thriller lovers out there? Well, you <i>must</i> pick this up in 2017!
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
Awix (3310 KP) rated King Kong Lives (1986) in Movies
Jun 15, 2018
Ape Sh*t
Inexplicably boring and frankly quite weird attempt to cash in on the Kong name: having survived being machine gunned off the top of the Twin Towers and falling five hundred metres onto concrete (and thus proving that some gorillas just can't take a hint), Kong is in a coma being looked after by Linda Hamilton, who should have read the script before signing on. A no-mark leading man is able to hunt up a female giant gorilla to help out with a blood transfusion, but when the two apes get it on and escape, there's panic all round.
History has seen many overly optimistic monster movies, but few quite as out-of-touch with reality as King Kong Lives. It's not just that the story is preposterous (it is), or that the special effects are terrible (they are), but that one of main emotional relationships at the heart of the story is realised through the medium of two stuntmen in not-great gorilla suits nuzzling up to each other in simulation of simian romance. Your mind rebels when it is exposed to this stuff. 'No,' comes the interior monologue, 'no. Even the big bird in The Giant Claw was more convincing than this. I object. I am on strike from this point on.' With your suspension of disbelief in full revolt, you are forced to watch the rest of the movie simply in 'how much worse can this possibly get?' mode. And the answer is: considerably. To be honest it's only the sheer badness of the movie that keeps it interesting; anything remotely competent is also rather dull. I don't think the 1976 version of King Kong is nearly as bad as most people say; it certainly looks like a classic compared to this.
History has seen many overly optimistic monster movies, but few quite as out-of-touch with reality as King Kong Lives. It's not just that the story is preposterous (it is), or that the special effects are terrible (they are), but that one of main emotional relationships at the heart of the story is realised through the medium of two stuntmen in not-great gorilla suits nuzzling up to each other in simulation of simian romance. Your mind rebels when it is exposed to this stuff. 'No,' comes the interior monologue, 'no. Even the big bird in The Giant Claw was more convincing than this. I object. I am on strike from this point on.' With your suspension of disbelief in full revolt, you are forced to watch the rest of the movie simply in 'how much worse can this possibly get?' mode. And the answer is: considerably. To be honest it's only the sheer badness of the movie that keeps it interesting; anything remotely competent is also rather dull. I don't think the 1976 version of King Kong is nearly as bad as most people say; it certainly looks like a classic compared to this.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Whisper Me This in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Captivating story that loses its pace
I want to start by saying i liked this story. The first half was very captivating, and will definitely keep you engaged. The author tackled a very delicate issue about abuse and the characters were very believable.
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the parents but if you read the sypnosis you can kind of see what's going to happen. I hate they put in a big spoiler in a typical sypnosis. It did lose some of its mystery but was still engaging. This mystery was all reveled halfway through the book and this is when it started to lose its pace and I lost my interest sadly but this is probably because this genre in general has never interested me.
I loved the characters and felt very connected to them. They were believable and you could relate to them.
Because of the big spoiler the story became too predictable which left me very disappointed. The fact I stick with this story despite it not being my kind of book shows that it was still engaging though and I would recommend. Just don't read the story sypnosis first.
I still think the story overcomes the shortcomings, and also think it is an important story to read. It is intense and the author did well telling such a complex story.
I'll give you the spoiler free sypnosis here : Single mother Maisey has always fallen short of her own mother's expectations but she is rushed back home when she hears here mother is in a coma and her father is facing charges of abuse and neglect.
She must make a life and death decision. Her confused father is destroying can't records including her mother's final wishes. What is the big mystery?
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the parents but if you read the sypnosis you can kind of see what's going to happen. I hate they put in a big spoiler in a typical sypnosis. It did lose some of its mystery but was still engaging. This mystery was all reveled halfway through the book and this is when it started to lose its pace and I lost my interest sadly but this is probably because this genre in general has never interested me.
I loved the characters and felt very connected to them. They were believable and you could relate to them.
Because of the big spoiler the story became too predictable which left me very disappointed. The fact I stick with this story despite it not being my kind of book shows that it was still engaging though and I would recommend. Just don't read the story sypnosis first.
I still think the story overcomes the shortcomings, and also think it is an important story to read. It is intense and the author did well telling such a complex story.
I'll give you the spoiler free sypnosis here : Single mother Maisey has always fallen short of her own mother's expectations but she is rushed back home when she hears here mother is in a coma and her father is facing charges of abuse and neglect.
She must make a life and death decision. Her confused father is destroying can't records including her mother's final wishes. What is the big mystery?
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Bunker Boy in Books
Jun 18, 2019
Bunker Boy is the latest dystopian novel by the diverse author Jordan Elizabeth. One minute, the eighteen-year-old Zara is studying for her Spanish exam and the next she is waking up in a strange room where she has apparently spent five years in a coma. The world as Zara knew it is over. She is informed that terrorists bombed the East Coast of the United States of America and she is one of the lucky few to survive the viaane gas poisoning.
What initially seemed to be salvation turns into a backward, middle ages scenario where women are oppressed by the government run by a dictatorial headmaster. Zara soon learns that no one can challenge the way of life without putting their own lives at risk. She also discovers that things are not at all what they seem.
Jordan Elizabeth's writing is fast-paced but still manages to gradually build up the storyline. Being told from Zara's point of view, the reader experiences things as they happen rather than being aware of things the characters do not know. As a result, readers share the same emotions as the protagonist, imagining themselves in the same position.
Another great attribute of Jordan Elizabeth's writing is that she does not need to include romance to make the story interesting. Although there are relationships of a sort, there is no love, lust or conflicting emotions to distract from the storyline. The author knows how to naturally engage the reader and keep them interested.
Bunker Boy is just one of many of Jordan Elizabeth's greatest books. The only downside is it is short and, therefore, over way too quickly. The author has the potential to write a full-length novel in the future.
What initially seemed to be salvation turns into a backward, middle ages scenario where women are oppressed by the government run by a dictatorial headmaster. Zara soon learns that no one can challenge the way of life without putting their own lives at risk. She also discovers that things are not at all what they seem.
Jordan Elizabeth's writing is fast-paced but still manages to gradually build up the storyline. Being told from Zara's point of view, the reader experiences things as they happen rather than being aware of things the characters do not know. As a result, readers share the same emotions as the protagonist, imagining themselves in the same position.
Another great attribute of Jordan Elizabeth's writing is that she does not need to include romance to make the story interesting. Although there are relationships of a sort, there is no love, lust or conflicting emotions to distract from the storyline. The author knows how to naturally engage the reader and keep them interested.
Bunker Boy is just one of many of Jordan Elizabeth's greatest books. The only downside is it is short and, therefore, over way too quickly. The author has the potential to write a full-length novel in the future.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Cat and Mouse (Alex Cross, #4) in Books
Jul 22, 2019
Another brilliant Alex Cross
Contains spoilers, click to show
Alex Cross is back-and so is a raging and suicidal Gary Soneji. Out of prison and dying from the AIDS virus he contracted there, he will get revenge on Cross before he dies. In addition, we are introduced to a new pair of rivals whose paths cross that of Alex and Soneji. Thomas Augustine Pierce has been chasing his demon, Mr. Smith, since the savage murder of his fiancee. Mr. Smith is a unique monster, with actions toward his victims so insane-so unimaginable-that he is thought of as "not of the earth." Pierce, known in the business as St. Augustine because of his track record for catching killers and his invaluable status to the FBI and Interpol, may even be better than Cross.When things heat up and Alex is in a near-death coma following an attack in his own home, Pierce goes to Washington to help with the investigation. But just as he begins to piece together the mystery of how Gary Soneji could have mortally wounded Cross after he was believed to be dead, he is summoned to Paris with a postcard from Mr. Smith inviting him to a very special killing.The body count is high, the tension the highest, and the two killers on the loose are watching every move their pursuers make. Who is the cat, and who is the mouse? What and where is the final trap? And who survives?
This is a reread and one of my favourites from James Patterson. I love Alex Cross and the characters in these books. Patterson is such a brilliant writer.
I cheered as he finally got Soneji that evil SOB needed taking down! I do think Smith was quite easy to pick out from the start.
On to the next Alex Cross book .
Recommended

This is a reread and one of my favourites from James Patterson. I love Alex Cross and the characters in these books. Patterson is such a brilliant writer.
I cheered as he finally got Soneji that evil SOB needed taking down! I do think Smith was quite easy to pick out from the start.
On to the next Alex Cross book .
Recommended