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Goodbye to the Dead (Jonathan Stride, #7)
10.0
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Detective Jonathan Stride's first wife, Cindy, died of cancer eight years ago, but her ghost hangs...
The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation
Book
He ordered his uncle to be beheaded; he usurped his father's throne; he taxed his people more than...
The Time of My Life
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Denver is determined to realize his lifelong dream of becoming a singer. That's why entering in The...
Contemporary M_M Romance
Her Pretty Face
9.0
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The author of the bestselling novel The Party—lauded as “tense and riveting” by New York Times...
mystery thriller
Because You're Mine
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An “insidious, suspenseful tale” (J.T. Ellison) with a “shocker of an ending you won’t see...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Life She Wants in Books
Nov 21, 2021
I am a fan of Mel Sherratt's work and always look forward to reading her books but, I have to say, never have I been so confused as I was with this one.
Now, whilst at first this might seem to be a negative, let me reassure you that if you stick with it, everything falls into place very nicely and the confusion was well worth it in the end.
Told from different perspectives over different timelines, this is a complex storyline which deals with various unsavoury but important and contemporary themes; coercive control, domestic abuse and loss. These are hard-hitting subjects but Mel deals with them with respect.
There are a number of characters and all have a part to play but I found I didn't really focus on them that much as I was more interested in the story and how it was going to play out. That's not to say they weren't great characters, far from it, it's just that the story was so engrossing that they felt secondary to me somehow.
Full of secrets, lies and manipulation, this is a book that makes you angry and sympathetic all at the same time. It's definitely one that kept me totally engrossed and I couldn't read fast enough.
With atmosphere, suspense and tension aplenty, this is a book that I would definitely recommend to lovers of psychological thrillers and I have to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Now, whilst at first this might seem to be a negative, let me reassure you that if you stick with it, everything falls into place very nicely and the confusion was well worth it in the end.
Told from different perspectives over different timelines, this is a complex storyline which deals with various unsavoury but important and contemporary themes; coercive control, domestic abuse and loss. These are hard-hitting subjects but Mel deals with them with respect.
There are a number of characters and all have a part to play but I found I didn't really focus on them that much as I was more interested in the story and how it was going to play out. That's not to say they weren't great characters, far from it, it's just that the story was so engrossing that they felt secondary to me somehow.
Full of secrets, lies and manipulation, this is a book that makes you angry and sympathetic all at the same time. It's definitely one that kept me totally engrossed and I couldn't read fast enough.
With atmosphere, suspense and tension aplenty, this is a book that I would definitely recommend to lovers of psychological thrillers and I have to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Rise to Me ( Psychic surveys book 2) in Books
Aug 2, 2022
137 of 230
Kindle
Rise to Me ( Psychic surveys book 2)
By Shani Struthers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"This isn't a ghost we're dealing with. If only it were that simple..."
Eighteen years ago, when psychic Ruby Davis was a child, her mother - also a psychic - suffered a nervous breakdown. Ruby was never told why. "It won't help you to know," the only answer ever given. Fast forward to the present and Ruby is earning a living from her gift, running a high street consultancy - Psychic Surveys - specialising in domestic spiritual clearance.
Boasting a strong track record, business is booming. Dealing with spirits has become routine but there is more to the paranormal than even Ruby can imagine. Someone - something - stalks her, terrifying but also strangely familiar. Hiding in the shadows, it is fast becoming bolder and the only way to fight it is for the past to be revealed - no matter what the danger.
When you can see the light, you can see the darkness too.
And sometimes the darkness stares straight back at you.
This was better than the 1st book and much creepier especially read in the dark. For someone who has mental health issues the creepy dark figures of the mind were just skin crawling. There were some cringe bits but still I really enjoyed it! The whole love beats all was a bit of a small cringe but other than that it was a much creepier book. I always didn’t mind the whole family drama it added a base to the story.
Kindle
Rise to Me ( Psychic surveys book 2)
By Shani Struthers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"This isn't a ghost we're dealing with. If only it were that simple..."
Eighteen years ago, when psychic Ruby Davis was a child, her mother - also a psychic - suffered a nervous breakdown. Ruby was never told why. "It won't help you to know," the only answer ever given. Fast forward to the present and Ruby is earning a living from her gift, running a high street consultancy - Psychic Surveys - specialising in domestic spiritual clearance.
Boasting a strong track record, business is booming. Dealing with spirits has become routine but there is more to the paranormal than even Ruby can imagine. Someone - something - stalks her, terrifying but also strangely familiar. Hiding in the shadows, it is fast becoming bolder and the only way to fight it is for the past to be revealed - no matter what the danger.
When you can see the light, you can see the darkness too.
And sometimes the darkness stares straight back at you.
This was better than the 1st book and much creepier especially read in the dark. For someone who has mental health issues the creepy dark figures of the mind were just skin crawling. There were some cringe bits but still I really enjoyed it! The whole love beats all was a bit of a small cringe but other than that it was a much creepier book. I always didn’t mind the whole family drama it added a base to the story.
Gold Rush explores the cult of celebrity, and how so many seem to believe that being famous means that you can do whatever you like, with no repercussions.
Rose is a character with very little self confidence as it is, and when a world famous pop star, Milo Jax, shows an interest in her, she can’t believe it. Why would he want to see her? Well, it seems that he has a nose for a willing victim. He has recognised an easily coerced, shy young woman and he sexually assaults her.
This is a very introspective novel, and we see a lot of Rose’s inner thoughts where she constantly argues with herself: did something happen, did Jax rape her, or did she allow it? She’s a young woman who is obsessed with the way she looks - as are most of her peers. The scenes at the hen party honestly made my toes curl.
This should probably come with trigger warnings for sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, eating disorders and suicide. There may be more, because everything was thrown at this book.
I did somewhat enjoy Gold Rush, and especially the character of Minnie (Rose’s boss), who took no nonsense from anyone. I read it really quickly, due to the fact that I didn’t want to put it down, in the hope that Rose would tell someone or report Milo Jax as a sexual predator, I think.
This didn’t quite hit the mark for me, and I think it may well be that I’m not the right demographic for it.
Rose is a character with very little self confidence as it is, and when a world famous pop star, Milo Jax, shows an interest in her, she can’t believe it. Why would he want to see her? Well, it seems that he has a nose for a willing victim. He has recognised an easily coerced, shy young woman and he sexually assaults her.
This is a very introspective novel, and we see a lot of Rose’s inner thoughts where she constantly argues with herself: did something happen, did Jax rape her, or did she allow it? She’s a young woman who is obsessed with the way she looks - as are most of her peers. The scenes at the hen party honestly made my toes curl.
This should probably come with trigger warnings for sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, eating disorders and suicide. There may be more, because everything was thrown at this book.
I did somewhat enjoy Gold Rush, and especially the character of Minnie (Rose’s boss), who took no nonsense from anyone. I read it really quickly, due to the fact that I didn’t want to put it down, in the hope that Rose would tell someone or report Milo Jax as a sexual predator, I think.
This didn’t quite hit the mark for me, and I think it may well be that I’m not the right demographic for it.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Saving Ruby King in Books
Jun 18, 2020
Ruby King is twenty-four-years-old when her mother, Alice, is found murdered in the home she shared with Ruby and Ruby's father, Lebanon. The police show little interest in--to them--another death in the King's black neighborhood, but Alice's death unhinges Ruby and leaves her alone with her violent, abusive father. Her only confidante is her best friend, Layla, who knows how long Alice and Ruby have suffered under Lebanon's wrath. But Layla is angry that Ruby won't do more to get away from Lebanon and she's even angrier at her father, a pastor, who has been close to Lebanon all these years, and yet never did anything to free Alice or Ruby from his abuse. Layla is determined to save Ruby, but as she works to rescue her friend, she starts to uncover a world of secrets and lies flowing back generations.
"I'm stitched together by the lies I tell myself and the lies people want to believe about me." ~Alice
I found this excellent and timely book to be incredibly well-written, with a power and tenderness to it that goes far behind your typical debut novel (I had to double check that this was actually West's first novel, I was so impressed).
West tells her story from a variety of points of view--Ruby; her late mother, Alice; her father, Lebanon; her best friend, Layla; Layla's father, a pastor; and more. We even hear from a central figure in all of these characters' lives--their church, via its omnipresent voice. The plot spans generations, with West giving a nuanced look at each of her complex characters. She does an amazing job of showing the power of family, for both good and bad. How choices can affect generations: one person's bad decisions can pass poison on, with children reliving dysfunction and sins.
"How can there be a me without her?" ~Ruby
No one is simply good or bad here, though Lebanon is not an easy-to-like man. Abused and neglected by his own parent, Sara, we see how Sara's neglect has turned Lebanon hard. But West is such a good writer that Lebanon is not a one-dimensional bad guy, as much as you want to hate him. I was incredibly impressed at how she could create sympathy for so many of her players, even when they did despicable things.
"Without Sara, who do I blame for...being me? Are children supposed to forgive their parents for the horrible things they've done?" ~Lebanon
This novel does an impressive job at delving into racism, domestic abuse, and sexual assault and trauma. The city of Chicago appears as its own character, springing to life via West's lovely prose. She expertly shows the difficulties black people face on the south side (and in general). I read this book during George Floyd's murder and found myself highlighting passages about police brutality that just hit me right in the gut. It's very powerful.
West's book features a variety of characters--they can be hard to keep track of at first, and I was glad to have the family tree in the beginning of the book. A few times the plot felt repetitious and the middle dragged a bit, but it picked up in the second half. There's a surprising amount of twists and turns. Overall, this is a realistic look at racism and domestic violence, but also friendship. It's quite well-written and layered with a twinge of hope throughout. I can't wait to see what West writes next. 4+ stars.
"I'm stitched together by the lies I tell myself and the lies people want to believe about me." ~Alice
I found this excellent and timely book to be incredibly well-written, with a power and tenderness to it that goes far behind your typical debut novel (I had to double check that this was actually West's first novel, I was so impressed).
West tells her story from a variety of points of view--Ruby; her late mother, Alice; her father, Lebanon; her best friend, Layla; Layla's father, a pastor; and more. We even hear from a central figure in all of these characters' lives--their church, via its omnipresent voice. The plot spans generations, with West giving a nuanced look at each of her complex characters. She does an amazing job of showing the power of family, for both good and bad. How choices can affect generations: one person's bad decisions can pass poison on, with children reliving dysfunction and sins.
"How can there be a me without her?" ~Ruby
No one is simply good or bad here, though Lebanon is not an easy-to-like man. Abused and neglected by his own parent, Sara, we see how Sara's neglect has turned Lebanon hard. But West is such a good writer that Lebanon is not a one-dimensional bad guy, as much as you want to hate him. I was incredibly impressed at how she could create sympathy for so many of her players, even when they did despicable things.
"Without Sara, who do I blame for...being me? Are children supposed to forgive their parents for the horrible things they've done?" ~Lebanon
This novel does an impressive job at delving into racism, domestic abuse, and sexual assault and trauma. The city of Chicago appears as its own character, springing to life via West's lovely prose. She expertly shows the difficulties black people face on the south side (and in general). I read this book during George Floyd's murder and found myself highlighting passages about police brutality that just hit me right in the gut. It's very powerful.
West's book features a variety of characters--they can be hard to keep track of at first, and I was glad to have the family tree in the beginning of the book. A few times the plot felt repetitious and the middle dragged a bit, but it picked up in the second half. There's a surprising amount of twists and turns. Overall, this is a realistic look at racism and domestic violence, but also friendship. It's quite well-written and layered with a twinge of hope throughout. I can't wait to see what West writes next. 4+ stars.
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