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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Faceless in Books
Apr 15, 2020
Eleven years ago Marie Carter was convicted of killing her two best friends. And she's paid the price. Now she is being released from prison. It's time to go home. But life has moved on, and Marie has nowhere to go. Her parents have disowned her; her friends have abandoned her; even her kids don't want to know. But some people out there are watching her, following her every move - they know that Marie Carter wants retribution . . .
Been a while since I read a Martina Cole and I forgot how brutal her books can be. Bringing so much mayhem into her characters lives. She has to be one of my favourite authors she makes everything hit home and so real. Your heart was lost to Marie from the start and the strong feelings you develop along the way reading this is like a rollercoaster. Only issue I felt it a bit drawn out in the middle but still a brilliant book.
Been a while since I read a Martina Cole and I forgot how brutal her books can be. Bringing so much mayhem into her characters lives. She has to be one of my favourite authors she makes everything hit home and so real. Your heart was lost to Marie from the start and the strong feelings you develop along the way reading this is like a rollercoaster. Only issue I felt it a bit drawn out in the middle but still a brilliant book.
Amy Norman (1042 KP) rated Ready Player Two in Books
Jul 23, 2022
I didn't want the reviews to be true but unfortunately I feel they were correct. I went into this with an open mind and ready to form my own opinions but alas this time I side with the majority.
***No direct spoilers as such but you may infer some details from what I have said***
I didn't struggle with the referencing and overexplaining that some people felt occurred in the first book but this was something completely different in the sequel.
In the first book, there was passion and a sense of urgency, and it drew you along to a satisfying conclusion. There were specific parts to the book that stood out, and it felt like a fully realised story that could almost happen.
I was really invested in the first book but this time round it was missing something.
Although the stakes were set higher it never felt like there was any real danger. There are some truly dramatic scenes but at no point did I feel like Cline had the heart to go all Game of Thrones on us.
I think Cline overstretched himself with trying to cram in 7 fantastical quests, world's, and puzzles to solve, that all the magic of the first book was completely lost.
He could have made this work well but the sped up timeline forced him into a corner there was no escaping from.
Rushed in places, where fans of the first book would have adored more detail and reveled in it, and then hyper focused and drawn out details of some really odd choices, means this book just falls flat.
There was so much potential here, but it felt like Cline was trying too hard to pay lip service to his peers and people he admires in a Halliday-esqe way, this can be felt if you actually read the acknowledgements. The comparison to Cline and some of the characters becomes quite apparent there, and are almost beyond cliche.
There is still ongoing talk of a movie adaptation for this sequel, and I feel like Cline really leaned into the idea of this (after the success of the first one). As this book would probably work better as a screenplay. I feel like this may be one of those extremely rare occurrences where the movie has the potential to be better than the book.
I often try to leave balanced reviews and can find a positive to end on but I was mostly disappointed by the end of reading, so I am struggling to end on a positive!
How about this?
There is no mention of a part three in the future but I feel like Cline has given himself the opportunity to have a fresh start, if there were to be a Ready Player Three, there are so many avenues he could explore, and bring the magic back! So I am hopeful for the futute.
***No direct spoilers as such but you may infer some details from what I have said***
I didn't struggle with the referencing and overexplaining that some people felt occurred in the first book but this was something completely different in the sequel.
In the first book, there was passion and a sense of urgency, and it drew you along to a satisfying conclusion. There were specific parts to the book that stood out, and it felt like a fully realised story that could almost happen.
I was really invested in the first book but this time round it was missing something.
Although the stakes were set higher it never felt like there was any real danger. There are some truly dramatic scenes but at no point did I feel like Cline had the heart to go all Game of Thrones on us.
I think Cline overstretched himself with trying to cram in 7 fantastical quests, world's, and puzzles to solve, that all the magic of the first book was completely lost.
He could have made this work well but the sped up timeline forced him into a corner there was no escaping from.
Rushed in places, where fans of the first book would have adored more detail and reveled in it, and then hyper focused and drawn out details of some really odd choices, means this book just falls flat.
There was so much potential here, but it felt like Cline was trying too hard to pay lip service to his peers and people he admires in a Halliday-esqe way, this can be felt if you actually read the acknowledgements. The comparison to Cline and some of the characters becomes quite apparent there, and are almost beyond cliche.
There is still ongoing talk of a movie adaptation for this sequel, and I feel like Cline really leaned into the idea of this (after the success of the first one). As this book would probably work better as a screenplay. I feel like this may be one of those extremely rare occurrences where the movie has the potential to be better than the book.
I often try to leave balanced reviews and can find a positive to end on but I was mostly disappointed by the end of reading, so I am struggling to end on a positive!
How about this?
There is no mention of a part three in the future but I feel like Cline has given himself the opportunity to have a fresh start, if there were to be a Ready Player Three, there are so many avenues he could explore, and bring the magic back! So I am hopeful for the futute.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Restoring Love in Books
Feb 27, 2019
My Thoughts:
Let me get myself together for a moment. *Deep breaths*. Ok. There,that's better. Where was I? Oh yes. I was going to tell you my thoughts on this book. This is my first Jennifer Slattery book. It most certainly will not be my last. It's like this book is speaking to me. It's a book on second chances, on honesty, on restoring faith and hope. That's what this book did to me now, after recent troubles in my life.
Through the characters, both good ones and bad, I fell in love with this book. Their stories showed me that if I believe, if I have faith, my heart will be restored. Leaning on God and understanding that it's all in His time, His will, love can be restored no matter what. Letting go, forgiveness, and acceptance make up wonderful pages of this book. The characters blended perfectly with the plot line and captivated me, heart and soul.
Ms. Slattery's book is deserving of no less than 5 stars. If I could give it 5,000 stars I would. I highly recommend that you grab this book, devour it and feel the feels that I felt in this book. You won't be sorry when you do. I can't wait to read another amazing book by her talented hands. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/review-restoring-love-jennifer-slatterly/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
Let me get myself together for a moment. *Deep breaths*. Ok. There,that's better. Where was I? Oh yes. I was going to tell you my thoughts on this book. This is my first Jennifer Slattery book. It most certainly will not be my last. It's like this book is speaking to me. It's a book on second chances, on honesty, on restoring faith and hope. That's what this book did to me now, after recent troubles in my life.
Through the characters, both good ones and bad, I fell in love with this book. Their stories showed me that if I believe, if I have faith, my heart will be restored. Leaning on God and understanding that it's all in His time, His will, love can be restored no matter what. Letting go, forgiveness, and acceptance make up wonderful pages of this book. The characters blended perfectly with the plot line and captivated me, heart and soul.
Ms. Slattery's book is deserving of no less than 5 stars. If I could give it 5,000 stars I would. I highly recommend that you grab this book, devour it and feel the feels that I felt in this book. You won't be sorry when you do. I can't wait to read another amazing book by her talented hands. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/review-restoring-love-jennifer-slatterly/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Nearness of You in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Suzette and Hyland have a happy marriage and a busy life when Hyland surprises his wife with the news that he really wants a child. Married fifteen years, children had always been off the table, as Suzette did not want to pass on the genes of her mother, a woman who gave Suzette a horrifying and unstable childhood and eventually wound up in a mental institution. But Hyland proposes a new solution: what if they use a surrogate, with his sperm and a surrogate's egg? Suzette, a busy and successful heart surgeon, reluctantly agrees. Even though there are some red flags, the couple eventually chooses young Dorrie, a woman who wants to use the surrogate fees to go to college. Dorrie and Hyland bond, and Suzette realizes she must get on board with the idea. But soon Dorrie will make some decisions that will affect everyone in this new trio.
I am a bit conflicted about this novel. Ward wrote [book:The Same Sky|22716408], which is a beautiful novel and one everyone should read in this current political climate. It's hard not to compare others to that magical book, and this one did fall short. She does, however, have a way of weaving stories with her words, and while I wasn't nearly as attached to the characters in this novel, I still found myself reading the last half of the book somewhat compulsively.
The novel started out slow, but picked up about 1/4 through, with a twist in the plot. It's told from a shifting rotation of perspectives, including Suzette, Dorrie, and Hyland. There are some large shifts in time as the novel progresses, which did make it harder to attach to some of the characters. None of the plot twists are exactly surprise, as they are foreshadowed a bit in each character's description: this is more of a character-driven novel versus a shocking dramatic novel. Still, even though I tore through the last half of the novel, I just felt the book lacked something, and I felt a tad let down by a story and characters that weren't completely fully developed (the ending is a bit abrupt as well). I enjoyed the perspectives on motherhood that the novel offered, but felt there could be more. That's not to say the novel isn't worth reading; Ward is a wonderful writer, but I just felt a little perplexed and frustrated when this one ended. I had hoped for more.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 02/21/2017.
I am a bit conflicted about this novel. Ward wrote [book:The Same Sky|22716408], which is a beautiful novel and one everyone should read in this current political climate. It's hard not to compare others to that magical book, and this one did fall short. She does, however, have a way of weaving stories with her words, and while I wasn't nearly as attached to the characters in this novel, I still found myself reading the last half of the book somewhat compulsively.
The novel started out slow, but picked up about 1/4 through, with a twist in the plot. It's told from a shifting rotation of perspectives, including Suzette, Dorrie, and Hyland. There are some large shifts in time as the novel progresses, which did make it harder to attach to some of the characters. None of the plot twists are exactly surprise, as they are foreshadowed a bit in each character's description: this is more of a character-driven novel versus a shocking dramatic novel. Still, even though I tore through the last half of the novel, I just felt the book lacked something, and I felt a tad let down by a story and characters that weren't completely fully developed (the ending is a bit abrupt as well). I enjoyed the perspectives on motherhood that the novel offered, but felt there could be more. That's not to say the novel isn't worth reading; Ward is a wonderful writer, but I just felt a little perplexed and frustrated when this one ended. I had hoped for more.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 02/21/2017.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated I'm Travelling Alone in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I read this novel as my BookBum Club book for November! Check out this page to find out more about my very own Book Club!
I had heard so many great things about this novel from family and online, it’s got a great average rating on Goodreads, so I thought I was going to really love it, unfortunately it didn’t do much for me. For me, this was nothing more than your standard police procedural, a sub-genre in crime that I’m not a huge fan of.
What drew me to this one other than the recommendations was the title. I really like how striking and eerie it is! This, obviously, lead me to read the synopsis and I definitely thought the plot was a unique one in a genre that’s so heavily populated. The storyline, in the end, didn’t live completely up to my expectations, but it was a great twisty and turny story. I did have my suspicions about the killer from quite early on, which turned out to be correct, so for that reason I can’t personally see why so many people are stunned by the conclusion. However, I didn’t have any theory as to why the killer was doing what they were doing so it was interesting to find out!
I liked the characters in this one, but sometimes they felt a little clunky and unbelievable, which might be down to translation issues or regional differences… I mean, do Norwegian people really wink at each other during every conversation? There was a lot of winking going on!
Personally, I felt more connected to Holger Munch in this one than I did with Mia Kruger. I understood her position in life, but sometimes I was sick of hearing how sorry for herself she felt. I really do hate the cliche police officer in these kinds of books and she really fit the part perfectly.
The writing for this one was good, but like I said earlier, maybe some of the thrill of it was lost in translation because I never got that heart-racing feeling I usually do with books about catching a killer. Some of the nail-biting conversations happening felt rushed and all bunched together at the end of a chapter which, for me, ruined any kind of atmosphere it was meant to have.
I seem to be swimming in a sea of mediocre books at the moment, and it sucks! I wish I had liked this one way more… my dad and nan will be disappointed when they see my review.
I had heard so many great things about this novel from family and online, it’s got a great average rating on Goodreads, so I thought I was going to really love it, unfortunately it didn’t do much for me. For me, this was nothing more than your standard police procedural, a sub-genre in crime that I’m not a huge fan of.
What drew me to this one other than the recommendations was the title. I really like how striking and eerie it is! This, obviously, lead me to read the synopsis and I definitely thought the plot was a unique one in a genre that’s so heavily populated. The storyline, in the end, didn’t live completely up to my expectations, but it was a great twisty and turny story. I did have my suspicions about the killer from quite early on, which turned out to be correct, so for that reason I can’t personally see why so many people are stunned by the conclusion. However, I didn’t have any theory as to why the killer was doing what they were doing so it was interesting to find out!
I liked the characters in this one, but sometimes they felt a little clunky and unbelievable, which might be down to translation issues or regional differences… I mean, do Norwegian people really wink at each other during every conversation? There was a lot of winking going on!
Personally, I felt more connected to Holger Munch in this one than I did with Mia Kruger. I understood her position in life, but sometimes I was sick of hearing how sorry for herself she felt. I really do hate the cliche police officer in these kinds of books and she really fit the part perfectly.
The writing for this one was good, but like I said earlier, maybe some of the thrill of it was lost in translation because I never got that heart-racing feeling I usually do with books about catching a killer. Some of the nail-biting conversations happening felt rushed and all bunched together at the end of a chapter which, for me, ruined any kind of atmosphere it was meant to have.
I seem to be swimming in a sea of mediocre books at the moment, and it sucks! I wish I had liked this one way more… my dad and nan will be disappointed when they see my review.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Broken in Books
Feb 20, 2019
Suitable for over 18’s only. It contains graphic scenes some readers may find disturbing.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The blurb on the cover of Broken by Betsy Reavley says "the most disturbing book you will read this year". I tend to be sceptical when a book has a claim that it is the best book ever or something similar printed on its cover. However, "the most disturbing book you will read this year" is probably an understatement. It is probably the most disturbing book I have read this decade.
In chapter 19, one of the characters says, "I felt like the driver who stops to look at a fatal accident on the motorway". That is a great description on how I felt reading this book. It was like an accident that I just could not look away from.
The author grabs your attention and makes you feel the story. You can hear what Annabel hears. You can feel what Annabel feels. It is a well written story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It is NOT for the weak of heart and is recommended for people over the age of 18. It contains graphic scenes and intense acts of violence. Do not take this warning lightly.
The only word I keep repeating is ""wow".
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 2/18/19.
The blurb on the cover of Broken by Betsy Reavley says "the most disturbing book you will read this year". I tend to be sceptical when a book has a claim that it is the best book ever or something similar printed on its cover. However, "the most disturbing book you will read this year" is probably an understatement. It is probably the most disturbing book I have read this decade.
In chapter 19, one of the characters says, "I felt like the driver who stops to look at a fatal accident on the motorway". That is a great description on how I felt reading this book. It was like an accident that I just could not look away from.
The author grabs your attention and makes you feel the story. You can hear what Annabel hears. You can feel what Annabel feels. It is a well written story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It is NOT for the weak of heart and is recommended for people over the age of 18. It contains graphic scenes and intense acts of violence. Do not take this warning lightly.
The only word I keep repeating is ""wow".
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 2/18/19.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Darkwater Secrets (Darkwater Inn #1) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
It's been some time since I read a Caroll novel. I wasn't sure what I would think of this one, diving into it after so long away from her work. However, once I sat down, opened the book, and dived in, I was very surprised! I was instantly captivated and taken to the heart of New Orleans, and was taken on a whirl wind roller coaster ride of ups, downs, twists and turns during this suspenseful, read! That's trademark Caroll fashion, if you ask me.
The Darkwater Inn has characters that are chiseled just right for their roles. The emotions they felt, I could feel as my own. The plot line that they are in, is intense and had me on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion. I was turning each page, needing to know what was happening next. When I found out? Oh, you'll just need to grab this book up and see for yourself what I read, what I felt, and what the characters went through in the French Quarter.
Mrs. Caroll has created another book that is worthy of 4 stars and high recommendations. If you want an edge of your seat, suspenseful novel full of twists and turns, then grab this one up now. I can't wait to see what she has in store for her fans in book 2! Well done, Mrs. Caroll. Well done.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
The Darkwater Inn has characters that are chiseled just right for their roles. The emotions they felt, I could feel as my own. The plot line that they are in, is intense and had me on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion. I was turning each page, needing to know what was happening next. When I found out? Oh, you'll just need to grab this book up and see for yourself what I read, what I felt, and what the characters went through in the French Quarter.
Mrs. Caroll has created another book that is worthy of 4 stars and high recommendations. If you want an edge of your seat, suspenseful novel full of twists and turns, then grab this one up now. I can't wait to see what she has in store for her fans in book 2! Well done, Mrs. Caroll. Well done.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Army Wives: The Unwritten Code of Military Marriage in Books
Feb 15, 2018
I checked this book out so I could understand a show that was called "Army Wives" on lifetime. I knew the show was based on the book. So finally had checked it out to read it.
When I started reading the book. Tanya Banks starts by tell you about herself in terms of telling you a little of what going on around her and her breaking the news. She goes to a army post to get her reports and tell you about what going on. She also introduces four army wives and families.
Each family is tell their own story by the army wife. She goes from wife to many but she also tell tales as she is apart of the story as well. The story starts with her a bit and then you meet the families and she start each section of the book. You get the whole story of each family she talking about beging to end with her in it. She also close the book talking. I do recommend this book if you are Armywive fan as of the show on lifetime.
I was into this book. I felt each armywives heart and feelings. I felt I like was there in their house. You can certify feel the emotions to each armywives and family. It may be a bit confusing at first but you do understand as it goes from one family to the next. The show protrait the book a bit not completely but does goes with it.
When I started reading the book. Tanya Banks starts by tell you about herself in terms of telling you a little of what going on around her and her breaking the news. She goes to a army post to get her reports and tell you about what going on. She also introduces four army wives and families.
Each family is tell their own story by the army wife. She goes from wife to many but she also tell tales as she is apart of the story as well. The story starts with her a bit and then you meet the families and she start each section of the book. You get the whole story of each family she talking about beging to end with her in it. She also close the book talking. I do recommend this book if you are Armywive fan as of the show on lifetime.
I was into this book. I felt each armywives heart and feelings. I felt I like was there in their house. You can certify feel the emotions to each armywives and family. It may be a bit confusing at first but you do understand as it goes from one family to the next. The show protrait the book a bit not completely but does goes with it.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Sailing out of Darkness in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Wow! Powerful. Powerful, powerful, powerful. I wasn't quite sure what to think about this book when I got it. I mean, a story of a non marital affair? Not always my cup of tea. But, taking on a new-to-me author, I dived into it with an open mind. Especially, with a past like mine, with my first marriage. I was very, very surprised! This book had all the feels and then some! I was captivated, twisted up inside, only to be let down gently with reminders of seeking out God and praying through.
The characters within the pages of this book are not just characters. They are chiseled with the perfect amount of flaws, they are detailed with the perfect amount of emotions and they steal your heart when you meet them. From anger, to hurt, to scared and untrusting, Samantha, Teo, Jack, India and even Tootie will leave you wanting to continue on with them. Each one is perfect for their roles, even Jack, whom I loved to hate!
The emotions behind this book. Lordy, I felt them all. My heart was wrenched, my mind was twisted, my soul was reminded that not all who are lost are truly broken and hopeless. All is takes is forgiveness and acceptance and having faith in the Lord to bring you through the storm. It is definitely all empowering and thought provoking!
If you are looking for a light, quick read, don't get this book. If you are looking for a 4 star worthy, emotionally gripping, thought provoking, roller coaster ride, then absolutely get this book. You'll be left feeling like you need more, yet wondering what Normandie just did to your heart and soul. Well done, Normandie Fisher. Well, done!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and CelebrateLit and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
The characters within the pages of this book are not just characters. They are chiseled with the perfect amount of flaws, they are detailed with the perfect amount of emotions and they steal your heart when you meet them. From anger, to hurt, to scared and untrusting, Samantha, Teo, Jack, India and even Tootie will leave you wanting to continue on with them. Each one is perfect for their roles, even Jack, whom I loved to hate!
The emotions behind this book. Lordy, I felt them all. My heart was wrenched, my mind was twisted, my soul was reminded that not all who are lost are truly broken and hopeless. All is takes is forgiveness and acceptance and having faith in the Lord to bring you through the storm. It is definitely all empowering and thought provoking!
If you are looking for a light, quick read, don't get this book. If you are looking for a 4 star worthy, emotionally gripping, thought provoking, roller coaster ride, then absolutely get this book. You'll be left feeling like you need more, yet wondering what Normandie just did to your heart and soul. Well done, Normandie Fisher. Well, done!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and CelebrateLit and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Before I Let Go in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Corey and her best friend Kyra have lived their whole lives in Lost Creek, Alaska. They have been inseparable from the start. But when Corey's mom gets a new job hundreds of miles away, Corey and Kyra will be separated. Will they both be able to survive? Even though Kyra writes to Corey, Corey is unable to write back. She can't bring herself to tell Kyra how happy she is now that she has left Lost. When Corey learns of a tragic accident that lives Kyra dead, she returns home to a place she doesn't recognize. It's no longer the place she called home. Determine to find out why Kyra didn't get the help she desperately needed. Corey has 6 days to find out what has happened to this town and her best friend in the few months she's been gone.
Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks-Fire for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The first book I read by Marieke Nijkamp was This Is Where It Ends about a school shooting. I really enjoyed the book and Ms. Nijkamps writing and I enjoyed this book as well. I gave the book 4 stars because there was a part of it that was a little strange to me, where the town of Lost Creek seemed like a cult.
I don't know what I would do if I moved away and a few month later found out my best friend was dead and no one who was around her could explain what happened and why. No one would allow her to live her life. Kyra was bi-polar and when she and Corey were together they talked about Kyra getting help with her manic episodes. She hated the way she felt. Corey felt bad about not keeping in touch with Kyra the way she should have. Kyra said she would wait for Corey, but what happened to her that she felt death was a better option. This book had me in tears toward the end and several times it left my heart racing.
Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks-Fire for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The first book I read by Marieke Nijkamp was This Is Where It Ends about a school shooting. I really enjoyed the book and Ms. Nijkamps writing and I enjoyed this book as well. I gave the book 4 stars because there was a part of it that was a little strange to me, where the town of Lost Creek seemed like a cult.
I don't know what I would do if I moved away and a few month later found out my best friend was dead and no one who was around her could explain what happened and why. No one would allow her to live her life. Kyra was bi-polar and when she and Corey were together they talked about Kyra getting help with her manic episodes. She hated the way she felt. Corey felt bad about not keeping in touch with Kyra the way she should have. Kyra said she would wait for Corey, but what happened to her that she felt death was a better option. This book had me in tears toward the end and several times it left my heart racing.