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Broken Dolls (Broken Dolls, #1)
Broken Dolls (Broken Dolls, #1)
Tyrolin Puxty | 2015 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
What an amazing read! I was unable to put this book down and read it in one sitting. This is a fast paced and intriguing read with just the right amount of the creepy factor (duh, it is about dolls after all.) I found myself making so many assumptions about what was really going on and I was entirely wrong. So wrong that once the truth came out I was blown clear out of the water.

Broken Dolls is a unique and creative story and you will certainly not be disappointed. I'm extremely happy that I stumbled upon this author and I eagerly await the release of the next book.
  
Happy Death Day (2017)
Happy Death Day (2017)
2017 | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Unique plot (1 more)
Surprisingly good acting
Groundhog day slasher!
Firstly this is a comedy horror not a straight up horror film.

I have to say I expected nothing from this film, I knew none of the actors and was just looking to pass an hour or so.

I'd like to say I loved this film, it was very 90's slasher poking fun at itself and not taking itself very serious at all, I found the plot unique and was honestly quite surprised by the "killer".

I think if you are looking for something light and breezy rather than a straight up horror this is perfect!
  
Death of a Halloween Party Monster
Death of a Halloween Party Monster
Lee Hollis | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cold Costumed Corpse
This story features Lee Hollis’s series star Hayley Powell, who is hosting a Halloween party at her new restaurant. However, the night ends in horror when the body of the high school music teacher is found in the freezer. Is one of Hayley’s friends a killer?

I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.

NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.

NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
  
The Buried Giant
The Buried Giant
Kazuo Ishiguro | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.6 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
Perseverance needed for this one!
I had really looked forward to this book: I was on the waiting list for it for months before it was released. So I was really excited when I received the email that it had arrived at the library. The added bonus: I was the first person to read it! Now THAT doesn't happen often at the library!
Anyway, on to the content of the novel. Honestly, I found the first half really hard going. I found he narrative voice really wooden and forced, and I was waiting for something to happen for nearly 170 pages. I only persevered because it was Ishiguro - if it had been anyone else, I would have probably stuck to my 3 chapter rule and quit. I'm glad that I kept at it though. Beatrice and Axl are lovely characters. A devoted husband and wife, who are human enough to be bothered about other people as well. To be honest, all of the characters are really likeable.
My advice: keep going, if like me, you're finding this a tough read. You will be rewarded!!
  
When Beauty Tamed the Beast (Fairy Tales, #2)
When Beauty Tamed the Beast (Fairy Tales, #2)
Eloisa James | 2011 | Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not so very long ago I reviewed the first of James' fairy tales series, A Kiss at Midnight, which I found OK, but not one to hang on to and read again, and I said that I always thought I should like her books more than I actually do. I have to say that it was almost as if someone was listening, as I liked this book a whole lot better. There is only a thematic connection with the other books; there don't appear to be any characters in common.

I liked this book as the two protagonists had personality and you could see what they would see in each other, which I found hard in the last book. The whole set up was maybe a bit far fetched, but it was quite an amusing tale - with a fair sprinkling of strong language. I smiled when the heroine had been reading Miss Butterworth & the Mad Baron - as I'm sure many readers of Julia Quinn will! A much more engaging and entertaining read, good protagonists and interesting supporting characters, giving enough interest but without detracting from the main plot.
  
The Woman in the Window
The Woman in the Window
A.J. Finn | 2018 | Thriller
9
8.0 (42 Ratings)
Book Rating
Interesting (1 more)
Different
Phenominal!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I cannot recommend this book enough. I found it really easy to read and one that I didn't want to put down. It follows the story of Dr. Anna Fox who suffers from Agraphobia. I found that interesting on its own because it's not a very well know disorder. I think this is one of the things that drew me to the book because I once dealt with a customer who had Agraphobia and I didn't know what it was. It is focalised through Anna and you learn about her day to day life. As she is unable to leave the house, she spies on her neighbours watching their lives instead of living her own. A new family move across the road and she instantly takes an interest in them particularly when the mother pays her a visit and they drink a lot of wine and play chess. One day when spying on the neighbours, she sees the mother get killed. This novel takes you on a rollercoaster as Anna uncovers what happened to her. There are some classic elements of a thriller in this book but I don't think I truly knew what I had got myself into. When reading at work, all I kept saying to my colleagues is "I can't cope with this book, everytime I think I know what's going to happen, there's another twist or turn." The novel itself is written very well and it leaves you constantly questions what real and what's not and what's true and what's false. I really couldn't recommend this book enough.
  
Before reading this I knew I was nice but not that I had the nice girl syndrome...which according to this book I have quite a severe version of. Once I was diagnosed it was time to learn how to do something about it. I could relate to a very large proportion of this book, however, as extreme niceness is a massive part of my personality I thought there's no way I could change it. I discovered it's not to change a person from being nice it's to give a nice girl some backbone... something that I don't have. I found myself nodding in agreement to a lot of points made in this book. Although in places it seemed quite patronizing, I thought that it was somewhat necessary for it to be blunt, not sunshine and rainbows, we are told from the start...being too nice? Yup, that's a problem! which, unfortunately, is true in society today, you will get treated like a doormat. If you think you may need to give your inner nice girl that kick up the backside she needs in order to have your opinion valued once in while....pick up this book.
  
TP
The Perils Of Pauline
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
NOTE **I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

At first, I had a hard time relating to Pauline, an ex-military, hockey playing mom on her second marriage. I also had trouble feeling sorry for her since it seemed to me that most of Pauline's perils were, in fact, brought on by her own poor judgement. She grew on me, however, and I soon found myself hoping that everything would work out for her in the end. I couldn't help but laugh both with and at her. This was a quick, funny read that just might leave you thankful that you only have your own problems to worry about, and not Pauline's.
  
Since You've Been Gone
Since You've Been Gone
Morgan Matson | 2014 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.4 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
In a well ordered universe I wouldn't be left with so many questions! I loved this book,it's a story about friendship and finding out who you really are when your not in someone elses shadow. No matter how much you love and admire that person. As someone with social anxiety, I found Emily to be very relatable, and much braver than I if I had been handed this list.This book took me back to being a teenager and some of the summers I had, (none as eventful as this story!) A story of friendship and romance! My only little niggle is I want to know if she mends things with Dawn and Collins and if Gideon finds his perfect girl ( I have a rather large soft spot for him) In truth I wanted Emily to fall in love with him instead because he seemed so sweet, but I can't have everything!