Author: Christina McDonald

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven My rating: 5 of 5 stars One of the most powerful, life-affirming, memorable books I’ve ever read. Everybody should read this, but especially anybody who’s been affected by a loved one’s suicide, mental illness or survivor’s guilt. At times heartbreaking, at other times hilarious, at others authentic and…

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman I know I’m in the minority on this one, but for me this went the same way as Lincoln in the Bard0 – WTF and DNF. While there were lovely, poetic sentences, the whole first 25% was such a sullen drag I finally gave up, which rarely happens. Perhaps…

The Night Before by Wendy Walker My rating: 5 of 5 stars Nobody writes damaged characters quite like Wendy Walker! The Night Before is a clever, insightful, shrewdly plotted psychological thriller, which starts out strong and keeps building to a final, heart-pounding conclusion. With a fast pace and life-like characters, this unique and dark story…

The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry My rating: 5 of 5 stars Intense, terrifying and at times utterly horrifying, I loved this book and found it one of those cray-cray, intense reads that I just couldn’t look away from. Christopher and Hannah have a perfect life except one thing. They can’t have a baby. But…

Here and Gone by Haylen Beck Despite an intriguing premise, I found this book really difficult to get through. Maybe it just wasn’t my type of book. View all my reviews

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager My rating: 5 of 5 stars Addictive. Creepy. Pulse-poundingly perfect. Riley Sager’s writing is so crisp compelling and unique, and he knows how to write to impress. Lock Every Door is really a study in flawless storytelling, with numerous plot twists, creepy characters and atmospheric writing galore. But it’s…

The Woman Inside by E.G. Scott A wild ride of addiction to prescription pills, lying, adultery, and stalking in which a married couple slowly self destructs. Not sure I really liked any of the characters, but their motives were clear and I enjoyed the POV of Rebekah, the main protagonist. While initially I was a…

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty My rating: 5 of 5 stars Hidden under the shiny, light-hearted surface of a chick-lit suburban drama, Big Little Lies is a book of such depth and complexity it really surprised me. The suspense was richly developed, with comments from other parents and a count-down effect to the night…

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing My rating: 5 of 5 stars It’s pretty rare when I read a book and don’t have a clue what’s going to happen next. I was constantly surprised, in the best possible way! In fact, I was so engrossed I literally didn’t hear as my husband took our son…