That Night by Chevy Stevens A deeply atmospheric, tense novel of murder, secrets, betrayal and heartache. That Night follows Toni, an angsty teen with a whole plethora of problems, accused of murdering her sister with her boyfriend. She’s convicted and set to prison for 15 years. But when she’s released, still grieving, she decides to…
Category: Book reviews
Book reviews
Welcome to my little book nook, where I keep my book reviews. I only review books that I rate 4* or 5*, because why would I waste time on books I don’t enjoy? Besides, my mama taught me, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all’.
Before The Fall - Noah Hawley
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley Put aside your idea that this is a thriller. It’s marketed as such, but it just isn’t. It’s maybe some sort of literary thriller blend, or maybe just lit fiction. Ok, now that you’ve done that, this is an enjoyable, even memorable read that revolves around the investigation of…
Never Let You Go - Chevy Stevens
Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens My rating: 5 of 5 stars A truly brilliant thriller about obsessive love and manipulation by Chevy Stevens. After years living in an abusing relationship, Lindsey finally escapes with her young daughter. But when her ex-husband is released from prison years later, and she feels like she’s being…
The Herd - Andrea Bartz
The Herd by Andrea Bartz A smart, feminist thriller with elegant prose and complex, skilfully constructed characters. The Herd (emphasis on her) is set in an all-female work environment, exploring the relationships between women, female ambition, and the price of success for women. Katie and her sister Hana are finally reunited when Katie moves back…
In The Dark - Loreth Ann White
In the Dark by Loreth Anne White My rating: 5 of 5 stars A cleverly re-done version of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, this is an atmospheric, chilling locked-room mystery. With unreliable, nefarious characters and an excellent mystery to unravel, In the Dark is a fun book that almost feels like a game…
Psychological Types - C.G. Jung
Psychological Types by C.G. Jung Not sure I should even be marking this as done, as I mostly just scanned it! lol This is a veeerrry densely packed book that reads somewhat like a college textbook. I suspect it’s one that would need multiple readings to really interpret Jung’s full meaning. However, it gives a…
A Mother's Reckoning - Sue Klebold
A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold My rating: 5 of 5 stars It’s hard to review a book like this because it covers such a traumatic part of history that a lot of us remember vividly. I myself had only just graduated high school a few years before Columbine…
The Couple Next Door - Shari Lapena
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena A easy, fast-paced read that focuses entirely on plot, although little on character development. Great for a quick read that entertains. I’d recommend as a good summertime, beach read. View all my reviews
When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi My rating: 5 of 5 stars Luminous and life-affirming, When Breath Becomes Air is an emotional and heart-breakingly beautiful story about what it means to live in the face of dying. Chronicling Paul Kalanithi’s diagnosis with inoperable cancer as a neurosurgical resident to becoming a patient himself, the…
Good Girls Lie - JT Ellison
Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison My rating: 5 of 5 stars “There are truths, and there are lies, and then there is everything that really happened, which is where you and I will meet.” Tightly plotted and brilliantly executed, this story of secrets, hazing, suicides and murder is told in the most evocative way.…
Cilka's Journey - Heather Morris
Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris My rating: 3 of 5 stars Well researched and authentic, with the potential to be emotional, thought provoking and poignant. However, it fell a little flat for me and I felt like I really struggled to get through it. While I loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz, I felt like this…
Little White Lies - Philippa East
Little White Lies by Philippa East My rating: 5 of 5 stars Emotionally taut, poignant and raw, Little White Lies is a beautiful thriller about the bitter cost of lies and the enduring quality of a mother’s love. The story begins with what usually is the ending for most thrillers: a kidnapped child is returned.…