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alyssahafso's reviews
333 reviews
The Book of the Most Precious Substance by Sara Gran
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The blurb explains the vibe of the book extremely well. It definitely did what it set out to achieve. I think if i wasn't trying to get out of a slump this would've been 5 stars. This book feels like it was made for me. Its dark, erotic provocative, mysterious, and a peak into the occult and elite that always intrigues me. I just felt very "this is good" throughout all of it, not "I love this." The writing is great and I think the main character was done very well. I feel like Lucas could've been more flushed out so the ending would've been more fulfilling, but in general I think this is a solid book and I want to read more like it.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Ending was unsatisfying for multiple reasons but I enjoyed the well done mix of romance and thriller here. Hit all the romance beats it needed too while also keeping me engaged in the mystery of it all. I just wish the motive was stronger and some unanswered questions were not left unanswered 🤷🏼♀️
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
these people are fucked up. wtf.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i love tjr. cant believe i waited a year to read this, its so good! loved carrie so much more than i thought i would.
The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've been waffling on what to rate this as because my thoughts on it are so mixed. A mix of true crime/cult and discussions around sex/kink/consent? That is such a me book.
On one hand I think it did a good job of what it set out to do, but I don't think it went far enough with the discussions around consent that were brought up. It felt very surface level and I think it could've been a lot deeper given how graphic and explicit the actual scenes were. Shay pissed me off the entire book too. Her selfish actions in her marriage (spoiler section), her insanely stupid choices made because of a flimsy motivation that never really proved itself to be worth the actions she took (it's been nearly a decade since you last saw her, why are you obsessed with her death? Like I get wanting to know what happened but to put yourself through all of that? Makes no sense to me). I really never liked her, and maybe we weren't meant to, but it felt like we were.
I do think this book had good parts too, obviously. I felt the actual sex cult parts, even though they were graphic, were handled well and appropriately. I liked Jamie as a character. I thought it was dark and gritty and tense in a way that while hard to read kept me engaged and wanting to pick it up. I liked the twist and I didn't see it coming at all, I really just enjoyed the ending in general. Was a bit off the rails but I love a good batshit insane moment in thrillers.
I understand that people are complicated and her marriage isn't what she wanted, but for her to think Cal is in the wrong for being upset with her after she runs away and ignores him for weeks, rarely picking up phone calls and never explaining what she's doing? Like no girl, you're an asshole! Is he a perfect husband? No. Is your relationship inherently patriarchal and are you allowed to want to end it because of that imbalance? Of course. But that doesn't make it okay to run off without explaining, have an affair, and then ask for a divorce in a Joe Jonas Taylor Swift 25 second phone call, either.
On one hand I think it did a good job of what it set out to do, but I don't think it went far enough with the discussions around consent that were brought up. It felt very surface level and I think it could've been a lot deeper given how graphic and explicit the actual scenes were. Shay pissed me off the entire book too. Her selfish actions in her marriage (spoiler section), her insanely stupid choices made because of a flimsy motivation that never really proved itself to be worth the actions she took (it's been nearly a decade since you last saw her, why are you obsessed with her death? Like I get wanting to know what happened but to put yourself through all of that? Makes no sense to me). I really never liked her, and maybe we weren't meant to, but it felt like we were.
I do think this book had good parts too, obviously. I felt the actual sex cult parts, even though they were graphic, were handled well and appropriately. I liked Jamie as a character. I thought it was dark and gritty and tense in a way that while hard to read kept me engaged and wanting to pick it up. I liked the twist and I didn't see it coming at all, I really just enjoyed the ending in general. Was a bit off the rails but I love a good batshit insane moment in thrillers.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
no idea what i just read
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Found it to be a little bit predictable. Got to the end and wasn't really *shocked* by much, the reveals felt kind of obvious. But it was also entertaining as hell and somehow kept me intruiged the entire time. I thought it'd drag at points but it was perfectly paced in my opinion. Loved Emma, her story, and her fight. She's a great character with a lot of complexities that i think were done really well.
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I knew 100 pages in that this would be a new favorite book. It's so intricately written and the reveals are so well done. The pacing is great, Jen is easy to root for, the twists had me gagged, I could go on forever. The fact I waited to read this so long after buying it (nearly a year?!) is shameful, but I'm also glad cause this was the perfect time to. It's SO fucking good.