jessejane306's review
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
purpleviolin91's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The concept for this book is fairly unique. I haven’t read to many Christmas thrillers. This book did hold my interest, but not as much as thrillers usually do. Also there were some things that I wanted a better explanation for. Overall a decent read. I got an advanced readers copy from netgalley, but my review is unbiased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
littleangelsreadingcorner's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Mini Review: I'll Be Alone For Christmas: A Thriller Novella by Meyer Matthews. This is not my usual type of read. It has no romance which is my got to but I wanted something different and at least one spooky book for the season so I chose this novella. And let me tell this is definitely a don’t judge a book by the cover situation. This is definitely a suspenseful thriller. Synopsis: The main character Romee is supposed to be on a Christmas vacation with her boyfriend in the middle of nowhere but instead she’s been dumped before Christmas and heads to the Airbnb Cabin she rented by herself. Take a bit of a paranoid women out in the middle of nowhere by herself and what do you get lot’s of jumps and scares until that fear becomes real and then what do you do? Fight to survive. I loved this is was a quick, short, & scary read for perfect for the season. So if your into Suspense or Thriller reads this is the perfect for you.
Content Warning: this is graphic and scary. It also has a some foul language.
Content Warning: this is graphic and scary. It also has a some foul language.
ellyre's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was a intense ride through hell and I have decided I never want to read any home evasion story for the rest of my life because I am now paranoid.
This novella was short but the plot move quickly enough to keep you wanting for more. I really enjoyed the way the creepy vibes were installed, from the beginning and they slowly became more intense and I really liked how in the end we have a lot of action and suspense.
However, I’m a bit disappointed with the ending because it left us with a lot of question that for me are important to the plot, for example, why did they do it, what was their motive? Is Romee there first victims or did it happened before? also I would have like to have something more with Jessica in the end.
Overall this novella is a great short and entertaining Christmas book.
mcgbreads's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
ARC review; I got this through NetGalley.
If you're looking for a holiday thriller that will hit the spot, I think this is a good option! We follow Romee as she goes to an Airbnb in the mountains all by herself after a breakup. However, strange things start to happen and she may not be as alone as she thinks.
I think this is the first holiday thriller I've ever read, but I've watched a few, so I feel like I know enough to say this was very good. It's simple, entertaining, action-packed, and a lot of fun. I could see where this was going and correctly guessed a few things, but it didn't take away from the thrill.
It's the kind of book that you can curl up with and be fully immersed in for a couple of hours cause it feels like a movie.
It will be out on October 31 and I think you should definitely get it, save it, and read it on Christmas Eve for the vibes.
If you're looking for a holiday thriller that will hit the spot, I think this is a good option! We follow Romee as she goes to an Airbnb in the mountains all by herself after a breakup. However, strange things start to happen and she may not be as alone as she thinks.
I think this is the first holiday thriller I've ever read, but I've watched a few, so I feel like I know enough to say this was very good. It's simple, entertaining, action-packed, and a lot of fun. I could see where this was going and correctly guessed a few things, but it didn't take away from the thrill.
It's the kind of book that you can curl up with and be fully immersed in for a couple of hours cause it feels like a movie.
It will be out on October 31 and I think you should definitely get it, save it, and read it on Christmas Eve for the vibes.
frombethanysbookshelf's review
dark
mysterious
tense
4.0
A picturesque cabin surrounded by snowy mountains and frosted trees sounds like a holiday paradise - but this will be anything but. This story might be short, but it packs a serious punch; packed with suspense, horror and suspicion all wrapped up with a shiny bow.
From the moment our tale starts, the scene is set brilliantly - with deeply descriptive surroundings that feel both beautiful and claustrophobic at the same time. Our narrator, Romee, is having a terrible time setting off on a Christmas break alone and heartbroken; she’s understandably a little bitter and angry but I loved her, and this made it too easy to slip into her paranoia and fear as the cabin became less of a holiday and more a threat.
It spirals into a locked-room kind of mystery, with an atmosphere somewhere between a haunted house and a killers lair - a quiet horror that’s all about the lurking shadows and mysterious noises until it all comes to a dramatic and bloody end.
From the moment our tale starts, the scene is set brilliantly - with deeply descriptive surroundings that feel both beautiful and claustrophobic at the same time. Our narrator, Romee, is having a terrible time setting off on a Christmas break alone and heartbroken; she’s understandably a little bitter and angry but I loved her, and this made it too easy to slip into her paranoia and fear as the cabin became less of a holiday and more a threat.
It spirals into a locked-room kind of mystery, with an atmosphere somewhere between a haunted house and a killers lair - a quiet horror that’s all about the lurking shadows and mysterious noises until it all comes to a dramatic and bloody end.
kayhush's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. 5 starts are not enough. I thought it would be a nice little palette cleanser between some fantasy romance, but this STOOD OUT. Why does this little novella give me giddy leg-kicking at the same time as holding-my-breath suspense?! I LOVED the mash-up of genres:
Book cover - gives romance vibes
Writing style - banter and humor feels like a rom-com
General theme - solo holiday vacation
Plot - SUSPENSE, THRILLER, did I mention SUSPENSE
Light sprinkling of body horror
When I say suspense, I mean suspense. I found myself holding my breath, having to remind myself to breathe.
There were little tidbits that I found great joy in, and helped me immerse myself even more into the story because it was SO relatable:
- The walk-around of the AirBnB, washing dishes before using, and changing the direction of the window blinds
- The STANLEY MUG is a side character
- Sucking the candy cane to a point and then poking it with your finger until it is pointy enough
As someone who has gone on solo winter vacations to mountain AirBnBs.... this novella hit differently. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
HUGE thank you NetGalley and Meyer Matthews for a copy of this ARC, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!
....
I'm going to be recommending this book to..... everyone.
Book cover - gives romance vibes
Writing style - banter and humor feels like a rom-com
General theme - solo holiday vacation
Plot - SUSPENSE, THRILLER, did I mention SUSPENSE
Light sprinkling of body horror
When I say suspense, I mean suspense. I found myself holding my breath, having to remind myself to breathe.
There were little tidbits that I found great joy in, and helped me immerse myself even more into the story because it was SO relatable:
- The walk-around of the AirBnB, washing dishes before using, and changing the direction of the window blinds
- The STANLEY MUG is a side character
- Sucking the candy cane to a point and then poking it with your finger until it is pointy enough
As someone who has gone on solo winter vacations to mountain AirBnBs.... this novella hit differently. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
HUGE thank you NetGalley and Meyer Matthews for a copy of this ARC, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!
....
I'm going to be recommending this book to..... everyone.
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