alexatthelake's reviews
634 reviews
The Neighbors by Hannah Mary McKinnon
5.0
Bravo, Hannah Mary McKinnon, for such an incredible mind-twisting thriller! This is definitely my favourite of her work so far, which makes me want to read more of her older work immediately! I loved the multiple POV's and the different timelines, which were done so well there was no jumbled jumping back and forth, instead it was smooth and built the story up even more.
The characters were pretty much all awful, sometimes that doesn't work but it really did here. The unreliable narrators worked too, because you had no idea who to trust and what was true. The ending had me picking my jaw up off the floor, I loved how the entire book really just came together perfectly at the end for the final reveal. Loved it!
The characters were pretty much all awful, sometimes that doesn't work but it really did here. The unreliable narrators worked too, because you had no idea who to trust and what was true. The ending had me picking my jaw up off the floor, I loved how the entire book really just came together perfectly at the end for the final reveal. Loved it!
That First Night by Jenn McMahon
4.0
Okay let me start this review by saying if you need some SPICY STEAM in your life, this is your book hands down. It starts in chapter 4 and it does NOT LET UP. It was great. While a little repetitive towards the end, it was still very well done.
I will admit that when reading smutty books, I have to set my snobby ways aside and remember that I am reading a romance novel and not a literary fiction. I have learned that I cannot compare books of different genres to one another and this book proves exactly that. When I break it down to points, I really liked this book - the characters were super easy to love, I wanted to be in their group of friends and wouldn’t have minded a look or two a Thomas. I’m not a fan of the single dad trope but I’m starting to think maybe I am because this is the third book this year I’ve really enjoyed with it!
There were definitely parts to this book that felt wildly repetitive, like I thought I was reading the same things over and over again, which lead to me skimming parts, but the story itself was excellent! It was an easy, quick, steamy, spicy read that will make you swoon (and sweat!) Can’t wait for the next one.
I will admit that when reading smutty books, I have to set my snobby ways aside and remember that I am reading a romance novel and not a literary fiction. I have learned that I cannot compare books of different genres to one another and this book proves exactly that. When I break it down to points, I really liked this book - the characters were super easy to love, I wanted to be in their group of friends and wouldn’t have minded a look or two a Thomas. I’m not a fan of the single dad trope but I’m starting to think maybe I am because this is the third book this year I’ve really enjoyed with it!
There were definitely parts to this book that felt wildly repetitive, like I thought I was reading the same things over and over again, which lead to me skimming parts, but the story itself was excellent! It was an easy, quick, steamy, spicy read that will make you swoon (and sweat!) Can’t wait for the next one.
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
5.0
Why did I wait so long to read this book? This book was simply everything. It was painful, heartbreaking, heartwarming, beautiful, and hopeful all wrapped into one incredible story. I really don't even know what else to say about this book. It had so many beautiful messages and moments throughout it.
I connected unbelievably deeply with this book, having a sick parent that decided to come around when it was almost too late - but unlike Cassie, I didn't have that time with him. My husband is a volunteer firefighter, so that storyline really hit close to home as well. Learning to love and forgive was also huge for me, personally, as there has been a lot of personal learning and growing for myself and this book really just nailed it and hit right home. I guess, simply, this book was just beautiful on so many levels. Definite must read.
I connected unbelievably deeply with this book, having a sick parent that decided to come around when it was almost too late - but unlike Cassie, I didn't have that time with him. My husband is a volunteer firefighter, so that storyline really hit close to home as well. Learning to love and forgive was also huge for me, personally, as there has been a lot of personal learning and growing for myself and this book really just nailed it and hit right home. I guess, simply, this book was just beautiful on so many levels. Definite must read.
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
3.0
Well, this was a major let down for me. While I adored Johnson’s previous book Yellow Wife, this book was just a mediocre one for me. The story itself was raw, emotional, horrifying in so many ways and so heartbreaking, the execution of the story was slow, dragged and almost lost me a few times.
Don’t get me wrong here, House of Eve is a moving, incredible book with fantastic writing, I just didn’t get into it quite like I did with Yellow Wife. Maybe it was the comparison in my head that didn’t let me enjoy it as much, but I found this book much more disjointed with descriptive characters and their lives rather than a descriptive story. I did listen to it on audio so maybe that played a part in it. Regardless, I still think this is worth the read if you’re interested in historical fiction novels surrounding racism and prejudice in 1950’s America.
Don’t get me wrong here, House of Eve is a moving, incredible book with fantastic writing, I just didn’t get into it quite like I did with Yellow Wife. Maybe it was the comparison in my head that didn’t let me enjoy it as much, but I found this book much more disjointed with descriptive characters and their lives rather than a descriptive story. I did listen to it on audio so maybe that played a part in it. Regardless, I still think this is worth the read if you’re interested in historical fiction novels surrounding racism and prejudice in 1950’s America.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
5.0
YES YES YES YES. Okay, I LOVED this book. Lisa Jewell is an auto-buy author for me, but her last few haven't really done it for me. I've enjoyed them enough, but not nearly as much as some of her earlier books I really enjoyed. This one though might top the favourite thrillers list this year.
The podcast portions of this book were awesome - I loved the format of it and what it brought to the story. It gave us more insight to Josie's side of the story, but also constantly making you question what she was saying and what to believe. The unreliable narrator worked so well in this one. Even though I knew everyone was lying, I still couldn't for the life of me figure out who was doing what and who was innocent.
The ending was a little opened ended, which I don't really love because I had unanswered questions, but this really just made my head spin and wonder if maybe there will be a sequel? I would love that!
The podcast portions of this book were awesome - I loved the format of it and what it brought to the story. It gave us more insight to Josie's side of the story, but also constantly making you question what she was saying and what to believe. The unreliable narrator worked so well in this one. Even though I knew everyone was lying, I still couldn't for the life of me figure out who was doing what and who was innocent.
The ending was a little opened ended, which I don't really love because I had unanswered questions, but this really just made my head spin and wonder if maybe there will be a sequel? I would love that!
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
3.0
To be totally honest, I'm pretty devastated I only rated this 3 stars. If I'm being REALLY honest, it was almost a 2 star read for almost the first 3 quarters of the book. I struggled to connect with and really like any of the characters, even though I did like Will and found Annie fairly funny and relatable, I couldn't get into it. I found the plot very slow, overdone and mega cheesy, again if I'm being honest. However, around 65%, it really took off for me.
I will say that I loved the banter and the chemistry between the two main characters. Sarah Adams really know how to make closed door romances extra steamy! It seems that I'm pretty much the only one who didn't fall in love with this book, but I will say that the ending had me swooning and falling, I just needed so much more from the beginning. Will was absolutely amazing with Annie, and I did end up liking them both overall, but it took too long for me to get there to rate this one any higher.
I will say that I loved the banter and the chemistry between the two main characters. Sarah Adams really know how to make closed door romances extra steamy! It seems that I'm pretty much the only one who didn't fall in love with this book, but I will say that the ending had me swooning and falling, I just needed so much more from the beginning. Will was absolutely amazing with Annie, and I did end up liking them both overall, but it took too long for me to get there to rate this one any higher.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
5.0
All My Rage is easily a book that will make you sit with all your uncomfortable feelings and stick with you for a long time. While it is a YA book, it is incredible powerful, moving, dark and painful. It's a fiction novel, but truly a bit of a reality check to realize what teenagers do experience. It almost reads as a non-fiction it is that well written and that honest.
This book will absolutely wreck you, mend your heart and tear it all apart again. You will absolutely be filled with rage, but this book is a must read, an eye opener.
This book will absolutely wreck you, mend your heart and tear it all apart again. You will absolutely be filled with rage, but this book is a must read, an eye opener.
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
5.0
I had no intentions of reading this book but it was suggested to me for my 12 books in 12 months for 2023, and let me tell you I'm SO glad I picked it up. The audio was fantastic. While I had no idea what to expect from this book (hello I don't read synopsis), it pleasantly surprised me and introduced me to a new series I can't wait to continue!
Right from the first few lines, I was absolutely hooked. Throughout the whole book, I had goosebumps, felt uncomfortable, and couldn't get enough of the story. The setting of Stillhouse Lake was perfectly creepy. While the pace is a little slow, I was still on the edge of my seat, anxious to find out what came next.
Right from the first few lines, I was absolutely hooked. Throughout the whole book, I had goosebumps, felt uncomfortable, and couldn't get enough of the story. The setting of Stillhouse Lake was perfectly creepy. While the pace is a little slow, I was still on the edge of my seat, anxious to find out what came next.
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
5.0
I want to start by saying this book really shouldn't be marketed as a thriller or even really a mystery. It's more of a domestic fiction, I'd say? Family drama, maybe. Long Bright River is a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, devastating fiction novel that almost reads like it could be non-fiction. Immediately, I was drawn to Mickey and her life, immersed completely in the story and how it was going to play out.
Honestly, I'm Totally Faking It by Amanda Gambill
4.0
Amanda Gambill's writing is easy to love. Her characters are even easier to love with how relatable and honest they are. I will admit that I thought I wasn't going to really enjoy this book, as previously I haven't enjoyed political based novels, especially romance, but there was the perfect balance between the actual story plot and addition of the political talk. The banter between characters was hilarious and delicious, making it so easy to fall in love with them and their journey. Even though fake dating usually doesn't work well for me, this one was actually kind of believable and not cringey.
I did feel a tiny bit let down by the ending, I wanted quite a bit more from it, which is where the last start was lost.
I did feel a tiny bit let down by the ending, I wanted quite a bit more from it, which is where the last start was lost.