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bookstagramsam's reviews
280 reviews
A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey
reflective
tense
3.25
3.25 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for early access to this book.
It’s super hard for me to rate this one. I did like it, and I wanted to keep reading it to find out what was happening. But I really didn’t like any of the characters. They kind of annoyed me.
Eden and her husband are recently separated as their daughter who isn’t taking it well is off to college. One night while all alone Eden stumbles across her old college crush’s profile (Justin) and friend requests him. They immediately start messaging. Things quickly escalate and Eden finds herself doing things she normally wouldn’t be doing
However, weird things keep happening and Justin seems to know way too much about her and her family. Them Eden’s world is turned upside down.
this book definitely leaves you on the edge of your seat but I do feeling like it’s missing substance. The characters just aren’t relatable. I’d recommend it if you want an easy suspense book. But not a must read.
It’s super hard for me to rate this one. I did like it, and I wanted to keep reading it to find out what was happening. But I really didn’t like any of the characters. They kind of annoyed me.
Eden and her husband are recently separated as their daughter who isn’t taking it well is off to college. One night while all alone Eden stumbles across her old college crush’s profile (Justin) and friend requests him. They immediately start messaging. Things quickly escalate and Eden finds herself doing things she normally wouldn’t be doing
However, weird things keep happening and Justin seems to know way too much about her and her family. Them Eden’s world is turned upside down.
this book definitely leaves you on the edge of your seat but I do feeling like it’s missing substance. The characters just aren’t relatable. I’d recommend it if you want an easy suspense book. But not a must read.
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
4.5 ⭐️ Wow! This book was so beautifully written.
I’ll admit. When I first started this book it was hard for me to get into, but that’s all on me as I decided to buddy read this with a friend and it happened while I was on a sunny beachy vacation! Not your ideal beach read!
This book is so gripping. Who knew there could be such a thing as a heartbreaking and haunting at the same time.
This book is primarily historical fiction. A young boy is sent to an all boys reform school after being harshly judged for standing up for his sister. The era is 1950s and Jim Crow south is in full effect.
Robbie the young boy (12yo) scared out of his mind ends up befriending two other boys that help get him through the days.
The superintendent chooses Robbie to be his special helper because he can see ghosts and he needs Robbie to help catch all of the haints that are haunting the reformatory. Robbie is learning the real truth behind the school and the haints. He’s learning the horrors of racism, injustice and heartbreak of the reformatory.
The author did such a great job developing this characters and really bringing you into the book and the time. It makes you feel all of the feels. Though it’s a work of fiction it is loosely inspired by the events of The Dozier School of Boys where a relative of the author attended and held on to his own tragedy.
This is a highly recommend.. don’t let the length scare you. It will go by fast!
I’ll admit. When I first started this book it was hard for me to get into, but that’s all on me as I decided to buddy read this with a friend and it happened while I was on a sunny beachy vacation! Not your ideal beach read!
This book is so gripping. Who knew there could be such a thing as a heartbreaking and haunting at the same time.
This book is primarily historical fiction. A young boy is sent to an all boys reform school after being harshly judged for standing up for his sister. The era is 1950s and Jim Crow south is in full effect.
Robbie the young boy (12yo) scared out of his mind ends up befriending two other boys that help get him through the days.
The superintendent chooses Robbie to be his special helper because he can see ghosts and he needs Robbie to help catch all of the haints that are haunting the reformatory. Robbie is learning the real truth behind the school and the haints. He’s learning the horrors of racism, injustice and heartbreak of the reformatory.
The author did such a great job developing this characters and really bringing you into the book and the time. It makes you feel all of the feels. Though it’s a work of fiction it is loosely inspired by the events of The Dozier School of Boys where a relative of the author attended and held on to his own tragedy.
This is a highly recommend.. don’t let the length scare you. It will go by fast!
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
slow-paced
3.5
I am the odd one out on this review.
I love historical fiction and love learning things that occurred during various wars and periods of time.
Learning about Bletchley Park and the code breakers was so incredibly interesting.
This story follows 3 women who are hired to break German codes for the Nazi war. Kate Quinn based some to these characters and actual people and their story as well as loosely based on others.
However, this story was very hard for me to get through. The pace was very slow and found myself bored with an incredibly intriguing story. I wish it would have picked up a bit. I would love to definitely explore more stories about this subject and those who have experienced code breaking and their roles within the war.
I definitely recommend to others as this is a highly rated hooked. For me personally it was just the wrong pace.
I love historical fiction and love learning things that occurred during various wars and periods of time.
Learning about Bletchley Park and the code breakers was so incredibly interesting.
This story follows 3 women who are hired to break German codes for the Nazi war. Kate Quinn based some to these characters and actual people and their story as well as loosely based on others.
However, this story was very hard for me to get through. The pace was very slow and found myself bored with an incredibly intriguing story. I wish it would have picked up a bit. I would love to definitely explore more stories about this subject and those who have experienced code breaking and their roles within the war.
I definitely recommend to others as this is a highly rated hooked. For me personally it was just the wrong pace.
Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Wow! This book was a nail biting amazing story. 4.25 ⭐️
This is a fictional story inspired by true events that took place in the 80s.
Mileys dreams of being a gold medalist for the Olympics were derailed by a car accident which led her to a summer job at a resort out in the middle of nowhere. Miley was using this time to train and recover from the accident.
Despite the rumors of a girl being fatally attacked in the woods by a bear, Mikey still ventured off alone. One day while out for a run a she encounters 2 men that are living off the grid and ends up getting abducted. Losing hope that anyone will ever be able to find her, Miley tries to figure out a way to outsmart her abductors and survive.
This book was so good. It was intense and so fast paced. These chapters had my heart beating like crazy and flipping so fast wondering what the outcome was going to be. I loved all of the detail and the author did an amazing job painting the picture so I could visualize every scene. It was graphic and but not over the top and so gripping. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity to read this early copy.
This is a fictional story inspired by true events that took place in the 80s.
Mileys dreams of being a gold medalist for the Olympics were derailed by a car accident which led her to a summer job at a resort out in the middle of nowhere. Miley was using this time to train and recover from the accident.
Despite the rumors of a girl being fatally attacked in the woods by a bear, Mikey still ventured off alone. One day while out for a run a she encounters 2 men that are living off the grid and ends up getting abducted. Losing hope that anyone will ever be able to find her, Miley tries to figure out a way to outsmart her abductors and survive.
This book was so good. It was intense and so fast paced. These chapters had my heart beating like crazy and flipping so fast wondering what the outcome was going to be. I loved all of the detail and the author did an amazing job painting the picture so I could visualize every scene. It was graphic and but not over the top and so gripping. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity to read this early copy.
Walk of Shame by Avery Flynn
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
First of all, thank you NetGalley and Entangled Published for early access to this book!!
The cover over this book is fun!! I loved it. The book however was okay. It wasn’t bad by any means but it wasn’t anything amazing for me.
I love the sports theme in it and it was super fast paced. The spicy scenes were great and steamy and not over the top! I also liked the “chase”
What I didn’t love, her dad, even putting her back in a situation, how rushed the ending was, the epilogue (like where did that even come from) and totally not necessary!
I flew through the book though.
The cover over this book is fun!! I loved it. The book however was okay. It wasn’t bad by any means but it wasn’t anything amazing for me.
I love the sports theme in it and it was super fast paced. The spicy scenes were great and steamy and not over the top! I also liked the “chase”
What I didn’t love, her dad, even putting her back in a situation, how rushed the ending was, the epilogue (like where did that even come from) and totally not necessary!
I flew through the book though.
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.25
Gahhh. I don’t even know if I loved this book. This book made me so angry!!! It was disgusting and cringey. But dang it, it had me hooked. I couldn’t put the darn thing down.
The plot twists at the end and how everything tied together. It was all freaking gross but good??? Ugh. I have so many mixed emotions.
I am used to Freida’s writing style and I really think I’m going to figure out the twists and spent a lot of the book wondering where this gross story was going? But never figured it out.
It’s dark and makes me want to throw up, but do I recommend it… yeah?! lol!
The plot twists at the end and how everything tied together. It was all freaking gross but good??? Ugh. I have so many mixed emotions.
I am used to Freida’s writing style and I really think I’m going to figure out the twists and spent a lot of the book wondering where this gross story was going? But never figured it out.
It’s dark and makes me want to throw up, but do I recommend it… yeah?! lol!
Happily Never After by Lynn Painter
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Oh my gosh! I could not put this book down. I’ve read a few Lynn Painter books and this one is hands down my favorite!!
The plot was so fun and different and I ate it up!! Amazing banter (the name calling is hilarious), the chemistry 🔥🔥🔥 And I found myself laughing so much through this book.
Our FMC Sophie finds out her soon to be husband is cheating but can’t call off the wedding because their families are so intertwined it will ruin everything. Her bestie calls in a favor and the “super hero” objector Max comes to save the day!
Post wedding called off celebrations, Max and Sophie get a chance to hang out for a night and chat. She tells him she might want to try and be an objector some day!
Fwd a little while later and Max calls Sophie and asks a favor. To be his objectress! They become partners in crime. Two people who want nothing to do with relationships or love. But they are having the time of their lives! But they def are in control and have zero feelings for each other.. right?!
Omg this book was just adorable and I want to hug it. I really enjoyed it and looooved Sophie’s roommates Rose and Larry! I want to be their bestie!!
I highly recommend this super fast paced rom com! It will have you smiling and wanting to much more!!!
The plot was so fun and different and I ate it up!! Amazing banter (the name calling is hilarious), the chemistry 🔥🔥🔥 And I found myself laughing so much through this book.
Our FMC Sophie finds out her soon to be husband is cheating but can’t call off the wedding because their families are so intertwined it will ruin everything. Her bestie calls in a favor and the “super hero” objector Max comes to save the day!
Post wedding called off celebrations, Max and Sophie get a chance to hang out for a night and chat. She tells him she might want to try and be an objector some day!
Fwd a little while later and Max calls Sophie and asks a favor. To be his objectress! They become partners in crime. Two people who want nothing to do with relationships or love. But they are having the time of their lives! But they def are in control and have zero feelings for each other.. right?!
Omg this book was just adorable and I want to hug it. I really enjoyed it and looooved Sophie’s roommates Rose and Larry! I want to be their bestie!!
I highly recommend this super fast paced rom com! It will have you smiling and wanting to much more!!!
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It reminded me a little of None of This is True and a podcast I love, Up and Vanished.
Lucy the MC is returning home to a town that’s accused of murdering her best friend to celebrate her grandmothers bday.
Why is she being accused? Because 5 years ago Lucy was found wondering on a road and covered in blood with no recollection of what happened. Moments later her best friend Savvy’s body is found.
Ben Owen’s has a podcast and he’s determined to find out the truth about Savvy’s death and heads to Lucy’s hometown as well. Ben won’t stop at anything to uncover the lies and secrets.
I ended up listening to this book on audio and loved the production. It was face paced and Lucy’s sarcastic attitude added some humor to the story. Also, I wish Grandma was my grandma!! I don’t love the amnesia background, but overall really enjoyed the book!
Lucy the MC is returning home to a town that’s accused of murdering her best friend to celebrate her grandmothers bday.
Why is she being accused? Because 5 years ago Lucy was found wondering on a road and covered in blood with no recollection of what happened. Moments later her best friend Savvy’s body is found.
Ben Owen’s has a podcast and he’s determined to find out the truth about Savvy’s death and heads to Lucy’s hometown as well. Ben won’t stop at anything to uncover the lies and secrets.
I ended up listening to this book on audio and loved the production. It was face paced and Lucy’s sarcastic attitude added some humor to the story. Also, I wish Grandma was my grandma!! I don’t love the amnesia background, but overall really enjoyed the book!
The Clinic by Cate Quinn
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Maybe 3.5 stars. This book started off really strong for me and I was really excited to see what was going to unfold. I absolutely loved the short chapters and the book did move quite quickly. But I’d say towards the middle it started to slow down, not so much excitement.
The ending was a good, had a good twist, but it was kind of flat for me. I was hoping for something much stronger.
I think for most people this will be a good read. For me it was ok. But just not great.
The ending was a good, had a good twist, but it was kind of flat for me. I was hoping for something much stronger.
I think for most people this will be a good read. For me it was ok. But just not great.