doodlebeanz's reviews
45 reviews

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.25

I read 'Local Woman Missing' and I did not like it. There were too many plot lines to follow, too many characters, and not enough pay off. I nearly put off Kubica forever based on that book, but I'm glad I didn't. This book had some of the same issues - too many plot lines and not a lot of payoff, but it was so much better! Luckily, there were only a few characters to keep up with which made it so much easier to follow, unlike Local Woman Missing.

The first twist I did not see coming.

I always found Nat to be a bit suspicious, popping up randomly and having such a sad sob story and appearing along Meghan's commute, but I did not expect that SHE was Caitlyn, and I did not expect that Megan was the one to push her!

I literally gasped at that part of the story, finding it to be such an interesting twist and as I've seen online, most people didn't see it coming either which makes me feel a little less dense (: The only thing I did not like about this, for me anyways, it caused the timelines in the beginning of the book to become a bit muddled and confusing. I wasn't sure what turn of events happened when, but luckily, that isn't too important. It's just something that I noticed.

The second and third twists I saw coming, but they were still good... kind of.

No one who a writer describes as 'a good guy' can ever be trusted. I was onto Luke from the first moment they introduced him. Why was he jogging and whistling as he followed Megan in the dark? Like what the fuck? From then on, I was like, oh he's the rapist! Also, I feel Ben is sketchy and untrustworthy and I feel he already knows that Sienna isn't his daughter based on how short and irritable he is when it comes to her. The first time I thought it was when she is taking too long to get ready and second when Sienna texts Megan and he tells her to ignore it... father of the year award.

I saw this from phdiva.blog's review of this book, and they explain my gripes with this book/Kubica's writing perfectly: "Kubica is known for launching a bunch of plot threads at the beginning, but fails to tie them together in a way that makes sense and has impact for the reader. I didn't guess that

Caitlyn was Ben's girlfriend, and that was a good twist,

but then the plot got away from Kubica. Threads began fraying into different directions instead of coming back together." There were so many things that didn't make sense and storylines that weren't tied up at all, they were just shoved into a closet and Kubica closed the door, hoping we as readers would forget about them and just accept the unsatisfactory 'ending' to them. For example, Caitlyn's family being the entire focus of the first 75% of the book, the characters seeming sketchy and suspicious, but then just disappearing from the story once the first twist hits. Or Caitlyn's weird friend who showed up with no explanation. Or

how Sienna was the one leaving her mother cryptic threatening notes after believing her father's girlfriend... how does that make sense?

There were a lot of storylines that didn't need to happen, and because of these, the book was so long-winded and pretty boring for a decent amount of it. The main bulk of the story was just following Meghan on her day to day commute to work and living her life... which was not very exciting as a plot. It took such a long time to get through the sloggy parts of this book but when you get to part 2, the book definitely picks up pace and gets way more interesting. Kubica just needs to be better about highlighting important elements/plot points and not adding so many in because its impossible for her to tie them all together nicely or to have them come together as one big twist which would've been incredible for this book.

Content Warnings

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Alice Feeney has done it again. This is the type of mystery/thriller that I've been needing recently. I am so sick of domestic thrillers where it's the same format - husband and wife look perfect, husband is actually sociopathic/narcissistic, she tries to leave him but he ends up dead OR he cheats on her and still ends up dead, etc. I've been desperate for a book that sucks me in and keeps me guessing, and then provides REALISTIC (as realistic as these sorts of books can be, lbr) answers. This book was so confusing at first, trying to figure out the characters and how they are interconnected, but oh my god, it was such a fun ride. I love that feeling of 'wtf is going on right now' when I first start a book, it just makes me want to read more and figure it all out faster. I ate this book! I love Feeney's writing where she leads the reader down one road and then that road twists into a completely different road, where everything you just thought to be true is actually false and she was just leading you astray. I've only read this book and one other from her (Rock, Paper, Scissors) and they've both been like a game of cat and mouse between her writing and the reader, if that makes sense. It just keeps the reader on the edge of the seat and it makes the experience so much more fun and entertaining. I was literally taking notes and making a family tree of the characters, trying to put it all together myself and I still couldn't figure it out 😂

Tropes: mother/daughter relationships, short chapters, twists and turns, trust nobody, everyone is lying, lies lies and more lies, betrayals and revenge, unreliable narrators, unreliable characters

Content Warnings

Gothikana by RuNyx

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dark mysterious tense slow-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

1.0

probably the worst book I've read. I was into it for the mystery element, but this book left me with more unanswered questions than answered ones. I don't even know what I read. So many plot holes. Characters were bland/one dimensional, the romance was cringey and unrealistic, and the writing was just all around bad. The only area this book redeemed itself enough to get a one star from me, was the spice. The spicy scenes were spicy. A+ in that department for the most part. but literally, this book answered NO questions. It just ended abruptly. don't read this book unless you want to be severely let down.

Content Warnings

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I made the mistake of reading 1 star reviews for this book as I read it for an instagram post, and I think it kind of ruined my experience so I will never be doing that again. I don't think this book is a 1 star by any means, but it definitely did not live up to the hype. How did this book win book of the year on Goodreads? I don't get it. I did appreciate the twist; I'm glad it wasn't just cut and paste plot wise from the first book. Obviously, Millie is a housemaid, so that aspect was similar but there were so many differences. I just said in my last review of a thriller book that I've been desperate to read a book where

the FMC is utterly unhinged, and this book delivered, on account of Mille and Wendy.

Millie was annoying, I don't remember her being that annoying in the first book but she was certainly annoying in this one. She never should've been with Brock, I don't know why they even added him into the story,

prob just to use him as the catalyst for the heart medication overdose

but he was a waste of space/time/ink on the page.

The characters definitely didn't feel very fleshed out to me the way they did in the first book. Wendy and Millie were developed the most, obviously, but

Russell, Brock, Enzo, and Douglas were just so secondary. Even with Russell pretending to be Douglas Garrick, it was entertaining but the character was so one dimensional.

I saw a lot of people complain about that element of the book, and they were right about that. I feel McFadden has had better character development in other books, but this one was surely lacking.

The twists were good! I kind of saw the first one coming, it was just a bit too obvious.

Wendy was just so obviously setting Millie up that it was almost painful to read Millie be so adamant and gullible when it came to Wendy's "abuse". Of course, Millie wears blinders when it comes to abused women and she just wants to help, but she should've seen the signs a mile away like I did. The second twist of the killer in the cabin being Marybeth shocked me! I was sure it was going to be either Enzo or Millie, but that it was Russell's wife made it a bit more dramatic in a good way.

All in all, this book wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. I am still going to read the next one since people are going feral over it... even though I think I should know better now and not have high expectations for a popular booktok/booksta read.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Husband Material by Alexis Hall

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was super into this book until the end.

When Luc called Bridge in the middle of the night to say he couldn't marry Oliver, I KNEW Oliver was going to reciprocate the feelings at the wedding and they'd run off being happily unmarried... but it was just so predictable and anticlimactic for me. I don't need every couple in a book to get married, and honestly, I like that they both said marriage isn't for me, let's do our own thing... but the ENTIRE BOOK was leading up to them being married. I would've loved (a) a sweeter proposal scene, (b) maybe Luc having his freaks out but then realizing that Oliver was the one for him and ending up being happy to marry him, or (c) they should've just broken up lmao. Maybe a 3rd act break up? Anything but what actually transpired.

Also, Luc could not of been MORE ANNOYING. He was endearing in the first book, but in this book, his flaws were so obvious. He was selfish and self centered and woe is me. He only talked to his friends (who were also written to be SO ANNOYING in this book) when he needed them, he was wholly codependent on everyone (especially Oliver), and he didn't even give Oliver the chance to be understood. Luc had the opposite of character development, I feel he undeveloped where Oliver, who has since gone to therapy to deal with his personal traumas, developed a lot and learned more and more about himself as the book went on. He tried so hard to make Luc understand his side of things, especially the queer identity thing, and Luc was just like... BUT I WANT A RAINBOW ARCH *foot stomp*

The queer identity thing was interesting. I have always been an 'in your face' queer, loving to wear rainbows and shirts proclaiming my sexuality and never caring what anyone else thought, much like Luc. But Oliver was the opposite; he saw it as capitalistic and that it didn't fit how he wanted to be represented, which is valid and fair, but I loved reading about a queer character like that since usually both queer characters (especially gay men) are written as being so insanely flamboyant and in your face gay that it's pretty unrealistic. Oliver is my baby, and I love him endlessly, and he tbh deserved a more grown up person than Luc.

I do think that Luc and Oliver brought out the best in one another. I do think they are a good match and all that, but this sequel never should've gone down the road of marriage. Just them living their lives together would've been a good enough sequel, all we need is OliverLuc fluff. Boyfriend Material was a solid 5 star for me, but sadly Husband Material is only a 3 star... sad and disappointing. Still love this series though, Luc and Oliver have officially given me a book hangover!

Content Warnings

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Bad.

Weyward by Emilia Hart

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0

This book was a rollercoaster. It was definitely not what I was expecting and in some ways it was far heavier than I anticipated. I was given the book from a coworker and she described it as being about the Salem witch trials, which I’ve always been obsessed with since I was born and raised in Boston and learned about it, but this was not about that. It was about witches, and it had the vibes of the Salem witch trials from Althea’s POV, but the main story didn’t really have that same vibe.

I loved Altha and Violet’s POVs the most. Kate was very sad, but as I do with most FMC, she made such idiotic mistakes. She righted the mistakes before they really affected her, which makes her a smarter FMC than some, but she just wasn’t as alluring as the other two women and her chapters/POV felt so bland in comparison of Altha and Violet. I think Violet was my favorite.

My two favorite topics are feminine rage and nature and this book combined the two. I absolutely loved that the Weyward’s are one with nature and that they love all creatures. I resonate with that a lot. I’m the type of person who moves out of bird’s way on the street and apologize to them if I scare them and cause them to fly away. I also chased a squirrel in central park once because he had a Doritos bag stuck on his head. I’ve always tried to usher a cockroach to safety while intoxicated. Reading this book and how these women had their little animal sidekicks (or familiars 🙄) and they each had different critters (Altha with her goat and crow, Violet with her damselfly and Kate with her bees…) I just loved the magical realism of it all!

The main lesson I took away from this story is that… women are incredible and men fucking suck and that’s that on that!

there are some disturbing and graphic scenes in this book, please need the TW for this book before reading!

Content Warnings

When She Returned by Lucinda Berry

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book was great! I really thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I loved the cult aspect mixed with the domestic aspect. My only gripe was that I wanted to know more about Kate's psychosis and just how messed up mentally/emotionally she was. I also wanted to be a fly on the wall for

the phone calls between her and Ray,

that would've been really interesting to read. I think having a POV from Kate, maybe for the last chapter or just throughout the book, would've been REALLY interesting. I would've loved to see the story and how it all transpired (post-escaping, once she was home) from her own mind's eye. I probably would've preferred that over Meredith's POV at most points, tbh.

The story could be a bit slow at times and a bit triggering, but over all, it was definitely a fun ride! I have officially found another auto-buy author in Lucinda Berry and I cannot wait to read her other books that are available on KU!

Content Warnings

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

4.5

Sally Hepworth has become a new auto-buy author for me! I love her writing style. It was so addictive and dual POVs always make a story more interesting, especially considering one was coming from beyond the grave. The characters were so developed and they felt real to me, like they were people you would meet at the local cafe or a PTA meeting. Were they entirely likable? No, but the way Hepworth brought them to life made up for it.

Gabe and Pippa were horrible; talk about codependent toxic relationships. I felt bad for Pippa that she put up with all the crap that Gabe put her through, but she also should've left a long, long time ago. Standing by someone through mental illness is one thing, but letting said mental illness excuse horrible behavior is another.

Max and Amanda really stole my heart by the end of the story, which I think was the point. I think 'The Soulmate' that the title of the book is referring to isn't about Gabe and Pippa's relationship, but Max and Amanda's. They were the couple that was meant for one another, the couple that got through hard shit together and communicated as best as they could. Amanda defended a lot of Max's bad decisions, and he wasn't perfect, but it wasn't in the same way that Pippa did with Gabe. Max and Amanda's relationship was such a great parallel to Gabe and Pippa's. The way Hepworth writes it, you think you are supposed to be rooting for Gabe and Pippa... but in the end, you realize they are not good together and you end up happy that they get divorced.

It was definitely a slow moving book, there were chapters that felt filler and they didn't add anything to the story, and that would probably be my only gripe. This book could've been finished in 40-50 chapters, but instead it was 87... I don't think any book needs to be 87 chapters unless it is a fantasy book, tbh.

I would recommend this book to anyone, really. It isn't a thriller, it's just a domestic drama with true crime elements. Anyone who appreciates good writing and an interesting and twisty plot would enjoy this book! I've seen some negative reviews online and I'm not quite sure why... this book deserves more praise!

Content Warnings

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doodlebeanz's reviews 45 reviews

doodlebeanz's reviews
45 reviews