gwendolyn_kensinger's reviews
1349 reviews

The Bad Friend by Caroline Kepnes

2.0

This was the 6th and final book in the Never Tell Collection. And while it did offer a twist it still didn’t feel like a thriller. Her childhood friend Tanya, despite her edgier taste in men, is like a sister to Ellen: her closest friend—and rival. So familiar and yet, over the years, so many secrets between them. For Ellen, what lies ahead is a series of choices that will add up to a life she never could have imagined. This story jumped forward in time quite a few times and the only prompting was the age of the side characters. I think this would have been better as a full length novel with more suspense and thrills.

Jackrabbit Skin by Ivy Pochoda

1.0

Swan is a tattoo artist new to a community in the California desert when a mourning desert dweller named Kurt requests a tribute tattoo to his dead wife. Swan agrees, but the locals warn don’t indulge Kurt in his tragic memories. As Kurt returns for more tattoos, the truth about his wife’s death begins to emerge in the ink. And it isn’t pretty.

I’ve been listening to these short stories in the Never Tell Collection over the past few days and I haven’t been reading a synopsis because they are short stories and about 30 mins each. Knowing what I know now I probably would have skipped it but I like completing these Amazon Original collections and finding hidden gems from time to time. Unfortunately, much like Scorpions by Rachel Howzell Hall, the previous short story in the collection this one didn't offer any thrills and it was just kind of a bizarre story honestly. I am not familiar with the author’s work, but it sort of felt like a fever dream. Not my vibe.

Scorpions by Rachel Howzell Hall

2.0

Frankie is a caregiver facing a meager and thankless future. Until her elderly charge dies—but not before revealing his secret. It’s buried in Death Valley. Enough money to change Frankie’s life forever. All she has to do is follow his instructions and stay on the path, and her prayers will be answered. It’s everything Frankie hopes for. But nothing like she expects. This story was very straight forward, offered little thrills and lacked a punch at the ending.

The Other Side of the Road by Andrea Bartz

3.0

Lauren and Kelsey: married, a baby on the way, and now the new owners of the Hudson Valley house they've always admired realize that their dream house will cost them far more than the mortgage. I have been going into these short stories without knowing what they’re about and it’s been so fun not only finding out the premise of each one but thinking of ways the author is gonna try to trick me. While not the best twist I did think it was ominous and I liked the vibes.

The Ghost Writer by Loreth Anne White

4.0

This is for fans of The Only One Left by Riley Sager. Grace Logan is given an offer she can't refuse: ghostwrite the memoir of Claudia Blackwell, a successful novelist once accused of triple murder. Did she really do it? In self-imposed exile in her island mansion, Claudia is finally bringing her notorious past to a close. I definitely found similarities between the two stories but enough differences that I still think this one is worth the read. I had no idea what direction the author would take and I loved the atmosphere of the island, mansion, and the twist even if it was slightly predictable.

Everywhere You Look by Liv Constantine

2.0

It's been ten years since Jade lost her father in a tragic accident, and the lingering guilt and grief have dragged her down to rock bottom. Then one night, she's out at a restaurant and sees the impossible through the window: her father, alive. Jade’s life is soaked in trauma and the story is about 50 pages so if you don’t like reading about the worst crap a character can go through consistently for 50 pages then I would recommend steering clear of this one.

This Isn't Happening by Anna Snoekstra

3.0

This is an Audible original that kept me entertained while I folded my laundry. The audiobook had 2 narrators and sound effects. When the woman was thinking her voice had a different effect which at first I didn’t like but as the story continued I got used to it and appreciated the distinction. This is a twisty cat-and-mouse novella about a young woman who meets up with her ex seeking revenge, only to realize over the course of the evening that she may be the one in danger. There wasn’t a huge twist or any big reveals although the synopsis and story tries to make you think there will be, but I found it entertaining and if you don’t go in not expecting too much you might enjoy yourself.

More Than a Little by M.H. Clark

3.0

I saw this book in Barnes & Noble and the illustration on the cover caught my eye. I picked it up and realized it was very short (48 pages) with maybe a sentence or two on each page. It took me less than 5 mins to read it from start to finish. This is a book you buy for a friend to show how much they mean to you. It features a whimsical cast of adorable animals and playful, endearing rhymes. This friendship book is a charming way to shine a light on someone who makes life brighter.

Beginning of the End by Kylie Scott

3.0

This is a prequel novella to End of Story by Kylie Scott and I think it should have just been a part of the main story. It does set a lot of the groundwork that felt missing. I mean why not have it first then flash forward in time. That being said it’s not necessarily essential to read, but I do think it offers a lot of context. So maybe if you’re considering reading End of Story read or listen to this novella first. We get to see the relationship between Susie and Aaron and also the death of her aunt. It did end slightly abruptly but I wasn’t expecting much.

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

3.0

Inspired by Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio, and like Swiss Family Robinson meets Wall-E, In the Lives of Puppets is a stand-alone fantasy adventure. An android named Giovanni Lawson builds a home and raises Victor, a human child, in an uninhabited forest. Victor Lawson grows into an inventor like his father. His two best friends, Rambo and Nurse Ratched, are decommissioned robots that he rebuilt. In secret, Victor works on a mechanical, replacement heart for his aging father, who worries about his son’s dangerous visits to the Scrap Yards, which are guarded by machines called Old Ones.

I absolutely ADORED Rambo and Nurse Ratched, but the story itself was written very heavily in the author’s message and I was smart enough to figure out what they were saying in the first couple chapters. I didn't need to be hit in the face again, again and again with it. It needed more awww moments and it needed more adventure, but it just felt repetitive and was too long for what we got. The story gets ⅖ stars but because of the my fav characters it gets an additional star!