jenreads30's reviews
33 reviews

The Killer Instinct: A totally unputdownable crime thriller by Kate Wiley

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.5

Kate Wiley has done it again! In this book, there are two different timelines and points of view, similar to the other books in this series. Although the twists were predictable for me, it is so well-written that one can not help but be engrossed in it. Margot and Wes are fantastic. I adore their dynamic, and their banter is simply delightful. I rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars, only because it was somewhat predictable. If you enjoyed the other Detective Margot Phalen books, you will undoubtedly enjoy this one as well.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with the opportunity to read another Kate Wiley thriller.

The Killer Instinct will be available on October 28, 2024.

Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.

Not in the mood for this book at the moment. Will come back to is eventually.

The Butcher Game by Alaina Urquhart

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This is shocking, graphic, and disturbing. But I could not put it down! The story is very well written and kept my attention.  Like the first book, this is from Jeremy and Wren's POV'S. I love Wren. She's a strong woman, but she's only human like the rest of us. Jeremy is every bit of the word "monster" and then some. If you think Jeremy was horrible in the first book, we'll buckle your seat belts because it's going to be a wild ride. If you love a good serial killer story like I do, this is definitely one to get your hands on asap. 

If I could give this a 6⭐️ I would. But for the sake of the rating system, it's a solid 5⭐️

Thank you, NetGalley and Zando, for the opportunity to read this book. 

The Butcher Game will be available on September 17, 2024

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

Honestly, I don't love this book. The story is good, but it didn't blow me away. I think it's the fact that it's over 500 pages. The book could have been cut in half and would have still been a fine. I seemed to drag on and on. I love a twisty book, and this did not deliver. 

This is a VERY slow paced book, so if you don't like those, I would not recommend it. It did have multiple POV's, which I like, but I feel like there were too many. The chapters were relatively short, which is a plus.

I thought I would like this more than I did because I love Big Little Lies. I would give this a 3 ⭐️ maximum. I was just expecting more. 

Despite the disappointment, it is thought-provoking when talking about death. We are only here for a moment. 

Here One Moment will be available September 10, 2024. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crown Publishing, for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release. 

That's Not My Name by Megan Lally

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

This is a well written story. It did take me a little bit to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. This is definitely one of the better YA thrillers I've read. I will definitely be checking out what else this author has to offer for sure.

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

4.5 ⭐️ only because it ends on a cliffhanger, and I don't care for cliffhangers. Otherwise, it's a solid book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I've heard a lot about this book, and I finally decided it was time 😆 I enjoyed this book. The book is every bit of the title. You think one thing is true, and then something happens, and it's something else. I feel like you better check your trigger warnings with this one for sure. 

I haven't read a Lisa Jewell book before, but I think I might need to start reading more of them. 

Mary by Kelvin V.A Allison

dark sad fast-paced

2.0

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.

On Pause

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

If I haven't listened to this on audio, I don't think I could have finished it. However, I am glad that I did. Overall, I think it was a good book. It's not the best by any means, though. A lot of the characters were insufferable, and I wanted to slap. But it was written well.