kgeogheghan's reviews
69 reviews

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

dark emotional sad tense medium-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

3.0

Having really enjoyed "The Housemaid", I was very exciting to read another Freida McFadden novel, but was left a little disappointed by this one, likely because I expected similar twists to the first story. I found Millie a little annoying, and felt sorry for her boyfriend being stung along. 

It's a good thriller, but a little too predicable for me. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.   

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

A gothic fairytale about two childhood best friends. I enjoyed Azure's story much more than the bridegroom, but I can see how both are needed. Some part were a little dragged out, but I was hooked early on - learning more about the mystery of the the Otherworld and seeing how the girls relationship changes as they grow older. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.    

An Illustrated History of Ghosts by Adam Allsuch Boardman

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

The illustrations are beautiful, and I learn some interesting facts. It covers quite a basic level, so would be ideal for younger readers.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.    

Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I'm torn on this one. I enjoyed the premise, but I wanted more murder mystery and less YA romance. Not sure I enjoyed it enough to read the next installment.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.    

Thieves by Lucie Bryon

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

This graphic novel is adorable! Both the story and artwork are beautiful. Start to finish is very cute and wholesome. I loved it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.    

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

I found this a little slow to get going, but I enjoyed it overall. The plot and premise are great, and it was easy to follow the different characters pov. Left with lots of questions, so looking forward to the sequel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.   

The Cloisters by Katy Hays

dark emotional mysterious medium-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

Really disappointed with this one. I was sucked in by a pretty cover and the promise of mystery and secrets, but the entire story is flat and rather dull. I found it too predictable, and was left wanting more. I didn't warm to any of the characters. Overall, it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.   

Influencer Island by Kyle Rutkin

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

There's both too much and too little going on for me in this one. The overall story is a bloodthirsty influencer competition, seeing how far people would go for fame and followers, but within this there are three plots - a woman searching for her brother, a man searching for the truth about his father, and a mysterious cult marked with IXXI. There's also a romance subplot which I didn't invest in. It's a lot for 200 pages, and I felt it all fell a little thin. 

I enjoyed the writing style - set up as a series of podcast style interviews. It's fast paced, and easy to read. It just lacks the punch I wanted in a mystery thriller. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.   

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

The story centers around two lifelong best friends - Ash and Edi. Edi has terminal cancer, and is spending her final days in a hospice close to Ash. I still can't quite grasp choosing to leave your husband and child behind to move to a hospice miles away, closer to your best friend, but each to their own. It's a emotional story of death and bereavement, but I didn't warm to Ash, which made this a difficult read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, and Cancer

Alone with You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

I really struggled to get through this one. The writing style varies, and I found some parts really difficult to follow. The story is sad and long and rather dull for my taste. I read the first half quite quickly, but found it a struggle to persevere to the end. It's focused on two main characters, neither of which I warmed to. It's just not my cup of tea.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.