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latishaloveslit's reviews
245 reviews
Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham
5.0
Only if You're Lucky is a thrilling look into the dark side of female friendships and how you can never really know the people you think you know. I've been a fan of Stacy's writing since reading her debut and while this novel is a bit different from her others, with its dark academia feel, it's a wildly fascinating and enthralling tale that deeply sucks you in as the story unfolds.
We follow Margot as she closes out her freshman year at a small College in South Carolina, she's spent the year isolating herself in her dorm room dealing with and attempting to heal from the passing of her best friend a year prior. Margot is approached by the charismatic and endearing, Lucy Sharpe, who invites her to move into a house off campus with her and two best friends. Margot agrees to leave the dorms behind and embrace new friendships and the college experience, she could never imagine the way that secrets and lies could begin to unravel from befriending a stranger.
The story is a bit of a slow burn and I did see a couple of the twists coming but the context and depth of the story are needed for the impact that the final twist has, Stacy keeps you guessing until the end! This is such a satisfying, suspenseful read with so many hints riddled throughout the beginning, leading to a shocking ending that makes sense even though not every loose end is tied. I got to a point with this book where I physically couldn't put it down, it kept me guessing and something about reading this felt nostalgic. It kind of reminded me of Pretty Little Liars in a way. Either way, it's a brilliant read that is sure to make you a fan of Stacy Willingham's dazzling writing. Five Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced digital copy of Only If You're Lucky.
We follow Margot as she closes out her freshman year at a small College in South Carolina, she's spent the year isolating herself in her dorm room dealing with and attempting to heal from the passing of her best friend a year prior. Margot is approached by the charismatic and endearing, Lucy Sharpe, who invites her to move into a house off campus with her and two best friends. Margot agrees to leave the dorms behind and embrace new friendships and the college experience, she could never imagine the way that secrets and lies could begin to unravel from befriending a stranger.
The story is a bit of a slow burn and I did see a couple of the twists coming but the context and depth of the story are needed for the impact that the final twist has, Stacy keeps you guessing until the end! This is such a satisfying, suspenseful read with so many hints riddled throughout the beginning, leading to a shocking ending that makes sense even though not every loose end is tied. I got to a point with this book where I physically couldn't put it down, it kept me guessing and something about reading this felt nostalgic. It kind of reminded me of Pretty Little Liars in a way. Either way, it's a brilliant read that is sure to make you a fan of Stacy Willingham's dazzling writing. Five Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced digital copy of Only If You're Lucky.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
5.0
What did I just read/listen to!? You GUYS!! This book feels like watching a deep dive video on YouTube, the way it is written is so engaging and made it literally unputdownable. If you love suspense novels with deep stories that have secrets unravelling at a near perfect pace, if you love a true crime podcast, if you devour Netflix limited series in one night - you must drop everything and read this book. Brilliantly written, this is getting my vote for Goodreads Choice Award for sure!
B.F.F.: A Memoir of Friendship Lost and Found by Christie Tate
5.0
B.F.F. Is a beautiful story friendship, relationships, grief, loss and healing.
Christie Tate vulnerably shares the good, the bad and everything in between and does so in a ‘big sister’ fashion. She tackles the complexities of female friendships in a way that many can find gratifying and healing, her dedication to therapy shows her self awareness and understanding that we all have things to work on, grow and heal from and that a beautiful life can coincide with experiencing hardships.
While I related with Christie on some of her takes, there are parts that didn’t resonate - and that’s okay! No one’s journey through friendship and relationships will be the same, that said this book made me reflect on my own life experiences and how I can grow, which is an extremely valuable takeaway from reading someone else’s story.
Not every woman has a strong base when it comes to relationships with other women, it’s typically a generational struggle that’s passed down and that’s not anyone’s fault, but if you can recognize it - you have the power to change it. If that’s something you’ve struggled with in the past or are going through right now - I see you, I hear you and I stand with you.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me an Advanced copy of this fantastic book!
Christie Tate vulnerably shares the good, the bad and everything in between and does so in a ‘big sister’ fashion. She tackles the complexities of female friendships in a way that many can find gratifying and healing, her dedication to therapy shows her self awareness and understanding that we all have things to work on, grow and heal from and that a beautiful life can coincide with experiencing hardships.
While I related with Christie on some of her takes, there are parts that didn’t resonate - and that’s okay! No one’s journey through friendship and relationships will be the same, that said this book made me reflect on my own life experiences and how I can grow, which is an extremely valuable takeaway from reading someone else’s story.
Not every woman has a strong base when it comes to relationships with other women, it’s typically a generational struggle that’s passed down and that’s not anyone’s fault, but if you can recognize it - you have the power to change it. If that’s something you’ve struggled with in the past or are going through right now - I see you, I hear you and I stand with you.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me an Advanced copy of this fantastic book!
The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
4.0
This is a creepy rollercoaster ride of a story. There's something about super-rich white families that have traditions like this family did that really creeps me out, making this the perfect Halloween read.
Twisted Hate by Ana Huang
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
After Twisted Games I didn't think it could get any hotter but then I read this. I love reading enemies to lovers and Ana writes angst and mutual hate between characters so so well. This book is the crème de la crème.
Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
3.0
I was really excited about this book for the concept alone, but it fell short of my expectations. I expected there to be more of the Chinese Zodiac element layered with depth of Chinese culture but that was lacking. The meet cute was adorable and fun to read, it set the tone for the enemies to lovers romance tale to unfold as it did. The dates that Olivia and Bennett go on are lighthearted and enjoyable to read. There were parts of Olivia’s personality that got on my nerves, but mainly how stubborn she was frustrated me the most.
All of that said, the best way I can describe this book is by relating it to light cream cheese, it’s still delicious but it feels like something is missing
All of that said, the best way I can describe this book is by relating it to light cream cheese, it’s still delicious but it feels like something is missing
Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around by Sarah Ready
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
DNF @ 30%
I cannot with this book and I’m truly so sad about it! After loving Josh and Gemma Make a Baby, I fully expected this to be a sweet story about their life post-baby and getting married but that’s not what this was. This was dark and sad and a sequel that was not needed at all.
Essentially, Gemma had eclampsia which caused her to have the baby and then go into a coma for three months, when she wakes up Ian Fortune is at her bedside and she has no idea what happened. We come to find out that Gemma has permanent neurological damage and has to relearn how to feel.
I only got 30% of the way through before I knew I couldn’t continue on, the plot was just strange and made me uncomfortable. On the bright side, I enjoy Sarah Ready’s writing and will give her other books a read instead.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
I cannot with this book and I’m truly so sad about it! After loving Josh and Gemma Make a Baby, I fully expected this to be a sweet story about their life post-baby and getting married but that’s not what this was. This was dark and sad and a sequel that was not needed at all.
Essentially, Gemma had eclampsia which caused her to have the baby and then go into a coma for three months, when she wakes up Ian Fortune is at her bedside and she has no idea what happened. We come to find out that Gemma has permanent neurological damage and has to relearn how to feel.
I only got 30% of the way through before I knew I couldn’t continue on, the plot was just strange and made me uncomfortable. On the bright side, I enjoy Sarah Ready’s writing and will give her other books a read instead.
Grip by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
5.0
This book is beautifully romantic. I adore these characters and the tension and emotion that Kennedy creates is so good!!
Scarred by Vanessa Vale, Helen Hardt
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25