Search Results for: Review

The Sun Down Motel // Book Review

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About The Book
The secrets lurking in a rundown roadside motel ensnare a young woman, just as they did her aunt thirty-five years before, in this new atmospheric suspense novel from the national bestselling and award-winning author of The Broken Girls. Every small town like Fell, New York, has a place like the Sun Down Motel. Some customers are from out of town, passing through on their way to someplace better. Some are locals, trying to hide their secrets.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4aB8HZy

My Rating

I had a feeling that I was going to love this author’s works, and I wasn’t wrong. This plot was so engaging and fast paced, and the writing was phenomenal. Now it does lean more towards mystery/thriller, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment.

The story is told in two timelines. In 1982, we follow Viv who is the night clerk at the eerie Sundown Motel. 35 years later, her niece, Carly, works her same shift at the same motel. However, Carly is there for a purpose – to uncover what happened to her aunt Vivi, who seemingly disappeared all those years ago.

I’m not normally one to enjoy dual timeline stories, but this book was written so well that I was engaged equally in both the girls stories. Now I did prefer Viv’s plot a little bit more, since I felt that it was a little more exciting. However, the whole story worked so well, and there really wasn’t a dull moment.

“How it didn’t matter how afraid or how careful you were—it could always be you.”

The setting for the book was great, and really played into the thriller vibes. I mean a creepy hotel in a small town that’s been known for women being murdered? I’d probably be on the next bus out of there. And, the fact that there was a haunting aspect to the story was awesome and unexpected.

However, my only con, and the reason it isn’t a five star read was that I didn’t feel as though Carly understood Viv. After spending all of this time trying to figure out what happened to her by the end of the book she didn’t seem to understand Viv’s choices. It was a bit frustrating to me, but not something that truly hindered my enjoyment of the book.

Overall, I will continue to pick up more from this author. This book was a fantastic read, that I think a lot of readers will enjoy. But please, check trigger warnings before reading it, as some of the content matter can be upsetting to certain readers. You can find a list of trigger warnings at Book Trigger Warnings.

In the comments, let me know if you have read anything by this author. Don’t forget that you can like and share this post with others. Before you go, hit the follow button so that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Ruthless Vows // Book Review

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About The Book
Get ready for the epic conclusion every reader of Divine Rivals has been waiting for. An unforgettable story of love and betrayal, Ruthless Vows brings Iris and Roman closer together as they face impossible choices. The epic conclusion to the intensely romantic and beautifully written story that started in Divine Rivals.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/499o0ay

My Rating

I wouldn’t say that I was disappointed in this book, by any means. However, I wouldn’t agree that it lived up to the first book. I was simultaneously putting off reading this book and dying to pick it up. Since, the first book was done so well, and the cliffhanger ending left me heartbroken, I needed to know what was going to happen. Yet, I was scared that I wasn’t going to love this conclusion as much. Before you keep reading, know that this review will have spoilers since it is the second book in a duology.

The book picks up right where the first book left off, and we find Iris living back at home with her brother heartbroken about being separated from Roman. While Roman is being healed and taken hostage (so to speak) by the god Dacre to be his personal war correspondent. And, let me just say, I couldn’t wait for Iris and Roman to find each other once again. Because, their relationship is what really makes this story for me.

Something that I loved about this book was that there weren’t any slow paced moments. The first book took a while to get into the heart of the story, but this was very fast paced. But, my favorite thing was that we didn’t wait endless chapters for Iris and Roman to meet again. The author doesn’t do slow burn, and doesn’t drags things out needlessly, which I am a major fan of. I’m an impatient girl, so if you’re like me, then you’ll enjoy the fact that she doesn’t make us wait forever for things to happen.

As for the plot, we are still following the war, but this time we get a little more context on the Gods. We learn about Dacre and a bit more about Enva. And, it went more into depth about the magic system. The first book focused more with the romance side of things, which this book does as well. However, I believe that the stakes were higher in this book than in the first.

“Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me and fill my empty spaces.”

We got to see more of the side characters in this book, which was nice. I loved Attie in the first book, and her playing a bigger role in this plot was great. Also, romance the author gave her was a nice added touch. And, let’s not forget Forest, Iris’ brother, we don’t see him much in the book but the author does a great job of showcasing how fighting in a war can effect someone, and the emotional and physical toll it takes on someone.

But, I will say that this book just like the first is centered on love. It shows that true love can conquer anything and the length one will go for love. If you have read the first book than you know that the war was started because of love, but in actuality in infatuation, which are to very different things. Dacre felt entitled to not only Enva but the people of the world, yet he did nothing that made him deserving of that love. The book shows that wanting love and deserving it are two very different things, and even Gods can be selfish creatures.

Overall, the book was written beautifully, and was a great conclusion to the duology. However, there were some moments that broke my heart but I kept it together and surprising didn’t cry. But, if you have read the first book and it wasn’t as intense as you would have preferred than I would suggest you giving this book a chance. It is a lot more fast paced while still being mainly a magical romance rather than a fantasy.

In the comments, let me know your thoughts on the duology as a whole. Don’t forget that you can always like and share this post with other book lovers. And please, give the follow button a push before you go, so that you can support my blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Divine Rivals // Book Review

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About The Book
Sweeping and romantic, Divine Rivals is the explosive kick off to a new series from Rebecca Ross. Pick up this inventive and harrowing story about two young journalists and a war that has the fate of mankind hanging in the balance. Shadow and Bone meets Lore in Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals, an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3TKdnqk

My Rating

I am not going to lie; at first I thought that this book was not going to live up to the hype. The first few chapters were pretty slow, and I wasn’t sure how much the story was going to pick up. But, once we got into the magical side of things, I was shocked as to how much I was enjoying the plot, characters, and writing.

The book follows Iris and Roman, who are young rival journalists that are connected through magical typewriters. Honestly, I don’t believe that is a spoiler since we find that out early on. They both end up writing about the ongoing war between the god Dacre and the goddess Enva. And, let me just say that both of these characters are lovely together and separately.

I will say that I don’t feel like there is much depth to this plot. Yes, we follow Iris and Roman as they write about this magical war and watch their connection grow. We learn about them as people and how the war got started. And, there is a bit of a ‘You’ve Got Mail’ element to the book. But there isn’t a ton of action throughout the story. In my opinion, the book is a romantasy at it’s core.

However, the fact that it is primarily a romance doesn’t hurt the book at all. I fell in love with Roman and Iris’ love story. It was refreshing that the author didn’t drag out their relationship, or add in any miscommunication. If you know anything about me, I am not a slow burn romance girl, so I was happy that that trope wasn’t a part of the book. And, as for spicy, the book has very little of it and is a more of a closed-door romance.

“Even in the silence, I hope you will find the words you need to share.”

The world that the author created was very unique. I haven’t read a story that featured gods as a major plot point, but also incorporated magic and a war. Also, as a former English major, the fact that it followed journalists was a nice touch too. I loved learning about the war, and how different both the gods were. The scenes when the characters were in the thick of the war and dealing with it captured how traumatic war can be.

Nevertheless, what really made the book stand out was the writing style. It had such a lyrical writing style, that you know this author was meant to write books. I can see how some people might not connect with this slow-paced, more poetic style of writing. It is very personal taste, but I have always enjoyed books that are written this way. And, when it comes to a magical story that has a bit of a historical element to, it the style works very well.

Overall, this is an amazing book, but I do see it falling in to the 3-star range for many readers. But to me, it is outstanding. Would I characterize the book as solely fantasy? Not necessarily. After thinking about it, I would say it is a magical realism with a romance. So, if you aren’t a fan of either of those genres, then maybe don’t pick this book up. Especially if you aren’t a romance fan, because that is a big part of the plot. Also, the ending of this book will make you cry, and probably want to imminently read the sequel.

In the comments, let me know if you have read anything by this author. I am curious to read her other books. If you would like to read the book, the audiobook is available on Everand, and as always, you can use my link (click here) to get a 30 day free trial. Don’t forget that it is also completely free to follow my blog, and it really does help it grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Serpent And The Wings Of Night // Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4a5GyKh

My Rating

To be completely honest, I had no idea that this book was about vampires and a Hunger Games type competition. And, yes I understand that the comparison to ‘The Hunger Games’ is getting old, but when I think of a book that has a fight to the death tournament element, it is the first book that comes to mind. Especially since it is one of the books that did the competition plot well. However, this book does a fantastic job with it, too!

The story follows Oraya, a human girl raised by a vampire king. She must enter deadly contest where the winner is granted a wish. However, her alliance, and her connection to another competitor, Raihn, could just be her undoing. The two characters form this bond, and their chemistry was undeniable. Throughout the story you watched them grow from frenemies, to partners, to friends.

Oraya was such a strong female character, and you could tell that she felt out of place in her life. I loved how she didn’t feel like she fit in with the vampires, but also didn’t connect with humans either. She was a character that put up walls, and was looking for some sort of family unit. As for Raihn, I loved him. He was charming, funny, and for a vampire, so full of life. He has been added to my list of book crushes for sure.

The plot for the book was very strong and well developed. I loved the mixture of vampires, a competition, magic, and even romance. Although I do think that the book was little long, I have come to except that in first books in fantasy series. The author wants to take the time to build the world and characters. However, I think that the book would have still be able to get the story across in 400 pages verse 500 pages. But, that is just a personal opinion.

“A dead lover can never break your heart.”

The book borders the line between romantasy and traditional fantasy. Personally, I would say that this is more of a high fantasy yet I could see why other would consider it a romantic fantasy. Speaking on the romance side of things, there isn’t a ton of spicy in this book, since I’d consider it to be a slow burn romance. Still, we do get one steamy scene closer to the end.

The atmosphere was amazing, and the author did a great job bringing this world to life. The writing style was very captivating, and you were immersed into the story. Throughout the book, I was not only intrigued by what was going to happen next, but enjoying ever minute of the story. I felt that it was different enough from other books that follow similar plots that it kept me engaged and guessing.

Overall, this is a great read, and I think more seasoned fantasy readers might really appreciate it. If you aren’t someone that tends to read a lot of fantasy, you might find it a little slow at some parts. Still, the ending is phenomenal, and I am not sure where the author is going to take the story next. I will admit that I did suspect one of the twists early on, but the final twist came as a complete shock to me.

In the comments, let me know if you have read this book. I do believe that it was originally a self published novel, and it is available on KU. Before you go, please like and share this post with others. Don’t forget that you can always hit the follow button so that you receive post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Backlist Readathon // Book Review

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Hi Friends,
Yes, I am here with another TBR post. In my defense, I did say that there were going to be a lot this month. This one is for the Backlist Readathon, which is taking place from March 8th – 15th. Hopefully this will help me get some older books from my shelves read. The only caveat: I’m adding a rule to this readathon that all my books must be published before 2021 to be considered a backlist. Originally, the readathon rules were that any book published in 2023 or older counts as a backlist book.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3VaWkyS

Cold cases are about to get hot. Don’t miss this exhilarating crime thriller—perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder—from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Inheritance Games.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3PcJIU3

The third novel from Riley Redgate, the beloved author of Seven Ways We Lie, Final Draft is “an intensely focused portrait of a girl who, through first love and first loss, begins to find the story she wants to tell” (Booklist).

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/4a55zEJ

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband―and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/43cusMo

From the author of Survive the Night and Final Girls comes a tense and twisty thriller about a summer camp that’s impossible to forget—no matter how hard you try.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3PieGtN

From bestselling author B.A. Paris comes the gripping thriller and international phenomenon Behind Closed Doors. The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie?

There is a bonus prompt, but I (surprisingly) didn’t have a book that fit it. In the comments, let me know if you will be doing the backlist readathon as well. I checked to see if any of these books were available on Everand, and some of them were, which is exciting! Remember that you can get a 30 day free trial (click here) and gain access to their huge catalog of ebooks and audiobooks. Before you go, know that I am truly happy you stopped by the blog, and it would be amazing if you hit the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Kisses and Croissants // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Mia Jenrow has always known she’s destined to be a professional ballerina. Mia is planning to spend a magical summer in France pursuing her dream, but as she pirou-ettes into Paris, she soon realizes it may be a bit more complicated than she hoped. As sweet as a macaroon from Laduree, this romantic novel set in Paris about an American ballerina and a charming French boy is perfect for fans of American Royals and Netflix’s Emily in Paris.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3T7TQOQ

My Rating

This book wasn’t for me the plot felt very basic, there was an instata love romance and the characters didn’t have much depth. I tired my best to give the book a chance but I just couldn’t get into the story. The book for a 17 year old Mia, who is spending the summer at an elite ballet academy in Paris.

Mia is all about ballet and her one desire to get into a prestigious, ballet academy in America. She hopes her time training in Paris well open these doors for her. Unfortunately, I found Mia to be super immature. I understand you’re in Paris. It’s a new experience and you’re excited, but for someone who was supposedly all about dance, she thought about other things way too much.

There is this a whole side plot that had to do with a Family legend, that Mia was trying to uncover, just approve that dance was in her blood. It was cute, but just not interesting. However, it did add a little something extra to the plot.

“French kisses taste a million times better in France.”

As for the romance, like I mentioned before it was way to insta-love. Also, I predicted what was going to happen with them from the start since was very obvious. Although it was a very cute teen romance, it just felt rushed.

But I did enjoy Mia and Audrey’s friendship. They started out as Frenemies, but really form a bond and learned from each other. I personally loved the character of Audrey and would love if the author wrote a book following her.

Overall, the plot just wasn’t for me and it felt very young. The writing style didn’t really immerse me into the story or a Paris, which was a letdown. However, the ending was a bit shocking, and I liked how everything was wrapped up.

In the comments let me know if you enjoy books with Insta love. If you would like to give my blog a follow before you go it would me a lot to me.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead // Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
Nine years ago, with the world’s eyes on her, Charlie Colbert fled. The press and the police called Charlie a “witness” to the nightmarish events at her elite graduate school on Christmas Eve—events known to the public as “Scarlet Christmas”—though Charlie knows she was much more than that. But when a buzzy film made by one of Charlie’s former classmates threatens to shatter everything she’s worked for, Charlie realizes how much she’s changed in nine years.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/42PrVri

My Rating

This book was a lot different than I thought it would be. It is a very character driven thriller, with an unreliable narrator. Normally, I don’t mind that, but this book fell flat. Not to say that the story wasn’t gripping – it just wasn’t as engaging as it could’ve been. I feel a lot of that has to do with how the author went about telling the story.

In the book, we follow Charlie, who is living in New York and working as a journalist. Years ago, she survived Scarlet Christmas – a massacre that took place while she was in grad school. Now, with a movie being made about the horrific event, Charlie is afraid that the gaps in her memory from that night might come back to haunt her.

The only character we really get to know in this book is Charlie. There was a heavy focus on Charlie’s PTSD and the gaps in her memory about that fateful night. Understandably, the reader is supposed to follow Charlie along as she tries to fully remember the night of Scarlet Christmas. Unfortunately, I don’t feel like we got to know enough about Charlie, or her past, to really get invested in the storyline.

“Perhaps we have to be incentivized, people like me, to not cause any more death.”

My biggest issue with this book is that it’s told mostly in present day. Although Charlie is actively trying to regain these memories of the past, the book mostly focuses on her current struggles, and whether or not to trust her own mind. It would have been nice to have more than just the here and now. Perhaps, alternating the chapters between the present and her time in college.

However, the author did attempt that closer to the end of the book, but at that point, you’ve kind of already figured out where the story is going. Also, it can be a little bit confusing, since we flip back-and-forth from the past to the present within the same chapter. It was a writing choice that I didn’t enjoy, but the writing in general wasn’t my favorite. Still, I tried to keep in mind that this is a debut novel.

Overall, it’s a decent book, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a thriller. I found there to be only one major shocking moment throughout the entire book. Especially since I guessed the ending twist when I was only about 70% into the book. If you would like to pick up the book, I would recommend checking trigger warnings since it deals a lot with trauma, trauma bonding, and mental health issues.

In the comments below, let me know if you have read this book, and your thoughts on it. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other readers. If you’re a fan of book reviews, please hit the follow button so you get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Clowns In A Cornfield // Book Review

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About The Book
Kettle Springs is caught in a battle between old and new, tradition and progress. It’s a fight that looks like it will destroy the town. Until Frendo, the Baypen mascot, a creepy clown in a pork-pie hat, goes homicidal and decides that the only way for Kettle Springs to grow back is to cull the rotten crop of kids who live there now.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3wllqR6

My Rating

I’d heard nothing but good things about this book! Many readers said that it was a good, fast-paced, young adult slasher book. However, I wasn’t feeling the plot from the get-go, and my connection to the characters was lacking. So that might be why I didn’t find it as gripping or as enjoyable as others did.

The plot had the potential to be great, since it centers on a classic horror theme of a killer, or in this case killers. Killer clowns, to be exact. While the concept is intriguing, the book falls short in execution. However, I can see how the straightforward plot and simple rural slasher story may appeal to readers new to the young adult horror genre.

The book’s strengths truly lie with the fact that it is a great introduction for younger readers who are just dipping a toe into the world of horror literature. The familiar premise of a killer picking off their victims one by one would most likely make it a decent choice for those who are exploring the horror genre for the first time.

“Drawing a new line in the sand while nobody else is watching, then wiping away the old one. And the whole time you know . . . You know where it’s all leading.”

Unfortunately, the twists and turns in the story were disappointingly predictable. Which, again, might not be an issue for new horror readers. I found myself anticipating each plot development, and nothing in the narrative genuinely surprised me. The lack of unexpected moments or suspenseful elements made the reading experience somewhat flat and uninspired.

One aspect of the book that stood out was the author’s incorporation of their political views into the narrative. While it’s not uncommon for authors to infuse their work with personal beliefs I have heard some readers say that the heavy-handed political aspect of the book was distracting and even off-putting. Also, the author’s writing style didn’t align with my personal tastes. Sometimes, I enjoy being thrown right into the plot. This was an example of one where I would have liked to get to know the characters a bit more.

Overall, the book is a decent, but forgettable, young adult horror novel. While the plot concept is engaging, the predictable twists, political influence, and lackluster execution make it nothing special. The fact that I could see what was coming in each chapter left me with no surprises from the story. If you are a serious horror reader seeking an immersive and captivating experience, it’s possible that you, like me, will find yourself wanting more from this book.

In the comments let me know if you have read this book and your thoughts. Make sure to like and share this post. Finally, don’t forget that you can hit the follow button to get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Some Girls Do // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Morgan, an elite track athlete, is forced to transfer high schools late in her senior year after it turns out being queer is against her private Catholic school’s code of conduct. There, she meets Ruby, who has two hobbies: tinkering with her baby blue 1970 Ford Torino and competing in local beauty pageants, the latter to live out the dreams of her overbearing mother. The two are drawn to each other and can’t deny their growing feelings.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3urFYH4

My Rating

This is a really cute, young adult, queer romance with a lot of depth to it. I honestly wouldn’t call this a light or fluffy female/female romance, because it does cover a lot of heavy topics. That being said, I really enjoyed the story. I didn’t expect it to be so hard hitting, but I really loved the way the author went with the plot.

In the book, Morgan, a new transfer student and star athlete, meets Ruby, who is a beauty pageant queen that happens to love working on cars. Their first meeting isn’t exactly a meet-cute, but they quickly form a friendship that leads to something more. The only problem is: Morgan is openly gay, but Ruby is still trying to figure things out.

Now, I did find that Morgan was a little bit too intense, and wasn’t quite understanding when it came to Ruby’s situation. However, knowing about her path, and why she had to transfer schools, it’s understandable that she wasn’t willing to hide who she was.

“So what if she’s a mess? Maybe we all are. But what if she’s meant to be my mess, and I’m meant to be hers?”

On the other hand, I really felt for Ruby in this book. She didn’t know how she was going to pay for college. She was forced to be a beauty queen, so that her mother could live vicariously through her. And she was truly afraid that no one would accept her as bisexual.

The book was really about self discovery, and how nobody can force you to do anything you’re not ready to do. In the end, all we can do is support and be there for each other. I really loved Morgan and Ruby’s relationship, and also what they learned from each other throughout the book.

Overall, this is a really good read, and the writing was impeccable. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a fast-paced book, since books with heavy subjects seem to take longer, but I still enjoyed it. And, although this book deals with some heavier topics, it is still a contemporary romance at its core.

If you have read this book, leave me a comment telling your thoughts on it. As always, you can like and share this post with others. Before you go, remember you can get post notifications by following my blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Murder In The Family // Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

About The Book
One body. Six experts. Can you solve the case before they do? Mega-bestselling British crime novelist Cara Hunter makes her big American debut with a wholly immersive thriller like none you’ve seen before: written as the teleplay of a true-crime documentary, it has the reader puzzling away, reviewing photos, maps, coroner’s reports and other evidence as they read. Can you tell who’s lying?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3St4EHe

My Rating

I wish I could say that this book was a roller coaster ride, but unfortunately, I predicted the ending twist right from the first chapter. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I really like the mixed media element. In the book, we follow a group of experts in their respective fields, such as journalism, psychology, and detective work, starring in a television show to solve a cold case.

The Director of the show has a true connection to the murder, as the victim was his stepfather. The story dragged a little bit too much for my liking. I felt as though the chapters were too long, and I kind of figured where they were going with the plot. Now there were some moments that were a surprise to me, and I really liked the format of the book.

I can’t generally say too much about the characters, because there are a lot of them, and we didn’t get to really know them personally. However, I thought that case that they were looking into was very interesting, and I liked working with them to put the puzzle pieces together and figure out what happened.

“True crime reality TV, if you like. Judging by the cliffhanger at the end of last night’s opening episode, it certainly shows promise.”

In a way, the book really makes the reader the detective as well, which I think is a very unique concept. As for the ending, like I said, there was no big shock there but I think the author took a lot of time with the plot and wrote everything to make sense at the end.

Overall, I would’ve liked the book to be about 100 pages shorter, yet it was a decent read, and I think a lot of mystery readers could really enjoy this book. Honestly, I think it would make a great book club read, since you could get together and try to solve a crime.

Let me know if you have read this book, and your thoughts on it. If you have other readers in your life feel free to share this post with them. Don’t forget to follow the blog for more book reviews and other bookish content!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny