Last One To Die | Book Review

About The Book
Sixteen-year-old Niamh hopes for adventure during her London summer, not fear. But her thrill soon becomes worry as young, dark-haired women are found assaulted all over town…and they’re all eerily similar to her. As danger closes in, Niamh needs to question everything, especially who she can trust.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4563Gqp

My Rating


This YA mystery thriller follows sixteen-year-old Niamh’s summer in London at a prestigious theater program. During her first night there, a dorm resident is murdered. Soon afterward, Niamh feels a strange sense that she might be the next victim. The synopsis hooked me, plus it was under 300 pages. Despite being a quick read, the story’s mystery and main character were weak.

Niamh was somewhat likable, though very naïve, considering all the strange things happening to her. The mystery just didn’t do it for me. Although it’s marketed toward fans of Scream and One of Us Is Lying, it’s quite different—just a heads up, there are no slasher vibes.

Niamh and her friend were really judgy in the story, which I didn’t like. The “mean girl” made Niamh feel singled out in the theater program, but Niamh did the same thing, judging a character by how they looked and acted. Honestly, the characters were pretty immature sometimes, even for teenagers. It was giving early 2000s.

“Horror movie tip number one: never drop your weapon.”

Despite being an easy read, the book wasn’t suspenseful or intriguing enough to hold my attention. To be honest, the book didn’t really stand out to me. This isn’t a story that will leave a lasting impression on me. I could have passed on reading it and been fine. Interpret that however you want.

What really held my attention was the supernatural aspect. This is more than just a mystery or horror story. In my opinion, adding the paranormal element made the plot more engaging, and the ending, while predictable, was executed really well.

Overall, this book is a great choice if you’re new to horror or a bit of a scaredy-cat. If you’re curious about Simone St. James’ books but find adult horror intimidating, this is a great place to start. I’d definitely pick up more of this author’s work when I’m in the mood for a lighter horror read.

Have you ever read anything by this author? Do you like supernatural horror stories? If that’s the case, please share recommendations in the comments. Like and share this post, and sign up for my mailing list to be alerted about new content!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Hide | Book Review

About The Book
Survive a week hidden in an abandoned amusement park. The prize? Life-changing money. Mack’s sure she’ll win; she’s a pro at hiding. That’s why she’s alive, but her family isn’t. But the game proves far more dangerous than Mack imagined. Fourteen competitors. Seven days. You can hide, but you can’t escape.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/46W5ZPr

My Rating


This adult horror novel will have you on the edge of your seat. Fourteen people enter an abandoned amusement park for a cash prize, but the competition is way more sinister than they expect. This book is a total page-turner!

The story completely engrossed me from the first chapter. I found the concept of a horror story in an amusement park to be very creepy. I expected this book to be full of twists and turns, but although it wasn’t, it was still very gripping and suspenseful.

My only problem with the book was its multiple perspectives and storytelling style. Instead of receiving chapters from individual characters’ perspectives, we gain insight into multiple characters’ mindsets in a single chapter. I thought this formatting was confusing and made it difficult to follow the characters’ thoughts.

“Terror is almost a comfort at this point, a familiar friend.”

Although I found it hard to keep up with so many characters, I loved the writing. Kiersten White is a master storyteller; you won’t want to put her books down. What I really like is that, while it’s not a nightmare-inducing read, it’s still a chilling story you won’t forget.

I also really liked the characters and was rooting for them. I almost cried a few times—I was so scared for them! Admittedly, I guessed the ending early on, and I was mostly right! But a few things still surprised me. I really liked how it ended.

Overall, it was a great read! This horror book’s so gripping, you’ll probably read it in a day or two. For those who enjoy a bit of a thrill, this makes for a fantastic summer read with just the right amount of creepiness to keep you engaged.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve read it and would recommend it. Give this post a like and share it! Fan of book reviews? To receive notifications of new reviews, sign up for my mailing list.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Last, Now, Next | What I’m Reading

Hi Friends,
Let’s do a Last, Now, Next! I’ll talk about the book I just finished, the one I’m reading now, and my next read. I’m such a mood reader, so planning what to read next is always chaotic. I just read whatever I’m feeling in the moment, so keep that in mind when reading this list, as these books might not exactly fit the current season.


📖 Last Read: She Left by Stacie Grey

I really enjoyed this whodunit mystery thriller! The plot was excellent, and the story moved quickly. In all honesty, the book exceeded my expectations.


📚 Currently Reading: Summers End by Juneau Black

I needed a fun and fast read I could finish in a day. I’m having a blast with this cozy mystery series; I love how straightforward the plots are. Honestly, I sometimes crave a light read that doesn’t require much mental effort.
Related Post: Shady Hollow | Book Review


📘 Up Next: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

I’m clearly in the mood for some cozy reading! Because the sequel was recently released, I’ve been thinking about this book a lot lately. I’ve heard great things about this book, so I’m really looking forward to it! I’m not sure about the plot, but it seems like a magical romance, which is totally my thing. In either case, I have high hopes for it.


Have you read any of these books? What have you read last, are reading at the moment, and plan to read next? Comment below! Make sure to check Everand to see if these books are part of its subscription catalog. Click here to sign up and get a free trial of Everand! Before you leave, don’t forget to like and share this post. To ensure you don’t miss any new posts, sign up for my mailing list.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Horror & Slasher Recs | For Summerween

Hi Friends,
Summer isn’t over, so Summerween continues. To keep the spooky summer vibes alive, I’m sharing some fun horror and slasher book recommendations. These books may not keep you up at night, but you’ll want to binge-read them all in one go.



The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
Set at a summer camp, this book is a perfect summer read. Emma Davis, the main character, has to return to her old summer camp. However, the camp had to close way back when, after the girls who shared Emma’s cabin went missing. It’s a super fun read with many twists and turns.
Related Post: The Last Time I Lied | Book Review



Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban
To be honest, I didn’t love this book as much as I thought I would. Still, this could be a good summer read if you’re into YA mysteries. Set on a boat, this book delivers teen drama and a surprising ending. Even though I didn’t love the story, some people, especially Agatha Christie fans, might really like it. It’s a supposedly good reimagining of Death on the Nile, from what I understand.
Related Post: Lying In The Deep | Book Review



You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
This slasher story was so much fun. The book takes place at a slasher-themed attraction where you essentially get to be in a horror movie. Charity Curtis’s role as the final girl takes a deadly turn when a real killer joins the cast. I loved the writing and how over-the-top the book was. If you’re into classic teen slasher flicks, you’ll love this book.
Related Post: You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight | Book Review



Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine
This YA slasher book takes place at a camp, a popular setting for summer thrillers. What I really love about this story is the mystery. The story follows two girls attending the reopening of a camp long closed after a deadly massacre. Although their reasons differ, they both seek answers about the past. This story was super fast-paced, with tons of shocking moments.
Related Post: Two Sides To Every Murder | Book Review



Summer’s Edge by Dana Mele
This book wasn’t amazing, but I liked the general idea, and it’s perfect for summer. It’s a wild, creepy story that’ll keep you reading to the end. To be honest, this book is tough to explain; you’re better off going in without knowing the plot. However, I will say that this young adult horror novel continues to haunt my thoughts to this day.
Related Post: Summer’s Edge | Book Review



The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
This book’s for you if you like spooky stories with a touch of romance. It’s super creepy and atmospheric, with a touch of magic. In the book, Beatriz thought her new husband’s country estate would be a safe haven, but it turned into a nightmare. If you are a fan of Gothic books, then I think you will like this story. I think fans of Mexican Gothic and The Nun movies would love this story—it’s a weird comparison, I know, but it has the same feel.
Related Post: The Hacienda | Book Review


Read these creepy books to stay in the Summerween mood all summer. If you have any spine-tingling summer reading recommendations, please leave them in the comments. Please like and share this post with others. As always, signing up for my mailing list supports my blog and guarantees you won’t miss new book posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summerween 2025 Readathon | Wrap-Up

Hi Friends,
The Summerween 2025 readathon is officially over! I missed the recap posts for days 6, 7, and 8 because I wasn’t feeling well. Honestly, I failed to read anything for the final days of the readathon. This readathon was a bit of a flop for me, as I only read one book and a short story.

Readathon Reading Wrap-Up
Hide by Kiersten White
This book fulfilled several readathon prompts, including “Read A Horror Or Thriller Book“, Read A Book You’ve Owned For More Than A Year“, and “Read A Book In The Dark Or At Night“.

Phantom Pond by Juneau Black
This mystery short story satisfied the prompts “Read A Novella, Manga Or Listen To A Spooky Audiobook” and “Read A Book With The Sky On The Cover” (it has a cartoony sky, but it still counts).

Although I completed all the readathon prompts, I really wanted to read all the books on my TBR. Comment below and tell me your reading stats from this past week (books/pages). Please like and share this post with fellow readers. To support my blog, please sign up for my mailing list.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summerween 2025 Day 4 & 5 | Fiction And Feelings

Hi Friends,
Days 4 and 5 of Summerween were both pretty uneventful, so I figured I’d combine them into one recap. I was extremely tired on day four, so reading wasn’t a priority. However, I did finish Juneau Black’s Phantom Pond, though, and I loved it. Though I don’t review Shady Hollow short stories, this one would get 5 stars from me.

Day five wasn’t so great. I was feeling depressed. Maybe it was because I didn’t sleep well, but I was very emotional. Although I was sad, I finally finished Hide by Kiersten White. I was really excited to have finished the book, especially since it took me longer than usual to read it. Aside from the emotional rollercoaster I was on, it was a good day.

Little Moments From The Days
• I made a Starbucks run because sometimes you just need a pick-me-up. What’s your coffee order?

• Once again, my go-to candle was the Leaves one from Bath and Body Works. I’m obsessed with how much that smell makes me think of autumn.

• I have to confess, I splurged on some special edition books. TikTok shop is fueling my book addiction, so I need to stay away!

Hope you liked this Summerween update! Let me know in the comments how your reading week’s been. Don’t forget to like and share this post before you go! And don’t forget to sign up for my mailing list so you don’t miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summerween 2025 Day 3 | Chores & Chapters

Hi Friends,
Summerween day three was super busy. I had little time to read until the afternoon, because I was working around the house. But when I got around to reading, I couldn’t put the book down. I reached the 50% mark in Hide by Kiersten White. I suspected how the book would end from the start, and now I’m positive.

Before bed, I started reading Phantom Pond. This short story is part of the Shady Hollow series. I figured I could use it for the novella prompt if I needed to.

Little Moments From The Day
• Even though housework drained me, I still squeezed in a 15-minute abs and arms workout.

• To get in the reading mood, I played a spooky autumn house ambience video on YouTube.

• I posted on TikTok and Instagram! I’ve been regularly posting on TikTok recently, but unfortunately, I’ve neglected my Instagram. So, I need to figure out a good posting schedule for both.

That’s it for day three. Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more bookish content. Please share your Summerween updates in the comments below. Liking and sharing this post helps my blog grow, don’t forget! Plus, joining my mailing list means you’ll never miss a new post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summerween 2025 Day 2 | Rest And Reading Sprints

Hi Friends,
Day two of Summerween was good! I got a lot of reading done, which is great! I’m still reading Hide, and it’s really interesting. The story is keeping me guessing, and I love that in thrillers. It’s also super suspenseful. However, having so many perspectives within each chapter is something I’m not enjoying. I think separate chapters per character would have made it easier to keep track of whose perspective we were reading. Nonetheless, I am still enthralled by the book.

I also got a new kitten! My husband and I adore our pets, and we’ve added another furry friend to the family! And I took a nap, it being Sunday and all. Since it was the day of rest, I took it easy. But honestly, I love to sleep.

Little Moments From The Day
• Summerween reading sprints helped me get a good chunk of the book read.

• Today’s scent was a Bath and Body Works Leaves candle. I absolutely love this scent; if you like apple cider and apple pie, you’ll love it too!

• I watched I Still Know What You Did Last Summer because I watched I Know What You Did Last Summer on July 4th. My family doesn’t understand my Fourth of July movie tradition, but fellow horror fans will get it.

It was a really relaxing and easy day. Not the most exciting day, but I did tons of reading, which is the whole point of the readathon. Let me know what you’re reading in the comments! Before you go, hit like, share this post, and sign up for my mailing list.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summerween 2025 Day 1 | A Slow Start

Hi Friends,
Summerween has begun! To be totally transparent, I didn’t really read much at all on the first day of the readathon. That’s fine, though, because the readathon has only just started, so I have plenty of time to read my TBR. Let’s just hope the rest of my reading week goes better.

I spent the morning taking care of my fur babies, as usual. Then I got sucked into TikTok for way too long. I managed to read a bit of A Tempest of Tea with my morning coffee, even though it’s not a readathon book. Also, since it was Saturday, I wasn’t very productive. I was fully in weekend mode. Still, I wanted to tackle one prompt. I picked the “read a book in the dark” one because I sometimes stay up late on weekends.

Around 10 pm, I finally started reading Hide by Kiersten White. I chose this as my first read because it’s on my July TBR, fulfills several prompts, and the audiobook is fairly short. Despite only being 6% into the book, I’m already captivated. What I love about Kiersten White’s books is that they always grab me from the start. Although, the story seems like it will follow a lot of characters, and I’m unsure if I’ll enjoy so many perspectives. Still, based on the small amount I’ve read, I’m liking the plot.

Little Moments From The Day
• I watched some Summerween TBR videos, and you should too if you’re stuck on what to read! You can also check out my Summerween TBR!

• I did a short 10 minute cardio walking workout, because I have to move my body in someway every day.

• For a late-night snack, I treated myself to a Hershey chocolate bar. This week I’ll make s’mores, but it was a chocolate bar kind of night.

• My soundtrack for the evening was a snow ambience video on YouTube with just snow sounds and a crackling fire. It really helped set the fall vibes.

That’s a wrap for Day 1. While it might not have been the most successful or eventful day, I don’t mind easing into the readathon. Hopefully, my reading will pick up and I will do more Halloween-type things as the week goes on. If you enjoyed this post, please like and share it with other readers. Make sure to sign up for my mailing list so you don’t miss any of my Summerween updates.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summerween 2025 | To Be Read

Hi Friends
Summerween is here again! For those unaware, Summerween is a readathon I enjoy taking part in every summer. It’s basically Halloween, but in summer. And as a winter lover, I’m all about it! If you want to join the fun, check out the announcement video—it’s got all the readathon details! There are only five prompts for this week-long readathon (July 5-12), and I’m aiming to read four books. But I can’t wait for all the spooky reads!


Read A Horror Or Thriller Book
Since Kirsten White’s Hide is on my July TBR, I figured I’d include it here as well. Been wanting to read this horror book forever; it’s got a competition and takes place in an amusement park. I have high hopes for this book, and since it’s short, it should be a quick read.


Read A Book With The Sky On The Cover
I had tons of choices, but I went with She Left by Stacie Gray. It fits the prompt because there’s a sky on the cover, and the story takes place around Memorial Day, so it totally screams summer vibes. The plot reminds me a bit of “And Then There Were None,” but from what I know it’s not a retelling.


Read A Book You’ve Owned For More Than A Year
For a change of pace, I’ve chosen Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club for this prompt. This mystery series, which you may have heard of, centers on residents of a retirement community who become amateur detectives. I’ve owned the book for around two years, and with the movie adaptation coming out soon, now seems like the perfect time to read it.


Read A Novella, Manga Or Listen To A Spooky Audiobook
I’ve been wanting to dive back into Something Is Killing the Children, even though I’m not really into graphic novels. It feels right to read volume two during the readathon because I read volume one during Summerween. Let’s just turn it into a Summerween tradition.


There is one more prompt, which is to Read A Book In The Dark Or At Night, but I’ll probably just use one of the other books already on the TBR for it. Comment below if you’re planning to participate in Summerween. Please like and share this post before you leave. Consider signing up to my mailing list as well. It’s free, and you won’t miss any new posts!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny