Tegan

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

This was my first dark romance and I think it was the perfect one to start with. There was mystery, there was intrigue, there was romance, there was spice (holy heck there was spice!). I really enjoyed it (although I did roll my eyes a few times towards the end) and I'm so into the characters that I'm starting the sequel right away! I'll be checking out more of this author for sure.

This book is part of a six book series (at the time of writing) but they are all standalones from what I can tell. The sequel is not part of the six book series. Overall, I would recommend this book to dark romance newbies or seasoned experts. I think it has something for everyone who is okay with open door sx scenes. I'm not a fan of a few of the tropes (age gap, vrgin, breeding kink) but they didn't bother me and I attribute that to the grounded characters and writing style.

Spice level:

I picked this up after seeing a post from a few years ago where the author had a viral moment as an onslaught of new readers supported her based on one tweet by the author. I love the internet for that type of thing and I wanted to support her as well even if I was very late to the party.

I'm a bit torn on this book. I loved the first 60% which I read in one night but didn't love the back 40% as much. I think it was when the timeline was revealed that it lost me. I won't go into spoiler territory here so I'll just say the justification for the missing time doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The last 25% of the book felt rushed and it wasn't a satisfying ending for me. It downgraded the previous antagonists to two dimensional characters which doesn't help the lesson the story is trying to tell.

In the first half of the book there were emotional notes that were hit perfectly but the last quarter of the book was missing that. I wanted to stay with them longer in those moments, really feel the turn of events, but we were rushed through them too much.

What I did love was the accuracy of the POV from the 16yo's perspective. Her thoughts, justifications, interpretation of experiences, and reactions to events were so spot on for me. It was almost like the author had peered into my own head at that age.

I had forgotten what my 16yo self was like until I read this and it reminded me of how flawed we are when we're growing up and experiencing the world for the first time. We don't know if we should have these reactions, we're putting on a show for others because that's what we THINK we should do when we feel very differently in our hearts, we're trying to follow the lead of our parents or elders but have doubts and don't know how to voice them... all of this was the jumbled mess of the character's and my 16yo brain that I had forgotten about.

I think the first half is important for teens or pre-teens to reads as a cautionary tale. The back quarter lost that lesson in favour of tying up the ending in a pretty bow when, in my opinion, that wasn't the point of the story or lesson in the first place. The events in the book can be triggering (trigger list below) but it's told in a way that isn't detailing the events on page. The writing style itself is interesting because it's a little bit removed from the events in many parts which helps the content to not be as triggering as it would have been with other writing styles. I wasn't re-traumatised by this which, given my history with these triggers, is uncommon for me. I usually need to stay away from books that have these triggers as, depending on how it's handled, they can be upsetting and/or can affect my mental health significantly. This book is one exception which I am grateful for.

The first half of the book gets 4.5 stars but the back quarter dragged it down to a 3.5 star rating. I do recommend it if you keep in mind the ending is a bit rushed.

TRIGGER WARNING BELOW

THE TRIGGER WARNINGS CONTAIN SPOILERS
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Trigger warnings:
- age gap power dynamics (derogatory)
- controlling behaviour
- death
- drug use (off page)
- forced imprisonment
- forced sex work/rape (kind of off page)
- gaslighting and emotional abuse (on page)
- grooming (on page)
- kidnapping
- sex with a minor (kind of off page)
- violence
- volatile housing situation / unhoused individuals

I really enjoyed this book. The story had me hooked, the characters were captivating (some captivating for different reasons), and the twists and turns in the story left me satisfied. I had heard the ending was disappointing but I did not have that experience. I thought the ending was excellent, well-fitted for the plot and characters.

I think this was the perfect reading experience for me. Most of the time when I finish a book I experience grief-like emotions. Usually I wish for a little more story, a character to be expanded upon, a situation to be more tightly wrapped up or just to live in that world a little longer. This book hasn't evoked those emotions in me which is rare and also a compliment.

Highly recommend especially if you like spooky, historically set tales.

I picked it up on a whim mostly because of the title. I'm not sure if ‘Cabin Fever' reflects the books contents accurately but seeing as this book was written in quarantine I can understand why the author chose that title.

I'm undecided on how I feel about that book. Looking at the plot critically it is a good mystery story with several twists and turns but... I feel conflicted about the end. I guessed part of the end early on but that's only because I read a book recently with a similar plot. The ending itself I feel is too short. I would have liked to hear more from the MC at the end. For that reason I feel the book is a little lacklustre.

I would recommend it as a light (no expectations) read for mystery fans. There's a bunch of CW's that readers may like to know about before diving in which I will put below.

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CW's for this book:
Drug use, self harm, child death, guns, pregnancy issues, domestic abuse, obsessive behaviour, stalking, suicide, murder

Wow. This book. Wow.

I inhaled the first 65% of the book in one sitting. Luckily I had paused at a section where my mind wouldn't tear itself apart trying to think of the solution or what may happen.

I fell in love with the writing style, with the characters, with the world, with the setting. This book reads like poetry spun from my nightmares and my best dreams. This book hooked me from the first chapter and I was oblivious as it sucked me into its world only to spit me back out five hours later at the 65% mark.

When I get really into a book sometimes I put off finishing it because I don't want to leave the characters or the world. This book isn't one of those but for all the good reasons.

Finishing the book today doesn't leave me empty and lonely inside like many other books have done. I thought I would be sad to part with the characters and their world. I'm glad I'm not ravenous for more. I am content, turning the book over in my mind, revisiting chapters and scenes in my head. This is very unusual for me. Usually I want more or need something answered or race to the reviews to see if others felt the same as I did.

I can't tell you any more other than to read it. Read the blurb to gauge your interest and dive in. You won't regret it.

I DNF'd this book because I couldn't get into it. This is more of a note for future me when I wonder why I didn't finish it. I'm sure the book is good, as multiple critics have said, but I couldn't get past the disjointed tweet-like format. I'm sure the tweets made more sense as you read on but I didn't get that far. I may try it again with fresh eyes.

Very enjoyable book. A true twisty mystery that keeps you guessing. I read 60% of the book in one afternoon and night, the day I started it, because the twists and turns didn't let up. I only wrenched myself away because it was nearly 1am and even then my brain kept me up thinking about everything that happened. I did dream of the three wives that night and that tells you how invested I was in the story because that rarely happens.

I can't speak to the LDS/Mormon side of things but it didn't feel like a stereotypical depiction of them but what do I know? A particular character helped with that and they also were the reader-surrogate into a world I know very little about.

I quite like the ending. After all the set up I thought I would be disappointed at the reveal but it really fit the whole vibe of the book. There were still puzzle pieces falling into place even at the end.

I recommend this book to any mystery story lover and anyone who has a passing interest in a Western-y and religious vibe to their mysteries. There are a few CWs potential readers should know about the book so I'll list them below.

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CWs for physical and mental abuse of children and adults, SA of minors, murder, incest, child death, drug use and recovery from addiction, cults, controlling behaviour, brainwashing, religious ‘justification' for all CWs listed here except the drug use and recovery

This book was a wild and terrible ride that I couldn't put down. It transported me to the 90s for a true taste of that decade - the highs and the lows and the stuff that just... happens. The whirlwind of being a teen, getting caught up in an idealised version of someone, not knowing what you want, not knowing if you should know, and life that keeps spinning around you no matter what you do.

I don't know how to accurately describe this book. It made me nostalgic for my teen years and also so glad I'm not in them anymore. It's written casually, almost flippant, of the things that happen to and around the MC. It's left me with a feeling of sadness from the abrupt end and in some way that's part of its genius. The author doesn't waffle, doesn't get bogged down in details, doesn't overstay their welcome in any part of the book. Hell, you barely get your foot in the door before you are whisked away again.

I don't know if I recommend this one. I love it and dislike it all at once. The pacing and tone sell it, the finality of turning that last page is what has made me dislike it. I say that and yet I'm not sure if I would have wanted anything more from the book. It's beautiful in the harsh light it shines on the characters, the situations they are in, and the casualness of living a young life one experience at a time.

I guess all I can say is I enjoyed the ride the book took me on but, like any rollercoaster, it left me feeling a bit sick at the end. That's an endorsement, by the way.

CWs below for potential readers
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CW for eating disorders, focus on weight loss, pet death, human death, drug use, alcohol use

I loved this book. It really spirited me away into the pages and I didn't want to leave. When I started the book I had intended only to read for 30 mins to an hour before bed. This book completely enveloped me and I didn't realise four hours had passed until I looked up and saw it was midnight. Those books are the best kind of books, the ones that whisk you away so entirely that you forget that you're turning pages at all.

I have the next book already reserved from the library and I'm glad of it because that's all that's keeping my book grief at bay. I loved this book entirely, even when it slowed down at the 3/4 mark before picking right back up.

I whole heartedly recommend it for anyone who is and isn't a fan of YA. It doesn't read like a typical YA, so much so that I only found it was supposed to be YA when I added it to my reading shelf in this app.

Started this book at 8pm and finished it at 2am. I don't usually stay up that late to finish a book but when I tried to go to sleep at midnight my brain wouldn't shut up about it until I finished it. So here I am, 2am in the morning, writing this review.

I really liked this book. It was another book I just fell head first into and seemed to cause time to stop altogether. The ending wasn't as big as I was hoping for but that's my only critique. I have a lot more appreciation for how insidious racism is after reading this. I've read about it and knew about it, of course, but there's a marked difference between generally reading about it and reading first person experiences of it. I know this plot is fictional yadda yadda but you don't need me to tell you that there is a lot of truth in this story's foundation.

Excellent debut, everyone should read this!

Very enjoyable collection! I read this after feeling a bit down about Christmas and it cheered me right up. Not sure what that says about me that mysteries that sometimes feature murder can cheer me up but here we are.

The first story ‘The Man with the Sack' by Margery Allingham is a particular favourite as well as ‘A Problem in White' by Nicholas Blake, ‘Loopy' by Ruth Rendell, and ‘Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces' by John Mortimer.

I'll be looking up Margery Allingham's other work after this as I really enjoyed the entire story from top to bottom. Being drawn into a regency era type story with a mystery set in England at Christmastime was just what I needed.

I love this book. Genuinely and with all of my heart, I do. This book means so much to me. This book took me through so many emotions and that's a rare thing for me to experience nevermind multiple times during one book. I giggled, I cried, I felt pride, longing, anticipation, and desire. The writing is beautiful, the characters are fleshed out and realised, the plot is great, the anticipation of the end almost sent me over the edge. I devoured this book in two nights, both nights staying up past midnight as the hours melted away. I didn't really read this book more than I fell into its world.

If you're on the fence (like I was for a long time) about this book, give it a shot. It took me several tries to get into it as I'm not typically a romance fan. However halfway through this book I realised I hadn't been reading my type of romance. I want real romance, steamy exchanges, and tension that is wrapped up in the good plot and realised characters. This book ticked all those boxes and many more.

This is my first enemies-to-lovers book and I think I chose a great one to begin with.

I finished reading this last night. It was cute and fun, if a bit frustrating in parts (or one part is particular for me)

I kind of wish it had ended differently? The ending is good and doesn't feel disingenuous but I was hoping for something different

I wanted more focus on the protagonists friends as well but I am glad they didn't wrap up each relationship in a bow. There's a sprinkling of queer relationships in there and I'm glad that there wasn't too much focus on that and just let them live their life instead of acting like it's a Huge and Novelty thing

8/10 it's a good book and it was nice to read something light and fun

I finished this in one sitting after switching from audiobook to ebook. I could not put it down! People told me it was good but my god. It was fantastic. I was expecting something to happen at the end but I wasn't expecting THAT. You kind of got an inkling about half way through and hoo boy, did it pay off. I can't wait to read the second one (although I'll pace myself as the third isn't out yet)
10/10 would devour in three hours again

I liked this book a lot for about 90% of it. The ending isn't bad but I can't help wanting a bit more... a crumb, a tidbit, anything. A short epilogue or something. I enjoyed reading this book and it did give me the book sads after I finished it because of how invested I was. I didn't want it to end which may be why I'm not feeling the ending. I may feel differently about it later but for right now my heart hurts and I have Big Feelings. Definitely worth the read and worth the book sads.

I started this book yesterday and finished it today. I blew through it in about 10 hours. It was an addictive read and I couldn't stop thinking about it until I finished it. It's an addictive read but not altogether enjoyable. There were a few times I rolled my eyes at what was going on, especially with Suzette and her fear of Hanna. I kept thinking ‘this whole family needs to go to therapy, stat'.

I didn't dislike the bool but I didn't particularly like it either. I have a lot of complicated feelings about this book. If anything, it reaffirms that therapy is good and everyone should go to therapy at least once even if you don't perceive yourself as having issues or problems that ‘need' it.
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SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON
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I liked the ending despite its vagueness. I wanted to read more about Hanna's time in that facility and see her grow up a little bit, for better or worse. I wanted to follow her as she tried to be the ‘best girl ever'. Would she learn from the facility, conciously or unconsciously? Would she grow out of trying to get rid of her mother? Would her parents finally accept that she has a mental illness and work with her, not against her? Would Suzette release herself from her mental intoxication with Alex? Would Alex grow up and learn how to be a supportive partner and father?

The book framed the child character in such a way that I was almost always surprised when she referenced as being 7 and not 11 or 12. She was written as a very mature 7 year old with confident grasps on complex concepts. I'm not saying that 7yos can't grasp complex concepts. What I mean is that as a seven year old I would not have known how to manipulate two people to such a intentional and diabolical degree and be able to plan out their reactions and following chain reactions to what I do etc

When reading Hanna's chapters, I kept casting my mind back to being that young and trying to imagine pulling something like her actions off. Her chapters are written to give us context for her actions, that's she's not naturally born evil or possessed. However, in the end Hanna's chapters detract from the creepiness that she's supposed to inspire. She's a child with a child like interpretation of the world (except for specific points where she knows exactly how adult relationships work) but also inspired such fear in her mother that Suzette physically feared for her own life?

I really felt for Hanna and Suzette in the end. Suzette wasn't ready to become a mother but Hanna wasn't to blame for that. Like I said above, the whole family needed therapy long before Hanna started acting badly. Suzette needs it for her obsessive behaviour, her attachment issues, her medical PTSD. Alex, the husband who is barely in this book, needs it for his anger and control issues, as well as to learn some active listening and interpersonal skills. Hanna is not innocent in all of this but she's just a kid that needs help managing and understanding her mental illness.

Obviously if all of that happened in the book we wouldn't have the plot at all but I do feel like some events were unrealistic and as those events racked up, the book became less of a creepy novel and more of a thought experiment.

That being said, my criticisms are really only for the last half of the book. I read the first half in one sitting and enjoyed the ride.

Absolutely terrible. Read Lynley Stace's review here if you want to know specifics. They lasted so much longer than I did (123 pages vs my 10 pages). I couldn't continue reading this as every second paragraph made my eyes bleed. Only read this if you care to hear about a dudes boner every page and enjoy indulging in misogynistic + toxic masculinity traits and behaviour