Whitney
“The Rom-Commers” is a delightful read set in the charming backdrop of a cozy mansion in Los Angeles. The author skillfully weaves together humor, romance, and drama, creating a captivating story that keeps you hooked till the end. The characters are endearing and relatable, adding depth to the narrative. The witty dialogue make this book a joy to read, with many laugh-out-loud moments. While some parts felt a bit predictable, overall, “The Rom-Commers” is a heartwarming and entertaining novel that is perfect for fans of romantic comedies.
In her debut novel, Love Interest, author Clare Gilmore uses workplace romance and enemies-to-lovers literary tropes to create a charming and compelling read. Casey is a straight-forward and analytic finance expert, Alex is a sensitive and creative project manager. When Alex gets the job Casey had applied for, well I probably don't need to tell you what happens. But this is a romance novel, after all, and it quickly becomes obvious that Casey and Alex are meant to be more than coworkers.
This novel was an excellent debut from Clare Gilmore. I personally could have used a bit more tension between Alex and Casey before they crossed the enemies to lovers line, but that is hardly a criticism of this book. The characters were all lovable and I appreciated that the side characters had a some depth. There was also a welcome diversity in the characters, although it may have been a bit overdone at times (Alex's eyes were repeatedly referred to as “hooded”). Romance novels can often fall into the trap of the female character getting in her own way by imagining roadblocks that aren't really there. There was an acceptable amount of this in Love Interest, but overall I really appreciated the arc that Casey took throughout the novel and that her story stood on its own outside of her and Alex's relationship.
I really enjoyed Love Interest (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and I eagerly await Clare Gilmore's next novel! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy of this book.
The Last One is an adrenaline-pumping, nail-biting thriller that masterfully combines an intricate plot with captivating characters, leaving readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Will Dean has truly outdone himself with this gripping novel, earning it a well-deserved 5-star rating.
From the very first chapter, this book grabs hold of your attention and refuses to let go. The author's storytelling and pacing create a sense of urgency that is present throughout the entire narrative. Each twist and turn is perfectly timed, keeping readers guessing and engaged, desperate to uncover the secrets lurking around every corner.
One of the greatest strengths of The Unseen Conspiracy lies in its well-developed and three-dimensional characters. The protagonist, Caz, is a flawed but relatable protagonist who is driven by a genuine desire for justice. Her determination to solve the mysteries at the heart of the story is palpable, and readers will easily find themselves emotionally invested in her journey.
The supporting cast is equally captivating, with each character adding depth and complexity to the plot. From the enigmatic surf instructor to the seemingly innocent young adult, no one can be taken at face value. Each interaction and conversation is carefully constructed, leading readers on a whirlwind of suspicion and doubt.
Stevens' ability to create and maintain a palpable atmosphere of tension is commendable. The intricately woven web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives is guaranteed to keep readers guessing until the final pages. The suspense is relentless, as the author maintains a delicate balance between revealing enough to satisfy curiosity and withholding enough to maintain a sense of intrigue.
The Last One is an absolute page-turner, one that grips you from the start and refuses to let go until the very last sentence. Fans of thrilling mysteries will undoubtedly be in awe of this incredible piece of suspenseful fiction.
In conclusion, The Last One earns its well-deserved 5-star rating. proves himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the thriller genre. Highly recommended for fans of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat storytelling.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy of this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give Riley Sager's newest release, “The Only One Left” 5 stars. In this thriller/suspense novel, Kat travels to Hope's End to care for the infamous Lenora Hope. Kat is going through a rough spell and is hesitant to take the case due to the allegations that Lenora murdered her family in her youth. Kat may have more in common with Lenora than she thinks...
A spine-tingling thriller like no other, this intricately woven story transports readers to the decayed enigma of a rundown mansion perched upon a stormy seaside cliff. From the very first chapter, the author's prose sets the stage for a highly immersive reading experience. Each creaking floorboard, howling wind, and crashing wave interweave seamlessly with the narrative, intensifying the mystery that pervades every corner of this once-grand estate. The mansion, sullied by time and secrets, becomes a living, breathing character in its own right, raising goosebumps with every flip of the page.
The pacing in “The Only One Left” is a masterwork. Riley Sager maintains a perfect balance between heart-stopping suspense and moments of respite. As the plot unfolds, tension tightens like a coiled spring, ensuring that gripping revelations regularly punctuate the narrative at just the right moments.
In “The Only One Left,” Riley Sager has proven himself once again to be a masterful voice in the thriller genre. A true five-star triumph, deserving of a place on every thriller lover's bookshelf.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gone Tonight is a tension-filled thriller with an intriguing premise, but unfortunately I wasn't invested in the characters' stories. However, a saving grace is the superb narration by the audiobook's talented narrator.
The plot revolves around a mother, Ruth, and daughter, Catherine, who live together as Catherine finishes nursing school. Everything seems to be going great until Catherine notices some inconsistencies in her mother's stories. What follows is, at times, a gripping and engaging thriller. However, the pacing is inconsistent and lost me multiple times throughout the book.
Rachel Hawkins is a must read author for me, so it was an easy choice when her new mystery, The Heiress, became available as an ARC. In her newest novel, Cam and Jules return to Cam's family's estate in the North Carolina mountains to confront his family and demons from his past. I finished this book in less than 24 hours, the pacing was good and it kept me interested throughout. There was some foreshadowing of twists throughout the book, and I'm still undecided if I like how they advanced the plot or not. This was definitely a plot driven book, which you'd expect from a mystery, so the characters weren't deep. However, I would have liked a bit more to make me care about them more. This isn't necessarily a criticism of the author, as it's common in mystery/thrillers.
Overall, this was an excellent addition (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) to Rachel Hawkins' bibliography, and I highly recommend it to fans of the mystery/thriller genre. Thank you to Rachel Hawkins and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book.