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corinne82's reviews
372 reviews
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
š§ Iāve heard so much about this book and was intrigued to read it myself but it really wasnāt for me. I know Iām in the minority and when it comes to others loving a read and I not feeling the same I'm often left wondering if I've missed the point. But I donāt think so in this case. Itās a tale of young adulthood, the relationships and the mistakes that we make along the way and how they shape our futures - but I can safely say I missed the appeal or the interest. I found it a slow moving plot and if Iām honest I couldnāt wait to be finished it. I didnāt find the characters overly likeable either. Unfortunately it just wasnāt for me but we wonāt love them all I suppose.
The Patient's Daughter by Jenna Kernan
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
You need to put this one on your TBR pile. I was hooked from the first page and couldnāt turn the pages fast enough. Itās a fast pace read that really keeps the intrigue and suspense but in a way that isnāt frustrating to the reader. You really donāt know whatās happening or where itās going and then š„BOOMš„ it all takes off and all you can do is hang in there as the twists keep coming. I liked the main characters Seth and Taylor but my god Taylorās mothers really was a horrible person. The characters are well developed and I felt I really got to know them. This is a cleverly written, fast paced read that has something a little different and itās a really engaging read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #ThePatientsDaughter
Past Lying by Val McDermid
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
š§ This is the 7th instalment in the Karen Pirie series and there are references to past histories of different characters but it didnāt feel like I was missing out. This one is a cleverly written page turner that is a story within a story. I found it really engaging on audio. It took me a little time to get to grips with the different characters and the switching of past to present timelines but once I did it was full on engrossing. Really liked the characters and the police procedural side of the the storyline is always a favourite. Although itās based in Covid times it doesnāt overshadow the storyline but does add another element to it. Definitely recommend š¤©ā¦
Thanks to Netgalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for the opportunity to listen to and review #PastLying
The Couple's Revenge by Daniel Hurst
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is described as a "jaw-dropping, psychological thriller," which is always something that will catch my interest but it really didnāt deliver in that respect. I love a good psychological thriller but this really fell short. I found the story boring and extremely drawn out. The plot was dull and really lacked the fast pace and twists and turns along the way. It was a little unbelievable in certain aspects which took from the overall plot. The characters aren't memorable and not overly likeable. There was no real build up and the reveals that did come about just fell flat. Unfortunately this one just wasnāt for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #TheCouplesRevenge
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
š§ Iāve had this on reserve for a while as have heard and seen so much about it. But yet again Iām in the minority as this one really wasnāt for me. It did flow well if a little drawn out and it touches on issues that are relevant and important but it felt like it was trying too hard and was just underwhelming. It had promise but it just didnāt keep me engaged. I found my mind wandering and it could be repetitive. I honestly couldnāt stand the main character June. Her inner whining and over descriptive ramblings just got old after a time. Iām beginning to think Iāve missed something and itās just me not getting it but unfortunately this just wasnāt for me and I canāt say Iāll remember it in a week.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
š§ Iāve loved āFriendsā for as long as I can remember and had just been to the Friends Experience the day Matthew Perry passed away so needless to say his autobiography got bumped up the list. This is such a raw, honest listen and the fact itās narrated by Matthew Perry himself really hits different as you can hear every emotion. One thing is very clear Matthew Perry and Chandler Bing are one and the same. There was definitely no getting into character once on set. There is so much I didnāt know about him outside of Friends and he really had an incredible life in terms of his career but it shows you that despite that when addiction grips you all the money, fame and all that comes with s celebrity lifestyle is irrelevant. For someone who has no idea what itās like living with addiction he did an incredible job of giving me a real insight into exactly what he went through and what he lived with on a daily basis. At times I did find it a little repetitive when it came to his relationships and the cycle of his life but I suppose thatās his story and how he chose to tell it. I found it a quick listen even with the tough subject matter. RIP Matthew Perry - youāll never be forgotten ā¤ļø.
The Night She Lied by Lucy Dawson
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
š§ The blurb had me really interested and sounded just like my kind of read. It started off strong but got a little lost in the middle to the point of being really drawn out. It could really have been condensed a lot more as the extra fluff didnāt add anything to the storyline. The story unfolds through past and present timelines which I found interesting for building the story. I found most of the characters not overly likeable and couldnāt really connect with them. I found Lady Margaret truly detestable but I will admit I really liked Johnny. The narration was excellent as it really brought Lady Margaret to life. The was a few surprises along the way but they werenāt worth waiting for as it was obvious where it was going. It was only okā¦
Thanks to Netgalley and Bolindo Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #TheNightSheLied
Five Gold Rings by Kristen Bailey
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
š/š§ Kristen Bailey has done it again! She is one of my favourite authors when it comes to romance, humour and those unforgettable one liners. Five Gold Rings is a feel good festive read/listen and perfect for the week thatās in it and the run up to Christmas. I switched between audio and ebook for this one and loved it in both formats. The narrators were fab and really brought the humour and characters to life but thatās not to say that the ebook doesnāt deliver in the same way. It brought many a smile to my face. Bailey really knows how to write such quirky, likeable characters and I loved them all except for Chris š. Itās cleverly written with a lot of little sub-plots that add to Eve and Joeās story. This is definitely one to read or listen to to put you in the Christmas spirit. It has to be said that the statements āGo pull his crackerā and āDo you mind if I have a bite of your whopper?ā will never sound the same again š¤Ŗā¦
Thanks to Kristen Bailey and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review #FiveGoldRings
The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Iāve loved all of Howardās other books and couldnāt wait to get stuck into this one and I really wanted to love it but it just didnāt quite work for me. I love that itās based in Ireland. Itās told from different characters perspectives which is always good but I found I didnāt really connect with any of them and found the main character Lucy a little annoying. The structure of the storyline just didnāt flow well and jumped around quite a bit in time and place. For me it felt very different in terms of the writing from the authors other reads but maybe that was intended. The ending Iām a little confused by and feel Iām missing something which maybe I am as I did find sometimes I needed to go back on things. I can see true crime fans enjoying it but unfortunately itās not my favourite.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review #TheTrap
Love You Gone by Rona Halsall
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
š§ Iāll admit that the first 1/4 was such a slow burn and really not engaging that I did consider DNFing but once it switched to the past timeline it picked up the pace and caught my attention. The storyline wasnāt what I expected at all which is a good thing. The main theme of the story was a little lacking in the building of the story as I felt it needed more. The characters were both likeable and unlikeable. Found the ending a bit rushed and underwhelming. It was an ok listen.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #LoveYouGone