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corinne82's reviews
372 reviews
The Dream Home by T.M. Logan
challenging
dark
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
🎧 I’ve enjoyed previous reads by this author but this one isn’t one of them! I found this such a slow burn to the point it felt like there was nothing happening. It just didn’t work and the narrator didn’t add anything to the experience and it became such a slog to get through. It really slowed me down and for a finish I didn’t really care for where the storyline was going. The last 20% has your head in a spin and I don’t mean in a good way. I can’t say I cared for any of the characters and I just found Adam too much and I really disliked him. The outcome and how it all came together was very underwhelming and meh 🫤. Unfortunately this one just didn’t work for me at all and I’m glad to be finished it.
Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
🎧 This is the 3rd book in the series and it’s my first but it can definitely be read as a standalone. Loved the sound of the blurb and was looking forward to getting stuck in. But I’m not going to lie for the first half of the listen I contemplated DNFing several times as I found it such a slow burn and it felt like there wasn’t much going on to keep me interested. Thankfully the second half picked up the pace and the storyline started to move along and grabbed my attention. It was an interesting storyline overall with some interesting characters that are both lovable and some not so much. Frankie was one of my favourite characters with her no nonsense attitude. This was an enjoyable listen overall but with the slow pace I nearly didn’t get there.
I'm Her Mother by Lauren North
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This one is told from the points of view of Isobel and Emma in alternating chapters. It’s a slow burn that I really would have preferred had moved at a faster pace but it really does build the momentum and suspense. It’s a well developed storyline that has many the twist and turn thrown in. Really likeable and unlikeable characters, holy god somebody just slap Margaret. It’s a well written read that will keep you guessing to the end. This one I really enjoyed even if it did frustrate me at times when I couldn’t consume the words fast enough but maybe that’s the whole point. Definitely one to read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #ImHerMother
Where They Lie by Claire Coughlan
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
🎧 I loved the premise of this storyline and think it had great potential. It started off strong but then I found it a little too drawn out and at times a little all over the place. It tended to go around in circles at times and it kind of lost my interest somewhat. I don’t think it needed to be as long a listen as it was and it took from the experience for me. I liked Nicoletta as a character but can’t say I cared for many of the others. By the time it all came together I didn’t really care at that stage and my interest was gone. Unfortunately this one didn’t quite work for me.
Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Another great read from Kristen Bailey. I kept this one for my holidays and it was a great choice to dip in and out of an such an easy read. I loved the storyline and the characters are just so fabulous. Everyone needs a Jack in their life. The characters in general are everything you want in a group of friends. It’s a real feel good read 🤗.
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review #TextBookRomance
In Her Grave by Willow Rose
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? Yes
4.0
WELL… That was a whirlwind of a read. This is the 3rd instalment in the Detective Billie Ann Wilde series. Ive read book 1 but not book 2 but that didn’t take away from this one at all. Past history is referenced but explained so you don’t feel like you’re missing something. This one has a really well developed storyline and characters. I love Billie Ann as a character. Shes such a force to be reckoned with. But I so wanted to knock some sense into Travis’ wife Betty. The storyline moves at a fast pace and keeps you on your toes with lots of twists along the way. There was never a dull moment and the pace never let up. Another great read from Willow Rose.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #InHerGrave
This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
🎧 This is book 12 in the Will Trent book series. Karin Slaughter knows how to write a well developed twisty thriller that never lets up and keeps firing the surprises at you that your head is in a complete spin. Omg the McAlpines are a family full of many a dark secret with most members being truly detestable. Will Trent, Sara Linton, Faith and Amanda are as loveable as always and it’s just like coming home to old friends. There is a lot going on within this storyline so you need to keep your wits about you and your detective skills need to be on point. I honestly couldn’t stop listening and even though it’s a lengthy listen it didn’t feel like that. It’s a fast pace listen and the narration was very engaging. Add it to your TBR pile.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for the opportunity to read and review #ThisIsWhyWeLied
The Wildfire Girl by Arnold Carolyn
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
This is Book 11 in the Detective Amanda Steele book series. I have enjoyed several other books in this series and I didn’t start at the beginning of the series. This one is my least favourite of the series to the point I found it such slog to get through and it really slowed me down. I found the storyline didn’t engage me and it was such a slow burn with not much in the way of suspense or thrills. I actually found it a little boring and it felt like it moved at a snails pace and went around in circles. I love the dynamic between Detective Steele and Stenson and there such likeable characters that I look forward to there next adventure.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #TheWildfireGirl
I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
🎧 I have read a lot of this authors work in the past and really enjoyed them but sadly this one for me isn’t one of my favourites. It started out well and I was really engaged but it lost its way then. It’s told from several points of view which always works well. I didn’t find the storyline anything in the way of different to many others. It felt like it went off in too many different directions with some being unnecessary and I lost interest. The characters were ok enough. The narrator did a good job. Overall it was an enjoyable enough listen just not one of my favourites.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #IWillRuinYou
Rattle by Fiona Cummins
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? It's complicated
1.0
🎧 DNF - The blurb had me so intrigued as this sounds exactly like my kind of listen. It started off strong and had such potential but it just wasn't engaging in any way. I can't say I really liked any of the characters and wasn't endeared by any of them except for Clara and Jakey. The detective was such a weak character and all her inner personal issues took from her and the investigation completely. The 'Bone Collector' wasn't interesting enough to hold my interest, if anything I found him sooo boring. The storyline just went around in circles with so much repetition and honestly not much happening. For a finish I was only listening for the sake of getting it finished but I just can't anymore.
Unfortunately this is a series I'll be giving a miss.