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thebstandsforbooks's reviews
388 reviews
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Darling Girls is a slow burn with multiple POV’s and varying timelines that will leave you with a sense of unease. I loved hearing the stories told by each sister. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were such likeable characters.
We get to hear the back story of manipulation of each foster sister and we get to learn how that contributes to the lovingly dysfunctional adults they’ve become.
We have an unknown narrator and when you put the pieces together…wow. That ending was something else 😳
I really enjoyed this!
We get to hear the back story of manipulation of each foster sister and we get to learn how that contributes to the lovingly dysfunctional adults they’ve become.
We have an unknown narrator and when you put the pieces together…wow. That ending was something else 😳
I really enjoyed this!
A Lovely Lie by Jaime Lynn Hendricks
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
We have a lie (cover up) over 20 years in the making, but we all know secrets never stay buried and everyone has something to hide. With police interview transcripts woven throughout the story we get multiple POV’s and dual timelines that propel the story.
This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024 and it was just as good as I knew it would be!
This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024 and it was just as good as I knew it would be!
Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ooh. A small town with a dark past! A missing parent, secrets, and familial tension-the makings of a perfect domestic suspense thriller.
It hasn't rained in over 60 days and as the water recedes, long sunken secrets are exposed.
It quickly becomes clear that things are not as they appear to be and peoples true motivations are brought to the surface.
This is an entertaining slow burn that will keep you wanting more. I thought I knew where this was going, but I was definitely wrong.
The Woman at My Wedding by L.G. Davis
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.0
You’re 30 days from your dream wedding and things are going swimmingly when out of the blue your estranged MIL arrives and now an unknown woman has begun terrorizing you.
Her writing style reminds me of Freida McFadden in that since it’s a popcorn thriller. You‘ll have to suspend belief, but you’ll have a good time doing it. This is written with dual POV’s and I was locked in from page 1.
I will say that the last few chapters felt disjointed and it was as if the plot hit a loop-di-loop. We were moving right along then mass chaos ensues. Like, what the heck, how did we get here?! I figured out one of the big twists fairly early and after surprise after surprise in the last few chapters the book just ended.
I was going to be upset with the ending but found out there is a sequel. Will I be reading it? Absolutely.
Her writing style reminds me of Freida McFadden in that since it’s a popcorn thriller. You‘ll have to suspend belief, but you’ll have a good time doing it. This is written with dual POV’s and I was locked in from page 1.
I will say that the last few chapters felt disjointed and it was as if the plot hit a loop-di-loop. We were moving right along then mass chaos ensues. Like, what the heck, how did we get here?! I figured out one of the big twists fairly early and after surprise after surprise in the last few chapters the book just ended.
I was going to be upset with the ending but found out there is a sequel. Will I be reading it? Absolutely.
The Baby by A.J. McDine
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
WHOSE BABY IS THIS?!?
That was literally me for 3/4ths of the book 😩
Reveal after reveal up until the very last page of the book. I really enjoyed this.
Can I just say that I haven’t hated a spouse in a while so much as I HATED the gaslighter, Miles. T-Raaaaaaash 🙄
That was literally me for 3/4ths of the book 😩
Reveal after reveal up until the very last page of the book. I really enjoyed this.
Can I just say that I haven’t hated a spouse in a while so much as I HATED the gaslighter, Miles. T-Raaaaaaash 🙄
The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Let’s start by saying, Joelle Wellington is back with another banger 🙌🏽
I’ve been eyeing this book since it was announced and let me tell you, my month was MADE when I got it in the mail!
I knew it was going to be good- I mean the cover alone 😍 When I saw it was horror, I knew I was in trouble because I am not a horror girl AT ALL. You already know my ass was over here scared 😩😂
We’ve got a slasher thrope lowkey flipped in its head with friends that are closer than family and sapphic love wrapped in a coming of age story that centers around being brave in whatever way that may look like for you.
Will I read everything Joelle writes? Absolutely. Should you read everything Joelle writes? Duh.
I’ve been eyeing this book since it was announced and let me tell you, my month was MADE when I got it in the mail!
I knew it was going to be good- I mean the cover alone 😍 When I saw it was horror, I knew I was in trouble because I am not a horror girl AT ALL. You already know my ass was over here scared 😩😂
We’ve got a slasher thrope lowkey flipped in its head with friends that are closer than family and sapphic love wrapped in a coming of age story that centers around being brave in whatever way that may look like for you.
Will I read everything Joelle writes? Absolutely. Should you read everything Joelle writes? Duh.
Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The story itself was damn near perfection, but then the underlying messaging about race and the obsession with social media and the implications of bias when we become our own “investigators” from behind a keyboard made it even more relatable to the times.
The twist, the ending, the gotcha moment- I haven’t been this invested in a book in a long time.
Loved!
The Sleepwalkers by Scarlett Thomas
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This was a little different from the books I regularly go for. I had this overwhelming, uneasy feeling the entire time but I couldn’t stop reading. I think this may be my fastest read so far this year clocking in at just a few hours.
Written in a series of alternating letters between husband and wife, we get a similar story with different perspectives.
There is a running list in the beginning of the book that serves as a guide to the different pieces that will be used to tell the story- everything from the letters to unedited audio transcripts
I’m still not sure how to rate this disturbing little book (page 210 😳) I can’t help but feel that I missed something along the way and then the book just ended. I have so many unanswered questions and I need answers 😩
Written in a series of alternating letters between husband and wife, we get a similar story with different perspectives.
There is a running list in the beginning of the book that serves as a guide to the different pieces that will be used to tell the story- everything from the letters to unedited audio transcripts
I’m still not sure how to rate this disturbing little book (page 210 😳) I can’t help but feel that I missed something along the way and then the book just ended. I have so many unanswered questions and I need answers 😩
The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lawd. This chaos in this little motel 😩
Everyone has secrets and we quickly find that you don’t really know anyone at all. This is a slow but engaging build that while it may look like two different mysteries, the tie in is perfection.
When I tell you the last quarter or so of the book had me STRESSED and that ending?! Loved!
Dual POV’s, main (and secondary) characters that are easy to care about and fun twisty ride. I have some other books by @seraphinanovaglass on my TBR and I’ll be moving those up with a quickness.
Everyone has secrets and we quickly find that you don’t really know anyone at all. This is a slow but engaging build that while it may look like two different mysteries, the tie in is perfection.
When I tell you the last quarter or so of the book had me STRESSED and that ending?! Loved!
Dual POV’s, main (and secondary) characters that are easy to care about and fun twisty ride. I have some other books by @seraphinanovaglass on my TBR and I’ll be moving those up with a quickness.
The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The last Mrs. Parrish is a top domestic thriller for me so imagine my glee when I saw there was a sequel!
Justice is served, plot lines are closed, and we have the perfect ending for our Bishop Harbor characters.
This was a quick paced, three way cat and mouse chasing, twisty page turner that I binged in less than 24hrs. I’d read a third one!