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thebstandsforbooks's reviews
388 reviews
The Resort by Sara Ochs
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? Yes
3.0
Koh Sang is the perfect place to run away from your past…until it’s not
Revenge, seclusion, manipulation, murder.
This was a suuuuper slow burn. I was over 60% done with the book before it finally picked up. The last few chapters were intense and then when I think it’s all over, BAM that ending. I couldn’t have seen that twist coming.
The story is told in dual POV’s with a surprise 3rd via an aside at the end. It’s not an all time favorite, but it was still an enjoyable read.
Revenge, seclusion, manipulation, murder.
This was a suuuuper slow burn. I was over 60% done with the book before it finally picked up. The last few chapters were intense and then when I think it’s all over, BAM that ending. I couldn’t have seen that twist coming.
The story is told in dual POV’s with a surprise 3rd via an aside at the end. It’s not an all time favorite, but it was still an enjoyable read.
Only the Guilty Survive by Kate Robards
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There are few things I love more than a thriller with a cult. Give me a thriller with a podcast AND a cult…✨swoon✨
Random fact about me, the concept of a cult terrifies and intrigues me at the same time. I just want to know what’s going on in their heads. This book, while a work of fiction, did just that. We had the opportunity to interact with Claire, the only survivor, as she grapples with guilt and an air of suspicion in her small town.
We have all my fav’s- multiple POV’s, dual timelines, and unreliable narrators
Something to note: while the podcast is part of the story it is not a main driving force the way it is in other books.
I don’t have many cons for this read, but I will say it ended abruptly. I could have used a few more chapters.
Overall I enjoyed this and look forward to more from this author!
Random fact about me, the concept of a cult terrifies and intrigues me at the same time. I just want to know what’s going on in their heads. This book, while a work of fiction, did just that. We had the opportunity to interact with Claire, the only survivor, as she grapples with guilt and an air of suspicion in her small town.
We have all my fav’s- multiple POV’s, dual timelines, and unreliable narrators
Something to note: while the podcast is part of the story it is not a main driving force the way it is in other books.
I don’t have many cons for this read, but I will say it ended abruptly. I could have used a few more chapters.
Overall I enjoyed this and look forward to more from this author!
How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways by Eve Kellman
dark
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? It's complicated
3.0
The sick of men’s shit to serial killer pipeline happened quickly 😅. This was a fun vigilante-esque novel that will have you rooting for the main character even while giving her a deserving side eye.
One By One by Freida McFadden
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? Yes
3.0
Ooh! This was a fun one. I wasn’t expecting the end reveal at all.
I loved the unknown POV and how it gave that creepy feeling running in the background.
You get a locked room thriller trope in the woods where not everyone who enters will leave. You’ll be entertained the entire time.
I loved the unknown POV and how it gave that creepy feeling running in the background.
You get a locked room thriller trope in the woods where not everyone who enters will leave. You’ll be entertained the entire time.
Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Okay, mind blown! Think Hitchcock, Strangers on a Train but even better. Twist after twist, I didn’t know what was coming next.
It may seem like you’re reading two completely different stories, then BAM! The final twist and the ending? Superb! This was ridiculously good.
This is my first @sscav novel but it definitely won’t be my last.
Read this if you like:
Cat and Mouse Thrillers
Serial Killers
Manipulative Characters
Unreliable Narrators
Surprise Twists
Multiple POV’s
It may seem like you’re reading two completely different stories, then BAM! The final twist and the ending? Superb! This was ridiculously good.
This is my first @sscav novel but it definitely won’t be my last.
Read this if you like:
Cat and Mouse Thrillers
Serial Killers
Manipulative Characters
Unreliable Narrators
Surprise Twists
Multiple POV’s
A Man Downstairs: A Novel by Nicole Lundrigan
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? It's complicated
3.0
There was a lot going on in this one, but it definitely held my attention. We have a slow burn with unreliable narrators,
a 40 year old murder that hinged on a toddler’s confession, and an overwhelming sense of dread. This book was riddled with unlikeable characters but they were written extremely well.
a 40 year old murder that hinged on a toddler’s confession, and an overwhelming sense of dread. This book was riddled with unlikeable characters but they were written extremely well.
Past Crimes by Jason Pinter
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A dystopian sci fi thriller with a cult and faux true crime?! Um yes, absolutely.
I don’t even know how to explain this book. Jump in blind and enjoy. This is a fun one!
I don’t even know how to explain this book. Jump in blind and enjoy. This is a fun one!
Jaded by Ela Lee
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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
Phew. This was heavy. I really enjoyed this read but struggled to put my thoughts into a beautiful coherent caption, so enjoy my brain dump below 😆
✨Gah. I’m anxiously awaiting the implosion
✨So many microaggressions from friends and “family”
✨How is Kit this USELESS?!
✨Adele and Jade 🫂
✨ Jade’s parents sre the sweetest but still have a lot of the mannerisms and mindsets of traditional immigrant parents.
✨Her internal struggle and what it looks like to recover and find yourself- so well done.
✨Gah. I’m anxiously awaiting the implosion
✨So many microaggressions from friends and “family”
✨How is Kit this USELESS?!
✨Adele and Jade 🫂
✨ Jade’s parents sre the sweetest but still have a lot of the mannerisms and mindsets of traditional immigrant parents.
✨Her internal struggle and what it looks like to recover and find yourself- so well done.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
We have another winner from Holly Jackson!
AGGGTM had me in a CHOKEHOLD back in my teacher days and I’m proud to say that I got so many students hooked on it.
I will read anything she puts out because it will always hit the spot for a YA thriller.
Super likeable characters, a story that doesn’t read young and an edge of your seat mystery you can easily get engrossed in.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Ace of Spades is one of my favorite YA thrillers so when I saw Faridah had another book coming out I’m not ashamed to say that the thirst was real.
This was a fantastically done story. It was an examination of trauma, secrets and who gets protected told through the eyes of our main character, Sade. The characters, world building, friendships, and mystery worked so well against the backdrop of Alfred Nobel Academy.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie has some very heavy themes but Faridah presents it with such vulnerability and a gentle hand. I’ll read anything by Faridah. I loved every minute of it.
This was a fantastically done story. It was an examination of trauma, secrets and who gets protected told through the eyes of our main character, Sade. The characters, world building, friendships, and mystery worked so well against the backdrop of Alfred Nobel Academy.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie has some very heavy themes but Faridah presents it with such vulnerability and a gentle hand. I’ll read anything by Faridah. I loved every minute of it.