Darlene

I absolutely adore this graphic novel. I'm new to the genre, and this was a great place to start. I relate so much to this characters story.

Debbie is a typical introvert. She doesn't understand why she doesn't enjoy the things others do and would rather just stay home and read. She reminds me of myself, especially when I was younger. I felt like I was reading my own story. It made the reading experience extremely enjoyable.

The graphics are so cute. I know there's probably a much better way to describe them, but to me it is the right word to sum it up.

I hope to find more graphic novels like this one.

This YA dystopian by Neal Shusterman is a fast-paced, enjoyable read for readers of all ages. I am not usually a YA reader, but I am glad I gave this book a chance. The concept of a world where death has been conquered and an organization is needed to “glean” the population is intriguing.

This book is set in a futuristic world where people are now immortal. In order to control the population, the Scythedom must kill a certain number of individuals each year. The two main teenage characters have been chosen to become scythes because of their compassion and strong wills. However, their journey toward the goal leads them both to some harsh realizations about themselves and the world around them.

I like both of the main characters. They each take a different journey in this book, and I like how they evolve into stronger individuals with very firm beliefs. I like that the book does not involve a lot of romance but stays focused on the characters' growth. The older scythes that are training them are also interesting characters, some good and some bad.

I find it interesting how the world of this book is supposed to be a utopia free of politics and corruption, but the Scythedom has all of the problems associated with government. It is supposed to be above corruption, but we see power plays and manipulation in the organization. There are those who are attempting to corrupt the organization, just like one would expect of any group of fallible humans. The author is showing us that the old adage that “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” is a universal theme.

This is the first book in a series, and I am looking forward to reading the next one.

This book reminds me why I have always loved a good crime fiction novel. It is my first time reading Krueger, but it won't be my last. This book introduced me to Cork O'Conner, past sheriff of small town Aurora, Minnesota, and now I am excited to read more books about him.

The setting of Aurora, Minnesota and the Iron Range adds atmosphere to the story. It takes place in December, and the area is blanketed with snow and ice. The frosty scenery is both beautiful and threatening, and I love it. I enjoyed all the references to the Native American reservation and the people living on the land. The author injects a lot of Native American folklore and legend into the story, which creates a bit of magical realism that is mystifying. I love the references to the Windigo and the mystery they added to the plot.

The best part of the book is the characters. Cork is damaged and rough around the edges, but he is also a good father and a devoted friend. He does not back down in the face of adversity or danger, which makes for a great central character in a crime fiction book. The author provides just enough insight into his personality without overdoing it. The Native American characters are also well developed and interesting. I especially enjoyed how they are used to share the Native American lore. They are portrayed with a lot of compassion and understanding.

I am glad I found this book and this series. I plan to read more of this series and more by this author.

I absolutely love the Will Trent series, so of course I loved this book. Karen Slaughter is one of my favorite authors because her characters are so well developed and her plots are so intricately structured. This book has both of those qualities.

There is a lot going on in this book. There is a basketball player accused of rape, an abused woman looking to escape her husband, a damaged woman trying to save the daughter she abandoned while also vengefully reeking havoc in her soon to be ex-husband's new relationship, a woman trying to decide if she should fight for the man she loves, and a couple murders along the way. It seems like it could get confusing, but Slaughter ties it all together expertly.

Will Trent is one of my favorite detective characters in books. He is damaged, but he is also noble and kind. His flaws are endearing rather than off-putting. His complicated relationships with the women in his life make for interesting reading. When his story is combined with that of Sara Linton, count me in! I love both of these characters.

I completely enjoyed the experience of reading this book. It is dark and twisty, which I love. It has great characters. What more could I ask for in a book? I look forward to continuing the series.

This book surprised me. I didn't think I would enjoy it much because it is a YA book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the author dealt with the topic of rape in a sensitive, yet honest manner.

The main character of this book, Eden, is raped in her own bedroom by her brother's best friend, who is four years older than she is. It is brutal and traumatizing. She does not tell anyone out of fear, and the event has lasting, negative effects on her. It alters her attitude and personality, changing her from who she used to be into someone even she doesn't like. It impacts her relationships with everyone around her because she cannot trust anyone. It is sad to see Eden's struggle. It is even frustrating at times because there are people who love and care about her, but she does not see past her pain and distrust.

This book made me cry at times because I felt so much sympathy for Eden. The book is emotional and poignant. I would highly recommend it.

This book was on track to be a 5 star read for me, until a disturbing twist at the end. I just can't stop being repulsed by some of the action at the end of the story. However, I still enjoyed most of the book, so it gets a 3.5 stars.

The main character, Aimee Sinclair, is an actress and often in the story it is hard to tell if she is sincere. I actually like that aspect of the story because I like an unreliable narrator. She had a troubled past with some traumatic events happening to her as a child. This has damaged her and made her susceptible to manipulation. People from her past come back to haunt her present. At some points I felt sorry for her, but at other times I did not like her. All the other characters except for maybe one are unlikable. But I am okay with that in a thriller.

The story line shifts from present to past throughout the narrative with Aimee as the narrator for most of it. A second narrator enters the picture toward the end and adds an interesting angle to the story. However, when the author reveals who that second narrator actually is, the truth is quite bothersome. I can't say more than that without spoiling it, but trust me that it is a bit disgusting. I figured some of it out while reading, but I never imagined it would be quite so twisted.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. I was engaged and interested throughout. If not for the ending twist and its disturbing nature, I would have rated this higher.

I think this is my favorite Ruth Ware book so far. It was a very enjoyable, suspenseful read. Although I had pretty much figured it all out halfway through, it was still fun to read and see how it unfolded.

Hal receives a letter that her grandmother has died and left her an inheritance. The only problem is Hal is not Mrs. Westaway's granddaughter. Or is she? The story is about Hal's journey into a past she never knew she had with a family that may actual be her blood relatives. We follow Hal as she learns bits of information along the way that reveal her true origins.

I found this mystery to be very engrossing. I was never bored. The old house in which it is set is just creepy enough to keep the reader on edge. The characters each have some element of mystery about them that leads to a lot of speculation from the reader. I found it fun to try to solve the mystery, which I did pretty early on. It was still fun to continue reading to see if I was correct.

I would definitely recommend this Ruth Ware book to other readers. I would actually suggest starting with this one as I feel it is the best.

I really enjoyed this new book by Megan Goldin. It is my first time reading this author, but it won't be my last. Her writing flows well and her plot lines are easy to follow. The story itself is highly engaging and interesting. Overall, a great read!

The main character, Rachel, hosts a podcast that follows criminal cases and explores the guilt or innocence of the people on trial. In the third season of her podcast, she chooses to cover a rape trial. While attending the trial, she also encounters an unsolved mystery from the past that she works to unravel. These two plot lines weave together seamlessly. I enjoyed following Rachel as she delves into each criminal case. The letters from the elusive Hannah reveal an intriguing and also upsetting story of a horrible crime from the past. While reading, I felt great compassion for the victims in this book. I feel that Goldin presents the topic of rape in a sensitive manner.

The structure of the story is well thought out and cohesive. The chapters alternate between narrative about Rachel and the trial, letters from Hannah about the crime from the past, and podcast episodes in Rachel's voice. I like the alternating structure. It keeps it interesting. I never found myself getting bored with the story. I always wanted to continue on to the next chapter.

This is a truly engaging and enjoyable crime mystery/thriller. I would highly recommend it to those that enjoy the genre.

This was a long, but satisfying read. I enjoyed Larson's book In the Garden of Beasts, also set around World War II, so I knew I would also enjoy this one.

I have always found Winston Churchill to be a fascinating character, but I never read any of the books about him. I was worried they would be too tedious to read. When I saw that Larson was writing one, I knew this was the time to read about him. Larson has a skillful way of writing history that I feel like I'm reading a fictional story. It makes history easier to read.

I learned a lot about the that first year of air raids in England. It was very interesting and informative. The detail from people's journals gives great insight into the emotions of the British people at that time. It is obvious that Larson did a great deal of research.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Larson and fans of WWII history in general. It is a great read!

I will begin by saying that I listened to this as an audiobook, which in hindsight was not a good choice. The language of this book is beautiful and poetic, but it is hard to follow on audio. The narrators are great, but the action is just too hard to understand in this format. The beauty of this writing needs to be read slowly so the reader can relish it.

The language is the best part of this book, but the relationship between the two main characters, Red and Blue, is also a highlight. The connection they form and the things they do for each other are beautiful. Their letters to each other are the enjoyable part of the book.

All of that said, I do not like the science fiction plot line. The story is too hard to follow. It begins in the middle of a time war that is not explained well. I was extremely confused about the roles of the two women through much of the book. I could not get a true grasp of the two opposing forces and why they were in a time war to begin with. The authors needed to provide more background from the beginning.

Overall, I recognize the beauty of this book, but it was just too confusing for me.

I really wanted to love this book because I love the other Christina Lauren books that I have read. However, this book is just okay for me.

Let's start with the premise of the story. Carey and James work for home renovation stars, Melissa (Melly) and Rusty Tripp. The Tripps are experiencing trouble in their relationship, so Carey and James are given the difficult task of keeping the couple from revealing their troubles to the public. My first issue with the plot is that the Tripps are written in a way that they are too similar to a particular real life home renovation couple. I do not like the close comparison at all. Additionally, the story line of the two assistants having to basically parent the older couple is annoying to me. It is clear at the start of the book that these two people are not going to fix the relationship.

The characters of Carey and James are likable enough. Their blooming relationship is fun to watch. They are cute together, and their banter is sweet and funny. There is a lot of dysfunction in the relationships in this book, though. It is a little hard to understand why Carey allows herself to be used by the Tripps for so long. Her relationship with Melly is highly dysfunctional, with Melly taking credit for work that Carey does. It is also odd that James, an engineer, actually allows himself to be treated like a personal assistant.

The writing style, as always with a Christina Lauren book, is very easy to read. The story flows at a nice pace. It is a pleasant, enjoyable read. I just do not love the plot and characters as much as I usually do with books by these authors.

This book was a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect as I have never heard of the author, but I ended up really enjoying this one. The characters and plot are both well developed, and the writing style is very easy to read. I'm giving this one a 4.5 star rating.

I really like the characters in this book. The plot revolves around two sisters and their mother. One sister, Amanda, has been duped by her husband, and his treachery is impacting the whole family. As they deal with the fallout from his betrayal, they must face their own limitations and learn how to be better versions of themselves. I particularly like the two sisters. Amanda and Erin are very different, and they have struggled to have a good relationship because of it. Their current struggles bring them closer and help them to recognize that their differences are not a barrier. In fact, they are able to make each other stronger. I do not care for their mother, however. She is overly concerned with appearances and gossip, so much so that she is willing to lose all her money and act illegally just to keep from being the center of scandal. I do not understand that. She frustrated me throughout the book.

By the end of the book, I felt attached to this family and their story. The story itself moves at a nice pace with no boring or tedious sections. The chapters are a little long at times, but it wasn't really an issue. It kept my interest throughout.

It looks like this will be a part of some kind of series, so I am interested to see what comes next. I will definitely continue to read books by this author.

While this book is a little cliche and predictable at times, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It is an emotional read that had me crying at the end, and I figure if a book can make me cry, it deserves at least a 4 star rating.

In this story, Lucy falls in love with Gabe on September 11, 2001. Their relationship is a tumultuous one that “ends” when Gabe chooses to follow his dream of becoming a photojournalist. Lucy then moves on and develops a more grounded, sustainable relationship with Darren. However, Gabe remains a part of her heart and her life, coming in and out at intervals. Throughout the story, the reader wonders when this is going to become a problem, knowing full well that it will.

Some readers have given this book a low rating because the plot has been done before and the outcome is somewhat predictable. I see what they mean, but I do not feel it takes away the enjoyment of reading this book. There are so many things to like about the book.

First, New York City is a nice backdrop for this story. I enjoy the references to places and people of that wonderful city. I like that the book pays homage to September 11 and to the fact that it significantly impacted the people of the city, even those that were not directly part of the tragedy. It makes me want to take another trip there.

Second, the relationship between Lucy and Gabe is not portrayed as perfect love. The author shows the flaws and develops the idea that it probably is not healthy or desirable. The author also shows the good and bad sides of Lucy's relationship with Darren. I am glad the author does not make Darren into the bad guy. He has his flaws, just like Gabe does. I also appreciate that Lucy is always considering the needs of her children in her decisions. I couldn't have respected her if she had just run off to be with Gabe.

Finally, the author's writing is well-paced and beautiful. I love the use of short chapters, which keeps the story moving along well and makes it easy to read. The language is almost poetic at times, without being pretentious or hard to understand. I enjoy the Shakespearean references. I even enjoy the unusual use of second person. It allows the reader to know from the start that Gabe will still be a part of Lucy's life in the end because she is telling the story to him.

Is this a perfect book? No. Does it contain some overdone plot tropes? Maybe. Is it worth reading? Absolutely!

As a fan of historical fiction, I was really excited to read this book. I decided to listen to it an audio this month, and I am so glad I did. This is a beautiful story of the bravery of women during wartime and beyond.

This story follows two timelines, one during WWI and one after the end of WWII. Eve is a British spy in France during the first world war, and she tells the story of her experience. Charlie is an young American woman looking for answer about what happened to her cousin during the second world war. The two women's lives become entwined as they each search for someone from their past in an attempt to heal something within themselves.

I absolutely loved Eve's story. It was completely engrossing. She risks so much as a spy because she wants to make a difference and help save the world from Nazi tyranny. My heart broke for her while reading the horrible things that happened to her. I was inspired by her strength in the face of great adversity. Her story is one that will stick with me after reading. I know she's a fictional character, but she represents real women that risked their lives to help defeat Germany during both world wars. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.

I also enjoyed Charlie's story. Her struggles are very different from Eve's, but she ends up showing a strength that is just admirable. As an unwed young mother-to-be, she struggles to figure out what direction her life will take. She fights against the barriers she encounters just because she's a woman. She has to lie in order to so, but it is necessary at that time in history. Her love for her cousin Rose and her desire to find out the truth are both attributes that I respect. And I absolutely loved seeing the relationship develop between her and Finn.

All of the main characters in this book see themselves as “broken” in some way. I think the author wants us to recognize, though, that they are not broken. They have faced difficult situations and made some questionable choices, but they are intact. They come out of them in one piece and possibly even better for having experienced them. I think that's a good message.

There's so much more I could say about this book, but I'll just conclude by encouraging you to read it for yourself. It's a moving, poignant read that you will enjoy spending time with.

Celeste Ng is gifted at creating gripping family dramas. I read Little Fires Everywhere first and absolutely loved it. Everything I Never Told You started a bit slow for me, but for second 2/3 of the book I was fully invested in the characters and their story. The Lee family is thrown off balance when 16 year old Lydia Lee is found dead in the lake near their home. Lydia was the perfect daughter, adored by both of her parents. However, it becomes clear that her family did not really understand her. Her death forces the remaining family members to evaluate their relationships and to reconsider their supposed happiness.

Ng's greatest skill is in her character development. Her characters are complex and dynamic; they stick with you after reading. The way she reveals their thoughts and feelings allows the reader to develop empathy for the characters. Her characters seem so real. The issues they struggle with are universal. In this book in particular, the characters deal with issues of identity, loneliness, sexuality, fidelity, gender roles, and more. Ng weaves these topics together so well that it never seems like too much.

I especially enjoyed the character of Hannah in this book. Hannah is the third and final child, and she is often forgotten. She is not the firstborn son or the perfect daughter. She lives in the shadow of her siblings. I was often frustrated by how her family ignored her. Their lack of attention, though, allowed her to be the most observant of the family members. She understood the other people in a way that the other characters couldn't because she watched everything closely. No one noticed her observing them. She ends up being a binding force for her family in the end.

If you enjoy a stories about families and their struggles with difficulties of life, you will like this book. I am rating it 4.5 stars. The only reason it is not a 5 star read for me is that I struggled with the pacing in the beginning. Other than that, this is great book.

The best way I can describe this contemporary romance is fun. This story of Gavin Scott trying to win back his wife through reading romance novels is entirely enjoyable and surprisingly funny. The men of the Bromance Book Club are endearing and humorous. The banter between Gavin and Thea is at times light-hearted and cute and at other times sad and heartbreaking.

Though the book is mostly light reading, I found it to have some significant messages about relationships. The struggle of these two characters to mend their relationship reminds the reader how it important it is to understand oneself and one's “backstory” in order to nurture a healthy relationship. It also emphasizes the need for honesty in a marriage.

There as a also a nice balance of emotional dialogue, humor, and sex scenes. The sex scenes were not abundant and were not overdone. I didn't feel like I was reading smut.

Overall, I had a great time reading this contemporary romance.

Don't let the title of this book fool you! The soft colors and pretty words belie the darkness hidden under the cover. There is nothing “darling” about Rose Gold Watts or her mother, Patty Watts. In this story, this mother and daughter are pitted against each other in a sick tale of control and revenge.

Rose Gold Watts spent her entire childhood suffering with illness that her mother, Patty, intentionally caused. The book begins with Patty being released after five years in jail for child abuse. Rose Gold takes her mother into her home and even allows her to care for the baby that Rose Gold is raising. One would wonder why a victim of abuse would allow her abuser back into her life this way. Either she's weak or she's out for revenge.

Wrobel does not make it clear at first whether Rose Gold has a plan of revenge for her mother. This makes the story suspenseful as the reader is constantly wondering the reasons for Rose Gold's behavior. Patty's intentions are clear in the chapters she narrates, but Rose Gold's narrated chapters are mostly flashbacks that do not reveal her plans. It is not until we get closer to the end of the book that we can start to predict what Rose Gold's been up to.

I enjoyed the way author slowly revealed Rose Gold's personality as the book progressed. It was interesting to see it take shape. I didn't develop my true opinion of her character until the last quarter of the book. On the other hand, I knew I did not like Patty from the beginning.

This story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. It is an easy, fun read that is just dark enough to be enticing to a thriller fan. Stephanie Wrobel has made a solid debut with this story, and I look forward to what she writes next.

This book was disappointing for me. I predicted much of the events before they happened, which made this thriller not very thrilling.

The main character, Elliot, marries the beautiful Gemma after only two months together. Very shortly after their wedding, Gemma's parents and little sister move in with them and begin to take over Elliot's home. Elliot is an annoying character who takes way too long to stand up for himself. Gemma never stands up to her parents either, which the reader to suspect she is in on their plans. Jeff and Lizzy, the parents, are transparent in their intentions, to the reader at least. And I predicted the twist with Chloe, the younger sister, from the start.

For me, a thriller has to surprise me. I need to be caught off guard. If I can predict where the story is going early in the book and end up being correct, it is not a good thriller.

Well, I've found another favorite book. This story about the Packhorse librarians by Jojo Moyes is a moving read. I had never heard of the Packhorse library prior to reading this book, but now I am definitely intrigued and want to know more.

Moyes' writing is excellent in this book, making the reading effortless and enjoyable. She brings her characters to life in a way that makes the reader relate to and sympathize with them. In this story, she has created several strong female characters who defy social norms. Though they face adversity and suffer for some of their choices, they persevere and fight for the life they desire. I admire these characters.

The plot has enough action to be engaging and enough emotion to cause a reaction in the reader. The story itself is both heartbreaking at times and uplifting at others. I felt angry on behalf of the characters at several points in the story. I also felt thankful not to live in a time when women had so little power. Some historical fiction can be slow and tedious sometimes, but not this book. I never found myself bored or uninterested while reading.

My favorite theme in this book is the power of knowledge. The library spreads reading material to people who would not usually have access to it, especially young women. Through the efforts of the Packhorse librarians, people in these rural communities learn to read and to value knowledge. That knowledge assists them in their efforts to improve their lives.

Moyes' portrayal of the women of the Packhorse library will stay with me for a while. I love this book, and I highly recommend it to all readers, especially lovers of historical fiction.

At the start of this book, I thought I was really going to like it. By the time I got 2/3 of the way through it, I knew I would not be rating it highly. Unfortunately, the relationship between the two main characters, Chloe and Red, began to annoy me. I would have DNF-ed the book if I weren't already so close to the end. I was invested in finishing.

For the first half of the book, I really liked Chloe and Red. I especially liked Red's character because he was so genuine and sweet. I liked that Chloe was stepping out of her comfort zone. They seemed like they would make a good couple once they got past their misunderstandings about each other. Then, they got together, and it all fell apart for me. I did not care for the smutty sex scenes. I am not looking for that in this kind of contemporary romance. I also did not like the way the characters started acting. They both were way too caught up in their past issues and overreacted to every little misunderstanding. It just didn't feel like the way real people behave. I no longer liked either one of them by the end of the book.

On a positive note, the writing was very easy to read. I flew through this book, even when I wasn't enjoying it.

Overall, it was a cute premise, and I enjoyed the story line of Chloe's list; however, as a romance it just didn't do it for me.

What can I say? Frederick Backman has done it again. This book is superb! Backman's writing is flawless. He is a master of his craft. But let me stop gushing and get to specifics.

In this novel, the main character Britt-Marie has left her husband after learning of his infidelity and taken a job as the caretaker of a recreation center in the small village of Borg. She reluctantly becomes the coach (in name only) of the local youth soccer team. Her experience in this small, rural area changes her for the better.

The character of Britt-Marie is now one of my favorites. She is obsessively clean and neat, brutally honest and blunt, stubbornly adherent to routines, and completely socially inept. I absolutely adore her! With her love of window cleaner (Faxin, preferably) and lists (written in pencil, of course) and her polite conversations with a rat (over a plate of Snickers), she works her way into the heart of the reader. I found myself laughing out loud after some of her totally inappropriate statements. In spite of her flaws, she is a lovable character. She stands by the people she cares about and forms a heartwarming relationship with two children in need of support and their troubled older brother. Her development from a woman completely lost without the anchor of her marriage to the self-assured "coach" of the village soccer team is a wonder to witness.

The setting of this book serves as the perfect backdrop for the story of Britt-Marie's evolution. The village of Borg is falling into shambles. The people are mostly out of work and the council is shutting down buildings left and right, but there is a spirit of survival in the village that matches Britt-Marie's spirit. The soccer team is definitely the underdog when competing, but the whole village rallies around them and is revived through the excitement of the team playing for the regional cup. Her time spent with this team and the rest of the villagers softens Britt-Marie's rough edges and helps her to see that she can be a part of something beyond her marital experience. She gains a passion for something other than her mundane daily routine of cleaning and organizing.

This book gets 5 stars from me. Frederick Backman is now an auto-buy author for me. I cannot wait for his next novel.

Love, family relationships, mental illness, alcoholism, physical handicaps...Ask Again, Yes has it all and then some! This book has so much going on, but it all weaves together pretty seamlessly.

There are many things I really like about the book, but there are also some things that annoy me. On the positive side, the characters are complex and intriguing. Each of the main characters gets to narrate one or more chapters of the book, so the reader can see the thoughts of each person. This helps the reader to understand and relate to the characters. The number of characters, though, can be challenging. Just when you feel like you are getting into one character's story, the narration shifts to another character. It can be a little disconcerting at times.

This book does a good job dealing with the topics of mental illness and addiction. The portrayal of the characters that suffer from these issues is sensitive but also critical. The author does not sugar-coat any aspect of either struggle. She also does not demonize the characters for their flaws. I thought this aspect of the novel was very well done.

The pacing of the narrative is the main thing I do not like about the book. I felt at times that too much time was allowed to pass without enough detail. For instance, one chapter covers a time span of nearly 20 years. I felt like I was missing too much of the story. I would have preferred to experience some of those years with the characters. I especially feel that I did not get to see enough of Peter and Kate's relationship developing.

I also made the mistake of listening to this book on audio instead of reading a physical copy. The narration was often overdone and did not reflect the emotions the words were displaying. This, of course, is not the fault of the book. However, it did impact my reading experience.

Overall, I enjoyed more than I disliked about this book. In the end, I am giving it 3.5 stars. I plan to read it again instead of listening to it. I have a feeling my rating will go up when I do.

What would you do if you saw a glimpse of your future? Would knowing it somehow lead you to make decisions that inevitably lead to its fulfillment? Rebecca Serle explores this concept in this charming and heartwarming novel.

I went into this book thinking the main characters would be Dannie and her boyfriend; however, the book is really about the love between two best friends, Dannie and Bella. Dannie struggles to figure out the path of her love life, but the one constant and fulfilling relationship in her life is her friendship with Bella. These two characters are so different, but they balance each other. Serle does a great job of creating this contrast. Some might say that the two women are stereotypes, one grounded and serious while the other is free-spirited and laid back; however, it's not bothersome to me. I believe they are simply examples of real women, even if they are maybe portrayed to the extreme.

The plot line takes a turn about 60% into the book. It did not end up being the story I expected it to be, but that is not a bad thing. I ended up liking it more because of the new direction it went in. While some of the plot developments are a bit cliche, I still thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience. It was a fast, engaging read that I would definitely recommend to my fellow readers.

For anyone looking for a book about love and friendship that will both break and warm the heart, In Five Years is a great choice.

This book took me a while to read, but now that I finally finished it, I'm happy I stayed with it. From the beginning, I couldn't predict how I would end up feeling about this one. Even after finishing, it is still hard for me to rate it. I like so much about it, yet at the same time I struggled with some parts of it. I settled on a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I will begin with what I like about the book. The writing is incredible. The author's style is very literary and reminds me of great writers I have studied. It felt almost like I was reading a Victorian novel. The atmosphere of the story is also a plus. The moody, Gothic feel of the novel is very well done. It is reminiscent of the writings of the Romantic period, which is my favorite literary period. The characters are interesting and mysterious, and I wanted to know more about their pasts. There is a bit of twist as the reader nears the end of the tale, which is always fun in a book. The book also deals with the idea of truth in storytelling, which is intriguing.

It is harder to explain what I do not like about the book. The whole “twin” relationship that is explored in the novel bothered me at times. There is a bit too much emphasis on it for my liking. The main character's obsession with her sister became annoying to me. I also found that some characters, like Charles, were not developed enough. In addition, the pace of the story is too slow at some points. This made it hard to stick with the book early on.

I am glad that I did continue reading this book. In the end, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys a dark, moody read.

In her follow up to The Night Olivia Fell, Christina McDonald crafts an intricate, engaging mystery/thriller centered around an unreliable narrator. Eva wakes up in a hospital after getting struck by lightning and cannot remember what happened the night before. She is informed that her mother was murdered, and she is the main suspect in the crime. Her journey to find the truth about that night takes her to another country and leads to some shocking discoveries.

The plot of this book is interesting, but sometimes overdone. There are many characters and subplots that feel unnecessary to the main plot. I found myself frustrated sometimes by the introduction of character or event that I couldn't really connect to the mystery of the night Eva cannot remember. My experience was not all frustrating, though. I like the fact that I was never quite sure about Eva's guilt or innocence. McDonald kept me guessing and doubting my judgments, which is a necessity for me in a mystery/thriller.

In terms of characters, I found Eva to be a bit annoying at times. It is difficult to sympathize with her dependence on her fiance and her paranoia. I found myself rolling my eyes at some of her decisions. On the other hand, I really like the character of Kat. She seems like a cold person, but when you see beyond the surface there is so much more to her.

Overall, I rate this book a 3.5 out 5 stars. I enjoyed reading it, but I probably won't remember much about it after a while.