THE OPEN HOUSE BY SAM CARRINGTON | BOOK REVIEW
The Open House is my first book by the author Sam Carrington. As this was my introduction to her, I had expectations for this novel. When I saw this book on Netgalley, I was intrigued by the synopsis. It sounded like an interesting premise that could be great for a thriller. So the story is told to us in different POVs. We get Amber's, the protagonists, and her mother-in-law's perspectives. Amber is going through a divorce from Nick, her husband. She is trying to have a fresh start in life, but her mother-in-law is creating problems for her to move on smoothly. Some strange and mysterious events start to happen,…
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BOOK REVIEW : BLACK THORN BOOK TOURS – RETURN TO HIROSHIMA BY BOB VAN LAERHOVEN
Return To Hiroshima is a dark crime thriller by Bob Van Laerhoven. I am not one to normally read dark fiction, but the synopsis sounded interesting and I wanted to try out a genre that's outside of my comfort zone. Boy oh boy !! This was one of the darkest books I have read and made me want to puke my guts out a lot of the time. That's a compliment, by the way, for the darkness factor. The synopsis sounded like a story with multiple storylines happening parallel to one another, with all of them woven together to form a complex story. The setting of the story is Hiroshima…
BOOK REVIEW : THE AWAKENING ( THE DRAGON HEART LEGACY#1) BY NORA ROBERTS
The Awakening is an urban, portal fantasy set in Ireland and the fantastical world of Talamh. The story is mainly told from the perspective of Breen, a young woman in America. Breen is an insecure and introverted woman who has lived her whole life being in the shadow of an overbearing mother. With her mother constantly working to put her down, she has a low opinion of herself and is very much vulnerable. Breen finds out some uncomfortable truths about her life and her mother that compels her to make the necessary changes in her life to get herself away from her controlling mother. With the help of her friends,…
BOOK REVIEW : THE BEAST AND THE BETHANY BY JACK MEGGITT-PHILLIPS, ISABELLE FOLLATH (ILLUSTRATOR)
The Beast And The Bethany is a children's fantasy story by Jack Meggitt-Phillips. I have always enjoyed children's books, especially middle-grade books. They have the power to transport you into a world of fun, adventure, and magic. Simply said, they are your best friend if you are looking for escapism. I loved that this was just the book to take me out of a funk if I was ever in one. A deal with a beast to stay young (sound familiar??), snarky protagonist, and singing parrots. What more do you want?? I don't know how I have managed to find books with similar themes both in YA and adult fantasy…
BOOK REVIEW : THE APPARITION PHASE BY WILL MACLEAN
The Apparition Phase by Will Maclean is gothic horror fiction. I am not a big fan of horror in general because I am a wimp when it comes to the genre. But for some reason, I wanted to read this one when I saw it on NetGalley. It had similar themes to Girls Of Brackenhill and Home Before Dark. The secluded gothic-looking mansion in the countryside, surrounded by forest, ghosts, and supernatural events...Ring any bells?? So it is safe to say I was intrigued. It was spooky and dark!! The story setting and the writing was very atmospheric and eery. The gothic vibe was ever-present throughout the book. The dark…
BOOK REVIEW : BEIGE AND BLUE BY SARA BADAWIEH
Beige And Blue by Sara Badawieh is a romantic drama / romantic thriller. The story is about Samar, who is an architect and an artist with big dreams. She has always lived a sheltered life, and her parents are very religious and overprotective of her. This makes her naive when it comes to dealing with people. She meets Bassel and forms a relationship with him after a couple of meetings. Bassel's life is full of danger, and slowly it starts to affect Samar's life as well. Bassel is not what he seems, and Samar decides to break up with him after a misunderstanding. Later on, she meets Ziyad, who is…
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BOOK REVIEW : THE BOY BETWEEN – A MOTHER AND SON’S JOURNEY FROM A WORLD GONE GREY BY JOSIAH HARTLEY AND AMANDA PROWSE
The Boy Between by Josiah Hartley and Amanda Prowse is an emotional and a brutally honest portrayal of their journey through Josiah's depression. I have never read an Amanda Prowse book. I have seen her name before, but I haven't gotten around to her books yet. When I saw this title, I was intrigued, and I wanted to know more about their journey and experience regarding depression. I have struggled with it and trying to not let depression or darkness rule your life is a daily struggle. Reading this, I can see the different perspectives and also understand what goes through a person's mind when they are battling their inner…
BOOK REVIEW : THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE BY VE SCHWAB
The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue is my 6th book from VE Schwab, who is one of my favorite authors. I have been eyeing this book for so long, seeing the beautiful pics on Instagram and just hoping I could get my hands on this beauty. When I saw the title on Netgalley, I never thought I would be able to read it, but just for fun, I requested it. I was squealing when I saw the email saying - my request was accepted. That made my day!! Seriously!! Receiving an ARC for my favorite author made my day!! Man!! I did not see it coming, and I am forever…
BOOK REVIEW : SILENT NIGHT (PAIGE NORTHWOOD #2) BY NELL PATTISON
Silent Night by Nell Pattison is a mystery/thriller/suspense. I haven't read many thrillers this year, and when I saw this title on Netgalley, I knew I needed to get it. When I got this book, I didn't realize it was part of a series, and this was the second book. It didn't say on Goodreads either, just that it's the second book from the author. Luckily for me, the books can be read as standalone, which is amazing, and I am glad I picked it. The story follows Paige Northwood, who is an interpreter for the deaf community. She is working as a freelance interpreter and is struggling to get…
BOOK REVIEW : THE SECRET DIARIES OF JUAN LUIS VIVES BY TIM DARCY ELLIS
The Secret Diaries Of Juan Luis Vives is a historical fiction centered around the Renaissance humanist Juan Luis Vives. The fascinating part of this novel is how deeply rooted it is in historical events. Also, the meticulous research the author has done comes through the book. I was excited to read this book about a historical figure who is a lesser-known personality to me. The story, as I mentioned earlier, is based on the life of Juan Luis Vives, who is a notable scholar set in Belgium and England for the most part. The novel is in the form of diary entries giving the readers a glimpse into the significant…
