Anybody see Shelby out there? Don’t tell her where I am.
“It’s the setup that is so fascinating,” said Wendy. “Two strangers meet on a tr
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Anybody see Shelby out there? Don’t tell her where I am.
“It’s the setup that is so fascinating,” said Wendy. “Two strangers meet on a train, by accident. They get to talking and we find out one of them wants to kill his father, and the other has secret fantasies about killing his wife.
“They swap murders,” said Amanda, smiling and nodding. “Right. That way each of them can set up the perfect alibi, and they can’t be tied to the crime.”
So there is 100% NOTHING wroooooooooonnnnng with this story – it’s a classic. But that also ended up being a bit of a problem for me. I will read (and read and read and read) ANY reiteration/reimagining of Strangers On A Train. Since that’s the case, it’s simply a matter of liking others more than this. If you know me you know I’m not always a giant fan of additional perspectives, so I wasn’t super in to hearing from “Ruth” (and I guessed really early on the plot twist that was going to come). Suspension of disbelief is obviously a requirement to enjoy this one, and there are some glaring oddities like insistence of using a payphone rather than cell phones (because those are on every corner still) and a seeming unawareness of how the female reproductive system works. Also, blurbing “Hitchcock inspired” on a BOOK when said inspo was first a book itself written by Patricia Highsmith and only adapted to film by Hitchcock started me off with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Give credit where credit is due, authors. All in all, though, this was pretty fun. ...more
Ooooof. This is a hard one. It had all sorts of swooney Ryan Goslingy types of dialogue to make a romantic heart go pitter-pat and while I knoooooooooOoooof. This is a hard one. It had all sorts of swooney Ryan Goslingy types of dialogue to make a romantic heart go pitter-pat and while I knooooooooooooooooow romance books aren’t steeped in reality, the plotline was sort of problematic for me.
I set aside the fact that most workplaces have anti-fraternization rules and simply went along with that trope for the sake of . . .
But this idea that the boy your entire family has blamed for your sister’s death for well over a decade somehow coinky-dinkily becomes not only your co-worker in a REAL niche profession of screenwriting, that also happens to be 100% across the country from where you grew up and then also can somehow become your love interest was a lot for my logical non-romantic brain. Also, I’m in a current phase where I prefer fade-to-black smexuals so all the dirty talk did absolutely nothing for either me or my lady garden.
When I tell you I was willing to shove people out of the way to get my hands on an early copy of Abbi Waxman’s latest release – I’m probably not exaggWhen I tell you I was willing to shove people out of the way to get my hands on an early copy of Abbi Waxman’s latest release – I’m probably not exaggerating much. That’s why it sucks so bad that I didn’t really love it.
I thought this was going to be a “maybe you can go home again” sort of story with an obvious addition of an unrequited love who now gets to be “quited” (I know that’s not a word). And the storyline of an “Amelia Earheart” or “D.B. Cooper” sort of long-thought dead dad returning from the wild had my attention. Sadly, nothing much even happened with the dad stuff until nearly 70% and I didn’t know I was signing up for a porny so that wasn’t really my idea of a great time either.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut I still HIGHLY recommend Nina Hill or The Garden of Small Beginnings or Other People’s Houses or I Was Told It Would Get Easier. They all just made my chick lit loving heart go cluck cluck cluck.
2.5 Stars
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! ...more
This one appears to be a major hit with most readers so take my average rating with a grain of salt. I’m going to blame my somewhat wrongread here on This one appears to be a major hit with most readers so take my average rating with a grain of salt. I’m going to blame my somewhat wrongread here on the fact that my husband and I are currently making our way through the Hulu version of Mr. and Ms. Smith and the plot here was very much . . .
With a “Mr. Smith” providing the “Hihi” types of instructions for various missions to our leading lady and a timehoppy sort of narrative that went back and not only explained some of those tasks, but also came full circle with some of the marks.
This was a perfectly enjoyable read – actually better than most of Reese’s selections. Keep this on your TBR/your name on the library list if it’s already there. ...more
I dared to Google “Why is Freida McFadden so popular” because truly, my mind? She be blown. The first response (from Reddit – oh how I love the subReddits) states “I get why it's popular because it's fast paced and a very easy read but the plot is so derivative and the writing style is so annoying.” To that I say – PREACH.
Talk about an easy reader. The plot (LOL plot!) here starts with a body being buried in the woods. You then meet the “teacher” (teacherS in this case since Eve is married to a fellow educator named Nate) and their student Addie. It doesn’t take much of an I.Q. to figure out EVERYTHING that is going to happen so I have no idea what “twists” people cream their jeans over. Maybe they are contained in her other books???? (Sidenote to anyone thinking of making a drinking game every time “shoes” are mentioned. Don't do it. You will die from alcohol poisoning.)
Apparently she has a real rabid fanbase so I guess I can look forward to potentially getting trolled for eternity like I have for nearly a decade by the Cohorts (note to trolls - I delete and block you rather than engage so have a blessed day and maybe go outside and touch some grass). It also appears from my quick one minute search of the interwebs that she apparently is a copycat so the half that don’t love her want her cancelled. Bottom line? No matter what we readers/reviewers can’t win. But before any of you go all keyboard commando please note that popcorn thrillers like these are a dime a dozen and trying to claim Freida steals from Riley Sager, an author who admittedly makes his millions reimagining others’ tales, isn’t gonna hold up in court. I was looking to venture out of my comfort zone of listening to memoirs during my “Walk ‘n Talk” and this was so easy to follow while I attempted to kiss every dog that crossed my path on the trail at the park that I will most likely end up picking her stuff up over and over again. And most likely also give them 2 Stars max.
What in the Wattpad Misery fanfiction did I just read?????? I’m assuming this selection was a “Bookstagram Made Me Do It” because I have no recollectiWhat in the Wattpad Misery fanfiction did I just read?????? I’m assuming this selection was a “Bookstagram Made Me Do It” because I have no recollection of why this got put on my TBR, but when my turn at the library came up and I saw the low page count I figured what the hay. I also noticed my few Goodreads’ friends who read this all 5-Starred it, so once again I am a horrible wrongreader who will roast in the fiery pits of some literary hell once I pass on.
The premise here is a drunken female author narrator (so original!) who gets contacted by a movie producer wanting to potentially turn one of her books into a feature film. Apparently Harvey Weinstein doesn’t exist in this chick’s world because she agrees to a meeting at his house . . . where he proceeds to Dollar Store version Annie Wilkes the crap out of her.
Note to youngsters who might not be old enough to understand the reference, but if you ever meet someone for the first time and think to yourself . . .
“If Ben Linus from Lost had a twin, this would be him.”
My reactions to Emily Henry’s books have gone down star by star each new release – to the point where I have so far managed to avoid Happy Place placeMy reactions to Emily Henry’s books have gone down star by star each new release – to the point where I have so far managed to avoid Happy Place place completely. But then I got an email offering me this one and . . . .
Not to mention I am well aware of how lucky I am to be someone who receives Berkley widgets so I’m not about to look that gift horse in the mouth.
The “funny story” (or meet/cute, if you will) here was a cute one. Daphne’s fiancé calls it off after realizing at his bachelor party that his lifelong BFF is really the girl for him, leaving Daphne scrambling for a place to stay in said fiancé’s home town after relocating herself halfway across the country for him. Miles has a place to stay (including an extra bedroom) and is the other dumpee – this time of the aforementioned BFF. Thus begins a co-habitation period and Daphne’s countdown clock to the big all-night Readathon for kids at the library where she works. After that event is over, Daphne can move away from Michigan with a clear conscience. But when an invitation to the wedding of Peter and Petra (barf, right?) arrives, Daphne makes a bit of a boo-boo and openly defines the relationship with Miles . . . into a romantic one.
Cute, right? You’re right. It is cute. This one will most likely make Henry fans swoon because all of the rom com feels will be felt. But I didn’t much like either of the main characters so it didn’t quite work for me. Note to Miles: It doesn’t matter how many people say you’re a “great guy.” If you are so easily distracted and get caught up in random conversations that make you late for scheduled dates/your job/whatever – you’re kind of NOT so great. Punctuality is a real thing for me – especially if you plan on some before dawn sort of excursion. Don’t come to me with coffee and an excuse, just GTFOOH. And note to Daphne: You are not a good friend. If you never let anyone in, they certainly aren’t the jerks for choosing to hang out with other people. And again, if you make plans with someone like me and then stand me up? You can GTFOOH too and don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya on your way out.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Book #2 in my annual quest for a new coffee mug . . . .
I attempted (and failed) to clean out my “Currently Reading” items (FYI – I only read one book at a time and listen to one audio) last week by simply I attempted (and failed) to clean out my “Currently Reading” items (FYI – I only read one book at a time and listen to one audio) last week by simply throwing ratings on some books I found to be average. Then I realized not only was this an ARC from NetGalley so I should probably spew something out about it, but that nearly all of my friends had 4 or 5 Starred it so I decided to give it a quick re-read . . . . and yeah, I stand by my 3 Stars.
The premise here is about a grieving mother who from all appearances simply walked away from her car and into the middle of a storm. A note is found at a local casino hotel room saying “don’t look for me.” We then fall into a dual narrative – one by the missing mother starting day one after she has disappeared and one by the daughter who is not willing to accept that she is gone starting thirteen days after her mother’s disappearance. The story unfolds until the two timelines converge.
I think my mediocre rating for this one can be blamed on a few things. First, when there are only a limited amount of characters the red herring suspects always seem pretty easy for me to spot. Which leads to a big “DUHHHHHH” moment when I finally get told whodunit. ACTUAL SPOILER AHEAD:(view spoiler)[Not to mention how severely disappointed I am whenever a leading lady turns into some dumb bimbo sexing up the baddy. (hide spoiler)] And unlike this lady . . . .
I do seem to prefer my thrillers to either be campy fun or black as Mitchell’s heart so the Lifetime Television for Women types of tales just aren’t always my jam. (If you are looking for a missing person story that will knock you right out of your shoes, I highly recommend The Trap.) As for this one, when the shit about the apples came in, I was definitely NOT feeling like . . . .
I was all prepared to say I have such a better result with the Read With Jenna selections than I do with America’s Darling, Reese . . . and
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I was all prepared to say I have such a better result with the Read With Jenna selections than I do with America’s Darling, Reese . . . and then this one came along.
Chain Gang All-Stars tackles the penal system the same way S.A. Cosby tackled homophobia in Razorblade Tears . . . with a lot of gore and a heavy-handed Ted Talk sort of delivery. Per usual, the people who need a lesson on how unjust the American justice system can be will 100% be the people who would never even consider reading this. For me dystopia stories just aren’t really my jam to begin with and since I’m an old lady this had a been there/done that vibe a la the afore-giffed Mad Max, Gladiator, The Running Man, The Hunger Games, etc., etc., etc. but this one was somehow extremely boring.
Oh, and I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE bajillions of footnotes. (Because I am stupid and a wrongreader. There, save your breath folks. I trolled myself so you don’t have to.) ...more
I just took a second to look at the overall Goodreads’ rating along with my friends’ individual Star reactions to this one and it turns out I’m the naI just took a second to look at the overall Goodreads’ rating along with my friends’ individual Star reactions to this one and it turns out I’m the naysayer of the bunch. You know what that means, right????
Ha! Just kidding. Everyone is aware that I’m usually the wrongreader. The main reason I didn’t vibe with this one was not because it was farfetched – I’m down for some fun with my thrillers – it was a combination of this supposed grifter type of conwoman being so easy to fool and a supposed “zany” thriller that really did not tickle my funny bone after the first couple of chapters.
I’m over 100 reviews behind for the year, so that’s all I have to say. Everyone else really liked it, so it was probably just wrong place/wrong time for me. ...more
I went into this one blind. All it takes sometimes is a snappy title, folks! I had not read this author before (because Kitchens of the Great MidwestI went into this one blind. All it takes sometimes is a snappy title, folks! I had not read this author before (because Kitchens of the Great Midwest was a title that did NOT grab my attention, but I’ll be rectifying that shortly). To keep it brief and without any spoilsies, just know things all start off with a mom who needs a ride home from the church pancake breakfast from the daughter she has been estranged from for years who is prevented from said Ubering thanks to getting in a head-on with the local fauna.
We then timehop back to 1934 to Florence’s story – then to the 1980s and Ned’s and eventually back to the present with Mariel . . . . and her mother who has now been holed up in the church waiting for that ride for over two months.
If you are familiar with me at all you know that I am a sucker for a family story and when it comes to dramedies that also involve restaurant ownership? Well . . . .
If you enjoyed Marrying the Ketchups or The Chicken Sisters or We are the Brennans run, do not walk to get a copy of this one. And serve it with a relish tray . . . .
Here’s the thing. Jojo Moyes needs zero of my help selling her books and since I loved Me Before You, Still Me and One Plus One I am not su
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Here’s the thing. Jojo Moyes needs zero of my help selling her books and since I loved Me Before You, Still Me and One Plus One I am not super interested in dissecting all the reasons this one didn’t work for me. Some books just aren’t for some people and for me that has a lot to do with the characters. I didn’t much care for doormat Sam at all and thought Nisha was a real See You Next Tuesday throughout the entire story (even though an attempt was given at providing her a redemption arc). The plot didn’t really tickle my fancy either and it was waaaaaaay too long (especially when things went all “Three’s Company” while attempting to steal back the shoes in the hotel). So that’s that and on to the next.
If I had known this was a recommendation from the BookTok world I would like to think I would have known enough to stay far away, buu
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It me!
If I had known this was a recommendation from the BookTok world I would like to think I would have known enough to stay far away, buuuuuuuuut I did not and I’m a sucker for the cartoony cover so of course I read it. And here’s the thing. There’s nothing wrong with this book. If you love fake dating/friends to lovers/sportsball tropes, PG-13 smexuals and a what you see is what you get cutesie type of story, this one is probably for you. However, it’s becoming apparent the more romances I read lately that I want some more meat on the bones when it comes to plot. Old age – she’s a bitch, kids! This might have hit better for me had I been poolside getting my tan on during the summer rather than enduring never-ending Midwestern winter, but I have no sense and request all the things from the library and have to read them when my turn comes around.
I’m 100% going to take the blame for my (sorta) wrongreading of this one. You see, 2022 was the yTo find what’s in the dark you have to let it in.
I’m 100% going to take the blame for my (sorta) wrongreading of this one. You see, 2022 was the year where I discovered the “social thriller” and when I saw this book was about Black girls going missing in a backwoods Pennsylvania community my brain immediately told me this was going to fall under the umbrella of that newfound fave genre (so much so that I was able to ignore my dislike of face covers and immediately request it from the library). For those of you who are also thinking about reading this please note this is a horror story, not a thriller.
The story here is of the “maybe you SHOULDN’T go home again” variety. Liz survived a high school party in the woods where Keisha was murdered. Years later, she’s returning to the Rust Belt to attend her best friend’s wedding. And then her friend’s daughter goes missing, bringing up memories of the past and leading Liz to question a slew of unsolved murders of other Black girls that spans 30 years.
Again, I’ll blame myself for finding the big reveal of this one a bit lackluster. I’m definitely a thriller over horror girl . . . .
I liked this one better when it was called The House in the Cerulean Sea. I mean really that’s all to be said here. I picked this up for the title andI liked this one better when it was called The House in the Cerulean Sea. I mean really that’s all to be said here. I picked this up for the title and cover alone when it was offered to me and I was planning October-y reads. Sadly, this was a pretty sad copycat of T.J. Klune’s magical releases of late.
The story here involves, you guessed it, a witch who gets recruited to come tutor a trio of children witches in an attempt to teach them how to harness their power. There’s a houseful of other characters – including a handsome sourpuss, natch, but none of which were very developed. I don’t love kids generally (in fiction or in real life) so it really takes some doing to get me to love stories about them (see the aforementioned Klune or The Guncle as recent exceptions to the rule). There was also quite a bit of “potion” talk that basically involved making tea infused with essential oils such as lavender or peppermint rather than any eye of newt or tongue of frog. But the main problem was in the form of . . .
Who said anything about transforming the world? What about just making it a little better? And then a little better? And then a little more, until, one day, maybe long after we’re gone, it has transformed?”
But there isn’t much making of things ANY better as this one wraps up and, despite not being a fan, my dead heart still felt a little bummed out these kids didn’t end up with more than they did in the end. I thought the entire point of this was going to be along the lines of “be the change you wish to see in the world” – but I guess getting laid was really the M.O. *wink*
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
Everyone and their dog has been falling all over the place expressing their love for Barbara Kingsolver’s latest release. And then there’s me . . . . Everyone and their dog has been falling all over the place expressing their love for Barbara Kingsolver’s latest release. And then there’s me . . . .
I’m not here to yuck your yum so Imma keep it real short. In a nutshell, Kingsolver is an author who is consistently trying to write the “Great American Novel” and nothing demonstrates that more than her undertaking a modernization of David Copperfield. In short, I just don’t think she’s my jam. Nearly 25 years ago The Poisonwood Bible knocked my socks off, but it’s a book I could never re-read in fear that I wouldn’t have the same reaction a second time around.
My main issue with this one is that I am so over clichéd, stereotypes of Appalachia. Boy oh boy did Demon Copperhead deliver them in spades. Our impoverished lead goes from bad to worse when it comes to an abusive household, to being orphaned, to one awful foster home situation to another (but don't worry - it ends at neglect - Kingsolver isn't ready to go to the darkest of locales when it comes to Demon's childhood). Eventually genetics get on young Demon’s side and he becomes a local high school football hero . . . until, you guessed it, his knee gets blown out and he becomes an addict. But don’t worry – he still gets a fairly happy ending and sees the ocean *eyeroll*
In addition to the been there/done that feel of this entire story, you can’t re-write history in an attempt to prove how “woke” you are. A high school English teacher (and a black teacher in the middle of the Holler, at that) in the early to mid-1990s wouldn't have dared to explain the movement of literature changing the term “black” to “Black.” Not to mention how regular folks were not aware of the dangers of opioids or how Big Pharma was controlling the narrative when they first hit the market, but the nurse in here was 100% in the know of what's going down. You want to learn more about the modern-day drug crises and how it came to be? Read Dopesick....more
And you may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?’ I may, David Byrne, I may.
Hi, my name is Kelly and I don’t like anything lately. Actually thAnd you may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?’ I may, David Byrne, I may.
Hi, my name is Kelly and I don’t like anything lately. Actually this 3 Star is pretty much like seeing a unicorn at this point in my sea of 2s and there were things I dug about this one. Particularly Rory. I love dry, droll humor and she really delivered. I also figured this would be a werewolf story wrapped up in a metaphor for trauma simply from reading the first couple of sentences of the blurb and I was pretty much spot on there too. But then there was some mean girl stuff that just wasn’t necessary to the story whatsoever and other bad stuff and things from childhood and also the miracle of life???? Yeah. Simply too many ingredients spoiling what could have been some pretty delicious soup for me.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! ...more
Leah is a submariner who was sent on a routine mission that went wrong. What was supposed to be a short stay ended up with a vessel that lost power anLeah is a submariner who was sent on a routine mission that went wrong. What was supposed to be a short stay ended up with a vessel that lost power and no answers from those in charge of when she would return. Now she’s back . . . but she’s different.
Our Wives Under the Sea had some blast from the past feelings to it . . .
And unfortunately I think I was simply not smart enough to pick up all that was being put down. Was it a metaphor of growing apart in a relationship? Or losing someone to a terminal illness? Or was it a straight up horror just with REALLY good writing?
I think different readers will take away different reactions and much deeper ones than simply did or did not like it. I found myself more invested in Leah’s narrative than Mira’s - I mean come on, not only was she the one who had to go down to the pits of hell of the ocean and then came back changed (assuming you read it like me and didn’t look too much into the potential hidden meaning), but it’s October and I wanted to get creeped out so the sense of impending doom served me well.
The author was wise to keep this one brief so the on-edge anticipation of something bad to come never really went away and as I said before the writing was way above par. 3.5 Stars for me possibly being an ignoramus and not truly “getting it,” but props up for an unusual tale in a sea of a lot of copycats....more
I’m still about 842 reviews behind (and they keep adding up) so let’s keep this short and sweet. I dig Grady Hendrix and will most definite
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I’m still about 842 reviews behind (and they keep adding up) so let’s keep this short and sweet. I dig Grady Hendrix and will most definitely read whatever he comes up with next so I’m not super interested in bashing this latest release. What you have here is basically a twisted take on The Velveteen Rabbit. After reading and loving every damn bit of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Vampire Slaying I knew to perhaps expect the unexpected and the possibility of maybe more than meets the eye when it came to the title here, but I mean it’s OCTOBER. I sorta just wanted a haunted house story. This featured a lot of family drama, unlikeable characters and a dead momma who had been real into making dolls - particularly puppets - when she was still alive and kicking . . . .
As much as it physically pains me to do so, I’m going to have to agree with my pal Dan 2.0 when it comes to Tiffany McDaniel’s style . . . it’s probabAs much as it physically pains me to do so, I’m going to have to agree with my pal Dan 2.0 when it comes to Tiffany McDaniel’s style . . . it’s probably not for me. I looooooooooved Betty and agree that there is an excellent story within the pages of this latest release regarding a series of prostitutes who are found in Chillicothe, Ohio (inspired by the true tale of the “Chillichothe Six”). Unfortunately, it was so mired in the purple prose that I could not feel all of the feels that I was supposed to be feeling. I have actively avoided The Summer that Melted Everything for fear of being a wrongreader and I will probably continue to do so for the foreseeable future since the main complaint was regarding how it too was overwritten.
Also, I already dislike a face cover, but if you're going to commit to one at least get it right. One sister lipsticked her TOP lip, the other the BOTTOM. Stuff like that drives me batshit.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Kelly (and the Book Boar)
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