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pagesplotsandpints's Reviews (2.1k)
Read Completed 5/26/23 | 2.5 stars
I picked this one up after watching The Night Agent on Netflix and really enjoying it! I found it was based on a book and usually when I watch the show first, it's anticlimactic to read the book second, so I wanted to see what else this author might have written. THE 500 sounded incredibly promising so I was excited to read it and it really let me down.
The beginning of this book was SO BORING. It just felt like the main character was just talking at me with nothing happening. Usually it feels like just someone narrating but this just felt like endless talking about nothing, going in circles, and nothing moving forward. If I hadn't made it far enough and I hadn't DNFed other books before this one, I would have quit reading, but I decided to push through.
Thankfully, the second half got much more interesting. There still wasn't enough character development to really get me hooked, but the plot FINALLY started moving and we got some really nice twists here and there.
I can't really say I'd recommend this, but if you do read it, the second half is much better than the first. If we had gotten the charisma, pacing, and intrigue of the last 50% of the book the whole time, this would have been a much better read for me. Before we got there, I was literally going to rate this 1.5 stars, so thankfully it picked up. I still can't really give it 3 though since it was a long ride to get there and I can't forget how boring the first part was.
I picked this one up after watching The Night Agent on Netflix and really enjoying it! I found it was based on a book and usually when I watch the show first, it's anticlimactic to read the book second, so I wanted to see what else this author might have written. THE 500 sounded incredibly promising so I was excited to read it and it really let me down.
The beginning of this book was SO BORING. It just felt like the main character was just talking at me with nothing happening. Usually it feels like just someone narrating but this just felt like endless talking about nothing, going in circles, and nothing moving forward. If I hadn't made it far enough and I hadn't DNFed other books before this one, I would have quit reading, but I decided to push through.
Thankfully, the second half got much more interesting. There still wasn't enough character development to really get me hooked, but the plot FINALLY started moving and we got some really nice twists here and there.
I can't really say I'd recommend this, but if you do read it, the second half is much better than the first. If we had gotten the charisma, pacing, and intrigue of the last 50% of the book the whole time, this would have been a much better read for me. Before we got there, I was literally going to rate this 1.5 stars, so thankfully it picked up. I still can't really give it 3 though since it was a long ride to get there and I can't forget how boring the first part was.
Read Completed 5/24/23 | 2.5 stars, rounding down
This is my 7th book by Freida McFadden and honestly, I'm surprised myself that I've read seven of her books. I would say I don't know why I keep reading them, but I know why I do. Firstly, they're short and fast-paced thrillers and secondly, they're entertaining. Yes, even when I rate it 2+ stars, I'm still entertained.
I keep expecting to one day like her writing but I never do. The main characters always seem kind of dumb, and I get that they can't be too smart to figure everything out right away since there still has to be a suspenseful plot, but I always feel like they're a bit TOO dense. I would like to see a smart, clever character be outwitted. I can't really fathom strawberry jelly looking so convincingly like blood? I mean, maybe if you're scared, it's just a startling reaction, but it was used more than once. That was just.. weird.
It was definitely a sensational, reader-grabbing attempt to have this book take place in a psych ward where we see extreme cases that are all portrayed negatively... but it works and people are sucked in! I admit, the psychological aspect and unreliable narrator always mess with my mind and I like not knowing who to trust or how things might turn out. I have no idea about the typical patient so I couldn't speak on that, but I felt like some of it could have been done a bit more tactfully, I guess. Sigh. I don't know. There was a lot that felt off, and with some other bad writing, it all just stacked up.
The twist did surprise me in a way, and Freida McFadden always seems to have that going for her books. There's always a big twist and she certainly packs it with a lot of punches. I thought it was largely cheesy, but again, another popcorn thriller where literally everything is over the top. At least there was a reason for the peach iced tea because if it got mentioned all those times and there was nothing to it, I was going to be even more irritated.
After THE HOUSEMAID, I told myself I wasn't going to read any more of her books, but here we are again. At least I finish them, and they're fast.
This is my 7th book by Freida McFadden and honestly, I'm surprised myself that I've read seven of her books. I would say I don't know why I keep reading them, but I know why I do. Firstly, they're short and fast-paced thrillers and secondly, they're entertaining. Yes, even when I rate it 2+ stars, I'm still entertained.
I keep expecting to one day like her writing but I never do. The main characters always seem kind of dumb, and I get that they can't be too smart to figure everything out right away since there still has to be a suspenseful plot, but I always feel like they're a bit TOO dense. I would like to see a smart, clever character be outwitted. I can't really fathom strawberry jelly looking so convincingly like blood? I mean, maybe if you're scared, it's just a startling reaction, but it was used more than once. That was just.. weird.
It was definitely a sensational, reader-grabbing attempt to have this book take place in a psych ward where we see extreme cases that are all portrayed negatively... but it works and people are sucked in! I admit, the psychological aspect and unreliable narrator always mess with my mind and I like not knowing who to trust or how things might turn out. I have no idea about the typical patient so I couldn't speak on that, but I felt like some of it could have been done a bit more tactfully, I guess. Sigh. I don't know. There was a lot that felt off, and with some other bad writing, it all just stacked up.
The twist did surprise me in a way, and Freida McFadden always seems to have that going for her books. There's always a big twist and she certainly packs it with a lot of punches. I thought it was largely cheesy, but again, another popcorn thriller where literally everything is over the top. At least there was a reason for the peach iced tea because if it got mentioned all those times and there was nothing to it, I was going to be even more irritated.
After THE HOUSEMAID, I told myself I wasn't going to read any more of her books, but here we are again. At least I finish them, and they're fast.
Read Completed 5/23/23 | 3.5 - 3.75 stars
I picked this one up after seeing a bunch of friends add it on Goodreads, so I think I went in with expectations a little higher than normal. This was a good read, but didn't quite wow me. I did like the writing style and was definitely engaged in the story, invested in the characters, and curious about how it would all wrap up. There's a little suspense and a mystery to be solved (the cold case of Skyler's younger half-sister and how she wound up dead after a party) so there was some good intrigue to keep me reading. I think there could have been a little bit more of a thrill aspect or some more suspense. The things that happened to Skyler along the way were certainly unsettling but it didn't really get my heart racing. A solid read and I'd definitely pick up something from Kate White again!
I picked this one up after seeing a bunch of friends add it on Goodreads, so I think I went in with expectations a little higher than normal. This was a good read, but didn't quite wow me. I did like the writing style and was definitely engaged in the story, invested in the characters, and curious about how it would all wrap up. There's a little suspense and a mystery to be solved (the cold case of Skyler's younger half-sister and how she wound up dead after a party) so there was some good intrigue to keep me reading. I think there could have been a little bit more of a thrill aspect or some more suspense. The things that happened to Skyler along the way were certainly unsettling but it didn't really get my heart racing. A solid read and I'd definitely pick up something from Kate White again!
Read Completed 5/21/23 | This was just okay for me! It almost read like a cozy mystery more than a standard mystery/thriller but it wasn't as light and silly as some cozies turn out to be. The vast portions of baking and baking references really gave it that cozy mystery feel, though!
The story was decent enough but I never really got into it. I didn't care about the characters very much and in the end, the twist in the plot was one that's been done many times and it didn't surprise me. I think readers are supposed to catch on, but I just wasn't super thrilled with it.
Maybe this one appeals more to people who aren't big mystery or thriller readers, or more for mystery readers who want a fun theme without it being a cozy. I'm not disappointed I read it but I won't be rushing to recommend it either.
The story was decent enough but I never really got into it. I didn't care about the characters very much and in the end, the twist in the plot was one that's been done many times and it didn't surprise me. I think readers are supposed to catch on, but I just wasn't super thrilled with it.
Maybe this one appeals more to people who aren't big mystery or thriller readers, or more for mystery readers who want a fun theme without it being a cozy. I'm not disappointed I read it but I won't be rushing to recommend it either.
Read Completed 5/19/23 | 4 - 4.25 stars
This was very cute! I really enjoyed WHEN IN ROME, the first book in this companion series, and was so excited to start this one. It was a little bit of a bumpy beginning and I enjoyed it much more once Annie got further along with her personal growth. It's frustrating hearing the interior monologue of someone who's holding so much in, but I definitely get it and have experienced that myself. I also thought the plot of having Will be the "dating coach" was really stupid. I liked when it turned sort of fake dating when people thought they were dating so they let everyone think that (all while they had feelings, of course), but the dating coach thing was dumb and felt super forced. I would have rather played into the more forbidden romance side of it all, not letting themselves feel the feelings for each other. The whole game of it was kind of annoying and took away from the experience, for me.
I did love the chemistry between these two characters and loved the tender moments. It was great seeing both of them feel more comfortable with themselves and not fitting into a box that they as well as others put them into.
I also loved seeing the set-up for what is hopefully the next one with another sister! I am definitely here for it and love this small town setting, family, and cute romantic moments.
This was very cute! I really enjoyed WHEN IN ROME, the first book in this companion series, and was so excited to start this one. It was a little bit of a bumpy beginning and I enjoyed it much more once Annie got further along with her personal growth. It's frustrating hearing the interior monologue of someone who's holding so much in, but I definitely get it and have experienced that myself. I also thought the plot of having Will be the "dating coach" was really stupid. I liked when it turned sort of fake dating when people thought they were dating so they let everyone think that (all while they had feelings, of course), but the dating coach thing was dumb and felt super forced. I would have rather played into the more forbidden romance side of it all, not letting themselves feel the feelings for each other. The whole game of it was kind of annoying and took away from the experience, for me.
I did love the chemistry between these two characters and loved the tender moments. It was great seeing both of them feel more comfortable with themselves and not fitting into a box that they as well as others put them into.
I also loved seeing the set-up for what is hopefully the next one with another sister! I am definitely here for it and love this small town setting, family, and cute romantic moments.
Read Completed 5/18/23 | 3.75 - 4 stars
First off, if you have the opportunity NOT to listen to this as an audiobook, I recommend doing that. It wasn't horrible but I really didn't like the narrators at all. The female narrator's voice for Connor was like, whispering and I always find it so hard when one MC has an accent and the other doesn't. You either have to do a bad accent for the other person or they don't do an accent for the other person and you just have to accept it. Also listening through headphones, the quality of the audio for Connor's part was a little lower quality and the background noise was distracting at times.
Combine that with some introductory chapters that I absolutely did not connect with and if this was anyone but Christina Lauren AND a follow up to one of my favorite reads of last year, I definitely would have DNFed it. I'm glad I read it but I really think the audiobook narrators got in the way of the book a lot for me. I was pretty disappointed in these choices, but that's my personal taste.
So back to the actual book. Like I said, I really didn't connect with the first few chapters at all. The intro felt a little forced and I couldn't have cared less about Fizzy giving a graduation speech? It took me a while to warm up to her again and for me to warm up to Connor. It was also confusing having her jokingly call him by the wrong name multiple times because I have a hard enough time remembering people's names and I couldn't remember what his was in the beginning.
The reality dating show was cute but I felt like the back and forth between the show and the personal lives didn't really flow. It felt a little disjointed and I really just wanted more time with Fizzy & Connor on their own.
When they were on their own, I surprisingly loved the chemistry. I don't always care about spicy scenes but there was a lot of emotion and connection in their physical connection that I really liked. It was more than just a sex scene for the sake of a sex scene. I really did love the two of them together and I liked how we didn't have the wait the whole book for them to be able to admit that they both liked each other.
The ending was very cute and much appreciated, yet I still don't feel like I loved this book. There was a little too much holding me back from enjoying it as much as I wanted to.
First off, if you have the opportunity NOT to listen to this as an audiobook, I recommend doing that. It wasn't horrible but I really didn't like the narrators at all. The female narrator's voice for Connor was like, whispering and I always find it so hard when one MC has an accent and the other doesn't. You either have to do a bad accent for the other person or they don't do an accent for the other person and you just have to accept it. Also listening through headphones, the quality of the audio for Connor's part was a little lower quality and the background noise was distracting at times.
Combine that with some introductory chapters that I absolutely did not connect with and if this was anyone but Christina Lauren AND a follow up to one of my favorite reads of last year, I definitely would have DNFed it. I'm glad I read it but I really think the audiobook narrators got in the way of the book a lot for me. I was pretty disappointed in these choices, but that's my personal taste.
So back to the actual book. Like I said, I really didn't connect with the first few chapters at all. The intro felt a little forced and I couldn't have cared less about Fizzy giving a graduation speech? It took me a while to warm up to her again and for me to warm up to Connor. It was also confusing having her jokingly call him by the wrong name multiple times because I have a hard enough time remembering people's names and I couldn't remember what his was in the beginning.
The reality dating show was cute but I felt like the back and forth between the show and the personal lives didn't really flow. It felt a little disjointed and I really just wanted more time with Fizzy & Connor on their own.
When they were on their own, I surprisingly loved the chemistry. I don't always care about spicy scenes but there was a lot of emotion and connection in their physical connection that I really liked. It was more than just a sex scene for the sake of a sex scene. I really did love the two of them together and I liked how we didn't have the wait the whole book for them to be able to admit that they both liked each other.
The ending was very cute and much appreciated, yet I still don't feel like I loved this book. There was a little too much holding me back from enjoying it as much as I wanted to.
Read Completed 5/17/23 | It took me a while to get into this -- I forgot that the first part was a series of shortie short stories and I had a really hard time getting attached to the story. Finally, when we stuck more with Juliette's part of the story, I began to really get invested.
For as long as this is, I thought things could have developed more quickly. I liked the set-up of the world and certain parts of it reminded me of other favorites (Red Rising, The Hunger Games... though this could have inspired other favorites depending on the timing). I'm not really sure how the rest was structured -- if this eventually became a full novel after the short stories or if it was all short stories wrapped up in one bind-up. It does matter a little because that affects the flow of the plot. I suppose either way, I wish we got to dig deeper into everything like the backstory, more world-building in the history of everything, a bit more character development. I liked Juliette but I still felt like I didn't know her well enough.
I'm intrigued and want to know more about the series, but I just don't know if I'm really interested enough to keep going.
For as long as this is, I thought things could have developed more quickly. I liked the set-up of the world and certain parts of it reminded me of other favorites (Red Rising, The Hunger Games... though this could have inspired other favorites depending on the timing). I'm not really sure how the rest was structured -- if this eventually became a full novel after the short stories or if it was all short stories wrapped up in one bind-up. It does matter a little because that affects the flow of the plot. I suppose either way, I wish we got to dig deeper into everything like the backstory, more world-building in the history of everything, a bit more character development. I liked Juliette but I still felt like I didn't know her well enough.
I'm intrigued and want to know more about the series, but I just don't know if I'm really interested enough to keep going.
Read Completed 5/15/23 | 3 stars
So. THE LAST WORD was entertaining, I'll give it that. This is my first Taylor Adams book (NO EXIT does not seem to be on my library apps as an audiobook unless it's in German soooo... I guess I'm not reading it any time soon) so I didn't really know what to expect. I knew a lot of people loved NO EXIT and I've also seen a lot of people hate it.
I loved the concept for this one and it's also truly frightening as a reader/reviewer. I've seen author/reviewer fights blow up on social media and it's ugly to watch it happen. In an age where we post so much online, I could easily see this happening (wait, didn't an author actually show up to someone's house IRL one time...) so that was chilling alone. I definitely had the creeps while reading this book and it was giving me serious slasher movie vibes! I loved the creepy house on the beach setting and I just pictured it dark and stormy all the time.
THE LAST WORD is 100% a popcorn thriller, in my opinion. You're here for the big thrills, so over-the-top twists, and some predictable and stereotypical characters. Like most popcorn thrillers, the writing wasn't the best. In cases like VERITY, I didn't even notice it and I thought that wasn't too badly written, enough so that the entertainment kept me in the zone and I wasn't even looking into writing styles or plot holes. Not so much for THE LAST WORD. There were some wildly weird similes in here that reminded me that this is a man writing a woman's perspective and some really stupid things that I just couldn't get past.
So. THE LAST WORD was entertaining, I'll give it that. This is my first Taylor Adams book (NO EXIT does not seem to be on my library apps as an audiobook unless it's in German soooo... I guess I'm not reading it any time soon) so I didn't really know what to expect. I knew a lot of people loved NO EXIT and I've also seen a lot of people hate it.
I loved the concept for this one and it's also truly frightening as a reader/reviewer. I've seen author/reviewer fights blow up on social media and it's ugly to watch it happen. In an age where we post so much online, I could easily see this happening (wait, didn't an author actually show up to someone's house IRL one time...) so that was chilling alone. I definitely had the creeps while reading this book and it was giving me serious slasher movie vibes! I loved the creepy house on the beach setting and I just pictured it dark and stormy all the time.
THE LAST WORD is 100% a popcorn thriller, in my opinion. You're here for the big thrills, so over-the-top twists, and some predictable and stereotypical characters. Like most popcorn thrillers, the writing wasn't the best. In cases like VERITY, I didn't even notice it and I thought that wasn't too badly written, enough so that the entertainment kept me in the zone and I wasn't even looking into writing styles or plot holes. Not so much for THE LAST WORD. There were some wildly weird similes in here that reminded me that this is a man writing a woman's perspective and some really stupid things that I just couldn't get past.
"Maybe something was wrong with her body, but eating has become a dull and unrewarding process, as joyless as sitting on the toilet."
What...? What kind of a line is that? There were many other weird one-liners like that in this book but I was listening to the audiobook so I don't have note of them, but I had to go back and look that one up because it was just weird to me. The writing just wasn't it for me and there were several parts that felt so forced that it took me out of the experience. It just really felt like it could have used some more editing and cleaning up to make it sharp... and believable.
Like some popcorn thrillers and slashers, you do have to suspend some belief for this one too. I appreciate thrillers where I don't have to suspend too much belief and by the end of this, it just was just a little too much. I also thought less of Emma after the story was over instead of her being redeemed in a way. I didn't wish for her demise, but I didn't really like her.
I was going to give this 3.5 stars because it really was entertaining but it ultimately left me a little disappointed more than entertained. The killer was so stereotypical and was shoved into every box in every way. Emma was "not like the other final girls" but that was straight up told to you soooo... Yeah, the writing was just not what I was hoping for BUT I did finish it and always wanted to keep going to see how it would end.
And I promise you, no matter what you think is happening, the dog will be okay.
Read Completed 5/13/23 | Another fun book in this series! This one was much lighter and more romantic than THE FLOAT PLAN, so I liked I liked it a little bit more. Like the other book, I kind of felt like the conflict came a little late and resolved a little quickly so it left me wanting a little more to the plot, but I really liked the rest of the book!
This was a fun bonus for me too, taking place at a brewery with a love interest who was a brewer. We enjoy a craft beer, going to breweries, and even homebrewing so it was fun to have that involved in the book. (Although beer snob moment: Rachel definitely would have known what a sour beer was since her favorite beer is a Berliner Weisse. But the rest of the beer talk was pretty spot on for my knowledge!)
Weirdly enough, where the first book was more entrenched in grief, I kind of felt like this book didn't dig enough into it? I thought there could have been a little bit more conversation about Mason's story. There were some tender moments, but I felt like his character could have been a little deeper, at least on the page. I liked him a lot and really liked his character, though!
This was a fun bonus for me too, taking place at a brewery with a love interest who was a brewer. We enjoy a craft beer, going to breweries, and even homebrewing so it was fun to have that involved in the book. (Although beer snob moment: Rachel definitely would have known what a sour beer was since her favorite beer is a Berliner Weisse. But the rest of the beer talk was pretty spot on for my knowledge!)
Weirdly enough, where the first book was more entrenched in grief, I kind of felt like this book didn't dig enough into it? I thought there could have been a little bit more conversation about Mason's story. There were some tender moments, but I felt like his character could have been a little deeper, at least on the page. I liked him a lot and really liked his character, though!
Read Completed 5/12/23 | This was a lovely read! Note: It has a cartoon cover but it's not a romcom. It's a romance but it's also a journey. Anna is working on her grief nearly a year after her fiancé's suicide and along the way, she finds her self and an unexpected companion in Keane.
FLOAT PLAN was just a really nice book to get lost in for a while. I love that there are companions for the other sisters and I'd love to keep reading those! It's not something that was earth-shattering for me (maybe would hit more close to home if I had similar grief to process, which respectfully and thankfully at this time, I don't), but I really enjoyed reading it. We got to see some real character growth that was gradual but wonderful. I loved the sailing vibe and the time spent on tropical islands. And Keane was a very fun character to bring positivity, hope, and happiness into Anna's life.
I don't have a ton to say about the book but I really liked it and look forward to reading more! I felt like maybe there could have been a bit more plot and conflict to pull me in? I didn't need drama or them to break up or anything, but there was just something missing to really stand out to me. Or maybe that's exactly what the book needed to be! I'm happy with what I read and it made it a good story and a very easy read.
FLOAT PLAN was just a really nice book to get lost in for a while. I love that there are companions for the other sisters and I'd love to keep reading those! It's not something that was earth-shattering for me (maybe would hit more close to home if I had similar grief to process, which respectfully and thankfully at this time, I don't), but I really enjoyed reading it. We got to see some real character growth that was gradual but wonderful. I loved the sailing vibe and the time spent on tropical islands. And Keane was a very fun character to bring positivity, hope, and happiness into Anna's life.
I don't have a ton to say about the book but I really liked it and look forward to reading more! I felt like maybe there could have been a bit more plot and conflict to pull me in? I didn't need drama or them to break up or anything, but there was just something missing to really stand out to me. Or maybe that's exactly what the book needed to be! I'm happy with what I read and it made it a good story and a very easy read.