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pagesplotsandpints's Reviews (2.1k)
Read Completed 1/9/23 | THE FAMILY REMAINS is a sequel to THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS but also a touch of a prequel. We get two different timelines following Lucy in the after-events and Rachel's relationship with Michael before the present-day that appears in THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS. While I don't know if this book was really necessary, I still enjoyed it! It did have a different quality than its origin story and I felt like this was more drama than thriller. We already knew how things ended up playing out with Rachel's story for the most part, so that was more tense than a mysterious thriller. Aside from putting together some pieces from both of those worlds and merging them, there wasn't too much that happened in this book, but I enjoyed the ride and spending more time with these characters. I thought it was going to end a little too sweetly and then we got a nice extra jab in the end to keep things consistent with the characters, so that was good. If there were more books written in this world, I'd probably keep reading them even though I don't think there's much more of a story to tell, but I still enjoyed the writing and revisiting this set of characters. Plot-wise, I could knock the rating down a star if I was getting really picky, but since I enjoyed the read, I'll leave it at four stars! But if you're looking for that same sense of twisty mysteries and a sense of dread of the first book, this one probably won't be it for you.
Read Completed 1/7/23 | Somehow, I made it this far without reading THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS so it was finally time to get there! I have tried a few other Lisa Jewell books and they were either four stars or DNF, so I've been hesitant to pick up more from her. My sister read this one first (actually a while ago now) and we talked about how I had never read it, so I finally put it on my library hold list and got to it this year.
And if you want to go into this book fully blind, I won't have outward spoilers but I would also probably not recommend reading my review (or probably others).
I did really enjoy THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS! I was really interested by all of the different POVs and what they had to offer. It was a tiny bit confusing at first since we aren't outwardly told who the POVs are (aside from Libby, since we need to know), but that wasn't a bad thing. It was fun to figure it out as the book went along, and then to see their current stories as the backstory was unfolding. I really liked all of the characters too! One of them has a morally grey / potentially bad streak, but it was so interesting that we really needed that perspective and it added a bit of darkness to the story. Each character really felt well-developed and that they had many different layers so that their stories weren't so black and white.
The plot was interesting as well, kind of in a train wreck way. It's one of those things that you're interested in but can't look away from. I was worried as it started moving into potential cult territory because I don't always do well with books involving cults, but with the way it was presented, how it played out, and the POVs we had, it all worked for me! It was more about the characters and everyone's relationships than it was the rigid concept of whatever was going on in the house. Each character added something to the dynamic.
The ending gave some proper answers and left readers with a little bit of suspense and dread. I can see why there was a sequel written! I don't know if it needed one, but I'll pick it up anyway.
And if you want to go into this book fully blind, I won't have outward spoilers but I would also probably not recommend reading my review (or probably others).
I did really enjoy THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS! I was really interested by all of the different POVs and what they had to offer. It was a tiny bit confusing at first since we aren't outwardly told who the POVs are (aside from Libby, since we need to know), but that wasn't a bad thing. It was fun to figure it out as the book went along, and then to see their current stories as the backstory was unfolding. I really liked all of the characters too! One of them has a morally grey / potentially bad streak, but it was so interesting that we really needed that perspective and it added a bit of darkness to the story. Each character really felt well-developed and that they had many different layers so that their stories weren't so black and white.
The plot was interesting as well, kind of in a train wreck way. It's one of those things that you're interested in but can't look away from. I was worried as it started moving into potential cult territory because I don't always do well with books involving cults, but with the way it was presented, how it played out, and the POVs we had, it all worked for me! It was more about the characters and everyone's relationships than it was the rigid concept of whatever was going on in the house. Each character added something to the dynamic.
The ending gave some proper answers and left readers with a little bit of suspense and dread. I can see why there was a sequel written! I don't know if it needed one, but I'll pick it up anyway.
Read Completed 1/7/23 | 2.75 - 3 stars
Thank you to Tor & Netgalley for the audiobook review copy!
1 | Every Heart a Doorway ★★★★☆
2 | Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★★★☆
3 | Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★★★☆
4 | In an Absent Dream ★★★★☆
5 | Come Tumbling Down ★★★☆☆
6 | Across the Green Grass Fields ★★★★☆
7 | Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★☆☆☆
8 | Lost in the Moment and Found ★★★☆☆
This book felt a little heavier in than the previous books, with an extra content warning from the author in the beginning. I don't have too much to say about it except that I just don't feel connected to a lot of these worlds anymore. The last few reads have been disappointing for me, and I think that's just more of a me thing than anything. The writing is still lovely, beautiful, and whimsical, packed with plenty of metaphors, life lessons, and messages of acceptance. The content and meaning behind the books are always great! I just don't find myself really being drawn in. It's entirely possible that since I just really haven't been in a fantasy mood for the last few years, really, that I'm just not being enticed by the magic of the books and whimsy that these worlds bring. They're so quick that I'll likely keep reading them and maybe there will be characters that I'll connect with more in the future! I forgot that Antoinette was a part of the stories in the beginning (I only remembered because of the reviews) and since the books are so short, it was easy (for me) to forget. Maybe next time I'll do a quick refresher on who the main character is so I can try to feel some more connection!
Thank you to Tor & Netgalley for the audiobook review copy!
1 | Every Heart a Doorway ★★★★☆
2 | Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★★★☆
3 | Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★★★☆
4 | In an Absent Dream ★★★★☆
5 | Come Tumbling Down ★★★☆☆
6 | Across the Green Grass Fields ★★★★☆
7 | Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★☆☆☆
8 | Lost in the Moment and Found ★★★☆☆
This book felt a little heavier in than the previous books, with an extra content warning from the author in the beginning. I don't have too much to say about it except that I just don't feel connected to a lot of these worlds anymore. The last few reads have been disappointing for me, and I think that's just more of a me thing than anything. The writing is still lovely, beautiful, and whimsical, packed with plenty of metaphors, life lessons, and messages of acceptance. The content and meaning behind the books are always great! I just don't find myself really being drawn in. It's entirely possible that since I just really haven't been in a fantasy mood for the last few years, really, that I'm just not being enticed by the magic of the books and whimsy that these worlds bring. They're so quick that I'll likely keep reading them and maybe there will be characters that I'll connect with more in the future! I forgot that Antoinette was a part of the stories in the beginning (I only remembered because of the reviews) and since the books are so short, it was easy (for me) to forget. Maybe next time I'll do a quick refresher on who the main character is so I can try to feel some more connection!
Read Completed 1/6/23 | I've been listening to Julia Whelan as an audiobook narrator for a long time but have been putting off reading her books. When my sister read this and loved it, I knew I would enjoy it too!
I did enjoy THANK YOU FOR LISTENING and there was a ton of amazing banter here! Julia Whelan really put together a wonderfully crafted story full of growth, an easy romance to follow, and just the right amount of emotion that wasn't overly sad/sentimental. It really kind of reminded me of BEACH READ by Emily Henry in that sense. I enjoyed the book from start to finish and was really happy to follow Suwanee on this journey. Her connection with her grandmother was touching and a great driving factor for her to pick up this romance book narration (something that Julia Whelan used from her own personal experiences).
I really enjoyed it but I just didn't quite love it. The characters had great banter and chemistry but I almost liked the texting sequences more then in-person dialogue. I didn't quite get the feels from the romance side of the book -- maybe because we spent too long not seeing the male lead and I didn't get to connect with him as much? I REALLY appreciated that there wasn't a stupid communication error that led to a fight and break up like so many romance books do. I was super happy to do away with the third act break up so that was also a major plus! But I just didn't quite feel that romance click into place in the second half of the book.
This was a well-developed romance book and -- to take from the book's descriptions -- more of a blend of "women's fiction" and "romance" since there's more than just a fluffy romcom happening here. It does have a ton of cuteness but it's not just pure cute, so there's a deeper connection going on. I appreciated that, but I think I just wanted a touch more on the romance side to really drive all the feelings home. Nevertheless, I'd still definitely recommend this one and I'm really happy I read it! I think fans of BEACH READ would really love it, and it was fantastic being a big audiobook listener to see this profession featured in a novel.
I did enjoy THANK YOU FOR LISTENING and there was a ton of amazing banter here! Julia Whelan really put together a wonderfully crafted story full of growth, an easy romance to follow, and just the right amount of emotion that wasn't overly sad/sentimental. It really kind of reminded me of BEACH READ by Emily Henry in that sense. I enjoyed the book from start to finish and was really happy to follow Suwanee on this journey. Her connection with her grandmother was touching and a great driving factor for her to pick up this romance book narration (something that Julia Whelan used from her own personal experiences).
I really enjoyed it but I just didn't quite love it. The characters had great banter and chemistry but I almost liked the texting sequences more then in-person dialogue. I didn't quite get the feels from the romance side of the book -- maybe because we spent too long not seeing the male lead and I didn't get to connect with him as much? I REALLY appreciated that there wasn't a stupid communication error that led to a fight and break up like so many romance books do. I was super happy to do away with the third act break up so that was also a major plus! But I just didn't quite feel that romance click into place in the second half of the book.
This was a well-developed romance book and -- to take from the book's descriptions -- more of a blend of "women's fiction" and "romance" since there's more than just a fluffy romcom happening here. It does have a ton of cuteness but it's not just pure cute, so there's a deeper connection going on. I appreciated that, but I think I just wanted a touch more on the romance side to really drive all the feelings home. Nevertheless, I'd still definitely recommend this one and I'm really happy I read it! I think fans of BEACH READ would really love it, and it was fantastic being a big audiobook listener to see this profession featured in a novel.
Read Completed 1/4/23 | Wow. I absolutely loved this. Firstly, thank you to Flatiron Books / Macmillan Audio for the audiobook review copy! Honestly, I might not have picked this up if it weren't for the publisher sending me the Netgalley widget so I'm incredibly thankful that they did! I can also credit my friend Megan for being a big Kate Alice Marshall fan because that helped nudge me into picking up a new author since I'm always a little hesitant of new thriller authors.
Okay, now the good stuff! This was my first Kate Alice Marshall book and it certainly won't be my last. The synopsis of the book really intrigued me but it was the way that everything was handled in the book that really had me enjoying it so much. I don't give out five stars lightly (or like... barely at all? I gave out two last year), but right from the start of the book, I really connected with the writing style. The dialogue flowed naturally and effortlessly, leading me into the lives of these characters without feeling like they were characters -- plus, there was a nice amount of banter that worked perfectly in. The characters just felt REAL. Not overly dramatic, totally believable, and really made me interested in their stories.
The storytelling and writing style really painted a picture for me and I was able to lose myself in the book. Although the plot is dark (three girls were rescued from the woods after an encounter with a serial killer when they were 11 and the story picks up a series of events related to this as they're adults), it wasn't overly done. I can be iffy about serial killer stories now with page after page of torture, abuse, and gore, which can be fine but usually it's overdone. WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS was just the perfect blend of bringing you into this storyline, focusing on the setting an atmosphere instead of having to hit you over the head with violence. It was exactly my vibe and I was here for every minute of it!
And the plotting -- hot damn. Kate Alice Marshall knows EXACTLY how to craft a detailed and dangerous web. We get a piece of the puzzle in the beginning of the book which knocks down one domino which knocks down the next, and so and so forth. There's always something happening in the book to keep the readers engaged so there aren't lengthy periods of time where the characters are just running around looking for clues. There's always a thread to follow and Naomi (the main character) keeps pulling on those threads until everything finally unravels. The book really packs some EXTRA punches in the last 25% with twist after twist. There were so many things I didn't see coming, a few that I pieced together as we were rolling along, and it was the perfect mix of surprise and satisfaction.
For my tastes, I can't say a single thing I would have changed. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish and I can't tell you the last time I've been so enchanted by a thriller from the very beginning. Thrillers are my main genre but it's been a long time since I've been so satisfied by a thriller book.
Audiobook Feedback: I really loved Karissa Vacker here! She also narrated Stacy Willingham's thrillers A FLICKER IN THE DARK and ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS -- both of which I enjoyed -- as well as ALL GOOD PEOPLE HERE by Ashley Flowers and she's quickly becoming a new favorite narrator. I think that also really helped me click with the book very quickly! It was a voice and vibe that I really liked and I've really loved all of her narration.
If you liked this, read...
When I Was You
All the Dangerous Things
Okay, now the good stuff! This was my first Kate Alice Marshall book and it certainly won't be my last. The synopsis of the book really intrigued me but it was the way that everything was handled in the book that really had me enjoying it so much. I don't give out five stars lightly (or like... barely at all? I gave out two last year), but right from the start of the book, I really connected with the writing style. The dialogue flowed naturally and effortlessly, leading me into the lives of these characters without feeling like they were characters -- plus, there was a nice amount of banter that worked perfectly in. The characters just felt REAL. Not overly dramatic, totally believable, and really made me interested in their stories.
The storytelling and writing style really painted a picture for me and I was able to lose myself in the book. Although the plot is dark (three girls were rescued from the woods after an encounter with a serial killer when they were 11 and the story picks up a series of events related to this as they're adults), it wasn't overly done. I can be iffy about serial killer stories now with page after page of torture, abuse, and gore, which can be fine but usually it's overdone. WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS was just the perfect blend of bringing you into this storyline, focusing on the setting an atmosphere instead of having to hit you over the head with violence. It was exactly my vibe and I was here for every minute of it!
And the plotting -- hot damn. Kate Alice Marshall knows EXACTLY how to craft a detailed and dangerous web. We get a piece of the puzzle in the beginning of the book which knocks down one domino which knocks down the next, and so and so forth. There's always something happening in the book to keep the readers engaged so there aren't lengthy periods of time where the characters are just running around looking for clues. There's always a thread to follow and Naomi (the main character) keeps pulling on those threads until everything finally unravels. The book really packs some EXTRA punches in the last 25% with twist after twist. There were so many things I didn't see coming, a few that I pieced together as we were rolling along, and it was the perfect mix of surprise and satisfaction.
For my tastes, I can't say a single thing I would have changed. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish and I can't tell you the last time I've been so enchanted by a thriller from the very beginning. Thrillers are my main genre but it's been a long time since I've been so satisfied by a thriller book.
Audiobook Feedback: I really loved Karissa Vacker here! She also narrated Stacy Willingham's thrillers A FLICKER IN THE DARK and ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS -- both of which I enjoyed -- as well as ALL GOOD PEOPLE HERE by Ashley Flowers and she's quickly becoming a new favorite narrator. I think that also really helped me click with the book very quickly! It was a voice and vibe that I really liked and I've really loved all of her narration.
If you liked this, read...
When I Was You
All the Dangerous Things
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I saved this book for 2023, worried it would make my top ten list of 2022 after I had already made it. Well, I shouldn't have worried. This book was ALL over my Facebook groups with basically everyone raving and giving it five stars. Another case of me not linking with the hype.
LOOK CLOSER had all of the bones for a great read for me. The story itself is good, with many different people being extremely interwoven into each other's lives. There's a lot to unpack and some nice twists that, if I had been enjoying the book, would have bowled me over, but the fact is that I was not enjoying the book.
I felt like there were too many POVs, and this is coming from someone who's ready a lot of fantasy and doesn't have trouble juggling a lot of perspectives... but there comes a point where it's too many, especially in a thriller. I just didn't think that many POVs was worth it here. We have four different narrators, plus insights from a diary and text message conversations. I really think we could have gotten rid of at least one POV, and I would have liked it even better if we narrowed it down to two. There are some things that I can see were more necessary to have in there, but it was just a lot of swapping back and forth and a lot of boring details that could have been cut, at least. Plus, listening to the book on audio, I didn't feel like the voices were quite different enough to really set up different perspectives.
Mostly, I just felt like the book was a bit chaotic. Without knowing how the characters are connected, I just didn't really care enough to follow closely. Some things happened quickly, but then other things were mundane and repetitive. All of the characters are so unlikeable that I just couldn't even root for anyone. The detective was the only likable person but it didn't really matter because she was only there to show the investigation part and sort out details of the crimes. Her only purpose was to tell readers how things fit together and I just didn't care.
I can definitely see how so many people loved this one but I could just never click with it. I wanted to root for the main characters in a vigilante justice sort of way, but I still just couldn't get behind their actions and their personalities just didn't make me click with them. Ultimately, I think you have to connect with the characters here and I just didn't, so it didn't really work out for me. There wasn't enough intrigue and development. They all had a past and we got to know the past, but I still didn't feel like I knew THEM.
LOOK CLOSER had all of the bones for a great read for me. The story itself is good, with many different people being extremely interwoven into each other's lives. There's a lot to unpack and some nice twists that, if I had been enjoying the book, would have bowled me over, but the fact is that I was not enjoying the book.
I felt like there were too many POVs, and this is coming from someone who's ready a lot of fantasy and doesn't have trouble juggling a lot of perspectives... but there comes a point where it's too many, especially in a thriller. I just didn't think that many POVs was worth it here. We have four different narrators, plus insights from a diary and text message conversations. I really think we could have gotten rid of at least one POV, and I would have liked it even better if we narrowed it down to two. There are some things that I can see were more necessary to have in there, but it was just a lot of swapping back and forth and a lot of boring details that could have been cut, at least. Plus, listening to the book on audio, I didn't feel like the voices were quite different enough to really set up different perspectives.
Mostly, I just felt like the book was a bit chaotic. Without knowing how the characters are connected, I just didn't really care enough to follow closely. Some things happened quickly, but then other things were mundane and repetitive. All of the characters are so unlikeable that I just couldn't even root for anyone. The detective was the only likable person but it didn't really matter because she was only there to show the investigation part and sort out details of the crimes. Her only purpose was to tell readers how things fit together and I just didn't care.
I can definitely see how so many people loved this one but I could just never click with it. I wanted to root for the main characters in a vigilante justice sort of way, but I still just couldn't get behind their actions and their personalities just didn't make me click with them. Ultimately, I think you have to connect with the characters here and I just didn't, so it didn't really work out for me. There wasn't enough intrigue and development. They all had a past and we got to know the past, but I still didn't feel like I knew THEM.
