chaptersofchase's reviews
1036 reviews

A dysfunctional family with a big secret 🤫

Thank you, Dutton Books,  for the gifted copy of The Ones We Love {partner}

The Ones We Love is one of those stories that needs to be read by the right reader at the right time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the right reader at the right time. It was still a good story that I did finish; it just wasn’t what I had hoped it would be. 

I did think the story started strong - those first few chapters were addicting. A daughter wakes up covered in bruises without any memory of what happened, and her parents are obviously hiding something. But what?

Each chapter slowly peeled back a layer of truth—one misguided decision after the other, one dysfunctional family member failing to communicate the truth. The feeling of slowly revealing the truth was enticing and kept me reading, but unfortunately, I figured out the direction of the story fairly quickly and wasn’t blown away by the path the author took to get there. 

Maybe if the characters had been more likable? It’s one of those things that the characters weren’t likable because of what they were doing, making the story more exciting, but it was also hard to find redeeming qualities to cheer for. The only character I did love was Casper, the younger brother/son (and I rarely ever like POVs from a child narrator). 

😬 Dysfunctional family

🗣️ Multiple POV

👏🏼 Character development

📖 Multi-layered

I recommend reading The Ones We Love if you enjoyed reading Everyone Here is Lying. 

_____

<b>

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b>

Non-Fiction November

Thank you, Simon Buddies, for the gifted copy of Dinner for Vampires {partner}

Genre: Non-Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date:  10.22.2024
Pages: 320

I watched One Tree Hill for the first time earlier this year. It was one of those shows I knew about but was never interested in (for some odd reason). I had friends in college who religiously watched it every week (and not to age myself, but this was when you had to sit down to watch a show—it wasn’t streaming). So when I saw that Bethany Joy Lenz was releasing a memoir about her life, I immediately added it to my TBR list. Then I realized it was about her life in an actual cult, not just life on a TV show.

Still, after listening to her tell her story, I cannot fathom that Haley Scott from OTH went through all that she did while filming the show. They took advantage of her kind heart, her desire to help others, and her longing for a large family. 

I’m so happy that she was finally able to tell her story—the true story of what happened to her and how she found light in a dark and isolated tunnel. 

I recommend reading Dinner for Vampires even if you’re not an OTH fan - very little “behind the scenes” is mentioned in the book. Bethany Joy Lenz narrated the book, and, as always, that’s my favorite way to listen to a memoir — through the voice of the person who lived it. 
______



<b>
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b>

THIS BOOK! 👀 

Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmarks, for the gifted early copy of This Book Will Bury Me{partner} 

 

 

Y’all, this book is THE BOOK. It pulled me right out of my reading slump, provided the perfect distraction from the world, and kept me reading until the middle of the night. It did not feel like a 480-page mystery—I flew through it. 

 

It had everything I needed, and I was utterly hooked from the first page. When I wasn’t reading it, I thought about the story and tried to put everything together. True Crime typically terrifies me, but now I’m starting to believe that, in some morbid way, it gives me something to focus on and figure out. I love unlocking all the clues and trying to bring everything together. 

 

Sure, there were a few over-the-top moments, but it was still the perfect book. When everything came together, it was SO GOOD. It was eerily similar to a genuine case that swept the nation last year, which added to the overall unease of what was transpiring. I had to remind myself to breathe and not hold my breath during the big reveal, but I was genuinely invested in everything happening. 

 

Read if you enjoy: 

💻 True Crime 

🔪 Serial Killer 

👏🏼 Complicated characters 

😳 Twisty 

 

I genuinely can’t wait for everyone to read This Book Will Bury Me, but it won’t be out until March 2025! So, until then, add this book to your TBR list—I promise you’ll thank me later. 

 

______ 

 

 

 

<b> 

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b> 

Do you have a favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie? Then this may be the book for you!

Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The Hitchcock Hotel {partner} 

 

 

 

This was a unique take on the locked-room mystery, and while it was entertaining, it was not what I had hoped for. 

 

For starters, I struggled with all the Hitchcock references. There were so many times that I knew I missed an integral moment because I was not familiar with his movies. This is completely my problem, but it was frustrating to try and find my footing with the book when there were key moments that I didn’t catch. 

 

The characters were all presented in a way that made them easy to get to know, but they were all the most unlikable people, and they did nothing to make me like them throughout the story. If anything, they gave me more reasons to dislike them. 

 

Finally, Hitchcock Hotel is told in dual timeline format so that we, as the reader, can see where the friendship between the characters began and where it disintegrated. However, there were times when reading that the timeline would jump without warning, and I would think we were in the current time when really it was something that happened in the past. So, I would have to reread whole pages to ensure I didn’t miss anything substantial. 

 

Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆ 

The Hitchcock Hotel is a multiple-POV story. It is narrated by Michael Crouch (who has narrated Horror Movie, North Words, The House is on Fire, The Great Believers), Gail Shalan (who has narrated The Writing Retreat and Hearts Still Beating), and Helen Lloyd (who has narrated How the Penguins Saved Veronica, The Lost Ticket, and The Spectacular). So, it has an all-star cast of voice actors who brought all the eccentric characters of the story to life. 

 

Read if you enjoy: 

🗣️ Multiple POV 

🎭 Lots of drama 

✌🏼 Dual timeline 

🔐 Locked room 

 

I recommend reading The Hitchcock Hotel if you’re a fan of Hitchcock movies or are just looking to be entertained by unlikable characters who behave badly. 

 

______ 

 

 

<b> 

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b> 

The Mistletoe Mystery 

 

Molly the Maid is back for the holidays 🎄 

Thank you, Ballantine Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The Mistletoe Mystery {partner} 

 

 

I’m closing out my spooky season reading with a little novella featuring one of my favorite FMCs - Molly Gray. 

 

This short (128 pages) and sweet story was the perfect combination of mystery, holiday fun, and quirky characters that I’ve come to know and love. In The Maid and The Mystery Guest, the reader isn’t given much insight into Molly and Juan’s relationship, so seeing their interactions and his love for her is nice. 

 

My only complaint is that there was so much miscommunication happening in such a short book that it really put me on edge and took away from the overall joy of the book. 

 

Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆ 

Mistletoe Mystery was narrated by the wonderful Lauren Ambrose, who has also narrated the other two Molly the Maid books. I am so happy that she has continued as the voice of Molly Gray, and I can’t wait to read more about Molly and her friends' adventures. 

 

Read if you enjoy: 

📖 Short and sweet 

🙅🏽‍♀️ Miscommunication 

🎅🏼 Holiday fun 

🔍 Cozy mystery feel 

 

I recommend reading The Maid, The Mystery Guest, and The Mistletoe Mystery in that order; otherwise, you’ll miss out on all kinds of antics! 

 

If you enjoy holiday reading, what’s the first book you'll add to your reading list for this season? 

 

_

 

<b> 

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b> 

Another spooky October read 👻 

 

 

 

My decision to read this book was heavily influenced by my bookstagram friends. I  would not have read it without such high praise for it all over social media. So, to all of you who told me to read this, I blame you for keeping me up at night. 

 

Phantasma was not in my normal reading genre, and I most definitely do not enjoy any of the Saw movies. So, to be completely honest, I skipped over the super gooey scenes. I made it through a few, but they definitely made me feel a bit squeamish. 

 

And, oh my gosh, the steam!! I was not prepared for how spicy this book would become, but it held up to be a dark romance. 

 

More than anything, though, I loved the author's spot-on representation of OCD. So often, it's associated with hyperorganized, methodical behavior, but Phantasma explored a different side that is very common but not discussed. Being privy to Ophelia's internal dialogue as she battled the demons in her mind, it was eye-opening and almost comforting to have Blackwell normalize her fears and talk her through what she was experiencing. 

 

🏯 Haunted manors 

👻 Ghostly visions 

🖤 Dark Romance 

🩸 Gore (lots of it) 

 

I was so impressed with Kaylie Smith's writing and am already counting down the days until we get to book two. Also, whoever designed these covers is incredibly talented. 

 

 

____

 

 

<b> 

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b>

Here’s a little ☀️ to add to your TBR list. 

Thank you, The Dial Press, for the gifted copy of Promise Me Sunshine {partner} 

 

 

This is my first Cara Bastone book (and it definitely won’t be my last). If I’m being completely honest, the first thing that drew me in was the beautiful cover. I honestly had no idea what the story was about, but I knew that with such a gorgeous cover, the story would have to be good. 

 

If you go into Promise Me Sunshine thinking it will be a love story, you may end up disappointed. There was romance, yes, but you’ll really find the most of two people trying to help one another through a complicated part of their lives. I loved the ease of communication between Lenny and Miles. Their banter always provided just the right comedic relief, and their exploration of life after loss was spot on. 

 

The only tiny thing that prevented me from giving Promise Me Sunshine a higher rating is that the characters would get so close to having the perfect romantic moment. Still, something would interfere and cause them to break apart or lose the moment. While I understand that this is definitely more of a character flaw of Miles/Lenny, and I believe the author intended this to be the effect, it still made me feel like the pacing was off. 

 

However, it was still a delightful and heartfelt story, and I can’t wait to read more from Bastone. 

 

Read if you enjoy: 

🐌 Slow build 

🫶🏼 More friends than lovers 

😍 Adorable MMC 

📖 Exploration of grief & love 

🥹 Lots of laughter & tears 

 

I recommend reading Promise Me Sunshine if you’re looking for the perfect book to get you through the cold days of winter — it will warm you from the inside out. 

 

______ 

 

 

<b> 

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b> 

Best Hex Ever 

Thank you, Dell Romance and PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of this delightfully cozy romance {partner} 

 

 

 

I started Best Hex Ever on a whim one Friday morning and then proceeded to deep clean my house, catch up on laundry, and bake bread/cookies for the weekend. So, of course, I managed to listen to this entire book in one day, and it was just what I needed. 

 

Was it a bit cheesy at times? Sure. Is that precisely what I needed? Absolutely. 

 

It gave me all the happy, cozy vibes that I desperately needed. The characters were all such a delight (and I'm secretly hoping there will be more from the characters). I bought into the instalove between Dina and Scott (and I never do that). 

 

Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆ 

Best Hex Ever was narrated by Ferne Marks and Owen Hall, who are both new to voice actors, and they were perfect for Dina and Scott. I love a romance with dual narration—it really brings everything together so perfectly. 

 

Read if you enjoy: 

✨ Fun magic 

😍 Instalove 

🙌🏼 Supportive friends/family 

🔥 Lots of steam 

 

Best Hex Ever was a pure delight to read, and I'm so glad I found time to sneak it into my October reading list. I can't wait to read what Nadia El-Fassi writes next! 

 

______ 

 

 

 

<b> 

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b> 

An absolute must-read! 🎉

Well, dang, this was good! I was so blown away by the story and all the different components that went into creating this book that I’m mentally kicking myself for taking so long to read it. I almost skipped The Plot and went straight to The Sequel, and I am SO glad I didn’t because I would’ve missed out on what will be a favorite for 2024. 

The story started slowly, and I wasn’t sure where it would end up going. The only piece of the book that I knew was that the protagonist takes a plot from one of his writing students. But, I had no idea all the twists and turns The Plot would take and how shocked I would be by the twists the author revealed. Once I hit the 25% mark of the story, I felt like it took off, and I was doing everything I could to continue listening to the audiobook because I needed to know. 

What did I need to know? Well, for starters, who was blackmailing Jack? What was this twist in the book he wrote, and was it so shocking? (It made me gasp outlaid when it was revealed). What would happen when he caught up with his blackmailer? What was the truth behind the blackmailer's story? I couldn’t figure it out, and then everything came together simultaneously, and I felt like I had whiplash of how genuinely shocked I was. 

Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆

The Plot is narrated by Kirby Heyborne, who did a marvelous job capturing Jake’s character and bringing just the right amount of audio intrigue into the book. I can’t wait to see what he narrates next!

📖 Slow starts, fast ending

🤯 Psychological stories

📚 Book within a book

🐈🐭 Cat & Mouse game

I recommend reading The Plot if you enjoyed Yellowface or Verity. 

_

<b>

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b>

You’re going to want to add this to your 2025 reading list!

Thank you, Penguin Random House,   for the gifted copy of Saltwater by Katy Hays {partner}

I decided to start Saltwater on a whim, and even though it’s a slow burn, I couldn’t put it down. There were so many situations and possibilities at play that I was captivated trying to combine all the pieces of the puzzle. I loved how Katy Hays told the story through the perspective of several characters - it gave the illusion that one (or more) of them was lying. But who? I thought I had all figured out at one point, but then my carefully constructed story fell apart. 

When I had 25% of the story left, I was flying through it and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I had to know what happened to Sarah and if the past was repeating itself with Lorna.

And, y’all, it takes a lot for a book to surprise me, and Saltwater had me gasping at one point. It was so perfectly executed that I’d reread it to see what hints I overlooked in my first read. Katy Hays created the perfect mystery, and I can’t wait for 2024 for everyone to read it!

🤫 Lots of secrets

🇮🇹 Capris, Italy

🗣️ Multiple POV

📖 Slow Burn

✌🏼 Dual timeline

🎭 Family drama

I recommend reading Saltwater if you enjoyed reading The Villa. 

_

<b>

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/

Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase

Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ </b>