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heathermoodreads's reviews
724 reviews
The Murders at Fleat House by Lucinda Riley
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The twist at the end was unexpected. The overall mystery was interesting, but I also felt like not a lot happened, and there were too many red herrings.
One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This. Book. Was. Fantastic.
One subject that I have always researched and have always wanted to learn more about is DID. A family member of mine had DID, and growing up, I didn't pay close attention to their "eccentric" personalities because that's just who they were.
This book spoke to me on so many levels. It was exhausting at times, but the depiction of Ken and her alters was, in my opinion, so well done. Ken and her alters don't always get along, but they work together to make sure they stay afloat. When Ken finds herself fronting and waiting to board a ferry for her new job as a caretaker, she reluctantly goes. The island is remote. The castle is huge and resembles the castle that Ken's alters live in, which comes to a shock. Then, a blast from the past throws a wrench in everything, causing Ken to have to fight against her own demons to not only save herself but also her alters as well.
There are extremely hard topics in this book as well. Racism, self-harm, depression, anxiety, mental illness, sexual assault, misogyny, and ableism are all topics in the book and are hard to read in some scenes.
The complexity and density of this book can become very confusing if you don't pay attention. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook and reading this physically at the same time. This story just really spoke to me and sparked a lot more rabbit hole research into DID.
One subject that I have always researched and have always wanted to learn more about is DID. A family member of mine had DID, and growing up, I didn't pay close attention to their "eccentric" personalities because that's just who they were.
This book spoke to me on so many levels. It was exhausting at times, but the depiction of Ken and her alters was, in my opinion, so well done. Ken and her alters don't always get along, but they work together to make sure they stay afloat. When Ken finds herself fronting and waiting to board a ferry for her new job as a caretaker, she reluctantly goes. The island is remote. The castle is huge and resembles the castle that Ken's alters live in, which comes to a shock. Then, a blast from the past throws a wrench in everything, causing Ken to have to fight against her own demons to not only save herself but also her alters as well.
There are extremely hard topics in this book as well. Racism, self-harm, depression, anxiety, mental illness, sexual assault, misogyny, and ableism are all topics in the book and are hard to read in some scenes.
The complexity and density of this book can become very confusing if you don't pay attention. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook and reading this physically at the same time. This story just really spoke to me and sparked a lot more rabbit hole research into DID.
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was brutal and so, so sad. The storytelling in this book was phenomenal - it kept me intrigued from the very beginning to the end.
The Cabinet by Un-su Kim
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was the weirdest book I've ever read. It was charming, but confusing as well. The overall philosophical approach of this book went over my head at times, but Cabinet 13 felt like a character itself. This book was melancholy, and at times, rather slow. It was an interesting read with numerous quotes and scenes that stuck out to me.
Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this! Truly and Colin were adorable. Their banter, steam, and overall chemistry was off the charts. I loved the Lulu and Caitlin as well! I wish we would've gotten more of them, especially at the end. I also enjoyed Truly's parents and their relationship with Truly.
The only thing I didn't really care for was how Truly tried to interfere with her parent's marriage. She's 27 and started acting like a teen when she found out about their separation.
The only thing I didn't really care for was how Truly tried to interfere with her parent's marriage. She's 27 and started acting like a teen when she found out about their separation.
Ward D by Freida McFadden
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Nothing happened in this book until the 250-page mark. This was the slowest, fast-paced book I've read. While the ending was a little more exciting, the beginning and middle didn't catch my attention. Amy was extremely gullible, and the mental illness representation in here had me questioning a lot of things. I didn't particularly care for Amy's inner thoughts or how she interacted with the patients of the ward. Lucy's character felt farfetched, but I'm also not a medical professional.
Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I shipped Meghna and Karthik from the very beginning, but I wanted to shake them both! They took so long to tell each other how they felt, and by the 5th time, I started to get annoyed. The ending was so freaking cute, though!
I loved the atmosphere and the family aspect of this book. That's one of my favorite things about reading Indian romances. The family time, food, and celebrations are always so freaking good! This one didn't disappoint on that front.
I loved the atmosphere and the family aspect of this book. That's one of my favorite things about reading Indian romances. The family time, food, and celebrations are always so freaking good! This one didn't disappoint on that front.
The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you're looking for a gothic horror with Dracula vibes full of Welsh folklore, mental illness representation, and small town vibes, this one is for you. I absolutely loved this, and the audiobook was amazing.
Mina is a psychiatrist with crippling OCD who grew up in a small Welsh town that believes in supernatural creatures. Mina and her best friend Lucy always vowed to each other they would both leave the town together and make something of themselves. But, Mina runs away after a traumatic experience and doesn't return home. She becomes a psychiatrist and focuses on helping women through traumatic experiences. She is dedicated and really cares about her patients.
Mina receives an alarming email from her estranged best friend who begs for Mina's help. The guilt that Mina has had comes crashing back, making her OCD worse, but she decides to go back to her small hometown and help her old friend. When she returns to her hometown, she realizes that Lucy has the same symptoms as one of her own patients back in London. Mina takes an oath to try to figure out what's causing these women, who are hundreds of miles apart, to have the same symptoms before it's too late. Mina finds herself thrown into everything she tried to leave twelve years ago.
I loved this!!
Mina is a psychiatrist with crippling OCD who grew up in a small Welsh town that believes in supernatural creatures. Mina and her best friend Lucy always vowed to each other they would both leave the town together and make something of themselves. But, Mina runs away after a traumatic experience and doesn't return home. She becomes a psychiatrist and focuses on helping women through traumatic experiences. She is dedicated and really cares about her patients.
Mina receives an alarming email from her estranged best friend who begs for Mina's help. The guilt that Mina has had comes crashing back, making her OCD worse, but she decides to go back to her small hometown and help her old friend. When she returns to her hometown, she realizes that Lucy has the same symptoms as one of her own patients back in London. Mina takes an oath to try to figure out what's causing these women, who are hundreds of miles apart, to have the same symptoms before it's too late. Mina finds herself thrown into everything she tried to leave twelve years ago.
I loved this!!
Little Black Lies by Sandra Block
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Dr. Zoe Goldman's main goal is to make sure her patients are well taken care of and have all of their needs when it comes to psychiatry. Working in a fast-paced psych ward helps her focus due to her ADHD and OCD. When she receives a new patient who is close to being released, Zoe finds herself in a world full of worry, nightmares, and distress. She is also worried about her mother, who is quickly declining because of dementia.
I found this story compelling in ways, but it was also outdated with its language and descriptions of characters. It felt disjointed with the two storylines until the very end. Zoe definitely has her own issues, and when her new patient was given to her, those issues skyrocketed. I thought this story handled ADHD and other mental health diagnoses well. It was apparent that the author knew her stuff. I just didn't connect with the story as much as I wanted to.
I did enjoy the twist at the end. It had the ominous tone that I was looking for throughout the story.
I found this story compelling in ways, but it was also outdated with its language and descriptions of characters. It felt disjointed with the two storylines until the very end. Zoe definitely has her own issues, and when her new patient was given to her, those issues skyrocketed. I thought this story handled ADHD and other mental health diagnoses well. It was apparent that the author knew her stuff. I just didn't connect with the story as much as I wanted to.
I did enjoy the twist at the end. It had the ominous tone that I was looking for throughout the story.
A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ommmgggg... this book made me feel so many emotions. I felt so giddy while reading this book. Isaac is literally perfection. Laniah is an inspiration and such a sweet and caring person. They are perfect together and I so enjoyed their friends-to-lovers story. It was sweet, funny, and steamy. I loved the push and pull that they had with their relationship. I also appreciated the subject of chronic illness. It's something that doesn't get spoken about enough and this author handled it with so much care. The author's note at the end made me tear up as well. Laniah and Isaac are top tier and I'm going to be hollering for everyone to read this romance!