katyaileen's reviews
352 reviews

Keep Your Friends Close by Lucinda Berry

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

It started off like a fast-paced domestic thriller, but then it devolved into a drama centered story. I knew who the killer was from the first time the story was from her pov. The end just had so much shock-value and left a lot of loose ends. Also it just didn't make sense as to why the characters did certain things. 
Near the Bone by Christina Henry

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

This was an enjoyable, tense, and eerie audiobook, but with some issues. There were plot holes and I found CP's decision making very flawed. I didn't mind leaving most of the monster up to my imagination, but I wish there was more on the monster vs William. Really enjoyed the snowy mountain setting and the main character. She changes and grows through the story and is brave, after all she's been through.
Breathless by Amy McCulloch

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This story follows a woman journalist as she attempts to reach the summit of the eighth tallest mountains Manaslu. The descriptions of trekking and climbing the mountain are nail-biting tense. I feel like I learned a lot about climbing such a tall mountain. There are strange occurrences and suspicious deaths. The thriller part hit mostly at the end and I knew what was going to happen. It was an enjoyable read still. 
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

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emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a beautiful story and I saved many quotes from it. My favorite is 
   "We have to be cracked open sometimes. We have to be cracked open sometimes to let anything good in. What I see now, emerging in the mirror, is this one, simple truth: learning to be broken is learning to be whole." 
   I just care for the setting LA & NYC and a big focus on designer clothing.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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 was an epic story that had me deeply invested in the characters. Following Bryce as she searches for answers while working through grief is full of ups and downs and twists all throughout.  The world SJM has created was incredible, beautiful, and terrifying. I had attempted the audiobook twice, but it was too confusing with all the world building language. It was easier with the physical copy, just very dense. The first 200 pages I just read for shorter stints to learn all the terms, but I was already enjoying it before it really took off. 
What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was a great read! Lots of pov's had me worried, but they were all memorable and I didn't get lost. The small town feel really added to the drama. I couldn't decide who the killer was and was really surprised. 
Hunted by Darcy Coates

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This book had me hooked from the beginning. The way she describes the dark forest, you feel like you're the one lost and being hunted. Loving some Darcy Coates!
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

Super creepy Audiobook. I didn't think I'd like a little girl narrating, but just added to the creepiness. Will definitely check out Josh Malerman's other books. 
Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I really didn't care for any of the characters besides Nicole and thought Beth had no empathy. There was a lot of beautiful commentary on grief, family, and struggles. The different POV's were great and there were a couple twists I didn't see. 
The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins

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slow-paced

2.0