Month: August 2023

Reviews

Something in the Water Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Something in the Water Review

*SOME SPOILERS BELOW*

Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. . . . Suddenly the newlyweds must make a dangerous choice: to speak out or to protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt? Their decision will trigger a devastating chain of events. . . .

The start of this book didn’t really grab my attention in any way. I didn’t really care for Erin or Mark as we learn about their history, meeting each other and the kind of relationship they have. The first half of this book did drag a little in terms of establishing the storyline but once you overcome that hurdle the second half is worth it I think!

Erin is very impulsive and consistently acts without thinking of the repercussions even though she know how dangerous it can be. Her reasonings are a bit wishy washy and once an idea has formed in her mind she needs to see it through despite the outcome. I feel as though she shouldn’t of been as surprised by who was responsible for them being found as what she was. There are countless times where she will say something that she has noticed but shrugs it away every single time and it gets a bit obvious in the end.

I liked the format of the book a lot. Starting off knowing that Mark is dead and then the lead up to that day and figuring out all the details along the way was very entertaining and kept me highly engaged in the story. There is just this overwhelming build up of tension throughout the book as Erin gets more and more manic and terrified of the idea of being found by these mystery people. The ending is a little bit rushed for me though, I felt the anticipation was dragged out so much I would of appreciated a slower and more dramatic ending however I really enjoyed this book and was very surprised at the end!

⭐️4/5 stars Kept me on the edge of my seat throughout!

Reviews

A House with Good Bones Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on A House with Good Bones Review

*BEWARE OF SPOILERS*

“Mom seems off.” Her brother’s words echo in Sam Montgomery’s ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone. She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam’s excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out. But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above. To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

Sam seems to err on the side of caution when it comes to her mother and the weird things that are going on inside the house. Normally her and her mum have such an open and honest relationship from what she tells us so the fact that she didn’t outright say wtf is going on here mum kind of bugged me a little. I get that she is a scientist and is looking for the most logical explanation but there comes a point where you just have to believe what you are seeing.

I loved Gail’s character and Phil seemed to be an interesting love interest but I want to know more about them! How did Gail become a witch and what happened with Hermes that he decided to stay with her? How did the feud with Granmae start and how did she know how when to come when Granmae was resurrected by the roses? I’m just left with so many questions about these characters that I’m left feeling a unsatisfied.

I’m a little bit hit and miss with T. Kingfisher so far. I just feel as though her books don’t have enough substance. I’m not sure if this is considered a short story and not an actual novel but overall this felt a tad rushed to me and didn’t delve as far into these characters and the plot as I wanted it too. The concept is fantastic and I love all of the witchy elements and the familiars attached to them but I didn’t get enough time to form a connection.

⭐️2/5 stars liked the concept but I want more!

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First Line Fridays

by amyleighreads2 Comments on First Line Fridays

I seen this concept for the first time over at the Biblio Nerd Reflections and I had to give it a go!

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

  • Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
  • Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
  • Finally… reveal the book!

“In my life I have experienced regret, embarrassment, maybe even a touch of agony. But nothing, absolutely nothing prepared me for the ignominy of finding myself in a bathroom stall, pressed against the arrogant older brother of the guy I’ve been pretending to date for the past six months.”