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booksbytheglass's reviews
841 reviews
She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
oh my GOD I haven’t had a good thriller binge in so long - and this one was done in 5 hours poolside and I feel revived 😮💨😮💨
mary kubica is the queen of thrillers for me, so when I saw an early copy at barnes and noble this morning, I knew I was ready to enter back in the world of being completely shocked and thrown on a roller coaster
and this may be one of my favorites of hers yet! there’s so many stories to tackle in this one - from a stalker terrorizing the streets of chi town to a nurse getting threatening phone calls about her daughter to a su!cide patient in the ICU that may not be all as it seems … and that’s just the first few chapters!!!
I was completely thrown for a loop right before part 2 hit, and I will say that a certain thriller trope gets me 👏🏼 every 👏🏼 single 👏🏼 time (if you’ve read and want to discuss, shoot me a message!)
and while I did guess the last plot twist, it was honestly me laughing at myself in the beginning for suspecting this particular person so …. I was pretty surprised at myself 😅😅
the only thing keeping me from five stars was the idiocy of the MC - and yes, I know this is usually the case in thrillers but it really took me out of the story a bit every time she claimed to be a private person but then spill her deepest darkest secret to a stranger 🫠
this is such a bingeable read - and I can’t wait to discuss it with everyone!!!!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley rosé
mary kubica is the queen of thrillers for me, so when I saw an early copy at barnes and noble this morning, I knew I was ready to enter back in the world of being completely shocked and thrown on a roller coaster
and this may be one of my favorites of hers yet! there’s so many stories to tackle in this one - from a stalker terrorizing the streets of chi town to a nurse getting threatening phone calls about her daughter to a su!cide patient in the ICU that may not be all as it seems … and that’s just the first few chapters!!!
I was completely thrown for a loop right before part 2 hit, and I will say that a certain thriller trope gets me 👏🏼 every 👏🏼 single 👏🏼 time (if you’ve read and want to discuss, shoot me a message!)
and while I did guess the last plot twist, it was honestly me laughing at myself in the beginning for suspecting this particular person so …. I was pretty surprised at myself 😅😅
the only thing keeping me from five stars was the idiocy of the MC - and yes, I know this is usually the case in thrillers but it really took me out of the story a bit every time she claimed to be a private person but then spill her deepest darkest secret to a stranger 🫠
this is such a bingeable read - and I can’t wait to discuss it with everyone!!!!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley rosé
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
When I'm Her by Sarah Zachrich Jeng
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
this was such an intriguing premise!! it gave all of the sci-fi blake crouch vibes, but unfortunately fell flat for me on the execution… I wanted so much more body switching and less female rage stories 😩
if this technology, a bracelet that can cause two people to switch bodies, existed in real life, the human population would be extremely screwed 🤣 because mary’s lil revenge story would be the least of our problems…
I was waiting for a further body switching crazy twist at the end to blow my mind, but sadly, everything played out pretty predictably. I really enjoyed the premise and learning about mary and elizabeth’s adventures as each other - but in present day, the revenge story was a little overdone.
the way sarah writes, however, was absolutely brilliant, keeping a fast-paced story with a slow burn plot! I binged the entire thing in less than 4 hours!!
thank you to berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - this one is a unique premise you won’t want to miss!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: new zealand sauvignon blanc
if this technology, a bracelet that can cause two people to switch bodies, existed in real life, the human population would be extremely screwed 🤣 because mary’s lil revenge story would be the least of our problems…
I was waiting for a further body switching crazy twist at the end to blow my mind, but sadly, everything played out pretty predictably. I really enjoyed the premise and learning about mary and elizabeth’s adventures as each other - but in present day, the revenge story was a little overdone.
the way sarah writes, however, was absolutely brilliant, keeping a fast-paced story with a slow burn plot! I binged the entire thing in less than 4 hours!!
thank you to berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - this one is a unique premise you won’t want to miss!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: new zealand sauvignon blanc
A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
what a conclusion to this series!!! 😩 after the extremely rude cliffhanger of A TOUCH OF MALICE, I feel like I waited eighty years to find out what happened - which of course meant I had to binge re-read the six before this to remind myself of what tf happened
this conclusion was non-stop action from start to finish (exactly how I wanted it) but it didn’t have as many romantic elements as I hoped … but then again, spicy times have to wait when there’s an all out war amongst the gods 😅😅
I was devastated by each and every death that occurred, and let me tell you, there were so many 😭 I was not here for that, but also appreciate that there are high stakes when you’re fighting gods (*cough* crescent city *cough*)
while I did think the conclusion itself wrapped up way too quickly and neatly for me, I loved every chapter of this installment, combining peresphone, hades, and dionysus’ POVs from the previous six books 🥹 but the ending was so abrupt compared to the drawn out battles previous to it
I’m so sad this series is over, but honestly it’s for the best because I couldn’t stand if anyone else died 🥲
I still stand by that this is the best hades x peresphone retelling out there!!!!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: tuscany red blend
this conclusion was non-stop action from start to finish (exactly how I wanted it) but it didn’t have as many romantic elements as I hoped … but then again, spicy times have to wait when there’s an all out war amongst the gods 😅😅
I was devastated by each and every death that occurred, and let me tell you, there were so many 😭 I was not here for that, but also appreciate that there are high stakes when you’re fighting gods (*cough* crescent city *cough*)
while I did think the conclusion itself wrapped up way too quickly and neatly for me, I loved every chapter of this installment, combining peresphone, hades, and dionysus’ POVs from the previous six books 🥹 but the ending was so abrupt compared to the drawn out battles previous to it
I’m so sad this series is over, but honestly it’s for the best because I couldn’t stand if anyone else died 🥲
I still stand by that this is the best hades x peresphone retelling out there!!!!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: tuscany red blend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
The Best Lies by David Ellis
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
my jaw is on the floor once again from david ellis’s stories!!!! 🤯 after loving the spooky thriller vibes of LOOK CLOSER, I immediately picked this one up thanks to william morrow - and boy, was I hooked!
when a lawyer is about to be arrested for a crime boss murder, everything goes haywire - and I mean, EVERYTHING! this one is so twisty and turny with its non-linear timeline that I seriously had no idea what to expect next!
just when I thought I had it figured out on who was who, something else was revealed from the past that had me throwing my kindle across the room 😅 and while it was a bit hard to keep up with at times, I loved the payoff every single time!
david ellis knows how to write a thriller with the craziest characters and plot lines! and I was seriously just along for the ride 😮💨😮💨
thank you to netgalley and william morrow for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel
when a lawyer is about to be arrested for a crime boss murder, everything goes haywire - and I mean, EVERYTHING! this one is so twisty and turny with its non-linear timeline that I seriously had no idea what to expect next!
just when I thought I had it figured out on who was who, something else was revealed from the past that had me throwing my kindle across the room 😅 and while it was a bit hard to keep up with at times, I loved the payoff every single time!
david ellis knows how to write a thriller with the craziest characters and plot lines! and I was seriously just along for the ride 😮💨😮💨
thank you to netgalley and william morrow for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel
The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
the way I screamed at the ending 🤯 I did not see that coming & I’m extremely mad at myself
the beginning was slow as heck, picking up a few weeks after the events of TRULY DEVIOUS with so many mysteries opened and nothing solved 🥴 but stevie is on the case and refuses to let anything go (definitely a future model of pippa with all of the AGGGTM vibes)
but it was truly the last 30% of the book that had my mouth falling open!! the reveals, the twists, the final realization that nothing is as it seems - it was all so perfectly written 😮💨
stevie is such a cutie pie with an eye for murder, and honestly, she needs to work on her trusting and communication skills (but also I see the hesitation) 🫠 and david? don’t even get me started on that train wreck of a human being … he clearly doesn’t even want to help himself which is the most frustrating part…
I cannot wait to binge the last two of the series!!!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: south africa rosé
the beginning was slow as heck, picking up a few weeks after the events of TRULY DEVIOUS with so many mysteries opened and nothing solved 🥴 but stevie is on the case and refuses to let anything go (definitely a future model of pippa with all of the AGGGTM vibes)
but it was truly the last 30% of the book that had my mouth falling open!! the reveals, the twists, the final realization that nothing is as it seems - it was all so perfectly written 😮💨
stevie is such a cutie pie with an eye for murder, and honestly, she needs to work on her trusting and communication skills (but also I see the hesitation) 🫠 and david? don’t even get me started on that train wreck of a human being … he clearly doesn’t even want to help himself which is the most frustrating part…
I cannot wait to binge the last two of the series!!!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: south africa rosé
Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m excited to be diving back into this series because it is so bingeable and addicting!! the characters are the perfect amounts of likable and snarky, and the plot keeps thickening!! 🫣
after the events of THE NATURALS, I was curious to know where the program for young talented future agents was going to go - after most of them were put into harms way … and I absolutely loved the addition of agent veronica sterling! she was the harmony I never knew the crew needed 🥰 (even if she was a bit cold at first)
while I would have loved to focus more on cassie and her MIA mother, I’m glad dean got his moment in the spotlight! diving more into his backstory and his father’s history was the perfect storm for a true crime story 😳 and boy was it a ride!
this time around, it felt a little more predictable on the twists but it still kept my heart racing until the very end! I already can’t wait to binge the next one!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: right bank bordeaux red blend
after the events of THE NATURALS, I was curious to know where the program for young talented future agents was going to go - after most of them were put into harms way … and I absolutely loved the addition of agent veronica sterling! she was the harmony I never knew the crew needed 🥰 (even if she was a bit cold at first)
while I would have loved to focus more on cassie and her MIA mother, I’m glad dean got his moment in the spotlight! diving more into his backstory and his father’s history was the perfect storm for a true crime story 😳 and boy was it a ride!
this time around, it felt a little more predictable on the twists but it still kept my heart racing until the very end! I already can’t wait to binge the next one!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: right bank bordeaux red blend
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m still sitting with my thoughts on this one because my toxic trait is comparing every book holly jackson writes to AGGGTM - and that’s super unfair (also, I’m still a little salty about that conclusion iykyk 🫠)
this was a great young adult thriller, however!! it was fast paced and full of unlikable characters, and I had to keep reminding myself that these characters were not real because I was getting so heated 😶
the plot twists, while exciting, were not as shocking as I was anticipating - in fact, based on my past thriller experience, I guessed every single twist, including the ending 🫣 but that’s a me problem
it was definitely an enjoyable read, but it wasn’t one of my ultimate favorites. I would loved to see more POVs and less of bel’s bias on the situation! and the way it all wrapped up so neatly felt disjointed based on the gravity of the situation
thank you to netgalley and delacorte press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: burgundy red blend
this was a great young adult thriller, however!! it was fast paced and full of unlikable characters, and I had to keep reminding myself that these characters were not real because I was getting so heated 😶
the plot twists, while exciting, were not as shocking as I was anticipating - in fact, based on my past thriller experience, I guessed every single twist, including the ending 🫣 but that’s a me problem
it was definitely an enjoyable read, but it wasn’t one of my ultimate favorites. I would loved to see more POVs and less of bel’s bias on the situation! and the way it all wrapped up so neatly felt disjointed based on the gravity of the situation
thank you to netgalley and delacorte press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: burgundy red blend
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
if there’s one thing rebecca serle knows how to do best - it’s making me CRY 🥹😭❤️ every single one of her books punches me in the gut and revives my soul at the same time I swear
with a hint of magical realism, this story focuses on daphne and her relationships through the years in her quest to find her forever soulmate - and boy was it a ride 😭 I was here for every heartbreak, every joyous moment, every revelation of her past
because I do know that rebecca’s books rip my heart out towards the end, when I got to the plot twist towards the middle, I straight up said “oh no” out loud because I was convinced how it was going to end right then and there 👀 however, I’m happy that it wasn’t so black and white and left it up to the readers for interpretation!!
I was so attached to every single character in daphne’s life - and I wanted so many stories from everyone!! this was such a unique premise and another winner from rebecca serle!!!
thank you to netgalley and atria books for this new favorite of mine in exchange for an honest review 🩷
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: sonoma coast rosé
with a hint of magical realism, this story focuses on daphne and her relationships through the years in her quest to find her forever soulmate - and boy was it a ride 😭 I was here for every heartbreak, every joyous moment, every revelation of her past
because I do know that rebecca’s books rip my heart out towards the end, when I got to the plot twist towards the middle, I straight up said “oh no” out loud because I was convinced how it was going to end right then and there 👀 however, I’m happy that it wasn’t so black and white and left it up to the readers for interpretation!!
I was so attached to every single character in daphne’s life - and I wanted so many stories from everyone!! this was such a unique premise and another winner from rebecca serle!!!
thank you to netgalley and atria books for this new favorite of mine in exchange for an honest review 🩷
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: sonoma coast rosé
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical trauma
Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book was SUCH a trip omg I’m here for it!! 🤯 it gave all of THE KIND WORTH KILLING vibes but with more serial unaliving 👀
I absolutely love stories with multiple different stories going on, because I just knew they were going to tie all together in the twistiest way possible!! and it kept my mind racing trying to figure it all out 🤯🤯
this is a con-artist thriller finest!!! I was shocked at how invested I was, enough to binge in one day, and I’m already looking forward to reading more by this author
while I did guess the two main plot twists, it was only because I took a beat and thought about some theories that I hoped were right 😅😅 so I’m very satisfied at the unsatisfying conclusion lol
officially backing up my earlier thriller reviews that this is the year for 5 star thrillers!!!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: argentina cabernet franc
I absolutely love stories with multiple different stories going on, because I just knew they were going to tie all together in the twistiest way possible!! and it kept my mind racing trying to figure it all out 🤯🤯
this is a con-artist thriller finest!!! I was shocked at how invested I was, enough to binge in one day, and I’m already looking forward to reading more by this author
while I did guess the two main plot twists, it was only because I took a beat and thought about some theories that I hoped were right 😅😅 so I’m very satisfied at the unsatisfying conclusion lol
officially backing up my earlier thriller reviews that this is the year for 5 star thrillers!!!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: argentina cabernet franc
A Game of Gods by Scarlett St. Clair
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
okay so I have thoughts!!! this was not what I was expecting at all from a hades POV story - and by that, I mean it’s also dionysius’ and theseus’ story! getting their POVs was exciting, but I felt it took away from the main concept of seeing hades’ thoughts and feelings during the events of A TOUCH OF MALICE 🤔
I would have rather seen a dionysius and ariadne novella than the disjointed in between chapters we got, because I absolutely adore them and loved their slow burn romance 🥹🥹
for a 600 page book, this did read rather quickly - and I chalk that up to having gone through the events previously so I knew what to expect… but I will never turn down a chance to see hades doing what he does best 😮💨
this was probably my least favorite of the hades saga but I still devoured it 🤌🏼 scarlett st clair’s writing is perfection and emotional - and I’m here for all of it
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: greek assyrtiko
I would have rather seen a dionysius and ariadne novella than the disjointed in between chapters we got, because I absolutely adore them and loved their slow burn romance 🥹🥹
for a 600 page book, this did read rather quickly - and I chalk that up to having gone through the events previously so I knew what to expect… but I will never turn down a chance to see hades doing what he does best 😮💨
this was probably my least favorite of the hades saga but I still devoured it 🤌🏼 scarlett st clair’s writing is perfection and emotional - and I’m here for all of it
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: greek assyrtiko