booksthrilljessica's reviews
416 reviews

This book is a wonderful representation of grief and loss, delving deeply into the emotional and mental toll of losing a loved one. What begins as a sweet romance between two characters deeply in love takes a tragic turn. While I found the dual timelines to be a bit distracting, as they seemed to take away from the overall story, I believe it would have been more effective to focus entirely on the past timeline in the first half and then shift to Killian's perspective post-accident in the second half, with a twist at the end. This approach might have allowed the narrative to unfold more naturally. Additionally, the excessive detail about the characters' lives, while perhaps intended to deepen the story, ultimately made the pacing feel static. Despite these issues, the book’s central message—while heartbreaking—is undeniably relatable and addresses an important, often overlooked topic that deserves more attention.

*Thank you to Kayliegh Hilton for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Craig has created an incredible gothic atmosphere in this novel. The first half of the book gave a sense of desperation and eerie tension reminiscent of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. The overwhelming despair and loneliness of Hazel are so palpable that they instantly drew me in. However, by the second half, the tone of the story shifted, and I found myself wishing that more of the book was written with this vibe. With deeper romantic moments and more of Hazel's interactions with others—even if they led to tragedy. I also wanted more exploration of her time at the castle, especially the ballroom scenes. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Craig's work.

*Thank you to Erin A. Craig,  ​​Random House Children's | Delacorte Press Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Kristin Hannah has a remarkable talent for delivering heavy historical fiction into a captivating and insightful narrative that truly impacts me. I appreciated how she depicted the reality of military service, especially from a woman’s perspective, shattering the misconceptions many have. Hannah also powerfully highlights the heartbreaking toll of war and the emotional scars imposed upon those who serve. What really made this book stand out, though, was the bond of sisterhood between Frankie and her fellow female soldiers. As with all of Kristin Hannah's works, be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.

This book delivered all the shadowy, possessive MMC vibes, reluctant hero moments, and star-crossed lover tropes in the best way possible. The connection between Pax and Aria is so expertly written and had me falling for these two characters. I’m a sucker for the “I would do anything for you” trope, and this story delivers it perfectly. Beyond being an incredible romantasy, the audiobook narration was absolute perfection! If you’re a fan of One Dark Window with added spice, then this book is a must-read.

*Thank you to A.L. Jackson and Valentine PR & Literary Mgmt for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I'm conflicted in my thoughts about this book. While I appreciated the strong representation of women's rights—a theme not often explored in fantasy—I'm left feeling frustrated by the familiar trope that women must sacrifice themselves for the greater good. The outcome for our main female character, in particular, left a bitter taste. While there is a sort of HEA for some characters, it doesn't extend to all. I also wished there had been more exploration of Sciona's discoveries and her experiences with them. Overall, the book gave me Lessons in Chemistry vibes with a sci-fi twist, which was an enjoyable surprise.

*Thank you to M.L. Wang, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book was a brilliantly written dark police procedural that I didn’t know I was craving! With two morally dark main characters whose paths intersect in both intriguing and downright irresistible ways, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, trying to figure out who’s hiding the biggest secret and whether Izel and Richard will ever find their HEA. And that twist in chapter chapter 27? Absolutely mind-blowing—it’ll leave you desperate for more! The interrogation room scenes? Pure tension, that kept me breathless with every moment of "what’s happening here, but I can’t get enough!"

*Thank you to S.C. Arlette for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book definitely lived up to the hype! I originally received this as an ARC but loved it so much I had to buy the book and listen to the audio version as well. The audiobook narration was exceptional, truly bringing the characters to life. I was captivated by the intense sexual and political tension between Cerise and the Half King, which added layers of depth to the plot. The story had plenty of action, all while weaving in a compelling underlying love story. Also the idea of firstborns being cursed, along with the revelation of Cerise’s powers and the mystery surrounding what really happens to the Half King at night, is such a fascinating spin on this concept. I cannot wait to see what will happen in book 2!

*Thank you to Melissa Landers, Entangled Publishing, LLC |Entangled: Red Tower Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Kaelee has done it again! This book introduces new characters and creatures, all vying for control over one person—Hadley. But Hadley has reached her breaking point and is ready to set the world ablaze—no matter the cost. Will her mother’s sacrifice be worth it, or will Hadley unknowingly bring everything crashing down? To uncover her true potential, she must team up with some unexpected allies and enemies. Told through multiple perspectives that converge in a stunning finale. I can’t wait for book 3!

*Thank you to Elle Kaelee for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The premise of this book was intriguing, but it didn’t quite live up to its potential. It leaned more toward educating the reader about Halloween rather than fully exploring the storyline. I wished for deeper character development to create a stronger connection, but I found myself feeling detached. The dream storyline had so many possibilities, especially with the shapeshifters, but it didn’t delve as deeply as I’d hoped. While I enjoyed the magical elements (even the talking animals), the concept of pumpkins as portals lost me. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life, making it entertaining through to the end. The ideas were there, but it needed a bit more depth to truly shine.

*Thank you to Megan Mary, Inner Realms Publishing | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks and Netgalley for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

In this Hades and Persephone-inspired retelling, we’re introduced to Hecate “Kate” Goodwin, a hedge witch navigating the lingering grief of her mother’s death. Just as Kate starts to feel ready to embrace her new responsibilities, Matthew Cypher—a brooding, dark, and handsome figure from her past—re-enters her life. But Matt isn’t the only one from Kate’s past who is interested in her fate. This enchanting story is perfect for readers who enjoy a love story steeped in magic and lore, complete with endearing characters who also happen to have a talent for baking.

*Thank you to Wallis Kinney, Alcove Press and Netgalley for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.