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celeste_velocci's reviews
474 reviews
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was short , sweet, and cute! I honestly wish it was a full length book…pretty predictable but made me laugh and I really loved the characters
Sociopath by Patric Gagne
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I love listening to memoirs especially on topics I don't know much about or have a stigma around them. It is no secret mental health and psychology have a stigma surrounding them in the world we live in today. Being able to educate myself is something I thoroughly enjoy from reading memoirs and hearing someone's story.
I always listen to memoirs and this one was read by the author - Patric Gagne. Patric Gagne is a diagnosed sociopath who is also a psychologist, mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. This was so incredibly interesting to learn more about sociopaths. There is such a stigma surrounding this topic that it is often taboo to talk about but something I learned from this book is that we are surrounded by sociopaths everyday without even realizing and that they are human too they are just wired differently than people who are not sociopaths. I learned a lot from this memoir and I look forward to reading more memoirs pertaining to mental health in the future.
I always listen to memoirs and this one was read by the author - Patric Gagne. Patric Gagne is a diagnosed sociopath who is also a psychologist, mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. This was so incredibly interesting to learn more about sociopaths. There is such a stigma surrounding this topic that it is often taboo to talk about but something I learned from this book is that we are surrounded by sociopaths everyday without even realizing and that they are human too they are just wired differently than people who are not sociopaths. I learned a lot from this memoir and I look forward to reading more memoirs pertaining to mental health in the future.
The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was very meh to me. I usually love a domestic suburbia thriller read. None of these characters were likable and I found them all to be a bit annoying. Some of the things in the book just didn't make sense to me or seemed far fetched. If you are newer to the genre of thrillers I think you'll enjoy this one but if you are a seasoned thriller reader you may find it to be underwhelming. I do love this author and I plan to read the rest of her books but so far nothing has wowed me quite like The Drowning Woman has!
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
WOW EXCELLENT. This will definitely be a top contender for my favorite book of 2025. It was beautifully written and incredibly captivating. I loved the characters, the setting, the plot - everything was just phenomenal. This book was almost 500 pages but it did not feel like it while reading. The writing style was more wordy than I am used to but I feel like that is what pulled me in even more.
A cop in Philly is searching for her missing estranged sister who is an addict. Told during past and present timelines see what made and broke the sisters bond. I loved the way addiction was depicted in this book. It was real and raw and done so well.
I went in pretty blind to this book and I recommend that you do as well - it made my reading experience even better.
Coming to Peacock this month as a mini series and I cannot wait!!
A cop in Philly is searching for her missing estranged sister who is an addict. Told during past and present timelines see what made and broke the sisters bond. I loved the way addiction was depicted in this book. It was real and raw and done so well.
I went in pretty blind to this book and I recommend that you do as well - it made my reading experience even better.
Coming to Peacock this month as a mini series and I cannot wait!!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This was my February book club pick and overall everyone enjoyed it.
I listened to this on audio which I loved because it felt like I was reading a memoir which if you aren’t new here then you know it’s no secret I absolutely love memoirs.
There is a lot of hype around this book and I was worried about going into it and seeing where I would fall. Overall I really enjoyed this - had I not listened on audio I don’t think I would have enjoyed it AS much. It was a solid 4 star read and I would recommend it. The lessons along the way and the overall conclusion was very well done.
A Hollywood starlet seeks out a young woman who works for a magazine to write her life story. During the book Evelyn Hugo (the Hollywood starlet) reflects back on her life and her seven marriages she had during her lifetime. She covers everything from fame to life to love to loss and you might be surprised at some of the things someone so prominent in the spotlight actually has never showed the public eye.
I listened to this on audio which I loved because it felt like I was reading a memoir which if you aren’t new here then you know it’s no secret I absolutely love memoirs.
There is a lot of hype around this book and I was worried about going into it and seeing where I would fall. Overall I really enjoyed this - had I not listened on audio I don’t think I would have enjoyed it AS much. It was a solid 4 star read and I would recommend it. The lessons along the way and the overall conclusion was very well done.
A Hollywood starlet seeks out a young woman who works for a magazine to write her life story. During the book Evelyn Hugo (the Hollywood starlet) reflects back on her life and her seven marriages she had during her lifetime. She covers everything from fame to life to love to loss and you might be surprised at some of the things someone so prominent in the spotlight actually has never showed the public eye.
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I never reread books but I really wanted a refresher for when the sequel comes out in a couple of months.
I read this book for the first time four years ago and absolutely loved it and I can say four years later I loved it again just as much. I did not see this twist coming the first time around and the second time I was trying to look for clues to see if any hints would be dropped.
I’m so happy I bought the collectors edition because it had bonus chapters at the end and just was perfection all over again.
If you haven’t read this one what are you waiting for it’s seriously SO GOOD.
I read this book for the first time four years ago and absolutely loved it and I can say four years later I loved it again just as much. I did not see this twist coming the first time around and the second time I was trying to look for clues to see if any hints would be dropped.
I’m so happy I bought the collectors edition because it had bonus chapters at the end and just was perfection all over again.
If you haven’t read this one what are you waiting for it’s seriously SO GOOD.
Watch Your Back by Terri Parlato
fast-paced
4.0
This is the third book in this thriller series and I think it has been my favorite. This was such a solid thriller with many shady characters. I only figured out about a quarter of the twist which is unlike me but I love to be stumped. I recommend going into this one pretty blind like I did - can be read as a standalone the only series topics that remain throughout the other books is the lead detective. Available on kindle unlimited too!
D7 by Philip Fracassi
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
I’m newer to the horror genre and last year I slowly dipped my toe in the genre. This was an entertaining short story. I’ll definitely be looking into this author’s other works.
A couple lost on a dark road makes their way to an abandoned bar that is anything but cheers and good times. Everyone in the bar seems to be stuck there and controlled by a higher evil within the bar. Why are these patrons trapped in the bar and will they ever be free?
Many thanks to Shortwave Publishing for the gifted copy. All opinion are my own.
A couple lost on a dark road makes their way to an abandoned bar that is anything but cheers and good times. Everyone in the bar seems to be stuck there and controlled by a higher evil within the bar. Why are these patrons trapped in the bar and will they ever be free?
Many thanks to Shortwave Publishing for the gifted copy. All opinion are my own.
My Sister's Daughter by Liv Constantine
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
As an avid thriller reader I enjoy all kinds of twisty tropes and themes but one I don’t always gravitate to is the “creepy kid” trope. It honestly kind of freaks me out haha! But this was a solid audiobook. Unreliable characters , shady family drama , “accidental” deaths you know the usual in a thriller. Very fast paced and a good palette cleanser if you’re looking for something easy to help toward your reading goal for the year!
After the sudden death of her sister a woman named Ashley takes in her thirteen year old niece who is now an orphan. As soon as Ashley’s niece comes aboard her house strange things start happening to Ashley’s children and everyone else around them. A sweet thirteen year old can’t be as sinister as she seems? Maybe it’s just a coincidence and she’s dealing with grief in her own way?
After the sudden death of her sister a woman named Ashley takes in her thirteen year old niece who is now an orphan. As soon as Ashley’s niece comes aboard her house strange things start happening to Ashley’s children and everyone else around them. A sweet thirteen year old can’t be as sinister as she seems? Maybe it’s just a coincidence and she’s dealing with grief in her own way?