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celeste_velocci's reviews
475 reviews
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5⭐️ I forgot how much I enjoyed history growing up until I read this book. This was my first Kristin Hannah book and I know it’s going to be the first of many. What an amazing book to be chosen for my book club. I was sucked in immediately from the very first chapter and found it difficult to put down.
This book has made me grateful for all I have I would’ve never been able to life in these times that these innocent people did. The things that those have endured during The Dust Bowl and 1920’s-1940’s is beyond inhumane. I cannot even fathom the struggles they went through but one thing is for sure that the main character in this book Elsa is indeed a warrior.
This book taught so many lessons. From being brave , resilient , appreciation for the small things in life we take for granted everyday, and that the love from a mother is unlike anything else you will experience in your life.
I went into this book pretty blindly and would recommend you do the same. It made me emotional, moved me, and was written so well I actually felt as if I was in that time period. Amazing plot, characters, message, and lessons.
This book has made me grateful for all I have I would’ve never been able to life in these times that these innocent people did. The things that those have endured during The Dust Bowl and 1920’s-1940’s is beyond inhumane. I cannot even fathom the struggles they went through but one thing is for sure that the main character in this book Elsa is indeed a warrior.
This book taught so many lessons. From being brave , resilient , appreciation for the small things in life we take for granted everyday, and that the love from a mother is unlike anything else you will experience in your life.
I went into this book pretty blindly and would recommend you do the same. It made me emotional, moved me, and was written so well I actually felt as if I was in that time period. Amazing plot, characters, message, and lessons.
My Neighbour's Affair by Daniel Hurst
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this one! It was the perfect palette cleanser thriller that I needed. This author has been hit or miss for me but this was definitely a hit! Scandalous drama, affairs, neighbor drama, deceit, murder all the things that makes a thriller a thriller! It gave me Desperate Housewives vibes and I mean that in the best way! I’m usually the twist detector but I only figured out one of the twists in this one so it was nice to be surprised by the end. I recommend this one for a popcorn thriller!
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
This was fine! I’m an occasional romance reader so I don’t overly love all of the romance , insta love, and miscommunication that comes along with a lot of romance reads. This was definitely cute for the season and the spice was just enough. I hate the miscommunication trope so much and was just yelling at this audiobook for the characters to just say how they feel instead of guessing how the other felt. Overall it was cute and cozy and I want to visit the Pumpkin Spice Cafe! I will keep the rest of the books of this series on my tbr if I will actually read them is a question mark if I’m being completely honest!
Slow Burner by Laura Lippman
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
This was a super quick and easy short story read! I did figure the twist out pretty early on but it was still a mysterious story about deception and deceit. It’s on kindle unlimited if you are looking for something quick to count towards your reading goal!
That's Not My Name by Megan Lally
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
There was a lot of hype around this book so I was looking forward to finally reading it. This was Megan Lally’s debut thriller and I will definitely be reading her books to come. It was well written and was a fast thriller.
Imagine you wake up in a ditch in the woods , injured without any memory of who you are and where you came from. Police find you and reunite you with your dad. You are safe again.
Told in a parallel timeline in a city near by a young man is searching for his missing girlfriend who vanished into thin air. The lead suspect in the case is the boyfriend who will stop at nothing to prove his innocence.
What do these two girls have in common? Find out in this heart pounder of a story that will make you feel all the emotions.
Imagine you wake up in a ditch in the woods , injured without any memory of who you are and where you came from. Police find you and reunite you with your dad. You are safe again.
Told in a parallel timeline in a city near by a young man is searching for his missing girlfriend who vanished into thin air. The lead suspect in the case is the boyfriend who will stop at nothing to prove his innocence.
What do these two girls have in common? Find out in this heart pounder of a story that will make you feel all the emotions.
Fire Away by Lainey Lawson
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
2.0
I received this from Sunny Babes PR as an arc. Unfortunately this one was not for me. I did not connect to the characters or their story. I think other readers will find that they like this book but it just did not click for me.
The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Excellent book! This is everything you could want in a thriller and more. Unreliable narrators, shady characters, murder, deceit, I can go on and on. I read this in less than a day I couldn’t put it down. From the very start I was thrown into this twisted story. I’m not surprised I loved this one - Loreth Anne White is becoming one of my favorite thriller authors this is not my first 5 star read by her and I know it won’t be my last. This is definitely in my top thrillers of the year!
Imagine you are out walking your dog near the water and you see someone on a jet-ski hit a swimmer who also happens to be your neighbor not once but twice almost as if they intended to hit a target. You are now a witness of murder. Seeing people you know in a new and sinister light can be jarring. Find out who killed the swimmer and why when you read this heart pounding thriller. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited as well!
Imagine you are out walking your dog near the water and you see someone on a jet-ski hit a swimmer who also happens to be your neighbor not once but twice almost as if they intended to hit a target. You are now a witness of murder. Seeing people you know in a new and sinister light can be jarring. Find out who killed the swimmer and why when you read this heart pounding thriller. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited as well!
Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
This was a twisty ride! I enjoyed it as I usually do Jeneva Rose’s books! This one seemed to be her biggest popcorn thriller. Though my theory was correct early on I still enjoyed the “who done it” concept and it had me questioning myself if my theory was right or wrong.
Great plot and characters! I loved the 90’s feel this book had definitely brought me back to my own childhood. The way that addiction was depicted as well I feel was very real and relatable. Overall great book , perfect for spooky season. I think this one is definitely worth the read especially if you are newer to the genre of thrillers. Also if you haven’t checked out Jeneva Rose on your socials she is hilarious and I cannot wait to read all of the rest of her books she will write in the future!
Great plot and characters! I loved the 90’s feel this book had definitely brought me back to my own childhood. The way that addiction was depicted as well I feel was very real and relatable. Overall great book , perfect for spooky season. I think this one is definitely worth the read especially if you are newer to the genre of thrillers. Also if you haven’t checked out Jeneva Rose on your socials she is hilarious and I cannot wait to read all of the rest of her books she will write in the future!
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
2.0
Honestly so confused after finishing this…it was good and promising until the very end. It left me completely confused and unsure of what even happened. I feel like the book got published too early or something and they just ended it abruptly?? The mystery and plot was interesting I’ll give it that but I really don’t understand the ending if anyone would like to explain it to me…thank you NetGalley for the early release all opinions are my own.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to Liane Moriarty, NetGalley, and Macmillan Publishing for the early release of Here One Moment. Moriarty is becoming one of my favorite authors. All of her books have a way of pulling you in from the first page and keeps you on your toes engrossed in the story throughout.
Imagine this - you are on a plane and a random woman comes up to you and tells you the age you are going to die and your cause of death. The shock, fear , maybe even some skepticism you feel is all valid. You could either take what this woman has said with a grain of salt or take measures into your own hands and try to fight fate. While each passenger’s lives continue after getting off that fateful plane they all begin to realize that maybe this woman knew what she was talking about when premonitions begin to come true.
Can we fight fate? Whether you die tomorrow or die in 50 years from now is our fate already sealed? Are there people who walk among us that can tell the future? A lesson about life, love , and loss wrapped into one in this incredible read.
This book releases this Tuesday September 10th. It is the perfect read to add to your fall tbr!
Imagine this - you are on a plane and a random woman comes up to you and tells you the age you are going to die and your cause of death. The shock, fear , maybe even some skepticism you feel is all valid. You could either take what this woman has said with a grain of salt or take measures into your own hands and try to fight fate. While each passenger’s lives continue after getting off that fateful plane they all begin to realize that maybe this woman knew what she was talking about when premonitions begin to come true.
Can we fight fate? Whether you die tomorrow or die in 50 years from now is our fate already sealed? Are there people who walk among us that can tell the future? A lesson about life, love , and loss wrapped into one in this incredible read.
This book releases this Tuesday September 10th. It is the perfect read to add to your fall tbr!