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celeste_velocci's reviews
475 reviews
Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
SO GOOD. This book was so twisty and a heart pounding thriller until the very end. I couldn’t not give it 5 stars because it was just so well thought out and executed. There was a bunch of twists and turns, unreliable characters, several different plot lines all wrapped up into one by the end. My only complaint is it was hard to keep track of who was who because there was many characters but this was a perfect mix of psychological thriller and crime fiction. One of my favorites by Donlea for sure! This is on kindle unlimited and I highly recommend it.
She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this one! It had me guessing and my head spinning for a while with all the different things going on but in the end I thought it was a solid 4 star thriller. I saw some of the twists coming as they were happening and others I didn’t think anything of it.
This author is hit or miss with me but this one was a hit it was a twisty winding thriller and I would recommend reading it if it’s on your TBR!
This author is hit or miss with me but this one was a hit it was a twisty winding thriller and I would recommend reading it if it’s on your TBR!
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
I think this just became my new favorite Riley Sager book!!! I was pleasantly surprised as his books are hit or miss for me and the last 2 were hits so I was skeptical of this one and because of the mixed reviews I saw. I am SHOCKED that people didn’t love this one and are rating it below a 4!!
This kept me guessing and holding my breath until the very end. What ended up happening was potentially one of my theories but I really had no idea until it fully came to light. I usually hate anything to do with paranormal things in books but this was done so right and it was just the perfect amount that keeps your brain thinking and the suspense was 1000% there at all times!
I finished this in about a day and will be thinking about it for awhile!! LOVED IT.
This kept me guessing and holding my breath until the very end. What ended up happening was potentially one of my theories but I really had no idea until it fully came to light. I usually hate anything to do with paranormal things in books but this was done so right and it was just the perfect amount that keeps your brain thinking and the suspense was 1000% there at all times!
I finished this in about a day and will be thinking about it for awhile!! LOVED IT.
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
So close to a 5 star read but I did guess the twist and that is the only reason it is not a 5 star read for me! This was so good and on my TBR forever I’m so happy that I finally read it. I love an unreliable narrator and diabolical characters so this was totally my jam.
I enjoy psychological thrillers and this was exactly that it was a total mindfu*k at times! I can’t wait to read the prequel and sequel.
This was very twisty and gripping I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great characters that had me questioning so much. At times I audibly said “omg” At some of the things that were taking place.
This is a definite YES recommendation from me! I really enjoy Liv Constantine books!
I enjoy psychological thrillers and this was exactly that it was a total mindfu*k at times! I can’t wait to read the prequel and sequel.
This was very twisty and gripping I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great characters that had me questioning so much. At times I audibly said “omg” At some of the things that were taking place.
This is a definite YES recommendation from me! I really enjoy Liv Constantine books!
Kept in the Dark by Lindsey Acosta
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Thank you so much to Lindsey Acosta for choosing me to be apart of her ARC team for this amazing book. I cannot believe this was a debut by this author. I read a lot of thrillers and it takes a lot to have me not figure things out and this one I did not see coming. I was hung up on it being someone else than who the murderer actually was. It felt like I was reading a Karin Slaughter novel. I realized at the end of this book that it was a prequel for a new series coming out. I cannot wait for to read more about this insane plot and lovable characters!
Family secrets, murder, jealousy, deceit are just some things included in this heart pounding thriller. This was easily one of my favorite books of the year and I won’t be shutting up about it for a long time.
The characters were so well written as well as the plot. It kept me at the edge of my seat trying to play detective and piece everything together. This is a 5 star thriller done right.
Family secrets, murder, jealousy, deceit are just some things included in this heart pounding thriller. This was easily one of my favorite books of the year and I won’t be shutting up about it for a long time.
The characters were so well written as well as the plot. It kept me at the edge of my seat trying to play detective and piece everything together. This is a 5 star thriller done right.
The Favorite Girl by Monica Arya
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What the heck did I just read!!! Struggling to rate this one because I literally don’t know….i love a dark twisted book but this was so wild to me I don’t know how to feel about it! Like these things actually happen to people?? That’s the scary thing! Major Taken vibes with a dash of Romeo & Juliet. I’ll probably read the sequel because I’m intrigued about what will happen next but this was WHACKY.
Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
Thank you so much to NetGalley and MIRA Books for the early release of Only One Survives. I enjoyed this book giving it a solid 3.5 stars. Once I was hooked I wanted to find out what really happened and how it was all going to come together in the end.
As a reader who loves and reads many thrillers it is difficult to shock me while reading this genre. I was not overly stunned when the twist happened I thought it could be possible but wasn’t one hundred percent sure. Some little things also threw me for a loop that I did not see coming.
If you like music bands, creepy cabins, wintry woods, and unreliable characters then this book is for you!
This book follows two young women who become friends after an altercation in high school going from enemies to fast friends. They both have a love for music and decide to make a musical duo that eventually becomes a five person band. One of the girls comes from money while the other comes from a broken home filled with no luxuries. They each get a taste of the fame and want it more than anything. What is the limit of fame and what are you willing to do to have your name in lights and on headlines even if it’s negative infamous attention?
Find out soon when you pick up this book that comes out this Tuesday 7/16! It’s a great mystery that will have you second guessing everything!
As a reader who loves and reads many thrillers it is difficult to shock me while reading this genre. I was not overly stunned when the twist happened I thought it could be possible but wasn’t one hundred percent sure. Some little things also threw me for a loop that I did not see coming.
If you like music bands, creepy cabins, wintry woods, and unreliable characters then this book is for you!
This book follows two young women who become friends after an altercation in high school going from enemies to fast friends. They both have a love for music and decide to make a musical duo that eventually becomes a five person band. One of the girls comes from money while the other comes from a broken home filled with no luxuries. They each get a taste of the fame and want it more than anything. What is the limit of fame and what are you willing to do to have your name in lights and on headlines even if it’s negative infamous attention?
Find out soon when you pick up this book that comes out this Tuesday 7/16! It’s a great mystery that will have you second guessing everything!
The Getaway by Sarah Pekkanen, Greer Hendricks
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stories like this one makes me not want to leave the house ..literally. It’s crazy how one moment can alter the entire course of your life and it’s crazy how crazy some people can actually be.
This was a quick audible listen that I did enjoy. It was a fast paced story that all came together in the end. If you are looking for something short but still a thrill this is the one for you!
This was a quick audible listen that I did enjoy. It was a fast paced story that all came together in the end. If you are looking for something short but still a thrill this is the one for you!
Look In the Mirror by Catherine Steadman
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
1.0
Thank you NetGalley for the early release of Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman. I was looking forward to this one but unfortunately it ended up not being for me. I was confused throughout the entire book and felt zero connection to any of the characters. I honestly don’t even really know what I just read….
I love a thriller especially psychological ones but this seemed a bit too action packed for me. Don’t get me wrong I love action in books but this seemed more of a survival book rather than a thriller book. It really didn’t make any sense to me and I’m not completely sure what even happened,,,,this is my first Catherine Steadman book and I want to give her books another chance because I have heard great things but this one just was not for me at all.
I love a thriller especially psychological ones but this seemed a bit too action packed for me. Don’t get me wrong I love action in books but this seemed more of a survival book rather than a thriller book. It really didn’t make any sense to me and I’m not completely sure what even happened,,,,this is my first Catherine Steadman book and I want to give her books another chance because I have heard great things but this one just was not for me at all.
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was torn on what to rate this one! It was looking like a 3.5 but the ending literally the last sentence bumped it up to a 4. This was my least favorite of the 3 books but I still enjoyed it! I read it in less than 24 hours and love these characters so much.
Some things didn’t add up for me and there were a few things that I feel like didn’t need to be included but overall I’m glad I finished off this trilogy and I’m glad it ended the way that it did. I liked the time jump it helped tie everything up together nicely in the end.
The first two books were 5⭐️ reads for me so ending it with a 4⭐️ feels a little weird but hey I’m always honest!
Some things didn’t add up for me and there were a few things that I feel like didn’t need to be included but overall I’m glad I finished off this trilogy and I’m glad it ended the way that it did. I liked the time jump it helped tie everything up together nicely in the end.
The first two books were 5⭐️ reads for me so ending it with a 4⭐️ feels a little weird but hey I’m always honest!