Scan barcode
celeste_velocci's reviews
474 reviews
Notorious by Allison Brennan
mysterious
medium-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
2.5
this was okay….it took me so long to finish because I just wasn’t connecting with the characters. I think it was more of a me problem than a book problem though. This was a twisty crime fiction following an investigative reporter who returns to her hometown for a friend’s funeral just to be warped back in time to solve the case of another friend from high school who was murdered years ago.
This had everything I usually would love in a thriller/ crime book but I just found myself not enjoying the characters and connecting with them as much as I would have liked to. This was the first book in the series and I do plan on reading the second book to give it another chance.
This had everything I usually would love in a thriller/ crime book but I just found myself not enjoying the characters and connecting with them as much as I would have liked to. This was the first book in the series and I do plan on reading the second book to give it another chance.
Cross My Heart by Megan Collins
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you NetGalley, Megan Collins, and Atria books for the advanced copy of Cross My Heart. I really loved this one! It was so good and locked me in from the very beginning. When I got to the end of part one I audibly said “WHAT” to myself. I love when a thriller has me questioning anything and everything including myself.
Rosie gets a heart transplant after encountering a heart defect. Thankfully the transplant was a success for her but her donor unfortunately obviously passed. Rosie decides to connect with her donor’s husband and they begin to start a relationship together online. This online relationship is not a full blown relationship because it is all anonymous through an online forum. Rosie figures out who her donor’s husband is through their conversations and things go haywire from there. Find out how this new man in Rosie’s life became a heart donor’s husband. Was his wife murdered or was her death a tragic accident as the husband says?
This book publishes January 14th 2025 - so soon!
Rosie gets a heart transplant after encountering a heart defect. Thankfully the transplant was a success for her but her donor unfortunately obviously passed. Rosie decides to connect with her donor’s husband and they begin to start a relationship together online. This online relationship is not a full blown relationship because it is all anonymous through an online forum. Rosie figures out who her donor’s husband is through their conversations and things go haywire from there. Find out how this new man in Rosie’s life became a heart donor’s husband. Was his wife murdered or was her death a tragic accident as the husband says?
This book publishes January 14th 2025 - so soon!
Bitter House by Kiersten Modglin
dark
mysterious
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
My first read of 2025! I do love Kiersten Modglin books many of them have been my favorites. This one fell in the middle I found it to be a bit underwhelming. I enjoyed the twists and the revelation at the end. The lesson was important but also a little bit far fetched??
This one is a maybe for sure.
This one is a maybe for sure.
So I Lied by Chelsea Ichaso
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? It's complicated
2.0
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the early release of So I Lied. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately I did not connect very well with the characters or plot. That being said I feel like it was more of a me issue than a book issue. I am planning on reading more of this authors work because I do feel like I would enjoy her other books and that this one was just not for me.
Told from multiple points of view of three old friends who reunite for one of their bachelorette parties. Uncover old secrets and lies that some thought would be taken to the grave.
This book was mysterious and had multiple unreliable narrators which I love in a thriller.
Unfortunately I did not connect very well with the characters or plot. That being said I feel like it was more of a me issue than a book issue. I am planning on reading more of this authors work because I do feel like I would enjoy her other books and that this one was just not for me.
Told from multiple points of view of three old friends who reunite for one of their bachelorette parties. Uncover old secrets and lies that some thought would be taken to the grave.
This book was mysterious and had multiple unreliable narrators which I love in a thriller.
Wife, Mother, Liar by Sue Watson
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
What a twisty read this was! The plot was so cleverly written it had me on my toes the entire time.
When a mother is grieving the loss of her child she will go to whatever lengths she needs to, to find out what really happened in her child’s final moments of life.
Told from two different perspectives and points of view find out what happened when two young teens go to their prom together but only one makes it home.
I went in pretty blindly to this book and I recommend that you do too. I love this authors writing she always knows how to *mic drop* a twist here and there throughout all of her books!
This book publishes next week! Be sure to check it out and add it to your tbr!
Many thanks to NetGalley , Sue Watson, and Bookouture for the early release of this suspenseful page turner! All opinions are my own.
When a mother is grieving the loss of her child she will go to whatever lengths she needs to, to find out what really happened in her child’s final moments of life.
Told from two different perspectives and points of view find out what happened when two young teens go to their prom together but only one makes it home.
I went in pretty blindly to this book and I recommend that you do too. I love this authors writing she always knows how to *mic drop* a twist here and there throughout all of her books!
This book publishes next week! Be sure to check it out and add it to your tbr!
Many thanks to NetGalley , Sue Watson, and Bookouture for the early release of this suspenseful page turner! All opinions are my own.
Hello, Juliet by Samantha M Bailey
dark
mysterious
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
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the early release of Hello, Juliet.
This was a twisty popcorn thriller that I enjoyed. The story follows four former television stars from ten years ago. Alternating between past and present find out what happens between the characters on the show and the actors who play them in real life.
A reunion episode is planned for a show that aired ten years ago bringing former stars back on set a decade later. This was very fast paced and I had difficulty putting it down. I did figure out the twist but it kept me guessing if I was correct until the very end.
This book releases in April 2025 I definitely recommend it for your 2025 tbr!
This was a twisty popcorn thriller that I enjoyed. The story follows four former television stars from ten years ago. Alternating between past and present find out what happens between the characters on the show and the actors who play them in real life.
A reunion episode is planned for a show that aired ten years ago bringing former stars back on set a decade later. This was very fast paced and I had difficulty putting it down. I did figure out the twist but it kept me guessing if I was correct until the very end.
This book releases in April 2025 I definitely recommend it for your 2025 tbr!
Fall With Me by Becka Mack
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is one of two sport romance series I just love! This is the fourth book in the series I’ve read the others and have enjoyed pretty much all of them. I loved these characters and their trials and triumphs throughout the book. I thought this book was real, raw , and relatable. I love a romance story that makes sense and isn’t far fetched. This was a perfect mix of humor, love, realness, and struggles to be a wonderful love story.
The Break-In by Dan Clark
fast-paced
2.0
This was a fast paced twisty short story. It was a domestic thriller set around the holidays so it was good for this time of year. Pretty self explanatory and obvious what was going on from the beginning…available on KU.
The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
SO close to a 5 star read for me! This was twisty and whacky two of my favorite things in a thriller.
Follow along a true crime podcast and a young woman desperate for answers of what happened to her sister who went missing almost thirty years ago. Told in alternating timelines from the past to the present prepare to put your detective hat on to solve a cold case where everyone will seem like they’re guilty.
I guessed part of the twist and I feel like that’s why I’m not giving it a full 5 stars and that the ending just seemed a little rushed but other than that bravo - great thriller!! One of my favorites of the year for sure.
Follow along a true crime podcast and a young woman desperate for answers of what happened to her sister who went missing almost thirty years ago. Told in alternating timelines from the past to the present prepare to put your detective hat on to solve a cold case where everyone will seem like they’re guilty.
I guessed part of the twist and I feel like that’s why I’m not giving it a full 5 stars and that the ending just seemed a little rushed but other than that bravo - great thriller!! One of my favorites of the year for sure.
Play Along by Liz Tomforde
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My heart!!! *swoon* I think I just found my new book boyfriend. So far every book has been a five star read for me in this series and the latest Play Along is no different. I love these characters so much. Isiah and Kennedy might be my favorite so far but seriously it’s so hard to pick!
This book was deep and emotional , funny at times , and overall just great! I found myself smiling so much while reading. It is such a hopeful story of love and what it means to be truly yourself and that self being more than enough for the people who are meant for you.
I laughed I cried I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile!!
This says a lot coming from the not usual romance girly!
One of my favorite romance books ever for sure. I can’t wait to continue this series I’m sad it’s ending with the fifth book but here’s to hoping Liz Tomforde starts another series!!
This book was deep and emotional , funny at times , and overall just great! I found myself smiling so much while reading. It is such a hopeful story of love and what it means to be truly yourself and that self being more than enough for the people who are meant for you.
I laughed I cried I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile!!
This says a lot coming from the not usual romance girly!
One of my favorite romance books ever for sure. I can’t wait to continue this series I’m sad it’s ending with the fifth book but here’s to hoping Liz Tomforde starts another series!!