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celeste_velocci's reviews
475 reviews
Things I Learned from Falling by Claire Nelson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
What an incredible and powerful memoir. I love listening to memoirs and hearing the author tell their story and experiences. This memoir was about the life of Claire Nelson a woman who fell while hiking and was trapped in the outdoors for multiple days until she was thankfully rescued. This book teaches you that sometimes bad things happen to us so we can be taught a specific lesson about life or that we need to learn something about ourselves that would not come to fruition without certain roadblocks.
A lot of the quotes and words of Claire's journey resonated with me and I think anyone no matter if you have gotten a curveball thrown at you in life or not will benefit from this book.
A lot of the quotes and words of Claire's journey resonated with me and I think anyone no matter if you have gotten a curveball thrown at you in life or not will benefit from this book.
The Haters by Robyn Harding
This was a fun popcorn thriller that got me out of a reading slump. I had so many working theories but I think I was too much in investigative mode because my theories were way over than what was actually going on.
I don’t want to say I was disappointed in the ending but I felt like it ended quickly and the ending wasn’t as complicated as I thought it would be. I debated between a 3.5 and a 4 on this for a bit the way that it sucked me in and had me guessing and not trusting anyone was a screaming 4 but I really wanted more out of the ending and for it to almost be more complicated than it was !?
This is my second book by this author and I definitely want to read her backlist.
The book gave me Freida vibes - I love Freida books most of the time. After reading The Drowning Woman I think I expected this to be more of a thriller thriller and not a popcorn thriller. Overall it was solid but I think my own expectations is what is effecting my perspective of the story.
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a fun popcorn thriller that got me out of a reading slump. I had so many working theories but I think I was too much in investigative mode because my theories were way over than what was actually going on.
I don’t want to say I was disappointed in the ending but I felt like it ended quickly and the ending wasn’t as complicated as I thought it would be. I debated between a 3.5 and a 4 on this for a bit the way that it sucked me in and had me guessing and not trusting anyone was a screaming 4 but I really wanted more out of the ending and for it to almost be more complicated than it was !?
This is my second book by this author and I definitely want to read her backlist.
The book gave me Freida vibes - I love Freida books most of the time. After reading The Drowning Woman I think I expected this to be more of a thriller thriller and not a popcorn thriller. Overall it was solid but I think my own expectations is what is effecting my perspective of the story.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was meh! I can see why the reviews are all over the place. I really loved the first half but around the halfway mark it kind of lost me. There were too many things to keep up with and I usually am really good at figuring things out and with this I was half right so I do enjoy being stumped but I was overall just kind of like huh??? at the end …I read online after finishing and hearing from other readers it makes a bit more sense now. Proceed with caution with this one it’s not a must read but if you read it there’s a chance you’ll either really love it or kind of land where I did on “meh”.
The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This was just what I needed in this season of my life. I throughly enjoyed and learned a lot from listening to this audiobook. It inspired me to take inventory of my life not just material things but really by diving deep and figuring out what matters and what does not.
There were many helpful lifestyle changing tips in this book and it was inspiring to hear from the author. I definitely recommend this for anyone who is seeking change in their life and I think it’s the perfect book to read towards the end of the year in preparation for a new one ahead!
There were many helpful lifestyle changing tips in this book and it was inspiring to hear from the author. I definitely recommend this for anyone who is seeking change in their life and I think it’s the perfect book to read towards the end of the year in preparation for a new one ahead!
Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was fine! I enjoy a holiday / winter thriller so this was a good one to kick off the season with. I didn’t connect to the characters as much as I wanted to so I feel like that kind of stunted my reading experience but overall it wasn’t bad by any means. This one was pretty middle of the road for me.
Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews
lighthearted
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
Too short to rate but super cute for the beginning of the holiday season. I enjoyed listening to this one while trying to relax on this Sunday. It was lighthearted , cute , and just what I needed.
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
Molly the maid just makes my heart so happy. I love these cozy mysteries so much and the main character. The first book was a five star read for me and this was not but I still enjoyed it nonetheless!
As someone who is incredibly close to her grandmother I find such similarities in the main character Molly and I. When she describes her relationship with her grandmother I totally can relate and understand that bond so profoundly. I can’t wait to continue this series!
I enjoyed the flashback moments so we can see more of life with her grandmother and she came to be the woman she is today.
As someone who is incredibly close to her grandmother I find such similarities in the main character Molly and I. When she describes her relationship with her grandmother I totally can relate and understand that bond so profoundly. I can’t wait to continue this series!
I enjoyed the flashback moments so we can see more of life with her grandmother and she came to be the woman she is today.
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
This was a solid story. It was pretty predictable but packed an emotional punch. This is a good mix of romantic suspense.
When a young widow begins dating again she doesn’t realize that not everyone in this world is who they say they are. With her late husband in her heart and his final gift to her - a Great Dane used to be her guardian to protect her throughout her life - she tackles life’s ups and downs through grief and hopefully finding love again after all. A love between a dog and its human is like no other bond in this life.
When a young widow begins dating again she doesn’t realize that not everyone in this world is who they say they are. With her late husband in her heart and his final gift to her - a Great Dane used to be her guardian to protect her throughout her life - she tackles life’s ups and downs through grief and hopefully finding love again after all. A love between a dog and its human is like no other bond in this life.
What the Nanny Saw by Kaira Rouda
mysterious
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
Thank you so much Booktouture for the early release copy of What the Nanny Saw by Kiara Rouda. This was my first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last! I enjoyed this popcorn thriller and read it in about a day.
The plot was intriguing as were the characters and kept me guessing for a while. I did figure out the final twist but even though I figured it out I still enjoyed the build up to the big reveal.
Unreliable narrators , unhinged female characters , revenge , and deception are some of my favorite themes and trope in a thriller and this one had them all!
This book releases November 13th definitely add it to your tbr!
The plot was intriguing as were the characters and kept me guessing for a while. I did figure out the final twist but even though I figured it out I still enjoyed the build up to the big reveal.
Unreliable narrators , unhinged female characters , revenge , and deception are some of my favorite themes and trope in a thriller and this one had them all!
This book releases November 13th definitely add it to your tbr!
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
What an incredible read. My book club chose this book for our October book and I’m so glad. This story was so real and raw and depicted life , grief , trauma , love , sisterhood , and just so so much more so beautifully.
The characters were so well written. The plot was fantastic. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. Hug your siblings.
When a book evokes emotion and truly makes you feel what the characters are feeling that is a book I’ll always recommend. I loved it.
The characters were so well written. The plot was fantastic. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. Hug your siblings.
When a book evokes emotion and truly makes you feel what the characters are feeling that is a book I’ll always recommend. I loved it.