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daijahsbookworld's reviews
803 reviews
Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh
dark
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
4.0
read for reading subscribers best books of 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCqw_428rIk
this is one of the best thrillers i've read in a long time. it kept me engaged and wanting to read because it was so gripping. if you want a book that's going to keep you guessing, i highly recommend but the reason i'm not giving this a full 5 stars is because the mental health representation was honestly garbage. i loved everything else about this book but the representation was horrible.
this is one of the best thrillers i've read in a long time. it kept me engaged and wanting to read because it was so gripping. if you want a book that's going to keep you guessing, i highly recommend but the reason i'm not giving this a full 5 stars is because the mental health representation was honestly garbage. i loved everything else about this book but the representation was horrible.
The Haar by David Sodergren
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
read for reading subscribers best books of 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCqw_428rIk
this was such a good horror book! i loved the exploration of loneliness in this story and the gore was so disgusting in the best way possible.
this was such a good horror book! i loved the exploration of loneliness in this story and the gore was so disgusting in the best way possible.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
read for reading subscribers best books of 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCqw_428rIk
i didn't know what to expect going into my first kristen hannah book. of course i knew that it was going to be an important story but i'm not a historical fiction girl so i was just a bit unsure. i ended up absoutely loving this story. it is so beautiful and heartbreaking and tells a story of women who were forgotten. despite this being a war-time vietnam historical fiction, i felt like there were so many aspects of frankie's story i personally resonated with and for the first time in a year and a half, a book managed to make me cry. i highly highly recommend this book even if you think it would be for you.
i didn't know what to expect going into my first kristen hannah book. of course i knew that it was going to be an important story but i'm not a historical fiction girl so i was just a bit unsure. i ended up absoutely loving this story. it is so beautiful and heartbreaking and tells a story of women who were forgotten. despite this being a war-time vietnam historical fiction, i felt like there were so many aspects of frankie's story i personally resonated with and for the first time in a year and a half, a book managed to make me cry. i highly highly recommend this book even if you think it would be for you.
Body and Soul Food by Abby Collette
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.0
part of 25 books in 2025
i absolutely loved the mystery and the cozy, charming setting of this book. the combination of a bookstore and soul food cafe is such a brilliant concept and it created a warm and inviting atmosphere that drew me in right away. the only thing that really detracted for me was the main character. she was sooooo judgemental of other women and giving not like other girls. also thanks to the author for spoiling murder on the orient express very early.
i absolutely loved the mystery and the cozy, charming setting of this book. the combination of a bookstore and soul food cafe is such a brilliant concept and it created a warm and inviting atmosphere that drew me in right away. the only thing that really detracted for me was the main character. she was sooooo judgemental of other women and giving not like other girls. also thanks to the author for spoiling murder on the orient express very early.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
the final chapter december 2024 bookclub pick: https://www.patreon.com/daijahsbookworld
this is a highly enjoyable, quick-paced mystery with a charismatic, snarky narrator that makes it a breeze to read. the short chapters and accessible writing style keep things moving, and lucy’s humor adds a lightness to the darker elements of the story. it’s definitely easy to get into, and i understand why it’s so popular.
however, while i enjoyed it, the mystery itself didn’t feel particularly fresh or groundbreaking. the stakes felt a bit low throughout—there wasn’t much urgency, and i never really felt the tension or danger that usually makes a thriller exciting. the "big reveal" comes quite late, at 91%, which means the book meanders a bit with romantic drama and lucy’s memory struggles before things pick up. though i was entertained, it never truly surprised me.
on a positive note, the book does an excellent job portraying the emotional complexity of domestic violence. it delves into the trauma victims experience, the conflicting emotions they face, and how abuse can be passed down through families. this aspect felt real and added a meaningful layer to the story.
this is a highly enjoyable, quick-paced mystery with a charismatic, snarky narrator that makes it a breeze to read. the short chapters and accessible writing style keep things moving, and lucy’s humor adds a lightness to the darker elements of the story. it’s definitely easy to get into, and i understand why it’s so popular.
however, while i enjoyed it, the mystery itself didn’t feel particularly fresh or groundbreaking. the stakes felt a bit low throughout—there wasn’t much urgency, and i never really felt the tension or danger that usually makes a thriller exciting. the "big reveal" comes quite late, at 91%, which means the book meanders a bit with romantic drama and lucy’s memory struggles before things pick up. though i was entertained, it never truly surprised me.
on a positive note, the book does an excellent job portraying the emotional complexity of domestic violence. it delves into the trauma victims experience, the conflicting emotions they face, and how abuse can be passed down through families. this aspect felt real and added a meaningful layer to the story.
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
this is what y'all hyped up so much?? 😭😭😭
this book is not a thriller. at best, it might be a mystery, but even then, there’s barely any suspense. it felt more like a slow-paced family drama with literary fiction elements. i had to restart this book twice because the first half was so boring that i kept tuning out.
there’s no denying the dark territory this book explores, but the way it was handled felt dispassionate and predictable. for a story dealing with such heavy themes, i expected something harrowing and emotionally gripping, but it didn’t move me at all. the narrative voice lacked impact, and the plot twists were too obvious to be engaging.
sally and the rest of the cast felt flat. sally, who is written as an adult survivor of childhood trauma, came across more like a caricature of someone with asd. her thoughts and actions felt cliched, and i couldn’t connect with her on any level. while this book clearly resonates with many readers, it ultimately fell short for me.
this book is not a thriller. at best, it might be a mystery, but even then, there’s barely any suspense. it felt more like a slow-paced family drama with literary fiction elements. i had to restart this book twice because the first half was so boring that i kept tuning out.
there’s no denying the dark territory this book explores, but the way it was handled felt dispassionate and predictable. for a story dealing with such heavy themes, i expected something harrowing and emotionally gripping, but it didn’t move me at all. the narrative voice lacked impact, and the plot twists were too obvious to be engaging.
sally and the rest of the cast felt flat. sally, who is written as an adult survivor of childhood trauma, came across more like a caricature of someone with asd. her thoughts and actions felt cliched, and i couldn’t connect with her on any level. while this book clearly resonates with many readers, it ultimately fell short for me.
Set the Record Straight by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
this was sweet and enjoyable but too short to be memorable
The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
this book was entertaining enough but unfortunately it didn’t leave much of an impression. after enjoying the first book, this one was disappointing. it felt like it tried to cram in too much within too short a timeframe, which threw off the pacing. while the ideas were interesting, they weren’t explored deeply enough to hold my attention or make me care. the characters also felt underdeveloped and flat after a few chapters.
A Novel Christmas by Charity Shane'
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
i loved the setting of this book and it really delivered on the christmas vibes but i do think the romance was way way way too fast considering the past of the male mc
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
this is such a fun christmas mystery!