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elle_laine's reviews
119 reviews
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
Lucy flees to her sister's seaside house in Comber Bay after getting into some trouble at her university. Lucy has always been different and feels the ocean's call. However, when she arrives at her sister's house, her sister is nowhere to be found. Strange stories and voices surround the history of Comber Bay surrounding the disappearance of her sister with intrigue.
Thank you Emilia Hart and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions here are mine and mine alone.
The atmosphere of this book was haunting and lovely, a perfect setting for the story. The dual story lines going from the historical past to the present added a lot to the story, but the lack of a truly gripping plot made the book somewhat bland. I was hoping for more.
The narrator has a wonderful reading voice and I greatly enjoyed listening to her read. I recommend this book to those who are historical fiction fans that love a touch of magical realism.
Thank you Emilia Hart and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions here are mine and mine alone.
The atmosphere of this book was haunting and lovely, a perfect setting for the story. The dual story lines going from the historical past to the present added a lot to the story, but the lack of a truly gripping plot made the book somewhat bland. I was hoping for more.
The narrator has a wonderful reading voice and I greatly enjoyed listening to her read. I recommend this book to those who are historical fiction fans that love a touch of magical realism.
The Happy Writer by Marissa Meyer
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Author Marissa Meyer tackles the art of being the healthiest and hardest working author in this self-help book. From creating outlines to going on writing retreats, Meyer gives inspiring tips, pushing authors to get words down on the page and accomplish their goal of publishing their first or their fiftieth book.
Thank you Marissa Meyer and Macmillan Audio for the audio copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review. All opinions here are mine and mine alone.
Meyer does an excellent job bringing energy into her writing. I was definitely inspired to sit myself down and work on my manuscript. A good chunk of this book had this energy, but there were some slower and almost unnecessary sections that did not keep me as engaged, such as the discussion on breathing exercises.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to get inspired to work on their writing dreams. Listening to it via audiobook read by the author herself gave it great pacing and better insight to what Meyer was trying to convey.
Thank you Marissa Meyer and Macmillan Audio for the audio copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review. All opinions here are mine and mine alone.
Meyer does an excellent job bringing energy into her writing. I was definitely inspired to sit myself down and work on my manuscript. A good chunk of this book had this energy, but there were some slower and almost unnecessary sections that did not keep me as engaged, such as the discussion on breathing exercises.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to get inspired to work on their writing dreams. Listening to it via audiobook read by the author herself gave it great pacing and better insight to what Meyer was trying to convey.
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's an exciting day for Camilla, caring for her baby and getting ready to go back to her job after maternity leave. The only thing out of place is a vague note seemingly left behind by her husband Luke. And then she sees the news. A hostage situation is developing and Luke is involved. But he is not a hostage. He is the perpetrator.
Thank you Gillian McAllister and the William Morrow Team for giving me an eARC copy of this novel in return for an honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.
This book started out a bit slow for me, but once it got going, I was completely hooked. I absolutely loved the mystery and confusion woven throughout it. It was a very engaging read. The voicing behind each character was unique and made me relate to the characters and what they were going through.
I definitely recommend this book for those who love a good crime mystery/thriller. This is also a good book for someone wanting to dabble in thrillers as it was not creepy, but very engaging and well written.
Thank you Gillian McAllister and the William Morrow Team for giving me an eARC copy of this novel in return for an honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.
This book started out a bit slow for me, but once it got going, I was completely hooked. I absolutely loved the mystery and confusion woven throughout it. It was a very engaging read. The voicing behind each character was unique and made me relate to the characters and what they were going through.
I definitely recommend this book for those who love a good crime mystery/thriller. This is also a good book for someone wanting to dabble in thrillers as it was not creepy, but very engaging and well written.
How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Frances obsessed over her impending murder after receiving a fortune telling of it when she was 17. Fast forward many many years, and Frances turns up murdered. Leaving behind a will detailing that her vast fortune will be left to whoever solves her murder, Annie works quickly to find whoever killed her great-aunt. However, things from the past turn up and the mystery becomes more deadly than anyone initially thought.
This was such a fun and engaging mystery! I really liked the characters and how drama-filled the mystery was. Dual timelines/POVs can be tricky to write in a way that flows well, but Perrin does an excellent job of giving the reader those two perspectives. I highly recommend this, even for those used to reading high intensity thrillers.
How To Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Annie has settled into her new home in Castle Knoll when another murder strikes down a key person from her great-aunt’s past in the very house Annie has just made her home. Luckily Annie is not alone; her friend Jenny is visiting, and together they work to uncover the murderer before Annie takes the blame for what happened.
Thank you Kristen Perrin and Dutton, Plume, Tiny Reparations Books for the eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions here are mine and mine alone.
Once again, Perrin writes a gripping mystery full of drama and suspense. I enjoyed learning more about Frances’ past in her POV chapters. The massive secrets and lies from her past were shocking to say the least. Be sure to get your hands on this one when it comes out!
Thank you Kristen Perrin and Dutton, Plume, Tiny Reparations Books for the eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions here are mine and mine alone.
Once again, Perrin writes a gripping mystery full of drama and suspense. I enjoyed learning more about Frances’ past in her POV chapters. The massive secrets and lies from her past were shocking to say the least. Be sure to get your hands on this one when it comes out!
What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Kyle is called back to the town he used to call his own. His father had an accident and would need help getting back on his feet. Unfortunately, not everyone in town takes kindly to Kyle being back. When he left Potsdam, Kyle left behind a past that would not allow him to come back unscathed. Casey, his ex-wife and a current middle school teacher, is doing her best to rally the boys' hockey team and allow them to play another season. With the reappearance of Kyle, things are no longer so simple.
Thank you Tracey Lange and Macmillan Audio for the audio version of this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and a thorough review. All opinions here are mine and mine alone.
Contemporary fiction is a genre I have been going back to again and again, and books like this one are the reason why. This story was gut-wrenching (in the best way) and made me feel all the feels as I followed Kyle and Casey through their grief from their past as well as their current struggles. I loved all of the characters as they had so much depth to them.
The narrators were excellent in the reading of this story. I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of this book or audiobook when it comes out in January!
Thank you Tracey Lange and Macmillan Audio for the audio version of this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and a thorough review. All opinions here are mine and mine alone.
Contemporary fiction is a genre I have been going back to again and again, and books like this one are the reason why. This story was gut-wrenching (in the best way) and made me feel all the feels as I followed Kyle and Casey through their grief from their past as well as their current struggles. I loved all of the characters as they had so much depth to them.
The narrators were excellent in the reading of this story. I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of this book or audiobook when it comes out in January!
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Grady Green, a previous New York Times bestselling author, needs to write another bestseller if he wants to continue his life. Living in a cheap hotel is not the dream he had envisioned for himself, but after the mysterious accident that occurred the year before, Grady's life has not been the same. One year ago, Grady's wife, Abby, was driving home while talking on the phone with Grady when she found someone lying on the side of the road. After getting out to investigate, Abby was never seen again. Now, Grady is being offered a remote cabin of a recently deceased renowned author to work at to get his next work ready to hit the shelves.
Thank you Alice Feeney and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC in exchange for a complete and honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.
This was a book that definitely captured my attention the whole way through. I really liked the remote island and cabin vibes that made the book that much creepier. The plot was also somewhat unusual for a thriller, which I really liked, but I did guess some of the twists, although I don't really think that takes much away from the story.
The narrators of this story were excellent and I definitely recommend this audiobook if you are a lover of Alice Feeney and twisted thrillers. It will definitely hold your attention and creep you out!
Thank you Alice Feeney and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC in exchange for a complete and honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.
This was a book that definitely captured my attention the whole way through. I really liked the remote island and cabin vibes that made the book that much creepier. The plot was also somewhat unusual for a thriller, which I really liked, but I did guess some of the twists, although I don't really think that takes much away from the story.
The narrators of this story were excellent and I definitely recommend this audiobook if you are a lover of Alice Feeney and twisted thrillers. It will definitely hold your attention and creep you out!
Something in the Walls: A Novel by Daisy Pearce
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Mina, a newly licensed child psychologist, meets Sam, a news journalist, and after hearing about a haunting in a remote village, they set off to help the young girl who is being afflicted and figure out what is going on. The village seems to have turned on the young girl, Alice Webber, who claims to be haunted by a witch. Sam and Mina are there to help Alice, but ghosts from their own pasts come back to haunt them as well. What really is going on in this village?
Thank you Daisy Pearce and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for a thorough and honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.
This book really freaked me out. The author perfectly set up each scene with enough ghostly happenings and real occurrences that gave me a claustrophobic feel in just about every scene. As the story progressed, the fear squeezed me more and more until the big reveal. The big reveal was perfect for the story and I know I will be thinking about this book for weeks.
The narrator was excellent. I liked how the story flowed as she voiced each character and added her vocal interpretation of the moment.
Thank you Daisy Pearce and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for a thorough and honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.
This book really freaked me out. The author perfectly set up each scene with enough ghostly happenings and real occurrences that gave me a claustrophobic feel in just about every scene. As the story progressed, the fear squeezed me more and more until the big reveal. The big reveal was perfect for the story and I know I will be thinking about this book for weeks.
The narrator was excellent. I liked how the story flowed as she voiced each character and added her vocal interpretation of the moment.
Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Gemma is a teacher, living alone and regularly full of anxiety. When she was 16 years old, she gave birth to a daughter and immediately put her up for adoption to break the cycle of the tumultuous childhood that was her own. Now, nearly 18 years later, Gemma can't help but think often about Baby's upcoming 18th birthday. Who has Baby become? Where does she live? And, most importantly, is Baby safe and happy?
Thank you Debbie Johnson and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the ARC in exchange for a thorough and honest review. All thoughts written here are mine and mine alone.
This was a lovely and heartfelt story that had me cheering for Gemma the whole time. Life is never simple, and I appreciated how reality was shown through Gemma's life. I also liked the addition of romance that was messy but sweet. The story flowed well and the characters were flushed out well.
I really enjoyed the audio production of this novel. The narrator was wonderful, giving the characters unique and pleasant voices throughout the story. I definitely recommend this audiobook. I absolutely consumed it and I know you will too!
Thank you Debbie Johnson and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the ARC in exchange for a thorough and honest review. All thoughts written here are mine and mine alone.
This was a lovely and heartfelt story that had me cheering for Gemma the whole time. Life is never simple, and I appreciated how reality was shown through Gemma's life. I also liked the addition of romance that was messy but sweet. The story flowed well and the characters were flushed out well.
I really enjoyed the audio production of this novel. The narrator was wonderful, giving the characters unique and pleasant voices throughout the story. I definitely recommend this audiobook. I absolutely consumed it and I know you will too!
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
While protecting a high-profile client, Amy, a bodyguard, is thrown into the intrigue of several murders. Enlisting her routine-oriented father-in-law, Amy seeks out the killer.
This was such a funny and entertaining book. The characters were hilarious and I loved sitting back and watching the story unfold.
This was such a funny and entertaining book. The characters were hilarious and I loved sitting back and watching the story unfold.