irxren's reviews
93 reviews

Honestly, I'm not sure why this book has such a big following. It was a decent, fast read, but the storytelling felt a bit flat and clunky, with too much unnecessary detail in the narration and dialogue. The plot didn't offer anything new either. If you've read similar books like The Wife Upstairs or Verity, you might find this one predictable. The setup with the hot husband, troubled wife, and a younger woman entering the picture felt too familiar, and I could see where it was going from the start without much suspense.

None of the characters really stood out to me. Nina felt selfish, Millie overly flirty, and Andrew, well, clearly not someone I'd want to know. Enzo was okay, but he didn't have a strong presence in the story. There were some interesting aspects, like the idea of the husband's behavior being influenced by his mother, but I wished the book delved deeper into this aspect with more backstory.

If you're new to mysteries or thrillers, this book might be a decent starting point, but for seasoned fans of the genre, it might fall flat. I'd rate it somewhere between 2 and 3 stars.

This book had the potential to be great with its messy rich kid vibe, which initially caught my interest. Unfortunately, the execution fell short. Grammar and sentence structure were problematic, and the plot lacked substance. Instead of exploring the intriguing world of the London elite, the story revolved solely around the toxic and emotionally abusive relationship between childhood friends Magnolia and BJ. While toxic relationships can be entertaining to read, it should not be romanticized.

The writing was, to put it bluntly, mediocre. Jessa tried too hard to be poetic, but no amount of fancy words could rescue the story when the characters were like lifeless cardboard cutouts. I couldn't handle another detailed outfit description – designer, pattern, and season – it got old fast.

I binged it because it was so bad, like a train wreck you can't look away from. I was desperately hoping to find some redeeming qualities, but nope, disappointment after disappointment.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Tuscany, this story follows Fiona Bell, who’s been carrying a family secret since she was eighteen. Everything changes when she finds out her biological father, Anton Clark, has passed away and she's listed in his will. This news pulls Fiona to Tuscany, where she meets the family that never knew she existed. As she uncovers the truth about her mom’s relationship with Anton, Fiona finds herself facing a whirlwind of emotions—love, regret, sacrifice, and ultimately, acceptance.

What really stands out in this book is the growth of the characters, especially Fiona and her sister, Sloane. They both go through a lot, but by the end, you really feel the maturity and change in them. Fiona, in particular, learns to finally take control of her life, which is so satisfying to see.

Overall, it’s a beautiful yet bittersweet story. It’s filled with love, but also with tough choices and moments of regret. The balance of heartbreak and hope makes it a perfect summer read, and you’ll be thinking about it long after you finish.

The story follows Jules Larson, a character who’s been dealt a pretty rough hand in life—she’s just lost her job, discovered her boyfriend cheating on her, and is now homeless and broke. When she stumbles upon an offer to be an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, a luxurious and mysterious building, she thinks it’s the perfect opportunity to get back on her feet. But, as the saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

As Jules settles into her new home, the Bartholomew quickly reveals its sinister side. A list of strict, almost absurd, rules is just the beginning. Jules soon realizes that the apartment's history is riddled with mysterious disappearances, and she begins to uncover secrets that have been buried for centuries. The once-promising job turns into a nightmare, and Jules finds herself entangled in a web of deception and danger that she never could have imagined.

While Jules isn’t the sharpest protagonist at times, her naivety adds to the tension, and her determination to uncover the truth keeps the reader engaged. Some elements of the plot may be a bit predictable, and certain twists may stretch the imagination, but these minor flaws are easily overshadowed by the novel’s overall creepiness and the immersive world Sager creates.

Let me tell you, a great thriller is one that leaves you shaken and questioning everything, and this book did just that for me. It's dark, thrilling, and downright disturbing at times, with scenes that will make your stomach churn and your heart race. The tension and fear throughout had me eagerly turning the pages, even if it meant losing some sleep. The romance subplot was gripping, and Colleen's writing made me fall in love with the characters, especially Jeremy. However, I did find some aspects of their relationship a bit off, and there were a few too many sex scenes for my taste. Still, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. The ambiguous ending was a surprise, but I loved it. It was the perfect conclusion to such an intense story, leaving me with a sense of uncertainty that added to the thrill.

This book is clever not just for its twists and turns, but for the fear and suspense it creates. I'm still processing my feelings and what to believe, but one thing's for sure – this was one of the best reads I've had in awhile.

The One is a psychological thriller infused with a touch of science fiction, centering around the premise of a company, Match Your DNA, that has discovered the gene linking each person to their soul mate. Over the past decade, millions have found their perfect match through this groundbreaking technology, forever changing the way people view love and relationships.

While the concept is gripping, the execution left me feeling a bit adrift. The story jumps between multiple characters, each with their own unique and unrelated storyline. The constant shifts make it challenging to keep track of who's who, and it can be tough to settle into any one narrative before you're whisked away to another.

That said, if you're looking for a casual read, this book could be a fun pick. But if you're expecting something more like Black Mirror, you might find this one lacking.

This thriller follows Emilia Ward, a bestselling detective novelist, as she faces real-life events that eerily mirror scenes from her own books. When a shocking incident matches a plot point from her unpublished manuscript, Emilia realizes someone close to her might be using her fiction against her, making her fear for her family’s safety.

One of the best things about this book is how unpredictable it is. I usually guess who "did it" early on, but this time I was completely surprised. Every character feels like a possible suspect, but also not, which keeps you on edge the whole time. The author does a great job making you feel just like Emilia—worried, frustrated, and powerless as things spiral out of control.

There are multiple points of view, which can get a little confusing, and there are a lot of details to keep track of. Sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming, but overall, it’s still a solid read. If you enjoy thrillers that keep you guessing, this one’s worth picking up.

The story begins with a dull, routine description of Schroeder’s morning, only to quickly spiral into a violent killing spree, broken up by moments when he bikes around the city. During these bike rides, he shares thoughts, memories, and impressions inspired by his surroundings. It feels like watching someone in a video game, moving from one task to another, but without understanding why, and the violence is hard to follow at first.

At first, it’s difficult to keep up with Schroeder’s seemingly chaotic actions and the stream-of-consciousness style in which they’re described. The sentences are long, tangled, and sometimes absurd, reflecting his damaged cognitive function and hyperactive thought process. However, as the novel progresses, you start to see beneath the surface of his actions, and the chaos becomes oddly compelling, even relatable in its own way.

The true weight of Schroeder’s story is revealed in the final pages, through a diary that shares his experiences growing up. It shows a painful childhood full of neglect and abuse, both at home and in school. This is the key to understanding why Schroeder turned into the person he is—his violence stems from a deep well of unresolved pain and trauma. The last page leaves a bitter, sad feeling, as you finally grasp what has driven him to this point. It becomes clear that the violence isn’t senseless, but rather a tragic consequence of his suffering.

The book also makes you reflect on your own life. In a way, it reminds you of those common regrets people have later in life—wishing they had traveled more, stayed true to themselves, or spent less time worrying about things that don’t matter. Schroeder, much like those regretful individuals, shows what can happen when pain is left unaddressed.

In the end, Schroeder isn’t just a dark, chaotic story—it’s a reflection on the consequences of our actions, both big and small. It makes you think about how the choices we make affect not just ourselves but those around us.

Mallory, a recovering addict, takes a job as a nanny in a fancy neighborhood, looking after a little boy named Teddy. At first, everything seems normal, but things take a strange turn when Mallory discovers Teddy’s creepy and detailed drawings. She starts to wonder if these pictures are trying to tell her something.

I found the story refreshing and different from the usual thrillers. The paranormal elements added to the mystery and kept me guessing the whole time. Was something supernatural going on, or was there a more realistic explanation? I liked how the book built suspense and kept me curious about what would happen next.

Noemi, a socialite in Mexico City, is sent by her wealthy father to check on her cousin Catalina, who is living in a remote estate with her new husband, Virgil. Catalina is writing strange letters about people living in the walls and accusing Virgil of poisoning her.

I found that the book took way too long to get going. The first part felt slow and stretched out, and when the action finally picked up, it was all crammed into the last 50 pages. It was bizarre and left me feeling a bit overwhelmed rather than scared.

I also didn’t think the romance added much to the story. The chemistry between the characters felt forced, and their relationship seemed unrealistic, especially given the dire situation they were in. I just didn’t find it engaging or believable.