paperbacks_and_planners's reviews
1161 reviews

I loved this duet! I want to read everything Kandi Steiner has written now.

This picks up immediately after What He Doesn't Know. This follows Charlie through the two months she agreed to give her husband. She is torn between 2 men - her husband Cameron and a man from her past, Reese.

Oh man this duet blew me away. I was invested in Charlie's story and who she would choose.

What I Liked:
1. This felt so believable. I love how this book worked in shades of gray. It didn't endorse cheating nor settling. All of the characters were so dynamic. I loved all three of them so much.
2. This story was not only steamy but hard hitting and intense. By the end I was simply sitting on my kitchen floor tearing up.

What I Didn't Like
1. So many of the problems these characters had stemmed from an utter lack of communication. I just wanted to shake them all at times.

Overall I can't recommend this duet enough! It had me so stressed and invested from start to finish. I loved this and can't wait for the companion story early next year!

4.5 stars. This is such an important story with a powerful message and characters.

"Not being able to say no isn't the same as saying yes."

Synopsis
This takes place in small town Iowa where basketball reigns. Kate and her friends attend a big party at the home of a star player - Kate drinks too much and the boy she's had a crush on since she was 5, Ben, gets her home safely. But the next day, a classmate is missing from school and Kate gets the impression something terrible happened at that party.
Later at lunch, four of the star varsity players are arrested on charges of rape.
The entire town erupts in defense of the boys. But what really happened that night? And why doesn't anyone seem to want to find out?

"'Boys will be boys' is what people say to excuse guys when they do something awful."

Overview
This books is intense - I'll be honest and say it was a very triggering story for me. I barely slept after finishing this, my anxiety was so piqued. I'm so glad I read it anyways. Things like this (horrifically) happen all the time and these stories need to be heard.

Huge warning for a detailed depiction of sexual violence, tread lightly with this.

Content warnings: Rape, hoarding.

What I Liked

"I want to tell her that I don’t think a book from the Bronze Age is a good enough reason to relegate women to the role of “helpers” for all time."

1. The characters were so realistic. The high school students felt like high school students. And everyone, including the teachers and parents, were so flawed. It was so believable but difficult to read some of the comments the characters made

"I just think it’s awful what that Stallard girl is doing to them. Dragging their good names through the mud."

"All I’m saying is there are rules. You don’t get wasted. You don’t take off your top. You don’t flirt with raging drunks. You don’t dress like a slut. You have to play by the rules. If you don’t, this is what happens."

People say garbage like this every day. This town cared more about the successful basketball careers of four smart-mouthed, privileged white boys than the health and wellbeing of single girl. Because she was flirtatious and wore short skirts.

2. But woven in, we see amazing depictions of people fighting back and standing up.

"Words have meanings. When we call something a theory in science, it means something. Reggie, when you say that you 'can't help yourself' if a girl is wasted, that means something, too. You're saying that our natural state as men is 'rapist.' That's not okay with me, Reggie. That's not okay with the rest of this class, either."

3. This book covers it all - rape culture, misogyny, consent, victim blaming, slut shaming, gender equality.

"What does it mean to say yes? To consent to a kiss? To a touch? To more than that?"

4. I really connected with Kate. Her struggles to do what was right versus what was easy were so relatable. She was strong, intelligent, and always questioning but still read like she was only 17.

What I Didn't Like
1. My half star deduction comes from the end.

Spoiler

Once Kate sees the video, she confronts Ben and tells him she is turning it in. And giving his name. While this ending was insanely powerful, it felt mildly unrealistic for a 17 year old. It was difficult to imagine myself at that age, being able to make that choice on my own. With such resolve. So it took me out of the story slightly.

Overall this book absolutely destroyed me. This sat on my TBR for years and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. I recommend this for absolutely anyone who can handle the subject matter.

Re-read - March 2019

I decided to pick this up on audio to refresh my memory before starting the sequel. And I still stand by my original review. Solid 3.5 stars.

I really enjoy this story but I don't feel any strong attachment to the characters. The setting, I love though! And I'm still completely desperate to know about that box!

--------------------------------------------

This was a solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed my time reading and the mystery/suspense was handled well. But I wasn't in love.

-The story is told in 2 perspectives - one in the present about Stevie and one set in the past about the Ellingham murders. And some of the chapters set in the past are told in interview or report form. I like the dual perspectives and changes in format, it really worked with this story. The chapters set in the past gave the reader insight and information into a case the main character knows really well, without info dropping constantly.
-The characters overall were well written and interesting but I didn't find myself especially attached to anyone. I actually think Nate is my favorite character.
-The romance I wasn't expecting. But I do appreciate the utter awkwardness of it as this is about juniors/seniors in high school. All the super suave 17 years in YA books drive me crazy. These 2 are awkward and have no idea how to communicate and I appreciate that realness.
-The cliffhanger - while David's identity wasn't a huge shock, the contents of the box... I NEED TO KNOW! Ugh I will continue this series just because of this. I need to know if she solves the Truly Devious mystery.
-My biggest issue with is was there was literally zero wrap up. I understand that it's the first book in a series but I would have appreciated at least 1 tie up. I feel like by the time the next book comes out I will have forgot the dozen open ended story lines.

Overall solid read. If you're new to mysteries this would be a great place to start! And I do plan to continue with the story.

I stayed up way too late and cried my eyes out. But this book was amazing ❤❤

Summary
After a traumatic year, Annabelle decides to run from her home in Seattle to Washington DC. With the help of her "PR team" and Grandfather in his RV, she slowly makes her way across the country. She runs to forget everything that has happened. To punish herself for a tragedy she blames herself for.

Overview
This book is truly harrowing and I was sobbing my eyes out through the entire last chunk of this book. This book is beautifully written and covers such a difficult but important topic.

Content Warnings: The reason for Annabelle's run is a mystery for the majority of the book, so most of content warnings are a spoiler.

Spoiler

Murder, gun violence, stalking, PTSD, depression, anxiety

What I Liked
Literally everything.
1. I loved Annabelle's character. I found her to be extremely relatable and realistic. And her emotions were so real and raw, I felt everything along side her.
2. In fact, I loved all the characters. Her grandfather brought the perfect amount of relief to an other wise dark story - he was kind and humous and inspiringly supportive.
3. This book was also very self aware - it made sure to acknowledge how dangerous a run like this is, now Annabelle's coping skills were lacking, that her blame was ill placed. And I really appreciated that! This book did not glamorize these events in any way.
4. The way the message/event was finally revealed was so impactful I burst into tears immediately. I don't want to say anymore than that, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who is interested in reading this (and I definitely recommend you do!)

What I Didn't Like
I have literally nothing to put here. This book was outstanding.

This is book is extremely dark and intense - so please tread with caution if you are in a tough headspace. But if you are able to handle difficult subjects, I can't recommend this book enough! I was seriously blown away by how much this book drew me in. It's a beautiful story with a powerful message and powerful characters.

This was a cute reimagining of Sherlock Holmes. But I don't have any strong feelings or attachment.

Synopsis
This follows Jamie Watson who left the UK and attends a boarding school in Connecticut on a rugby scholarship. When a classmate of his dies in a Sherlock Holmes spoofed murder, Jamie and the famous detectives descendent Charlotte, get wrapped in the investigation.

Overview
This story is told from Jamie's perspective, mirroring the original Sherlock books (which were also told from Watson's POV).
This was good book and the mystery was well done. But I didn't feel any strong connection to the characters or story. I haven't thought about this again since finishing it.

Content Warnings: Drug abuse, murder, sexual assault

What I Liked
1. I loved the parallels between this retelling and the original stories. Charolette has inherited Sherlock's addictive habits, the Watson family has an instruction manual on how to handle the Holmes', the Moriarty's are still the archenemies. Overall it was just a really well done retelling.
2. The characters were well rounded and dynamic. They had flaws but were still likable and relatable.
3. This felt like a classic whodunit mystery - a la Sherlock Holmes. And overall it was well done.

What I Didn't Like
1. I don't know what this story was missing but I just don't feel any strong feelings about this story. The mystery was fine, the characters were fine, but I didn't LOVE any of it. I wasn't shipping the romance like everyone else was, and I just didn't connect to either main character. I haven't thought about this book at all since finishing it.

Overall, I enjoyed this book while I was listening to it, but don't feel strongly about it in any way. However, I did enjoy it enough to pick up the next book on audio. I'm hopeful that my connection will grow as the series continues.

This is a sequel and may contain spoilers for book 1 - Truly Devious

Spoiler

Summary
In the aftermath of book 1, Stevie is back home after being pulled from Ellingham Academy. But an unexpected person whisks her back to school with an assignment - keep David in line. Now her mission to solve the murder is back on and she's more determined than ever. And she has one huge thing on her side, she has the first new evidence in years.

Overview
This is told in third person, in dual timelines - today from Stevie's POV and 1936 from Albert Ellingham's.

I LOVE the flashback format! I feel like it adds so much to this story.

This book ends on a massive cliffhanger. If that's not your jam, I definitely recommend waiting for book 3 to be released!

Content Warnings: Murder/Death, Anxiety, Panic Attacks

What I Liked
1. This mystery is so twisty and well done! And these cliffhangers will be the death of me!
2. I love the format of this book! The flashbacks slowly reveal what really happened in 1936 and it adds so much to the atmosphere and tension of the mystery.
3. The pacing of this book was perfect - which is important as this is definitely a plot driven book. We learn so much new information about the murders and happenings of Ellingham and were introduced to even more new threads. There were so many reveals and twists that I was 100% invested from start to finish. I never wanted to put this down!
4. I just want to mention once more how many years this cliffhanger has taken from my life. So. Good.

What I Didn't Like
1. I'll be honestly I still feel very meh and unattached to the characters. My love for this series is much more about the plot than the actual characters. I don't have strong feelings about any one of them or their relationships.

RTC

2.5 stars but I'll round up. I desperately wanted to love this. But it did not work for me... Full rtc

3.5 stars!

Summary
A group of friends travels to the Scottish Highlands for their early New Years Eve reunion. They've been friends since college and have been making these trips for 10 years. But this year feels different. Years of secrets and resentments are causing the group to fracture. When a massive blizzard hits, the group is stranded at the lodge.
Now one of them is dead... and another of them did it.

Overview
This is told in 4 POVs - 1 in present day, and 3 leading up to the murder. Eventually the timelines converge as the mystery is revealed.
This is a very classic feeling mystery! If you're a fan of Agatha Christie, or An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lepena, this book will be right up your alley.

Content Warnings: A lot of these are spoilers and may spoil 1 or more of the reveals.

Spoiler

Cheating, personality disorder, drug & alcohol use, stalking, sexual assault/aggression, murder, PTSD, depression, on page animal death

What I Liked
1. This book was wonderfully atmospheric. The isolated lodge added so much tension and mystery to the story. I love a good isolated setting in mystery/thrillers and this one was perfectly done.
2. I loved how the reveals were done. 3 of the chapters take place a few days in the past and slowly work their way to the present and 1 of the chapters takes place in the present. When the timelines meet, the mystery is revealed. I really loved the classic feel of a mystery slowly unfolding.
3. While the story itself may not be anything earth shattering in the mystery genre, I thought the author did a great job making all of the characters appear guilty. She builds lots of tensions amongst the group and at one point I suspected all of them. Overall the mystery elements were well handled and surprising.

What I Didn't Like
1. I didn't love that one of the POVs was written in 3rd person while the other 3 were is in 1st. I didn't really understand the choice at all found it really jarring every time I got to Doug's chapters.
2. I never fully connected to this story or the characters. Everyone is very unlikeable so I don't know if that played a role. But in general, I found it very easy to put this book down.

Overall, I really enjoyed this mystery! I love classic-esque mysteries and this one absolutely fit the bill. I will for sure read any future mysteries Lucy Foley writes!

3.5 stars

I received this as an arc from Penguin Publishing via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review

Summary
This follows a small, suburban community in the wake of a murder.
A few weeks ago, of the neighborhood wives disappeared. Everyone thought she left her husband until her and her car is found at the bottom of the lake. The once quiet neighborhood is thrown into chaos as secrets and lies are revealed.

Overview
This story is told for tons of different perspectives. It jumps around frequently with little to no differentiation or notice.
This story feels very much like a class, whodunit mystery.

Content Warnings: Murder, Cheating, Underage Drinking

What I Liked
1. Like An Unwanted Guest, this gave me all the classic-whodunit-mystery vibes. This isn't a suspenseful, uber-twisty thriller. Instead it's more a slow, walk-through reveal. If you like that classic mystery feel, this could definitely be the book for you!
2. I also really enjoyed the look into suburban living. Everyone was in everyone's else's business and lying and keeping secrets.
3. The final reveal was really well done! I personally didn't guess whodunit, but once it was revealed, I realized I should have seen it coming from the very beginning. I love when reveals feel very believable and this one definitely had hints from the start. I thought it was so well concealed amongst the chaos of the characters and community.

What I Didn't Like
1. Note: I did read this as an arc so this may be different in the finished copy. There were a lot (too many) POVs in this story. While I usually enjoy multi-pov books, this had way too many and they weren't labeled. So it was a little difficult to get into at first because I struggled to remember who everyone was and who I was reading from.
2. I don't think this story did anything particularly new or inventive. While I loved the classic vibes, I wished it had put some type of twist on it.
3. What was this ending??... Shari Lapena usually blows me away with her Epilogue endings. But this was one made no sense to me.. I was so confused. It felt more like a cliffhanger than ending. I might have given this 4 stars if I had skipped the Epilogue.

Overall this was solid mystery. I love Shari Lapena's writing and the classic style she brings to her mysteries. This one wasn't my absolute favorite, but I think it was still really well done and it had my attention from start to finish. This is a quick mystery I think a lot of people will enjoy.