I am SO FAR behind on reviewing arcs that I’ve gotten, either physical copies or ones from NetGalley – so today we’re starting a series of mini reviews for the ones I’ve read! I’m going to try and read through all my remaining ones over the next few weeks so hopefully we’ll get a few more of these review posts!
The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill
Published by Wednesday Books
August 2nd, 2022
3//5 Stars
Goodreads link
I was really excited about this one because the premise sounded really interesting. It was really hard to ever root for Vika though, she was extremely unlikeable and selfish. There wasn’t much of a plot, there was the mystery of Sky and the mystery of the bombing – but these two storylines seemed to be sidelined just to showcase the day to day life of Vika in her new rich lifestyle. The conclusions to these various plot lines were also relatively obvious. There was also a distinct lack of world building – the story revolved around two planets, one where the poor and working class live, and one for the wealthy. I would’ve liked a little more detail on how the travel aspect works in this world. There was a decent amount of travel and various machines and I would’ve loved to see how it all worked. I did love the characters of Mira and Ariel though – they were my shining lights through the rest of the story.
Stay Awake by Megan Goldin
Published by St. Martins Press
August 9th, 2022
4//5 Stars
Goodreads Link
The premise behind this book was fascinating. Liv forgets everything from the past two years every time she goes to sleep – and things are getting tricky with her waking up holding a knife with a bloodstained message saying “STAY AWAKE”
This story was a little bit repetitive at a times, but it obviously had to be as Liv continued to wake up with the same basic knowledge of her life. It was fun to piece together what happened alongside Liv, and although I had an idea of some of the secrets before they were fully revealed. Between what really happened with Amy and Marco, and the later twist setting up more murders and who the mastermind was, threw me a little bit. It was not who I expected it to be in the end.
The one thing I didn’t like was how naive and dumb Liv was sometimes. I know she had a diary that had been destroyed, but while she is investigating and on the run couldn’t she have popped into a store and bought a cheap notebook? She could just write down everything she’s learned and that way she doesn’t need to cover her arms in weird cryptic messages. It would also save her a lot of day to day panic about who and where she is. Overall though, I did enjoy this one and I’m excited to read what Megan writes next!
Love In The Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
Published by Jove Books
August 16th, 2022
3//5 Stars
Goodreads Link
I’m still a little undecided on this one overall. I’m new to reading romance books and I still struggle to find which subset of the genre I actually like, so I’m kind of reading a little bit of everything as I figure it out.
One thing I have discovered is I greatly prefer a good plot line over character developments (if I had to choose one). Phoebe loves true crime, and I think that was like 85% of her personality. The basis of this story is that Phoebe is cleaning out her recently deceased fathers home, with some help from her brother, and ~growing~ as a person as she does so. Between writing her dissertation, meeting Sam, and facing some of her childhood trauma, she learns to love herself and others and blah blah blah. There’s really not much plot and since we know they end up together in the end I have nothing else to say.
The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie Lang
Published by St. Martins Press
November 15th, 2022
4//5 Stars
Goodreads Link
I really enjoyed Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance so I was excited to read this one. I struggle with magical realism sometimes because the real world aspects can sometimes jolt you out of the story, but this one worked really well. Zadie and Finn both have a six sense, and I really loved to see how the powers effected the lives of each sister, along with the trauma and difficulties from their mother leaving. Since Zadie was legally an adult, her life after their mother left was drastically different from her sisters, who was able to be put in a foster home with a loving family.
The sisters journey to find their mother and themselves was incredibly crafted. I loved the various people they met and seeing others with another sense and hoe each person copes with it.
This really was a lovely story about self identity, and self worth, family, forgiveness, and love. I would’ve given this book five stars BUT the ending was a little too neat for my liking, and Finn’s choices at the end really bothered me.
And that’s all for now!
I still have a few books from last year to catch up on and then it will be back to posting reviews for upcoming releases! I have quite a few amazing upcoming releases and I’m so excited to share my thoughts on them!
Caffeinated Book Owl 