The Maid by Nita Prose

Genre: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you like:

⁃ character driven stories

⁃ Cozy mysteries

UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT

If I had know walking into this book that it was compared to Eleanor Oliphant, I wouldn’t have bothered picking it up. Did I hate it? No. But it was another overhyped read for me, that was just kinda meh.

What didn’t work for me:

⁃ It was slow, boring and repetitive. But it was also told in Molly’s perspective, which was like a double edged sword. It wouldn’t have been the same otherwise.

⁃ once I stopped reading, and put the book down, it was very easy to lose momentum and not wanna pick it back up..like for days! I ended up skimming just to get to the best part. The end. Which I totally guessed from the beginning.

I’ve come to realize cozy mysteries are slower paced. With that in mind, I enjoyed the mystery aspect. I had my Poirot hat on the whole time.

What I enjoyed:

I liked the cast of characters. Molly was like your modern day Amelia Bedelia, except smarter. Remember her?! I love Amelia bedelia.

I really enjoyed Gran and all her lessons! I felt like those were the best parts.

“We’re all entitled to a bad day now and again. But when they are all bad days, with no pleasant ones, then it’s time to reconsider things.”

Overall, I’m glad I buddy read this with some friends who encouraged me to see it through, cause I almost DNF’d it, but was also curious enough to see whether I was right about whodunnit.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Genre: Rom Com, Romance

QOTD: What was your last overhyped/disappointing read?

Ugh..I wanted to like this one! The FOMO was real you guys!! Everyone raved about it on Bookstagram and book tok…except me.

MY ISSUES WITH IT..

– I happen to be a fan of the fake dating trope, but this one just didn’t work for me. I wasn’t convinced.

– I found it incredibly annoying how many times Adam being an ass or dick, along with his height was mentioned. It was literally every other page! I get it! He’s the fucking Shaquille O’Neal of the research department.

“She was going to lose her visa and her only source of income and move back to Canada, where it snowed all the time and people ate moose heart.”

– Perhaps I missed the joke? But it sounded so stupid and ignorant! Not impressed.

Maybe if the author were Canadian, I would have given her a pass. Just sayin..

– Ok, seriously. I did not see the REYLO (Kylo Ren & Rey from Star Wars) connection. If anything, picturing Adam Driver as Adam Carlsen was SO not sexy and cringey. After my friend mentioned it, I couldn’t unsee him in my head while reading!

I did however, appreciate the women in STEM rep, which is new to me.

Overall, the premise I was sold on, turned out to be a disappointing read. womp womp. Maybe this author is just not for me? I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet.

I’m so glad I borrowed it from the library! Don’t you just love the library?

What did you think of this one? Have you read it?

#thrillerthursday Chasing The Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

Genre: Horror, Thriller

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️

and Burn Book entry..

QOTD: Which is your most disappointing or overhyped read of the year?

Ugh..for me, it was this.

How bout I start with the positives shall we?

This was a fictional true crime story. I know!! Genius right?! Something I’ve never come across before.

It started off strong and read very much like a true crime book..until it started turning into what sounded and read more like a memoir. Enter chapter 1: The Town. Oh my god..it was soooo boring! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I even switched to the audiobook for help and had it playing at chipmunk speed at one point, but it really didn’t help in the end.

What didn’t work for me in this story were all the unnecessary and lengthy details..The history of the town..Everyone’s past..faaack. I don’t care..

But I was still invested in wanting to know who the boogeyman was, so I started skimming, then went straight to the end. And let me tell you, that was unfortunately, also very underwhelming and suuuper predictable. I already knew who it was after ‘The First Girl’. It was so obvious.

I actually threw my phone (which I was reading from)..On the bed, clipping my hubby in the process from being frustrated. Don’t worry..My phone is fine! Oh and so is my hubby 😆

So there you have it folks..my most disappointing read of 2021! 🙊🤦🏻‍♀️ Trust me. I wanted to love this one big time. I mean, look at the cover! And the title?!! So me! No? 😭

Have you read this one? What did you think?

In the summer of 1988, the mutilated bodies of several missing girls begin to turn up in a small Maryland town. The grisly evidence leads police to the terrifying assumption that a serial killer is on the loose in the quiet suburb. But soon a rumor begins to spread that the evil stalking local teens is not entirely human. Law enforcement, as well as members of the FBI, are certain that the killer is a living, breathing madman—and he’s playing games with them. For a once peaceful community trapped in the depths of paranoia and suspicion, it feels like a nightmare that will never end.

Recent college graduate Richard Chizmar returns to his hometown just as a curfew is enacted and a neighborhood watch is formed. Amid preparing for his wedding and embarking on a writing career, he soon finds himself thrust into a real-life horror story. Inspired by the terrifying events, Richard writes a personal account of the serial killer’s reign of terror, unaware that these events will continue to haunt him for years to come.

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

It’s been a while since I’ve roasted a book! This week, I present to you..

Genre: Mystery & Thriller

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aside from the beautifully painted, eerie setting of a secluded sanatorium turned luxury hotel, there is nothing creepy nor scary about this story. As for the adrenaline rush and thrill ride: 2.5 out 5 🔥

The fact that this was a Reese pick, 1) I walked in with very low expectations, even though I’ve been wanting to read it since it was released on NetGalley..before it got stamped with her seal. 2) I’m not a fan of her book selections. I’ve only ever enjoyed 2 of her choices. I almost passed on this, just because it had her stamp on it. Don’t get me wrong. I love Reese Witherspoon on the big screen. Her book picks, not so much.

When I first started this one, it was a 4 star until I hit the 40% mark. At that point, things kinda fell apart for me and I just wanted to get to the end of the book!

The story weaves between Elin’s struggle to cope with her past and current events happening at Le Sommet. A large portion of the story is about Elin’s past, which makes for a slower paced read.

What didn’t work for me..

⁃ Elin. She was so inconsistent and one hot mess! Rather than feeling sympathetic, I actually found her irritating after the 35% mark. She spends a good chunk of the beginning focusing on her resentment towards her estranged brother and her trust issues with him, yet she readily hands over her findings in Laure’s disappearance so easily. She then asks herself stupid shit like “Would he ever have told me about the break if this didn’t happen?”, after the fact!

⁃ As a former Detective, Elin came across as more of a Rookie to me. Her reaction to the chain of events and the decisions she makes..they all felt like it was her first day on the job as a cop.

⁃ the story suffers from being longer than it needed to be. There were parts that dragged on leading to a very disappointing big reveal! It was the equivalent of getting excited to sleep with the hottie your of dreams, only to find out they suck in bed! Womp, womp. After all the wild goose chasing you do, the ending felt rushed. The motivation behind the killer was completely left field in my opinion. It didn’t quite match up with the whole story behind the sanatorium, which is what I was more interested in. The explanation and connections of what went down in this hell hole was brushed off very quickly.

What I enjoyed..

⁃ As I already mentioned earlier on: the setting. It was the perfect set up for all hell to break loose.

⁃ The adrenaline rush of encountering the masked killer and grotesque murders, were done really well! It’s too bad the rest of the story didn’t have the same effect.

For some, this book is really gonna hit the spot. But for me, it was overhyped and a bit of a let down.

Have you read it? Did you love it? Are you a fan of celebrity picks?

Half-hidden by forest and overshadowed by threatening peaks, Le Sommet has always been a sinister place. Long plagued by troubling rumors, the former abandoned sanatorium has since been renovated into a five-star minimalist hotel.

An imposing, isolated getaway spot high up in the Swiss Alps is the last place Elin Warner wants to be. But Elin’s taken time off from her job as a detective, so when her estranged brother, Isaac, and his fiancée, Laure, invite her to celebrate their engagement at the hotel, Elin really has no reason not to accept.

Arriving in the midst of a threatening storm, Elin immediately feels on edge–there’s something about the hotel that makes her nervous. And when they wake the following morning to discover Laure is missing, Elin must trust her instincts if they hope to find her. With the storm closing off all access to the hotel, the longer Laure stays missing, the more the remaining guests start to panic.

Elin is under pressure to find Laure, but no one has realized yet that another woman has gone missing. And she’s the only one who could have warned them just how much danger they are all in. . .

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Today’s Burn Book entry..

Genre: YA Fantasy, Retelling

My Rating: DNF @ ch.8 ⭐️⭐️

The story started off really well..just like a fairytale. I was very intrigued by Soraya and her curse of being poisonous. But somewhere along the way, it started to go downhill for me. It was slow with very little happening. I grew bored and a little frustrated with Soraya. Did we really need an entire chapter describing Soraya’s need to talk to her brother during the Nog Roz celebration. She’s gifted with this power/curse and could have been a fierce MC, yet cowers and lets Ramin treat her like shit. Umm.. aside from her power, isn’t she royalty?!! It was infuriating. And don’t even get me started on the instalove/love interest! It felt forced.

It’ll come down to personal taste (doesn’t it always?), but I really wanted more action and evil! I would have been more interested in seeing Soraya become evil or killing someone. But that’s just me. Maybe the story picks up later on? I don’t know, and really didn’t care to find out.

Have you read this one? If so, did you like it more than I did?

There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story. 

As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison. 

Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming…human or demon. Princess or monster.

Buddy Read: Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Sorry, but this one’s going in the burn book! Today’s rant: Renegades by Marissa Meyer

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone… except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

For some, third time’s a charm..but in this case, not so much!

This is the 3rd book by Marissa Meyer I’ve now attempted to read, and have come to the conclusion that her storytelling and writing is just not for me.

Jonny @ Jaunts & Haunts and I buddy read this one, and both of us threw in the towel..he actually lasted much longer than I did. He made it to chapter 15. I only made it to chapter 5 🤦‍♀️.

Here’s how our convo went down:

Jonny:

*stomps into digital room pouting* Gigi, I’m so disappointed! I wasn’t able to finish this book. You know I love me some superheroes (and hate hate hate not finishing books), but I just couldn’t get through it.

Gigi:

Ugh. You too? I didn’t like it either! I DNF’d at ch. 5 😭

Jonny:

Well, at least I’m not alone in that.

I actually bought a print copy back in April at the beginning of the pandemic and was really looking forward to it. Now I kind of regret it. I had issues after the prologue, but somehow managed to last until Chapter 15 before calling it quits.

What was the main thing that killed it for you?

For me there was just way too much detail packed in each page. I don’t need to know what color the wallpaper is (that’s not an actual example from the book but a comparison) in the room, just what is important to the story. At first that didn’t bug me too much, but once it was clear that wasn’t going to change I got a bit miffed.

Gigi:

I bought my hardcover from Book Depot a few years ago and was hoping that 3rd time would be a charm for me. I’ve tried to read 2 other books written by Marissa Meyer and wasn’t feeling them. I should have known better! Marissa Meyer just isn’t for me.

The descriptions killed it for me too. Too much effort was spent describing the scene and setting in my opinion. There wasn’t enough character building, which was a shame. There was potential for some really great characters, but none of them really stood out.

To be honest, at times I felt like I was reading a reimagining of Teen Titans Go. It was cheesy.

Jonny:

Oh wow, that’s awful! I’m sorry this author isn’t for you. I probably won’t be trying anything by this author anytime soon to be honest.

The sad thing was that it could’ve been great with some simple tweaks and cutting out of unnecessary bits. Editing sucks (I would know!), but it’s a necessary part of being a writer.

I agree with you that the characters didn’t really wow me. I did like Adrian and his powers, but there wasn’t enough there to warrant me continuing. I understood where Nova was coming from but kind of wish there was more behind her overall goal than revenge. I feel like the author would probably try to gear Nova and Adrian towards each other in a romantic way, but I didn’t get that far.

Oh no, I do not like Teen Titans Go, but the original cartoon? Yes, yes, yes!

I’m definitely not giving up on superhero novels. Dreadnought was phenomenal. This one just didn’t work.

Gigi:

I feel like Nova could have been a great character. I actually liked the revenge angle. I just wish the story was executed better.

Lol. My kids love Teen Titans Go! I find it a bit annoying. 😂

Most of the superheroes I read about are pretty much in graphic novel form. So when you find another one in novel format, let me know!!

I can’t wait to read Skyward with you!!

Jonny:

I can see the appeal with Nova. I did like her power if that’s any consolation, and there were redeeming qualities about this book I enjoyed. The concept and world it’s set in was seductive. I love the idea of a world where superpowers are rather common.

Oh, I hear ya! The new show I found very annoying. You are not alone!

Graphic novels and comics are great! I grew up reading Xmen comic books. I just prefer books a bit more these days. Haha, I have a list of superpowered novels I have yet to try. I’ll definitely be sharing that with you soon!

I’m looking forward to it too! Thanks for giving this one a chance with me. 🙂

Gigi:

No problem! It’s always fun reading with you! Especially when we both go on a rant. 🤣🤣

Looking forward to our next buddy read ❤

What did you think? Have you read it? Did you like it?

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

On this week’s episode of My Burn Book, I present to you..

Genre: YA

My Rating: DNF @ch. 4

Womp. Womp.

I’m sorry guys, but I’m about to go full on Regina George today and light this shit on fiyah!

Just for the record, I frikkin LOVED Twilight! But this…was eye roll central for me.

“Hate and irritation. Impatience. Would the hour never pass?”

Omg Edward. My thoughts exactly!

By the way, I was Team Edward all the way until I read this book! 🤦‍♀️ So for those of you who have held off on this one cause you’re unsure, let me save you some time! DON’T. DO. IT!!

“Ignorance was bliss to the human mind.”

Oh, Edward you fool. How right you are!

The idea of wanting to hear Edward’s POV was enticing, but now that I’ve read it, I can’t unread it! And quite frankly, he was totally annoying. I seriously thought the first chapter would never end!

It does pick up and get a tad better, but it wasn’t enough to keep me invested.

Have you read it? Thinkin about reading it?

Were you Team Edward? Or Jacob?

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This week’s episode of My Burn Book…

Genre: Horror

My Rating: ⭐⭐ – DNF

I walked into this one knowing it would be slow burn with low expectations, yet I still somehow managed to walk out disappointed. How does that even happen?!!

WARNING: I’m about to be a total buzz kill and point out all the things that didn’t work for me:

– In chapter 3, there was akward conversation between Noemi & Howard Doyle. I get what the author was trying to achieve, but it just felt completely left field for me.

– Detail overload! I felt like there was a lot of unnecessary details, from what Noemi was doing, to what she was eating and drinking during her stay at High Place.

– Setting. I was hoping that the 1950’s setting was going to have me on a high note, but even that was disappointing for me.

It felt very present day and like I was reading a YA novel.

–Horror/thrill factor. This will be different for everyone, but 1) it wasn’t scary or creepy for me, and 2) the suspense dragged on for waay too long.

– The Reveal. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna spoil it, but I thought it was stupid.

So is it worth reading?

There’s a story for everyone. I’d say..support your library on this one!

Have you read it? Did you enjoy it?

After receiving a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find – her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.

Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

The Bone Garden by Heather Kassner

On this week’s episode of My Burn Book, I present…

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

My Rating: ⭐⭐ – DNF @ chapter 10

I haven’t read any middle grade horror since I was a kid, so I was really looking forward to reading this with Jonny from Jaunts & Haunts.

It’s always a blast chatting with Jonny, but we both agreed that this book was a dud.

Here’s how our convo went down:

Jonny: So, that book just happened. *cringe* Thanks for chatting it up with me on Insta and making me feel less crazy when I started not liking it. I had to really push to finish this one.

Gigi: Jonny (side note: do you prefer Jonny?), you were way nicer than I was. I’ll be honest, since it was our first time reading together. I was treading lightly at first. But let’s be real. The book was boring! Hats off to you for seeing it through. I only made it to chapter 10 before DNF-ing. Womp womp.

Jonny: Yeah, I go by Jonny. Only my mom calls me Jonathan, and that’s usually when she’s upset with me.

I try to see the best in the books I read, but sometimes even that’s a stretch. This is definitely one of those times.
I can’t agree with you more. Through the whole thing, I never really felt anything. Usually, certain things in a book will move me, will inspire some kind of emotion, but I was just flatlined the whole time. Do not resuscitate! I don’t blame you for DNF’ing, I almost did several times, like where is this all going?

Is there anything that worked for you despite dropping it?

Gigi: Actually, there were a few things I liked a out the book:

– Loved the setting! The cemetery, the skeletons, that’s a winner right there.

-The characters. Irrelle & Miss Vesper were great characters in the making. Just the actual storytelling fell flat.

-The premise. I loved the whole idea of Irrelle being created from bone dust. The synopsis made it sound like Irrelle becomes defiant and destroys Miss Vesper’s new creation on purpose. But that’s not what actually happened. Or did I miss something?

*sigh* this one had so much potential.

Jonny: Good points. I really enjoyed the ambience too. Anything spooky is right up my alley, and the magic aspect was interesting. Bone magic? Very cool! Unfortunately it really didn’t pan out well. Setting and concept can only get you so far if it isn’t cohesive and executed well.
Oh, Irreele kind of ‘tried’ to be defiant, but she was really meek and rarely followed through on her thoughts. While she was abused and that was definitely a deterrent for her to lash out, in much of the book there’s nothing really stopping her from acting out, just her cowardice. I wasn’t buying it.

What character would you say was most believable?

I liked Guy because his personality stood out. He was emotional, didn’t like Miss Vesper, and didn’t hide it in his actions either. I wish Irreele would’ve taken bravery from him as well as Lass and step up for herself.

Gigi: Because I DNF’d, I never really had a chance to meet Guy or Lass. I completely agree on following through on Irreele’s thoughts. I kept wanting her to grow some balls so to speak.

I actually thought Miss Vesper’s character was done very well. For me, she was very believable and a good villain in my opinion.

Jonny: Oh, that’s right. I forgot exactly how slow the beginning was. Goodness!

I agree with you. For the most part, Miss Vesper’s character was stable throughout. Cold, merciless, two-faced. Definitely a good villain, though in spots later she did betray her character a bit (trying to keep it spoiler free is so hard!).

Well, I’m sorry this one didn’t pan out as we’d hoped, but there’s plenty of books out there, and I’m excited about the next ones we’re considering. Thanks so much for being my reading buddy. We have a lot of great stories ahead of us!

Gigi: I know. I had high hopes walking into this one! Too bad it didn’t work out. Oh well… there will be others and I’m looking forward to reading more books with you!! Xo.

Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay

On this week’s episode of ‘My Burn Book‘, I present..

Genre: Horror, Thriller

My Rating: DNF (⭐⭐)

“We’ve been quarantined. Nice knowing everybody.”

This sounded so good and was one of my most anticipated reads this summer! But was a complete letdown!

I thought it was slow and read more like a play/script…written by Joey Tribbiani! Remember that episode of Friends where Ross tells Joey to write a play? Well, this is what it reminded me of.

It goes a little something like this:

Natalie said..

Paul says..

Something happens..

The man shouts…

Yeah. Not good! This is my first Tremblay read and a horrible start. I’m hoping his other book, Growing Things and Other Stories is better!

** Thank you Harper Collins Canada for providing me an ARC **

Have you read this one yet? Is it on your TBR? Have you read any of his other books?

In a matter of weeks, Massachusetts has been overrun by an insidious rabies-like virus that is spread by saliva. But unlike rabies, the disease has a terrifyingly short incubation period of an hour or less. Those infected quickly lose their minds and are driven to bite and infect as many others as they can before they inevitably succumb. Hospitals are inundated with the sick and dying, and hysteria has taken hold. To try to limit its spread, the commonwealth is under quarantine and curfew. But society is breaking down and the government’s emergency protocols are faltering.

Dr. Ramola “Rams” Sherman, a soft-spoken pediatrician in her mid-thirties, receives a frantic phone call from Natalie, a friend who is eight months pregnant. Natalie’s husband has been killed—viciously attacked by an infected neighbor—and in a failed attempt to save him, Natalie, too, was bitten. Natalie’s only chance of survival is to get to a hospital as quickly as possible to receive a rabies vaccine. The clock is ticking for her and for her unborn child.

Natalie’s fight for life becomes a desperate odyssey as she and Rams make their way through a hostile landscape filled with dangers beyond their worst nightmares—terrifying, strange, and sometimes deadly challenges that push them to the brink