Mystery

The Family Game | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
A confession to a grisly crime. A murder. And, suddenly, the game is in motion. Harriet Reed is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir to an extremely powerful American family. When Edward’s father hands her a tape of a book he’s been working on, she is desperate to listen. But as she presses play, it’s clear that this isn’t a novel. It’s a confession to murder.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47AZWNM

My Rating

This was a very slow moving thriller that focused mainly on the main character. We get to learn a lot about her, and the story is told through her eyes. And although it wasn’t a quick paced story, I really enjoyed it and think that it’s a great winter time thriller.

In the book, we follow Harry, a novelist, who is newly engaged to Edward. Her fiancé comes from a very wealthy family. But Harry soon learns that the family not only has money, but secrets as well. Although she finds herself drawn in to her new family, she’s starting to wonder if they can truly be trusted.

Harry as a main character was great. I found her to be likable and for the most part smart. And I love that she was a thriller author, and used the knowledge she gained from writing her books to help her uncover some of the family’s secrets. However, Harry has a secret of her own, which shows the darker side to the character, but also very human side.

“Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.”

No, I won’t say this book is full of twists and turns, but there were a few moments that shocked me. I enjoyed the slower pace of this book, and I loved that it was at Christmas time. I haven’t read many thrillers that take place during the holidays, so it was a nice change for me. And the mention of Krampus, although small, was pretty interesting.

I have heard others say that they wished that the book focused more on the family game part, which is understandable, considering it’s the title. However, that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book. And the ending was fantastic! It started off as a four star, but was bumped up to five because those last few chapters.

Overall, the writing was excellent, the plot was amazing, and my reading experience was great. I will 100% be reading more from this author, and I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a thriller to read in the winter time. But please check trigger warnings before picking up this book.

In the comments, let me know if you will be reading this book. Don’t forget that you can stay up to date with the blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Did I Read My 2023 Anticipated Releases?

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
For day 2 of Bookmas, I am going to be taking a look back at my most anticipated book releases of 2023. I have done 4 anticipated releases post this year, so I am hoping that I have at least read half of the books that I was excited for this year. If not, I am going to try and make it a priority to read some of them before the year is over.

I did a post talking about my most anticipated YA romances, and I am happy to say that I read 3 out of the five books I mentioned in that post. I read ‘Never Vacation with Your Ex’, ‘Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl’ and ‘Borrow My Heart.’ But, I wasn’t able to pick up ‘Promposal’ and I completely forgot about ‘The Borrow a Boyfriend Club.’ However, I am still interested in both of those books.
Related Post: 2023 YA Romances // Anticipated Releases

My next release post was talking about 2023 summer books. I read 5 of the books in that post, which were ‘The Only One Left,’ ‘The Seven Year Slip,’ ‘One of Us Is Back,’ ‘Delicate Condition,’ and ‘Foxglove.’ And, all of these books were between 4 and 5 stars for me. As for the ones I didn’t read we have ‘Summer Rental,’ ‘Business or Pleasure,’ and ‘Ghosted: A Northanger Abbey.’ All of those books still sound so good. There were two other books in this post, ‘The Trap‘ and ‘Good Bad Girl‘ that I didn’t read, but started. And, since putting down ‘Good Bad Girl’, I haven’t heard the greatest thing about it, so it might be a DNF.
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // Summer 2023

Moving on to a post I did recently, my October anticipated releases. I am going to keep this short and sweet by saying that I have yet to read any of the six books I mentioned. Still, I am very interested in all of them. Lastly, is my November book release post and, like October, I haven’t read any of these books. I might try and get to one out of six books in that post, which will most likely be ‘Iron Flame’ or ‘Betting On You.’
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // October 2023
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // November 2023

Honestly, I don’t think I did too badly this year when it came to reading books I was excited for. It doesn’t shock me that I did poorly in October and November, since I’m a mood reader and like to read certain books during those months. In the comments, tell me if you have read any of my anticipated releases, and if they are worth the read. Don’t forget that it is completely free and makes me smile when you follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

You Shouldn’t Have Come Here // Book Review

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About The Book
 Grace Evans, an overworked New Yorker, books an Airbnb on a ranch in the middle of Wyoming. She’s pleased to find that the owner is a handsome man by the name of Calvin Wells–and he’s eager to introduce her to his easygoing way of life. But there are things Grace discovers that she’s not too pleased about: A lack of cell phone service. A missing woman. And a feeling that something isn’t right with the ranch.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Qi1iW9

My Rating

This book was nothing like I expected it to be, and I am still trying to figure out whether that is a good thing. Jeneva Rose is considered the queen of twists, but whether or not those twists are good is still up for debate, in my opinion. However, if you are looking for a book with a completely shocking twist (that you will probably never see coming), I can see you enjoying this book.

The plot revolves around Grace, who is staying at an Airbnb in a small town in Wyoming. She is instantly drawn to Calvin, the owner of the Airbnb, but you can immediately tell that both Grace and Calvin have some dark secrets. However, both Calvin and Grace are decent characters. I was shocked that we actually received POV’s from both Calvin and Grace throughout the book.

The writing style was great, and I found myself unable to put down the book. I read it in a day, and I am a fan of short chapters, so that was a major plus for me. The author did a good job of keeping the story moving without any unnecessary chapters that do nothing for the plot. I can see why people enjoy her books and I will pick up more of them in the future.

“There was something both beautiful and terrifying about isolation. It made you feel important and insignificant at the same time.”

Regarding the queen of twists title, there were too many breadcrumbs in the story. I quickly figured out two of the twists. Now, I am not the type of reader that tries to figure out book twists, and normally I do not see things coming, but a few of the twists in this book were just plain obvious. However, the end twist was completely out of left field and was unusual. In my opinion, it did not seem to fit the story.

Overall, the book has a decent plot, but the direction the author took the story is baffling. It seemed as if the author threw in this out-of-the-blue twist for the shock value rather than making sense for the plot. I had an idea of where the plot was going and would have actually preferred it if I was correct. Also, the fact that this book title reminds me of the movie ‘You Should Have Left’ is strange to me.

In the comments, let me know your thoughts on the end of the book. Do you agree that Jeneva Rose is the queen of book twists? Do not forget to follow me on Bookstagram (@Books.With.Bunny) and Pinterest, for more bookish content. And help support my blog by giving it a follow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

None Of This Is True // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
 A woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast. Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3s6HgGc

My Rating

I was a little scared going into this book, because my first Lisa Jewell novel, And Then She Was Gone, was very predictable, and quite sad. But in the moment I heard about this book, it immediately rose to the top of my TBR. The plot sounded so intriguing, and because of that, I was willing to give Lisa Jewell another chance.

The premise follows two women who share a birthday, but live completely different lies. But when Podcaster Alix is approached by her birthday twin Josie to do a new Podcast, telling Josie‘s story of her what she claims to be twisted life. Alix’s takes the opportunity, but quickly start seeing the holes in Josie story.

This book is probably one of the most insane thrillers I have ever read. Honestly, the whole time you aren’t sure what to believe. I kept having my guesses at what was going to happen, and who is telling the truth, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking of the title of the book that none of this is true so maybe nobody is completely trustworthy.

“You have to be free in order to be in control, Alix. You have to be free. No baggage. A clean break.”

The author did a great job at keeping me intrigued and guessing throughout the story. The writing was good, yet there’s just something about Lisa Jewell’s writing that doesn’t quite pull me in as much as I would like. And to me, this was a slower read. It’s not that I didn’t want to pick the book up, the plot seemed to move at a more mid-level pace.

The ending wasn’t super shocking, but it was it underwhelming either. I like how even after everything was said, and done, the author threw in a little comment, one final chapter that made you wonder if the truth is really the truth. For me the jury still out on who to believe.

Overall, this book was a good time at a really solid mystery thriller. It it has made me consider picking up more of the authors other books. Because this one kept me engaged and interested throughout the entire story. So my overall read experience was really good.

In the comments, leave me some Lisa Jewell book recommendations. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other book lovers. As always, you can help my blog grow by giving it a follow! It’s also the best way to get post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

She Is A Haunting // Book Review

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About The Book
 A House with a terrifying appetite haunts a broken family in this atmospheric horror, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic. Chilling, evocative, and atmospheric, She Is a Haunting is a slow burn debut horror novel about the ghosts of the past and the ways in which they connect to our present. Tran’s vivid imagery makes this terrifying tale a true standout. This house eats and is eaten . . .
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47fvqbV

My Rating

This is a haunted house story that has been compared to ‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I can see why it can be seen as a YA version of that book. However, I did not enjoy it as much. This story was not gripping, and it was also slightly more confusing. And if I am being honest, I do not remember a lot of the book, which should say something.

The plot follows Jade, as she goes to Vietnam with her sister to visit their estranged father. However, weird things start happening in the house where they are staying with their Ba. Although, it didn’t feel like a ‘true’ spooky haunted house story, which probably doesn’t make any sense.

As a main character, Jada was mediocre, and she did not want to be there, which was apparent throughout much of the story. Truthfully, she had reasons for coming to Vietnam, but she could have left at any time instead of forcing herself to be in a situation that made her uncomfortable.

“I know this is a dream because I am not afraid of my father.”

The book was entertaining but kind of all over the place. I found myself becoming confused and having to reread passages. I found it easy to read mindlessly, without really understanding it. At the end of the book, I was confused, shocked and disappointed.

The writing was not my favorite and did not keep me engaged. The story felt slow moving, and I kept waiting for more to happen. The author is a great storyteller, but her writing form is not what I prefer.

Overall, I did not get the spooky vibes that I was looking for in the story. I would not call it a bad read at all, it just was not something that really interested me. However, I am willing to give the author another shot in the future.

In the comments, let me know if you have read the book. Also, did you know I have an Instagram (@books.with.bunny) account? I post bookish photos each week, so if you are looking for more content from me, you can always follow me on there as well. Please support my blog by hitting the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

House Of Salt And Sorrows // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
 Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor with her sisters and their father and stepmother. Once there were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family–before it claims her next.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3PYe4sV

My Rating

I thought this book would be a five-star, because of its interesting plot, but it did not quite live up to my expectations. This is a young adult horror retelling of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.” Being someone who had never heard of the original version, I did not know exactly what to expect. However, after reading this book, I am curious about the original story.

In the book, we follow Annaleigh, she was one out of a family of 12 daughters, however, four of her sisters, along with her mother, passed away. Because of this, people assume that the family is cursed. However, when strange things start happening, Annaleigh begins to wonder if these deaths are not accidents.

This book is full of many twists and turns. Annaleigh was a very smart main character, and I loved how she was willing to believe in the impossible. However, grief clouds our judgment slightly, which could be why she was quick to believe in unusal and strange things going on.

“We are born of the Salt, we live by the Salt, and to the Salt we return.”

The plot was interesting, and it kept me engaged. There is even a romance that I did not see coming but loved. However, there were times when I thought the story lagged, and I did not want to pick up the book quite as much as I would have hoped. However, I never saw the ending coming, and it was amazing.

Overall, I enjoyed how the author brought this story to life, and it was almost a bit of a gothic haunted spin on ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ story. The last few chapters were fairly creepy, so I would say it is a true horror story, even if it is on the tamer side of things.

In the comments, let me know if you have read the “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” and what you thought of this retelling. Do not forget to like and share this post with other book lovers. If you want to become part of my little bookish family, hit the follow button!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Every Last Fear // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
A family made infamous by a true crime documentary is found dead, leaving their surviving son to uncover the truth about their final days. Told through multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present, Alex Finlay’s Every Last Fear is not only a page-turning thriller, it’s also a poignant story about a family managing heartbreak and tragedy, and living through a fame they never wanted.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Qhbcsi

My Rating

This book was not exactly like I had imagined it, but then again, I went into it, not knowing much about the plot. I was hoping for a thriller that I could not put down, but sadly, that was not the case. However, I do not think that is the book fault, but mainly my expectations being too high.

The plot centers around Matt Pine, a college student whose family was found dead in Mexico due to a gas leak. However, the FBI gets involved, believing that there may be more to the Pine family’s deaths. In addition, Matt’s older brother is in jail for murdering his girlfriend when he was a teenager. A murder that none of his family thinks that he has committed.

The characters in the story failed to draw me in. I found it challenging to care about them sufficiently to truly become invested in the narrative. The story is told from multiple points of view, as well as the past-and-present timelines. I understand the authors’ reasoning for this, but it did not work for me. I generally prefer more focused narratives with fewer perspectives.

“You have two choices when you’re confronted with your every last fear: Give up or fight like hell.”

The story unfolds at a slow pace, lacking the fast-paced tension that often keeps me hooked. Throughout the book, I found myself waiting for more substantial developments that would truly captivate me, but these moments never truly came. The ending did not pack the shocking punch that I had hoped for either, which left me to want more from the story.

The narrative had a familiar feel, akin to a typical episode of a crime show like “Law and Order.” This similarity to formulaic crime dramas was somewhat disappointing. As a fan of the author’s previous work, “The Night Shift,” I had higher expectations of this novel. Unfortunately, these were not met. The plot and ending, while well executed, left a lingering sense of sadness, which might not be everyones cup of tea.

Overall, it is a decent read, but it did not have the magnetic pull that made me excited to pick it up. It falls safely into the tamer side of the thriller category, making it better suited to readers who prefer a less intense experience. So, not really aligned with my tastes, but while it might not be the most captivating, it still has its merits and could very well be an enjoyable read for those seeking a milder kind of thriller/suspense.

In the comments, let me know if you read the book. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others. As always, follow the blog to help it grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Ace Of Spades // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully. As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/46q5ZEa

My Rating

This is a gripping tale, with the main characters Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo standing out as minorities in their high school. Chiamaka is portrayed as the classic, smart, ‘queen bee,’ and Devon as the music geek from the wrong side of the tracks.

The plot of the book is undeniably interesting, as it revolves around a mysterious threat targeting Devon and Chiamaka, the only two black students at Niveus Private Academy. This premise immediately captivated me, and kept me engaged throughout the book.

While the writing was commendable and entertaining, I found the book to be a bit lengthy. At times, it felt like I was waiting for something significant to occur. Additionally, the fact that Devon and Chiamaka spent a substantial portion of the book apart was somewhat disappointing, as I hoped for more interaction between them.

“But racism isn’t just about that—it’s not about being nice or mean. Or good versus bad. It’s bigger than that.”

Devon’s character was my favorite, and I felt that I enjoyed his chapters and point of view more than Chiamaka, who came across as somewhat cold. Once the two characters finally started to interact, I did not see much of a friendship form until closer to the end of the book. However, the opposites in their personalities may have been intentional, adding depth to their dynamic.

The ending of the book was shocking, and the revelation behind the attacks on Devon and Chiamaka was unexpected. Furthermore, the book’s unique approach to addressing racism was very impressive. The author was able to tackle such an important social issues in a compelling manner.

Overall, the story is an intriguing reading with engaging characters and captivating plot. It may feel a bit long, and the characters maybe could have interacted more. However, the ending, as well as its take on the topic of racism, makes it a good enough read. One quick thing is that the book features LGBT+ representation, which is something I always like to see in books.

In the comments, let me know if you have read anything from this author previously. Do not forget to like and share this post with others. Before you go, feel free to hit the following button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Anticipated Releases // October 2023

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I cannot believe that it is already October. Where has the year gone? But, I do love the last three months of the year the best! Not only for the holidays, but also all the seasonal book releases. So, let’s talk about the October releases that I’m most excited about this year.

Hatchet Girls by Diana Rodriguez Wallach (October 10th): This book sounds amazing! It’s essentially a retelling of Lizzie Borden and how a similar crime would be handled today. I would love to get to this as soon as it comes out, because the Lizzie Borden story has always fascinated me. That’s not weird, right?

The Fall of Whit Rivera (October 10th): This is a cozy autumn young adult romance that I think I’m going to really enjoy. The plot is about two high school enemies that have to work together to plan the fall dance. I’m always down to read an enemies-to-lovers romance, and one that takes place in the fall is even better.

All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters (October 17th): This is a gothic young adult dark academia that sounds very creepy. In the book, a girl gets invited into a elite academic society, but starts to realize that it’s more of a nightmare than a dream come true. It seems like the perfect read for the spooky season.

Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker (October 17th): I’m very excited for this release because it’s a young adult mystery thriller which is one of my absolute favorite genres. From what I gather it’s about 12 contestants who end up on a deadly flight. But, I really don’t need to know much about it since it’s supposedly perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, which basically means it’s meant for me.

People to Follow by Olivia Worley (October 31st): I heard about this book a while back, and I cannot wait to read it! This is an adult thriller about a bunch of influencers that get invited to a remote island and then the begin dying. Honestly, it sounds like a more adult version of ‘The Island’ by Natasha Preston that I read earlier this year but more up my alley.

The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed (October 31st): This is giving ‘The Inheritance Games’ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes vibes. However, this plot sounds bit more intriguing to me. The book follows Lily Rosewood and three others on a treasure hunt for the Rosewood fortune left behind by Lily’s recently deceased grandmother. Although, ‘The Inheritance Games’ was a DNF for me, I have high hopes for this book.

There you have some of my most anticipated releases for October. Oddly enough, I’m typically the last to know about new book releases, so there are probably a ton that I’m forgetting. In the comments, let me know what is your most anticipated book release for the month. Don’t forget to follow the blog so that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Nothing More To Tell // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favorite teacher—a story that made headlines after the teacher’s body was found by three Saint Ambrose students in the woods behind their school. Now that Brynn is moving home and starting her dream internship at a true-crime show, she’s determined to find out what really happened. The kids who found Mr. Larkin are her way in, and her ex–best friend, Tripp Talbot, was one of them.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/46s76D4

My Rating

I am a huge fan of Karen M. McManus, but I was sadly disappointed with this book. The plot follows high school student Brynn, who gets an internship at a true crime podcast. She has a perfect case for the show to follow – the unsolved murder of her favorite teacher, Mr. Larkin, at Saint Ambrose School. However, this means reconnecting with her ex-best friend Tripp, one of the three students who discovered Mr. Larkin’s body.

This book did not live up to my expectations. The plot was not very intriguing, and the characters were simply okay. There were some twists and turns, but nothing left me shocked. The entire book was very slow moving. I wanted more excitement, thrilling, and heart-pounding moments.

Don’t get me wrong, McManus has impeccable writing, which really helped me enjoy the book. However, I did not care about the mystery, which is the whole point of a mystery/thriller book? Furthermore, the plot in general was not all too interesting, but maybe I was just expecting too much from the book, since I have loved most of her other releases.

As for the podcast show element, it was not something I cared for either. It felt as though that was just away to get the characters digging into Mr. Larkin’s murder. I am not the biggest fan of books that follow podcasts or true crime lovers since they usually seem like they are trying to be relevant. Not that they’re bad, I just have not enjoyed any of the books I read with that plot device.

“I know that secrets can eat you alive, and the truth can break your heart, and sometimes it’s hard to know which is worse.”

There was a romance in the book that you could see coming to, but the main question was whether it was needed. Not every young adult book requires a love story. I felt that the book could achieve the same outcome without any sort of second-chance romance side plot.

Now the ending was fairly shocking, and truth be told, I am not sure how I feel about it. The author went a rather unexpected and interesting route that I did not see coming at all. The book was left somewhat open and ended. If you know me, I am not a fan of cliffhangers, so this ending bothered me.

Overall, I still love Karen M. McManus and will continue to read anything she will release. This story was not my favorite, but the writing was phenomenal and the ending was quite unexcepted. I would probably only recommend it if you were very new to the YA mystery/thriller genre.

In the comments, let me know if you have read the book. Do not forget to help support my blog by giving it a follow before you leave.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny