Tag Archive for: 3.5 Stars

, , ,

The First Time I Saw Him

The First Time I Saw HimTitle: The First Time I Saw Him
Author: Laura Dave
Series: Hannah Hall #2
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 288
Length: 7h 25m
Narrator: Rebecca Lowman, Tessa Albertson, Colin Donnell, C.J. Wilson
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: The Last Thing He Told Me
My Thoughts

I was happy with how THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME had ended and I wasn’t going to read THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM because I didn’t feel like I had to. Then, I started watching season 2 of the TV show and I wanted to read the book before I watched the last few episodes. I wanted to know how it ended the “legit” way, lol. To my surprise, season 2 and this book were written in tandem and both took different directions. I’m a bit disappointed because I’ve been enjoying the TV show a lot.

I thought the story was good, but not as good as the first story. I did enjoy reading from Bailey’s, Nicholas’, and Owen’s POV as well as Hannah’s this time around. I also liked learning more about Frank, his family, and the organization. While I’m happy about the outcome, the story wasn’t as suspenseful and felt a more rushed than the first book did. I’m pretty sure I’m going to enjoy season 2 better than the book this time around.

Stuck With You

Stuck With YouTitle: Stuck with You
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Series: STEMinist Novellas #2
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 127
Length: 3h 22m
Narrator: Meg Sylvan
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Below Zero, Under One Roof
My Thoughts

STUCK WITH YOU is my least favorite of the STEMinist Novellas. Normally, instalove doesn’t bother me, but I couldn’t get over part of the premise. I liked the idea of them being stuck in the elevator together so they could air out their grievances, but Erik’s thoughts on why Sadie was mad at him was just too much for me.

I did like Sadie and Erik’s chemistry, and I think I might’ve liked this one better had it been a fully fleshed out novel.

, ,

Not If I Save You First

Not If I Save You FirstTitle: Not If I Save You First
Author: Ally Carter
Genre: Romance, Thriller, Young Adult
Format: Audio
Pages: 304
Length: 6h 55m
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

As long as you don’t think too hard about the hows and whys, NOT IF I SAVE YOU FIRST is a fun, light-hearted, action-packed romantic thriller. Despite its unbelievability, the story and Carter’s writing style did exactly what I needed them to do–kept me reading so I could knock out one more book before the end of the year.

The Unwedding

The UnweddingTitle: The Unwedding
Author: Ally Condie
Genre: Thriller
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 337
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I was really excited to read THE UNWEDDING because I know Ally Condie personally. When I found out Ally was writing a murder mystery, I was hoping the story would be more of a thriller. To my disappointment, it wasn’t. While the story’s suspenseful at times, I never had that edge-of-my-seat feeling I crave when reading thrillers.

Despite my disappointment with the mystery, I still found Ally’s writing a joy to read. As always, her writing has a poetic and lyrical feel and paints a clear picture of love, loss, and healing. The emotionality was my favorite part of this story. I especially loved reading the aspects of the story that were inspired in part by her life.

, ,

Where The Crawdads Sing

Where The Crawdads SingTitle: Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery
Format: Audio
Pages: 370
Length: 12h 12m
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I truly loved WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING until the last few pages. I think she would’ve confided in Tate about her past and the ending made it seem like she hadn’t. I feel it undid what the author was trying to say and/or show about who Kya grew to be after the trial.

While I’m a little miffed at the ending, I’m still glad I read it. I really loved Kya and I was invested in her life. I loved that she not only survived, but thrived despite the hardships she faced. I thought her story was beautifully told and emotional. I thought the dual timeline was the perfect vehicle for the story, especially the mystery aspect of it. I liked getting snippets of Kya’s life in the past as I wondered what lead to the present circumstances.