Tag Archive for: 4 Stars

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The Guest List

The Guest ListTitle: The Guest List
Author: Lucy Foley
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 320
Length: 10:22
Narrator: Jot Davies, Sarah Ovens, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Rich Keeble
Source: Library
Reason: Recommended
Rating:
Spice: 1.5 Flames

My Thoughts

THE GUEST LIST was a really fun, intriguing thriller. I loved the setting, the different POVs, and the different audio narrators. Even though this was published first, it reminded me of THE UNWEDDING by Ally Condie. I loved that we don’t find out who died until almost the very end. I also liked seeing all the threads and different events come together. 

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The Last Mrs. Parrish

The Last Mrs. ParrishTitle: The Last Mrs. Parrish
Author: Liv Constantine
Series: Mrs. Parrish #1
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 550
Length: 12h
Narrator: Meghan Wolfe, Suzanne Elise Freeman
Source: Library
Reason: None
Rating:
Spice: 1.5 Flames

My Thoughts

I decided to read THE LAST MRS. PARRISH because my book club read THE HOUSEMAID and I saw the controversy surrounding McFadden’s novels. I wanted to see for myself what all the hubbub was about. I can definitely see similarities in the two stories, but I’m not convinced that McFadden did what readers are accusing her of. Most stories, music, and other art are heavily influenced by existing media. The words, characters, and even the plot are different enough that they’re not the same.

Anyway, I really enjoyed TLMP. I, of course, can’t help but compare it to TH. Both kept me on the edge of my seat. Both ended fairly satisfactorily, although I liked TLMP’s story and ending better. While I liked both narrators in TH, I hated being in Amber’s selfish/narcissistic head. But, it made the ending that much more satisfying to see her get what was coming to her. I’m glad I read TLMP and I’ll definitely read more books written by the author duo Liv Constantine.

The Housemaid

The HousemaidTitle: The Housemaid
Author: Freida McFadden
Series: The Housemaid #1
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 338
Length: 9h 41m
Narrator: Lauryn Allman
Source: Library
Reason: Book Club
Rating:
Spice: 1 Flames

My Thoughts

That was some next-level gaslighting. Holy crap! Great twist and well executed. I tore through this story. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down. I’m really excited to watch the movie now. (I’m going to read THE LAST MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine next to see what all the controversy is about surrounding Freida McFadden’s books.)

The Wild Huntress

The Wild HuntressTitle: The Wild Huntress
Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 432
Length: 11h 49m
Narrator: Moira Quirk
Source: Owned
Rating:
Spice: 1 Flames

My Thoughts

THE WILD HUNTRESS was awesome. I loved the story and the characters so much, especially Palug. He reminded me of my cats, Cassie and Izzy. (I’m so glad the dedication let me know he survives so I didn’t have to worry about him.) I also loved the mythology. The author’s twist on the Welsh folklore was so intriguing and the magical elements were fun to read and experience. I also really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. As an American not accustomed to Celtic languages, it was awesome to hear all the correct pronunciations of the Welsh words and names. My only hangup is that I wish the last chapter didn’t feel as rushed. I would’ve preferred an epilogue instead of an overview of future happenings.

The Compound

The CompoundTitle: The Compound
Author: Aisling Rawle
Genre: Dystopian
Format: Audio
Pages: 292
Length: 10h 5m
Narrator: Lucy Boynton
Source: Library
Reason: Recommended
Rating:
Spice: 1.5 Flames

My Thoughts

So much to say. Even though I didn’t really like Lily (I think), the story was so freaking compelling that I had to find out what happened. I kept thinking they were on a show like Squid Game and at some point the shoe was going to drop and they’d all be in danger. I’m a little disappointed that didn’t happen.

Based on what I witnessed and not knowing his thoughts, I liked Sam a lot and I was sad when he left. I was sad Lily hadn’t grown enough to go with him. And, the ambiguous ending is torture. Although, the author could definitely write a follow up to see how Lily’s life changes because of this experience.