Title: The Locked Door
Author: Freida McFadden
Rating: 3/5
Comments: Ehhh. It’s almost like McFadden tries too hard. Yes they’re thrillers but I think this over-the-top way-too-unexpected plot is old. Or maybe I’m just over it. I feel this way about Riley Sager sometimes too. I don’t want to read something that’s SO far fetched. I want it to make sense. This is good but it’s just a lot. I love a plot twist but not one that comes so far out of left field that it makes you go “hmm” instead of “OMG.”
Title: Little Girls Sleeping (Detective Katie Scott #1)
Author: Jennifer Chase
Rating: 3.9/4
Comments: This is the first book in a series that my mom has been reading and recommended to me. The main character, Katie Scott, is really hard not to like. I love a good feels-like-a-TV-show mystery and this is just that. You feel how much Scott cares about her job and how strong her instincts are. There is one point in the book that made me roll my eyes hardcore because I don’t think it could ever happen- but the rest of the story and characters are enjoyable. I’m excited to read book two.
Title: Ugly Love
Author: Colleen Hoover
Rating: 4.2/5
Comments: Oh my gosh. I loved it. It’s incredible. It’s so different than anything else I’ve ever read. It’s so raw. So real. So relatable. I think we all know what it’s like to A. Fall for someone who isn’t willing to let someone in OR B. Be afraid of letting someone in after experiencing trauma. Or maybe we’ve been both. Wow. I could relate to Tate so much in the sense of having feelings for someone you know will never let you all the way in but part of you believes you can change them. Miles being afraid of beautiful love because he doesn’t want it to lead to ugly love? Heartbreaking. I could feel everything he was feeling and I love experiencing that while reading.
Title: It Starts With Us
Author: Colleen Hoover
Rating: 4.3/5
Comments: LOVE LOVE LOVE. I loved It Ends With Us but I think I like this one more. I loved hearing more about Atlas and his storyline. As compelling as Lily’s story is with Ryle, Atlas is way more interesting. The way he carries himself and cares for others without anyone ever caring about him… it’s beautiful. Of course it’s comforting knowing Lily and Atlas find their way back to each other but learning more about Atlas was way more satisfying. Usually sequels are not as enjoyable as the first novel, but this exceeded my expectations.
Title: Her Last Whisper (Detective Katie Scott #2)
Author: Jennifer Chase
Rating: 4/5
Comments: I am really enjoying Detective Katie Scott’s story. She is so fierce, smart, fearless, and just a badass. Her instincts are so Nancy Drew but in an adult, serious way. I am grateful the outcome of this one isn’t as farfetched as the first novel in the series. The murderer is someone not too obvious but not too out of left field either. I love when things just make sense and Detective Scott is brilliant when it comes to making sense of things. I am excited to continue this series and see how her storyline develops both personally and professionally.
Title: The Honeymoon Crashers
Author: Christina Lauren
Rating: 3.5/5
Comments: This was a quick, fun, predictable read. I only read it because it was available on Libby and only five hours. Fun fact: It’s an audio original. It’s kind of cool because they incorporate the sounds of Hawaii throughout the narration with the waves crashing and traditional Hawaiian music playing. Oops- I just realized it’s a sequel to The Unhoneymooners, a book I have not read/listened to. The good news is the characters are interesting enough for me to want to back and read the first book! Stay tuned.
Title: November 9*
Author: Colleen Hoover
Rating: 5/5
Comments: WOW. Holy shit. Wow. I think this is my new favorite Hoover novel. I listened to this audiobook and it was one where I just could not wait to get in my car so I could hear what happens next. The story of Fallon and Ben is so complicated yet romantic but heartbreaking and also beautiful. When I say my jaw dropped at the big revelation, my jaw DROPPED. I was driving on 84 on my way to work and I swear my mouth was open for like five miles. That hasn’t happened to me since I listened to The Silent Patient. It is just soooo good. Oh and we get an appearance from some of Ugly Love‘s characters! We all know I love a good lil’ crossover.
Title: The Paris Apartment
Author: Lucy Foley
Rating: 3.8/5
Comments: Okay initially I was not into it. It’s really long for no reason and I kept thinking “Get to the point. Give me something.” But I should have known to trust Foley because The Guest List is sooo good. Once things started happening and secrets were beginning to reveal themselves, my interest grew. It’s a story about the bond between siblings and doing whatever it takes to protect one another. There are some crazy plot lines that include the brother and one twisted family that rules the Paris apartment complex. I would recommend The Guest List over this book, but this is a good audiobook if you have a long drive ahead of you.
Title: Leave the World Behind
Author: Rumaan Alam
Rating: 2/5
Comments: Nope. So not for me. I am biased because it’s.. dystopian- which is so not my thing. I would have never chosen it if I knew it would end the way it does. In my defense, the book’s genres are described as Thriller, Fiction, and Mystery. Those are all right up my alley and genres I choose every day. So when the book started getting weird, I was not happy. The story itself isn’t even interesting enough for me to look past the dystopianess. I just really was not following and I don’t enjoy books I don’t understand. I also had more faith in the book because it is going to be a Netflix movie starring Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke. Will I watch? Yes but mostly because maybe it will help explain all the things I don’t understand.
Title: Flowers on Her Grave (Detective Katie Scott #3)
Author: Jennifer Chase
Rating: 4/5
Comments: Major plot twist that I was not expecting at all. This is the saddest of the the first three books in the series by far. But I am so enjoying Scott’s development as a detective, friend, girlfriend, and coworker. At this point, I am totally invested in the series and already onto book #4. I highly recommend this series!
Title: Caught
Author: Harlan Coben
Rating: 4.2/5
Comments: I think this is my first Coben novel which is crazy because he’s a legend. This is a story about news anchor-turned-armchair detective Wendy. Several men who are connected from their past all find themselves in life-destroying controversy and Wendy is doing all she can to get to the bottom of it. Secrets are revealed along the way and there are several surprise twists. The most interesting twist is the ending- I am perfectly satisfied.
*RRN: Read Right Now!
Sarcastically Callie 
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