Didn’t think it was possible, but Lovell Holder has successfully created a story that combines the best contestants and shocking moments of MTV’s The Didn’t think it was possible, but Lovell Holder has successfully created a story that combines the best contestants and shocking moments of MTV’s The Challenge, the drama from Bravo’s reality TV, and action-packed set pieces from the Hunger Games. While no one dies here (no need to volunteer, Katniss), if you’re a fan of Survivor and others that blend politics and endurance, you’ll be dying to check this one out.
The Book of Luke follows titular Luke, a former reality TV competitor who after discovering his husband, a gay republican (oh vey!) has been having an affair (or two, or three, or more) must jump back into the very career he left behind so he can better provide for his children. The invitation, seemingly out the blue, is his chance to pick up some easy cash and move him and his two kids out of DC and into a new life. Of course, easier said than done, as Luke arrives to season 20 of the popular reality tv completion, Endeavor, reunited with former best friend, but now sworn enemy, Imogen, and others from his past, who are sure to make his time back on tv a bit of a nightmare. There’s some nuance (emphasis on the “some”) here — Luke isn’t a perfect lead, having made some bad decisions since his first appearance, including outing a cast member, marrying a republican who’s voting record has put members of underserved communities at more of a risk, and overall is a crappy friend. This all comes to a head over these 400 pages of twists, backstabbing, reveals, and countless characters.
Speaking of, there are a lot of characters in this book. Almost laughably so. It’s almost too difficult to keep track of these people, though it does get easier as more eliminations occur. I would have loved more double eliminations or Challenge-like purge moments. Thankfully, no redemption house here so once people are eliminated they stay eliminated. Another issue lay with how Luke was written. At times, you want to root for him, but there are others where you can’t — a moment from his past is pretty despicable no matter how much Lovell wants to say it was part “of the game.” It’s too bad because serious topics are handled with a lot of care including the trans identity on television, which as a viewer of reality tv, is all but missing in real life. This pipe dream extends to the ending and boy does this book end on a happy ending. It’s sweet but maybe too sweet.
This one was a fun one for me — I ripped through these pages as more layers of this onion were removed, but mileage will vary. If you’re a fan of the source material, then this one is for you. If you’re looking for dramatics and some inner workings of reality tv, also give this a shot. At times I wasn’t sure if it was my love of The Challenge that kept me going (sometimes thinking to myself “I wonder if the author will pull a twist like MTV did in The Rivals 3”) or if it was my interest in the story. The story at times, may fall flat, but your interest in this genre of TV will make up for it. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC....more
Apostle’s Cove, the newest installment in William Kent Krueger’s long-running Cork O’Connor series, was my first foray into Krueger’s work — and it’s Apostle’s Cove, the newest installment in William Kent Krueger’s long-running Cork O’Connor series, was my first foray into Krueger’s work — and it’s a gripping, thoughtful mystery from start to finish.
The novel finds former sheriff Cork O’Connor facing a haunting case from his past. Days before Halloween and his sixtieth birthday, Cork receives a call from his son, Stephen, who now works with a nonprofit advocating for the wrongly incarcerated. Stephen believes that Axel Boshey, an Ojibwe man Cork helped convict for murder two decades ago, may have been innocent. Reluctantly, Cork begins to reexamine the case, only to discover that not everyone in Tamarack County wants the truth brought to light — and some may kill to keep it buried.
While this is my first O’Connor book, Krueger makes it easy to jump into the series. He smoothly provides enough backstory to orient new readers without slowing the plot. That said, the book does juggle a large cast of characters and multiple timelines, which can occasionally be hard to track — a challenge perhaps amplified by my lack of familiarity with previous books. The pacing also fluctuates; some chapters pulse with tension, while others linger in quieter, less urgent scenes.
Still, Apostle’s Cove shines in its emotional depth and its nuanced portrayal of a man torn between duty, guilt, and justice. Krueger’s deep care for his characters and setting is evident throughout. Cork, part Irish and part Ojibwe, is a compelling guide through the complexities of a community shaped by both culture and conflict. His ties to the reservation and the broader Tamarack County give the novel a rich sense of place and purpose.
Despite a few pacing issues, Apostle’s Cove is a strong, reflective mystery — one that balances crime-solving with conscience. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer like me, it’s well worth your time. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC. ...more
Miranda Smith’s Smile for the Cameras brought anything but a smile to my face—more often, it provoked yawns or eye rolls. With a sprawling cast of chaMiranda Smith’s Smile for the Cameras brought anything but a smile to my face—more often, it provoked yawns or eye rolls. With a sprawling cast of characters (past and present) and a "story within a story" framework, it tries to deliver a twisty slasher-thriller. Unfortunately, the result feels more muddled than menacing, despite the eerie '90s cabin setting and the lurking presence of an unwelcome guest. The big question: what if the creepiest person isn’t a stranger, but someone you used to trust? Sounds promising, right? Sadly, the execution falls flat.
Smith does get points for the setup. As a fan of classic slasher flicks, I appreciated the nods to genre conventions: a “final girl” in the form of a washed-up B-list actress, best known for her breakout role in Grad Night, who agrees to a reunion interview with her former cast and crew. Once at the remote location, old memories resurface, secrets unravel, and things (predictably) go off the rails.
It sounds like it could work. But as I read, I struggled to believe that Grad Night—the fictional film that anchors the narrative—could ever have been successful. From the brief scenes we get, it comes across as a bland, sex-heavy slasher with none of the originality or tension that made real-world classics like Scream or Friday the 13th stand the test of time. In fact, I wondered if those films even exist in this book’s universe—because that’s the only way Grad Night makes any cultural impact.
The novel also suffers from clunky pacing and underdeveloped characters. A flood of names and backstories are dumped onto the page early on, with little time to connect or care. The final twist left me shrugging rather than shocked, and by the end, I found myself disengaged from both the mystery and the people at its center.
Smile for the Cameras had potential but fails to live up to its premise. It may scratch a very specific slasher nostalgia itch for some, but for me, it didn’t make the cut. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC....more
You’ve never been to a bachelorette party like this before… or maybe you have? Ever walk into a room and you’re bombarded with so many new faces and nYou’ve never been to a bachelorette party like this before… or maybe you have? Ever walk into a room and you’re bombarded with so many new faces and names that it’s hard to keep up? Then, maybe you’ve been to this bachelorette party, a “thriller” from Camilla Sten. Hopefully sans a killer, though.
I knew this wasn’t going to be a party I ever wanted to be invited to (like our MC Tessa) as soon as the prologue started. I’m not a fan of authors who offload characters from the jump, wipes their hands after giving them just minor discernible qualities, and move along. Except here, it happens twice, with dual storylines each with 4 to 5 women.
I think there’s a good story here — we follow our MC back to an island where four women went missing a decade before — filled with a slow burn intrigue but neither the parts nor the whole are ultimately worth the trip. Short chapters (at least that’s what appears to be on the kindle) keeps the story moving. You might just want to RSVP “no thank you” and send a gift instead. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the ARC....more
The Wives of Hawthorne Lane is a solid domestic thriller bogged down by tropes and weird pacing. Stephanie DeCarolis has crafted a story straight out The Wives of Hawthorne Lane is a solid domestic thriller bogged down by tropes and weird pacing. Stephanie DeCarolis has crafted a story straight out of a run-of-the-mill episode of “Desperate Housewives” — you’ll probably get to the end but you’ll be on your phone, thinking about what to have for dinner, or multitasking through most of it.
Like (I’m assuming) its inspiration, you follow a gang of ladies all with their own issues in their lives, at home and at work. It’s been a while since I watched an episode of Housewives, but unlike that show, DeCarolis is heavy handed with the tropes and stereotypes here. You’ve got the homemaker with the aggressive husband, the woman who doesn’t know if she can move on after her husband has left with a younger woman, the wife cheating on her down on his luck husband, and the newcomer with a SECRET! There are some terrible kids on the lane as well, though if you’re like me, you’ll quickly turn the page whenever they show up — they’re straight from “the misbehaved children shop” where authors pick already made characters to plop into their stories.
DeCarolis also pulls from Memento — never seen it — by starting us at the end before reverting back to “three months” ago. It kind of works here, but I would have loved to discover the crime / big moment more organically but the already “okay” story and plot would have surely suffered — there isn’t much here without knowing someone dies during the annual Halloween event… the only event held on this lane each year (lol). Guess Christmas is held on Wisteria Lane a few streets over.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC. ...more
Ella Berman’s “L.A. Women” is a mix of literary and historical fiction, drops readers in 60s/70s Hollywood with two leads, in two timelines and differElla Berman’s “L.A. Women” is a mix of literary and historical fiction, drops readers in 60s/70s Hollywood with two leads, in two timelines and different places in their lives, with one on the rise and another, missing.
I’m a sucker for old Hollywood and Berman has done her research — this books feels old school cool. An L.A. that’s both grungy and chic. Whereas the setting is interesting, the same can’t be said for both of our leads. Lane, our explorer — looking for the other, Gala — is easier to digest. The one lost — who I’d consider an explorer as well as the observer of our co-lead, especially in the beginning of their relationship — Gala, isn’t very fun. These characters were fine, but they are part of my main problem with this.
From the get go, I was hit with several character introductions back to back. While it petered off after a few chapters, it felt like the author had asked too much of the reader. There are a few of these characters that I preferred more than others including Charlie and Elijah, two bound for love if only they lived in another time. I liked how this element of the story seemed to end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. ...more
I’m bummed. I really loved The Last Flight, my first Julie Clark novel. The set up. The story. The mystery. They are all (mostly) missing here in The I’m bummed. I really loved The Last Flight, my first Julie Clark novel. The set up. The story. The mystery. They are all (mostly) missing here in The Ghostwriter, her latest that follows our main character, Olivia, who in financial ruin, must return home to ghostwrite the memoir of her ailing father with a seemingly dark past.
See, she escaped her hometown (and father) for a life without the darkness and family history that had followed her around her entire childhood. Her father, a successful writer, has history of his own - he was accused of killing his younger sister and older brother in high school. A child, years later, confronts Olivia in school with this “fact,” leading to bullying and isolation. Fast forward to present day and Olivia is unsure of taking this job, but without many options, decides to return home. From there, she debates what’s fact and fiction - did her father kill his siblings and is now using this memoir to cover up his tracks or is he giving light to the truth.
It’s a great set up but the destination isn’t worth all of this build up and pages — the novel is over 350 pages and could have benefited with some red lining. It’s over stuffed like the boxes littering Olivia’s home. But that isn’t the biggest issue here. I’m a fan of “books within books” novels, but Clark has decided to add the ironclad NDA as one of the book’s antagonists. It is mentioned almost as much as some of these characters, leading to the story coming to a halt several times. This NDA limits who Olivia can contact including people who are willing to tell the truth in lieu of her father, who is slowly losing his grip of reality and already talks in riddles. It’s a plot device that unfortunately doesn’t respect the reader’s time.
Luckily, the characters we do meet including our MC are well written. I also appreciated the chapters centered on POVs from our departed characters, especially Poppy, Olivia’s aunt who was murdered. She was so sweet and smart and made me want to keep reading to understand what happened to her. Though, having just finished the book, I’m unsure if I’m clued in with the truth. My thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for this ARC....more
*Happy Publication Day! Resharing my review from April*
Peter Swanson tries something new in “Kill Your Darlings,” starting readers at the end before g*Happy Publication Day! Resharing my review from April*
Peter Swanson tries something new in “Kill Your Darlings,” starting readers at the end before going back in time year by year. It’s the first thriller I’ve read that deploys this method of storytelling and … it’s a bit of a miss.
The story ends/begins with married couple, Wendy and Thom, who seem to be the ideal lovebirds but it can’t be further from the truth. Cracks have begun appearing in their marriage as secrets from the past begin bubbling up to the surface. What are those secrets? Well, Swanson has decided to unfurl the story in reverse over decades with some chapters containing more to the puzzle than others. These chapters are fun, but again, because you’re receiving these details in this format, you’re sometimes wondering “yeah, didn’t I know that already?” Instead of a shock, you may think “so what?”
I can’t fault Swanson for trying something new but I wish the story was more interesting or that there were more twists. There’s one on the last page that hits fairly hard, but at that point, it may be too little too late. Luckily, it’s a sub 300 page thriller fans of Swanson will probably devour in a day. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC.
Dead of Summer is dead on arrival. This slow burn mystery from Jessa Maxwell moves at an obnoxiously glacier pace unfit for a novel with the word “sumDead of Summer is dead on arrival. This slow burn mystery from Jessa Maxwell moves at an obnoxiously glacier pace unfit for a novel with the word “summer” in its title.
This multi-POV story follows three characters who are directly and indirectly tied to the death of Alice Gallo over a decade ago. From there, readers are tasked with the Herculean task of caring about these characters and pretending to be surprised when mysteries are revealed. Seriously, the big twist, if you can even call it that, can be spotted from a mile away. You won’t need Henry’s telescope for it, I assure you.
The one redeeming quality here is that Maxwell has successfully created terrible rich people. You would be remiss to root for anyone. This ARC was provided by the Atria books, the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
P.S. Loved seeing my last name throughout the story. I hope the next time, though, it’s in a better book....more
Janelle Brown’s “What Kind of Paradise” is a lot like its premise — similar to the journey our MC Jane finds herself in, you’re led to believe one thiJanelle Brown’s “What Kind of Paradise” is a lot like its premise — similar to the journey our MC Jane finds herself in, you’re led to believe one thing when in reality, the truth is much different. Unfortunately, Paradise overstays its welcome fairly quickly, hindered by the author’s reliance on telling and not showing. Worse: the book’s description gives away over a third of its plot. By the time you’re past that point (near the 37% point), you may be too burnt out to continue. If you do, you’re met with a story that is pretty interesting, if not just a repeat of the first third: a naive girl making mistake after mistake.
It’s a shame because there’s a good story somewhere in here but it’s dragged down with a plot that takes too long to get there, and when we’re “there” the book is over. The ending, which I won’t spoil, is also a miss. Could have assumed that much given how the story begins (at the end), but was expecting something more than what we got. It’s a bummer. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC....more
At this point, if you’ve read one Bryan Washington book, you’ve read them all, good and bad. In Palaver, we follow “the son” and “the mother” (the HolAt this point, if you’ve read one Bryan Washington book, you’ve read them all, good and bad. In Palaver, we follow “the son” and “the mother” (the Holy Spirit may appear in a direct sequel) as you’re led into this strained relationship. We learn slowly what’s led to these two feeling so distant (beyond geography — the mother visits Japan from Houston) over the 300+ pages to mixed results.
Like Washington’s “Memorial” from a few years back, we’re joining characters who are in the midst of falling apart and potentially coming together. It works here most of the time, but in other moments, feels hollow and stilted. There are other characters here too who are sometimes more interesting but don’t stick around much. Washington also continues his “no quotation marks” and flipping between past and present without warning from his other work. Mileage will vary here. Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this (very early) ARC. ...more
Pioneer Summer is sold as a TikTok session. As a reader NOT on TikTok (hold your applause), I’m unsure how true that is. It’s not a bad book at all. IPioneer Summer is sold as a TikTok session. As a reader NOT on TikTok (hold your applause), I’m unsure how true that is. It’s not a bad book at all. It’s just not as enjoyable or “hot” as the other books I’ve seen toted as sensations on social media. Let me explain.
The book drops us in the 80s as 16-year-old Yurka Konev is sent to Pioneer Camp, expecting another uneventful summer. However, when he’s assigned to work on the camp’s theater production, he forms an unexpected and risky bond with the troop leader, Volodya. Twenty years later, Yurka returns to the abandoned camp to reflect on their relationship, discovering that the past has left a lasting mark on his life.
There are moments of romance, but the novel reads more like a history lesson, with a focus on the political and social climate of the 1980s rather than a passionate love story. While the narrative offers an interesting premise, the slow pacing and heavy historical context may leave some readers bored. Thanks to NetGalley and Abrams for the ARC. ...more
Christopher Tradowsky’s “Midnight at the Cinema Palace” is a deeply immersive journey, but whether it’s a “box office smash” or a “sleeper” will depenChristopher Tradowsky’s “Midnight at the Cinema Palace” is a deeply immersive journey, but whether it’s a “box office smash” or a “sleeper” will depend on how much of yourself you’re willing to invest in its story. At its core, it’s a tale of Walter, a somewhat solitary figure finding his way in San Francisco, a city of reinvention and refuge amidst the AIDS crisis. The city itself becomes more than a backdrop—it takes on the role of a character, shaping Walter’s journey in profound ways. His discovery of a captivating stranger during a routine lunch sets off a quest that propels us through the vibrant streets of this storied city.
For me, Walter’s experience of finding himself in a city that both challenges and welcomes him resonated deeply. It reminded me of my own experience of moving to San Francisco in 2016—two decades later, yet with the same yearning for connection in a sprawling, sometimes impersonal metropolis. Like Walter, I stumbled through attempts to find community and, eventually, discovered my people. Tradowsky’s writing makes this San Francisco feel vivid, almost like an old friend, and it’s a testament to his dedication and affection for the city that it never feels anything less than authentic.
The book’s structure, however, evolves as Walter does, shifting from a rich, historical narrative into something more introspective and literary. In the first third, I was completely hooked by the vivid portrayal of 90s San Francisco—the late nights, the raw beauty of the city in flux. But as the narrative pivots toward a focus on Walter’s evolving friendships with Cary and Sasha, the pacing starts to slow. The story becomes more episodic, with moments of brilliance occasionally interrupted by stretches of monotony. As the trio of queer characters tries to navigate their complex relationships, the book loses some of the spark it initially had, sometimes morphing into a collection of vignettes rather than a cohesive story. While these vignettes can be poignant and tender, they sometimes lack the momentum and emotional clarity that gripped me early on.
One of the book's strengths, though, is its ability to breathe life into Walter and his friends. Tradowsky excels at crafting characters who feel fully realized—complex, flawed, and achingly human. That said, some of the supporting characters fade in and out of the narrative without much resolution, which left me longing for more closure, though that may very well be an intentional reflection of life’s fleeting connections.
Ultimately, “Midnight at the Cinema Palace” is a love letter to San Francisco, film, and chosen family. How much you connect with these themes will likely determine how deeply you engage with the book. For readers who value richly drawn settings and character-driven stories, there’s much to appreciate. While it’s not without its pacing issues, Tradowsky’s affection for his characters and the city is undeniable—and that is what will stick with me long after the final page. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC....more
As a fan of cute MM romances, I’ve been a fan of Timothy Janovsky’s for quite some time, always picking up latest work whenever one hits the shelves. As a fan of cute MM romances, I’ve been a fan of Timothy Janovsky’s for quite some time, always picking up latest work whenever one hits the shelves. Life has gotten in the way so I never make it very far before putting them down promising to return. Well, I’m glad I had a moment to sink in to his latest “Once Upon You and Me,” which follows Taylor and Ethan, the latter an older divorcée who happens to be the ex husband of Taylor’s boss. When they catch feelings for one another in this storybook setting the two must come to terms with falling in love without falling out with other important people in our lives.
It’s funny that it’s taken me so long to read something from Janovsky, kind of like how Ethan has taken a minute to be true to himself and let himself love. It’s a nice balance of sweet and spicy (blushing thinking back at a few of the scenes) and while there are some quirky (and tropey) moments, enjoyed seeing this relationship grow between these two. Also, special shout out to Janovsky for centering it around men with different ages and body types! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC. ...more
“The Seven O’Clock Club,” the debut from Amelia Ireland, is unlike anything I’ve read as of late. Ireland has constructed a handful of characters that“The Seven O’Clock Club,” the debut from Amelia Ireland, is unlike anything I’ve read as of late. Ireland has constructed a handful of characters that are struggling with grief following their respective traumatic moments, coming together for a new group therapy experiment led by Genevieve, a sometimes mysterious but understanding therapist (?). You follow Freya, Victoria, Mischa, and Callum, who (mostly) are different enough from one another (the women are written similarly enough so you may struggle to differentiate them until 40 or 50 pages in.) Since the description alludes to it, I’ll say it here. Something about this therapy is different from our typical sessions. It’s a spoiler to share any more than that, but it’s a big twist that may turn you off from the entire book. I’m in the minority.
It’s a shame that this twist happens so far into the book — 75% according to my Kindle — because it’s quite interesting and not as painful as some of the reviewers had “warned” me about. Like them, I won’t ruin it here, but you won’t see it coming … but the book wraps up fairly quickly afterwards as Ireland rushes to the end. This speaks to my main and biggest complaint: Ireland takes far too long to do a lot here. Beyond the twist, she doles out these characters’ backgrounds and what brings them here to this therapy session at a glacial pace. We know they’re suffering through traumatic things but to hold them back in ways akin to plot devices or trope-y, leads to the overall story suffering. It’s a shame since the overall message — our grief or mistakes don’t define us or our lives — is poignant.
If you can make it through the fluff and the author’s writing style and flow, Seven O’Clock is an interesting, magical realistic take on grief — how it unites us and can make us better people — that is novel in this genre (ie, not a romance.) Rounding up to 4 (but it’s a solid 3.5.) Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC....more
I enjoyed my time with Daniel Kraus’s “Whalefall,” so when I saw “Angel Down” was available as an ARC, I quickly downloaded it, excited to visit anothI enjoyed my time with Daniel Kraus’s “Whalefall,” so when I saw “Angel Down” was available as an ARC, I quickly downloaded it, excited to visit another one of Kraus’s worlds. Unfortunately, this just didn’t do it for me nor did I enjoy my time.
While the description of a WW I soldiers stumbling upon a fallen angel — key to ending the war — sounded interesting in practice, execution on the other hand, is laughable. Kraus weaves together a story where each sentence starts with an “and.” What follows are run on sentences confusing and monotonous. It’s a shame beyond what I mentioned before because WW I rarely gets as much focus as WW II and a story of a group of soldiers struggling to survive in No Man’s Land sounded great. It’s just not the case here. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC....more
Philippe Besson’s “In The Absence of Men” is my second Besson novel and while not as “enjoyable” as “Lie With Me,” it was still as touching and heartbPhilippe Besson’s “In The Absence of Men” is my second Besson novel and while not as “enjoyable” as “Lie With Me,” it was still as touching and heartbreaking if not just too wordy and imbalanced (more on that in a moment.)
Absence follows three men — Vincent, sixteen and still too young to fight in the ongoing war, Marcel, a middle-aged writer and aristocrat, and Arthur, a young soldier on leave who starts a “secretive” affair with Vincent — across three distinctive parts. The second and third are my favorite given the way the story is presented: letters between these men and a more focused story as we head to the end. As I noted above, my favorite parts are also the shortest — I wish we had spent more time with two of these men in particular (Vincent and Arthur) in part 2. These letter between them feel real thanks to Besson’s writing but by the time I got to this, I was feeling a bit burned with the flowery and wordiness of the first part.
While Besson’s novel has stumbles here and there, this is a touching and heartbreaking novel of first love up against the destruction of war - destroying normalcy and life - and how love preserves despite it. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC. ...more
Continuing my Pride Month reviews with another one!
Chip Pon’s “Winging it With You” takes the “strangers to lovers” trope, tosses it into a blender wContinuing my Pride Month reviews with another one!
Chip Pon’s “Winging it With You” takes the “strangers to lovers” trope, tosses it into a blender with a generous helping of cuteness, chemistry, and reality TV antics (think “The Amazing Race”), and somehow ends up with something that feels fresh and genuinely fun.
The premise definitely requires a little suspension of disbelief—unless you're as effortlessly charming or handsome as Asher, one of our leads. After getting dumped right before filming a reality show, Asher ropes in a total stranger, Theo (a burnt-out pilot with his own baggage), to pretend to be his boyfriend on camera. Wild? Yes. But the book leans into it in a way that makes you just go with it.
What really works here is how the relationship builds. It’s got heart without getting too cheesy, and the emotional beats feel earned. Plus, the spice? Yeah, it’s spicy. In all the best ways. There were definitely moments that had me blushing, but it’s handled with care and never feels over-the-top just for shock value.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC — I had a blast with this one. ...more
What do you get when you blend up “That’s So Raven,” “Final Destination,” “Butterfly Effect,” and a bunch of tropes from your favorite suspense and thWhat do you get when you blend up “That’s So Raven,” “Final Destination,” “Butterfly Effect,” and a bunch of tropes from your favorite suspense and thrillers? Something that looks a little like Liv Constantine’s “Don’t Open Your Eyes.”
You follow Annabelle, a career woman with a loving family who one day begins to have dreams that are more like premonitions. When certain details from her dreams become reality, Annabelle must keep it together lest she wants to be gaslit by her husband (pulled straight from the trope store) and balance being a mom to two daughters, one who is keeping a secret from the rest of her family. She’s of course not alone, but spoilers so I’ll keep mum.
It’s an interesting premise but it quickly overstays its welcome. Funny enough, one of the characters shares my sentiment at one point, telling Annabelle (and us, the reader) her premonitions are getting old. It’s almost as if the author is running out of steam just as the novel is meeting its end which is unfortunate — the premise is great and unlike anything I’ve read in a thriller but the execution stalls as you ultimately can’t build a novel on the same course of action of “sleep, dream, share, be gaslit, repeat” without getting bored.
It all culminates in a final act breakdown of dismal proportions of everything the author had set up, from premonitions, to the mysterious “wife” chapters, and whomever “Ben” is. I’m having a hard time sharing my feelings here without spoiling but just know the ending is laughably bad with a twist I don’t know if anyone cares about mostly because it wasn’t what we “signed up” for nor makes much sense.
“Don’t Open Your Eyes” is an interesting book but after sleeping on it, not one I’ll be having (positive) dreams about. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC. ...more
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