I'm so happy it's finally book day! After a mediocre reading month in June, I had a truly stellar reading month in July. I mean I had a 5 star one, and that hardly ever happens! And since I started remembering to write my reviews right after I read the books (and pushing through my Netgalley backlist), I feel like these posts basically write themselves. I can schedule them way in advance, which is particularly helpful this month since work has been crazy lately! I can't wait to get home so I can take a mental break and see what all of you have been reading lately too! Here's what I read last month.
The Farm- Joanne Ramos: 4.5 Stars*
The Farm- Joanne Ramos: 4.5 Stars*
Netgalley
Somewhat twisted story about the lies we tell and the lengths we will go to protect the ones we love. Kept me intrigued from the very start, and I loved how it unfolded, especially finding out how the characters were connected in one way or another. The epilogue was a bit long though; it could have been another chapter or two.
Ghost- Jason Reynolds: 4.5 Stars
library e-book
I read this in one sitting. I love Jason Reynolds’ conversational tone and his ability to tackle difficult topics with care and heart. I really don't know what else to say about this one other than that for a middle-grade/YA novel, this one hit me in the feels.
Watching You- Lisa Jewell: 4 stars*
Netgalley
The first half of this dragged and I had a bit of trouble getting into it because there were so many characters. However around the midway point it steadily picked up, and even though I figured out “who dun it” pretty early on, I needed to know how all the pieces (and people) fit together.
After Nightfall- A.J. Banner: 4.5 Stars*
Netgalley
Marissa and Nathan have a dinner party to announce their engagement. In attendance is Marissa's former bff Lauren, her husband, Nathan's brother and his wife, and Nathan's 9 year old daughter. Lauren flirts with Marissa's new fiance, then leaves early, telling Marissa that she needs to tell her something. The next morning, Lauren is found dead. Whodunit?!
This pulled me in from the very beginning and I didn’t want it to end! So many unreliable characters, all flawed in their own ways, but I didn’t truly dislike any of them. I had pegged just about everyone at one point or another, except the narrator (that just seemed too obvious, especially with the detective visibly tailing her). The steps that lead Marissa to discovering the outcome seemed realistic as well; nothing that didn't make perfect sense when put all together. A bit of friend drama, jealousy, revenge, and obsession kept me intrigued until the very last page!
The Silent Patient- Alex Michaelides: 5 stars
library e-book
Well shit. This one took a little while to get in to, but once I did, I had to know why Alicia would kill her husband (that she seemed to love more than life itself) and then wouldn't talk. The short chapters definitely helped the pace, and I found myself staying up past my bedtime to get through "just one more chapter," which hasn't happened in a while. And that ending completely blindsided me, which makes it a winner in my book!
borrowed from Blue
I’ve never read a book told from an animal’s POV and for the most part, I liked that. I didn’t love that he kept talking about “when he was reincarnated as a man,” but I guess that made sense. I didn’t *like* the Annika arc but I felt it moved the story along faster and further built anticipation. And I didn’t like the ending- especially since I feel like I was supposed to be in tears yet wasn’t... at all. The desperation in the middle and the relationship between Denny and Enzo was heartwarming though, so 4 stars.
Road to Eugenica- A.M. Rose: 4 Stars*
Netgalley
Let me preface my review by saying that I'm not normally into sci-fi/fantasy. However this one boasted a normal teen finding out she has supernatural powers all of a sudden and there was also a love triangle. I like YA, but the speech in this one was almost so juvenile at times that I wasn't sure I could continue. I also had to keep reminding myself to read this, which is never a good sign. It took nearly half the book for me to get into it but once I did I couldn't stop turning the pages. I couldn't figure Maddox out- was he a good guy or a bad guy? Where did he come from? How did he always show up where Drea was, and why did he never answer her questions? Who's voice is it that's familiar and always entering her dreams? And who is this Green-Eyed Man?! I have to say, after a very rocky start, I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Currently reading: My Sister, The Serial Killer- Oyinkan Braithwaite and Love At First Like- Hannah Orenstein
What are you reading lately?
* ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
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