REVIEW; Follow You Home, by Mark Edwards

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Daniel and girlfriend Laura are on their Grand Tour, travelling around Europe before they return to London and settle down. But on a midnight train, they find themselves thrown off at an abandoned station in a forest in Romania, after having their phones and passports stolen as they slept. 
There, they hike to civilisation but not without trauma. Out in the forest, Daniel and Laura witness horrific events that haunt them.
Back in London, Daniel and Laura are no longer together - both suffering and damaged from what happened in Romania. Something they vow not to speak of. 
But when Laura feels someone is out to get her, and Daniel gathers proof someone is after them, they have to face what happened in that forest, and wonder if someone has followed them home...

My Thoughts:

This was so spine-chilling and daunting and really draws the reader in and wondering what happened in Romania?! 

Pace: The pacing in this is spot on - enough is revealed leading up to the big Romania incident reveal to keep the reader interested and not just feel like the story was dragging. The ominous tone was set from early on, especially upon the return to London where more strange and unnerving events start to occur. Even after the big plot twist occurs, there's still some crumbs of twists to still devour and it even ends on a big punch! It's unbelievable. 

Writing: The story is mostly from Daniel's POV with some insights into various other characters, which builds the suspense as the reader gets to uncover more of the plot before the character does. It's fairly standard, basic writing but I wouldn't say it's bad like other reviews. The timing of everything was well judged and there was great technique in uncovering some information, thinking it's the truth, and then the full story being revealed a while later.

Story: This is a great story. It's extremely dark and disturbing and so evil! I wasn't totally on board with how Laura and Daniel reacted back in London, vowing to keep it all such a harbored secret. I could understand Laura's shut down coping method, but ultimately, it felt a little off in their reactions. 

Overall: 

This was a whirlwind of a read that will leave you feeling like you've been punched in the gut. It's scary and so unnerving, but captivating and addictive as it lures you into their paranoia and wanting to uncover what they saw in Romania. Definitely recommend for any mystery or suspense lover!

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REVIEW; The Mapgies, by Mark Edwards

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Jamie and Kirsty have found the perfect flat to start their family and new life. The neighbours all seem friendly... or at least at first. 
Dead rats turn up on their doorstep, hoax calls to the fire station, recordings of them having sex are sent to them and one of their close friends is left severely injured and in hospital. 
They believe the issues are stemming from the Newtons, a couple living downstairs. But when they try to reason with them, it only heightens the attack. 
Jamie vows not to be driven out of their home, but as the danger increases, does he really know what he's trying to fight against? Can they make it out alive? 

My Thoughts:

Story/ Paranoia: This was so creepy but worked due to the simplicity of the plot. Jamie and Kirsty have the neighbours from hell, but the subtle extremes of their actions makes the reader doubt if they too are going insane and if the Newtons really are to blame. I found myself doubting everyone they met as possible culprits. The torment is executed so perfectly, it sets paranoia even in the reader and the twists and turns the story takes at random moments sucks the reader into the nightmare with the young couple. Even the tormenting acts change in seriousness and method to really instill how sinister and menacing it all is. After all, how does an infestation of spiders correspond to a virus sent from Jamie's email account? 


Writing: There are a some mistakes in this (although don't know if have been corrected since the version I had) which upsets the flow. "I don't meant to be horrible". Incorrect names were used at times, explaining the actions/speech of Mike and it had "Chris rolled his eyes". I also felt the time jumped a bit oddly within one scene... "He wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his t-shirt before making his way back out to the car and bringing in another box. Kirsty had fallen asleep on the sofa, and he woke her with a kiss." Seconds previously Kirsty had been talking to Jamie as he brought in boxes and it jumped to later in the day in the same paragraph. It can just cause a little confusion as the time jumps a few times without a break and certain scenes don't make sense as there's been a sudden setting change etc.

Ending: I'm really undecided with the ending. I don't want to give anything away but I was a little disappointed with where all the characters ended up and the relationships between them. The final ending also seemed too sudden and rushed after the climax, as if a quick explanation was thrown in after a whole story of horror. 

Overall: 

I loved this. It got a lot darker and serious than I had initially expected and I am glad that it did. It's absolutely harrowing and unnerving reading about the power neighbours can have over your life. It's crazy. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves a psychological thriller or something a little bit different. 

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MANIC MONTH OF MAY!!

I'm reading at the moment faster than I am posting and as I read another good book, the other book reviews get pushed back and back so I have decided to go on a reviewing spree and hence, Manic Month of May is born!

Throughout the month of May I will posting every Wednesday and Saturday a book review. These will range from Romance to Psychological Thrillers, 1 star to 5 stars, so stay tuned to read my thoughts on these!

REVIEW; A Perfect Mess (Hope Parish #1), by Zoe Dawson

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: New-Adult, Romance, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Aubree Walker left Hope Parish following a Summer of secrets, leaving her aunt behind and focusing on college in Tulane. But a phonecall brings her back to the town, following her aunt being in an accident. 

Booker Outlaw knows Aubree's secret and everything that happened last summer. And he has secrets of his own that he dreads telling Aubree. 

But when Aubree starts getting anonymous threats and messages, Booker assumes protector role and vows to keep her safe. As the two grow closer and remember the events of last summer, their secrets threaten to tear the two apart and ruin them as she may be more dangerous for him, than the bad boy is for the good girl. 

My Thoughts:

This story will suck you in, send you on a wild rollercoaster and spit you out at the end not knowing what just happened! 

Aubree: She has an obsession with being perfect and runs away from a dark past and from Booker, to follow a busy, studious life at college. She cuts herself off from her aunt, her only relative, so she does not have to return to the town that haunts her. Pursuing a relationship with Booker Outlaw, is the last thing on her list, especially when she is forced to return and their paths become forever entwined. Booker helps her see flaws are what make people perfect, and to let go of what restrictions she has set herself. 

Booker: He doesn't do "forever" and he tells himself to leave Aubree alone- Miss Perfect is the last thing he needs. But when she returns into his life, it's like a second chance for him at love.  Aubree was always different, and when she is in danger he can't help but step up and protect her any way he can. She stirs emotions in him that he's worked years to mask as he is sent on a journey of inner turmoil and despair. 

Aubree & Booker: I loved their banter and flirting between them. It flowed so naturally end effortlessly with the right amount of awkward exchanges between them here and there. There was a great chemistry evident from the start, and it probably helped they both had a huge shared secret which brought them closer. What was so endearing was how slow their romance built to one of substance and depth and felt real - none of that instant love nonsense. I liked that Booker called her "Sugar" instead of "baby" that's used in every other romance book!

Suspense: I would've liked a little more suspense in this, although there was a very good mystery element woven in to the story to make it more than just a romance. Admittedly, I guessed from the beginning what had happened last summer so a lot of it was fairly predictable, but the simplicity of it all made it seem more plausible and realistic I suppose. I think there needed to be an increase in threats leading up to the climax, as at times I forgot she was meant to be in danger. I like how there were hints to the secrets surrounding Verity and Boone, which will be the focus of the second novel, so rather than a cliffhanger, it was a nice way to gauge interest in those characters early on. 

Overall: 

This is a whirlwind of emotion; there is laughter, fear, tears, death, love, despair, jealousy, everything. Booker is actually the more fragile of them both, and this sets for such a captivating read as we get to read from both POV's. Definitely recommend!

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REVIEW; 18 Things (My So Called Afterlife #1), by Jamie Ayers

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genre: Young-Adult, Death, Paranormal

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Olga Gay Worontzoff is crushed when her best friend and crush, is going to Prom with someone else. In an effort to show she wasn't bothered, she invited him out sailing. But, in a freak lightening storm, Conner got killed and Olga is sent down a spiral of guilt, leading to her suicide attempt.

At therapy, Olga meets Nate, who soon becomes her best friend and helps her forgive herself about Conner's death. He also helps her compile her list of 18 Things, suggested by her therapist. A list of 18 accomplishments to be achieved in the year of being 18. 

But as she crosses off the items on her list, her therapist admits there was a much deeper and vital meaning to her list... one Olga never once dreamed of. 

My Thoughts:

I'm a little confused with the genre of this novel - I was expecting the paranormal aspect to hit a LOT sooner. And even still, it's not so much paranormal and more so just a little strange twist... 

Writing: The writing in this really threw me off and took away from the story. "true dat" was said by nearly every character, "da bomb." It's just incredibly cringe worthy. And then childish language like "nearly touched her ta-tas". This is a YA novel, so why not just say breasts/boobs/chest? Why chose such juvenile words? Also, this novel could pass as a song-book for the amount of pages filled with lyrics... which I got very quickly bored of as ultimately without music I find it hard to care for song lyrics, especially when from an original song that's unknown. 


Olga: I didn't really warm to her as much as I wanted to. I was of course expecting the grief journey and guilt, but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to care for her well-being and I don't know why. She was so uptight with her list and then pushing Nate away when it was obvious he cared for her. It all got a bit tiresome and relentless and her constant mental battle between Conner and Nate. I only kept reading to find out what the twist was.


Paranormal: I won't give the twist away but ugh... As it neared the end I could start to predict what it was, although it wasn't all explained (I felt) as how it all worked out for the reader to have an explanation of what we had read meant and fitted together involving all the characters. It's probably better labelled as being more of a religious theme than anything, and if I had known there was such an interwoven religious thread, I probably wouldn't have read this just due to my own beliefs, but it wasn't too heavy, more so just at the end. 

Romance: There's deep feelings but little actual romance in this. No more than a kiss.

Overall: 

I feel 2.5 stars is an accurate rating for this. There is a solid concept that's good, but it just needs a lot of work IMO. Language and writing needs a lot of development and some better built characters. Relatively decent read.

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REVIEW; Fear of Falling, by S.L. Jennings

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: New-Adult, Romance, Suspense, Dark

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Kami Duvall doesn't do love. She is incapable of being loved and loving - at least that what she keeps telling herself. 

Running from her haunted and abusive past, Kami finds herself in a bar and meeting Blaine - the one person who makes her question everything, who ignites deep feelings and emotion foreign to what Kami knows.

Neither can deny the sparking chemistry between them, but Kami is permanently haunted by demons and hellbent on keeping Blaine at a distance. But how long can she push him away before he walks, leaving her even more broken than before? 

My Thoughts:

BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. HOT DAMN. BLAINE.

I'll just get straight into it and say these 5 stars are for sweet Blaine Daniel Jacobs.

"Even shrouded in ink, I could tell his arms were magnificently cut and defined with muscle. Muscles that flexed and quivered as he leaned against the bar, causing his biceps and shoulders to strain against his fitted, plain white t-shirt."

*DEAD*







We are lucky enough to meet the wonderful Blaine right away in the first chapter and what an encounter! 

"...met with a hooded pair of chocolate brown eyes and a boyish grin. His hair was covered in a worn baseball cap, and he had just the right amount of scruff on his chin and upper lip to give his baby face an edge. His hands and arms were covered with intricate, colorful tattoos." 

Then Kami gets to do a tequila shot from his neck, going down in history as one of the most extraordinary shots taken as she runs away from the heat of it all.

Kami: Kami is a tough cookie although she considers herself as crumbs. She has had an awful life and her demons still haunt her as she is never truly safe. She can't help but fall for the allure of Blaine, despite knowing she couldn't give him forever, and it was so heartbreaking seeing her heart break in an effort to protect him from herself, when she was the one needing protecting!!! But, towards the end it got a tad annoying, with her throwing out the same lines and it did become a little bit of a pity party. Because of her traumatic past, it worked for most of the book with her actions definitely being totally justified, but at the end I wanted to scream. I would've grabbed onto him and never let go!

Blaine: Reading YA/NA you always have those book boyfriends and ideas of perfection, but this guy, this is the one you really want. He is so kickass and can go from concrete to kittens in the blink of an eye. He speaks the truth and from the heart, having learned not to keep things to himself, and his brutal honesty scares Kami (as it probably would me too.) He's tough, but he has a heart of gold that he's not ashamed about or tries to hide, making him even more endearing. And he shows he is human - he vows to not give up on Kami, but her persistent pushing him away does eventually take its toll on him as he deals with his own struggles. He isn't portrayed as a total angel or bad boy, just your average guy and it works so well for him.

Writing: The writing is fairly decent, and probably better than what I normally expect from NA. Often the story is the main focus and the writing rather standard, but there were great descriptions (of Blaine) and diverse settings for conversations or scenarios, keeping the story fresh. I loved that it changed POV between Kami and Blaine. I nearly enjoyed reading from Blaine's POV more, I think.

Topic: There are some taboo/dark topics in this and the author doesn't dance about them or glorify them. They're portrayed as brutal as they are and this makes Kami's suffering real. It isn't a mish-mash of random abusive acts, but a deeply woven abusive thread, that also makes it so much more raw. Kami isn't just "broken" from one or two incidents but from a world of pain. The author manages to really treat this so delicately, by showing Kami as such a crushed soul but with so much fight in her. She's alive and I could sense her defensive nature from the core. Even still, there isn't an overload of the sadness, it's there, but Kami does have fun times which are so crucial for this story to work and it's why it does I think - it's not just one block of torment and upset, her growth and development and inner turmoil is evident throughout. 

Overall: 

Fear of Falling has flown into my favourites list. I love it so much! I read it within 24 hours and it left me empty once completed. Proper book mourning going on. S.L.Jennings depicts domestic abuse so carefully but truthfully, it's chilling, but the warmth of Blaine entering Kami's life helps create a beautiful story among the torture endured.

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