REVIEW; Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark #2), by Pepper Winters

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Adult, Romance, Abuse

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Tess has returned willingly to her master, her lover, Q Mercer. Both must learn the rules of engaging in a relationship, and the boundaries they must set to make it work. 

But as they jump into their new life, tragedy strikes resulting in Tess and Q being apart. Tess finds herself back in the hands of those who originally sold her on, and this time they are ensuring to break her beyond repair. 

Trauma and death ensues, in a dark and bloody battle in the name of love and revenge. Can Tess and Q's love conquer? Or were they doomed from the beginning?

My Thoughts:

***Tears of Tess Review***

I was really apprehensive reading this as I loved Tears of Tess and was worried this would ruin the high from the first book. I'm really torn as to whether I loved this or whether it strongly aggravated me. 

Writing: The writing in this is still exquisite. The changes of POV from Tess to Q as we unravel their story and battle, really draws you in. This worked so well from Tess' POV when she is kidnapped and how what she witnesses is presented to the reader is executed so clever, it makes the reader feel they are Tess. I really love Winter's writing style and how far she can get into a character's mind to be able to write so well from their eyes. 

Story: I think what put me off with this, was how hard it was to get into. Tears of Tess gripped me from the get go, but it took three attempts to get into this one... I started it almost 6 months before I actually got settled to properly read it. Just for me, it took a little too long for the drama to occur. I had enough of reading about Tess and Q proving they belonged to each other and maybe this was why it seemed a bit dull following the whirlwind of the first novel. But, once the twist happened and things got a bit more serious, I was properly hooked. This is even darker than before and so much more ominous. There is so much torment and pain and I really couldn't predict how it would all turn out and end.

Q: He is a lot more attractive in this one. We know about his past and his desires and how much he loves Tess, but in this we see him truly lose everything and put his heart on the line, but yet remain so dominating. It's a great contrast to how he is presented in Tears of Tess, as the reader gets a further insight into how Tess has affected him and how much she means to him. 

Overall: 

Although it took some time, I loved this almost as much as the first one. It has just as much darkness and terror, but has some beautiful heart-wrenching moments. Can't wait to read the end to their story in the final book! 

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REVIEW; A Game For All The Family, by Sophie Hannah

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Justine Merrison has left her London life behind as she moves to Devon with her husband, Alex, and their daughter Ellen. 
Finally, she gets the peaceful life she wanted. But after reading the beginning of a story Ellen is writing for school, Justine can't rid the feeling of something being wrong. 
When Ellen's best friend George gets expelled from school, she spirals into despair. But when Justine goes to discuss George's expulsion with the school, George's existence is denied. 
Being plagued with anonymous phone-calls from a woman who promises to kill Justine and her family if they don't leave, Justine's world is thrown upside down. 
Who is the caller?
Does George really exist? And if so, why is the school lying about him? 
And where did Ellen get the material for her murder mystery story? 
Can Justine get to the bottom of things before she and her family come face to face with the real danger?

My Thoughts:

This is the second novel by Sophie Hannah that I've read, so I did have relatively high hopes. Ultimately, I felt let down though. I kept waiting for everything to fall into place and click and just make sense, but it never did. It all read like one crazy train and never really making much sense for the reader... 

Characters: I didn't really like or connect with any of the characters in this. Justine was just crazy from the start and a little neurotic. Ellen was a brat. Alex was dull. George was an oddball and to me, didn't fit the personality of a child in his position. School teachers were not at all authoritative. Just completely all over the place! Justine was so easily spooked and it didn't seem like she had a back-bone at all in regards to dealing with her family, but this was the same person who forced her way into a school and spoke down to the principal? And this same person was later capable of murder without a shadow of guilt or shame? None of it fits! 

Mystery: This is meant to be a story of suspense, to keep the reader on the edge of their seats and be scared, like the main character. But it was dull. My attention wasn't held to want to get to the bottom of Perrine's murder, the anonymous calls, the truth about George, the alleged unhinged Anne. I didn't feel the threat behind the calls either and the reader should've been scared for Justine- especially after she falls into a grave that has been dug! But nope, I didn't care. I ended up just skim reading just to be able to finish the book. 

Story: All over the place. From the start... As they're driving to Devon the story is all haphazard. They're arguing in the car and Justine is overwhelmed after seeing a particular house. Then dealing with a crazy stalker and everything being intertwined with the story Ellen was writing -more interesting than Justine's story but equally as ridiculous - it was like the reader was meant to be sent on a mind f*ck journey but truth being told, the train never even left the station. Things did pick up pace towards the end, but I felt like we were still left without answers. The conclusion was so far-fetched and out there, I was left wondering "did I really just read what I think I read?" Hrm...

Overall: 

I'm quite undecided with this book. I really enjoyed the other book by Sophie Hannah and this sounded equally as mysterious - but I guess the story just wasn't for me. I did keep going and read through the whole thing, so it can't have been so bad! 

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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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