The Kinsman

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Thank you to the author for my review copy.

Lara is waiting for her husband Cameron to come home, worries when hours pass and he’s still not home. She receives some unfortunate news about Cameron and is forced to move on. Months pass, she’s pregnant with his child and Cameron’s brother Jason offers a proposal to help. But why doesn’t it seem right?

I can picture this story as a full novel. It definitely had so much gripping tale that you would appreciate an extensive story. This is definitely one of those thrillers that have you questioning the players at hand. Enjoyed this novelette and would love to see what other work this author puts out into the world. It’s a short story but had me engaged the whole time. If you’re after a quick thriller, then this may be for you!

Bunny

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I really don’t know what I just read! It’s really WTF the whole way through!

This book was weird, dark, funny, sad, thrilling and nonsensical all at once. I really enjoyed the writing style, it was quick paced and when people describe it as a mix between the heathers, the craft, mean girls and Frankenstein, I have to agree. Imagine someone was high and during their trip, they decided to write a book. This is what I imagine that would be.

Samantha attends Warren University, where a clique of girls, who only refer to themselves as “Bunny”, invite Samantha to their Smut Salon one evening. It’s a night of sharing literature or stories of your deepest desires with no judgement. These girls get Samantha drunk, tell her to go capture a rabbit outside and she winds up home with a nasty hangover. She starts disconnecting from her best friend Ava, the clique let Samantha in on their rituals and she becomes a zombie to their cult-like structure. Meanwhile, there are so many internal conversations Samantha is having with her dead mum, Ava, herself… which just adds to the mystery of her mind and what is truth. When Ava tells Samantha she’s thinking about leaving town and disappears, it sends Samantha spiralling as it’s uncovered that things aren’t what they seem to be.

Honestly, I tried so hard to cover what the story entails above, and although it sounds very straightforward, it really isn’t! You are left wondering what this read was all about. It’s very different to most reads you’ll have. You may even think it doesn’t make sense. You’ll wonder why you read it. You’ll have even more questions. It’s also a book that sticks out in your mind because you can’t truly explain what went on. And this is why I think it’s so unique because you either love it or hate it!

“Art is in the eye of the beholder and everyone will have their own interpretation” - E.A Bucchianeri

Verity

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Wow! This book had me engaged the whole time! I read it in a few hours because I just wanted to know how this disturbing tale would end. This is my very first read of Colleen Hoover’s work. I hope this hasn’t set the bar too high because I really enjoyed it.

The whole time I thought “wow verity is so manipulative”, thinking that was the twist and how would Lowen deal with it, only to be surprised that another twist was coming. Despite the letter at the end, Lowen must be a morally low character because she encouraged Jeremy to kill Verity. She is basically turning a blind eye to the fact that Jeremy could be a psycho, but maybe like meets like. Lowen was okay with murder, so maybe they are suited to one another. I guess the truth doesn’t really matter as she has blood on her hands regardless.

Haven’t read the bonus chapter that was recently released and unsure if it would add any beneficial story. I liked how this book ended as it is. I’ve seen how this is unlike colleen’s other books, so might be a shock for me as I venture into her other reads. Thought that this was a great mystery thriller.

The Next Girl

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I had the pleasure of receiving this book as a read along with Tandem Collective and Simon and Schuster. I’m so glad to have signed up because this was such an amazing read!

If you’re into strong female leads, crime thrillers and twists and turns, then this book is for you!

I was engaged from the start and didn’t want to put this book down. I stayed up late reading it because the story had me wanting more. There’s something about Pip’s writing that makes it easy to read.

Our main character Billie has a secret that we aren’t privy to until many chapters in. She’s a paralegal wanting to see justice in the world, though a mistake with a witness in a sexual harassment/assault case she’s working on, is costly… not only to her firm but to her job. Billie hasn’t touched alcohol in some time, attending AA to keep that addiction at bay, but turns to it with the aftermath of this case. She decides to take justice into her own hands and we learn through flashbacks that this isn’t the first time she’s dabbled in sending karma to those in the wrong. We also learn she’s still impacted by her mothers passing, where a particular internet troll sent her mother to her death. It’s why Billie does what she does. If the law fails you, sometimes you need to take it into your own hands.

There was never a dull moment with this read! I was enthralled the whole time. When we find out Billie’s history, I was like “no way!”. I mean she goes all under cover agent mode to learn about her unsuspecting victims. They’ve done something wrong and she has to correct it. She’s a vigilante in her own way.

The opening lines had my attention and my god, that ending! I thought Billie might have got to a moment of acceptance that she wouldn’t do her own forms of justice anymore, but when the opportunity presents itself, she’s the type to take it.

I was a bit sad when Billie and Josh parted ways. It was understandable given the circumstances, so when we got the 8 months later scene, I was relieved! It’s such a deep secret to share and they had good chemistry. I thought it would have been a waste to throw away!

Overall, I thought this book kept me on the edge of my seat, it had me so engrossed that I wanted to read more and it was exciting to read throughout. Would recommend it to anyone interested in the genre.

Please check the trigger warnings before reading.