Yesterday was full of fucks and I am just exhausted. I usually schedule my reviews the day ahead but I was so upset and tired and could only manage one so I’m trying to do so now.
So sorry for the lateness everyone! Here are a few of the reviews that I never got around to posting on my blog but I posted on goodreads 🙂
Make sure to add me as a friend on goodreads here: Amanda’s Goodreads
The Last To Die by Kelly Garrett
SYNOPSIS:
It all started out as a game.
Just a way to have fun. We figured as long as we had rules, it wouldn’t be a problem.
RULE #1: Only break into one another’s houses.
RULE #2: Only take stuff that can be replaced.
It worked for a while. Whoever’s turn it was to break in got a rush, and the rest of us laughed over the trophies they brought back. But then someone went too far. Lives got ruined. Someone is dead.
And I might be next.
Expected publication: November 5th 2019 by Sourcebooks Fire
Review:
This was a fine debut but not particularly original or heart-stopping. I was disappointed in a lot of the misogynistic language in the beginning and I’ll be honest I had to force myself to continue. I don’t think we should encourage that especially if this is geared towards teens, Saying that drinking makes a teen aged girl easy isn’t a nice message.
The protagonist sucked point blank. She was crude to the point of being flat out unlikable and made me not care about the story line altogether. There were some really great suspenseful parts however and that was its saving point along with the quick read.
💜💜 2/5
The Woman in the Veil by Laura Joh Rowland
SYNOPSIS:
London, June 1890.
Sarah Bain and her friends Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O’Reilly are crime scene photographers for the Daily World newspaper. After solving a sensational murder, they’re under pressure to deliver another big story. On a foggy summer night, they’re called to the bank of the river Thames. The murder victim is an unidentified woman whose face has been slashed. But as Sarah takes photographs, she discovers that the woman is still alive.
Expected publication: January 7th 2020 by Crooked Lane Books
Review:
I am a fool. I just realized this was a part of a series and one that I’ve been dying to start reading. We all know that I am a huge fan of murder mysteries especially set in the Victorian era and if you didn’t know, allow me to introduce myself.
Hello, my name is Amanda and I love mysteries that include MURDER and the Victorian era.
I promise I’m not as morbid as I appear cough
This book is fantastic. From the very beginning when our protagonist Sara Bain happens upon a half dead, disfigured woman I knew this was going to be the book for me. Normally, I shy away from series reads that I haven’t read in order but in this case the writing is so great and plenty of background information is given so it doesn’t feel like I missed a thing. Rather, I have the urge to read all the books preceding to this.
The characters are interesting. Sara’s job is insanely cool if not gruesome and we see how nurturing she is from the start. Also, I usually can’t stand romance in books like this but this was nice and felt genuine. A good dose of murder, intrigue, and some waggles eyebrows loins aflame makes for a great read
Thank you very much to the publisher and Netgalley for this copy of my ARC.
💜💜💜💜 4/5
The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams
SYNOPSIS
Seventeen-year-old Esme Pearl has a babysitters club. She knows it’s kinda lame, but what else is she supposed to do? Get a job? Gross. Besides, Esme likes babysitting, and she’s good at it.
And lately Esme needs all the cash she can get, because it seems like destruction follows her wherever she goes. Let’s just say she owes some people a new tree.
Enter Cassandra Heaven. She’s Instagram-model hot, dresses like she found her clothes in a dumpster, and has a rebellious streak as gnarly as the cafeteria food. So why is Cassandra willing to do anything, even take on a potty-training two-year-old, to join Esme’s babysitters club?
Expected publication: September 17th 2019 by Delacorte Press
Review
I was really excited for more witchy YA books but this just wasn’t what I expected in any way and it ended up being really disappointing.
The writing is clunky and yes, I know this is a paranormal/fantasy, but it was super unbelievable at times and made me cringe with the exaggerated slang.
The premise is that Esme has powers and meets a new girl at school who shocker ALSO has powers. They find out they both come from a long line of “sitters” and have to save the world.
It’s cute in a way and reminds me a lot of Buffy which the synopsis boasts. The thing is though, it just wasn’t good. It was cheesy and mostly a headache to read. While I am sympathetic towards Esme I also could not stand her at the same time.
Apparently this is part one of a series so maybe the next book will be better. Points to the super cute cover and also Esme’s dog Pig. The true hero of the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
💜💜 2/5
Thank you all for joining me for another edition of Lighting fast reviews! Hope you all have a fantastic Friday night!
I’m so sorry you had to go through that! What an asshole!!! I thought about bleeping the word out but quite frankly I think it’s needed considering the circumstances. I’m glad you’re alright though and still posted. I haven’t read any of these books but was keen to try the Babysitter’s coven. I’m sorry it didn’t quite meet your expectations. Hopefully the next one is better! ❤
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thank you so much love. I still can’t believe it happened i’m in shock because it was really explicit. I didn’t even think of telling anybody at work but i’m glad I did even though there’s been push back.
yeah it just was not for me but that’s okay!! 💜
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Push back??! I still can’t believe there’s such stigma and ignorance out there when people find the courage to speak up. It’s pretty appalling. Good on you for speaking up though! ❤ I'll link you in to the post if I do a review of it 🙂
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yeah 😦 it’s disgusting. I thought I liked my job but this quickly soured my experience. thank you so much and yes!! please do.
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I’m sorry that happened to you! Hopefully something is done about it. 😔 I hope you are doing as well as possible considering the circumstances. Great reviews by the way ☺️
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thank you so much joanna! I cant wait for my days off so I can just relax.
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Oh Amanda I’m so beyond sorry that you experienced such a heinous crime. You’re so amazing to be able to face it as you are. Supporting you all the way my friend <333
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thank you emer dear!! I am surrounded by so much love it makes me so happy.
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What a creep… I hope he rots away soon.. They are if no use in this earth.
Please take care of yourself, these episodes hit later suddenly. Keep your support system ready. I am glad you have lotsa friends to help you.
All my prayers with you.
Lovely reviews. I like them lightning short. They excite me more.
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ME too. they’re really pathetic.
and I do my friends are so so great.
thank you!! lol I love them short too haha.
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I am so sorry for this terrible experience you had. I hope you are okay.
Great review! Such short reviews always give a quick insight into the book.
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thanks I feel so unsteady right now and can’t believe it happened.
thank you 🙂
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I hope you’re doing okay today! It’s awful when things like that happen at work and the fact that you’re getting push back makes me really mad!! 😦
I think I might have to check out that series from your second review! I really like Victorian era books and I’m always down for a good murdery story.
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it’s been such an awful week ugh and im not off until tuesday. thanks so much.
yes!! me too, i think you’d really enjoy it 🙂
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Amanda, I’m so sorry that you experienced that! Fuck assholes like that. Stupid pieces of douche sht. I really hope that something is done with the report you filed. And I’m so glad to hear that you have a great support network to help you through it! MRRGRRGRR.
Also, I’m amazed that you would even make the time to share a post after going through something like this. These reviews are great and I love that even though they’re short you shared your thoughts so well!
You’re an incredible hooman! Stay strong, love. Big hugs and support for you from here 🐼
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thank you so so much, i’m so mad that he even tried something like that and kept pushing lmao I had my mace on the ready. men can be so fucking sick. I wasn’t even going to tell anybody. it I was so disgusted with him.
you’re all so great and kind and I am truly so happy to have you all. 💜💜💜 thank you love.
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It’s really good that you reported it though. Douchebags like him do not deserve air. He can’t think he can do nasty shit and get away with it. You’re so strong, woman! Much much love ❤️
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