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booksbytheglass's reviews
864 reviews
Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
it’s books like these that give me the ick about dating and trusting people in general 🙃 and for someone who can fully relate to ash and her grief, it hit a little too close to home for me… (but that’s a personal problem I realize)
the story goes back and forth between ash, a grieving daughter trying to make sense of the world after her father’s sudden passing, and a mystery man, scamming women out of money and justifying it because “no one loves him enough” 😅 and the reasoning only got worse I fear…
lisa jewell is known for her borderline creepy storylines, and this was no exception as it’s a first look at how easily men can prey on women down on their luck… it was horrifying to read - and as I said, after losing my own dad and having my own delusions about someone taking advantage of our family, it was a little too much for me 🥴
I also guessed all of the major twists right away… I didn’t find anything shocking or surprising to me, even though I did binge this as I wanted to know how it was all going to end (very satisfying, I might add)
thank you to netgalley and atria for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel
the story goes back and forth between ash, a grieving daughter trying to make sense of the world after her father’s sudden passing, and a mystery man, scamming women out of money and justifying it because “no one loves him enough” 😅 and the reasoning only got worse I fear…
lisa jewell is known for her borderline creepy storylines, and this was no exception as it’s a first look at how easily men can prey on women down on their luck… it was horrifying to read - and as I said, after losing my own dad and having my own delusions about someone taking advantage of our family, it was a little too much for me 🥴
I also guessed all of the major twists right away… I didn’t find anything shocking or surprising to me, even though I did binge this as I wanted to know how it was all going to end (very satisfying, I might add)
thank you to netgalley and atria for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Mental illness and Misogyny
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love everything about this book omg 🥹 reading two five star stories back to back simultaneously revived me from my previous book slump and sent me careening back into another one…
aiden and lucie need to be protected at all costs 😌 they are so pure and real and relatable to the world surrounding them, and it’s so rare to find that in a fictional character without the pressure to be “perfect” - even when they’re perfect for each other!!!
while lucie needed the reminder from her dating horror stories that she doesn’t need to be perfect all the time, aiden needed the push to see the world through rose-colored glasses again after his trauma. and seeing them work through it without miscommunication and third act breakups was just 🤌🏼 I love them forever
and don’t get me started on the best supporting cast I’ve seen in a romance!! grayson and mateo could have their own spinoff story (they are that great, along with maya), and I wanted more from the radio station dynamics with jackson and maggie! I cannot wait to see where bk borrison takes this new world because I’m obsessed thanks
this gave all of the true love experiment vibes with less comedy and more open feelings 🥹🥹🥹 no I will never shut up about this book thanks
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: banfi rosa regale sparkling wine
aiden and lucie need to be protected at all costs 😌 they are so pure and real and relatable to the world surrounding them, and it’s so rare to find that in a fictional character without the pressure to be “perfect” - even when they’re perfect for each other!!!
while lucie needed the reminder from her dating horror stories that she doesn’t need to be perfect all the time, aiden needed the push to see the world through rose-colored glasses again after his trauma. and seeing them work through it without miscommunication and third act breakups was just 🤌🏼 I love them forever
and don’t get me started on the best supporting cast I’ve seen in a romance!! grayson and mateo could have their own spinoff story (they are that great, along with maya), and I wanted more from the radio station dynamics with jackson and maggie! I cannot wait to see where bk borrison takes this new world because I’m obsessed thanks
this gave all of the true love experiment vibes with less comedy and more open feelings 🥹🥹🥹 no I will never shut up about this book thanks
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: banfi rosa regale sparkling wine
Manacled by SenLinYu
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Body shaming, Self harm, and Abortion
The Crash by Freida McFadden
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
so, this was misery by stephen king right? 🥸 anyone else?
I’m usually a huge freida mcfadden supporter as she’s the queen of last minute plot twists & addictive can’t-put-em-down thrillers! and boy was this one addicting too 👀 I binged the entire thing on my sick day today because I absolutely needed to know how this ended
what didn’t work for me this time around was the characterization. tegan was one of the worst FMCs I’ve read in a while - she is quite literally an idiot, and while I feel for everything she’s been through, she blindly accepts help from anyone and listens to her unborn fetus to see what she thinks 🙂↕️ like okay hallucinations
and she’s a terrible judge of character - like yes, let’s blame the giant teddy bear who saved you from the snow and crash & not the creepy lady who is quite literally locking you in her basement cool
the ending itself, save from that gasping plot twist which is the only reason this has 3 stars, was so frustrating and morally against everything tegan stood for… but that goes back to her terrible judge of red flags probably 😶
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: australian malbec
I’m usually a huge freida mcfadden supporter as she’s the queen of last minute plot twists & addictive can’t-put-em-down thrillers! and boy was this one addicting too 👀 I binged the entire thing on my sick day today because I absolutely needed to know how this ended
what didn’t work for me this time around was the characterization. tegan was one of the worst FMCs I’ve read in a while - she is quite literally an idiot, and while I feel for everything she’s been through, she blindly accepts help from anyone and listens to her unborn fetus to see what she thinks 🙂↕️ like okay hallucinations
and she’s a terrible judge of character - like yes, let’s blame the giant teddy bear who saved you from the snow and crash & not the creepy lady who is quite literally locking you in her basement cool
the ending itself, save from that gasping plot twist which is the only reason this has 3 stars, was so frustrating and morally against everything tegan stood for… but that goes back to her terrible judge of red flags probably 😶
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: australian malbec
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
The Songbird & the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
this series has a chokehold on me … while I didn’t connect to this installment in the universe as much as oraya and raihn, I loved seeing the growth and backstory of mische!
mische was one of my favorite characters from the first books of the series - so I was beyond excited to finally delve into her (hopefully) HEA! while it was only hinted at prior, seeing her trauma-filled past play out and bleed into the present was simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring 🥹
who I didn’t really connect to was asar 😔 I wanted to love him so much (I mean, he’s everything my type is come on), but he truly had little to no personality? other than being broody and dark and hard to love?
did I love the growth that he and mische went through on their journey? of course… but I wanted more than the disgruntled half-brother who is ready to sacrifice himself for the world because the world hasn’t given him anything… I wanted in depth pain of his past (like mische) and I’m holding out hope for the 4th book ok I love getting hurt 🥸
I felt the journey itself and mische’s ultimate decision at the end was a tad predictable, but I did indeed love being back in this world so much!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel
mische was one of my favorite characters from the first books of the series - so I was beyond excited to finally delve into her (hopefully) HEA! while it was only hinted at prior, seeing her trauma-filled past play out and bleed into the present was simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring 🥹
who I didn’t really connect to was asar 😔 I wanted to love him so much (I mean, he’s everything my type is come on), but he truly had little to no personality? other than being broody and dark and hard to love?
did I love the growth that he and mische went through on their journey? of course… but I wanted more than the disgruntled half-brother who is ready to sacrifice himself for the world because the world hasn’t given him anything… I wanted in depth pain of his past (like mische) and I’m holding out hope for the 4th book ok I love getting hurt 🥸
I felt the journey itself and mische’s ultimate decision at the end was a tad predictable, but I did indeed love being back in this world so much!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel
The Housemaid's Wedding by Freida McFadden
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
a satisfying interlude in between THE HOUSEMAID’S SECRET and THE HOUSEMAID IS WATCHING!
the time jump in the third installment was so jarring to me - I have to admit, I never thought enzo and millie were going to last… but I loved seeing this novella talking about their wedding day & how millie got into her side hustle!
millie is trying not to let a terrifying phone call from an abuser ruin her wedding day, and honestly me too girl 🫠 except I’d call the effing police lol - and the way that it panned out was so classic freida it was very cute
the couple that beats up bad guys together stay together 😮💨😮💨
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: new zealand sparkling wine
the time jump in the third installment was so jarring to me - I have to admit, I never thought enzo and millie were going to last… but I loved seeing this novella talking about their wedding day & how millie got into her side hustle!
millie is trying not to let a terrifying phone call from an abuser ruin her wedding day, and honestly me too girl 🫠 except I’d call the effing police lol - and the way that it panned out was so classic freida it was very cute
the couple that beats up bad guys together stay together 😮💨😮💨
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: new zealand sparkling wine
Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
this was not my favorite of lisa jewell’s, and I think it’s due to the fact that the “wrongfully accused” trope is one of my least favorites in thrillers… especially judging by the state of the world today…
told in three parts, INVISIBLE GIRL focuses on saphfyre, a teenager struggling from trauma; cate, her therapist’s wife; and owen, the next door neighbor. I loved seeing the plot unfold through all of their different eyes, but the unfolding itself was glacier slow 🫠 I wanted more from the backstory, but in theory, it felt so irrelevant until the last 15% of the book…
there are a ton of troubling aspects and triggers throughout this book (will be listed at the bottom of the review!), and while misogynistic a-holes aren’t new, it was disturbing to hear from them as one of the main points - which indeed was the point but still unsettling for me as a reader.
lisa jewell’s endings are always the best, and firmly landed this book in 3 star category for me - I pumped my fist in the air on the last chapter!!
overall, another bingeable read, but not my favorite in the least!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: tasmania pinot noir
told in three parts, INVISIBLE GIRL focuses on saphfyre, a teenager struggling from trauma; cate, her therapist’s wife; and owen, the next door neighbor. I loved seeing the plot unfold through all of their different eyes, but the unfolding itself was glacier slow 🫠 I wanted more from the backstory, but in theory, it felt so irrelevant until the last 15% of the book…
there are a ton of troubling aspects and triggers throughout this book (will be listed at the bottom of the review!), and while misogynistic a-holes aren’t new, it was disturbing to hear from them as one of the main points - which indeed was the point but still unsettling for me as a reader.
lisa jewell’s endings are always the best, and firmly landed this book in 3 star category for me - I pumped my fist in the air on the last chapter!!
overall, another bingeable read, but not my favorite in the least!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: tasmania pinot noir
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
okay I think I’m ready to write my review … weeks later … 💀 this one was definitely better than IRON FLAME but it’s still missing that same spark I got from FOURTH WING…
picking up after the events of IRON FLAME, xaden and violet and co are dealing with the fallout of the venin takeover, and how to better ward their kingdoms against the destruction. I loved that they returned to an academic structure in the beginning, but I wished it had lasted a bit longer before violet and her “quest squad” went off to discover the cure for venins & andarna’s missing dragon species 🥲
I loved the world building and expanding upon the land beyond navarre & tyrrendor - but it felt a bit repetitive at times 🥴 go to a new country, try and explain why they need their help, end up way over their heads and having to complete some sort of challenge, repeat 👀
even though this book was long, I felt as though nothing drastic really happened? I definitely went through alllll of the emotions & found new favorite characters (hello ridoc & broccoli & dain’s redemption arc) 🫶🏼
and while it definitely felt like a “filler” book in the series, it was packed with non-stop action & entertainment the entire way!! and in traditional RY fashion, it ended with a cliffhanger that left us with wayyyy more questions than answers 😵💫
another fantastic installment, but definitely left me wanting so much more!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley pinot noir
picking up after the events of IRON FLAME, xaden and violet and co are dealing with the fallout of the venin takeover, and how to better ward their kingdoms against the destruction. I loved that they returned to an academic structure in the beginning, but I wished it had lasted a bit longer before violet and her “quest squad” went off to discover the cure for venins & andarna’s missing dragon species 🥲
I loved the world building and expanding upon the land beyond navarre & tyrrendor - but it felt a bit repetitive at times 🥴 go to a new country, try and explain why they need their help, end up way over their heads and having to complete some sort of challenge, repeat 👀
even though this book was long, I felt as though nothing drastic really happened? I definitely went through alllll of the emotions & found new favorite characters (hello ridoc & broccoli & dain’s redemption arc) 🫶🏼
and while it definitely felt like a “filler” book in the series, it was packed with non-stop action & entertainment the entire way!! and in traditional RY fashion, it ended with a cliffhanger that left us with wayyyy more questions than answers 😵💫
another fantastic installment, but definitely left me wanting so much more!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley pinot noir
The Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
as most jessica goodman books go, they are very bingeable and addicting - but overall, not much to write home about 🫠
for YA thrillers, I’m always looking for the next pretty little liars & I fear nothing can live up to that hype I felt in middle school reading those 🤠 BUT private boarding schools are the perfect place for a murder mystery!
I loved the back and forth mystery between roommate amy and school newspaper editor liz who team up to solve the murder of amy’s roommates, ryan and sarah. while the pacing was quick, I didn’t really feel the urgency and felt there were way too many red herrings that were never really explained at all 🤔
the whodunnit itself was fairly obvious to me - I guessed it almost immediately - and the lead up to it could have used a bit more hidden clues rather than plain sight … I mean, the perp clearly throws a victim’s phone at the wall to hide evidence and everyone is like oh he must have anger issues? very odd
a big thank you to netgalley and razorbill for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 2.5 stars
wine pairing: woodbridge zinfandel
for YA thrillers, I’m always looking for the next pretty little liars & I fear nothing can live up to that hype I felt in middle school reading those 🤠 BUT private boarding schools are the perfect place for a murder mystery!
I loved the back and forth mystery between roommate amy and school newspaper editor liz who team up to solve the murder of amy’s roommates, ryan and sarah. while the pacing was quick, I didn’t really feel the urgency and felt there were way too many red herrings that were never really explained at all 🤔
the whodunnit itself was fairly obvious to me - I guessed it almost immediately - and the lead up to it could have used a bit more hidden clues rather than plain sight … I mean, the perp clearly throws a victim’s phone at the wall to hide evidence and everyone is like oh he must have anger issues? very odd
a big thank you to netgalley and razorbill for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 2.5 stars
wine pairing: woodbridge zinfandel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
this would have easily been a 5 star read if it wasn’t for the ending folks 🤠 when it comes to the first book of trilogies, especially in fantasy novels, the author needs to find that sweet spot between wrapping up the first conflict & characterizations but still leaving the readers wanting to know more…
and I fear it did none of that
elara and enzo have my entire heart 🤍✨ they are the peak enemies to lovers couple - and I love their slow burn romance!!! this is 100% a romance first novel with plot and characterization taking a back burn (but honestly loved every scene of them slowly trusting and opening up to each other are we KIDDING)
the beginning plot read a lot like SPARK OF THE EVERFLAME between the politics & prince/princess vibes - but I adored the world building of celestia so much 🌙 I want to bottle up every detail and description and just live there
but can we talk about that ending? loved the soulmate vibes, but I felt like a lot of revelations were just thrown out there without any sort of explanation and resolution 👀 and yes it’s setting up for the sequel, but I low key feel like it was a cheap shot to create drama and prolong the conflict…
more characterization in the sequels please!!! can’t wait to return to celestia soon!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: blanc de noirs champagne
and I fear it did none of that
elara and enzo have my entire heart 🤍✨ they are the peak enemies to lovers couple - and I love their slow burn romance!!! this is 100% a romance first novel with plot and characterization taking a back burn (but honestly loved every scene of them slowly trusting and opening up to each other are we KIDDING)
the beginning plot read a lot like SPARK OF THE EVERFLAME between the politics & prince/princess vibes - but I adored the world building of celestia so much 🌙 I want to bottle up every detail and description and just live there
but can we talk about that ending? loved the soulmate vibes, but I felt like a lot of revelations were just thrown out there without any sort of explanation and resolution 👀 and yes it’s setting up for the sequel, but I low key feel like it was a cheap shot to create drama and prolong the conflict…
more characterization in the sequels please!!! can’t wait to return to celestia soon!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: blanc de noirs champagne