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jessicabeckett's reviews
1981 reviews
The Truth We Bury by Barbara Taylor Sissel
3.0
As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way. Review also found here.
Although it has its rough patches and a lack of unpredictable revelations, The Truth We Bury was a very compelling and thought provoking read that kept me glued to its pages. Certainly not my favourite or least favourite book of the year, Barbara Taylor Sissel crafts a twisty tale of questions and mystery. Most important to note is the way that it tackles PTSD and the emotional tugs it provides reader from start to finish. I find that the realistic approach it took towards a lot of mental health and the complexities of human emotion was refreshing and, at the end of the day, the biggest plus about the novel itself.
Told in two points of view, we really get to know the characters on a highly intimate level and to see the contrast of each of them as well as the past and what we imagine the future might hold. Full of secrets, mystery and intrigue--The Truth We Bury tackles more than just one plotline and genre, tangling up the reader and the story until many will lose track of their own reality. To me, that's what reading is all about.
I loved the element of truth and consequence and the question of what would you do if your child stood accused of a horrendous crime. Especially when that child is on the run. Where does the innocence lie? Where does it not? Does it exist? What happens next?
Much like earlier this year with [a:Sibel Hodge|3517050|Sibel Hodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1373255058p2/3517050.jpg]'s novel [b:Beneath the Surface|34204813|Beneath the Surface|Sibel Hodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492186885s/34204813.jpg|55251904], readers will be left turning the pages with questions of their own and a different insight/view of the mystery than the characters featured in the thickest of plots. A fun, quick and chilling read that will fast become a favourite amongst many.
Although it has its rough patches and a lack of unpredictable revelations, The Truth We Bury was a very compelling and thought provoking read that kept me glued to its pages. Certainly not my favourite or least favourite book of the year, Barbara Taylor Sissel crafts a twisty tale of questions and mystery. Most important to note is the way that it tackles PTSD and the emotional tugs it provides reader from start to finish. I find that the realistic approach it took towards a lot of mental health and the complexities of human emotion was refreshing and, at the end of the day, the biggest plus about the novel itself.
Told in two points of view, we really get to know the characters on a highly intimate level and to see the contrast of each of them as well as the past and what we imagine the future might hold. Full of secrets, mystery and intrigue--The Truth We Bury tackles more than just one plotline and genre, tangling up the reader and the story until many will lose track of their own reality. To me, that's what reading is all about.
I loved the element of truth and consequence and the question of what would you do if your child stood accused of a horrendous crime. Especially when that child is on the run. Where does the innocence lie? Where does it not? Does it exist? What happens next?
Much like earlier this year with [a:Sibel Hodge|3517050|Sibel Hodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1373255058p2/3517050.jpg]'s novel [b:Beneath the Surface|34204813|Beneath the Surface|Sibel Hodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492186885s/34204813.jpg|55251904], readers will be left turning the pages with questions of their own and a different insight/view of the mystery than the characters featured in the thickest of plots. A fun, quick and chilling read that will fast become a favourite amongst many.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
4.0
“People believe, thought Shadow. It's what people do. They believe, and then they do not take responsibility for their beliefs; they conjure things, and do not trust the conjuration. People populate the darkness; with ghosts, with gods, with electrons, with tales. People imagine, and people believe; and it is that rock solid belief, that makes things happen.” Review also found here.
(*4.5 stars) I have a confession to make. My name is Jessica and I could never dislike a book if it's written by Neil Gaiman. From [b:Coraline|17061|Coraline|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493497435s/17061.jpg|2834844] to [b:The Ocean at the End of the Lane|15783514|The Ocean at the End of the Lane|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497098563s/15783514.jpg|21500681] all the way to [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462924585s/30165203.jpg|1970226] Gaiman has always known how to tug at me and keep me in place to devour stories. He is, perhaps, one of the greatest authors of our time and will surely (hopefully) go down as a classic amongst generations to come. American Gods proves this once again--and has, thankfully, aged really well since its original release.
What I loved most about American Gods is its dreary tone that never shakes free. One of Neil Gaiman's signature traits is his deliciously dark and bold prose; something that is featured heavily in all of his works to date. I find it dreamy. Weird. Fun. Dark. A little dangerous and creepy. I'm never quite sure how to explain his way with words to newcomers but I can easily tell you it is something that you'll want to get lost in. When I picked up American Gods I devoured it within a few days.
One of those days, I even lost track of the time and place. You see, it's terribly easy to become invested in characters lives. Something about American Gods was like being embraced in this world that you forget where fiction ends and reality begins. You grow to love Shadow and suspect these little edges in the plotlines are going to lead to something bigger--when it does, you're both surprised and not. If you're not sympathetic towards him, we must be reading something entirely different.
When we first meet him, his backstory is pretty murky. We know he has been locked away. We know there is something about him. We know, too, that his wife has died and her affairs--ahem--become a central plot point. Especially after, you know, she haunts him. Literally. Oh, I know I shouldn't love these scenes but I do. I feel for Shadow so much--his wives betrayal and death, the fact that even in the afterlife she is there. I feel so much for Laura, too. I did wish that their backstory had been explored just a bit more before the stories conclusion, but it is what it is.
As for the Gods? I'm still catching my breath and swooning. I loved the mythology of the story. How it all tied into itself and played on. Researching the Gods and what Gods they are based upon was a real treat. I've always been fascinated by the idea of Gods and what their roles are and thought that the way they are adapted for a more modern setting in Shadow's world was genuinely good.
Another thing I loved about this book was the vivid settings and the mystery and intrigue that came in it. Gaiman has a way of pointing to signs that light up and gives his readers hints sprinkled through each chapter, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a few dozen tricks up his sleeves. I was genuinely surprised by many moments towards the end. This just proves that he is one of the best writers of his time.
Overall, if you're looking for something dark and thrilling with a comedic edge and a kickass setting with mythology all its own; American Gods is for you. P.S., I am the raven that says 'f*ck you' to Shadow at one point.
(*4.5 stars) I have a confession to make. My name is Jessica and I could never dislike a book if it's written by Neil Gaiman. From [b:Coraline|17061|Coraline|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493497435s/17061.jpg|2834844] to [b:The Ocean at the End of the Lane|15783514|The Ocean at the End of the Lane|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497098563s/15783514.jpg|21500681] all the way to [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462924585s/30165203.jpg|1970226] Gaiman has always known how to tug at me and keep me in place to devour stories. He is, perhaps, one of the greatest authors of our time and will surely (hopefully) go down as a classic amongst generations to come. American Gods proves this once again--and has, thankfully, aged really well since its original release.
What I loved most about American Gods is its dreary tone that never shakes free. One of Neil Gaiman's signature traits is his deliciously dark and bold prose; something that is featured heavily in all of his works to date. I find it dreamy. Weird. Fun. Dark. A little dangerous and creepy. I'm never quite sure how to explain his way with words to newcomers but I can easily tell you it is something that you'll want to get lost in. When I picked up American Gods I devoured it within a few days.
One of those days, I even lost track of the time and place. You see, it's terribly easy to become invested in characters lives. Something about American Gods was like being embraced in this world that you forget where fiction ends and reality begins. You grow to love Shadow and suspect these little edges in the plotlines are going to lead to something bigger--when it does, you're both surprised and not. If you're not sympathetic towards him, we must be reading something entirely different.
When we first meet him, his backstory is pretty murky. We know he has been locked away. We know there is something about him. We know, too, that his wife has died and her affairs--ahem--become a central plot point. Especially after, you know, she haunts him. Literally. Oh, I know I shouldn't love these scenes but I do. I feel for Shadow so much--his wives betrayal and death, the fact that even in the afterlife she is there. I feel so much for Laura, too. I did wish that their backstory had been explored just a bit more before the stories conclusion, but it is what it is.
As for the Gods? I'm still catching my breath and swooning. I loved the mythology of the story. How it all tied into itself and played on. Researching the Gods and what Gods they are based upon was a real treat. I've always been fascinated by the idea of Gods and what their roles are and thought that the way they are adapted for a more modern setting in Shadow's world was genuinely good.
Another thing I loved about this book was the vivid settings and the mystery and intrigue that came in it. Gaiman has a way of pointing to signs that light up and gives his readers hints sprinkled through each chapter, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a few dozen tricks up his sleeves. I was genuinely surprised by many moments towards the end. This just proves that he is one of the best writers of his time.
Overall, if you're looking for something dark and thrilling with a comedic edge and a kickass setting with mythology all its own; American Gods is for you. P.S., I am the raven that says 'f*ck you' to Shadow at one point.
Filthy Beautiful Lust by Kendall Ryan
5.0
"Who I was before became irrelevant the moment I met you."
Review also found here.
It's fairly obvious how shameless I am about my love of books penned by the incomparable Kendall Ryan. The third installment of the Filthy Beautiful Lies series, Filthy Beautiful Lust, is no exception to this rule. Just as slow of a burn (and that delicious ache of a good love story) as her impressive archive of books, there's no shortage of steamy scenes and fiery characters for readers to swoon over. Although readers were surely sad to close the story of Sophie and Colton in Filthy Beautiful Love, it's no doubt they will find themselves just as fond of Kylie and Pace.
Best of all, we do get glimpses of both Sophie and Colton in the duration of Filthy Beautiful Lust. Which should be unsurprising--given that the series is about the delectable Drake brothers. Catch me, I'm swooning. I wasn't sure I would be down for these two--Pace was a great side character but I was skeptical of if I'd like him in his own narration--but holy crap, they are blazing through the pages at me.
Kendall Ryan drives her plots straight through your heart. The character of Kylie, for example, just might be my new-favourite Ryan heroine. She is easy to root for and not without flaws, aka the best kind of character. I loved the glimpses we got of her during Sophie and Colton's stories, but there is so much more of her to be explored in Filthy Beautiful Lust. I love how strong of a lead she is and how attentive she is to her young son, how determined she is to do what's best for him always--the number one thing a parent should do.
Further, I loved seeing how Pace fit right in with Kylie. They truly became a family unit without even trying. While I was nervous of Pace and how his story would go, I adored everything about him as he grew into the man he'd always meant to be. This thankfully didn't feel like a choppy, "Womanizer reforms himself out of the blue!" sort of story.
(Then again, Kendall Ryan's work has always been crafted beautifully. So, this, dear reader, is not a shocking thing to note.)
His scenes with Max were heartwarming and of course his chemistry with Kylie was the variety that could make a girl melt into a puddle straight away. There were several turning points in the novel for Pace. My personal favourite was when he realized how much Kylie and Max had grown to mean to him. We saw that softness in him the first time we glimpse him interacting with Max, all the way back in Sophie and Colton's story, but it only grows from this point on.
(HOW CUTE IS IT SEEING MAX CALL PACE PAPA? Kill me.)
I liked the trust that built between him and Kylie; it is a true partnership that is built solely on respect of one another. They are equals. They better each other. And, yes, they lose themselves in all that captivating chemistry. Basically--they are what dreams are made of when it comes to relationships and I couldn't have felt anymore warmth towards them.
Another thing I loved was how Kendall Ryan approached Kylie being a single-mother. All the things that go through her mind about what's best for Max, her needs being second to his, the aftermath of Max's father (who was a total prick, obviously, and I really wanted to slap him when he pops back into Kylie and Max's life) and all that jazz.
Her background is compelling and realistic. When I said you can't help but to root for her, you really can't. Kylie just gets a hold on your heart and doesn't let go. Similarly, so does Pace. Which is why they are so perfect for one another and I'm definitely in a puddle on the floor with the way their story concluded. I loved them!
Long review short--Filthy Beautiful Lust is an emotional rollarcoaster that will leave readers with this tingling feeling of love and lust afterwards.
Review also found here.
It's fairly obvious how shameless I am about my love of books penned by the incomparable Kendall Ryan. The third installment of the Filthy Beautiful Lies series, Filthy Beautiful Lust, is no exception to this rule. Just as slow of a burn (and that delicious ache of a good love story) as her impressive archive of books, there's no shortage of steamy scenes and fiery characters for readers to swoon over. Although readers were surely sad to close the story of Sophie and Colton in Filthy Beautiful Love, it's no doubt they will find themselves just as fond of Kylie and Pace.
Best of all, we do get glimpses of both Sophie and Colton in the duration of Filthy Beautiful Lust. Which should be unsurprising--given that the series is about the delectable Drake brothers. Catch me, I'm swooning. I wasn't sure I would be down for these two--Pace was a great side character but I was skeptical of if I'd like him in his own narration--but holy crap, they are blazing through the pages at me.
Kendall Ryan drives her plots straight through your heart. The character of Kylie, for example, just might be my new-favourite Ryan heroine. She is easy to root for and not without flaws, aka the best kind of character. I loved the glimpses we got of her during Sophie and Colton's stories, but there is so much more of her to be explored in Filthy Beautiful Lust. I love how strong of a lead she is and how attentive she is to her young son, how determined she is to do what's best for him always--the number one thing a parent should do.
Further, I loved seeing how Pace fit right in with Kylie. They truly became a family unit without even trying. While I was nervous of Pace and how his story would go, I adored everything about him as he grew into the man he'd always meant to be. This thankfully didn't feel like a choppy, "Womanizer reforms himself out of the blue!" sort of story.
(Then again, Kendall Ryan's work has always been crafted beautifully. So, this, dear reader, is not a shocking thing to note.)
His scenes with Max were heartwarming and of course his chemistry with Kylie was the variety that could make a girl melt into a puddle straight away. There were several turning points in the novel for Pace. My personal favourite was when he realized how much Kylie and Max had grown to mean to him. We saw that softness in him the first time we glimpse him interacting with Max, all the way back in Sophie and Colton's story, but it only grows from this point on.
(HOW CUTE IS IT SEEING MAX CALL PACE PAPA? Kill me.)
I liked the trust that built between him and Kylie; it is a true partnership that is built solely on respect of one another. They are equals. They better each other. And, yes, they lose themselves in all that captivating chemistry. Basically--they are what dreams are made of when it comes to relationships and I couldn't have felt anymore warmth towards them.
Another thing I loved was how Kendall Ryan approached Kylie being a single-mother. All the things that go through her mind about what's best for Max, her needs being second to his, the aftermath of Max's father (who was a total prick, obviously, and I really wanted to slap him when he pops back into Kylie and Max's life) and all that jazz.
Her background is compelling and realistic. When I said you can't help but to root for her, you really can't. Kylie just gets a hold on your heart and doesn't let go. Similarly, so does Pace. Which is why they are so perfect for one another and I'm definitely in a puddle on the floor with the way their story concluded. I loved them!
Long review short--Filthy Beautiful Lust is an emotional rollarcoaster that will leave readers with this tingling feeling of love and lust afterwards.
The Truth Beneath the Lies by Amanda Searcy
4.0
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review for the blog tour. You can find my post here.
Amanda Searcy pens an explosive thriller with The Truth Beneath the Lies. Gripping, mysterious and utterly compelling, the story follows an uniquely dark plotline that keeps readers on their toes. You will never guess where it leads you, until you find yourself straight at the center--it's one of the most intriguing YA novels in recent memory and will keep you in questions for the duration.
For fans of thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat and lovers of an unreliable narration, The Truth Beneath the Lies is a solid release through and through. From typical coming-of-age qualities, to the tackling of various elements of life's darkness, Kayla and Betsy are unforgettable from the beginning. Their story is shocking, an unexpected twist in the gut, and left me breathless by the time we reach the climax.
I was not expecting that twist. I was constantly questioning what the connection was between the two girls and when it hit me, I flailed a bit. How she ties Kayla and Betsy together is incredible. Simple and painful and jaw-dropping, I couldn't let go and even now, days later, I'm still thinking about their story.
As readers, this is our first experience with Amanda Searcy's work, as this is her debut novel, but her prose is one that features the most riveting of qualities. It's pure suspense. She nails the horrible truths of life and growing up. There was this entire vibe to The Truth Beneath the Lies that kept your mind turning, turning, turning and curious. You feel uneasy. You feel suspicious. Trusting no-one, except the narration, and even that makes you hesitant.
Searcy is definitely an author to look out for. The Truth Beneath the Lies is proof of that.
I really adored the bleakness to the novel, it leans towards dark and mysterious and never lacks in the emotional punches of life. The Truth Beneath the Lies is such an appropriate title, because the layers to Kayla and Betsy are striking. Each time you think you have something figured out, you're left with your jaw hanging open in frustration and awe. When I say that this novel is shocking, I mean it. You are always on the edge.
Perfectly crafted and surprising in its endgame, this brilliant book is a can't-miss for fans of Megan Abbott, Gillian Flynn and Abigail Haas. The Truth Beneath the Lies is a spellbinding release and the epitome of thrills.
Amanda Searcy pens an explosive thriller with The Truth Beneath the Lies. Gripping, mysterious and utterly compelling, the story follows an uniquely dark plotline that keeps readers on their toes. You will never guess where it leads you, until you find yourself straight at the center--it's one of the most intriguing YA novels in recent memory and will keep you in questions for the duration.
For fans of thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat and lovers of an unreliable narration, The Truth Beneath the Lies is a solid release through and through. From typical coming-of-age qualities, to the tackling of various elements of life's darkness, Kayla and Betsy are unforgettable from the beginning. Their story is shocking, an unexpected twist in the gut, and left me breathless by the time we reach the climax.
I was not expecting that twist. I was constantly questioning what the connection was between the two girls and when it hit me, I flailed a bit. How she ties Kayla and Betsy together is incredible. Simple and painful and jaw-dropping, I couldn't let go and even now, days later, I'm still thinking about their story.
As readers, this is our first experience with Amanda Searcy's work, as this is her debut novel, but her prose is one that features the most riveting of qualities. It's pure suspense. She nails the horrible truths of life and growing up. There was this entire vibe to The Truth Beneath the Lies that kept your mind turning, turning, turning and curious. You feel uneasy. You feel suspicious. Trusting no-one, except the narration, and even that makes you hesitant.
Searcy is definitely an author to look out for. The Truth Beneath the Lies is proof of that.
I really adored the bleakness to the novel, it leans towards dark and mysterious and never lacks in the emotional punches of life. The Truth Beneath the Lies is such an appropriate title, because the layers to Kayla and Betsy are striking. Each time you think you have something figured out, you're left with your jaw hanging open in frustration and awe. When I say that this novel is shocking, I mean it. You are always on the edge.
Perfectly crafted and surprising in its endgame, this brilliant book is a can't-miss for fans of Megan Abbott, Gillian Flynn and Abigail Haas. The Truth Beneath the Lies is a spellbinding release and the epitome of thrills.