I went into this one with high expectations, and while it had all the right ingredients, it never quite came together.
The premise is solid and there’s definitely potential in the story, but it felt like the characters never got pushed far enough. I kept waiting for more depth, especially when it came to their internal struggles, and it just didn’t fully deliver.
The world building also felt a bit thin. I wanted more detail and immersion to really ground the story, but it stayed a little too surface level.
Overall, it’s not a bad read, just one that could’ve been a lot more if it had dug a little deeper.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
I was completely locked into this one… right up until the veil dropped and the story took a hard detour into cringe heavy spice.
I don’t mind romance at all, but this dynamic didn’t land for me. The MMC constantly pushes, the FMC keeps saying no, and yet internally… she’s into it? Meanwhile, she’s also adamant about never being controlled again, but then just kind of… goes along with it. The mixed signals made the whole relationship feel more confusing than compelling.
On top of that, the plot barely moves. It ends up feeling less like a story unfolding and more like an extended argument about who is or isn’t allowed to sleep around.
I wanted to love it. I really did. But between the uneven character dynamics and the lack of forward momentum, this one just didn’t quite work for me.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is exactly what happens when a cozy mystery puts on a cardigan, pours a cup of tea, and casually solves a murder.
This was such a fun read. The residents of a retirement village meet weekly to review cold cases… until a real murder lands right in their backyard. The characters are witty, clever, and quietly chaotic in the best way. Elizabeth especially feels like she’s always five steps ahead of everyone else.
The mystery itself kept me interested, but honestly, the charm is in the characters and their friendships. It leans more “cozy and clever” than “dark and twisty,” which made it a really enjoyable, low stress read.
As ridiculous as the premise is, I loved this book so much.
Margo is naïve, but she’s also full of life and curiosity. She rolls with whatever comes her way and isn’t afraid to take risks, even when those choices are questionable at best.
Her family is… a mess. I really couldn’t stand her mother. Just the worst.
But her dad, Jinx, completely stole the show for me. He’s flawed in his own ways, but he shows up for Margo when it counts, and that mattered.
This book is chaotic, a little absurd, and somehow still full of heart. It worked for me.
What a wild, dark ride. This book pulled me in right from the start.
The atmosphere is rich and heavy and the writing really sells the tension throughout.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate the demon delivering this absolute gem:
“Shut up you fat opossum!”
Incredible. No notes.
I love Katherine Center’s writing, but this one didn’t quite land for me. It’s well written, as expected, but it’s so short that there isn’t enough time to really connect with the characters or feel invested in their choices.
Instead of a fully developed story, it reads more like a polished outline. Everything is there, but nothing has room to breathe. I wanted more depth, more buildup, and more reason to care about the decisions being made.
Still enjoyable for what it is, just a little too quick to leave a lasting impression.
