Finally got my hands on a copy...
I feel I should have waited to read this, until Volume 6 was out though. But I just couldn't stop myself.

As always Oseman's topic relevancy is so on point. I remember when I was too scared to go to university, I wish I had this as encouragement back then.
I can't wait to see how Nick and Charlie's story will end.

My initial plan was to finish The Boyfriend and An Ember in the Ashes for the year, but now I'm done with both and I'm only at 11h26m.
I need to work tomorrow and Tuesday, so I'm adding an audio book (Carrie Soto is back) and obviously A Torch against the Night to see if I can get to the 20hours
#YearEnd
#20in4
#OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew
@Andrew65

It was so easy to just fall into this book and be lost in it for hours on end.
The effortless ease of the writing, the incredible characters, the action and the very unexpected twists just made this book spectacular!

I'm glad to have the second book on my shelf already and I'm ordering the other two right now.

That's my #SugarRush complete @Bookwormjillk
But I'm adding the second book, so don't count me out yet.

3½ ✨

Well I didn't see that twist coming!
After all the hype, I decided to join the masses and see what McFadden is all about.
I enjoyed the story, but I found the writing to be a bit young - if that make sense.
It is however a compulsive and very quick read.

That's 4h07m towards #20in4 @Andrew65
And one book down for #SugarRush #ReadAThon @Bookwormjillk

I've decided to do the right thing and read out the old year and read into the New year.
So let's see if I can get the 20 hours for #20in4

@Andrew65

I'm low-key joining @Bookwormjillk in the #SugarRush #ReadAThon
I would like to finish these two books before the end of the year!

I'm currently on:
The Boyfriend - 52%
An Ember in the Ashes - 27%

My annual re-read.
This year I chose to listen to the Hugh Grant reading, it was a different experience than actually reading it.
I still enjoyed it immensely

I almost gave up on this book in the first 30%
But I'm happy I stuck to it.

I'm a big slaughter fan, in fact I re-read the entire Grant County and Will Trent series before I picked up this one. So there wasn't a year gap of me trying to patiently wait for the next book. And I think that makes a difference.
I was in this Slaughter flow and this book just wasn't what I expected to be next in the flow
👇🏼 Continue 👇🏼

This was the soppy love story I expected when I read the first book. But curiously enough it didn't repulse me as much as I thought.
I'm either getting old or Hoover have a skill not many Romance writers have.
Because I liked the journey to the soppy "and they lived happily ever after" part.
I really cared about the characters even when the 'easiness' of it all drove me nuts.

It feelt like all the books I picked this last part of the year turned out to be short story collections. I can really do with a good enticing novel about now.

Never the less, this one again had some stories I loved, some I liked and others that just wasn't for me.

It's finally my turn!
I've been itching to see how Lilly's story ends. 😁

I've been meaning to re-read this book.
Enjoyed it just as much this time around, with the added bonus of Screwtape's speech.

3½✨
I needed a book with a X for my alphabet challenge, and thought this one to be perfect. Especially at this time of the year.
I found most of the stories entertaining.

3½✨
It's been a while since I read King. But this compilation of stories made me remember why I like his work so much. From one extreme to the next, he keeps surprising me in the most unexpected ways.
N, Mute and The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates were my favourites.

3½✨

This was such a sweet little story. Not sure why but in my head it was little Lindsay Lohan playing the sisters. Maybe because it had some parent trap vibes.

The story did feel a bit to predictable and obvious, but I think Middle Grades would love it.

My reading plans for the weekend...

#CurrentlyReading

Hoover impresses me every time.
I'm not one for Romances, I very rarely read them. But my cousin insisted I read this Duoligy, so here I am reading.

I previously read Confess with a book Club and was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I almost had the exact same reaction this time around.
Hoover does the normal Romance things that grind my nerves: The O! So hot male characters, the love triangle, the predictability of the storyline.

3½ ✨
This is a hard one to read, the subject matter is so brutal and Slaughter portrays it so real and raw it hurts.
The set-up of this one just felt wrong to me, I didn't like the schemes and fake undercover that was set up to trick people. I like the hardcore police investigation. The criminal procedure is what got me into Slaughter, and it feels like this was just a personal vendetta to settle - a very disturbing one, but still.
My least favour

November #WrapUp

📚 4
💭 1
🎧 7

A bit late with my wrap-up, but this weekend was just crazy.
The Third Gilmore Girl was definitely my favourite.

3½ ✨

For some reason all the mystery/thrillers I pick this year are slow burns and have similar endings. Weird...

I've come to think of Jewell as my comfort read. Whenever I don't know what I'm in the mood for, or can't find a book that holds my attention; I can pickup one of her books and be content.

👇🏻 Continue 👇🏻

This is another book that stuck with me ever since I've read it. Slaughter's brilliance and the killer in this book just totally took residence in a part of my brain and won't go.

But listening to this whilst knowing who the guilty party was just hit differently. I mean, the way Slaughter set it up so perfectly. Actually I've been listening to this whole series differently, and I'm so amazed at the little clues I've picked up this time around.

3½✨

5 ✨ Art
The colourful art really made this spectacular, it was a feast for my eyes.
2½ ✨ Story
The story made me think of Moana but without the demigod, and sass.

4½ ✨

When I started this book I couldn't remember why I liked it as much as I did the first time. I remember the premise and the disgust I felt, but not why after 3 years I still felt this way.
But now I remember! The brilliance of Slaughter's work does not cease to amaze me.

Absolutely loved Laurence's narration.

This is my first taste of Jack Reacher, and I'm intrigued.

As for the story, I wasn't all that impressed. It feels like the ending was the beginning of the real story. An interesting one at that.
I know short stories aren't all that, but I expected more.

This was even better the second time around.
I should really read my favourite books more often.

Previously my rage towards Angie blinded me to her life, what she's been through and why she became the Angie we all hate. But this time around I'm really appreciating Slaughter's character development and background. I mean the why behind Angie totally makes sense. This truly is a gift of Slaughter.
👇🏻 Continue 👇🏻

3½✨
When I bought this book I didn't realise it was Sci-Fi, I actually didn't realise it until I started reading. I'm not a fan of Sci-Fi.
That being said, I found this one rather entertaining.
It's an entirely different writing style; than what I'm use to, so I struggle a lot to keep everything together and had a bit of going back and forth at times. In the beginning it was a lot of work for me to read.
👇🏻 Continue👇🏻

The thing that keeps me most interested in Slaughter's work is her ability to write such believable characters. I'm not just thinking about these well loved - or hated - characters, but even characters from her stand-alones still pop into my head as real people.
The way she uses them enriched the plot and further the story in ways that couldn't be done if you weren't as invested in them as she makes you feel.

I thoroughly enjoyed each second I spent listening to this audiobook.
I find Kelly to be the force of nature I'd always pictured her to be. Hearing her desires and struggles, and how graciously she accepts life and its circumstances was such an inspiration.

I know I've read this one before, but for the life of me I couldn't remember who the mastermind behind the plan was.

A quick on edge thriller, just as I'd have it from Slaughter.

This is my favourite book in the whole series, not before or since (I'm up to book 11) did any of the books entice me like this one.

It's not just that we learn the why behind Will and Amanda. It's the whole book. Everything from the compelling plot, the dual time lines, the characters, the writing, the style, and the pacing. Everything is just right.

I read / listen to this one for two reasons.
Firstly I needed a book that started with a Q for my alphabet challenge; and secondly I was intrigued by this series for quite a while, but wasn't sure if it was something I'd liked.

To be honest I don't feel this book was the best place to start, I didn't know any of the characters and felt quite lost at some points.

Overall I got the gist of the story and I don't think it's for me.

October #WrapUp

📚 3
💭 2
🎧 7

My quests to re-listen to the entire Will Trent series before the end of the year is going great! Infact I've even added the short stories - I'm reading them because I can't find them on audio, but they're so short it almost feels like they aren't allowed to count.

And my Tablet is fixed, so I'm able to read my Comics again 🤩

I love the new #StoryGraph Wrap-Up

3½✨

Suspenseful little short story filled with all things Will.

But not really necessary for the series, as it doesn't add to the overall story or character growth.

I always think of this book as being Faith's, her background, her story. But after this re-listen I realise it's so much more. It's Evelyn's story, and Amanda's and a excellent stepping stone for the next book.

Slaughter is an absolute master at character development!

Re-listening to this series just confirms why Slaughter is one of my top favourites.

She's brilliant with character development, very intense plots and whip-smart dialogue.
I'm amazed with her ability to actualise the characters, they feel so real.

I must say this time around I find I understand Lena better, and actually enjoyed the complexity of her character.

Spending some time in Drakensberg for our 15 year wedding anniversary.
It is absolutely stunning here 😍
Reading on the slow side, because of all the beautiful scenery.

4¼ ✨
Re-reading this just confirms how absolutely brilliant Slaughter is.

Over the years I've thought about this book a lot. How a childhood trauma can shape one's life so drastically that years later you still fear for your life, you actually train yourself that if ever you're in the same situation you will be better prepared.
👇🏻

Two stories one theme: don't aggravate truck drivers.
I enjoyed both stories but found Duel's storyline more to my liking, it made a bigger impact.
However I liked the art in Throttle more than Duel's

Happy Tree Friends meet Dexter

This is a twisted little tale, but it's been done before just in a slightly different format.

It was however entertaining and enjoyable

I should really start looking at content warnings before just blindly diving into books.

The only thing I knew about Eleanor Oliphant is that everyone seems to like the book.
So I had a few triggers pop-up, nevertheless I still found it absolutely brilliant. It was done so realistically, and true to the issues that I almost believed Eleanor was a real person I've met just the other day.

I get the hype.

In my mind this is the true start of Will Trent, the first book - while brilliant - felt more like an introduction, especially considering that the main point of view is so different from the rest of the books.
This book really shows who Will is and what he's accomplished with his life.
It's always fun re-reading books; seeing how the author already knew more of his backstory in book two than we could have ever guessed at this point.

3½ ✨

This was something different for me.

I'm usually one for the fast past, action pack, gruesome thrillers. Or a fast moving mystery with a lot of clues for me to figure out.
This however was more of a slow burn mystery with a lot of family drama.

I remember this being my first ever book by Slaughter. I remember how caught up I was and how I couldn't get enough.

Almost exactly 10 years later I have the exact same reaction as then. Even though I knew the ending, even though I knew I would later come to love or hate some of the characters. This felt exciting, on edge and again I couldn't get enough.

4½ ✨

Revisiting this book, made me realise just how much I've let the spoiled ending and need to continue with the Will Trent series affect my opinion.
This is a brilliant book!
While revising Faithless I even had the thought that for a small quiet town, it seemed to be attracting a lot of bad. Sort of far fetching.

👇🏼 Continue 👇🏼

September #WrapUp

📚 5
🎧 5

Re-listening to the Grant County series is definitely my highlight of the month.

I was so disappointed with Atlas 🫤

It disturbs me that we as a human race can be so cruel towards each other.

At a later stage I will re-read this book, in a more enlightened frame of mind. Because this time around I was not ready for harsh topics so blatantly stated.

I can see why this is seen as a Modernist masterpiece

8 years later....

I'm still just a captivated and enthralled as the first time.
I love the subtle sarcasm and humour, it doesn't fail to bring a smile to my face every time.

Going on an adventure with Geralt is quickly becoming one of my favourite escapisms.
Killing monsters, breaking curses, and sharing it all with some good friends.

My only complaint is that these stories is too short.

"She came to him toward morning."

#FirstLineFriday
@ShyBookOwl

4½✨

"when ordinary people pray, they gain access to extraordinary power"

10 Inspiring stories of how the prayers of women influence the situations around them, and what they can teach us about our own prayer life.

I loved that each chapter started with a little story, I found it impactful on a different level to see things through the eyes of these women.