BookishDramas

Commander Annie and Other Adventures by Mary E. Lowd My rating: 4 of 5 stars 3.5 stars I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is delightful collection of stories that blend whimsy, adventure, and heart. Our title character, Commander Annie, embarks on various journeys that highlight themes of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery. I love Mary's style of storytelling and found this book also engaging and imaginative, appealing to readers of all ages. Her ability to create rich, vivid worlds and memorable characters makes each adventure feel fresh and exciting. The writing is accessible, making it perfect for younger audiences while still offering depth for older readers. For me this was a charming experience that encourages exploration and imagination. It’s a great pick for anyone looking for a fun, uplifting escape into a world of adventure! Recomended. View all my reviews

My Sister's Downfall by S.M. Thomas My rating: 3 of 5 stars My thanks to the team for this ARC. This is a story of sisters and their relationship with an exploration of the familial bonds, secrets, and the dark paths we sometimes tread. Sisters whose relationship is tested by jealousy, betrayal, and the weight of their past. The tension builds steadily, pulling readers into the sisters' world as they navigate love, loss, and the consequences of their choices. The themes of redemption and the search for identity resonates while prompting the reader to reflect on their own relationships. My first book from the author, SM Thomas, provided me with an interesting story that she skillfully weaves with a narrative that delves deep into the complexities of sisterhood, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate emotional depth and psychological nuance. It was the thriller portion which for me was a letdown with uneven pacing and a predictab

The Whisper by Warren Greer My rating: 3 of 5 stars 3.5 stars I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This review based on my reading is a phased review with points written as I progressed with the story. An appreciation for the author's gripping psychological thriller that immersed me in a world of suspense and intrigue that unfolds through the eyes of its characters, each of whom seem to harboring layers of secrets that propel the plot forward. The writing is sharp and succeeds in creating an atmosphere filled with tension and uncertainty with the dark and dangerous world of the illegal drug trade as its backdrop. The story follows Jasper, a youngster who is taken under the wing by a hardboiled drug dealer Glen after he lost his parents in an accident. His obligations to Glen and his attraction to Jane the wife of a drug overlord, form conflicted emotions as the story pan out. The narrative delves i

Keep The Doctor Away by James Caine My rating: 4 of 5 stars My thanks to the BookSirens team, the publishers and the author for this review copy. This is my first book from the author. I like thrillers so this book was right in that alley. This is a well paced story, a psychological thriller with a disturbing topic. It has its share of shocks and twists with a good bouquet of character both primary and secondary. The island with the clinic is a creepy location and creates paranoia with its pre-determination for security and secrecy. It is understandable when its caters for the uber rich but still leaves a metallic taste in the mouth especially after the enticing book blurb. Lily as the primary protagonist comes across as a vulnerable but likable character with David an exact opposite. Although you can feel for the guy as he gets what is possibly a big break for his career. The way things spiral out of control with haunting vies and psycholigal tale i

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier My rating: 5 of 5 stars What more can I add in a review of this book, arguably one of the most famous novels of the previous century, immortalized on celluloid by another legend, Alfred Hitchcock, although the latter features some sharp prudish changes to the original story. The story is a rich exploration of complexities of identity, the sheer weight of a memory, the haunting reminders and intricacies and complications of human interactions and relationships. The story contains masterful prose and the novel has an omniscient foreboding and haunting atmosphere which served to chill me despite reading a condensed version while in school, which invites readers to reflect on the ways in which the past shapes and influences the present. As a pre-eminent and seminal work of Gothic fiction, it explores themes of identity, memory, and the haunting power of the past. This is a quintessential Gothic novel and continues to resonate

The Secret That Killed You by Steve Hadden My rating: 4 of 5 stars 3.5 stars rather than 4. My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this review copy. This review is based on my reading this book and is my honest feedback on the story. I have identified Steve as an author whose books I will look forward to. This is my first Steve Hadden book as I sift through new books and new authors to uncover new ones. I have a tremendous love for thrillers and this book is right up there with the best. The story ticks off many key elements from Nazis, Hitler, American Presidents, the Oval office, conspiracy theories and a protagonist who delivers alongside a true American patriot. The story starts off innocuously with a discovery of a sunken strongbox by Amelia whose company or family's company is in the business of oil exploration and deep sea drilling. Amelia a former Air force veteran has a strong affinity with historical artefacts and keep

Dating App by Stephanie Tyo My rating: 3 of 5 stars A little more than 3.5 stars I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy. All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the initial comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contiguous thoughts as I proceeded with the story. Stephanie has done a great job here in keeping the pace of this novel fast , while managing to put in some time for the development of the plot and the characters. This is a well written thriller. I had read Stephanie's earlier book Shattered Minds and understand her style of writing. The challenge is the over exuberant detailing that stalls the initial story flow while the context is being set. Stephanie writes well enough for a discerning reader to appreciate but may turn off less appreciative readers who lack th

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐   Stars DEBUT NOVEL Book First published August 27, 2024 Blurb Never Forget. Memory is Copeland-Stark’s business. Yet after months of reconsolidation treatments at their sleek new flagship facility, Hope Nakano still has no idea what happened to her lost year, or the life she was just beginning to build with her one great love. Each procedure surfaces fragmented clues which erode Hope’s trust in her own memories, especially the ones of Luke. As inconsistencies mount, her search for answers reveals a much larger secret Copeland-Stark is determined to protect. But everyone has secrets, including Hope. The Mechanics of Memory Book Review I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy. All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the initial comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contiguous thoughts