Bunch of Psychos in one place: Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian #Thriller #BookReview #College @parkrowbooks

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian book cover US edition

GIFTED / Another day, another book review. I guess that is what happens when you don’t blog for months: after the break, you have lots to say (or in my case, to review). Never Saw Me Coming was another book I read with girls from my reading club, and if I remember correctly (It was months ago, so it is kind of blurry at this point) we all liked it, and we all had similar thoughts about the ending.

Never Saw Me Coming will be published tomorrow, September 7th 2021 and it has 400 pages. I got a free copy via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review. I want to say thank you to Park Row Publishing, Harlequin.

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About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Meet Chloe Sevre. She’s a freshman honor student, a leggings-wearing hot girl next door, who also happens to be a psychopath. Her hobbies include yogalates, frat parties, and plotting to kill Will Bachman, a childhood friend who grievously wronged her.

Chloe is one of seven students at her DC-based college who are part of an unusual clinical study for psychopaths—students like herself who lack empathy and can’t comprehend emotions like fear or guilt. The study, led by a renowned psychologist, requires them to wear smart watches that track their moods and movements.

When one of the students in the study is found murdered in the psychology building, a dangerous game of cat and mouse begins, and Chloe goes from hunter to prey. As she races to identify the killer and put her own plan into action, she’ll be forced to decide if she can trust any of her fellow psychopaths—and everybody knows you should never trust a psychopath.

Never Saw Me Coming is a compulsive, voice-driven thriller by an exciting new voice in fiction, that will keep you pinned to the page and rooting for a would-be killer.

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Review:

It’s been weeks since me and my reading buddies finished this book, so my review won’t be in depth as I first planned it to be.

Never Saw Me Coming stood out to me with it’s cast of characters.
It is rare to read about main character who happens to be a psychopath, but it is extremely difficult to find a book with many psychopaths represented, all in one story, all together hanging around, making jokes and just simply being themselves.

I was already familiar with basics when it comes to this state of mind (diagnosis or whatever is the right word for it) and I think the author did a good job when it comes to representation.
I also want to stress out that I do appreciate the idea/point she was making by telling this story.

My favourite character was Cloe and I wish the whole book was written from her perspective, following her narration in first person.
Some parts written in third person following different characters were entertaining, but some were boring.

At some points I was really invested in the story. My favourite part was the revenge plot, and I’ll be perfectly honest with you, as the big thing was happening my heart was racing 100/h.

I am sorry to say that with all the preparing for the grand finale and revelation about the killer, I ended up disappointed and to say it simple, the end was underwhelming.

Overall, this was very entertaining novel set in college and I would recommend it as a quick read, but I wasn’t satisfied with the way it wrapped up.

rating 3,5 hearts

Lovely and sweet: New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan (Book Review) #NewYork #Romance #RomCom

new york actually by sarah morgan book cover us edition

GIFTED / I’ve been a fan of Sarah Morgan for some time now and I am happy to talk about the latest book I’ve read that is written by her.
New York, Actually is the fourth book in the From Manhattan With Love series and it was published on May 30th 2017 by Hqn. It has 376 pages.

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About the book:

Meet Molly

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

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Review:

If you’re looking for a sweet escape when it comes to romances, you can’t go wrong with Sarah Morgan’s books.
I’ve been fan of her work for a while now and every time I read one of her stories, I forget the world around me and lose myself in the passionate occasions.

New York, Actually is the fourth book in the From Manhattan With Love series, but it can be read as standalone.
It is written in third person and it follows perspectives of Molly and Daniel.

I think they were very likeable characters and great company.
I loved spending time with them, but I also really enjoyed reading about side characters, especially Daniel’s sisters Felicity and Harriet. I know next two books in the series are about them, and I am looking forward to read them.

Since this is a series, even though each book can be read as a standalone the same characters do show up in books through the series. I was happy to recognize Eva and Lucas from Miracle on 5th Avenue.

The book itself was really enjoyable, and I really liked how dogs played big part in the story, and how the author gave them their own personalities.
Trust me, dogs were real characters and not just side animals that would trig the plot.

I loved reading about their walks in Central Park and at some point the story even reminded me of the beginning of 101 Dalmatian, even though it is totally different.

New York, Actually is the romance in the first place, but it also touches some serious topics and even asks some important questions (from example, should you try to save the marriage if there are children involved or is it better for children to grow up in house where parents don’t argue).

Overall, this was a fast, relaxing read and I would recommend it to romance lovers.

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Book Review: Once Upon a Christmas by Sarah Morgan #BookReview #Christmas #OnceUponAChristmas #BookLovers

Title: Once Upon a Christmas
Author: Sarah Morgan

Series: Lakeside Mountain Rescue (#1 & #2)

Publisher: Mills & Boon, Harlequin UK
Date: October, 2012
Pages: 379
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads): What’s your number one Christmas wish?

Bryony’s daughter has put a dad on her Christmas list. That leaves Bryony with one month to find the perfect man, so this year she’s wishing for a miracle!

While she’s looking for love, her best friend Helen is doing the opposite. Her Christmas wish is to forget all about the white dress hanging in her wardrobe – and her faithless rat of a fiance.

Helen and Bryoney’s festive cheer definitely needs a boost, so it’s lucky that once upon a Christmas, wishes really do come true…

Review:

They say there is no recipe for a successful novel, but I think we’re being lied to.
I think there is one, and Sarah Morgan knows it. Either is that, or her novels follow the same formula.
Let me tell you what I mean…

I have read three of many of her novels, and all three of them had one thing in common: two main characters being stuck with each other under the same roof because of some unavoidable reason/event/misadventure, hanging together and falling in love.

I know Sarah Morgan has written so many books, and I only read three of them, so I hope they are not all the “same” because it would be a shame.

However, I have to stress out that her writing style is the most amazing thing about this novel and I would read all of her books, just so I could absorb at least bits of it.

Once Upon a Christmas is a novel that follows two stories: Bryony’s  and Helen’s.
I feel like Bryony’s story was originally imagined as a novella, but then it got “part two” and all of a sudden, it was a novel.
I am glad for it, because I liked part two much more then part one.

Part One follows Bryony who decided that she will grant her daughter’s Christmas wish and find a guy who will be perfect to be her father.
First of all, I can’t even tell you how wrong, in my eyes, that motive is. You don’t look for a guy you’ll date just so your child could have a father, if anything, that is not fair to a guy.
Second, the love interest was too controlling, unlikeable, in love with himself and a “whore”, while the Bryony, even though she had a child, wa so innocent, she probably grew a second hymen.

The story is manly focused on Bryony and Jack, with only few side characters, like novella should be.

On the other hand, Part Two is focused on more characters, town and it’s atmosphere, and I liked it so much more.
Our main characters Helen and Oliver were really likeable. Oliver was sweet guy and didn’t get on my nerves like Jack, and Helen’s motives came from the right place.
The only thing I didn’t like that much was how Helen was pictured like some weak woman who needs protection, and how she let other make decisions for her.

Overall, Once Upon a Christmas was a good festive read and I would recommend it to romance lovers.