Tag: reviews

Book Review: The House Across The Lake by Riley Sager

Yes, I am in my thriller era and will be in it for a long time. The next thriller pick of mine was The House Across The Lake by Riley Sager. I read so many good things about his writing, so I knew I had to pick, and I started with this book. The book follows the story of Casey Fletcher, an actress whose husband recently passed away, and she is trying to escape the press. So she retreated to her family’s lake house to find peace. However, the house across the lake was recently bought by a couple, Tom and Katherine Royce. The couple from outside seemed glamorous; however, as Casey from her house started spying on the couple through binoculars, things went absolutely crazy.

Let’s start with the character of Casey Fletcher, just like everyone says, never trust anyone in a thriller book. Even when the story is told from the main character’s point of view, that doesn’t mean they are not crazy. I couldn’t believe what I read when the plot twist happened; my jaw was on the floor, and I’m not exaggerating. I don’t think so, anyone would get the plot twist because the writer, through his writing, made everything so clear yet clever. I will just say Casey is absolutely crazy, but in a good way for a thriller book.

Then we have the couple, living across the lake and just like the description, there is a problem going on between the couple; however, I would say it can be deceitful. I don’t think so, I can say more otherwise it won’t be fun. However, it’s so good, the plot twists OMG what?!?!?! I really want to talk to the writer because what was he thinking writing the plot twist?

Then we have the plot, basically a drunkard girl who is trying to find peace, finds that the couple across the lake is not what they seem, as Katherine goes missing, and Casey thinks it’s Tom who has unalived her. And now she is trying to investigate, simple, right? No, it’s all deceitful in a good way. I absolutely couldn’t get the plot twists, and I don’t think anyone could because it’s so different and jaw-dropping. No, I seriously want to talk to the writer because the plot twist was mind-blowing and nobody can guess it because it’s so out of the world. And all the plot twists just come out at the same time, connecting the story, that’s my favourite part.

I highly recommend it if you want to read something different and jaw-dropping.

Rating: 5/5(please check trigger warnings)

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Book Review: Confessions by Kanae Minato

I just watched a recommendation for this book, and the synopsis was so intriguing that I immediately read it. This was originally written in Japanese and then translated into English. When I tell you, my mind went crazy after reading this, because it’s truly a psychological thriller. Yuko Moriguchi is a single mom of a four-year-old girl, Manami. She is her everything until an accident took Manami away from her. But Yuko knows it was not an accident, but her pupils killed her daughter, and now she is out for revenge.

The book is from many points of view, which makes it very interesting for me. When I say it’s revenge, it doesn’t mean physical harm, but mental harm. Yuko is one of the best characters because she took her revenge in such an interesting way without any physical torture, but mental torture. I was shocked on every page because the book is written very clearly and simply. The character tells the story in a letter or lecture manner, and OMG, it’s phenomenal.

The plot is simple about the incident of the child, and the people who are related to it are talking about the same. However, it’s very unique and unexpected because revenge is all about the mental and psychological way, which I loved.

I went into this book thinking something else and more like a detective vibe, however, it’s all psychological. My head was spinning the whole time I was reading this book, and the plot twists made it more intriguing. There are many characters; however, I do not want to spoil anything, that’s why I am just talking about Yuko. The book talks about mental issues and how they relate to the incident, and it’s so freaking interesting. I don’t think so, I have read such a unique book in my life.

I highly recommend it, please just read it.

Rating: 4.5/5(please check trigger warnings)

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Book Review: None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

I came straight after reading the book to write my review because I felt insane about what I just read minutes ago. This book is insane, and my head is spinning at a high rate. The book follows the story of Alix Summer, a famous podcaster and a woman named Josie Fair whose past is full of pain. Josie and Alix share the same birthday, and Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcast and comes up with a plan that she might be a good subject for Alix’s podcast.

Let’s start with the character of Alix. I can’t believe she is a famous podcaster who interviews so many people and can’t even tell how a person is. I found Alix’s character to be so unrealistic that I hated her; she was the reason why things turned out that way in the end. She is such a famous podcaster and has a family, and she is so okay with inviting a random lady she met by accident just a few days ago to her house and letting her stay as well. I wanted to throw the book at her because she meets so many people and can’t tell a person’s nature, that’s impossible. Definitely the dumb character in the thriller I hate, and guess what, she is also the main character. She is to blame for everything, by the way.

Josie, what a character! She is someone who will gaslight and manipulate people so easily, but only a naive person like Alix, the famous podcaster, will believe it. The author has not exactly gone into her mind, but very simply, through her talks, we get to know her character. Then, too, her character was intense to read. The end was unexpected, actually, that’s more like the plot twist. We might think Josie is the main character, but no, it’s Alix as she gets tangled in her own mess she created, and she can’t even clean that up ever.

The plot is excellent. I won’t say there are any plot twists because it’s very clear what is happening. I think it’s more frustrating to see Alix’s character and realise how dumb she could be given her profession. The book is very fast-paced, and I read it in less than 24 hours. The second half of the book was pretty intense and thrilling.

The book is more like a warning than a thriller about how we should never trust a stranger and not bring them home if we have a family, because we never know what that stranger can do, and it can lead to a forever loss like what happened to Alix.

There are no plot twists, everything is clear as water; however, the last ending, OMG, is what made my mind go spinning because wow. It was definitely unexpected, and in a thriller, we never trust any person, no matter what, and that’s what the ending says.

I highly recommend this book.

Rating: 4/5

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Book Review: Keep It in the Family by John Marrs

Another thriller book by John Marrs, and just like the previous book, it is one of the weirdest books I have read, where I figured out every plot twist and wondered what I was reading. The story follows a couple named Mia and Finn who are busy turning a derelict house into their dream house. As their dream house gets ready, Mia discovers a chilling message: I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC. Following the clue, the couple discovers that their dream house was once a house of horrors.

I picked this book up because the blurb looked freaking interesting however, the book was not. I probably went into it thinking something totally different, so maybe that is the reason I didn’t like it. Every character in this book is weird and predictable because the twist is just out there. The characters, even though they were predictable, were all so unrealistic, and I cannot picture them as humans at all, especially Mia and Finn’s baby.

The plot was kind of questionable because what was even that? It was so clear who the culprit was and what the plot twists and I think that is what shocked me. The plot was so unrealistic, and the plot twists made no sense, as everything was hard to believe in what was happening in the book.

It was like a horror movie where we know something is going to come out of the dark, and we are going to scream. But this book didn’t make me scream, but it made me so frustrated that I had to pause and think about my book and life choices.

You probably won’t be missing much if you don’t read this book.

Rating: 2/5

Side Note: I just want to clarify that this is entirely my opinion; you are free to love this book, and I am free to give my opinion on this book. I would be very happy if you loved this book, but please do not take this review to heart; it is okay to have different tastes. Thank You.

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Review: ‘Bring It On, Ghost’ K-drama (2016)

“Female ghosts with a lot of regrets are strong. A saying goes that a woman’s vengeance knows no bounds. – Monk Myung Chul.

Another 2016 drama that I can’t let go of, the amount of time I have rewatched it is insane, which says how much I liked it. Something was definitely there in the year 2016 because each drama that came in that year was phenomenal, and almost a decade wrote a review on it. The drama follows the story of Park Bong-pal, who can see ghosts, and he hates it, as nobody wants to be friends with him. So he became a young exorcist in order to earn money and treat his eyes. Amidst that, he meets a female ghost, Kim Hyun Ji, who helps him send ghosts to the afterlife while waiting for her turn.

Let’s start with the hero himself, Park Bong-pal. His story is so sad. He can see ghosts, and because of that, he is constantly alert, which leads him to overreact. When he was a kid and all the other kids were afraid of him, and he was unable to find friends. He is a lonely boy surviving college and doing exorcisms in order to earn money and treat his eyes. His transition when he made friends was so heartwarming to watch because a lonely boy who doesn’t even know how to laugh has new people by his side. I was mind blown when I got to know how he can see ghosts and how he is connected with the female lead, Hyun Ji.

Kim Hyun Ji is your typical high school girl who lost her life in an accident, and now she is roaming around, searching for ways how she can go to the afterlife. Her and Bong-pal’s first meeting was iconic. I was laughing so much. She makes a deal with Bong-pal that she will help him find the ghosts while he will help her go to the afterlife. She is so chaotic, and a perfect magic sprinkles in Bong-pal’s dull life. I loved her so much; she was so brave in what she did, which almost cost her life.

The chemistry is also good, as in we will look at them as a couple with action. Their fighting scenes, them working together and then having a whole banter about it is so good to watch. According to the storyline, their chemistry was perfectly written. As it is a fantasy drama, falling in love becomes more tough as one is real and one is not and seeing that aspect in this drama was so heart-wrenching.

The side characters, the friend group of Bong-pal, I am in love with both of them. One of the reasons why I liked this drama was because of the friendship group. It is said that truly unexpected friends bring another kind of magic to one’s life, like Choi Cheon-sang and Kim In-rang brought to Bong-pal’s dull life. Both are so chaotic, their scenes make a breath of fresh air amidst the intense storyline. Their dialogues and banter were top-notch.

The storyline is Chef Kiss. What is not there, horror, mystery, comedy, romance, and a lot of tears. It was so intense because we audience got to know before the characters what happened, and I was so bumped up as the characters didn’t know anything. The way the storyline wrapped up around Bong-pal and Hyun Ji was brilliant. And when the secret was revealed about Hyun Ji, I was flabbergasted. In the beginning, the drama will look chill and about exorcism; however, as we move on, it will become more intense, and secrets begin to reveal how Bong-pal and Hyun Ji are interconnected. Also, a series of them capturing ghosts and the backstory of it was brilliant to watch.

The ending was amazing, I liked the fact that it was not in a hurry, but it made more sense how it wrapped up. Highly recommend this drama, please watch it if you want to go on a rollercoaster ride.

“It wouldn’t hurt to have a friend help you out when you need it.” -Kim Hyun Ji.

My Rating: 10/10

Total Episodes: 16

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Romantic Comedy

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Book Review: The Castaways by Lucy Clarke

I randomly picked this book very early in my reading journey, and it’s been a long time since I read it. Guess what? I have not forgotten it at all. Because I hated no wait, despised the ending of this book. The book follows the story of two sisters, Lori and Erin. Lori books a holiday for herself and her sister to Fiji, but a night before the flight, both sisters have a fight. So Lori ended up boarding the flight alone while Erin never boarded the flight. But here is the twist, Lori never reached Fiji and Erin can’t get hold of her, so as a reporter she is trying to find out what happened to her sister.

The book was so good from the start, full of thrilling, however, the end ruined it for me. It’s a long book with many characters in two different places and timelines. Throughout the book, I was so intrigued because apart from sisters, there were other characters as well, which were pretty intense. The book goes back in past with Lori’s point of view and in present it moves with Erin’s point of view.

Erin’s character was my favourite, even though she was messed up, she did everything to find her sister. Lori was my favourite until the end. There are other characters with their own story, and we can’t trust anyone, so that was pretty intense for Lori as well as for me. The plot was actually quite fast and it kept me engaged. Since it is more mystery than thriller, I was quite eager to see what actually happened to Lori, so I read it really fast. The plot was messed up, but in a good way, because we have different characters’ involvement and so much was happening, so I can’t even guess what actually happened.

The ending was not good at all. I read so much just to see this ending, I can’t believe it was so unfair for Erin. I didn’t appreciate Lori for the decision she made in the end. It would have made more sense if the ending was different because this ending made no sense. I just found out that it was adapted into a TV series.

Would I recommend? Maybe…

Rating: 3/5

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Book Review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.” – Achilles about Patroclus.

I had to do a research paper on mythology and literature, so I picked The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. I would say this was my first proper historical fiction and I loved every single word of it. The book is a retelling of the Trojan War set during the Greek Heroic Age and is told from the perspective of Patroclus.

The character of Achilles is so complex, seeing him as a leader with no fear and strong passion truly made me addicted to this book. I loved how he was not afraid of anything, the royal blood made him so ready for the obstacles that would come in front of him. I liked his communication skills, just talk how much you need to. I think being a good leader comes with the quality of observing and finding out what one feels rather than talking much, which Achilles nailed. The way the writer has written Achilles’s fighting skills was incredible.

Talking about my favourite character, Patroclus, oh how much I wanted to give him comfort and love. Seeing how relatable he was because of his anxiety and how much his own parents criticised him for being not a good prince broke my heart. I think Achilles’s biggest motivation as well as weakness was Patroclus and people knew that, so we can say how this awkward prince has power in his heart. Till the last this boy fought through everything for his tribe and Achilles because he never wanted people to be against Achilles. He deserves so much and the saying is so true that goodness always leads to one’s destruction.

The characters of Achilles and Patroclus are moulded in a way that shows every aspect of the relationship. The chemistry, the intensity, the friendship, and the understanding of everything about them is so beautiful and heart-wrenching. They both were two peas in a pot, and both couldn’t live without each other. Achilles, the strongest man, gave his weakness to only Patroclus while Patroclus, the awkward prince found solace in the strong-headed Achilles.

The story is so beautiful and heart-wrenching. There is something so surreal about reading about mythologies of centuries and seeing how that has incorporated the world today. Greek mythology is beautiful but shattering at the same time. The end was so emotional and heartbreaking, that it still gives me goosebumps when I think about it.

If you are someone who likes reading about mythologies then I highly recommend this because it might hurt your head seeing so much going on altogether.

Rating: 3.5/5

“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Book Review: What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

Clearly, we can see that I am in my thriller era and my next pick was What Lies Between Us by John Marrs, it was my first book by this author. The book follows the story of a mother and a daughter, Maggie and Nina. However, their relationship is very different from that of a typical mother-daughter relationship. Every night Nina helps Maggie after dinner to go to the attic and ties her with heavy chains that keep her there. Because Nina can never forgive Maggie for what she has done to her. Also, there are many secrets that Maggie has kept that Nina doesn’t know and she will keep it that way no matter what.

I don’t really know what I felt while reading this because it is more than a thriller, there are thrilling vibes however it is not exactly like a thriller book but more a horror story between a daughter and a mother. Nina’s character is one of the most dangerous characters I have ever read in a thriller. The way she was from the start showed and gave me all the hints of the plot twist. I was actually traumatized by Nina, her point of view was so aggressive and just out there, it’s crazy.

Maggie’s character shows a lot to the readers. I can understand she loved Nina a lot and would do anything for her but I felt like if she asked for help a lot of people would be alive. But a mother can go to any extent to save her daughter. I was so shocked reading how Maggie, the mother, did anything possible to save her daughter, Nina.

The storyline is very traumatizing and very deep. The book gave me a headache because there are shocking revelations throughout, and all of them are deeply disturbing. The plot twists were not shocking at all because I guessed almost all right, and that is what makes it not a thriller for me but more of a horror story about a daughter and a mother. Because as the revelations are made, the story turns crazier.

The vibe is so creepy and I was shocked by what I was reading. Nina is a very complex character and reading her different phases of life gave me creeps and I can never forget her character. The book gave me a headache in what I was reading, however, I felt it was more horror than a thriller. And the book was kind of slow so that did not fit right with me. The setting is very disturbing as well as the characters of Maggie and Nina.

I wouldn’t put out there to recommend this book but if you want to read please check the trigger warnings.

Rating: 3/5 (Please check trigger warnings)

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Review: ‘High School Frenemy’ Thai Drama (2024)

“The most important thing that I’m giving up.

It’s not school.

It’s you, Shin.” – Saint.

After seeing so many reels of this drama, I decided to give it a try and I went blind into it without knowing anything was it the best decision? Hell yeah! I am someone who hardly has dramas that are stuck in my mind otherwise I just watch it for fun. But if I watch a drama and it touches my heart and soul then it is game over for me, it will become my personality and I will never recover from that hangover ever. And this is what happened when I watched ‘High School Frenemy’ and OMG what a masterpiece. It is about Saint and Shin who used to be best friends in the past, however, an incident broke their friendship. Both belong to two different campuses but the administrator decides to combine both campuses which for many years hated each other. But now they will be sharing the same roof for the next school year. I didn’t know that it was a remake of School 2013, the Korean drama.

For me, friendship is the most important and valuable thing in my life. I think no love can top the friendship relationship. And this drama made me more empathetic and grateful towards my friends. The plot, the friendship, and the pure relationship between teacher and student were just beautiful to watch in this drama. I love the male lead when they are quiet and mysterious but actually, a beast inside that is what Saint is. Even though it is kind of a plot twist the second I saw him in the first episode I knew he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Saint, what can I say about him, he is such a character who would do anything for his friends, but he is also a flawed character who has made mistakes as a teenager. Sky who played the character of Saint, OMG has done such incredible acting, the way his eyes are always filled with guilt and regret. The way he acted so helpless because he wanted forgiveness, the way he delivered the dialogues, and the way he acted through his eyes made the drama and character more special.

Then we have Shin, he is just a pure character. In the beginning, you will meet Shin, you might not like him but his best friend, Saint did to him making his action totally understandable. Nani, who has played the character of Shin, what can I say about it? He has done such marvellous acting, and his eyes are the star of his character. He is just a pure character, so kind, and so forgivable. He went through so much pain but he was so selfless. I loved his character the most because being selfless is not easy and only strong people can do it like him.

“You must have changed for real.

But one’s true nature is unlikely to change.” – Shin.

Let’s talk about the friendship between them, OMG that is the star of the drama. The dialogue, the staring, and the longing between them were so powerful that they made me breathless. It is a bromance but there was something more powerful between them, and the chemistry was just off the chart. Having a friend who can do anything for each other, even die is what they were to each other. Saint taking a beating for Shin and telling him, he will protect him forever was just beautiful to watch. Shin making sure to be with Saint forever, their friendship is just amazing and pure. The conversation between them was a chef kiss. Did I sob when they mend their friendship? Did I not stop giggling? Did I want everyone to have a friend as their safe zone? A big yes. And let me tell you the secret, I have a best friend who is my personal diary, my trauma relief, and the friendship that I ever wanted, and I will be forever thankful for that girl.

Another star of the show is Chadjen. He was the cupid for Saint and Shin to recover their friendship. I adored him so much. Then we have the teacher Jan. She was the moment and the character of the drama. If only in real life we had teachers who understood us rather than judged us, this world would be so much better. Jan is so beautiful from inside and outside. Because of her, all the classmates became friends, and the war ended.

This drama will forever be in my mind and I will always have a wish to erase it again so that I can watch this drama again for the first time. The chemistry, the friendship, the lessons, and the understanding between teacher and student were top-notch. Everything in this drama was a chef kiss.

If you can take any one recommendation from me, please be it this one and thank me later.

“You don’t need to understand us if you already judge us.” – Saint.

My Rating: 10/10

Total Episodes: 16

Genre: Friendship, youth, drama

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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Book Review: The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn is one of the first thrillers I read when I decided to step up my thriller game. And I loved this book because it definitely checked all the boxes as the new thriller girlie. It is about a woman named Anna Fox who has not left her home in ten months and during that time she has haunted her rooms like a ghost lost in her memories. The only thing that connects her to the world’s reality is her window where she sits all day and watches her neighbours. One day, Russells moves in, a picture-perfect family of three and Anna is instantly drawn to them. Until one evening she heard a terrifying scream and saw something she was not supposed to and from there, her life changed completely.

I loved this book as it was creepy and thrilling. It kept me on edge the whole time especially when the first plot twist happened. The first plot twist OMG, I still remember my jaw hanging for five minutes because I just couldn’t grasp what I read. And you know what after the first plot twist the story gets more creepy and gripping which makes the book interesting. The plot was great from the start I felt like such a good family and then I was gasping at the fact that it was not like that at all, not even close.

Anna, the main character, what can I say about her, she never left me feeling any less creepy, with her thoughts I felt like I was stuck in her mind. Her loneliness was so horrifying because if she wanted to get out of it she couldn’t as she herself had locked the door to her mind. Her mind did not let her accept the reality and that is why she was stuck living in a dream that her mind had created for her that she feels is the reality. What happened to her was heartbreaking and she can’t get past it and that is the reason why her life is like a facade created by herself. I loved the scenes in which she started to realize life and situations. I loved that in the end she realized what truly she is and that is what saved her life.

The other characters in the book are all mysterious and actually deranged. They kept me on the edge and their interactions with Anna were creepy. The pace of the book is fast, and the writing is simple which kept me awake the whole night about what is going to happen next. The ending was good as I did not see it coming but again in a thriller where is the fun if predictable happens, right?

I highly recommend this book.

Rating: 4/5 (Please check trigger warnings)

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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