Book Review: An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

I started this book because I saw the review that it was fast-paced and enjoyable. And I am not going to lie, it was indeed enjoyable. And I know this author’s book is always hit or miss. The book follows the story of characters who get a chance to spend their weekend at an amazing inn deep in the woods. All gathered, excited to spend the weekend; however, suddenly everything went downhill when one of the characters was found to be dead, and soon others followed. The chaos began when a heavy blizzard strangled them, and maybe the killer is among them.

The plot was nice, but I felt that something was missing. I wanted more, and I kind of guessed what the plot twist would be. The book was definitely thrilling as bodies were randomly found around the house. The setting was good too, with an ice storm covering the entire inn, and the inside was all old, like a cosy cottage. The book begins slowly, and I was not having it, but it did pick up its pace.

I liked the plot as it was from twist to twist, especially the last revelation that happened, and I definitely found it over the top, but I think with the story, it went well.

The characters are the main part of the story. I doubted everyone because all of them were unhinged and extremely creepy. I mean, it won’t be a thriller if characters aren’t unhinged. The way all have something to hide or have done something extreme in the past was great to read.

Would I recommend it? Only if you want something quick to read, but nothing over the top. It’s a good book, but not something I would go all over for.

Rating: 3/5

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

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December 10, 2025 0

Book Review: Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda

This book was a headache to go through; I am not lying when I write it. I know books are meant to be dramatic; however, this thriller was on another level. It frustrated me so much that I wondered why I even picked up this book. The book is about Hazel Sharp, the daughter of a detective. She inherits her childhood home and is drawn to the town and its people. After a decade, Hazel is back, and she is going to discover something unexpected that might change her life.

I don’t know how and why I finished this book, but I have to say nothing made sense to me. After reading the blurb, I thought it was going to be all detective, but it all dived into family relations. I felt that it focused a lot on family dynamics rather than being a thriller. More than half of the book was based on family dynamics, and in the end, a revelation happened, but I was so fed up that I just wasn’t able to enjoy the twist and the ending.

The character of Hazel was so annoying, like, why is she engaging in things when she doesn’t have to? So many moments she was told to just mind her business, but OMG, she won’t listen. I couldn’t like her at all. I hate characters like this; it frustrates me so much. Also, so many things were happening at once, and it was so confusing. Like the round-up of the story and its relation was not well executed; it made more of a mess, according to me.

I want a thriller that I enjoy rather than one that gives me a headache, and this one was not for me.

Rating: …

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, and 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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December 3, 2025 0

Book Review: We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough

Wow, that’s the word that came to my mind after reading this book, because seriously, it blew me away with its concept. I would say please go into this book blindfolded and expect the unexpected, that way it will be so much fun. Emily and her husband, Freddie, just moved to a new place called Larkin Lodge. Emily just recovered from an accident and is not well emotionally as well as physically. Emily felt that the house was different as things started to happen to her when she was alone, not when she was with her husband. Emily becomes obsessed with finding what is wrong with the house, even when her situation is crumbling every second.

Let me start with the plot. I loved it. It blew my mind with how unique the concept of this book is. Honestly, hands down one of my favourite plotlines in a thriller/gothic book. The book is about a haunted house, and the revelations were amazing. The plot is very twisty, focusing more on the human mind than the surroundings. Reading about different characters and their flaws made me think of different perspectives.

The characters were so unlikable. Emily, I hated her more than Freddie. She is one of the most complex characters who made me so mad. But also a smart move she made, I loved reading it. I hated everyone, and this is also one of the reasons I liked this book. I really enjoyed reading this book, and it definitely messed with my mind. I legit have a headache, but couldn’t stop reading it.

The book is actually the representation of humans in the disguise of a house. I liked the concept. The descriptions of the house and the atmosphere were amazing; it made me immerse myself in the book. The book is about a haunted house, and at the same time, the flaws of humans, which I loved. I hated the characters more than the creepy things that the house did.

The concept was amazing, and I was in awe. From my perspective, I think humans are never happy with anyone unless they act a certain way. Also, some mistakes are never meant to be forgiven, and even if others don’t know the guilt of living with it, it makes it hard to repair the relationship. Nothing will go back to the same again once everything becomes beyond repair.

The book made me so mad, and my mind was definitely feeling it, and if you want to be like that, definitely give this one a try.

Rating: 4/5

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

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November 26, 2025 2

Book Review: Guess Again by Charlie Donlea

For such a long time, I really wanted to read a mystery thriller, a proper one with a detective and all and when everyone started raving about Guess Again by Charlie Donlea. I knew it was time, and everyone liked it so much. So the book is about a girl, Callie, who disappeared 10 years ago. And the detective working on that case, Ethan Hall, now works as an ER doctor. He gets a call from his former detective partner to reopen this cold case and find unfinished answers.

I have to start with the plot, it was amazing with twists and twists coming every second. Throughout, it was engaging, and I really wanted to know how it would end. However, the book is huge with many chapters that are so short. The different places and timelines were so chaotic that I couldn’t keep up with them. Because of it, I was dreading continuing. At one point, I wanted to know, and at another point, I was getting confused with all the names of the places. I wish it were not written that way; it would have made the book fast-paced and more enjoyable.

I legit guessed the plot twist. I guess I don’t have to guess again! (hahaha) I will be honest, I didn’t like the plot twist, it was too predictable, or would I say too common for a thriller book. I like the vibe of the book, the chapters are short but very chaotic, which, for a thriller, might be a part I didn’t like, and till the end, it never really made sense to me about the places.

After reading the blurb, I thought that the detectives would work together; however, the entire book is totally different. The storyline is good, the vibes match with it perfectly; however, it was very common, so I didn’t find it amazing, or something I will rave to others.

The characters are good, including Ethan Hall, the main protagonist. The pressure of finding out what exactly happened to Callie, while his own personal and professional life is getting mixed up. As we move through so many POVs and characters, nobody really stands out as such.

If you want, you can give this book a try.

Rating: 3.5/5

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

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November 19, 2025 0

Book Review: That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally

I heard so much about this debut book, so I picked it up. It did intrigue me as I went through its blurb; it felt mysterious and creepy. I love books with mystery and thrilling vibes, and this one stood out to me. So basically, this book follows the story of a teenage girl who is found shivering in a corner of the road. However, she knows nothing about herself, no name or where she came from. But a man shows up claiming that he is the father of, and her name is Mary, with all the proof. On the other hand, a teen named Lola disappears and the entire time believes that Dew, her boyfriend, murdered her.

Honestly, I had high expectations from this book, and unfortunately, it did not deliver. Starting with the plot, it has two points of view, one from Mary and the other from Dew. The story is very straightforward; everything is as clear as water. I liked the fact that the author tried to mislead me into believing something that wasn’t true, and then the plot twist happened. I liked it as it was very fast and very disturbing. However, there was nothing new about the book or the plot.

The character of Dew brought a lot of emotion to the book, which I liked. Also, the last plot twist was amazing. I didn’t see it coming at all, and that made me feel really bad for Dew. There are creepy moments in the book, but it’s short, so I flew by very fast. The book is really short, so it is suitable for beginners.

Overall, the plot fell really flat for me as it’s very clear in the beginning what it is about, except for that one plot twist, which I have to say I liked.

The book has a thriller, mystery and emotional side, so if you like to read it, please go forward.

Rating: 3/5 (Please proceed by looking at the trigger warnings.)

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

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November 12, 2025 0

Book Review: Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

I have read, I think, three books by Riley Sager and loved every single one of them. So I decided to pick another one by him, Home Before Dark. The concept was perfect for this spooky season, and I was really excited to see what’s stored in this book for me. The book follows the story of Maggie Holt, who returns to a Victorian estate which is owned by her father. And after he passes away, she gets hold of it. However, the house holds a haunted tale that his father has published in his book, House of Horrors. But she doesn’t believe a thing until she starts living in the house and experiences some questionable things.

Honestly, the plot was really good and entertaining. There was a perfect balance of spookiness, calmness and haunted vibes that I felt in the book. The plot was very simple and straight to the point; however, the plot twists, did I see it coming? Some I did while the last one, I knew it would never be simple in Sager’s book, so I knew something had to come.

And it did! The plot twist was crazy. I was shocked because it was not much talked about in the book; it just came out of nowhere, and I loved it. And I know Sager’s book had that twist, and it did. The story has a lot of intensity because the past is what made the book more haunted, rather than the house. I loved all of the things that came together.

Talking about Maggie, our main character, she was a likeable protagonist trying to find the truth as well as run away from it. Her backstory was amazing. I did not see anything coming, given how she was such a crucial part of what happened in the past.

Maggie’s parents, in the beginning they might seem unlikable, but actually, they are the main characters of the book. Other characters play a huge role, but for the spoiler-free review, I am just going to say that every character in this book is phenomenal. I absolutely loved the back story of the plot twist. It was everything gothic and creepy, and I ate it up. The book is really fast-paced. I finished it in less than 24 hours.

I highly recommend this book as it’s a mixture of intense, haunted and gothic vibes. As well as the story makes total sense with a great ending.

Rating: 4/5

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

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November 5, 2025 2

Book Review: His and Hers by Alice Feeney

It was good, but I was waiting for it to be great. That was the only thought that came to my mind after finishing the book His and Hers by Alice Feeney. At first, I picked up Beautiful Ugly by her, but DNF’d it. But I really wanted to read a book by her, so I picked this up. The book follows the story of newsreader Anna Andrews, who is put on a case about a woman’s murder in Blackdown, a British Village. The detective Jack Harper suspects Anna; however, later, he becomes the suspect in his own murder investigation.

Just like the title emphasises, the book is from his and her point of view, which was definitely entertaining. The character of Anna was intriguing; it was traumatic to read what happened to her. Definitely, the twisty past kept me hooked till the end, so I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The character of Jack was not particularly important; however, I appreciated how the author linked the murder to Jack’s past. Overall, the plot is good, but the plot twists were predictable from miles away. Maybe I have read so many thrillers that it felt like I had already read this story.

The past definitely felt really traumatic and disturbing, which made the book really dark. Another thing was that it was twisty; twists were coming, but I guessed it all. The main culprit, when it was revealed, I knew it, so no shocking factor was there while reading this book.

The ending was really good, so much was happening that I felt the rush in my mind while reading.

I recommend it.

Rating: 3.5/5 (Please proceed by looking at the trigger warnings.)

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, and 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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October 29, 2025 0

Book Review: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

After reading two books by Riley Sager and giving them 5 stars, I knew that Riley Sager’s plot twists are something very different and out of this world, which I love. So I decided to pick up Lock Every Door from him. So this book follows a girl named Jules Larsen, who is broke and doesn’t have a place to live until an opportunity comes to her. Basically, she gets the offer to do an apartment sitting at one of the most prestigious yet creepy Bartholomew apartments. Being broke gave her no choice but to take the opportunity, and after living there for just 2 days, one of the apartment sitters, Ingrid, disappeared without a trace. And Jules can’t sit and decides to find out what exactly happened.

First of all, the entire book is from Jules’ point of view. At first, I thought she was dumb because she was looking for a girl whom she had just met. But as we move on and get to the twist, that dumbness saved her life. Which I think is one of the smart ways to write a character in a thriller. I also loved that she suspected the culprit quickly and didn’t try to list out an excuse, given their past relationship.

It’s fast-paced and creepy; however, the plot felt flat for me. I already suspected the culprit, and when the revelation happened, as to why people are disappearing, I don’t know, but it didn’t make any sense at all. I just felt that more could have been done as the vibe of the book and the revelation don’t sit together. The book is creepy, but the revelation made it not good.

The plot, again, was very unpredictable; however, I already guessed the culprit, so it went flat for me. I wanted more, as the setting was so good, so it would be better if something paranormal had been the twist.

I don’t think so, you will miss out on much if you don’t read it, but again, it’s your choice.

Rating: 3/5

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

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October 22, 2025 0

Book Review: Look Closer by David Ellis

This book is truly the gift of my patience because it took the entire 50 per cent of the book to actually feel like I was enjoying it. I kept it going because every single review about this was 5 stars, so I knew I needed to keep going and guess what, it’s a 5-star read of mine, and I am feeling grateful that I didn’t DNF this book. The book follows the story of a wealthy couple, Simon and Vicky, who seem perfect from the outside, but they hide a lot of terrible secrets. Their secrets and the web of lies started to come out when a body was found near their place.

First, I have to start with the plot, which has me rooting for the villain throughout the end, and I was so happy with the ending. The game plan was spot on, as the main characters manipulated everyone in the book, as well as me. No way, I guessed the plot twist because it was not all at once, I was moving through it and got the realisation and the way my jaw dropped. I think this book has one of the best plotlines because everything was simply written, there was nothing out there, but slowly, slowly, we went through it. I guessed one plot twist; I understood it right away, so that was a win for me.

The story is narrated from three points of view, and at first, I was very much confused, but slowly, it made sense. I won’t say it’s a fast-paced thriller as the first 50 per cent book, nothing really happened, or as such we read it, later it made sense.

Then the characters were amazing, actually, all of them are grey, and in a thriller like this, they fit perfectly. Simon and Vicky were perfect partners now, in what you have to read that, as I am not going to give spoilers. Also, the book title is so perfect because we truly need to look closer to see what is going on. Vicky and Simon are some of the smartest characters because OMG, what I loved every second of them. At the end, I was truly happy to pick this one.

Please read it, it’s so good and fun. At first, it will be testing your patience, but in the end, it’s going to be worth it. I highly recommend this book.

Rating: 5/5

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

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October 8, 2025 0

Book Review: The Eternity Train by M Ahsan Al-Haadee

First of all, I will start by saying thank you, Ahsan, for sending me the digital copy of the book. So basically, as you all know, I love mysteries and thrillers, but what better could it be when magic is also added to the same? The Eternity Train is a book with everything you would ask for: thriller, mystery and magic, and I don’t think I have ever read such a beautiful description of things. The book is about a fourteen-year-old girl named Daffodil who, after an argument, runs away from home and boards an unsettling train at Moor Street Station. At first she doesn’t notice, however, as the journey goes on, Dafoodil realises that the train doesn’t seem normal and she is stuck. The only way to escape is by solving the puzzle and uncovering the secrets.

First, I need to start with the plot. I have never read anything like this before. I am not going to lie, at first it was hella confusing to wrap my mind around what was going on, but later with Daffodil I was also on the wild ride. The book is a part of a duology, so it is still very much incomplete to see how Daffodil will move forward. The description done by the author was so fantastic because everything about this train and the way it was surrounded was out of this world. I absolutely loved all the descriptions; it made me feel that I was in the book.

Then talking about the Character of Dafoodil for a fourteen-year-old, she is one of the smartest girls who knows how to use her brain. I really like her emotional as well as her intellectual mindset. I liked her interaction with other characters, and the way she started to know how to play this game was amazing to read.

In the book, I found some of the interesting characters with such an amazing plot. My favourite thing was definitely the description of things, and the author’s writing made it easy to understand where the story is heading. I was really looking forward to what unknown land the train would take us to, and each time it didn’t disappoint. The ending shocked me, so all I am going to say is.

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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September 10, 2025 0