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The Moonlight Child
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Sandy Hook
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Just Like Home
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Everything’s Eventual
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All the Dangerous Things
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My Name is Iris
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Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six
Title: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six
Author: Lisa Unger
Genre: thriller
Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.
I have read many of her books including The Stranger Inside, but this one was my least favorite. The plot was a bit too disjointed. It explores the complexities of family, secrets, and genealogy, with a focus on the characters’ personal struggles and the eerie atmosphere of the isolated cabin. In theory, this should work, but I just couldn’t get into it. This book is mysterious, dark, medium-paced, and focuses on character flaws.
Hannah is a good character but has surrounded herself with awful people- her brother is a jerk, her best friend is vapid, her husband is keeping secrets. When they all go to a secluded cabin rumored to be haunted, with a big storm coming through, things don’t go as well as anticipated. Meanwhile, there’s an entire backstory of a seemingly unrelated character. And of course, it all comes together in the end, but this one just didn’t work for me.
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The Hunger
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Happiness Falls
Title: Happiness Falls
Author: Angie Kim
Genre: literary fiction
Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.
I read Miracle Creek a couple of years ago after hearing what an amazing book it was. And I definitely thought it was great. It featured an autistic boy, so I was surprised this book also did. Not only does Eugene have autism, but he also has Angelman Syndrome and cannot communicate in any way. The story begins with Eugene running home unattended by his father after they go for a walk.
Eugene would never be left alone due to his neurodivergence. His family loves him and protects him, but his father is nowhere to be found. What unravels as the family tries to find their patriarch is an epic secret. I have a neurodivergent nephew who can barely communicate. And, much like Eugene, he would never be left alone to find his way home after a walk. Watching my family protect my nephew, support him, and love him, is very much reflected in this book. I also related to the main character, Mia, very much. Our personalities are similar.
I read this book in two days and absolutely loved it. One of the best I’ve read this year. This might be due to a bias that I related to the story so much, but that’s the beauty of reading. Being seen.
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Mothered
Title: Mothered
Author: Zoje Stage
Genre: thriller
Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.
I read Baby Teeth when it came out and was blown away. It was in my top 10 reads of the year. When Wonderland came out, I was excited to revisit Stage’s writing but found that one a bit flat. Now that Mothered is here, I’m sad to say this one also didn’t work for me at all.
The story follows Grace, who is trying to survive the pandemic with her newly moved-in mother. They never got along when Grace was young, but her mother is there to help financially, while hairdresser Grace is out of work. Part of the story is simply Grace’s nightmares. They are jarring at times because they happen in the middle of a chapter with no warning, so it’s hard to tell if what is happening is real or not. But Stage relies too heavily on those dreams to supplement the weak plot. I was bummed this one wasn’t all that great.
Pleasant Nights 