My Ultimate Book Review Roundup: Recent Reads and Recommendations
If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing better than getting lost in a good story. Life can get hectic, but I always try to make time for reading. It’s my favourite way to relax, whether I’m enjoying an audiobook on a walk, reading on my Kindle by a pool on holiday, or curled up with a paperback on a rainy day. I spend ages reading book reviews to choose my next read!
I’ve worked my way through a mountain of books recently, from gripping psychological thrillers to heartfelt memoirs and quirky romances. Some have been unforgettable, while others, well, let’s just say they didn’t quite make the cut.
Looking for your next read? Here’s my honest roundup of book reviews, including everything I’ve read lately, with hits, misses, and everything in between.
Psychological Thrillers & Mysteries
This is my absolute favourite genre, so I’ve got plenty of recommendations for you if you love a good twist! I could write so many more book reviews for this genre so if you enjoy these let me know and I will write more.
Freida McFadden’s Twisty Tales
I’ve been on a real Freida McFadden kick, and her books are perfect for anyone who loves a story that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Here are my book reviews of some of them.
The Housemaid: A young woman takes a job as a housemaid in a grand mansion, only to discover the family she works for is hiding dark secrets. This one had twists I never saw coming, and I was keen to read the rest of the series. That said, when I read the rest of the series, I enjoyed them but found them a little predictable. Other book reviews of the series I have read say similar. What do you think?
The Teacher: This one was good, but not my favourite of hers. It’s a classic thriller setup, but some of the twists felt a little predictable compared to her other novels. I would say if you have a history of any kind of grooming or sexual abuse, I would avoid this one. I have seen book reviews that do not mention this, but I feel it is important.
The Boyfriend: Another solid thriller, but again, it didn’t quite pack the punch of her best books like Ward D or The Crash.
Do You Remember: This story is like the film 50 First Dates, but with a much more sinister vibe. A woman wakes up with no memory, and a stranger beside her claims to be her husband. It’s a gripping and unsettling read.
One by One: Three couples on a weekend break together get stranded in the woods, and then they start dying one by one. I found this one a bit too predictable for my liking, but it was still an easy, fast-paced read.
The Cara Hunter DI Fawley Series
I accidentally bought the seventh book in this series and quickly realised I needed to start from the beginning. I’m so glad I did! This series, featuring Detective Inspector Adam Fawley, is brilliant, so I wanted to share my mini book reviews of these thrillers.
Close to Home: An eight-year-old girl vanishes from a family party. The story is a page-turner with an ending I did not see coming.
In the Dark: A woman and child are found locked in a cellar, bringing up a cold case of a missing person. Full of twists right to the end.
No Way Out: A house fire kills two children, and their parents are missing. I guessed one of the plot points early on, but the other twists still surprised me.
All The Rage, The Whole Truth, and Hope to Die: I flew through books four, five, and six. The characters undergo significant evolution throughout the series, making it even more engaging. I’m now finally ready for book seven!
Other Thrilling Reads Book Reviews
The Chain by Adrian McKinty: The concept is terrifying: your child is kidnapped, and the only way to get them back is to kidnap another child, forcing their parents to continue the chain. I was completely hooked for the first 90%, but the ending felt a bit flat and out of place. My book reviews for most of the book would be good; however, the last 10% wouldn’t be. Isn’t that strange?
The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins: This is a fantastic psychological thriller with twists you won’t see coming. A solid 9/10 from me. However, I also read her other book, The Blue Hour, and it just didn’t compare. I’d say you can probably skip that one.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides: I’ve just started this one, and I’m already hooked. A psychotherapist tries to uncover why a famous painter murdered her husband and then went completely silent. It’s gripping from the start.
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister: This book had such a clever concept. A mother witnesses her son commit a crime and wakes up the next day to find she’s travelled back in time. It was a heart-pounding story, though the time jumps could be a little confusing. Her other book, Just Another Missing Person, was also enjoyable, though not quite as captivating.
The Lie by Kathryn Croft: This had been in my library for a while, and I’m so glad I finally read it. It was absolutely brilliant, and I’ll definitely be reading more of her work.
Doll House by John Hunt: I don’t usually go for horror, but this book was a true page-turner. It’s graphic, so it’s not for the squeamish, but I loved it. There’s a sequel, Olivia, but I haven’t been drawn into it as much. This is one of those book reviews I could tell you so much about as I loved it!
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix: I read this for my book club’s horror month, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this unusual read. I had read book reviews of it and it sounded good, it was!
The Red House by Roz Watkins: Set in the Peak District, this mystery tells the story of a woman who grew up believing her brother was responsible for killing their family. As she starts to question the past, she uncovers some dark secrets. A fantastic, twisty thriller.
The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon: A kidnapped woman must find a way to escape her captor without leaving his young daughter behind. This book had me on the edge of my seat.
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell: A woman starts a podcast with her “birthday twin,” only to get tangled in a web of dark secrets. Jewell is one of my favourite authors, and while this wasn’t my top pick of hers, it’s still a compelling mystery.
The Couple in the Photo by Helen Cooper: A woman sees a photo of her friend’s husband with another woman, and her search for the truth uncovers murder and a web of secrets. A great read that I struggled to put down.
Day One by Abigail Dean: A school shooting devastates a community, but who is hiding the truth about what really happened? This was an amazing, gripping story that I’d highly recommend. From the author of Girl A, which I also really enjoyed.
The Pact by Sharon Bolton: A group of friends makes a pact that comes back to haunt them years later. This was a captivating mystery that kept me guessing.
Cell 7 by Kerry Drewery: A dystopian thriller where justice is a reality TV show. It’s not my usual genre, but I really enjoyed it and went on to read the rest of the series.
The Picture on the Fridge by Ian Sainsbury: A little girl draws detailed pictures of places she’s never been, where crimes later take place. A great mystery, though the ending felt a little drawn out.
Verity by Colleen Hoover: This was my first Colleen Hoover book, and it was fantastic. It’s a dark and twisted story that kept me hooked from start to finish. After my book reviews of Verity at the book club, most of the rest of the group opted to read it, and all loved it too.
Memoirs and True Stories Book Reviews
Sometimes, real life is more unbelievable than fiction.
Spare by Prince Harry: I listened to the audiobook, which he narrates himself. It was a fascinating insight into his life. He does say “darling boy” a lot, but if you can get past that, it’s a really enjoyable listen. I have read a number of mixed book reviews on Spare, so make up your own mind.
How to be Champion by Sarah Millican: This memoir is like having a cuppa with your funniest friend. Listening to Sarah read it herself on the audiobook was a real treat. Highly recommended for fans.
Rememberings by Sinéad O’Connor: A heartbreaking and beautiful look into the life of a music legend. I learned so much about her. Listening to her narrate her own story was incredibly powerful. This was one of the book reviews I did for book club, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think I gave it 8/10.
The Bigamist by Mary Turner Thomson: A gripping true story about a woman who discovers her husband has another family. It’s a raw and honest account that shows just how strange truth can be.
Modern Slave by Gaia Cooper: This is the true story of a girl groomed by a criminal gang at age 14. It’s a fascinating and disturbing insight into modern slavery and the failures of the systems meant to protect vulnerable children.
The Serial Killer Next Door by Emma Kenny: If you’re a fan of true crime, this book offers a chilling look into the psychology of serial killers. It’s informative and captivating, especially if you’re a fan of her YouTube channel.
Fiction, Romance, and More Book Reviews
Here’s a mix of other books I’ve enjoyed lately. I generally don’t read romance, but there are some I have read and been surprised to enjoy, like when I read a few on holiday.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: I absolutely loved this book. It’s the story of a lonely woman whose life changes in unexpected ways. It made me laugh and cry, and I didn’t want it to end. A solid 10/10. All the book reviews I have seen are good too, so definitely worth a read in my eyes.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: I struggled to get into this one at first, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. It’s a beautiful coming-of-age story mixed with a murder mystery, set in the marshes of North Carolina.
The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage by Halima Khatun: I came across this book and was deeply impressed. It’s a funny, eye-opening account of a British-Bengali woman’s search for a husband, described as a Bengali Bridget Jones’ Diary. I loved it and also enjoyed the sequel, The Secret Diary of a Bengali Bridezilla.
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary: I don’t usually read “chick lit,” but this was a pleasant surprise. It’s a light-hearted, fun story about two exes and their friends on a road trip gone wrong. Perfect for a relaxing read and was one of the book reviews I did for book club.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: I first read this classic in school, and it’s still one of my favourites. It’s a powerful story about morality and empathy seen through the eyes of a child. Did you write book reviews for this at school too?
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King: If you love the film, you’ll love the book. It’s an amazing story, and for me, it’s an 11/10.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker: This is a beautifully written, powerful, and challenging novel about the lives of African American women in the early 20th century. It will stay with you long after you finish it.
What’s On Your Reading List?
I’m always on the lookout for my next great read. What have you been enjoying lately? Do you read the book reviews on Goodreads or leave your own? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to get some new recommendations. Do you write any other book reviews? Let me know below so I can have a read.
