Scan barcode
binreads's reviews
72 reviews
Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
I figured this was based off of Gypsy Rose right when I got this book.
I guess where this story lacks is none of the craziness happens until the end? Which was a great twist ending don’t get me wrong. I felt like the book started off strong, middle felt lackluster and end was good.
Spoilers ahead!
okay so I got the vibe right away that either Rose Gold was gonna die or go missing or something for the fact that, her narrations took place in the past while Patty’s was in the future.
i kinda wish we got to be along side Rose while she was planning this whole thing out. The whole side story with Phil and Alex were kind of useless? I guess it gave us more sympathy for Rose but that was about it.
And the Dad thing. I can imagine it’s be tough meeting a child you didn’t want years later but he was almost as bad as Patty! How you gonna find your daughter, say you want her in your life then drop her??? I did get upset when Rose starting lying about cancer but honestly can we even blame her? She has a mother who abused her and a father who even after meeting her, never wanted her. But I’m telling y’all it was that wife Kim who caused that rift between them. Gave me MAJOR Karen vibes. Never gave Rose a chance.
I also find it hard to believe that their newborn child goes missing and y’all don’t think to check up on the other child you abandoned….like not even once???
Patty was a crazy lunatic though. Even though she was correct that her daughter was up to something, but god damn girl right away she’s plotting and planning. I hated reading her chapters honestly I just wanted her to shut up.
Like mother like daughter. I hope Rose can get her teeth fixed and live her best life now? 😂🥴
Overall, a bit of a bore :(
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Bind date with a book!
I don’t know. I expected more. Especially with the tag line:
I don’t know. I expected more. Especially with the tag line:
“Unfortunately for Patty, Rose Gold is no longer her weak little
darling.
And she's waited such a long time for her mother to come home.”
I figured this was based off of Gypsy Rose right when I got this book.
I guess where this story lacks is none of the craziness happens until the end? Which was a great twist ending don’t get me wrong. I felt like the book started off strong, middle felt lackluster and end was good.
Spoilers ahead!
i kinda wish we got to be along side Rose while she was planning this whole thing out. The whole side story with Phil and Alex were kind of useless? I guess it gave us more sympathy for Rose but that was about it.
And the Dad thing. I can imagine it’s be tough meeting a child you didn’t want years later but he was almost as bad as Patty! How you gonna find your daughter, say you want her in your life then drop her??? I did get upset when Rose starting lying about cancer but honestly can we even blame her? She has a mother who abused her and a father who even after meeting her, never wanted her. But I’m telling y’all it was that wife Kim who caused that rift between them. Gave me MAJOR Karen vibes. Never gave Rose a chance.
I also find it hard to believe that their newborn child goes missing and y’all don’t think to check up on the other child you abandoned….like not even once???
Patty was a crazy lunatic though. Even though she was correct that her daughter was up to something, but god damn girl right away she’s plotting and planning. I hated reading her chapters honestly I just wanted her to shut up.
Like mother like daughter. I hope Rose can get her teeth fixed and live her best life now? 😂🥴
Overall, a bit of a bore :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Eating disorder, Self harm, Suicide, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson
First off, I have sincerely enjoyed this series so much. And I sobbed when this book ended. That last page man…I felt the emotion building but it all hit me at once. I love Pip. I love Ravi. UGH!
I will say, this book was much more stressful, mature and delve deeper into Pip than the first two. I honestly had to prepare myself to read because I was so on edge with Pip. But I loved it every step of the way.
MAJOR spoilers ahead!!!
A BIG F U TO JASON BELL AND MAX HASTINGS, YALL FINALLY GOT WHAT YOU DESERVED.
Pip was going through it this time around I felt so bad. This book definitely had a darker vibe than the others, I felt it right away. I am still losing it over everything that happens.
Jason Bell man. Ya wanna know how I KNEW this man was evil? In the first book, when they find out about Mr.Ward and Pip sees the Bell’s in their car…Pip mentioned how Jason looked like he showed no emotion or something along those lines, while his wife was crying. It was such a small detail, that probably meant nothing but I had a feeling he’d come back. He didn’t deserve Andie, Becca, his wives, any of them. Pip did not deserve to be his new prey. I can’t believe she killed him. And then got away with murder.
But she did it. She got away with it. A nice ode to the books title A Good Girls Guide To Murder. I love how full circle it was. I love how everyone whom Pip helped, helped her. I love Pip and Ravi’s relationship so much I CANNOT TAKE IT.
I haven’t cried at a book in so long. I can’t believe it’s over. Loved every second of it.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears?
First off, I have sincerely enjoyed this series so much. And I sobbed when this book ended. That last page man…I felt the emotion building but it all hit me at once. I love Pip. I love Ravi. UGH!
I will say, this book was much more stressful, mature and delve deeper into Pip than the first two. I honestly had to prepare myself to read because I was so on edge with Pip. But I loved it every step of the way.
MAJOR spoilers ahead!!!
Pip was going through it this time around I felt so bad. This book definitely had a darker vibe than the others, I felt it right away. I am still losing it over everything that happens.
Jason Bell man. Ya wanna know how I KNEW this man was evil? In the first book, when they find out about Mr.Ward and Pip sees the Bell’s in their car…Pip mentioned how Jason looked like he showed no emotion or something along those lines, while his wife was crying. It was such a small detail, that probably meant nothing but I had a feeling he’d come back. He didn’t deserve Andie, Becca, his wives, any of them. Pip did not deserve to be his new prey. I can’t believe she killed him. And then got away with murder.
But she did it. She got away with it. A nice ode to the books title A Good Girls Guide To Murder. I love how full circle it was. I love how everyone whom Pip helped, helped her. I love Pip and Ravi’s relationship so much I CANNOT TAKE IT.
I haven’t cried at a book in so long. I can’t believe it’s over. Loved every second of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing and Vomit
Minor: Animal death and Rape
Want to solve a murder?
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Coraline the novel was sincerely the best set up for the film. The book in my opinion is even creepier than the movie, and I love it. It has so much character and charm.
Such a scary children’s story that has captivated me since the movie released back in 2009. There’s really nothing like it.
this was my second read and definitely not my last! Every time I read it, I can see/hear the film play in my head.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Oh, my twitchy witchy girl!
Coraline the novel was sincerely the best set up for the film. The book in my opinion is even creepier than the movie, and I love it. It has so much character and charm.
Such a scary children’s story that has captivated me since the movie released back in 2009. There’s really nothing like it.
this was my second read and definitely not my last! Every time I read it, I can see/hear the film play in my head.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Animal death and Child death
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A sequel that completely lives up to the first. Pip has become a character I truly love reading about very much. The thing I love about these books, is that it is just the right amount level of mystery and guessing. It never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat. I find myself becoming Pip myself, thinking back to past chapters, wondering who was lying, who’s suspicious etc. it never gets old.
This story was a great way to continue Pip’s journey as a lil detective. I can’t wait to start the next book, I never want her journey to end.
Spoilers ahead:
I had a weird feeling since the beginning of the book about the new neighbors, but when they told Pip about the watch being stolen, and Charlie giving her that lil pep talk after the verdict of Max, I put my suspicions behind…crazy turn out. I was suspect of Arthur Reynolds almost the whole time due to the last book throwing that twist with Cara’s father.
I remember Stanley showing up at the graveyard and I did actually think he was Layla Mead. Or that Luke Easton was…which reminds me, did Pip ever give him his $900?
Ravi and Pips relationship is so fricking cute and I’m SOOO happy that the author established their connection. It’s so sweet.
Jamie’s whole story was a lil weird. It is crazy to think mans would just kill for someone he doesn’t even know in real life. He needs some major therapy.
I loved how this one was just like the first. So many twist and turns and questions until the very end.
This story was a great way to continue Pip’s journey as a lil detective. I can’t wait to start the next book, I never want her journey to end.
Spoilers ahead:
I had a weird feeling since the beginning of the book about the new neighbors, but when they told Pip about the watch being stolen, and Charlie giving her that lil pep talk after the verdict of Max, I put my suspicions behind…crazy turn out. I was suspect of Arthur Reynolds almost the whole time due to the last book throwing that twist with Cara’s father.
I remember Stanley showing up at the graveyard and I did actually think he was Layla Mead. Or that Luke Easton was…which reminds me, did Pip ever give him his $900?
Ravi and Pips relationship is so fricking cute and I’m SOOO happy that the author established their connection. It’s so sweet.
Jamie’s whole story was a lil weird. It is crazy to think mans would just kill for someone he doesn’t even know in real life. He needs some major therapy.
I loved how this one was just like the first. So many twist and turns and questions until the very end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual content, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow. Now this was a read! I often worry reading books about characters still in high school for fear that it may feel too childish and un-relatable to me, but A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder was nothing of the sort! Extremely intriguing, mysterious and a real page turner.
Loved the way the writing switched throughout from the narrator, to Pip’s logs and her evidence. Great twists and suspense. I feel like every chapter I was thinking someone new was the killer. It felt like we were Pippa, solving the case for ourselves.
Also we love Ravi in this house. Such a sweet endearing character.
SPOLIERS:
I feel like I guessed early on it had to be Naomi or Mr.Ward. Mostly for the fact that, Naomi’s first interview gave away that she was EXTREMELY vulnerable and I felt like she wasn’t telling the whole truth. I just had this feeling, with the unknown texts she was receiving, it had to be someone close to Pippa who knew a lot of what she was researching.
Then Mr.Ward…it was the fact that there was an older man in Andie’s life, who could be ruined, all signs to me pointed to him. But damn, as the chapters went on I couldn’t even figure out who it could be!
I will say, I think Mr.Ward’s reveal was a bit lackluster…like he just lets Pippa in and tells her everything?? No fight left? Most of the characters did just give her all the info she wanted but hey, she can be persuasive! But the girl in the attic NOT being Andie? THAT WAS CRAZY!!!!!
A real shock was Becca. I had a feeling she knew more than she was letting on but that reveal at the end was wild. Once Mr.Ward revealed his side I remembered Andie was on caught on video driving the night she went missing, and it hit me that her & her sister look a lot alike. I was like GASP IT WAS BECCA
Loved the way the writing switched throughout from the narrator, to Pip’s logs and her evidence. Great twists and suspense. I feel like every chapter I was thinking someone new was the killer. It felt like we were Pippa, solving the case for ourselves.
Also we love Ravi in this house. Such a sweet endearing character.
SPOLIERS:
I feel like I guessed early on it had to be Naomi or Mr.Ward. Mostly for the fact that, Naomi’s first interview gave away that she was EXTREMELY vulnerable and I felt like she wasn’t telling the whole truth. I just had this feeling, with the unknown texts she was receiving, it had to be someone close to Pippa who knew a lot of what she was researching.
Then Mr.Ward…it was the fact that there was an older man in Andie’s life, who could be ruined, all signs to me pointed to him. But damn, as the chapters went on I couldn’t even figure out who it could be!
I will say, I think Mr.Ward’s reveal was a bit lackluster…like he just lets Pippa in and tells her everything?? No fight left? Most of the characters did just give her all the info she wanted but hey, she can be persuasive! But the girl in the attic NOT being Andie? THAT WAS CRAZY!!!!!
A real shock was Becca. I had a feeling she knew more than she was letting on but that reveal at the end was wild. Once Mr.Ward revealed his side I remembered Andie was on caught on video driving the night she went missing, and it hit me that her & her sister look a lot alike. I was like GASP IT WAS BECCA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, Car accident, and Death of parent
Want to solve a murder?
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
I’ll probably pick this up again in the future but god Edward is so boring I can’t take it lmfaooooo
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Extremely disappointed in this one. Most of the book is lead up before the actual thrill and mystery even happens. The ending twists were great! But sadly, didn’t make up for the rest of the blandness.
I went into this expecting that the suspense would happen earlier in the book and then almost like the game Clue we’d have to figure it all out. It was nothing like that which is a real bummer. Not until the last 50ish pages do you even begin to question what will happen next.
Spoilers ahead:
I did love how all the characters were connected to Will somehow. The twists about Olivia and Alice were great, did not expect those at all.
I loved Hannah the most, I found myself more intrigued with her chapters. Olivia was also interesting and a good read. Johnno’s chapters made me wanna go to sleep, I hated getting through those chapters. Jules and Aoife were unmemorable.
It was just waaay too much build up, I feel like we didn’t even learn much about the mystery of these characters until the late 100 pages??
The reveal of Hannah’s sisters video leak being from Will was lackluster. Like of course she happens to dance with some random guy who gives out this information. It happened so fast then the book ended, we couldn’t even sit with it.
I also disliked how it switched from the day before, wedding day. The day before again and again…just when we get some suspense from the wedding day, it cuts right back to the beginning and I was left bored again.
I went into this expecting that the suspense would happen earlier in the book and then almost like the game Clue we’d have to figure it all out. It was nothing like that which is a real bummer. Not until the last 50ish pages do you even begin to question what will happen next.
Spoilers ahead:
I loved Hannah the most, I found myself more intrigued with her chapters. Olivia was also interesting and a good read. Johnno’s chapters made me wanna go to sleep, I hated getting through those chapters. Jules and Aoife were unmemorable.
It was just waaay too much build up, I feel like we didn’t even learn much about the mystery of these characters until the late 100 pages??
The reveal of Hannah’s sisters video leak being from Will was lackluster. Like of course she happens to dance with some random guy who gives out this information. It happened so fast then the book ended, we couldn’t even sit with it.
I also disliked how it switched from the day before, wedding day. The day before again and again…just when we get some suspense from the wedding day, it cuts right back to the beginning and I was left bored again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Abortion, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Body horror, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour, David Levithan
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Cute story and relatable characters.
I will say it is such an easy read because not much happens?? Meaning there were no stressful up and downs.
We just follow these graduating queer high school students and their journey into finding themselves. It was sweet and heartwarming.
I will say it is such an easy read because not much happens?? Meaning there were no stressful up and downs.
We just follow these graduating queer high school students and their journey into finding themselves. It was sweet and heartwarming.
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Outing
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A great read. At moments, I really had to try and use my imagination to the best of my ability to really understand what was happening.
It was a slow burn, but it’s builds up and the story just gets better up to the very end. I loved following Bod through his adventures in the graveyard. Bittersweet ending.
It was a slow burn, but it’s builds up and the story just gets better up to the very end. I loved following Bod through his adventures in the graveyard. Bittersweet ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Death of parent, and Abandonment
You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one I felt was much different from the other You books in the fact that I was rooting for Joe to be actually be better. Even though, anyone who has read the book or watched the show knows he should not be redeemed. But I think that’s why I love these books so much. We know he’s a psychopath stalker turn serial killer and yet, since we read it from his point of view and in his head, sometimes it feels justified. Only slightly lol. Then you remember from the other characters point of view and you’re like oh yeah he’s in the wrong
example: all the people he runs into. It’s like I agree with Joe, everyone else is horrible. Melanda, Phil, Ivan, Shortus etc. They all has their flaws. And yet, Joe is possibly (except Shortus, which btw was a crazy twist. And he deserved what he got) the worst of them all and we forget that. Because we are in his mind, and in his mind he’s right. He’s the savior. And it’s crazy he didn’t even kill anyone in this book!! And yet, indirectly he killed them all. Insane.
I really liked this one. And I’m so excited for the next one. The only problem I had was the beginning was very slow paced to me. Took me forever to finally get through it and get intrigued enough to keep reading but it was worth it.
I really liked this one. And I’m so excited for the next one. The only problem I had was the beginning was very slow paced to me. Took me forever to finally get through it and get intrigued enough to keep reading but it was worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Death of parent