lucypreston's reviews
299 reviews

Staged by Elle Cosimano

Go to review page

mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

This book tried to do too much in 40 pages and didn’t end up doing anything particularly well. The characters so say have been friends since secondary school but there’s a complete lack of emotion when one of them is murdered. This short story tries to have a romance subplot alongside the mystery which was completely unnecessary.
The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose

Go to review page

funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really enjoyed this short story and definitely want to read more of Nita Prose’s books. Despite it being 30 pages long, I thought the plot was interesting and I liked the double plot twist. The characters were well developed however I would’ve love to read a full length book about Marge and Doris over the years.
One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett

Go to review page

tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The premise of this book was so promising and I loved the setup of the high stakes hide and seek game however the plot fell flat.
The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Go to review page

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was such a fun short story! I loved the plot twist and how the clues all come together at the end. I wish this had been a full length book so we could’ve developed some of the motives a bit more.
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is my favourite Miss Marple I’ve read! It had a healthy dose of rich people drama mixed with the small town gossip. I loved the big reveal at the end and how it tied up all the elements of the book nicely.
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I was hoping this book would give fun, spooky vibes for halloween. Instead it was cringey and I hated both main characters. The extra star is purely because I liked the Scottish highlands as a setting.
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

Go to review page

lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

The premise of this book was so promising and I was so excited to read this but the pacing was way too slow and made it very tedious to get through.

I did however enjoy the author’s commentary on books and reading as a form of escapism.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Go to review page

emotional relaxing sad fast-paced

5.0

I was already tearing up by the end of the two page foreword by Lisa Kudrow and I didn't really recover for the rest of the book. Parts of this book were challenging and absolutely devastating to read especially the ending where he is so full of hope and optimism for the future. 
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I loved The Guest List and The Hunting Party so was really excited to read Lucy Foley’s newest release however this book didn’t work for me at all. I found all the plot twists ridiculous and the story seemed to drag on particularly in the middle 200 pages.

I’m really puzzled by the inclusion of the Birds as to me they added very little to the story and almost turned this from a thriller to a fantasy novel which wasn’t what I signed up. 

In previous Lucy Foley books I haven’t minded the dual timeline, multi POV narrative but the constant back and forth in this one was very off putting to me.
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I love Richard Osman’s writing style and like his other four books I flew through this one. This book definitely felt like it was there to set up a new series which is exciting but at times it felt like so many characters were introduced and a lot of things weren’t properly developed. 

I loved the main characters and am excited to see where this series goes now that we’ve got the exposition out the way.