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sheilasamuelson's reviews
1254 reviews
The Woods by Harlan Coben
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was only the 2nd Book I've read by Harlan so I kind of knew what to expect.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I didn't have a favorite since I didn't really like any of them.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Mystery Novel by Harlan. Can't wait to read more by Harlan in the future!!
Review:
This was only the 2nd Book I've read by Harlan so I kind of knew what to expect.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I didn't have a favorite since I didn't really like any of them.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Mystery Novel by Harlan. Can't wait to read more by Harlan in the future!!
Caught by Harlan Coben
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Mystery Novel by Harlan so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially since it reminded me alot of Law and Order.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Wendy wasn't my favorite at first but overtime I ended up liking her.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in New Jersey while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Mystery about a Predator that pretends to be younger to lure Teen Girls to him!!
Can't wait to read more by Harlan in the future!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Mystery Novel by Harlan so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially since it reminded me alot of Law and Order.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Wendy wasn't my favorite at first but overtime I ended up liking her.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in New Jersey while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Mystery about a Predator that pretends to be younger to lure Teen Girls to him!!
Can't wait to read more by Harlan in the future!!
With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
I had this book since 2020 so I thought now was the right time to finally read this one.
Even though this was only the 2nd Book I've read by Tamera so kind of knew what to expect but this one was so much more enjoyable then "To Win Her Favor".
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about.
Lizzie, Tempy and Roland were definately my favorites.
I loved learning about their backgrounds and connections to each other throughout the Book.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1864 Franklin Tennessee especially when the scenery of Carnton was described.
Overall a Wonderfully written Book 1 in this Civil War Series about a Teacher and Governess who help out at a Confederate Hospital. Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
Review:
I had this book since 2020 so I thought now was the right time to finally read this one.
Even though this was only the 2nd Book I've read by Tamera so kind of knew what to expect but this one was so much more enjoyable then "To Win Her Favor".
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about.
Lizzie, Tempy and Roland were definately my favorites.
I loved learning about their backgrounds and connections to each other throughout the Book.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1864 Franklin Tennessee especially when the scenery of Carnton was described.
Overall a Wonderfully written Book 1 in this Civil War Series about a Teacher and Governess who help out at a Confederate Hospital. Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a YA Novel by Karen so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially since it reminded me alot of The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Addy was definitely my favorite.
The Setting was wonderfully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good YA Mystery!! Can't wait to read more by Karen in the future!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a YA Novel by Karen so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially since it reminded me alot of The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Addy was definitely my favorite.
The Setting was wonderfully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good YA Mystery!! Can't wait to read more by Karen in the future!!
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Book by Laura so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one.
It was a cute story about a widow who follows a list her late husband left behind before his passing.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I couldn't pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Contemporary Novel about a Widow who follows a list her late Husband left her before his passing.
Can't wait to read more by Laura in the future!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Book by Laura so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one.
It was a cute story about a widow who follows a list her late husband left behind before his passing.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I couldn't pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Contemporary Novel about a Widow who follows a list her late Husband left her before his passing.
Can't wait to read more by Laura in the future!!
Find Her by Lisa Gardner
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
2.5
Rating: 2.5 Stars !!
Review:
This was only the 2nd Book I've read by Lisa so I kind of knew what to expect since I enjoyed Touch and Go last year so I had the same expectations for this one but sadly I was left disappointed.
Chapters 1-5 were too slow for my liking which is why I rated it 2.5.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all of them.
The Setting was OK but could of been more descriptive.
Overall an OK Book 9 in this Thriller Series. I will read more by Lisa in the future but I just hope her other books arent like this one was.
If the first 5 Chapters weren't slow I would of liked this one so much more.
Review:
This was only the 2nd Book I've read by Lisa so I kind of knew what to expect since I enjoyed Touch and Go last year so I had the same expectations for this one but sadly I was left disappointed.
Chapters 1-5 were too slow for my liking which is why I rated it 2.5.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all of them.
The Setting was OK but could of been more descriptive.
Overall an OK Book 9 in this Thriller Series. I will read more by Lisa in the future but I just hope her other books arent like this one was.
If the first 5 Chapters weren't slow I would of liked this one so much more.
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Novel by Meg so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I throughly enjoyed this one to my surprise.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in London while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good YA Novel. I do wish this book was part of a series.
Can't wait to read more by Meg in the future.
Review:
This was my first time reading a Novel by Meg so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I throughly enjoyed this one to my surprise.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in London while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good YA Novel. I do wish this book was part of a series.
Can't wait to read more by Meg in the future.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was only the 3rd Novel ive read by RLS so I kind of knew what to expect but I have to say this one was abit different then Treasure Island more adventure and darkness almost along the lines of Charles Dickens.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1869 England while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall another Phenomenal Classic by Robert. Can't wait to read more by Robert in the future!!
Review:
This was only the 3rd Novel ive read by RLS so I kind of knew what to expect but I have to say this one was abit different then Treasure Island more adventure and darkness almost along the lines of Charles Dickens.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1869 England while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall another Phenomenal Classic by Robert. Can't wait to read more by Robert in the future!!
The Night House by Jo Nesbø
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Vintage Books for sending me this FREE Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Review Crew.
This was my first time reading a Horror Novel by Jo Nesbo so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I went into this blindly and even tho the begging came off as annoying til Chapter 9 then it became entertaining and enjoyable.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. Frank and Jenny were my favorites since they really tried their best with Richard even tho he wasn't very accepting to his new life.
I disliked Richard in the beginning because she came off as annoying and self-righteous but then I gave him the benefit of the doubt after he told Karen about what happened to his parents so by the middle of the book he became toleratable.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Ballentyne while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall an OK Horror Novel by Jo. If Chapters 1-8 had been like 9-29 were I would of liked this book alot more.
I will read more by Jo in the future. I just hope his other books arent like this one was.
Review:
Thank you to Vintage Books for sending me this FREE Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Review Crew.
This was my first time reading a Horror Novel by Jo Nesbo so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I went into this blindly and even tho the begging came off as annoying til Chapter 9 then it became entertaining and enjoyable.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. Frank and Jenny were my favorites since they really tried their best with Richard even tho he wasn't very accepting to his new life.
I disliked Richard in the beginning because she came off as annoying and self-righteous but then I gave him the benefit of the doubt after he told Karen about what happened to his parents so by the middle of the book he became toleratable.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Ballentyne while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall an OK Horror Novel by Jo. If Chapters 1-8 had been like 9-29 were I would of liked this book alot more.
I will read more by Jo in the future. I just hope his other books arent like this one was.
Sleeping in the Sun by Joanne Howard
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Books Forward and NetGalley for sending me this FREE EBOOK Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Book Tour this week.
This was my first time reading a Historical Fiction Novel by Joanne so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this especially since it was set in the 1930s India.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one character as my favorite especially since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was so beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1930s India especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Historically Filled Historical Fiction Novel. I hope this book turns into a series cause I'd love to see all the characters evolve into new stories over time.
Can't wait to read more by Joanne in the future!!
Review:
Thank you to Books Forward and NetGalley for sending me this FREE EBOOK Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Book Tour this week.
This was my first time reading a Historical Fiction Novel by Joanne so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this especially since it was set in the 1930s India.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one character as my favorite especially since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was so beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1930s India especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Historically Filled Historical Fiction Novel. I hope this book turns into a series cause I'd love to see all the characters evolve into new stories over time.
Can't wait to read more by Joanne in the future!!