Your Ultimate Fiction Reading List: Book Review Roundup
Reading is more than a hobby. It’s an escape from the hustle of reality. I love stepping into a world where time slows down while getting lost in someone’s story. I’m excited to share my book review from recent reads with you and hope it inspires you to pick up a book and get lost in a new world.
The Perfect Marriage
Fast-paced, easy read, psychological thriller. The Husband’s mistress is murdered and his wife is his defense lawyer. The beginning is strong and grabs your attention quickly but fizzes out in the middle a tad. You will enjoy certain characters and hate a few others. I was shocked at the ending although it deserved so much more. Prepare for a ride of emotions.
Black Cake
Estranged siblings, Benny and Byron, meet at their family home after their mother’s death to listen to an 8-hour voice recording that was left with her lawyer along with a black cake in the freezer with a note “I want you to sit down together and share the cake when the time is right. You’ll know when.”
Not a fast read, but I grew to love the storyline of the mother revealing secrets she held onto for years to protect herself and her family. Each chapter is written from a different POV so it became a bit difficult to remember everyone as more and more characters were introduced, but it all comes together at the end.
Hulu recently released the short series adaption of the book.
When No One is Watching
This book just didn’t do it for me. I wouldn’t call it a psychological thriller. It reminded me of the movie Get Out with the plot focused on gentrification. The build-up was prolonged. While I loved the historical details about Brooklyn and the shady reality of gentrification, it shouldn’t take reading 75% of the book before getting to the climax and speed quickly to end in a few chapters. If it weren’t for the historical context, I would rate it a 1 star.
The Housemaid
A thriller page-turner from start to finish! Nellie is a housemaid for a wealthy family. The wife of the home insists that Nellie moves in giving her own bedroom….. a tiny room in the attic with a lock on the door ?. The entire time while reading I pictured this as an old Lifetime movie. If you love the classic Lifetime movie storylines, you’ll enjoy this one.
Yellowface
I’ve never disliked a character so much yet still had the urge to keep reading until I picked up Yellowface. This book opened my eyes to the scandals in the publishing industry. Sooooo many layers to unpack in this satire/psychological thriller. June steals a manuscript from her dead “friend”, Athena, and publishes it as her own. Like homegirl was beyond delusional and thought nothing was wrong with doing so! The ending was flat but overall a good read that will piss you off but keep you glued.
I’d love to know what stories have captured your imagination lately.
Happy Reading!
