![Sadie by Courtney Summers- A book review]()
review, Thriller, YA |
How do you choose between an engaging plot and a compelling writing, if you can have only one of them? Tough call, right? Welcome to my hell and with that thought in your mind let us review Sadie by Courtney Summers.
About the book
Book Name: Sadie
Author: Courtney Summers
Genre: Fiction – Thriller, Young Adult
Characters: Sadie and Mattie Hunter
Setting: Colorado, The USA
The plot
Sadie and Mattie knew what it is to be left to fend for themselves, and as an elder sister Sadie had always been hard Mattie to protect her from the world as she knew it. But when Mattie is found dead and no one would help them, Sadie had to take things in her own hands in finding out who did that to her.
But then Sadie went missing too. The consensus was she went chasing her sister’s killer and no one knows anything about it.
Now, over a year after Mattie’s body was found, West McCray is hosting an investigative reporting podcast called The Girls and attempts to solve the case of Mattie’s death (and finding Sadie) by following Sadie’s journey.
Where does this investigation unearth? Did Sadie find the killer? Does it ends well for the team and Sadie? Well, you will have to read Sadie by Courtney Summers to know more.
My initial thoughts
The book Sadie follows two narratives – the podcast by West McCray in the present day (which hooked me in right from the minute go) and Sadie’s point of view, which didn’t work for me.
Sure there were a lot of sad things happening and there are characters that are super interesting. But somehow I never felt engrossed in Sadie’s narrative nor it impacted me, as much as it should have.
Do not get me wrong, the plot itself was just interesting and predictable. And I am ok with that, but the point that the storyline was not engaging me emotionally was a huge let down for me.
But the author’s compelling writing style kept me involved until the end. Talking of the ending, it may not work for all, some may feel disappointed even, but for me worked so well.
What I loved the most about Sadie was the characters, that were well developed and had so much depth. Be it Sadie’s stuttering and her intense need to be protective of her sister, or Mattie’s naivete or hopefulness, made me root for their turbulent relationship.
Sadie deals with hard and intense subjects like sexual abuse, pedophilia and child pornography, abandonment and neglect by parents. But Ms Summers has done a great job in keeping it still appropriate for a young adult audience (well, the upper limits of YA/NA) as well as adults.
What worked for me
- I loved Summers’ compelling and readable writing style.
- The characters and their detailing were perfect. I loved the multi faceted characters.
- One more round of applause for not making it gory with details about the rape/murder/pedophilia issues, given that its YA or NA audience.
- Despite that it might have been hit or miss, I personally loved the ending. In fact, I would have been disappointed if it would have ended any other way, having read the current ending.
What may have been better
- I wish the storyline was more engaging and emotionally involving me.
Bottom line
If you are looking a young/new adult thriller with an interesting premise, Sadie might be a good pick. Just heed to the warning about the subject matter, especially if you are younger by age and heart.
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Have you read Sadie by Courtney Summers? How did you like it? What would you choose between a compelling writing and an engaging unpredictable plot? Let us talk.
![Sadie by Courtney Summers- A book review]()
review, Romance |
What kinda books pull you out of a reading slump? A while ago, I read The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren when I was in a kinda slump and believe me, it worked. So let us get on with the review of The Unhoneymooners, shall we?
About the book
Book Name: The Unhoneymooners
Author: Christina Lauren
Genre: Fiction – Romance
Characters: Olive and Ami Torres, Ethan Thomas
Setting: Minnesota, Maui, Hawaii, The USA
The plot
When her identical twin Ami, her husband and her entire party gets food poisoning, Olive is given a chance to use her all expenses paid honeymoon package. It sounds great except for the fact that she would have to share it with Ethan, her nemesis and brother of the groom.
To complicate matters, Olive bumps into her future ex boss and Ethan’s ex and they decide to pretend to be the married couple. They stop pretending after a while, but do they ever get back together after their unhoneymoon ends? Read The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren to know what happens next.
My initial thoughts
The Unhoneymooners is my first book by the duo Christina Lauren and I should say I am sold. If their other books are any similar, I would definitely read them. I loved the hilarious writing, especially in the first half. I liked the protagonists, even though I felt Ethan was not really developed deep enough.
And maybe it had to do with the entire plot being written only from Olive’s POV. That is different from the usual ‘enemies to lovers’ trope writing style, where we usually see the feelings of both the protagonists. But again, that is not a big negative on my radar.
Things that worked for me
- I love the deeper parts beyond the romance and the fluff (which I enjoyed too).
- The family/friendship bonding was well written.
- The writing is hilarious and witty and is perfect for a fun read.
Things that didn’t work for me
- I expected a little more groveling in the end. She forgave them too quickly, in my opinion.
- I wish we had a bit more about Ethan than his facial expressions.
Bottom-line
It is a perfect book to pick out of a slump or brighten your dull afternoon, which are incidentally what happened to me.
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Have you read The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren? How did you like it? What are you currently reading? Let us talk
![Sadie by Courtney Summers- A book review]()
review, Romance |
I know the times are hard and troubling and we bookworms are trying to escape the pressure of the real world. And so I am here help you do that with a great recommendation. Let us review Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, shall we?
About the book
Book Name: Red, White & Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Genre: Fiction – Romance
Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz and his sister June, Nora Holleran (Alex’s best friend), Prince Henry George Edward James Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, his sister Bea and Pez (Henry’s best friend)
Setting: Washington DC, The United States of America
The plot
The sons of the first families of The USA and the UK hate each other dislike each other and the world knows it. The first families and their PRs decide to intervene and stage a fake Instagram relationship.
What starts as a fake friendship between Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry blossoms into something more. But is coming out as gay worth all the drama in the royal family? And more importantly is their love worth causing a political derailment around the world? You will have to read Red, White & Royal Blue to know more.
My initial thoughts
Red, White & Royal Blue was highly addictive and hilarious that you cannot put it down once you start. The banter between the leads is witty and adorable. The writing is top notch and Casey McQuiston knows to keep the readers hooked until the end.
Above all, what struck close to me was the lead characters and how much life like they both were. And the sub plots and side characters especially June, Bea and Nora, were as deep as they can be. Oh I loved them all.
Things that worked for me
- The writing is fast paced and quite an easy flow.
- I loved the characters and seriously appreciate how deep their arcs were.
- The witty banter and the chemistry between the leads is adorable.
- An extra brownie point for the very diverse cast.
Things that didn’t work for me
Red, White & Royal Blue is not going to be your gateway to learn every bit of the politics of USA. You get what you see!
Bottom-line
Red, White & Royal Blue is such a cute, sweet and funny LGBTQA romance that will definitely keep your lock down sorrows go away. You need this in your life!
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Let us chat
Have you read this hyped up book? How did you like it? What are you reading to keep you distracted from the reality? Let us talk.
