A couple books I finished up this week!
Thanks to the mentioned publishers for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest reviews
Mini Reviews – May 2023:
NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW – Lindsay Cameron (Released May 9th, 2023 – Thanks to Random House for the copy)
When an anonymous neighborhood forum gets hacked, the darkest secrets of New York’s wealthiest residents come to light—including some worth killing for—in this gripping suspense novel from the author of Just One Look.
It was all confidential. Right up to the moment when it wasn’t.
UrbanMyth: It was lauded as an alternative to the performative, show-your-best-self platforms—an anonymous discussion board grouped by zip code. The residents of Manhattan’s exclusive Upper East Side disclosed it all, things they would never share with their friends or their spouses: secret bank accounts, steamy affairs, tidbits of juicy gossip. These are the same parents who would go to astonishing lengths to ensure their children gain admission to the most prestigious boarding schools and universities. So when a “hacktivist” group breaks into the forum and exposes the real identity behind each poster, the repercussions resound down Park Avenue with a force none could have anticipated.
And someone will end up dead.
Will it be Heather, the outsider who would do anything to get her daughter into the elite’s good graces and into even better schools? Norah, the high-powered suit failing to balance work and the emotional responsibilities of motherhood? Or Poppy, perfect on the outside but hiding more than her share of secrets?
Each of them has something to hide. Each of them will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. And each of them just might kill to protect their own.
Mini Review: 4/5 stars – As someone that lives in a place where I cannot physically see my neighbors and does not live in a city, I’m always intrigued whenever friends talk about their local neighborhood groups and apps. Personally, I love not hearing people complain about stuff 😂 if it’s really important to know, we’ll hear about it when we go into town (like the body recently found)
This book had all the drama you’d want in the fallout of an anonymous discussion board going live. It’s truly amazing what people will say under the safety of anonymity. I’d say this is more of a suspense than thriller but still a fun read.
THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS – Jen Wilde (Released May 9th, 2023 – Thanks to Wednesday Books for the copy)
You are cordially invited to spend one fateful night surviving an elite private school’s epic masquerade ball
As an autistic scholarship student at the prestigious Webber Academy in New York City, Waverly is used to masking to fit in—in more ways than one. While her classmates are the children of the one percent, Waverly is getting by on tutoring gigs and the generosity of the school’s charming and enigmatic dean. So when her tutoring student and resident “it girl” asks Waverly to attend the school’s annual fundraising Masquerade disguised as her, Waverly jumps at the chance—especially once she finds out that Ash, the dean’s daughter and her secret ex-girlfriend, will be there.
The Masquerade is everything Waverly dreamed of, complete with extravagant gowns, wealthy parents writing checks, and flowing champagne. Most importantly, there’s Ash. All Waverly wants to do is shed her mask and be with her, but the evening takes a sinister turn when Waverly stumbles into a secret meeting between the dean and the school’s top donors—and witnesses a brutal murder. This gala is harboring far more malevolent plots than just opening parents’ pocketbooks. Before she can escape or contact the authorities, a mysterious global blackout puts the entire party on lockdown. Waverly’s fairy tale has turned into a nightmare, and she, Ash, and her friends must navigate through a dizzying maze of freight elevators, secret passageways, and back rooms if they’re going to survive the night.
And even if they manage to escape the Masquerade, with technology wiped out all over the planet, what kind of world will they find waiting for them beyond the doors?
Mini Review: 3/5 stars – I want to start this review with a disclaimer. Since reviewing the book and finishing it, I discussed it with a friend in regards to the autism representation and I clearly missed A LOT throughout the book. I was very focused on the odd genre shifts and missed out on so much when it came to the main character and their experiences throughout the book. I do plan on going back through and reading it again with the information I have now and I feel that since I can anticipate the genre changes, that I should have a better time focusing on and connecting with the characters.
With this in mind, here is my original review: I wanted to like the one more than I did. It felt like a lot of genres mixed together without a real direction. I did like everything taking place in a short period of time. Despite not being very invested, this book moved fast enough to keep me going until the end. I liked parts but others fell flat for me. I think if the synopsis intrigues you and you’re a fan of YA, then give this a try.
Jessicamap Reviews 