Tag Archives: review

Nov3

Lil Red’s Book Club: Pearl By Josh Malerman Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Pearl By Josh Malerman Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! We will conclude my Italy travels with our last stop in Lake Como tomorrow. 🙂 Now, in a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing a horror novel by Josh Malerman called Pearl. I am an avid fan of Josh Malerman’s work and love his eerie and unsettling books and Pearl definitely takes the cake for the weirdest one of his I have read. It was like a horror version of Animal Farm and while it was most disturbing to read, I did end up really liking it. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Pearl for animal cruelty and extreme graphic violence. You ready? Let’s do it:

There is something wrong with Grandpa’s farm. Is it the location well off the beaten path? No. Is it something that goes bump in the night? Wrong again. The problem on Grandpa’s farm is a pig named Pearl. Grandpa’s daughter felt it her whole life and as she visits the farm with her children, Jeff and Aaron, they feel it too. Pearl has called to the youngest, Jeff. Not with his voice but with his mind. And Jeff answered. During a perfectly normal day on the farm, seventh grade Jeff went to the pigpen with an ax that he used to kill a pig for Pearl. Pearl didn’t make Jeff do it but he made Jeff want to do it.

Since the incident, Jeff can still hear Pearl’s call. He can even see Pearl changing shape throughout the day. And, on top of it all, he and his brother are now the “weird” kids at school as the gossip of the slaughter traveled fast. The rumors are flying about a talking pig, a killer pig, a pig that makes people go crazy and three students are just crazy enough to visit the farm to see for themselves. Little do they know, they are stepping right into Pearl’s master plan.

Grandpa rescued Pearl when he was just a piglet. He didn’t make Grandpa teach Pearl the ways of the world, language, and philosophy. He made Grandpa want to teach him. Through Grandpa’s lessons, Pearl learned and became very smart and very calculating. Pearl learned how to trap people in his web and they have all just been playing a part to lead up to the grand finale. The day of man is over and the day of the pig is nigh. There can only be one master on the farm. Who will it be? Read Pearl to find out!

If you think Pearl sounds weird based on this summary, then you are spot on. This book was weird AF but completely unputdownable and I finished it in a day. Yes, the story line was bizarre but it was so strange that it was genuinely hard to pull away from it. Just like those trapped in Pearl’s web, I was hooked because it was like nothing I have ever read before. Josh Malerman has the gift of creating a shape to the most obscure plots with his no nonsense and blunt writing. It makes his books seem concrete no matter how twisted the story is and it made Pearl even more harrowing to read. Malerman created this world and in it, Pearl is king. And, as I read, I was immersed in this odd new place where the pigs were the smartest of all and because of his writing style, it felt so real.

There were several parts of Pearl that were difficult to read from the sheer brutality of the violence. However, Pearl is a cat and mouse horror through and through. The characters are being pulled by Pearl and it is up to them to have the mental fortitude to overpower it. To push back and hide their thoughts so Pearl can’t see. And, when that happens, they can move forward. Each party has a plan in this book and it can only be solved through mind games. All the while, Pearl’s strength grows and there is just no telling how far the humans can be pushed before they break. Pearl was one of the most unique horror books I have ever read and I wouldn’t mind reading it again just to try and wrap my mind around it a bit more!

Overall, I am going to rate Pearl with an eight out of ten stars. This wasn’t my favorite Josh Malerman book but I enjoyed it a lot and if you’re looking for a totally different take on horror, then I highly recommend it!

What is your favorite horror book? What is your favorite Josh Malerman book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct30

Lil Red’s Book Club: One By One By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: One By One By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing a super short and sweet thriller by Freida McFadden called One By One. This book was just under two hundred and sixty pages and I finished it in one day! It was definitely hard to put down as One By One was a full fledged whodoneit and I loves me a twisty murder mystery. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on One By One for child abuse, suicide, and graphic violence. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Claire and Noah have been married since they graduated college and were once the textbook definition of a happy couple. They each have jobs they love, two beautiful children, and a wonderful home. Then, somewhere along the way, their relationship began to falter and Claire is convinced that both of them hate each other. Between their growing animosity and Noah’s constant hurtful comments, it made it very easy for Claire to begin an affair with Noah’s best friend, Jack. In fact, it was a welcome reprieve and Claire plans to tell Noah all about it… After their friend group vacation, that is.

For one full week, Claire and Noah, Jack and his wife Michelle, and Claire’s best friend Lindsay and her new boyfriend will be enjoying a stay at a cozy inn in the woods. There will be hiking, hunting, fishing, and lots of relaxing in the hot tub and Claire can’t wait. She needs a getaway, wants some steamy alone time with her fling, and is eager to end things with Noah. It’s only a four hour drive to the inn and the group piles into Claire’s mini van to hit the road. After a few stops and a crazy awkward car ride, they are close to their destination when the battery to Claire’s car dies.

According to the map, they are close to the inn and have no signal to call for help with the car. So, the friends decide to ditch the van and hoof it to the inn. Lindsay’s boyfriend handles reading the map, Jack navigates with his compass, and soon they are all happily chatting about hitting the Jacuzzi as soon as they arrive. Although the walk in the woods is strenuous, the group has been at it for hours and know that they should have made it to the inn in a shorter period of time. And it’s also starting to get dark.

Rather than wander around in the pitch black, everyone agrees to set up camp for the night and start fresh in the morning. Sleep doesn’t come easy and Claire cannot shake the feeling of being hunted by something or someone. She can hear wolves or coyotes howling and has seen multiple deep gashes from claws on trees. If they don’t make it to civilization soon, she fears that some of them won’t make it home alive. There is danger close by but who or what is it? And will the vacationers survive to tell the tale? Read One By One to find out!

One By One was a lighting fast read and was quite enjoyable! It wasn’t the best Freida McFadden I have read but I liked the plot well enough and appreciated a few of the twists that I didn’t see coming. This was your classic “lost in the woods” trope and McFadden was able to put her own twist on it to make it feel somewhat fresh but overall very exciting. When the setting is in the woods, there is danger lurking at every turn. It could be from the elements, animals, or the very people you are with and McFadden locked into that paranoia to leave the reader questioning every little thing that went bump in the night.

While some members in our cast of characters left a lot to be desired *Cough* Warner (Lindsay’s boyfriend) sucks *Cough*, I did like Claire as the leading lady. Despite her transgressions, no one can say that she didn’t try to make it work with her husband and even the characters in the book couldn’t fault her for cheating. Her moments of weakness were made up for by terrific feats of strength that she didn’t even know she possessed and it was hard not to root for her. As their days in the woods continued, her primary thoughts were always on her children and I just had to finish it to see if her ending would be a happy one!

Overall, I am going to rate One By One with a six out of ten stars. If you are looking for a pretty good read that you can easily finish in one sitting, then go for it! If you aren’t interested in a stuck in the woods scenario, then don’t go for it lol!

What is your favorite Freida McFadden book? Do you like murder mysteries? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct26

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Coworker By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Coworker By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! We will return to Italy tomorrow. 🙂 In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a pretty good thriller by Freida McFadden called The Coworker. Was this the best McFadden book I read? Not by a long shot. However, The Coworker certainly kept me turning the pages and I finished it in one day! Unputdownable? Yes. Perfectly average? Also yes! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Coworker for bullying, self harm, and suicide. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Natalie is thirty years old and has everything going for her. She’s young, drop dead gorgeous, and is the top salesperson at her job as a sales rep for a supplement company. She’s the kind of woman that other girls want to be and who guys want to be with. That’s not to say that she doesn’t have her flaws, of course. Behind her sweet smile lurks a mean streak that has been present since she was a child. Now, Natalie just knows how to cover it up better but will always find joy in targeting the weak link.

Dawn is new to the company and works as an accountant in the cubicle beside Natalie. Dawn falls somewhere on the spectrum, is homely in appearance, and finds conversation difficult if the topic isn’t turtles. She’s desperate for friends as she only has one and she lives across the country. Dawn thinks Natalie would be the perfect person to have the occasional lunch or coffee with and does her best to get her glamorous coworker to like her. All of her efforts make her the butt of the joke but Dawn has something that will definitely get Natalie’s attention.

Dawn has a matter that she must discuss with Natalie and their boss urgently but fails to show up to work the following day. Natalie finds this strange as you can tell time based on Dawn’s schedule: She arrives early, uses the bathroom at a certain time, eats lunch at the same time every day, and so on, and so forth. Natalie might not like her coworker but she is worried and decides to stop by Dawn’s home to check in on her. There is no answer at the door so Natalie lets herself in and is greeted by a pool of blood on the carpet.

Natalie’s coworker is nowhere to be found but the blood points to murder or at the very least foul play. And who is at the center of the investigation? Natalie. Her concern over her coworker could be a cover up and the cops aren’t buying her good girl persona. Natalie knows she did nothing to Dawn but all of the evidence points otherwise and jail seems inevitable. Little does Natalie know, there is something tying her and Dawn together but the question is what? And will Natalie figure it out before she lands herself in jail for life? Read The Coworker to find out!

I can’t say too much in my personal thoughts as I don’t want to ruin the grand reveal. What I will say, is that I figured it out quickly and I think you will too if you read it. And, when you do, I’m sure your thoughts will be something along the lines of “good for her” lol. The Coworker was a classic case of a chronic mean girl getting a taste of her own medicine and it was delicious but all very sad. Dawn had her quirks, as we all do, but Natalie and the other coworkers alike made her into a laughing stock and it was hard to read the particularly cruel parts of their torment. This could be very triggering for anyone who has experienced a similar situation so read with caution.

What I did like about this book is that it left you questioning who the real villain was and gave a lot of thought to chew on. Natalie was forthright about being a generally awful person but for other characters, it wasn’t as transparent. This made the reveals still shocking even if they were somewhat predictable. One of Freida McFadden’s gifts as a writer is to lure her readers into a false sense of security by thinking they know it all already. Then, she expertly turns everything you thought you knew on its head. If you don’t enjoy playing amateur detective, I think you will be shook. If you figured out the twist, you will still enjoy the read but find it slightly above average like I did!

Overall, I am going to rate The Coworker with a six out of ten stars. This was a classic McFadden thriller through and through and, although predictable, it was still a fun and fast read!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct18

Lil Red’s Book Club: Ours Is A Tale Of Murder By Nora Murphy Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Ours Is A Tale Of Murder By Nora Murphy Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a highly disturbing and difficult to read thriller by Nora Murphy called Ours Is A Tale Of Murder. I read this book in one sitting on my return flight home from Italy and we will dive right into my vacation adventures tomorrow. I didn’t want to forget anything about this book to write the review which is why we’re chatting about it now! Before we begin, I will be placing a massive trigger warning on Ours Is A Tale Of Murder for child abuse, domestic violence, miscarriages, stalking, sexual violence, and cruelty to animals. This is NOT a book for the faint of heart and I advise you to read at your own discretion. You ready? Let’s do this:

Klara is a woman in her mid thirties who is more than happy to be married to her job as a personal injury lawyer. She has her heart set on making partner at her firm this year and that is what she will be focusing all of her time and effort on. Klara recently got out of a long term relationship and the last thing she has on her mind is dating – especially because she is firm on not wanting children. That all changes when she meets Troy at a networking event for other lawyers in the area. Troy has had his sights set on Klara for a long time, she just doesn’t know it and their meeting was anything but a chance encounter. Initially, Klara shrugs Troy’s advances off but, hey, she is single and very lonely and why not date the charming, wealthy man who is trying to woo her?

After their first date, Klara and Troy are inseparable and a whirlwind romance ensues. To Troy, this is exactly what he planned. To Klara, she is feeling smothered but also realizes this might be as good as it gets. Little by little, Troy takes away her life. First it’s her home when he moves in almost immediately. Next goes her friends as he isolates her to the point where she only can depend on him. Finally, comes marriage, the house in the suburbs, and a baby? Yes, Klara is pregnant and she has no idea how it could have possibly happened as she is religious about her birth control routine.

In the suburbs, Klara is pregnant and alone. She no longer works because Troy insisted she doesn’t and spends her days cooped up inside. Sometimes she’ll run an occasional errand or garden in her yard. More often that not, however, she is completely by herself in an empty house. She’s not alone, though, not really. Henry, her odd neighbor is always watching. He knows her routine, he knows when she comes and goes, and most importantly: He knows that Klara is not happy. He could make her happy, though. He’s sure of it. All it will take is removing Troy from the equation and Klara will be all his. She just doesn’t know it yet. There are two men who have made it their mission to have Klara all to themselves. How will she possibly break free from this impossible situation? Read Ours Is A Tale Of Murder to find out!

Okay, let me first start by saying that Ours Is A Tale Of Murder was jacked TF up. It was one of the most difficult and upsetting books I have read in recent memory and there were several parts where I truly didn’t think I could take anymore. Of course, I never start a book without finishing it and here I am now talking to all of you about it. While this book shook me to my absolute core, I genuinely couldn’t have abandoned Klara even though she is an entirely made up character. What she was going through, however, felt so incredibly real – especially as we are living in the increasing times of incel culture and violence against women. And what’s the main rule when you are with a friend? Never, ever leave them.

Ours Is A Tale Of Murder featured a twist that I would have never saw coming from a mile away and I did like that. It also ended on a note that I was more than satisfied with and that was great too. The question is – Was it worth the read? Was it worth the mental anguish with every page? Yes and no. I say “yes” because the plot points felt all too relevant and sometimes you just have to look evil in the eye. I also say “no” because I can wholeheartedly understand why this book causes pain on a cellular level because I experienced it firsthand. This is not me pushing this book one way or the other, I just can’t advise enough to proceed with caution. If anything said in this review would cause you pain to read it then please, please don’t. If you do read it – we will have a lot to discuss together!

Overall, I am going to rate Ours Is A Tale Of Murder with a four out of ten stars. The four stars go to the excellent writing of Nora Murphy, a holy shit twist, and the creation of a character that you want to protect. It was all A LOT, though, even for me and I can’t in good conscience rate it any higher.

Who is your favorite author? What did you think if you read this book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct17

Lil Red’s Book Club: Want To Know A Secret? By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Want To Know A Secret? By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing yet another Freida McFadden thriller called Want To Know A Secret? In case you haven’t noticed, I have been on a big McFadden kick lately. Her books are just so easy to read and finish quickly and they are pretty fun more often than not. Want To Know A Secret? was perfectly average but I enjoyed it well enough and finished it in three sittings. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning for general violence and disturbing content in a nursing home setting. You ready? Let’s do it:

April lives an exceptionally charmed life. Her husband is a lawyer, they live in a gorgeous home with their little boy, and April even has a successful YouTube channel called Sweet Secrets. In her show, April shares her baking secrets with the world and each episode is packed with tips on how to make the best brownies or ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies. The rest of April’s secrets? She won’t be advertising them on YouTube, that’s for sure. 

On the outside, April is a perfect neighbor and charms everyone with her sweet smile and baked goods. She has even made a new friend, her name is Maria and her family just purchased the house next door. The two ladies and their sons strike up a fast friendship and everything is of the status quo… Until the text messages begin. 

Since Maria has moved in, April has been receiving texts asking if she’d like to know a secret. Each text reveals major issues that she has been long determined to keep buried. If they were to go public, her show and husband’s career would be gone in an instant. But who would want to hurt April like that? Could it be her newfound friend and neighbor? Read Want To Know A Secret? to find out!

I have read A LOT of Freida McFadden books. So much so that Want To Know A Secret? honestly felt like I had read it before. You know the same old thing – stalker vibe texts, a new love interest or neighbor, and life as our primary character knows it going swiftly downhill. I must admit that I liked the premise of April having a YouTube show because I always enjoy a social media twist. The rest of Want To Know A Secret? was just a case of been there, read that. 

This is not to say that this book wasn’t entertaining because it was. It wasn’t a leave my jaw on the floor level thriller, though, and that is what I have come to expect from Freida McFadden books. When she misses the mark, she really misses it and this one didn’t do it for me. If you are a fan of McFadden books, this is one that you aren’t missing out on by skipping. 

Overall, I am going to rate Want To Know A Secret? with a four out of ten stars. Read it or don’t but if you do I’m sure you will find it to be average at best!

Who is your favorite author? Have you read anything by Freida McFadden recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct13

Lil Red’s Book Club: You First By Caroline Kepnes Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: You First By Caroline Kepnes Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the prequel to the You series by Caroline Kepnes called You First. I have read two of the books in the series and have seen the entire show on Netflix so I was looking forward to finding out about the early years of Joe Goldberg. And, honestly, I wish I hadn’t lol. If you thought that Joe couldn’t possibly be more messed up, then this prequel will be as shocking for you as it was for me. I truly felt nauseous after the first few pages and I am SO glad to be done with it. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on You First for violent and obsessive behavior, highly disturbing content, and statutory rape. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Seventeen year old Joe Goldberg wandered into a bookstore called Mooney’s Books in New York City when he was twelve years old and hasn’t left since. His parents didn’t care for him or want him to begin with so he simply vanished and never looked back. Mr. Mooney took him under his wing and taught him all of the wrong lessons: That women are only good for one thing and that being punished means being locked in a box in the bookstore basement. Everyone has rejected Joe and he has no one outside of Mr. Mooney and all of the books that he considers to be his friends. Then, the world began to shift to the internet.

Compliments of Craigslist, Joe has begun writing Missed Connections posts to any and every woman he has encountered, even if it was for a moment. He checks his email religiously for replies and not a single post he made has ever been answered. There is a lot that is missing from Joe’s character but he is convinced that someone loving him will set him straight. And, wouldn’t you know, a beautiful young woman enters Mooney’s Books. She is not a customer but she sure needs to use the bathroom and Joe covers for her so she can relieve herself without facing the wrath of Mr. Mooney. Joe is instantly enamored by her but doesn’t have the guts to ask her out himself.

His prayers are answered as he scours Craigslist because there is a new Missed Connections post from the bookstore woman herself. Her name is Vail and she felt something for Joe in the bookstore too. They end up going on a date and then a few more and before you know it, Joe is in full on Goldberg mode and will do any and everything to make her stay. Vail might be older than Joe but her decisions in their relationship are anything but wise. Joe can feel her pulling away for another man and all the while he was thinking that he was her only man. As we all know, Joe holds onto his relationships tightly and this is not going to end well for those in this love triangle. Who will make it out alive? Read You First to find out!

Reading the thoughts of a teenage Joe Goldberg in You First was honestly like reading the diary of an incel and it was just plain gross. Joe has an insatiable appetite for sex although he is a virgin and loathes himself for not being the object of a woman’s affection. You First felt like a constant loop of think about sex, obsess over Vail, hate himself, and skewing his own twisted thoughts to turn him into the victim. Prequel Joe is a pressure cooker ready to explode and is tamped down as long as his relationship with Vail is going okay. When it’s not? There is no telling what he was going to do and there came a point when I simply didn’t care to find out even though I finished the book.

I applaud Caroline Kepnes as her writing was excellent and she perfectly portrays Joe as he begins to succumb to his sickness for the first time. However, the subject matter just wasn’t for me and this is not a Netflix show. It’s not watered down with fluff and celebrities. It is words on pages and they were often incredibly hard to read. If you are familiar with the show You or the books, then I’m sure you already have an idea of what direction You First is going to take. Hell, I knew it from the jump. That little bit of hope for things to turn out differently was the only reason I kept reading. And, when I was done, I just felt disappointed and empty. You First was a harrowing read that I would not recommend unless you know what you are getting yourself into. If I did, I probably wouldn’t have bothered reading it!

Overall, I am going to rate You First with a two out of ten stars. These stars were given strictly because I enjoyed the writing style of Caroline Kepnes and negative infinity stars go to Joe Goldberg for being a vile piece of trash!

How do you feel about the You series? Have you read the books, watched the show, or both? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct8

Groovy Movies: Heart of the Beast Edition

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Groovy Movies: Heart of the Beast Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the new Brad Pitt flick called Heart of the Beast. I could honestly give a hoot less about Brad Pitt but my friend wanted to see Heart of the Beast and I am never one to turn down an outing to the movie theater. Going to movies is my absolute favorite regardless of what I am seeing because I just love the experience of it! I went into Heart of the Beast not expecting anything from it and left pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It was very good! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning for scenes of combat and animal attacks. You ready? Let’s go:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

James is a retired Special Forces Command Sergeant Major and is flying his plane to camp in the remote Alaskan wilderness with his combat dog, Odin (AKA Odie). James and Odie have been through a lot together and find what joy they can in nature. But, really, the only thing that brings James joy is his dog. They spend their day fishing and playing fetch before making camp for the night to get some rest for their departure the following day as the weather is going to turn. They awake to an overcast morning, pack up the plane, and begin their trip home as the rain starts to fall.

As James pilots the aircraft, he begins massaging his shoulder and eventually collapses on the wheel from a heart attack. The plane crashes and James lands in water but Odie is nowhere to be found. After emerging from the wreckage, James finds Odie lying on the ground in the woods, breathing but injured. James starts a fire, gets Odie comfortable, and consults his map to learn that they are fifty-eight miles away from the nearest road. They have no form of communication, no one is even aware of James being gone, and they are going to have to travel on foot to get back to civilization.

The following morning, James wakes up and Odie is upright, alert, and watching over him. Their journey home through the Alaskan wilderness is about to begin. The terrain is tough and there are dangerous animals like wolves and bears roaming. All James and Odie can do is put one foot in front of the other, keep up their strength, and avoid the animals stalking them at all costs. The trek is perilous and one wrong step could be their last. Will Odie and James be able to make it back safe and sound? Watch Heart of the Beast to find out!

Now, I’m sure all of you are wondering if Odie made it through the movie and I’m pleased to report that the answer is YES or else I wouldn’t have seen it. I also don’t consider this to be a spoiler because the movie opens revealing that Odie is okay. If you were on the fence about seeing this movie because of that, then you are free and clear to proceed! I am so glad that the movie started that way because I don’t think I would have liked it nearly as much if I was worried about Odie the whole time. Because of that, Heart of the Beast went from a probable tearjerker to an intense tale of survival and it had me on the edge of my seat.

Make no mistake, Brad Pitt was the star of the movie but Odie was the star and their relationship was so beautiful. I could literally feel the love in every scene and it made every slip, trip, and injury that much more harrowing because all I wanted was for them to make it through as a team. Odie was, indeed, fabulous and Brad Pitt was quite good and really showed his range as a physical actor. Not only were our two key players impossible to look away from, but the cinematography in Heart of the Beast was glorious. The scenery was gorgeous but it was fickle as danger lurked at every turn. Heart of the Beast was a fast paced thrill and, although I can’t say for certain if I would watch it again, I am definitely glad that I saw it in theaters!

Overall, I am going to rate Heart of the Beast with a seven out of ten stars. It wasn’t my favorite but I did like it a lot and I also think this is the first Brad Pitt movie I have ever seen lol.

Who is your favorite actor? What did you think about Heart of the Beast? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct4

Lil Red’s Book Club: Do Not Disturb By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Do Not Disturb By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a Freida McFadden thriller called Do Not Disturb. In case you couldn’t tell, I have been on a HUGE McFadden kick as of late. Some were good, some not so much but I really enjoyed Do Not Disturb! I finished it in two sittings flat and the grand reveal left my jaw on the floor. I totally did not see it coming and it made for an excellent finale. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Do Not Disturb for domestic violence and miscarriages. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Quinn Alexander just killed her husband, Derek. She stabbed him to death and she is not mad about it in the slightest. Derek abused her physically and mentally and after a brutal fight, she was the one left standing. She could call the cops and turn herself in or she could run. Option B is her choice and she quickly packs a bag and flees as a snowstorm hits. There is only one person Quinn will miss when she crosses the border into Canada – her big sister, Claudia. She’s all Quinn can think about as she begins her life as a fugitive from the law. Then, her getaway comes to an abrupt halt barely two hours in: The snowstorm has turned into a full on blizzard.

Quinn’s small car is no match for the heavy snow and she knows she must pull over for the night and start fresh in the morning. She needs a place that’s well off the beaten path and finds Baxter’s Motel, a ramshackle establishment with a sign you can barely make out from the road. It’s perfect. Although the lodging leaves a lot to be desired, the handsome owner of Baxter’s, Nick, is kind and even fixes Quinn some dinner. She eats her fill, falls into a restless sleep, and will surely be back on the road by daybreak.

Rosalie is Nick’s wife and suffers from a rare and progressive form of multiple sclerosis. She loves her husband but he is a murderer and a cheater too. As Nick goes about his day at the motel, she sits in the window and watches. Rosalie can see it all through the lenses of her binoculars and was treated to a private viewing of Nick’s infidelity. And just one day later, his other woman is stabbed to death. The police could never prove Nick’s involvement and their relationship has been more of a caregiver and patient ever since. Old feelings of jealousy constantly pester Rosalie and she grows even more resentful when she sees Nick being so nice to pretty and young Quinn.

As Quinn hunkers down in the motel, she learns from the news that she is a wanted person and is a sitting duck. She needs to make a move and fast. All the while, Claudia is searching for her as she is convinced that Quinn is innocent and the police won’t do their job correctly. She, too, ends up at Baxter’s based on Quinn’s last known whereabouts and is taken aback by Nick’s harsh demeanor and the silhouette of Rosalie in the window. Quinn is nowhere to be found and she is certain the couple knows more than they are letting on and she intends to find out. Quinn is Claudia’s baby sister after all and they love each other, right? … Right? What will become of Quinn? Will she end up in jail for the rest of her life or be able to make a great escape? Read Do Not Disturb to find out!

Do Not Disturb was giving ALL of the Psycho vibes and I was so there for it! This book absolutely drew inspiration from the cinematic masterpiece complete with the seedy motel, a skeletal women in a window, and references to the infamous shower scene. It was a tale that felt deeply familiar but was refreshed with an intriguing story line that made Do Not Disturb uniquely its own. What’s that old saying again? Steal from the best and make it your own and Freida McFadden did exactly that with this unputdownable thriller.

So as not to reveal spoilers, I have to be vague here but I will say that the plot twists left me one thousand percent shook. I think I was focusing and enjoying the Psycho angle so much that hints and clues simply slipped by without any thought to them. This was a book that I just wanted to read and delight in as the saga of Quinn progressed. Our three key players in Do Not Disturb were Quinn, Nick, and Rosalie and as their stories intertwined, a clear picture of what was going to happen next began to form. That is, until Freida McFadden incorporated a genius twist that took the book in an entirely different direction. Do Not Disturb kept me guessing and turning the pages till the very end and I loved it!

I am going to award Do Not Disturb with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This was one of the strongest McFadden books I have read and I highly recommend it if you are a thriller fan too!

How often do you read? What is your favorite book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct1

Lil Red’s Book Club: Never Lie By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Never Lie By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing an ultra twisty thriller by Freida McFadden called Never Lie. As you all know, I fancy myself an amateur detective when I read and this book really through me for a loop. I saw the one twist coming from a mile away but the major reveal left me absolutely SHOOKETH. This is one of the best Freida McFadden books I’ve read in recent memory and I finished it on one day. Once I started I literally couldn’t stop to save my own life! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Never Lie for graphic violence, mentions of sexual violence, and disturbing content. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Tricia and Ethan are newly married after a brief whirlwind romance and have only known each other for less than a year. Despite not knowing everything about each other, they are moving full steam ahead and plan on purchasing a new home. In fact, they are heading to a showing of a remote estate when the snow starts to fall. They barely make it to the sprawling mansion as the conditions turn dangerous and their car peters out in the lengthy driveway. Their real estate agent is nowhere to be found, surely ditching their viewing due to the blizzard, and Tricia and Ethan are stuck. The only option is to find shelter in their potential dream home and wait out the storm.

As they explore their lodging for hopefully just the night, they learn that this is no ordinary home at all. It once belonged to the famous psychologist and author, Dr. Adrienne Hale. She was well known for her critically acclaimed book The Anatomy of Fear but even better known for her disappearance roughly three years ago. Her body has never been located and the world thinks her boyfriend, Luke, was to blame for her demise. Tricia is thoroughly creeped out to spend the night in a dead woman’s home but Ethan is in love with the house and wants to put an offer in. This is going to be a long night.

Throughout the evening, strange noises throughout the home startle the young couple and they search the premises for who or whatever is making the ruckus. Their mission proves to be futile and Tricia decides to take her mind off of her fear by tucking into a book from Dr. Hale’s library. She opts for her favorite, The Shining by Stephen King, and when she attempts to pluck the book from the shelf, a secret room is revealed. A room that houses all of the recordings Dr. Hale has made as she sees patients.

Tricia is a curious one and believes that she can solve the doctor’s murder based on the tapes that are hidden away. As the snow continues to fall, she dives into the saga of the sessions leading up to Dr. Hale’s disappearance. Upon her discovery, she learns about a problematic patient named EJ. A man who threatened and stalked the doctor in the weeks before she fell off the face of the earth. The man’s voice on the tape sounds familiar to Tricia but she just can’t place it. The one thing that she knows for sure, though, is that the doctor’s killer is still out there. And he might just be in this very house. Will Tricia solve the case of the missing doctor before it’s too late? Or will she, too, become a victim while stranded in the snow? Read Never Lie to find out!

Holy WOW was this book good and it is, easily, one of my favorite Frieda McFadden books yet. I rarely finish a book in just one day and that honestly tells you everything you need to know. Never Lie was fast paced, eerily claustrophobic, and featured a major twist that left my jaw on the floor. Funnily enough, I was bragging about having everything all figured out about halfway through and I was dead wrong. Never Lie was Red Herring central and it lured me into a false sense of complacency thinking I knew it all. The rug was pulled right under my feet and I landed flat on my fanny when I learned how wrong I was!

Whenever I read a Frieda McFadden book, I never feel a real connection to any of the characters because they all lightweight suck lol. That was very much the case with Never Lie and I could not be bothered to give a hoot about any of the key players. That’s okay, though, because McFadden’s writing style is all plot based. Every character in this book played their part to keep the story going at a rapid pace and it didn’t even matter how unlikable they were. All that mattered was getting to that end reveal and I think you will all agree if you read Never Lie that it was a doozy and then some. Highly recommend!

Overall, I am going to award Never Lie with the coveted ten out of ten stars. If you are a McFadden fan, this is a must read. You are going to love it!

What are you currently reading? What is your favorite Freida McFadden book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep30

ValJean Labs Morning Glow Facial Oil Review

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ValJean Labs Morning Glow Facial Oil Review

Howdy! I am a huge fan of ValJean Labs products and they have become a staple in my beauty routine. I am always on the lookout for more of their goodies when I am at TJMaxx and found a new to me serum by my go to brand… Or so I thought lol. It turns out that I didn’t purchase a ValJean Labs serum at all but a facial oil and that came as quite the surprise when I tried it for the first time. I absolutely detest the sensation and texture of facial oils so I felt like a major dunce when I realized what it actually was. Word to the wise: Always read the label! Despite my facial oil qualms, I refused to waste it and decided that it couldn’t hurt to put it on at night so I don’t have to be awake to feel it on. And you know what? It didn’t hurt at all and helped a lot! Let’s discuss:

This facial oil has a muted earthy scent that is very pleasant upon application during my nighttime beauty routine. I use it along with my normal moisturizer and eye cream and then hit the hay so as not to feel the greasiness that I despise. Whenever I use a product for the first time, I never expect immediate results. Rather, a gradual change. That was so not the case when I woke up the morning after my trial run! I looked in the mirror and it seriously looked like I slept for ten hours. My skin was glowing to the point of being dewy and that was such a drastic change to the dullness that I usually wake up to. It literally made me do a double take!

I have always shied away from facial oils and I now realize that I have done myself a disservice by not applying them to my pre-bed routine. Maybe it’s just the one I’m using from my favorite skin care brand but I have been using it nightly for two weeks and have noticed such positive results. The radiance it provides is, of course, a blessing but I have also noticed one more amazing difference: My under eye bags have been nonexistent. It has been years since I have woken up without a purplish tinge in the under eye region and it enhances the well rested vibes even further. Especially because I often feel anything but!

If you are on the market for a new facial oil then I truly can’t recommend the Morning Glow by ValJean Labs enough. It has turned the biggest anti facial oil gal into a number one fan and I will gladly use it again if I can find it!

What is a texture that you hate? What is your favorite facial oil? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah