Tag Archives: trigger warning

Oct5

Groovy Movies: The Strangers – Chapter 2 Edition

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Groovy Movies: The Strangers – Chapter 2 Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! If you are a horror movie fan like me, now is your time to shine. There are countless new scary flicks on the horizon that look awesome and previous releases that share the same sentiments. One movie that I was particularly looking forward to is The Strangers – Chapter 2 because I absolutely love that franchise. I saw it this past week and I really enjoyed it despite the reviews raking it through the coals.

I never go into watching a horror movie with the expectation of a masterpiece and view them as popcorn flicks instead. Regardless of the outcome, I will be entertained and that was very much the case for the newest addition of The Strangers. It was a popcorn flick through and through! Let’s discuss in a spoiler free setting, as always. But, before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on the film for harm to animals, disturbing content, and graphic violence. Now, let’s get to it:

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

The Strangers – Chapter 2 picks up exactly where Chapter 1 left off. The lone survivor, Maya, is recovering in the hospital after her terrifying first ordeal with The Strangers and is grieving the loss of her beloved fiance. She is wounded, in pain, and an emotional wreck but her problems are far from over. She is the only one who has ever survived an encounter with The Strangers and they aren’t going to let it stay that way. They have already infiltrated the hospital and the mad chase begins.

As Maya becomes the hunted once more, she emerges from the hospital into the rainy night in Venus, Oregon. Is there anyone she can really trust, though? Everywhere she turns, it seems like the whole small town is in on it and The Strangers know her every move before she even makes it. During moments of blessed solitude when Maya tends to her wounds, we learn flashbacks about Pin-Up Girl and Scarecrow when they were children in school as well as the origins of the question on everyone’s mind: Who is Tamara? Maya’s time alone is always short lived and she is outnumbered and has no one or nowhere to turn for help. Will she survive her second night being hunted by The Strangers? We’re going to have to wait for Chapter 3!

As I mentioned earlier, the reviews for The Strangers – Chapter 2 were anything but flattering and it scored a whopping eighteen percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The main qualms being that The Strangers should have been a stand alone film and that we don’t need a backstory into the three villains. My thoughts? The first Strangers movie was brilliant. It’s actually one of my favorite movies and I can see why people would say that it should have just been left alone. Its predecessors pale in comparison but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t entertaining. As for the backstory on The Strangers themselves, I am so there for it. Yes, it’s harrowing that their original reason for their murderous spree was “because you were home”. However, it is enticing to me to learn exactly why that is and how the whole town plays a part in it.

The Strangers – Chapter 2 was fast paced and clocked at just under an hour and forty minutes. For its entire duration, I was on the edge of my seat. It had plenty of good jump scares and the fact that The Strangers always seem to be everywhere was so suspenseful. Even more so because it was easy to root for Maya – seriously can that poor girl catch a break? I was genuinely bummed out when the movie ended on a To Be Continued because I wanted it to keep going and wanted to know more. I don’t know, I really liked it!

Overall, I am going to rate The Strangers – Chapter 2 with a seven out of ten stars. If you are a fan of this franchise, go into it with no preconceived notions. I think you will like it too!

What is your favorite scary movie? What did you think of The Strangers – Chapter 2? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct2

Lil Red’s Book Club: Peaches For Father Francis By Joanne Harris Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Peaches For Father Francis By Joanne Harris 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 the fourth installment of the Chocolat series by Joanne Harris called Peaches For Father Francis. I have been a fan of Joanne Harris for a long time and when I learned that a prequel to Chocolat called Vianne was recently released, I just had to revisit the best little chocolateer in all of Paris. I have so enjoyed reading through the series and regret not rereading Chocolat to start with. It has been a phat minute since I read that book! However, I know the outline well enough and that has not made reading any of its predecessors anything short of a delightful experience. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Peaches For Father Francis for sexual assault, violence, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

Vianne, Roux, Anouk, and Rosette are finally a family and living together on a houseboat in Paris. They live simply, love fiercely, and savor every moment together like it’s their last. Life is so good, but the winds are changing and with it brings a letter. A letter from a beloved friend back in Lansquenet who is deceased. In her letter, she states that there are people in Lansquenet who need her and her final wish is for Vianne to return to the little town where it all began. To the tiny village where, eight years ago, she opened her chocolaterie with Anouk and sent the ultra religious into a frenzy that was headed by Father Francis Reynaud. Vianne’s memories of Lansquenet are bittersweet but she cannot refuse her friend’s parting wish and decides to take the girls on a little vacation.

Upon their arrival to Lansquenet, nothing and everything has changed. There are familiar faces and those who Vianne does not recognize. Since her departure from Lansquenet, a Muslim community has settled downriver. At first, things were very peaceful between the villagers and their new neighbors. Children played games in the streets, the adults mingled over coffee, and friends were made. Of course, Father Reynaud has never been open to strangers as we know with his tumultuous past with Vianne. He tolerates the new members of Lansquenet but finds himself questioning everything about them. Their religion, their clothing, and their traditions that are so far away from the gospel he preaches.

As tensions between Father Reynaud and the leader of the Muslim community rise, everyone in Lansquenet can sense it and begin to separate themselves. No more games, no more meals shared but each side remaining on their half of the Tannes river. In a shocking turn of events, the chocolate shop Vianne used to run which is now a Muslim school for girls is set aflame. Its residents, a mysterious woman and her daughter, are unharmed but the damage has been done and Father Reynaud takes the brunt of the blame.

Father Reynaud who has been a long term staple in Lansquenet becomes a stranger. His church is being taken over by a younger, more progressive priest. He is no longer invited to say mass and passerbys on the street can barely mask their disgust. Is this how Vianne felt when she first came to Lansquenet? Unwanted and unloved? To bring both communities back together again is beyond what Father Reynaud can do on his own. But with Vianne back in Lansquenet, he comes as close as he can to begging for her assistance. With a little magic, can Vianne return peace to the little town that will always be in her heart? Or will both sides be forever divided? Read Peaches For Father Francis to find out!

I have mixed feelings about Peaches For Father Francis. After reading The Girl With No Shadow, I not only had a taste for chocolate but more along those same lines. A fabulous new character, the sense of danger, and the delicate dance in the balance of good and evil. Peaches For Father Francis delivered on drama, yes, but I simply didn’t like it as much as the book that came prior. This novel swapped between Vianne and Father Reynaud’s point of view and I would have preferred it if another person from the Muslim community was thrown into the mix. At the end of the day, Reynaud and Vianne were essentially seeing the exact same things and it made for a lackluster read. In The Girl With No Shadow the story weaved between Vianne, Anouk, and the fantastic Zozie so we were getting the point of view from characters that ranged in age and desires. The story came to life whereas Peaches For Father Francis felt stuck.

Well over the first half of the book did nothing for me although things really picked up with the remainder. The very slow burn was finally ready to burst but by the time it did it felt like it was too late for the momentum to carry. I found myself counting down the pages to its completion and as I read The Girl With No Shadow, I didn’t want it to end. While it is always nice to be reunited with Vianne, the girls, and Roux, this was not the strongest book in the series. Despite the wishy washy sentiments, I am excited to read The Strawberry Thief next and conclude my Chocolat journey with the prequel.

Overall, I am going to rate Peaches For Father Francis with a five and a half out of ten stars. I am happy to have read it to further the series but I am even happier to be done with it!

What are you currently reading? What are your thoughts on the Chocolat series? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep25

Groovy Movies: Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Edition

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Groovy Movies: Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Edition

Hello! I absolutely love going to the movies and I have been particularly excited for the newest addition to Demon Slayer called Infinity Castle. Thanks to my brother, I am a HUGE Demon Slayer fan and have beaucoup tattoos to prove it! As you can see, Demon Slayer is easily one of my favorite animes and I knew I was in for a treat with Infinity Castle. It exceeded every expectation and I left the theater speechless as I took everything in. It has been close to a week since I’ve seen it and I still can’t stop thinking about it! As always, this review will be spoiler free and a trigger warning will be placed for graphic animated violence. Now, let’s get to it:

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

The Infinity Castle is Muzan Kibutsuji’s stronghold. It is a shifting, sprawling dimension that seemingly goes on for all eternity. Every step taken causes the castle to move and brings you closer to upper rank demons who want nothing more than to make a meal of the Demon Slayer Corps. Death looms around every corner and it is up to Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and hashiras to defeat the upper ranks and find Kibutsuji. As the Demon Slayers make their way through the castle, their limits will be pushed to the extreme in heated battles that could end with certain doom or the glory to fight another minute. Will our beloved characters pull through in the most intense battles they have ever faced? See Demon Slayer Infinity Castle to find out!

Infinity Castle was a straight forward plot: Breach the castle and fight like your lives depend on it. Due to its simplicity, it allowed you to sit back and watch every single frame amaze you. Demon Slayer has always been visually beautiful but I view Infinity Castle as its piece de resistance. It was thrilling to see the Infinity Castle expand to no ends and change on a whim, forever pushing the Demon Slayers forward or back as it saw fit. The castle was a character in itself and you never knew what it was going to do next – provide our team with a moment of contemplation or shove them headfirst into a battle with an upper rank demon. Every second of this movie was a cause for celebration – the colors, the angles, the anguish or compassion in our heroes’ eyes. It was bold and so in your face that all you could do was enjoy the ride. I was so engrossed that by the time the two and a half hour flick was over, I would have given anything to see more.

Of course it was exciting to see the epic fights our core three got themselves into but one thing I really loved was the different hashiras who finally got their day in the sun. The Demon Slayer Corps is compiled of so many hashiras we haven’t seen extensively and it was awesome to be reunited with Mr. Giyu and meet Gyomei and Obanai for more than five seconds. Watching a showdown with Giyu and Tanjiro battling together was a major highlight and it was so cool to watch their specialties work in tandem with each other… And also fan girling about how strong they each have gotten!

My favorite thing about Demon Slayer isn’t just the fighting, but the emotion that comes with it. Tanjiro has the gift of finding the good in everyone and everything he encounters. He is able to sympathize with demons in a way that no character can and by the time you are done seeing as Tanjiro does, you find yourself feeling sorry for them too. Sorry that their lives were so dark and cruel that it resulted in a lifetime of causing other people pain. It’s such an interesting juxtaposition that Demon Slayer creates. You go from rooting for the good fight to feeling an intense rush of empathy so quickly you get whiplash. It makes for a spectacle that is both stunning and exciting to watch but leaves you rethinking how you originally felt afterwards. I sure can’t seem to get my mind off of it!

I am going to award Demon Slayer Infinity Castle with the coveted ten out of ten stars. From start to finish, this movie was perfection and I would absolutely love to see it again!

What is your favorite anime? What did you think of Infinity Castle? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep13

Groovy Movies: The Conjuring Last Rites Edition

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Groovy Movies: The Conjuring Last Rites Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! If you are a horror movie fan like me, it is your time to shine because there are SO many good scary flicks that have come out or are due to be released soon. One that I was particularly looking forward to was the fourth installment of The Conjuring called Last Rites. I think we can all agree that the first movie was excellent, the second was so so, and the third one sucked on ice. However, those sentiments did not deter me one bit from wanting to see what happens next and I’m glad for it. The Conjuring 4 was better than the second and third one combined! As always, this will be a spoiler free review but I’ll be placing a trigger warning on the movie for pregnancy difficulties, injury to an animal, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

^^^ I have no rights to this video!!

Ed and Lorraine Warren are getting older and have decided to put their paranormal investigations on an indeterminate hiatus for Ed’s declining heart health. Their days are now spent lecturing and doting on their beloved daughter, Judy, who is now all grown up and dating a young man named Tony. Like her mom, Judy is increasingly having visions of the dead and things that have already happened and are yet to come. It’s a balancing act but both of the ladies manage it the best that they can. Aside from these visions, the Warren’s lives are quiet and peaceful which is in sharp contrast to the Smurl family in a small town called Pittston in Pennsylvania.

The Smurl family compiles of the parents, four daughters, and the father’s parents. They are a devout Catholic family who is in the process of celebrating the confirmation of Heather. The family has a good meal, cake, and Heather is treated to a huge gift from her grandparents: An antique mirror that is as beautiful as it is creepy. Just as soon as the mirror is unwrapped, the entire family begins experiencing paranormal activity to the highest degree. We’re talking levitation, items moving, terrifying spirits, injuries to the family, and a puke storm that would make the little girl in The Exorcist jealous.

Try as they might, the Smurl family cannot find help to rid their home of the angry spirits and take their scary story to the news. The Warren’s are none the wiser about this case but Judy has been keeping up to date and feels the Smurl household drawing her in. After tragedy strikes a dear friend who tried to help the Smurl family, Judy heads to Pennsylvania and her parents follow suit. By the time they arrive in Pittston, Grandma Smurl is being wheeled into an ambulance because something pushed her down the stairs. Judy has already offered her assistance and Ed and Lorraine reluctantly agree to help too. What happens next? You’re going to have to see The Conjuring: Last Rites to find out!

For the most part, I enjoyed this movie. My main qualm I had with it was the pacing because this was a slow burn and I mean slow. The first forty minutes or so of Last Rites was a back and forth situation. It got you up to speed on the Warrens and Judy’s relationship while showing minor instances of the Smurl family haunting. All the while, I was mentally willing this part of the flick to hurry the hell up because I wanted to get to the good stuff. The scary stuff! What transpired in the Smurl home really was scary but it felt like it was over before it even began. The major portion of their haunting consisted of roughly the last thirty-five minutes of the movie and it didn’t feel like it was enough. I always felt like The Conjuring films had an issue with pacing and Last Rites was a shining example of my complaints.

Other than the choppiness of the movie, it really came together once all of the key players of the film were together. Last Rites provided scares reminiscent of the first Conjuring movie – perhaps even more scary. I will never forget my level of fear seeing the first one in theaters and definitely was having similar reactions all of these years later. Also, it is worth saying that any movie with Patrick Wilson is alright by me because he is a dreamboat! If you are a fan of The Conjuring franchise, Last Rites is definitely a must see. Was it great? Absolutely not. But all in all it was a pretty good conclusion to the series.

I am going to rate The Conjuring: Last Rites with a six out of ten stars. It was certainly above average and I will happily watch it again when it comes out on streaming services!

What is your favorite scary movie? What is the last movie you saw in theaters? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep3

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Homemade God By Rachel Joyce Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Homemade God By Rachel Joyce 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 the newest novel by Rachel Joyce called The Homemade God. Like my last book club review, this was a far cry from my normal thrillers but an absolutely delightful read. I already knew I was in for a treat before even reading the first page because Rachel Joyce authored one of my all time favorite books, The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry. Of course, nothing will beat the best of the best but I very much enjoyed The Homemade God! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning for addiction, self harm, miscarriage, and the death of a parent. Now, let’s get to it:

Netta, Susan, Goose (Gustav), and Iris are quite possibly the closest siblings you will ever meet. They talk on the phone constantly, see each other as often as humanly possible, and know each other better than they know themselves. This close knit group is held together by the glue of the family, their father who is a world famous artist named Vic. Perhaps, they are held together in spite of him. As their mother died when the children were young, Vic was the only parent they knew but he was an absent one.

In their youth, Vic would be gone for days on end. He could be on a bender. He could be locked away in his studio drunk and working on a painting. This left the care of the siblings up to the eldest child, Netta, and in each of their own ways they were parenting their own parent too. As adults, this sentiment remains the same because Vic is still an alcoholic and when they speak, it is usually about him. Regardless of their sad upbringing, each child fully believes that the world revolves around their dad and his world revolves around them and his art. Until it doesn’t.

At a family lunch, Vic declares that he is in love, getting married, and will be creating a new masterpiece. The children are dumbstruck as they didn’t even know their father was dating. But it gets worse. His bride to be, Bella-Mae, is only twenty-seven years old and they have only been together for six weeks. Their pleas to reconsider are meaningless to seventy-six year old Vic because his mind has already been made up. He and Bella-Mae will be married at their beautiful villa on Lake Orta in Italy and when his kids meet her, they will be crazy about her too.

The only problem is, the children don’t meet her. Every plan for luncheons or tea are foiled to last minute cancellations and their minds begin to swim. Is she a grifter who is eager for Vic’s substantial fortune? Is she forcing him into something he doesn’t truly want? For all they know and which they really do consider, she could be a porn star. The siblings decide that the best thing to do is to drop contact with their father. The fling will fizz out, he will realize he was being ridiculous, and will eventually return to them when he has dealt with the embarrassment. Vic does contact his kids again. With an invitation to Lake Orta to celebrate the wedding that has already transpired.

Of course, the siblings have no intention of traveling to their home away from home until their hands are forced. Vic has died and it is up to them to arrange for his body to be transported back to England and finally meet Bella-Mae. They do have their inheritances to sort out, after all. Heartbroken and exhausted, the kids arrive at Lake Orta and can’t help but to be suspicious. Their father died of unusual circumstances and Bella-Mae’s eccentric cousin has made himself at home in the villa. Who is this mysterious woman who is now their father’s widow? And is she the one to blame for his death? Read The Homemade God to find out!

The Homemade God was a wonderful study on the inner workings of a dysfunctional family. The toils, the tender moments, downfalls, and reunions that can change the trajectory of the lives of all effected. Rachel Joyce did an incredible job of creating the characters of the children of the eccentric but deeply troubled father. While some were larger than life than others, it was easy to see yourself in at least one of them. Are you strong willed and brazen like Netta? Maybe you are more of a follower like Susan. Could you be approval seeking like Goose? Or perhaps you are like Iris, a delicate flower who has yet to fully bloom. Their individual relationships with their dad molded them into the caricatures they are today and his death allows them to discover themselves for the very first time.

There were plenty of sad parts to go around in The Homemade God but there was so much good too. The way the light hits the lake surrounding the villa, the stories the children share that still makes them laugh, and the confirmation that life will continue to go on in any way you choose. The Homemade God is also a friendly reminder to never judge a book by its cover with an ending that I considered to be perfect. An ending that invites new beginnings and a celebration of life, art, and love.

Overall, I am going to rate The Homemade God with a seven out of ten stars. I don’t think it was one of Rachel Joyce’s strongest novels and I have read almost all of hers. It is, however, well worth the read especially if you are a fan of her work!

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

Aug21

Lil Red’s Book Club: My Friends By Fredrik Backman Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: My Friends By Fredrik Backman 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 newest novel by Fredrik Backman called My Friends. This book is a major change of pace from my normal thrillers but is easily one of the best ones I have ever read and I truly cannot recommend it enough. It has been several days since I finished it and I can’t stop thinking about it and talking about it to literally any and everyone! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on my friends for domestic and child abuse, violence, and sexual assault. Now, let’s get to it:

Louisa has run away from her foster home but as she says, she will turn eighteen tomorrow and technically that doesn’t make her missing. It simply makes her gone. Her only person in the world, Fish, has returned to Mother Earth and she is completely alone. Minus one thing that makes her happy, a postcard of her favorite, most beloved painting in the world. It is called The One of the Sea and was the first painting ever made by the artist, C. Jat. It is being sold at an auction this very night and she will finally be able to see the only beautiful thing she has ever had with her own eyes.

Granted, being in the auction is easier said than done. Sure, she can pass as a waitress for the uber rich but they know. They know she is not one of them and a bitter old woman declares her a cockroach. Louisa does not take kindly to that at all and her sharp mouth gets her instantly thrown out of the gallery and a call is made to the police. So, she takes her backpack full of her meager belongings that is primarily made up of spray paint, goes to the alleyway behind the gallery, and begins to decorate it.

In the alley, she meets a homeless man and what she presumes to be his cat. He appears to be desperately sick and frail and can barely speak. The man likes what she is painting very much and he is the nicest adult Louisa has ever met. As he was so kind to her, she decides to be kind to him and offers him her postcard that provides her only source of comfort. Now, he can have something beautiful too and they paint together. With his spray paint, the man creates his signature until they are rudely interrupted by the police and a wild chase ensues. Before Louisa runs away, she promises the man she will find him tomorrow and they can paint again.

As Louisa makes her getaway, the police are questioning the homeless man when they are interrupted again. This time, by a friend. His name is Ted and he tells the police that the man isn’t homeless at all. He is the artist whose painting, The One of the Sea, is being auctioned off. The artist passes out, wakes up in the hospital with Ted by his side, and with his dying breath tells him to find Louisa because she is one of them. And that is when the real story begins.

Ted finds Louisa in the alleyway where she promised the artist she would meet him and has something for her. He hands her a box that contains the most wonderful painting in the world. The artist said that artists should die poor and he sold all of his belongings to buy back his painting and see it hanging up one more time. Rather than be delighted, Louisa is affronted. How can she possibly be responsible for a painting so beautiful and valuable? And what in the world is she going to do with it? Everyone will think it was stolen.

After copious amounts of bickering, Ted goes against his better judgement and agrees to let Louisa come with him back to his hometown. There is someone there who might be able to help sell the painting. The unlikely pair board a train. Louisa who knows no fear and Ted who is afraid of everything. Ted isn’t just a random person though, he is one of the people in the painting. You see, The One of the Sea isn’t of the sea at all. Sure, there is the sea and a pier, but it’s a painting of laughter. A painting of three teenagers that you can just barely make out who look like they are in stitches together. Barely anyone notices them in the painting because they are looking at the sea but they are all Louisa can think about.

Every night, Louisa would go to sleep thinking about those friends. Thinking that when she woke up, she would be at the pier with them and they would teach her how to swim. They were her friends too. She asks Ted to tell her all about them and he does. He tells her of the summer when three people changed his life for forever. Rather, how they changed each other’s lives. And after that summer, none of them will ever be the same. Who were these remarkable people? And who was the artist, really? Read My Friends to find out!

Reading My Friends was like reading a book of poetry. Fredrik Backman crafted every single word in this book with the most tender care and you could find something that moves you in every sentence. Something that makes you laugh out loud, something that makes you cry, something that makes you happy to feel anything at all. And, believe you me, I did a lot of crying while reading this book. But I also laughed and fell in love with each character and it was such a cathartic experience.

My Friends goes back and forth from real time to Ted’s story twenty-five years ago and you could swear that it just happened yesterday. And, in a way, it is because Louisa is hearing it for the very first time too. And, through his story, Louisa is able to see real beauty for the first time in her life. She is able to be wrapped in words by an adult who doesn’t raise his voice or fists. She drives Ted absolutely crazy but is simply impossible not to love. Louisa reminded the artist of his own friends and through their journey, Ted learns that she is one of them indeed. Maybe more than anyone else in the whole world and it was a gift to read both of their worlds expand. To learn that no one is really as alone as they may seem.

I am going to award My Friends with a ten million out of ten stars. This is a book for everyone and should not be skipped on. I think you will love it just as much as I did!

Have you read My Friends yet? What did you think of it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug13

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Woman In Suite 11 By Ruth Ware Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Woman In Suite 11 By Ruth Ware 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 long awaited sequel to Ruth Ware’s The Woman In Cabin 10 called The Woman In Suite 11. I have to admit that it has been a phat minute since I read The Woman In Cabin 10 – it was six years ago so I was a little blurry on the details that were referred to throughout The Woman In Suite 11. However, after reading a summary or two, it all came back to me and this was a fairly decent follow up to one of Ware’s best sellers. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Woman In Suite 11 for violence and sexual assault references. Now, let’s get to it:

We are reunited with Laura “Lo” Blacklock in New York City with her beloved husband Judah and precious children Eli and Teddy. Since her traumatizing experience aboard The Aurora, Lo had her fifteen minutes of fame with her best selling memoir, Dark Waters. However, she has been out of the travel journalist game since having children and processing her near death experience. She’s not over it completely, but she’s doing so much better than before. With her children now preschool age, Lo finds herself seeking purpose and has a hankering for a new writing gig to sink her teeth into.

Like magic, an invitation arrives in the mail for a soft launch of The Hotel du Lac located on beautiful Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The ultra posh property belongs to businessman, Marcus Leidmann, who is expanding his empire to luxury resorts. A handful of influencers and food and travel journalists will be there and Lo considers it a fine tip of the hat to be thought of after not writing for so long. With encouragement from Judah, Lo decides to go for it and hops a flight to assist in the success of the launch with the best of the best in the business. Not only will she be creating articles for the new hotel, but she even has a request from an old contact from the Financial Times to do a profile on the elusive Leidmann who keeps his life totally private.

The Hotel du Lac is more incredible than Lo could have ever imagined and she is ready for an amazing time and to reignite her career. As the other guests arrive, Lo is shocked to find that several people who were aboard The Aurora are also at the hotel. She chalks it up to a coincidence – the travel journalism sector is quite small, after all. It doesn’t mean she has to be happy about it, though, and after a fairly awkward banquet, Lo can’t wait to retire to her room and decompress. R&R will have to wait because in her room there is a note that requests her immediate presence in Suite 11. Thrilled by the prospect of scoring an interview with Leidmann, Lo hightails it to the suite and isn’t greeted by Marcus but the ghost of Christmas past… Carrie.

Lo has not seen or heard from Carrie since they saved each other aboard The Aurora ten years prior. Rather than catching up on the past decade, Carrie divulges a dark secret. Her and Marcus are together and their union is anything but loving. Marcus is a monster as are his plethora of henchmen and employees. As terrible as he is to her, Carrie can’t leave. Marcus knows about what happened on the yacht to Norway and will turn her into the authorities should she escape his grasp. That’s where Lo comes in.

Carrie has a plan that she deems to be foolproof to get her freedom back. Lo doesn’t have to do anything dangerous. All she has to do is let Carrie use her British passport, Lo will use her American one, they will take a train to England, and rendezvous at a fancy hotel as Carrie’s way of saying thank you. What could possibly go wrong? A murder, perhaps? Before she knows it, Lo finds herself as the prime suspect for the suspicious death of one of the world’s most powerful men and Carrie is nowhere to be found. Will Lo solve the mystery in time before she winds up in jail for a crime she didn’t commit? Read The Woman In Suite 11 to find out!

I have read a ton of Ruth Ware books and I have found the majority of them to be incredibly… fine. They always fall under the category of “good but not great” and that is exactly how I feel about The Woman In Suite 11. I found Lo to be super cool in The Woman In Cabin 10 and that sentiment remained in the sequel. She’s an excellent leading lady and is such an easy character to root for, especially in this plot. After all she has been through, of course you want to see her succeed and protect her from the mess she finds herself entwined in. Every time another foot was about to drop in The Woman In Suite 11, I felt so scared for her!

As much as I like Lo, I really found this sequel to be unnecessary. Honestly, it was the same plot as The Woman In Cabin 10 with different details. It made the predecessor feel like a regurgitation of the OG without adding anything fresh or new. And, I’m sorry to say it, I couldn’t freaking stand Carrie who played a major role this time around. She was just SO extra all the time and while I understand the juxtaposition between Carrie being too much and Lo’s steely confidence, it became irritating to a fault. Try as I might, she was a difficult character to get behind fully and that’s how the reader should have felt. And, when Carrie left Lo high and dry with murder charges looming over her, all I could feel was downright resentful.

Overall, I am going to rate The Woman In Suite 11 with a five out of ten stars. If you really want to read the sequel to The Woman In Cabin 10, go for it. You will not be missing out on anything if you don’t though!

What are your thoughts on The Woman In Suite 11? How do you feel about Ruth Ware’s other books? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul31

Lil Red’s Book Club: Don’t Let Him In By Lisa Jewell Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Don’t Let Him In By Lisa Jewell 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 the latest thriller by Lisa Jewell called Don’t Let Him In. This was a particularly fun read because I had the pleasure of attending a special Zoom conference with Jewell through the library system to talk about this book prior to its release last month. It was really cool to read this book with knowledge straight from the author herself and I read ravenously. I finished it in two sittings! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Don’t Let Him In for violence and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

Ash is in her mid twenties and had her life upturned once before due to an intense struggle with mental health. One year later, just as she is getting her bearings in her parents’ home, life throws another curveball. Her beloved father, Paddy, was pushed onto train tracks by a man suffering from schizophrenia. In the midst of the family’s despair, it is up to Paddy’s widow, Nina, to maintain his business as an owner and chef to a popular chain of restaurants. As time passes, Ash continues to struggle with the loss of her dad. Nina, on the other hand, is getting back into the swing of things. She has been messaging with a man named Nick, an old colleague of Paddy, who sent a letter offering his condolences. Of course, Ash finds this to be moving too quickly, but Nina is ready to take back her life and that means dating too.

Ash begrudgingly meets her mom’s new suitor and is instantly put off. Nick is tall, handsome, successful, and perfect. So why hasn’t he been married or have any children of his own? All Ash has right now is her own feelings that something isn’t right but she is keeping them to herself. Her mom is happy – glowing even and she might chalk up Ash’s concerns to her mental illness. These feelings, however, cannot be pushed aside and she fears that Nick doesn’t really have her mother’s best interests at heart. Is he truly as perfect and in love as he presents himself to be or is he after something else entirely? Money, perhaps from the Paddy’s empire?

Rather than live with her suspicion, Ash begins to dig. She snoops in Nick’s pockets and finds nothing but questions. A doggy bag to collect waste although Nick has no dogs. A pacifier clip but Nick has no kids. He offers reasonable explanations to each item but it’s just not good enough. So, Ash digs deeper. She enlists the help of Paddy’s ex-girlfriend, Jane, under the guise of wanting to learn more about her dad and his old coworker Nick. Jane, who was certifiably obsessed with Paddy claims to have no knowledge of an acquaintance named Nick and every red flag in Ash’s being goes up. This is proof right here and now that Nick is not who he claims to be. So, the newly found team digs deeper. What they find? A web of lies that have been spinning long before Nick and Nina ever began speaking. How many other people have fell victim to Nick? And who is he really? Read Don’t Let Him In to find out!

I realize that this synopsis is incredibly vague. BUT, Lil Red’s Book Club is a spoiler free setting and sharing anymore is going to ruin Don’t Let Him In. I would so hate to do that because it really was a gripping read. It was fast paced and filled with absolutely delicious twists and turns. As you all know, I fancy myself an amateur sleuth when I read. Normally, I despise when I can call every shot in a book before it happens and that was very much the case for Don’t Let Him In. Surprisingly enough, I still enjoyed the hell out of it. I’m not sure if it’s because I attended the talk about this book with Lisa Jewell or if it was truly that good. Maybe a little bit of both?

I wouldn’t say that I was particularly attached to any of the characters in this book. For all of Ash’s determination to find the truth, I found her to be quite boring. Having said that, every character in this book was in a dangerous situation. A situation that could go from bad to worse based on mood alone and, as a reader, all you could do was sit back and watch it happen. This made each victim SO easy to root for because we saw clearly who the “bad man” was and they were none the wiser. Lisa Jewell is brilliant at bringing urgency to every single page and it certainly kept me turning them!

Overall, I am going to rate Don’t Let Him In with a six and a half out of ten stars. Upon further reflection, I do think attending the talk with Jewell impacted my opinion of this book. That doesn’t take away from the fact that it was a great story, though, and I would still highly recommend giving it a shot!

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

Jul27

Lil Red’s Book Club: Fresh Off The Boat By Eddie Huang Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Fresh Off The Boat By Eddie Huang 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 memoir by Eddie Huang called Fresh Off The Boat. A memoir is a far cry from the fast paced thrillers that I normally read. However, Fresh Off The Boat is a book that I have been most eager to sink my teeth into. Johnny and I absolutely love the TV show of the same name and I was so curious to see how accurately the Huang family was portrayed after reading the book. I was SHOOK to find out that the family friendly comedy sitcom took A LOT of liberties lol. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Fresh Off The Boat for child abuse and general violence. Now, let’s get to it:

Eddie Huang is the eldest son of Jessica and Louis and big bro to Emery and Evan. His parents immigrated from Taiwan and China, respectively, and were Fresh Off The Boat in America trying to create a better life and, of course, make lots and lots of money. Louis found his fortune by opening restaurants in Orlando, Florida and his family joined him there after his businesses began turning a hefty profit. Eddie became the new kid and not just any new kid. A Chinese-American kid and one of the very few in the area.

As Eddie grew up, he struggled to find a place to belong. His parents were not merely strict but abusive and everything about Eddie stuck out like a sore thumb. He was called every slur in the book by his peers, got beat up consistently, found no comfort at home, and turned to hip-hop music as not only his favorite thing but his friend. Eddie was an angry child and couldn’t understand what was so different about him to warrant treatment like that. So he took to using his own words and his fists to keep him from getting hurt.

Eventually, Eddie did make friends but they were constantly getting in trouble. He was in detention on the daily, suspended nonstop, and loved drinking and drugs. However, one fateful conversation with his insanely stern father after his little brother narc-ed on him for drug use helped change his destructive downward spiral. Eddie began actually trying in school, became interested in his roots, and was determined to be a Chinese-American in his own way. Not how his parents want him to be, but how he wants to be.

After graduating high school, Eddie moved on to college and obtained his degrees. The problem was, he found no passion in the jobs that he could snag with his education. So he made a list of jobs that he wanted to have instead. Some of them were far fetched. Some of them were achievable and that was all the encouragement he needed to dive in. Eddie found solid footing as a stand up comedian but he wasn’t up to telling the same jokes night after night after night. After ditching comedy, Eddie turned to a new goal on his list: Open a restaurant.

Not only did Eddie love to eat, but he had a true love of cooking too. Everyone in his family was an excellent cook and all his life, he watched and learned. Eddie knew what he wanted in his own restaurant: A place where people could come to kick it and enjoy Chinese-Taiwanese food with sustainable ingredients and an affordable price. Thus, Baohaus was born on the Lower East Side of New York… The rest? You’re just going to have to read for yourself!

Holy WOW was Fresh Off The Boat a fun, occasionally heartbreaking, consistently hilarious, and inspiring read. As an avid fan of the TV show, I was expecting a lot of similarities between that and the book. While there were a fair amount of things that the show got right, the book turned what I thought I knew about the Huang family on its head. They weren’t a picture perfect family at all. Rather, a family that fought, hurt each other, and never had those classic heartwarming sitcom moments in the slightest. All the while, Eddie was in the middle just trying to find his own way.

I absolutely loved the way that Eddie wrote this book because it is written exactly how he speaks. It’s not perfect and that’s okay. What it is is real. A real person speaking about his real experiences as no one but himself. And who Eddie is is a driven, creative, talented, and damned funny to boot dude. There were countless instances as I read Fresh Off The Boat where I wasn’t just laughing out loud but cackling lol. Eddie told his own story in his own style and wasn’t afraid to make jokes at his own expense or anyone’s expense for that matter. For all of his shit talking, Eddie has a lot of heart and will inspire anyone, no matter where they’re from, to make their own way too.

Overall, I am going to rate Fresh Off The Boat with an eight out of ten stars. I really enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to digging into his other book, Double Cup Love, next!

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

Jul23

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Doorman By Chris Pavone Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Doorman By Chris Pavone 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 novel of suspense called The Doorman by Chris Pavone. I read Pavone’s most well known book, Two Nights In Lisbon, about three years ago and it received a lackluster review and star rating. Unfortunately, The Doorman did nothing for me either and will be following suit. This will definitely be the last book I read by this author but let’s chat about it anyways! Before we begin, I will be putting a trigger warning on The Doorman for general violence and sexual assault. Now, let’s get to it:

The Bohemia apartments in New York City are home to the richest of the rich. People so rich that money means nothing to them. It is home to award winners, celebrities, CEOs, and anyone that falls under the category of the “one percent”. Of course, even people with an endless supply of cash have problems and secrets too. They just have the means to cover it up.

In the most expensive suite of the Bohemia, we have Emily and Whit Longworth and their two small children. Whit made his fortune in military equipment and provides supplies for both the good and the bad. Emily has a passion for art, but put a lot of her own self aside to become the definition of “stay at home mom”. Now, she handles PTA meetings, board meetings for places she donates to, and managing the staff that keeps her luxury penthouse pristine. Oh yeah, she also hates her husband’s guts.

A far more modest apartment in the Bohemia is Julian, his wife Jennifer, and their two teenage children. Jules is co founder of an art gallery and has even provided pieces for the Longworth’s suite. He is a freshly turned fifty year old man who lives life as simply as possible and with as little strain as possible too. Julian has a heart valve condition that could kill him instantaneously should he push himself too much. The thing is, he can’t afford the live saving surgery and he might not be able to save his marriage either. Julian and Jennifer’s relationship has come to a standstill and with his own mortality on the line, Jules decides to live dangerously. An affair can’t cause his heart to get any worse, can it?

Finally, we have Chicky. Chicky isn’t a resident at the Bohemia but a doorman to the residents. He sees all, he hears all, and spends his days manning the gates with a huge smile plastered on his face. For as happy as Chicky’s demeanor is, he has his own problems. Chicky is in debt. We’re talking debt debt from hospital bills for his late wife, back rent, and his children’s education. He is on the verge of eviction and the loan shark who he turned to is not waiting patiently for his money back. Chicky’s life is on the line every day and nothing can be done unless he gets a small fortune and fast. An amount that a resident at the Bohemia wouldn’t even miss.

As the stories of our three key players interweave, big changes are in store for all of them and our final character: New York City, itself. Black men are being murdered by the police and the long overdue revolution has finally taken to the streets. On the night of the biggest protest yet, militia style counter protesters arrive. What started out as a safe and peaceful protest has turned to violence as the counter protestors spew their hatred and wield weapons. In their own way, Emily, Jules, and Chicky are all in the thick of the protest and everything will change tonight. For the better? Read The Doorman to find out! Or don’t!!!!!!!

From start to finish, I was ready for The Doorman to be over lol but I powered through. Similarly to my review of Two Nights In Lisbon, I quite liked the story line of The Doorman. Once again, however, my main issue came from Chris Pavone’s writing. The Doorman read like a book that was specifically made for people who live in New York City. It was constantly bogged down with sprawling litanies of different locations both well known and obscure, restaurants, and an endless array of street names. It turned what could have been a relatively straight forward read into something convoluted and generally uninteresting if you are like me and had NO idea about anything or any place Pavone was writing about.

Not only did Pavone name drop every single location that ever existed in NYC, he was just name dropping willy nilly. There were SO many characters that just popped in with no introduction or explanation and if he did finally get around to it, the minor characters in question had already been forgotten. These unimportant additions took away from the key players themselves who all felt close to a cohesive whole but not there yet. At the blessed end of the book, I didn’t feel any type of way about anyone except Whit and not in the good way because he actively sucked. I refuse to not finish anything that I start reading and it was such a happy moment when I could shut The Doorman for good!

Overall, I am going to rate The Doorman with a three out of ten stars. Two lower than Two Nights In Lisbon. I absolutely would NOT recommend this book so skip on it for sure and use your summer reading time to dive into something you really enjoy!

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