The One by John Marrs

4 Stars!!  “To love or have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further. There is no other pearl to be found in the dark folds of life.” —Victor Hugo, Les Misérables”  How far would you go to find The One?  A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for. That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. 10 years ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love. Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others… This is my second John Marrs book. I just recently read The Good Samaritan by him and if you haven't read it - what are you doing?!?! GO READ IT- anyways I now want to read all his books!! I came across this one and ... The premise was so intriguing - I couldn't help but get my hands on it and I was not disappointed!!  This is one of the most unique books that I have read in a while. It is told from multiple POVs - but dont let that get you down because it worked! It flowed nicely and keeps you on the edge of your seat!! You become completely addicted to the drama that is unfolding in each characters life and its all consuming. I could not imagine this happening in real life. I see the benefits of it but I feel like this would be more of a disaster than anything. It sounds nice until it starts screwing with peoples lives and families. It is a crazy concept and I absolutely loved all the twists and turns!!  HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

A Dark Lure by Loreth Anne White

4 Stars!! 

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But sometimes people are broken and don’t know how to mend because they aren’t able to say what they need or deeply want. Sometimes you get to a point in life where you realize you’ve made a terrible mistake and you desperately need to fix it, but it’s so deep and bitterly ingrained you can’t start.” 

12 years ago, Sarah Baker was abducted and assaulted for months before escaping. Her captor was caught, but Sarah lost the life she loved, her family and a child. 

While struggling with PTSD, Sarah changes her name to Oliva and finds a job and sanctuary living and working at Broken Bar Ranch. As soon as her scars are finally beginning to heal. All hell breaks loose. The cop involved with her case all those years ago, remains convinced that the real killer/abductor is still out there. He sets a lure for him and a new body is discovered. Now Olivia has to face the past again- could it really be him?? Did he come back to finish the Job?

As winter approaches the ranch, only one person can help Olivia. Cole McDonough, a writer, and the ranch heir. He stirs up something inside Olivia that she didn't even know she craved. But this time, Olivia's fight to shut out the past may ruin her chance at love and cost her- with her life. 

I enjoyed this book so much! It was full of twists and turns- and had me hanging by the edge of my seat. The last 100 pages were crazy intense and I loved it! I thought the characters were great and the story and plot were well thought out. Each character had their own issues to deal with so there was a great bit of depth to them and they all end up intertwined with one another. 

The ending was great and you are holding your breath right till the last word. I thought Sarah/ Olivia was a fantastic MC. We get to go inside her head and watch as things unfold for her, and see her growth as the book progresses. 

Overall I recommend this book! And thought it was a great mystery/thriller with the perfect amount of emotional pull.

The Good Samaritan by John Marrs

5 Deranged Stars!!

 

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“When you’re not considered to be a threat, you can get away with much, much more.” 

If you like plot twists and turns, unreliable narrators, and books that take off at the speed of light and don't stop until the end....The Good Samaritan is for you. This was my very first John Marrs book, and it will not be my last. 

Laura has the picture perfect life. She is a wife, a mom, and works at The End of The Line. At End of The Line, Laura volunteers and loves raising money and "helping" people that call the suicide hotline. 

"Good afternoon, you've reached the End of the Line, this is Laura speaking. May I ask your name?" 

She's calm and collected. Sounds like the mother next door....You can trust her right? Why else would she be working at a suicide hotline? But something is off about Laura... she has her own way of handling things. 

when you’re not considered to be a threat, you can get away with much, much more. 

The volunteers at EOTL, go through training and are taught the tools they need to talk to the people who call in. They are only supposed to be there to listen- not offer anything but a friendly voice. 

‘You could be the last voice this person ever hears. Make them believe that you care.’ 

Laura doesn't think what she does is wrong, no one would ever think her to be a threat she's just helping people along, just like she is supposed to...little do they know she is BATSHIT crazy. 

In fact, during our training we are given the emotional tools to be there right up until their last breath, if that’s what the caller requests. We listen, we don’t act. 

But Laura is enticed to act. She gets a call one day, with a request/offer that she has never had before and not wanting to pass up. She is excited and nervous and can not stop thinking about the call....

Will she go through with it??

THIS BOOK WAS NUTS!! And I'm a little ashamed that I loved it so much because it really is that crazy.

This book wont be for everyone it may even trigger some.***TRIGGER WARNING: SUICIDE ***

You'll read the first chapter and realize its going to be a dark book. It was a visceral read and sinks hooks into you. You will feel like you need a shower after it... a drink perhaps.. hell, why not both... 

I was intrigued from the start and did not want to put it down until I got answers. You wont stop guessing the whole time and Marrs will definitely take you on a spin around the loony bin.

I highly recommend this book!! I read Verity by Colleen Hoover not too long ago and that book blew my mind.. I didn't think that I would ever read anything as crazy as it... Boy was I wrong. If you have read Verity and liked the Mind-screw - Go get this one ASAP. You will either love or hate it but I don't think you will regret it- until maybe the end when your pores are screaming to be clean. Its worth it!! 

Initial Reaction : *laughs hysterically* This was INSANE and uncomfortably captivating.. 

Full RTC 😱

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

4 Stars!! 

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“Fantasy was always only a reality waiting to be switched on.” 

Who doesn't love Christmas time?? Well after reading this... Christmas may never look or feel the same.....



Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country.

Charlie Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. 





With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.”



Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.

What a ride!!! This was my first Joe Hill book and honestly- It did not disappoint!! Although sometimes, it would shift from a 5 star book to a 4 just because I dont normally read horror, and there are a few parts that were too much for me personally. It was creepy as hell and a totally unique concept. The characters were so great, even the creepy ones!! if you're looking for a creepy read that keeps you on the edge of your seat- I highly recommend this one! 

Looking forward to checking out the new tv show NOS4A2 on AMC!!

One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence

4 Stars!! 
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In 1986, 15 yr old- boy-genius Nick Hayes discovers he’s dying. And it isn’t even the strangest thing to happen to him that week.

Nick and his Dungeons & Dragons-friends are used to living in their imaginations. But when Mia, joins the group reality becomes weirder than the fantasy world they visit in their weekly games. A strange—yet familiar—man is following Nick, with abilities that just shouldn’t exist. And this man claims: Mia’s in grave danger, though she doesn’t know it yet. She needs Nick’s help—now.

He finds himself in a race against time to unravel an impossible mystery and save the girl. And all that stands in his way is cancer, and the laws of physics.

I know absolutely nothing about physics- nor do I really care. I dont really like sci-fi either.. while this book had a sci-fi stranger things type feel to it- it wasn't. The characters talk about things that went over my head- but again, I didn't care because something about these characters cling to you while reading. 

Lawrence has a way of writing characters that you love and you do not even care what the big picture is. The depth of them keeps you moving. I found this book to be character driven but also had a great plot and beginning. I felt it was interesting without being boring- even with subject matter I could care less about. There was so much more happening in this story!! I absolutely loved MC Nick, Mia and Demis :P And look forward to seeing what else this series has to offer!

THe Delphi Effect by Rysa Walker

4 Stars!! 

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Anna Morgan has no choice. Resting on a park bench, touching the turnstile at the Metro station—she never knows where she’ll encounter a ghost. She doesn't have a choice. The ghosts are the reason that Anna is thrown from one foster home to the next and in and out of psych wards. 

When a touch of the hand leads her to pick up the ghost of a girl who was murdered- things start to get real serious for Anna. Shes thrown into a government conspiracy, which causes Anna to throw up every wall she has ever built around her mind. But they really cross the line when they kidnap her friend, causing her to be pushed to the limits. 



This was a really cool YA book!! It reminded me of the show The Gifted- and X-Men. It has a paranormal vibe to it more than anything.



I felt immediately drawn to Anna and really enjoyed being in her head. Although- I could not imagine having to live with her ability, it was neat to read it. The book starts out with this girl Molly getting in her head. She was murdered and wants Anna to help her solve it before others can get hurt or killed. 

What starts out as a murder mystery, quickly morphs into a paranormal thriller. I loved that aspect of it. There were more characters than the synopsis provides. The story is about more than just Anna. I really enjoyed a few of the side characters. There is a love interest in this installment and I am totally rooting for my ship to sail!!



I cant wait to see what happen in the next couple books!

The First City by Joe Hart

4 Stars! 
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Zoey is not the girl she once was. She’s watched too many of her friends die at the hands of their captors, been hunted, and returned from the brink of death. Now she is on a journey to find the truth about who she is.

In search of the family she never knew, Zoey learns of personal records in another facility. Zoey and her new friends travel to the missile facility, but among the records, they uncover information that leads to a new foe: the Fae Trade, a carnival of slavery and pain.

Zoey’s journey into the darkest parts of a humans mind- brings her close to the line between good and evil, and the final cost in her quest for justice might be her own humanity. 

This second book was so much better than book 1! There was action and a steady moving pace. There were a few twists, and it was a lot of fun to read. Zoey still jumps the gun on most decisions and shes always finding trouble. 

This time Zoey finds the Fae Trade. A gruesome carnival where men fight to the death to claim one of the remaining women that have been collected. There are new characters introduced. Some you love and some you love to hate. 

Overall I think everything I had issues with in the first book, were redeemed in this one! This is a pretty good series so far and looking forward to The Last City!

The Final Trade by Joe Hart

4 Stars! 
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Zoey is not the girl she once was. She’s watched too many of her friends die at the hands of their captors, been hunted, and returned from the brink of death. Now she is on a journey to find the truth about who she is.

In search of the family she never knew, Zoey learns of personal records in another facility. Zoey and her new friends travel to the missile facility, but among the records, they uncover information that leads to a new foe: the Fae Trade, a carnival of slavery and pain.

Zoey’s journey into the darkest parts of a humans mind- brings her close to the line between good and evil, and the final cost in her quest for justice might be her own humanity. 

This second book was so much better than book 1! There was action and a steady moving pace. There were a few twists, and it was a lot of fun to read. Zoey still jumps the gun on most decisions and shes always finding trouble. 

This time Zoey finds the Fae Trade. A gruesome carnival where men fight to the death to claim one of the remaining women that have been collected. There are new characters introduced. Some you love and some you love to hate. 

Overall I think everything I had issues with in the first book, were redeemed in this one! This is a pretty good series so far and looking forward to The Last City!

The Last Girl (The Dominion Trilogy) by Joe Hart

3 Stars  🌟🌟🌟 Fear feeds the worst in all of us. It drives the most despicable of our natures to the surface.  A mysterious epidemic happens worldwide that causes the reduction in the births of baby girls. Scientists and Governments scramble to find the reason for this. Fast Forward 25 years and there is still no answer and an entire generation grows up with a population of fewer than a thousand women. Zoey and 6 other women are housed in a scientific compound that claims to be doing research on the girls. For 20 years, she’s been removed from her family, treated as a test subject, and locked away—told only that the virus has wiped out the rest of the world’s population. Captivity is the only life Zoey has ever known, and escaping her heavily armed captors is no easy task, but she’s determined to leave before she is subjected to the next round of tests…a program that no other woman has ever returned from. Even if she’s successful, Zoey has no idea what she’ll encounter in the strange new world beyond the facility’s walls. Winning her freedom will take brutality she never imagined she possessed, as well as all her strength and cunning—but Zoey is ready for war. I really love a good dystopian novel. I enjoy reading about how people become survivors and learn to live without all the spoils that we have in reality. This book had a great plot but a lot of holes. It had parts that were really good and others that moved pretty slow. The last 100 pages or so got really exciting and thats what gives me hope for the rest of the series.  I did enjoy this book for the most part. I did not like the fact that these 6 women could not all get along. The more I read it didn't bother me much but initially it sorta didn't make sense for them to fight, rather- maybe have them ban together and team up?? I dont know... but that was my main issue. The characters also lacked something Im not sure what maybe a little depth? It took most of the book for me to care a whole lot for these characters.  I think this was a decent enough start to what could be a great series. I am looking forward to trying the next book and see where it goes!

Scars by, Jaimie Roberts

4 Stars!! 
“Because when the heart dies, what else is left? One way or the other, it can’t change anything. It won’t change the fact that what’s done is done, and you can never repair a dead heart.”

Lily at almost 18, has a great life- money, friends, and is doing well in school. She's felt for a while, that someone is watching and following her. But this stalker is nice and leaves things like lilies on her doorstep. 

One night at a party- she gets dared to go in on a game of seven minutes in heaven. When in the dark closet, she is kissed by a stranger she isn't allowed to see. Emotions are heightened and Lily realizes this may be her stalker. After the party he starts to show up places Lily is at - the catch, she can never see his face. 

J- or aka Jarred, has a secret and one thing on his mind... REVENGE. He singles out Lily as the perfect pawn in his little game. What he doesn't realize is that there is more than meets the eye with her. Will he be able to focus on his end game? Or will he be caught up in Lily's web? 

Secrets come out- the past is confronted and lives will be changed. Scars have more than just one meaning. 

I have to admit, a good friend recommended this to me- and when I read the first couple chapters- I didn't think I would finish it. It felt weird that this girl had no issues with a dude with no face-stalking her. She doesn't tell anyone for a while and just kinda goes along with it. After about the 30 % mark, I was hooked. Things started to turn and I was impressed with how this author took something that I was feeling NOT OKAY with and presented it in a way I never would have expected! 

This book wasn't perfect- but it was addicting and I had to know what the heck was happening. The author does a great job of keeping all the hidden aspects hidden until just the right time! 

Overall, I ended up enjoying this way more than I thought I would in the beginning - and I am glad I kept going. I would recommend this if you're looking for a romantic type thriller that keeps you guessing until the end!

The Death Fields Book 1-3 by Angel Lawson

4 Stars!! 

“You do realize historically what has happened to those who can potentially save mankind? Ever hear of Jesus Christ? It’s not like he got a warm welcome.” 

Alex is a senior in high school. Shes a smart girl working her way towards becoming the valedictorian and going to Duke. Her dad is a scientist and is always working on something new and groundbreaking. Everyone in town is anxious due to the news reports of people contracting a virus that makes humans have super strength and turn into cannibals. The virus is starting to spread world wide. What she doesn't know, is that her father may be doing more than just looking through a microscope in his lab at home. 

The virus finally hits her town, and Alex's father is called in to work to help come up with a cure. He leaves Alex and her mom at home and tells them to stay home- unless he is gone longer than 2 weeks. If he isn't back, he wants them to leave and he gives Alex a package to hold on to with instructions to find her sister June who is working at a lab in Georgia. 

2 weeks have passed and the world is in complete chaos. Alex and her mom set off on a journey to find her sister. Neither are sure they are ready but time is up and its time to find out if they have what it takes to make it through the Death Fields. 

That was just the synopsis of book 1. I read books 1-3 so far and enjoyed them. Each book built upon each other and kept getting better and better with each installment. The writing was simple and easy to follow. Characters were likable and I loved the dystopian feel of it all. 

This is a survival book with plenty of action and conflict. There is a little bit of romance but not that much. In fact, its just starting to take root by the end of book 3. As far as the gore- its not bad and not scary. It reminds me a lot of any type of dystopian- concentrating mainly on the characters and their survival. I would recommend it! 

Odium Book 6 by Claire C Riley

4 Stars!!
“The only thing this world was made for was death. It’ll kill us all equally, given the chance,” he said darkly. “Doesn’t matter whether you’re a man or a woman, black or white, gay or straight. Death is coming for us all.”



Pretty much felt like that guy reading this one.... this book pissed me off so bad.. I rated it a 4 because duh - writing but like if we wanna rate this based on emotions... big fat 2! BECAUSE I AM NOT OK after that cliffhanger.

Not much has changed as far as my love for this series. I have literally been on the edge of my seat for this whole ride. The world is starting to completely fall apart around Nina and Mikey. They find themselves fighting something bigger than the zombies. But when death is all there is- Mikey and Nina both run into danger willingly. And the reader is caught up in all this mess dealing with their emotions alone. ITS SO MUCH FUN! (enter sarcasm)



The plot continues to be full of action, heartache, death and romance. There is still the constant presence of blood, gore, and terror. We see humans being worse than the deaders/zombies in this one.


Nina continues to try and work out her feelings between Mikey and Shooter.

"Shooter and I were two different people. We came from two very different worlds. And if it weren’t for the apocalypse, we never would have met."

The whole love triangle thing in the middle of an apocalypse gives me anxiety... and I need her to figure her crap out. We lost a few people and met some new ones. We see a little bit more of clans working together and seeing a bigger threat.

Overall- I'm ready for the next book. This one made me angry but also, kept me entertained. My ship is just sinking and I need it to not do that!! If you haven't picked up this series, I still 100 percent recommend you go do it!!

Odium 0.5- 4 stars!!
Odium 1 - 4 Stars!!
Odium 2- 5 Stars!!
Odium 3- 5 Stars!!
Odium 4- 4 Stars!!
Odium 5 -5 Stars!!
Odium 6- 4 Stars!!
Odium 7-TBD

Odium Book 4 by, Claire C Riley

4 Stars!!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Hope: it clings on long after you want it to let go, daring you to wish for more.” We follow Mikey, crazy pants (Joan) , and Adam- who are now running for their life. They run into a lot of trouble on their way to safety. They also find a good place to lay their head for a while. Mikey is still devastated since Nina is presumed dead, and sacrificed herself to let the others get away.. He is trying to hold it all together in front of everyone but going crazy in his head. This book includes new characters that we meet at a NEO .. No ... Not that Neo silly ...(I had the same thought) NEO stands for New Earth Order. The leader of this group is Aiken and seems to be a pretty good chap. There is also O'Donnell - a woman who just cant keep her eyes off Mikey (INSERT EYEROLL HERE). And a hippie named Phil, who is obsessed with odd animals- among other interesting characters. There is multiple first person POVs in this installment. Most of it being told from Mikeys POV- which is different because we are used to Ninas POV. We get a lot of crazy going on in here. There is a shootout, and a creepy dead carnival with all shapes and sizes of CRAZY... and CLOWNS. Suspense and terror abound yet again in this fourth book. Claire takes us on the ride that never stops! Full of emotional obstacles, as well as life or death. Horror rains - and doesn't let up. With fantastic writing and so character driven you cant help but pick up the next book to see whats going to happen next! This wasn't my favorite of the series... but it was still so much fun!! It was a little depressing and all the unknown hanging in the balance had me on the edge of my seat. I just missed Nina for a long time in this book!! But the new characters were so good that .. ok sooo maybe I didn't miss her THAT MUCH. :P So many twists and turns with an ending that leaves you wanting more.. I can not recommend this series enough! Odium 0.5 - 4 Stars!! Odium 1 - 4 Stars!! Odium 2- 5 Stars!! Odium 3- 5 Stars!! Odium 4- 4 Stars!! Odium 5- 5 Stars!! Odium 6- 4 Stars!! Odium 7- RTC