Happy Friday, everyone!! After mentioning that I read a really good book the other day, I had a lot of requests for a book review. I was actually surprised to realize that I’ve read quite a few since my last book review – and most of them are so good I couldn’t them down. Right now I’m mainly interested in psychological thrillers, but there is a romance thrown in there! If you want to read my other book reviews, you can catch them HERE & HERE.
1. THE RIVER AT NIGHT by Erica Ferencik
This is the book I just finished – I started it at night and then finished it the next morning. It pulls you in right from the beginning, I literally couldn’t put it down!! The main character, Winifred, is planning a reunion and getaway with her three best friends since childhood. The four women choose to go hiking and white water rafting in a remote area of Maine – and what starts out as a fun, invigorating trip quickly turns into a nightmare. I don’t want to say any more than that – but I will say that this book makes me TERRIFIED to ever go camping again!!!!
2. BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by S.J. Watson
This one was really good!! This is also a psychological thriller with a HUGE twist at the end. The protagonist, Christine, has amnesia from a brain trauma, and wakes up every morning with her memory wiped clean. She finds that she is able to make new memories throughout the day, but her brain erases them while she sleeps (I don’t think this type of amnesia really exists in real life, but I was willing to accept it for the sake of the story). Christine begins to keep a journal to help your remember things, and soon suspects that some people around her aren’t telling her the full truth.
3. NEVER ALONE by Elizabeth Haynes
Elizabeth Haynes is one of my favorite authors, so when I found out she had written a new book, I was all over it! Sarah Carpenter, the protagonist, lives in an isolated farmhouse in North Yorkshire. Her husband recently passed away and her two children are out of the house, so when an old acquaintance of hers, Aiden, needs somewhere to stay, Sarah offers the guest cottage to him. There’s a budding romance between Sarah and Aiden, but when Sarah finds herself in great danger, she doesn’t know if she can trust him. I will say that this entire book kept me on my toes trying to figure out what was happening; however, I didn’t LOVE the ending. It was still a great read, though.
4. SAFE WITH ME by K.L. Slater
The description of this book sounds like it would be amazing and very similar to Gone Girl or Girl on the Train, however I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. The protagonist, Anna, lives a solitary existence, taking solace in order and routine. One day she witnesses a car accident and recognizes the driver as a woman who ruined her life a long time ago. As Anna becomes obsessed with finding the driver of the car, her own secrets start to unravel, and she becomes creepily obsessed with the man injured in the accident. The whole book was completely unrealistic, and Anna is CRAZY – I hated her by the end of the book, but I kept reading just to find out the ending. In conclusion, I would recommend skipping this one. It’s not worth the read!
5. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by B.A. Paris
I read this one back in November and it’s one of my favorite book I’ve ever read, to date. I couldn’t read another book for a whole month afterwards because nothing compared to it! Although this thriller is somewhat action-driven, it has a creepily calm atmosphere that is meant to deceive the reader in the beginning. Jack and Grace look like the perfect couple from the outside: he has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. At first they appear to be madly in love, but very quickly the readers realizes that something in their relationship is very, very wrong. I don’t want to say any more that that because I don’t want to ruin it for y’all! Part of the reason this book is so terrifying is because it’s not far-fetched, it could actually happen. If you read one book from this blog post, READ THIS ONE!
6. THE GIRL BEFORE by Rena Olsen
Clara Lawson is torn from her life in an instant – her home is invaded by armed men and she finds herself separated from her beloved husband and daughters. The last thing her husband yells at her is to, “say nothing.” It took me a while to realize what this book was really about: human trafficking. The subject matter is difficult, disturbing and uncomfortable, however the novel is so well-written and you’re 100% on Clara’s side throughout the whole story. The characterizations are rich and full, you feel like you know the characters in real life. And just a warning: this book is not for the faint of heart, there are some scenes of sexual violence. All in all, I thought it was an amazing book.
Clara Lawson is torn from her life in an instant – her home is invaded by armed men and she finds herself separated from her beloved husband and daughters. The last thing her husband yells at her is to, “say nothing.” It took me a while to realize what this book was really about: human trafficking. The subject matter is difficult, disturbing and uncomfortable, however the novel is so well-written and you’re 100% on Clara’s side throughout the whole story. The characterizations are rich and full, you feel like you know the characters in real life. And just a warning: this book is not for the faint of heart, there are some scenes of sexual violence. All in all, I thought it was an amazing book.
I read these books on a whim while I was in Lake Tahoe because they were featured on my iBooks app and they were really cheap! These books are not for everyone, however, if you liked “Fifty Shades of Grey” then you will LOVE these books! They’re just like the Fifty Shades series, except they’re set in Texas and have a very southern, country feel to them. The story is pretty brilliant (mainly romance, but there are some darker themes of sexual abuse) and the chemistry between Jade and Talon is unparalleled.
Okay, that’s it guys! If you have any book recommendations I’d love to hear them! Let me know in the comments! You can check out my other book reviews HERE & HERE.
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I love these book reviews!! Just added a ton to my reading list so thank you!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Thanks for the reviews and I love your tee!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
I needed some new book reads so really love you doing these on your blog Cait! I think I have to read Before I go To Sleep as I like the sound of it and I love books like that.
Jackie | fashionxfairytale |
Love these! I already had behind closed doors and the girl before on my "to read list". Adding some of these other ones! Have you read "Luckiest Girl Alive"? It is also a book that keeps you guessing! I wouldn't say it's on the same level as Girl on The Train but I still thought it was really good!
Darcy
I love your book reviews to much! You always have such great recommendations. I'm adding these to my list of what to read next!
Carrie | http://carrieelisekho.com/
Definitely want to read Behind Closed Doors! Although things that "could happen" always make me nervous! Lol!
Xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog
Adding these to my list!
You should read The Widow and Perfect Days – you would love them
http://www.luellapearl.com
So many great books to add to my wish list! I wrote about my January reads earlier this month, and I'm hoping to fit one more book in before the end of February. I may have to make it one of these!
I really need to make more time for reading! I read so much when I was younger and I really want to make it a goal to make more time to do it again 🙂
XO Janina
http://janinafran.blogspot.ca
Ooh I wouldn't be able to sleep at night lol.. though I am going ti order the one set in North yorkshire. I from that area! .. but live in canada now!
weirdly, i just finished one called the girl before by jp delaney that i've recommended to a few friends and i think you'd like. it's told back and forth about this special house these two women live in and the first woman died in it. i read the river at night and just thought it was meh. but i love hearing book reviews and recs. behind closed doors has definitely stayed with me, especially working in the field of domestic violence. that book was so much more than i initially thought.
b
I also read Before I Go to Sleep, really good!! And like the previous poster- if you haven't read "The Luckiest Girl Alive", that was a good one!
Thank you for this!! I just finished behind closed doors a few days ago and OMG. So good! I'll have to download these now!
I recommend BAd Things Happen by Harry Dolan. A well written suspenseful thriller.
I recommend BAd Things Happen by Harry Dolan. A well written suspenseful thriller.
I always find the best books on your lists so I am excited to read some of these that I hadn't heard of yet! I read Before I Go To Sleep last year and it's still one of my favorites, I didn't see the ending coming AT ALL! And I just finished Behind Closed Doors, but it actually took me a few weeks to get through because I kept having to put it down. I almost didn't finish it because it was so heartwrenching and made me so sick to my stomach. I'm glad I decided to finish it though because the ending was amazing. (Plus, I think that's the sign of a really well written book when it really makes you feel something)
Love this post! It's one of New Year's resolutions to make more time to read books. I love reading, but a lot of times when I have free time I just watch tv…I need to get on it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
xoxo,
Lauren Lindmark
dailydoseofcharm.com
Ooh – I've been meaning to read Before I Go To Sleep – so I'll put that at the top of my list for next month. Generally I feel like we have quite similar taste in books – I'm on a bit of a twisty, dark, psycho-thriller kick right now too, but interestingly I really didn't like Behind Closed Doors, I liked the concept but I thought that it was almost gratuitously sick in places. Love reading your reviews though. I did a round-up of my January reading list here: https://thebarefootangel.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/my-january-reading-list/
Charlie x
I read Behind Closed Doors a few weeks ago, and was sucked in. I was terrified for Grace and her poor sister, disgusted with their parents, and sickened by how disturbed a person could be to treat another human being like that. I am going to check out your romance series, since I did love Fifty Shades. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Love your book reviews! I'm actually reading All the Missing Girls right now based off of a previous review and just picked up The Girl Before and The Couple Next door yesterday. Can't wait for more recommendations from you!
You always have such great book recommendations! I am definitely checking out some of these!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com
I cannot wait to read some of these! Definitely getting Behind Closed Doors!!
Hi Caitlin! I am definitely going to read these!! Where can I buy your knit blanket? xo
Definitely adding all of these to my reading list. Thanks so much Caitlin. You look stunning in these pictures by the way!
Arum Lilea
Out of the entire list, I have only read Never alone and you are right, the ending was such a bad one, but I liked the book thou.
I have added a couple of the books on my reading list and I will give them a shot, thanks for reading.
http://societyfix.blogspot.com.eg/
Sounds great!
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
Amazing piece. Please check out my post on how to re-design denim!
Kisses xo | From Aliona With Love
Instagram @alionawithlove
YouTube @alionawithlove
I love your books review, definitively adding a few of these to my list!
http://ariadibari.com
Your book reviews are always so great to read! Thank you for doing these! I always find great books to read
Love getting new book recommendations, thanks for this post!
My favorite book of all time:
Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
I'm adding a few of these to my Goodreads list! Before I Go To Sleep reminds me of an old movie called Memento!
I love your book reviews! I'm searching all over the place for Behind Closed Doors – the book sounds extremely interesting and I love psychological thrillers!
Kalina | Simply Semisweet
Thanks for the book recommendations! They all sound great. I might be on my way to the library tomorrow!
xo Lyndsay
http://lovefromlynds.com
Awesome, thank you so much for your tips, the books sound really interesting! x
I am on such a reading kick lately so this post was so great! DEFINITELY checking out Behind Closed Doors!
http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com
Your book recommendations are my favoriteeee and I've been sending them to my mom too. Thanks for sharing another great list!
http://www.basicbritt.com
Thanks for sharing these books! Great post
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
You look fabulous as always babe! I really need to get back into reading!
xx Lisa
lisaautumn.com
Love these recommendations. Many of these are on our to-read list as well! The River at Night is moving to the top of my list!
http://www.beyondthebookends.com
Thanks for sharing theses! Many are already on my TBR list, but I'm going to move the River at Night to the top!
http://www.beyondthebookends.com
Yay! Now I can have more books to read. Thanks for sharing these!
Love from Singapore,
Yeeling
http://artelounge.net
Just bought two of your suggestions for my trip to Hawaii on Friday. Thank you so much. I read The Girl in Cabin 10 in like 4 hours. Hope these books take s bit longer to read. But I loved it anyway.
Hi Caitlin!
I stumbled over here from Krista and just had to tell you – I LOVED Behind Closed Doors too. You said it so well – what made it so good is how crazy it was but also how plausible it was – that it could actually happen. I still get shivers just thinking about it. (Hope you are well!) xx
I was one of the people that voted for more book reviews so I was delighted to see this one. I'm always on the hunt for something new (and good) to read.
nice post