Weekly Reading Roundup: October 1st to October 7th, 2023

I had a really great reading week, most likely attributed to “shiny new toy” energy (having received a Kindle) and taking the second half of the week off for my birthday.

I have jumped back into reading thrillers, since autumn is the perfect time for them. Which means the majority of the books this week were thrillers, obviously!

I read eight books this week, and most of them were really good!

Without further ado, here are my thoughts on each of them.

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Unhinged by Vera Valentine

Genre(s): Erotica, Romance

My rating: 4.5 stars

Okay HEAR ME OUT. This was SO BIZARRE and I was laughing the whole time, but I enjoyed reading this a lot. It is so unserious and that is the whole point. Also, there is a murder mystery aspect that I always enjoy.

Yes this is that viral door romance book, and yes, an actual door. No metaphors here.

Passion by Lauren Kate

Genre(s):Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

My rating: 2.5 stars

This book was really, really racist and I was shocked honestly. I shouldn’t be, since I go into rereads from childhood expecting them to be bad and problematic, but wow.

I am considering giving up on the series, but I have two books left and already own them, so I will probably finish them anyway. I am glad I bought these secondhand because I would have hated to give Lauren Kate my money.

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

Genre(s): Thriller

My rating: 5 stars

I know Lisa Jewell’s writing is very hit or miss for thriller readers, but I really enjoy her writing. I thought this was better than None of This is True, which I read last month.

I couldn’t put this down and I got through it in one night. I am looking forward to reading more of Jewell’s books.

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

Genre(s): Thriller

My rating: 4.75 stars

I recently bought a Kindle, and with that, received a free three month Kindle Unlimited trial, and I noticed a lot of Frieda McFadden’s books are on it, and so I have made it my mission to read all nineteen of the thrillers of hers available before the end of my trial. I will be writing an article about that soon, so keep an eye out.

This book was really good, and I did not predict the twist at all. It wasn’t perfect, but I couldn’t stop reading it.

Want to Know a Secret? By Freida McFadden

Genre(s):Mystery, Thriller

My rating: 5 stars

This has been my favorite McFadden book so far! I love a good thriller about rich people doing bad things, and this delivered on that front for sure. The twists and turns were WILD and I read this in one sitting, I couldn’t tear myself away from it.

If you are looking for a good book about revenge, affairs, and secrets, I highly recommend this one.

The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden

Genre(s):Mystery, Thriller

My rating: 4.75

This was also really good! Not quite a five star, but got pretty darn close!

I will say, there are some pretty negative depictions of mental health and so if that is something that will ruin it for you, I recommend not picking this one up. I was able to kind of ignore that aspect, and could totally understand someone not liking it. I read a lot of thrillers and this is kind of par for the course for the genre, unfortunately.

The Ex by Freida McFadden

Genre(s): Thriller

My rating: 4.5 stars

So far my least favorite of McFadden’s thrillers, but still really good! I just really love her writing style, so I don’t really anticipate disliking any of her titles.

This one was twisty and I will be honest, lost me at some points, which is kind of the point. Be ready for unreliable narrators (a staple in her works), and some convoluted switching of narration.

One by One by Freida McFadden

Genre(s): Thriller

My rating: 4.5 stars

By far the most predictable and formulaic of the titles, but still kept me engaged and entertained.

I liked the survival aspect of this book, so even though it was more easily predictable, I enjoyed it more than the ex. People who secretly hate each other having to survive lost in the woods? And keeping secrets that will haunt them? Sign me up!

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What book(s) did you read this week? Let me know in the comments!