3,75 stjerner ⭐️ ‘Hjerteråte’ er det jeg vil kalle en gøyal liten perle av en bok om de såre ting. Jeg humret flere ganger, og andre ganger fikk jeg l3,75 stjerner ⭐️ ‘Hjerteråte’ er det jeg vil kalle en gøyal liten perle av en bok om de såre ting. Jeg humret flere ganger, og andre ganger fikk jeg lyst til å rive av meg håret i frustrasjon. Alt i alt en artig lesning som byr på både latter, ettertanke og en god dose irritasjon....more
5 stjerner ⭐️ En bok som grep tak i meg fra første setning. Allerede på de første sidene ble jeg dypt engasjert i Freyas liv.
Det er noe med måten hen5 stjerner ⭐️ En bok som grep tak i meg fra første setning. Allerede på de første sidene ble jeg dypt engasjert i Freyas liv.
Det er noe med måten hennes tvangstanker og angst sniker seg inn i hverdagen, nesten som en uvelkommen gjest du ikke blir kvitt.
Gjennom Freyas øyne får vi oppleve hvordan det er å leve i et fengsel av egne tanker, noe som er smertefullt å følge – men også merkelig gjenkjennelig noen ganger. Jeg kunne kjenne igjen deler av meg selv i Freyas konstante kamp mot egen uro, og hvordan tvangshandlinger påvirker relasjonene hennes. Det er vondt å lese hvordan hennes indre liv forvrenger de små øyeblikkene som de fleste tar for gitt. Maren Skolem klarer å skildre denne indre monologen på en måte som gjør at du både føler med Freya og noen ganger vil filleriste henne ut av de vonde mønstrene.
Boken balanserer hårfint mellom håp og frykt, der Freyas kamp for en følelse av kontroll også føles som en søken etter identitet i en verden som ikke helt gir plass til henne. For alle som har kjent på angst, tvangstanker eller det å føle seg "annerledes", er ‘Dørene lukkes’ både en provoserende og treffsikker lesning – en historie som får deg til å reflektere over dine egne tankemønstre, på godt og vondt....more
3,5 stars ⭐️ This book was a wild ride! Seriously, what’s up with women falling in love and becoming obsessed with serial killers? That concept alone3,5 stars ⭐️ This book was a wild ride! Seriously, what’s up with women falling in love and becoming obsessed with serial killers? That concept alone had me hooked when I picked it up—it’s completely nuts!
The story follows Hannah, a thirty-something who, after being ghosted and watching her friends settle into suburbia, dives into a true-crime forum obsessed with solving a string of murders in Atlanta. When William, a charming lawyer, is arrested for the killings, she starts writing to him as an outlet for her frustration, and it feels oddly empowering—until he writes back. What starts as curiosity spirals into obsession, and soon Hannah loses her job, attends his trial, and befriends other women just like her. It’s absolutely crazy! It gave me serious Ted Bundy vibes, reminding me of those women who supported him while completely ignoring the horrific fates of his victims.
I’ve honestly never read anything quite like this before. The book is unhinged, absurd, and sometimes just plain sad.
Why does this happen? Honestly, I think some women are drawn to the danger or the idea of being "special" to someone so feared. And there’s definitely something about romanticizing broken people. It’s wild, but I think some women fall for serial killers because they’re drawn to the danger or the idea of being the one person who can "understand" or "save" someone so broken. There’s something about wanting to feel special or different from everyone else, like they have a connection no one else can have. It’s a twisted kind of romanticizing, where the reality of the crimes just gets pushed aside.
I’d give this book 3 out of 5 stars. It’s definitely entertaining, but it lost some steam halfway through. The tension was all over the place—the beginning sucked me in, but the ending felt like a bit of a letdown. Still, the premise was super fascinating though!...more
From the first chapter, we're swept into the opulence of the Winbury family’s estate, where the perfect wedding of Celeste Otis and Benji Winbury is aFrom the first chapter, we're swept into the opulence of the Winbury family’s estate, where the perfect wedding of Celeste Otis and Benji Winbury is about to take place. Or so it seems. Because, as anyone who's ever attended a wedding knows, it's not just about the vows and the cake—it's about the drama that inevitably unfolds. And boy, does it unfold!
Hilderbrandt masterfully peels back the layers of her characters, revealing their flaws and secrets with a deft hand. Celeste, our bride, is not just grappling with pre-wedding jitters but a tangled web of emotions and something forbidden that makes for some juicy reading. And let’s not forget Benji, the charming groom, whose perfect exterior hides its own set of complications.
Then there’s Greer Garrison Winbury, the mother of the groom, who’s a celebrated novelist. She's the epitome of elegance and poise, except when she’s not. Her attempts to maintain the family’s pristine reputation add a delicious tension to the story. And Tag Winbury, the jovial father, who enjoys his cocktails perhaps a bit too much, is the perfect foil to Greer’s meticulousness. Excited to see how Netflix adapts this into a TV series coming this fall, with Nicole Kidman as Greer.
What I liked most about ‘The Perfect Couple’ is Hilderbrandt's ability to weave humor and mystery seamlessly. One moment, I was laughing at the absurdity of the plot, and the next, I was thriller by the mystery, heart pounding, as another revelation came to light.
Why not 5 stars? Well, there were a few moments where the pacing dragged slightly, and a couple of plot points felt a tad predictable. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable read.
So, if you're in the mood for a book that combines the charm of a beach read with the intrigue of a murder mystery, look no further.
Merged review:
From the first chapter, we're swept into the opulence of the Winbury family’s estate, where the perfect wedding of Celeste Otis and Benji Winbury is about to take place. Or so it seems. Because, as anyone who's ever attended a wedding knows, it's not just about the vows and the cake—it's about the drama that inevitably unfolds. And boy, does it unfold!
Hilderbrandt masterfully peels back the layers of her characters, revealing their flaws and secrets with a deft hand. Celeste, our bride, is not just grappling with pre-wedding jitters but a tangled web of emotions and something forbidden that makes for some juicy reading. And let’s not forget Benji, the charming groom, whose perfect exterior hides its own set of complications.
Then there’s Greer Garrison Winbury, the mother of the groom, who’s a celebrated novelist. She's the epitome of elegance and poise, except when she’s not. Her attempts to maintain the family’s pristine reputation add a delicious tension to the story. And Tag Winbury, the jovial father, who enjoys his cocktails perhaps a bit too much, is the perfect foil to Greer’s meticulousness. Excited to see how Netflix adapts this into a TV series coming this fall, with Nicole Kidman as Greer.
What I liked most about ‘The Perfect Couple’ is Hilderbrandt's ability to weave humor and mystery seamlessly. One moment, I was laughing at the absurdity of the plot, and the next, I was thriller by the mystery, heart pounding, as another revelation came to light.
Why not 5 stars? Well, there were a few moments where the pacing dragged slightly, and a couple of plot points felt a tad predictable. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable read.
So, if you're in the mood for a book that combines the charm of a beach read with the intrigue of a murder mystery, look no further....more
3 stars ⭐️ I watched 'It Ends with Us' in the cinema last week, which made me curious about what happens next. I’ve read the first book, but I held of3 stars ⭐️ I watched 'It Ends with Us' in the cinema last week, which made me curious about what happens next. I’ve read the first book, but I held off on reading this sequel until I was pulled back into the story after seeing the movie. The sequel picks up right where the first book left off, but it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table—it just feels like more of the same....more
2 stjerner ⭐️ Jeg syntes det var slitsomt å være i hodet på hovedpersonen i boken. Masete, destruktiv og ubesluttsom. Masete i den forstand at det ble2 stjerner ⭐️ Jeg syntes det var slitsomt å være i hodet på hovedpersonen i boken. Masete, destruktiv og ubesluttsom. Masete i den forstand at det ble heseblesende å følge handlingen fordi den tok så mange brå og impulsive vendinger, uten et eneste pusterom. Jeg leste alt i ett jafs likevel, mest fordi jeg ble irritert på hvor ubesluttsom hovedpersonen virket, og derfor ble utålmodig på hva som skulle skje videre. Dessverre ble det samme tralten gjennom hele boken. En kaotisk bok om kaotisk kjærlighet. Heldigvis var kapitlene korte, ellers hadde jeg nok ikke lest den ferdig....more
3 stars ⭐️‘Adults’ offers a sharp critique of modern society, particularly our obsession with social media and how digital culture shapes our self-per3 stars ⭐️‘Adults’ offers a sharp critique of modern society, particularly our obsession with social media and how digital culture shapes our self-perception, relationships, and mental health. Unsworth’s writing is infused with humor and wit, making the novel an entertaining read despite its serious themes. The sharp one-liners, satirical scenarios, and witty dialogues kept me amused while simultaneously delivering poignant social critiques.
The story follows Jenny, a 35-year-old Londoner obsessed with social media, which distracts her from real-life problems. Jenny writes a column for an online feminist magazine and meticulously curates her online persona. Her relationships, particularly with her best friend Kelly, suffer as she seeks digital validation over genuine connections. The story captures Jenny's chaotic online life, her personal unraveling, and her eventual realization of the value of real-world friendships. She is a deeply relatable character whose struggles with social media addiction and personal relationships.
Jenny is deeply entrenched in the digital world, meticulously curating her online presence to project an idealized version of herself. This is evident in her obsessive behavior over crafting the perfect Instagram caption or agonizing over the timing of a like. Unsworth highlights how social media encourages people to maintain façades disconnected from their true selves, emphasizing the shallow nature of online interactions where appearances are prioritized over authenticity.
Unsworth addresses the societal pressure of perpetual performance induced by social media. Jenny’s life is a constant performance, meticulously crafting posts to garner likes and approval. This extends to her professional life, where she writes for an online magazine more concerned with clickbait than substantive content. This reveals the exhausting nature of constantly performing for an audience, both online and offline.
Also, Jenny’s self-worth seems tied to the validation she receives online. Her obsession with Instagram influencer Suzy Brambles exemplifies society's fixation on digital success and the envy it generates. Unsworth comments on how social media perpetuates unrealistic standards of success, beauty, and happiness, leading individuals to measure their worth against curated, often unattainable, ideals.
In an era where social media plays an increasingly dominant role in our lives, ‘Adults’ is a timely and relevant read. It captures the anxieties and pressures of living in a digital age. Unsworth’s use of short, episodic chapters, flashbacks, emails, and social media posts creates a dynamic and accessible reading experience. I think this narrative style mirrors the fragmented nature of modern life and it kept me engaged throughout the story. Beyond the humor, ‘Adults’ delves into deeply emotional territory, exploring themes of grief, friendship, and self-acceptance....more
4 stjerner ⭐️ Denne boken var en intens opplevelse! Jeg ble sugd inn i den lidenskapelige affæren mellom hovedpersonene, og makan til drama og lidensk4 stjerner ⭐️ Denne boken var en intens opplevelse! Jeg ble sugd inn i den lidenskapelige affæren mellom hovedpersonene, og makan til drama og lidenskap! Hjorth har klart å fange den desperate, stygg-vakre følelsen av en destruktiv forelskelse på en mesterlig måte. Jeg hadde nesten glemt hvor godt hun skriver og hvor mye jeg liker bøkene hennes. Hjorths skildring av menneskelige følelser og relasjoner er både rørende og skremmende realistisk. Dette er en bok som både river og rører ved hjertet....more
3,75 stars ⭐️ I kinda like the author's writing style. She perfectly captures the essence of youth and the feeling of not having quite found your foot3,75 stars ⭐️ I kinda like the author's writing style. She perfectly captures the essence of youth and the feeling of not having quite found your footing. This is a shockingly sad story, though—I wasn't prepared for that at all....more
A perfectly engaging, exciting, and intriguing summer book. I'll probably forget this book by autumn, but oh well, it was fairly interesting 4 stars ✨
A perfectly engaging, exciting, and intriguing summer book. I'll probably forget this book by autumn, but oh well, it was fairly interesting though ...more
A highly underrated book that pleasantly surprises with a thrilling plot twist I never saw coming!
Jane, our 26 years old protagonist, freshly4 stars ✨
A highly underrated book that pleasantly surprises with a thrilling plot twist I never saw coming!
Jane, our 26 years old protagonist, freshly unshackled from her latest romantic endeavor and stuck in the drudgery of a marketing job that could bore even the most enthusiastic PowerPoint aficionado, finds herself entangled in the toxic web spun by her older, married boss, Clem. Jane's story, unfortunately, isn’t just about awkward office parties or poorly managed team projects. No, she dives headfirst into the perilous territory of being "the other woman."
What starts as a thrilling, illicit adventure with Clem soon morphs into a stark revelation: sex and power are often two sides of the same coin, and playing with either can quickly lead to losing your grip on reality. Jane, our heroine, finds herself spiraling, her sanity unraveling faster than you can say “deadline extension.”
The novel, released in the thick of the Me Too movement, strikes a chord with many, detailing a story all too familiar in its depiction of abuse of power and the subtle, insidious ways women are undermined in the workplace.
While Jane’s journey is gripping, it’s also a critique of the toxic environments many young women navigate daily. The casual sexism, the unspoken expectation that women will make the coffee, the way a woman's career advancement is often linked to the whims of a male superior rather than her own merits. Clem, the quintessential office predator, exemplifies this, using his charm and authority to manipulate and control, disguising exploitation as mentorship.
As Jane's life unravels, we see a poignant commentary on how easily a promising career can be derailed by the very structures meant to support it. Her mental and physical health deteriorate, and the once-clear line between professional and personal life blurs into a haze of late-night work sessions and desperate attempts to gain Clem’s fleeting approval. It’s a slow, believable descent, a death by a thousand paper cuts.
Jane’s story is a stark reminder of the precarious balance women must maintain in the workplace, constantly navigating the tightrope between ambition and survival, sanity and success. Her final act of defiance is brutal and shocking, yet it feels inevitable and necessary—a cathartic release from the suffocating grip of a system designed to exploit and discard.
And maybe, just maybe, this book will inspire us to strive for better—to create environments where every promising young woman can thrive without fear of becoming another Jane.
And as for Clem? Well, let’s just say his type belongs in the fiction section—right next to the tales of dragons and monsters. Because, after all, every good story needs a villain, and office life is no exception....more
1,75 stars ⭐️ There are several issues with Yulin Kuang's 'How to End a Love Story’.
Initially, I thought, ok, this is so boring, I can't be bothered 1,75 stars ⭐️ There are several issues with Yulin Kuang's 'How to End a Love Story’.
Initially, I thought, ok, this is so boring, I can't be bothered with this, it's a 2-star book. But then, I got hooked and thought, ok, now it's up to 4 stars. However, it soon got bogged down with way too many sex scenes, taking up far too many pages, and I started skimming past them thinking this is a 2 star book. The main problem isn't the sex itself; it can work, but when the characters lack chemistry and it's hard for you as the reader to understand WHY they started sleeping together in the first place, it feels like you're not really invited to the party, and it just doesn't make sense. It becomes dull.
It's a shame because there are moments in the book that actually do work. I wish the relationship between the sisters had been focused on much more instead of the relationship between Grant and Helen. If the author had written a book that focused more on Helen and her grief after her sister's death and her relationship with her deceased sister instead of turning this story into a romance with sex and an enemies-to-lovers plot, it would have been on a much higher level, in my opinion. But that's just my view.
To be fair, we do get to learn a bit about Helen and her sister Michelle's relationship, but I wanted MORE!!! It's far from enough. It was this relationship that touched on something deep, important, sad, and painful, but at the same time, filled with so much challenging and demanding love. If the author had focused on this instead of writing about something we've read a hundred times before, the book could have been something entirely different. But it wasn't.
Instead, it became a cliché-ridden, slow-moving slog for me to get through. There are too many books and too little time for me to waste on one like this. Sorry not sorry.
I see the book has received mixed reviews, and perhaps that's partly due to the mixed signals it sends, which resonate differently with different readers. It feels like the book has something in it that it just can't convey in the right way.
In conclusion: the relationship between Helen and Grant was boring; it would have been a thousand times more interesting to learn more about Michelle, Helen's deceased sister. However, I might check out the next book by this author because I sensed she has something worth exploring. Maybe....more
Det dirrer en nerve i tekstene til forfatteren som gjør at jeg sluker bøkene hennes i ett jafs, og denne boken var intet unntak. Så full av krutt og lDet dirrer en nerve i tekstene til forfatteren som gjør at jeg sluker bøkene hennes i ett jafs, og denne boken var intet unntak. Så full av krutt og liv at den nærmest tok fyr i hendene mine; jeg klarte ikke legge den fra meg før jeg hadde lest den ferdig, og enda jeg var ferdig med boken, fortsatte den inni hodet mitt, i tankene, for herlighet for en kraft forfatteren besitter i måten å formidle!
I starten var det litt pussig, ganske underlig egentlig, å lese bøkene hennes, hun gjør sin egen greie og det digger jeg, samtidig føler jeg hun treffer meg så midt i planeten med tankesettet og tankestrømmene hun dekker sidene med, og jeg må nevne at jeg ikke skjønner kritikken jeg har sett her, om at hun «prøver å skrive som Fosse», noe jeg stiller meg sterkt uenig til da hun skriver som seg selv, og har skrevet, som seg selv og ingen andre, og jeg håper hun fortsetter med denne gnistfulle måten å skildre brennende kjærlighet, like vond som den er god, like vakker som den er stygg, for jeg blir iallfall besatt av å lese det hun skriver og sammenligner henne ikke med noe annet fordi for meg er hennes tekster nettopp det; hennes....more
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