The Housemaid — Not your typical drama

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked up The Housemaid because I’ve seen it everywhere and I wanted to know what all the hype was about. I’ll admit, I was hooked right from the start. Freida McFadden writes in such a bingeable way—short chapters, quick pacing, and just enough mystery that you keep saying, “Okay, just one more chapter,” until you realize you’ve almost finished the whole thing. While the story leans heavily on familiar thriller tropes, which can make some twists predictable if you’re a seasoned reader. Character development also takes a backseat to suspense, leaving certain decisions feeling convenient rather than organic, but overall it’s a simple, entertaining read worth picking up.

No Exit — Trapped in thought (literally)

No Exit by Taylor Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was one of those thrillers that had me flipping pages fast. The setup is simple but intense: a snowstorm, a group of strangers, and a situation that quickly turns dangerous. From there, it becomes a game of tension, trust, and survival.

I liked how the book captured that claustrophobic, edge-of-your-seat atmosphere. The pacing is quick and very cinematic, almost as if you are watching a movie unfold, with each chapter ending in a way that makes you want to keep going.

While it’s a solid and entertaining read, it didn’t really stick with me. I feel like I’ll forget most of the details soon, but I could easily see this story working really well on screen. For me, it’s more of a thrilling ride than a memorable story.

Verity — Not perfect, but a page‑turner

Verity by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hate to admit it, but despite all the mixed (and often negative) feedback about Colleen Hoover, I still gave this book a try and honestly, I kinda liked it. Verity is intense, twisted, and full of psychological tension. It follows Lowen, a struggling writer who stumbles upon a manuscript that changes everything she thought she knew about the famous author Verity Crawford and her family. From there, the story spirals into obsession, secrets, and blurred truths.

Also, surprised me how much of a page-turner it was. As a visual person, I also appreciated the cover — it feels like it really connects to the plot and vibe of the story. Sure, the book leans into drama and shock value, but that’s also what makes it so entertaining. It’s not “literary” in the traditional sense, but it knows exactly what kind of story it wants to be: dark, fast-paced, and unsettling.

Sharp Objects — Not what I expected

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I went into this with really high expectations because the author wrote Gone Girl (which I loved, and the movie was great too). Sadly, Sharp Objects isn't... It had a slow build-up that made me think it was going somewhere, but in the end it just disappointed me. The pacing dragged, the “twists” were predictable, and I honestly just wanted to get it over with or not finish at all.

What really pushed me away was how irresponsibly this was written. There’s a point where the narrator basically says if very young girls put themselves in risky situations (yes, these undeveloped frontal lobe kids), it’s ‘their fault’. Add to that the disturbing depiction of 13-year-olds drinking, using drug$, and getting r@p3d by six men.. That’s not edgy, it’s gross.. And don’t even get me started on the main character, a 30-year-old, from being reserved to banging a teenager boy, and doing drug$ with her 13-year-old sister?? What a character development. Are you okay, Gillian? Realistically, ages, actions, morals, none of it lines up. I could rant forever, but I’m not wasting another second on this disaster; I’ve suffered enough already.

I originally rated this 2 stars, but the more I thought about it the more frustrated I got, so I dropped it to 1. Maybe it’s because I expected the same level of brilliance as Gone Girl, but this felt flat, disturbing for the wrong reasons, and not worth the time I put into it. Honestly, I wish I had just DNF’d.

The Silent Patient — A Psychological Thriller That Hooks You

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the book that pulled me out of a reading slump and I think it’s because psychological thrillers are my comfort genre. From the very beginning, the story hooked me with its eerie atmosphere and sense of mystery. What I liked most was how the tension slowly builds, keeping you second-guessing everyone’s motives without ever feeling dragged out.

It’s one of those books that makes you want to keep turning pages just to piece together the truth. If you’re into dark, psychological stories that play with your mind, this is definitely worth picking up.