Reviews of the 6 Books I Read in November 2024

1. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Avery Grambs’ life takes an unexpected turn when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne leaves her his entire fortune, despite her not knowing who he is. To claim the inheritance, she must live in the puzzle-filled Hawthorne House, alongside the disgruntled Hawthorne family, including four magnetic grandsons who were disinherited. As suspicions and rivalries grow, Avery must navigate riddles, secrets, and the dangerous world of wealth and privilege to uncover why she was chosen—and to survive.

My Rating: ★★★

A pleasant young adult novel, but I wasn’t hungry to keep reading at times. From the name of the book, I was expecting more of a Hunger Games-type novel, but the fact that the story took place within a large mansion and was centred around finding out some hidden clues in a will, didn’t seem the most interesting concept. I did figure out the ending before it came, and I probably will keep up with the series now that I’ve started it.

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2. One by One by Freida McFadden

Claire Matchett’s vacation to repair her marriage and relax with friends turns into a nightmare when her group gets lost in the woods after their van breaks down. As they struggle to find their way, members of the group begin to mysteriously die one by one. With no cell service and danger lurking, the survivors must uncover whether they’re being hunted by a wild animal—or if the real threat is one of their own. Only one will make it out alive.

My Rating: ★★★

Definitely not my favourite Freida McFadden book. I’ve read quite a few of her books now and her more recent books are a lot better. This murder-mystery didn’t have me gripped and I didn’t connect with the characters at all. A good twist at the end, but not the best.

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3. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

When Noemí Taboada receives a desperate letter from her newlywed cousin begging for help, she travels to High Place, a crumbling mansion in the Mexican countryside. Though a glamorous debutante, Noemí is determined to uncover the truth behind her cousin’s fears. But High Place is steeped in dark secrets: a menacing husband, a patriarch obsessed with Noemí, and eerie visions haunting her dreams. As she delves into the family’s violent and twisted past, Noemí finds herself ensnared in a seductive, nightmarish world that may never let her go.

My Rating: ★

It’s been a long time since I’ve given a book a 1-star rating. But I almost didn’t finish this book. Almost. I haven’t DNF’d a book since I was a teenager, and even if a book is really bad, I force myself to read until the end. Just in case it might get better. In this case, it didn’t. There was so much hype around this book, but I just couldn’t get into it and as I got further, the book got weirder.

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4. Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

In Tessa Bailey’s steamy sports romance, disgraced golf star Wells Whitaker teams up with his biggest fan, Josephine Doyle, to revive his career. After quitting in frustration, Wells realizes he needs Josephine’s unwavering support and convinces her to be his caddy, promising a share of the prize money. As they travel together, their playful banter turns to undeniable chemistry, and Josephine discovers a softer side to the gruff athlete. But with professional boundaries and lingering doubts, they must decide if their connection is worth risking it all.

My Rating: ★★★

This is a book you don’t want to read in public. I’ve enjoyed a few of Tessa Bailey’s previous books, so was intrigued by her newest release. I’ll say the plot wasn’t the most realistic, but I did love the character dialogue and chemistry between the two of them. Tessa Bailey is very good at writing about grumpy, rough-around-the-edges love interests, but there was one scene in the book that did make my mouth drop open. Iykyk.

5. A Thousand Broken Pieces by Tillie Cole

In A Thousand Broken Pieces, grieving teens Savannah and Cael embark on a transformative journey abroad, each weighed down by loss—Savannah clinging to her late sister’s journal and Cael struggling with anger after his brother’s death. Despite their broken pasts, they find solace in each other, gradually healing and discovering a love they never thought possible. This heartfelt novel explores grief, friendship, and the unexpected paths to renewal.

My Rating: ★★★★

This is the sequel to A Thousand Boy Kisses, the young-adult romance I read in 2023. I found the first quite cheesy, but did actually shed a tear reading it, so thought I’d give this a go too. I loved the fact that this was set in different locations around the world (some of which I’d travelled to recently, so I really loved this aspect). But again, it was quite cheesy, but definitely a great series for young people dealing with grief.

6. The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski

In this cozy debut, clairvoyant sisters Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley run a magical teashop, weaving stories from the spices in their customers’ cups. When the city Diviner loses her powers, the sisters face the threat of a family curse pulling them apart—Anne’s growing magic, Beatrix’s writing career, and Violet’s circus romance all tug at their bond. As time runs out, they must bargain with Fate to save each other and challenge their destinies without losing themselves in the process.

My Rating: ★★★★

This was a book I wish I read in October. It’s centred around three sisters that are witches and have a mission to complete, while also forging new paths alone and keeping secrets from one other. I really liked the old-time feel to this story and how wholesome it was. Definitely a great book to pick up in the autumn/fall months and read wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa, ideally by an open fire too.