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Book Review: Such a nice girl by Andrea Mara

Such a Nice Girl by Andrea Mara was my first book by this author, and the premise immediately drew me in. The idea behind the story was intriguing and I found myself hooked from the start, eager to discover what had actually happened. One of the strengths of the novel is its twists. For much of the book I believed I had figured out the direction the story was heading in, only to be proven wrong. Mara does a great job keeping the reader guessing, and the tension around the mystery kept me turning the pages. However, the characters didn’t work quite as well for me. While the fear and desperation of parents whose daughters have gone missing is understandable, the behaviour of the two mothers sometimes felt exaggerated and unrealistic. At times their actions felt more frustrating than believable. I also found the opening section a bit repetitive, and there were a few plot elements that felt slightly far-fetched, seemingly included to create additional twists. Despite these issues, I still ...
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Review: Unknown Caller by Gillian McAllister — DNF at 50%

Unknown Caller had an intriguing premise, and I went into it expecting a tense, fast-paced thriller. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of those books that simply didn’t work for me, and I ultimately decided to DNF at the halfway point.


While the story moved quickly, the plot felt increasingly convenient and unoriginal. Events fell into place too neatly, and instead of building genuine suspense, it often felt forced and implausible. I found myself questioning the logic of the story more than being absorbed by it.


One of my biggest issues was the portrayal of the main character. Her obsession with her daughter felt exaggerated in a way that was uncomfortable rather than emotionally impactful. Instead of adding depth or tension, it pulled me out of the story repeatedly.


Another element that didn’t work for me was the writing style. The use of metaphors felt random and unnecessary, often making little sense and disrupting the flow rather than enhancing it. Instead of adding atmosphere, they became distracting.


The best way I can describe my experience is that it felt like watching what you expect to be a serious horror film, only for it to suddenly turn into a parody halfway through. The tone just didn’t land for me.


That said, reading is incredibly subjective. If this book worked for you, that’s great. For me, it simply wasn’t the right fit, and I’m comfortable with the decision to put it down.


Thank you to Penguin Random House UK and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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