Category: First Person Narrative

Made You Look by Tanya Grant

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary, First Person Narrative, Mystery, New To Me Author, Standalone Title, Thiller / Suspense, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Made You LookMade You Look by Tanya Grant

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: November 18, 2025

The story follows a group of social media influencers—Sydney, Caitlyn, Lucy, Jeff, Nash, and Brent— who are trapped by a snowstorm at a resort in the isolated, snowy Catskills of New York and cut off from the outside world. As the magnitude of their situation kicks in, a killer emerges, turning their retreat into a fight for survival. The characters, though distinct on paper, often felt shallow and interchangeable, with most of their decisions lacking believability. The story shifts between multiple points of view, but Lucy is the only character that I felt offers occasional depth through her cancer survival experience.

The novel blends influencer drama with classic locked-room mystery elements. I was all set to enjoy a nail-biting, edge of my seat thriller and ultimately ended up a bit disappointed. While the premise is promising and the setting atmospheric, the pacing falters and suspense dissipates midway through the book as the story began focusing more on interpersonal drama than danger. Plot twists vary in effectiveness, and the ending resolves the mystery without major surprises. In addition, the writing features first person narrative from a multi-character POV, which is hard to follow at times and makes the story feel repetitive. I think this book may appeal to younger readers who are fans of influencer culture, but for me it fell short as a gripping thriller.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Running with the Werewolf by Laurie London

On By TracyIn Contemporary, First Person Narrative, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Running with the Werewolf (Darkaway Island #1)Running with the Werewolf by Laurie London

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Darkaway Island #1

Release Date: November 17, 2025

Darkaway Island is a supernatural resort where monsters come to play and humans can get swept into the mayhem. After her life takes an unexpected and complicated turn Daphne, arrives on the island and she quickly finds herself caught up in the local chaos, becoming a contestant in an unusual dating contest. The prize is Travis Monroe, a brooding and grumpy cowboy who also happens to be a werewolf and the star of a supernatural soap opera. Travis has just inherited a ranch and has to find a mate before the White Wolf Moon or he risks losing the property to a half-brother he barely knows, which would also cost his sister her future. As Daphne and Travis participate in group dates and one-on-ones, the story reveals both of their vulnerabilities—Daphne’s secrets and Travis’s sense of duty—while a rival pack and various island oddities stir up trouble.

While the island’s cozy, offbeat atmosphere and the playful, fast-paced romance might appeal to readers who enjoy whimsical paranormal stories, the fated pairing felt formulaic and the dual POV first-person narrative detracted from my enjoyment. The romance between Travis and Daphne grows beyond mere obligation, with genuine feelings developing despite the contest setup and external pressures. Overall, if you like small-town paranormal romance and enjoy the fated mates trope, this might be a fun, escapist read—but it wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *