Mini-Comments

In order to finish the year with correct personal registers, this post and the next will feature mini comments with the last books of 2024.

Never Lie by Freida McFadden was my first try with this author's work. I got this book at the library because I knew many friends had enjoyed the author's work. It's the story of Ethan and Tricia, a couple who stumbles on a house which was supposed to be ready for them to visit. The previous owner was a famous psychiatrist who went missing, and Tricia doesn't feel well staying in, but the snow won't allow them to leave, plus there is no network. 

In terms of vibe and atmosphere, this was certainly an intriguing novel, and the short chapters made the reading experience very easy. I can see why readers like the books if they are all this way. However, I must say that, to me, the plot was presented in a way that was a miss because some things probably would have required more development, a more established process. Beside, something I keep criticizing in romance novels, and which in mysteries isn't as negative, ended up being so here: this story makes no sense and even feels poorly executed because it's in first person. It should not be.

Grade: 5/10

Gravity by Tal Bauer seems to be a single title about two hockey players who meet at the all star weekend that often takes place in the North American league, featuring players from the Us and Canada (if I got that right). Brice and Hunter play for very different teams, had never played together before, but somehow mesh perfectly and are the unsurpassed stars of the weekend.
The fact they are attracted to one another certainly helps in making their connection a smooth one and there's a very slow build up to them expressing precisely that. Well, Brice does and Hunter is so surprised he can't react, and this seems to affect them more than it should. When they go back to their teams, their performance isn't as great and Brice's team, a lot better financially, decides to hire Hunter, to get their "magic" once more. Of course, things can't be that easy if they like one another and should not admit it, but I liked how the author played this out. 
This is the second book I try and I think the formula is this: things start slowly and beautifully, and after a certain point it feels as if everything descends into cheesiness. This means it's mostly good but could be so much better.
Grade: 8/10