Hi friends 💛
It’s a new month, and if you’ve been here for a while, you know what that means: another round of book recommendations! Only this time, we’re doing something a little different.
If you’ve watched any of my previous reading wrap-ups, you know I usually bring you books I adored—stories that stayed with me, that I couldn’t stop thinking about, that I couldn’t put down. But today? We’re flipping the script.
In this video and blog post, I’m talking about five books I didn’t exactly love. I gave each of them 3 stars on Goodreads—not bad, but definitely not my favorites. That said, I still finished them. And I still think they’re worth talking about, because who knows? One of these might just be a book you’ll end up loving. Reading is super personal, after all. What doesn’t land for me might totally blow you away.
📺 Watch the full video here before diving into the reviews below:
📖 Book #1: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
This one hurt a little—because I loved Gone Girl and Sharp Objects. Gillian Flynn is known for her dark, twisty thrillers with impossible-to-guess endings, so I went into Dark Places expecting a wild ride. And the plot sounds like it should be one: a woman whose family was murdered in a satanic ritual, her testimony putting her brother in prison… until decades later when she starts questioning what really happened.
But honestly? I just couldn’t connect. I found the ending pretty random, and the main character, Libby, felt flat to me. I kept waiting for something more, but it never quite arrived. If you’re into murder mysteries, this might still be worth a shot—but it just didn’t deliver the emotional punch I was hoping for.
📖 Book #2: Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Let’s talk about disappointment 😩 I’ve read Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot, and loved both, so my expectations were high for this one. Maybe too high?
The story is centered around a mysterious event at a barbecue, and the tension builds slooowly over the course of the book. But when the reveal finally comes, it felt… underwhelming. Like, that’s what all the drama was about? The characters’ reactions felt totally disproportionate, and their relationships didn’t quite ring true for me. But I will say this: my mom actually liked this one! So again—maybe it’s just me.
📖 Book #3: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Yes, another Liane Moriarty book. I wanted to give her another shot—but this one also didn’t work for me. The premise? Nine strangers at a wellness retreat, each with their own emotional baggage, coming together in a kind of forced healing environment.
The twist at the end is definitely dramatic, but I felt disconnected from most of the characters, and the pacing dragged. I wanted to be shocked, delighted, moved… but I was mostly confused and frustrated. That said, this one’s been adapted into a TV series starring Nicole Kidman—so maybe I’ll give the show a try instead!
📖 Book #4: This Is Not a Fashion Story by Danielle Bernstein
This one is by the influencer behind WeWoreWhat, Danielle Bernstein. I was curious to learn more about her journey and expected some solid fashion biz inspo—kind of like #Girlboss (which I loved when I first read it). But this felt more like a personal diary than a business book.
It’s light on strategy and lessons, and heavier on personal stories and relationship drama. That’s not necessarily bad—it just wasn’t what I was hoping for. If you’re a big fan of Danielle and want a behind-the-scenes look at her rise in the fashion world, you might enjoy it. But if you’re looking for tips or motivation for building a brand or business, you might be left wanting more.
📖 Book 5: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
This one took me by surprise. I went in expecting something light or purely romantic, but wow — it’s so much more than that. It tackles deep, emotional topics like domestic violence and generational trauma in a way that’s raw but accessible. I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters, especially Lily and how complex her choices were. It really made me reflect on how love isn’t always black and white, and how sometimes walking away is the strongest thing someone can do. I get now why this book went viral — it’s powerful and emotional, and it leaves a mark.
Why I Still Recommend Books I Didn’t Love 💬
Here’s the thing: I don’t only want to talk about books I loved. I want this to be a real, honest space for readers—especially those of us who are juggling work, life, side hustles, and just trying to sneak in some reading time before bed (or while waiting at the doctor’s office with a toddler 🙃).
Sometimes, I think we learn just as much from the books that don’t resonate. They help us understand what we like, what we don’t, and maybe even lead us to something better. And hey—maybe one of these “meh” reads for me will become a five-star favorite for you!
So let’s keep the conversation going. 📚
Have you read any of these books? Did you feel the same, or am I totally off? Let me know in the comments here or on the video. And if you have recommendations for books that didn’t blow you away—but you’re glad you read anyway—I’d love to hear those too.
Thanks for reading (and watching!) and I’ll see you soon with a new video. Don’t forget to check out the rest of my book review playlist on YouTube if you want more recs—there are 35 books covered so far and counting!
With love,
Flor ✨
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