Since I started blogging I have really come to understand my reading tastes and, as a result, I am very rarely disappointed by the books that I read. There were no books I read in 2019 that I actively hated, which is amazing. These are all books that I liked but had high expectations for so they ultimately disappointed me.
Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
I think the problem here is that I expect a lot of Christina Lauren, especially after reading and loving The Unhoneymooners this year. There was something about Twice in a Blue Moon that just never quite came together for me. I think the story would have benefit from being longer and allowing the characters the time to work through their past. Everything seemed to resolve very quickly. Also, where was the epilogue?!
Someone We Know by Shari Lapena
I have been trying to embrace thrillers this year and I had heard amazing things about Shari Lapena. This was actually a buddy read and I was glad that it pushed me to finally pick up one of her books. Sadly, it was not as good as I was expecting. Every character was horrible and I just never found myself caring about who did it. It was really fast-paced though, so I am open to reading something else by her.
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Another book I picked up on my quest to read more thrillers! I read The Death of Mrs. Westaway earlier in the year and very much enjoyed it, so I was excited to read Ruth Ware’s latest. Unfortunately, something about it didn’t work for me. There is no doubt that Ware is a genius at creating atmosphere, but I found that this particular story dragged. I also found the ending to be unsatisfying!
The Girl in Red by Christina Henry
I have heard so many amazing things about Christina Henry”s novels and I love the idea of them. I am always here for an original retelling! There were things I liked about The Girl in Red and the twist on Little Red Riding Hood, but there were quite a few things that didn’t work for me. I have come to the realization that I do not love stories about people on a journey, particularly if they are on foot. I do not know why that is but I just find them boring! I also wish that more of the world was explained. A lot of her other books intrigue me though so I am hoping to try again in 2020.
Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker
K.A. Tucker is an author I have been wanting to read from for awhile, and I will still be picking up The Simple Wild at some point. It is such a shame that this book didn’t work me because I usually enjoy second chance romances. I will say that I thought that the chapters set in the past were interesting, but there was something about the chapters set during the present that felt off. I just didn’t feel the connection and I actually thought that some of the love interest’s actions bordered on stalking.
The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin
On paper The Last Romantics should have been a book that I absolutely loved, and I did love the first half. The dynamics between siblings is always interesting to me and I am here for a good family drama. It was the second half where things started to fall apart for me and I just did not care. Honestly, I remember the first half vividly but I have little recollection of the second half. That said, Conklin is an incredible writer and I can wait to read more from her.
No Exit by Taylor Adams
I am definitely in the minority on this one but this kind of thriller is just not for me. This book confirmed for me how much more I care about characters vs. plot. No Exit is extremely fast paced and action-packed to the point that it was exhausting for me. I also do not enjoy when the bad guy is revealed so early on! I really liked the epilogue though!
You may have noticed that there are quite a few thrillers on this list. That is because it is not a genre I have read a lot from in the past and I am slowly learning what I love from the genre and what I don’t. I will talk more about it in a future post. I am confident I will pick better thrillers for myself in 2020!
What was the most disappointing book you read this year?
I haven’t read any of these, so I appreciate the tips on which books I might want to avoid! I read another of Ruth Ware’s, The Woman in Cabin 10, and decided it was one of two books to read once–worth finishing but overall disappointing!
That issue with journeys on foot is one of the main reasons I prefer the films of The Lord of the Rings to the books: Onscreen, you’ll get 30 seconds of images dissolving into one another showing that they hiked for many days through various places; on paper, you get exhaustive description of each day’s scenery, what they ate, etc., etc., and it does get old!
I guess the book that most disappointed me in 2019 was Masterminds and Wingmen because it over-generalizes on both “what boys’ lives are like in 21st-century America” and “what normal parents think, feel, and do.”
I have heard many mixed things about The Woman in Cabin 10. I’m not sure I will ever go back and read Ruth Ware’s backlist.
I think you nailed it about journeys on foot. Works much better on screen!
I hate when books do that. One I will avoid for sure!
I love reading posts like these lmfao they always turn out to be my favorites because I agree SO much. i’ve heard so many lackluster things about turn of the key it’s put me off reading it 🙁
I love them too! I know some people loved it but Turn of the Key bored me through most of it.
Say you still love me disappointed me too
It’s too bad. I thought the story had potential!
It did but I guess my expectations were too high as several bloggers had raved about it
I haven’t gotten around to any of these, but it’s one of my goals to read more thrillers in 2020. I’m glad to know that I may want to rethink some of my decisions! Great post💜
Thank you! I find thrillers to me so hit and miss. It’s been interesting trying to figure out what works for me and what doesn’t.
I’m so sorry TOTK is on this list. I feel like I failed you!
Hahah I’m still glad that I read it! There is something that I like about her writing and will definitely give her next book a chance.
Given how much I loved K.A. Tucker’s The Simple Wild, I was so sad to also be disappointed with The Simple Wild!
The main characters’ chemistry (or honestly lack thereof) really did not work for me.
That’s how I felt as well. They had chemistry as teens but not as adults!
I quite liked Turn of the Key, but I totally get what you mean- I wasn’t crazy on the ending either!
I’m usually okay with endings like that but not in a thriller!
Ninth House was my biggest disappointment 😕 It was good, but I was expecting to be blown away and it fell flat for me.
And I totally agree with your assessment of No Exit!
I have seen so many people feel the same way about Ninth House. I’m not sure I will ever get to it!
I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Always sad that there are some disappointing books.. I haven;t read any of these, but I want(ed) to read the turn of the key and the girl in red, have to think about that now haha!
(www.evelynreads.com)
It seems everybody loves No Exit, but that one disappointed me as well! I was really hoping for a fun whodunnit, but like you was disappointed that the antagonist is discovered right away. I also thought the torture bit was somewhat gratuitous, which bothered me.
The only other book I’ve read from your list is Turn of the Key, which I liked! It’s definitely a slower-paced mystery rather than a suspenseful thriller, but I didn’t mind. I also liked the ambiguity of the ending. But I can definitely understand that it’s not a typical thriller, and not to everyone’s taste.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like No Exit. I had the exact same problems with it.
I usually liked slower books but something about it just never connected for me. I know I’m in the minority though!
I also wasn’t crazy about the ending of The Turn of the Key! It was going so well until then.
I don’t mind endings like that but not in a thriller!
I always love when people post about the books that disappointed them. I really liked Turn of the Key which I listened to – I loved the narrator and really got into it. I didn’t finish The Last Romantics – as a family saga I couldn’t get into it and didn’t really like the main character. I was disappointed by Trust Exercise and The Need, to name a few.
I know I’m in the minority for Turn of the Key. I completely agree with your thoughts on The Last Romantic
Both those books are on my TBR but I have heard so many mixed things!