Book Review: All the Ice Cream in the Land by Emmy Kastner

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All the Ice Cream in the Land  by Emmy Kastner  is about a princess, the kingdom she lives in, and her loyal subjects. Full of twists and turns, children will surely delight in this story about ice cream. When I saw the title and cover art of this kid's book, it made me instantly think of my childhood and how I would've loved a book like this one. A huge shout out and thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for approving my request to read this book. I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. The storyline is very easy to follow, making it especially suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers, particularly children between the ages of two and six. Its straightforward narrative and clear structure make it an excellent choice for read-aloud sessions at home, bedtime stories, or classroom story time. While there is limited character development, which is typical for a picture book format, the princess is still an intere...
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Book Review: The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

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NetGalley ARC of The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin
The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin opens with Sarah Slade, a social influencer, starting her life over with her husband by purchasing a house to renovate and planning to document the entire process for Sarah’s followers. The house carries a dark past, and when unexplained events begin happening, Sarah quickly realizes that something is very wrong and is desperate to uncover the truth behind the house.
 
Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin.  The synopsis was intriguing, and when I received word that my request to read and review this book, I was thrilled.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Although I didn’t necessarily find Sarah Slade or her husband particularly likable as characters, I was still invested in their story and found myself hoping that things would ultimately work out for Sarah. The novel is filled with twists, revelations, and unsettling moments that kept me guessing throughout. Just when I thought I had figured out what was happening, another twist would change everything. Whether the ending is satisfying or not is something readers will have to discover for themselves, but it certainly delivers a memorable conclusion.

Despite my mixed feelings about the main character, I was hooked from the very first page. The atmosphere is tense, eerie, and filled with a sense of creeping dread that builds steadily as the story progresses. Parts of the novel felt reminiscent of The Shining by Stephen King, particularly in the way the house itself seems to take on a life of its own and influence those living within its walls. The author does an excellent job creating a chilling environment that made me feel uneasy and on edge. There were several moments that genuinely creeped me out and made it difficult to put the book down.

I gave The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin four out of five stars for the reasons already mentioned. Additionally, the story is so engaging and disturbing that it keeps readers questioning what is real and what isn’t. You won't want to miss out on this suspenseful, creepy novel, and I personally look forward to reading more stories by Matlin.

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