That Weekend by Kara Thomas

Title: That Weekend

Author: Kara Thomas

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Publisher: Delacorte Press

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★★★☆☆

Synopsis

Three best friends, a lake house, a secret trip - what could go wrong?

It was supposed to be the perfect prom weekend getaway. But it's clear something terrible happened when Claire wakes up alone and bloodied on a hiking trail with no memory of the past forty-eight hours.

Three went up the mountain, but only one came back.

Now everyone wants answers - most of all, Claire. She remembers Friday night, but after that... nothing. And now Kat and Jesse - her best friends - are missing.

That weekend changes everything.

What happened on the mountain? And where are Kat and Jesse? Claire knows the answers are buried somewhere in her memory, but as she's learning, everyone has secrets - even her best friends. And she's pretty sure she's not going to like what she remembers.

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My Review:

It's been a while since I've last picked up a YA Mystery/Thriller, so I was glad when I found this in the library. It sounded intriguing. Kara Thomas is a new author for me.

That Weekend starts with Claire waking up alone on a hiking trail, bloodied.

It was supposed to be the perfect prom weekend getaway for Claire and her best friends, Kat and Jesse. But Claire found herself alone on the hiking trail, bloodied, with no memory of what had happened and how she was here.

What happened? Where were Kat and Jesse? And from where did the blood come from? Intriguing!

The story is divided into four parts. At times, it switches between past and present, and POV. It seemed like everyone had something to hide.

While I enjoyed it, to be honest, it wasn't really my cup of tea. I'm not sure if it was just me, but at times, I felt like so many things happen, I forget what happened before that I'd have to flip back the pages to remember. Also, it was kinda slow as it wasn't much suspenseful. It was only in the last part of the book that things started to get really intriguing as the mystery of what happened unfolded. ***Spoiler***What kind of friend Kat is!***Spoiler***

That Weekend is targeted more towards the older YA audience as it contains some violence.

Overall, it wasn't bad...

Hiro and Tadashi by Brittany Candau

Title: Hiro and Tadashi

Author: Brittany Candau

Release Date: September 23, 2014

Publisher: Disney Press

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★★★★☆

Synopsis

This beautifully-illustrated picture book timed to release with Big Hero 6, focuses on tech-wiz Hiro and his older brother, Tadashi, as well as their unique styles and tastes in building robots! Readers will get a feel for their fun, compelling relationship, their mutual love for technology, and get to know the characters behind the super team, Big Hero 6!

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My Review:

A picture book with my favourite brother duo, Hiro and Tadashi Hamada!

I've loved the Hamada brothers ever since I watched Big Hero 6 in 2016. Heck, I've loved them even before watching the movie! The Hamada brothers were the main inspiration for the brothers in my WIP novel, Flynn and Blake Winterfield. That's why they'll always have a special place in my heart. (Why did Tadashi have to die?? 😭)

This book had been on my TBR for a long time. I was excited when I found it in the library, and instantly placed it on hold! (I wish I owned it, though)

The illustrations were beautiful, and the story shows the bond between the brothers. They share their love of robots and inventing. It was a really cute story, though I would've loved to see more. At the same time, I understand it was written for children.

I would love to get myself a copy one day.

The Haunted Bridge (Nancy Drew #15) by Carolyn Keene

Title: The Haunted Bridge

Series: Nancy Drew

Author: Carolyn Keene

Release Date: January 1, 1938 (revised ed.)

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

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★★★☆☆

Synopsis:

Mr. Drew is on the trail of an international ring of jewel thieves and asks Nancy to assist him. The trail leads to a summer resort area. Before Nancy has a chance to start work on her father’s case, a golf caddy tells her a frightening tale--in the dense woods nearby is an old wooden footbridge guarded by a ghost! Intrigued by the caddy’s story, Nancy decides to investigate. Several riddles confront the young detective as she attempts to solve the mystery of the haunted bridge and track down a woman suspected of being a key member of the gang of jewel thieves.

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My Review:

Finally picked up The Haunted Bridge.

In this installment of the Nancy Drew series, Nancy accompanies her father to Deer Mountain Lodge to assist him in a case involving jewel thieves, and at the same time, comes across another mystery related to a haunted bridge.

As someone who enjoys ghost stories and paranormal, the title and cover have intrigued me for a long time. However, it was not the best Nancy Drew I've ever read.

This Nancy Drew book was... alright, I guess. Not much happens. Most Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books end with cliffhangers in each chapter. There was not much action in this one. The beginning was slow with a guy harassing Nancy, and I agree with one reviewer mentioning that "the mystery was overshadowed by the golf tournament". Most of it was about Nancy playing golf (impressive how she was able to play golf really well despite her injured hand). Also, the mystery of the spookiness of the haunted bridge was solved early, which ruined the fun. I loved seeing Ned, Burt, and Dave, though. Also, as usual, I loved Bess and George's loyalty.

Overall, it was okay. Not bad.