Vendetta by Catherine Doyle – Mafia, Mayhem & Major Nostalgia | Book Review

Hey there! I’m back with my 6th book review, and this one is a real blast from the past. We’re going all the way back to my 12th-grade days, right when I was transitioning into college life—chaotic times, but oh-so-special. And the book that made that phase even more unforgettable? Vendetta by Catherine Doyle, the first in the Blood for Blood series.

This review is a love letter to that era, to those painfully slow but weirdly charming old computer systems I read the entire trilogy on (RIP to them 😔), and to my best friend who introduced me to this criminally underrated series. Honestly — thank you. I had no idea I could be this invested in a Mafia plot until Vendetta came into my life and knocked me sideways.

Mafia Boys, Mysterious Secrets & Pure Chaos

At its core, Vendetta is everything a YA fan didn’t know they needed. Five dangerously attractive brothers? Check. Mafia family secrets? Check. A headstrong heroine, Sophie, who stumbles right into the middle of it all? Big check.

This book had me in a chokehold from page one. It’s fast-paced, dramatic, and unafraid to get messy—in the best way. Sophie’s voice is sharp, funny, and relatable, and her gradual unraveling of the secrets surrounding her family and the mysterious Falcone brothers was chef’s kiss suspenseful.

And let’s talk about the vibes — romantic tension, thrill, danger, and that teenage heart-racing confusion when you can’t tell if you’re falling for a hero or a villain (or possibly both). Catherine Doyle seriously knew how to deliver.

Criminally Underrated (Pun Intended)

Honestly, I don’t see nearly enough people talking about this series, and it deserves the hype. If you like your YA with dark edges, swoony moments, and plot twists that keep you up at night, Vendetta is a gem. It gave me all the Romeo & Juliet but make it Mafia feels — without feeling cliché.

And the nostalgia? Ugh. Just writing this makes me want to go back to those simpler days, curled up with my creaky old desktop, devouring chapter after chapter like my life depended on it.

What’s Next

This is just the start of my deep dive into the Blood for Blood world — I’ll be reviewing the next two books (Inferno and Mafiosa) in my upcoming blog posts. So stay tuned for my 7th and 8th reviews as I fully indulge in this nostalgic reread journey.

As always, I’m posting every Friday — trying to stay consistent and slowly building this little reading corner of mine. If you’ve read Vendetta (or if this review just made you curious), I’d love to hear your thoughts! 💥📚

Until next Friday

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini — I was not ready for this emotional rollercoaster

Hey hey! Back again with my fifth book review (I know, I can’t believe it either 😭). And this one? This one absolutely wrecked me — in the most beautiful, painful, unforgettable way. I finally read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini as part of my 2024 reading backlog, and… oh my god. I cried for days. DAYS.

I wasn’t prepared for how deeply this book would cut into my heart — and then gently, painfully, try to stitch it back up again.

The Story That Grabs You by the Soul

Set in Afghanistan, the novel follows Amir and his childhood friend Hassan, and explores the themes of guilt, redemption, betrayal, love, and the heavy, haunting weight of memory. The writing is lyrical and powerful — it doesn’t just tell you a story, it pulls you in and makes you feel every heartbreak, every moral dilemma, every ounce of longing.

There’s something timeless and terrifying about how Hosseini captures both the innocence of youth and the brutality of growing up in a war-torn world. I felt so many things — frustration at Amir, pure heartbreak for Hassan, and just this deep ache for everything that could’ve been different.

I Knew It Would Hurt. I Didn’t Know How Much.

It’s one of those books that feels so intimate it’s almost hard to read. And yet, you can’t stop. There were moments I had to put it down, breathe, cry a little (or a lot), and pick it back up. Because no matter how painful it got, I had to know what happened. I had to hope redemption was coming.

There’s a scene — if you’ve read it, you know — that just destroyed me. And it’s not just that one moment. It’s the aftershocks. The guilt that lives in Amir for years. The way that trauma stretches and reshapes itself in different parts of his life. It’s… haunting.

If I Had to Say One Thing That Didn’t Click

Okay, just to balance it out — if I had one small critique, it would be that at times, the pacing felt slightly uneven. Some sections felt a bit rushed in comparison to others, especially later in the book. But honestly? That didn’t take away from the emotional weight it carried. And in a way, the whirlwind of time kind of mirrors how life moves on, even when we’re stuck in the past.

Final Thoughts

The Kite Runner isn’t just a book — it’s a whole emotional experience. It stays with you long after you close the last page. It breaks you open, but also, quietly, shows you the power of atonement and forgiveness. It’s painful, but necessary. Tragic, but hopeful. And for me, it’s now etched in my heart forever.

This is officially my fifth review, and I’m still holding on to my promise of posting every Friday (shocking, I know). Every post feels like another step toward actually being consistent in something — and this one was tough to write because I still get teary just thinking about this book.

Have you read The Kite Runner? Did it hit you just as hard? Let’s cry and talk in the comments 💬💔

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – A Slow Burn That Twists Your Mind

Hey everyone! I’m back with my fourth book review, and this one is special because it officially brought me out of my 2024 reading slump. You know that feeling when you’re stuck, bouncing between books but not really in any of them? Yeah, that was me — until I picked up The Silent Patient. And let me tell you, once I hit the halfway mark, I could not put it down.

A Slow Start, But Then…

I won’t lie — the book starts off a little slow. It takes its time setting up the mystery, introducing Theo Faber, a psychotherapist determined to uncover the truth behind Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shot her husband five times and then never spoke another word. The build-up is quiet, psychological, and at times, a bit dense. But somewhere in the middle? The story grabs you, and suddenly, you’re flipping pages like your life depends on it.

The Mystery & The Mind Games

What makes The Silent Patient so compelling is its unreliable narratives. You think you know what’s going on, you think you understand these characters, but then Alex Michaelides just pulls the rug out from under you. Alicia’s diary entries add a haunting layer to the story, giving you glimpses of her mind while keeping her just out of reach. And Theo? Well, let’s just say I thought I had him figured out. I did not.

And that twist? It’s one of those that makes you immediately rethink everything you just read. I actually had to pause and process for a minute because my brain was just — what?!

Final Thoughts

If you love psychological thrillers that mess with your head, The Silent Patient is a must-read. It takes its time at first, but the payoff is so worth it. I’m honestly grateful this book found me when it did because it reminded me why I love reading in the first place.

This is officially my fourth book review, and I’m really starting to enjoy this whole blogging thing. I’ll be posting every Friday, so here’s to keeping the streak going!🍻 If you’ve read The Silent Patient, let’s talk — did you see that twist coming, or were you as mind-blown as I was? Drop a comment below!😊

The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda – A Twisty, Atmospheric Thriller That Kept Me Hooked

Hey everyone! Back with my third book review as I slowly (but surely) work through my 2024 reading backlog. I’ve been trying to be more consistent with my blog, so here I am, sticking to my posting every Friday plan. (Three posts in — am I officially making this a habit? Let’s hope. 😅)

This week, I’m talking about The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda, a thriller that completely pulled me in. If you love small-town mysteries, shifting friendships, and just the right amount of psychological suspense, this one is worth picking up.

A Gripping, Twisty Thriller

Set in the coastal town of Littleport, Maine, the novel follows Avery Greer, a local woman with a troubled past, and Sadie Loman, her wealthy best friend from a powerful summer family. But when Sadie is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Avery becomes entangled in a web of secrets, betrayals, and town politics that make her question everything she thought she knew.

What I loved about this book is how atmospheric it is. Miranda does an incredible job of making Littleport feel alive — from the quiet eeriness of the off-season to the stark contrast between the town’s wealthy summer visitors and its struggling year-round residents. There’s this underlying tension in every interaction, making you feel like everyone has something to hide.

Avery is a compelling protagonist. She’s not your typical unreliable narrator, but she’s flawed, determined, and constantly fighting against the assumptions people have about her. Her dynamic with Sadie—this mix of admiration, resentment, and dependence — felt layered and realistic. As the story unfolds, we start to see that their friendship wasn’t as picture-perfect as it seemed.

The Mystery & The Pacing

The mystery itself is well-paced, with just enough twists to keep me engaged without feeling over-the-top. I kept switching between theories, convinced I had it figured out — only to be thrown off again. Miranda masterfully builds suspense, slowly peeling back layers of the past while making you question what’s really going on in the present. And the final reveal? Satisfying without feeling too convenient or forced.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with an immersive setting and a mystery that keeps you guessing, The Last House Guest is a solid pick. It’s not an action-packed, fast-paced thriller, but that’s what makes it so gripping — the tension builds gradually, making the payoff even more rewarding.

This was another great addition to my 2024 reads, and I’m so glad I finally got around to it. If you’ve read it, let’s chat! Did you predict the ending, or were you caught off guard like I was? Drop a comment below!

This is officially my third book review, and I’m still figuring out my style, but I’ll keep going! I’ll be posting every Friday — one step closer to actually being consistent with something. See you next week! 😊