Oh. The. Shame.\ud83d\ude48<\/span><\/h4>\nIf you\u2019ve ever fallen victim to the <\/span>NetGalley Grabby Hands<\/span>, then friend, you\u2019re in good company\u2014because I <\/span>absolutely did<\/span> it all wrong when I started out ten years ago. The thrill of \u201cRequest\u201d was real. I clicked. I hoped. I got approved. And then\u2026 I didn\u2019t give feedback, and for some\u2026I haven\u2019t even read them. That\u2019s right, I\u2019m chasing the Netgalley dragon\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>Gasp! Shock! Horror! \ud83d\ude31<\/span><\/h4>\nSo here\u2019s a little PSA for newbie reviewers<\/b>: <\/span>only request what you can actually read and review by the publication date<\/span>. Seriously. Stick to that golden rule and you\u2019ll save yourself the overwhelming guilt and chaos of trying to play review catch-up years later. Trust me\u2014I speak from experience. I\u2019ve learned my lesson, but not before creating my very own TBR Tower of Terror. And speaking as a publicist who now approves books on Netgalley, if your feedback ratio is low or you don\u2019t feedback at all\u2026 don\u2019t be mad when you get declined.
<\/span><\/h4>\n(Disclaimer:<\/b> despite my shame, my ratio is 80% and I only request or accept widgets for books that I plan to read asap now.<\/i>)\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nThat said, I\u2019m working my way through the backlog (slowly but surely!) and wanted to share a few mini-reviews of some cracking reads that have been sitting patiently on my virtual shelf. I had actually read most of them (had to rummage through my notebooks for my thoughts) so that makes it even worse. Holding myself to account though \u2014 Let\u2019s call it <\/span>Operation: Redemption<\/i><\/b><\/span>\u2014starting with these thrillers that deserve their moment in the spotlight.<\/span><\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/crimebookjunkie.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_1416-196x300.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Dark, twisty, and utterly unpredictable\u2014classic Pinborough! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, she yanked the rug from under me. Again. That ending? Deliciously clever. My bitches, (IYKYK) this is a must read!<\/span><\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/crimebookjunkie.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_1417-198x300.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
While You Sleep by Stephanie Merritt<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A sultry, atmospheric slow-burn with gothic vibes and secrets galore. Haunting in more ways than one, this had me looking over my shoulder and sleeping with the light on. Zoe Adams is a brilliant FMC. All I can say is this was an intense, and creepy good read!<\/span><\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/crimebookjunkie.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_1418-200x300.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Beneath the Surface by Sibel Hodge<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A raw, relentless dive into corruption and cover-ups. Gritty and gripping with a strong social conscience\u2014this one made me angry (in a good way). Perfect for fans of hard-hitting thrillers with substance.<\/span><\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/crimebookjunkie.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_1419-198x300.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Save Me by Mandasue Heller
<\/b>Bleak, brutal and full of bite\u2014this is gritty Manchester noir at its finest. The characters are tough, the streets tougher, and the tension never lets up. Heller nails it again.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/crimebookjunkie.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_1420-186x300.jpeg\")
<\/h4>\nThe Last Cut by Danielle Ramsey<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Sharp, suspenseful and full of heart-pounding moments. DS Harri Jacobs, where have you been all my life? A fantastic start to a series I\u2019ll definitely be continuing. Ramsey\u2019s voice is strong and her plotting spot-on.<\/span><\/h4>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Should I make this into a series? I feel like I should. #ShareTheShame maybe \ud83e\udd23 Stay tuned. Better late than never, right?
<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nRIGHT?<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nNaughty Noelle signs off\u2026for now. \ud83d\ude1c<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
<\/span>Gasp! Shock! Horror! \ud83d\ude31<\/span><\/h4>\nSo here\u2019s a little PSA for newbie reviewers<\/b>: <\/span>only request what you can actually read and review by the publication date<\/span>. Seriously. Stick to that golden rule and you\u2019ll save yourself the overwhelming guilt and chaos of trying to play review catch-up years later. Trust me\u2014I speak from experience. I\u2019ve learned my lesson, but not before creating my very own TBR Tower of Terror. And speaking as a publicist who now approves books on Netgalley, if your feedback ratio is low or you don\u2019t feedback at all\u2026 don\u2019t be mad when you get declined.
<\/span><\/h4>\n(Disclaimer:<\/b> despite my shame, my ratio is 80% and I only request or accept widgets for books that I plan to read asap now.<\/i>)\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nThat said, I\u2019m working my way through the backlog (slowly but surely!) and wanted to share a few mini-reviews of some cracking reads that have been sitting patiently on my virtual shelf. I had actually read most of them (had to rummage through my notebooks for my thoughts) so that makes it even worse. Holding myself to account though \u2014 Let\u2019s call it <\/span>Operation: Redemption<\/i><\/b><\/span>\u2014starting with these thrillers that deserve their moment in the spotlight.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Dark, twisty, and utterly unpredictable\u2014classic Pinborough! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, she yanked the rug from under me. Again. That ending? Deliciously clever. My bitches, (IYKYK) this is a must read!<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
While You Sleep by Stephanie Merritt<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A sultry, atmospheric slow-burn with gothic vibes and secrets galore. Haunting in more ways than one, this had me looking over my shoulder and sleeping with the light on. Zoe Adams is a brilliant FMC. All I can say is this was an intense, and creepy good read!<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Beneath the Surface by Sibel Hodge<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A raw, relentless dive into corruption and cover-ups. Gritty and gripping with a strong social conscience\u2014this one made me angry (in a good way). Perfect for fans of hard-hitting thrillers with substance.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Save Me by Mandasue Heller
<\/b>Bleak, brutal and full of bite\u2014this is gritty Manchester noir at its finest. The characters are tough, the streets tougher, and the tension never lets up. Heller nails it again.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h4>\nThe Last Cut by Danielle Ramsey<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Sharp, suspenseful and full of heart-pounding moments. DS Harri Jacobs, where have you been all my life? A fantastic start to a series I\u2019ll definitely be continuing. Ramsey\u2019s voice is strong and her plotting spot-on.<\/span><\/h4>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Should I make this into a series? I feel like I should. #ShareTheShame maybe \ud83e\udd23 Stay tuned. Better late than never, right?
<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nRIGHT?<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nNaughty Noelle signs off\u2026for now. \ud83d\ude1c<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/h4>\n
(Disclaimer:<\/b> despite my shame, my ratio is 80% and I only request or accept widgets for books that I plan to read asap now.<\/i>)\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nThat said, I\u2019m working my way through the backlog (slowly but surely!) and wanted to share a few mini-reviews of some cracking reads that have been sitting patiently on my virtual shelf. I had actually read most of them (had to rummage through my notebooks for my thoughts) so that makes it even worse. Holding myself to account though \u2014 Let\u2019s call it <\/span>Operation: Redemption<\/i><\/b><\/span>\u2014starting with these thrillers that deserve their moment in the spotlight.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Dark, twisty, and utterly unpredictable\u2014classic Pinborough! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, she yanked the rug from under me. Again. That ending? Deliciously clever. My bitches, (IYKYK) this is a must read!<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
While You Sleep by Stephanie Merritt<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A sultry, atmospheric slow-burn with gothic vibes and secrets galore. Haunting in more ways than one, this had me looking over my shoulder and sleeping with the light on. Zoe Adams is a brilliant FMC. All I can say is this was an intense, and creepy good read!<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Beneath the Surface by Sibel Hodge<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A raw, relentless dive into corruption and cover-ups. Gritty and gripping with a strong social conscience\u2014this one made me angry (in a good way). Perfect for fans of hard-hitting thrillers with substance.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Save Me by Mandasue Heller
<\/b>Bleak, brutal and full of bite\u2014this is gritty Manchester noir at its finest. The characters are tough, the streets tougher, and the tension never lets up. Heller nails it again.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h4>\nThe Last Cut by Danielle Ramsey<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Sharp, suspenseful and full of heart-pounding moments. DS Harri Jacobs, where have you been all my life? A fantastic start to a series I\u2019ll definitely be continuing. Ramsey\u2019s voice is strong and her plotting spot-on.<\/span><\/h4>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Should I make this into a series? I feel like I should. #ShareTheShame maybe \ud83e\udd23 Stay tuned. Better late than never, right?
<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nRIGHT?<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nNaughty Noelle signs off\u2026for now. \ud83d\ude1c<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Dark, twisty, and utterly unpredictable\u2014classic Pinborough! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, she yanked the rug from under me. Again. That ending? Deliciously clever. My bitches, (IYKYK) this is a must read!<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
While You Sleep by Stephanie Merritt<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A sultry, atmospheric slow-burn with gothic vibes and secrets galore. Haunting in more ways than one, this had me looking over my shoulder and sleeping with the light on. Zoe Adams is a brilliant FMC. All I can say is this was an intense, and creepy good read!<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Beneath the Surface by Sibel Hodge<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A raw, relentless dive into corruption and cover-ups. Gritty and gripping with a strong social conscience\u2014this one made me angry (in a good way). Perfect for fans of hard-hitting thrillers with substance.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Save Me by Mandasue Heller
<\/b>Bleak, brutal and full of bite\u2014this is gritty Manchester noir at its finest. The characters are tough, the streets tougher, and the tension never lets up. Heller nails it again.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h4>\nThe Last Cut by Danielle Ramsey<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Sharp, suspenseful and full of heart-pounding moments. DS Harri Jacobs, where have you been all my life? A fantastic start to a series I\u2019ll definitely be continuing. Ramsey\u2019s voice is strong and her plotting spot-on.<\/span><\/h4>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Should I make this into a series? I feel like I should. #ShareTheShame maybe \ud83e\udd23 Stay tuned. Better late than never, right?
<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nRIGHT?<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nNaughty Noelle signs off\u2026for now. \ud83d\ude1c<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/span>A sultry, atmospheric slow-burn with gothic vibes and secrets galore. Haunting in more ways than one, this had me looking over my shoulder and sleeping with the light on. Zoe Adams is a brilliant FMC. All I can say is this was an intense, and creepy good read!<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Beneath the Surface by Sibel Hodge<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>A raw, relentless dive into corruption and cover-ups. Gritty and gripping with a strong social conscience\u2014this one made me angry (in a good way). Perfect for fans of hard-hitting thrillers with substance.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Save Me by Mandasue Heller
<\/b>Bleak, brutal and full of bite\u2014this is gritty Manchester noir at its finest. The characters are tough, the streets tougher, and the tension never lets up. Heller nails it again.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h4>\nThe Last Cut by Danielle Ramsey<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Sharp, suspenseful and full of heart-pounding moments. DS Harri Jacobs, where have you been all my life? A fantastic start to a series I\u2019ll definitely be continuing. Ramsey\u2019s voice is strong and her plotting spot-on.<\/span><\/h4>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Should I make this into a series? I feel like I should. #ShareTheShame maybe \ud83e\udd23 Stay tuned. Better late than never, right?
<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nRIGHT?<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nNaughty Noelle signs off\u2026for now. \ud83d\ude1c<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/b>Bleak, brutal and full of bite\u2014this is gritty Manchester noir at its finest. The characters are tough, the streets tougher, and the tension never lets up. Heller nails it again.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/h4>\nThe Last Cut by Danielle Ramsey<\/b><\/span>
<\/span>Sharp, suspenseful and full of heart-pounding moments. DS Harri Jacobs, where have you been all my life? A fantastic start to a series I\u2019ll definitely be continuing. Ramsey\u2019s voice is strong and her plotting spot-on.<\/span><\/h4>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Should I make this into a series? I feel like I should. #ShareTheShame maybe \ud83e\udd23 Stay tuned. Better late than never, right?
<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nRIGHT?<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\nNaughty Noelle signs off\u2026for now. \ud83d\ude1c<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
<\/span>Sharp, suspenseful and full of heart-pounding moments. DS Harri Jacobs, where have you been all my life? A fantastic start to a series I\u2019ll definitely be continuing. Ramsey\u2019s voice is strong and her plotting spot-on.<\/span><\/h4>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n