Oliver Marks has just been released from prison, and is finally ready to tell Detective Colborne what really happened when his classmate was killed ten years ago. As young actors at an elite conservatory, Oliver and his classmates played the same roles – villain, hero, temptress – over and over again, both off stage and onstage. But when the casting changes, good-natured rivalry turns ugly, and the plays spill dangerously over into real life. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had seen If We Were Villains by @sureasmel around but I didn’t read it until my friend @judithbleeker recommended and lent it to me. It’s not the type of book I read (anymore) and it was very stressful at times, but I was pulled in by the promise of Shakespearian theatre and very soon I was completely hooked. 📚 What struck me most was the emotional complexity of these characters. Difficult backgrounds, trauma, insecurity and forced vulnerability, set in this tiny, isolated, cult-like academic world, then add the strong emotions of the Shakespearian stage and you have fireworks. The way tension builds and ebbs away (but never completely) only to return stronger is masterfully done. 📚 I love how Shakespeare is interwoven in the story, more than just a few references, it’s the very fabric this world is built out of, and underscores some of the characters’ most pivotal moments. They really live Shakespeare. Someday I plan to reread this book again in conjunction with all those plays. Though you genuinely don’t need to to understand and enjoy the book, but it does give the story that much more depth. 📚 A very well crafted book that you should definitely check out if you either like Shakespeare or murder mystery/thriller stories. 📚 (Content warnings below, may contain spoilers) . . . . . . . .   CW’s: violence, abuse, blood, gore, death, suicide (off-page) . #ifwewerevillains #mlrio #shakespeare #bookreview #bookworm #bookish #bookblogger #amreading #bookgram #instareads #bookishlove #readmorebooks #bookstagrammers #bookcollector #readinglife #bookwormproblems #bookobsessed #bedtimereading #readerforlife #bookshark #bookpicture #bookishphoto #bookreviewer #booksaremagic #bookblog #goodreads #review #bookishproblems https://www.instagram.com/p/CpIEcPNLZWy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

💬 Happy Sunday! How are you spending your day? . Thank you to @minotaur_books & @booksparks for adding this awesome-sounding thriller to my summer reading list! Have you read The Photographer by @marydixiecarter yet? Is it on your TBR? . . . s u m m a r y ⇣ Mary Dixie Carter's The Photographer is a slyly observed, suspenseful story of envy and obsession, told in the mesmerizing, irresistible voice of a character who will make you doubt that seeing is ever believing. WHEN PERFECT IMAGES As a photographer, Delta Dawn observes the seemingly perfect lives of New York City’s elite: snapping photos of their children’s birthday parties, transforming images of stiff hugs and tearstained faces into visions of pure joy, and creating moments these parents long for. ARE MADE OF BEAUTIFUL LIES But when Delta is hired for Natalie Straub’s eleventh birthday, she finds herself wishing she wasn’t behind the lens but a part of the scene―in the Straub family’s gorgeous home and elegant life. THE TRUTH WILL BE EXPOSED That’s when Delta puts her plan in place, by babysitting for Natalie; befriending her mother, Amelia; finding chances to listen to her father, Fritz. Soon she’s bathing in the master bathtub, drinking their expensive wine, and eyeing the beautifully finished garden apartment in their townhouse. It seems she can never get close enough, until she discovers that photos aren’t all she can manipulate. . . . h a s h t a g s ⇣ #thephotographer #marydixiecarter #psychologicalthriller #thrillerreads #thrillerbooks #bookstagram #bookphoto #bookporn #booklover #bookdragon #bookgram #thebookstagram #asecondofwhimsey #awakethelight #booksparks #ofsimplethings #bookshark #photosinbetween #seekinspirecreate #readthrillers #readinglife #cozystyle #cosyhome #cozyreading #bookseverywhere #booksofig https://www.instagram.com/p/CQooOBhtFJR/?utm_medium=tumblr

Ultimately, I closed the book feeling disappointed and leaving with a sense of un-fulfillment. And, that is something, you guys probably know and understand, if worst then finishing a book sometimes. 

“Even more, I had never meant to love him. One thing I truly knew - knew it in the pit of my stomach, in the center of my bones, knew it from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, knew it deep in my empty chest - was how love gave someone the power to break you” . . . I bet you’ve all see the posts about the newest Twilight book being released in August. I don’t care what all the hater say, I love Twilight! Harry Potter was my childhood but Twilight was my late teens. Like many Twilight rekindled my love of reading, and this series helped me get through the first few years of being a teenage mom. I am so happy to be getting something new!! . . QOTD: Are you team Edward or team Jacob ? . . I’ll always be team Edward!! 🧡🧡 . . . #booksharks #bookshark #alwaysreading #readersofig #livetoread #bookphotography #bookstagram #bookishlove #bookblogger #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #booklove #avidreader #booksforlife #bookreviewer #YAlit #currentlyreading #Bloggerstribe #Bloglife #smallblogger #bookreview #bibliofeature #biblio_feature #twilight #twilightsaga #teamedward #bookstack (at New Brunswick) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_x2AtQAXp5/?igshid=wpr7si7snuo1

Sometimes books are there just to make you smile when you’re out. I went out for the first time in quite a while today; the first time since I’d completely stopped taking my antidepressants and I felt a little bit like a hedgehog emerging from their den after months of hibernation. It was a good outing though, had lunch with my mum and visited my favorite bookstore. This afternoon will be spent catching up with my reading, specifically Emma which I’ve fallen behind with the last week. #books #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstore #bookshelves #poetry #booksofinstagram #mentalhealth #lifeafterantidepressants #positivity #positivevibes #bookshark #booknerd #bookstagrammer (at Waterstones) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8l1FdiA-dT/?igshid=pr5pbc9p7lx3

#QOTD How often do you rearrange your bookshelf? Are the books kept based on color / height / author? 📚 📚 I don't think I've ever rearranged my bookshelf. The only thing I've done is to move around the books so as to make space for new ones. Since I'm on a break from work and suddenly have lots of time, I think a bookshelf rearrangement is due. I have always kept my books based on height and author. Now I'm thinking whether I should make a change and try keeping them based on color. Let's see how it looks then. 📚 📚 #mondebooks #shelfie #bookshelves #bookreader #bookblogger #bookishthoughts #bookishcommunity #bookshelves #bibliotherapy #bibliomania #readingcorner #alwaysreading #lifewithbooks #bookstagramfeature #readingtime #bookshark #thebookieclub #avidobooks #unitedbookstagram #readmorebooks #bdloves #goodreadswithaview (at Home Sweet Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Mol4nABR6/?igshid=soxysu1y0e1t

We are halfway to the weekend friends!!! Who is ready? Has this week been good to you? . This is week 3 of the #botmbingereadathon and the photo challenge this week is midmonth check in! . I’m basically sucking at my own Readathon 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ I’ve only completed one book, but I’m almost done with my second. . Read: The Whisper Man ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ . Almost done with Four Dead Queens and really enjoying it!! I’m I good but into The Ten Thousand Doors of January also, but I’m struggling with it so it’s kind of sitting to the side for now. . I’m really holding to finish FDQ today and then have 1-2 more read by Sunday. 🤞🏽 . Let me know how your reading is going for the Readathon, or in general!! . . . #bookofthemonthclub #bookofthemonth #peasinjordanspods #bookshark #falldecor #autumnal #pumpkins #basket #bookstack #targetdollarspot #tjmaxxfinds #thetenthousanddoorsofjanuary #fourdeadqueens #thewhisperman #thrillerbooks #yafantasy #allthefallthings #fallvibes #quietplace #thingsthatmakemehappy #explorepage #hobbylobbyfinds https://www.instagram.com/p/B2j7FYpnByA/?igshid=1qsyt09evnf52

What was the most interesting memoir you’ve ever read? I don’t read much nonfiction, so this month’s @girlybookclub selection should be a nice change of pace for me! 😊