Kristin's Bookshelf

Smother
by Daya Winters
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

This one pulled me in fast and kept a steady grip the whole way through.

At its core, Smother is a tense, character-driven thriller that leans heavily into relationships, control, and the slow unraveling of truth. The pacing was solid overall, though there were moments where repetition slowed things down just a bit.

The characters are where this book really stands out. Hannah, Mrs. Taylor, Evan, and Margaret all bring something different to the table, and I kept going back and forth trying to figure out who to trust—and who was hiding something darker.

I will say, I kept waiting for things to go a little more off the rails. There were opportunities for the story to lean even more sinister, and I wanted just a bit more of that edge.

That said… the final stretch? Wild. Everything comes together with a last confession that finally clicks all the pieces into place, and it definitely delivers on the payoff.

Overall, a gripping read with strong character dynamics and a satisfying ending—just left me wishing it pushed a little further into the dark.

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