They call her Regret…

Okay, let's talk about 'They Call Her Regret' by Channelle Desamours. I've seen a few people asking, metaphorically, 'should I stop chasing her?' when it comes to books that don't quite hit the mark. And honestly, after finishing this one, my answer is a resounding 'maybe.' I really went into this hoping for a gripping horror/thriller, especially with that intriguing tagline: 'She'll make you a deal worth killing for.' It sounded so promising, right? Like there would be a compelling, perhaps dangerous, female lead that would truly make me think twice. But, oh boy. The main character just didn't do it for me. I saw someone compare her to 'Bella Swan written by Disney Channel,' and honestly, that’s so spot on. For a story that should have me on the edge of my seat, wondering about the deals being made and the potential for regret, I found myself just… not caring. When you're reading a book, you want to invest in the characters, even if they're flawed or unlikeable. You want to understand their motivations, their fears, their journey. But this character felt so flat, almost like a caricature, which really made it hard to 'chase' her story or feel any real tension. Then there’s the horror/thriller aspect. Now, I love a good scare, a creeping sense of dread, or a psychological puzzle that keeps me guessing. The blurb and that killer tagline really set up high expectations for something chilling. But honestly, it was more like a mild breeze than a terrifying storm. There wasn't a single moment that genuinely made me jump or feel unnerved. The review mentioned 'not even a ghost witch from the lake,' and that summarises my feeling perfectly. If you're looking for genuine thrills or scares, this book might leave you feeling like you've been chasing something that ultimately evaporated into nothing. It just didn't deliver on the promise of a truly suspenseful or frightening narrative, which is a major letdown when that's what you're seeking. And the twist! Oh, the twist. I live for a good plot twist, something that makes me gasp and re-evaluate everything I've read. It's the payoff for all the suspense and buildup. But here, it felt incredibly rushed, almost like an afterthought thrown in at the last minute to tie things up. It didn't have the impact it should have, leaving me more confused than satisfied. It felt like the author had a great idea but didn't quite stick the landing, which is such a shame because the potential was definitely there. So, for anyone out there wondering if 'They Call Her Regret' by Channelle Desamours is worth your time, especially if you're like me and looking for a truly impactful horror/thriller with a compelling protagonist and a gripping twist, I'd say proceed with caution. Sometimes, it's okay to 'stop chasing' the books that don't resonate, even if they have shiny covers and intriguing taglines. There are so many amazing books out there that truly deliver on their promises. This one, unfortunately, just wasn't one of them for me, earning a solid 2-star rating.