This review post is all about “The Manchineel” novel by Jessica Carrasquillo.
CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, THRILLER , ROMANCE
ABOUT THE BOOK
title: the manchineel
AUTHOR: jessica carrasquillo
GENRE: romantic thriller fiction
PUBLISHER: indie published
PUBLISHING DATE: 1/16/2024
FORMAT: E-BOOK
PAGE COUNT: 318 PAGES
SOURCE: arc copy obtained by author via bookfunnel
GOODREADS summary
My Thoughts:
I had the pleasure of receiving The Manchineel as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC), exchanging my candid thoughts for this early edition. A heartfelt shout-out to Jessica Carrasquillo, the author, and the team at BookFunnel for the opportunity to dive into this captivating debut novel.
Initially, I had reservations to accept the invitation to join the street team for this book as I was caught up with demanding job and staring down a towering stack of my TBR (to-be-read) list. Yet, I took the plunge, and I’m eager to share my thoughts.
THIS POST IS ALL ABOUT “THE MANCHINEEL” BOOK BY JESSICA CARRASQUILLO.
THE PLOT
Let me just start off by saying that the plot is phenomenal. This author got my ADD-addled brain to command that I sit still, pause all activities, and binge-read for hours.
I nearly finished in a day. Unprecedented for me. Except perhaps for a quick audiobook, but that’s a different ball game. I READ it. I read this until my eyes were all dried out and stung a bit. I forfeited sleep, even with the knowledge of a looming 13-hour shift. I read for the thrill of “just one more chapter.” Irresponsible? Perhaps. Regrettable? Not in the slightest.
The nail-biting, jaw-dropping, and sometimes steamy chapters had me in a chokehold until the very end. Admittedly, the conclusion wasn’t as creepy and haunting as I would’ve liked for a psychological thriller, but It was still very good.
Not since Caroline Kepnes’s “YOU” have I been this taken with a romantic thriller, but I might have to dive more into this genre because I’m finding that I thoroughly enjoy it.
Enter Elyse Santiago: a captivating figure in the gardening social media realm, her allure only deepened by a troubled past.
Then there’s Ben Deluca, the dashing Hollywood lawyer whose life seems picture-perfect—he’s attractive, successful, married to the glamorous yet deeply flawed Ana, and lives in a luxurious home. But appearances are deceptive, and Ben’s reality is far from ideal.
When Ben agrees to assist Elyse with her blossoming career, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to her.
However, Ben’s manipulative wife, Ana, knows precisely how to dominate and dictate his life, leaving him in a state of perpetual misery. The plot is driven by the intensifying toxicity of their marriage and Ben’s magnetic pull towards Elyse.
"Feeling Elyse's gentle affection, the way she looked at him, he hadn't realized how long it'd been since he's felt desired, how much he'd missed it."
And speaking of toxicity, let’s talk about the Manchineel fruit—a deceptively inviting green apple lookalike, infamous in the Caribbean and South America for its lethal toxicity, earning the moniker “little apple of death.”
Curiosity piqued?
The novel reveals the ominous significance of this deadly plant, but you’ll have to read it to find out how.
As Ben’s yearning for a semblance of normalcy in a relationship swells, one question hangs in the air:
IS ELYSE SANTIAGO TRULY NORMAL?
THE CHARACTERS
The main characters are well developed, leaving no room for confusion about their motivations or actions. Elyse’s sensitivity and introversion are the result of past traumas.
*TRIGGER WARNING: For those who are sensitive readers, please note that there are references to physical and sexual abuse.*
Her history sheds light on her connection with Ben, whose own difficult past resonates with her. Around Elyse, Ben’s facade crumbles, revealing the complexities of his stormy marriage.
Ben Deluca masters the art of pretending, concealing his anguish and persistently soldiering on as if all is well.
There’s a one particular scene that tugged at my heartstrings: Ben shares the extent of his troubled home life. His hesitant openness was deeply moving and made his character even more endearing to me.
"It guts him. Inside, he's grappling with the desire to reassure her while guarding this agonizing secret. Reflecting on his feelings for Elyse , he knows it's more than just a physical attraction."
I found both Elyse and Ben to be compelling characters, with a special fondness for Elyse. Her quiet, unassuming nature, paired with bouts of necessary assertiveness, struck a chord with me.
Ana, however, remains an enigma. What drives her madness? Mental illness, childhood trauma, or a combination of both? We’re given glimpses into her psyche, but never a full understanding.
A truly great antagonist is complex, yet Ana falls short, appearing as a one-dimensional villain. She’s a witch, plain and simple, knowing exactly what strings to pull to get Ben to do what she wants.
WRITING STYLE
The writing is exceptional. Chapters frequently end on cliffhangers, keeping me riveted. The narrative moves quickly—I was so engrossed that I devoured it in 24 hours.
The alternating perspectives give us a comprehensive insight into each character’s emotional landscape. Debut author Jessica Carrasquillo excels in weaving subtext. Initially, only subtle clues about formative events in Ben’s and Elyse’s histories are revealed. This strategy effectively builds suspense, making me eager to piece the entire puzzle together.
The inclusion of Cuban heritage for both Elyse and Ben is a thoughtful touch. Although I don’t speak Spanish the occasional Spanish dialogue helped to enrich the story’s authenticity.
IS “THE MANCHINEEL” SPICY?
Yes. You bet! However, it’s very tastefully done and serves the story well. Nothing overly explicit. I give it 🌶🌶 and a half chili peppers.
The Manchineel ticks all the boxes: romance, drama, suspense, and passion. I couldn’t wait to share my thoughts in this review—it’s a standout novel that truly deserves recognition. Amidst a hectic schedule, it’s rare for a book to capture my attention so fully. Discovering this gem, especially from an indie author, has been a highlight.
The Manchineel is now available on Kindle, Paperback, and Audiobook. Don’t miss out on this amazing read.
If you haven’t read it yet, but are thinking about it, be sure to pin this post on Pinterest so you can remember to add it to your TBR list.
In the meantime, if you’re craving more edge-of-your-seat narratives, check out my post “Top Ten Psychological Thriller Audiobooks (That will give you chills)” for additional captivating book recommendations.
You’ll love this book if you loved…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica Carrasquillo
Meet Jessica Carrasquillo, an attorney turned captivating storyteller.
Rooted in the vibrant cultural mosaic of South Florida, her work beautifully intertwines her Latina heritage, professional background, and an exploration of moral ambiguity and justice.
With a literary style that blends romance, drama, and humor, Jessica's narratives are both engaging and thought-provoking. Her ability to translate complex, real-world concepts into riveting storytelling lends authenticity to her tales, captivating readers from start to finish.
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Thanks for the review on the The Manchineel. This book sounds like an absolute page-turner! The way the story weaves together intrigue and suspense. I am always on the lookout for a good read.
I really hope you enjoy it, Ann. ?
This book sounds like it is hard to put down. I am intrigued to find out what will happen with Ben and his love triangle.
I loved it. ?? It was such an addictive read. If you read it, please let me know what you think.
I Love to read such stories. Definitely worth reading. https://www.nexusghostwriting.co.uk/