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_chrstnlvly's reviews
216 reviews
Echoes of You by Catherine Cowles
I found Maddie's choices really annoying. I caught myself rolling my eyes several times because of her poor decisions. Every time she made a bad choice, I had to put my Kindle down and remind myself to breathe. I understood where she was coming from, but some of her choices seemed stupid, especially when it came to her and her loved ones' safety. What irritated me even more was that people around her just coddled her with her choices instead of being honest about the mistakes she made. (PSA: I'm only referring to the bad choices she made after returning to Cedar Ridge, not before, so please don't come at me.)
I read this right after finishing Whispers of You, and Echoes of You felt like a copy-paste version of the former(main characters being in love since childhood, female main character [FMC] having a traumatic past, male main character [MMC] feeling the need to protect the FMC, FMC having a dog, similar form of attack on the FMC, the FMC being kidnapped... you get the point) . However, I still enjoyed it, but I can't shake off how similar the two books were.
If I liked the Hartleys in Whispers of You, I fell in love with them (and their small town) while reading Echoes of You. I can't seem to stop reading about these characters. I hope I'll get to see more of Roan, Caden and Aspen in the next books.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Never put up with anyone treating you with even a hint of cruelty. It’s always a sign of bad things to come.
I found Maddie's choices really annoying. I caught myself rolling my eyes several times because of her poor decisions. Every time she made a bad choice, I had to put my Kindle down and remind myself to breathe. I understood where she was coming from, but some of her choices seemed stupid, especially when it came to her and her loved ones' safety. What irritated me even more was that people around her just coddled her with her choices instead of being honest about the mistakes she made. (PSA: I'm only referring to the bad choices she made after returning to Cedar Ridge, not before, so please don't come at me.)
I read this right after finishing Whispers of You, and Echoes of You felt like a copy-paste version of the former
If I liked the Hartleys in Whispers of You, I fell in love with them (and their small town) while reading Echoes of You. I can't seem to stop reading about these characters. I hope I'll get to see more of Roan, Caden and Aspen in the next books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed how well-developed the main characters were, especially Wren. I admire her strength and resilience, and I aspire to be as kind as her. The only small issue I had was that I wish we had more background information on why her parents are the way they are, but that's just a minor complaint.
Whispers of You has the perfect balance of romance and mystery, keeping me engaged while also making me root for Holt and Wren. This was the first time I read a Catherine Cowles book, and it definitely won't be the last, especially now that I feel a strong connection to each of the characters.
Whispers of You has the perfect balance of romance and mystery, keeping me engaged while also making me root for Holt and Wren. This was the first time I read a Catherine Cowles book, and it definitely won't be the last, especially now that I feel a strong connection to each of the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Stalking and Murder
Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Dialogue seemed forced, but I still enjoyed it despite the cliché damsel-in-distress-gets-saved-by-a-man storyline.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I didn't get into Piranesi by Susanna Clarke until about 30% of the way through the book. However, I don't fault the author because she did a great job creating an intriguing world. Once I got past that point, I found myself engrossed in the story and eager to find out what would happen next.
I'm still not entirely sure what my key takeaway from the book is, but perhaps it's about the human need for connection - there's a part of you deep in your heart that longs for companionship and social interaction. Maybe the book also suggests that periods of isolation can be beneficial, allowing us to reflect and become comfortable with ourselves.
It might even be a reminder for me to start journaling again, capturing the mundane details of life so that I can look back and remember who I was. Perhaps it's also about rediscovering my curiosity about people and the unique experiences that have shaped them.
Maybe it's the reminder that throughout our lives, we may become versions of ourselves that feel unfamiliar, but that's a natural part of growth. It's not something we should be afraid of because as people say, "We are the sum of our experiences."
If you're looking for a book with a captivating world and a mysterious atmosphere, even if it's light on plot, then Piranesi might be the perfect choice for you.
I'm still not entirely sure what my key takeaway from the book is, but perhaps it's about the human need for connection - there's a part of you deep in your heart that longs for companionship and social interaction. Maybe the book also suggests that periods of isolation can be beneficial, allowing us to reflect and become comfortable with ourselves.
It might even be a reminder for me to start journaling again, capturing the mundane details of life so that I can look back and remember who I was. Perhaps it's also about rediscovering my curiosity about people and the unique experiences that have shaped them.
Maybe it's the reminder that throughout our lives, we may become versions of ourselves that feel unfamiliar, but that's a natural part of growth. It's not something we should be afraid of because as people say, "We are the sum of our experiences."
If you're looking for a book with a captivating world and a mysterious atmosphere, even if it's light on plot, then Piranesi might be the perfect choice for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I strongly disliked many aspects of this book.
The author failed to provide compelling reasons for me to care about the characters. I found all the characters to be uninteresting and shallow. Both the young and old versions of Sam were unlikeable, and I cannot comprehend why Percy was initially drawn to him.I was frustrated by how easily Percy gave in to Charlie, which indicated immaturity on her part (to be fair, both Sam and Percy displayed immaturity and should have listened to their parents). I also disliked Charlie's arrogant attitude. The book seemed to trivialize the act of cheating, particularly when Sam quickly forgave Percy and even apologized to her for supposedly giving her a "reason" to cheat.
The plot was tedious and the pacing was slow. The twist in the story felt forced, and I was not too fond of the way cheating was portrayed as justifiable. The dialogue felt repetitive, and the descriptions lacked depth. The romantic interactions between Sam and Percy were cringeworthy, making the book feel more like young adult fiction rather than adult fiction. The buildup to the dramatic revelation felt prolonged, only for the author to hastily conclude the story.
This book felt like a ripoff of Love and Other Words, with the added twist of the female main charactercheating with the male main character's brother.
Overall, I would not recommend this book.
The author failed to provide compelling reasons for me to care about the characters. I found all the characters to be uninteresting and shallow. Both the young and old versions of Sam were unlikeable, and I cannot comprehend why Percy was initially drawn to him.
The plot was tedious and the pacing was slow. The twist in the story felt forced, and I was not too fond of the way cheating was portrayed as justifiable. The dialogue felt repetitive, and the descriptions lacked depth. The romantic interactions between Sam and Percy were cringeworthy, making the book feel more like young adult fiction rather than adult fiction. The buildup to the dramatic revelation felt prolonged, only for the author to hastily conclude the story.
This book felt like a ripoff of Love and Other Words, with the added twist of the female main character
Overall, I would not recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
Minor: Cancer
The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie: A Satirical Novella by Freida McFadden
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
One word to describe this book: absurd. I think it's leaning towards absurd than satire. It doesn't bother me though, because I found myself laughing almost every chapter at how Freida McFadden made fun of the typical tropes.
This book will not change your life. But if you need to read something quick and entertaining (or if you're looking for a short novella so you can be up-to-date with your reading goal), this book is for you. Just don't expect a grand, wonderful story, and just enjoy the ride.
This book will not change your life. But if you need to read something quick and entertaining (or if you're looking for a short novella so you can be up-to-date with your reading goal), this book is for you. Just don't expect a grand, wonderful story, and just enjoy the ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Murder
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I recently finished reading a rather unique book that really challenged my expectations. The story was both predictable and unpredictable at the same time, which was quite fascinating. On one hand, the book was a little annoying because it seemed to drag on, but on the other hand, as the plot unfolded, I found myself growing sympathetic towards the characters. The outlandish nature of the story was both a positive and a negative for me, as it added an intriguing element to the narrative but also made it a bit hard to relate to at times.
Despite these contradictions, I have to admit that I ultimately found the book to be quite good. The author's ability to draw me in and make me genuinely think and feel showed skillful storytelling. Instead of being frustratingly clueless which is a cliche in most mystery/thriller books, the main character, Emma, was portrayed as a thoughtful and intelligent protagonist, even when her actions seemed questionable at times.
There were even moments that I couldn't help but find a bit humorous, particularly when the different points of view clashed in a somewhat comical way. For instance, there was a part whereEmma claimed the killer had screamed, only for the next paragraph to reveal the killer’s perspective, denying the scream. This unexpected humor provided a welcome break from the intense and adrenaline-filled plot.
Overall, I think I would recommend this book. Its outlandish nature is what gives it its charm, and while you might have a sense of who the killer is, the real mystery lies in how events will unfold.
Despite these contradictions, I have to admit that I ultimately found the book to be quite good. The author's ability to draw me in and make me genuinely think and feel showed skillful storytelling. Instead of being frustratingly clueless which is a cliche in most mystery/thriller books, the main character, Emma, was portrayed as a thoughtful and intelligent protagonist, even when her actions seemed questionable at times.
There were even moments that I couldn't help but find a bit humorous, particularly when the different points of view clashed in a somewhat comical way. For instance, there was a part where
Overall, I think I would recommend this book. Its outlandish nature is what gives it its charm, and while you might have a sense of who the killer is, the real mystery lies in how events will unfold.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I had high hopes for this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations. It had a dark and twisty plot, which I usually enjoy, but the twists were quite mediocre. Although there were multiple twists, they felt overused and unoriginal, making the story predictable.
Despite being marketed as an adult novel, the characters' behaviors and thoughts seemed more suited to a young adult audience. This discrepancy, combined with the lack of depth and relatability in the characters, made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. The protagonist, Jessica, came across as extremely self-centered and unlikable.
While I did speed through the book because it was easy to read and had some entertaining moments (there's nothing more entertaining than reading about other people's drama), I can't say that I would recommend it. It's often described as a dark academia book, but it's more of a mystery/thriller. In my opinion, there are much better mystery/thriller novels out there that are worth reading.
Despite being marketed as an adult novel, the characters' behaviors and thoughts seemed more suited to a young adult audience. This discrepancy, combined with the lack of depth and relatability in the characters, made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. The protagonist, Jessica, came across as extremely self-centered and unlikable.
While I did speed through the book because it was easy to read and had some entertaining moments (there's nothing more entertaining than reading about other people's drama), I can't say that I would recommend it. It's often described as a dark academia book, but it's more of a mystery/thriller. In my opinion, there are much better mystery/thriller novels out there that are worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Stalking