adelphiereads's reviews
150 reviews

Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.5

I loved the plot of this book but the execution is a huge disappointment. The writing was tasteless. The supposedly “swoon” worthy moments were subpar. And the drama in the middle and end were not written in a way that it would’ve kept the reader at the edge of their seats.

All in all, the book had the potential to be good because of the plot but its execution caused its downfall.

I read this without thinking too critical about it. I thought it would be my “break” my “lighthearted” read but I was really disappointed with it. Even with my standards lowered, it still didn’t meet them.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The plot twist of this book is definitely unpredictable. I wasn’t a fan of the considerable amount of sex scenes, though. I mean I get it, obsession is easily represented as sexual desire. But…I’m not into it. I was expecting to read a thriller book not a romance one. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the unreliable and annoying narrator. It felt like I was in one of Verity’s books, reading a story from a villain’s perspective. From that statement, it can be proven that I am team letter. 

Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan by Bob Ong

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book is definitely scary and strangely, funny. I enjoyed reading it. But…I don’t like books that don’t have an explanation of what happened in the end. I mean, yes, I do love mysteries but I really want them to be solved afterwards or at least a major part of it, if not all. I just have so many questions after reading this book and I don’t like it when that happens. I think the book didn’t do well when I finished it with so many questions in my head. So that’s why I gave it 3 stars.

Still, it’s an interesting book. I recommend it for those who are into mysteries and horrors that do not mind what I just described earlier. 

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I cannot give an objective review of this book because I watched the movie first and they barely have any differences. Instead, I would simply review the story.

The story was definitely captivating. The mystery kept me at the edge of my seat and the disorientation of the narrator works really well because as a reader, I felt it too. The author did a good job writing this book and I would love to read more of his works. Hoping that they could live up to this one.

I highly recommend this to people who are into thrillers or want to get into the thriller genre. 

Priest by Sierra Simone

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

adventurous funny relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

When I read the first couple of chapters of this book I immediately thought, “Is this a modern version of When Harry Met Sally?” Then to my surprise, I found out in the end how the author was inspired by that movie! A movie that I loved. So if you do loved that movie too, you have to read this. 

And even if you haven’t watched that movie or you did not like it at all but you are still a fan of the “friends to lovers” trope then this book is definitely for you.

Lastly, if you’re not any of those things above but you’re someone who loves vacations then this is a book that you should pick up.

In summary, I want everyone to read it. It’s a really good romance book! 

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo, Leigh Bardugo

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book is the perfect mix of magic, mystery and politics. I love how in this story we get to see the different aftermaths of the war that happened in the Shadow and Bone. The plot twists are perfect as always since this is a Leigh Bardugo novel but the gravity of each character's dilemma is heavier and more heartfelt. It's also inspiring to read, especially for those who have demons to face every single day or for those who go through their days trying to hide those demons from the world. 

And like all of the books in the Grishaverse, this is also very relatable and relevant to our world despite it having magic and chaos that can only exist in the pages of a fantasy novel. I highly recommend it for those who have read the Shadow and Bone trilogy, please, I implore you to finish the rest of the Grishaverse series, they're worth your time. 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This is not just a book about two sisters with contrasting personalities. It's also about the different coping mechanisms of people in times of tribulation during the period that this story took place. It's about the different ways an individual comes out of an adversity that changes tilts their entire world as they know it. What I loved the most about this book is the touches of feminism in it, hidden between the lines of sarcasm and irony and just simply beautiful Austen writing. This is the first Austen book that I've read and I am definitely in love with her writing. Starting this summer I decided to take a break from classics because it feels like it has become an obligation not a hobby, but I have a good feeling that any Austen book will be an exception. 

I highly recommend everyone to read this. Although, fair warning, it's not a romantic story. I mean it is but it's not what it's all about. 

As this is a classic there's no "strong" character development, not as monumental as let's say Kaz Brekker's in Six of Crows or Percy Jackson or The Beast from Beauty and the Beast, but it did involve a certain growth between the sisters. Elinor learned how to feel her feelings and let herself love Edward in her own passionate way while Marianne learned to adhere to social standards, the propriety of things during her time, to let love occur to her in time and to not only think of herself but also of the people who love and care for her instead of how she used to be in the beginning. Although I am against conformity to the society, I am in agreement with her becoming less self-absorbed and becoming more aware and grateful of the people who care and love for her through thick and thin. 

Also, John Willoughby is a coward, a vain lecherous and parasitic, even, man. While Edward Ferrars is s honorable, loyal and brave, basically everything Willoughby was not. And the fact that we have no idea that he was like that because he was an action-oriented man. Actions speaks louder than words, as they say. I just love how Jane Austen perfectly portrayed that in her book. 

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s definitely something new. Not just the idea of a romance budding out of a flatshare arrangement (something that I never knew existed until now). But the struggles and flaws of each character. It’s a step on writing about people who are unrepresented in books and mainstream media. And add that to the fact that it is a really well written romance; not too cheesy but not too bland. I loved it.

Highly recommended for people who likes reading romance novels but are too tired of the cliches. 

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

As a woman in STEM, I loved the concept of this book. It's exciting to see actual smart women who has numerous degrees and achievements in romance books. I feel like I've only encountered romance books that portrayed "smart women" as main characters who's good at scheming or snapping witty remarks on "alpha males". This is the first time I've read a romance book where the woman is actually smart. But what's more interesting in this book is how accurate it is when it comes to women like that. Women who are intellectuals and considered the best in their field tend to be a little dense on one area in their lives, particularly in their love lives. I don't think it's their fault though. Being a smart woman in this world is hard. Men will bring you down with everything they've got just because you're smarter than them. So, it's a bit difficult to definitively know the difference between cunning schemes or genuine concern from a man. 

All in all, I enjoyed reading the book. Aside from the concept, I loved how the author included socially relevant issues in the story. I will not share them, you just have to read them for yourself. But it's leaning on the marginalized area of people in STEM or the academe. And of course, the romance. This book made my standards for men higher, like 6 feet and 4 inches taller. Once you've read this, you'll agree with me when I say that we all want a Levi Ward in our lives but most of the time we settle for a Tim or maybe for a Guy because we think that's all we deserve. No, we're wrong. As this book clearly pointed out, we deserve someone like Levi Ward, we just need to wait for fate's perfect timing.