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ahartfullofbooks's reviews
628 reviews
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Last One at The Wedding is mystery thriller with a lighthearted tone and fast paced writing. I enjoyed the story but there were many moments where I was frustrated with the main character and the twist wasn’t very compelling.
The book’s pacing was also a little strange but I felt it worked for me because it kept things surprising. Was I blown away or unable to put this one down? No. I’d say it’s worth a try, some might like it more than I did.
The book’s pacing was also a little strange but I felt it worked for me because it kept things surprising. Was I blown away or unable to put this one down? No. I’d say it’s worth a try, some might like it more than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Murder, Classism
Half Marathon: A Complete Training Guide for Women by Barbara Galloway, Jeff Galloway
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
I was not a fan of the sexist lean of this book. Being told that as a woman I’ll never match the abilities of my “husband” because he is a superior man the first few pages in was really not a take I’m interested in. I’m sure his walk run method is great and I’m sure I can read about from someone else that doesn’t aggressively tell me I’m a weak woman, or that heterosexuality is the only life to live.
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An excellent blend of research and magic set at a home for pregnant girls
prior to Roe V. Wade.
Hendrix is skilled at writing strong female protagonists that feel like real people, and he’s done it again in this one. I loved the relationships between these forgotten girls based on real American history.
Hendrix does a great job setting the scene historically while weaving in the supernatural with witches in the woods and teen girls experimenting with the craft and the consequences that come with mucking around with powers beyond their understanding.
I really enjoyed this one but the plot did get a little slow and drawn out at points which is why I didn’t give this one a full five stars, but I definitely enjoyed it and would recommend it!
prior to Roe V. Wade.
Hendrix is skilled at writing strong female protagonists that feel like real people, and he’s done it again in this one. I loved the relationships between these forgotten girls based on real American history.
Hendrix does a great job setting the scene historically while weaving in the supernatural with witches in the woods and teen girls experimenting with the craft and the consequences that come with mucking around with powers beyond their understanding.
I really enjoyed this one but the plot did get a little slow and drawn out at points which is why I didn’t give this one a full five stars, but I definitely enjoyed it and would recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pedophilia
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An eerie horror novel that blues the lines between reality and fiction. We follow a survivor from an indie horror film gone wrong, as he explains what happened and walks the reader through the process of making the reboot film.
I’m not always a fan of Tremblay, but I found this one intriguing and eerie. The book is written from the survivor’s perspective intermixed with actual screenplay from the film, melding written and visual media so well! I’d classify this as a horror/thriller that points out the true horrors in life are t monsters but us.
I’m not always a fan of Tremblay, but I found this one intriguing and eerie. The book is written from the survivor’s perspective intermixed with actual screenplay from the film, melding written and visual media so well! I’d classify this as a horror/thriller that points out the true horrors in life are t monsters but us.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive by Craig DiLouie
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
A horror director finds a cursed camera that kills whoever is in its viewfinder in bizarre ways, giving Final Destination.
This book was a horror comedy with a lot of commentary on the horror genre and what makes horror truly horrifying. Incredibly gorey, with characters I didn’t really care for, and dark humor that borders the line of campiness here are the major reasons I didn’t really enjoy this book. I don’t like comedy in my horror, and I need strong characters which I just didn’t see in this one. I’m also not a huge fan of gore and desensitizing violence, which I get was the point and one of the main commentary pieces here, but I just didn’t enjoy it.
If you like comedic horror or violent gore books this one probably might hit but if you’re looking for a serious or scary novel, this isn’t what I’d recommend.
This book was a horror comedy with a lot of commentary on the horror genre and what makes horror truly horrifying. Incredibly gorey, with characters I didn’t really care for, and dark humor that borders the line of campiness here are the major reasons I didn’t really enjoy this book. I don’t like comedy in my horror, and I need strong characters which I just didn’t see in this one. I’m also not a huge fan of gore and desensitizing violence, which I get was the point and one of the main commentary pieces here, but I just didn’t enjoy it.
If you like comedic horror or violent gore books this one probably might hit but if you’re looking for a serious or scary novel, this isn’t what I’d recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
The Shabti by Megaera C. Lorenz
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A charming romance story between a charlatan and an Egyptologist haunted by the past and an actual Egyptian ghost. This was a light read with a fun supernatural mystery, Egyptian lore, and a charming budding romance between two middle aged men. I loved the historical elements of mediumship and Egypt since the book is set in the twenties and the cast of characters were enjoyable. I’d recommend to anyone looking for a unique romance with a supernatural twist and a little bit of drama.
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Model Home is so much more than a haunted house story and I would not recommend this to someone looking for your classic ghosts and supernatural phenomenons in a house.
Model home is about racism, hatred, and childhood trauma. How we run from the things we can’t face until we can’t run anymore, haunted by the moments that shaped and plague us.
Amazingly diverse representation in this novel, heartbreaking prose, and characters you feel you know. This one was a difficult read and it went to so many places I didn’t expect. This reminded me a lot of White is for switching, where the house itself may or may not actually be the issue here….
Model home is about racism, hatred, and childhood trauma. How we run from the things we can’t face until we can’t run anymore, haunted by the moments that shaped and plague us.
Amazingly diverse representation in this novel, heartbreaking prose, and characters you feel you know. This one was a difficult read and it went to so many places I didn’t expect. This reminded me a lot of White is for switching, where the house itself may or may not actually be the issue here….
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism
Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A slow burn horror with toxic families, haunted villas, and a complicit Italian town. This one starts slow and the true horror for me at first was the insidious, toxic, gaslighting family Anna is entangled in and aware of but is still trapped under the “but they’re family” rhetoric. If you know, you know.
Accompanying the family tension is the pressing knowledge that something isn’t right with the families vacation rental….
I read Thorne’s previous book Lute and did not like to at all, but I’m so glad I read Diavola because I feel like this is what Lute was supposed to be but she hasn’t quite gotten the hang of it yet.
A perfect blend of horror, toxic families, accepting the self, and lore all rolled into one little Italian town. I loved this book and could relate to a lot of the themes of suffering for the sake of family, and felt very connected to Anna. I also LOVE a good low burn horror and Thorne does an amazing job of instilling that sense of slow gradual rot that occurs with a haunting.
This one is fun, creepy, and just a great ride. Love it!
Accompanying the family tension is the pressing knowledge that something isn’t right with the families vacation rental….
I read Thorne’s previous book Lute and did not like to at all, but I’m so glad I read Diavola because I feel like this is what Lute was supposed to be but she hasn’t quite gotten the hang of it yet.
A perfect blend of horror, toxic families, accepting the self, and lore all rolled into one little Italian town. I loved this book and could relate to a lot of the themes of suffering for the sake of family, and felt very connected to Anna. I also LOVE a good low burn horror and Thorne does an amazing job of instilling that sense of slow gradual rot that occurs with a haunting.
This one is fun, creepy, and just a great ride. Love it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Carrie Soto is my favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid character now! This book follows a minor character from Malibu Rising and delves into her tennis career and comeback. Reid is amazing at crafting realistic characters and setting them in historic moments.
While I love this book I do see how others might not. Tennis and sports in general are a huge focus, so if you’re not into tennis, sports, or character driven stories I could see how this book could be a struggle. Fortunately for me I love tennis, sports, and all the characters in this story so it was a blast. I highly recommend the audiobook, it made the matches feel so real and the rivalries come to life with the sportscaster dialogue.
While I love this book I do see how others might not. Tennis and sports in general are a huge focus, so if you’re not into tennis, sports, or character driven stories I could see how this book could be a struggle. Fortunately for me I love tennis, sports, and all the characters in this story so it was a blast. I highly recommend the audiobook, it made the matches feel so real and the rivalries come to life with the sportscaster dialogue.
That One Night by Emily Rath
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Hockey romance. That’s about it