alicia_ann_reads's reviews
478 reviews

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

Meh, I read this via audiobook for the cozy fall vibes...and the pumpkin spice, but.. it was kind of lacking.

I didn't particularly like the narrator at all and I think that was part of the issue, but also there is t feel like any decent build up or believable relationship and the tension just wasn't there for me so by the time they finally coupled I was bored. 

The rest of the side plot was also lacking. 

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

Loved this! 

I was cackling, and crying and swooning.

Really, it was actually a more cathartic read than I was anticipating, and really hit on some emotional traumas. 

Some excellent character development and I loved the focus on herself. 

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

This was such an excellent book. I read via audiobook and the narrator did such a fantastic job in all the various characters, the tone and urgency in tense scenes really brought you into the story.

The trans and ASD two here was stellar; the portrayal of essentially conversion therapy and even ABA while triggering and horrifying should really be eye opening. The internal dialogue of the TMC as a rabbit really highlights what these horrible therapies do. 

The mix of spirits and veil added another song layer. 

Prairie Edge by Conor Kerr

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This book was labelled as a mystery and thriller and I wouldn't really say it was either of those. 

It was mostly sad and frustrating. (Frustrating as in empathizing with the Indigenous characters)

This really highlighted the current day systemic racism and absolute failure of the system, but it also showed how persistence and activism can work.

The first chapter was way too long.
I'm going to be thinking about these characters for a long while. 

Lizards Hold the Sun by Dani Trujillo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.

I could not get into this. 

I loved the rich cultural aspects already woven through but the narration was very stilted, and too much use of character names over pronouns made it hard to get into.

Overlooking that, Xiamara's character focused on work, but the love interest seemed to focus thoughts on looks a lone to begin with. 

I dunno there was just something about the development I wasn't liking. 

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.

DNF at 23% 

Similar to Gwen and Art are not in love, this book begins painfully slowly, I can see where the humour will be, but it's really just but grabbing my attention. 

The 'fast paced' bits aren't really that fast and I'm having a lot of time visualizing the world. 

I loved the premise of a Sapphic Robin Hoodesque retelling, but I just can't get into this. 

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

dark mysterious 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? No

3.25

So I enjoyed this book, I loved the idea of the fungi and the horror aspect, I loved the distinction of pronouns at the beginning and some of the characters but it felt really disjointed.

Like the first part of the book some of Introducing the MC seemed kind of irrelevant..  and I dunno it just feels like something is missing. 

And several parts the Mc kept to themselves seemed only to further the plot and bothered me. 

I usually really like this narrator but the voice just seemed too happy and that was a little off putting as well. 

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

I really loved this story, even if Rafi was unbelievably whiney and conceited, I knew he'd get a redemption arc. 

I read via audiobook and enjoyed the narrator as well! 

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

challenging emotional informative medium-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

3.5

I loved the overall story (based on true life events) and some of the character arcs, but it was a harder book to follow as there were many POVs scattered around whose stories intersected in multiple areas.

I found some of the side stories more interesting than the main one. 

The Push by Ashley Audrain

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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

4.5

Whew, this book packed a heavy emotional punch. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Suicide

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Grief