allthereads_neverthetime's reviews
109 reviews

The Imposter by Marin Montgomery

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I just finished this book, and while I took a break from it in the middle, it wasn’t the books fault. I actually liked this book quite a bit and it’s one of the first books I was actually spooked by. Not usually do I get creepy feelings from books, but when you’re not sure if something is actually there or not, it gives me the willies. 😆
I enjoyed the story from both mother’s and daughter’s views and I thought I guessed what was going on, but I was wrong, which I love! Haha!! If you like not knowing what’s happening or who to trust until the end, I definitely recommend this one!

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

Quick Take: Again Angie Thomas hits it out of the park! I've loved each of the stories from Garden Heights! How each of the stories intertwine and going back to see how Maverick became to be the father  and role model to Starr and Seven (from The Hate U Give), just wraps everything up so perfect! I hope there's more coming, but I'll read anything Angie writes!  

Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.25

This book is cute! It has pretty much everything you want in a romance. Sexy new neighbour - check, family drama brought about by tradition and secrecy - check, friends that are always there for you - check, beer, bread, local dive bar, and a cooking show - check! I loved the family dynamic that Farah brought about in this book, and how it shows just how strong the culture values family ties. I realize the romance genre is fairly predictable, but its the background story and deeper character development that makes them stand out, and this one for sure has all that! (Thanks to my book peeps for our discussion on this earlier)... Anyways, I highly recommend this Canadian read! 

The Elite by Kiera Cass

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous one (The Selection) but I think it's because there wasn't the character building as there was in the first. It continues on with America and few that are left to be chosen to become Queen. But America bugged me in this one. I get having two love interests would be difficult, but I found she "flew off the handle" a few too many times, and just didn't come forward and ask... But I guess that would be a pretty boring storyline now wouldn't it. haha. I'm definitely going to keep on with this now that we know Maxim's little (big) secret, I need to know how things will go! 

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

5.0

I don't really enjoy politics; I don't keep track of royalty (sorry, but I think it's archaic); but let me tell you something... This book was amazing! I just loved it so much, the diverse characters and how Casey brought this group of people together! This isn't just a love story, but it's how two prominently "famous" people come together to get over personal struggles not just with their sexuality but family drama as well. There wasn't one character I didn't like, and I just really enjoyed the whole storyline and I will definitely be buying her next book! 

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

adventurous dark inspiring tense 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

3.5

Quick Take:
Love a rags to riches story.
Love a secret power that didn't know existed story.
Love a love triangle story.
But, this book having all those things, just wasn't my favourite. Did I enjoy it? yes! Will I keep reading/listening to this series? yes.  

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I still love this series so much, hence why I read this within a month of buying it on Pub Day, as opposed to all my other books waiting for me. The dynamic of the 4 main people involved in this story makes me so happy, and upset, and then happy again! I love that we get to see the relationships go a step further in this one, and see what happens when you fight for or against magic! Not wanting to give anything away, but there is some brutality in this one that I wasn't expecting, but from that point on I couldn't put the book down! 

This book puts closure to the series, but I also feel like there's a little bit that could be continued on, and I would not be upset to see this series continued. 

The Selection by Kiera Cass

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

3.75

3.75* for this futuristic royalty read! I enjoyed listing to this one, and yes obviously can't wait to dive into the rest of them! This definitely reads as series, and isn't a stand alone at all. The end just ends, kind of like a super interesting tv series, where you just need to know what happens next. 

I really enjoyed the storyline, kind of a mix between Hunger Games and Bridgerton! haha. And I'm also really liking all the characters, but I feel I can't do a full proper review, as I feel it's unfinished, which I suppose is a great way for us to read the rest of the books. ;-)

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Ugh, this book gave me all the feels! But mostly broke my heart, as I know this is a fiction book, it is far too real to just be thought of as that. Starr, the main character, is a strong female teenager that is living almost a double life. She lives in a poorer black community with her family, but goes to school in the suburbs at a predominately white school. One weekend she attends a party near home and catches up with an old friend, when gunshots ring out (a common occurrence) they leave together and while driving Starr home, Khalil gets pulled over and ultimately ends up dead. What Starr goes through after that, within her black community and her white school, are two complete opposite situations. 
This book made me feel my white privilege more that anything I've read before, because I know this happens, and I couldn't imagine going through something like this! It makes me mad, upset, and a little embarrassed. So if you feel any of these, keep on reading, speaking out, promoting, doing anything you can to bring forward this ongoing race issue. It isn't over just because it's no longer front and centre in the news.  
This is my second Angie Thomas book, and she is definitely an auto read for me now! Highly recommend!

The Push by Ashley Audrain

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.0

The main storyline is Blythe telling her journey through motherhood and how it is nothing what she expected. When her first child is born, she's convinced there's something wrong with her for not feeling what she's "supposed" to feel. But once her second child is born, all is right in the world, it feels like a do-over to her and everything with him is perfect! When an accident occurs and her life falls apart, she can't help but think it all has to do with her first born. 
This story was good and I enjoyed the backstories that provided an obvious link to why Blythe feels the way she does.  Ashley Audrain's debut was well written, and definitely doesn't shy away from the trials of motherhood, but also shares the joys that it can bring as well. This being noted as a psychological drama is the best way to describe what goes on in this book. A deep look inside one mother's thoughts of what might be wrong with her, or perhaps her child.