amc70's reviews
188 reviews

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny sad tense 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

4.0

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore

emotional informative reflective 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

4.0

Funny Story by Emily Henry

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

3.5

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

challenging reflective slow-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

3.5

The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.0

Lovely, relaxing and perfectly predictable. 

Three middle aged best friends, each unhappy with their lives for some reason find happiness and resolution while tucked in a quaint inn at Christmas time. Each of the characters were fine though all had the same voice- thank goodness the chapters were titled though even then I would still be briefly confused. 
While I will be donating this one, I would definitely read another one of Morgan’s novels.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

emotional informative reflective 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? No

4.5

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

emotional reflective 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

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

informative reflective medium-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? No

3.0

This is probably the first time I have entertained any internal debate about whether or not historical fiction should be an actual genre. The research and historical accuracy of at least the events cited are evident and I applaud Benedict here. The internal dialogue, emotions and motivations of our main character gave me pause, and while I understand that that is the fictional aspect, it is also the aspect that most intrigues me. I had hoped that Benedict had referenced diaries or an autobiography though this doesn’t seem to be the case. 
Heddy Lamar was an amazing woman and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to learn about her life. My rating is a matter of writing not the subject matter.

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

emotional relaxing 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? It's complicated

2.75

This novel has been sitting on my shelf for years and I finally picked it up. It’s 14 years old now, and I have to say, in my opinion, not Hilderbrand’s best. The overtones of wealth and entitlement were off putting in the beginning but the move to Tuckernuck Island was a nice change! Most of the characters were fairly well developed though annoying except for India- loved India. Overall an ok read but not my favorite Hilderbrand novel.

Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott

emotional lighthearted 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

A charming story from another time. Whenever I pick up a classic like this,I am enthralled by the language and sentence structure. I love sentences that are a paragraph long! Alcott’s language is dreamy and lyrical, her story sweet and wise. Recommended for any fan of American classics.