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annakayreads's reviews
59 reviews
Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
For all my girlies in STEM - this one is for you!
Such a delight and made my nerd heart so happy. A workplace romance in the most unlikely of environments, Give Me Butterflies was a joy to read. I was pulled in almost immediately by the banter and ease of which I was able to fall into the world.
For fans of Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, and Abby Jimenez, I think this is a great place to start off your 2025 reading challenge! Could be a perfect beach read this summer, too!
Such a delight and made my nerd heart so happy. A workplace romance in the most unlikely of environments, Give Me Butterflies was a joy to read. I was pulled in almost immediately by the banter and ease of which I was able to fall into the world.
For fans of Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, and Abby Jimenez, I think this is a great place to start off your 2025 reading challenge! Could be a perfect beach read this summer, too!
The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
If there's one thing Margarita Montimore does well, it's pull on my heartstrings!
This is the third book by this author that I have read, and second that I've had the privilege to enjoy as an arc from MacMillan Audio. Her stories are fantastic, and are genuinely perfect for audio format. The pacing, writing style, and character dialogue work so well with the narrators and their talents. Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands did an outstanding job bringing Ramona and Ivy to life, and I felt that no matter my pace of choice (averaging a comfortable 1.5x) they conveyed great emotion and distinction for the plot and dialogue without disruption from speed choice.
I tested out various speeds, and I believe readers can easily enjoy this audiobook from a range 0f 1x - 2.5x if preferred.
Montimore has such a way with words, bringing to focus the complex emotions and relationships we face throughout our lives, especially those we experience in girlhood and as a woman. Friendships are complicated and sometimes full of rifts- ones that we may or may not be able to come back from - and she captures those dynamics and situations so well with Grace and Ramona. I could identify myself with both of them at different times, having so often finding myself in each of their shoes over the course of my life.
As Ramona grapples with the struggles and failures at the Dollhouse Academy, I felt so seen through her internal monologue and emotional conflicts. The rationalizations she makes for her behaviors, the guilt of feeling jealous suddenly turning to feeling justified for it, and even her embarrassment - all emotions I'm familiar with and I'm sure many readers can identify with and have experienced at some point in their lives.
This is the third book by this author that I have read, and second that I've had the privilege to enjoy as an arc from MacMillan Audio. Her stories are fantastic, and are genuinely perfect for audio format. The pacing, writing style, and character dialogue work so well with the narrators and their talents. Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands did an outstanding job bringing Ramona and Ivy to life, and I felt that no matter my pace of choice (averaging a comfortable 1.5x) they conveyed great emotion and distinction for the plot and dialogue without disruption from speed choice.
I tested out various speeds, and I believe readers can easily enjoy this audiobook from a range 0f 1x - 2.5x if preferred.
Montimore has such a way with words, bringing to focus the complex emotions and relationships we face throughout our lives, especially those we experience in girlhood and as a woman. Friendships are complicated and sometimes full of rifts- ones that we may or may not be able to come back from - and she captures those dynamics and situations so well with Grace and Ramona. I could identify myself with both of them at different times, having so often finding myself in each of their shoes over the course of my life.
As Ramona grapples with the struggles and failures at the Dollhouse Academy, I felt so seen through her internal monologue and emotional conflicts. The rationalizations she makes for her behaviors, the guilt of feeling jealous suddenly turning to feeling justified for it, and even her embarrassment - all emotions I'm familiar with and I'm sure many readers can identify with and have experienced at some point in their lives.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
A new Finlay Donovan book? I'm seated.
Blurb:
Finlay Donovan's ability to find herself in the midst of trouble knowns no bounds. Just when things seem settled and at peace, she's once again thrown into a new drama- this time, an investigation into the sudden uncovering of a dead body behind the house of her neighbor, Ms. Haggerty. Despite his claims of innocence, Steven is the number one suspect, and taken away for questioning. As any good sleuth, Finlay takes it upon herself (and Vero, of course) to investigate and uncover the truth.
My thoughts:
I quite enjoyed the break away from the Russian mob and high-stakes storyline, as this who-dun-it style felt more cozy and allowed for Vero and Finlay's friendship and banter to really shine. The duo never fails to make me laugh, and I enjoyed this story so much. I could easily see myself enjoying the rest of the series if it moves into a more amateur sleuth/murder mystery series from here instead of mobs and hit men.
I also really appreciated getting to see more of Vero's background and the development of her side story/who she is as a main character instead of only a side character. Javi is charming and I hope we see more of him in the next story.
But overall, I really did enjoy the story of Ms. Haggerty as we peeled back layer after layer of her past and goings and doings as well as the cast of characters we meet along the way. There was certainly more than meets the eye with her and the bookclub...
This was a solid reading experience, and I rated it a 4.5 stars. So much to love, and I really look forward to where the series goes from here!
Blurb:
Finlay Donovan's ability to find herself in the midst of trouble knowns no bounds. Just when things seem settled and at peace, she's once again thrown into a new drama- this time, an investigation into the sudden uncovering of a dead body behind the house of her neighbor, Ms. Haggerty. Despite his claims of innocence, Steven is the number one suspect, and taken away for questioning. As any good sleuth, Finlay takes it upon herself (and Vero, of course) to investigate and uncover the truth.
My thoughts:
I quite enjoyed the break away from the Russian mob and high-stakes storyline, as this who-dun-it style felt more cozy and allowed for Vero and Finlay's friendship and banter to really shine. The duo never fails to make me laugh, and I enjoyed this story so much. I could easily see myself enjoying the rest of the series if it moves into a more amateur sleuth/murder mystery series from here instead of mobs and hit men.
I also really appreciated getting to see more of Vero's background and the development of her side story/who she is as a main character instead of only a side character. Javi is charming and I hope we see more of him in the next story.
But overall, I really did enjoy the story of Ms. Haggerty as we peeled back layer after layer of her past and goings and doings as well as the cast of characters we meet along the way. There was certainly more than meets the eye with her and the bookclub...
This was a solid reading experience, and I rated it a 4.5 stars. So much to love, and I really look forward to where the series goes from here!
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
5.0
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
inspiring
fast-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
3.0
Pierce Brown's Red Rising: Sons of Ares, Vol. 1 by Pierce Brown, Rik Hoskin
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5