annalenawrites's reviews
342 reviews

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was a really lovely slow children's story about the power of friendship, nature and magic/ spirituality.

Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

emotional funny 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

4.75

This was so lovely and sweet and heart-warming. Bo was the greatest book boyfriend I've encountered in a long time. I loved the maturity of the characters, how they handled hard conversations and supported each other. I really enjoyed the whole storyline but especially the beginning, in my opinion the last two chapters were a bit unnecessary (although I still enjoyed them). 

Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

This was AMAZING!! I went into it with no expectations and I was honestly blown away from the start. I love that the main character is Black and strong and independent and that she then gets to be loved and cared for and protected for the first time in her life. I adored Malcolm. The perfect book boyfriend!! I love how mature the relationship and the communication was and especially

that there was no silly third-act breakup because of a misunderstanding but that his first instinct when everything was going down online was to think "she wouldn't cheat" and "I should go check on her"

. I didn't always like Ezra but he definitely grew on me throughout the book

and he seems to be a good friend despite clearly not being right for Jo romantically.

. There were a lot of great quotes in this that I highlighted. I loved the mental health representation, the great friends who would do anything for the main characters, and the character development. This was just amazing all around!

The Mistress by Valerie Keogh

dark slow-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

2.5

This was... interesting. For a long time, it was slow and didn't seem like a thriller at all, just a story about an affair told from the perspective of two women who want the same man. The twist at the end was really unexpected but it doesn't make up for the fact that I didn't like any of the characters (although Susan was growing on me by the end) and that I was bored for the most part. I also didn't like the writing style very much and some of the expressions bothered me. 

Those Who Wait by Haley Cass

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

This was a bit long but I really enjoyed it. I liked the characters and the idealized political aspect. I related to Sutton although I sometimes cringed a bit at her awkwardness. And i think everyone needs a supportive  wholesome and protective friend like Reagan! I also really enjoyed the romance between Sutton and Charlotte although it was quite predictable. 

The Bride by John Nicholl

mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

I actually really enjoyed this! It was quite fast paced and the main character was unreliable but still sort of fooled me. I was really intrigued the whole time!

The Flatmate by Gemma Rogers

dark mysterious medium-paced

3.0

It took me some time to get invested but the story was interesting. 

The Good Wife by Gemma Rogers

dark fast-paced

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

3.5

I enjoyed this and I constantly wanted to know what would happen next but I found the ending a bit disappointing and the writing bothered me at times.

Love Marriage by Monica Ali

emotional reflective 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

I really enjoyed this!! I liked how the characters were really fleshed out and seemed like real people with real stories and secrets and flaws. I really enjoyed the plot and learning about the parents' marriage while the main character was considering whether or not to get married herself. I also really enjoyed how the book explored the relationships between parents and children and topic of covert abuse and emotional incest. I would definitely recommend this and really enjoyed the read. At first, I found it a bit hard to get into but then it picked up and I could hardly put it down.

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

5.0

This was a reread, I first read this years ago as a teenager and remembered it as a cute and heartfelt story but when I picked it up again now, I wasn’t sure if it would hold up and I'd still like it. But it was amazing!! I never should have doubted it. It's a beautiful story about an angry, angsty teenager having gone through her first breakup as well as having a close relative with a serious health condition. The story doesn't just portray falling in love despite thinking love never lasts but so much more, including not knowing what to do after high school, friendship break-ups and making unlikely new friends. The ending is bitter sweet and realistic. It's a perfect summer romcom where the reader really sees the main character grow as a person and reach new milestones at the end of the summer. I also love all the movie references and the whole concept of the falling in love montage!