annatl4's reviews
76 reviews

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

the first 50 pages i was really unsure. but even tho i hate physics i loved this book. the characters were so layered although i wish there was some perspective from jack. he was an amazing man despite his past. elsie was also an amazing character, i loved her arc and i loved that jack helped her become more of herself (in a non misogynistic way). i loved cece as a side character, she was a great friend and added a layer of humor. i also loved all the other side characters. the plot and descriptions made it easy for me to imagine the world as i read. ali’s writing style really brings you into the story. her use of elsie’s internal dialog makes the book feel personal, like how i’d talk to myself. my only complaint aside from not understanding physics would maybe be the faux dating thing? it seemed important at the beginning and then it was suddenly gone? it was mentioned as was elsie’s relationship with jacks brother but at the same time it felt like it disappeared. i also usually cringe at the sex scenes but i really ate them up in this book.

Content Warnings

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

i avoid fantasy at all costs but this book completely changed my mind. i usually find it hard to understand the writing style that is fantasy but ava reid wrote this beautifully. i loved the characters so much, i felt like i was actually living in the world. i loved the romantic storyline even though the relationship was fast paced. i loved the plot twist and the depth of the story. and i loved the character development of the main character. at the end she really embraced all that she was and all the stuff she was dealt. sevas was a great partner and i even enjoyed the “smutty” scenes which i usually cringe towards. one of my favorites of the year.

Content Warnings

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

i think the letters at the end made up for how awful the entire series was. the entire plot of this last book was so weird and stupid. the entire story feels lost from the first book to the last even though it follows the same characters. the summer storyline and the house just fall to the background when that felt like the focus?? again, i miss steven. even tho i cringed most of the book and hated the marriage plot, this was probably the best of the three. it felt short and rushed like the other books but i guess that’s fine since it allowed me to finish in a few hours. i liked seeing more of taylor and belly’s matured relationship, as well as the college plot even if it felt much different than the first two books. although the entire book was about the wedding, i felt like it was more about explaining the time jump between the second and third book?? it was also confusing trying to decipher between past and current events. glad i finally finished so now i can cringe just as hard when i watch the show.

Content Warnings

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

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

2.75

much better than the first one. i liked the addition of jeremiah’s pov but it seemed also kinda short and forced? i would’ve liked some elaboration in his perspective. it’s the same cheesy writing with a messy plot. the “flashback memories” were thrown in randomly and made for a confusing story, although i see the authors idea. everything always feels rushed, like why was the main point of the story introduced and solved in 3 chapters? only one more to go, although im kinda interested in what will happen in this love triangle. also i miss steven slightly. at least i was able to read it in 4 hours.

Content Warnings

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted sad fast-paced

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

2.0

maybe i would’ve liked this book if i was 12. the writing felt so immature. i hated belly. i hated everyone actually. none of the characters felt developed. it was a collection of various moments where belly wanted to be the center of attention. the entire 276 were belly crying about nothing or Conrad being “mysterious” (and not in a good way. i never understood why anything was happening bc the author refused to dive into any characters emotions or experiences aside from weird romance side plots that were still very underdeveloped. at least i was able to read it in a day but now i feel obligated to read the other two?? all to watch a show that is equally as cringey and plotless????

Content Warnings

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

i really did love this book. it’s so close to five stars, i might go back and edit my rating but for now 4.75 seems good. there isn’t much plot, more so a retelling of autumns high school experience. almost like a diary. it was slow at first and i was unsure about it but by 75-100 pages i was invested and accepted it as a reflection of her life rather than a story. it reminded me a lot of an alice hoffman book. i love the use of “vignette” like chapters as well. autumn talked a lot about feelings most feel in high school - my only complaint is that sometimes it felt childish or that autumn was really 12 and not 16-17. the ending was “spoiled” in the beginning yet i didn’t expect what autumn would do. i had mixed feelings about the characters - loving them and then hating them but i suppose that is a good to portray what high school friends and relationships feel like. maybe i loved it so much despite its lack of “plot” because autumn reminded me of me when i was that age.

Content Warnings

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad 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

4.5

emily henry writes with such detail i can picture the world in my head. her characters are amazing and funny. i loved the focus on the friend group, each person, and their relationships to each other as well as their backstories. the time jumps seemed a little short? it felt rushed but then again i didn’t mind the focus on the present? it was funny and lighthearted but also made me sad and frustrated. another great summer read that felt a little different than all henry’s other books.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

cheesy as ever and predictable. if i was 15 again i would’ve eaten this up… i still did eat it up but it doesn’t compare to other romances i’ve read. the authors are very descriptive and obviously the not-so-slow-burn romance is attractive but it lacks layers. the exes were randomly dropped from the storyline and the tragic “plot twist” wasn’t as bad as the characters made it out to seem. i like the changing between times, the main characters were developed and described well. overall it was a super easy read and i do admit that i loved that they were in love the whole book.

Content Warnings

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

i love emily henry’s writing. she does a great job at interweaving stories while telling an overall message. the romance was sweet and the characters were great. it was deeper than just a happy ending - careers, back stories, families, overlapping themes. a nice lighthearted summer read. loses stars because of its abrupt ending.

why in the last 10 pages, after they burned so slow, did he get down on one knee and propose???!!

i guess anything for a happy ending… ironic

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

i loved this book with my whole heart. i read it in 2 days and had to force myself to put it down. TJR is a magnificent writer. the characters were so complex and the story line was so well thought out. i wish it could’ve been longer to get more details of little parts of the story but even being 360 pages it was fantastic. i love the rockstar storyline, it was so interesting to have a mix of drama but also what it’s like to actually write an album and live in a studio. i think the author captured the writing and recording process really well for not being a musician. she was able to interweave the characters and the different plots so well with the interview format, the same format made for a quick and easy read. oh how much i loved this book and wish i could read it over again.

Content Warnings

More...

annatl4's reviews 76 reviews

annatl4's reviews
76 reviews