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apalubeskie's reviews
264 reviews
To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I use to watch 19 kids in counting and Jill was always one of my favorite. I was excited when I saw she was coming out with a book. What I learned from this book was sad. The way her father in particular took advantage of her and other kids.
Jim Bob was a straight manipulator and used the bible to guilt his children.
It was interesting to hear Jill talk about how she slowly drifted away from the church but still kept her faith. Jill is still religious but not Independent Fundamentalist.
I am glad she is slowly healing from the Dugger trauma and becoming her own person. Wearing pants and all.
Jim Bob was a straight manipulator and used the bible to guilt his children.
It was interesting to hear Jill talk about how she slowly drifted away from the church but still kept her faith. Jill is still religious but not Independent Fundamentalist.
I am glad she is slowly healing from the Dugger trauma and becoming her own person. Wearing pants and all.
Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
When we start this novella we are 5 years in the past. Hannah is still in school getting her degree and has a project that she needs to finish. She has to interview someone in the field she wants to go into. One of her friends has a cousin that works with NASA and gives Hannah his number. She meets up with Ian and they have a great time. Things get steamy in the NASA office but Hannah doesn't date.
So things do not go farther.
Now we are 5 years in the future and Hannah now has a job at NASA. Ian is the last person she expects to see on her first day there. She applies for a grant for a project that she wants to do. Funding did not come though but her mentor was not going to let that stop Hannah from going. Ian knows this was not going to be a safe trip. He did not want her to go.
It was a fast pace and cute novella. It has the same Big man small girl trope that Ali Hazelwood is known for. I hope one day we can get a normal sized people novel. A plus size queen and a man smaller than the empire state building would be great.
So things do not go farther.
Now we are 5 years in the future and Hannah now has a job at NASA. Ian is the last person she expects to see on her first day there. She applies for a grant for a project that she wants to do. Funding did not come though but her mentor was not going to let that stop Hannah from going. Ian knows this was not going to be a safe trip. He did not want her to go.
It was a fast pace and cute novella. It has the same Big man small girl trope that Ali Hazelwood is known for. I hope one day we can get a normal sized people novel. A plus size queen and a man smaller than the empire state building would be great.
Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood
4.25
This is my favorite novella that Ali Hazelwood has written. I would have loved this couple as a novel.
Mara is an environmental scientist and Liam is a lawyer for an oil company. Enemies by occupation. When Mara's mentor died she left Mara her house. She did not mention that she only half owned it and her nephew Liam owned the other half and currently lives there. They become roommates and things do not go to hot at the beginning, but by the end things get pretty hot.
It was a fun quick novella that I read while working. It was a perfect way to spend a slow day.
Mara is an environmental scientist and Liam is a lawyer for an oil company. Enemies by occupation. When Mara's mentor died she left Mara her house. She did not mention that she only half owned it and her nephew Liam owned the other half and currently lives there. They become roommates and things do not go to hot at the beginning, but by the end things get pretty hot.
It was a fun quick novella that I read while working. It was a perfect way to spend a slow day.
Stuck with You by Ali Hazelwood
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
I usually enjoy Ali Hazelwood. Most of her book have been a 3.5-4.5 stars for me.
This novella really fell short. The characters were just clones of each other. They lived the same sports teams, went to school for the same things and just enjoyed everything the other did.
They met in an elevator and went on to spend the rest of the day together.
After finding out about a work thing there was a miss communication that lead to the FMC blocking the MC. I cannot even remember their names I didn't like this novella that much.
If you like miscommunication then this one if for you. There is also the classic I am so small like a baby child and he is so large he might be bigger than the empire state building trope that Ali Hazelwood is obsessed with.
This novella really fell short. The characters were just clones of each other. They lived the same sports teams, went to school for the same things and just enjoyed everything the other did.
They met in an elevator and went on to spend the rest of the day together.
After finding out about a work thing there was a miss communication that lead to the FMC blocking the MC. I cannot even remember their names I didn't like this novella that much.
If you like miscommunication then this one if for you. There is also the classic I am so small like a baby child and he is so large he might be bigger than the empire state building trope that Ali Hazelwood is obsessed with.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Love, Theoretically might be my favorite adult novel by Ali Hazelwood. Ali has said it is her most academic book but I feel the opposite. It was the least. It revolves around people in academia but little of the book takes place in the academic services.
Elsie has graduated with her PhD but is having a hard time finding a job. She is currently teaching and being a fake girlfriend. Throughout the book we see her stuggles with the interview process for academic jobs as well as having a mentor that is not known as the most helpful.
Jack works at MIT and is in the hiring board for Elsie’s dream job. He has also published a paper making fun of experimental physicist. One in particular was his target and that person is close to Elsie.
The relationship between Jack and Elsie was my favorite. It was also the spiciest for the three by far!! There was Asexual representation in the book as well. We also get an adorable Olive and Adam appearance!