aprilyang1's reviews
93 reviews

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Priest by Sierra Simone

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dark fast-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? Yes

2.5

It’s exactly what it says it is, but it’s a little funny how seriously unserious this book is lol. Enjoyed it for the most part… except when they weren’t going down on each other it was just Tyler going on a self-pity rant 🙄.

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Summer Island by Shelley Noble

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emotional funny inspiring reflective slow-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

3.5

I was randomly scrolling through Libby for a summer read and found this book! I need to do this more often—just picking up whatever catches my eye without worrying about my TBR list. I mean, it’s how I chose books back in middle and high school and that usually never let me down lol. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The beginning piqued my interest, then it got a bit repetitive, but it eventually settled into a consistent pace and felt like a calming summer movie/show.

The attention to detail in the characters and their careers was something that stood out to me (note I’m not a professional in any of the areas I’m about to mention). For example, Ty’s work in creating potable water, Charley’s veteran support efforts, Ruth and Inez’s bakery, and Phoebe’s journalism all felt authentic and well-developed. Shelley Noble did a fantastic job making each character feel realistic and it did not feel like any of them were there just to help the plot progress. I also appreciated the slow approach to Ty and Phoebe’s romance. They were dealing with a lot and needed personal growth before starting anything. Their romance wasn’t rushed or founded on lust but developed slowly and genuinely.

If there’s one thing that frustrates me, as I’ve mentioned before in other reviews lol, it’s when characters are secretive for low-stakes reasons. Many issues could have been avoided or resolved if they communicated better. But, this did add to the story’s tension, so I can kinda understand it in this case.

Despite the slow start, this turned out to be a really good, simple slice-of-life story. The different storylines intertwined beautifully, emphasizing themes of family bonds, trust, grief, and personal growth. It wasn’t just about Phoebe finding her footing again; it was about everyone. I loved how the narrative expanded to include all the characters—Phoebe, Ty, Ruth, Great Aunt Vera, Grandma Alice, Lars, and even Charley ❤️.

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The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim

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adventurous dark tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

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Love, Off the Record by Samantha Markum

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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

Such a classic and well-done enemies-to-lovers academic rivals love story! I was hooked from the start and couldn't put it down the more I read. I seriously had such a fun time throughout the entire story. I read most of it during an 8-hour car ride and had to literally contain my smiling, kicking, giggling, and almost crying as best I could lol. Wyn and Three’s banter was so fun and so very addictive. I highlighted almost everything they said and every interaction they had because it was just THAT good. Samantha Markum somehow created a couple that could hate each other, love each other, not stand each other, AND YET have so much sexual tension—all at once. I mean that tension was *chefs kiss*.

I love that Markum included heavy topics on top of the love story. And, while I loved them and they didn’t diminish the storyline in any way, I felt they could’ve been better elaborated on or had a bit more closure to really make everything feel more cohesive. However, Wyn’s personal experience and growth were areas where I think Markum absolutely nailed it. Almost every time I read Wyn discuss her emotions, it felt like I was reading about my 17-year-old self. At times it felt like I was Wyn and Wyn was me. Wyn’s anxiety, insecurity, and growth felt so raw and real, reflecting how I, and many other women, have felt. I could physically feel my heart breaking when Wyn felt a certain way, said words she didn’t mean, felt mistreated, or negatively interpreted someone’s face or body language. She was by no means a perfect person, but that made her feel so real. She had her flaws, managed to grow in many areas, and reached out for support through her friends, therapy, and family.

I have to admit, I was unsure I’d like Three at first, but he surprisingly grew on me. Now, I can’t stop thinking about him (literally send help!)

I loved this story, and if I could, I’d read more and more stories about Three and Wyn or erase my memory and read this book all over again. I also think a story about Madison would be really cute!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an e-arc! All opinions shared are mine and mine alone. Love, Off the Record publishes TODAY June 11, 2024!

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Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen

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adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.”

What a rollercoaster this story was! I might have predicted a few outcomes, but I was still shocked every time a secret was revealed. If there was camera footage of me reading this, it’d show me gasping to my walls at 4am because I was in shock lol. Amber Chen I humbly as for book 2 as soon as possible 🙇🏻‍♀️.

Ying was naive and a little thoughtless, BUT she was also self-assured, inventive, unwilling to change what she believed in for anyone (FOR ANYONE 🫵🏻!!). At first, I struggled to get through the beginning 20ish% because of her naïveté. BUT, that characteristic made me question everyone’s trustworthiness (this is a good thing, it kept me on my toes!) because I was constantly wondering if it was Ying's perspective that was influencing me or my own. The feeling of something being "too good to be true" sums up a lot of what was happening in my mind lol. Regardless, Ying stood out as a fmc because she didn’t necessarily have physical strength or fighting abilities (GREAT characteristics many strong fantasy female leads have), but she did have her inventiveness, her resolve, and her beliefs.

I will say that since this is a YA story, it does gloss over some of the darker topics that could have been explored if it were geared toward adults, but I appreciated it for what it was.

I know I don’t do this book justice, but I promise it's a great story that leaves a lasting impression. If you’re a beginner fantasy reader (like me 😃), I think you’ll really enjoy this one. And for those who have read or will soon read it… I liked how it ended and I think it was exactly what should’ve happened 😌!

Thank you NetGalley & publisher for providing me with an e-arc for “Of Jade and Dragons” by Amber Chen! All opinions are mine alone. “Of Jade and Dragons” publishes June 18, 2024!

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Rules for Rule Breaking by Talia Tucker

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funny 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

4.5

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Graceling by Kristin Cashore

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adventurous dark hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

Wow. I can see why this book is so important to so many people! It feels very classic and timeless to me. I think it’s a great book for beginner fantasy readers (like myself 😃) because it was the perfect mix of simple and complex. While some parts could have been more intense, I had so much fun reading it!

I absolutely loved Katsa. She is a strong-willed individual who knows what she wants and doesn’t dismiss others for wanting something different, which is why I disagree with reviews calling her self-centered! She has endured years of abuse from her uncle and mistreatment from nearly everyone around her (except a few individuals). Outwardly, she appears strong but shows a lack of self-confidence when standing up to her uncle. Though she seems cold and mean, her kindness shows through in her interactions with people like Raffin and those who treat her like a human. She has had to pretend to be evil and menacing in order to survive. Her walls are high, but inside, she is sympathetic. I wholeheartedly loved her character.

I really appreciated Kristin Cashore’s take on choosing your own path. I admire how steadfast Katsa remained in her decisions despite VERY strong reasons, like Po 😏, that could have swayed her to give up on her freedom or her journey to find meaning. So, if anything the take away is… you don’t have to follow what everyone else is doing to be happy!

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Reconnected Hearts by Lola Lockhart

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lighthearted fast-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

3.0

This felt like a nostalgic throwback to early 2000s rom-coms (which are always the perfect comfort movies), especially with the pacing and movie magic/coincidences! Initially, Noah wasn't my favorite, but he grew on me and developed a more patient and understanding nature as you got to know him. Lucy, on the other hand, is steadfast and determined, shaped by her past and by her parents relationship. I struggled a bit to understand Lucy’s choices, but she is someone trying to navigate what her head AND her heart are saying… and can’t we all say we’ve been there before.

While I enjoyed the story, I couldn't help but feel that we needed to know more about Noah and Lucy's lives and relationship because a lot felt glossed over and I was left wanting more. The length of the story kind of limited how detailed we could go into their pasts relationship and the development of their current relationship. I think this kind of made it difficult to really connect with the characters at first.

If you're in the mood for a quick romance with a nostalgic vibe that really encompasses early 2000s rom-coms, this book is perfect. A big thank you to Lola Lockhart for inviting me to be part of your ARC team! All opinions shared are my own.

The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert

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funny inspiring 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

3.5

Rahul Rahul Rahul. How I love you! If there are two things Talia Hibbert knows how to write its BANTER BANTER BANTER and a love story that brings out the best in her characters, flaws and all.

Talia Hibbert really dives head first into Jasmine and Rahul’s lives, working between their past and present to reveal their relationship journey and the reasons behind their current situation. While the back-and-forth sometimes felt unnecessary, it built my connection to Jasmine and Rahul.

Of course, there’s only so much ‘will they won’t they’ one can take though, lol. At some point, I started feeling frustrated and thought “hurry up and just GET TOGETHER. What is the hold up!?”. But by the end, Talia really shows you why their love needed to be a more gradual emotional progression before they could fully love each other the way they deserved. There really is a great emphasis on learning to love yourself in order to love the other person the way they need to be loved. While I felt like there was a bit of drag, I genuinely loved the ending and the character development that led to real understanding and a fresh start.

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aprilyang1's reviews 93 reviews

aprilyang1's reviews
93 reviews