ashbydodd's reviews
465 reviews

In Gad We Trust by Josh Gad

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

A Circle of Uncommon Witches by Paige Crutcher

adventurous lighthearted

3.0

Paige Crutcher's A Circle of Uncommon Witches is a fun, fast-paced story filled with magic, sisterhood, and adventure. The relationships between the women were the highlight for me—fun and dynamic. It's the kind of relationship that would translate perfectly to the screen; I could see this as a movie or series one day.

I jumped in feet first because the premise sounded awesome. And I loved the energy of the beginning, but somewhere in the middle, the story started moving almost too fast. At times, it felt like too much was happening, and I got distracted.

That said, I still really enjoy Paige Crutcher's writing and look forward to reading more from her. Even though A Circle of Uncommon Witches wasn't my favorite, it had plenty of charm.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader's copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe

dark informative sad tense medium-paced

4.0

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

Once again, TJ Klune delivers a beautiful story that I couldn't put down. Klune could write a grocery list at this point, and I'd still find it poetic. The Bones Beneath My Skin is one of those books that sneaks up on you, wraps itself around you, and refuses to let go.

Set in 1995, the story follows Nate, a man at rock bottom who's just trying to make it through the day. Enter Alex and Artemis Darth Vader (yes, that's really her name), and suddenly, Nate's life is turned upside down in the most extraordinary way. What follows is a story of finding hope, healing, and love in the most unexpected places.

This is a story about chosen family—about finding your people, the ones who see you, who love you for who you are, and who make your world bigger and brighter just by being in it.

You'll laugh, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat during the more intense moments, and if you have even a sliver of a heart, you'll cry. There are scenes that will shatter you and others that will fill you with so much joy you'll feel like you might burst.

I can't recommend The Bones Beneath My Skin enough. It's heartfelt, raw, and unforgettable. TJ Klune has once again reminded me why I'll read anything and everything he writes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the advanced reader's copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Three Days in June is classic Anne Tyler—well written, emotional, deeply human, and yet somehow also lighthearted. The story follows Gail Baines through the day before, the day of, and the day after her daughter’s wedding. As she navigates the wedding chaos, including comforting her daughter over a secret about the groom, Gail reflects on her own marriage and how it all fell apart.

Gail is a relatable and introspective character, and I genuinely enjoyed following her story. With Gail, Tyler does what she does best: showcase the joys and flaws of being human and how our perspectives shift over time.

This isn’t an action-packed page-turner, but it’s a quick read that keeps you invested because you care about these characters. I found Three Days in June to be an entertaining story about family relationships that feels personal and real.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the advanced reader's copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Iron Flame (2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

4.0

My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood

3.0

Giraffe & Flamingo by Curtis Sittenfeld

lighthearted fast-paced

2.0

Kind of Hindu by Mindy Kaling

funny lighthearted

3.5