ashleyj_reads's reviews
344 reviews

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent

Animal Farm by George Orwell

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

Good for young adults.

Too close to the “it was all just a dream” trope for me. It didn’t feel like the mystery it’s meant to be.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury

Beneath the Stars by Emily McIntire

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

The story started as something really cute, a miscommunication to fix that was written really well. As the characters grew older, the miscommunication, and *especially* the distrust, became frustrating to read. Some parts felt like they dragged on a little longer than needed - the issues could've been solved a bit sooner.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism

Minor: Death, Car accident, Death of parent

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Suicide attempt

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Cancer

It's Not Me, It's You by Alex Light

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

***Won a copy from a Goodreads Giveaway!***

Thank you, Goodreads and S&S for a copy of this adorable book!

Jackie is a new adult (teen) who is trying to figure out herself and her life the summer after graduating high school. She navigating the changes happening to a lifelong friendship, the maturing relationships she has with her sisters, and new budding romance. Throw in some newfound internet fame and life is CONFUSING! I was frustrated and sad for her but eventually cheered on

her growth (with some beautiful communications skills) and HEA ending

.

I truly enjoyed this short-term coming-of-age story that today's youth can definitely relate to (and maybe even learn a lesson?!).

For the young adults who will read this, I give bonus points for

zero spice (one super mild makeout session and few kisses) and maybe five uses of "shit" or "shitty."

Brain Damage by Freida McFadden

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

Do You Remember by Freida McFadden

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

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

5.0

I loved this story for its unlikeable characters and consistent feel of mistrust - I didn't truly know who the "bad guy" was until the end. It has the Freida twist at the end that ties everything together, which we just adore in thrillers.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship

Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

AAAAAHHHH!!


Let's start with the request for the art department: please update the map for book four. Thanks.
 

 
ANDARNA! I bawled like a baby, may have thrown the book across the room. I am not okay.
OS is amazingly written, and is definitely my favorite book of the series so far. I am fascinated by the world, politics, and society building that's just packed into the plot of the Quest Squad's adventures. Keep Ridoc safe. Bring back Garrick.

I have so many questions and need book four now please. Oh, and more of Broccoli.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail