ashleyreads88's reviews
682 reviews

The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

challenging emotional informative reflective sad

This is such an important book to read, and the contents of it are still sadly so relevant to the world we live in today.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Storm Shells by G.J. Walker-Smith

5.0

The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy

emotional funny 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

Elle Kennedy does it again with another great hockey romance.  I loved Gigi and Ryder as individual characters and as a couple.  I loved how even though Gigi's last name is Graham, she rarely used it to get things.  The development of Gigi and Ryder's relationship was great, and I loved how they helped each other.  Even though it took a while

it was nice when Ryder finally opened up to Gigi about his past.  I did not see the surprise Vegas wedding coming but thought it was a great twist.

  It was nice to see Garrett and Hannah as parents, and how they

navigated Gigi and Ryder being married, even though it took Garrett a while to wrap his head around it, the dynamic was entertaining.

  I loved the ending but wish there was an epilogue and bonus epilogue.

Medea by Euripides

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Medea is a tragic play where we see

Medea get revenge on her husband Jason by killing their children.  The play does not have a happy ending.

  Medea was beautifully written, and I'm happy that I read it.

Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat by Jeannine Amber, Patricia Williams

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

At times Rabbit was tough to read because it tackled tough topics.  Rabbit was honest, and the perfect blend of humor and seriousness.  As a privileged White woman, I loved reading what it was like for a Black Woman growing up in America.  I love reading stories, and first-hand accounts of these experiences outside of my own, they are some of the most important stories.  I'm glad I finally read this book.

Up All Night: 13 Stories Between Sunset and Sunrise by Laura Silverman

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

I loved these stories and how diverse they were.  There was a great mix of stories with humor and seriousness.  The stories taking place between sunset and sunrise were a unique and fun twist.

Whiteout by Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton, Ashley Woodfolk, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Whiteout takes place during the Atlanta Whiteout, it's essentially a love story.  I loved all the characters and how there were multiple stories that all connected. 

The ending was a happy one,

and I loved it.  I enjoyed reading all the stories.

The Mistake by Elle Kennedy

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

The Mistake is John Logan and Grace's story.  I loved how Logan and Grace met, it was cute.  There were times Logan was an idiot

(like how he ended things with Grace and had to do a lot of groveling to make up for it, which he does most adorably.)  Logan screws up again and does another cute thing to win Grace back.

  I loved how the book ended.

The Score by Elle Kennedy

lighthearted fast-paced

I loved this book.  Allie and Dean's story was great.  They were funny together from the first moment.  Also, Tequila is never a good idea,

it leads to things happening that Allie didn't want to happen like her hooking up with Dean who has a reputation as a playboy.

  I loved the development of Allie and Dean's relationship, I also loved how much

Dean learned to love volunteering with the kids' hockey team.

  I loved how the book ended, and how it set up the next book in the series.

The Goal by Elle Kennedy

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

The Goal starts with Sabrina and her trying to leave her not-so-great living situation to go to a dinner party, and then Malone's with her friends and meeting John Tucker (Tuck).

  The back-and-forth banter between Sabrina and Tuck is hilarious.  I loved how their relationship developed and

how they grew to love each other.  I also love how they grow as parents and how well they learn to balance everything, classes, raising Jaimie, and having social lives.

  I loved this book.