astraether's Reviews (114)

Gone with the Wind

Margaret Mitchell

5.0

11/22/63

Stephen King

5.0

Once Upon a Christmas Eve

Elizabeth Hoyt

4.0

An Inquiry Into Love and Death

Simone St. James

3.0

Lord of Darkness

Elizabeth Hoyt

4.0

I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer

Michelle McNamara

5.0

NOS4A2

Joe Hill

4.0

The Escape

Mary Balogh

4.0

Little Fires Everywhere

Celeste Ng

4.0

Red, White & Royal Blue

Casey McQuiston

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

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I didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as I did. I'd heard it recommended a lot on a Romance Books subreddit I'm on, and when I saw there was an Amazon Prime rendition coming out, I figured I'd give it a read. Turns out, it was only available on audiobook via the library apps, so I took the plunge, and found myself thoroughly entertained! The dialogue and banter is hilarious -- the characters talk like actual people would, and I love the earlier insults/antagonism between the main characters as they slowly get drawn closer together. It's also remarkably poignant in parts and I found myself getting misty-eyed as I'd listen in the car or at work. Also, bonus that the grand finale was set in Austin, my hometown! Anyway, I did watch the Amazon Prime flick, but I still think the book is much better at capturing this tale of "forbidden love" and all the excitement and angst that goes along with it.