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bandysbooks's reviews
183 reviews
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Guncle is a bittersweet story about a man named Patrick who is thrust headfirst into caring for his niece and nephew after tragedy strikes their family. Due to his own personal experience with tragedy, he seems to be just the right person to help the children through their experience. There’s only one problem. He doesn’t know how to care for children long term.
Patrick, or GUP (Gay Uncle Pat) as the kids call him, is initially a bit out of his depths, but quickly starts to figure out how to be a good fill-in parent. The relationship he builds with them is so sweet and at times sassy. I loved reading his interactions with his niece and nephew. There were moments that were light, like when he teaches them about brunch and moments that are heavier, when he is helping them through their grief. Either way, genuine love comes through.
I also appreciated that there was depth in Patrick’s story. While he’s a relatively famous actor and well-off, he has experienced some hard things that affect where he’s at in life. I love that as he helps the kids heal, he starts to recognize things within himself as well.
My only real critique is just that at points I wish the story had gone just a tiny bit deeper. But I think the goal was for this to be more of a feel-good story, which it definitely was.
All in all, if you want a sweet, easy read about family learning to love and accept each other, this is the book for you.
Patrick, or GUP (Gay Uncle Pat) as the kids call him, is initially a bit out of his depths, but quickly starts to figure out how to be a good fill-in parent. The relationship he builds with them is so sweet and at times sassy. I loved reading his interactions with his niece and nephew. There were moments that were light, like when he teaches them about brunch and moments that are heavier, when he is helping them through their grief. Either way, genuine love comes through.
I also appreciated that there was depth in Patrick’s story. While he’s a relatively famous actor and well-off, he has experienced some hard things that affect where he’s at in life. I love that as he helps the kids heal, he starts to recognize things within himself as well.
My only real critique is just that at points I wish the story had gone just a tiny bit deeper. But I think the goal was for this to be more of a feel-good story, which it definitely was.
All in all, if you want a sweet, easy read about family learning to love and accept each other, this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was a bit torn about reading this book. I’m not the biggest romance reader, but I do love historical fiction…particularly when it’s set in Edinburgh (one of my real life favorite cities). I decided to go in with an open mind and give it a solid try.
I was mostly pleased with this story and particularly enjoyed the bits about medical practice in Scotland. I recognized bits about the development of “ether” as this also features prominently in The Way of All Flesh which I’ve read prior. I will say that some plot points struck me as a bit similar to that story as they both feature the poor of Edinburgh being murdered in horrific ways and with possible links to medical practice.
That said, I loved the main character in Anatomy. She is spunky, resilient, clever, and determined. She finds loopholes for everything that could potentially stand in her way. I appreciated that although she does have an innate talent for medicine, she also literally grows up studying it and continues to be studious throughout her career. Her talent helps, but she earns her reputation through hard work.
The romance was fine. I felt it was fairly realistic and not overly sweet. Both characters seem authentic for their ages, class, and the situation.
The only major downside in this book for me is when it deterred from reality. The magical reveal made what was an engaging plot seem silly and cheapened the ending. I wish it had been edited out honestly.
All in all, a good read most of the way with an ending that just didn't quite get me there.
I was mostly pleased with this story and particularly enjoyed the bits about medical practice in Scotland. I recognized bits about the development of “ether” as this also features prominently in The Way of All Flesh which I’ve read prior. I will say that some plot points struck me as a bit similar to that story as they both feature the poor of Edinburgh being murdered in horrific ways and with possible links to medical practice.
That said, I loved the main character in Anatomy. She is spunky, resilient, clever, and determined. She finds loopholes for everything that could potentially stand in her way. I appreciated that although she does have an innate talent for medicine, she also literally grows up studying it and continues to be studious throughout her career. Her talent helps, but she earns her reputation through hard work.
The romance was fine. I felt it was fairly realistic and not overly sweet. Both characters seem authentic for their ages, class, and the situation.
The only major downside in this book for me is when it deterred from reality. The magical reveal made what was an engaging plot seem silly and cheapened the ending. I wish it had been edited out honestly.
All in all, a good read most of the way with an ending that just didn't quite get me there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.0
RWARB is one of my favorite books so far this year, so when I saw that Casey McQuiston was coming out with another book, I was beyond excited. I couldn’t even wait to get a physical copy and just scooped it up on audiobook. Maybe allowing myself this much excitement and hype was the problem.
Unfortunately, One Last Stop fell flat for me. The main character and her potential romance are both interesting enough characters and the overall plot concept is cool. My main issues are that the pacing dragged significantly in places and I feel like certain parts were entirely unnecessary to the plot.
Additionally, there was a bit of cringe factor sprinkled into this book. There’s a part where a Lesbian character from the 80s is essentially told that LGBTQA people do not face discrimination or intolerance anymore. I wish that it were true, but it came across as an overly simplistic and untrue answer. Also, there is sort of a weird white savior dynamic going on. I don’t necessarily think that was intentional, but parts of the story do really highlight that.
I will say that I love this author’s attempt to write very diverse characters. Most of the cast is LGBTQA+ and quite a few characters are POC. I applaud that, however, I do wish that more was done to develop them and include them more comprehensively in the actual plot. Most of them show up as very brief character mentions without much actual development.
All in all, I feel like this was an ambitious concept, one that I really wanted to love. Unfortunately, the execution just wasn’t there. I’ll still try Casey McQuiston’s future books, but this has definitely tempered my expectations.
Unfortunately, One Last Stop fell flat for me. The main character and her potential romance are both interesting enough characters and the overall plot concept is cool. My main issues are that the pacing dragged significantly in places and I feel like certain parts were entirely unnecessary to the plot.
Additionally, there was a bit of cringe factor sprinkled into this book. There’s a part where a Lesbian character from the 80s is essentially told that LGBTQA people do not face discrimination or intolerance anymore. I wish that it were true, but it came across as an overly simplistic and untrue answer. Also, there is sort of a weird white savior dynamic going on. I don’t necessarily think that was intentional, but parts of the story do really highlight that.
I will say that I love this author’s attempt to write very diverse characters. Most of the cast is LGBTQA+ and quite a few characters are POC. I applaud that, however, I do wish that more was done to develop them and include them more comprehensively in the actual plot. Most of them show up as very brief character mentions without much actual development.
All in all, I feel like this was an ambitious concept, one that I really wanted to love. Unfortunately, the execution just wasn’t there. I’ll still try Casey McQuiston’s future books, but this has definitely tempered my expectations.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’ve read other Rebecca Searle books and enjoyed them, but I found this one seriously lacking. Certain relationships are borderline obsessive and everything is wrapped up in this very tidy, unsatisfying bow. Sadly, a disappointment for me and it makes me think Searle is kind of a one-trick author with the time travel concept.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Death of parent
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was an interesting enough start that I’ll read the second book, but if the second book isn’t better, I likely won’t continue. Definitely not as good as the hype on social media.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Not sure exactly how to list this, but at one point the MC is drugged and forced to do humiliating things.
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is an interesting enough plot, but the ending is a bit predictable. I figured out who the bad guy was about halfway through the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
A dystopian nightmare focused on parents and parental rights.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a multi-generational story about a family. It starts in Korea, but moves to Japan and we see what the family goes through as they try to figure out their survival.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a dark and difficult book that focuses on the nature of humans and wolves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting
Decode Your Darkness: Release Trauma, Reach Emotional Freedom, and Find Your Light by E.K. Richards
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
A hands on guide to working through your trauma step by step.