berlylovestoread's reviews
272 reviews

The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark, Alafair Burke

mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

2nd in series, true crime TV show following cold cases. Interesting murder mystery of college co-ed with corrupt church, movie producer & tech genius -- many parts well woven.

I've Got You Under My Skin by Mary Higgins Clark

fast-paced

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

2.5

Mary Higgins Clark mysteries are easy and fast reads. This one was a bit predictable.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

adventurous challenging dark informative medium-paced

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

4.0

Very interesting look inside the life of elite athletes in the world of skating. Ice dancing is always overlooked but has the same grueling training and competition that sparks love/hate relationships.

I never really loved Katarina but I loved the story.

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

emotional informative medium-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

3.0

The end is the best part of the book. But don't take that to mean the rest is bad. I was unsure I would be able to see past the main character's crime but I did grow to love her.

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

3.5

Not as graphic as other stories. I especially liked her decision NOT to use her younger siblings' names. She is a more forgiving soul than me of her father.

Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky

emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

If you can get past the mother being so caught up in her own feelings and ride it out 'til they communicate this turns out to be a good contemporary fiction about family, business & love, too.

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

3.5

Could not be more stereotypical rich people parties! Enjoyable but not her best. I wanted more!

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

fast-paced

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

2.0

It was short. I was listening. Otherwise I would have DNF. Main character is insufferable.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Love the reality TV aspect of this modern retelling of Cinderella. Still clever use of the bits from the original Disney Cinderella.

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

One night stand leads to baby on board but who will raise this baby? Set in trimesters there is pregnancy, how friends and lovers handle the news, body & health changes, mental prep for baby etc. A good story with good depictions of a pregnancy.