bestkasescenario's reviews
43 reviews

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

challenging dark hopeful inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. An excellent read, I love that this didn’t romanticize Bundy & respected the victims - even though it’s considered to be fiction. This is the story telling about murder victims & their families that needs to be in the world, not those bullshit Netflix shows that glorify murder. Well done - best book I’ve read all year 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting

Endless Summer by Elin Hilderbrand

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

I loved the idea of this - although I read it more as short stories. I’ll probably go back and re-read each section as I read the corresponding novel. Love anything by Hilderbrand

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring fast-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

Love this book, it’s a really interesting fictional story with a massive feminist theme. I loved it 

The Power by Naomi Alderman

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

4.75

Loved it! The ending felt a little rushed and it didn’t feel “complete” but I still loved the book in its entirety. Excellent storytelling & I did find it a little Atwood-esque which made sense at the end to learn that Atwood mentored Alderman. Stoked to watch the show, I hope it lives up to the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail

For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes

dark emotional tense 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

I really love the You series…. But this one just feels like a repeat. It’s getting very boring and I don’t know if I’ll want to read the last book. 

Risk!: True Stories People Never Thought They'd Dare to Share by

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Loved this! Definitely recommend - this is one of those books everyone should read 

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.75

Loved it! I liked how the author switched between perspectives & the timeline kept it really interesting. Not giving 5 stars because the ending felt rushed & I feel like it could’ve been more detailed. Overall a great read, I’d recommend 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.0

I’ve liked Fortune’s other novels, but this one wasn’t very good. The plot was predictable and the sex scenes were so detailed (not in a bad way) but it was weird in comparison to the rest of the way the book was written. Not her best work, I was disappointed

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

Loved this one! Def recommend listening to the audiobook, though. It’s a fab read & kept me so interested. Surprise ending for sure!