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bmyurs's reviews
288 reviews
One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In by Kate Kennedy
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thanks to NetGalley and McMillian Children's for an ACR copy of this book.
Overall - 2 stars. Gosh this book had so much potential. It's essentially a historical version of Ocean's 11, so I had really high hopes. It took me a long time to get into the book- there were a lot of characters and constant changes in POV, which made it hard to sort out who was who. This is written for a youth audience, and it definitely hit that mark with it's tone, dialogue, and plot line. I just kept forcing myself to keep reading on thinking things would all of a sudden come together and the plot would sudden get better, but it never did.
Overall - 2 stars. Gosh this book had so much potential. It's essentially a historical version of Ocean's 11, so I had really high hopes. It took me a long time to get into the book- there were a lot of characters and constant changes in POV, which made it hard to sort out who was who. This is written for a youth audience, and it definitely hit that mark with it's tone, dialogue, and plot line. I just kept forcing myself to keep reading on thinking things would all of a sudden come together and the plot would sudden get better, but it never did.
One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book.
In this sophomore novel by Jamie Day, a set of sisters (and a few random staff) are trapped in their father's hotel during a hurricane as they sort out who will take the inheritance. Is it dark? yes, both literally and metaphorically. Is it twisty? yes, some of the twists I suspected and others really threw me off. Did it fully capture my attention? Eh. Was I riveted to keep moving onto the next chapter? Not really.
The characters are all varieties of awful- and not in a "gosh I want to see them get their comeuppance" but they fell flat for me- I didn't really care what happened to any of them. Not as good as Day's first novel, which I liked much better. This plot also all happens over the course of a single weekend, and has a bit of a whodunnit vibe, which I think put me off. Overall 2.75 stars.
In this sophomore novel by Jamie Day, a set of sisters (and a few random staff) are trapped in their father's hotel during a hurricane as they sort out who will take the inheritance. Is it dark? yes, both literally and metaphorically. Is it twisty? yes, some of the twists I suspected and others really threw me off. Did it fully capture my attention? Eh. Was I riveted to keep moving onto the next chapter? Not really.
The characters are all varieties of awful- and not in a "gosh I want to see them get their comeuppance" but they fell flat for me- I didn't really care what happened to any of them. Not as good as Day's first novel, which I liked much better. This plot also all happens over the course of a single weekend, and has a bit of a whodunnit vibe, which I think put me off. Overall 2.75 stars.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!
Lucy Foley has done it again- a dark and twisty tale of when rich people make terrible choices (and the consequences for everyone around them). The book (like many others by Foley) is told in multiple perspectives, giving an air of deception on how everyone is related to one another. Everyone has gathered at a new posh resort, but not everyone will leave alive.
Reading this book gave me a modern take on Agatha Christie novels- there's specific roles that each person plays, and it's a whodunnit to sort out how everyone knows one another, and who is actually the murderer. Compared to other Foley books I was able to predict sooner who was responsible, but that didn't make me like this book any less. In fact I liked this one better than the Paris Apartment, or the Hunting Party!
Would recommend for anyone else who has read her books, likes a modern take on Agatha Christie murder mysteries, or enjoys authors like Rachel Hawkins or Ellery Lloyd.
Lucy Foley has done it again- a dark and twisty tale of when rich people make terrible choices (and the consequences for everyone around them). The book (like many others by Foley) is told in multiple perspectives, giving an air of deception on how everyone is related to one another. Everyone has gathered at a new posh resort, but not everyone will leave alive.
Reading this book gave me a modern take on Agatha Christie novels- there's specific roles that each person plays, and it's a whodunnit to sort out how everyone knows one another, and who is actually the murderer. Compared to other Foley books I was able to predict sooner who was responsible, but that didn't make me like this book any less. In fact I liked this one better than the Paris Apartment, or the Hunting Party!
Would recommend for anyone else who has read her books, likes a modern take on Agatha Christie murder mysteries, or enjoys authors like Rachel Hawkins or Ellery Lloyd.
Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
adventurous
emotional
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? No
3.25
The Breakup Vacation by Anna Gracia
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good beach/vacation read book! Three girls set out on a trip to Cancun to let off some stress after one of them breaks up (maybe?) with her boyfriend. Turns out that het boyfriend is also in Cancun and she'll spend the week trying to win him back, only to realize that her new fling found in Cancun is perfect for her. Good read if you want a mindless, frothy trope into sunny weather and steamy romance. I enjoyed this especially in the cold winter weather of the north! If this was a movie it would definitely be R rated due some steamy love scenes so you have been warned!
Thanks to NetGalley and MTV Books for the ARC of this.
Thanks to NetGalley and MTV Books for the ARC of this.
The Weekend Retreat by Tara Laskowski
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
Overall 4.5 stars- all the characters were people you love to hate, and while I predicted the main twist of the book, it was still exciting to see it all unfold. Told from multiple perspectives, the story revolves around 3 siblings and their significant others as they gather at their childhood home following their mother's death. Each character has a major flaw, and the author does a great job of exposing those flaws as the story unfolds. Great for those who also enjoy Lucy Foley and Rachel Hawkins.
Overall 4.5 stars- all the characters were people you love to hate, and while I predicted the main twist of the book, it was still exciting to see it all unfold. Told from multiple perspectives, the story revolves around 3 siblings and their significant others as they gather at their childhood home following their mother's death. Each character has a major flaw, and the author does a great job of exposing those flaws as the story unfolds. Great for those who also enjoy Lucy Foley and Rachel Hawkins.