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bookishwanderess's reviews
1469 reviews
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
This book's main strength lies in its interesting characters, which made it a fun read. I was entertained the whole time by the mystery, though it took a while for the plot to fully take off. Early on, it was fairly easy to predict some aspects of the resolution, though there were still a few surprises along the way. Overall, it was enjoyable enough that I want to continue with the series.
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
This book is another great installment in the Wayward Children series. I especially appreciated the thoughtful exploration of disability and adoption at the heart of the story. As always, Seanan McGuire’s writing is compelling, making you feel invested in characters’ lives even within a limited number of pages. The magical world she creates is mesmerizing—a lush water world inhabited by talking animals and turtles that form deep bonds with humans as lifelong companions. This is a beautifully crafted tale that lingers long after the final page.
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi
medium-paced
4.0
Despite its short length, this book accomplishes so much. It’s beautifully written, blends genres in an intriguing way, and offers thought-provoking commentary on what it means to be Black in America—especially on cycles of violence, mass incarceration, and racial inequality. It also explores complex sibling dynamics, adding even more depth to the story.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
The connection between the main characters felt incredibly genuine, with great chemistry and an overall sweet relationship. I don’t usually enjoy messy romances, but in this case, it made sense given they were in college, and I appreciated how everything played out. For a while, I was worried the story would turn her friend into a villain, but I loved the way that aspect was handled.
This book was definitely spicy—maybe not as kinky as the premise and early chapters suggested, but still very steamy. I also really enjoyed reading about diving and the competitions, but even more than that, I loved seeing the main character work on her mental health, go to therapy, and overcome so many challenges to compete again.
This book was definitely spicy—maybe not as kinky as the premise and early chapters suggested, but still very steamy. I also really enjoyed reading about diving and the competitions, but even more than that, I loved seeing the main character work on her mental health, go to therapy, and overcome so many challenges to compete again.
A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I tend to enjoy marriage-in-crisis romances, and I think this one did a great job of balancing telling us about the past when the couple fell in love and their present struggles. Caleb wasn’t perfect, but I still found him incredibly swoony, and I really appreciated Sarah’s character development. Her identity crisis felt so realistic and understandable, and while she didn’t always handle things the best way, I loved seeing her choose to fight for herself and let go of the past. The storyline with her mother was also incredibly powerful.
That said, the book dragged at times. It was clear that Caleb and Sarah still loved each other and genuinely wanted to make things work, so it was frustrating when their lack of communication got in the way. Sarah, in particular, could be a bit childish and harsh at times.
One thing that truly surprised me was how deeply Caleb’s letter affected me. I was enjoying the book but not completely loving it, and then that letter came—it was so beautiful and honest that it actually made me cry. That never happens to me, especially not over a romantic gesture in a book. It really solidified for me how much I wished we had Caleb’s point of view; I think it would have added so much depth to the story.
Overall, I liked it more than I didn’t, but there were a few things that kept me from fully loving it.
That said, the book dragged at times. It was clear that Caleb and Sarah still loved each other and genuinely wanted to make things work, so it was frustrating when their lack of communication got in the way. Sarah, in particular, could be a bit childish and harsh at times.
One thing that truly surprised me was how deeply Caleb’s letter affected me. I was enjoying the book but not completely loving it, and then that letter came—it was so beautiful and honest that it actually made me cry. That never happens to me, especially not over a romantic gesture in a book. It really solidified for me how much I wished we had Caleb’s point of view; I think it would have added so much depth to the story.
Overall, I liked it more than I didn’t, but there were a few things that kept me from fully loving it.
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
I tend to enjoy marriage-in-crisis romances, and I think this one did a great job of balancing telling us about the past when the couple fell in love and their present struggles. Caleb wasn’t perfect, but I still found him incredibly swoony, and I really appreciated Sarah’s character development. Her identity crisis felt so realistic and understandable, and while she didn’t always handle things the best way, I loved seeing her choose to fight for herself and let go of the past. The storyline with her mother was also incredibly powerful.
That said, the book dragged at times. It was clear that Caleb and Sarah still loved each other and genuinely wanted to make things work, so it was frustrating when their lack of communication got in the way. Sarah, in particular, could be a bit childish and harsh at times.
One thing that truly surprised me was how deeply Caleb’s letter affected me. I was enjoying the book but not completely loving it, and then that letter came—it was so beautiful and honest that it actually made me cry. That never happens to me, especially not over a romantic gesture in a book. It really solidified for me how much I wished we had Caleb’s point of view; I think it would have added so much depth to the story.
Overall, I liked it more than I didn’t, but there were a few things that kept me from fully loving it.
That said, the book dragged at times. It was clear that Caleb and Sarah still loved each other and genuinely wanted to make things work, so it was frustrating when their lack of communication got in the way. Sarah, in particular, could be a bit childish and harsh at times.
One thing that truly surprised me was how deeply Caleb’s letter affected me. I was enjoying the book but not completely loving it, and then that letter came—it was so beautiful and honest that it actually made me cry. That never happens to me, especially not over a romantic gesture in a book. It really solidified for me how much I wished we had Caleb’s point of view; I think it would have added so much depth to the story.
Overall, I liked it more than I didn’t, but there were a few things that kept me from fully loving it.
Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This romance was so sweet! I loved how open and honest the main characters were with each other, and how understanding they remained throughout—one of the things I always appreciate about Liese’s books. The representation of disability and neurodivergence was also beautifully incorporated, feeling like a natural part of the characters’ lives rather than their defining trait.
I always enjoy it when two characters practice dating with each other, and it added such a fun dynamic to this story. Plus, the strong presence of the friend group made the book even more enjoyable!
I always enjoy it when two characters practice dating with each other, and it added such a fun dynamic to this story. Plus, the strong presence of the friend group made the book even more enjoyable!
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
medium-paced
3.0
This was a quick and cozy read, but unfortunately, not a very memorable one. I felt the book skipped over what could have been the most compelling aspect—the actual investigation into the food mysteries. Additionally, unlike similar books, the cases lacked emotional impact.
Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
It took me a long time to get into the story. Not much happens at the beginning, and the first 100–150 pages felt slow. I also found the book overly descriptive at times, and the characterization could have been stronger, especially for the side characters.
However, the story eventually picks up. I became invested in the murder mystery and the plotline surrounding Darlington. The world-building and atmosphere were compelling, the intrigue steadily built throughout the story, and I appreciated the way the book explored power, privilege, and trauma.
However, the story eventually picks up. I became invested in the murder mystery and the plotline surrounding Darlington. The world-building and atmosphere were compelling, the intrigue steadily built throughout the story, and I appreciated the way the book explored power, privilege, and trauma.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
It took me a long time to get into the story. Not much happens at the beginning, and the first 100–150 pages felt slow. I also found the book overly descriptive at times, and the characterization could have been stronger, especially for the side characters.
However, the story eventually picks up. I became invested in the murder mystery and the plotline surrounding Darlington. The world-building and atmosphere were compelling, the intrigue steadily built throughout the story, and I appreciated the way the book explored power, privilege, and trauma.
However, the story eventually picks up. I became invested in the murder mystery and the plotline surrounding Darlington. The world-building and atmosphere were compelling, the intrigue steadily built throughout the story, and I appreciated the way the book explored power, privilege, and trauma.