bookworm_88's reviews
115 reviews

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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

4.5

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin

reflective fast-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

4.0

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-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

4.5

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

Reckless by Elsie Silver

emotional funny medium-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

Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm by Alison Sherlock

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book - all thoughts are my own.

This book is the third in the Railway Lane Series, and having not read the previous books, this one was still easy to get into and understand. The beginning of the book gives us the background on our main characters - Flora, Grams (Helen), and Nico. It also gives us an introduction to our setting - Strawberry Hill Farm in Cranfield. If you enjoy holiday movies but are looking for one that isn't set in the winter - this is the book for you.

I found our main character Flora to come across a bit younger than the 31 years old that we are told that she is. Grams was a sweet character, but where the character work really shines is with Nico. From the beginning, I felt for him. We learn of his emotional past, get to see his charm, and have someone to root for during the story.

In terms of the plotting, the main issue in the novel is that the strawberry farm where Flora and Grams live is not bringing in enough money to stay afloat. I found that the solutions to the issues came a little bit easy to the characters, but given the holiday movie vibe of the novel, this was to be expected.

Overall, this was a quick, fun read that took me away from the dreary winter weather (as that's when this book is being released) and brought me to a sunnier, sweeter place. If you enjoy sweet, cheesy movies, or are looking for something easy to understand in between complex fantasy reads, this book could be a good choice for you. 

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

funny lighthearted medium-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

3.75

One Day in December by Josie Silver

emotional medium-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

4.0

Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

So boring! No point or message or guide

First Things First: To Live, to Love, to Learn, to Leave a Legacy by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, Rebecca R. Merrill

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.0