bubblewombat's reviews
2442 reviews

The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

Thieves' Gambit, but if Thieves' Gambit was boring. I literally have nothing to say about it, can't believe this is the same author who wrote Not Your Average Hot Guy (both of those books were so silly and fun). Bonus points for Sunflower and Sunflower ONLY.

Пилипенда by Simo Matavulj

informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

Simo Matavulj, I wasn't familiar with your game. The symbolism throughout?? Chef's kiss.

Ježeva kućica by Branko Ćopić

adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? No

5.0

The very first book I ever read as a child, I knew it front to back before I could even read because of how often my mum read it to me as a baby, and I made anyone who would visit sit and listen to me recite it. I've read it countless times since, but this is my first time rereading it as an adult and I love it just as much as I did then. If you didn't grow up with this lovely little hedgehog book, you missed out.

The Life of Our Lord: Written for His Children During the Years 1846 to 1849 by Charles Dickens

informative medium-paced

3.75

"No one ever lived, who was so good, so kind, so gentle, and so sorry for all people who did wrong, or were in anyway ill or miserable, as he was."

I had no idea Dickens even wrote this, until the trailer for The King of Kings (now one of my most anticipated movies) came out. That was when I decided to read The Life of Our Lord, and I'm glad I chose the version with illustrations inside, they made the whole thing even better.

It's fairly simple (as he wrote this for his children), and not always completely accurate, but I would say it was worth the read. I'd gladly give this to some younger relatives who'd probably appreciate it even more than I did.

No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I loved Myah Ariel's first book, When I Think of You, and I'm glad I loved her second, No Ordinary Love too. Though to be fair, I'm a hugeee fan of romances where one of them is an entertainer, so there's no way this could've been bad.

The romance really delivered, it was so sweet. I loved how Ella left her awful husband, and allowed herself to enter something new with Miles, despite everything that could've gone wrong. They deserved more page time as a couple though, we didn't get enough!!

The pop culture references were on point, they made perfect sense in the context of the story. And all the music did as well.

The side characters get a mention, because they carried a lot of the story, and weren't just there when it was convenient, never to be seen again. The glam squad showed up for Ella continuously, and she showed up for them right back. That's friendship right there.

I'm hoping we'll get a spinoff in the future, there's at least one more story that needs to be told (hint hint Myah Ariel AHEM AHEM).

VELIKE MISLI MALE ŽABE: KAKO DA SE BRINETE O SEBI by Maybell Eequay

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

The cutest little self help book in all the lands!!! Highly recommended if you like beautiful illustrations, adorable little froggies who wear very fetching boots/shoes and reminders about being kind to yourself.

Kidnapped by the Snowman by M. Monique

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

"Who would’ve thought a snowman kidnapping the woman he fell in love with at first sight, would melt her cold heart."

One of the best books in the series, the chemistry was off the charts and I loved every minute of it. December was so intense, but he knew what he wanted and went after it, and Raine had to figure out how to make it all work.

The kidnapping trope worked so well for this story, I can't blame Mr Angel for going through with it, he had his reasons okay? Okay.

Even though the book ended on a happy note, there were some sad moments throughout. But overall it was such a fun and slightly unhinged read, I love the stories M Monique's brain comes up with.

Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I haven't read the other series some of the characters appear in (I would've, if I'd known), but I don't think it affected my reading too much. I did feel like I missed a bit of context, but as the book went on, it didn't seem to matter. 

I'm a bit obsessed with Mary Connealy's books, every time she comes out with a new one I rush to listen to the audiobook, especially when it features Barbara McCulloh's amazing narration. 

This time we have *drum roll* A TREASURE HUNT, some runaway (pretend) orphans, and a a lovely romance (was there ever any doubt?).

Brody and Ellie's first meeting was so iconic, it had me giggling. I gotta say that I wasn't really sure about him at first, but he grew on me. I loved him and Ellie together so much.

Most of the book is about the treasure hunt itself and searching for the boys, so it's as adventure filled as you can imagine. Lock and Thayne are probably my favourite characters, their shenanigans were so fun to follow, as was their bond with Brody. 

Like any other Connealy book, there's lots of humour, and a good amount of faith content included. All in all, an excellent start to a new series, I can't wait for book two. 

Block'd by Brian Hawkins

adventurous 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

3.0

I love how the werewolves wolf out at completely random times and NO ONE bats an eye, but somehow later on they're like "shifters are real? No wayyyy", like, you didn't notice the past 100 times it happened?? That was a bit silly.

I read this for the Teen Wolf vibes, except it's basketball instead of lacrosse. The plot was fairly simple and could get repetitive (all the Banter legacy talk, for example), but I did enjoy it and would read another graphic novel set in this world (if we do get one).

Country Place by Ann Petry

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

3.5

So messyyyy, and yet so fun. The characters are mostly unlikable (the male ones, in particular), which was kinda the point. The only thing I minded is that it took a while for things to start happening, but I was interested in seeing where it would all go.

Country Place is different from The Street, not in a bad way, just not what I was expecting after reading the former. It was still good though and I'm glad I read it.

3.5