caitlinbythebook's reviews
398 reviews

The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn

hopeful reflective tense 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

5.0

It took me a little while to pick this one up, but once I did, I was sold. Kate’s writing is very true to life. I fell in love with the main characters, shed a few tears, and hugged this book when I was done. Loved!

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The pacing of when the events took place in the novel was extremely fast and seemed unrealistic. I do think the author did a good job writing on a subject which they haven’t experienced first hand and writing in the voice of a modern teen. This book was ahead of its time and is still very relevant today.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Sexual assault, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Stalking, and Panic attacks/disorders

The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

A beautiful essay from Cheryl Strayed about first meeting her mother-in-law and then saying goodbye as she passed away. Cheryl has a way with words and describing emotions so succinctly that cuts through any fluff or awkwardness. She faces the truth head on and shares from a place of love. Highly recommend this latest writing from Cheryl Strayed.

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Zero Days by Ruth Ware

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

May The Froth Be With You by Ginny Sterling

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.0

Very chaste, light romance novella. It was too saccharine and sweet for my taste. While it was a fast paced read, everything happened unbelievably fast and the subplot wasn’t satisfactorily resolved on the page.

I received an advance reader copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Don't Let in the Cold by Keely Parrack

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Feral Creatures by Kira Jane Buxton

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I adore this book! This follow-up to Hollow Kingdom exceeded my expectations. The characters that Kira Jane Buxton has created are endearing, hilarious, inspiring, and a joy to spend time with as they navigate the aftermath of an apocalypse. My favorite crow, S.T., returns in this book and leads us on an intense journey. We get other animal perspectives sprinkled throughout as stand-alone chapters that add to the overall world she’s created. Buxton weaves an imagined world with the natural world we know that is so creative. She can also make you laugh and cry in the same sentence! She is a truly gifted writer.

This book is full of friendship and found family. One of my favorite quotes was, “Family doesn’t have to look like you;…. What matters is that you’re loved for who you are in your heart. We survive when we are seen.” This book is also full of intense scenes that sometimes include fear, tension, danger, destruction, death, and explicit language, so tread lightly if you are a sensitive reader. I believe it's well worth a read if you want something unique and funny as well!

I both had to know how this book ended and didn’t want it to end. The best kind of book!

Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship by Isabel Vincent

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.0