caitlinbythebook's reviews
405 reviews

Flamefall by Rosaria Munda

challenging dark emotional hopeful tense 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

5.0

I liked this one better than the first in the series! 🔥

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.5

This book really took me by surprise and in a great way! It was overall a delightful read with realistic characters who went through real life situations. The love story was a SLOW burn and there was only one brief open door scene. I loved the references to writers and readers throughout. Highly recommend for fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez!

Illicit Temptations by Katee Robert

fast-paced

3.5

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Brutal, raw and gut-wrenching to read. I struggled to pick it up because the topic and story felt very heavy to me. One part in the middle felt dreamlike to me, but it was meant to be realistic so that threw me off a bit. This was so different than Ng’s other books. Started in print and finished on audio. Lucy Liu narrates beautifully. 

The Mormon Trail: The History and Legacy of the Trail that Brought the Mormons to Utah by Charles River Editors

informative slow-paced

1.0

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

emotional hopeful reflective 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

3.5

Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda

dark mysterious 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

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

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