catparkins's reviews
29 reviews

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

dark emotional sad 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

I absolutely loved this book! Coleen Hoover's writing is amazing! I just couldn't put the book down! What a rollercoaster of emotions. Excited, shocked, angry. wanting to throw the book across the room, I felt it all! And I was not expecting the plot to go the way it did! Definitely worth a read and I'm 100% reading more of Coleen Hoover's books. 

Feminists Don't Wear Pink (And Other Lies): Amazing Women on What the F-Word Means to Them by Scarlett Curtis

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

 A highly insightful book and a great introduction to the concept of feminism; what it means and how we can action it. A compilation of essays which serve more as short anecdotes the book is separated into themes which is great for reading when I only had a short moment spare or only wanted to read for a short while. I particularly enjoyed Keira Knightley's segment and the section on the history of feminism. The discussion on intersectional feminism was also highly insightful and interesting and is something I intend to read more on alongside my Sociology studies which complement this greatly. All in all a great read for beginning to understand feminism without being too overwhelming and heavy while retaining key understanding, and knowledge and being entertaining 

What I Wish I Knew About Love by Kirstie Taylor

emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

The Secret Barrister: Stories of the Law and How It's Broken by The Secret Barrister

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

as a someone who wants to study law at university and go into the legal sector this book was fascinating. I already have some understanding of the legal system but I think the book does a good job of explaining this for anyone who wouldn’t and outlining and explaining fundamental flaws in our system that receive little to no attention. It really does call into question why we don’t challenge our legal system like we do any other system like the NHS and why we take tabloid headlines for their word. I loved the use of anecdotes to explain points and the lack of legal lingo which makes the text really accessible. I would highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the follow up!

Girlhood by Cat Clarke

emotional hopeful mysterious 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

3.75

After her twin sister dies Harper decides to join and boarding school after her parents win the lottery. The story follows Harper and her grief, navigating her way through her last year at school and a new friendship. I really enjoyed the mystery behind Kirsty as a character and knowing something about her wasn’t right but never quite sure what. I would definitely recommend this book. A nice, not too heavy read with a good plot. 

The Valley of Secrets by Charmian Hussey

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

The Valley of Secrets. The story of Stephen, an orphan boy who inherits a large estate in Cornwall after his great uncle passes away. The book is based upon the mystery of the estate known as Lansbury Hall of which Stephen must discover via researching his uncles past and adventures in the Amazon. This book was very slow paced. For me it’s amount of description regarding plants became quite repetitive and unengaging, having to read about 250 pages before actually beginning to uncover or learn about the mystery. Although the mystery itself is very interesting and engaging, the slog to actually get to that section of the book was not fun. I wish the author cut to the chase a little bit more and had a better balance of the use of description rather than over using it. Overall the book was a decent read. I probably wouldn’t pick it up again to reread due to the beginning just dragging on a to long. I also think young readers to whom the book is targeted for may struggle to stick with the book as the mystery does not unfold until much later.

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.5

Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

dark funny fast-paced

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

4.5

This book was recommended to me by a friend who let me borrow it to read and I must say I really enjoyed it. The character development within the book is very good with each character having their own interesting, unique plot line and backstory which is slowly uncovered throughout the book and highly entertaining. Each character is loveable and have their own little quirks which makes you become quite attached. The plot line is good, however not the greatest. I did enjoy the plotline and it made sense and was fairly interesting, especially towards then end, but I did feel that some parts where just unnecessary with some romantic moments turning into sex scenes that just weren't needed in that moment. I also feel that towards the end of the book it did drag on a little bit with details that were unnecessary and didn't relate to the plot but overall I did enjoy the book and what may not be so strong within the plot line was greatly made up for in the strength of characters, their backstory and development. If a sequel to this book was to be released I would definitely be reading it and think that I may purchase a copy of this book to keep on my shelf. 

Model Under Cover: Deadly By Design by Carina Axelsson

adventurous mysterious sad tense medium-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

3.5

A really good book for teens. I really enjoyed the plot of this story and the mystery in unveiled. However, Axelle's modelling career is quite skimmed over as though landing big modelling contracts with top designers if your everyday. Despite this the storyline is very good and I very much enjoyed.

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-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

5.0

I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down! The character developed was really good as well as the development of the storyline. The uncovering of mysteries and new pieces of information being put together like a fun puzzle. The characters were so lovable and if this book was part of a series this would be a binge read! I’d highly recommend. Great storyline, characters and ending