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chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
r e v i e w βοΈ The Summer I Turned Pretty
Genre: YA
Trope: Romance / coming-of-age
Format: π§
Pub Date: 5.5.2009
Star Rating: ββββ
βIn the dark, you can feel really close to a person. You can say whatever you want.β
I did this in reverse order - I rarely watch the show before reading the book, but whoops, I did. I loved the show, so I wanted to read the first book and the second before season 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty releases this summer.
Oddly, I enjoyed the show more than the book. One of the main reasons is that I didnβt enjoy the audiobook narrator so much that I recommend not listening to the audiobook but reading the physical (or digital book) instead. The narrator carried a whiney tune through the entire book, and after a while, it started to grate my nerves.
Belly isnβt my favorite character (she isnβt on the show either). I have always struggled with the female protagonist in YA books - I donβt know why, but they donβt always seem relatable. Maybe thatβs how all teenage girls are though π€·π½ββοΈ But, I still loved Conrad and Jeremiah just as much. They and Susannah carry the whole story for me.
π Young Adult genre mashup
π Summer Romance
πΊ Love Triangle
π π½ββοΈ Audiobook was not for me
π§π½ Coming-of-age
π₯ Amazon series adaptation
π Conrad & Jeremiah
If youβre looking for a book to put you in the summer frame of mind, then this is the book for you (as long as you donβt mind a little YA).
_
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Genre: YA
Trope: Romance / coming-of-age
Format: π§
Pub Date: 5.5.2009
Star Rating: ββββ
βIn the dark, you can feel really close to a person. You can say whatever you want.β
I did this in reverse order - I rarely watch the show before reading the book, but whoops, I did. I loved the show, so I wanted to read the first book and the second before season 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty releases this summer.
Oddly, I enjoyed the show more than the book. One of the main reasons is that I didnβt enjoy the audiobook narrator so much that I recommend not listening to the audiobook but reading the physical (or digital book) instead. The narrator carried a whiney tune through the entire book, and after a while, it started to grate my nerves.
Belly isnβt my favorite character (she isnβt on the show either). I have always struggled with the female protagonist in YA books - I donβt know why, but they donβt always seem relatable. Maybe thatβs how all teenage girls are though π€·π½ββοΈ But, I still loved Conrad and Jeremiah just as much. They and Susannah carry the whole story for me.
π Young Adult genre mashup
π Summer Romance
πΊ Love Triangle
π π½ββοΈ Audiobook was not for me
π§π½ Coming-of-age
π₯ Amazon series adaptation
π Conrad & Jeremiah
If youβre looking for a book to put you in the summer frame of mind, then this is the book for you (as long as you donβt mind a little YA).
_
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of Beautiful {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: π§
Pub Date: 3.1.2022
Star Rating: βββ.5
As shocking as this may be to some of you, this is my first novel by Danielle Steel. Iβve never gravitated toward her books for some reason, but after reading Beautiful, I would like to read more. I went into it expecting more of the romance aspect to the story but was pleasantly surprised to find that there wasnβt much there.
Her writing style reminded me a bit of Elin Hilderbrand mixed with Donna Tartt (but the DT mix might be due to the nature of the book and how it reminded me of The Goldfinch).
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Beautiful and its thought-provoking take on whether beauty can be more than just what you see on the outside. The reader follows along as the protagonist, Veronique, goes from being the most sought-after model in the world to hiding in her flat, avoiding the paparazzi after a horrific incident claiming the life of her mother and friend, leaving Veronique disfigured.
Beautiful is not necessarily a coming-of-age story but more of a discovering yourself type of book. I enjoyed reading along as Veronique met all the people who would help her love herself again. It just shows what a little kindness can bring to someoneβs life.
π Based on an actual event (model not included)
π Slow pace
π€πΌ Very little romance
π π½ββοΈ Didnβt love the male author
π Lacked a bit of the depth that I needed
I recommend reading Beautiful if you enjoy Danielle Steel books but could do without the romance,
Genre: Fiction
Format: π§
Pub Date: 3.1.2022
Star Rating: βββ.5
As shocking as this may be to some of you, this is my first novel by Danielle Steel. Iβve never gravitated toward her books for some reason, but after reading Beautiful, I would like to read more. I went into it expecting more of the romance aspect to the story but was pleasantly surprised to find that there wasnβt much there.
Her writing style reminded me a bit of Elin Hilderbrand mixed with Donna Tartt (but the DT mix might be due to the nature of the book and how it reminded me of The Goldfinch).
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Beautiful and its thought-provoking take on whether beauty can be more than just what you see on the outside. The reader follows along as the protagonist, Veronique, goes from being the most sought-after model in the world to hiding in her flat, avoiding the paparazzi after a horrific incident claiming the life of her mother and friend, leaving Veronique disfigured.
Beautiful is not necessarily a coming-of-age story but more of a discovering yourself type of book. I enjoyed reading along as Veronique met all the people who would help her love herself again. It just shows what a little kindness can bring to someoneβs life.
π Based on an actual event (model not included)
π Slow pace
π€πΌ Very little romance
π π½ββοΈ Didnβt love the male author
π Lacked a bit of the depth that I needed
I recommend reading Beautiful if you enjoy Danielle Steel books but could do without the romance,
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of The Family Game {partner}
Genre: Thriller
Format: π§
Pub Date: 10.18.2022
Star Rating: βββ.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: π§
Pub Date: 10.18.2022
Star Rating: βββ.5
βDamaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.β
Well, The Family Game was interesting and different from what I expected. It is likely the only holiday thriller Iβve read, and I canβt say it was terrible; it was very different.
The Family Game was a quick read full of moments that puzzled me when I wondered what was happening (the whole Krampus scene π€·π½ββοΈ). I also guarantee you it will make your family seem VERY normal.
The ending left me wanting, but I donβt know if thatβs because I predicted it or because it was over the top. I canβt complain, though, because the story kept me interested, and I finished listening to it in less than 24 hours.
π Not a single likable character
π¨ Quick read
π A bit repetitive
π‘ Guessed the ending at about the 60% mark
πΉ Please, someone explain the Krampus scene to me
I canβt say Iβve read anything like this before, but if the wealthy behaving badly is your thing, I recommend checking it out.
_
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emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
R E V I E W β¨ Bittersweet
Genre: Non-Fiction
Format: π
Pub Date: 4.5.2022
Star Rating: ββββ.5
Genre: Non-Fiction
Format: π
Pub Date: 4.5.2022
Star Rating: ββββ.5
"Everything that you love, you will eventually lose. But in the end, love will return in a different form."
For 2023, I challenged myself to read a monthly non-fiction book (it's always been my least-read genre). Bittersweet by Susan Cain was my non-fiction read for February, and it's an Oprah Book Club Pick. I also had the chance to sit down and talk to the author about her book (which was an absolute delight).
For those of you who know me well, you know that I am an emotional person. I have the rule that no one cries alone, and sometimes that means that fictional characters don't cry alone either⦠If there's a sad commercial, it is guaranteed to bring on tears, and a book that makes me cry will most certainly receive a 4.5-5 star rating.
It's always been my "weak" point, but after reading Bittersweet, I don't feel like it is. I finished reading the book and thought I understood myself so much more.
Cain acknowledges that it is not only the good things in life that help to make us whole. But the brutal, devastating, and sad moments also bring our life into focus.
Then she discusses something particularly prevalent today, the "Tyranny of Positivity''. This tyranny is pervasive on social media as we only see the 6-second highlight reels of someone's life, and it causes us to feel envious of the life they're living (seemingly hardship-free). But these very same people might be struggling on the inside, and because they don't want to seem depressed to their followers, they only share what's ''great'' in their life. How do we stop this? How do we show others that behind the 6-second aesthetic video, there's an actual human with real emotions? Cain addresses a lot of this in her book.
Bittersweet is broken up into three parts. I enjoyed the first section, but it felt over my head as it was more data/research-driven, so some fundamental aspects were likely lost. But, the other sections titled ''Winners and Losers'' and ''Morality, Impermanence, and Grief'' had a more profound impact on me.
I don't think Bittersweet will be everyone's cup of tea, but if any of the above sounds intriguing, I suggest reading it or listening. Susan Cain is incredible, and I loved hearing her talk more in-depth about her book.
PS. For those who read Bittersweet, my Bittersweet Score was 8.6.
_
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emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of When the Moon Turns Blue {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Small-town
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 2.21.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Small-town
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 2.21.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
βMemories are often stored in a place you donβt visit until trouble pushes open the door.β
When the Moon Turns Blue is my second book from Pamela Terry, and itβs the second time Iβve fallen in love with her writing style. Her words elicit so much emotion from me and bring everything to life. Sitting down and losing myself in her words is always a joy.
She also has this knack for creating characters and storylines that always pull me into the book. In this story, Terry brings to light a lot of issues that our country is facing and does so in a small southern community with a diverse demographic.
There are A LOT of characters in When the Moon Turns Blue, but at the start of each chapter, the reader is given a glimpse at who will be featured in that chapter (so pay attention). While there are a lot of characters, they all circle around the prominent people - Marietta, Butter, Gordon, Glinda, and Macon. I wrote down who was who at first, which helped me remember names and how they were related. But I never felt overwhelmed or confused about the characters. Plus, seeing how they all ultimately connected to the story was fun.
Another element I loved about When the Moon Turns Blue is that the main characters are all in their 60s and 70s. I love when authors break out of the typical character age we see and create characters with experience and wisdom.
π₯ Lots of character connections
π Storytelling at its finest
π¬ Depiction of Americaβs reality
π― MCs in their 60βs and 70βs
I recommend reading When the Moon Turns Blue if you enjoy reading The Thursday Murder Club - they are different genres but have the same feel.
_
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mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you, St Martinβs Press, for the gifted copy of The Soulmate {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: π§
Pub Date: 4.4.2023
Star Rating: βββ.5
βWe trust people based on the strangest, most arbitrary things. None of which have any bearing on whether you or not you are inherently good.β
In this unique dual-perspective story, the reader looks at the relationship between two seemingly devoted couples. But, as in most domestic suspense novels, secrets lurk just below the surface. But the question is, how dark are these secrets, and how far are the couples willing to go to keep them hidden?
I think Iβve read *almost* every Sally Hepworth, and this one just felt different than the others. Not in a bad way. It was just different for me. I started out thinking it would be more of a domestic suspense, but in the end, it gave me more of a family drama feel.
The Soulmate (although I donβt think the title goes with the book) offered a relatively quick read or listen- I believe I finished it in just under 48 hours. The short chapters and interesting plot lines made me find many excuses to listen to my audiobook. And I loved the narrator too, so it was a delightful read.
I applaud Sally Hepworth and how she handled a particular element of mental health in her book. She did so with careful regard for those who do suffer from this while at the same time not allowing that character to fall back on their illness as an excuse. I see a lot of authors attempt to tackle mental illness with their characters, and they either get it all wrong, OR they create an offensive character. Sally Hepworth did a phenomenal job tackling mental illness in The Soulmate.
βπΌ Dual narrative
π£οΈ Interesting perspective from one of the narrators
ππΌ Well paced
π Short chapters
π More of a family drama with suspense
π Ending left me a tiny bit underwhelmed
I recommend reading The Soulmate if you enjoyed reading The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell.
_
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Genre: Mystery
Format: π§
Pub Date: 4.4.2023
Star Rating: βββ.5
βWe trust people based on the strangest, most arbitrary things. None of which have any bearing on whether you or not you are inherently good.β
In this unique dual-perspective story, the reader looks at the relationship between two seemingly devoted couples. But, as in most domestic suspense novels, secrets lurk just below the surface. But the question is, how dark are these secrets, and how far are the couples willing to go to keep them hidden?
I think Iβve read *almost* every Sally Hepworth, and this one just felt different than the others. Not in a bad way. It was just different for me. I started out thinking it would be more of a domestic suspense, but in the end, it gave me more of a family drama feel.
The Soulmate (although I donβt think the title goes with the book) offered a relatively quick read or listen- I believe I finished it in just under 48 hours. The short chapters and interesting plot lines made me find many excuses to listen to my audiobook. And I loved the narrator too, so it was a delightful read.
I applaud Sally Hepworth and how she handled a particular element of mental health in her book. She did so with careful regard for those who do suffer from this while at the same time not allowing that character to fall back on their illness as an excuse. I see a lot of authors attempt to tackle mental illness with their characters, and they either get it all wrong, OR they create an offensive character. Sally Hepworth did a phenomenal job tackling mental illness in The Soulmate.
βπΌ Dual narrative
π£οΈ Interesting perspective from one of the narrators
ππΌ Well paced
π Short chapters
π More of a family drama with suspense
π Ending left me a tiny bit underwhelmed
I recommend reading The Soulmate if you enjoyed reading The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell.
_
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Thank you, St Martins Press, for the gifted copy of Dark Corners {partner}
Genre: Thriller
Trope: Missing Women
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 8.8.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
Genre: Thriller
Trope: Missing Women
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 8.8.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
"Dark corners can be danger points."
I read Night Swim by Megan Goldin in 2020, and it has stayed with me. So, when I heard that Goldin was publishing the second Rachel Krall book this year, I immediately requested a copy. Dark Corners had me hooked from the first chapter. It was mysterious and sinister, with countless reminders of the importance of being aware at ALL times.
The book, as a whole, had a realistic tone from start to finish. Of course, the story had some added dramatic flair, but the overall message is β this could happen. There's one point in Dark Corners (and I won't say what happens), but I was holding my breath because I knew what was about to happen, and I've been guilty of the same reckless behavior.
Goldin also takes a hard look at the mega lifestyle influencers of social media and how we should all take them with a grain of salt. It added an intriguing layer to the story as we all follow the influencers with 500k followers who seemingly live glamorous lives - but do we ever get to know them?
I devoured Dark Corners in less than 48 hours. I hope Goldin continues with the Krall series because I need more. She has such a talent for keeping my attention, keeping me guessing, and shining a light on some truly horrific situations.
"Killers receive so much oxygen in the media; it's time to give a voice to the victim."
π Romantic aspect (need more in book 3, please)
π€³πΌ Social media influencer angle
π Red herrings
β οΈ Overall message, do not let your guard down
I recommend reading Dark Corners if you enjoy reading Night Swim β the two books can be read as stand-alone, but I have enjoyed watching Rachel Krall's character develop with each book.
_
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you, Celadon Books, for the gifted copy of Beyond That, the Sea π {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Time: 1940 β 1977
Format: π§
Pub Date: 3.21.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Time: 1940 β 1977
Format: π§
Pub Date: 3.21.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
βShe understands now that death has a way of providing freedom.β
I've strayed away from WWII-centered books for the last year or two. But then I decided to sign up to read Beyond That, the Sea through the Celadon Read-along initiative. Once I signed up and received the book, I became apprehensive β what if I didn't like the book? I felt guilty for potentially taking on this book when it's been a genre I've avoided.
But this is different from your typical WWII book. It may begin during the war, but Beyond That, the Sea is much more than that. It encompasses one of my favorite historical fiction tropes - following a character over their lifetime. In this book, we follow two brothers (William & Gerald) in America and a young English girl (Bea) who flees her home during the war to live with her family in the states.
In this character-driven story, we are given an inside look into their journey throughout the war, how different it was for families here vs. families in Europe, and then life after Bea returns to London. It was a beautifully written story, and I'm so glad I chose to read this with Celadon.
Don't get me wrong, Beyond That, the Sea was heartbreaking at times, but the ending brought me so much comfort. These characters had survived so much, but they kept going, and I love this gentle reminder to keep moving forward.
3οΈβ£ Told in three parts
π₯ Character-driven
β³ Coming-of-age and then some
π§ No quotation marks (I loved the audio)
ποΈ Love the years added to the bottom of each page - it was such a nice touch to the story
I recommend reading Beyond That, the Sea if you enjoyed reading The Dutch House or The Most Fun We Ever Had.
_
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dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you, Mariner Books, for the gifted copy of Homecoming by Kate Morton {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Time: 1959 & 2019
Format: π
Pub Date: 4.4.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
"People who grow up in old houses come to understand that buildings have characters. That they have memories and secrets to tell."
Homecoming starts strong - a tragic event, a town trying to decipher what happened, and then we jump forward to a granddaughter trying to figure out her grandmother's past before it's too late. There were numerous moments throughout the book when I felt I had the answers within my grasp but couldn't put everything together.
If you've ever read a Kate Morton book, you know that nestled between the exquisite details of the ordinary moments, there are red herrings, and the fun in her books is trying to figure out what is fact or fiction. I was paying close attention to everything mentioned, determined to figure it out before Morton intended me to. While I did figure out pieces, I didn't see the big reveal.
Homecoming is a challenging read - it took me almost two weeks to get through this dense 560-page book. Around the 200-page mark, the story slowed, and I had to take a break from reading. I struggled with the book's middle section and thought that a big chunk could've been cut from the story (which is why I gave it 4.5), but the last 100 pages made it all worth it. Again, if you're a Morton fan, you might've experienced this with her other books. If you're new to her writing, stick with it, the endings are always worth the wait.
π Captivating descriptions
π Red herrings
π£οΈ Multiple Perspectives
π Lengthy chapters
π€© The ending is worth the wait
β discussions of maternal filicide and suicide, graphic details of miscarriage
I recommend reading Homecoming if you're looking for a beautiful, detailed historical fiction that will elicit numerous emotions.
_
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Time: 1959 & 2019
Format: π
Pub Date: 4.4.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
"People who grow up in old houses come to understand that buildings have characters. That they have memories and secrets to tell."
Homecoming starts strong - a tragic event, a town trying to decipher what happened, and then we jump forward to a granddaughter trying to figure out her grandmother's past before it's too late. There were numerous moments throughout the book when I felt I had the answers within my grasp but couldn't put everything together.
If you've ever read a Kate Morton book, you know that nestled between the exquisite details of the ordinary moments, there are red herrings, and the fun in her books is trying to figure out what is fact or fiction. I was paying close attention to everything mentioned, determined to figure it out before Morton intended me to. While I did figure out pieces, I didn't see the big reveal.
Homecoming is a challenging read - it took me almost two weeks to get through this dense 560-page book. Around the 200-page mark, the story slowed, and I had to take a break from reading. I struggled with the book's middle section and thought that a big chunk could've been cut from the story (which is why I gave it 4.5), but the last 100 pages made it all worth it. Again, if you're a Morton fan, you might've experienced this with her other books. If you're new to her writing, stick with it, the endings are always worth the wait.
π Captivating descriptions
π Red herrings
π£οΈ Multiple Perspectives
π Lengthy chapters
π€© The ending is worth the wait
β discussions of maternal filicide and suicide, graphic details of miscarriage
I recommend reading Homecoming if you're looking for a beautiful, detailed historical fiction that will elicit numerous emotions.
_
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Suicide
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you, Forever Books, for the gifted copy of Yours Truly. {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Co-workers
Format: π
Pub Date: 4.11.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
Genre: Romance
Trope: Co-workers
Format: π
Pub Date: 4.11.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
"Wouldn't it be amazing to live like that? To not carry that burden around with you. To not feel constantly overwhelmed and overstimulated and second-guess everything little thing.."
What a fun read Yours Truly was! Per usual, I adored the characters that Jimenez created. Bri and Jacob were relatable, pure, hilarious characters, and their chemistry was palpable throughout the book. I loved their banter and what they each brought to the relationship. It was so much fun to watch the progression of their relationship.
But, besides the characters, Abby Jimenez does an outstanding job of portraying real-life struggles respectfully and accurately. I saw so much of my anxious self in Jacob's character. His struggles as he tried to overcome his anxiety-driven internal monologue felt natural, as I have repeatedly struggled to overcome the same feelings.
As much as I enjoyed Bri and Jacob's relationship, the hilarious antics, and the genuine struggles of each character - it pains me to give this book less than five stars. But unfortunately, I had a few issues with the book.
There is one particular trope that showed up around the halfway point of Yours Truly, and it is my absolute least favorite, and it bothers me a lot when authors use it. I don't want to give anything away, but adding that storyline did nothing for me. I felt like I'd finally gotten over it, but the miscommunication trope started to rear its ugly head when I had 20% left of the book. It became such a dominant part of the story that I couldn't help but dislike Bri. Adding these tropes to the book put such a sour taste in my mouth, and I wish I could've gotten over it but oh well! I can't love all of Jimenez's books, can I?
π₯° Swoon-worthy moments
π©π½ββοΈ Women in STEAM
π Several hilarious laugh-out-loud moments
π‘ The two worst trope additions IMO
π§ Accurate portrayal of mental health
β€οΈβπ₯ Less spicy - more mental foreplay
π Reappearance of characters from Part of Your World
β- Cheating, parental abandonment, miscarriage, severe anxiety
I recommend reading Yours Truly if you enjoy Abby Jimenez's writing and don't mind a little miscommunication trope π
_
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage