claranagbabasa's reviews
69 reviews

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

The blend of sibling bond (and trauma, hello), to horror, to goofy ass comedy ratio was certainly well beloved. Technically, technically speaking, this is my first horror book.

I feel kind of relieved this is where I started with, as a self proclaimed coward who freaks out at dark spaces and will ultimately refuse to sleep if my I'm anxious about something I created in my overactive mind.

But this was so good. I love the reveals and I definitely loved that ending.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

3.75

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Ngl, I held my breath for that ending.

But this was truly a well done start to a series, and I adored almost all the characters. I rooted for them both as much as I guffawed at the premise.

But yes, my dudes. The way to a woman's heart is by the book she reads. 🤧

The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

Whimsy writing for a whimsy world with whimsy characters— this is just a good, fun read with a sweet love story in between. And did I mention it's really whimsy?

I know not a lot of people enjoy that kind of thing, but I did so 🤷🏽‍♀️

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Can't talk about it yet, but I was emotional throughout and the Em Henryness of the book really Em Henried. Thoroughly killed me in the process. Would recommend. Definitely top 1 to 2 in my fave Em Henry books of all time, as well as partof the Fab Five of Fave Books of All Time list.

Romance 101 by Namsoo

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

Pets of Park Avenue by Stefanie London

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

3.5

[ bits & pits of spoiler throughout! ]


I didn't know if I just read it fast, I feel like the pacing of the story was a quick one, giving you the problems, the solutions, and the events in quick succession. I didn't mind it, honestly, and I read the book in one day.


One of the main factors I think it gone fast is the situation of the characters. Lane and Scout had been married for five years, had a whirlwind of a start to their romance that ultimately ended abruptly in less than a month. Five years take place, both husband and wife are more mature and deal with what happened to their marriage.

So. Fast. We see that they loved each other very much, and in reconnecting to divorce and become a family unit again with their loving doggy, they go through the problems that they once had when they were too young for them, now in a more mature mindset.

It's a good story, a definite mature read. A few steamy scenes and I just felt. Okay about it. I enjoyed the idea, and I love the sprinkle of dogs. I just don't know if it's because I'm used to the angst that it usually takes with second chance romance, as unbelievable as some of it are (lol), but I kind of hoped for more angst lol.

It's a good quick read though.

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-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

4.25

Have to say, that epilogue really made my heart full. I didn't realise it's been a while since I've read a full epilogue that really ties the perfect bow to a story.

Rare it is, to read about the main characters having children, that epilogue where the author shows you the ten years after. Definitely satisfying for me.

Did I love them more than Brendan and Piper? Yes, actually. But did I love the story itself better than It Happened One Summer? Surprisingly, the former still takes the cake, but I still fell in love with this story.

Hannah's character was definitely important to me. The Bellinger sisters, their inherent kindness is very, very important to me. I love strong, badass female characters just like the rest, but there is a beauty in kindness. An intimacy in the show of love and empathy, and Hannah Bellinger definitely took the cake and I love how

Fox was the one who helped her gain confidence, to fling herself to opportunities, at the same time that she gave him every inch of that kindness.

At the same point, Fox's character was also important to me. It's a very 'ifykyk' thing, but ugh.

The fact that even teachers— people of education — were sexualising a goddamn minor made me want to slap a couple of teachers lmao. I get that he perpetuated the stereotype later in life, but in high school? All because he looked just like his daddy? Please.

Anyway, definitely an enjoyable read. There were parts or moments I wanted to explore more, mainly a lot of the backstory presented— Fox's father, his ex. I was glad we resolved a bit of Hannah's complicated relationship with the father she never knew, but I wish we did the same to Fox's backstory. We mainly focused on his relationship with his mother, and I don't know, I feel like in the threads presented that help perpetuate his image— I thought we'd have more of his father apart from the cuff, or his ex and his former best friend.

So maybe that's why I still prefer It Happened One Summer as a storyline. Still a good read.

The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

funny inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

Read this book upon the heavy recommendation of my best friend (who thoroughly enjoyed it), so I didn't have a lot of expectations only that I trusted her tastes explicitly.

As she tends to read a variety of books— sweet romance to deeply perturbing thrillers — I was still on what seat on what to expect.

Imagine my surprise when I manage to finish this book all in one go, in one day. I devoured this book. I may not have laughed massively, or reacted as violently as my best friend, but I ate it all up. Hit up all the tropes, the cute scenes, the funny ones, and even the angsty pieces here and there. I enjoyed both Solange and Dean, and found myself giggling at them. The diversity aspect of Solange's family, the culture, as a POC myself, thoroughly enjoyed to read especially since our cultures seem to have similarities.

Solange's family holds a special place in my heart.

It was one of those cutesy, quick devouring reads that you can re-read on a rainy day.

Ghosted by J.M. Darhower

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Drug abuse and Alcoholism