cottageivy's reviews
40 reviews

medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

finished this a few days ago, and I enjoyed it a lot! the plot was cute, I loved the world and I liked the characters! I feel like a lottie pov or something would've helped because from marigolds pov it seemed like lottie did start trusting marigold a bit fast, especially for a character who's initially presented as someone who's slow to trust. I do wish the ending was a bit longer and involved, but overall it was well written and cute. also, tattoos in queer stories my beloved <3

I will be looking forward to this authors future books tho bc I do loveee her writing :)

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

Go to review page

emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

4.0

my first abby Jimenez book! I really enjoyed this book, especially as a kick off for a summer of romance books! I really loved how they handled the grief aspect, while not like. bogging it down and feeling like "should she really be dating yet". Jason was an amazing love interest and he enamored me pretty quickly. I will say I felt like the part where Sloan decides to go on tour with Jason after all felt rushed, and like a conversation was cut out and replaced by "they had a conversation" that I would've really liked to see.

overall though, I enjoyed this book, and will DEFINITELY be returning to abby as an author. the way she writes romance is really good.

Content Warnings

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this was the staff book club pick for may, and I actually finished it!! God I will never stop thinking about this book. gonna copy and paste my review from the book club on fable for now :)
--
me? finishing a book club book AND remembering to review it? I loved this book with all my heart, despite it absolutely wrecking it. Nora as a character was so complex and real, like I was looking at a real person while reading it. one of my favorite reads of 2024 so far. and despite all the beautiful original quotes and philosophy quotes, my favorite one is early in the book, and the first thing I tabbed

" 'Because, Nora, sometimes the only way to learn is to *live*'
'Sounds hard.' "

Content Warnings

Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

this was my first katee robert book! I originally picked it up because I saw a TikTok of someone who had an arc for the second book and was excited for a sapphic book, but they said you have to read rhe first book to understand it. so I did! and I really really liked it! first up, bi mc, immediate win. I loved rhe characters and the plot intrigued me. to be 100% honest if I had known the author was queer I would've picked up their books sooner 😭 I'm bi so I am interested in m/f relationships as well, but the way straight authors sometimes write them is iffy, especially when it comes to sex. this book I thought rhe sex scenes were hot without being cringe, and despite being someone who does not experience attraction at first sight, this book still did a good job of convincing me of their relationship! love a pretty woman makes male love interest quwstion everything he knows moment. on to the next book!

Some Shall Break by Ellie Marney

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I liked the first book a lot and this one was even better. genuinely wasn't expecting a lot of the twists, or at least the way they did them. i cannot tell you how much I love Emma with my whole heart like-

also!! i lovedddd seeing inside Kristen's head in this book she intrigues rhe fuck out of me

Content Warnings

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Go to review page

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

I was enthralled with this through the whole thing. i will say I am in a bit of a unique position in that I read the reappearance of Rachel Price before this one, ans so it was odd to go back to her old writing. which isn't bad, it is good, just I can tell how much she improved with Rachel price. Ravi and pip were very cute tho <3

None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney

Go to review page

emotional mysterious slow-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

4.0

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

Go to review page

emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

finished this in 3 or 4 hours (it is currently 2:26am lol) soo so good i forgot how much i love mystery/thriller books like this

it did get a little repetitive at some points, but not enough to knock me out

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring slow-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

this was such a good read and such a good take on the fake dating trope. often times, the main character gets over their previous relationship after they fall for their fake partner, and while scottie did start to, i love how the author wrote how much scottie struggled to reconcile with her relationship with tally. it was so raw and real and i really fucking felt for her as she grappled with everything that came after tally. i also really fucking loved irene. she was so sweet and understanding without being a pushover and held her ground. she felt so well rounded despite not being in her pov, which can be tough to do. the grin on my face during

the scene where scottie does the cheer routine as a big gesture was huge

and honestly i teared up a little. i also loved how they did that, where they made sure to have them talk beforehand. i really really love this book, highly recommend!!

Content Warnings

Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson

Go to review page

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

obsessed. made me hungry halfway through reading it despite knowing that

ash would turn out to be a cannibal

but damn she knows how to cook. actually didn’t see the ending coming somehow? like i knew it would be in that vein bc of the concept of the book but damnn. was a quick read and i LOVED the writing

Content Warnings

More...

cottageivy's reviews 40 reviews

cottageivy's reviews
40 reviews