cowboylikecj's reviews
31 reviews

With Teeth by Kristen Arnett

medium-paced

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

2.5

I guess they were intending to do a like ??? unreliable narrator thing with this??? but I don’t know.

I didn’t like it at all. Felt unresolved. Sammie felt like an autism mom, and it was weird that Samson never was diagnosed with autism. I finally started to like her and feel for her, and then the ending happened. yeah. not my favourite. 

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

Anita Kelly does a masterful job of understanding the trans story and while I am not nonbinary, london’s story rang true to me through and through. it felt very much like a tale after my own heart, relating deeply to my own experiences. dahlia was wonderful and the premise of the cooking show was so cute and fun and added great pressure to the story. all the supporting characters were lovely as well

Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall

adventurous funny hopeful 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

3.25

this was a weird rating for me. idk. i liked it but I also hated it. idk

She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick

funny hopeful 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

3.5

this was rly sweet and I enjoyed it once I got into it but it was a bit cliche lol

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-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

4.5

a bit slow at the beginning, but Casey McQuiston never fails to amaze me. every one of their books has been incredible and this is no exception. this was like. so fucking good

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

this was simply amazing. it was such an interesting read with such an incredibly well-built world that so wonderfully captured everything the book wanted to say and left you feeling just incredible in a lot of ways. This book really nails the interview portion of it all, in the same way daisy jones and the six did, but it actually felt like it meant something rly real, unlike daisy jones which was just drama 😭 

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler

dark emotional funny reflective tense

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

5.0

wow this was shockingly incredible I don’t even have words

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

I don’t know what I was expecting with this one, but somehow it was absolutely better than I would’ve ever thought. I loved every second. It was an incredible read. Madison and Lillian’s relationship was so interesting and complex and the way that Lillian bonded with the kids felt so real I loved it all sm

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.75

I read this book the summer before I went to college and it was great then and it holds up now. Casey McQuiston has a way with making a book unbelievably deep and well-rounded but still featherlight. I love it. It’s everything 

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

3.5

I think this book helps me parse out my real feelings on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing style. I’ve read four of her books now and I’ve loved every one, but every time I’ve thought the writing was a bit weak, despite roping me in every time. I was hooked on this one just as much as all the other ones, the story is charming and the characters are loveable (for the most part. I couldn’t stand Jesse). However, it was impossible to ignore that I hated how it was written. So many unnecessary details, so many moments where telling is used instead of showing, and it’s not done effectively. so I guess what I’m saying is I’m not a huge fan of tjr’s writing, but somehow, every time, she manages to rope me in just like the last time. I guess it’s an impressive testament to her actual storytelling ability and especially her ability to build characters.