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daisiescaroline's reviews
57 reviews
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I have never wanted to read something I hated so much. There were so many things about this book that annoyed me to some extent but it really preyed on my love for a cheesy romance.
I really dislike the trope of ‘gorgeous girl who’s one of the guys and just wears jeans’, it just sits wrong with me because it’s so unnecessary for that kind of anti-feminine narrative to still be pushed. Mac was very #girlboss, which is super cool I guess but it seemed really forced at points and Heidi is just a really misogynistic representation of a hurt woman, to the point it’s just nasty.
The male characters weren’t much better but just seemed to follow the typical pre made love interest checklist.
The rating comes from how easy it was to pick up and read, as well as how I’m a massive sucker for an easy romance.
There were no cats to make up for the shortcomings which is a bit embarrassing.
I really dislike the trope of ‘gorgeous girl who’s one of the guys and just wears jeans’, it just sits wrong with me because it’s so unnecessary for that kind of anti-feminine narrative to still be pushed. Mac was very #girlboss, which is super cool I guess but it seemed really forced at points and Heidi is just a really misogynistic representation of a hurt woman, to the point it’s just nasty.
The male characters weren’t much better but just seemed to follow the typical pre made love interest checklist.
The rating comes from how easy it was to pick up and read, as well as how I’m a massive sucker for an easy romance.
There were no cats to make up for the shortcomings which is a bit embarrassing.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
I started this book a while ago and completely forgot about it.
The best thing about it was how easy it was to pick back up and get into again, the writing was easy to follow and the way it has lots of little stories that are part of a bigger one makes it super easy to put down and pick back up.
There was definitely a point where I knew I couldn’t put it back down and I had to keep reading until the end and I was thankful for it. It was easy to get into but you have to work to really enjoy it and get the most from it.
I loved the ending and the sentiment and it’s definitely something that should be read, but it did feel lacking at times and as though you’re reading it to get it done.
Decent mention of cats which was nice.
The best thing about it was how easy it was to pick back up and get into again, the writing was easy to follow and the way it has lots of little stories that are part of a bigger one makes it super easy to put down and pick back up.
There was definitely a point where I knew I couldn’t put it back down and I had to keep reading until the end and I was thankful for it. It was easy to get into but you have to work to really enjoy it and get the most from it.
I loved the ending and the sentiment and it’s definitely something that should be read, but it did feel lacking at times and as though you’re reading it to get it done.
Decent mention of cats which was nice.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed this, can’t lie at all. Without comparing it to Seven Husbands, it’s already a good book but when you look at the development in the writing while it keeps the same tone- it’s a great book.
The best thing about this book was how hollow it made me feel at the end because it’s the exact hollowness you feel when your favourite band splits up, there’s nothing more to it just multiple bland reasons- no amazing twist ending. It sounds a bit depressing but I wouldn’t change it at all, it was a settled ending to a mostly unhinged story.
The only thing that puts it down is that I didn’t feel I could put it down and go back to it, if I didn’t read this in one sitting, I wouldn’t have finished it.
A lack of cats too, very disappointing.
The best thing about this book was how hollow it made me feel at the end because it’s the exact hollowness you feel when your favourite band splits up, there’s nothing more to it just multiple bland reasons- no amazing twist ending. It sounds a bit depressing but I wouldn’t change it at all, it was a settled ending to a mostly unhinged story.
The only thing that puts it down is that I didn’t feel I could put it down and go back to it, if I didn’t read this in one sitting, I wouldn’t have finished it.
A lack of cats too, very disappointing.
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This really is a book everyone should read. It’s something you’ll never forget reading for so many reasons beyond the initial repulsive aspects of it. I don’t know if I’d say I enjoyed it, there’s a lot of aspects that I’d be alarmed at if someone said they had fun reading it, but it’s without a doubt an amazing book.
The characters are so familiar despite being extreme and everyone knows an Arty or an Oly or a Chick, for better or for worse. You read to know what happened but also how it happened and how it affected everyone, there’s just enough mystery and intruige within the grotesque to keep you going.
Once again, I don’t know if I actually enjoyed reading it but, I would always recommend it. (No cats though, so it’s still missing key depth.)
The characters are so familiar despite being extreme and everyone knows an Arty or an Oly or a Chick, for better or for worse. You read to know what happened but also how it happened and how it affected everyone, there’s just enough mystery and intruige within the grotesque to keep you going.
Once again, I don’t know if I actually enjoyed reading it but, I would always recommend it. (No cats though, so it’s still missing key depth.)
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
You know I was actually pleasantly surprised with this book. I was sceptical because it’s very much a ‘booktok recommendation but I actually don’t have a lot of negative remarks to say about it.
The range of characters was fair, a bit too many at times but enough to keep the mystery wide open during the book and there was a decent amount of diversity in there as well. Even with the range of characters, the struggles of each character are still well addressed.
This has been the only teen mystery book I’ve read that doesn’t take the most cop out shitty ending, so that’s an achievement in itself.
The only shortcomings come with the messiness of certain plot points and the characters that didn’t really have a lot behind them or go anywhere despite being ‘important’.
Small mention of a cat so it added a little extra enjoyment and depth.
The range of characters was fair, a bit too many at times but enough to keep the mystery wide open during the book and there was a decent amount of diversity in there as well. Even with the range of characters, the struggles of each character are still well addressed.
This has been the only teen mystery book I’ve read that doesn’t take the most cop out shitty ending, so that’s an achievement in itself.
The only shortcomings come with the messiness of certain plot points and the characters that didn’t really have a lot behind them or go anywhere despite being ‘important’.
Small mention of a cat so it added a little extra enjoyment and depth.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was like getting excited for the dvd symbol to hit the corner and it just fucking misses.
It had such a good buildup and the characters all seemed lovable and relatable in their own way but after the key conflict it just seemed to sort itself out so fast? Like where is the drama??
I really understand why it’s so popular on tiktok because it is exactly the type of book that I’d adore at age 15.
It’s not a bad book. It was just a let down towards the end and I wish there had been more of a realisation between the two when it came to them falling in love.
No cats, so it’s lacking some key depth that’s needed.
It had such a good buildup and the characters all seemed lovable and relatable in their own way but after the key conflict it just seemed to sort itself out so fast? Like where is the drama??
I really understand why it’s so popular on tiktok because it is exactly the type of book that I’d adore at age 15.
It’s not a bad book. It was just a let down towards the end and I wish there had been more of a realisation between the two when it came to them falling in love.
No cats, so it’s lacking some key depth that’s needed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Once again I’m reading these books as if I’m expecting anything different.
WHY ARE THE CONCEPTS DECENT BUT THE ACTUAL BOOKS SO HALF ARSED?!?! Honestly it’s nice to see the actual writing improve but it really is hard to go wrong with a school wide game of deadly truth or dare and somehow she makes it last only 3/4 people and even then it’s not that spicy. She really could’ve milked it and made more from it but oh well.
The characters were better this time round and the mystery lasted a little longer so props to her for that.
No cats though, so I’m still even more disappointed.
WHY ARE THE CONCEPTS DECENT BUT THE ACTUAL BOOKS SO HALF ARSED?!?! Honestly it’s nice to see the actual writing improve but it really is hard to go wrong with a school wide game of deadly truth or dare and somehow she makes it last only 3/4 people and even then it’s not that spicy. She really could’ve milked it and made more from it but oh well.
The characters were better this time round and the mystery lasted a little longer so props to her for that.
No cats though, so I’m still even more disappointed.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Okay I was so hyped to read this and I have to separate my expectation from the actual review of this because I was a bit let down.
This is a super fast paced book and every page made me want to read the next for more answers. The style of writing and the structure made it a really easy read and so I finished it in a day.
The let down was the progression of the plot. It started off really strong and living up to the description but about 2/3 of the way through it just kind of went meh. It felt like the storytelling was taken away and just felt like a progression of events rather than the gorgeous style of earlier.
Overall a great read but not perfect by any standard.
No cats either which is highkey disappointing.
This is a super fast paced book and every page made me want to read the next for more answers. The style of writing and the structure made it a really easy read and so I finished it in a day.
The let down was the progression of the plot. It started off really strong and living up to the description but about 2/3 of the way through it just kind of went meh. It felt like the storytelling was taken away and just felt like a progression of events rather than the gorgeous style of earlier.
Overall a great read but not perfect by any standard.
No cats either which is highkey disappointing.
Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
emotional
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Wowee a quick and unexpected gem of a book.
I was really interested from the description but completely misunderstood it because I thought each story would be some dark story or tragic secret but I’m kind of glad I was wrong.
There was something so romantic about the seemingly mundane stories linking through wildfires and a missing girl.
I loved combing through each story to get to the link and it was so satisfying to find them all and create the web in my mind of how they all connected.
The actual stories themselves were mixed with some of them being darker and heavier while others were more lighthearted.
My only issue with this book is that the narration felt a little chaotic at times which made it harder to fall into the universe of the characters.
Overall a super good book with a fast pace and really pretty links between characters and just had a melancholy but romantic vibe to it.
There was a cat in one of the stories too which is always a nice addition.
I was really interested from the description but completely misunderstood it because I thought each story would be some dark story or tragic secret but I’m kind of glad I was wrong.
There was something so romantic about the seemingly mundane stories linking through wildfires and a missing girl.
I loved combing through each story to get to the link and it was so satisfying to find them all and create the web in my mind of how they all connected.
The actual stories themselves were mixed with some of them being darker and heavier while others were more lighthearted.
My only issue with this book is that the narration felt a little chaotic at times which made it harder to fall into the universe of the characters.
Overall a super good book with a fast pace and really pretty links between characters and just had a melancholy but romantic vibe to it.
There was a cat in one of the stories too which is always a nice addition.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This book was ✨something✨
It was the first slow paced book I’ve read in a while so I really needed to push through at points just waiting for a small change in pace. Although I struggled I did always go back to it even if it was just a wee chapter on the bus to work.
I normally have such an issue with female protagonists who “aren’t like the other girls” however it was more bearable since Jude was surrounded by fae. Her development is there and she gives off very Dan from Gossip Girl vibes, which really kicks in at the end.
The plot was hazy at points but still enjoyable and I just let myself run with it watching the intensity grow.
Loved it towards the end and the world building is stunning and I’m a sucker for the tropes in it, I’m just a stickler for pace and protagonists.
No cats so 100% missing some interesting dynamics.
It was the first slow paced book I’ve read in a while so I really needed to push through at points just waiting for a small change in pace. Although I struggled I did always go back to it even if it was just a wee chapter on the bus to work.
I normally have such an issue with female protagonists who “aren’t like the other girls” however it was more bearable since Jude was surrounded by fae. Her development is there and she gives off very Dan from Gossip Girl vibes, which really kicks in at the end.
The plot was hazy at points but still enjoyable and I just let myself run with it watching the intensity grow.
Loved it towards the end and the world building is stunning and I’m a sucker for the tropes in it, I’m just a stickler for pace and protagonists.
No cats so 100% missing some interesting dynamics.