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danielle_isreading's reviews
389 reviews
Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Okay so here’s the thing: Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel.
So I was HYPED for this one. And it’s… good. More than fine. I liked it.
ButWentworth had too much active involvement in the “other relationship” and his confession letter was underwhelming.
It just didn’t grip me like the original or other retellings have. I also found it a bit too modern—I hadn’t expected the Covid-19 references and even for this swiftie there was a bit too much Taylor? Feels sacrilegious to say it like that. But I don’t know that it fully fit, even in the moments it worked.
So I was HYPED for this one. And it’s… good. More than fine. I liked it.
But
It just didn’t grip me like the original or other retellings have. I also found it a bit too modern—I hadn’t expected the Covid-19 references and even for this swiftie there was a bit too much Taylor? Feels sacrilegious to say it like that. But I don’t know that it fully fit, even in the moments it worked.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Death of parent
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
All I Want is You by Falon Ballard
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thanks to NetGalley and PRH for the arc!!!
Okay this is one of the quickest books I’ve ever read. It was fun!
The premise was clever, and I enjoyed seeing Nick and Jess (loved that the New Girl joke was made, too!) stumble over their chemistry while trying to write a book together.
I loved the grand gesture!
I’ll definitely be curious to read more of Falon Ballard in the future
Okay this is one of the quickest books I’ve ever read. It was fun!
The premise was clever, and I enjoyed seeing Nick and Jess (loved that the New Girl joke was made, too!) stumble over their chemistry while trying to write a book together.
I loved the grand gesture!
I’ll definitely be curious to read more of Falon Ballard in the future
James by Percival Everett
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Stunning
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I’ve been excited for this one for a long time and it just totally delivered!
Hello to a book that I read in one peaceful afternoon.
Loved it. Loved Eve and Shep and even Ethan. Nurse Louise was a joy.
If you like a pregnancy trope book AT ALL, you must read this one.
Hello to a book that I read in one peaceful afternoon.
Loved it. Loved Eve and Shep and even Ethan. Nurse Louise was a joy.
If you like a pregnancy trope book AT ALL, you must read this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Minor: Infertility
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Read this one as it was long listed for the 2024 Booker Prize and I joined in with the Booker of the Month book club!
A plot-less book like this is not usually my jam, but I enjoyed this one! The rhythm takes a bit to get into, because it’s a character story but it’s not *quite* a character story, and there’s no real POV to follow.
It manages to be both expansive and so small at once—a perfect feat for the scope of a novel on space station. It’s inward and outward and I feel like Samantha Harvey asks the right questions about humanity without always making the answers very dire—though she’s not all that hopeful either! The answers are just answers.
I ended up doing most of this on audio and enjoyed it even if I didn’t *love* the narrator.
I think this book will be one that stays with me.
A plot-less book like this is not usually my jam, but I enjoyed this one! The rhythm takes a bit to get into, because it’s a character story but it’s not *quite* a character story, and there’s no real POV to follow.
It manages to be both expansive and so small at once—a perfect feat for the scope of a novel on space station. It’s inward and outward and I feel like Samantha Harvey asks the right questions about humanity without always making the answers very dire—though she’s not all that hopeful either! The answers are just answers.
I ended up doing most of this on audio and enjoyed it even if I didn’t *love* the narrator.
I think this book will be one that stays with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Casey McQuiston does it again.
I loooooooved this one. It was perhaps a touch too long but listen…the more time I had with Theo and Kit, the better.
Of all the time that exists I get to be on this planet at the same time as Casey McQuiston and I’m so lucky for that.
I loooooooved this one. It was perhaps a touch too long but listen…the more time I had with Theo and Kit, the better.
Of all the time that exists I get to be on this planet at the same time as Casey McQuiston and I’m so lucky for that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
Love Lessons by Sidney Halston
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
May return back to this one, but really struggling with the FMC and how rude she is professionally to the MMC. Actively was avoiding reading, so DNFing for now.
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SABAA TAHIR IS MY QUEEN AND I WILL FOLLOW HER ANYWHERE. EVERYWHERE.
The way this book is a perfect, immaculate, incredibly done follow up to a perfect quartet. I never thought the Ember world could expand and be built upon and Sabaa just laughed in my face.
This book is INCREDIBLE. The fact that you don't need to have read or reread the original quartet for it to eat your heart is insane. But every moment of this book is amazing. Every chapter made me gasp.
This is truly a masterpiece.e Sabaa Tahir is one our time's best writers, and she deserves EVERY ACCOLADE THAT EXISTS.
Thanks Netgalley and Penguin for this book!!!!
The way this book is a perfect, immaculate, incredibly done follow up to a perfect quartet. I never thought the Ember world could expand and be built upon and Sabaa just laughed in my face.
This book is INCREDIBLE. The fact that you don't need to have read or reread the original quartet for it to eat your heart is insane. But every moment of this book is amazing. Every chapter made me gasp.
This is truly a masterpiece.e Sabaa Tahir is one our time's best writers, and she deserves EVERY ACCOLADE THAT EXISTS.
Thanks Netgalley and Penguin for this book!!!!
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
You know when a book sits on your shelf for a long time taunting you because you know you’ll love it but you just haven’t read it? That book is ONE LAST STOP for me.
The long, long chapters made for a slow start—particularly on audio—but I absolutely loved this book.
I appreciated the way McQuiston brought all of the threads together!
I loved August, I loved Jane, and I love their found family.
The long, long chapters made for a slow start—particularly on audio—but I absolutely loved this book.
I appreciated the way McQuiston brought all of the threads together!
I loved August, I loved Jane, and I love their found family.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death