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debbilynn42's reviews
651 reviews
Wild Scottish Knight by Tricia O'Malley
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, Abandonment
This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ten years ago, Chloe and Phoebe were roommates during an Australian study abroad trip. Now 10 years later, Chloe is the trip reunion and everyone is being interviewed about what happened the night Phoebe disappeared. Everyone has their secrets they've kept over the years, and what will it reveal about the real events a decade earlier.
I really enjoyed this thriller! The dual timelines & POVs (Phoebe then, Chloe now) were woven together very well, slowly revealing more about each student and what happened on their trip. There were both predictable bits and some surprises, so overall a great read as I was able to stay engaged throughout.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.
I really enjoyed this thriller! The dual timelines & POVs (Phoebe then, Chloe now) were woven together very well, slowly revealing more about each student and what happened on their trip. There were both predictable bits and some surprises, so overall a great read as I was able to stay engaged throughout.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
Much Ado About Hating You by Sarah Echavarre Smith
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This read like an erotica nestled within an erotica, without much else to have me cheering on the couple. The motivations for Micah's choices at the end didn't make sense to me especially when earlier in the book we hear about her financial struggles. This made her character arc very inconsistent, and Aidan encouraging it quite irresponsible. I just wasn't a fan of how much the scenes were just re-written into fanfic for us to read again from both their perspectives. I get it, they're writing and thinking about one another. I don't need to re-read what they wrote, I need to see actual connection between the two of them. Aidan supporting her work alone doesn't seem like enough reason for her to ignore her concerns after her past relationship experience and the epilogue was especially rushed.
Overall, this was not the book for me.
Thanks to Harlequin books and NetGalley for the ARC of this title for my review.
Overall, this was not the book for me.
Thanks to Harlequin books and NetGalley for the ARC of this title for my review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I almost didn't read this book based on the content warnings, but in the end I'm glad that I gave it a try and pushed through.
I spent a lot of the book noting the ways each character masked themselves around others in contrast to the contexts in which they were genuine to their true selves. They each were on a journey to be honest with others, but first had to learn to be honest with themselves.
I spent a lot of the book noting the ways each character masked themselves around others in contrast to the contexts in which they were genuine to their true selves. They each were on a journey to be honest with others, but first had to learn to be honest with themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Vomit, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Cancer
Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Grief
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Outing
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia
Cheddar Luck Next Time by Beth Cato
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.0
I couldn't resist this cheesey titled cozy mystery! I also was excited to see Autism representation throughout the text with Bird's character. Her behaviors and thought processes are quite relatable (I'm also Autistic) and I appreciated her care when navigating her world through self accommodation and advocating for herself.
The story was well woven with many characters and plot threads to tease out. I was surprised by one reveal and happy to have guessed another -- a good balance when engaged with a book. I was hoping for a few more cheese puns beyond the title, but still was happy with all the cheese information Bird shares along the way and I'm certainly going to make one of Quesoquick's sandwich combos someday. Yum!
I'm hopeful this isn't our last adventure with Bird, and I would love to spend more time getting to know Foghorn's residents. Maybe we'll even learn more of Grandma's background? I'm clearly not quite ready to leave this town behind!
Thanks to NetGalley and Datura Books for the ARC for my review.
The story was well woven with many characters and plot threads to tease out. I was surprised by one reveal and happy to have guessed another -- a good balance when engaged with a book. I was hoping for a few more cheese puns beyond the title, but still was happy with all the cheese information Bird shares along the way and I'm certainly going to make one of Quesoquick's sandwich combos someday. Yum!
I'm hopeful this isn't our last adventure with Bird, and I would love to spend more time getting to know Foghorn's residents. Maybe we'll even learn more of Grandma's background? I'm clearly not quite ready to leave this town behind!
Thanks to NetGalley and Datura Books for the ARC for my review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent