dennasus's reviews
739 reviews

Pineapple Street: A Novel by Jenny Jackson

slow-paced

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

This story was told from three different point of views: Two daughters and one daughter-in-law in a mega rich (since generations) family in New York. It was interesting enough to read about their different experiences and how they actually thought about and handled their (privileged) everyday life. To be honest they all came off pretty snob-ish at times and without "real" problems, but of course they had their share of those as well. It wasn't a bad story, but there wasn't much of a plot and some parts just dragged on a bit. Unfortunately I also didn't really care all that much about either of the three women. The whole philanthropy aspect towards the end of the story also felt a bit forced. I know there is generation of wealthy heirs using their money for the greater good, but here it felt a bit like a addon and feelgood move to me. (11 January 2025)

[I've stopped rating books]

Paper Names by Susie Luo

slow-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

The idea of the book / plot seemed interesting enough: the story of Tony an Chinese immigrant in the USA, his daughter Tammy and of Oliver, a white lawyer who Tony meets through his work as a doorman and who kind of gets involved / becomes friends with them. I keep it vague because I don't want to give away too much of the plot. All in all I felt let down by the book, maybe because I expected it to be a different story. Tony's struggles and his drive to provide a better life for his daughter felt real and realistic, also the difficult father / daughter relationship.

We "meet" those three people over the years and the narrator changes in each chapter, which maybe made it difficult for me to connect with either one more than just superficially. Oliver's character was a bit weird and for the longest time I was wondering what his point in the plot was or why I should have been interested in his backstory.

I thought what happened in the end was over-the-top and stupid and to be honest I felt like I had wasted my time with this book, as interesting as the summary on the back made it seem at first.

[I'm not rating books]

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

informative medium-paced

I've been a fan of Gilmore Girls for many many years and thus I enjoyed this memoir from "Emily". I had no idea she had had such an interesting career, starting as a chorus line dancer in the 1960s. It was an easy read, sometimes felt a bit superficial or impersonal, but maybe that's just my take on it.

[I've stopped rating books]

Kit McBride Gets a Wife by Amy Barry

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

That was fun! Ludicrous in parts, but sweet and fun all in all. An entertaining easy read if you're into rom-com in a historical setting.

[I've stopped rating books]

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional 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? It's complicated

Another good story from Emily Henry. I was a bit hesitant if I'd like the set-up, because it felt a bit far-fetched and cliched. And it was in a way and also the ex-partners who suddenly realized they were in love with each other felt a bit bland. But the two main characters made up for it. They were both interesting, both with their own sort of baggage. I also enjoyed the various supporting characters. Some were a bit over the top, but I didn't mind. All in all, I enjoyed it all.

[I stopped rating books] 

Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

I recall that I enjoyed others in the series and I wasn't disappointed. This was cute in it's way and the characters had enough depth and interesting back story. Emma's was pretty dark, almost a bit too much. I liked the throwbacks to the previous stories and am tempted to reread those. Someday.

[I've stopped rating books]

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

That was okay-ish as a simple, mindless, not too complicated story. For me all a bit too saccharine, simple, so I doubt I'll read another one of this series

[I've stopped rating books]

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton

slow-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? It's complicated

I had no clear idea what to expect from this, so I can't say I'm disappointed as such. The first half was a bit of a slow read, but there's more 'happening' after that. I had hoped for a bit more closure to the big revelation midway in this story. I also realised I'm not a fan of these kind of "several POV documentary style" narratives as a I feel there is so much missing which can only be transported in proper prose. So all in all a mixed bag. 

[I've stopped rating books]

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin

slow-paced

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

This was a weird book. I liked the unique writing style at first: sort of stream of consciousness, switching back and forth through Gilda's mind. But after a while that got tiring. It felt like everything in the plot was just touched on but not really explored any further. My biggest letdown was probably that the quotes on the cover advertise it as funny and hilarious. And it wasn't to me. It had it's moments. but all in all I thought it was more depressing. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood.

[I'm not rating books]

Hope for the Best by Jodi Taylor

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

I liked the idea of Max temporarily joining the Time Police in a plot to finally capture Clive Ronan. It was good to see all the other St. Mary's characters more involved in the actual plot than in the first one and the Time Police parts were allright as well. As usual there was a lot going on - history wise - and I admit with all the uproar in that 16th century I lost the plot for a bit.

I sort of expected Ronan to get away in the end after all (there are still more books in the series) and at first I thought how it happened was a too easy way out. But in the grand scheme of things - timeline wise (his future self still had to do what he did in Max etc past) - it made sense.

Of course Leon saved the day family wise in the end. And Mikey and Adrian join St. Mary's. Yay!

[I've stopped rating books]