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desirai's reviews
30 reviews
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Infidelity
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Think You've Got Mail - Valentine's Day Edition and it's easy to imagine this short romcom's plot.
Told largely through emails, and alternating perspectives, [email protected] accidentally emails [email protected] on valentine's day and thus begins their tradition.
I loved the banter and mystery the characters tried to maintain while still living their lives and slowly falling for each other.
It definitely made me want to pick up another Christina Lauren book.
The audiobook narrators did a great job too!
Told largely through emails, and alternating perspectives, [email protected] accidentally emails [email protected] on valentine's day and thus begins their tradition.
I loved the banter and mystery the characters tried to maintain while still living their lives and slowly falling for each other.
It definitely made me want to pick up another Christina Lauren book.
The audiobook narrators did a great job too!
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Cancer
Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Drug abuse and Cursing
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Cursing, Self harm, and Bullying
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas
adventurous
informative
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
5.0
The Magnolia Sword is a Young Adult Historical Fiction retelling of A Ballad of Mulan and was May 2021's pick for the BookTube Chicks Book Club.
Although I imagine many might find it a bit slow, I didn't mind the pacing. The book was hard to put down and I finished it pretty quickly. The enemies-to-lovers trope is always fun to read, but even more fascinating was the rich history - a tale of two swords belonging to rival families and all the family secrets Sherry Thomas wove in.
The story had a fairly even mix of plot and character developments. Mulan began her journey feeling like a disappointment to her father. Along the way she learned many things about herself and her family. Much of what she believed was not as it seemed. She also expanded her self-awareness enough to acknowledge and examine some of her own prejudices.
I was expecting something completely different when I first added this title to my wishlist. Due to my own ignorance, there were politics involved that I didn't fully understand and likely focused too much on one aspect of the story. However, I still really enjoyed The Magnolia Sword and Sherry Thomas' writing. I look forward to rereading this in the future and I plan on checking out more of the author's work.
Although I imagine many might find it a bit slow, I didn't mind the pacing. The book was hard to put down and I finished it pretty quickly. The enemies-to-lovers trope is always fun to read, but even more fascinating was the rich history - a tale of two swords belonging to rival families and all the family secrets Sherry Thomas wove in.
The story had a fairly even mix of plot and character developments. Mulan began her journey feeling like a disappointment to her father. Along the way she learned many things about herself and her family. Much of what she believed was not as it seemed. She also expanded her self-awareness enough to acknowledge and examine some of her own prejudices.
I was expecting something completely different when I first added this title to my wishlist. Due to my own ignorance, there were politics involved that I didn't fully understand and likely focused too much on one aspect of the story. However, I still really enjoyed The Magnolia Sword and Sherry Thomas' writing. I look forward to rereading this in the future and I plan on checking out more of the author's work.
Roomies by Christina Lauren
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? It's complicated
4.0
Roomies is a Contemporary Romance, about a marriage of convenience. If that's enough for you, just skip reading the synopsis, it reveals too much of the plot.
The beginning was slow and it felt a little messy like it wasn't sure what it wanted to be. The best part was when Holland, the main character who works in the NYC theater district, and Calvin, a hot subway musician, awkwardly got to know each other. Then the ending sort of dropped the budding romance and became all about Holland discovering herself.
There's an essay Holland writes which is mentioned in the story but never shared. I felt this was a missed opportunity. I was really looking forward to hearing Holland's writing voice. I thought the essay would show her growth, self-reflection, and newly gained awareness. Unfortunately, we were just told that was the case.
I was born and raised in New York City and am a sucker for stories set there. I also swoon for guitar-playing musicians and Irish men with their sexy accents, so in some ways, this book felt made for me.
I was all in on the romance and the challenges they faced but found myself less interested in Holland's road to self-discovery. Perhaps I missed it but it seemed like she had her shit together in the beginning, until she didn't, and then it became the focus.
My rating for this ranges from 3-5 stars in varying parts of the book. However, the one consistent thing I know is that I look forward to reading more by Christina Lauren.
The beginning was slow and it felt a little messy like it wasn't sure what it wanted to be. The best part was when Holland, the main character who works in the NYC theater district, and Calvin, a hot subway musician, awkwardly got to know each other. Then the ending sort of dropped the budding romance and became all about Holland discovering herself.
There's an essay Holland writes which is mentioned in the story but never shared. I felt this was a missed opportunity. I was really looking forward to hearing Holland's writing voice. I thought the essay would show her growth, self-reflection, and newly gained awareness. Unfortunately, we were just told that was the case.
I was born and raised in New York City and am a sucker for stories set there. I also swoon for guitar-playing musicians and Irish men with their sexy accents, so in some ways, this book felt made for me.
I was all in on the romance and the challenges they faced but found myself less interested in Holland's road to self-discovery. Perhaps I missed it but it seemed like she had her shit together in the beginning, until she didn't, and then it became the focus.
My rating for this ranges from 3-5 stars in varying parts of the book. However, the one consistent thing I know is that I look forward to reading more by Christina Lauren.
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