deverills's reviews
8 reviews

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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funny lighthearted relaxing slow-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

3.5

I loved the concept and, since I'm a great fan of the rivals to lovers trope, I had high expectations for this. Maybe that was the problem. It's a light, easy read but I would appreciate more bickering between the two main characters before they fell in love. I also felt like the characters weren't flashed out enough. The romance just didn't feel earned to me. 
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Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

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

3.0

I give the book this rating because it left me feeling very frustrated and sad. Having said that, Sally Rooney has the talent to write absolutely despicable characters, but she does it in such a raw way that you find yourself wanting to know more about them. I usually stop reading books when I'm not enjoying the story or the characters, but for some reason I couldn't give up on this one - so Rooney had to have done something right. The ending was disappointing, though, and it felt like the characters didn't learn a thing in the end.
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The Switch by Beth O'Leary

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This reads like a cute Hallmark film! Despite being a little predictable, I found myself entertained. I do wish one aspect of the main plot had been explored more (
Carla's death
), but I understand that would have probably turned the book into something the author didn't intend to. A quick and easy read for the weekend.
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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It is certainly a book of its time, but I found myself always intrigued and sort of fascinated by Edmond's psyche and looking forward to seeing him manipulate everything and everyone around him after he managed to escape the Château d'If. I was surprised by how straightforward Dumas' writing style is. Unlike other classic authors, he doesn't waste a whole lot of time with descriptive writing and goes straight to what matters. The ending was slightly disappointing to me, but I still enjoyed it. A timeless reflection on what the thirst for revenge can do to one's mind and heart. 
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Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given

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funny informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I loved the way this was written and could identify with the majority of the author's struggles. A very intersectional, sensitive, funny and take-no-bullshit approach to the way women are seen as vessels of male expectations. A must-read.
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The Secret Hours by Santa Montefiore

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challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolutely one of my favourite books. The characters are so flawed, but you end up falling in love with (the majority of) them. I especially loved the character of Arethusa Deverill. Such a great inspiration! The book starts off a little slow but I couldn't put it down as soon as we started going back and forth between the present and the past. It's a wonderful and inspiring tale of love, forgiveness and finding the courage within ourselves to always follow our hearts and what makes us truly happy.
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A Night to Remember by Walter Lord, Nathaniel Philbrick

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dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

For anyone interested in the RMS Titanic disaster, this is the best starting point. Very complete and informative.
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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I feel like the whole concept of the midnight library could have been used in a more interesting way than the one we see being explored in the book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's very introspective and makes you wonder how even the tiniest detail could've changed your life for the better (or for the worse). 
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