df_reads's reviews
44 reviews

If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Jacks POV is truly the star of this story and adds so much depth to understanding both Autumn & Finny. The way the story wraps up was unexpected and perfect. 

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

As someone who’s brain melts at numbers and is brand new to the world of investing and heck, even savings 🤪 this was an easy-to-follow read. The most important message being, don’t mimic the actions of those playing a different game than you/ make sure you know what game you’re playing. 

It was clear and concise. I read it for free on hoopla but I’m definitely buying it and annotating a physical copy 🤌

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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

3.5

Not ashamed to admit it was a cover-love purchase.

It’s a slow-burn, dry spice romance with an unconventional FMC with a true crime obsession and a dark, sarcastic sense of humor & who struggles to have deep meaningful relationships. 

It was a dry read, but I resonated with the FMC tremendously. Both in her personality quirks and her relationship with her father. So that relativity made it easy to keep reading, even though there’s not a lot of spice or significant climaxes that happen until the very end.

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

A captivating and immersive story! I loved it! In my top 3 reads of 2024 for sure! 

Trouble the Living: A Novel by Francesca McDonnell Capossela

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I found the Irish writing style and the historical/political plot just wasn’t for me. I did enjoy the depth of character development and the exploration of generational trauma, trauma bonds, body autonomy & rebirth; spiritually, physically, metaphorically. 

Older by Jennifer Hartmann

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

For me, there were significant moments that were referenced without much detail that made the story lack depth. It was missing pieces for me that impacted the cohesion and made the ending feel especially rushed. With that said, like all of Jennifer Hartmanns works the story is simultaneously tragic and beautiful. I’d still recommend experiencing this story. 

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The ending was everything I hoped it would be! 

The Wicked King by Holly Black

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This one will take your breathe away and just when you think you’re about to catch a breathe , it’ll get knocked out of you again. So good! 

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

If you struggle with understanding boundaries; what they are, how to set them, how to keep them, how to respect them etc. then this is a beneficial read for you.  

Release by Jade Chandler
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

I loved the synopsis of this book, which is the only reason I picked up Enough (Book 1) which I loved. So I expected Release to be just as good if not better, but unfortunate I couldn’t finish it. There were consistent spelling/grammer errors that became hard to ignore and the storyline wasn’t pulling me in. This is my first DNF for 2024.