documentno_is's reviews
1177 reviews

Seven Exes by Lucy Vine

challenging reflective fast-paced

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

2.0

What do you mean there’s a random eighth ex.

You Belong with Me by Mhairi McFarlane

emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

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

2.75

Alright, I think this is my least favorite Mhairi McFarlane book. She's still a great author so the book is... alright. Plot wise it was a mess, way too much exposition on the front end that felt like an arduous slog and then the pace picked up appropriately in the middle just for a confusing conclusion. If you're not one for continuous misunderstanding/miscommunication I wouldn't bother picking this one up its the central conflict- even so far as introducing a second love interest just to completely drop him when he was no longer needed?

It was bad enough I almost found myself rooting for him over the male lead and its quite difficult to cut through my introduced first bias. It's bad when my favorite parts of the novel where just the protagonist and the second male lead having normal office conversations. 

Still throughout all this McFarlane's wit and humor still shines through. The whole thing felt like a fan-inspired sequel cash grab and maybe a story that didn't need to be told. 

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

2.75

This is one I'm glad I stuck with- because the beginning had absolutely nothing to grab me. One of the most initially unlikable main characters in a romance I've ever experienced. Not to mention the entire beginning aside where she admits she doesn't know what linguistics is... as a writer? In some small pity I do feel like maybe this was an example of an author being interested in educated and intelligent main characters that maybe didn't have the chops to convey that believably to an audience. I did enjoy seeing these characters grow and change together and I think overall it ended in a believable and satisfying way but these characters were hard to root for even as anti-heros and I don't experience that often. I'm of the opinion a character doesn't have to be likable to be interesting but this FMC was neither, the cornerstone of her young personality was being her bestfriend's biggest hater (despite continually talking about her obsessively close relationship with her.) While I ultimately ended up enjoying the novel I can't say it entirely redeemed itself. 

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad tense 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

3.75

I’ll start by saying this was a very enjoyable read, and I really hesitated in not giving it a proper 4 stars. The end just fell a little flat to me given the strength of most of the novel. I whole heartedly agree with the theming and thought the novel was very well structured. A little bit of a pet peave was for a meta book that was focused on writing craft and process as the vehicle for this love story it was annoying that Center chose to have major plot points overheard by the main character not once but twice! Also my least favorite trope is celebrity dating, but it was one of the best renditions of the trope I’ve read.

Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I was watching a reality tv breakdown the other day (by tell the bees) that was taking about how the anxiously attached have won the internet and I feel like this book is in some small way a part of this. I do love a growth story and a love that doesn’t work out it’s very indicative of life and something we can all learn from. At the same time I also can’t help thinking about this idea that “he lost the best thing he ever had” is equal parts a complete farce and unlikely given their complete lack of ability to communicate with each other.

Who's That Girl? by Mhairi McFarlane

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-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? Yes

3.0

The plot to this book didn't much pull me in but I'm nothing if not a completionist and felt compelled to read this in my quest to read everything written by Mhairi Mcfarlane. I'm not entirely convinced this book was really a

"love with celebrity" trope

in its entirety and I could see Mcfarlane attempt to push this novel to something beyond this. I've read multiple novels this year with the plot of a celebrity memoirist helping a celebrity put their life to page and I have to acknowledge this wasn't the best of even those. Still, Mcfarlane's voice is something I really appreciate in the romantic fiction world and I'll continue to enjoy reading her novels for that alone. 

The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon

informative lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.0

An interesting and poetic look into the court life in Kyoto during the Heinen period. Sei is not an altogether likeable character, but she is often sympathetic and has a strong voice. I liked most her musings on love and nature (the seasons) but really hated her opinions of the poor masses, it was very similar to Marie Antoinette. I was fascinated by the role of poetry during this time and how it was used as communication and social currency as well as literature.

Down the Drain by Julia Fox

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

An overall shallow analysis of an inherently compelling life story. I was really invested in her life but I’m not sure she learned that much or took enough away from it to warrant praise as a memoir.

Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin

dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.25

I’m a little anxious about how much I related to this character, the over analysis of every action and thought. The tie in with the church was fantastic and this cast of characters was interesting and empathetic. I do also love how the author chose to resolve some of the central conflicts while leaving the more realistic ones (relating largely to her family) open ended.

Carmilla: A Vampyre Tale by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

Easy to see how this set the stage for Dracula, Stoker clearly drew a lot of inspiration here. Thematically I’m more interested in Carmilla, and it doesn’t disappoint . The actual writing isn’t particularly compelling but the ideas are great. 

Lesbian vampires ! I too would succumb ! Carmilla </3