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dontmissythesereads's reviews
2208 reviews
Dear Manny by Nic Stone
In this particular story, we hear the story of Jared, first introduced in Dear Martin. In order to not give too many spoilers, you just need to know that Jared was the character clearly immune to his own privilege. Jared is now a white college student who seems to mean well. He’s rooming with Justyce and running for class president on an antiracism platform. But his good intentions are tested when Dylan, a sharp, self-assured Black student, enters the race. While Jared is instantly enamored, Dylan isn’t buying what he’s selling. She sees through his polished activism and calls out the cracks in his self-image as an ally. It’s an uncomfortable but necessary look at how privilege can warp even the most well-meaning efforts.
5.0
Book #39 read in 2025
In the final book of this series, Nic Stone continues to prove why she's one of the most essential voices in YA literature today. Dear Manny is a brilliant, emotionally resonant exploration of what it means to come of age as a Black teenager in modern America. Each book in the series tackles systemic racism head-on, never shying away from the hard conversations young people are having—or should be having—about justice, identity, and truth.
In the final book of this series, Nic Stone continues to prove why she's one of the most essential voices in YA literature today. Dear Manny is a brilliant, emotionally resonant exploration of what it means to come of age as a Black teenager in modern America. Each book in the series tackles systemic racism head-on, never shying away from the hard conversations young people are having—or should be having—about justice, identity, and truth.
In this particular story, we hear the story of Jared, first introduced in Dear Martin. In order to not give too many spoilers, you just need to know that Jared was the character clearly immune to his own privilege. Jared is now a white college student who seems to mean well. He’s rooming with Justyce and running for class president on an antiracism platform. But his good intentions are tested when Dylan, a sharp, self-assured Black student, enters the race. While Jared is instantly enamored, Dylan isn’t buying what he’s selling. She sees through his polished activism and calls out the cracks in his self-image as an ally. It’s an uncomfortable but necessary look at how privilege can warp even the most well-meaning efforts.
Throughout the story, Jared writes letters to his deceased best friend, Manny. These letters aren’t just cathartic; they offer a raw, honest look into Jared’s mind as he tries to untangle the complicated mess of guilt, privilege, and responsibility he carries. This is a raw and emotional book that brings the entire series together. I am having a hard time leaving the characters behind.
The audiobook is exceptional. I chose to listen and read at the same time and it was an every more powerful experience.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on March 4, 2025.
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
5.0
Book #38 read in 2025
Dear Martin was such an eye-opening read by Nic Stone that I immediately wanted to read Dear Justyce. This book follows Quan, who is Manny's cousin that we briefly meet in Dear Martin. Quan's story gives us a glimpse into what life is like for a Black teen who is not given the same opportunities that Justyce and Manny were given in Dear Martin.
In this book, Quan has been arrested and convicted of killing a white police officer. As it details his time in prison, we hear his backstory through letters he writes to Justyce. Quan's story is a tough one to read, but it is necessary in today's culture. Nic Stone's writing is magical and powerful.
Dear Martin was such an eye-opening read by Nic Stone that I immediately wanted to read Dear Justyce. This book follows Quan, who is Manny's cousin that we briefly meet in Dear Martin. Quan's story gives us a glimpse into what life is like for a Black teen who is not given the same opportunities that Justyce and Manny were given in Dear Martin.
In this book, Quan has been arrested and convicted of killing a white police officer. As it details his time in prison, we hear his backstory through letters he writes to Justyce. Quan's story is a tough one to read, but it is necessary in today's culture. Nic Stone's writing is magical and powerful.
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano
3.5
Book #27 read in 2025
I loved the first two books in this series, but Book 3 was too out there. I debated about continuing the series and waited a year after its release before picking it up. This one picks up where the last one left off. In order to fully enjoy it, I feel you need to read the rest of the series.
I loved the first two books in this series, but Book 3 was too out there. I debated about continuing the series and waited a year after its release before picking it up. This one picks up where the last one left off. In order to fully enjoy it, I feel you need to read the rest of the series.
What was supposed to be a girls’ trip ends up a family vacation, including the ex-husband, Steven. The hijinks and dead bodies in this one are a little too much, but dare I say, maybe better than how book 3 was. It interested me, and I chuckled at a few parts (I loved the dog!). I already have the next in the series, so I will give that one a go, too.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on March 5, 2024.
When We Grow Up by Angelica Baker
2.25
Book #35 read in 2025
Clare and five friends head to Hawaii to celebrate their upcoming 30s. What follows is a story where not a lot happens to characters I didn’t connect with. I was excited to read this because I love stories where friend groups revisit their friendships and reconnect. However, this one didn’t really give us the glimpse into their lives I wanted.
Because I listened to this on audio, it was more difficult to follow the connections and stories. It also dragged on quite a bit and didn't really explore what it means to be a good person, which was touted as the novel's underlying theme. Unfortunately, this one was not for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on February 25, 2025.
Clare and five friends head to Hawaii to celebrate their upcoming 30s. What follows is a story where not a lot happens to characters I didn’t connect with. I was excited to read this because I love stories where friend groups revisit their friendships and reconnect. However, this one didn’t really give us the glimpse into their lives I wanted.
Because I listened to this on audio, it was more difficult to follow the connections and stories. It also dragged on quite a bit and didn't really explore what it means to be a good person, which was touted as the novel's underlying theme. Unfortunately, this one was not for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on February 25, 2025.
Back After This by Linda Holmes
4.0
Book #36 read in 2025
Cecily finally has a chance to host her own podcast show. The catch is that it’s about her own love life. Working with relationship coach/influencer Eliza, Cecily agrees to go on twenty dates of Eliza’s choosing. In a stroke of bad timing, Cecily meets Will and can see herself falling for him. But that’s not part of Eliza’s plans.
I really enjoyed the plot of the story but was frustrated by the advice Cecily was given throughout her dating journey. I loved the development of the relationship between Will and Cecily. This cute romance novel should inspire people to follow their own paths and listen to their hearts.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on February 25, 2025.
Cecily finally has a chance to host her own podcast show. The catch is that it’s about her own love life. Working with relationship coach/influencer Eliza, Cecily agrees to go on twenty dates of Eliza’s choosing. In a stroke of bad timing, Cecily meets Will and can see herself falling for him. But that’s not part of Eliza’s plans.
I really enjoyed the plot of the story but was frustrated by the advice Cecily was given throughout her dating journey. I loved the development of the relationship between Will and Cecily. This cute romance novel should inspire people to follow their own paths and listen to their hearts.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on February 25, 2025.
Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on February 18, 2025.
4.0
Book #32 read in 2025
Ali and Graham meet randomly one night years ago and a drunken bet leads to embarrassing tattoos. They never thought they’d see each other again, so when they meet years later in a coffee shop, they are surprised. Ali is interning as a wedding planner and planning the wedding of the season, Graham’s. As the two try to work together while fighting their attraction to each other, it leads to a lot of conflict.
Ali and Graham meet randomly one night years ago and a drunken bet leads to embarrassing tattoos. They never thought they’d see each other again, so when they meet years later in a coffee shop, they are surprised. Ali is interning as a wedding planner and planning the wedding of the season, Graham’s. As the two try to work together while fighting their attraction to each other, it leads to a lot of conflict.
I enjoyed the characters, especially Graham, whose charming ways made me smile. I didn’t love the hidden relationship while he was engaged to someone else. That should’ve been resolved before they jumped in. I also didn’t really buy the reasons they couldn’t be together, but there was a nice resolution to it all. Overall, Lindsay Hameroff writes romance novels I love to read.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on February 18, 2025.
Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on February 11, 2025.
4.0
Book #28 read in 2025
Emmy based her new novel on her celebrity crush, Jason, and during a book promotion TV appearance, she meets him in real life. Sparks fly, of course, and the two are propelled into a fake romance. However, some secrets and miscommunication threaten to derail the friendship and budding romance.
Emmy based her new novel on her celebrity crush, Jason, and during a book promotion TV appearance, she meets him in real life. Sparks fly, of course, and the two are propelled into a fake romance. However, some secrets and miscommunication threaten to derail the friendship and budding romance.
I liked the characters overall, and the banter was funny at times. However, there were some misses, as Emmy had plenty of opportunities to tell Jason what she was hiding. The secret-keeping trope is one of my least favorite. I did enjoy Swift’s writing style and will happily read more from this author.
One plus was the narration by Andrew Eiden and Stephanie Willing. They did a great job voicing the characters and giving them life.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on February 11, 2025.
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
3.0
Book #40 read in 2025
Alice Feeney novels are hit or miss for me. This was more miss than hit. I liked the premise. Think any M. Night Shyamalan movie, and you'll get the idea of the plot. Grady is an author who needs quiet to write, so his agent sends him to an isolated island where he starts to experience strange things. The first is thinking he sees his dead wife.
It is clear something is amiss on the island, but we aren't really sure how reliable Grady is as a narrator. The plot dragged a lot, only to speed up in the last part and reveal way too many things at once. By that time, I was not really sure I cared what happened to end Grady's story.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on January 14, 2025.
Alice Feeney novels are hit or miss for me. This was more miss than hit. I liked the premise. Think any M. Night Shyamalan movie, and you'll get the idea of the plot. Grady is an author who needs quiet to write, so his agent sends him to an isolated island where he starts to experience strange things. The first is thinking he sees his dead wife.
It is clear something is amiss on the island, but we aren't really sure how reliable Grady is as a narrator. The plot dragged a lot, only to speed up in the last part and reveal way too many things at once. By that time, I was not really sure I cared what happened to end Grady's story.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on January 14, 2025.
The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman
5.0
Book #33 read in 2025
I don't always love a time travel novel, but a time travel to the 1920s through a magical door was ideal. Jospehine is widowed and trying to start over in a new place. When she finds that her great-grandmother's estate is in foreclosure, she takes that as a sign. She purchases it with the intention of fixing it up and finds the original front door at a scrap yard. Imagine her surprise when she walks through it for the first time and lands in the 1920s, meeting her great-grandmother, Alma.
What follows is part magic, part historical fiction, and part mystery. Josephine's journey to the past alters the timeline, so Alma is killed and Josephine never exists. She must decide whether to try to right that and save her future or stay in the past with the friends she makes there.
I loved this book and its characters so much. After finishing it, I thought about Jospehine and Alma for days. If you like time travel and the 1920s, this is for you!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on January 14, 2025.
I don't always love a time travel novel, but a time travel to the 1920s through a magical door was ideal. Jospehine is widowed and trying to start over in a new place. When she finds that her great-grandmother's estate is in foreclosure, she takes that as a sign. She purchases it with the intention of fixing it up and finds the original front door at a scrap yard. Imagine her surprise when she walks through it for the first time and lands in the 1920s, meeting her great-grandmother, Alma.
What follows is part magic, part historical fiction, and part mystery. Josephine's journey to the past alters the timeline, so Alma is killed and Josephine never exists. She must decide whether to try to right that and save her future or stay in the past with the friends she makes there.
I loved this book and its characters so much. After finishing it, I thought about Jospehine and Alma for days. If you like time travel and the 1920s, this is for you!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on January 14, 2025.
The Ends of Things by Sandra Chwialkowska
3.0
Book #29 read in 2025
The synopsis of this book was promising. Laura and her boyfriend Dave go on vacation, and while there, Laura becomes intrigued by a woman seemingly travelling alone at a couples resort. After meeting the woman, she disappears, and Laura is thrust into the investigation as one of the last people to see her.
After a strong start, the book went off the rails. The pace slowed, and the plot points became ridiculous and hard to believe. In the end, I finished to get some resolution, but I didn't love how the book ended.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on January 14, 2025.
The synopsis of this book was promising. Laura and her boyfriend Dave go on vacation, and while there, Laura becomes intrigued by a woman seemingly travelling alone at a couples resort. After meeting the woman, she disappears, and Laura is thrust into the investigation as one of the last people to see her.
After a strong start, the book went off the rails. The pace slowed, and the plot points became ridiculous and hard to believe. In the end, I finished to get some resolution, but I didn't love how the book ended.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on January 14, 2025.