robinwalter's Reviews (1.87k)

mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

USE YOUR WORDS - the mystery could have been interesting but of course the ML and FL didn't talk to each other. 
mysterious relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

An interesting, if uneven, collection of Ngaio Marsh short stories. Most notable for the unusual prominence of her homeland in the stories, both setting and characters, and in the slightly Dahlesque feel to some of the stories.
hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The story is sweet, the writing not the most skilled. 
hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

An oddly mechanical writing style at times, but I'm giving it 4 for the prominence given to POCs, unusual in Regency stories.
dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The first half was denser and darker than I am used to with Ms Kingswood's books, but the twist at the halfway mark was, wow! Another reviewer suggested the author was having a bit of fun by switching to full on melodrama and that seems as likely an explanation as any. A real "gotta keep reading, can't stop now" last half. Highly enjoyable, if a tad exhausting 
hopeful mysterious reflective 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: N/A

Another enjoyable addition to the series. Ms MKingswood delivers again with a sweet tale of mature romance and personal growth. I will have to read on for the resolution of the murder mystery, and the very end of this book had me a little concerned for the female lead, but overall one more win for Ms Kingswood

The Goodbye Kids

Debbie Iancu-Haddad

DID NOT FINISH: 25%

The synopsis sounded interesting so I entered the Storygraph giveaway for this book and was delighted to win. Unfortunately it did not gel with me.

I read 1/4 of the story, and found the constant change of perspective and 1st-person narration difficult to connect with. It was by no means the least favourite of my many aborted attempts to read YA, but the general tenor of other reviews here at the Storygraph suggests I did the right thing pulling out when I did. 

One minor technical point that irked me : The characters' weight and height are given in US measurements. The US is already one of fewer than 5 countries that don't use SI measurements, the chances of SI not being used in the late 22nd century seem absurdly remote 
lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

Another delightful Buncle story, sweet but with just the right amount of spiky edges to avoid being saccharine. 

Revenge by the Arno

Ann Reavis

DID NOT FINISH: 37%

Not to my taste 

Forevermore

Lauren Royal

DID NOT FINISH: 35%

The constant use of "Scots' was grating. It was hard enough to read when used authentically by an actual Scot, R.L. Stevenson, when used by a moden day author whose L1 has no link to Scots, it was jarring and faux.