emilycecilia's reviews
53 reviews

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

medium-paced

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

2.5

I see why this book has been wildly popular, but it is not for me. I actively disliked every character except for the dog, and even he was on thin ice. 

What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

0.25

I wish I could rate this 0 stars. Negative stars. 

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

Tedious, repetitive, and the ending is somehow neatly tied up while providing basically no answers. Also, the reader for Liv was awful. 

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Addiction, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

emotional reflective sad 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? No

4.5

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

challenging emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Classism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Blood

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Not the fun and frothy beach read about a sexy Italian adventure that the cover implies, but a beautiful book set in a beautiful place.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Death of parent