emmreadsbooks's reviews
1143 reviews

Don't Forget the Girl by Rebecca McKanna

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

We follow a group of 3 friends, Abby, Bree, and Chelsea as we unravel Abby's untimely demise and the effects on Bree and Chelsea in the present. There are so many references to true crime and police efforts, causing it to read closer to a procedural thriller. It ultimately feels like you're watching a documentary of their life, which is fitting given the themes. What's better is that all of the main characters are flawed, be it in the secrets they keep or the wrongs they commit against each other. I enjoyed the dialogue on how the media treats women and the exploitative nature of crime reporting. Overall a solid thriller debut thriller, just with possibly one too many fakeouts,

*Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

What Happens After Midnight by K.L. Walther

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

So many Taylor Swift references, literally so many. But I did really enjoy reading this prank war meets scavenger hunt novel. The private school setting mixed with the chaos of the end of a school year was the perfect backdrop for the story and contributed to the reconciliation of Lily and Tag. Young love is just so sweet, especially when they were your first. Plus graduating from high school always feels like such a rite of passage and K.L. Walther capitalizes on that nostalgia perfectly. I couldn't put it down!

*Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

hopeful fast-paced

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

3.75

V good but wanted less sex, more math.

Will They or Won't They by Ava Wilder

funny hopeful fast-paced

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

5.0

This was my first Ava Wilder book but certainly won't be my last. The banter, the steam, the REALNESS. Like literally I haven't read a romcom in such a long time where the characters felt truly human. Lilah and Shane are flawed as fuck and I love it.  I enjoyed reading about 2 actors reconciling after a friends with benefits scenario gone wrong. Sometimes it just isn't the right time for a relationship, because lord knows that 20 somethings need some time to mature. All of the TV industry elements incorporated felt so realistic, especially the closeness that forms in a cast after working together for so long. And oh my god, the THERAPY. That doctor is doing the lord's work. 

Also can confirm that the hate-sex scene made my asexual libido flitter flutter a little, it was damn hot. 

*Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.75

I don't even really know what to think of this book. Except that maybe every book should have chapters narrated by an extremely intelligent dog? Not sure.

I had been under the impression that this was going to be a steamy chemistry romance, but I was pleasantly mistaken. Instead you get a historical fiction family drama, spanning many careers and characters, all centered around a man - because of course, that's how it was) But Elizabeth Zott is a force of nature, an incredible instructor, and a woman just trying to exist in the face of adversity. All of the threads begin to unravel until you realized it was just one tangled string the entire time, masterfully done. I really enjoyed how this book was a focus on her journey, not about finding love or revenge. Though to be fair, the best revenge is success and she had plenty of that. Big fan.

*Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audio*

Capture the Sun by Jessie Mihalik

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

4.25

From the first book, we knew that Lexi and Nilo were going to happen but dannnnnng. Watching two sly retrieval specialists circle each other for 2 books was painful, but the payoff is worth it. I felt like this book had the most action (both in and out of the bedrooom haha) of the 3, but as such lost a lot of the mystery that Eclipse the Moon had. We're also introduced to a new Valovian power that didn't feel quite as fleshed out as the others. I wish we'd gotten to understand Lexi's trauma a bit more so that her character arc would feel more meaningful. In the previous books, she's always played her cards close to her chest but I thought it would be different once we were finally in her head. Maybe that's just me though.

Capture the Sun wraps up the Starlight's Shadow series quite nicely, with opportunities for a comeback for the crew. Am I sad that it seems like we won't get a throuple book? God yes. But it was nice to see the crew finally get their happily ever after. (This entire series is literally a romance novel in space, prove me wrong)

*Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Full disclosure, this was my first Katherine Center ever. And given how many people rave about her books, I thought there would be more than just kissing. No, just me? Okay moving on. 

That being said, I really enjoyed the plot of the book. A portrait artist developing face blindness right before a pivotal competition is quite a conundrum. Then add in a particularly vile stepsister, being torn between your hot vet and your boy next door, and learning how to paint again after brain surgery, and you're left with a stinger of a plot. I loved watching Sadie come into her own and become SO assertive in her own quirky way. This girl can roller skate, paint for days, and be one of the kindest people ever. It's just astounding. Read this book if you want a sweet romance that will make you smile.

*Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Play for Me by Libby Hubscher

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

I freaking loved this book y'all. Libby Hubscher is just so talented when it comes to writing romances that tug on your heartstrings and feel like they could play out in real life. Sophie and Jonas are perfect foils to one another, as they transition from frenemies to lovers. We also get some of my favorite tropes - one bed and forced proximity. I enjoyed seeing aspects of Sophie as a trainer, especially as she develops cross-training programs for the musicians. It was so cool to hear her talk about muscular groups and the scientific journal paper she was working on. Honestly I was hooked on this book from beginning to end and would take a cannoli to the cornea for these two goobers, my heart.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph

mysterious slow-paced

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

1.5

I'm not sure if I read the same book as everyone else because I'm just lost.. A story where secrets are never truly laid to rest sounds great. But the thing is that most of these secrets are completely innocuous... and it ultimately comes down to punishing the children for the sins of their parents. It just didn't feel well-foreshadowed at all and there was little to no tension throughout. Maybe it just wasn't for me.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Wow, just wow. It gives such Verity vibes, if it was better written, had a concrete ending, and featured a Lizzie Bordenesque character. Are any of the characters likable? Not really. But in a thriller, I don't feel like that's a requirement. I didn't see any of the twists coming, which is a bit rare for me. It's fast paced, alternating between the 1920's and the 1980's. I'd never been so excited to see the historical portion of a book!

Honestly, clear your evening for this one. Even if you hate it, you won't be able to put it down. 

*Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*