emswantree's reviews
1288 reviews

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

This really is 3.5 stars for me. I loved the characters and was absolutely all in with Lila and her girls.  I will say it felt fairly predictable and a little formulaic in parts.  The length could have been cut by at least 50 pages. 
All of that said, I laughed a lot, enjoyed the banter, and really was invested.

The Close-Up by Pip Drysdale

3.0

I can’t really rate this book. It was kind of ridiculous but I also read it in a day while I had the flu. So it was the right kind of book for when you aren’t feeling well and need some brain candy.  So three stars seems fair. It is silly but a book I needed today so there is definitely value in that.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

4.0

We Are Watching by Alison Gaylin

challenging dark tense slow-paced

2.0

I don’t know I really wanted to like this book.  And with everything happening in the US it is actually believable that conspiracy theorist will go to these lengths but for me it just was missing something.  

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book did a lot and covered a lot of really hard things.  It was hard to read but also a very realistic portrayal of power and money and how it buys silence and complacency. 
In light of Sean combs this feels ever more relevant - things seem to always stay the same.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Kidnapping

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

dark emotional informative sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

mysterious tense slow-paced

2.0

Wow this book did not want to end.  
And I really was at the point where if the main character died I think I would have felt sweet relief.
I did love the beginning and the descriptions of the boat.

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

4.0

I really liked this book- the characters made me laugh, the love story was incredibly unlikely but fun. 

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0