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haileylouise's reviews
161 reviews
I'll Be Home For Christmas by Mason Deaver
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this story! I'm not a huge fan of books that go back and forth between the present and the past, but LaCour's use of such created a wonderfully sad, but loving experience. Marin experiences the death of her grandfather in a traumatic and haunting way, leading her to leave for New York early with nothing on her back to start her new life. She doesn't say goodbye to her best friend, Mabel, and starts this new chapter of her life from scratch. Mabel comes to visit Marin during winter break, asking her to come home to California and be a part of her family. There is a back-and-forth conversation between the two girls, Marin not being ready yet and Mabel wanting her friend back. It isn't until the very end when Marin is confronted by Mabel's parents, that she makes a decision to accept the love, security, and family being offered to her.
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I have waited months to read this book and I finally got the chance with the US version being published recently! I love Nick and Charlie together and seeing them navigate through a rough patch through text as opposed to artwork was definitely a change of pace. I also loved how involved Aled was here while being friends with Charlie.
Would definitely recommend this after reading all of Heartstopper and This Winter! (Solitaire was more focused on Tori while Nick and Charlie were supporting characters. Whatever happened to them in that book was depicted in the graphic novels or mentioned in this novella.)
Would definitely recommend this after reading all of Heartstopper and This Winter! (Solitaire was more focused on Tori while Nick and Charlie were supporting characters. Whatever happened to them in that book was depicted in the graphic novels or mentioned in this novella.)
Check, Please! Book 2: Sticks & Scones by Ngozi Ukazu
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
5.0
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This shit was so cute and I learned more about hockey from reading this than attending any hockey game I've gone to (which is several).
Bittle is also so relatable! I definitely think that freshman year focuses a lot on hockey itself and the struggles he finds with checks (or the physical part of hockey). In sophomore year, it does focus a lot more on the team as a whole and general life within the Haus. This comic is one my favorites and I love the subtle hints (or even obvious ones) that reveal parts of Bittle’s and Jack’s relationship growing. I hope to see more of that develop in the next book!
Bittle is also so relatable! I definitely think that freshman year focuses a lot on hockey itself and the struggles he finds with checks (or the physical part of hockey). In sophomore year, it does focus a lot more on the team as a whole and general life within the Haus. This comic is one my favorites and I love the subtle hints (or even obvious ones) that reveal parts of Bittle’s and Jack’s relationship growing. I hope to see more of that develop in the next book!
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
DNF @ 100 pages
Personally, I don’t like Julie as a main character and the writing feels bland to me. People can grieve however they want, but I didn’t like how she handled Sam’s death and acted impulsively. She’s hurt people who were also close to Sam while she was grieving.
I think while it’s fine to have a flawed character, I just don’t like Julie. Like of course it’s from the perspective of a teenager and everything revolves around them, but I think the lack of sympathy and empathy to herself and others is what turns me off. And it just makes me wonder what’s so likable about her in the first place because she’s so pessimistic, even before she meets Sam.
Not an enjoyable read, made me bored, do not care how this will end.
Personally, I don’t like Julie as a main character and the writing feels bland to me. People can grieve however they want, but I didn’t like how she handled Sam’s death and acted impulsively. She’s hurt people who were also close to Sam while she was grieving.
I think while it’s fine to have a flawed character, I just don’t like Julie. Like of course it’s from the perspective of a teenager and everything revolves around them, but I think the lack of sympathy and empathy to herself and others is what turns me off. And it just makes me wonder what’s so likable about her in the first place because she’s so pessimistic, even before she meets Sam.
Not an enjoyable read, made me bored, do not care how this will end.
Saga #55 by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
single issue time babyyyyy
Didn’t realize that saga wasn’t done yet and I don’t love that the single issues count as books in my reading goal, but you do what you gotta do.
Didn’t realize that saga wasn’t done yet and I don’t love that the single issues count as books in my reading goal, but you do what you gotta do.
Saga Book Three by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Edit: I should have read another thirty or so pages when I first picked this up because it really started to get interesting then! I was also wayyyy too harsh on this book taking its time for the plot to begin. There’s a lot of exposition and world building to let you understand how the planets and politics connect in the beginning but it’s necessary to the plot. I love the fact that the mystery and investigation pairs well with the romance subplot. It’s usually one or the other but it’s handled beautifully in this novel. Looking forward to reading the second book in this world!!
This was the book of the month for the reading club I'm in. And while I had high hopes for this book, it's very slow and more political science fiction than queer romance. There were repeating mentions of how important the Thean treaty was important, the symbols for genders, and the thoughts between Kiem and Jainan all within the first 100 pages. Unification Day hadn't even happened yet and yet it's mentioned heavily within the first chapter. I found the miscommunication/assumptions of both characters to be exhausting. It's clear that Kiem was a carefree, partying, mischievous prince who does not pay attention to the empire and royalty duties until his marriage. And it's clear that Jainan is stoic, only talks when spoken to, anxious, and is an overthinker due to how Taam treated him during their marriage. While reading the synopsis of the book, does state that Jainan is a suspect in Taam's death, but even 100 pages in, that suspicion is not stated by the guards or the Resolution. I just kept thinking to myself, "When does it actually start?" Maybe I can try picking up this book again later on... but for now, I think I would rather put it down to read something else.
This was the book of the month for the reading club I'm in. And while I had high hopes for this book, it's very slow and more political science fiction than queer romance. There were repeating mentions of how important the Thean treaty was important, the symbols for genders, and the thoughts between Kiem and Jainan all within the first 100 pages. Unification Day hadn't even happened yet and yet it's mentioned heavily within the first chapter. I found the miscommunication/assumptions of both characters to be exhausting. It's clear that Kiem was a carefree, partying, mischievous prince who does not pay attention to the empire and royalty duties until his marriage. And it's clear that Jainan is stoic, only talks when spoken to, anxious, and is an overthinker due to how Taam treated him during their marriage. While reading the synopsis of the book, does state that Jainan is a suspect in Taam's death, but even 100 pages in, that suspicion is not stated by the guards or the Resolution. I just kept thinking to myself, "When does it actually start?" Maybe I can try picking up this book again later on... but for now, I think I would rather put it down to read something else.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse