hallenoelle's reviews
33 reviews

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

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emotional funny inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As a Minnesota girl reading this during a true Minnesota summer I was obsessed. Abby Jimenez is a Champlin icon and this book perfectly encapsulates the essence of a summer at the lake. I also loved how she focused on trauma and anxiety as a barrier to this relationship because it made it so real and personal. Finished it in two day!
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The Fury by Alex Michaelides

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a murder mystery set on a beautiful island, but really, it was so much more than that! Every twist and turn was completely unexpected and the characters were developed in a way that made them so real. I did not love the stark ending, but other than that, a super fun and quick read!
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

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emotional hopeful 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

5.0

This year I took a step back from the rom-com reading obsession, but after a medical scare, I went to the nearest bookstore and grabbed this for a little escapism. I did not read the back so I did not know it was about ER doctors :))). However, after that blip, I quickly became enamored with the writing of this book (the author lives in my city!) and I will be ordering all of her other books ASAP. This was the best representation of anxiety I have ever read and she depicted how it can effect relationships perfectly. I am now a huge Abby Jimenez fan because of how she handled the serious topics in this book and because of how adorable this romance was. I almost never give un-serious books 5 stars but this one deserves it wholeheartedly.
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They're Going to Love You by Meg Howrey

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is exactly what I have been looking for. This book centers around the would of ballet and dance, while telling a heartbreaking story of family and the AIDS epidemic. It felt honest, brave, and it was evident from the first scene that it was written by a ballerina. This is the only book I have read that truly encapsulates what life is like as a dancer without glamorizing or sexualizing it. It was so deeply special. I listened to it as an audiobook, but I need to buy a copy of my own to annotate. A MUST read for dancers.
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Happy Place by Emily Henry

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lighthearted relaxing 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

I absolutely loved Beach Read so I was super excited for this release! I thought that it was summery, fun, millennial, and had great tension. I wish we had more time with the full cast of characters because I really fell in love with Cleo, Kimmy, Sabrina, and Parth and felt like we did not get to be a part of their whole arc. Overall, this was super sweet and a lovely read! LOVE a second chance romance.
Proof: A Play by David Auburn

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challenging emotional reflective tense 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? Yes

3.5

Beach Read by Emily Henry

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funny lighthearted 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

4.5

I read this book in a few hours - it was so cute and truly addictive. I am a hopeless romantic and this book was so girlie and adorable. I loved the Taylor Swift references and how smart this book was about commenting on the rom-com/ enemies to lovers troupe while executing it so well. It felt almost like a playful mock of the genre, yet still such a well written romance. She lost me a little with the whole cult thing, but other than that a super fun summer read!
Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton

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challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book presents what it feels like to be a single woman without feeling forced. This book was honest to a fault and I resonated so deeply with the message. I have been focusing on female friendships over anything else this year and Dolly’s insights into cultural expectations of young women and what love can really mean made me feel so seen. I don’t typically enjoy short story collections/stand-alone chapters but this was done so well.  “And if this is it, if this is all there is - just me and the trees and the sky and the seas - I know now that that’s enough.”
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

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

3.5

I’m too far into this series to turn back now but I had a hard time getting through this one. The first 3/4 are very repetitive but once it picks up, it got SO good. Victoria Aveyard really knows how to make her readers mad and I think that the epilogue was off course for the story. However, I am so glad this book redeemed the character of Mare. She was almost insufferable during the last book but now I am invested in her and fully rooting for her again.
Educated by Tara Westover

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challenging dark emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

3.75

This book is inspiring, eerie, and makes you challenge your preconceived notions of religion and family. Dr. Westover’s story is full of abuse, obstacles, and twists that is almost feels fictional. Her ability to overcome is inspiring. I felt like what I was most interested in was her adult life in college, but the story focused mostly on childhood, and the repetition of that is why I gave it that rating. Incredible book (and my first audiobook)!
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