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hardcover_hazel's reviews
184 reviews
The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
This book is meant to be a prequel to the City of Ember but, honestly, feels like it should have been a standalone book. At the end, some things tie up and we find out some links back to the City of Ember but most of this book felt very random.
I highly suggest skipping this in the series, or just reading the last chapter of what happens after. Otis was cute (a dog) and I enjoyed the links back to ember at the end and how a couple things tied up but it felt like a completely different book for 99% of the time.
I highly suggest skipping this in the series, or just reading the last chapter of what happens after. Otis was cute (a dog) and I enjoyed the links back to ember at the end and how a couple things tied up but it felt like a completely different book for 99% of the time.
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"By the end of this night, if I have not stabbed Suzette with one of these forks, it will only be because I’m not sure which one to use to do it."
Millie is back! Enzo too. It's been 11 years so jumping from book 2 to this felt like a little bit of whiplash 😂
The authors writing is much better in this one 💃 and the kids sound so adorable! I love hearing about Millie's life and there's a few characters from the previous books that say hi too!
This wasn't as thrilling as previous books and nothing is mentioned in detail but please read the trigger warnings for this 🩷
I still loved this story and really enjoyed the twists and turns the author took us down 🤭 I was reading in bed next to my partner, who had fallen asleep lightly. But she wanted me to wake her for any new developments and she made sure she was fully awake to hear it 😂 which was super cute and made the book an even better experience ✨
I'll miss The Housemaid 🥹
Millie is back! Enzo too. It's been 11 years so jumping from book 2 to this felt like a little bit of whiplash 😂
The authors writing is much better in this one 💃 and the kids sound so adorable! I love hearing about Millie's life and there's a few characters from the previous books that say hi too!
This wasn't as thrilling as previous books and nothing is mentioned in detail but please read the trigger warnings for this 🩷
I still loved this story and really enjoyed the twists and turns the author took us down 🤭 I was reading in bed next to my partner, who had fallen asleep lightly. But she wanted me to wake her for any new developments and she made sure she was fully awake to hear it 😂 which was super cute and made the book an even better experience ✨
I'll miss The Housemaid 🥹
Those People Next Door by Kia Abdullah
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A quickreads audio book - the first audiobook I've finished from my local e-library 😊
A fued between neighbours turns deadly as things start escalating. I'm sure a lot of detail was cut out from the longer book for this one, so it ends up being more factual.
The twist at the end was surprising! A good, quick little read for the evening.
A fued between neighbours turns deadly as things start escalating. I'm sure a lot of detail was cut out from the longer book for this one, so it ends up being more factual.
The twist at the end was surprising! A good, quick little read for the evening.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Racism
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”
This book contains abuse and more - please check the trigger warnings before reading or watching the movie 💕 it’s not an easy girls-night-out movie.
I was in a relationship that my therapist has deemed abusive in the past (emotionally not physically) but there are similarities between the two. It definitely brought up feelings as I was reading and I cried a lot over the past version of me. (I’ve done a TON of healing since this relationship, but memories and feelings can be replayed. I cried over past me, I cried for Lily, I cried for others who’ve experienced this).
I appreciate the awareness brought towards abusive relationships in this book and I know Colleen wanted to shed light on those who would always question why they don’t leave their abuser.
However, there’s also a form of romanticising abuse in this book.
The characters didn’t feel like they had a ton of substance, but I did enjoy the story overall.
This book contains abuse and more - please check the trigger warnings before reading or watching the movie 💕 it’s not an easy girls-night-out movie.
I was in a relationship that my therapist has deemed abusive in the past (emotionally not physically) but there are similarities between the two. It definitely brought up feelings as I was reading and I cried a lot over the past version of me. (I’ve done a TON of healing since this relationship, but memories and feelings can be replayed. I cried over past me, I cried for Lily, I cried for others who’ve experienced this).
I appreciate the awareness brought towards abusive relationships in this book and I know Colleen wanted to shed light on those who would always question why they don’t leave their abuser.
However, there’s also a form of romanticising abuse in this book.
The characters didn’t feel like they had a ton of substance, but I did enjoy the story overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This series has been sitting on my shelf for a while and I’ve been too intimidated to start it (until a read along came by 😂). There are so many fans out there and I don’t always like the popular book but this was a pretty good start ✨
For:
-enemies to lovers
-beauty and the beast fantasy retelling
-magic and easy world building
-with a bunch of action (and some gore)
-has its main focus on the romance of the story
read it. ✨
It’s a great introduction into fantasy without having to focus on the world building or characters to understand it. You feel almost compelled to continue reading even though there isn’t much happening. The last few chapters were the best - with challenges and trials and hope.
I have to say Feyre irritated me a bit 😂 I felt exhausted at her trying to fight literally everything, even though I understood why. I do love that she becomes a bit more relaxed and human and we get to see how she views the world and lets out her emotion - through painting.
Though there’s some dubious actions from the males in this series 👀 so check any warnings before reading.
Overall, I loved it and I might just become an ACOTAR fan as I continue this journey 💕
For:
-enemies to lovers
-beauty and the beast fantasy retelling
-magic and easy world building
-with a bunch of action (and some gore)
-has its main focus on the romance of the story
read it. ✨
It’s a great introduction into fantasy without having to focus on the world building or characters to understand it. You feel almost compelled to continue reading even though there isn’t much happening. The last few chapters were the best - with challenges and trials and hope.
I have to say Feyre irritated me a bit 😂 I felt exhausted at her trying to fight literally everything, even though I understood why. I do love that she becomes a bit more relaxed and human and we get to see how she views the world and lets out her emotion - through painting.
Though there’s some dubious actions from the males in this series 👀 so check any warnings before reading.
Overall, I loved it and I might just become an ACOTAR fan as I continue this journey 💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Alcohol
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 ✨
A delicious book! The way Coco makes words melt on your tongue is just magic.
This book made me deeply want a sister. And it also made me find small parts of myself in a variety of characters, based on being human, and being a woman.
This is a story about addiction, about messy (realistic) characters, and about grief.
We follow the Blue sisters - who used to be four, and are now three. A year later, we enter into their lives in time to see their worst mistakes, their lowest lows, their deepest regrets.
And we watch them heal, pull themselves back together, and rebuild their lives.
The metaphors and meaning scattered throughout is just stunning.
(The only thing that disappointed me is one of the stereotypes that bi people struggle with. It’s a bit of a spoiler so I can’t say the word but can we stop the stereotype please).
A delicious book! The way Coco makes words melt on your tongue is just magic.
This book made me deeply want a sister. And it also made me find small parts of myself in a variety of characters, based on being human, and being a woman.
This is a story about addiction, about messy (realistic) characters, and about grief.
We follow the Blue sisters - who used to be four, and are now three. A year later, we enter into their lives in time to see their worst mistakes, their lowest lows, their deepest regrets.
And we watch them heal, pull themselves back together, and rebuild their lives.
The metaphors and meaning scattered throughout is just stunning.
(The only thing that disappointed me is one of the stereotypes that bi people struggle with. It’s a bit of a spoiler so I can’t say the word but can we stop the stereotype please).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Grief, Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Abortion
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The twists!!!
This book was incredible. Even more twisty than the first (dare I say??)
The writing style is still very basic, simple, factual. We follow Millie again, who has a new job with yet another rich client.
Except she just can't seem to not look behind closed doors.
"It all started with a simple cleaning job. And now it might end with my blood being mopped off the cabin floor."
At one point I literally had to fight the urge to wake my partner up and tell her the latest twist 😂 she enjoyed hearing them as much as I enjoyed reading them.
I'm so excited to read more by this author! 🩷
This book was incredible. Even more twisty than the first (dare I say??)
The writing style is still very basic, simple, factual. We follow Millie again, who has a new job with yet another rich client.
Except she just can't seem to not look behind closed doors.
"It all started with a simple cleaning job. And now it might end with my blood being mopped off the cabin floor."
At one point I literally had to fight the urge to wake my partner up and tell her the latest twist 😂 she enjoyed hearing them as much as I enjoyed reading them.
I'm so excited to read more by this author! 🩷
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Infertility, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My first Kindle read! 🥰
Literally lying here in the dark digesting that ending. The ending was so good I rated it 5 stars but then while writing this, it made me remember the rest so it's a 4 star total 😂
This isn't a literary masterpiece, the writing style is almost factual and basic - there isn't a lot of detail and some of it is a little repetitive. But we're here living for the thrill of it all (and by that I mean the storyline)
We follow Millie who is an ex convict trying to find a decent job - and soon, as she's living out of Casa Nissan. She lands the dream job of working for a super richhh family.
But nothing is as it seems. With anyone really.
I LOVED this storyline. The end - girl go OFF.
Read it if you want a book that'll grip you from part 2 and that you'll spend all your waking time wanting to continue from that point on. Don't read if you stress eat (lol).
Literally lying here in the dark digesting that ending. The ending was so good I rated it 5 stars but then while writing this, it made me remember the rest so it's a 4 star total 😂
This isn't a literary masterpiece, the writing style is almost factual and basic - there isn't a lot of detail and some of it is a little repetitive. But we're here living for the thrill of it all (and by that I mean the storyline)
We follow Millie who is an ex convict trying to find a decent job - and soon, as she's living out of Casa Nissan. She lands the dream job of working for a super richhh family.
But nothing is as it seems. With anyone really.
I LOVED this storyline. The end - girl go OFF.
Read it if you want a book that'll grip you from part 2 and that you'll spend all your waking time wanting to continue from that point on. Don't read if you stress eat (lol).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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 book was so cute! It's a sapphic sports YA romance 🩷 with fake dating, only one bed, banter, enemies to lovers - all the best tropes 😍
Our main character is Scottie, who's been trying to get over her ex. Turns out she was pretty toxic and the relationship has taken a massive blow to her confidence and she's so doubtful of herself now. When she gets into a fender bender with the most popular girl in school (who's bullied her before) she wonders what she did to deserve it. But when she notices her team plays better when she cheers on their practice, and she gets more attention from her ex for driving her to school, she formulates a plan to benefit them both.
This book made me feel the feels! I laughed, I cried, I felt so happy for them 🥹 it's full of old romcom references which makes it feel like an 80s romance movie 🩷
A new favourite ✨
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Alcohol
The Estate Agency Revolution: making your business vital through your data by Mark Burgess
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
"The selling of a property is simply the tip of the iceberg"