Take a photo of a barcode or cover
hardcover_hazel's reviews
184 reviews
Bad Fruit by King Ella
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One bad apple spoils the bunch.
When it comes to trauma, just how much of it is spread around a family unit? How many rotting secrets can be held?
"Underneath, the clementines are white and furred, the bananas are black. Why haven't Mama and Daddy noticed? Not thrown out bad fruit?"
When Mama suspects Daddy is having an affair, only one thing will calm her down - a glass of perfectly spoiled orange juice served by her daughter, Lily, who has to taste it first to make sure it's just right.
This book explores the relationship of generational trauma and toxic mother/daughter relationships. It is not a plot-twist or who-dunnit thriller.
Please check the warnings before reading - this book goes through rape, self-harm, child abuse, etc. If you have a strained parental relationship I would not recommend reading this.
The author understands the layers of trauma and domestic abuse - the guilt, the bargaining, the Stockholm Syndrome of it all - and lays it out in a fully textured family.
I literally read through half of this book in an evening, I couldn't put it down. I love that there is a lighter ending, that there were people who could help heal.
I LOVED the cultural aspects spread throughout - and the author is Asian. The dishes sound delicious, I need to find some Peranakan places.
Ironically, my therapist recommended this book to me so guess what my Wednesday therapy session is going to be about ðĪŠ
ðððð
When it comes to trauma, just how much of it is spread around a family unit? How many rotting secrets can be held?
"Underneath, the clementines are white and furred, the bananas are black. Why haven't Mama and Daddy noticed? Not thrown out bad fruit?"
When Mama suspects Daddy is having an affair, only one thing will calm her down - a glass of perfectly spoiled orange juice served by her daughter, Lily, who has to taste it first to make sure it's just right.
This book explores the relationship of generational trauma and toxic mother/daughter relationships. It is not a plot-twist or who-dunnit thriller.
Please check the warnings before reading - this book goes through rape, self-harm, child abuse, etc. If you have a strained parental relationship I would not recommend reading this.
The author understands the layers of trauma and domestic abuse - the guilt, the bargaining, the Stockholm Syndrome of it all - and lays it out in a fully textured family.
I literally read through half of this book in an evening, I couldn't put it down. I love that there is a lighter ending, that there were people who could help heal.
I LOVED the cultural aspects spread throughout - and the author is Asian. The dishes sound delicious, I need to find some Peranakan places.
Ironically, my therapist recommended this book to me so guess what my Wednesday therapy session is going to be about ðĪŠ
ðððð
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Blood, Car accident, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol
The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was fun reading the continuation of Lina and Doon's journey in this sequel. The people of ember find the people of sparks and when an ember is sparked, it creates fire.
Passion and anger ignite in the strain of a village doubling overnight. But there is still so much potential and hope in this YA dystopian world missing so much, like libraries and electricity.
I'm excited to read the rest of the series âĻ
Passion and anger ignite in the strain of a village doubling overnight. But there is still so much potential and hope in this YA dystopian world missing so much, like libraries and electricity.
I'm excited to read the rest of the series âĻ
Rock Bottom by Dominique Wolf
emotional
funny
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 book was delicious!
From the ocean air, to the champagne tasting, this book just transports you into your own holiday in your mind ðĨ°
We have fake dating, we have enemies to lovers, we have one bed, we have a destination wedding date.
Nikita desperately needs a break from life, which has been wrecking her lately - from getting released from her job contract to her apartment flooding, a vacation sounds like the perfect solution. Calvin needs a date to a destination wedding to prevent him from running back to his ex (and maybe help her see what she's missing out on).
Sounds like they could help each other out. And they do in so many ways - the spice! Delicious.
The only problem is they cannot stand each other and it's always been that way. I spent chapters screaming at them to kiss in my head ð
This book will have you laughing, it'll have you crying, it'll have you swooning. At least it did for me.
Now, take me back to Algarve ð
Thank you to Dominique Wolf for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review ðĐ·
From the ocean air, to the champagne tasting, this book just transports you into your own holiday in your mind ðĨ°
We have fake dating, we have enemies to lovers, we have one bed, we have a destination wedding date.
Nikita desperately needs a break from life, which has been wrecking her lately - from getting released from her job contract to her apartment flooding, a vacation sounds like the perfect solution. Calvin needs a date to a destination wedding to prevent him from running back to his ex (and maybe help her see what she's missing out on).
Sounds like they could help each other out. And they do in so many ways - the spice! Delicious.
The only problem is they cannot stand each other and it's always been that way. I spent chapters screaming at them to kiss in my head ð
This book will have you laughing, it'll have you crying, it'll have you swooning. At least it did for me.
Now, take me back to Algarve ð
Thank you to Dominique Wolf for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review ðĐ·
The Fake Dating War by Sookh Kaur
emotional
funny
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 should punish you."
"Why?" I stammer.
"For making me so desperate for your crumbs."
ðððð
This book! It was sooo cute, full of culture, and full of character growth âĻ
We follow Reema Patel, a 35-year old divorcee who's life revolves around work and clearing off the debt from her ex. She had mentioned to her family she was dating someone to get them off her back and now she's attending her sister's wedding. Which means she needs a date for it and is running out of time.
Jake Coleman is her work rival. They're fighting for an incentive at work and Reema is so far in the lead, it must infuriate him. Yet, out of nowhere, he's offered to be her wedding date.
I enjoyed their story sooo much and Coleman is just *chefs kiss~
Enemies to lovers, fake dating at a wedding party, forced proximity, slow burn, all the good tropes ðĪĐ
Thank you to Sookh Kaur for the free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review ðĐ·
"Why?" I stammer.
"For making me so desperate for your crumbs."
ðððð
This book! It was sooo cute, full of culture, and full of character growth âĻ
We follow Reema Patel, a 35-year old divorcee who's life revolves around work and clearing off the debt from her ex. She had mentioned to her family she was dating someone to get them off her back and now she's attending her sister's wedding. Which means she needs a date for it and is running out of time.
Jake Coleman is her work rival. They're fighting for an incentive at work and Reema is so far in the lead, it must infuriate him. Yet, out of nowhere, he's offered to be her wedding date.
I enjoyed their story sooo much and Coleman is just *chefs kiss~
Enemies to lovers, fake dating at a wedding party, forced proximity, slow burn, all the good tropes ðĪĐ
Thank you to Sookh Kaur for the free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review ðĐ·
A Bittersweet Life by Donggeon Lee
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena
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
"Maybe that's what hell is, other people."
I am usually a slowish reader. I savour my books. But this book I finished in two days ððĪ
We follow the story of a little girl who goes missing in the quiet, apparently safe town of Stanhope. As the investigation unravells, so does the neighbour's. So many secrets, so many darksides of people come out. To protect their kids, hiding their shame, because of jealousy.
This was addictive, I kept wanting to know what had happened. I just couldn't put it down, I had to force myself to go to sleep ð sometimes adulting really is hard.
I am usually a slowish reader. I savour my books. But this book I finished in two days ððĪ
We follow the story of a little girl who goes missing in the quiet, apparently safe town of Stanhope. As the investigation unravells, so does the neighbour's. So many secrets, so many darksides of people come out. To protect their kids, hiding their shame, because of jealousy.
This was addictive, I kept wanting to know what had happened. I just couldn't put it down, I had to force myself to go to sleep ð sometimes adulting really is hard.
Damsel by Evelyn Skye
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you haven't given this movie a watch on Netflix yet, go do it right now. It's so good ð
I got the book because I wanted more. To read Elodie's thoughts, to read more about the cave. The book is based on the screenplay and there are differences - it feels like a whole new character and a new story. I really loved the movie. Millie brought her character to life and they did an amazing job with the affects and angles âĻ it also seemed a bit more... Realistic ð than the book. I know, I know. We're talking about a dragon so how realistic can it really be.
The book Elodie was also a really strong character. Her willpower! The strength it took to live! After reading some of her ordeals I'd have just lay down and told the dragon to just eat me ð
I didn't relate to her character so much but her strengths are navigation/maps, and language - my weaknesses ð even further evidence that I would not have survived.
I loved the exploration of the caves and how this story resolves itself in both versions ðĪ it has a different type of ending and experience here compared to the movie so definitely give this a read if you want a similar taste!
I got the book because I wanted more. To read Elodie's thoughts, to read more about the cave. The book is based on the screenplay and there are differences - it feels like a whole new character and a new story. I really loved the movie. Millie brought her character to life and they did an amazing job with the affects and angles âĻ it also seemed a bit more... Realistic ð than the book. I know, I know. We're talking about a dragon so how realistic can it really be.
The book Elodie was also a really strong character. Her willpower! The strength it took to live! After reading some of her ordeals I'd have just lay down and told the dragon to just eat me ð
I didn't relate to her character so much but her strengths are navigation/maps, and language - my weaknesses ð even further evidence that I would not have survived.
I loved the exploration of the caves and how this story resolves itself in both versions ðĪ it has a different type of ending and experience here compared to the movie so definitely give this a read if you want a similar taste!
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Eyelashes born from iceberg shavings and lips painted with the blood of sailors." "We dissolve into the very tying that made us. Into ocean and foam and the salt in our veins."
If anyone knows me, y'all know I love me some mermaids. Sirens. Them girls with fins.
"'You are a little heartless today, aren't you?' 'Never,' I say. 'There are seventeen under my bed"'
Meet Lira. The daughter of the sea queen. A siren. The prince's bane.
"They'll fall in love with you so resolutely that even as they drown, they'll scream of nothing but your beauty."
She's sharp around the edges and doesn't know how to not be brutal, living a life of pain, training herself to not show your emotions. Sirens lead with fear.
"Legend says my entire family bleeds nothing but treasure."
Meet Elian. More pirate than prince. He leads with respect. More human than she thinks. The soon-to-be ruler of a great nation. A nation that literally glitters with gold. And a siren killer.
"waters of apple and sapphire."
A third of the book is poetry, a third is the funny banter, and a third action.
"and now there's only this. Me, my ship, and a girl with oceans in her eyes."
"How strange that instead of taking his heart, I'm hoping he takes mine."
I literally didn't even need to build a ship for this one because they already had one. Ba-dum-tsss.
SHE WANTED HIS HEART ALL ALONG JUST NOT LIKE THAT. I just love this book ð
If anyone knows me, y'all know I love me some mermaids. Sirens. Them girls with fins.
"'You are a little heartless today, aren't you?' 'Never,' I say. 'There are seventeen under my bed"'
Meet Lira. The daughter of the sea queen. A siren. The prince's bane.
"They'll fall in love with you so resolutely that even as they drown, they'll scream of nothing but your beauty."
She's sharp around the edges and doesn't know how to not be brutal, living a life of pain, training herself to not show your emotions. Sirens lead with fear.
"Legend says my entire family bleeds nothing but treasure."
Meet Elian. More pirate than prince. He leads with respect. More human than she thinks. The soon-to-be ruler of a great nation. A nation that literally glitters with gold. And a siren killer.
"waters of apple and sapphire."
A third of the book is poetry, a third is the funny banter, and a third action.
"and now there's only this. Me, my ship, and a girl with oceans in her eyes."
"How strange that instead of taking his heart, I'm hoping he takes mine."
I literally didn't even need to build a ship for this one because they already had one. Ba-dum-tsss.
SHE WANTED HIS HEART ALL ALONG JUST NOT LIKE THAT. I just love this book ð
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-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? No
4.0
When I was a little girl, I watched this movie and I LOVED it. So I knew when I saw there was a book, I had to read it and I'm so excited to get the rest of the series!
We follow our main characters who live in an underground city whose generator, the only source of their precious light, is dying. There were instructions on how to get out of the city, years later, but they'd been lost. We follow them along their journey towards light âĻ
It's very YA but it's super cute and I love me distopian anything so ðĪ definitely recommend this as a nice, short read ðĐ·
We follow our main characters who live in an underground city whose generator, the only source of their precious light, is dying. There were instructions on how to get out of the city, years later, but they'd been lost. We follow them along their journey towards light âĻ
It's very YA but it's super cute and I love me distopian anything so ðĪ definitely recommend this as a nice, short read ðĐ·
unTouchable Season 1 by massstar
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0