hermusings's reviews
293 reviews

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This may be my favorite Christmas short story I’ve read so far.
Loved the prose and powerful messages weaved throughout the story. Also how authentic and earnest main character Bill Furlong is.

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is a strong feminist story about a sex bot gradually gaining consciousness and desire for free.

This was hard to put down as you soon find yourself rooting for Annie and wonder where her journey will lead her. Along with great commentary on humanity, feminism and AI.

Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Loved the premise. It was sweet and had me go down a mastectomy rabbit-hole while also being informative within the narrative. 

Also!! This is a holiday season read!! Perfect time for it.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

funny lighthearted reflective

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Quirky and cringe yet fun, sexy, & thoughtful

Bourbon & Secrets by Victoria Wilder

3.0

With the Foxx Bourbon series, Wilder does a good job at building a romance with intrigue and suspense. This sequel does not fail to deliver on those fronts and more.

Although at face value this book is a suspense romance, I was pleasantly surprised by how much was also centered around sisterhood. It also built beautifully on the story from the previous book which I think added dimension to the town and the characters.

Excited to see how this series will conclude with Ace & Hadley’s story.

Thank you to Victoria Wilder for an arc in exchange for an honest review. 

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

funny reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

This not only found me well but at the right time! 

Natalie Sue wrote a corporate comedy with depth, introspection and juicy office drama. I devoured it and found it timely for me on a personal level but also as a good respite from the state of the world. I went into this blind which allowed me to have a delightfully funny and surprising experience.

Also, the audiobook narration by Nasim Pedrad was phenomenal!! 

Play Along by Liz Tomforde

2.75

Born a Girl: It Takes Courage by Alice Dussutour

informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

They truly never want to let the girly pops live 😭
This should be mandatory reading — informative, concise and real. 
Also beautifully illustrated.

The Night Ends With Fire by K.X. Song

3.75

Read this during elections week and that’s honestly my biggest regret. 😭 

 

Mulan is one of my favorites so knowing that this was a retelling was all I needed to know to pick up this book. Essentially, I went into it relatively blind.

I loved that it felt more grounded than the Disney version (shocker) – from opium addictions to class and political dynamics. 

Along with Song’s incorporation of a magical realm, made this story feel elevated while still being true to what we know. It was immersive in nature and the story telling incorporating the folklore with beautiful proses was wonderful to read.

 

The ending to this story leaves off on a note that makes you think “surely this is not the end of Meilin’s story” as the series is meant to continue it aims to leaving you wanting to find out more. However, I left feeling the opposite. The characters felt two-dimensional and hard to root for. The main driving force is the intrigue of this forbidden magical realm/creatures and how it unravels in their lives. At the end, so much of the magical aspect had been revealed that the occult lies within the characters that had little pull for me. 

 

I think If you are familiar with Mulan’s story and do not read a lot of fantasy because of the dense world building, this may be a good choice as you already have a leg up on the main plot.

 

Also, physically, this book is gorgeous. The only physical edition right now (in US) is the first edition hardcover and it’s insane they made it look so good. Even down to the type of paper it’s printed on. 

Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder

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

3.25

This one pleasantly surprised me. However, it felt like two separate books as the thriller took a significant back seat to their relationship on the second half of the book. 
Looking forward to the next books in the series.