jaimek926's reviews
304 reviews

Spinning by Tillie Walden

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

An emotional memoir about Tillie Walden’s childhood skating. It is fraught with a dark tension, making the reader feel as silent and trapped as Tillie did. The darkness of the art style reflects the dark, painful story. 

Tusks, Tails & Teacakes by T.L. Stone

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

As a lover of cozy fantasy stories, this one really hit the spot! From slice of life moments to found family to an adorable slow burn romance, this book had everything I wanted and more!

Lira is a fantastic main character. She feels so real that she can almost jump off the page. For her, coming home is exactly what she needed and it shows as her character develops. And her romance with Korl is as sweet as her cinnamon scones! I’m also a sucker for a fun side character with great zingers and Sass is definitely that and so much more. 

I cannot recommend this book enough! Thank you TL Stone for the ARC copy and for creating the cozy crew! 

Summers End by Juneau Black

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

All Summer Long by Hope Larson

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

Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky

emotional mysterious fast-paced

3.0

Pillow Talk by Stephanie Cooke

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? It's complicated

4.5

A coming of age story about learning to love who you are. 

Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay by Kelly McWilliams

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Alix E Harrow continues to take the stories from our childhood and make them dark and creepy. But also somehow sweet and irreverent and containing found family.

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Very fun and cute story, but there’s something about how Mona talks about adults that feels a little juvenile. It makes her seem younger than fourteen at times.