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jce's reviews
745 reviews
Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Point of Hopes by Lisa A. Barnett, Melissa Scott
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
The Prospects by KT Hoffman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Perfect book is perfect. What can I say? I loved this book. I loved the MCs. I loved the side characters. I loved the baseball. I loved the writing style. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It's an absolute joy to read and I'll be highly recommending it to everyone. It even has a recipe at the end from one character and a running playlist from another character!
One thing I do want to mention, just because it zoned right in on my anxiety triggers, is that a character describes an incident where a panic attack leads to them fainting while driving. This is, obviously, a thing that can happen. However, it's really rare and it's kind of like the number one thing people who have driving anxiety often fear is going to happen and speaking from experience, I know that anxiety attacks often make you feel like you're going to faint, even when you aren't, and learning to kind of push through those feelings and keep driving is the way to combat that anxiety, so imagining this situation and its repercussions was rough.
But truly, this book is just so wonderful. You want this book in your life. Highly super recommend.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
One thing I do want to mention, just because it zoned right in on my anxiety triggers, is that a character describes an incident where a panic attack leads to them fainting while driving. This is, obviously, a thing that can happen. However, it's really rare and it's kind of like the number one thing people who have driving anxiety often fear is going to happen and speaking from experience, I know that anxiety attacks often make you feel like you're going to faint, even when you aren't, and learning to kind of push through those feelings and keep driving is the way to combat that anxiety, so imagining this situation and its repercussions was rough.
But truly, this book is just so wonderful. You want this book in your life. Highly super recommend.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
The Breakup Lists by Adib Khorram
hopeful
reflective
3.0
I've loved everything else by this author, so I'm disappointed to say The Breakup Lists was just okay for me. I really loved the main character, and the love interest, and the best friend. I loved all the stuff about the stage production. But I could not stand Jasmine, the main character's sister. Her being so completely selfish and unlikable really hurt the story for me. I think I would have felt much more conflicted and emotionally invested if her character was actually someone I cared about, since she's such a big part of the story. Everyone here is messy and making mistakes, but while I felt I could so easily understand the choices most of the characters make, Jasmine's whole attitude and her actions are just plain awful.
I also kind of felt like there was too much going on in the story, to the point that I didn't connect with much and felt less invested than I would have liked. I think that the sweet moments between the MCs were really well done, and those, along with the moments between Jackson and his best friend, were my favorite part for sure. I also felt the pacing was somewhat off, especially toward the end. I did appreciate that an MC seeks out therapy and that we are shown young people in love can break up and still move on with their lives and find new interests and joys.
So yeah, this was a mixed bag for me because there was a lot to like, but also some aspects that didn't quite work for me. I wish I'd felt happier and more invested overall while reading but it was kind of 50/50 on the parts I enjoyed and the parts I just wanted to be over with. \
*ARC provided by NetGally
I also kind of felt like there was too much going on in the story, to the point that I didn't connect with much and felt less invested than I would have liked. I think that the sweet moments between the MCs were really well done, and those, along with the moments between Jackson and his best friend, were my favorite part for sure. I also felt the pacing was somewhat off, especially toward the end. I did appreciate that an MC seeks out therapy and that we are shown young people in love can break up and still move on with their lives and find new interests and joys.
So yeah, this was a mixed bag for me because there was a lot to like, but also some aspects that didn't quite work for me. I wish I'd felt happier and more invested overall while reading but it was kind of 50/50 on the parts I enjoyed and the parts I just wanted to be over with. \
*ARC provided by NetGally
Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This is a wonderfully gentle and lovely novella. This was my first time reading this updated edition, but my fourth read overall. I first read it during election night in 2020, when I needed comfort and companionship, and it was perfect for that task.
I find this a little tricky to review, because it now has so many parts, and the new bonus novella, Chasing the Light, but I think it makes sense to review the whole kit and caboodle here, as it all comes as one package.
This is a book with a good deal of ambling conversation, it feels very authentic but occasionally struck sort of an odd note for me. On the one hand, it does add to the cozy nature of the book and give us insight into the characters, on the other hand, for such a short book, there's rather a lot of it. And while I found all the stuff about book binding and etymology captivating, I admit I was a bit lost during some of the game theory bits. Some of the jokes were also lost on me. But, actually, that did make me feel more like it was a real conversation I was just listening in on.
I adore both MCs in Waiting for the Flood. There's only one featured side character, but I loved her as well. It's just a really soothing book. One of my top comfort read recommendations.
Bonus recipes!! I'm such a sucker for recipes, and these are written in the voice of the characters, so they are great fun. My favorite kind of bonus material.
The second, new novella is Chasing the Light. Marius, the MC, is Edwin's ex. We hear a good deal about him in Waiting for the Flood, so I was interested to get to know him better. I think he's changed a good deal in the four years since he and Edwin broke up. In WFTF, it seemed like Edwin and Marius were two people who had drifted apart. I didn't get the sense that Marius was cruel or especially closed off. But the Marius we meet in Chasing the Light is practically wrapped in barbed wire. He hurts himself and the people around him, including Edwin. He is not a likeable character, but I did find him a relatable one. I know what it's like for discomfort to turn to prickliness, especially around family. I certainly don't think I'm as much of an asshole as Marius is, but I did understand many of his reactions. He's going through something that feels life shattering, and hates himself for the way he's handling it, and hates anyone who tries to offer him what he feels he doesn't deserve, what he tells himself he doesn't want. He's an interesting, infuriating character. I don't know if he's purposefully written as being neurodivergent, but there were definitely times his feelings about things reminded me of my own.
Chasing the Light is higher heat than Waiting for the Flood, as is Aftermath, the short bonus at the very end that mostly features Edwin and Adam. Chasing the Light also has a lot of those intricate details about a subject, as WFTF did with book binding and game theory, this time about living on a boat. And pierogi :) Again, I felt it gave the story a cozy aspect that I really enjoyed. Though Chasing the Light is certainly less soothing than WFTF, because Marius is who he is, I'd still classify it as comforting. I laughed a good deal during Chasing the Light and Aftermath.
I think my one slight disappointment with both novellas is that I wanted Leo and Adam, the love interests of the MCs whose POV we get, to be a bit less... perfect? I mean I love that both Edwin and Marius get these wonderful people to care for them. And I loved what we got of their characters. But I wanted them to have a few more flaws. And I actually loved that Aftermath shows us Marius is still very much Marius.
It is also worth noting that Marius has what I would classify as an eating disorder. I'm guessing this is listed in the CWs but I don't think my audio ARC had them.
Again, in Aftermath, there is some conversation that seems sort of unnecessary? There's another chunk of game theory math stuff (expecting my invite to Mensa anytime) that only bothered me because it went on for so long and it's such a short story. And then there's a big section about Edwin's family that felt oddly out of place? I think for me it just didn't offer a lot that I didn't get in WFTF. I didn't dislike it, I just found it odd to devote so much space to both of these conversations when it's such a short story.
All in all, I very much enjoyed this whole package. I would absolutely recommend it.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
I find this a little tricky to review, because it now has so many parts, and the new bonus novella, Chasing the Light, but I think it makes sense to review the whole kit and caboodle here, as it all comes as one package.
This is a book with a good deal of ambling conversation, it feels very authentic but occasionally struck sort of an odd note for me. On the one hand, it does add to the cozy nature of the book and give us insight into the characters, on the other hand, for such a short book, there's rather a lot of it. And while I found all the stuff about book binding and etymology captivating, I admit I was a bit lost during some of the game theory bits. Some of the jokes were also lost on me. But, actually, that did make me feel more like it was a real conversation I was just listening in on.
I adore both MCs in Waiting for the Flood. There's only one featured side character, but I loved her as well. It's just a really soothing book. One of my top comfort read recommendations.
Bonus recipes!! I'm such a sucker for recipes, and these are written in the voice of the characters, so they are great fun. My favorite kind of bonus material.
The second, new novella is Chasing the Light. Marius, the MC, is Edwin's ex. We hear a good deal about him in Waiting for the Flood, so I was interested to get to know him better. I think he's changed a good deal in the four years since he and Edwin broke up. In WFTF, it seemed like Edwin and Marius were two people who had drifted apart. I didn't get the sense that Marius was cruel or especially closed off. But the Marius we meet in Chasing the Light is practically wrapped in barbed wire. He hurts himself and the people around him, including Edwin. He is not a likeable character, but I did find him a relatable one. I know what it's like for discomfort to turn to prickliness, especially around family. I certainly don't think I'm as much of an asshole as Marius is, but I did understand many of his reactions. He's going through something that feels life shattering, and hates himself for the way he's handling it, and hates anyone who tries to offer him what he feels he doesn't deserve, what he tells himself he doesn't want. He's an interesting, infuriating character. I don't know if he's purposefully written as being neurodivergent, but there were definitely times his feelings about things reminded me of my own.
Chasing the Light is higher heat than Waiting for the Flood, as is Aftermath, the short bonus at the very end that mostly features Edwin and Adam. Chasing the Light also has a lot of those intricate details about a subject, as WFTF did with book binding and game theory, this time about living on a boat. And pierogi :) Again, I felt it gave the story a cozy aspect that I really enjoyed. Though Chasing the Light is certainly less soothing than WFTF, because Marius is who he is, I'd still classify it as comforting. I laughed a good deal during Chasing the Light and Aftermath.
I think my one slight disappointment with both novellas is that I wanted Leo and Adam, the love interests of the MCs whose POV we get, to be a bit less... perfect? I mean I love that both Edwin and Marius get these wonderful people to care for them. And I loved what we got of their characters. But I wanted them to have a few more flaws. And I actually loved that Aftermath shows us Marius is still very much Marius.
It is also worth noting that Marius has what I would classify as an eating disorder. I'm guessing this is listed in the CWs but I don't think my audio ARC had them.
Again, in Aftermath, there is some conversation that seems sort of unnecessary? There's another chunk of game theory math stuff (expecting my invite to Mensa anytime) that only bothered me because it went on for so long and it's such a short story. And then there's a big section about Edwin's family that felt oddly out of place? I think for me it just didn't offer a lot that I didn't get in WFTF. I didn't dislike it, I just found it odd to devote so much space to both of these conversations when it's such a short story.
All in all, I very much enjoyed this whole package. I would absolutely recommend it.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
The Diablo's Curse by Gabe Cole Novoa
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I loved Wicked Bargain, the first book in this series, and enjoyed this one as well. I loved Dami in the first book so I was really excited to get their story. I liked all the characters in this, though I wanted a little more Marisol, who occasionally felt like an afterthought. I didn't feel quite as engaged with this one as with Wicked Bargain, parts of it lagged a bit for me, but I still had fun reading it. While I think Wicked Bargain is great for junior high and up, I'd say this book is probably better suited to high school. This is a sure bet for YA readers looking for adventure and romance with some wonderful queer characters.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
*ARC provided by NetGalley
Chasing The Light by Alexis Hall
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
Will Watt's narration was wonderfully done.
Marius, the MC, is Edwin's ex. We hear a good deal about him in Waiting for the Flood, so I was interested to get to know him better. I think he's changed a good deal in the four years since he and Edwin broke up. In WFTF, it seemed like Edwin and Marius were two people who had drifted apart. I didn't get the sense that Marius was cruel or especially closed off. But the Marius we meet in Chasing the Light is practically wrapped in barbed wire. He hurts himself and the people around him, including Edwin. He is not a likeable character, but I did find him a relatable one. I know what it's like for discomfort to turn to prickliness, especially around family. I certainly don't think I'm as much of an asshole as Marius is, but I did understand many of his reactions. He's going through something that feels life shattering, and hates himself for the way he's handling it, and hates anyone who tries to offer him what he feels he doesn't deserve, what he tells himself he doesn't want. He's an interesting, infuriating character. I don't know if he's purposefully written as being neurodivergent, but there were definitely times his feelings about things reminded me of my own.
Chasing the Light is higher heat than Waiting for the Flood, as is Aftermath, the short bonus at the very end that mostly features Edwin and Adam. Chasing the Light also has a lot of those intricate details about a subject, as WFTF did with book binding and game theory, this time about living on a boat. And pierogi :) Again, I felt it gave the story a cozy aspect that I really enjoyed. Though Chasing the Light is certainly less soothing than WFTF, because Marius is who he is, I'd still classify it as comforting. I laughed a good deal during Chasing the Light and Aftermath.
I think my one slight disappointment with both novellas is that I wanted Leo and Adam, the love interests of the MCs whose POV we get, to be a bit less... perfect? I mean I love that both Edwin and Marius get these wonderful people to care for them. And I loved what we got of their characters. But I wanted them to have a few more flaws. And I actually loved that Aftermath shows us Marius is still very much Marius.
It is also worth noting that Marius has what I would classify as an eating disorder. I'm guessing this is listed in the CWs but I don't think my audio ARC had them.
I enjoyed this, and I'd recommend it, though Waiting for the Flood is still my favorite of the two.
*Audio ARC provided by NetGalley
Marius, the MC, is Edwin's ex. We hear a good deal about him in Waiting for the Flood, so I was interested to get to know him better. I think he's changed a good deal in the four years since he and Edwin broke up. In WFTF, it seemed like Edwin and Marius were two people who had drifted apart. I didn't get the sense that Marius was cruel or especially closed off. But the Marius we meet in Chasing the Light is practically wrapped in barbed wire. He hurts himself and the people around him, including Edwin. He is not a likeable character, but I did find him a relatable one. I know what it's like for discomfort to turn to prickliness, especially around family. I certainly don't think I'm as much of an asshole as Marius is, but I did understand many of his reactions. He's going through something that feels life shattering, and hates himself for the way he's handling it, and hates anyone who tries to offer him what he feels he doesn't deserve, what he tells himself he doesn't want. He's an interesting, infuriating character. I don't know if he's purposefully written as being neurodivergent, but there were definitely times his feelings about things reminded me of my own.
Chasing the Light is higher heat than Waiting for the Flood, as is Aftermath, the short bonus at the very end that mostly features Edwin and Adam. Chasing the Light also has a lot of those intricate details about a subject, as WFTF did with book binding and game theory, this time about living on a boat. And pierogi :) Again, I felt it gave the story a cozy aspect that I really enjoyed. Though Chasing the Light is certainly less soothing than WFTF, because Marius is who he is, I'd still classify it as comforting. I laughed a good deal during Chasing the Light and Aftermath.
I think my one slight disappointment with both novellas is that I wanted Leo and Adam, the love interests of the MCs whose POV we get, to be a bit less... perfect? I mean I love that both Edwin and Marius get these wonderful people to care for them. And I loved what we got of their characters. But I wanted them to have a few more flaws. And I actually loved that Aftermath shows us Marius is still very much Marius.
It is also worth noting that Marius has what I would classify as an eating disorder. I'm guessing this is listed in the CWs but I don't think my audio ARC had them.
I enjoyed this, and I'd recommend it, though Waiting for the Flood is still my favorite of the two.
*Audio ARC provided by NetGalley