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jeanstehle's reviews
354 reviews
Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Crash by Freida McFadden
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-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
4.0
Margaret Fuller: A New American Life by Megan Marshall
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Loved the tension, mystery and examination of the patriarchy but the ending was too ambiguous for my liking.
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
Several gut-wrenching scenes involving children being mentally and physically abused may be upsetting for some readers. I was okay with them since they weren't gratuitous and I was invested in the story and outcome.
Believe it or not, one of my favorite twists of the book was the title. I began the book assuming THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK was a straightforward description of the novel: Ellie's safe return from abduction.
But as I journeyed deeper into the story, I learned Emiko Jean brilliantly crafted a title tinged with a double entendre. The plot twist is right in the title, you just have to know your parts of speech.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I'd waited six months to read The Return of Ellie Black. When my library notified me that it was my turn to borrow the book, I stopped everything to dive into this dark thriller.
At seventeen, Ellie is abducted, only to reappear two years later, wandering near a trailhead. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is tasked with finding her captor, but Ellie refuses to cooperate, clearly hiding something—though the truth remains elusive.
At seventeen, Ellie is abducted, only to reappear two years later, wandering near a trailhead. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is tasked with finding her captor, but Ellie refuses to cooperate, clearly hiding something—though the truth remains elusive.
I enjoyed how the story is told from multiple viewpoints across different timelines., which gives a fuller picture of each main character. The novel explores themes of PTSD, Stockholm syndrome, sacrifice for loved ones, grief, and broken families.
Several gut-wrenching scenes involving children being mentally and physically abused may be upsetting for some readers. I was okay with them since they weren't gratuitous and I was invested in the story and outcome.
Believe it or not, one of my favorite twists of the book was the title. I began the book assuming THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK was a straightforward description of the novel: Ellie's safe return from abduction.
But as I journeyed deeper into the story, I learned Emiko Jean brilliantly crafted a title tinged with a double entendre. The plot twist is right in the title, you just have to know your parts of speech.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Kidnapping
Happy & Sad & Everything True by Alex Thayer
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
HAPPY & SAD & EVERYTHING TRUE is a tender and emotionally resonant story about the main character, Dee, as she navigates a changing relationship with her once best friend, Juniper. Dee struggles with acknowledging her feelings—even to herself!— but when she finds an unlikely opportunity to provide advice and support to younger classmates in her school, she knows how she feels: helpful, valued, and important.
The theme of friends growing apart is common in middle-grade novels for a reason. Author Alex Thayer writes a refreshing outcome in this novel, gifting the reader with an invaluable lesson to carry with them long after they finish the book.
Note: this is a fantastic parent or class read aloud for upper elementary aged students.
The theme of friends growing apart is common in middle-grade novels for a reason. Author Alex Thayer writes a refreshing outcome in this novel, gifting the reader with an invaluable lesson to carry with them long after they finish the book.
Note: this is a fantastic parent or class read aloud for upper elementary aged students.
The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Romantic fiction fans, put this on your radar!
THE SUMMER WE RAN by @audreyingramwrites is a sweeping story about young love, difficult choices, and the truth that painful secrets will always catch up to you.
Tess and Grant share an unspeakable past, which is where they'd both like to leave it.
When they become their party's respective candidates for Virginia's gubernatorial race, they must not only fight for the position they wish to hold, but face the truth embedded in the last time they saw each other, over 25 years ago.
Ingram’s vivid descriptions of summer landscapes add a bucolic backdrop to the complicated romance, making it a great beach read.
If you enjoy stories that blend heartache with hope and passion with introspection, keep your eyes peeled for it's June 3rd release date.
Thank you @zibbypublishing for sharing an advanced copy of this book!
THE SUMMER WE RAN by @audreyingramwrites is a sweeping story about young love, difficult choices, and the truth that painful secrets will always catch up to you.
Tess and Grant share an unspeakable past, which is where they'd both like to leave it.
When they become their party's respective candidates for Virginia's gubernatorial race, they must not only fight for the position they wish to hold, but face the truth embedded in the last time they saw each other, over 25 years ago.
Ingram’s vivid descriptions of summer landscapes add a bucolic backdrop to the complicated romance, making it a great beach read.
If you enjoy stories that blend heartache with hope and passion with introspection, keep your eyes peeled for it's June 3rd release date.
Thank you @zibbypublishing for sharing an advanced copy of this book!
The Winner by Teddy Wayne
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Whoa! This book!
THE WINNER by Teddy Wayne is a wild exploration of privilege, identity, and the price of success set against the backdrop of an exclusive summer community on the coast of Massachusetts.
I was pulling for the main character, Connor O'Toole, from the moment I met him. He hustled his way through life thanks to his intellect, work ethic, and mentorship of a tennis instructor.
Now all Connor needs to do this summer is make bank by giving tennis lessons to Cutter's Island's tony residents and prepare to take the bar.
Connor's hopes for his future are noble. His priority is to provide a comfortable life for his ailing, widowed, unemployed mother. When a divorcée client of Connor's proposes an offer he cannot refuse, Connor sees no harm in making a little more money off the court.
What follows is a nail-biting journey into the depths of privilege and wealth Cutter's Island residents rely on for survival.
Perhaps Connor will finally catch a lucky break and make this world his own. But when you uncover the dark deeds he’s willing to commit, will you still be rooting for him??
THE WINNER by Teddy Wayne is a wild exploration of privilege, identity, and the price of success set against the backdrop of an exclusive summer community on the coast of Massachusetts.
I was pulling for the main character, Connor O'Toole, from the moment I met him. He hustled his way through life thanks to his intellect, work ethic, and mentorship of a tennis instructor.
Now all Connor needs to do this summer is make bank by giving tennis lessons to Cutter's Island's tony residents and prepare to take the bar.
Connor's hopes for his future are noble. His priority is to provide a comfortable life for his ailing, widowed, unemployed mother. When a divorcée client of Connor's proposes an offer he cannot refuse, Connor sees no harm in making a little more money off the court.
What follows is a nail-biting journey into the depths of privilege and wealth Cutter's Island residents rely on for survival.
Perhaps Connor will finally catch a lucky break and make this world his own. But when you uncover the dark deeds he’s willing to commit, will you still be rooting for him??
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5