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jennaraetions's reviews
63 reviews
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I'd give this a 3.5. If it was just on the story alone, it'd be a 5. But I cannot handle the "writing style." it's like someone read a book or watched a movie and then described it to someone, uninterested. Very "he did this then she did this". Especially the second half. Kind of appalling how fast and emotionless it was by then.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Verity by Colleen Hoover
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
4 stars is usually my top for romance novels. I don't know why I pretend like they're any less than a nonfiction or historical fiction or a book that makes some big revelation in the way I see the world.
This, however. This. I came for the easy read. The cute, heartwarming story. And, let's be real, the sex.
I did not come for the crying at the end. The trying to keep my breathing steady so that my husband, lying next to me, wouldn't notice that I was crying at a romance novel. I mean, really? The casually wiping my eyes like "no, I just...happen to keep needing to wipe my eyes, nothing to see here."
To be fair, I am currently on like 3 hours of sleep in the last two days. But the sisters got me, and the ending broke me in the best way.
So, for making me cry, something only a couple of books have ever done, Book Lovers definitely deserves 5 stars.
This, however. This. I came for the easy read. The cute, heartwarming story. And, let's be real, the sex.
I did not come for the crying at the end. The trying to keep my breathing steady so that my husband, lying next to me, wouldn't notice that I was crying at a romance novel. I mean, really? The casually wiping my eyes like "no, I just...happen to keep needing to wipe my eyes, nothing to see here."
To be fair, I am currently on like 3 hours of sleep in the last two days. But the sisters got me, and the ending broke me in the best way.
So, for making me cry, something only a couple of books have ever done, Book Lovers definitely deserves 5 stars.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Was this the most important piece of literature I've ever read? No. But it was good. I wanted a good spicy romance, and I got one. It's hard for me to find good smutty romance that I like, because I can't stand the annoying alpha dom shit, and I want a good story that isn't cheesy rather than built around sex like a porno with a sad plot. Those two things cancel out MOST romance novels. But this was perfect. A quick read that I was invested in, loved the characters, realistic, not cheesy, and a slow burn hate to love spicyness that was completely worth the wait.
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
So this is probably my favorite thriller I've ever read and needs to be a movie. Almost like The Orphan, but not. I had no idea what this book was even about when I started, and I still had no idea what kind of book it was while reading it - ghost story? Would it all wrap up with a reasonable explanation? I tried to figure it out the entire time but for the first time ever, the twists were not anything I had considered, the "what's going on explanation" was amazing and well thought out, the climax was so intense, and it was unlike any book I've ever read. Even long before the climax I was so stressed for Mallory, anxious, and almost a little scared while reading. The pictures essentially function as jump scares, which is so cool to have during a book. Absolutely loved it.
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Somewhere between 3-4 stars. I can't really think of anything monumental to say about it - the characters and plot were okay, the ending was a shock, the premise was deeply troubling. The government conspiracy and propaganda angle was super compelling and realistic (in a broad sense). Whether it was the best book I've ever read or not, I can tell it will linger in my thoughts for years to come.
Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom by Gypsy-Rose Blanchard
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I'll die before I give anything by gypsy less than 5 stars tbh. Looking forward to the full memoir.
The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I went between 4 and 5 stars so many times for this. I'm still not sure.
I can't tell if this book had WAY too much going on in the super twisty ending, or if it was just enough to keep even someone like me, who always predicts things early on, interested. Either way, it kept me engaged, I loved the story, and the characters.
At the end, there's a moment when everything is over and wrapped up, and then suddenly it's not, and I was kind of like "really? More? We don't need more. There's already so much. Just let it end." but, giving credit where credit is due, in that "second ending" there was yet ANOTHER twist that even got a bit of a gasp out of me (and I smacked my husband's arm out of shock even though he had no idea what was happening).
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and would absolutely read more by this author.
I can't tell if this book had WAY too much going on in the super twisty ending, or if it was just enough to keep even someone like me, who always predicts things early on, interested. Either way, it kept me engaged, I loved the story, and the characters.
At the end, there's a moment when everything is over and wrapped up, and then suddenly it's not, and I was kind of like "really? More? We don't need more. There's already so much. Just let it end." but, giving credit where credit is due, in that "second ending" there was yet ANOTHER twist that even got a bit of a gasp out of me (and I smacked my husband's arm out of shock even though he had no idea what was happening).
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and would absolutely read more by this author.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is one of my favorite books I've read in so long, and yet I don't feel like I can give it five stars, even though I give almost every book 5 stars.
It took me a bit to get into, and I'm not sure why. This is, at its core, a book about true crime and feminism, which is kind of my wheelhouse. But once I got into it, I was definitely hooked, until about halfway through.
I do sometimes struggle with staying focused during books (thanks adhd) but at a certain point, I hit a spot where I struggled to keep track of the two different story lines. The book covers Ruth, her struggles with herself, her family, and her sexuality, and her life with Tina, until...the end of her story at the hands of "The Defendant", while simultaneously telling the story of Pamela, who witnessed The Defendant after he attacked her sorority, and her navigating that, and befriending Tina. Pamela's story is told bouncing between the 70s and now, alongside Ruth's story. Always bouncing back and forth. Sometimes, the stories overlap so much, with the same characters, places, etc, that it was hard to keep track of who was where and when.
That being said, this book is beautifully written, an amazing premise that absolutely needs to be screamed from the rooftops, and though I've always hated the way press turns serial killers into media rock stars, the perspective of the victims will forever change how I watch or read true crime. While there were a few times I felt a little lost, having to stop and think and get my bearings on which storyline I was in and what they were currently doing, it was absolutely worth it.
Towards the end, there were some details that I feel like I didn't get the answers it seemed like we should have gotten (Tina getting the items from Rebecca seemed a little open ended, as well as the conversation with Carl that just kind of seemed to end abruptly) but it's possible I missed some details towards the end.
All in all, if you are a feminist, interested in true crime, lgbtqia+ or an ally, this is absolutely a book you NEED to read. I may even read it again somewhere down the line.
I'd quote all of the amazing quotes from this book about the way women are/were treated, but there are so many. So many. Absolutely great metaphors and putting the absolute nonsense of the policework and mysogeny of the time (and now) at the forefront, and fully discussing that The Defendant was not an amazing, charismatic genius, but rather a "run of the mill incel," and I'm so here for it.
It took me a bit to get into, and I'm not sure why. This is, at its core, a book about true crime and feminism, which is kind of my wheelhouse. But once I got into it, I was definitely hooked, until about halfway through.
I do sometimes struggle with staying focused during books (thanks adhd) but at a certain point, I hit a spot where I struggled to keep track of the two different story lines. The book covers Ruth, her struggles with herself, her family, and her sexuality, and her life with Tina, until...the end of her story at the hands of "The Defendant", while simultaneously telling the story of Pamela, who witnessed The Defendant after he attacked her sorority, and her navigating that, and befriending Tina. Pamela's story is told bouncing between the 70s and now, alongside Ruth's story. Always bouncing back and forth. Sometimes, the stories overlap so much, with the same characters, places, etc, that it was hard to keep track of who was where and when.
That being said, this book is beautifully written, an amazing premise that absolutely needs to be screamed from the rooftops, and though I've always hated the way press turns serial killers into media rock stars, the perspective of the victims will forever change how I watch or read true crime. While there were a few times I felt a little lost, having to stop and think and get my bearings on which storyline I was in and what they were currently doing, it was absolutely worth it.
Towards the end, there were some details that I feel like I didn't get the answers it seemed like we should have gotten (Tina getting the items from Rebecca seemed a little open ended, as well as the conversation with Carl that just kind of seemed to end abruptly) but it's possible I missed some details towards the end.
All in all, if you are a feminist, interested in true crime, lgbtqia+ or an ally, this is absolutely a book you NEED to read. I may even read it again somewhere down the line.
I'd quote all of the amazing quotes from this book about the way women are/were treated, but there are so many. So many. Absolutely great metaphors and putting the absolute nonsense of the policework and mysogeny of the time (and now) at the forefront, and fully discussing that The Defendant was not an amazing, charismatic genius, but rather a "run of the mill incel," and I'm so here for it.