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jennastopreading's reviews
500 reviews
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.5
The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
It may have just been that I lost momentum, but I had no desire to pick it up in between reading sessions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
emotional
lighthearted
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
Thank you to the publisher for my eARC via Netgalley!
Annabel Monaghan doesn't miss! I fell in love with her first two books, and this one was no different. What I love about her books is the way she weaves in heavy hitting topics while still keeping the overall mood of the book as light. So while this was an enjoyable, sweet story about, it features a mom going through a divorce and trying to figure out her life while grieving the loss of her mother - and without her pernicious ex husband.
While I would consider SUMMER ROMANCE to be a "beach read", it packs a powerful punch with a MC you can root for. I greatly appreciate Monoghan's portrayal of a female protagonist that isn't in her 20's (not that there's anything wrong with MC's in that category, but as someone in my 30's, I love reading someone who is a bit more *seasoned* in life). I think Ali's struggles will hit home for readers who have gone through a divorce when they had children involved, and the emotional turmoil of trying to figure out the logistics and also a way to move on with their life.
I also really enjoyed the male protaganist, Ethan, and the multiple dimensions of his character. He had some ground to make up in her mind due to being her childhood friend's "kid brother", and he rose to the occasion. Not only was he well educated and kind, but he was involved in his community in a big way. While I didn't find him as "swoony" as some MMC's in books, I actually found I really appreciated that about him because he was realistic. He was sweet, caring, and good to her without being over the top or fake.
Again, another win from Annabel Monaghan, and I can't wait to read everything else she ever writes!
Annabel Monaghan doesn't miss! I fell in love with her first two books, and this one was no different. What I love about her books is the way she weaves in heavy hitting topics while still keeping the overall mood of the book as light. So while this was an enjoyable, sweet story about, it features a mom going through a divorce and trying to figure out her life while grieving the loss of her mother - and without her pernicious ex husband.
While I would consider SUMMER ROMANCE to be a "beach read", it packs a powerful punch with a MC you can root for. I greatly appreciate Monoghan's portrayal of a female protagonist that isn't in her 20's (not that there's anything wrong with MC's in that category, but as someone in my 30's, I love reading someone who is a bit more *seasoned* in life). I think Ali's struggles will hit home for readers who have gone through a divorce when they had children involved, and the emotional turmoil of trying to figure out the logistics and also a way to move on with their life.
I also really enjoyed the male protaganist, Ethan, and the multiple dimensions of his character. He had some ground to make up in her mind due to being her childhood friend's "kid brother", and he rose to the occasion. Not only was he well educated and kind, but he was involved in his community in a big way. While I didn't find him as "swoony" as some MMC's in books, I actually found I really appreciated that about him because he was realistic. He was sweet, caring, and good to her without being over the top or fake.
Again, another win from Annabel Monaghan, and I can't wait to read everything else she ever writes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Cursing
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.75
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Sweet Taste of Muscadines by Pamela Terry
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Thank you to the publisher for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
I cannot believe I’ve had this book sitting unread on my shelf for nearly 3 years - truly such a shame on me. What a beautiful story this was! It was also the perfect length to me (284 pages or 8 hours via audio), just enough time to put a lot of heart into the story, but not so long that the book felt redundant or boring.
The first thing that drew me in was the atmospheric writing as Pamela Terry described both the South and the North - the places where our main character, Lila, has lived. The Southern town of Wesleyan, while fictional, felt like a character in itself, with descriptions that made you feel like you knew what the town felt, smelled, looked, and sounded like. This was so beautiful to read as a girl who grew up in the South. “It’s a land where heart-stopping beauty and heartrending ugliness flourish in tandem, a land of kindness and hate of ignorance and wit, of integrity blindness, and pride…but the South is as tenacious as ming in a garden.” (Page 15)
This book also portrayed in a very raw way the reality of what it’s like to lose a parent. My heart splintered as I read the following passage; “Families change when a parent dies, and not always how you’d expect. Sometimes they turn brittle, splintering off into dark places, like a pencil stuck too far in a sharpener. Sometimes they just get quiet. Their conversations float on the surface, never venturing into the deeper waters to reach the fears and gray questions that keep each one of them awake in the dead of night, eyes wide open in the darkness of their separate rooms lines up along the same hallway.” (Page 42)
While the writing transporting me to summer in the South was what drew me in, the storyline itself proved captivating and unique. With as many layers as an onion, nearly every chapter revealed something new and exciting. The chapters were the perfect length too, with just enough “meat” to them that they all felt important.
Overall, a very solid debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author!
The first thing that drew me in was the atmospheric writing as Pamela Terry described both the South and the North - the places where our main character, Lila, has lived. The Southern town of Wesleyan, while fictional, felt like a character in itself, with descriptions that made you feel like you knew what the town felt, smelled, looked, and sounded like. This was so beautiful to read as a girl who grew up in the South. “It’s a land where heart-stopping beauty and heartrending ugliness flourish in tandem, a land of kindness and hate of ignorance and wit, of integrity blindness, and pride…but the South is as tenacious as ming in a garden.” (Page 15)
This book also portrayed in a very raw way the reality of what it’s like to lose a parent. My heart splintered as I read the following passage; “Families change when a parent dies, and not always how you’d expect. Sometimes they turn brittle, splintering off into dark places, like a pencil stuck too far in a sharpener. Sometimes they just get quiet. Their conversations float on the surface, never venturing into the deeper waters to reach the fears and gray questions that keep each one of them awake in the dead of night, eyes wide open in the darkness of their separate rooms lines up along the same hallway.” (Page 42)
While the writing transporting me to summer in the South was what drew me in, the storyline itself proved captivating and unique. With as many layers as an onion, nearly every chapter revealed something new and exciting. The chapters were the perfect length too, with just enough “meat” to them that they all felt important.
Overall, a very solid debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Outing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicide, Cursing, and Grief
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
emotional
sad
slow-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
3.0
Someone told me you’re either a Fourth Wing girl or you’re a Divine Rivals girl…
I can confirm I am definitely not both.
This book had lyrical writing, remarkable character building and depth, and a very sweet love story. The story was creative; I’ve never read anything quite like it. Iris and Roman were wise beyond their years and I found their connection tender and pure.
While this book had all those strengths…so much it was so incredibly boring for me. I kept checking how much time I had left on it, and it just drug on. The parts that I loved I really loved, but the parts where I was bored, I wanted to DNF.
Solid 3 stars from me, and I don’t think I’ll read the second.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, War, Death of parent, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content
Right on Cue by Falon Ballard
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.25
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me access to an eARC via Netgalley!
January is traditionally the slumpiest month of the year for me both book wise and personal life wise, and I am so glad that I had this little ray of sunshine in my pocket to cheer me up! RIGHT ON CUE is the Ballard's third novel, and what a fun ride they've all been. I knew that this one would be perfect for me to read when I needed a pick me up.
4 things I loved about this book:
1. The book taking place on a movie set was pretty unique to me as a reader. I don't recall ever having read one before! Along with the setting, some lovely side characters were introduced (Sam being my favorite).
2. The FMC Emmy felt very down to earth and humble. Throughout the story, when she messes up, she admits it. She's never too proud to own her mistakes.
3. The MMC had a unique softness to him that made my heart swell. Any man that not only says, "You can trust me" but PROVES it with his actions is a winner in my book.
4. The third act break up (while in itself is trope-y) was not constructed in a way that made me want to pull my hair out. This breakup made sense, and I sympathized with both Grayson and Emmy.
This book was a bit steamier than I typically prefer, and while I don't knock stars off for steam in romance novels (unless it's terribly overdone), I still like those reading my reviews to be aware. The main reason I didn't give this one 5 stars is because I felt the ending was far too rushed - I wish the story were another 15-20 pages longer! I guess of all things to complain about, this isn't the worst, since I'm basically saying that I loved the characters so much that I wanted to see more of them.
Overall, another knockout from Falon Ballard, and she will remain on my auto-read list!
January is traditionally the slumpiest month of the year for me both book wise and personal life wise, and I am so glad that I had this little ray of sunshine in my pocket to cheer me up! RIGHT ON CUE is the Ballard's third novel, and what a fun ride they've all been. I knew that this one would be perfect for me to read when I needed a pick me up.
4 things I loved about this book:
1. The book taking place on a movie set was pretty unique to me as a reader. I don't recall ever having read one before! Along with the setting, some lovely side characters were introduced (Sam being my favorite).
2. The FMC Emmy felt very down to earth and humble. Throughout the story, when she messes up, she admits it. She's never too proud to own her mistakes.
3. The MMC had a unique softness to him that made my heart swell. Any man that not only says, "You can trust me" but PROVES it with his actions is a winner in my book.
4. The third act break up (while in itself is trope-y) was not constructed in a way that made me want to pull my hair out. This breakup made sense, and I sympathized with both Grayson and Emmy.
This book was a bit steamier than I typically prefer, and while I don't knock stars off for steam in romance novels (unless it's terribly overdone), I still like those reading my reviews to be aware. The main reason I didn't give this one 5 stars is because I felt the ending was far too rushed - I wish the story were another 15-20 pages longer! I guess of all things to complain about, this isn't the worst, since I'm basically saying that I loved the characters so much that I wanted to see more of them.
Overall, another knockout from Falon Ballard, and she will remain on my auto-read list!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I bought this book the year that it released, and my biggest regret with it is waiting so long to read it. Honestly, what was I doing?!
I don't know what I thought this book was going to be about, but I had no idea..I just had no idea. I didn't know the depth of content matter, the breadth of the subjects covered, the raw pain my heart would feel as I listened with a knot in my throat. Both the story and the narrator chilled me to my core. If you can access this on audio, I recommend it - I loved hearing her speak the languages I don't speak.
My heart broke with Daunis from start to finish, and my eyes were opened to so much more than I could ever describe. This book will be a lot for sensitive readers, and I have a hard time thinking of it as Young Adult - mostly because the MC is more mature than pretty much any character I've ever read...
It's January 25, and I'm calling it - this will be the most important fiction book I read this year.
I don't know what I thought this book was going to be about, but I had no idea..I just had no idea. I didn't know the depth of content matter, the breadth of the subjects covered, the raw pain my heart would feel as I listened with a knot in my throat. Both the story and the narrator chilled me to my core. If you can access this on audio, I recommend it - I loved hearing her speak the languages I don't speak.
My heart broke with Daunis from start to finish, and my eyes were opened to so much more than I could ever describe. This book will be a lot for sensitive readers, and I have a hard time thinking of it as Young Adult - mostly because the MC is more mature than pretty much any character I've ever read...
It's January 25, and I'm calling it - this will be the most important fiction book I read this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Xenophobia, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Vomit, Rape, Cursing, and Violence